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I

MASSACHUSETTS
STATE COLLEGE

d

LIBRARY

yS^

[The Gabden.
Jan. 1, 1S98.]

The Gakden.]

Jan. I,i898^

n /

7M

cm.tdty-

Ou7/J

Il,I,aSTT^ftT£;D Wf^JE^KJ^Y JOURNAL,

OP

HORTICULTURE IN ALL ITS BRANCHES,

FOUNDED BY

W. Robinson, Author of the " Ewjlish Flon-er Garden.'

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

Shalcesyeare.

VOL. LII.-CHRISTMAS, 1897.

LONDON :
OFFICE: 37, SOUTHAMPTON STREET, COYENT GARDEN, W.C.

The Garden.]

C

v/

.S-^L

[jAiJ. 1, 1898.

TO

J. Gilbert baker

{of the Herbarium, Royal Gardens, Kew)

THE FIFTY-SECOND VOLUME OF "THE GARDEN"

(|(s trcbic'ilcb,

W. R., January, 13?S.

s

Jan-. 1, 15)8 J

THE GARDEN INDEX.

insriDE^L TO ^oxjTjdvle lit.

(Illustrations in Italics.)

Abbuts'ouiy, Doisuf, notes fiom, 251

Abtlianipestri", 171 . „ ,. „,

Abulilnn Buule de Neige, 46. ; Golden Fleece,
171 ; me^apotuniiciini, 231

Abutilons in winter, 0

Acacia armata, 473 ; Ciiinophi/lla i.i lloom at
Ll Moi tola, 9a ; ur( phjU ', 4:10

Aciena microphylla, 192 ; omti/alin a'.Ab.o's-
bxtru, AG

Acantholimon acerosum, 389 ; androsa-cm,
3S9 ; armenum, SS9 ; cephalotes, 3S9 ; glu-
maceum, 3S9 ; Kotscbyi, 3S9 ; laxiH nini,
389 ; libanoticum, 389 ; Piuardi, 3:9 ; vd-
nustnni, 32, 3S9

AcAntbolimuns, 389

Ao.inthus hispanicus, 210; Imgif .bus, 210 ;
molli!, 210 ; iiioilis, S39 ; m. lltifolius, 210 ;
spioosus, 240 ; spiaosissinius, 240

Acanthuses, the, 239, 279

Accra in tlower girdcn, 20S

Achillta, 421 ; ivgyptiica, 421: agcraliMia,
421 ; Agerat'im, 421 ; srgcntea, 421 ; as-
plinit ■lia. 421; aarea, 421; Clav. nua',
421 ; Claicnim, 421 ; Eup.torlum, 421; Jtli-
j,.,nl>tla, 421; Horbarota, 422; muro-
phylh, 422 ; iwicruphiiUa, 421 ; Jl 1 f fo-
lium 10353, 4.2; mon'olio!, 4:2; mos-
chita, 422; nana, 422; nobili-, 422; o io-
rata, 4« ; ptirmica tl--pl , 422; jjtarwu-a
rf.-j)(., 421 ; io.<.o, 421 ; rupestris, 422; Ber-
raia pleni, .'22 ; tomentoia, 4i2 ; tnnnntosi,

421 : traiisyWanica. 422 ; Tiautmanni, 373,

422 "; utnbellata, 422 ; vallesiaca, 422
Achimines, 197 ; at S-indbuis', Lodg". 110
Aeidmthera bicolor, 195

Aconitom, 482 ; antbora, 4S2 ; camnHrum,
48) : Flscheri, 48,1 ; Fortune i, 483 ; bftero-
phyllnm, 483 ; jiponicum, 251, 483 ; Ku s-
nezoffi, 483; lyccetonuui, 4SJ; Napellus,
483 ; oricntale. 11, 483 ; puniculatam, 483 ;
pyrenjicum, 483 ; uncinat.m, 4S3 ; varie-
gatum, 483

Adiantuoa pedaluni, 386

Adiantums, some new, llii

Adonis, tbe, 6 ; amurens's, T; pyrenaica, 7 ;
vcmalie, 7 ; vo'gensis, 7

Aerides affine, 114; crispuT, 2; HouUett-
imum, 3

-l;scb3 nanthuses, 270

A^apsntlius umbellatus, 19 ; utuMlatus, 19 ;
u. albus, 151

Agatbea coeleatis, ?ol, 473

Agave dasylirloidos, 4a3 ; vivlpara var. nova,
230

AitGi-Ki, Alots, an I Ynccni at la Mcrlola, 108

Agerituin. a good dwaif blue, 303

Almoniabury, notes fr. ni, 2-'.7

Alatiojmcna anranii ea, 60

.\aiaryllis B lladonna, 2!1 ; 1! at Ktw, 579

American note-", 376, 45 2

Amor{]ii canescens, 112

Ampel'psia and Ivie», 177

Aa«ctcebilns Sander anus, 25

Ancbusa italica, SS

An^romedaarb'i'ea, 195

Androsaea lanng no a, 111, 2a7, 277, 363;
A. !. a: Totley Hall, iheffiflil, 257 ; macrau-
tha, 434

At.emia rutundifo'ia, 22

Anem' lae jiioniea, 91; A. japouica alba,
303 ; A. j. Brilliant, 196 ; A. j. Whirl jiiud,
23(1, 277

Acgclonia gra-adiflori alba, 4iU ; A. g. a,
461

Angli', East, Apples in, 185

Angra?cum ait ciiUtum, 134 ; bib.bun), 376 ;
utratum, 410; faloatum, 151; fastuoiuni,
330

Auniial-s, Eona3 useful, 58

Ambemis, 485; Aizoon, 485 ; Bieberst.iri,
4S5 ; ma-edorica, 485 ; A. inaoLdonka 484;
lEontana, 4<5 ; tinc'oria, 483 ; A. tincloria,
48 ■>

Anthericum gramin folium, 111

Antt"oiyza panioula'a, 503

Antlmriuiu Andreinum atrop rpnreum, 393

An;huii in e, 267

Aotirrh nuai Henlersf ni, 313

AotiirbiLaims and r.bbits, 410

Apeia am -dinacea, 219, 3;0

AppU Adams' Pearma'n, 248 ; Al'cn's Ever-
lastirg at Brig ,toa. 397 ; Alling'on Pip-
pin, 3(9; Autumn Pearccain, 349; Blea-
lieim Orange as a bush, 4 7; Cobbett's i
Pall, 248; Cockle Pipp n, 469; Court
Pendu Plant, 49o ; Cox's ( irange, 3f i'.. 470,
4',i7 ; Devonsbire Quarrf iiden, 185 ; Iluclc s-
1111,273; Eve, SCIS ; Team's Pippin, 14;
Goldtn Russe-, 261 ; Graham, 489 ; Giaven-
stein, 349 ; Jas. Grieve, 312, 316, 355, 397 ;
Kentish Filltaskit, 229 ; King of the Pip-
pins, 356; Laiy Falmouth, 433; Lane's
Prince Alber', 450; Lemm Pippin, 317,
318,470; lanon Hppi,i,3i8; Lord Derby,
290 ; la d Dtrhv, 590 ; JIabbot's Ptarmain,
r'.i7 ; Mannington PeircDflin, 496 ; Ml-re do
Mtnage, 35 ; Newtown Pippin, 370 ; P n;-
apple HusEet, 34 ; Pott's Seedlit g, 184 ;
Bed Hawtbcrnden, 349; R'inttte du
Canada, 450 ; Ribslon Pippin, 357 ; Kibslov
Pi pill < >t a ira'l Jacing mat, <S3 ; Rll ston
Pippin >\\ wall-., 488; Ro;s Nonfare'l,
391 ; f^c toia House, 470 ; Striped Beau6n.
489; Sturmcr lippin, 390; Tower of
Glami-., 356; Til. r's Ktrnel, 21S; W.a',-
tbam Abbey Seedllrg, 261 ; Wheeler's

Rusrct, 397 ; Whita Jaueating, 229; White
Ni npiroil, 341 ; Worcester Pea-ma'n, 248 ;
Wo.msley Gra-jgc Pippir, 397 ; Y.arksbire
Beauty, 35
Apple blosson', la'e, fl ; crop, the, 74, 95 ;

tieaj en mounds. 290
Apples aid Pia-sforexp s.d situations, 9d ;
I. r pa's, 112, 181; i arly, fla'our in, 181 ;
hVLly c.ilourcj, £9i., 450; in East Aogl a,
185 ; oa Iron s il», 349 ; r'.ch, tuS tender,
l4l ; le.rje at the Crystal Palace, 355
Appointment, R^yal, 112
Ap-icot borders, t-eas . n, 74; tree, sad end
of a gimt, 229; tree', 248; trees in hot
weather, 139 ; trees, lifting roots of, 317
Apricots and Nectarines, 194
Araebrantbe Lowi, 417
Aralia Sieboldi in flower in IrUand, 435 ; In

N. W<lcs, 613
Araujia ^r.andlflora, 273
Arbl.t:s Uncdo, 429
Argi inone bi-p'da. 72
Ar sto 03hia brazilieniis, 60 ; ggas, 110
Arnebia fchio'de., 353
Arpopliyllum g gaiat .'■m, 477
Ariemisla Abrotanum in lloom, 273; aibo-

rescens, 277
Aitichoke While JerusaUin, 406, 452, 512
Artichoke', Globe, in ■» inter, 371 ; Jeru .a-
Itm, 612; White Jerusalem, dlsiased,
491
Arundinaria Slmoni, 71
Asel piss incainata pulchia, 230; tuberois,

91, 151, 256
A«ia a^uisf cr cu'ting, 4; at Gunton, 235;
bids in winter, 371 ; manuiin/, 45, 156 ;
watsiing, 176
Aspleniu n Adian'iini-nigrum, 426 ; alterni-
folium, 4S6 ; septcntroual^, 426 ; Tiichc-
min^s 426 ; v ride, 42 i
Aspleniums, 219

Asteracris, 230; Am;llus, 230; A Rlvers-
la, 3:3; Ariadne, 331; dipl). tephloides,
374 ; eiicoi^e?, 3i3 ; gianiitiorup, 374, 453 ;
bnearifoliue, 273 ; Linosjris, 273 ; Mrs. W-
Peteif, 1?6, 210; Novif Anglin! polchellue,
251 ; Novi-Belgil densus, '277; puntccus
g audifloruB, 313; seiicius, 366; specta-
Wlli', 23D ; 8t- lirigid, 303 ; tarbintUus,
31; ; vimlntUB, 303
A'ter trials at Mortlake, 302
AM ere, annual, 238
Astllbe Lemolnei Gerbed' Argent, 91 ; Ihun-

bergi, 116
Athyrlum filix-ffpmina, 421
Atragene alpina, 474 ; amfrieana, 102
August in South D.von, 240
Autumn, the, 480
Autumn tints, 385, 40S, 46.1

Azalea oalyciflora, 490 ; Deutscha P.ji le, 494 ;
Freya, t07 ; indica, 174; U bera, 607;

rt.ifl.n. Jill, 137
Azrleaa g atted on Bhoiodtnlrons, 336;

gr,aenhouse, 137, 178
Azolla fiUca!oiiea, l'.*2

B.

Badtn-Baden, notes from, 32, 252, 342
Bamboos, two new, 161
Banana growing for the markets, 149
Barberry, the common, 408
Barkeria Rarkeriola, 5'.9 ; Lindleyana, 331
Bean beetle or weevil, S34
Bean, Broad. C'lampion, 50
Bean, Freneli, C'anadian Wonder, 175 ; Car-
ter's Stringless, 255 ; Smythe's hybrid, 4
B;ans, Broad, and dro-ight, 85 ; climbing
French, 176 ; French, forcing, 511 ; runnsr,
234
Beetles eating Strawbn-ries, 15
Beatroot in w.nter, 452, 512
Beet seed, 283

Beets, 221 , .

B gonia coocinea, 393 ; gieantca, 231 ; Gloiro
de Lorraine, 314, 364, 42a, 443 ; Gloire de
Sceaux, 513 ; gracilis Martiana, 3i4 ; Julius,
432, 434 ; Knowsleyana, 171 ; l aiy Pearson,
10 ; Lafayette, 72. 251 : Mrs. Griffiths, 50 ;
fempcrfl.arens, 279; 8. rosea, 434; tuberous,
stain cf, 311 ; Vcitohi, 273, 474; Wintir
Cheer, 493, 404 ; Worthiana, 61, 137
Begonia-, bedding, 19); evergreen, 9;
fibrous-iootel, 3o2 ; outdoors, 207 ; tuber-
ous-rooted, 192 ; tubcrous-rooled, at
Lewisham, 177
Bellflowor. tha giant, 481
Berberis ThuaberBi, 408, 454
Berkheya puip irea. I'SO
Bl clibe-ry Mitch It's Seedling, 211 ;tbc Kit-

tatiruy,' 132 ; ihc, on a Irtttis, 269
lilickberries, 259

Blecbnuin . ccidenta'.e, 409 ; Spicant, 420
Bletia Shepherdi, 114
Bocconia cjrdata, 115 ; c. camea, 463
Boiler, removing, lt"8, 231
Bollei cielestis, 2
Bookham, Carnations at, 15S
Books—
" Amerio.an Woods," 7
" Farm and Garden Insects," 7
" How to G ow Begonias," 7
" 1 awns and Gardens," 67
"Mantal of Practical Room g.ardening,"

372
" .Modem Chry.santhemum Culture for the
Million," 47S

VI

THE GARDEN INDEX.

[Jan. 1, 1898.

"Open air Studies in Botany," 215

'■ Pot-Pourri from a Surrey Ga~den," 78

" Practical Forestry," 478

" Tile Principles of Fruit Growing " 471

"The Water G rden," 451

"The Yew Trees of Great Biitiin," 106

" Woburn Exiierimental l-ruit F^rm*
First Rep in, ' 67
Boronia seirulata, 17S, 273
Bou^aluvilloi glabr i, 196; sructaljili-, 161,

414
Bouvardia corymbiflora Humboldti 443, 467 ;

H. grandiHora, 392;lei')ntha, 137 ; Maiden s

Blu<h, 434
Bouvardiis, ISS : for cutting, 3S0, 420 ; in th?

open, 303 ; Prids of lira iklyn and Pride of

Roche ter, 38J ; varieties of, A21
Bower, an hiry, 44t

Jio>r<r, on (thy in n Por vgufnc (larden, 441
Biier and Hose setd, sowing, a29
Brier, Sweet, C lostial, 152
Briers, Sweet, Hyb.id, 329
Broccoli early, 512 ; lite, 4, 56, Si; Michael-
mas White, 342 : Sutton's Late Queen, 4
Brojlieagrandiflora, ol
Broom, the Spanish, 67
Browalda speciosa major, 6j : p. m in unt="

110 ^ '

Brownea coccinei, 513
Brui/mansia in the flower garden at ParkQate

Guistle'/, yorks, 8 '

Brugmansias in the flower garden, 8
Brussels Sprouts, early, 328
Bud, the crown, 455
Bulbophyllum claptoneuse, 114
Bolb pUnting, 401
Bulhi for cut flowers, 320 ; p'autinT small,

38S ; pot early, 337
Bultr.n, the ichit; 430
BuUaces, 430
Burliugtcnia Candida, no, 253

O.

Cabbage Drumhead, 328 ; early, 65 ; spring
20 ; sprouts, 121, 155, 283, 342, 407 ; Sut-
ton's Earliest, 512; planting in autumn,
254

Cabbages, winter, 175

Caiop'o-a aurantiaca, 195

Calanthe burfordiensis, 492 ; Harrisi, 492 ;
sanguina-ia, 492; Veitchi alba, 392- v'
splendens, 492 ; veratrifolia, SSO

Calanthes, 457

Calceol-rii alba, 91, 131, 169; ampIexicanUs,
339, 374'

Calceolarias, bedding, 190; herbaceous ]'I7

Calla Little Gem, 434 ; the yello-v, 398

Callas in the op. n air, 31; summer t-eat-
ment of, 82, 1S6 ; ffellow, 442

Callijisyche aurantiac^, 474

Ca]oohortus (Uvatus, 10, n ; flarut, 159;
fuscun, lc9 ; Plumnierte aureus* 49

Calochorti, the, 33, 62 ; the culture of 157
20S '

Calophaca wolgarica, 144

Cambridge, the fruit crops in, 152

Caiellia Sasanqm, 490

Campanula Balchiniana, 52 ; barbata 190 •
carpa'ica p?lviformis, 111; G. F. Wilson'
51, J51 ; gjrganica hirsula, 171 ; Heiider-
soni, 72 ; H Tymonsi, 334 ; Hrsd alba 12
87; isophylla, 301, 339; i. alba, HI; no-
bills, 196; patula, 314, 338 ; per.icifolia,
503; p'llla, 12; pyramidili-, 91 ; Scheuch
zeri alba, 115 ; Tcnoreina, 71 ; the Peacb-
leaved, iOi; turbinata alba, 56; Van
Houttei, 115

Canary Creeper, the. 238

Canna Paul Bert, 341

Cannis in flower, 360; winter treatment of,

Carnation Andrew Noble, 115 ; Carolue Du-
ran,16S; ClnraTon,71; Countess of War-
wick, 434 ; Edith Leadenbam, 111 ; Flora
Hill, 434 ; Hampden, 10; Jim Smyth 61 •
LaNe'ge, 494; Lady Hindli , 191- L rd
Rendlcsham, ;'9 ; Mme. d'AIbertioe, 353-
Maogio Lawie, 319; Mattbes's Wint-r
Bed, 393 ; Miss Bllea Terry, 31 • Mrs
Everard Hambro, 4(1 ; Mrs. F. Gilford 115 '■
Mrs. Tudway, 151, 171 ; Nell Qwynce, 51 ■
Pride of The Girden, 147 ; Reginald God-
frey, 474 ; Royalty, 99 ; Salisbury, 9ti • Sir
Wilfrid Laurier, 151 ; Snowflake, 443 • The
Bum Pink, 190, 238, 274, 27S, 863; Uliah
Pike, 300; Winter Cheer. 369; Wm. Robin-
son, 434 ; notes from Woking, 125 • rust
cure for, 442 '

Cirnatioas, 100, 147, 191, 3.S9 ; American
300, 32C, 361 ; aitisticaUy grown, 862 ; at
Bookham, 1 68 ; at Chelsea, 61 ; at Montaoue
Nursery, Tottenham, 12i; ; birder 87 IS"
207, 26S; border, layer.ng, 146 ;' garden;
404 ; hardiness of, 341 ; houiiog Tree 218 ■
Malmai«on, 491 ; Malmaison, at Ca'ford,'
46; Malmaison, rust on, 360, 380, 398 442-
Marguerite, in pots, 1S,S ; planting,' 232,
^01 ; rooted, Layers of, 321 ; seedliny-, 504 •
Tree, 397 ; winter-bloomtng after flower-
ing, 218, 26S

Carrion Flowers, the, 186
Carrot Rel Elephant, 407 ; Summer Favour-
ite, 176
Cirrots, autumn-soxn, 2'i5; l>rge, 512,

wintering, 407 ; younfl', for winter, 45
Ciryopter s ma->ta anthus, 223
Cass'a coryrabosa, 173

Catasetum Buogerothi, 133; callosum, 376;
Christyanum, 114, 268 ; trldentatum, 264
Catasotums, 47 7

Cattleya Aclm-Jini, 76; aurci, 330, 357; bi-
oolor, ], 273; Bowrinaiina lilacina, 370;
B. (Pallanfs var.\ 351 ; C mfrey, 418 ;
■ rispa, 25, 164 ; d dosa. 508 ; BHorad->, 76 ;
Emp-ess Frederick var. leonita 432 ; Eu-
phrasia, 210; Eurydice, 41S ; Fabia, 392;
f orbesi, 2 ; Caskelliana, 331 ; gigas, 1, 110 ;
guttata, 293; Hardjaia, 76; H. Lowiie,
249; H. ra?gDi6ca, 351 ; Harrisonise, 154;
labiata, 336; 1. at Camberwe I, 417; 1.
autumnalis lilaciaa, 376 ; 1. fcUuca, 376 ; 1,
lewisi. 392 ; 1. White yueen, 432 ; Loddi-
gesi, 214; Lu'-'de i auniani, 254; Melpo-
mene, 361; marseillensis, 41S ; Mended,
25, i7i} ; Miss Williams, 367 ;Mo9^iaj, 1, 576 ;
M. Reinckiina, 153; Mr.'. Endioott, 418 ;
Olivia, 351 ; Portia, 418 ; Schofieldiana, 276 ;
superbi, 113 ; throwi-gupa flower soike,
330; Walkerjana, 509; Warneri, 2; W.
imperiilis, 163 ; Warsoewiczi var. Mrs B.
Ashworth, 90
Cauliflower Autumn Giant, 371, 511 ; E -lipse,

155, 222
Cauliflowers, summer, 282
Ceanothus azoreus, 66 ; Gloira de Ver a'lles,

144
Cedar, the Red, 43S ; the White, 429 ; the

Yellow, 429
Cedars of Lebanon in Norff Ik, 1'56
Cedrus atlantica aurea, 607
Celastriis scandcns, 408
Celery fly, the, 119 ; good, 512 ; growing for

market, 358 ; Sutton '.s Solid White, i9i
Celosia pyramidalis, 197
Cclsia cretica, 360
Centropoirou Cucyanus, 473
Cercis feiliquastrum, 5
Cereus rostratus, 73. 414
Ceropegia elegans, 441
Ceterach otticinaium, 428
Chama^rops Fortunei in Ha' ts. 490
Cliuhimnps F,>rt,ai>i in Ihtiits, 490
Chelone ottigua, 196
Chelsea, Carnations at, 61 ; Chryfantbeniunis

at, 346
Cherry BIa3k Tartiriin, 15; Florence, 15;

the, undf r glass, 497
Cherries, double-flowered, for the garden,
408 ; for ama*eurs, 65 ; Morello, and stocks.
488
Chimonanthus fr.igraT s, 429
Cboieya ternata, 463

Chrysanthemum A. H. Fewkis, J9j ; Ad-
miral Ito, £!JJ ; Alico Butcher, 312; Amos
Perry, 353 ; Barbara Forbe>, 196; Blacche
Colomb, 313 ; Bionaj Uride, 171 ; Brouzj
Prince, 312 ; Buff Globe, 347 ; Calvat's Aus-
tralian Gold, 234 ; Oalvjt's B.iule d'Or,
332;.Crims.n Queen, 353; Hon Pietro
Baragiola, 383 ; Dorothy Sew.ard, 383 ;
Barlswood Beauty, 412, 43S ; Edie Wright,
312; Kdiih Tabor, 332; Ella Curtis 352,
370, 373, 383 ; Emily Silsbury. 332 ; Ernest
Cannell, 412; Etcile d'Or, 313; Fibena,
313 ; Flora, 192 ; Francois Vuillermet, 33 ! ;
G. J. Warren, 35?, 373 ; George Foster, 373 ;
Gfo. Goyer, 370 ; Geirgiani Pitcher, 3f3
412, 432 ; Golden Dart, 513; Goldtn Elsie,
414; Harvest Home, 313; Ivy Stark, 296,
312 ; J. B. Y'von, 3.S3 ; Julia Scaramanga,
432; Jules Lagravere, 414; King of the
Plumes, 493 ; KUndyke 313, 332 ; I'lncom-
pa able, 434 ; La Vierge, 312 ; L ady Byron,
362; Lady Fitzwygrain, 252, 312; Lady
Hanham, 317, 352, 370, 372, 417 ; Lidy
Isabel, 373, 883; Lady Ri''gway, 352,
373, 383 ; Lenawee, 373 ; Leocadie
Gentils, 347, Little Bob. 171; Made-
line Davis, 457 ; Major Bonaffon, 498 •
Mary Molyneux, 432 ; Master H. Tucker,
412 ; Mairice Boissard, 383 ; Mignonette,
434; Mile. Guindu<eau, 313; Mile. Lau-
rence Zcd.1, 412 ; Mile. Lucin F.aure, 412;
Mme. Armand Groz, 273 ; Mme. Carnot,
yeUow sports from, 457 ; Mme. Desgrange
and its sports, 296 ; Mme. Edmond Roger,
498 ; Mme. Edouard Lefott, 312 ; Mme
Ed Roger, 317; Mme. FerUt, 383, 438;
Mme. G. Bruant, 311 ; Mme. Gnstarc
Gntnericald, 381 ; Mme. la Comtesse
Foucher de Cartel, 347 ; Mme. Marie
Masse, 192, 334 ; Mme. Octavie Mirbcau,
368 ; Mme. Philippe Rivoire, 347, 352, 373,
383 ; Mme. Rozain, 498 ; JIartinmas, 313 ;
Mary Molyneu.x, 373 ; Miss Rose, 374 ;
Modesto, 352, 353, 417; Mons. George
Jlenier, 274 ; Mrs. Caterer, 383 ; Mrs. C. H
Payne, 383 ; Mrs. Chas. Birch, 373 ; Mrs.
F. A. Bevan, 373, 432 ; Mrs. G. Carpenter,
412 ; Mrs. Geo. Hill, 347 ; Mrs. H. Folkes
4'12, 434 ; Mrs. Hawkins, 347 ; Mrs. H
Weeks, 296; Mrs. Hurley, 317 ; Mrs. J. R.
Tranter, 453,451; Mrs. .Jas. Carter, 498;

Mrs. John J. Glessner, 457 ; Mrs. N. Moly-
neux, 373 ; Mrs W. Butters, 453 ; Mrs.
Probyn, 373, 383 ; Mrs, W. 0 Palmer,
373; Mrs. Winrfie d, 311, 313; Mftchett
White, 249, 296; N C S. Jubilee, 352, 369 ;
Nellie Brown, 353, 370 ; Nlveum, 498 ;
Notaire Groz, 347; Oceana, 473; Orange
Chi'd, 312; Piercy's Seedling, 296 ; Pride
of Ryecrof-., 383; Piidc of th? Market,
370,373; Queen of the Eirlies, 196, 353;
Bayoniiante, 370 ; Robert Owen, 393 ;
Robert Ko»-ell, 332 ; Royal Stinila-d, 414 ;
Ryecroft Glory, 334; 8<m Caswell, 4-;3 :
Sdk Twist, 393 ; Siaplicily, 352 ; Soleil
d'Octobre, 347 ; Source d'Or. 373 ; (Souvenir
de Petite Ami', 381; Sunstone, 362; The
Old Purple, 436, 476 ; Thistle, 174 ; Toklo,
473 : Trafalgar, 383 ; Tuxedo, 498 ; V.comte
Roger de Chezelles, 36'.) ; Violiceum, 453,
454; W. G. Nc»itt, 295; W. H. Fowler,
313; W. H. Lincoln. 493; Western King,
453; Wtrther, 371 ; Whi'e Sw.n, 317; Yel-
low Gem, 3<7 ; Yellow Mme. Carnot, 438
Chrysanthemum blooms, staging, in vases,
475; leavts, fungus on, 317; n tss, 145,
262 ; plants, growth of, 262
Chrysanthemums, a table of. 2(5; and foliage,
a tible of, 26 ; and frost, 332; a' Byfleet,
416 : at C. elsea, 316 ; at Dovir Hous', 437 ;
at Barlswood, 436 ; at Fawkham, 369 ; at
Framtield, 4)7; at Lewisham, 416; at
Sw.anley, 369; at Sydney, N.9.W., 146; at
Syon House, 417; at Woking, 415; buds
on, 2H ; colour in, 295 ; Con'inental, varie-
ties of 1807, 382; culturalnotison, 26; deco-
rative, 498 ; early-flowering, 173, 233, 334 ;
early-flowering, at Chiswlci, f32 ; early-
flowering, at the .iquarium, 233 ; e«rly, in
a vaie, 174; for the c nservatory, 379;
from September to Christmas, 455 ; G. J
Warren ai-d Mrs. W. Mease, 475 ; gocd show
flower.s, 416 ; groupi g, 494 ; growirg, 456 ;
in June, 1 1 ; incurved, 455 ; in vasi s, 381 ;
rrarket, 436; naturally grown, 474; new,
382; new incurved, 382, 4.57; October,
346 ; outdoor 374, 381 ; pompon, 381, 416,
476 ; pros/ects of the seasoa, 383 ; reflexed,
436, 475; ripened wood and the buds of,
174 ; single, at the Aquarium, 498 ; some
new, 382. 456 ; standard of quality in, 369 ;
tjpes of Japanese, 3?S ; white aud yellow,
381
Chytis lajvie, 134
Cineraria cruenia, 337
Ciner-irlap, hybrid, 43

Cirrhopetalum Cumingi, 275 ; Medusie. 276 ;
orcatissimum, 276 ; pictu'atum, 276 ;
Thouarsi 276 ; refractrum, -{58
Cirrhojetalum', 276
Ct-sus di-color in bloom, 494
Clenratis a3thu«ifolia, 500; alpina, 474, 50O ;
aDli'oUa, SCO ; aromatic i, SCO ; baltarica
(Richard), 500; balcaica (Persoon), 500;
calyeica, 5M0 ; campaniflora, 151, 6C0 ; cirr-
husa, 600 ; coc.iQca, 251,500 ; connati, £00 ;
crlspa, 500 ; Davidiana. 192 ; Dougla.i,
.'00; trecta, 502'; Eriostemon, 501; Fai^y
Queen, 11; Flammula, 600; nauonnia,
499 ; flava, 502 ; Hoiida, fOl ; Frtmontl,
501 ; fcsca, 501 ; graveolens, 502 ; Hender-
soni, 501 ; heracliotolia, 151, 501; inte-
gtifoliJ, 501; Jackmani, 61, 501 ; lanugl-
DO-a, 602 ; ligusticifola, t02 ; nionttna,
602; ochrolsuca, 502; orientalis, 602;
orientals, tOl ; panlcuUta, 602; patens,

602 ; Pitcherl, 502 ; P. lasiostylis, 602 ;
recta, 602 ; rtcdi, 610; Rooeitsi.aua, 602;
ftans, .502 ; tcxensis, ;00 ; tubu'osi, 501 ;
verticilla'i", 502; Viorna. 602 ; vlrpiniina'

603 ; Yitalba, 203, 503 ; Viticella, 5J3 • v'
alb-i, 153

Clematis, the hardy Stooies of, 499
Cleniat'sts, hybrid coccinea, 301
Gleiodendton fallax, 9 ; fi:etldum 266
Clethra alnifc lia va-. tomentosa, 274
Cobiea scandeus, 172
Cockscombs as bcdd'rg |lant', ]92
Cod leum var. Ojsteizeei, 494
Codonopsis ovati, 31

Ccelogynsfuliginoi.a, 417 ; Sanderiana, 110
Coleftort, tbe Rosette, 119
Coleworts, sowing, 21
Colchicum auti-^mnale, 191 ; a. album plenum

277 ; speciosum, 230 '

Colchicum 8, 196, 30O
Combination, a pretty, 196
Conifer seeds, germination o', 377
Conservatorii at Broiujhtm Hull, view in the

379
Conservatory, leaky, 267
Convolvulus Cneorinii, 414, 454
Coprosmi Baueiiana variegata 453
Coreopsis grandiflora, 88, i77; grandiflora

superba, 60 ; lanceolata, 62 ; verticillata

91
Coris mnnspeliensis, 231, 251, 274
Cornus florida, 177, 196
Corylopsis spicata, £07
Cosmos, the, 394; bip'nnatus, 303; from

Ireland, 374
Costus i^neuo, ;^37
Cotoneaster horizoatalis, 384, 506 ; rotundi-

folia, 607

Cot 'a/fe fcni ga 'den, a Devonshire, 450

C 11 tage garclens, 459

Crassula cocciuea, 51 ; Co-peri, 249, 251 ; 'ar-

tea, 473
Cratie,;!us cordata, 67 ; Crus-salli, 310 ; Py a-

canthj, SS2 ; Pyracanlhi Lajlandi, 408
Crize, the mixiog, 319

Crinuni capense, 88 ; tapen?e, 123 ; loTigi-
fuli im, 115; Moorei, 3 0; M. ol/xrtu
122; Powolli album. 111, 131; Saideri^
anum, 122
Crinums, hardy, 353
Cro:o3mii impe ia'is, 196
Crocus astu icus, t*0 ; canceTatus var. ciici-
cup, 373 ; Clusii, 61 ; iridiflo us, 59 ; laivi-
gatus, 439; lojgiflo.us, 60; niedius, 60;
nudifloiiis, 60 ; pa'chellus, 59; Salzm.anLi
to ; sa ivus, 60 ; Scbarojani, GO ; spjiiosus
59,277,303,341; Touinefoli, CO ; Valiicola',
60 ; zonatus, (0
Crocusei, au'umn, 59; a'i'vrnn, 59
C'Oi)S, p'anlinr t reen, 21 ; winter, 21
Cro;on Shut ItWir.hl, 90 ; Y.an IE -stedi, 467
Colons, 443
Crowfoots, the, 202
Cucumb r Frojjmo e P. ol flo, 21 ; the Roch-

to:d, for maiket, 34 i ; Witch's Challenger,

33
Cucumbe's, 17*5; and Vegctab'e Marrows

d'opping off, 22; falling, 119; market,

327
Culture, moiai', in tbe Fa'hsrland, 158
Cupressu-, 4*29; Lawsoniaaa, 43j; nootVa-

ensis, 429 ; obtusa, 430; pisi era, 43';

thyoidei, 429 ; torulosa as a pot p'ant, 284
Cuirani La Yeriaillep, 35 ; Lee's Proliflc, 229;

mite, the Black Currant, lf5
Cuir.ants, Bl.ack, 14, 73; Bet, pruning, ?5
Cyclamen, gmbs in, 232 ; hedtra; olium, 274 ;

peisicum, 491
Cyclam-na, summer treatment of, 218
Cycnoches clroro;htlon, 110; maculatum,

3t>7
Cymbidium (ypeii'o'ium, 409; slejans 367;

g'ganteam, 6j9; Hookerianvmi, 253; Mas-

ler^i, 418; t grinum, 135; Iraceyanum,

508; Winnianum, 418
Cypriped um A'soa var. gigantnim, 492 ;

Allaniaoum (Claie L iwn lar.), 3 8; A.

sup:-rbum, 376 ; amandum, 3i5 ; Arihuri-

anum, 376; Beckmani, 432; callo-Roth-

s3hildianum, 131 ; callosuin Sandeia;, 25 ;

caiHatum fta'lisi, 3; Charlesworthi, 13t ;

Clinkaberrvanum, 110; Dcedmmi, 478;

Bxul, 3 ; H. Ballantine, 418 ; Hayualdo-

Chamberlainianom, 351 ; insiBUP, 393,410 ;

i. at Syon House, 514; i (Barofleld Hall

var.), 418 ; i. Sanderai at Cheltenham, J08 ;

Lawrenctauum, 2 ; Leeanum, 417 ; L.

maga'fieum, 3it2 ; Lowi, 275 ; Metnoria

Moiiisi, 418 ; Mrs. E. Y. Low, 9 ; niveum.

154 ; (cuanthum tuperbum, 164 ; polysttg-

ma'icum, 458 ; Regiua', 368; Stdsni,' 509;

Spic liauum, 331; tonsum, 410; Trlanow-

skyanum, 458
Csstipterls fragilLs, 427
Cjtisus nigricans, 31, 112

Dabrecia p .lifolia, 122, 344

Daffodil tlleu Willmott, 82

Daffodils, basal rot in, 400, 441 ; transplant-
ing, 1:0

Dahlia Amber, 169 ; Arachne, 250 ; Brides,
maid, ICO; Casilda, 250; Charles Wood'
bridg,-, 160 ; Cochineal, 277 ; Cycle, 147
Daffodil. Ibl ; DaBanca, 255; F. C. Pawle'
210 ; Falka. 250 ; Fire King, b21 ; Fusilier'.
160; Green's Gem, 250; Harbinger, 250!
Hirry Stredwick, 160; Hypatia, 169!
Island Queen, 160; Keynes' Whi e, 260'
Lavtrstock Beauty, 250; Maluma, 250'
Miijorie, 169 ; Mary Service, 250; Match"
less, 16iJ; Minute Richard', 250; Mis'^
Agues Box, 131 ; Mi's Finch, 260 : M s'^
Irene Cannell, 251 ; Mont Blanc, SOS, 341 '
Mrs. Frances Fell, 163; Mr^. T. Goddaid'
250 ; Mu iel Hobbs, 250 ; Nel ie B'oniheadi
250 ; Night, 109, 191 ; thiyne, 169 ; Prin-
cess Bna, 160; Salmon Queen, 250; Star,
fish, 160 ; Te-ta, 169 ; Zoar, 160

Dahlia, a tine single, 303 ; roots, taking up
and storing, 280, 318

Dahli.as, 62, 321; and earwigs, 147, 258;
Cactus, 401, 439, 461 ; Cactui, exhiblling,
280 ; Cactus, improvement In, 158 ; new,
268, 339 ; white Cactus, 146 ; the, 302

Dais/ Snowflake, 440

Daisiis, Miehaeliiiaf, aad other jdants in Glen
Aty.t Garden', 17; at Trent Pa:k, 318
some late, 338

Daisy trees, 428

liamsous, 290 ; flavour in, 248

Daphne indlca rubra, 19

DavalUa hjiensis, 173

Delphinium Belladonna, 92 ; nudicaule, 303 ;
spikes, exhibiting, 39 ; Wildenowi, 111

Delphiniums in autumn, 353

Jan. 1, 1898.]

THE GARDEN INDEX.

Vll

Dendroblum Albertlsi, 110; album, !S6;
Asrasi:!, 458 ; miro\mi, 37i> ; blglbijum,
S:iS- canillc-ahitum, 214; tbrytauthum,
2ii«, 331; Dnirel, 213; Parmerl, 25; for-
iiioiuiu g(|{nntcMim, 331; louoo'ophijtiim,
264; PlmVvii'ipsis, 370; rjvolulum, J4 ;
rhodostoiim, 1S3; straliotes, 135; Buiur-
b'ene, 3, 2"i4 ; Vdnneiiinuin, 153 ; Victurii
Rogiiui, 131

Dondrobiums. niijro-birsute, S.'iS

Dendrochllum Cjbblaimm, 2i, 4'.0 ; flu-
fonwo, 151

Dendromooon vig'diim, SO, 230

DjfcriptiDCs, misloidinu', 02

DesfontUnol tpiiio ;'. 4i'l

Desiii)3iuin peud dlllorum. 221

Deutzla rreoata iind vari'tles, Oti

Pevonehiri', in S nith, 3'.'3

Dianlhm HeddoJtigi, iU ; Nap.lcoa III., U

D:chorlsandKi thyrslfV^ra, 273

Dictiimnus FiaxiiisU.i, 38

Dlervilla Eessil f.'lla, 42

D'gitalls lutca, ll5

DiplacuaglutinoBUP, 473 ; niber, 303 ; tjmen-
tosus, 12

Disa graadiflora, 110

Dogwuot), the American, 177

Dogiroifl, tilt ^lu. I'iciii, 177

Doryopioria, 400 ; Uiivalt, 400 ; liistata, 400 ;
ludeua, 400 ; palmata, 400 ; padata, 409 ;
sagittiMia, 40:i

Draca'ia Djucetti, 414; alboliaeata, 302;
indivua Biirtoal, J;i2 ; LuideDi, 464 ; Ruj-
telll, 2,™

Di-oseta dlcbotoma, SOS

Uroaght, the great, ot 1890, 204

Dublin, a noty from, 853

E.

Eccremocarpus scabcr, 72, 00, 270
Echinacea pvi'puroa, 115, 101
Bchiuops banatica, 101 ; ruthenica, 52
Edelweiss, the, HO ; i.i a garden at Nonootl,

146
Effect, a charming, 150
Emtothriuni coccineum, 5
BDcephilartos villosus, 178
Endi?e, 102 ; Lcttuoe-leaTed, 511
Epacri.s carmiuata, 453
Epi-La'lia radico-purpur.ata, 00
Epidenlrum Brivssavjie, 110, 500 ; cinnabari-
nniii, 133 ; Cooporianum, 50'.i ; cuspitJatum,
27d ; fragraas 134; Frejerici Uuliclmi,
51 ; nemoralc, 40, 114 ; puvum, 336 ; vitelli-
num, J4, 275
Epiphrjnitis Veitchi, 51, 458
Eranthemum tuberculatum. 370
E ica cdiaris purpurea, 373; mediteiranca
hybrida, 5 7; stricta. Of. ; vig.ans, 274; vul-
garis Hammoudi, 101
Ericas at Clapton, IC'J

Erigeron, 4S1 ;aurantlacvis, 4Sl -.aumnliacus,
485 ; caucasicus, 484 ; gUbelhn, 484 ; gla-
tiellux, 48>; glaucus, 484; <itaurut, 481;
grandiflorae, 4.SI; macranihus, 485; mi-
crantltits, 481; mucronatus, 485; mulil-
radiatus, 485 ; mnltirndaUus, 484 ; Boylei,
485; salsuglnosus, 48 j; speciosus, 453,
485; speciosus supeibus, 333; s^kc osut
sup'rrbus, 4S5
Erodium chrysintbum, 2CS; macridonuni,

ll'ij ; Mtnescavi, 71 ; aupracanum, 251
Eryugium gigaatcum, VI ; planum cieIo;-

linum, 152
Erythrina criiti-galli, 116 ; Ilumei, 208
Erytlirouium=, 147 ; large plants o[ Western

America, 140
Etcallonia langleyensis, 507 ; montovidensis,

4'.t4 ; Pbilippiaaa, 5, 28
Eucharis m\te, the, 474
EucomiB puQctita, 106, 2U
Eucryphla plnoatiada. 111, 145, 282
Euphiirl.ni corollata, 101
Euphorbias, 0
Eugenia Ugni, 34
Eulilias In Surrey, 320
Eupatorium odoratum. 47
Eajitiorbia abysunica. at ii Mortola, 10 J
Euryale ferox, 447

Fillioglnm Castle, Lincoln, notes from, 318

Flavour, fruit prizes for, 400

Flower borders, mixed, 321

Flo»er garden notes, 188, 227, 240, 30O, 34'',
400, 449, 401, 504 ; tBe planting ol, 431

Flow.rs, cut, 101; from a Surrey garden,
230; In Dsrbjshirc, 422; In November,
422, 430, 454 : in tie Islo of Man, 374 ;
some native, In th*) hutumu ga-don, 302

Foliajto, the us ) of autumn-tinted, 310

Fomt, (.■fi'uKtn, (.1 a, 100 ; edgt of a cleir cut,
117; one i\\ll (ril-cn out, 110; Irivs not yet
(tihiueil. ntiout thirty-Jin iiirs p! mted, 117

Forestry, Ga man. 199

Forts"?, pr.'t.'Ctlon of, 480

Foureroya II dinghiuai, 197

Fourcroya tK^iiiy/witsi, 09, 197 ; in Co nwall,
151

I'Vod'ias all tho voir round, 40

Fii'illaria alplua, 243 ; aimona, 243 ; nurea.
S43 ; cltrlua, 213 ; imperlalis, 213 ; ini-
p:riat'S. 213; kmlschatcetisii, 242; 1 iti-
folfa, 213; Mjlragrls, 244; Jl/ediijr.J, 242 ;
M. alijii. 243 ; Mog.jridgel, 244 ; oranensi",
244; palUdiBora. 214 : pu-llci, 244 ; pjre-
naira, 241 ; lecurva, 244 ; .Sewerzjwi, 244 ;
Walujewi, 244; Wtittalll, 244

Frit 11a las, 212

fruit and vegetable crops, 164, ISO, 200, 221,
235, 270, 2Si)

Fruit at Kimberloy Park, 230

Fruit cr ps in Lincoln, 151 ; in Mimmnuth-
shire, 03; on the south coast, HI ; thin-
ning, 357

Fruit gardi^n, hardy, work in, 43, 104, 183,
204, 305. 335, 405, 466, 486 ; growing and
laud valuer, 273; houfes, work in, 23, 63,
83, 123, 143, 163, 203, 2 '3, 245, 285, 327, 345,
336, 4-26, 430 ; notes, 65 ; trade, the, 401 ;
tree borders, renewing, 102 ; tree budding,
127 ; tree in plant house, 250
Fruit trees, advantage ot netting. 440 ; and
October weather, 356 ; digging around,
306; from seeds, 405; Injury to, 404;
litiuil manure <or, »90 ; on north walls,
130, 180 ; on walls, planting, 400 ; rruniog,
3011; pruning and lailiug, 450; the, iOl ;
transjilauting. 101 ; watering, 305
Fruits, bush, prop,agating, 200 ; standard, 75
Fruits, th'uniDg hardy. 04
Fuchsia Billet Girl, 268 ; Countess of Aber-
deen, 13S; Dr. Shaw, 337; fulgcns, 273;
macrestemma, 01 ; simplicicaulis, 230 ; tri-
phylla, 350
Fuchsias, 103 ; at Sandhurst Lodge, '.I9 ; good
bedding, 341 ; good outdoor, 140 ; with
white corollas, 270
Funkia subcord.at.i grandiflora, 333

Q.

F.

Fairyland, a trip to, 389

Feather Grass and Fop|jies, 147

Fern, the Laiy. 420

Fernery, th-i hardy, 280

Ferns, deciduous, 435; Filmy, 288; hardy
Briiish, for groupiog, 426 ; esotic, for
gioupinar, 380 ; resting, 435 ; rock anl sun-
loving, 387

Ficus falcata, 370 ; radicans var:eg3ta, 169,
101

Fig, the erecpiug, in frjit, 115 ; White Mar-
seilles, 13

Fig culture, 410 ; training the, 487

Fige. 250 ; opan-air, 229

FUberts, 376

Gailla dia Vivian Grey, 31

tiaillardias. 51

Galanth\is Ikariic, 361; /. ",( ffmi'di/c, 361 ;

octo':rensis, 414, 453
Galf andra Baueri, 254
Galega officinalis, 31
GarJen, autumn, some native flowers in the,

3' 2
GarJen, Cornish, notes from a, 152
Gardens. EuglisD, abroad, 07
Gardener, tin landscape, and his work, 27
Gardeners, holidays for, U'2
OarJtners anl farmers, honours for, 152
Gardeniis, 270, 301 ; propagatlog, 333
Gazinil Lybrida litifolia, 12 ; longiscipa,

2)1 ; nivea la iflora, 277 ; splendens, 373
G.aura Lindheinieri, 4 14
Geaista tetnensis, 02
Gentiana acauls, 238 ; Andre wsi, 171 ; ascle-

plaiea alba, 171 ; ieptemfila, 115
Gentianella, the. 373
Genus, a false, 431
Geranium Lady Plymouth, 401 ; singuineum

album, 31, 60
Geraniums, two gojd bedding, 190
Gcsnera am ibills, 352, 374
Gillooiatrifoliiti, 11
Ginger plant, the, 232
Gladiolus btenchleyensis, 171 ; f 'arlton, 00 ;

Countess Amy. 131 ; Countessof Lc'cester,

131 ; General Duchesne, 00 ; J. G. Cl.arkn,

90 ; Mike LamOourne, 131 ; Raphael Collin,

313 ; Saundersi, 101
Gladiolus Tbo Bride, 12 ; The Bride, hardi-
ness of, 36 ; The Bride plmted out, 56;

tristis, 301 ; trist s, 301 ; White Lady, 00
Gladiolus corms. the failure of, 483
G'adiuli, 02, 89 ; in pots, 2^1
Glasshouses in m.rket gardens, ritiog of,

120 ; our, in flower gardens and on lawns,

380
Globe Artiohokej and drou2h^ 155
Glorio.-a tuperba, 115, 108
Gloriosasand their cultuic, 283
Gloxinia, a setdling, wiih spotted fl jwer?,

20S
Gloxiniaa is market plants, 170; seedling,

68 ; spotted, 268
Godetia gloriosa, 90
GoBgora atropurpurea, 336 ; L-ddlgesi, 110

Goodyera RolUfsoni, 169, 400

Gooitborry Golden Goio, 132

Gooieborries, notes en, 04

Grafting, the evils of, as r.-gards tbo Apric't,
194

Grammatophyllum Ellisi, 113; spociosum,
100, 275

Orange, 'I'ho, AsVrigj, 237

Grape, a new white, 300, 471. 400 ; Aln^lok
S cdllng as a stock for Gros Matoc, 310;
Jllif:k HamtixirgK ui a gronhousr, 308;
Diroctcur Tissorand, 433 ; Uuko of Buc-
olouch, 35,94; Gros Co man, 488; 6'io«
Co/man, 460; La<tii Sninics, homi or; 448 ;
Lady Hutt, .301; Marchioness of Do-n-
shiio, 353 ; Mtu>:al of A KXiindna, 448 ; M
of A aul otters, 487 ; Mrs. Pince, 243

Giapo growing, modern, 161 ; prospects, 94 ;
ronu, the, 356

Grapesat autumn shiws, 3!'7 ; kfcplng, 303 ;
lac. thinning, 309 ; market, 4'i'.i ; M is at,
at L ngleat, 74; outdoor, from Wales, 314 ;
winter, 448, 488

Uraxa icalk, n, in Fairlkld gardmn, 299

Grass walks, 209, 390

Grovilleaalpina, 420

Gimton, notss from, 205

Gymno^rammaschlzDphylla, 280

GyncriumargoQteum, 341

Gypsopbila llbanotica, 251 ; paniculata, 01,
158

Habenaria bifolia, 25 ; earnea, 410

H:«mantbus pubesjens, 473

Hailstorm at Acton, 172

Hailstorms, severe, 12

Halimodendron argcuteum, 42

Hamamelis virginica, 310

Hants, flowers in. 111

Hassocks, {lowers from, 71

Haw, a siDguIar, 52

Hawthorn, old, at St. Columba'a College,

266 ; "( SI- Voluiiiba's Cottcge, Dublin, 2'.6
Healh, the Cornish, 2'4 ; the Irish, 344
Heaths, Connemara, 304 ; hardy, 266
Heleniumautumnale superbum, 238 ; a. stna-

lum, 101 ; grandlcephalum striatum, 100 ;

grandifiorum vol striatam. 147 ; nudiSo-

rum, 230, 353 ; pimilum, 01
Heli.anthus multiflorus grandiflorus, 273 ;

orgyalis, 353 ; Queen Victoria, 196
Helieonia illustrls rubricaulis, 308 ; i. r. at

CJStkiPcllau, 350
Heliconias, 350
Hol'ophila scandens, 353
HoUopsis lasvis, 230 ; Pitcheriana, 00, 111
Heliot.opo planted out, 81 ; the Peruvian

and the giant Heliotropes (Lcmoine), 400
Helleborus altifolius, 422 ; orientalis, 453
Hellebores from seed, 453
Hemerocallis aurantiaca, 112 ; a. m.ajor, 12 ;

a. type, 120 ; minor, 333 ; sp.'c'.es of, 147 ;

Tbunbergi, 31
HeteroccE tron roseum. 353
Heuchera sanguinea. 160
Hibiscus cilifornicus, 273 ; cojlcstis, 90, 111,

507 • Manihot, 105, SIO ; moscheutos, 277 ;

Mrs. Ma*into:h, 101 ; Painted Lady, 90,

607; sjriacus, 145; s. totus albus, 195;

Tr'.onum. 82
Hicoria pallida, 144
llicraeiuni aurantiacuni, 277
Hipp^astrum aulicum, 277
Hollyhock Leander, 131 .

Hollyhocks, 302, 334 ; in London, 02 ; single,

51, 99, 147
Hunnemannia fumarL-efoUa, 111
Hyacinths, Roman, 514 .

Hydrangea arborescens, 282 ; Hortcnsia, SSI,

414 ; at Hn'Mdale, Lciraler. 281 ; H , colour

in, 2S6 ; H., the culture of, 4'i6 ; paniculata,

274 282, 310;p. granditiora. 151: petilaris.

282 ; puhescens, 282 ; iiueyc'folia, 282 ;

radiat i, 28 ! ; Tbunbergi, 282
Hydrangeas, 281 ; blue, 3S4 ; the very large

flowering, 323 „ ,, , ,,,

Hymenocallis caribaea, 510 ; Macleina, 11.)
Hypericvim reptans, 482

I.

Incarvllloa Delaviyi from seed, 100; D. in
Scotland, 11 ,. ,,.

Indigofera floribunda, 51 ; Gerardiana, 14o

Insect pests, destniction of, 305

Inula ensifolla, 01

Ipoma-a Qiiamoclit, 20 ; rubro-crerulea, 453

Ireland, notes from, 308 « , ,

Iris a'ata, 463 ; Gatesl and other Cushion
Irises in Holland, 8S ; ff. in i'a,i Tu'jtrgcn s
nurseri/ at Zimienberg, 88 ; G. in Surrey,
279 ; G. in Mr. N. Rtisirlrlli's ga'den, 2iO ;
hexagona v.ar. Li Manee, S ; Ka^mpferi, 11,
32, 51 ; Lorteti. 10 ; Ltichtlini, 222, 274 ;
macrosiphon, 120 ; iiuKrosiphon, 126 ; Mou-
nlerl, 11 ; r.tlculata in pots, 474; stylosa,
481; s. alba, 514

Irises and Iris gardens, 36s ; .Japanese, modo
of protecting, 3)1; J. on Long Island, "2;
late-planted Spanish, 8 ; p-otecting, from
water rats, 301 ; Sjiunisli, ir an Aiuirican
garden, 305

Isle of Man, flowc-s In the, 374

Itca virulntnna. 111, 145

Ixora macrothyrsa, 3j3

J.

.la-:ob!nla niagnlfica, 313

.Jado>, 478

.lasmine Nightshade, the, 374 ; the white, 66

Jasminum nudiflorum, 426

Ju'as Tree, the, 5; at Mortimer, lltrks, 5

.lulyin South Devon, 121

.fune in South Devon, 47

.luuiperus compressa, creeping form of, S32 ;
ehmensis, 438; jaiwnica, 438; prostrata,
5 ; rccurva var. squannita, 438 ; Sabina
var. procumbona, 43S ; virginianiv, 438

.lusticia earnea, 510

K.

Kajmpferia Kirki, SI

Kale guttons Drumhead, 371

Kales and Beetroot in the llowcr garden,

401 ; disease in, 2s2 ; winter, at Chiswick,

407
Kalmia angustifolia, 77; a. nana, i7 ; a.

ovata, 77 ; a. rubra, 77 ; glauca, 77 ; latl-

tolla, 77 ; lutiMia, 77 ; 1. myrtlfolia, 78 ;

1. polypet.ala, 78
Kalmias, 77
Ketchup, m.aking, 234
Kew, Bamboo garden at, 470
Kcir, in the ll'imtjoo garden at, 470 ; Nepenthes

at, 398 ; Roses at, 388
Kimbcrley P.ark, fruit at, 230
Kitchtn garden, work in, 23, 44, 03. 84, 104,

114, 143, 103, 184, 203, 223, 244, 165. 285,

305 320, 345, 300, 3.S5, 405, 425, 465, 486, ,505
Kniphofla Lachesis, 191 ; Leichtlini dis-

tacbya, 105; MacowaTii, 151 ; Nelsoni, 231,

314 ; nnbi'is, 151, 341 ; Woodi, 314

Laburnums, layering, 408

Lachenalia glauelna, 71

Lacbenalias in autumn and winter, 337

L:e ia anceps Ameslaua, 401 ; a. Mrs. Do B.
Craw^hay, 403 ; aulumnaiis atro-rubenp,
509 ; a. vtnusta, 3b7 ; Bristis, 402; Dorman-
iana, 208 ; elegans Mistersi, 135 ; grandis
tenebroja, 25 ; Lato-a, 53 ; Lindleyani,
114; Lindleyano-elegans, 492; nono-
pijlla, 254; Olivia, 432; peduncalarls,
477 ; Perrini, 500 ; P. var. leucopt;e i, 308 ;
prajstans, 477 ; p. albens, 351 ; p. (Gatton
Park var.), 240; p. (Low's var), 311; p.
super ba, 492 : pamila, 331, 417 ; p. albens,
368; p. magciflci, 351; putpurata, 54;
p Annie Louise, 308 ; p. Asbworthi;!^ 26 ;
p. Mrs. R. .T. Measures, 376; U. J. Measures,
351 ; rubesccns, 402; xanthlna, 134

L;e'io-Cittleya albaaensls, 47s , C. Anderiana,
169 • C broomfieldensis, 418 ; C. Canbamlana
var.' albida, 40; C. Clive, 479; C. Daphne,
418- Digbyana Mossi:e, 25; C. elegans
Schitederiana, 131 ; 0. Bndori superba, 9;
C Gostoiana, 476;Hipp3lyte, 25 ;C. Juno,
169 ;C. Laly Wlgin, 53

La-'io-Cattleyas, 135

L eliopsis domingensis, 2

Lageistrremia indlci, 82, 151

Lipagerla alba, 453

Listrei lotoula, 427 ; atrata. 38, ; diUtatl,
427 ; filix-mas, 4-7 ; Goldieaua, 38 3 ; mar-
ginalis, 3S5 ; montana, 427 ; riglda, 427 ;
Slebuldi, 387 ; thelypteris, 427

Lithyrus pubescens, 15 ; rotundifalius, 12,
61 ; splendens, 162

L^af-browning disease, the, 303

Leather llawer, tho, 502

Ledum latifolium, 20 ; palustre, 20 ; p. de-
oumbens, 29 ; p. dllata_tum, 20

Ledums as fly catchers, 7s

Ledums, ths, 28

Leeks, late. 235

Leptosyne Stillmani, 461

Z.,,to,<'/iie-S(.7//<Mi>n, 461

Lettuce bolting, 101, 136; Continuity, 135,
good autumn, 41

Lettuces, 85 ; failing, 255, 328 ; good dry
weather, 85 ; runninijJJo s;ed, 55

Leucojum autumnale, S74

Lswlsham, Pelargoniums at, 20

Leycesteria formosa, 384

LigiiUrla macrophylla, 330

liT„d.n-ia „.a.:-',j'hyllaj:l l-xitn; 339

Liguairum sineuse, 07

LUium Alexandlaj, 72, 109; anratum im-
ported, 461; a. rubro-vlttatum, 15'2, 239 ;
Bateminni, 195 ; Brownl, 52 ; candldum

VIU

THE GARDEN INDEX

[Jan. 1, 1898.

variegatum, 33!>; elegans, 16; giganteum,
226; iil'fi.'tani, 220; Hirrisi, 217, 270;
Henryi, 72, 151, 2i.7; jip^nlcum Krameii,
51; Kraetzarl in pjtp, 267 ; lancifolium,
240 ; Iciiglloium eximhira, 252 : locgi-
florum Harriai, ]:i2 ; /. J/nrrisi, 217 ; ne-
palense, 111, 13S; platyphyllum virgtnale,
115 : RoeEli, 58 ; speclosum, 207: 8. album
novum, l:)i3; s. crueatuoo, 313 ; s, Krae!z?ri,
196; s. Melpcmgne, 171 ; euperbum 439;
tiijrinum fl -pi., 102 : t. Bplendecs, 151 ;
WalUcei, Sil ; Walllctianum, 92. 421

LilleEi, I'O ; Arum, marketicg, 87 ; Madonna,
31 ; cotes on, lf,0

Lily bloomp, duialion of, 98 ; bulbs dieeas^d,
220, 252 462

LUy the Madonna, 2.'.7

Lily of the Valley, 1 s .', 270 ; var. Fortin, 482 ;
in fruU, 319, 443, 471; hi fruit, 319;
forcing. 103

Lioaria antirrbinif-iUj, 388

Llnana ■nilirrhhu/ofUi <ft Rnfcr, 338

Lincoln, fruic crops ir, 151

L)nde£>iari7a1]>, 109

Linum ta'tonuentr, S77 401,412

Linviii narboiiiienM at lx£ter,^{}\ ; Blbiricuro,
95

Lithospermum tinc^orluiD. 353

Lobelia cardJnaliJ', llU, 209, 399, 44'; Oarinine
G m, 151; Gerardi, 22t) ; tpleLdeus
(Wincbmoie Hill vjr ), 230; teLuijr
grandiflora, 49, SS

Lobellap, herbaceous, 12 1 18}, 2£S, 362, 452,
503; seedling aca»ht, 257

Logan Beiry, the, 50, 74, 95, 139

Loganbeny busb, th^ original, 64

Lomaria alpina, 3S7 ; c, cidiL;folii, si; d e-
co'orbipiimatlfida, SI; pumila, 387

Limaiiia. 84

Lonicera japouica, 78 ; Standisli, 473

Lotu* seed raising, £sO

Lucullapratiffimt, 4i2

Lupints tree. 124

Lujinus artoreus, 152

Lycafiti aromaUca, 3 ; Denninytiana, 249

Lychnis cbak-cioniei, 50; Haageana, 12;
ve'pirtina plera, 52

Lyojiis radiita, 251 ; squamigera, 376

M.

Magnolia glauca, 420 : macrophjlla, 31 ; the

swamp, 377, 41:0 ; YuUn fruiting, 513
Maiden-hair tree, Ihe, 324
Maize as a vegetable, 255
Malva alcea fjstig"ata, 01 ; moEchata alba,

30
Maranta picta, 311
Marattia IJurkei, 352

Marigold", Afiican, 238; fi^cgle gaid n, 321
M,fr^j>o.^,i Lili's, _iio,rer!i of th. rarcr^ 157
Marrows, late Vegetable, 231
Masdevallia corniculat', 367; D^vihi, 458;

Ephippi' HI, 214; glaphyrantha, &76 ;

Harryana, 154 ; macrura, P5. 477 ;

Measuresima, 3i58 ; boupco* a, 367 ; race-

mota, 24 ; tovarenbip, 367 ; Iriiiisteila, 477 ;

Veitchlano-Estracn:^ 367
Masdevallias, 375

MaxillaiUarandiH.ra, 331 ; v.nusta, 13T
Meadow f affrons In grass, 2 U
Mealy big, cUaring off, 372
Meconopeig nepaleca\s, 49i ; W.-lIich1, 87
Melon Croxtelh .lubilte. 312 ; EaUaor

Castle, 33, 73 ; Excelsior. 3 2 ; Frofrmore

Scarlet, 170 ; ( i unton Orarge, 247 ; logestre

Hybrid, 142; Kio'vsley Favnuritf, 64;

Mrs. Ileriir, 211: R^ysl Favcuite, 33;

Syon Peifection, 50
Melon notes, HI
Melons an Loigleat, 75 ; e'r'y, and cinker,

14 ; late, 316 ; Kte frame, 2 8
Mcsembryantbtmum pomeiidlanum, 92 ;

rosemu, 4S0
Mcxcniliyi/iiiiUi' iHi'.iii roseuin in a Scarboroviih

linnh:,,, 439
Mesospinidium vulcanicuro, 3i7
Mlchanxia campanuloidoi, 11', 147, 191
MidlotbiiD, Roses iu, HO
MJguonette on north holders, 19)
Mildew on Roses, 216
Miltonia anccpn, 3.6 ; Bleuana virgioalis,

76 ; Candida, 3^6 ; cuneata, 367 ; Cljwpsi,

3 i7 ; MoreUana, 367 ; M. atropurpure?, -177 ;

Pteteriiana, 210 ; Pha';0Qcp&l3, £67 ;

Rcezll, 367 : R. alba, 458: ►peclabills, 367 ;

s. striata, 2 ; vtxil'aria, 367
Miltoniis, 366
Mina lobatft, 402
Monsidi didynna. 111
Monkshrod. 482

Monmouthshlrp, finit crops i i, 03
Monmouth, notes from, 2'0
Mnnlbretiicrccosm'ii'flora, 151; Tigridia, 19 L
Montbr^tjas, 126, 207, 228
Morina longifoHa, 31
Mormode? pirdinum, 133, 376
Moiu9 alb I pendala, 507
Mowing b.; tteam, 150
Muhleiilj3ckia cjmpl'xi, 257
Mulberries, 185

Mushrooms, mapgots in. 234
MyojoUi ptlustiis Tjm Thumb, 461

M;ms„t;:< ,.,>lo.^tr,.< Tout Thui.il', 461
Myrosma c inn;i-folia, 267
M'irlh n> a fi>>>, 208
MyrtU.s in tubs, 71, 208, 280

N,

Nindioa domeetica. 311, EC7

N modes Medusa?, 25

Narci?£U3 calathinu", 577, 320; Double
Poet's. 18; Mmr. ("e Graif, 56; Mmc ilc
Gr""f 67 ; Pipsr white, 4S\

Xarrowwater Park, neir Newry, 326

Nectarine Cirdinal, 229; Early livere, 35,
141,-1S5, 1J4; Pr(c:ce de Croiictls 91; Vic-
tori I, 33

NilJm'.i'im album grandillorum, 447 ; strla-
lu-n, 447 ; ku'oiesiinum, 4i7 ; lut^um,
447 ; ro3eum, 4-17 ; Selh^kuran, 4*7 ; Shleo-
man, 417; sfeciosuin )51, 447

N p3:ithea Amesiana, 494; Ti«yl, 210 ; at
Kew, 398

Ntiihroltjii^ exaltala a.s a hash-.L planl^ 350

Nephrolepi-es, 350

N. rine Counters Bithurit, 352 ; crispi, 353,
474 : Doniiin. t u, 3-2 ; fl^xu sa < xctllens,
?53 ; Folhsrsilli, 261 ; jipOQici, -iH ; Lay
Bromley, 352 ; L^dy Lawrtnc i. 3/2 ; Lidy
Llewelljn. l-yl ; Lady Mary HlcVs B a'lh,
352; Ladv Miry Shelley, 352 ; Mnis Hi,
453, 400 ; Meidowbanki, 338 ; pidlca, 313;
bybiid, 354 ; fitoiliii^. 414

Nertera depressa, 171, 360

Nioti n^affinip, pcisonoup, 284

Novelties, contlntntal, 461

November, a mtid, 443; fljwerp, 374; in
South Devon, 479 ; in the garden, 162 ; on
the Rivltrj, 423

Nursery rubbish. 474

Nymptieialba, 4 14; a. cindidissima, 91, 414 ;
bJanda. 414; Candida, 4ii ; cterulea, 446;
Columbians, 446; Deauiana, 446; deliw'a-
ti^slma, 446; dentata, 446: <h,'i«(<i, 415;
devoniensis, 445 ; elfgane, 446 ; Ellisiana,
50 ; tlava, 446 ; glgantea, 446 ; gi-acills,
416: bewensip, 446; Lotus, 416; Liyde-
keri fu'gens, 441; L. fulva, 'd'o, 414; L.
lilacea, 06, 444; L. lucida, Oo, 445; L.
rosea, 444 ; Marliacea albida, 40, 51, {\<jy
445; M.«ll>i<l«, p">-t of <u-u,>p of 444; M.
cauoida, 445; M. cirnea, li'>. 445: M. cnr.nn.^
445;M.Chr.imattlU 44*^; M.flimmea, 96 115,
131, 44> ; M. i.nea, 06, 171, 445 ; M. rosea,

445 ; M. rubra punctata, 445 ; mesicaua,
446; O'Maranx, 416 ; odorata, 445; o. caro-
1 nta la, 445; o. esqulsita, 415; o. g'gantea,
445; 0. miixima, 445; o minor, 415; o.
rosace*, 415 ; <>. rosea, 415 ; o. nibra, 191 ;
0. lulphure •, 446 ; iiulcherrim}, 446 ; pyg-
BCEiii, 445; p h'.lvola, 71, 446 ; reniformis,
446; RobiasonJ, 445 , rubra, 4Ui; rubrc-
ropea, 416; sjutifolia, 44 3: Seigcureti,
445; Smitbiina, 446; fphitrocarpa, 446;
fet^-liata, 446 ; Stuitevatti, 416; tuberosa,
445; till" roi"., 444; t. flavescenf>, 171; t,
plena, 446; ziczlbarecsis, 416; z. azarea,

446 ; z. rosea, 446

NjmptTois, hybrid, at Kqw, 9} ; tropical, in
Ihsopmair, 302

O.

Oak, thesGirle*. 310

Ul^lTtiAKY —

Baiiiie, E J., 351

Bitemi' , Jjm-^p, 454

CaEcy. J^mep, 40 i

Co:k.r. J. me'. 232

D»^i:P, Isaac, 3 4

8til€F, W. A . 3U

Suttor, Alfred, 13>
October in South Djvon, 4?3
October weathtr and fruit trcep, 3.56
(tiontoploKum Cervantes'. 4"S; ccnstric-

turo, 5C!t ; ciispumStarbgh", 25 ; c. Sun-

ligh', 351 ; ctiatatelluir. 110; Dayanum,

432 ;graQd6, 53; g. (Pitt's var.), 311; Hirry-

arum, 25 ; Insleayl, 53 ; K'amcri, 458 ;

liiive, 110; Lindtn', 2 ; P. scatorei Hirrlai-

anum, 131 ; pu''chtllum, 5<^9 ; Schleire'i-

pnum, 53; tii udiane, i.76, 4^9; Uro-

Skinne !. 134
Odontoglo=fcums. 53
(Eu'ithera fpeclo^a, 31
Ouander. the, ICO
Olearia dtnata. 420; Gunnlana. 4:9; Gf.i-

niaixf, 42S ; Haasti, 112, 429; inbignis,

421 ; macrfdon*p, 420 ; raiLu'oia, 429 ;

itelUilata, 429
O'.cariap, 428

Ojaphalodcs Lucli:;e, 60, 527
Oncidium auiosum, 835 ; concolcr, 2 ;

crispum, 1 ; c g andiflorum, 134, 376 ;

fra'sup, 1 ; cvutum, 154 ; dasystyl.-,

1'3 ; divaiioatum, 335 ; Forbeti, 335 ;

Garonerl, 276; haimatochilum, 47?;

iocurvum, 76 ; Jonesianum, 330 ; Kra-

msrianum, 151, 154 ; Kratnetimum
roBeum, 25t ; L^aceanum, 134 ; leuco-
chilum, 213 ; huidum, 25 ; macranthum
hastiferum, 153 ; Marahillianum, 409 ;
olivacsum Lawrenc:anum, 26; otuithor-
rhyiichum album, 410; Papilio, 249 ; pelic :-
num, 477 ; jbym^tochiluoo, 25, 110, 113;
pi:e';extum, 70 ; p. aureum, 135 ; pul-
ch Hum, 2(1 ; pulviuatum, 5t; pumilum,
133; roseum, 254; tigrinum, 135; vari-
cjsum, 417, 477; iriquetrum, 135; Zibrl-
num, 237

Onion, All in's Reliance, 222 ; Crimaon Globe,
234; Golden R':ec', 222; Record, 136, 155,
176 : Silver Ball, 1

Oniooa 4, 156, 406, 452 ; autumn-sown, 101 ;
io 1897, 56; keeping, 512; soil for, 222;
Tripoli, 102

Ocoelei sensibilis, 386

Ora-iees for Christmas, 4''6

O.cbidsat Hildsnley, 418; for amateurs, £98 ;
uotea on, 2, 2U, 367; stajin*, 113; the
durabili-y of, 331

O ders cf maiit for farmer3 andgirltuars,
116

O.LithocjphaluB griuditlorus, 458

O nlihogalum jyiamldale, 31 ; thyrsoides,
303

Ojmundi cinnaraomea, 38'; Claytoalana,
3S6 ; gracilis, SS7 ; regalip, 427

Oitrowekya m^^gnifici, 48L

(h/ictrski/a iuai/ii'fi''"-, 4'^!

Othonna cheiitfoiia, 453

Ozalis ei ueaphylla, 202

Fn'oH}/, a ftntihlr-jInirLfctl T}\v, R25 ; a tingTe
tl iwercd Tree, 330; ths yelbw-tljwortd,
340

Tiu 'DiPs, 4<:0 ; a bon-! of'sinijh Tree, 321 ; and
ribbita, 402; n .turiLsing, 48J ; Tree, 325,
363, 454

Pohrr.n Or.d'/o I'l La Mortohf, i7

Pdlambinum cj.i.dilum, 298

Pampas Grjfs, drjiog, ■:?74 ; in Wales, 412

Pancratium cinirlens:', 333 ; fiagr^n^, 443;
speciosum, 337

Panicum bulbo-um, 3S0 ; p'icatum, 413

Pansy culture, 78

Pansy, Tufted, A J. Rowb;rry, 86 ; Ard-
welt Gem, 58, 171 ; Britannia, 172 ;
Bultroa, 334 : Davonshire Cream, 62 ;
Duchess of York, 188; Eadymion, 62;
Fl'.rizal, 5S ; lea Ferguson, 8 ; Joseph, 92 ;
Lord SaU3bin-y, 8; Luc; Franklin, 8;
Magie. 86, 171; Mij?nific-nt, 16; Maria
Gilbeit, 27J ; Mrs. C F. G rdon, 62 ; Mrs.
Chas. Turner, I'.H ; :\Ir8 H. Bel'amy. 16 ;
Molly P.ire, 191 ; Noiah Creina. 191 ; Pem-
broke, 8; Percaitla^d, 62; Prince. sL^uise,
58; Que- n 'f the Year. 9i ; Shellah. 86;
Sir Robirt P. el. 8; Violetta, 56; Walter
B. Child, 191 ; Whita Duchesi, 103 ; White
Empress, 19

Panstes fancy. 189 ; rayless Tufted, 16 03;
Tufted, 124. 172, 100, 237, 401 ; Tufted at
ChiswicV, 39 ; Tufted, at Tamworth. 18;
Tufted, from Chtrnside, 12: Tafred, in the
rock girden, 227 ; white Tof -ed, 37

Paris ChTypantbcmuni Committee, 152

FarsTcy for w inter, 222 ; growing for Eale,
255

Parsnip, a n:w, 371

Pareu'ps, kesjing, 371

Passifl ra racem'^si, 3'3

Pavia macros+^achva 144

Pea Al r d tLe Great, lf2 ; Autocrat, 156,
371 : Button Unrivslled, 102 ; Bunyard's
Eirly D37arf, 102; Captain CuUle, 51;
Clielsea Gem, 4; Dinby Strat'gem, 119,
155 ; En-ly M'^iu, 45; Grddus 4, 45 ; Ma^u-
crcp, 176 : M j stic, 61 ; Michaelmas, 176 ;
Model Telephone, 155; Hprlugtide, 4;
Veitch's GtjdQnder. 85 ; Veitch's Perfec-
tion, 51 ; Walker's Perpetual Bcirer, 121

Peas and drought, 102. 135 ; and green fly,
175, 2i5 ; autuma, 255 ; early. 4, 406 ; early
pnd lite, 55; garden, in 1897, 135; goo'^,
in Novembtr, 374; large, 155, 22i ; late
maiket, 136. J55, 235 ; medium sizej, 55 ;
new, 45; notes or, IIS; of medlumheight,
154 ; on Apiicot borders, 74 ; quality in.
56; Eiigir, 155; tall v. dwaif, 255; veiy
dw^rf, 45

Pea, Sweet, Aurora, 36 ; Bfil imt, 60 ; Celes
tial, 434

Peas, Sweet, for cuttlcg, 300

Pea?, Everlaiting, for cu'ting, 402

Peach Alexander, 41 ; Crimson Galande, 36 ;
Eirly GrofiFe Mlgoonne, 142; Lord Pal-
meroton. 1S5 ; Marquis of Djwmhlre, 307 ;
Prince of Walef, 35, 73 ; Stirliag Cistle,
31; Tardive da Mont d'Or, 449; Violette
Ilativr, 247 ; Waterloo, 130

Peach blistir. 33, 95, 142; growlrgatC^rrow
House, 229; notsp, 05; etJnea splitting,
14, 65

Peachei a d Nectannes at Exeter, 228; in
pots, 1S6 ; oa open walls, 247; on a high
iccst ivall at Exdcr, 228

Peaches at Bliekling Hall, 219 ; at Orchard-
leJgh, 94 ; early, 431, 470 ; note t on indoor,
447; oa west walls, 93; outdoor, 229;
treatment of, wh^u stonint,', 73; unfruitful,
2i'.i ; yellows iu, boiling water for, 309

Pear, a gojd ttiwiug, 470; a new, 487;
Bckhouae's Beurre, 309 ; Bergamote
dEsperen, 259; Bjurre Bichelier, 315,
350; Bturrti Baltet pf-re, 356,397; Beuriii
Clalrgeau, 246 ; BeurrL- Giffard, 185 ;
Bishop's Thum^i, 396; Black Worcester,
2.6; Brown Biurre, '■i'X>\ Citillac, 245;
C'Uillor, fruiti'uj Oraiirh of, 246 ; Comte
de F^anare, 20J ; Cjmte de Lamy, 355 ;
Dlnc'eur Alphand, 246 ; Directeur Hardy,
312; Dojenn6du Comics onnorthwall9,316 ;
Diyenne du Comic?, scarcity of, 248, 300 ;
Dr. Jules Qujo'. 248; Duchesse de Bor-
deaux, 319; Durondtau, 349; Kmile
d'Heyst, 307: Foadant.^ d'Av.toma.-, 348;
F.niante deThirri^'tt, :i97 ; Gansel's B,^r-
gam^t, 340, 356 ; Gilogil, 246 ; G'ou Mor-
csau, 4&7 ; Gros e Calebas^e, 246 : //(-Wd,
139; Jargonelle, 470; JnrgomJh, 470;
Jersey Gratioli, 246 ; Josephine deMaline?,
4 19 ; Lucy Giiove, 397 ; Magnate, ;{09 348,
3*0; Mirguerltc Marillat, 2i0; Marie
Louise d'Uccl?, 104. 24S, 30S ; Nou-
vtlle Fulvie, 4':9 ; O ivier de Serres,
13; Pas'^e Clmir, :i50 ; Paese Cras-
Bane, 493 ; Piesident Barabe, 493,
496 ; Princess of Wales, 470 ; Souvenir
du Cocgit;?, 261; Thompson's, 349;
'J'riomphe de Vienne, 201, 3C9 ; Uvedale'd
St Gf rmain, 246 ; Van Mons Lson Leclerc,
356 ; Vioar of Winkfield, 346 ; IViUiam.-i'
Bon Chrclitn, 139; Zspblrin Grtgoire,
4-^7

Pear foliage, grub on, 232

Pears, autumn. 397 ; Beurre d'Aremborgand
B. Sterckmans, 230, 200 ; Califo>nian, 301 ;
cordon, root management of, 315 ; early,
138 ; good autumn, 343 ; stewing, 246,
396; under glass, 394

Pelargonium A. TuUet, 434 ; Adolphe Bris-
5on, 313, 360 ; Anna Bateson, 00 ; Beauty
of Castlehill, 51 ; Duch'^ssof Marlborough,
404; Duke of Fife, 313, 359; Ilermione,
ojl; Jules Lemaitre, 313; King of Den-
mark, 115 ; Mrs. Parker, 198, 270 ; Niagara,
513 ; Rev. H. H. Dombrain, 313 ; Or^ste,
137

Pelargoniums at Lewisham, 20 ; zonal, for
winter, SI, 103

Pentstemun diffusus, 31 ; hybridue, 111 ;
Ri hardfioni, 71

Pents eni'ins, 1?5, 393

Poreskia B eo, 92

Peris eria ceiina, 51 : elata, 213

Perf strophe i^pEc'osa, 391

Pcrnettya mucrouata, 431

Pescatoreas, notes on, 75

Phalus Ashworthianus, 49, 418 ; Humbloli,
214

PhaI:vaopBi'=i Hebe, 76 ; Lowl, 375; Lu-ide-
vfo'acaa, 76; Re.?Lieri, 409; Schilleriani
vestalis, 457 ; Vesta, 76 ; violacea, 114, 214

Pha itnop^ids at Clapti-n, 114 ; notes on, 335

PhUa:eIphu8 Lemoicci, 32; aicrophylius, 22

Phlox attd'ui, 277 ; Coquelicot, 5/, 87, U7 ;
E'lgen; DauzinviUiers, 131 ; La M itbilde,
131 ; L rl Rayleigh, 90 ; Miss Pemberton,
219; Regulus, 195

Phloxes, 31, QS ; a <irovp of irhiu., 2C6 ; ppTci-
nlal, 189, 2C6, 239, 256; pireanial, he'ght
of, 137

PhitinU jiponica, 31

Phjgelius capen&i§, 171

Phygalis Al&ekengi, 273

Phyllanlhus pallldifoliuf, 197

Phyllocactus anguliger, 353

Physalls Franchettl, 176, 231, 25S, 30J, 294,
402, 453

Phyttuma comosum, 12

Phyto'ac^a decandra, 273

Puumna fragrans, 113, 509

Pine 6uc^£r3, po'-tin^, 95

Pine-apfle P.ince Albert. 316

Pine, the Corsican, at hjme, 2.9; f/n Coral-
nni.at hoiHf, 219

Piogu'cula ciudata, 457

Pink Albino, 19, 31

PDgiantbus Lyalli, 92

Plant house, fiuit tree in, 259

Plant^ arranging, 401; a/j,inr, ror,ter in
• xhihit of 419; exhlbllmg rojk and
alpine, 419 ; for a bickground, 58 ; hardy,
notes 00, 15, Si;, 125, 187, 256, 280, 320,
462 ; mixed, in a nairow border, 192;
Laming h:\rdy, 334; that force well, 510 ;
two old, 303

PlinUrg, preparations for, 20)

PJataBus cccidentalis argeuteo - vatiegata,
49. ihd, f07

Platycadon Marieei, 41

Pleionehuinilis, 331 ; lagenaiii, 275

Pleionep. 400

PlourothillU Barbcriana, 418

Plum C >b'8 GoMen Drop. 497 ; Coe'.* OoU/en
/Jro/<, 300 ; Reine Claule de Bi^ay, 3;6;
S int, 261 ; The Czar, 247; ttc Mirabella
nottbeCticrry Plum, 194 ; jam, 142;notis,
185; tr£c=, grcs-", SO J

Jan. 1, 1898.]

THE GARDEN INDEX.

IX

P.ume aa 1 Ap.icolp, ajircity of, 05 ; oo:doD,

];'3, 2U ; growing for market, 250 ; Japan-

eee, 81!) ; lato, 3'.'0 ; scarcity of, 140
Pliimbnj,'o cjiponels, l'J"2, 16'.' ; rosea, 513
Poiiuluni piikherrima, 442
PoinsLttIa pulcherrima, 431
Pjineettlas, growing, 46; planted out, V*
Poiy^'.ila paucifolia, 3ii;)
Poij^onuni allUie. 874
I'uljK num Bald-chuanlcum, 12, 152, 803;

orlontalo, 231 ; spbi'TOBtachium, 873 ;

spli;>Toatiohyum and Aster diploslcphi-

oidcB, c'J9, 430 ; vicclnifolium, 374, 403
I'olypidivim Dryoptoris, 427; Phogopteris,

427 ; vulgare, 427
Polystichumacroatichioides, 887; aculeatum,

427 ; Lonchilis, 427 ; nilimtum, 8S7
Poppy, a hybrl.l, 1,M ; the TuMp, Pd
Poppies aud Feather (irass, 147 ; Iceland,

l'i7, UO; oriental, 30
Populus tilL-hocirpa, 43S
Poioquerii fragrintiasima, 442
Potato, Aphleaf Kidney, 222 ; Cardinal, 2.'»0 ;

Carter's Record, 136 ; Early Hfgent, 175,

231 ; Knglish Beauty, 136 ; Horsford's

Seedling, 250; Harbinger, 132; Ivo, 2J0;

Sharpe'a Motor, 4, 45, s}, 156 ; Syon House

Prolific, 221, 2S2, 512; Up to Dite, 158,

2J4: Windsor Castle, 250
Potato notep, 222
Potatoes, 221 : a heavy crop of, S.'> ; the

American, 136 ; two new varieties of, 85
Potcntilla fruti^osa, 251 ; nepaleaslp, 251
roterlum titcbense, 27?
Pratia angulata, 11

Primroses, 4s3 ; and Polyanthuaes, s5
PrlmuU japonica, 373; obconic.*, 110;">. var.

fimbilata, 227, 219, 431 ; PoleBonl, 277, 393 ;

TraUll, 16, 36, J6, 90 ; verticillita, 434
Primula, Chinese, rrici-:;s8, 513
PiimuUs, Chinese, pottiog, S2
Prinuilas, double ChlDese, 370 ; Cbineao,

rooting double, 2Sl
Prcmeu;"-! stapelio'deB, 54, 214
Protea ryuaroides elllptica, 303
Prunella Webbiana, 71
Pruning, summer, 13
Prunus pseudo-Cerasufl, the Japanese, 429 ;

subtirtella, 452
rteti3 aquillni, 427 ; trtmula, 21S
PlBLli Uabdens—

Barnes Common, 314

Battersea Park, 32

Bethnal Green, open space for, 72

Broskwell Park rating appeal dismissed,
72

Chiysatthemums in the park", 413

Churchyard Bottom Wood, Hfgbgate, 351,
514

Clerkenwell, open space for, 32

Hamp&tead, newopni apace at, 112

Ham Com men, 514

Higheate Woods, preservation f.f, 252

Kew Gardens, opening of, 112, 1;{2

London, East, a new open space for, ol4

London parks, surplus bedding plants ia
the, 314

Metropolitan Public Gardens Association,
314, 474

M\miLipal vandalism, 232

Open space, a new, 02

Open bpacs', 52, 304

Kichuiond, new recreation ground for, 232

.St. Pauls Churcliyard, 232

VentQor, a park for, 514

Wandsworth, open space for, 52

Wandsworth recreation ground, 112

Woods and Forests, Commissioners of, 304
Punica Gracatum nana, 230
Pyrcthrum ultglnoiuin, 273, S02, 321, 331,

400
Pyrus arbutif.lia, 334, 452 ; nigra, 452

Qucrcus coccinea, 310
yuince, the, as a dccorativ

B.

tree, zn

Rabb'.ts and Antitrhicums, 440

Ranunculus acouitifolius, 263 ; acrls fl.-pl.,
264; aconitlfolius tlenus, 462; alpestris,
263 ; amplexicaulis, 'loS ; anemonoidts,
263 ; aquatilla, 264 ; agjaticup, 264 ; car-
juticua, 263; crenatue, 263 ; glacially, 263;
grani'neus, 263 ; Litgua, 264 ; Lyalli, 264 ;
nio:si:eUen8's, 294; uiintinus, 263 ; m I'o-
foliatus, 263 ; parnassifol'us, 263; pedatus,
2c3 ; pyren;t:us, 263; lutaifolius, 263 ;
scutatus, 2t3 ; SJeguierl, 263 ; Sfecioaus,
234; Thora, £63

Ra.fplxrry Carter & Probjic, 15S ; troubles, 74

Raspberries, 128 ; feeling, 246 ; white, 301 ;
yellow, 33

ReinwarJtia Irigyna, 4'.4

Bestrepla antei nifcra, 477 ; Laisbergi, 376

Retinospara obtusa 6ulphurea, 240, 507

Rotinospora?, 464

Rhipsalis Cassytha, 453 ; Huulleti, 33S

Rhofoio droa Mrs. Thlsclton Dyer, 102;
kowenpo vars., 2S4 ; Maiden's Blush, 453 ;
Mmo. Moser. 507 ; Pink Pearl, 507 ; Princess
Aloxandra, 373 ; Queen Victoria, 404

Rhus CotiQUH, 209 ; cotinoides, 310

Ithynchospeniium jasmlnoidcs, 47'^

UhyuchostyHs cielcstis (Cambridge Lodge
var.), 210

Rlchardii albo-macuUtii, 260 ; Pontlandt,
270

liock garden, a boa'.tiful, 6 ; the, at Abbots-
bury, Newton Abbat, 37

Rodriguezli plautfolia, 458 ; 8o:unda, 133

HomucjaC-ultcri, 86, 112,115

Hoiuneva Covtte i, 86

Rotdeletia spcciosi, 121

Hoots, girdcn winter, 512

RoEa aljiina and R a. pjrenalca, 42 ; canlna
var. dumetnrum, 230; indica, 273; Iffivi-
gata, 41; 1. n( sinica irl. tcrnata, SO;
Pissardi, ISO; robutta, 42; tugosa, 111,
106, 407 ; nuicm, 3S4 ; r. atro-purpuroa,
03 ; r. Blanc "do Coubert, 151, 207 ; r. calo-
carpa, 384 ; sotigera, 02, 152

Ro e Abel Carr(cre, 42 ; Albeitino Borquet,
370 ; Alfred K. Williams, 468 ; Auj^^ustine
Guinoisseau, 63 ; Banktian, 513; Barimne
de Maynard, 37J ; Baroness Rothschild,
41 ; IJcaute Inconstante, 148 ; Bessie
lirown, 41 ; Bladud, 320 ; Blanchctlcur,
40; Cannes la Coquette, 320; Captain
Cliristy, 31; C'icile Brunue-, 32S; cUmb-
ing Capteia ( hristy, 140 ; cUmbing Niphe-
to.s, SO ; Cumtesso de Murinals, 40 ; Com-
tcsae de Nadaillac, 4rtS ; Comt':.<se de Ao-
dailfac, 46S ; Cotntes'e Panisse, ISO ; Dean
Hole, 377 ; Duke of Albany, 216 ; Duke of
Cunnaught, 170 ; Eclair, 140 ; Ella Gor-
{?un, 328 ; Empress Alexandra of Russia,
.".1, 101 ; Encbantr.'S', 353 ; Eugene Furst,
180 ; Fortune's Yellow, 328 ; G. Nabon-
nand, 0?, 216; Gmeral Jacqueminot in
November, 408; Gloire d( s Polyantba,
387; Grace Darling, 273; Hellen Ktllr,
41,140; Horace Veriitt, 81 ; Irdie Watts,
323 ; IsLbella Sprunt, 407 ; Jean Clicrp'n,
42; Joseph Bcrnicchi, 180; Josephine
Mi rot, 80 ; Kals r n Augusta Victoiia, 10,

40 ; KUlarnfy, 41 ; Kronpnnzessin Vic-
toiia, 216 ; La France, 353 ; Migdelelne dg
Ch;L*ellier, 42; Maman Cochet, 41; mil-
dew on, 3-;s ; Mme. A. Chatenay, 10;
Mme. Alfred de Rougemont, 216 ; Mme.
Edoaard Helfenbein, 148 ; Mme. Falcct,
colour in, 387, 46S ; Mme. Fanny de Forest,
216 ; Mme. Ga'iiiel Luiztt, 328 ; Mme.
Qabriil Lo.vaI, 2,2^ ; Mme. Pieiie Coclut,
329 ; Miri-chal Niel, 206 ; Maiia Van
Houtte, 314; Marquise Lttta, 10; Mclea
42, 329; Mrs. F. Cant, 41 ; Mrs. Graham,
11; Mrs. Ja?- Wihon, 179; Mrs. Rumsey,

41 ; Mrj. Sharman Crawford, 320; "iAra.
W. J. Grant, 41 ; Muriel Graham?, 41, 320 ;
Narcisse, 407 ; notes, 40, 81 ; Paul's sine la
icirlat, 320; Paula single wlite, 320;
Perle de Feu, 328 ; Perle de Uongsa, 4f38 ;
Puriti/, 370 ; Queen of Bedders, 468 ;
Queen Mab, 27.-1, 329 ; R. B. Catsr, 41 ;
Rainboff, 468; Rev. AUn Cbeales, 320;
Rosette de la I^egion d'Honneur. 216 ;
Rosomane Alix Huguier, 40 ; S. M. Rodo-
canachi, 41 ; Safrano a fleur rouge, 329 ;
season, the, of, 1807, 407; Souvenir de
Catherine Guilot, 140 ; Sjuvenir de laMal-
maison, 3i3; Souvenir de Mme. Eugene
Verdier, £0; Souvenir de President Car-
not, 10 ; stocks, standard, 387 ; Sunset,
320; Susoiine Marie Iiodor((Hacht,14S; the
Prairie, 152 ; the yellow Banksian, 170 ; the
ycKoic Banksion in Lcroi', 179; SylpV>, 49;
T. B.Haywjcd, 80; the Garland, 80 ; Vie yel-
hnr Baaksia.i at Lc Morlola, 103 ; Thomas
Mills, 42 ; Tom Wood, 41 ; Ulster, 41 ;
Waltham C.imber No. 3, SO; Wm. Allen
R chardson, 206 ; Wm. A. R'.chardeon,
colour in, 41

Rose girden, in the, 297

Roses at Kew, 338; at Portsmouth, 40; a
vnsi of T<a, 70 ; arranging Tea-scented, in
vases, 70 ; autumnal, 320 ; autumn, prun-
ing of, 371 ; Banktian, (8; Ba,dsian, 68;
Chinese, Bengal, or Monthly, 387 ; c imb-
iog, 407; climbing H.P., 468; death of,
207 ; fragrance of, 140 ; frcni cuttings,
215 ; girjcn at Colchester, 12 ; Hetes Lip
and Reine Blanche. 42 ; Hybrid Perp tual,
148 ; H.P. and Hjbrid Tea, 105 ; in Mid-
lottian, 140; in public parks, 174; late,
613 ; losin/ colour, 140 ; Marquise de Sills-
bury and Camoens as standards, 42 ; mil-
dew en, 216, 206 ; Moss, a query about,
514 ; hew, at tte Crystal Palace, 41 ; pot-
ting, 46S ; prrgress in home-raised, 80 ;
£cjlch, at last, 81 ; seediog, 371 ; seedling,

42 ; single, 464 ; tingle Tea, 216 ; standard
and pillar, in pots, 463 ; sweet-scented,
69, 8U ; Tea, 71 ; Tea, semi-climbing under
(llass, ISO; ttc Broufjhty Feiry, 140 ; two,
424; under glass, 105; U'-healthy, 140;
\V. A. Ricbardson and I'ldeal, colour in,
SI ; white Tea, 370; wild, 384; with col-
oured foliage, 41, 81 ; with extra vigorous
growth, 870 ; yellow, 41

Roses, Christmas, iapot^ 360
Uudbeckia laciniata Golden Glow, 131, 172,
226 ; subtoment' sa, 334

Saccolablum ampuUacoum, 3

Saintpaulla lonautha, 251

Salnafy. giant 511

Salvia B'jthelli, 361 ; bicolor, 50. 71 ; splon-

dens grandinora, 252, 337, 398
Saccdabium ctcleste, 76
Saesafras, the, 420
Savoy New Year, 235

Saxifraga cochlearii n,inor, 22 ; cortuEji>
f«lia, 414 ; Fortunei, 374 ; l»n{jifolia and
7;t/(7 "■('(»« m roc/ t/arden at AObolshin-y, 37
Saxifrage*, fungus on, 152
Scablota caucasica alba, 01
•ScaphiJ3ei)abun glbberosum, 410
Schizostylis coccinea, 314, 433, 434
Schomburgkia tibiriuia, 54
Kchutertia granJitlora, 273
Scidoiiendrium vulgare, 427
Pc'iilymue grandiflorua, 51
Scutlcaria Steeli, 477
Scakale, feeding, 156; forc'ng, 372
Saa Lavenders, i72
Season, a rnild, 374
Sid'im Border!, 313 ; maximum purpurcum,

111 ; spectabile, 251
Ee daowiogin boxes, 481
Seeds lying dormant, 388 ; savinsf, 55
Setnpervhum aracbnoideum, 390 ; Regina;

AmalliB, 02
Seneslo japinlcus, 31 ; junceus, 473 ; pulcher,

101, 196, 4' 2
Septenibsr in South Devon, 822
Shore land, planting, 431
Shrewsbury, vogetabltsat, 155
Shrubs, summer-flowering, 166
Shrubberies, contrasts in, 72
Sidalcea malvasflura, 99 ; m. atropurj urea,

.'.i?;! ; m. Utteri, 51
Silene maritima plcia, 36; monachoruon,

252 ; Otites, 17
Sklmmia Foremaci, 431, 453
Enajidragon, the, 280
Su'iwdrops in Scotland, 361
Sn-'Wllake, the autumn, 330
Sobralia xantholeuca, 114
Societies and Exhibitions—
Crystal Palace, fruit show at, 201 ; R'i.ie

show at. 23
Gardenei*s' Royal Benevolent, 71, 192
Midland Carnation and Picotee, 130
National Amateur Gardeners" Association,

31
National Carnation, 70
National f'brysanthemum, 170, 211, 251,

313, 333, 372, 411, 454, 472, 493, 513
National Co-operative, 170
National Dahha, 209, 513
National Viola, bO

Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund, 373, 454
Royal Horticultural, 9, 40, 71, 00, 112, 130,
160, 102, 210, 232, 311, 334, 351, 373, 392.
394, 431^ 402, 513
United Horticultural Benefit and Provi-
dent, 274, 313
Solanum capsicastium, 218; jjisminoidc,
284, 309, 374; j. in Surrey, 273; Wend-
landi, 273
Solidago virgaurea aurea, 453, 461
Sonerila Lady Burton, 392
aophronitls grandiflora, 5C9; vioUcea, 331
South Devon, October in, 423
Sparrows and buds, 274
Spartium junceum, 67
Spaihogl.tus auroViellardi, 76; Fortunei,

154
Sphiach, 156; The Carte'-, 110, 222, 255;

winter, thinning, 255
Splr<«i arbuscula, 4.30; astilboides, 187; as-
((7/>o(«/t.s, 188; Anthony Waterer, 172; Bu-
malda var. Anthony Watcrer, 144 ; bullata,
66 ; d scolor, 67 ; tl^galliformis, 28 ; jlaf/idi-
formis, 2S ; japouica glabrata, HG ; kamts-
chatica. Ill
Spring, the English, 39
Spuriji:, the Abi/isiiiian, at La Movtola, !06
St. Jiargarefsi 399

St. Marganl /, near Titchfidd, Hants, 300
Stachys chrysantha, 2C8
Stanhopea eburnea, 410 ; gu'tulafa, 213 ; ia-

sigois, 24 ; oculata, 76
Stap'lia biifoiiia, 186
Stance latlfolia, 146, 190, 191
fctenogastra cjncinna, 22
St':p!i, rocky, port-on of, at Ahbotshury, 30
f>teinbergia lutea, 271
Stoba^a purpurea, 373
Stocks. Brompton, 17
Stove climbers, three, 171
Strawberry Dr. Hogg. 73; Empress of India,
64 ; La Gencrcuse, 93 ; Latest of All, 64, 75,
04, 142 ; Loxford Hall Seedling, 259 ;
Mentmore, 11 ; Monarch, 35, 74; Royal
Sovereign, ,64, 450; Scarlet Queen, 357;
Stevens" Wonder, 35 ; the Vlerlandcr, 307;
Waterloo, 300 ; Wonderful, 50 ; a spider-

resisting. 315 ; boJfl, now, 6i ; b.d3, youDjr,
316; beetle, 73 ; planting, 93; runners in
1897, 139, 185 ; season, a short, 34 ; 8e;i8on,
prolonging the, 35 ; the, of the year, 74

Strawberries, 34, 896, 489 : a batch of new,
127 ; and wircworm, 14 : as biotnialn, 13 ;
beetles eating, 15 ; for a Middlesex garden,
142 ; for forcing, 1S5 ; for market, 308; in
nurseries, 04 ; in the north, 65 ; lato, 74 ;
new, 160 ; notesou, 306, 317, 342, 357, 377, 402 ;
novel method of forcing, 307; preparing
furring, 471 ; planting, 470; pot, 301 ; pot-
ting forcing, 140 ; shrivelling, 14 ; work
among 75

Str.awberry tree, the, 420, 453

Streamsido vegetation, 17

Strtptocarpi, 168, 197

t-tir./dorarpiix jifaiitHjour i/earn old, 168

Streptosolen .lamcsoni, si

Strnthiopt ris gerinanlci, 3S7 ; penneyl-
vanica, 2s7

Sub-tenant holding over. 52

Sunflowers, pirennial, \7i

Surrey, Eulalias in, 320

Swainsnnia galcgifolia albi, 122 ; Osboini, 20

Sweet Wlliiiims whi.h have (lowered, 300

Swiizarland, fruit culture in, 167

Sycamores injured. 494

Syringa Senaieur VoUand, 507

Taberiani'intana oionarlp, 193

Tdcci cristata, 40l

T*iC£OQia exoniensip, 571

Tagetes signata pumils. 277

Tamarix chinensip, 824

Tamwortb, Tufted Pansies at, 18

Taxuicanadenaip, 376; cuspidita, 377

Tl" Q.-a.uje, .'.>,)• A^h.njn, 237

Tbuja gigantea aurea, 10, 507; plicata, 452

Thiijopsis, 462

Tibouchina ni cantha, 304

Tiitiidias 4J0, 50:

Todea bymene pbylloidt?, SS9 ; intermedia,

289; Fnssri, 280; Wilket^iina, 289;

Euperba. 2&0, 314 ; s.'i,irt>a. 288
Todeas, 2S3 ; at Freachay, 173
Tomato, Cii tar's outdoor, 85 ; Conqueror ia

winter, 571; E.lipse, 371, 406; Sensa-
tion, 110
Tomatoes and fogs in winter, 452; and Ihe

disease, 175; <ii .h,</>Hu/i Uovm . iJ"',-',34l;

early fruiting, 121 ; mil-wmter, 101 ; out-

dcor, 311 ; trained upfctrings, 119 ; yellow

45 L
Tree life, notes on, 3S3
Trees and shrubs ctr.lficated in 1807, 506 ; la

autumn, 427
Trees, avenue, a new way of wateiing 459 ;

grafting old, 195, 24s
Trichtpilia bievis, 4'J2 ; Gileottiana, 133;

lasa, 400 ; t^rtilis, 204, 213
Tricbosma suavi^, 275, 410
Tricyitls pi'oia, 374

Tritoma paucifloia, 111 ; Bolfaterre, 115
TrolUus eurof ;*"us, 393
Tropa- dum pjlyphyllum, 31 ; speclosum,

180, 238, 251, 258; s. on the Pentland Hills,

31S ; tricolor, 267
Tuberose, the, in the opn air, 284, 321
Tuberoses in winter, 370
Tulip seedeowicg, 231
Turnip Gulden Ball, 353 ; the yellow, 156 ;

White Modtl, 353
Turnips, garden, ISi! ; ia hot weather, 136

U.

Ulex nanus, 3S4
UrcaoHna pendula, i73
Urginea maritima, 273
Utricularia Endrcsl, 114
Utricularia', 142

VaPola purpurea, 1 2, 420

Vanda aaceii, 249; tee ulaa. 297, 393, 410 ;

rorw/'", 410; c. at Qunnersbury House, 131;

c. Rociifordiana, 311; Denisonlana, 24;

Moorei, 311; Parisbi, 114; Sandetiina,

376 ; suavls, 1.'.3, 477 ; the blue, 410
Vegetable seeds, saving. 3
Vegetable Marrow as a climber, 323
Vegetable Marrows, the. 136
Vegetables at Sbrtswabury, 155 ; notes on,

175 ; winter and spring planting, 156
Vegetation, stream-aide, 17
Veltch prizes for flavour, 4'.'7
Venetian Sumach, the. VOit
Veratrum nigrum. Ill
\'trba8cum pfcicaiceum and varietlep, 62
Verbena Trotserve, 115, 131 ; venoaa, 151,

196
Verbenaa, seedling, 172

THE GARDEN INDEX.

[Jan, 1, 1898.

Veronica la Seduisante, nO, 607 ; lycopo-

diodee, 43 ; Silver Star, 311, rjb~
Victoria medal of lionour in hortitulture,

32 353
Victoria Rfgia, 151, 447 ; R. (Tricker's var.),

447 ; R. var. Rindi, 447
Vinca acutiloba. 414
Vine borders, late, mulchine, 30S ; leaves,

cuttirg cff, ftU ; sports, 3!i6
Vines, mealy bug on, 3 ij ; mildew on, ICO ;

open-air, 24S ; treatment of yc nag, 140
Vinery, an amateur's, SOS
Viola pedata, 319.
Violet Marie l.ouise diseased, 278; Marie

Louise, failure of, 17 ; Princess of Wales,

353 ; the Czir, 313
Violets, 190, 557, 890 ; double, from cuttings,

2S0 ; double, in autumn, SJO ; planting

early frame, 303 ; winter, 322

Vitis Coignetiii!, 384 ; heterophylla humull-
folia, 393 ; li. variegata, 118

W.

Walilenbergla tenuifolia, 11
Wales, Pampas grass in, 442
Wallflower, a b'.ue, 72 ; Paiis'an Biily, 392,

393
Waf ps, 305 ; nests, 260 ; p'ague of, 230
irr.fr.' i:iii, Ihr FlorUhi Yilloii-, 445
Water Lilies, 72, 460 ; hardy hybrid, 440; in

small tanks, 419 ; two, 444
Watering, feubstitutes for, in dry seasons,

173
WatEonia iridlfolii OBrieni, 52
Weather in West Herts, H, 32, 52, 72,132,

152, 172, 192, 212, 252, 574, 314, 354, S73,

393, 454, 474, 493, 513
WelliDgtonias seeding, 607
Weybrldge, 11 iwers fr, m, 354
Wine Berry, Japanese, 22!' 200
Wiiliiriii, •' Jlnir.ruijl hrinieh oj, 67 ; millti-

juga, 452; .^infii-iin iil ft (llov.fcsUr!ikii<

rillage, 310 ; the, 66, 166 ; ilae, on a balcoi y,

166
Wistarias, the, 810
Wood, Irish grown, for Wales, 314
Wooda, GeTman, 116
Woking, Carnation notes from, 125

^eranthemums, annual, 127

Y.

Yew, tie Pacific coast, 377 ; the Ca'-adian,

376 i I

Yorks, flowers in, 4f 0 | I

Yucca angiistifolia bS

ZauFchnerla califoiuica, 189, 258
Zejhyranthea Atama£co, 231 ; carinata, 109
Zygopetalum Gautieri. 154, 336; Juiis'a-
num, 311 ; Mackayi, 297, 458

i

I

Jan. 1, 1898.]

THE GARDEN INDEX.

XI

COLOURED PLATES.

ADONIS AMURENSIS

ANTHEMIS TINCTORIA, VALE VAR

CARNATIONS, SELF: 1, (;EOR(SE MAiiUAV ; ■-',
ARIEL; 3, ROSMARUN

CINERARIAS, HYBRID

[CLEMATISES, HYBRID: 1, COUNTESS OF ONS-
LOW ; 2, DUCHESS OF YORK ; 3, DUCHESS
OF ALBANY

CRINUM SANDERIANUM

DABCECIA POLIFOLIA

ERIGERON SPECIOSUS

FRITILLARIA \VALUJEWI

HIBISCUS SYRIACUS VARS

IRIS LEICHTLINI

IRISES, TWO: 1, I. GEORGE THURBECK ; 2,
I. VARIEGATA AUREA

LATHYRUS SPLENDENS

Paoe
0

484

404
42

.304
122
344
484
242
504
222

3G4

1()2

LILY OF THE VALLEY (FONTIN'S VAR ) .
NARCISSUS ELLEN WILLMOTT

OXALIS ENNEAPHYLLA

P.EONY, A SINCiLE TREE
RANUNCULUS CARPATICUS
RHODODENDRON KEWENSE VARS.
RHODODENDRON MRS. THISELTON DYER
ROSA CALOCARPA : 2, R. HUMILIS RUGOSA ...
ROSE AUGUSTINE GUINOISSEAU

ROSES, TWO : 1, KAISERIN AUGUSTA VICTORIA;

2, PRINCESSE DE SAGAN

ROSES, TWO SINGLE: 1, ROSA MACRANTHA ;
2, PAULS SINGLE SCARLET

STENOGASTRA CONCINNA

UTRICULARIA LONGIFOLIA

WATER LILIES, TWO : 1, NYMPH.EA MARLIACEA
ALBIDA; 2, N. ROBINSONI

Pace
182

82

202

324

262

284

102

384

62

424

404

22

142

444

Jan. 1, 1898.] [The Gakdex

John Gilbert Baker.

John Gilbert Baker was born at Gnisborough, iu Yorkshire, in lb34, and early in life devoted himself to the study of
British wild flowers. In 1866 he was appointed assistant curator of the herbarium of the Royal Gardens, Kew, having, by
his publications, previously placed himself in the front rank of the authorities on British plants. His " North Yorkshire,"
without being a bulky book, is a model of what a local flora should be, and doubtless gained him his position at Kew, where
he commenced a career of activity in botanical work which he has maintained up to the present time. Although he has
done an immense amount of purely botanical work, he has been a continuous and copious contributor to what may be termed
garden botany during the whole period he has been at Kew. Indeed, there is no botanist living to whom gardeners are
more indebted than John Gilbert Baker, though he has persistently refrained from the discrimination and nomenclature of
varieties, a task he properly left to the florist. His first work at Kew was the completion of the "Synopsis Filicum,' designed
and commenced by Sir William Hooker, whose sudden death liappened when he had written only two or three sheets of the
book that has so long been the only one in the English language containing descriptions of all the species of Ferns then
known from all parts of the world. A second edition appeared in 1S74, and another, containing the numerous novelties dis-
covered since then, would be warmly welcomed now. This is not the place for a bibliography, but of his numerous popular
monographs of the cidtivated species of genera previously very imperfectly known we may refer to those on Agave, Aqui-
legia, Amaryllis, Crocus, Helleborus, Iris, Lilium, Narcissus, Pseonia, Rosa, Selaginella, Sempervivum and Yucca. This,
however, is merely a tithe of the work accomplished by Mr. Baker. Among his more recent separate publications that
specially appeal to the gardener are: " A Handbook of the Fern Allies," " A Hand-book of the Amaryllidea?," and " A Hand-
book of the Bromeliaceaj."

But it is not only as a writer that Mr. Baker has furthered the cause of gardeners and gardening. A long generation
of medical students, gardeners, and others owe the foundation of their botanical knowledge to his vigorous and sympathetic
teaching. A man may be a very good gardener, it is true, without knowing anything of botany, and practical knowledge is
of far more importance; yet botanical knowledge, like artistic knowledge, is capable of adding greatly to the enjoyment u['
gardening, and we have no hesitation in saying that the courses of lectures at Kew, in which Mr. Baker has taken a promi-
nent part, have afforded willing men opportunities which have resulted in mental and material advantages not easily obtained
elsewhere.

Among Mr. Baker's writings less known to the gardening world are a " Flora of Mauritius and Seychelles," a "Flora of t he
English Lake District," "A New Flora of Northumberland and Durham," and "Elementary Lessons in Botanical Geography."
In addition to these he has contributed to the "Flora of British India," to the "Flora of Tropical Africa," to the monumental
"Flora Bra.siliensis," and other publications too numerous to mention. Amidst all this research and investigation Mr. Baker
has ungrudgingly, indeed we may say amiably, devoted much time to assisting those less fortunately situated with regard to
literature and type specimens, and it is only those engaged in the same or similar vocations who know Jiow often and
thoughtlessly this kind of disinterestedness is abused.

On the retirement of Professor D. Oliver in 1890, Mr. Baker was promoted to the post of keeper of the herbarium and
library, a branch of the Kew establishment which is little known to the public, and which involves an amount of re-
sponsibility that surprises a casual visitor. Honours, as we all know, do not fall thickly on those engaged in scientific pur-
suits, and it is perhaps as well so. Mr. Baker was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1878, and has served
on the councd of that body. He was also among the sixty selected to receive the Victoria medal distributed by the Royal
Horticultural Society.

-^\%w^

The

'^S:5^-=^iccr

No. 1337.— Vol. LI I.]

[JULY 3, 1897.

Orchids :—

AuridcsL-rispuni 2

Aeriiics ll<mlletti;iniim . . .. 'i

Hullcu nilf.^tis. 2

Cattlcva liunU.r 1

(.^attluva Korhesi '2

Cattlov;LK'i;;i'^ 1

Cattlcya M.wsiiu 1

CattlcyaWiirneri ..* - 'i

Cyiirij>cdiuiui--;uniatum Wullisi 3

Cypri]>eiUuiu Exiil 3

CjT>ripedium Luwronceanum 2

Dendrobiiim superbicns ... 8

La)Uopsis domingensid . . . . 2

Lycasto aromatica .. .. 'S

Miltonia spectahilis striata . . 2

Odontoglossum Lindeni ... 2

Oncidium concolor . . . . 2

Oucidiiim crispum I

Oncidiimi Croesus 1

Orchids, nutes on 2

Saccolabiiim ampiillaceum . . 3

Kitchen :—

Asparagus after cutting ... 4

Beans, Sniytho'a hybrid ... 4

Broccoli, late . . . . 4

Broccoli Sutton's Late Queen 4

Onions 4

Pea (^helsca Gcni 4

Pea (iradus 4

Pea Springtide 4

Peas, early 4

Potato Sharpe's Victor .. . . 4

Vegetable seeds, saving. . .. 3

Trees and Shrubs:—

Embothrium coccincum ... 5

Escallonia Phillipiana . . . . 5

Judaa tree, the 5

Jud(is tree, the, at Mortimer,

Ba'k's . .. : 5

Juniperus prostrata , . . . 5

Ostrowskia magnifica alba . . 5

(Illustrations in Italics.)
\ Garden Flora : -

I Adiinis

I
Books:—

" Farm and Garden Insuefci"
I " American WoiKis "
I " How to grow Begonias " ..

1 Flower:—

I Ilrn'fiiiitnsia at Park Gate,

<i'ui.-<c/'\'/

Brugmaiisias in the flower

garden

Iris hesagona var. La Manco
Irises, late planted Spanish..
Pansy, Tufted, Isa Ferguson
Pansy, Tufted, Lord Salisbury
Pansy, Tufted, Lucy Franklin
Pansy, Tufted, Pembroke ..

Stove and Greenhouse:

A)>utiluiis in winter

Bcgijuiius, evergi'ceii

Clerodendron fuUax

E uphorbias

Societies :—

Koyal Horticultural .. ..

Notes of the Week:—

Aconituni uricnt:de

Oalochortus clavatus
Campanula Hosti alba . . . .

Campanula puUa

Chrysanthemums in June . .
Clematis P^airy Queen . .

Dianthus Napoleon III

Diplaeus glutinosus and Ga-
zania hybrida latifolia . . .

Gillciiia trifuHata 12

Gl;tili,,lns The Bride .. .. 11

H;tilstorms, Hevero ]f

HciMcrocalliHaurantiaca major 12
Inearvilica iJehivayi in Scot-
land 11

Iris Kitmpferi \[ \]

Iris Monnieri ] i\

Lathynm rotundifolius .. .. 12

Lychnis Hmigeana j-j

Pansies, Tufted, from Cliirn-

side ]2

Polygonum baldschuanicuin !•>

Phyteuma eoniosuni .. ,. pj

Pratia angulata . •. U

Hoses, garden, at Colchester 12

Wahlenbergia tennifolia . .. U

Miscellaneous :—

Hoik garden, a bcautifid .. t[

Weather in West Herts .. .. H

Welbeck Abbey 12

Orchids.

CATTLEYA GIGAS.

Although the varied forms of tliis superb Catt-
leya are given many varietal names, it must be
conceded tliat, taken as a species, it is mucli
less vanal)le than any other of the labiata group.
Plants in two or three varieties pm'ohased from
difterent nurserymen are almost, if not ([uite,
identical in the colour and markings of the
blossoms, the only perceptible difference being
a slight one in the size. There is not a finer
species in the genus when propei'ly managed ;
the immense Mowers witli the fine showy li]),
although not ijuite so rich in colour as some
others, are among the best for a choice dis-
play. C. gigas is best grown in a good light,
as here tlie growths get well ripened, are less
likely to start out of season, and are usually the
forerunners of a bountiful bhjom. They occur
upon the forming growths, the sheatli that pre-
cedes tlie bloom showing almost as soon as tlie
leaf begins to open, and about five or six are
produced on each spike. The aim of the cul-
tivator should be to get the young growths on
tlie move early in the si)ring, as with the in-
creased light and tem|)erature in early summer
nn)st of tliese produce spikes ; whereas in winter,
when light, and to a certain extent heat, have to
be withheld, numy of them will not do so. But
even of more importance tlian the time of start-
ing is getting the Itulljs well ripened by a fairly
high temperature when finisliing, and abund-
ance of air and light. This class of growth
usually goes naturally to rest as the sun loses
its power and the heat declines in autumn ;
the plants keep dormant with little or no
trouble through the winter, and come away with
a rush into flower just al)out now. Some may
say it is easy enough to give this advice, but
not so easy tt) follow it, and not without reason ;
but the more this advice is followed the greater
will be the success. Then if growths do stjvrt out
of season — as they sometimes will, the best of
care notwithstanding — do not attempt to check

them, but encourage them by the lightest and
best ])osition in the house and careful attention
to watering. Frequent disturbance at the root
is unnecessary and harmful, but the plants
cannot thrive in a close compost or one that is
waterlogged and sour. If the young pseudo-
bulbs commence to root before the flowers form
they should be repotted or rebasketed then,
but if they can be left until after flowering, so
much the better. Tlie roots are large and
fleshy, re(|uiring a good open descrijition of
compost and a fairly wide root-run. In small
pots it is difficult to keep them at home, as
they grow out over the rims every season.
Where the pots are large, only a \ cry thin com-
post is needed, except for large specimens,
which are, unfortunately, not often seen.
Baskets are very suitable for this Cattleya, as
they are lighter tlian pots for suspending, and
the freedom with wliicli air and light play
about the roots is a great advantage. Which-
ever is used, keep the base of the pseudo-bulbs
well up, so that they just rest on the surface of
the compost, and allow a fair rise to the centre
of each jjlant. Newly-imported jilants of C.
gigas usually arrive in fair condition, and some
are so plump and fresh when received as to
suggest potting up at once in peat and Moss.
As a rule they are better f(jr a few weeks'
plumping up in a warm, moi.st house, placing
in their ]i<its liefore any young roots that may
form are likely to be damaged in the operation.
These often flower freely upon tlie first- formed
bulbs. C. gigas is said to have been collected
as far back as 18411 by tlie Polish collector,
Warscewicz, to whom it was dedicated by
Reiclienbach, but as the above name was given
to the species by Linden at a time when more
plants of it were bi-ouglit into cultivation, it is
now the better kn(jwn and generally used.

Oncidium crispum.— This is an old and com
mon enough species, but the flowers are as
handsome and useful as any just now. The
habit is of the wellknown kind in the genus,
flattened, erect pseudo-bulbs occurring on a creep-

ing rhizome, the spikes appearing at the base of
the last formed of these between the leaf and
bulb. The number of blossoms de|)ends upon the
strength of the plant ; they are individually large
and showy, a pleasing combination of lirown and
golden yellow. O. crispum is not difficult to
grow, yet requires careful culture, a light, almo.st
unshaded position and plenty of water while
growing.

Oncidium Croesus.— This hardly differs from
0. longipes, but is ratlier more higlily coloured,
while O. jaiieiriense is another very similar kind.
O. Croesus is now flowering with me, several spikes
having as many as six or eight blossoms. The
sepals and petals are reddish brown, the lip yellow
with a very dark purple, almost black, disc. The
flowers though small last well in good condition,
are very freely produced, and when as many
flowers as noted occur on the spikes the species
makes a nice show. It is not a fastidious plant as
to temperature, but likes more heat than the
Odontoglossum house usually affords. — R.

Cattleya bicolor.— The stately habit and
freedom with which this plant lilooms, to say
nothing of its distinctness, should ensure it a
place in collections, though it must be owned it is
not by any means so showy as many of tlie labiata
and other sections now flowering. The spikes
occur at the apex of growth just as the pseudo-
bulbs are tBickening out, and bear upwards of a
dozen flowers. These are olive-brown, tlie centre
of the lip crimson - purple, some varieties, as
C. b. Measuresiana, having a white margin. The
side lobes of the lip are small and do not enclose
the column, as is usual in the genus. It is a
native of Minos Oeraes, a province in Brazil, and
was introduced in 18.37.

Cattleya Moseiae.— I have a plant of this
species now carrying over thirty of its fine
rosy-tinted blooms, each be'ng oVer 8 inches
across and making a fine show. The plant has
not been repotted for four seasons, but everv
year a little of the old material is taken from the
surface and replaced by new peat and Moss, tak-
ing care that plenty of charcoal or crocks is
placed with it to make up for the extra thickness.
It is an important point in the culture of C.
Mossia> that the plants are kept warm and well
treated after blooming, as the sea.son is late and

THE GARDEN.

[July 3, 1897.

it has to make up its bulbs for next year, in this
way (liliering from C. Gaskelliana and other
summer-flowering kinds. — R.

Odontoglossum Lindeni. — This species is
seldom seen in flower, but wlien it does bloom it
attracts a good deal of attention by its distinct-
ness and fine colour. It has large pseudo-bulbs,
from which springs a tall, sometimes branching
spike of lemon-yellow blossoms. O. Lindeni is a
native of New Grenada, where it was discovered
many years ago, but probably again lost to culti-
vation, as it does not appear to nave flowered in
this country until much more recently. It de-
lights in a cool, moist house and plenty of moisture
all the year round,

Cypripedium Lawrenceanum. — This fine
plant is still in bloom, and only last week I noted
a fine batch just throwing up, so that tlie flower-
ing season extends over three months. Not onlj-
are the blossoms large and handsome, but the
foliage is more finely \driegated and showy than
in almost any other known kind. It is a variable
kind, a handsome form with very large dorsal
sepal being known as C. L. expansum. It is not
an old species by any means, having lieen dis-
covered in Borneo as recently .as 1.S78, but has
alread}' become ver\' po|iular. — H.

Miltonia spectabilis striata.— A pretty
form (_)f this variable species I noted in flower this
week had sepals and petals of a delicate rosy
white, with a suffusion of lilac-purjile. The lip
was lighter in ground colour, almost pure white in
fact, with heavy radiating lines of dee]) rosy
purple. All the forms of this old species are
useful and interesting Orchids, lasting a long
time in good condition, and when well grown
flowering profusely. They thrive best in a light
position shaded only from bright sunshine, with a
thin surfacing of compost and a liberal supjily of
water while growing. — R.

Cattleya Forbesi.— The blossoms of this spe-
cies are perhaps not large or showy enough to
appeal to present-day growers, yet they have
a distinct appearance that is lacking in some
more showy kinds. It belongs to the same
section as C. intermedia and grows about a
foot higli, producing a four or five-flowered
raceme from the apex of the stem. The segments
are all of a greenish yellow tint, the lip being
marked in front with reddish purple. It is very
free blooming, often flowering twice in a year.
It is named after its discoverer — Forbes, a collector
for the London Horticultural Society, who sent
it home in 1S23.

ONCIDIUM CONCOLOR.

Thk pretty self-coloured yellow blossoms of this
Oncidium are among the most ornamental in tlie
g;nus, notwithstanding it only grows a few inches
hiTh. On the strongest plants the bulbs seldom
e iceed 2 inches in height, yet from these a spike
springs over a foot in length densely jmcked with
large flowers. Though not a ditiicult plant to
grow, it is one that when received in good condition
every endeavour should be made to keep it so.
Once get the pseudo-bulbs Vjadly shri\elled from
over-flowering or lack of moisture, and it will not
be an easy matter to bring it back to luxuriance,
but when well situated and thoroughly healthy,
it is the cultivator's own fault if he does not keep
it in health and increase its size. Though a
native of Brazil, it is found naturally at consider-
able elevations upon the Organ Mountains ; con-
ssquently cool and moist conditions all the year
round suit it best. One thing that all these cool
Oncidiums detest is a dry or draughty house.
Air they delight in — must have, but the currents
o" air must be regular and tempered by moisture.
Perhaps the best of all [lositions is one not far
from a ventilator in the roof, where the air cur-
rents rustle the foliage as if moved by the touch,
and in a house that never rises much above 70° in
summer or falls below 50" in winter. The roots
are of medium strength, but are not .ambitious in
leaving their pot or basket, preferring rather to
coil around the lumps of charcoal an.d crocks that

are mixed with the peat and Moss given as com-
post. A little only of this is required, from an
inch in thickness for the smaller plants, to 1 h inches
or so for the larger ones. But let the material
be the best at command, as it does not like dis-
turbance. Once in two years is often enough to
repot or rebasket, but if the surface seems at all
sour in the intervening season, let a little of it be
removed and replaced with new Care is needed
in doing this, especially around the new ]jseudo-
bulbs, for if the young roots are damaged or
broken much more harm will be done to tlie plants
than the top-dressing does good. After disturb-
ance, keep the roots well on the drj' side for a
time, but lo.ad the atmosphere with moisture.
Keep this up all the year round, and when new
roots have formed and the plants are again esta-
blished, water may again be freely apiilied.
Healthy plants are not, as a rule, troubled much
by insects, as thej' grow under conditions uncon-
genial to the latter. Sliould white scale jiut in an
ap|jearance, lose no time in effecting a clearance
of them by carefully sponging the plants time
after time until all the insects are destroyed.

Bollea ccelestis.— This bright and pretty Or-
chid I recently noted in good condition. It usually
bears single-flowered spikes, these being fre-
quently over a foot in height, each blossom about
3.^ inches across. The colour is a pietty light
blue on the petals and sepals, shaded with mauve
and white, the lip deep purple and violet. It is
as good a grower perhaps as any in the genus, and
if once established on a large raft or in ,a basket
with a thin, but substantial compost will usually
be satisfactory. A broken light is necessary for
it, and having no pseudo-bulbs, dry rest must not
be attempted. The Cattleya house is suitable
to its needs as regards temperature, but shade
must never V)e overlooked. B. ocelestis is a native
of Colombia, and was introduced in 1878. — H.

Aerides crispum. — A good variety of this
Aerifies is a really charming Orchid and one
wortliy of all care. It is a tall grower, producing
long branching spikes from the upper portion of
the stems, and these last a long time in full
beauty. The individual blooms are large and
sweetly scented, the sepals and petals nearly pure
white, the lip having a deep purple blotch in
front that gives the species its distinct character.
It requires plenty of heat to do it well, a moist
atmosphere and clear liglit, without being
scorched. Baskets or pots of Sphagnum and
charcoal suit it well, these being very well drained
and clear, as a libeiul supply of water is needed
when growth is active. The roots must be kept
within bounds as far as possible to obtain the best
results. The appearance of the roots is a good
guide as to the amount of water requu-ed ; «hen
the points are fresh and green it is plain they are
in search of moisture, but when they cloud over
their resting season is not far ofl'. A. crispum is
a native of South and West India, and first
flowered in England in ISil.

Lspliopsis domingensis. — This pretty plant
is seldom seen under cultivation, and more than
once plants have been sold under the name that
are simply one of the Mexican species of La^lia.
Such a case was brought to my notice very recently,
when a flower of L. albida was sent as the kind
named above. L. domingensis grows about
0 inches high, the |iseudo-bulbs roundish and
rarely exceeding 2 inches in height. The flowers
are crowded upon the raceme, about half a dozen
being the usual number, and they seldom expand
fully, or, according to my experience, last long in
good condition. It is, I believe, seldom imported
by the trade or through the usual channels, but
some years since I had the charge of a nice little
batch of it that had been collected privately.
These were fastened to small charred blocks at
first, and afterwards placed entire into baskets.
They were grown with Dendrobiums and other
heat-loving species in a house little shaded, and
were well watered while making their growth,
but not syringed much overhead. The pseudo-bulbs
complete, they Ysre tui'ned out to ripen with the

Dendrobes at first in a warm, sunny house, after-
wards in the open air, and they flowered well.
The sepals, petals, and lip are of a pretty soft
rose, the last having a deeper-tinted blotch in
front and a pale brownish-yellow throat. — H. R.

Cattleya "Warneri. — This pretty species is in
flower this week in variety, one of the most
attractive forms having small, but very delicately
tinted flowers. The crimson blotch on the lip
is extremely rich and well defined, showing up
the lighter sepals and petals. Each flower
measures just over (i inches across. It is a very
near relation of C. labiata autumnalis, the lip mark
ings resembling those of tliis more than any other
of the labiata section. It pushes into growth
early in the season, and the flower-spike appears
in the centre and at once comes to perfection, in
this way difl'ering from C. Mossiaj or C. Mendeli.
I usually leave the plants until after flowering
before repotting, as by this means the young roots
that are annually emitted from the rhizome at
once enter the new compost. But plants differ a
little in the time of this root-production, es]]C-
cially those that flower late in the season, and it
becomes necessary in such cases to repot about
April, otherwise the plants have barely time to
re-establish themselves before winter. Temj^eia-
ture and compost as usually recommended for this
group are suitable to C. Warneri, a plant I always
like to keep up to the licrht as much as ]30ssible.
If unduly sh.aded or kept in too high a tempera-
ture after blooming, so as to cause it to break
again into growth, it will not flower freely.

NOTES ON ORCHIDS.
Growth is now very active in all Orchids, and
the bright sunshine lately experienced is just
what was wanted for the deciduous Dendrobes,
Calanthes, Thunias. and other occupants of the
warmest or East India house. Any of these Den-
drobes that start away into growth while in
flower should be attended to at the roots after tlie
blossoms fade, for if left too long a check is given
to the growth owing to the young roots being dis-
turbed. Small plants of D. crassinode or any in
this class may have a little top-dressing, but it is
not, as a rule, so beneficial to them as to deeper-
rooting subjects. The growths on Thunia Mar-
shalliana are already about 18 inches in length.
The plants are standing quite in the full sun
where atmospheric moisture and heat are abun-
dant. This rapid growth, of course, makes con-
siderable demands upon the roots, which have
nearly filled the jiots, and must be kept very
moist. Cypripediums need hardly less heat, but
more shade, and the colour of the young foliage is
almost as attractive as that of the blossoms on
many species. Plants of Oncidium Kramerianum
that had all the old bloom-spikes removed last
season are just pushing the flower-buds from
new spikes formed during the present spring ;
consequentlj' they make a nice succession to the
earlier blooms upon plants that had not this at-
tention. Roots and growths of these are active
now, and the Moss about them must be kept
moist, and if kept growing, all the better. 0.
Jonesianum, too, is on the move, though the roots
are not yet starting from the young growths. A
very light position only just screened from the
brightest sunshine suits this best. The right
temperature of this house may now range from
60° to (is by night ; the latter figure need not be
exceeded all through the summer. Let the plants
have the advantage of heat and moisture by day,
but let the temperature be as restful as possible
by night. In the Cattleya house there is now a
fine display, C. Mossia; being a host, besides C.
Mendeli, a few early plants of C. gigas, and one
or two of the upright-flowered section. All
arrears of potting among C. Triana?, C. Gaskelli-
ana, C. Percivaliana, and others should be brought
up, but C. Mossiie and C. Warneri may now with
advantage be left until the blooms are past
and the young growths advancing. In C. Law-
renceana we have a lovely early summer -
flowering Cattleya that dislikes much disturb-
ance ; consequently if the roots are in fairly

July 3, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

good order they may be left alone, but if re-
potting is necessary it must bo very carefully
gone about. Anguloas are stronggrowinfr, f;ii)ss-
leedinfT Orchids, rcquirinij considerable care. I
find tliat the licst time In repot is, in most eases,
as soon as the flowers are iiast, but no time must
be lost, or the roots will be too far ad\'aneed to
allow of its beinj; done without injury. There are
many other plants that may be seen to now, in-
cludinj; Brassias of sorts, ami Oncidiums havini;
lont; ereet spikes, as (). sphaeelatum, O. nltissi-
mum, (). ineiiivuui, and otbers. In fac't, at this
time of year one mijjht almost be tempted to say,
"When in doubt, rcjiot," for disturbance of any
epiphytal warn\ house or intermediate Orchi<ls is
fraught with less danger now than at any other
season, and for reason.s which are obvious. The
night temperature for the Cattleya house may be
kept as near as possible to 55°, ruiming up by day
with ordinary sunheat to about .'iO'.

The earlier potted I'leiones are growing and
rooting freely in the cool house, and when it is
seen that the roots are enx'eloping the compost,
see that they are not allowed to suffer from want
of water. Even the latest kinds are by now well
advanced, and there is but little danger of the
roots decajing unless very carelessly watered.
Odontoglossums are becoming daily more active,
some of the 0. Halli section being already in full
growth and rooting freely from this year's shoots.
Such plants take a good deal of water, but care
ia even j'et needed with 0. triumphans and the
late-flowering plants of 0. luteo-purpureum, 0.
Pescatorei, and others. Oncidium concolor,
Sojjhronitis grandiflora, Odontoglossum Cer-
vantesi, and various other small-growing kinds sus-
pended from the roof must be carefully watched,
as from the greater freedom with \\hich tbe air
plays about them they dry up more t|uickly than
plants on the stage. Sobralia macrantha is, I
should imagine, about the most thirsty subject
in the family, plants that have not been jiotted
for a couple of jears taking large (ivuxntities of
water daily. The great tleshy i-oots seem to de-
light at this time of year in being surrounded by
moisture, and they may easily be seen foraging
for it by their green hard tips. It will be more
difficult now to keep the temperature of the cool
house down, but endeavour as far as possible to
keep it below TO'' on the hottest days. This will
always feel pleasantly cool, and is the best one
can do. The night temperature may still stand
at about 50°, this allowing of a little air being
left on top as well as the usual chink on the
lower ventilator. R.

DENDROBIUM SUPERBIENS.

In its best form this is one of the finest of the
Australian Dendrobes, its long-lasting and free-
flowering qualities being remarkable. The flowers
occur in fine arching racemes, and are either ter-
minal or lateral on the new pseudo-bulbs, and
often the older, hard bulbs push out a few spikes.
Each flower is upwards of 2 inches across, rich
crimson-purple in the better forms, with a pale or
pure white margin to the lip. The strongest
plants are over '2 feet in height, and when this
vigorous growth can be kept up under cultivation
immense spikes are the result. I), superbiens,
like D. Phahenopsis and others of this set, is an
erratic plant to grow. Sometimes it does well in
collections where apparently little trouble is
taken in its culture ; at others, no matter how
carefully it is done, weak growths and few flowers
are the rule. I am con^'inced that one reason for
this unsatisfactory state of afl'airs is repotting or
basketing at the wrong time — i.e., when the
plants are at rest. Before I repot I like to see
the young shoots several inches in length and
taking on that rounded shape at the base that
is precursory to root-formation. Then the plants
have the athantage of the undisturbed old roots
until just as they are .sending out these foragers
on their own account, and with a little close,
warm treatment afterwards hardly any check
will be observed. Regarding position and re-
ceptacles, I believe there is nothing better than

medium-sized or small pans hanging from the
roof in a light and \ery moist house. The growth
may in fact be almost wholly exposed to the sun,
and if moisture in abundance is kept about them
no injury to foliage or bulbs \\'\\\ accrue. .A lot
of heat, of eouise, is tbereliy generated, and it is
just this kind of heat that the plant delights in.
When repotting drain the pans thoroughly,
placing over the crocks a little rough Sphagnum ;
linn the material well about the roots, this con-
sisting of peat and Moss, with crocks and char-
eoal llncly liroken. Clip off all ni^atly, or it will
be difficult to see whether or not the plants
arc! dry at the roots. While growing fieely
abundance of water is needed, letting tlie roots
get a little on the dry side occasionally. It
is not often that the plants rest entirely during
winter, but if they do, keep them dry and faiily
\\arin. The flowers are produced ;it various
times during the year, ))lants often 1)eing in
bloom for si.\ months at a time. It is a nati\-e of
the islands about the Torres Straits and the ad-
jacent mainland, and was introduced l>y Messrs.
Veitch in 1S7(>. H.

Cypripedium caudatum Wallisi. — This is
a very delicate and pretty variety of C. caudatum,
quite distinct from the typical plant. The petals
are not usually so long as those of the latter,
the sepals white, witli pale rose and green
veins, the lip white, suffused with yellow and
spotted with reddish purple. C. c. Wallisi is a
native of Ecuador, of more recent introduction
than the type, having been sent home in l.S7"2.
It delights in a very open, well-drained compost,
plenty of water all the year round, and the tem-
perature of the Cattleya house is high enough for
it. It was recently in good condition at Messrs.
\'eitch and Sons' nursery.

Saccolabium ampullaceum. — This bright
and effective little ])lant is in flower at Mr. Bull's,
tile bright rosy magenta spikes showing up well
against the deep green foliage. The plant is
dwarf in haliit, very free blooming when healthy,
and not ditlieult to grow. It is a widely distri-
buted plant in the tropical ])arts of India and
Burmah, whence it was introduced to cultivation
about the year 1837. It remained rare until
nearly thirty years after, when Messrs. Hugli
Low and Co. imported a (juantity of plants. It
thrives well in a warm, moist house, with plenty
of light and abundance of water during the grow-
ing season. It does best in pans or baskets of
limited size.

Cypripedium Exul. — This pretty .sijecies ia
still in bloom, but, unfortunately, does not throw
.so many flowers as one would like to see, though
they last long in beautj-. Its alhnity to C. insigne
is obvious afi a glance, but of course it is ijuite
distinct. The dorsal sepal is yellow below, jmre
white at the apex, and there is a number of
irregular ))urple blotches principally about the
base. The petals are narrow and light brownish
j'ellow, the lip much clearer yellow, with one or
two spots about the throat. It is as large as a
medium C. insigne, and the plant resembles this
old species in growth. A warm greenhouse tem-
perature suits it well if given a fairly shady ])Osi-
tion and moisture in abundance in the atmo-
sphere. The roots are strong and vigorous, de-
lighting when healthy in a free and open, yet
substantial, root-run of the class usually recom-
mended for the genus. It is a native of Siani and
was introduced to this country in 1S'J2.

liycaste aromatica. — As the specific name
implies, this pretty sjiecies is sweetly scented,
and this added to its bright golden tint of colour
makes it welcome, though the flowers are small
individually. They occur in single - flowered
scapes, which are jiroduced in abundance from
the base of the last formed pseudo-bulb, and last
well in good condition. Sepals, (letals, and lip
are all golden yellow, the last of singular form,
almost cylindrical. It is of the easiest culture,
and may be established with hardly any trouble.
I have frequently potted up the plants just as
I received in light loam, peat, and Sphagnum Moss,

and by the end of the second .season it is ditlieult
to see that they are not old-established speci-
mens. It is one of the easiest to piojiagate by
division, and may be iiulled into almost as many
pieces as theit; are psc'Utlo-bulbs, and each one
will eventual!}' make a plant. Each lead is cer-
tain to grow, and these i-mall liits have a very
(plaint appearance when in flower, a plant con-
sisting of acouple of bulbs only producing perhaps
a .score of flowers. It does well in any cool, moist
structure during summer, eonimences to grow
soon after the flowers fiegin to push at the base,
and may be wintered in a house kept above 45".
It is a native of Mexico, and a very old inhabitant
of our Orchid houses. — H.

Aerides Houlletianum. -The flowers of this
species are extremely pretty, and it is a pity it
does not attain a larger size under cultivation.
That it is rather diflicult to grow must be con-
ceded, as, although in some cases it goes on and
flowers year after year, it is seldom seen show-
ing much vigour after it has licen cultivated a few
seasons. The habit is not unlike that of a broad-
leaved form of A. odoratum, but the blossoms are
quite distinct. These are large and more ex-
panded than usual, the sepals and petals being
greenish when first open, but changing to a beau-
tiful nankeen-yellow. They are tipped with rosy
magenta, anil the fimbriated lip is similar in
colour. Small plants should be grown in sus-
pended pans or baskets not far from the roof glass
in a warm, moist house. During the time growth
is most active plenty of water must be given, but
when at rest considerably less sufliees. The com-
post may consist principally of Sphagnum and
charcoal. A. Houlletianum is sometimes classtd
as a \ariety of A. falcatum. It is a native of
Cochin China, and has been known since 18(18,
when it flowered with a French Orchid gro«cr,
and was named by Reichenbach after M. Houllet,
of the Jardin des Plantes. It was not introduced
to England until several years later, and has
never become a common plant.

Kitchen Garden.

SAVING VEGETABLE SEEDS.

Saving seed of choice vegetables is a matter
requiring great care, as the best strains are
ea.sily spoilt by cross fertilLsation. It is, of
course, useless trying to seed two things of the
same family in the same garden, although this
is sometimes attempted. Some time ago I knew
of a case of spoliation that occurred in the
eastern counties. A nurseryman jiosses.sed a
very superior Cabbage and had seeded it suc-
cessfully for several years. At length, how-
ever, a large plot was set apart for seed, the
owner being ignorant that a few fields away an-
otlier plot of one of the Brassicas was being
seeded by another party. Tlie result was that
cross-fertilisation was effected by insects, and
the grand stock of Cabbage which had been
saved by a gardener for many years previous t(^
its passing into the hands of the seedsman was
completely spoiled. -Anyone possessing an
extra good strain of any vegetable will do well
to save seed, if only a very small patch, liiiu-
self, as nurserymen cannot aft'ord to what
is termed "rogue" the plants that do not
correspond exactly with the type too rigidly.
A gardener of my acquaintance who pos-
sesses some remarkably tine strains of vege-
tables always made a rule of getting several
of tlie lodge-keepers living at the outskirts
of the large deer park to set ajiart a small
plot in their garden for, say. Cabbage, Cauli-
flower or Broccoli, jiaying them for their trouble
by a supply of plants of the various sorts of
winter greens. The same gardener possessed a
fine strain of Brussels Sprouts, and each season,
previous to commencing picking, the plot was

THE GARDEN.

[Jdly 3, 1897.

gone througli, and a certain number of the must
perfect marked liy liaving a stake thrust into
the ground. These were in due time trans-
planted into a spare plot and saved for seed.
Beet, where lifted in autumn, was sorted over,
and a few dozen of the medium-sized, best-
shajjed roots selected, these being clamped
separately and planted out in March. The seed
saver is often at much trouble to keep at bay
the feathered tribe, as the finches are partial to
all the Brassica tribe, also to Beet, Turnip and
Endive. The gun, of course, makes them shy,
but covering with fish netting is the only sure
way of saving the seed. The seasons also have
much to do with the good or bad (juality of
vegetable seeds, so that, altogether, seed saving,
although a pleasant, is by no means a certain
undertaking. C. C. H.

Late Broccoli. — Several notes have appeared
in The G.vrden recommending Late Queen as
the be?t late Broccoli grown, but I caimot re-
commend it as being the best late, as it generally
turns in about the end of April or early in May.
Champion is one of the best Broccoli to cut in
June. A good companion for it will be found in
Universal, which I consider to be far in adxance
of Late Queen as a good late Broccoli. It has
withstood 28° of frost, all the Late Queen being
killed. Out of ten varieties grown three years
ago only two survived, namely. Champion and
Universal. — T. Cockerill, Galelioiixe. Ganlom,
Wirksirorlh.

Asparag-us after cutting. — I quite agree
with all Mr. Parker says (p. 42y), especially as to
its not being good to use much salt in beds where
the soil is heavy. I have a piece of heavy so^l
under my charge, and some si.x years ago a portion
was sown with Asparagus, with a view to get
roots for forcing. When the plants were two
years old I applied a dressing of salt during the
growing season. This had a bad effect, and these
plants have never grown so strongly as some ad-
joining that had no salt applied to them. In the
kitchen ga'.den I can use .salt advantageously in
small quantities. I apply one or more dressings
of guano during the growing season in stormy
weather. I have adopted the method recom-
mended by Mr. Parker, namely, staking the growth
with Pea stakes for many 3'ears with the best
results. — J. Ckook.

Pea Springtide.— At p. 447 Mr. Tallack
praises this new earlj- Pea, and I fully agree with
his remarks. I sowed it at the end of February,
and the Peas were ready for gathering the third
week in June, which I consider quick work in
this district after an unfavourable spring. It
came in exactly at the same time as Chelsea Gem
that was sown in small pots at Christmas and
transplanted in March. Given good soil and
liberal treatment, I am sure Springtide will please
all who need extra early Peas. Sown at the be-
ginning of February in south gardens, this Pea
would be ready for use by the end of May. Like
Mr. Tallack, I have not a very high oiiinion of
Exonian ; at least it did badly on my light soil,
and after one year's trial I discarded it. I con-
sider William I. a much better Pea lioth in regard
to cropping and colour. — J. C, Notts.

Pea Gradus.— Has "A. D." got the true
GradusVas he writes at page 433, "it is tender,
long-jointed, and has curled foliage." The last
may be seen in the true stock, but not to a great
extent and not at all to its disparagement. I ha\e
no knowledge of its behaviour, given field culture ;
but as an early garden Pea I place much value
upon it. I am also quite sure "A. D," will not
class it with such kinds as Stratagem and others of
similar character, as these later kinds, I admit, are
superior in habit, stouter and stronger, but later.
I note "A. T>." does not give us any information
as to the newer Excelsior, an excellent early
Marrow Pea, and earlier this season than Gradus,
and dwaifer. Of course, with so short a haulm it
cannot be expected to bear so heavy a crop, but
with me it is bearing quite close to the soil. I

fear Gradus is given a bad name, and deservedly
so in many places on account of the plants being
far from true. I have had three distinct types,
and, as "A. I)." well knows, it is an easy matter
for Peas to get much mixed if not well attended
to. The true stock I had of tJradus was not
tender, but I fear this good Pea will not keep
true.— G. W.

Smythe's hybrid Beans.— I refer to these
dro])ping the prefix "French," for the use of
which in relation to the dwarf section of Kidney
Beans there seems to be no warrant. The term
"dwarf Beans" conveys all needful information.
The hybrids referred to are the product of cross-
ing the dwarf Ne Plus Ultra with the climbing
Scarlet Bean, and the result so far has not been
at all satisfactory. Many seedlings are but re-
productions of the dwarf parent with shorter
pods. Many others are dwarfs with scarlet flowers,
the pods being of an intermediate form of the
dwarf type, yet rougher in flesh. No one feature
has been fixed. Generally the seeds are reddish,
and of the ordinary dwarf size. The great defect
of the strain — which is undoubtedly of genuine
hybrid character — is that no best form has been
fixed. When at Basing Park last autumn I saw
considerable breadths of the strain growing and
fruiting. I selected one plant having scarlet
flowers, carried in long racemes, yet of dwarf
bushy habit, as the best. This was a great
cropper, the pods long, green, handsome, and of
fleshy texture. That was the best of all, and I
strongly ad\-ised Mr. Smythe to make that one
plant the starting point of the strain, hard
roguing everything else that was not true to
character. Of course, in putting a mixed hybrid
strain into the market it was open to anyone who
grew plants to make a selection of the same
nature for himself. Naturally hylirid products
take a good deal of fixing, and, even witli the
greatest care in selecting, several years may elapse
ere that fixing is complete. — A.D.

Onions. — These from spring sowings are so
good that there should be unusually fine crops of
bulbs in the autumn. Something, whetlier pre-
vious season's drought or the exceeding abundant
rains of the past winter, seems to liaxe settled tlie
maggot entirely, for I have not heard one single
complaint even where two years since bi'cadths
were almost decimated. The same may indeed
be said of Carrots. Recent heavy rains generally
all o\er the kingdom have not only given to the
soil that firmness which Onions so much like, but
the moisture has accelerated growth unusually
well. In too many directions sowing has Ijeen, as
IS so customary, too thick, and proper thimiing
left too long. It is, however, a very good plan to
leave one or two rows rather thick" to furnish, if
wanted, small pickling bulbs ; a few rows may be
left half-thinned, and the rest properly thinned to
ensure the production of plenty of large bulbs for
ordinary use. The season should produce some
wonderfully fine bulbs from plants sown under
glass in mid-winter and planted out thinly in
April, as growth is, with them, so rapid. There
maybe some danger, if artificial manure dressings
are too liberally given, that stem growth may be
too great and soft and ungainly bulbs produced.
Keeping, in Onions, is so much a product of com-
plete ripening that it is better to check undue
growth rather than encourage it. Where the
rains have been general, as in the London district
for instance, Onions, now so deeply rooted, should
do well without additional moisture for seveial
weeks. Autumn-sown Onions should have the
stems pinched or tied tightly round, so as to check
leaf growth and promote bulb formation. — A. D.

Early Peas. — Peas are a fortnight later this
year than they have been for the last four years.
I sowed the following varieties on February '23 :
Lightning, Springtide, Blue Express, Chelsea
Gem, Wm. Hurst, and William I,, on a south
border. Lightning was the first ready ; three
days later came Springtide and Blue Express ;
Chelsea Gem and Wm. Hurst will be a good ten
days later ; William I. is only just showing
flower. I have tried most of the early Peas thai
have been recommended in The Gakdex, but

Lightnmg has been the first ready for use during
the last four years.— Thos. Cockerill, Gatdiome
Gardtnx, Wirkiswoiih.

POTATO SHARPE'S VICTOR.
I c.iN quite understand Mr. Crawford (p. 433)
faihng to get as good a return from Sharpe's
Victor as he would like, as I have this season
failed in the same manner and have been consider-
ing whether it is advisable to grow this kind so
largely if it fails to crop as it has done this year.
I think the ditticulty is that we have not got tlie
true stock of Victor which was sent out and the
spurious kind often grown as Sharpe's Victor is
totally distinct from the original. The stock
may have become inferior, and in gardening
phraseology worked out. Some kinds do this
much sooner than others, and it may be so here.
I am sure the stock I have at the present moment
is so inferior that unless I can get it true it will
be gi-ien up. For some years I saved my own
seed, needing a lot for forcing, and all went well,
as I had the true kind. Last season I was obliged
to purchase, my own seed having been grown ."o
long that I was under the impression it had de-
teriorated. Last year the crop was not good.
Has Victor deteriorated, as the new seed is much
inferior to tihe stock I discarded? Some readers
of The Garden may possibly be able to help us
in this matter. The culture may be at fault. My
soil, like Mr. Crawford's, is very "light. How does
it behave on heavier soil? I feed freely and the
same culture has not produced such results with
older varieties. For instance, I ha\e had a stock
of Alma, one of Victor's parents, for nearly twenty
years, and it crops freely, but the tubers aie
small. This I have retained on account of its
dwarf top. I got my last seed of Victor from a
good source. There was no question as to price,
and I am disappointed and feel it is only right to
give these particulars to confirm Mr. Crawford's
note. I much regret having to do so, as for years
I have stood by Sharpe's Victor. With regard to
Ringleader, I agree with all Mr. Crawford says in
its favour. It improves as it is more largely
grown, and next year it will have more space
allotted to it. I haAc several early kinds on trial
in the open. A 1 promises well, but Ninetyfold
will, I think, be the heaviest cropper. I hojie to
send a note on a few of the earliest, and will then
describe the best as regards crop as well as earli-
ness. The weather up to a fortnight ago was
most unfavourable for early Potatoes, but I notice
Ringleader is, so far, ahead of the Ashleafs. — S. H.

I am sorry to hear Mr. Crawford (p. 433)

giving such a poor account of this old favourite.
I force it in pots, and it has always done well.
Outside it does very well. I have grown Ringleader
two seasons, and am giving it another trial, but
if no better than the last two years I shall discard
it. The soil is xery light, in some parts only IS
inches from the rock. I never manure for Potatoes.
— T. Cockerill, Gatehouse Gardens, Wirksu-oiih.

SHORT KOTES.-^KITCHEN.

Pea CheUea Gem -This valuable early dwaif
Pea was ready iVr gatheriug with mu on tlie
last of May. The seed was sown at the end of
January at the foot of a soutli wall on the top of the
roots of Apricot trees. I have adopted this method
now for six jears wiih every tuccess. The Bni;iU
round kinds do cot find favour here. — J. Crook,
Forde Abbey, Chard.

Sutton's Late Queen Broccoli.— It is a very
important question to gardeners without the ac-
commodation for raising early vegetables what to
fill in the gap with before early Cauliflowers are
ready. I see notes in The Garden at various
times respecting late Broccoli, but no mention of
this variety, which has never failed me here in
June and onwards for, I should say, twenty years.
I sow about the middle of May and plant on
solid ground, using no manure "at the time of
planting. It is a dwarf variety. — George Bolas.
Jlcipton Gardens, Wirh-nrorth.

July 3, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

Trees and Shrubs.

THE JUDAS TREE.

(CEliCIS SILH,)l'ASTliUM.)

When tlic loaflfss branches of tlio Jiulas tree
are stiuliU'd in May with a profusiun of rosy
coloured bloiniis, a good si)ecimen, as in tlie
iIlustrati(Jii we give to-day, is iv very beautiful
object, and (|uite distinct from all other trees
and shrubs that are then in bloom. Before the
flowers fade the leaves begin to appear, tlie dis-
tinct shape and peculiar luie of these rendering

saiiguinea — to which, under the name of E. lang-
leyensis, an award of merit was recently given by
the Royal Hortit-idtural Hociet^' — promises to I)ea
valuable llowering shrub, while it should also
serve to direct attention to the desirable qualities
possessed by E. I'liillipiana itself. This last,
wliich is a native of Valdivia, had for a long time
the reputation of lieing tender, but the last few-
years have proved its thuroiigh hariliness, .ul least
in most parts of England. It is totally unlike the
other species of Escallonia that we have in our
ganlens, the leaves being \ery small, while the
same may be said of the individual blooms. They
are, however, borne in such |)rofusion that the

The Jwlaa Tree at Mortimer, Berks. From a plinlograph Juj Mifx WiUniott, Warlcy.

the tree a notable object. Later in the seasun
the large, flat seed-pods are very conspicuous,
for the foliag at no time is very dense. The
Judas tree ir, well suited for jdanting as a single
specimen on a lawn, an old tree of it being
generally a picturesque object. In common
with many Leguminosie, the Juda.s tree will
thrive faiily well in a dry spot. In such a posi-
tion there is a fine old tree at Gunnersbury
House which when in bloom is very picturesque.
A good account of the Judas tree and its allies
will be found in The G.4RDEX of May 22 (p. 375)
of the present year.

Escallonia Phillipiana.— The hybrid Escal-
lonia raised between this species and E. macrantha

long, arching shoots are completely wreathed with
them. This Escallonia is seen to advantage when
forming a mass or clump on the grass, as the
slender shoots dis])0se themselves in a verj' grace-
ful manner, the lowermost ones sweeping the turf,
while strong examples will reach a height of 6 feet
or so, which under favourable conditions will [iro-
bably be exceeded. The value of this Escallonia
is enhanced by the fact that its masses of white
blossoms are not produced till the majority of
our flowering shrubs are over ; that is to saj',
about midsummer or later. It is now met with
in the \ arious tree and shrub nurseries, but
although moderate in price, it Is rarely planted.
— T.

Juniperus prostrata. — Beyond all doubt
this is one of the best shrubs we have for planting

among stones. It is a conifer that will thrive
where most others fail, and its habit imparts that
softened efi'cet which we ajjjireeiate for toning
down the harshness of an artificial rock garden.
In winter its sombre green adds life and variety,
besides being a ca|)ital foil for spring or winter
flowering liulbs. In early summer the new
growths furtlier enhance tlie eflectiveness of this
flue creeper by its pale blue-green tips. When
we liave (pnte focussed ovn- studies of our good
old things with a view to the best ways of employ-
ing them, this shrub, for its neatness, beauty and
steady growth, will surely commend itself for
extensive use. — J. W.

EMBOTHRIUM COCCINEUM
The ])ro]iagation of this gorgeou,''-
ilowered South American I'rotead is
referred to on page 4.')8, where it is
said to be a dittic.ult subject to strike
from cuttings. This is cjuite correct
unless special means are resorted to.
I have often tried to strike the cut-
tings taken from large ]jlants in the
o[)en ground, but in this way met
w-ith little success. Being, however,
particularly anxious to strike a num-
ber of cuttings, and having a coui)le
of plants 4 feet or 5 feet high in pots,
I resolved to try the experiment of
what is technically called draw-ing out
the cuttings, that is to say, the plants
were kept w-armer and closer than
they had hitherto been, with the re-
sult that the shoots produced under
.such conditions were nn'cli more at -
tenuated than if they had grown out
of doors or in a cool greenhouse tem-
perature. When partially ripened,
that is, just as these shoots had lost
their extreme succulent character and
become slightly firm, they were taken
off' at a length of about 4 inches,
the cut being cleanly made just lielow-
a joint, and the bottom leaf or leaves
having been removed, they were
dibbled firmlv into pots of very sandy
peat. Pots 4 inches in diameter are
particularly suitable for tlie purpose,
as four or five cuttings can be inserted
around the edge of the pot, in which
position the}- strike root more readily
than if they are put in the centrt.
In preparing the pots for the Em-
bothrium cuttings, they should l:e
well drained to about one-third of
their depth with broken crocks.
From their liability to flag, no time
should be lost in inserting the cut-
tings after they are separated from
the parent plant. The cuttings that
I was so successful with were i)lace<l
in a close propagating ease in an
intermediate house temperature, and
subjected to exactly the same treat-
ment as those of .lavanese Rhodo-
dendrons, with which they w-ere asso-
ciated. Inthisw.ay nearly every cut -
«.-- - ting rooted, when they were hardened
off and potted singly into small |)0ts,
using principally sandy peat with a
dash of good yellow loam. This process of draw-
ing out cuttings in the manner detailed above
may be advantageously employed in the ease
of many plants which are dithcult to root.
Where only large specimens in the open ground
exist, layering is, as stated on |nige 458, the be!:t
means of increase. The entire order to which this
Embothrium belongs (Proteaceaj) is, with few ex-
ceptions, a difficult class to strike root from cut-
tings. Some of the Grevilleis are not particularly
dithcult, while I have also struck various kinds of
Hakea, Lcmatia, and Protea, but these cannot be
depended upon, and all attimijfs with Banksias
and Drvandras ended in failure. H. P.

Ostrcwskia magnificaalba. — Hitherto I had
seen this plant only ir its ordinary colour— rather

THE GARDEN".

[Jdlt 3, 1897.

a dull lilac— and, in common with many others, I
considereil it much over-rated. This year I have
in my garden one which is pure white, of great
beauty, and as much superior to the lilac as is
the white Abutilon vitifolium to that of the ordi-
nary colour ; nevertheless, both these are well
worthy of a place, whether in the open or near a
wall. A white variety of another plant — Gera-
nium sanguineuni — has been rather recently intro-
duced by Mr. Amos Perry, and it is most valuable
as a companion to the brilliant crimson plant
with which we all are so familiar. Where this
has been found — whether in England or abroad I
do not know — but on the sand-dunes or "links,"
as they are called on the Northumberland coast,
where the type is very abundant, I have sought for
it over hundreds of acres, and sought in vain. —
T. H. Archer-Hind, South Devon.

A BEAUTIFUL ROCK GARDEN.

In my notes on "April in South Devon''
(p. 3(J7, vol. xlix.) I alluded, shortly, to the
charming rock garden of Mr. G. Soltan-Symon.s
at Chaddlewood, near Plympton. This year,
on June 1, I had a second opportunity of in-
specting it. The garden, which is situated in a
.sheltered position at the foot of a steep slope, is
particularly interesting from the fact that it is
the expression of one mind — the owner's. Every
stone was placed in position, if nfit by himself,
under his persimal supervision; every denizen
of the garden was planted by his own hands,
while every weed or subject intentionally ex-
terminated owed its destruction to the same
nemesis.

The rockwork is thrcmghout natural in ap-
pearance, some of the ma.sses that hold a
conspicuou.s position being of exceptionally fine
form, while it atibrds sites to suit the tastes of
the most fastidious njck plants, perpendicular
crannies and level soil-patches, shady nooks,
and full exposure to the .sunlight. Since the
formation of the garden many changes and im-
provements have been thought out and carried
into ett'ect, and a further addition is contem-
plated in the near future which should still
further increase its attractions. Beautiful as a
whole when viewed from some distance, a
closer inspection reveals many exijuisite .'ig-
nettes of flower, Fern and rock ; some — coin-
plete pictures — but a foot or so in size, but
none the less delightful on that account. It
may be at once premised that the rock garden
of which I write, though containing a large
amount of alpine plants, is not an exclusively
alpine garden, subjects that commend them-
selves for beauty of form or colour being utilised
as discretion suggests, independently of the sec-
tion to which they belong.

Thus at the time of my visit Phacelia eampanu-
lata made breaks of vivid blue ; flame-coloured
Azaleas on the higher levels were just out of
flower, while here and there Japanese Maples
spread their deeply-cut bronzed foliage from
coigns of vantage. Of alpine plants, the Edel-
weiss (Gnaphalium leonttipodium) was in tine
bloom. An excellent engraving, from a [jlioto-
graph by Mr. Soltau-Symons, appeared on
p. 225, vol. x]ii., over the title "The Edelweiss
in a Devonshire garden," and shows to what
perfection the culture of this beautiful alpine
is here brought. Achillea rupestris and tomen-
tosa were both in bloom, as was the golden
Alyssum saxatile. Four Androsaces were bloom-
ing, a splendid mass of A. lanuginosa covering
a height of many feet of rough rockwork with its
matted foliage and softly-tinted flowers, the
other varieties being the white A. lanuginosa
Leichtlini, A. foliosa, and A. sarmentosa.
^Ethionema coridifolium was bright with its
rosy purple flowers, and the blue stars of Aster

alpinus stcjod out well against the grey rock,
whilst alpine Phloxes, Armerias in variety, the
white Arenaria niontana, alpine Wallflcjwers
(Cheii-anthus alpinus) and Aubrietias were all
in bloom, as was Andromeda Catesb.'ei. Candy-
tuft Little Gem quite deserved its apjjeUation,
and dwarf Campanulas were in profuse bloom,
while of the Rock Roses, Cistus florentinus,

C. formosus and a pink variety were in flower,
but Cypripediuni Calceolus had gone out of
bloom. Amongst the Pinks, Dianthus alpinus,

D. sylvestris, and the well-known brilliant
crimson Napoleon III. were noticeable, while
the yellow-flowered Draba brunitefolia, purple
Edraianthus (Wahlenbergia) serpyllifolius, and
the rose-coloured Einlobium obcordatum were
adding each their varied tint to the display, and
the Mexican Daisy (Erigeron mucronatus) was
thus early in the season a mass of flower.
Gentiana verna was still in bloom, and the
white Erodium Reichardi, from the Balearic
Isles, seemed quite at home. In the bright
morning sunlight the Helianthemums, white,
yellow and red, held wdde-spread the petals of
every blossom. Fabiana irabricata was a pyra-
mid of Heath-like bloom, and the dull red
Geum miniatum showed its flowers. Of Genis-
tas, the handsome golden and chestnut G. An-
dreana, a w-hite Broom, and G. sagittalis were
in bloom, and the scarlet flower-spikes of
Heuchera sanguinea showed prominently. The
cool lavender-white Iberis gibraltarica and two
of the Lychnis family, L. Lagasca3 and L. vis-
caria splendens, were in flower, while a plant of
Lotus ]3eliorrhynchus, a native of Tenerift'e, was
pnjducing its orange-scarlet blossoms freely
from a rock-pocket. The Sand Myrtle (Leio-
phyllum (Ledum) buxifolium), with its white
blooms, and the dark blue Lithospermum pros-
tratum were both flowering well, while the
Welsh Poj)]jy (Meconopsis cambrica) is here, as
in many places in Devonshire, a veritable weed.
Curiously enough, seed collected and sowm
during the spring in pans often fails to ger-
minate, but self-sown seedlings spring up every-
wliere among the rocks, in the paths, and in the
neighbouring beds. Its tall drooping flower-
heads of bright gold and its deeply-cut foliage
make it one of the most attractive of the
Pop] lies where it is kept under due restraint.
Aniither j'ellow flower in blooni was the Sar-
dinian Morisia hypogiea, while Onosma tauricum
]3rovided a lighter tint of the same colour. One
of the most beautiful lilues imaginable was that
of the Rock Forget-me-not (Myosotis rufiicola),
and the Evening Primroses were repr sented by
two varieties in bloom, CEnothera cardiophylla
and CE. pumila. The lovely CE. margiiiata
grows very strongly here, but had not com-
menced to bloom at the time of my visit. Two
gems of the rock garden were Oxalis alba and
O. rosea, with lowly flowers clustering closely
to the trefoiled leaves. The violet Phyteuma
orbiculare and the crimson Polygonum sphseros-

short green grass beneath the springtide canopy
of the Elms the white flowers clustered thickly
around the dark boles. Sedum spathulatum,
Sisyrinchium bermudianum, and Veronica pros-
trata were blooming, as well as a small white
Veronica, while the white Thyme made bevelled
mats of flower and foliage between the rocks.

Many rare Ferns grow in this rock garden,
the beautiful Oak Fern (Poly podium Dryopteris)
seeding itself everywhere, while fine masses of
Adiantum pedatum grow here and there. Ono-
clea sensibilis also does well. In the ground
surrounding the rock garden were some splendid
specimens of Abutilon vitifolium, many feet in
height, and covered witli large lavender-white
flowers which were very effective. Of Acers
there were many varieties both amongst and
around the rocks, perhaps the most striking
being A. polymorphum dissectum and A. p.
palmatum. Large bushes of Diplopappus and
Choisya ternata grew among the Rhododendrons
and Azaleas that crowned the slope, while
slender Bamboos, Yuccas, and Palms, two
specimens of Chamiierops showing flower, gave
their grace of form and delicacy of outline to
the picture. Hard by a Benthamia fragifera
was in flower, and a plant of the lovely Cali-
fornian Poppy (Romneya Coulteri) was looking
well for summer bloom ; a layer that had been
taken oft' and jjlanted near looked every whit as
healthy as the parent, and evidently had not
resented root-disturbance after the disastrous
manner so common with this subject.

Tropfeolum speciosum seems thoroughly es-
tablished at Chaddlewood, and is growing
strongly amidst other climbers on wall and
arbour. It has also been planted near some
Yews so that it may wreathe its scarlet trails
through the glossy darkness of the evergreen.
Of the fine herbaceous garden, with its Rose
arches and its rare and beautiful occupants, I
have now no space to speak. Pcjssibly later in
the year I may be privileged to refresh my
memory by a further introduction to its occu-
pants. S. W. F.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1125.
ADONIS.

(with a coloured plate of a. AMUKENSIS.*)

In those gardens where the vernal Adonis is a
success it would be difficult to name any i)lant

capable of yielding so great a profusion of bios
soms. Generally speaking, the species resent
close proximity to large smoky towns, and like-
wise to being planted in a cold, stift' clay soil.
In a pure country air and a soil that is light,
deep, and well drained, these plants succeed
admirably. AVhere this is the case it is surpris-
ing what may be accomplished by exercising a

tachyum were botli in flower, and the Rose des ' little extra care with them at planting time.

Alpes (Eliododendron ferrugineum) was stu
with its crimson-pink blooms, while one of the
prettiest sights of the rock garden was jjrovided
by a colony of the delicately tinted Ramonda
pyrenaica blo.ssoming delightfully under tlie
shadow of a perpendicular rock. (_)f Saxifrages
twenty-four varieties are grown, amongst which
the handsome Cotyledon, with its long curving
spikes of bloom, was in splendid flower, as were
S. cochlearis, S. .sarmentosa, S. umbrosa, and
S. Wallacei, which last is strikingly handsome.
In the grass under some deciduous trees the
double Meadow Saxifrage (S. granulata fl.-pl.)
must have been a beautiful sight a few weeks
earlier

rlier, the .spar.se remaining bloom-spikes giving Royal Gardens,
idea of the picture presented, when from the I J. L. Goffart.

The most plentiful kind is A. vernalis, and of
this alone large importations are received each
year by the hardy jjlant specialists and oft'ered
at a cheap rate. The most unfortunate thing in
connectii)n with this plant is that these collected
plants are so ruthlessly torn up prior to being
sent to this country, that only the stumps of
their roots, often not more than 2 inches in
length, remain. Needless to say that such mu-
tilated fragments rarely survive when planted.
It is possible, however, even with such poor
plants at the start to obtain a fair measure of
success where a little care is given as soon as

* DrawB for The Garden by H. G. Moon in the
" ' Kew. Lithographed and printed by

THf GARDEN
JDL 3 ^37

«-,

Ti»^^

July 3, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

the plunts arc rociiivod. CuiniiiL; tuliaiul in the
autumn of each year, these collected jilauts are
distributeil daring the ensuing' nicmths, and when
planteil at once in heavy soils the old root
stumps that are attached cjuickly decay, and the
plants are lost. A large number of those, how-
ever, could be saved provided the plants wore
simply laid in a box of cocoa-nut fibre witliout
.soil of any kind. Give a good watering and
place them in the oi)on on a bed of ashes. So
long as tho plants are made rather firm
and kept moist, no other attention will bo
needed till the s])ring ensuing, by which time it
will be foinid that large nuudiers of fibrous roots
will have is.sue<l from the old stumps sulti-
eiently to w.arrant their being at once planted.
Where the soil is cold and stitt' it must be
lightened by grit and leaf-.soil if the Adonis is
to be grown with success. In very light soils,
particularly such as ([uiekly become dust-dry in
summer, I have employed large ipiantities of
well-ilecayed cow m:inure with much success.
Tn the district of Hampton I have been singu-
larly successful with this Adonis, and in a
coviple of years, by the simple moans quoted
al)ove, have raised the finest examples I have
over seen from the quite small scraps of im-
jiorted plants. After two years' growth in the
lie.avily-raanured soil here a group of plants
.about 20 feet long by 54 feet wide attained to
fully l.S inches high, Howering in the greatest
profusion and bearing quantities of glistening
golden blossoms, each nearly 5 inches across.
Grown in this way this Adonis is one of the
finest of our hardy alpines in early spring, grow-
ing anil tliiwering and seeding with the greatest
possiljle freedom. It will, moreover, send its
roots down fully 2 feet where the soil is good
and permits, and for this reason it should not
bj planted in the rock garden where but a very
thin bed of soil exists. Too frequent!}', how-
ever, because this or that plant is an alpine, a
mistaken notion of its requirements appears to
gain ground, and many plants are set out
where the soil is of the scantiest description.
And thougli this may be true of these very
plants in their native habitats, it may be
ecpially true that their roots descend where
drouglit is unknown. Under these circum-
stances a merely superficial knowledge of the
surroundings of many good aljiines may not un-
frequently tend to mislead. On the other
hand, a close scrutinj' of the natural habits,
condjined with past knowledge and experience
in our lowland g.irdens, should greatly assist the
grower of hardy plants. All the species of Adonis
may be raised from seed, and where good plants
exist these produce flowers and seedsquite freely.
The plants may also be increased by division,
preferably late in summer, as soon as the
seeds are ripe and gathered. Care will be
needed in this, and only the point of a knife
should be inserted in the wocjdy portion of the
rootstock, and having made an incision, gently
wrench the stool asunder. Both seeds and col-
lected plants of A. vernalis and A. pyrenaica
are so cheap, that I would hesitate before cutting
up any large clumps, as these are by no means
plentiful, ])referring to obtain some collected
jjlants in the autumn if established home-grown
clumps were not obtainable. t)f the perennial
kind.s —

Adonis vernalis is the best. Well grown, its
handsome golden blossoms, that ajipear in March
and April in the open, are often each 4 inches or
o inches across, the plants reaching 1^ feet high.
It is perhaps unfortunate that so good a plant
when exhibited in spring is rarely more than 4
inches or G inches high, and the blossoms, small in
proportion, usually fail to gi\e a good idea of its
beaut}' or worth. It is a xevy old plant, having
been grown for more than a couple of centuries.

,\ variety of A. vernalis, viz., A. v. sibirica, differs
only in its larger flowers, tho handsome tufts of
linely-eut leaves being much the same as in the
type.

A. rvKKNAicA is a closely allied plant from the
Eastern Pyrenees, flowering somewhat later and
with rather smaller yellow blossoms and more
obtuse petals than in the European kind. It is
ill all respects a first-class border or rock plant,
and where at least a foot deep of good rich light
soil can be given, it will soon become establislicd.

A. vor,(iEN'sis is a distinct species from Russia,
with leaf characters intermediate between ver-
nalis and pyrenaica, while the flowers arc dis-
tinct from tliose of both in that tho sepals of this
species are pubescent externally instead of smooth,
as in the better-known kinds. The flowers are
yellow, each nearly 3 inches across, and ajipear in
.-\l)i-il or May. The earliest of all to flower is

A. .\MUKKNsis, the beautiful kind in the accom-
panying plate. For the past two seasons this
species has flowered well at Kew in the rock gar-
den and in the ojien beds. It was in its best form
in the former position, as though apijroving of a
certain amount of shelter so early in the year.
This year its blossoms began to open in the first
week of February, and though somewhat later
the plants were laid level with the earth by snow
and frost, they recei\ed no injury therefrom.
Such an addition to early hardy flowers will be
most welcome, and even when the flowers are past
there is a considerable lasting beauty in the
Davallia-like, finely-cut leaves, the latter quite
distinct from those of the other species named.
So far as the general character of the flowers is
concerned, tlie plate will speak for itself ; while
in size they are 3 inches or so across when fully
open. Judging by the plants at Kew, tlie pro-
gress of which I liave watched with interest, this
beautiful plant is of quite easy culture, and in all
probability will prove as vigorous and free both
in growth and flower as the Vernal Adonis, only
flowering some weeks before this species. A.
amurensis is a native of Manchuria, in Northern
China, and coming into bloom in this country
with the early species of Crocus, the Snowdrop,
and the Snow Glory should render it cousi)ieuous
among choice early flowers in the future.

There are some annual species, though these
are much inferior to the perennial sorts. Of the
former, A. iestivalis and A. autumnalis are best
known, both kinds having deeply coloured
flowers. E. .1.

Books.

FARM AND GARDEN INSECTS.*

There have been several books published lately
on injects which are injurious to our crops ; tVie
latest is by Mr. W. Somer\ille on " Farm and
Garden Insects." It is a small duodecimo volume
of only 127 pages. Its ratvon d'etre is not very
obvious, as it does not contain anything new or
which cannot be found in other works. It cer-
tainly is much smaller than the others, but then
it does not include the numerous insects which
attack fruit and forest trees. There are, how-
e%'er, many to whom this little book will be use-
ful, notwithstanding the following adverse criti-
cisms, as it contains in a condensed form a large
amount of valuable information. It is illustrated
with forty-six woodcuts, or, to be strictly correct,
with forty-five, and one process block. These
are mostly very poor and coarse, that of the Cab-
bage moth on p. 83 being quite unrecognisable.
The frequent use of scientific terms in a book of
this description is a great mistake, particularly
when, as in this case, there is no glossary. On
one page taken at random, the expressions
"geniculate clubbed antennic " "with a six-
jointed funiculus," and the term "imagines"
are used. What can an ordinary gardener or
farmer be expected to understand from the above
(piotations? Again, such terms as " pergamen-

* " Farm and Garden Insocta." By William
Somerville. Macmillan and Co., Limited.

tous," "dorsal surfaoeof the meso-thorax," "caudal
appendages," " parthenogenetically and vivi-
])aiou8ly ' are out of a place in a book of this
descrijition. The first eighteen pages are de-
voted to descrijitions of the anatomy of in.sects,
their transformations, methods of reproduction,
classification, &c. It is not correct, however,
when speaking of the grubs of flies to say that
th^y are "generally headless and footless."
Many, but not all, have not well - defined
heads, but the heads are there ; nor do
"certain clear - winged moths so clo.sely re-
semble hornets or wasps as almost to defy recog-
nition." The reseml)lanne is very considerable,
but no one witli any knowledge of insects could
mistake one for the other. In speaking of the
Crustacea, the author is evidently under the im-
pression that there is only one kind of wood
louse. This is (piite wrong, as there arc several,
and instead of "their being practically of no
ecouomie imjtortance," they are most iujui'ious
and troublesome pests in gardens. Again,
in the appendix when speaking of the Ju-
lidie, or snake millipedes, the author .says,
" Instances of material damage having been done
to plants by millipedes are very rare." This is
most ridiculous, .as the amount of damage which
they do the roots of many ])lants is enormous,
and they often attack ripe Strawberries. Among
the "preventive and remedial measures" in the
case of wireworras, powdered rape-cake is said to
be distasteful to them. This is only partly true,
for they are very fond of the English rajje-cake,
and it is used at times to attract the wireworras
from the crop ; but the Indian, or Karachi cake,
which is made from mustard, is distasteful to
them. In mentioning the Rase chafer (Cetonia
aurata) no mention is made of the grubs which
very much resemble those of the cockchafer, and
are equally destructive to the roots of plants.
At the end of the description of each insect, under
a separate heading the appropriate " preventive
and remedial" measures are given, but nothing is
said to show which are preventive and which are
remedial.

AMERICAN WOODS.*
Mr. Houciii sends us part 1 of this unique |)ublica-
tion, in which the woods of America are shown in
all their beauty of colourand texture by actual speci-
mens instead of by pictures, the ordinary method of
illustration. For the practical training of the archi-
tect, builder, wood-carver, joiner, calnnet-maker,
&c., nothing could be better than to have sections
of the actual woods to study fi-om, and the work
will probably commend itself to the notice of the
heads of technical schools in Britain, as it has
already commended itself to the educational
authorities in America. The products of the
American forests are inexhaustible and in beauty
unsurpassed. Mr. Hough has brought tliem to
the notice of the interested public in a way which
makes it impossible they can be ignored by
giving us, we might almost say. living pictures of
them at a price which cannot be called an ade-
([uate compensation to him. We wish the publica-
tion all the success it is certain to achieve, as it
certainly deserves it.

HOW TO GROW BEGONIAS.t

Ten years ago the lovers of the tuberous Begonia
were" wont to describe it as "the flower of the
future." Whatever may have been the aspira-
tions of those who bestowed this prophetic name
upon their favourite, there is no doubt that some
important advance has been made in its cultiva-
tion and popularity, and that the transformation
of the tuberous Begonia has been very largely
brought about by such eminent growers as Messrs.
Laing, Cannell, .Tones and others in this country,
while on the Continent, M. Crousse, of Nancy,
has materially contributed to its imiirovement.

* Hough's " American Woods." Part 1. By
Romeyn B. Hough, Lowville, New York.

t " How to Grow Begonias." By G. A. Farini.
(Sampson Low, Marston and Co.)

THE GARDEIf.

[Jdly 3, 1897.

When a flower begins to attain to more than
ordinary popularity its literature is sure to in-
crease, and the tuberous Begonia is no exception
to this rule. In style and get up generally, M.
Farini's treatise will compare very favourably
with any of its predecessors, for it is well printed
on good paper and typographically leaves little or
notliing to be desired. There are also se\-eral
illustrations exjjlanatory of the text. The woik
is di^'ided into three main divisions, to which are
added an appendix containing lists of the varie-
ties grown by the leading specialists. Part 1 is
mainly introductory, and the construction of a
cheap greenhouse and heating^ apparatus forms
an important feature of it. Part 2 deals with
hybridisation, seed sowing, storing, starting the
tubers, propagating, diseases, &o. Part .3 ex-
plains how to grow line specimens for exhibition,
and gives the names of \'arious sorts described
andrecommended.

Flower Garden.

BRUGMANSIAS IN THE FLOWER

GARDEN.

It is .surprising that Brugmansias should not
have become more popular as sub-tropical
plants. The only possible reason why their
culture has not been extended in this direction
is from want of more room to store them away
during the winter. The old-fashioned lofty-
greenhouse used to be well suited to this pur-
pose, but it does not follow that no other place
is suited to keep them during the resting
period. The plants can be well kept in fairly
dry cellars, being lifted from the open ground
when first nipped by the autumn frosts. No
large ball is required so long as a fair amount
of roots is preserved, these and tlie base being
protected by plenty of fairly dry soil. When
stored in such a place, all the foliage may be
removed. Where Brugmansias can be grown in
large tubs and .stood outside during the summer,
taking them indoors when danger from frost is
apprehended, it is possible to always turn them to
good account when put into a slightly heated
house. We remember to have seen some years ago
soine young plants which during the summer had
made rapid growth in the open ground. So much
was this the case, that they did not show for
flower till the autumn frosts came. These were
lifted, potted carefully and placed in a vinery
closed for early forcing. Here they soon be-
came established and flowered most satisfactorily,
the blooms coming in very useful for cutting at
a dull season. When grown in tubs the plants
can remain undisturbed for several years, firm
potting in good loamy soil being observed.

In selecting a spot for planting Brugmansias
outdoors some amount of shelter should be
given, so as to protect the plants from high
winds. A well-proportioned plant will make a
good central object in a large flower bed, a
ground-work being formed of some dwarfer
plant, as in the illustration. The plant illus-
trated was raised from a cutting in Lady
Thompson's garden at Guiseley, Yorks. It was
planted out in June, 1895, and flowered twice,
the beautiful white blossoms lasting till the
first frost in October. P. T.

Tufted Pansy Lucy Franklin.— This is a

very pretty rayless flower and of large size, while
the plant is also free flowering. The colour is
creamy ^\ hite, the lower petal being suffused with
yellow, thus making a pleasing contrast in
each flower. Some masses in ifr. Sydenham's
garden were exceedingly interesting recently,
and intensified the fact of its usefulness when
grouped in a large bed by itself. The constitution
is good, and those on the look out for a pleasing

novelty would find in this one a pretty change.
-C.

Tufted Pansy Sir Robert Peel. — In this
the blossoms are of medium size and produced
on long erect footstalks. The colour is best de-
scribed as a deep primrose self, with orange eye, a
shade of colour somewhat new. Tlie habit is all
that one could wish for, the growth spieading out
along the ground something after the manner
peculiar to Duchess of Fife and its sports. The
flowers are freely produced and the}' are also ray-
less. Being a fixed colour, too, should be a dis-
tinct point in its fa^'our. — I). B. C.

Tufted Pansy Isa Ferguson. — This is one
of the darkest of the fancy type of the Tufted
Pansies, and created a deal of interest in Mr.
Septimus Pye's stand last year at the exhibition
of the National Viola Society. The lower petals
are almost vehety black, with a light blotch of
blue on each petal, the upper ones being a
pretty glossy blue. As an exhibition sort it is
\ery useful, and may also be welcomed in the
flower garden where blooms of this type are re-
quired. It is a free-growing sort and carriesMts

substance, and its colour is a fixed pale 3'ellow.
Those who know the variety Lemon Queen will
appreciate this variety when it is stated to be of a
similar shade of colour, perhaps a trifle darker,
and the rays at certain seasons are heavier in
character. The habit of this variety will prevent
its use with those of a more tutted and less
vigorous growth, but massed in a bed by itself it
is very eflecti\e.

Late-planted Spanish Irises. — Last autumn
I proposed planting a batch of Spanish Irises
late in the season in the liope of prolonging the
season of blooming. I also asked whether any
reader had tried the experiment and with what
result. " E. J." replied, .stating that he once
tried the experiment, but that it was practically
a failure, as growth instead of being normal was
weak and stunted, and that those which gre%\-
flowered simultaneous!}' with those planted in
November. This is exactly my experience; in-
deed, not only am I now cutting blooms from
both batches, but those on the late lot are far in-
ferior to the others. The only way of prolonging
the season is by planting in different aspects,

Bi iigmansia in the flmver garden at Park Gate, Guiseley, Torks

flowers on long footstalks. The habit, too, is
somewhat better than is generallj' the casein these
kinds.— H. N.

Tufted Pansy Pembroke. — So far as one is
able to judge after growing a large number of
new yellow sorts alongside of the older ones, this
variety appears to stand out distinctly from many
others as a sort that has come to stay. The
flowers are of large size, rich clear yellow, fragrant
and freely borne. Most important of all, its con-
stitution is robust, and although the habit is not
so dwarf and compact as one expects in the
newer introductions, j"et its many good points
stamp the variety as one of the very best rayless
yellow sorts of the last two or three years. This
was raised at Tamworth last season, and already
many thousands have found their way into gar-
dens all over the country. — C.

Tufted Pansy Lord Salisbury.— This is
[irobably one of the most vigorous growing sorts
of recent introduction, but, although so very
strong in its growth, it does not get so ungainly
as many others. Its chief points of merit are
large, circular, bold-looking blosEcms of much

those on a north border in a deep, moist soil
coming in ten days later than where the sun
reached them. Canary Bird, yellow, and Lady
Blanche, white with vellow throat, are excellent.
—J. C.

Iris hexagona var. La Mance.— This re-
markable variety is now in flower in my garden,
and it is, I think, the finest Iris among the known
North American species. The falls, which aie
considerably over 2 inches in length, are of a rit li
purple-blue, shading to white, with a sliglit j
marking of yellow down the claw. The styles
are light green, and the green colour of the centre
of the flower is a noticeable feature, adding to its
beauty as well as distinctness. Both standaids
and falls are of spreading habit. I am indebted
for my plant to <he great kindness of Mr. J. N.
Gerard, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, by whom it
was named, and by whom it is described in some
notes which will be found in The Garden, vol.
xlviii., p. 245. Mr. Gcraid tells me he finds it
haidy with him. This I have not proved, thouj;li
I think it likely that it would prove the same in
the majority of gardens in the south of England,

Jdly 3, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

but it is (juite evident timt tliis variety possesses
what Ml', (ierai'd claims for it, viz., a propensity
to bloom freely, a quality which is somewhat <M)n-
spicuous for its a'lsenre in the typical 1. hexa-
ffona -a plant, by the way, which, [lartly perhaps
from th's fault and partly from its doubtful
hardiness, is seldom met with in English gardens.
— J. C 1^., Mdiililoiii ,

Stove and Greenhouse.

CLERUDENDRON FALLAX.

Perh.'VI's this is the best of all the shrubby
species of Clerodendron, and if only its culture
were taken up with the vigour its merits en-
title it to, it would run the climbing kinds hard
for a place in popularity. It is not dittieult to
grow, and one of the most effective of stove
jjlants. The present is the flowering season,
later plants carrying the disjilay into August or
September. The [jauicles of flower are Ijright
scarlet. To keep the plants in flower as long
as possible, pl.ace them in a cool, partially
shaded house. The conservatory in some places
is very unsuitable to stove jjltuits even while
resting, and in sueh this Clerodendron sIkjuUI
not find a place while in bloom ; it would,
nevertheless, be wrong to say it is unsuitable
for conservatory decoration. While in fli>wer
the plants must not be too much dried, but the
fact must not be lost sight of that the apex of
the season's growth has been reached, and
when once the blossoms are over, the sooner in
reason the plants are cut over for the season
the better. This allows of the stems being
made into cuttings, while the old plant must be
kept on the dry side afterwards. During tlie
winter the house in which this Clerodendron is
grown should be kept warm, as being a native
of Java too little heat is dangerous. As long
as it is kept dry it will take no harm in a
minimum temperature of ()0°, but far below
tills it is not safe to go. The jJants should
not be repotted until they have made a
little growth, just an inch or so to show that
the roots are moving ; then they may be
repotted, single - stenuned plants flowering
finely in 7-inch pots and larger ones in a
size or two larger. Drain the pots well,
and prejiare a mixture of sound fibrous loam
and fieat with a plentiful addition of well-dried
cow manure, for the.se plants have a lot to do in
a few months and are gross feeders. It would
be wrong to say pot loosely, j'et the material
must not be too tightly rammed, and where the
loam is of a nature prone to run close, add a
plentiful sprinkling of the best coarse silver
sand. The plants may be then taken to a house
with a brisk moist temperature, grown (jn
rapidly initil the flowering season, and if they
can have the assistance of a little bottom-heat
at starting such as is art'orded by plunging in
tan or similar material, it puts them rapidly out
of harm's way in the matter of the drying ofl'of
the young shoots. This they will do sometimes
after disturbance, and it is necessary to be very
careful with the watering at first. Soot water
well diluted is an excellent stimulant to this
plant when the pots are filled with roots, and
the same material sprinkled about under the
stages and used for damping floors is of material
benefit owing to the annuonia which it gener.ites
in the atmosphere. Insects dislike this kind of
moisture, especially scale and its near I'elative
mealy bug. Considerable trouble will be found
with i)lants infested with the latter, but if taken
in hand when only a few insects are present
these m;iy be easily destroyed. I once cleared
a nice lot of this plant by dipping a very fine-

pointed bru.sh pencil in methylated spirit and
touching the insects with this. Heavy syring-
ing is not advisable, but light dewings in the
I'.'irlier stages can do no harm. As mentioned
.above, this plant may be propagateil by cuttings,
these consisting of lengths of the stems when
cut down. Any bit with about three or four
joints will strike if placed in pots of .sandy soil,
thoroughly soaked with water and plunged in a
propagating pit. I{.

Evergreen Begonias. — Since the iutrodue-
lion of the many beautiful forms of summer-
flowering Begonias the winter-flowering or ever-
green section seems to have fallen into the
background. Some of the varieties, however,
sueh as f uehsioides and weltoniensis, are amongst
the most useful subjects for general decoration at
a time when flowering plants are none too plenti-
ful. They are most accommodating, as if the
main batch of plants is brought on in a compara-
tixely cool temperature and a few introduced into
more heat at intervals, an almost continual suc-
cession of bloom can be maintained. A mixture
of good fibrous loam three parts and one part
peat, leaf-mould, and silver sand suits them well.
Some successful growers give a small (juantitj' of
thoroughly decomposed cow manure. The liest
«!iy after flowering is to keep the roots sliglitly
drier for a short time and then cut back, shake
out. reduce the balls, and re[)ot, giving theni a
genial moist temperature. Begonias will do well
for as long a time in small pots as most things,
but if large bushes are desired, liberal shifts mu.st
lie given. Weltonien.sis looks exceedingly well
grown in baskets and suspended from the roof of
a warm conservatory, and some of the others are
e(pially good for this purpose. — Grower.

Euphorbias. — For brilliancy of colour and use-
fulness in drawing-room and dinner-table decora-
tion there are few things blooming in the dead
of winter that pay for attention better than
Euphorbias. Jacquinia'flora is no doubt the most
valuable, as its habit of growth allows of its being
grown in the ordinary way in pots. Splendens,
on account of its s[5iny natiu'e, reipures really
to be grown so that its growths can be trained
over a wall or trellis. Either in a pot or planted
out and liberallj' treated, E. jacquinia-flora will
soon cover a good space and supply innumer-
able bracts, which are invaluable for bouquets
or button-holes. Both varieties may be in-
creased by cuttings, but some care is necessary.
After detaching them from the parent plant, allow
the milky matter which oozes from the cuttings to
ilry u)3. Young rooted plants need growing on in
a strong, moist heat, giving them a mixture of
loam, peat, a little leaf-mould, and sutticient silver
sand to keep the whole open. If busliy plants are
required for ordinary plant stove decoration,
pinching once or twice must be practised ; but
the finest bracts of jacquinia'flora are produced on
unstopped shoots, which will sometimes reach a
length of several feet. Old or one-year-old
plants shoukl have a rest after flowering and be
kept dry at the roots, being pruned back about
May, and when started, shaken out and repotted
in good fresh compost, afterwards treating them
to a brisk, moist heat and a light position near
the roof glass, shading a little during bright sun-
shine. A number of yearling plants should
always be kept in ease the cuttings should not
strike satisfactorily. — J. C.

Abutilons in winter. — There are now many

very beautiful varieties of Abutilons, and plants
when well grown are most useful for winterdeeora-
tion, the blooms being also well adapted for
arranging in small glasses. For the production
of good bushy [ilants for late autumn and winter
work, cuttings should be taken in February. A
few old pl.mts maj' be cut back and placed in a
gentle moist heat, anrl when the new growths
are an inch or so long, they strike jirctty readily
if placed under a bell-glass or handlight in a
gentle bottom heat. As soon as growth has
started, a little air must be admitted, this being

gradually increased until the glass is entirely re-
moved. When 1 Inch or 2 inclic-* of growth has
been made the cuttings should be potted olT into
small pots, placed near the glass In an Inter-
mediate house and e;irefully watered till well
established. The next shift may be Into a 4i-lnch
pot, still keeping tliem in the same quarters and
.syringing the plants on fine sumiy afternoons.
Towards the end of May a warm pit or frame will
be the best jmsition for them, and If gradually
inured to the air they may be fully exposed on
calm, warm days in .(une. Some growers stand
the phmts out In the open during summer, and If
this Is a dry, sunny one they do very well ; but
Abutilons are very impatient of water at the roots,
and any excess of this soon produces a yellow, un-
healthy condition of the foliage. If the young
plants are pinched when say 0 Inches high, good
stocky plants will be foinied. Manure water may
be given In a weak form when the plants are in
full growth, and If they are wanted to flower as
late as possible or right through the winter, any
early-formed blooms should be removed. In
October a light airy house, with a night tempera-
ture of 50', suits them best. — (Jrowkr.

Societies and Exhibitions.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

June 29.

A TRi'LY wonderful display has to be recorded on
the above date. A finer exhibition as a whole has
never been seen in the Drill Hall. It is to be
hoped that some at least of the many visitors now
In the metropolis took the advantage of inspect-
ing It ; at any rate there was a good attendance
of Fellows and others Interested in gardening.
Hardy flowers were strongly In evidence, notably
Roses and hardy border flowers. Of Roses there
was a great diversity, and it was a welcome sight
to see that " garden " Roses were well represented
as contrasted with " exhibition " varieties. The
competition In the Rose classes was, on the whole,
very good, whilst the quality vvas excellent.
Orchids were not so conspicuous, but a grand
group was sent by Messrs. Veltch and Sons.
There were a few excellent examples of fruits,
notably of Peaches, Plums, and Cherries. Two
of the most notable groups on this occasion were
the grand display of conifers, rich in the golden
anfl glaucous forms, and the superbly flowered
specimen plants of Malmaison Carnations, the
former from Messrs. J. Veltch and Sons, and the
latter from Mr. J. P. Morgan, Dover House,
Roehampton (gardener, Mr. McLeod).

Orchid Committee.

A first-class certificate was awarded to

L.KLio-CATTLEY.i EuDORA suPERBA (C. Mendeli
crossed with L. purpurata). — The sepals and petals
are delicate rose veined with a darker shade of
colour, the lip rich crim.son-purple In front, the
side lobes white shading to yellow at the base,
where it is lined with purple to the base. The
plant Is intermediate In character between the
two species both In the shape of the flower and
habit of growth. From Messrs. J. Veltch and
Sons.

An award of merit was given to

Cvi'RiPEDii'M Mrs. E. V. Low, in which the
dorsal sepal is white, shading to green at the base,
and thickly spotted with dark brown spots. The
petals are white slightly sufl'used and veined with
purple, lip pale greenish-white spotted with
purple. The plant carried two flowers. There
IS no doubt C. niveum has been used in its pro-
duction. From Messrs. Hugh Low and Co.

Messrs. J. \'eiteh and Sons were awarded a
silver Flora medal for a large group, prominent
amongst which was a large specimen Cypripedlum
superblens (Veitchi) with upwards of twenty
flowers. C. Parishi was represented by a huge
sjiecimen with lour spikes of flower. Several
grand forms of C. Curtisi, Dendrobium Phalaen

10

THE GARDEI^.

[July 3, 1897.

opsis Schri ederse, Dendrobium glomeratum with
extra large, finely coloured flowers and I), por-
phyrogastrum (X). Huttoni crossed with D. l)al-
housianum), sepals and petals pale lilac, lip flat
and open, the front of the same shade of colour as
the petals, were also shown. U. illustre, a hybrid
between D. chrysotoxuni and D. Dalhousianum,
sepals and petals bright yellow, highly polished,
the lip aliout 1 inch in width, the front half jel-
low, margined and thickly covered with htiirs,
was also noteworthy. Amongst the hybrid Cat-
tleyas were Lielio-Cattleya eximia (L. purpurata
X C. Warneri), sepals and jietals deep rose, lip
rich crimson-purple, margined with rose in front,
the base deep yellow, lined with brown ; several
fonns of L. -C. Canhamiana and L. -C. Ascania, the
sepals pale yellow, shaded with rose, the petals
cream, the lip purple in front, shading to orange-
yellow at the base. Sobralia Veitchi, S. VVilsoni,
and S. macrantha were also very fine. Bisa
Veitchi was represented by numerous iinely-
flow-ered jjlants. Phala'nopsis Vesta, a hybrid
between P. Aphrodite and P. rosea leucaspis, the
sepals and petals white, slightly suftused with
rose, the front lobe rose, shaded with j'cllow and
spotted with brown at the base ; the side lobes
rose, shading to white .at the base, where it is
.spotted with bright brown ; P. Ludde-violacea,
a hybrid between P. Luddemanniana and P. vio-
lacea, intermediate in character between the two
species used in its production ; finely flowered
Epidendrums and Oncidiums in variety made up
an interesting display. Messrs. H. Low and Co.
sent a small group consisting of finely-flowered
Cattleya Mossi* in variety, the best being a good
form of C. M. Eeineckiana, the lip finely marked
and beautifully margined with white. Cattleya
gigas, Oncidium macranthum, and Odontoglossum
crisiHim were also well represented. A silver Bank-
sian medal was awarded. Messrs. F. Sander and
Co. had arranged amongst their stove and fine-
foliaged t>lants Sobralia Veitchi, S. Amesa>, good
varieties of Odontoglossum Harryanum, a hybrid
Cattleya of the C. Normani section, Oncidium
Bateraannianum, a delicate form of Miltonia vexil-
laria, Cypripedium bellatulum Albani, and Lj'-
caste leucantha.

Mr. F. Hardy sent a small, but interesting
group, which contained good forms of C. Mossi:e,
the most distinct being C. M. Hardyie, with pure
white sepals and petals, lip white, with rose vein-
ings in the centre and yellow at the base, C.
Wagneri with two flowers, a dark form of L.-C.
Arnoldiana with three flowers, L.-C. Hippolyta,
witli two of its distinct orange and jiurplo flowers,
some remarkably well-bloomed plants of Miltonia
\-exillaria superba with rose-coloured flowers, hav-
ing a dark crimson-purple disc in the centre, mar-
gined with white, and good forms of L.-elia tene-
brosa. Mr. T. B. Haywood sent two spikes of
the lo\-ely Miltonia L*aisy Haywood, with seven
and nine flowers respectively. In this the flowers
are ])ure white, with the exception of the yellow
disc in the centre. Mr. N. Blandford sent Catt-
leya Warscewiczi (Blandford's var. ), a form in
which the usual disc in the front of the throat
had disapjieared. Mr. R. I. Measures sent Cypri-
pedium leucochilum grandiflorum, a wonderfully
fine-shaped variety, larger and far superior in the
markings to the typical form previously cer-
tificated : and C. Salus (concolor x Dayanum), in-
termediate in character between the two species
indicated in its production. The Rev. F. Paynter
sent a cross between Phaius Humbloti and bicolor,
in the way of P. Cooksoni, but with smaller
flowers. Mr. H. A. Tracey, Twickenham, sent
cut flowers of Cattleya Mendeli, one having a rich
crimson ■ purple lip, finely fringed in front.
Another variety had the petals splashed, as in C.
Trianse Backhousiana.

Floral Committee.

A first-cla.ss certificate was given to —

Thuja gigantea aurea.— A distinctly marked
golden form of this well-known conifer, the golden
tint pervading the young growth in a profuse
fashion. Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons,- Chelsea.

Awards of merit were given to —

Calochortus clavatus. — A bright canary -yel-
low, very distinct and showy, blooms large, the
petals broad, growth robust and sturdy. From
Messrs. Wallace and Co., Colchester, and M. Van
Tubergen, Haarlem.

Carnation Hampden. — A rich dark terra-cotta,
petals incurved, non-splitting, deficient in frag-
rance. The colour being distinct, it is a desirable
novelty, the flowers being of fine form. Mr.
Martin Smith, Hayes, Kent.

Rose (H.T. ) Marquise Litta. — A deep rose-
coloured variety, somewhat loose, having large
petals ; a [irofuse - flowering variety of vigorous
growth anfi with fine foliage. Messrs. W. Paul
and Son, Waltham Cross.

Rose (H. Tea) Souvenir de President Carnot.
— White, with deep flesh centre in the bud stage,
of fine form. A decidedly distinct and desirable
novelty, not unlike Souvenir de la Malmaison in
colour. Messrs. Paul and Son, Cheshunt.

Rose (H. Tea) Mme. A. Chatenav. — A very
bright and attractive Rose, in the way of Grace
Darling save in its colour, a soft pink, with
salmon -pink centre. A fine garden variety and
(juite distinct. Messrs. Paul and Son.

Rose (H. Tea) Kaiserin Augusta Victori.v. —
Pale creamy white, with slight tint of palest
green in centre : form good, stout foot-stalks. A
fine Rose for any purpose. Messrs. Paul and Son.

Begonia (tuberous) Lady Pearson. — A bright
orange-scarlet double of immense size and very
full, flower-trusses erect and sturdy, the foliage
relati vely small. Messrs. J. Laing and Sons.

A botanical certificate was given to Encepha-
lartos gracilis, a distinct and novel plant with
fronds 4 feet to 5 feet in length, the mid-rib
profusely covered with a dense tomentose down,
tlie pinn;e rounded and small, being needle-like
in form ; a fine plant. Messrs. Sander and Co.,
St. Albans.

A very fine collection of cut hardy flowers,
staged by Messrs. Barr and Sons, Covent Garden,
contained some especially interesting lots of
Iris, notably a collection of the Ka?mpferi varie-
ties. Other good things were Coreopsis grandi-
flora, large and very richly coloured flowers :
Thalictrum angustifoliuin, Hemerocallis auran-
tiaea major, H. Thunbergi, the pretty lemon-
yellow variety ; H. fulva, a dull orange-red, and
a number of remarkably fine Delphiniums (silver
Banksian medal). A similar collection of hardy
flowers came from Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm
Nurseries, Tottenham, and was very efi'ectively
arranged with a high bank in the centre. Among
the flowers shown were Liliums, Irises, Poppies,
many kinds of Dianthuses and Pinks, Cam])anula
|)umila, C. Hosti alba and C cordata, with long
flowering spikes very much like a Foxglove, the
whole forming a very striking blaze of colour
(silver Flora medal). Messrs. Kelway, of Lang-
port, Somerset, had a fine collection of Del-
phiniums, CJaillardias, Iris Ka-mpferi, and miscel-
laneous hardy flowers. Among these last were
Salvia dealbata, a very remarkable looking plant
with mauve-coloured bracts and lilac blooms,
Morina longifolia, very pretty, with an abundance
of clierry-pink blooms, and Centaurea ruthenica.
The Delphiniums included some really superb
kinds, of marvellous strength and substance and
splendid colour. A few of the most striking va-
rieties were Albert Edward, purple and dark
blue : Am3as Leigh, azure-blue and lilac ; Sara, a
very rich sky-blue ; Etoile, a dull purple double,
very symmetrical in form ; and The Czar, a bright
royal blue. The varieties of Iris Kiempferi were
very fine, the most striking being Beauty, Bride
Elect, jnire white, and Via Lactea. A few very
good Cannas were also included in this collection
(silver Banksian medal). Another group of mis-
cellaneous hardy flowers came from Mr. M.
Prichard, Christchurch, Hants, and contained
some beautiful forms of IrisKajmpferi, Pyrethrum
Hamlet, a very lo\ ely rose- pink flower ; Aconitum
pyramidale, a bunch of the charming Catananche
co'rulca, and some strong Eryngiums (silver Bank-
sian medal). Messrs. Wallace and Co. , Colchester,
again had a fine collection of their beautiful hardy

flowers, chiefly Calochorti and Liliums, with a
few Irises. Calochortus citrinus, a beautiful pure
yellow, very handsomely marked in the cup ; C.
Gunisoni, a lovely pure white, with green at the
base of the petals ; and a number of forms of
venustus and Eldorado were striking, the latter
strain showing an immense range of colour (silver
Flora medal). Messrs. Cheal and Sons, of Crawley,
also staged a large collection of hardy flowers aiid
shrubs, including some charming garden Roses,
Bardnu Job, York and Lancaster, Cecile Brunner,
and (jloire de Polyantha, a number of beautiful
fancy Pansies and bedding Violas. Among the
shrubs, Fraxinus aucub,x>folia, Prunus Pissardi,
Ulmus Dampieri aurea, Acer Platanus purinnea,
and Sambucus foliis luteis were noteworthy (silver
Banksian).

A beautiful group of Sweet Peas, very prettily
staged, was shown by Messrs. Veitch and Sons,
Chelsea, and included some new American varie-
ties. Some of the best shown were Blanche Terry,
which should take the place of Painted Lady ;
Maid of Honour, a very pretty pale lilac and
white ; Dorothy Tennant, rich mauve ; Stanley,
one of the best of the dark blues ; New Countess,
a veiy charming pale blue ; Orange Prince, a
bright orange-pink ; and Red Riding Hood, a
curiously-formed flower. Sweet Peas were again
charmingly shown by Mr. F. G. Foster, Brock-
hampton Nurseries, Ha\ant, Hants. Some of the
most pleasing bunches were composed of Creole,
a very pretty pinkish lilac, delicately shaded ;
Lady Beaconsfield, in soft shades of cream ancl
blush ; Mrs. Eckford, rich cream colour ; Royal
Rose, Crown Jewel, pink and white ; Celestial, a
very soft shade of light blue ; and Meteor, a fiery-
pink (silver Banksian medal). Messrs. Dobb'ie
and Co., Rothesay, also staged a good collection
of Sweet Peas, among them Juanita, a soft shade
of mauve ; Triumpli, shades of bright ])ink :
Co((uette, creamy white, tinged with blush ;
Countess of Shrewsbury, delicate rose and white ;
Lovely, a fine variety of exquisite rose-pink
colour ; and Brilliant, a very bright and showy
red. From the same firm came a very extensive
collection of Violas and Pan.sies, the latter being
huge blooms, very fine in form and colour (silver
Flora medal). From Messrs. Cannell and Sons,
Swanley, came a group of magnificent tuberous
Begonias, all splendidly grown plants with very
beautiful foliage, and bearing quantities of large
and handsome blooms. A few of the best
were Mr. Pack, a large bright pink ; Mrs. New-
man, deep rose ; W^. Marshall, a beautiful orange
single ; Miss Agnes Stewart, a large lemon-yellow
single ; Lady Mary Wood, a very delicate salmon-
pink double ; Lady Salmon, a similar flower in
light yellow ; and Lord Sherbourne, a large and
very elegant flower of fiery-crimson colour (silver
Banksian medal).

A fine feature of the show was a splendid group
of Malmaison Carnations staged by Messrs. Cut-
bu.sh and Son, Highgate. The plants were dwaif
and wonderfully strong, the wood perfectly clea.'i
and healthy, and the flowers very full, of great
size and fine substance. Princess of Wales,
Blush, Nell G Wynne and Rose were the chief kinds
shown (silver Flora medal). The finest Carnations
in the show came from Mr. J. P. Morgan, Dover
House, Roehampton (gardener, Mr. McLeod).
These consisted of about fifty magnificent plants,
enormous in size, and each one a model of good
culture, both foliage and flowers being superb
(silver-gilt Flora medal). Another exhibit of very
great interest was a group of plants staged by
Messrs. F. Sander and Co., St. Albans, and con-
taining many rare and beautiful specimens. Ve«y
conspicuous was a batch of plants of Watsonia iri-
difolia O'Brieni, bearing spikes of beautiful white
flowers. Caladium albanense was well shown,
also a great number of varieties of Anthuriums,
Streptocarpus and Orchids (silver-gilt Banksian).
Messrs. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea, showed a box
of their beautiful javanico-jasminiflorum hybrid
Rhododendrons, including the following l"o\'ely
varieties : Souvenir de J. S. Mangles, a vivid
orange-pink ; Amabile, a very soft rose ; Diadem,
bright orange ; Conqueroi*, scarlet ; Primrose, a

July 3, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

11

delicate pale yellow ; Princess Beatrice, lihisli-
white; rresident, orange ■ yellow ; Maideiis
Blush, Ceres, clear golflen yellow, anil N'irgil,
soft clear l>ull' colour. Kroni'the same firm canie
baskets of the following shrubs : Esenllonia
Phillipiana, Indigofcra decora allia, Cytisus nigri-
cans, and a very di'liglitful lot of l!uliinia liispida.
Mr. H. 15. May, Dyson's Lane Nur.scrics, Upiicr
Edmonton, sent a laVgc group of Adiantnms, com-
prising a wonderfully large range of varieties, and
forming a welcome relief after the blaze of colour
alfordcd by the floral exhilnts. A few particularly
interesting things were A. capillus-Veneris ini-
bricatum, A. caudatum, A. setulosum, A. lultra-
tum, A. icTiiforme a.sarifoliuni, A. Herasleyaninu,

A. macropliyllum, .\. culpodes, A. Veitchi, A. liis-
piduluni a nd .\. fulvum (silver-gilt Banksian medal).
A tine group of conifers was .shown by iMe.ssrs.
Veiteli and Sons, Chelsea, and wasawardi'd a gold
medal. A few of the most striking things were
Retinospora ])isifera sul])hMrea, R. plumosa aurca,

B. tilifera, R. pisifera squarrosa, R. obtusa aurea,
R. plumosa, K. obtusa gracilis, R. plumosa
argentea, (Hipressus nutkaensis, C. thyoides lep-
toclada, C. Lawsoniana lutea, C. Lawsoniana
albo-variegata, C. Lawsoniana AUumi, Abies
excelsa inverta, A.'Douglasi glauca. A. \'eitchi, A.
nobilis glauca, A. orientalis aurea, A. Sieboldi,
and Thuja gigantea aui'ea.

A group of Ro.ses of exceptional interest came
from Messrs. Wni. Paul and Son, Waltham Cross,
and included a selection of varieties introduced by
the exhibitors during the Victorian Era. Among
them were Spenser, Sylph, Pride of Waltham,
Star of Waltham, Duke of York, Clio, and
Enchantress. The pot plants included Merveille
de Lyon, Spenser, Ca]>t. Hayward, and White
Lady (silver Banksian medal).

Fruit Committee.

Some very fine Plums and Cherries came from
Cunnersbuiy House. Peaches also were fine, and
Messrs. Laxton's new varieties of Strawberries
most interesting. Melons, which were shown in
(juantity, were in most cases poor.

An award of merit was given to —

STR.iwnEKRY Mentmork. — A dark gloss3' red
conical fruit, not unlike La Gros.se Sucree in
colour. It is of good (juality and a valuable main-
crop variety. It is a cross between Noble and
British Queen, flesh firm and crimson right
through. From Messrs. Laxton, Bedford.

Messrs. Lixton also sent several other new
seedlings of great merit, but some over-ripe.
Commodore was most promising. This is the re-
sult of crossing Royal Sovereign and Latest of
All, and was thought an excellent addition to the
midseason varieties. Alma, which has for its
parents James Veitch and Sir C. >fapier, is a
large fruit, but somewhat tender. Profit, a cross
between James Veitch and Sir .7. Paxton, is a nice
fruit, and promises to be a valuable one for
market. These new varieties were re<{uested to
be sent to Chiswick for trial to test fruiting quali-
ties. Some fine baskets of Monarch and Leader
were staged by the same exhibitors. Mr. Hudson,
tiunnersbury House, Acton, sent some very fine
Plums from pot trees. Reine Claude de Comte
Attherns was very fine ; Jefferson's, Kirke's and
Early Transparent (iage were also good. These,
with Bigarreau Napoleon and Black Circassian
Cherries, deserved a better award than the cultural
commendation given. Mr. G. Kelk, South Villa,
Regent's Park, sent three boxes of Peaches, re-
ceiving a cultural award. Dymond was very fine.
Royal George and Dr. Hogg being highly col-
oured. Mr. Wythes, Syon House, sent the
Loquat in fruit, several fruits being Ijorne on a
stem. They are not unlike Apricots in colour.
The plants had been grown in a cool conserva-
tory. The same exhibitor sent a seedling Melon.
Melons were shown in (piantity by Mr. Burrell,
Westley Hall, Bury St. Edmunds": Mr. Martin,
East Cowes, Isle of Wight ; and Mr. Davies, Nidd
Hall Gardens, Vorks. Mr. Beckett, Aldenliam
House, Elstree, sent a very fine dish of Early
Morn Peas, a ^•aluable addition to the early
Marrows. It was asked to be sent to Chiswick

for trial. Messrs. Laxton also sent a new Pea,
Tliomas Laxton, a promising variety, a seedling
from (Iradus and Earliestof All. Messrs. Kelway,
Langport, sent fine (Jradus Peas and Hunyanl's
Exhibition Broad Beans.

RosK Sirow.

In tbi- competitive classes there was a fair num-
ber of cxhiliitors. For twenty-four single tru.sscs
the first prize went to Mr. T.B. Haywood, Wood-
hatch Lodge, Reigate (gardener, Mr. C. .1.
Salter), for a very Ijeautiful lot of blooms, prr
fectly clean throughout, and of fine form and size.
The "best Hooms were S. Marie Rodn.anai-lii,
Caroline Te.stout, A. K. Williams, Francois
Miihelon, (lomte Raimbaud, Cajit. Hayward, Mrs.
J. Laing, Jeannie Dickson, La France, Horace
Veriu't, and Pride of Waltliam. Mr. C. J.
(iraliame, Wrydelands, Leatherhead, gained the
second prize for a very good exhibit, having fine
blooms of White Lady, Viscountess Folkestone,
Victor Hugo, Mrs. John Laing, Chas. Lefebvre,
and Prince Arthur. In the class for twelve single
trusses, distinct, Mr. O. (1. Orpen, of Hillside,
West Bergholt, won the first prize with good
shajiely blooms, Mrs. W. .1. Cant, Fisher Holmes,
S. M. "Rodocr.naehi, and Mme. Luizet being the
best. The second prize went to Rev. A. Foster-
Melliar, Sproughton Rectory, Ipswich, who had
good blooms of Marechal Niel, Lor<l Macaulay,
Mrs. Sliaruuin Crawford, and (Justave Piganeau.
For six single tru,sses, distinct, Mr. G. W. Cook,
Torrington Park, N. Finchley, was first witli
Medea, La France, Mrs. .Tohn Laing, Ulrich
Brunner, Caroline Testout, and Capt. Hayward.
Re\-. F. Page-Roberts, Scole, Norfolk, was a good
second. For nine single trusses of one variety,
Jlr. t-'. J. Grahame was fii-st with pretty blooms
of Kaiserin Augusta Victoria, and the second
prize was won by Mr. T. B. Haywood, who
showed Mrs. John Laing. For six singles, the
first prize went to Mr. O. G. Orpen for exceed-
ingly fine blooms of K. A. Victoria, and the
second to Mr. R. H. Langton for La France.
Mr. 0. G. Orjien was again successful for twenty-
four single trusses of Teas, having a very beauti-
ful exhiliit, containing lovely blooms of Souvenir
d'Elise Vardon, AnnaOIIivier, Ernest Metz, Tlie
Bride, Sylph, Catherine Mermet, and Princess of
Wales. "Mr. (Jrahame was a good second, having
fine lilooms of Mme. de Watteville, Cleopatra,
Medea, and Innocente Pirola. For twelve singles.
Rev. Hugh A. Berners, Harkstead Rectory, Ips-
wich, gained the first prize, having nice flowers of
Ernest Metz, Catherine Jlermet, .lean Ducher,
Cleopatra, and Edith (Jifi'ord. Rev. A. Foster-
Melliar was a very close second with Mar'chal
Niel, Innocente Pirola, Caroline Kuster, Ethel
Brownlow, and Comtesse de Nadaillac. For six
singles, the first prize went to Rev. F. Page-
Roberts for a very good exhibit, containing C. de
Nadaillac, The Bride, llaman Cochet, and Inno-
cente Pirola. Mr. R. H. Langton was second.
For nine singles of one variety, Mr. C. .1. ( jrahame
was first with neat and well-coloured blooms of
Mme. Cusin. Mr. O. (i. Orpen was a good
second, showing Anna OUivier. For six singles of
one variety, Mr. R. H. Langton was first with
Edith (iittord, and Rev. Fcster-Melliar second
with Souvenir d'Elise Vardon.

A pietty group of garden Roses was shown by
Lord Penzance.

The weather in "West Herts. — A \varm
week, particularly at night. (_>n Mi<lsummer DaN'
the highest reading in shade was H2\ which is
warmer than any reading pre\ iously registered
here this year, and on three nights the exposed
thermometer did not fall lower than .55°. The
soil at 2 feet deep is now .'i^' warmer, and at 1 foot
deep 4° warmer than is seasonable. Rain fell
iluring the week to the total depth of rather more
than an inch, and on the 24th, during a thun<ler-
storm in the evening, it was falling for 3 minutes
at the rate of 1| inches an hour. On the morning
of this day the heat was very great in the sun,
the black bulb solar radiation thermometer rising

to 14U°, or higher than in any June for ten years.
June, althougli so changeable in temperature,
was, taken as a wliolc, a decidedly warm nmnth.
Rain fell on twelve days to the aggregate clepth
of 'Jf inches, or about half an inch in excess of
the .June average. The smi shone on an average
for .IJ horns a day, which is rather a small record
for tlie month. — E. M., lierkhamKtcd.

Notes of the Week.

Aconitum orientale dill'ers from the majority
of its kind by its more dwarf habit, its distint^tly
cut foliage, and the nearly ijure white blossoms
that aii[)ear in early June on stems little more
than IS inches high.

Iris Kaempferi.—Thc Drill Hall meeting on
the 'i'.tth ult. brought togctbcr quite a host of
these beautiful flowers, many of the large spread-
inn- blossoms being from li inches to S inches
across and leniarkably varied in colour.

Clematis Fairy Queen. — This is a fine va-
riety for pillars or for rambling amidst the larger
forms of I\y on walls. In such positions the
handsome white blossoms, which are also laige,
are of the showiest deseriiition and very telling at
a distance.

"Wahlenbergia tenuifolia is a neat species
for the rook garden in niidsunnner, with narrow
leaves and tufts of blue flowers on short, hairy
stems. It is quite a compact-growing species,
and not ditticult of culture in gritty loam in sunny
chinks of rockwork.

Incarvillea Delavayi in Scotland. — Scot-
land is not behind in flowcrini; Incarvillea Dela-
vayi. For the last three weeks it has been in
great beauty here. The seed was sown two years
ago, and the plants ha\e stood the last two
winters in a climate not \ery suitable for tender
things. — W. H. JL, Muuchfn, Dalbeattie.

Pratia angulata. — As a carpet plant in
moist spots, in the bog garden, or indeed anj- posi-
tion where moisture may be secured, this is in-
variably a success, and equally so when grown in
shallow pans, for in this wa3' the latter may Ije
utilised in the cool greenhouse. Just now the
plant is freely covered with its pure white blos-
soms.

Chrysanthemums in June. — When the
really good hardy border flowers— to say nothing
of Lilies, Roses, Carnations and other things— are
in their fullest beauty. Chrysanthemums are not
wanted. Yet a few miserable examples «ere to
be seen at the Drill Hall this week, and, as usual
with such out-of-season exhibits, poor and alto-
gether out of characttr.

Dianthus Napoleon III. — When well grown
this is perhaps the most richly coloured of all the
mule Pinks, and at times flowering so abundantly
as to endanger the stock. For this reason a por-
tion should be set aside for propagating, which is
easdy eft'ected when cuttings can be secured in
September. In the border in groufis the rich
crimson flowers of this plant are very telling.

Iris Monnieri. — This grand border plant was
included in one or two collections at the meeting
of the Royal Horticultural Society on Tuesday
last, and very fine it is at this season of the year :
indeed, this species, as \\ell as other of the late
kinds, appears to have been well suited this season,
that is, so far as the established clumps are con-
cerned. In the latter condition the stout stems
will reach to nearly or quite 4 feet high.

Gillenia trifoliata. — This is one of the most
charming hardy plants of the week. Although
curiously light and elegant, it yet has a certain
stability about it that is wanting in such things
as the "tiyijsopbila and similar plants. Like the
herbaceous Spineas, Ci. trifoliata is a capital sub-
ject for planting on the margins of streams or any
moist, half-shaded position, and if the soil is light
and porous the growth is very free.

Calochortus clavatvis is perhaps the largest
flowered of this pretty group of bulbous i)lants,

12

THE GAPvDEK

[July 3, 1897.

the blooms each measuring some 4 inches across
and of a clear rich yellow. The variety possesses
a distinct branching habit and flowers abun-
dantly. This handsome form received the award
of merit on Tuesday last from the Royal Horti-
cultural Society, before whom it was e.\hibited by
Messrs. Wallace and Co., as also C. (i. Van Tuber-
gen, Holland.

Campanula Hosti alba. — This is a very
useful and beautiful kind, with very pure white
flowers on slender stems of about 18 inches high,
and a kind that is not \'ery abundant in gardens,
too frequently an inferior form of rotundifolia
having to do duty for it. The true plant has
larger blossoms, that are rather more open and
less drooping. The very long leaves are also a
distinguishing character of the plant, which is
worth a place in every garden.

Garden Roses at Colcliester.— Single and
S3mi-douljle Roses were very well shown at Col-
chester last week, and jjroved a very interesting
portion of a somewhat poor show. The Austrian
Briers in variety, Lord Penzance's Sweet Briers
and one or two of the R. moschata type were very
handsome. In one stand was a charming liunch
of the lovely little Ma Capucine, one of the most
suitable of all Teas for growing in a loose, natural
way. All the exhibits in this class were arranged
with ample foliage — the most artistic way of
showing Ro.se s.

Lathyrus rotundifolius. — This is probably
the earliest flowering of the everlasting or peren-
nial Peas, and for this reason valuable. The
reddish pink blossoms begin to appear <]uite late
in May or early in June, and continue for some
considerable time. For its earliness alone the
plant is worthy of more attention both from
gardener and florist, as it is quite possible to im-
prove by careful selection both the colour and size
of the original species. Good culture alone, how-
ever, is capable of much in this direction, and
wheii well grown it will reach 5 feet or 6 feet high.

Gladiolus The Bride.— Now and again when
some good clumps of this useful plant apjjear in
the hardy plant garden, we gather some idea of
its usefulness, though we cannot but regret that
so chaste a flower is not largely grown in private
gardens generally. In the cut state its pretty
spikes of snow-white bl'ssoms will eomjiare with
the choicest of flowers, which is certainly saying
a good deal. Cut in the earlier stages of develop-
ment, almost every flower to the tip of the spike
will expand in water, while the slender, graceful
stems on which the flowers are borne are especi-
ally well suited for \ases. Planted G inches deep
it is quite hard}' in many gardens.

Polygonum baldschuanicum is a recent
addition to the list of hardy climbing plants, and
should prove of value when better known. In
many respects this plant is distinct from the
other species of this genus, possessing a good
climbinw habit and woody stems of much the
same substance as the Virginian Creeper, and de-
ciduous like this latter. The plant appears quite
hardy, breaks away freely from the old .stems,
and when in full leafage and producing its white
and pink panicles of blossoms is \ery pleasing.
This species is now flowering in the herbaceous
ground at Kew, where may be seen a fine plant
perhaps 10 feet or more high. Native of East
Bucharia.

Tufted Pansies from Chirnside. — Dr.

Stuart sends us from his garden at Chirnside a
gathering of these seasonable and sweet-scented
flowers. Among those sent are Florizel and
Rosea pallida, which seem to us too much alike.
Border Witch is very pretty, but it seems to varj'
in its shades of colour. The best one sent is Bed-
ding Blue, a very rich dark blue, with a yellow
eye. This is by far the finest blue we have yet
seen, and if the plant flowers freely it will be a
great acquisition. We should like to know some-
thing of the habit of this, as if it jiartakes of that
of Blue Gown it will become po|:ular, the colour
being so telling in the mass. Quite the Fashion
is a larger flower and of a paler blue. Dolly

Varden is distinct, but we much jirefer the self
colours.

Hemerocallis aurantiaca major. ^Among
the hardy cut flowers at the Drill Hall this week,
the handsome spikes of this plant were con-
spicuous. We have no hanly perennial to com-
pare with it. As a cut flower it is very fine, but
in the o])en garden in a group it is the finest of
all hardy plants at the present time. Happily,
too, it belongs to a grou|> of the very hardiest of
garden flowers, a fact that must assist in render-
ing so valuable a plant doubly welcome. The
blossoms are freely borne on stout stems, each
head containing eight or ten of its buds to open
in succession. Messrs. Wallace had a fine bowl
of this with a dozen giant flowers expanded, the
Messrs. Barr also exhibiting cut blooms.

Severe hailstorms. — On Thursday, June 24,
hailstorms of terrible violence occurred through-
out Essex, Middlesex and parts of Hertford-
shire, doing severe damage to glasshouses on
over sixty nurseries at Chelmsford and district,
Ponder 's End, Enfield, Enfield Highway, Waltham
Cross and Harrow. Twenty-one-ounce glass of
all sizes was completely riddled and considerable
damage was done to the Grapes, Cucumbers,
Tomatoes and all kinds of plants and Ferns. We
are glad to hear that thirty nurserymen who suf-
fered loss were insured with the Nurserymen,
Market Gardeners' and (ieneral Hailstorm Insur-
ance Corporation, of 2, King Street, Covent Gar-
den, who immediately assessed the damage done
and paid the claims six days after. One nursery-
man lost 70,884 sijuare feet of 21 -ounce glass,
and his claim at 'id. per square foot amounted to
£88(1 Is.

Campanula puUa. — This, now fully in flower,
is among the neatest as also the most free flower-
ing of the dwarf Hairbells. The plant is a native
of the mountain pastures of the Austrian Alps,
and doubtless one of the best of summer alpines.
In some districts, I believe, difliiculty is experi-
enced in its cultivation, but it usually grows and
flowers freely in most gardens if let alone.
Though among the very dwarf kinds that, as a
rule, submit to almost annual transplanting
and division, this one at least in this respect
must lie excepted. It appreciates a rich, light,
free soil, and a fairly moist position when grow-
ing, and if not kept to the rock garden its where-
abouts should be well marked, as scarcely any
evidence of the plant is left during winter. In
the border it is often lost in winter by the some-
what dangerous practice to such things of mulch-
ing and the subsequent " pricking over " with the
fork.— E. J.

Ph3rteuma comosum. — Of truly summer
alpines, this is still among such as are too rarely
seen, and, indeed, when met with only in soli-
tary plants usually. So interesting a plant flower-
ing in midsummer is worth greater attention.
The lather long tubular corollas, much inflated
at the base, are seen in clusters of a dozen or so
on \-ery short foot-stalks, that give the appear-
ance of nestling in the coarselj'-toothed leaves of
the plant, the whole not more than 4 inches or
(i inches high. The species is best suited for the
rock garden in crevices, where its roots may
descend into rich loam 1 foot or more in depth.
It frequently succeeds when wedged between a
pair of stones, the only care being to keep the
plants free of slugs during winter and early spring,
when the fresh young Holly-like leaves appear.
The plant may be increased by division when
large enough, though its very slow growth does
not often permit this. Early spring is the best time
for this work, (lotting the plants firmly in grit
and loam. Whenever fre.sh seeds can be obtained,
these should be sown at once, preferably on cocoa-
nut fibre or Sphagnum Moss in pans, scattering
the seed on the surface and always supplying
moisture from below.

Lychnis Haageana. — It is unfortunate that
this jilant is not hap])y in all soils, and in parti-
cular is this true of vei-y cold and heavy clay soils.
Generally in light and warmer soils the plant is
more easily managed, provided the small slugs

will let it alone. These jjests appear to eat the
crown eyes or buds away in winter, .-md where
the plants are small there is little hope of ever
seeing such again. Some years since I quite acci-
dentally obtained a piece of valuable information
regarding the likes of this plant, by planting a
tuft in a very dry and hot position in a small
garden. The position was nearlv due south, and
being immediately in front of the bay window of
a small villa, and close to the wall, the soil was
usually very dry and hot. Yet, notwithstan-ling,
this plant in two seasons developed into one of the
finest single specimens I have seen, the stems
about 21 feet high, bearing large heads of brilliant
scarlet-crimson flowers. From seed, so large a
number of fine colours may be obtained, and so
strikingly brilliant are they in midsummer that
the plant is worth some extra care. In those
gardens where the plant succeeds with oixlinary
care much may be made of it by grouping it as
freely as circumstances permit. The plant is just
now in full beauty, and contains many striking
shades of orange, scarlet, vermilion, crimson and
white. — J.

Diplacus tomentosus and Gazania hy-

brida latifolia.— These both came to me from the
well-known French garden of M. Victor Lemoine,
of Nancy, and being now in full bloom with me
must, I think, both be considered as decided ac-
quisitions, the former to the cool greenhouse or
conservatory, the second to our summer outdoor
garden. The Diplacus comes from California and
seems to be a very free-flowering variety, the
pretty pale yellow blooms, which are of good size,
being produced in j.airs at the axils of the leaves
on the tops of all the shoots. M. Lemoine de-
scribes the colour as Naples-yellow, but I should
call it light canary, with two spots of golden yel-
low at the throat of the flower, and bright yellow
stamens. Another new Diplacus also sent me
from Nancy a year or two ago under the name of
D. grandiflorus has larger flowers of a paler shade,
and is also well worth growing. M'ith the old D.
glutinosus, commonly known as the shrubby
Mimulus, and the deep carmine-coloured D.
puniceus, figured in vol. 65 of the Bolaniml
ilfiijitziiie, on plate 3655, these two new forms
would be ornamental additions to any green-
house. The new Gazania is a beautiful liybrid
raised by M. Lemoine by crossing G. ni\ea, the
comparati\-ely new white-flowered variety from
Natal (so well figured in The Garden for A"pril27,
1895, on plate 1011), with the larger-flowered yel-
low species so well known in our gardens under
the name of G. splendens. The new hybrid has
fine large pure white flowers, with a violet band
on the under petal and a bright yellow centre.

W. E. Gl'MBLETON.

"Welbeck Abbey.— The Duke of Portland has
a|)pointe<l Mr. .1. Roberts— formerly gardener to
the late Baron L. de Rothschild, "(Junnersbury
Park — head gardener at Welbeck, as Mr. Hor-
ton is retiring.

Names of plants.—/. C. L.—l, Astragalus

u arbor) en sis ; 2, Orchis foliosa maculata. S. H. B.

— 1, Lilium chaleedonicum ; 2, poor form of Lilium

croceura. i/(S.s Palmer. — Your Lilies are iiffected

with the disease which has proved so disastrous of late
years to the Madnnna Lily, and for which no remedy

has yet been found. Constant Suh^crihcr. — 1, As-

plenium viviparum ; 2, Stachys lanata ; 3, D;ictyfis
elotnf rata ^ariegata ; 4, too shrivelled to identify ;
5, Ophiopogon Jaburan variegatum ; G, Pteris lont^i-
folia; 8, send betttr specimen ; !l and 1(1, send fertile
fronds ; 11, Santolira iueana ; 12, Euonjmns japoniAs
aureo-marginatus ; 12, Kleinia rejens. We can only
undeitilie to name four specimens in any one week.

C.B.B. The Golden Drop (OEOsmatauricuiu).

iJ.—Scilla peruviana. L. T. Davi.t. — Coronilla

iberica. C. L.—l. Saxifraga Cotyledon; 2, Coty-
ledon umbilicus ; 3. Wood Sauicle (SaniculaeuropEea).

B. idJe.- Thunia alba. C. Eduards.-l,

Lininanthes Uouglasi; 2, Spirsea aruncus ; 3, Ae-
theiicum Liliago; 4. Alstroemeria aurea; 5, Funkia

ovata ; fi, tend better specimen. .7. Botnis.— d^

yellow, Pblnmis frnticosa ; h. blue. Salvia praten.'-js.
Sj ringhill —Specimens ten shrivelled to identify.

THE] a-j^i^r)^]!^.

No. 1338.— Vol. LTI.]

[,TULY 10, 1897.

Orchard and Fruit:—

Apple IVMrli's I'il'l'in .. .. 14

BeotK-s uiitilin SIruwbumos 13

CliciTy niiu'k 'I'ivrttirirtii .. 15

Chorrv KloroiK'e 15

Cm-rants, lil.-u-k U

Fi),' White Marseilles .. .. V2

Melons, early, Jinti canker ., 14

Poach stitnos splitting .. .. 14

Pear < Hivier de Serres .. .. 13

I'runiii^j, summer 13

StniwboiTies and wirewoi-m 14

Stmwlierries as biennials .. 13

Strawberries shrivelling .. H

Flower:—

Digitalis lutea IS

Iris Lurteti li»

Uathyrus pubcscens . . . . 15

I.ilimn eiegans 10

Mifhatimm Dftifiies by the side

o/a miU-gtr"im 17

Narcissus, double Poet's .. 18
Pansies, ravless Tufted - . .. lii
Pansies, Tiifted, at Tamwurth 18
Pansy, Tufted, Magnificent.. HI
Pansy, Tufted, Mrs. H. Bel-
lamy b'

Pansy, Tufted, White Empress in

Pink", white border. Albino. . 19

Plants, notes on hiirdy
Primula Trailli,. ..
Silene Otites . . . .
Stocks, Briimpton ..
Stroaniside vegetation
Vegetation, streaniside .

15
Hi
17
17
17
17
Violets, failure of Mario T.ouiso 17

Stove and Greenhouse:-

A'iniuiillUus ilMlKlliitus .. .. HI

Agapanthus umbellatus . . 19

Daphne indica rubra .. .. 10

Pelargoniums at Lewisham . . 20

Poinsettias planted out. . . . 10

Swainsouia Osborni . . . . 20

Kitchen:—

Calibage, spring 20

Coleworts, sowing 21

Crops, i>Ianting green . . . . 21

Crops, winter 21

Cucumber Frogmore Prolific 21
Cucumbers and Veget.abl8

Marrows dropping off . . 22

Shallots 2i

Garden Flora :-

Stenogastra concinna .. .. 22

Week's 'Work:-

Fruit houses, work in .. .. 23
Kitchen garden, work in . . 23

(Hlustratimis in Italics.)
Orchids:—

Ansectochilus Sanderianus . . 25

Cattleya orispa 25

Cattleya JlendoU '^5

Cypripedium callosvuii yau-

deiw 26

Dendrobium Farmeri . . - . 25

Deudrochilum CobViianum .. 24

Habenaria bifolia 25

Lielia grandis tenobrosa .. 25

Ijielia purpur.afcl Ashworthiaj 'iO
LkUo ■ Cattleya Digbyana ■

Mossia! 25

Lselio-Cattleya Hippolyto . . 25

Masdevallia raeomosa . . . . 24

Nanodes Medusas 25

Odontoglossum cordatvim . . 24
Odontoglossum crispum Star-
light 23

Odont^iglossum Harryanum '-3

Oncidiiim luridum 25

Oncidium olivaeeiira Law- ,

renceanimr 20

Oncidium phymatochiluni ., 25

Oncidium pulchellum . . . . 26

Stanhopea iusignis 24

Trichopilia tortllis 24

Vanda Denisouiana 24

Chrysanthemums :—

Chrysanthemums, a t.able of 20
ClirilMntheiiivMli luid /oliagr,

ataUenf 26

Notes, cultural '^*^

Trees and Shrubs :—

Bscallonia Fhillipiana .. .. '-is

Ledums ~^

Spiraea flagellifurmis . . . . 2.S

SpirimfiagMiJ'oruiia .. .. 'iH

Societies :—

Crystal Palace Rose show . . 20
National Amateur Gardeners'

Association 31

Notes of the Week:—

Aoantholimon venustum .. 32

Baden-Baden, notes from .. 32

Callas in the open air . . . . 31

Caloehorti, the 32

Carnation Miss Ellen Terry.. 31

Codonopsis ovata 31

Cytisus nigricans 31

(Jaillardia Vivian Grey .. .. 31

(iaiega nflicinalis 31

lioianinin sanguineimi album 31

Uemerocallis Thimbergi . . 31

Iris Ka-mpferi 3--

Lilies, Madonna 3*

MagUHliii Mia.n.phylla .. .. 31

Moriualoiigifolia 31

(Knotlicra specii.sa 31

Ornithogaliuu pynimidale .. 31

I'cntsteinon clilTusus .. .. 81

Philadclphus Lemoinei . .. 32

Phlo.-ces |[

Photinia japonica ^J

Pink Albino J)

Rose Captain Christie . . . - 31

Fenocio japonica 31

Trii)ia_-.ilnni l»i1ypliyllum .. 31

Public Gardens:—

Battersea Park 32

Clerkenwell, open spice for 32

Miscellaneous :—

Anemia rotundif olia . . . . 22

Ipomaea t^iiamoclit 20

Landscape gardener and hLs

work, the 2i

Philadelphus microphyllus . . 22

Saxifraga cochlearis minor . . 22
Victoria medal of honour in

linrti.'ulturo 32

Weatlier in West Herts . . . . 33

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

SUMMER PRUNING.
I CONSIDER summer pruning to be of the highest
importance in fruit-tree culture if carried out in
an intelligent manner. It would bevvell, per-
haps, to compare the jjresent condition of the
trees with that of the same period last year.
Last season, as we all have good reason to re- ^
member, was one of heat and drought, and the
trees made early, but medium growth, which
became fully developed, and the trees were
ready for their summer pruning by the middle
of June. The subsequent growth made was of
little importance, which plainly showed what
an effect the heat, drought, and the crops of
fruit they carried had on the trees by restrain-
ing them from making any further, or, at the
most, but weakly growth, and there was no
stopping back to do \t the latter end of August.
This year, owing to the depredations of cater-
pillars and grubs, combined with cold weather,
the trees were a much longer time than usual
in starting into growth, and it looked at one
time as if the insects were about to gain the
upper hand. With the advent of warmer
weather and the subsequent heavy and welcome
rains which
Boon made u

growths. By exercising patience and waiting
until the wood has become tirm, the base buds
will remain dormant and the two topmost ones
only will grow ::iut, thus ensuring the eventual
production of fruit buds below or at the base,
which is really one of the main reasons for per-
forming summer pruning.

The other chief point to be gained in pruning
or stopping these summer shoots is to allow
sunlight and air to penetrate to all parts of the
tree, which besides proving of immense benefit
in increasing the size of each individual fniit,
also tends to ensure a more perfect maturation
of fruit buds. Each branch, when the pruning
is completed, should present the appearance of a
cordon tree, and if the branches are situated at
good distances apart, light and air will have free
play and exercise a good efi'ect on both crops and
trees.

Summer pruning is a simple operation, and
consists in stopping or cutting back all growths
issuing from sijurs situated on the main l)ranches
to from four to five buds. The young shoot
or leader growing out at the extreme end of
each branch should be left any length ranging
from 7 inches to 8 inches to two-thirds, accord-
ing to the age and size of the trees and whether
there is room or not for further extension.

iienetrated to the "sub-soil, they j The leaders proper, or the central shoots on
for lost time, and are now l)yramidal trained trees sliould be merely tipped
pictures of health and cleanliness. Growth is | if young, and enough young shoots left to form
very much more luxuriant than last year, in ; main branches. These remarks are applicable
fact, more so than for many years past. The t,. garden trees only and the operation may be
trees are not carrying such crops of fruit as i)erformed on Apple, Pear, 1 lum and sweet
they did last year, although many are heavily \ Cherry trees, and also on young orchard trees
laden This fact and the thorough moistening which are but as yet improperly formed.

M-hich the ground has received, have enabled
them to grow away freely, and the wood has
only now become sufficiently firm at the base to
allow of summer pruning being performed in
tlie case of Apples and Pears in tjie open
([uarters. To have pruned earlier would have
liad an injurious effect on the base buds of the
young wood, as the latter Ix-ing then in a soft,
succulent condition, the majority would have

Orchard trees, I am sorry to say, are now only
commencing to recover from the caterpillar
attack, and in some cases this has been so bad
that it resulted in only too many instances in
almost total defoliation. It will, as a matter of
course, take the remainder of the season for
these trees to recover, and the .same may be
.said of garden trees where spraying has been
neglected. These, and also trees which were

broken and have produced a perfect forest of I lifted last autumn, as well as those m a weak

condition, should be exempted from summer

pruning, as growth in all these ca.ses is not likely
to become at all gross. Allowing these trees
to grow away unchecked will lead to increased
activity at the roots, and this in turn will result
in their becoming the more quickly re-esta-
blished. A. W.

Pear Olivier de Serres.— " Midland Grower"
does well in drawing attention to the merits of
this excellent late keeping Pear, which I place
next to Bergamote Esperen in point of fla\ our and
general good iiualities. I find it is a better
grower on the Pear stock than on the Quince,
but on the latter it i3 far more prolific,
and, like many other Pears which make but
medium growth, it would if left alone soon crop
itself to death. It is a Pear that will do with al-
most any amount of high feeding either in the
shape of liiiuid or artificial manure, and will then
iiroduce very large fruits, which, as "Midland
Grower " remarks, are very russety in appearance,
and of first-rate flavour.— A. W.

Fig White Marseilles. —Inanswerto ".I.e. 's"
query, this Fig succeeds remarkably well grown
in heat, and produces heavy crops of luscious fruit.
It is a variety which retpnres severe curtailment
at the roots, as it is inclined to cast the first cro|>
if allowed too much liberty in this respect. I had
a laro-e tree at one time planted in a brick pit
which behaved in this way, but after root-pruning
it and reducing the amount of rooting siJace quite
two-thirds it gave no further trouble. I have
since then done awav with the tree and planted
one of Negro Largo in its place, owing to the
fruits of the latter being preferred. As a pot tree
for early work it is first-rate, the pot furnishing
the necessary curtailment to the roots, and very
large fruits are as a rule produced on trees grown
in this way. — A. W.

Strawberries as biennials. — I u \ery few
o-aid.-ns docs the system of treating Strawberry
plants as Ijieuuials luevail. Now is the time for
anv who have not so practised to put it to the
tes't. Strawberry plants are making plenty of
runners, and the plan may well be tried with
Royal Sovereign, Auguste Nicaise, Noble or other
early varieties. Mr. Herriii .at Dropmore uses

14

THE GARDEN.

every year a warm south border for the purpose,
planting one half with Strawberry runners of the
stoutest that can be obtained, 12 inches apart
each «ay, and sowing the other lialf of the border
witli early Peas. Thus the crops are alternated
yearly Early \-arieties of Strawberries being
planted, they fruit early, and may be cleared off
quickly, some other crop, such" as Coleworts,
tollowing, these being cleared off' in time for sow-
ing Peas in January. The produce of plants so
obtained is always remarkably fine and abundant.
— A. i).

Black Currants.— Both because of the general
abundant rains and the absence of a fruit crop
the present season offers special inducement for
the making of strong sucker growths, by which
means these Currants when they become old are
rejuvenated. It is well, therefore, in the case of
old bushes to use the knife rather liberally in
clearing out old and generally useless wood, and
thus not only encourage strong root shoots to
develop, but also to enable them to thorouo-hly
mature. Whilst top trees are so much in dan<^er
of making too luxuriant wood growth, tSat
trouble rarely affects bushes unless made \ery
late and failing to mature. Some good may he
done by gently stirring the soil about the roots
with a fork, and then giving a moderate mulchincr
of manure so as to heljj retain moisture in the
soil. Orood wood growths now being made have
till the end of September to ripen. Some such
attention now may lead to the production of hea% y
and hne crops of Currants next year.— I).

Apple Fearn's Pippin.— I am glad to see a
noteanent^this Apple, and ipiite agree with all
that iMr. Crawford has to say in its fax'our I
have two large bushes of it, and tind it a free
grower as well as an excellent cropper. Jlr
Crawford does not recommend it for orchard cul
ture, as too much time is retjuired before the trees
arrive at a profitable size. This is a good example
of the influence of soils on fruit trees, as I know of
a tree not far from here which grew away (.uicklv,
soon became established, and bore one of the
heaviest crops of this Apple that I have ever seen
anywhere. I have also been told that it succeeds
well as a standard m some parts of Surrey With
me the fruits grow to a large size, and are, o-gne-
rally speaking, most brilliantly coloured, and the
flavour is also very good. Mr. Crawford has done
gowl service in calling attention to the fact that
the fruits keep well if not gathered too soon, as I
kno«- of no other Apple more susceptible to
shrivelling if gathered too early tlian this one.—
A. W ,

Early Melons and canker.— At p. 422 Mr
J. Crawford gives some most useful information
on early Melons, especially regarding the unwise
practice of not providing sufficient heatin^ ac-
commodation to structures for early crops "Mr
Crawford alludes to canker in early crops at-
tributing this sometimes to the use of water in-
sufficiently warm. This may be so. This disease
more freipiently arises from other causes than
using water insufficiently heated. Undoubtedly
It is caused by injudicious treatment, such as
allowing the plants to make a large amount of
leafage and get crowded, and then cuttino- in the
growth too severely at one time. Orowiiro- them
in too close and stuffy an atmosphere wTu also
cause It. For years I have considered keeping
the collars dry an important item in Melon cul
ture, but I never had this lesson so strono-ly
brought to my notice as when lookino- over Mi-
May s market nursery at the end of May. Melons
were planted on a bed of soil in the centre of the
house and on the sides of the two paths, from
L, feet to 3 feet apart, and trained up stakes from
4 feet to 6 feet high. When these were planted they
were turned out of o-inch pots ; the balls stood on
the soil with a small casing of loam put round
each. Ihis had raised them several inches above
the body of soil. When first planted they were
kept moist till rooted into the lower soil I
noticed the balls had shrunk away from the 'soil
round them. Nothing could be more satisfactory
as no canker or disease could be seen. At the
Hoje of my -('isit (end of May) he had begun cut-

[JuLY 10, 1897.

ting. From two to three fruits to a jilant were
taken. No doubt the large airy houses and the
high planting had much to do with this tine crop.
— J. Crook.

Strawberries shrivelling'.— Can you tell me,
from an inspection of the enclosed Strawberries,
what is ruining the whole crop of fruit, and what
should be done either now or to pie\-ent a re-
currence of the disaster?— F. G.

*»* Unfortunately, you give us no idea as to
the soil and treatment. The shrivelling of tlie
fruit may ha\ e been caused by drought, by insect
attacks at the root, by late planting and other
causes, such as vvatering the plants overhead with
strong sewage. From the fruits sent there
appears to have been proper development, and
the shrivelling is caused by some agency we have
no knowledge of. Had it been excessive drought,
all the fruits would not have gone ; a tew would
have finished, though small. It may be wire-
worm which has devoured the roots, and, of
course, the jjlants have collajised. If it is so—
and without roots we are unable to judge— you
will need to make your land proof against this
pest, and you are powerless now. The work of
preparation should be done before planting. We
advise a free use of gaslime and thorough ex-
posure of soil before planting. Old garden land
is more liable to attacks than others : on theothei-
hand, recently turned-up soil, such as grass land,
teems with the pest, and you will need patience
to get rid of it. If you will kindly send us a
few more particulars we may be the better able
to help you. — Ed.

STRAWBERRIES AND WIREWORM.
In light soils wireworm is one of the worst
pests the Strawberry grower has to contend
with. In my soil— one not at all adapted for
the fruit— it is necessary to guard against this
jiest. I find the best remedy is to grow the
plants one season and to change tlie crop tlie
next. Some time before Strawberries were re-
commended to be grown as annuals I adojjted
this plan to get a healthy plant, and seeing what
good returns such plants gave when jtlanted
early, I have devoted more space to these fruits
and been less troubled with wireworm in the
soil. Last season I saw some acre.s' of jilants
which had been planted in land recently an old
turf pasture. Heavy crops were expected in
the maiden soil, but the old turf which had
been turned in was a perfect nest of wireworm.
The ])hin!:s died off wholesale. Tliis shows one
cannot altogetlier rely upon new (juarters un-
less some means are taken to rid the land of the
pest. I have tried various means to effect a
clearance, and find gas-lime the best : and as in
inany places it may be procured for the carting,
it is of great value to the fruit and vegetabTe
grower. Most persons plant their Strawberries
in the late summer, and where grown as year-
lings the earlier tlie better, so as to give a Ion"-
season of growth. To get the soil into coii^
dition, it is necessary to dress the land a little
time before planting. In my case Strawberries
follow a green crop or early Potatoes, and the
land is allowed to rest as long as possible ; in-
deed, a much longer rest would be beneficial
if it could be given. The lime is placed
on the surface and the lumps broken
finely. This exposure pulverises the lime, and
wlien dug in it is well mixed with the soil.
Mine is a shallow soil. I am unable to turn
tlic top spit to bottom, as the lower one rests
on gravel in many parts of the garden. I have
never seen any injury from gas-lime used tluis ;
in fact, when ground has been occupied I have
limed just before planting, but in tliis case the
roots must not rest on the fresh lime, and
deeper digging is needed. I have seen evil
results when a load of lime has been placed in

heaps and not evenly distributed over the sur-
face wlieii digging. Ground treated thus will
be free uf wireworm for two years or more, and
the land ^^■lll be in excellent cr,iiditi(jn for
Brassicas after the Strawberries are over
Ihere will be an absence of clulibincr so
tr,.uljlesf,me m old garden soils, and in many
cases I feel sure gas-lime or even common hmo
would be more beneficial than annual doses of
manure. The best time to apply gas-lime is in
the late autumn or during the winter, but in
many gardens one is obliged to crop the land
when cleared, and Strawberries planted in the
spring, which is an excellent practice if the
runncra are small, or taken from plants which
have fruited, wintering the plants in rows and
not allowing them to fruit the first season after
planting, giye a splendid crop the next year
and the ground can be done thoroughly at the
same time, giving a rest during the winter
With winter or autumn dressings more lime
may be u.sed, and for a crop that is to stand f..r
two or three years, it is best to specially pre-
pare the ground during the winter in the way
advised. By planting a quarter every year one
can always rely upon fruits of good (oiality and
m quantity. q Wytms.

li.

PEACH STONES SPLITTING.
Woi-LD you kindly tell me the cause of the stones
ot Peaches splitting ?—Const.4nt Sitb.sckibek.
^~~r "'ill you kindly give the rea.son of niv
Peaches cracking just before ripening ? I enclose
one as a sample. The roots are partly inside and
allowed to go outside, and the fruits appear healthy-
until at the stage of the one enclosed. It is an
old tree, and carrying a good crop.— J. J.

%* Some few varieties are addicted to this, in
others It occurs casually. The worst offender
in this respect is Early Rivers, and it is solely
due to the fault of stone splitting that this fine
variety IS going, or has nearly gone out of cultiva-
tion. V\ith me Crosse Mignonne has frequently
developed a similar weakness, but nothing like so
badly as Early Rivers. Although all the fruits
with sijlit stones do not ripen or drop off prema-
turely. It detracts considerably from their value
anci ought to be prevented accordingly. Neither
ot the correspondents who complain of "stone
decay and splitting state whether or not they
have had the same difficulty to contend with ili
previous seasons, and only one, " J. .J.," mentions
anything about the ageof the trees affected. Tlie
largest fruit sent resembles a highly-coloured,
perfectly ripened example of Grosse Mignonne,
and not til it was handled could anything wroncr
be detected. There is no remedy for stone split'
ting as far as this crop is concerned-at least not
when the fruits are as forward as those sent, ard
1 have my doubts about its prevention in the case
ot later crops. Imperfect fertilisation of the
flowers, over-rich borders, and an excessively
moist and close atmosphere are "iven as either
causes, or accelerating influences, of this malady
but none of these errors in culture could have
been laid to my charge either in this or previous
seasons and yet I have had a few fruits with
cracked stones each summer. No notice is taken
of a tew fruits going wrong, but if much splitting
of stones took place on any trees other than of
Early l.ivers, then remedial measures would be
quickly adopted.

If, therefore, the cases under notice are wl«at
may be termed bad ones, then I would advise
correcting what untoward influences are at work
in the borders. Early in the autumn, or while
yet tlie leaves are green and cling tightly to the
w-ood, partial lifting of the roots should take
place. Commence by opening a wide, deep trench
4 ieet or so from the stems, and then gradually
and carefully undermine and bare the roots to
vvithm 2 feet of the stems. If they are found
planted too deeply, and many trees sink consider-
al)ly after planting, the collars, or point of union

Jdly 10, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

15

f topmost roots \\\lh tlie stems, being several
iclies below, iiisteatl of slightly above the level of
he border, wholly lift and rephiiit higher. In
ither case well underniino the reserved ball of
oil, so as to be able to shorten any deeji rnnning
cots there may bo. The [H'eserved roots— after
laving been overhauled an<l pruned, cutting away
11 broken ends and damaged ]iortions— should
>e ([uiekly relaid in fresli eom]iost. It is here
I'here wouhl-be renovators must use their own
liseretion. If the soil was previously too light
ind poor, correct this fault by mi>:ing loam of a
novo clayey nature with the ordinary loamy soil
)f the district, with a view to making it sti-imgei-
uid more retentive tlian fornurly. Also, if the
jruwth of the trees hitherto has not been (piite
..1 free as desirable, mix a little half-rotten
armyard manure and a sprinkling of boncmeal
.villi" the loam. Where, however, the soil of the
■Mrder is naturally heavy and retentive— too much
->>, in fact -this niay be remedied by the addition
it sand, mortar rulibi.sh and burnbake (soft
i.diast) in sulHeient i|uantities to keej) it more
ipen and porous. The roots .should be kept
moist while exposed, and carefully s|)read out in
tlie new compost as this is somewhat firmly .added
tn the trench, keeping them up nearer the surface
than formerly. Those who are afraid to adopt
^ueh (lra.stic measures may meet the case by doing
one side of the tree this .season and the other half
.if the border next year. Personally, I should not
li.sitate about wholly lifting quite large trees in
th.- autumn, but then the work would be done
«.ll and at the right time. When the roots have
a. ■.'CSS to both inside and outside borders, one
border ma}' be renewed this season and the other
next year. This process of lifting the roots and
r. laying in fresh compost is desiralile in many
I ises, even if there is no trouble with the fruit,
a^ it serves to sustain the trees in a healthy, free-
bearing condition. The most succe.ssful growers
practise it and are well compensated for their
piuns.

in the autumn, before the leaves have ceased to
peiform tlieir functions, is, as was previously
noted, the best time to partially or wholly lift
I'each and Nectarine trees, for the very suthcient
nason that root action is, or ought to be, most
biisk then, and the pruned roots have time to
Ii.al and form numerous fibres before the resting
)ii liod arrives. The next best time to do this
iiiip.jrtant work is when the trees are bursting
into growth in the spring. If the roots are much
interfered with in the autumn, the leaves may
Hag badlv for a few days, but this can be largely
prevented by giving water liberally to the roots
in the old soil, by atifording temporary shade, by
keeping the house close for about ten days, and
frequently and freel}' syringing the trees over-
head, not allowing the leaves to become really
dry on funny days. Trees treated in this way,
and kept well supplied with water at the roots
the following season, will usually produce full
crops of excellent fruit, little or no splitting of
stones being apparent. — W. I.

Cherry Black Tartarian. — This noble,
highly-flavom-ed C'herrj- is generally described
in fruit catalogues as of tender constitution, and
while it will not stand orchard exposure in an}'
but the warmest climates, it thri\'es on walls in
the midland counties better than many of the so-
called hardier varieties. Another good trait in
its character is that it hangs for several weeks in

food condition if protected from flies and wasps,
'his Cherry is also known by the name of Black
Circassian. The fruit on healthy trees grows to a
large size. — C. C. H.

Cherry Florence. — This is a large handsome
variet}' and well worthy of a good position on a
wall, but it requires a good climate to induce it
to yield well. Like many of the best dessert
Cherries, it does very indifferently in the Midlands,
although I have a tree on a wall which now and
then has a fair sprinkling of luscious fruit. It
belongs to the late section, and will hang for a
long time if protected from birds. It should not
have a rich larder, being iticlined to make verj'

strong growth, which does not ripen properly,
gumming following. To show how climate allccts
T'lierrics^is well as other fruits, 1 may state that
I'Morencc-wliich in Kent is known \inder the
name of Wellington— is grown extensively in that
.■ounty for market in standanl form, the large red
and }ellow fruit realising high prices. — .). C

Beetles eating Stra-wberries.— I have for-
warded to yini some beetles which are doing great
damage to the Strawberry crop. They bury them-
selves in the .soil during the day and come out and
feed on the fruit at night. I have found as many
as a dozen round one Strawlierry plant, some of
them 4 inches deep in the soil. I shouhi In- glad
if you could give me some hint as to getting clear
of "them. —W. M.

*,* Your Strawberries are, as you think, at-
tacked by one of the Carabiibv, or ground beetles
(Harpalus ruticornis). These beetles are, as a rule,
carnivorous, and are of much- use in gardens, as
they and their grubs destroy other grubs and
small insects, but wdien the Strawberry season
comes round they seem to lea\ e their natural food
and live on Strawberries. It is no easy matter to
destroy them ; the}' are so smooth, hard, and
active that I do not"think any insecticide could lie
mafle to harm them. Raising the fruit from the
ground on wire supports would probably [irevent
the beetles from reaching them. No straw, lawn
mowings, or anything that could afford the insects
any shelter should be placed near the plants.
Pieces of raw meat laid about will attract large
numbers of them, and a ])iece of coarse sacking
should be laid over the meat so as to afford the
beetles a shelter. — (). S. S.

Flower Garden.

LATHYRU.S PUBESCENS.

The perennial Peas are favourites with almost
every one, and either as cut flowers or for de-
coration are of the greatest value. Clamliering
over a hedge, a trellis or a rustic fence, the old-
fashioned, yet ever admired, Lathyrus latifolius
in its several shades of colour is pleasing to all,
while L. grandiflorus, wliieh has, perhaps, the
tine.st single blooms of the species in cultivation,
is equally charming. While these and other
species less known can be had to give colour and
beauty, it may seem strange that a new "Ever-
lasting " Pea is sought after by lovers of hardy
flowers. Yet this is the case, and the publica-
tion of the descriptions of s<iine new Californian
Lathyri a few years ago led to a desire t.j add
these and others to collections of hardy flowers.
Some two or three i.if these Californian species
still survive here, but one fears that tlieir use-
fulness in (jur climate is but small. They may
still flower, but though June is now fast draw-
ing to a close, the prospect of their blooming
this year seems very small. Not so, however,
with the Uruguayan species, L. pubescens,
which came into bloom here early in the month,
and which one'wouhl fain hope may prove hardy
in this garden by the Solway-side. Last winter
was not the most severe on record, but it was
among the wettest seasons we have had for long.
It was thus particularly trying to plants from
drier climates, and as the late spring frosts, so
destructive to many flowers, did not harm this
Pea, one is hopeful that in mild districts it may
prove hardy enough on a wall or sheltered fence.
It is distinct enough in its way to make it wel-
come to the many who take a ]ileasure in these
flowers. The cohiur is a jilcasant variety in
itself. It is a bright, yet soft lavender, deeper
on the standards than on the keel. It might,
with a little play of fancy, serve for "Lord
Anson's Blue Pea," which so many of us have
tried in \ain to obtain. The flowers are in neat
racemes, which vary considerably in the num-
ber of blooms they produce, some showing only

Ave, but many nine flowers, and a few eleven.
The individual blooms arc comparatively sm.-dl
when compared with those of L. latifolius. The
leaves and other parts of the plant are quite
pubescent, so that no one can question the
appro|)riatencss of the s])ecific name. I regret,
however, that 1 am not aware to whom tho
name is due. The plant it.self apiie.-irs to be
of a .semi -.shrubby nature, as the young
growths on my plant wi^re produced from
the old stems which did not die down to
the base. It is of a climbing habit, attach-
ing itself readily by its tendrils to suitable
sn|)ports. It has only attained a heiglit of some
4 feet or so this sea.son, but when it becomes
better established will prob.-ibly exceed this.
The plant I have was very kindly given me by
Mr. W. E. Cumbleton, of Belgrove, Queens-
town, who raised it from seed sent him from
I'ruguay, but who unfortuiiiitely has not been
able to preserve his plants. The native country
of L. pubescens is apt to make one strongly
sceptical of its liariliness, so in planting it
out in the spring of 1896 it was placed against
a trellis on the gable of an out - house
with a south-west exposure. The narrow
border in which it grows is a dry one, and,
while this may liavc checked its growth, may
also have contributed to the well-being of the
plant in winter. It is as yet too soon to tell if
this Pea will produce and ripen seed in our
climate. Its distinct colouring and aiipearance
make it not improbable that hybridisers might
turn it to good account in helping to give to tlie
perennial Peas the wide range of colour shown
m the exiiuisite Sweet Peas so deservedly
popular at the present time. S. Arnott.

Caiadhiirn, hy Dumfries, N.B.

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.

SaponariaBoissieri. — " Charming" is the word
often applied to a well-established plant now in
flower. It has some resemblance to oeymoides in
the best forms of that well-known kind. The
flowers are bigger, but the chief feature is the
true, clear rose colour of the flowers, which have
also a slieeny eft'ect.

Melittis melissophyllum. — There are tw'o
distinct varieties of this without, so far as I know,
a varietal name to distinguish them by. By this
post I send a flowering stem of each. Both are
lieautiful when well grown and flowered, and are
fit for borders where a long succession of bloom
is wished for.

Delphinium trolliifolium. — Much the earliest
of Larkspurs, this has besides a lofty and con-
s]iieuous habit. The flowers are large and of a deep
blue shade, though lax on the spike. The point
of this note, however, is to direct attention to an
efl'ective plant when employed in semi shade and
backed by shrubs, as suggested by a group of
plants between some tall green Hollies with a
west aspect. Nothing could be richer and more
beautiful even without the aid of any other
flowers.

Saxifraga balcana. — Here we have (juite a
new and pleasing departure. It belongs to tho
Aizoon section ; it is also encrusted or silvery,
features common enough, but not of the flowers,
which are hea\ ily and evenly spotted with red, so
much so, that at a short distance the panicles of
bloom have the eflect of being pink. No other
Saxifrage of its section in any way compares with
it, except, perhaps, in a measure Maenabiana. Even
this comparison conveys but an indifferent idea of
what this dwarf kind" is like. For its perfume
alone it is well worth a place amonu; the choicest
alpines, and its .slowness of growtli, but withal
sturdy habit, fits it for association with rare and
slow-growing kinds.

Dianthus Michael Foster. — Seen in dry
weather this is truly a fine single Pink— a hybrid

Ifi

THE GARDEN.

[July 10, 1897.

iilpine species of the neglectus type. It is free,
vigorous, effective, and not liable to disease.

Eryngium glaciale. — No more charming
alpine jjlant could be mentioned for the present
montli. The stature is 3 inches, the whole jjlant
silvery with exquisite green shading. All its
features are on the pigmy scale, the bracts, how-
ever, large for so small a plant, supporting a dense
cluster of pale blueflowers; stems, leaves, and bracts
are all rigid and spiny. Though small, the jilant
is full of character, and capable of enlisting more
than ordinary interest. Rotten stone and sand
form its chief rooting medium, and as it has done
so well it is reasonable to assume that at least
this mode of culture will do for it.

Edraianthus Kitaibeli This distinct kind

is most remarkable for its fine erect, almost tuljular
flowers of a rich purple (6\ en for an Edraiantlius)
and the large bronzy red, star-like calyces. The
general description of the plant may be said to
place it near or between E. dalmaticus and E.
serpyllifolius, and yet it is markedly distinct from
either.

Aciphylla squarrosa.— A five-year-old spe-
cimen wliich flowered fi-eely last summer is mak-
ing a beautiful head of its singular foliage now.
It is not always the case that old plants do so, but
often die. I merely mention this fact to show
that neither rule is absolute, as was thought not
long ago.

Incarvillea Delavayi.— A few plants of this
glorious new species grouped together and now in
flower are very striking, and ha\-e been referred
to several times in these columns. The practical
point I would like to refer to is that I put half
a dozen strong plants under hardy conditions and
^at least so far as the winter of 1896-7 applies —
all the plants came through scathless.

WoodviUe, Kirkslall. J. Wood.

LILIUM ELEGANS.
This Lily is a native of .Japan. In Holland,
too, it is largely grown, and in tliis country it
succeeds as a border Lily better than many other
species. All the forms of this Lily, and indeed
nearly all the difierent species belonging to the
upright-flowered, cup-shaped section, can be de-
pended upon to bloom well the first season after
planting, which is more than can be said of all
Lilies. The different forms of this species are
seen to the best advantage when planted in groups
in the open border, though by some they are em-
ployed for flowering in jrots. In this latter case
several bulbs should be put into one pot, as in this
way they form neat little masses of flower. In
purcliasing bulbs of any of the numerous varieties
of L. elegans, it should be borne in mind that they
are a good deal smaller than those of most species
of Lilium. Their nearest relatives — L. croceum
and L. umbellatum or davuricum — have bulbs a
good deal larger than those of L. elegans. The
difierences that exist among the numerous varie-
ties are not limited to the colour of the blossoms,
but there is also a good deal of variation in
height and in season of Ijlooming. The dwaifest
of all are the little buft'-coloured alntaceum met
with occasionally under other names, that of
aureum being often used, and Prince of Orange,
much in the same way, but with rather more
pointed leaves and somewhat deeper-coloured
flowers than those of alutaceum. The two kinds
are less than a foot in height, while the pretty
and distinct pictum is but little more. This last
(pictum) has widely expanded blooms of a rich
yellow, splashed and flaked with red. One of tlie
earliest of all is marmoratum aureum or robustum,
whose briglit reddish orange-coloured flowers are
freely spotted with brown. Tliis is also one of
the tallest of the group, as it reaches a height of
2 feet or so, while another of about the same stature
is brevifolium, with very short, exceedingly dark
green leaves and flowers of a distinct reddisli
salmon colour without any spots. Bright coloured
forms are numerous, and their nomenclature is
by no means uniform, so that one may often get
the same variety under two or more names. A

very richly coloured flower which I have had from
Holland as Van Houttei, and from .Japan as ful-
gens, is the best of the rich crimsons, but distinct
from all are the extreme blackish blood-red flowers
of Horsmani, known also as h.ematochroum. One
of the varieties grown in considerable numbers by
the Dutcli is lateritium or biligulatum, whose
bulbs are larger than those of most forms of L.
elegans. The flowers of this are a kind of
brownish red tint, bright and pretty when at
their best, but they quickly lose their freshness
and become dull ; indeed, the flowers of this
variety and the showy pictum are over in less time
than those of any of the others. There is a double-
flowered form of this Lily which is not nearly so
pretty as the single kinds, unless in the eyes of
the few who regard single blossoms of all kinds as
inferior to the double ones. Tlie doubling of this
Lily is caused by the centre being partially filled
with enlarged petaloid segments, tluis differing
altogether fi'om the double Tiger Lily, in whicli
the petals are numerous and overlap "each otlier,
forming in this ^vay a double Mossom. T.

PRIMULA TRAILLI.
As one of the members of the floral committee of
the Royal Horticultural Society who took excep-
tion to the plant exhibited by l\ir. Geo. F. Wilson
on April 27 being regarded as a distinct species
until fuller information was forthcoming, I may
1 le allowed to state that there does not appear to
be in the herbarium at Kew any specimen of P.
Trailli to whicli it can be referred for identifica-
tion, and P. Trailli does not find a place among
the species given by Mr. George Nicholson in his
"Dictionary of Gardening." It is a curious fact
that one of the reasons put forward by Mr. H.
Selfe-Leonard for accepting it as distinct from
P. involucrata was the fact that it had droopino-
flowers. Now I learn from Mr. G. P. Wilson's
communication on p. 46.5 that this characteristic
«-as owing to dryness at the roots of the plant and
tlie heat of the room. At the subsequent meeting
of the committee I produced a tloweiing plant of
P. involucrata, with which I hold the°P. Trailli
to be identical. To show the similarity of the
two, and on the strength of tliis, the committee
came to the conclusion that it was desirable P.
xrailli be referred to Kew for identification. It
was pointed out that Mr. Wilson's specimen was
much larger in all its parts than that of P. in-
volucrata I jiroduced, but that was readily enouch
explained, as Mr. Wilson's plant was simply^a
single individual whicli had been well cared for,
while mine M'as an aggregation of individuals— a
portion of a clump growing on rockwork in the
open air. I think I am correct in stating that
the so-called P. :Munroi, which is but a variety of
P. involucrata and probably not markedly distinct
from the type, was obtained from seed sent lionie
by Captain Munro from the Himalayas some half a
century ago, and now we have P. Trailli originat-
ing in the same way. I think, therefore, there is
abundant reason to hesitate before Mr. Wilson's
plant is accepted as a distinct species, and I re-
gret that the committee were so precipitate in
passing it as such. Mr. Nicholson was, unfortu-
nately, absent when the award of merit was made
to Mr. Wilson's j.ilant ; had he lieen present, the
probabilities are the iilant would then have been
referred to Kew to certify as to its distinctness.
What astonished me was the large number of votes
cast for its recognition as a distinct species, and
I wondered how many of those who so voted had
ever seen P. involucrata. If P. Trailli as sliown
by Mr. Wilson can be established as a distinct
species, I shall be deliglited to be one of the first
to congratulate him on his acquisition. P. in-
volucrata promises to yield a pod of seed. Should
it mature, I will carefully sow it and endeavour
to furnish another proof of its identity, or other-
wise, with P. Trailli. R. Dean.
Ealiiuj, W.

then these have borne seed, aid now early in June I
have strong plants full of bloom. — Dorset.

Tufted Pansy Mrs. H. Bellamy.— A bed
of this useful variety, containing some iiOfI or
600 plants of good size, was in fine condition at
the Bolehall Pansy grounds recently. The plants
were flowering freely, the individual blossoms be-
ing beautifully smooth and the colour also good.
The upper petals are pale lavender, the lower ones
being rich purple. Although the flowers of this
\ ariety are not so large as those of Craigi or Stop-
hill Gem — both of which resemble this variety in
form and in colour — yet it is a matter for doubt
whether these two sorts are as good for the flower
garden as the one under notice. The habit of
Stophill Gem appears to be a slight improvement
upon tliis older variet}-.

Tufted Pansy Magnificent.— This is a
seedling from the well-known tufted sort Blue
Gown, and while it would perhaps be impossible
to find a better habit than in the parent variety,
and which is transmitted to the variety under
notice, the flowers of this are larger, and, con-
sequently, more effective. The blossoms are
deeply veined in the centre, and the eye is per-
fectly free from rays. At the present time pieces
which were propagated early in the spring are
nice plants, each carrying cjuite a number of
charming blossoms on footstalks of a useful length.
Like many of the very compact and tufted sorts,
this variety is rather later than many others in
coming into flower. — G.

Digitalis lutea.— This Foxglove is distinct in
colour and grawth, and is worth a place in the wild
garden. Some three years ago seed of this was sown.
I removed the plants to the wild garden, and eince

RAYLESS TUFTED PANSIES.

In The Garden of June 12 some observations
are recorded regarding a want of constitution
in Tufted Pansy Waterloo. As the raiser of
that flower, I was at one time of a similar
opinion, but now, with a row of two-year-old
plants, I have some reason to think otherwise.
When we remember how seedling plants arc
treated in their infancy (pulled to pieces for
propagation), no wonder that they are weaklings
the first or second year of their growth. Let
them be grown as perennials, allowed to remain
for a year or two in one place, and it will be
seen that they gain vigour forat least four years,
and reward a little care in keeping the soil be-
tween the rows open and mulched in warm
weather. A five-year-old row of Blue Gown
treated in this fashion is at the jiresent time as
close as turf, and so smothered in flowers as to
hide the foliage. Waterloo has rather more
substance in the flower than Blue Gown, and
the colour is also rather better, with a fine
dwarf habit of growth ; but no existing variety
rivals Blue Gown in that respect. Florizel has
come out in grand form this season from
being allowed to remain where planted.
When I parted with it as a seedling only
one vigorous plant was in the bed, whicli
was divided into two, and the gentleman who
sent it out got one half, the produce of
whicli seems to liave flourislied with him
as everyone seems now to grow that variety.
With tliese rayless forms a proper understand-
ing should bs arrived at as to what is wanted.
Bedders and show varieties should l^e grown
separately. Take Border Witch, for example,
as a type for show in a spray. That flo«-er is
Sylvia crossed witli a Peacock Pansy. Out of a
large batch of seedlings. Border Witch was the
only rayless flower in the whole lot. Some of the
newest and most beautiful of the show varieties
are its progeny, and these seedlings come won-
derfully free from rays, but want more sub-
stance to stand heat. As bedders. Cleg Kelly,
Rosea pallida, Gold Crest, Waterloo, Blue
Gown, and Bedding Rose, all good and close to
the ground, flower freely and will flourish in
any dampisli, partially shaded situation.
Hillside, Chirnside, N.B. Charles SirART.

July 10, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

17

STREAMSIDE VEGETATION.

RuNNlNci water in tlio gnrilon opens up an end-
less vista of i)ossil)ilities in tlie gnmpinj,' of
flower and leafaije alony its verge ; dwarf little
creeping ]ilants in fringe with lowly blussuni the
edges of the tinkling rill ; tall s])ires of Ijlooni
and noble curve of leaf to border the statelier
stream that moves sedately on its course ; great
Ferns to oversweep the trembling lip of the
cascade ei-e its waters plunge in silver to the
pool below. Sometiine.s, as in the aceom[)an}'-
ing illustration, the garden Ijoiuulary is formed
by running water ; a mill-stream that waxes and
wanes, is vocal or silent as the mill-wheel moves
or rests. Here, on the farther bank, to which
the rough rustic bridge gives access. Nature has
been unrestricted, and has spread above the
water a rampart of living green ; facing this
wild growth (in tlie garden side, the bank above
the Howt^-ing Grasses is crowned with an
in-egul;ir lii\e of white Michaelmas Dai.sies,
holding in their widespread stars and in the un-

especially I. pallida and the variegated Water
Flag, and Lastly the l)eautifnl I. stylo.sa, bloom-
ing at the coming of winter. Libertia grandi-
Hora is another subject that flowers well by the
water, and Spirieas should be freely used, the
tall S. Lindleyana, S. aria'folia and S. tlagelli-
formis, while of the herl)aeeous sectiim there
are S. Aruncus, S. |)almata, S. venusta, 8. ja-
ponica, and S. fili|)endula. Many of the Lilies
do well in the neighboinhood of a stream, es-
pecially L. pardalinum, L. eanadense, L. super-
l)um, and L. Humlioldti, while lierliaceous
Phloxes, Pyrethrum uliginosum, Starworts,
Day Lilies, Arundos, and Bamboos all have
beauty of colour or of form to recommend
them, and thrive best near water, and there
the tall Campanulas hold their bells in perfec-
tion longer. — S. W. F.

The following has been sent us by Mr. W. G.
Holland, Glan Alyn, (iresford, who kindly for-
warded the photograph from which the illustra-
tion has been prepared ; —

; and finally giving the ])it itself a thorough fumi-
gation with sulphur. 'J'he new growth that the
plants are nuiking is likely to jii-ove a deception,
and I certainly would not trust to any such stock
for a future su])ply. Marie Louise has been par-
ticularly subject to this disease in some parts of
the United States, ami many growers have been
compelled to di.seard this lovely old variety in
, favour of bady Hume t;ampl](ll, t'liougli the latter
I variety has not the same rich colour that is so
' much appreciated in a healthy and well-grown
Marie Louise. Various fungicides have been
tried by our Violet growers, and it has been
claimed that Bordeaux mixture proves effective
as a preventive, and even as a cure in light cases.
— W. H. Taim.in, /'/,;/,„/,//,/,„,. /',i,ii.

Silene Otites (Spanish (;atchlly).— There is
<|uite a large colony of this plant growing on the
toji of the old walls of (Jolchestei' Castle, where
the caretaker has his time almost occupied in
preventing the visitors destroying it by picking
every flower and so preventing it seeding. The
plant is interesting in that it grows in company
with one or tw-o others, as Stonecrops and Wall

Michaelmas Daisies and other plants "by the side of a mill sircam- rtininwj tnrottgh t_rUni Alyn (jardcns, Gresford, N. ^yales,

From a photograph sent by Mr. W. G. Holland.

restrained freedom with which their further
ilower-sprays stretch athwart the stream, throw-
ing their blossoms into strong relief ;i gainst the
dark background, a suggestion (jf unconven-
tionality in keeping with the surnjundings.
Further back, looking over the white ranks of
this advance guard of cultivation, stand in the
tilled ground the tall Sunflowers. Only hardy
flowers should be grouped by running water,
and the grouping of these should be as far as
possible natural, so that from earliest s]>ring to
the commencement of winter, where the con-
tour of the baixks admits, the streamside
shall form a fair setting for fair flowers.
Snowdrojis, Scillas and Narcissi, Snowflakes
and >Stars of Bethlehem begin the year, fol-
lowed by Irises, the Japanese I. Kiempferi,
1. sibirica, the bulbous English and Spanish (I.
Xiphion and xiphioides), the tall I. orientalis or
ochroleuca, I. aurea, and I. Monnieri, all three
similar in manner of growth and often attaining
a height of nearly 6 feet, and very valuable in
colonies by a streamside, the German Flags,

The illustration shows a border of white Michael-
mas Daisies alongside the tail of the (Jresford mill
stream running through this garden. The plants
have been undisturbed for some years. A rustic
bridge crosses the stream at one end of the bor-
der ; the other end is terminated by a summer-
house built on a stone bridge over same.

Failure of Marie Louise Violets. — The ex-
perience of " J. R."— as related in Thk Garden
of May 1, page 310 — is, unfortunately, not an un-
common one among American Violet growers, and
similar failures have been the cause of great
anxiety, and also severe pecuniary loss, to many
growers during the past fifteen years. From the
description given by "•!. R., " it seems evident
that his Violets have had a severe attack of Violet
fungus, or, as it is generally known here, the
Violet disease or spot. This disease is caused
by minute fungi, mo.st likely by Puccinia or Cer-
eospora, and is extremely ditiicult to eradicate.
My advice to "J. R." would be to burn every
att'ected plant, both root and leaf, removing the
soil from the pit in which the disease appeared.

flower, without an inch of soil in the crevices of
the old masonry. The leaves are about 2 inches
in length, the habit closely tufted, and the flower-
spikes about lo inches or 18 inches in height,
bearing corymbs of greenish white blossoms.
The sticky exudation common to the genus is
very marked in the flower-spikes, and these apjjear
to turn much darker with age. The Viper's
Bugloss, too, is growing well and flowering in
almost inaccessible parts of the walls. — R.

Brompton Stocks. — When " C. C. H.'' writes
of Brom|)ton Stocks that their great merit is
their hardiness, he indicates something in them 1
have failed to find. Piactically when growing
these for several years always on the warmest and
most sheltered positions I could find, I found
them destroyed wholesale liy frosts, and had as a
last resource to put a nimiber into pots and wintei'
them in a greenhouse to save them. It need
hardly be said that such plants seldom gave those
tine spikes that strong plants unharmed outdoors
would give. But even where plants did escape
frost, the cold to which they were subjected
seemed to have a deteriorating eliect, !i.s gootl
double strains of both Giant White and Scarlet

18

THE GARDEN".

[July 10, 1897.

I

presentl}' became single, and under no conditions
could they be induced to re\'ert to the double
form. How much I should like to secure seed of
both these forms of a fine fairly double strain
now. I look everywhere for them in gardens in
vain. They seem to ha\o truite disappeared.
What are now seen appear to be the Giant Cape
or Emperor Stocks, but the good old Brcmptons
are not. Some years since the beautiful branch-
ing Queen Stocks, scarlet, purple, and white,
were grown in great quantities in the Middlesex
orchards to furnish cut flowers, but these gradu-
ally became injured by frosts, dwindled away,
and are now seldom seen. Yet these Stocks were
amongst the most beautiful grown in gardens.
Certainly the past two winters have been ver)'
merciful to biennial Stocks, but they are none the
more plentiful. No doubt their culture has
largely fallen into abeyance because of their com-
pai'atix e tenderness when severe weather prevails.
Yet there can be no doubt but that few plants in
gardens give more real pleasure when found in
good form. — A. D.

DOUBLE POET'S NARCISSUS.

Mr. E. jENKiy.s has done good service in again
referring to the question of the failure of this
to open in some gardens. It is one to which I
have often directed some thought, from the
fact that my experience with this exquisite
flower in a poor and dry soil is (juite contrary
to that of many. When we find, however, that
such authorities as Rev. G. H. Engleheart and
others attribute the blindness of the buds to
povei'ty and dryness of soil, one is apt to be
rather diffident in the expression of one's views,
founded though they are on some experience.
The note by Mr. Jenkins, who has had so many
opportunities of observing the behaviour of tliis
double Narcissus, emboldens me, however, to
give the result of my own experience with it
here. When I bought this liouse some fourteen
years ag(j there was a good-sized clump or two
of the double Poet's Narcissus in the garden.
These were growing among the roots of Goose-
berry bushes in a very dry jiart of the garden,
where about 2 feet from tlie surface pure sea
sand underlay the soil. They had either been
deeply planted originally or had been frequently
covered with soil, as tliey were much deeper
than I should care to plant them. They were
also very close together, and this with the
dee]) planting had caused tlieni to elon-
gate themselves until tliey had become quite
shajieless-lookiiig objects. I removed them
after flowering that season, and in all these
years I liave never had a bud go blind. They
have flowered regularly and satisfactorily, al-
though several times disturbed to take off off-
sets for planting in otlier parts of the garden.
I am satisfied that dryness or poverty of soil at
the flowering or any other time will not cause
'ailure with this Nai'cissus in every garden, and
chat we must seek elsewhere for the cause. It
must be mentioned that some of my clumps
have had no manure in any form and are in poor
and dry positions. What makes the matter
more singular is that some of the single varie-
ties flower in a less satisfactory manner than
the doulile one. This year, for instance, a good
clum]) of N. poeticus recurvus within 2 feet of
one of the double Poet's Narcissus did not give
mo a single bloom, while the latter had a full
yield of flowers. Quite clo.se to both the small-
flowered N. poeticus, called "poeticus of
Linmeus," flowered very freely. Why these
things happen is a puzzle not easily solved.

(_)ne is glad to see the stress laid by Mr.
Jenkins on early removal for the poeticus va-
rieties. It is remarkable how soon tliey begin
to make new roots, and if lifted after these
begin to grow, it is almost impossible to avoid

injuring them to the detriment of the bulb
itself. It is unfortunate that the purchase of
N. jjoeticus is generally left until the bulbs
of the other Narcissi are oflered, and that,
even if ordered early, it is not delivered
before them. Per.sonally, I would rather have
N. ]ioeticus removed when in flower than a
fortnight after its leaves had begun to yelhjw.
There would, I feel satisfied, be fewer losses to
regret. A remark was made by Rev. G. H.
Engleheart about bulbs collected in their native
habitats. Unfortunately, I regret to say my
losses with these make me agree with him.
They seem more difficult to establish, and even
tlieir flowering the first season after planting is
no guarantee that they will ajipear the next.
Not all of us have the opportunity of searching
their native habitats for exceptionally good
flowers, and we are tempted to buy imported
bulbs in hope of obtaining some varieties such
as may be found among those from the Italian
mountains. In the same connection Mr.
Engleheart refers to some varieties found by
our good friend Mr. James Allen. I have had
the pleasure of growing six of these for a few
years, but until this year have never had the
satisfaction of seeing all in bloom together.
They appear to be gradually overcoming their
weakness, and have made stronger growth than
before. They vary considerably in size, form,
purity of colour, and time of flowering.

Carsethorv, Dvmfries. N.B. S. Arnott.

TUFTED PANSIES AT TAMWORTH.

The Tufted Pansies in Mr. William Sydenham's
grounds at Tamworth are always worth seeing,
and this j-ear in jjarticular. They are grown on
a very extensive scale, over 1 ,000,000 plants having
been ready for distribution early in the spring of
the present year. By a vei'y careful selection of
varieties — many of the older and less meritorious
sorts having been discartled— the collection now
contains many exceedingly beautiful forms of this
useful flower. One important rule observed liere
is the constant weeding out of sorts which do not
como up to a proper standard of habit, so that
those now catalogued are typical of what a Tufted
Pansy should be. The newer varieties are mostly
of compact, dwarf habit, or else possess that pecu-
liar form of growth in which the shoots crawl over
the soil, so that little is seen of that unwieldy and
elongated growth which was often characteristic
of many of the older sorts.

The grounds are situated on a slope with a
western aspect and fully exposed, no shelter from
the hot sun by trees being obtainable. Viewed
from an}' point, the display of colour is a very re-
markable one, and proves the value of the Tufted
Pansy as an effecti\e plant for massing in large
beds and borders. The plants are arranged in a
long series of beds, each about 4 feet wide, with
paths arranged all round them. By these means
the beds are easily examined and tlie jilants kept
in a healthy and vigorous condition. The kinds
are arranged in alphabetical order, thus making
it an easy matter for a visitor to find any one
particular variety. The immense array of
shallow frames and their accomiianying lights tell
their own tale of the wholesale way in wliich ]jro-
jiagation is here carried out. This has already
commenced with varieties where the demand is
likely to be a large one, the plants being pulled
to pieces repeatedly until many thousands are
secured for autumn or spring planting, as the case
may be. Most of the plants were flowering pro-
fusely, some \'arieties standing out distinctly as
improvements on those already in commerce.
Conspicuous among others was Lucy Franklin,
with large, oval, rayless flowers of good substance
and freely produced. The colour is creamy white,
the bottom floret being a rich yellow. Councillor
W. Waters is one of the best dark sorts, the
colour being best described as bluish ])urple and
quite distinct. This ^■ariety flowers freely and

the habit is excellent, while the constitution is all
that is wanted. A variety of great promise and
very striking is Devonshire Cream. This is o\'al
in shape, rich cream in colour, with a clear
orange centre. It is exceptionally free, the
haViit dwarf and compact. Another capital
variety is M. D. Cheshire, the habit being
beautifully dwarf and the plant free-flowering.
The lower floret is yellow, the upjier florets
being a very pale shade of the same colour.
A new kind named Britantiia has floweis of quite
a new shade of blue, and is best defined as rich
metallic-blue. The blossoms stand out \ery
prettily from a capital tufted growth, and are of
good size, neat form, and with jilenty of substance.
Creme de la Creme is another pure cream self with
a neat orange eye, while the habit is also good.
Of rayless yellow varieties there were many of ex-
ceptional merit, and these should be in demand
where varieties possessing good fixed colours are
wanted. The premier position should be given to
a seedling raised by Mr. Sydenham last year and
named by him Pembroke. This variety has large,
rich yellow flowers, the colouring on" the lower
floret being deeper and richer. The flowers are
almost circular, the form good, and the flowering
qualities excellent. The habit is fairly dwarf, and
its constitution could not very well be better.
Two or three large beds of this variety were the
most conspicuous of the whole display. This va-
riety is also fragrant. Another good rayless va-
riety is Renown, with large oval flowers of bright
yellow with a deeper colour on the lower floret. A
variety with smaller flowers, also rayless, and of a
pure rich yellow colour, is Fanny Enimeline, of
good habit and free. A good breadth of the old
variety Lord Elcho was in evidence, and while it
maj' still be considered useful for the flower garden
will not compare with many of the more beautiful
rayless yellow sorts. Kitty Hay is another strik-
ing rayless yellow, with neat flowers, free, and
with a nice habit. Golden Bee is a large yellow
with dark rays, something after the style of Lord
Elcho, but better. A variety which promises to
eclipse all yellow flowers with ra\'s is a seedling
named Stephen. This is a large circular flower of
the richest yellow, and is of much substance.
When eomjiaring this flower with tliose of other
well-known varieties, its superiority was very
pronounced. One very effective flower was seen
in Sir Robt. Peel, the colour being an exceedingly
deep rich primrose self with an orange eye. The
contrast is a pleasing one, and as the habit is one
of the d\i'arfest known, this is an ideal one for
bedding. A variety which calls for special re-
cognition is one named Robin. The flowers are
rather small, but they are produced in such num-
bers and so persistently, that from tlie commence-
ment of the flowering season and until the late
autumn thei-e is one mass of blossom studding the
cajiital compact growth peculiar to the variety.
The flowers are on short stems and are of the
palest shade of blush-white. A large bed of The
Mearns, with its large flowers of a rich plum
colour, the ujiper florets edged white, formed a
pleasing contrast to the selfs in other beds. This
old variety is worthy of a place in most gardens.
Formidable «'as flowering in a \ery free manner,
its soft lavender blossoms, with white centre and
yellow e3'e, being very restful and pleasing.
Sweet Lavender is a \'ariety with flowers of bluish
lavender. The habit of this sort is good, and its
free flowering is generally recognised. 'Blue
Gown has often been described as one of the
best liedding sorts, and, judging from a bed or
two of this variety seen here, tliere is no doubt
about it. The flowers are blue, faintly tinted
mauve ; the habit is dwarf and com]iact, and
the ])lants one mass of blossoms of medium size.
A french-white flower is Niphetos ; the blossoms
are large witli a neat yellow eye. The habit is
nice and free. President is an immense cream-
coloured flower with an orange eye, and is highly
thought of. A good breadth of the popular ray-
less creamy white Sj'lvia was in evidence, its
dwarf habit and its freedom of flowering being
ver}' noticeable. A charming little frencli-white
flower is Sweet Marv. This has a neat vellow

JuLT 10, 1897.]

THE Gy\RDEN.

II)

eye uml it also possesses a mmd tufted liahit.
Tlio beauty of Uemon Queen was sti'iUirii^iy a])-
parent; its"lai-f;e cireular llowei-s of pule primrose-
yellow ami its tufted, yet vitjorous >;ro\vtli sliuuld
ensure for this variety more extended eulture.
.Jessie Alexander is an exipiisite flower of larj;e
size and of good form. The colour is rosy pink,
deepenini; to the centre ; strong constitution. A
seedling to lie sent out next season is named
Henry I\'. The Mower is \ery large, rayless,
creamy wliite, with a yellow eye. A \ariety with
large "flowers, upper 'tlorets white, lower Horets
rich yellow , was named Mrs. M. S. \\'ales. There
were' several other sorts somewhat similar in
colour and form, hut this struck me as one of
the hest.

Ardwell Ceni, Duchess of Fife, (Joldtinch, and
While Duchess were each represented in hirge
nuinhers, this section proving their value as bed-
ding sorts of the highest order. There were also
manv other promising novelties which sjiace dors

less. The (lowers are of good size and even form,
with a neat and well-detineil yellow eye. The
habit is compact and dwarf, and it may bi^ con-
si<lered a welcome addition to the white .sorts for
bedding. This variety has had several tirst-class
eirtitieates awarded. — D. 1'.. (A

White border Pink Albino. — This was dis-
tributed a year or so ago by Mr. T. (iitl'ord, of
Tottenham, and it promises to take the lead
among the pure white varieties. The plants are
of eomjiaet, j'et free growth, free of bloom, send-
ing up strong footstalks ero\^'ned with good-sized
white flowers, full of handsome shell -.shaped
petals. Then it is early to flower, which is an
additional reoonnnendation. Comjiared with other
white Pinks I am growing, it is decidedly one of
the best, and, fm-ther, it mis.ses nothing in the
way of fragrance, and is by no means such a bad
pod-burster as some others. The value of the
Pink for cutting early in June can scarcely be
over-estimated. Tt follows the Daffodil and pre-

Agapanthus umhellatiis. From a photograph sent hij Mr. .s

Fitzlnrl'crl , Turquay.

flower newly purchased pieces of it, but never a
second time, as I have done with I.orteti. iris
persiea, if lifted and baked on a greenhouse shelf,
does fairly well. I am tiying Mr. Ewbank's plan
with it also this year. — (jIukknwood Pim, Unliliii.

not permit one to write about, but which may be
heard of before the season is over. Seedlings are
raised at Tamworth in immense numbers, the pro-
cess of selection being a very difficult one. This
must be carefully done, or varieties get dupli-
cated, and of course anything of this kind must
be avoided. Several uni(|ue seedlings were flower-
ing, and these promise in the near future to sujier-
secie many sorts which at present find fa', oui-.
Before concluding this note, sjiecial mention
should be made of the beautiful effect created on
the right of the pretty carriage-drive to Bolehall
by the planting of some .50,0110 plants in about a
dozen ^•arieties of the Tufted Pansy. At the time
of this visit, although only compaiatively recently
|ilanted, the dis|)lay was quite uni(|ue; thousands
of eliarming little blossoms in many dift'erent
shades of colour made an impression that will
always pleasantly be remembered. C.

Tufted Pansy White Empress.— In this
■ariety we have a very retined white self and ray

cedes the Rose, while it associates well with the
double and single Pyrethrums. In addition, a
good clump can be grown in a comparative!}'
small space, and the flowers last well in a cut

j state.— R. D.

Iris Lorteti. — With reference to Mr. Ewbank's
remarkson (Aishion Irises(p. 4-28) I would like to say
that this lovely Iris has just flowered with me, pro-
ducing what is, I believe, an exceptionally large
flower. The standards were o inches hicch, and
the whole 7 inches through as it <frew. The plant
was treated as recommended by Mr. Ewliank
some time ago in these pages. It was planted on
a little mound, and when the growth was wither-

] ing all the soil was carefully picked out from
among the roots, which were baked in the sun
under a handliglit for two months, after which the
plant was fully ex])Osed to moisture, &c. A second
plant treated similarly also grew strongly and pro-
duced a bud, which unfortuiuitely fell a victim to
slugs. I have tried Iris susiana in the same way,
but ha\e not had much success. I can occasionally

Stove and Greenhouse.

AGAPANTIIUS UMBELLATUS.

Tills is a most efi'cetive subject for setting out
ill the garden during the suninicr months when
grown ill large pots and tubs, the blue unibel.s
of the flower-heads, rising on their tall .shafts
above the curving green leaves, being admirable
ill lioth colour and form.

This Agapanthiis is a native of the Cape of
Good Hope, where the commonest colour is the
blue usually seen in English grown specimens ;
from this shade, how'ever, in its native habitiit
it ranges through lighter tints (jf blue and
lavender to white, though pure white is of
rare occurrence. In the south-west of England,
especially where the soil is not too clayey and
retentive of moisture, the Agapanthiis flower,
well when planted in the open, and requires
little or no jjrotection during the winter. In
low-lying, damp ground where the soil is heavy
the plants start late, make gross summer
growth, which gets badly cut by the tirst frost,
and jn-oduce few flowers. In such situations,
even in tlic south-west, jiot culture is prefer-
.ible to planting out, as by the former .system
abundance of bloom is almost assured. When
the pots are crammed with roots flowers are
produced in the greatest abundance, but in this
condition the Agapanthus is an inveterate pot-
breaker, and it is, therefore, well to avoid this
Viy planting in 4( (-gallon oil casks, sawn across
aiid well burnt out. When painted green or
covered with virgin cork these will not prove
unsightly. When the plants Iiave tilled tlie
receptacle with roots, manure water should be
given frequently. The Agapanthus is a mois-
ture-loving plant, and the soil in which it is
growing should never be allowed to become
absolutely dry if the best results are to be
.ibtained. S. W. F.

Daphne indica rubra. — This is seldom met
with in the best condition, and the fact that the
Ijloom trusses are such favourites for cutting in-
duces a too free use of the knife on young plants,
which consequently frequently do not reach a
profitable size. With care good bushes may be
grown in jiots if jilenty of drainage is provided and
the foliage is kept free from aphis. The best re-
sults are, howe\er, obtained by planting out in
narrow- borders of loam and peat in a position
near the glass, yet shaded from bright sunshine.
If the growth is secured to a trellis here and there
the majority of it may be allowed to hang dow n
loosely, and after flowering, a slight pruning of
the shoots may take place instead of allowing the
breaks at the extremities to come away. This
keeps the plants better furnished. No plant
suflers sooner from over- watering, the leaves
turning yellow and sickly. — (iROWER.

Poinsettias planted out.— As a rule the
most serviceable method of growing Poinsettias is
in pots, as the plants can then be easily removed
to where they are of most service. Still, planting
out has its advantages where extra large bracts
are desireil for decoration in November or Decem-
ber. If the plants are ])ut out in a small border
at the end of a stove, the flowers make a brave
show if left on thepilants. At Hillside, Newark,
I recently saw some wonderfully line growths
from ]ilants growing in a shallow bed at the end
of a warm, moist house. They have been there
for several years, and in spring they are cut
back to within three or four eyes of the
ba.se, eventually producing stout, healthy shoots,

20

THE GARDEN.

[July 10, 1897.

which grow to a great length and are kept away
from the roof-glass by bending and tying. Feed-
ing is liberally jiractised, and the result is enor-
mous braets of great beauty. — J. C.

PELARGONIUMS AT LEWISHAM.

'The Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham, in its earlier
days was chiefly renowned for its excellent col-
lection of Chrysanthemums, but at the present
time Begonias and Pelargoniums enter largely
into competition with the famous autumn flower,
and bid fair to occupy almost as prominent a posi-
tion. Those who only know Eyecroft in the short,
dull days of the declining year can scarcely
imagine how gay the lai'ge show greenhouses
appear with their present display of brilliant
Pelargoniums. The various types represented
consist of show, regal and decorative, with an atl-
mirable admixture of single and double zonals,
and also all that is newest and best in the way
of Ivy-leaved varieties, many of which are in-
valuable for hanging baskets and vases, and have
been \-ery greatly improved in form and colouring
during the past few years. Most of the Pelar-
goniums of the show, regal and decorative sections
are housed in one of the large 100-feet greenhouses,
where they form a striking and imposing array.
Altogether there are about 200 varieties, mostly
in SJ-inch pots, and several plants of each variety
for the purpose of keeping up the stock. The
Pelargoniums of the three types mentioned appear
to be gaining in popularity, and we are assured
that the demand for them is very much greater
now than was the case a few years ago. Many of
them are seedlings raised at the Ryecroft Nur-
sery, but it is interesting to record that, although
a few are of foreign introduction, the collection
as a whole is mainly English, and is conspicuous
for the large accession of novelties that exhibit
more than ordinary signs of improvement.
Bridegroom is a very free-flowering variety of
good habit, colour blush-pink, with deep blotches
on the upper petals. Queen of the Roses is new,
and an improvement on Rose Queen ; the pips
and trusses are large and the colour soft salmon-
pink. Mrs. H. J. Jones is another with very
large pips and well formed trusses ; the habit is
good and it blooms \ery freely ; colour blush-
white with crimson blotches. Ed. Perkins is a
fairly well-known scarlet variety. Pearl is a very
chaste shade of pure white, edge of the petals
ci-imped ; the pips are of good size. A very de-
sirable addition is Mrs. Frank Walker, which has
very large pips. It is very free and makes a
sturdy bushy plant. Eucharisis one of the finest
whites in cultivation and keeps flowering all the
summer through ; the pips are large and the upper
petals have two faint blotches of pale pink. Mrs.
Hollingsworth is in colour salmon-rose, with deep
crimson blotches. St. Blaise, with medium-sized
pips, is free flowering and of good habit ; colour
deep red, blotched dark crimson. Among other
noteworthy examoles in this section mention
should be made of Alice M. Love, pale soft salmon,
with crimson blotches; W. C. Boys, a \'ery
pretty shade of salmon-pink and having deep
crimson blotches ; Ladas, blush-rose, blotched
dark crimson ; Mrs. W. Wright, very free flower-
ing, large pips and trusses, edges of petals
crimped, colour pale blush, upper petals blotched
crimson. May Queen, Lady Isabel, Princess May,
Agnes Cook, W. Wright, a sport from the preced-
ing, colour bright lilac-mauve : Mrs. G. Gordon,
quite new, with large Jiips and truss, colour
white, sutt'used with a faint rosy shade, to be sent
out next season with Mrs. Frank Walker, jire-
viously mentioned, and several others also at-
tracted our attention.

REG.iL PeL.4R(J0NIUMS.

These were well represented by Duke of York,
which has an immense pip and corresponding
truss and is ver}- distinct. The colour is a deep
rosy marking on a white ground. Lady Duff,
a sport from Duke of Fife, has fringed petals,
colour rosy red, narrowly edged with white,
and a white throat. Prince Henry is a variety

having large pips and a good truss ; the colour is a
deep rosy red, feathered and blotched. Presi-
dent Harrison in colour somewhat resembles the
preceding, but in Dr. Masters we have a flower of
a very dark crimson, blotched and feathered dark
maroon ; the pips, however, are only of medium
size, but the plant is very free. Duke of Clarence
is another of the deep-coloured kintls. It has
velvet}- dark purple petals and a lighter centre,
very sti iking and effective. In Prince Teck the
habit is good and the flowering abundant, but the
pips are not so large as in some of the others : the
colour is rich rosy red, faintly shaded vermillion.
Capt. Raikes Improved is deeper and richer in
colour than the original and has a larger pip. It
is a pretty variety, as also is Bushmill Beauty,
which has a feathery mottled rose petal and a pip
and truss of first-rate size. Achievement belongs
to the show section ; the colour is deep scarlet,
with the upper petals blotched deep velvety
crimson, centre white. Scarlet Gem, free, good
habit, white throat, feathered purple. Bluebeard
is another show variety, very rich and effective ;
the pips are large and the habit compact ; colour
pale purple, the upper petals blotched with dark
velvety ijur|.ile.

Leaving the large show house in which the
above-mentioned types were staged, we passed
into another '245 feet in length with a sharply
pitched roof and devoted entirely to

ZOXAL .\^D IVY-LE.WED PeLARGONICM.S.

A brief indication of some of the best of these
must suffice. Among double zonals, double
Henri Jacoby, Raspail Improved in high tones
were good. Mrs. J. Surman, blush-pink : Mr.
J. Phillips, salmon ; Hermione, white ; Joj'ful,
deep salmon ; Rainbow, mingled salmon and
purple ; Apple Blossom, soft rosy pink, quite new ;
Mrs. W. Morris, deep salmon, rather bright in
colour ; and Ciolden Gate, orange-scarlet and of a
better habit than most of the yellows, were prob-
ably the best. Single zonals were best represented
by Wilhelmina, rich salmon-scarlet, large truss ;
Volcanic, fiery shade of crimson and white eye,
large pips and truss ; Suvarna, orange-scarlet,
large ])ips and truss; Duchess of York, pure
white, \ery large pips ; Bluebeard, deep ])urple,
slightly marked scarlet ; Princess Alix, one of
the largest pips, colour pale delicate rose ; Mrs.
D'Ombrain, very large pips, colour ' salmon,
streaked and mottled on a white ground. Others
in the single class can only be mentioned by name,
as Hilda, Zenobia, Miss Jane Whitelaw, Miss A.
Whitelaw, Mr. W. Walters, a fine winter-flower-
ing white \-ariety, Mrs. L. Humphreys, Mrs.
G. P. Linford, &c.

Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums have always a beauty
and a gracefulness peculiarly their own, and the
collection at Ryecroft contains a variety of these
that should please the most fastidious. Achie\'e-
ment is a cross between a zonal and an Ivy-leaved ;
it is semi-double and of a charming shade of pale
rosy pink, big trusses, and of a nice compact
habit. All the true Ivy-leaved varieties we noted
belong to the semi-doulile type, and of these Mrs.
Bick, a pretty and distinct variety of rosy purple
and very free, was one of the most attracti\-e.
Miss Clara Walker, deep rosy pink ; Ryecroft
Surprise, delicate shade of soft salmon-pink ;
Mrs. W. E. Barling, deep rosy purple, a pretty
flower ; Doris Farmer, deep bright rose ; Ryecroft
Scarlet, a deep bright shade of colour, indicated
by its name ; Beauty of Castlehill, with large
pips, soft rosy pink ; Cuvier, trusses of medium
size, colour pale rosy purjile, and Phrosa, jiale
la^•ender, slightly tinted mauve, were all more or
less conspicuous by the puritj' and delicacy of
their colouring, which as a rule is much less
varied in this type. A few other good Ivy-leaved
kinds were Souvenir de C. Turner, (iiroflee, Jersey
Beauty, and Jeanne d'Arc.

Ipomaea ftuamoclit.— I.QuamocIitisaslender

grow ing annual climber w itli pinnate leaves, the
segments of which are remarkably narrow, thus
giving to a plant a very light appearance. The
flowers are small, bright red or white, and are

borne in the greatest profusion. About half a
dozen plants in a pot 5 inches or 6 inches in dia
meter, into which a few twiggy branches are stuck
for the support of the slender climbing shoots, will
form a very pretty object in the greenhouse dur-
ing the summer months, or if the weather is cold
and damj) an intermediate house temperature will
suit this Ipom:ea best. When grown in this way
the little bright coloured blossoms like scarlet
stars are particularly attractive when nestling in
considerable numbers among a mass of delicate
Fern-like foliage. During very hot summers I
ha\e seen it do well in the open ground, but it
cannot always be depended upon in this way.
Seed is readily obtainable, and will come up very
quickly when .sown. — H. P.

Swainsonia Osborni.— There are several spe-
cies of Swainsonia all natives of Australia, and of
them one of the best known is S. Osborni, which
for greenhouse decoration from now onwards is
very useful. It is a slender-growing, somewhat
rambling plant, that may be trained up the roof
of a greenhouse, or if preferred secured to a few
sticks and treated as a pot plant. This Swain-
sonia is somewhat sparingly furnished with light
pinnate leaves, from the axils of which towards
the end of the shoots the flowers are produced.
The individual blooms are Pea-shaped, quite an
inch across, and of a bright purplish-red colour,
with a white spot in the centre. These flowers
are borne in upright racemes, the more vigorous
having about a score of flowers in each. It com-
mences to bloom, as a rule, about midsummer,
and will often continue till the end of August or
even later. When grown as bush plants in pots
they should be cut back rather hard before start-
ing into growth in the spring, as such treatment
will ensure a bushy habit. The genus Swainsonia
is very nearly related to the Clianthus, and I once
saw a particularly fine specimen of Clianthus
Dampieri grafted on to a plant of Swainsonia. —
H. P.

Kitchen Garden.

SPRING CABBAGE.

On the growing of Cabbage for spring supplies
much depends upon the time of sowing, the
variety sown, and the soil and locality. I think
there is a great gain in making several sowings
in preference to one, as by so doing should one
crop fail the others may succeed ; indeed, I
treat Cabbage more like Lettuce, and sow
every few weeks from Januai-y till July 25, not
large sowings, but enough to keep going. The
earliest is made in a frame, and the plants
from this sowing are now fit for use. These
follow the ordinary spring Cabbage. Some of
my readers may think this crop following so
close on the one named is not required, as the
autumn plants would produce a summer crop
after being cut over. I do not care for them to
do so, as young, tender heads are preferred,
and what is better, the ground can be utilised
much sooner. I usually make a sowing for
very early supplies in June. This is, I know,
not the regular routine, but if it answers it is
worth a trial. In cold soil or late localities I
would iifit defer sowing after July 15. It is a
good practice to sow twice, with a fortnight
between the first and second sowing, for spring
supplies. I am aware in certain soils the dates
are early, but a sturdy plant is a necessity. I
am not an advocate for planting the autumn-
sown plants, as they are usually termed, in
rich soil. In many gardens quantities of manure
are given and the ground trenched, and when
the weather is severe the plants are so soft that
they are cut down or lose their leaves before
new growth is made in the spring. I do not
condemn trenching, but I find (in our light soil)
a firm root-hold means hardiness. In heavy

JnLv 10, 1897.]

THE GAEDEN^

•21

clay soils tliis wcuild iKit apply. One must in a
iiie.asun; study sniis, locality also, as in oxposcil
placL's growth is more sturdy.

Siuail plants do not ruipuro large masscis of
mnk manure, as they maki; but little growth
from October to March. Far better feed from
the time new growth is active. There is
plenty of (piick-aeting fertilisers one can u.se.
and liipiid manure can often be employed. This
is of great assistance, and the young plants soon
heart and are tit fi ir use. A later sowing is m.ade
from .luly 20 to July 2.5, and unless there
is any mishap, this is a small one, as the
plants sown under glass in .January are quite as
early, given good culture. 1 need early .supjilies,
and' 1 think early Cabbages in all gardens are
appreciated. The l;iter .sowing may be termed
11 safeguard in case the first shouhl fail in any
way. I think nuich depends upon the way the
plante are raised. Here good land, well en-
riched, is needed, as a cpiick grt)wth is essential.
Plant the main batch at the end of July. Full
early many will_ .say, esjiecially in our w.arni
.soil ; but earlincss is our aim, and it should be
borne in mind we place a good plant in what
may be termed a poor soil. By a good [)Lint I
mean a strong one, with ,a short stem and
vigorous. Drills are drawn in hard land, so
that UKiisture is readily conveyed to the roots,
and growth is hard and aide to withstand our
variable winters. A small plant from the Later
sowing would not be ready to jilaut till mid-
Octolier, and if a wet autumn f(^llowed would
not be in condition to stand a hard winter.
Plants from these late sowings come in useful
as a succession to the first sowing. They may
be wintered in the seed-beds, or, what is better,
jiricked out in rows rather closely at the end of
October. Often one sees the plants in such a
crowded state that it is impossible for the seed-
lings to develop. Quite as much care is needed
at the start ; indeed more, as a weak, crippled
jilant cannot grow freely. Ample space in the
seed-bed is important, and planting out as
soon as the plants arc large enough ; indeed,
better results are secured by planting before the
plants get too large, as a unich shorter leg or
.stem is obtained, and I tind the plants which
touch the surface with their lower leaves winter
better than those with long stems, whicli are
apt to be twisted by rough winds. Frost
cripples them, and they are the first to run in
the early spring. G. Wythes.

Sowing Coleworts. — This most useful winter
vegetable a])pears to lie liecoming better known,
luit mistakes are often made in its culture, one of
the commonest being sowing the seed at the
wrong time. Several times I have seen Coleworts
in full heart during September and October, and
even earlier than that. At this date autumn Cab-
bages are in season, which lessens the value of
the Colewort. Xot oidy so, but, like the Savoy,
their tjuality is nuieb improved by ha\"ing a fair
.amount of fro.st on them, and their extreme hai'di-
ness renders them safe to grow even in the coldest
districts. I sow my seed from the 1st to -July 7,
and another batch about the loth, and in the ma-
jority of seasons this brings them to perfection
from the middle of No\eraber onwards, as, fortu-
nately, they do not heart in all at once, but piece-
meal, and, another thing, they remain in good
condition for a long time. — .J. C.

Cucumber Frogmore Prolific. — Of the
newer types of medium-sized handsome-shaped
Cucumbers, one of the very best is Krograore Pro-
lific. I saw it recently at Hillside bearing a
wonderful crop, and Mr. Day, the gardener,
considers it of excellent flavour. In mj- opinion
it is just the Cucumber to grow for market, as the
m.ajority of buyers prefer a small well-shaped
fruit to the larger varieties. Verdant (ireen is
not unlike the above sort in shape .and general

appearance, and is a very reliable variety. At
llillsidc the beds in the Cucumber liouse are
rather limited in width and depth, which is do\d)t-
less an advantage, as \\'hen the roots ai'e woi'I;ing
in a large (piantity of rich soil a gross, unfruitful
growth is encoiu'.aged. Mr. I)ay believes in a
limited root-riMi, in feeding by top -dressings,
and liberal supiilies of li(pnd or artificial manure
when the plants are carrying a good crop. —
C. C. H. "

WINTER CROPS.
Til i;ri; should be no lack of all kinds of Brassiea
plants to select from for (illing up the diH'erent
(|uarters, as the weather has been all that could be
(iesii-ed to bring the )>laiits on strongly. The great
Ihiiig one has to study now is to get them into
t heir winter quarters before they become too large,
as they are growing ra])idly and will soon sjunl if
left in the seed-beds. The recent rains have made
the ground in such a good condition to receive
the |)lants that such a favourable opportunity
should not be lost if possible. The greatest diffi-
culty will be in finding sufficient vacant space for
putting them out in most gardens, but by the
time these notes appear some of the eai-ly batches
of Peas will have been cleared oft", which, if the
surface soil is simply hoed and the rubbish raked
oft", will provide room for some of them. Some of
the early varieties of Strawberries, too, will have
been gathered, and where the plantation is up-
wards of three years' standing these may be de-
stro\-ed with advantage, and the firm ground that
will then be at liberty will ]3rove the best position
in the garden for Late Queen, Jlodel, or other
favourite late \arieties of Broccoli. The error
that is made in planting the above on heavily
manured and recently dug ground has often been
]iointed out in these pages. This encourages gross
growth, which is not capable of withstanding a
severe winter. All that is necessary after de-
stroying the Strawljerry plants and freeing the
surface of weeds and rubbish is to give the ground
a good hoeing, and form the holes to receive the
]jlants with a crowbar. Under these conditions
growth will be slow, but the stems will be short
and hard, and the foliage small but much firmer
in texture than would be the ease if grown under
more generous treatment. I have taken advan-
tage of such a favourable planting season, and
being rather short of a\'ailable ground at the time,
to lift a good ])ortion of the early and second earl}'
Ashleaf Potatoes to make room for a good batch
of Autumn (iiant Cauliflower and Veitch's
Autumn Protecting Broccoli. The tubers, al-
though barely ripe, will take no harm, and will
do for immediate use, but to keep them in as
good a condition as possible they were lifted care-
fully and spread out thinly in a cool, dark cellar
and covered with straw. Indeed, when we con-
sider the moist state of the ground, together with
the great heat, I am not sure but what the tubers
are as well out of the soil as in it, as they aie
]3raetically as large as they ever would be, and
there is a danger of them starting into growth
with the heat and moisture contained in the soil.
Of course, this should not be attempted with late
varieties, but only the earliest whose haulm has
finished growth and which is showing the first
sign of ripening. This is a better plan than
allowing the Potatoes to remain in the ground
and ])lacing the plants between the rows, as the
haulm hampers sturdy growth and the plants
suffer more or less in consequence. Where it is
not desirable to lift the whole of the early Po-
tato crop, every other row might be dug up,
which will allow room for .a few rows of jjlants
which require planting at once, a successional one
being made later, after the whole of the ground is
cleared. Even in this case the ground snould l)e
levelled and made as firm as possible before the
plants are put in.

Most growers have their favourite varieties of
Broccoli to form a succession, and rightly trust to
those which have proved the most hardy in their
different localities. The great thing, however, after
having made a selection of varieties, is to plant
them in proportion, especially in a private garden,

so as to maintain a i-egular supply throughout the
winter ratlu-r than having uujre than is recpiiied
at one time. For instance, if ground is avails
al)le, say, for ten rows of plants, two row-
of each of the following should be planted :
Veitch's .\utuum Protecting, Snow's Winter
White, Dilcock's 15ridr, Leamington, and .Model.
Of course, this is only a short list of the .standard
varieties for early, midseason and late supplies,
and nuiy be supplemented with several others
wh(!re spai'C allows of their being planted, though
it is well to bear in mind that the season of most
(if thest named may be ]a-olougcd by sowing at
dill'erent intervals. Thus, although the first is
named Autumn Protecting, it forms a good suc-
cession to Autumn (iiant Cauliflowers where
raised and |)ut out («rly, while the same may be
had in good condition often as late as February,
fi-om later sowings. Of other well-tried varieties,
Spring White, Cooling's Matchless and I'ei'fection
may lie named for winter and early spring use,
and, to succeed these. Late t,J,ueen, Latest of All,
and Cattell's Eclipse will keep up the supply
well into May, with Veitch's Model maintaining
succession until early Cauliflowers are ready.
In each case small sturdy plants should !)(■ selected
in preference to large ones, as these invariably
take root quicker aiul jjrove more satisfactory
than those which look much sti-onger at the time
of i)lanting. Although perhajjs Broccoli forms
the principal winter crop, there are others equally
as serviceable, and olten i)rove more hardy,
which must not be neglected. These comprise
Sa^■oys and the dift'erent Borecoles. The former
jjerhaps can hardly be termed a choice dish, but
they often prove valuable, and are appreciated
when other things are scarce, especially at mid-
winter. These are sometimes objected to because
they are coarse, but by growing the dwarf varie-
ties, and selecting the smallest heads, they make a
change, and can nardlj- be objected to by anyone,
especially at the season named. From the want of
room we have planted a double row of Tom
Thumb between newly-formed plantations of
Currants and Gooseberries. The bushes being
jilanted i feet between the rows, there is plenty
of room for a double row of Savoj-s, as this dwarf
variety may be planted 1 foot apart each way.
Provision should also be made to make a planting
now, and also for successional ones, of the dif-
ferent Kales, as these often prove invalualde dur-
ing March and onwards, when other things are
cut up with seaix'hing winds. The dwarf curled
varieties when sown in May generally succeed
the best, and may be planted 15 inches by
12 inches apart. These, after being cut over in
sirring, will afford a supply of delicate sprouts
until the Asjjaragus seasoir arrives and spring
Cabbage becomes plentiful. These, together with
Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts and other wirrter crops,
should have the surface soil frequeirtly hoed be-
tween them as thej' comnrence to grow, which
will not only stimulate growth and keep the
phrirts fr-ee of weeds, but slugs and other \ ermin
will be kept in cheek, and the plants will make
steady progress and yield good returrrs.

R. Parker.

Planting green crops. — By sowing the
Brassicas at a fixed date orre cannot always have
the land to plant the sarrre, and this is a difficulty
many growers have to contend with. Unless
nreairs are taken to thin out the seedlings, the
plants will be poor when ground is availaole. I
am aware we often sow much too thickly, and at
this seasorr what is termed pr-icking out is not
always attended to, so much other work needing
attention. For some j-ear-s I have grown large
quantities of Strawberries as annuals, and this
gives nre much space for winter cr-ops. The
Strawberries are not left a day after- the fruit has
been gathered. The tops are burned, the ashes
spread, drills drawn, and a good breadth of
winter greens got into their- permanent iprarters.
As the weather of late has been favouralile for
(ilarrting, there is little delay, arrd a much better
result can be secured by early jrlanting. I am in
favour of a firrrr root-hold for winter gr-een

22

THE GARDEN

[July 10, 1897.

crops. Broccoli planted on hard -trodden land
recently cleared of Strawberries makes a sturdy
growth and is less susceptible to frost. I
admit there may be less bulk, but size is
not everything, and it is a great gain to the
grower to preserve his crop and get a good re-
turn. There are other means to obtain a good
plant, and I find later sowing than is often ad-
vised one of the best. If ground is not vacant,
pricking off into lines is a safeguard, and may
with advantage be practised when planting out
cannot be done ; there is a saving of time in the
end, and a much better plant is secured. It is
not i)Ossible to maintain a healthy plant in a
crowded seed-bed. No matter how well watered,
the plants get thin, long, and lose roots ; pricking
off prevents this, and a small quarter of prepared
plants is much sooner attended to as regards
moisture than seed-beds in which each ])lant is
•struggling for existence. — G. Wythes.

Shallots. — It is surprising to find how popular
these savoury bulbs are with cottagers and allot-
ment holders. No crop seems to be in such cases
more common, few are better grown. Tiie old
true Shallot and the Large Red or Jersey are
equally well grown. Many of the workers like
them for ordinary flavouring ; others like them
■ pickled, especially the smaller true Shallot. This
variety, though the bulbs are not large, comes on
good ground not only of good size, out in large
clusters and remarkably clean. They should
when well grown wear a satiny aspect. For
domestic use the true Shallot is much better worth
cultivating than the Large Red, which often
resembles the Potato Onion in size and taste.
Planted in rows 12 inches apart on good soil in
February, growth soon follows and the produce is
early ripened and ready to clear oft' early. — A. 1)

CUCUMBERS AND VEGETABLE MARROWS

DROPPING OFF.

I sihIjL be much obliged if you will gi\-e me a
hint in 3'our next number as to the prevention of
the following : Cucumljers in frame and Vegetable
Marrows outside, form, grow on a little, and then
die oft', rotting from the end. Is it from over-
watering or what ? Water is generally given in
the middle of the day, but withheld if dull or if
the frame seems to be damp enough. — Dol.v.n'.

*,* In all probability insuflicient warmth at
the roots is responsible for the failure of Cucum-
bers to grow. Hotbed manure soon becomes
rotten, and repeated waterings keep it in a cold,
saturated state, the roots perishing when they
come into contact with it. Should the warm
nights and hot days continue, an impro\'ement
may be effected without a change of treatment,
but a lining of nearly fresh stable manure, pre-
viously well prepared, the rank heat being got
rid of by fermentation, would do good, especially
if the weather should happen to be duller and
colder than now (.July 1). Crowded haulm may
be the cause of the fruit failing to de\elop, and i't
ought to be thinned out accordingly, a repetition
of this occurrence being prevented a'nd abundance
of fruit forced out by stopping all young lateral
growth beyond the second leaf while" yet it can be
done with the finger and tliumb. Continue to
syringe or freely sprinkle the foliage on bright
d.iys, when the frame is closed at about 4 p.m.
or rather earlier, and also keep the soil fairly
moist without unduly saturating the manure
below. Syringing at mid-day is unusual in the
case of Cucumbers in frames. A heavy perma-
nent shading would be injurious and seriously
militate against productiveness. Shade with scrim
canvas or cotton blinds during the hottest ])art of
the day, or from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (to be on the
safe side), and admit sunshine and light during
the rest of tlie day. Never use cold water. That
warmed by exposure in tubs to the sunshine is
what Cucumbers like.

Vegetable Marrows grown too luxuriantly fre-
quently fail to set and swell their fruit satisfac-
torily. Those cultivated market growers' fashion,
that is to say, in the open fields with only a good

layer of manure under them, are usually the least
vigorous and the most productive. These do not
need dail}' waterings — in fact, would be better
without them, especially if cold water is used.
Exception to a certain extent may be made in
fa\ our of anj- unwisely planted in a heap of loose,
quicklj' drying material, as this needs a good
soaking of water much oftener than garden soil
over a shallow bed of manure. Cold nights may
ha\'e had something to do with the failure, and a
change for the better may be followed by aljund-
ance of Vegetable Marrows. A check to very
luxuriant growth may also, and does frequently,
result in the rapid production of fruit. — I.

Saxifrag'a cochlearis minor. — This free-
growing and pretty kind has been flowering abun-
dantly during the past fortnight or so, and its
pretty sprays of white, pink spotted blooms are
very jjleasing. It is essentially a plant for the
rock garden, and for positions where its prettily
crusted rosettes of leaves may be seen in com]jany
with time-marked nuggets of rock against which
to nestle. In soil that is fairly deep and good,
cjuite small plants soon spread out into compact
tufts, and these if pulled to pieces and caiefuUy
replanted early in spring may soon lie converted
into a group li feet across. Solitary tufts when
allowed to cluster together into cushion-like
mounds do not always flower with the same free-
dom as do smaller pieces that are replanted
periodically, an item equally applicable to the
Aizoon as well as other of the tufted kinds. It is
not annual attention that is necessary for this,
but separated every three years would be the
means of securing a better flowering generally
with many free-growing kinds. Some readers of
The Garden may not recognise the plant referred
to above by its present name, since it is only
rarely we see it correctly labelled. Invariably at
the Drill Hall the plant is named S. valdensis,
which is ifuite a distinct plant, generally smaller
and not so free in growth or so easily cultivated.

Philadelphus microphyllus. — Just now the
various species and varieties of Philadelphus are
— if we exclude the Roses — the most conspicuous
and beautiful of hardy shrubs in flower. Some of
them are 10 feet, 1"2 feet, and, in thickly planted
shrubberies where they have been drawn up, as
much as 13 feet high. P. microph3'llus is, how-
ever, the smallest of the cultivated s])ecies, and
does not, ajiparenth', get more than 2 feet to
3 feet high. It tluis becomes useful for positions
too restricted for the taller kinds, none of which
can be pruned back without aft'ecting their free-
dom in flowering. P. microphyllus is a rounded
bush of very dense habit and with slender, wire-
like stems. The leaves are ovate, about half an
inch long on the young growing shoots, but only
half as large on the flowering ones ; they are shin-
ing green and glabrous above, grej'ish and hairy
beneath. The flowers are pure white, each three
(|uarters of an inch in diameter, and borne at
the end of the twigs that spring from the axils
of last year's growth. Their fragrance is sweet
and strong, and out of doors very pleasant,
strongly suggesting that of a Pine-apjile. It is a
native of New Mexico, Colorado, &c., and is
tlierefore (although quite hardy) from a region
that has supplied English gardens with very few
shrubs that are hardv'. It is necessary, as might
be judged from its native home, to reser\e for it
a sunny position. — W. .1. B.

Anemia rotundifolia. — This is one of the
class known as flowering Ferns, in which the fer-
tile fronds that are pushed up from the centre
of the plant are totallj' distinct from the sterile
ones, and in some kinds at least the}' greatly re-
semble the inflorescence of some herbaceous sub-
jects. One of the commonest examples of this
class is our native Royal Fern (Osmuuda legalis),
but there are several others, and among them
some tender kinds. Of those that require tho
protection of a stove, Anemidictyon phyllitidis is
fre()uently met with, while the different members
of the genus Anemia, of which half a dozen species
or thereabouts are grown in this country, are all

comparatively scarce. A very pretty member of
this genus was shown at a meeting of the Royal
Horticultural Society in the early part of May,
when it was awarded a first-class certificate. This
was Anemia rotundifolia, a low-growing, but
spreading plant, whose comparativeh' long arch-
ing, barren fronds are furnished with roundish
pinn;e of a leathery texture and deei> green in
colour. The midrib is prolonged at the point for
some distance beyond the pinna', and it roots at
the extreme tip and produces a j'oung plant there.
A well-grown specimen is particularly attractive
and distinct, the arching fronds being disposed in
a \ery graceful manner, while they are over-
topped by the plume-like fertile ones. A very
distinctive and charming feature of this Fern is
the beautiful reddish-bronze tint of the young
fronds, which a^ they mature become green. It
can be raised from spores, and also increased to
a limited extent by means of the young plants
borne on the ends of the fronds. This Anemia is
a native of Brazil and needs stove treatment for
its successful culture. — H. P.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1126.

STENOGASTRA CONCINNA.

(with a COLOUREri PLATE.*)

()k all Gesnerads this is one of the most charm-
ing, and certainly it is the most diminutive of
all in cultivation. The accompaning plate gives
a good idea of its features except that its
capacity for flowering is by no means fully in-
dicated. The flowers, in season, are at least
twice as numerous. They are beautifully and
faithfully depicted, but my impression is that
the leaves are always rounder and never so long
as some of those shown in the plate. Though
little known out of botanic gardens this plant is
not new, having been introduced by Messrs. J.
Veitch and Sons about thii-ty-six years ago. It
has long been grown at Kew, and for many
years it has been a favourite plant at Cambridge,
never failing to excite admiration and interest.
It flowers over a long season, but is in greatest
perfection in spring after its rest and when
making new and vigorous growth. The sub-
terranean tubers, from which the leafy and
flower-bearing stems arise, are comparatively
small, scarcely equalling a Hazel-nut in size,
and to get a good efl'ect, from six to a dozen may-
be planted in a pot or pan according to its size.
Its culture presents no difficulty, and if
rightly managed its propagation is only limited
by the number of stems available, since every
one can be rooted and made to form its
own tuber. It should have good drainage
and a soil composed of about half peat and
half loam, with a liberal admixture of coarse
sand. In potting, the soil should not be too
deep, and lumps of sandstone here and there
may appear just above the surface. During
growth it should never be dry nor should
it, when at rest, be quite so dry as would
be right for other Gesnerads. It is best
not to stow the pots away — a plan by which
choice plants are sometimes lost. Let the
plants remain where they may benefit from the
general moisture of the house and be watered if
necessary. There is no better jxisition for this
]5lant than a shelf near the glass and below the
line of sight, if possible, for jjurposes of care-
ful observation. The name here adopted is the
old familiar one, but strictly the generic name
is now Sinningia, of which Stenogastra forms a
section. All the Sinningias come from Brazil,
and among them the well-known Gloxinia of

* Drawn for The Garden in the Cambridge Botanic
Garden by H. G. Moon. Lithographed and printed
by J. L. Goffart.

9

4

^:^'^

STENOGASTRA CONCINNA

J0LY 10, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

23

•gardens, tlie Biglanduliirias, Tapoinotcs, \c.
The earliest and only description I am ac-
((uaintod with, under the correct genus, is that
by Nieholsim in his Dictionary. A figure is
given in the Botanical Magazine of 18(il, t.
o25.'l R. I. Lynch.

Botanic Gardens, Cambridge.

The Week's Work.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

CABBAiiK. — In many gardens sowing.s have been
made of both Little I'ixie and Rosette Colewort,
as it is generally recommended to do so about the
middle of .June. For various reasons I consider
this is somewhat early, especially if a suitable
piece of ground is not available for them as soon
as they are large enough for putting out, as the
plants become stunted if ke|)t in the seed-beds
longer than they should be, and often fail to grow
freely afterwards. It is surprising how ([uickly
both these tmii in. when planted on good ground,
and to have them too early in the autumn, when
perhaps other vegetables are plentiful, they do
•not prove so serviceable as later in the season
when there is less variety to select from, while if
they are required for spring use, early sowing is
against them keeping properly through the winter.
If seed be sown of each now, good plants will be
xeady in about six weeks, when there will also be
more vacant ground suitable for this crop, such
as that now occupied with second early Potatoes,
Spinach, French Beans, and other things. Small
sturd3' plants always prove the most satisfactory ;
therefore the seed should be sown thinly, and ]ire-
ferably in drills, as the soil can be kept free of
weeds, and the seedlings receive more light and air
than when sowing is done broadcast.

Beans. — It is not usual to sow Broad Beans at
this season, but in some establishments they are
appreciated in autumn if in a 3'oung and tender
condition. A few rows of either Beck's Dwarf or
Early Longpod may pro\-e verj- useful later on if
seed is put in now. The former could succeed
•earl}- Potatoes on a «arm border, and being of a
dwarf habit protection is easily afforded in the
autumn should it be necessary to do so. Towards
the middle or end of the month another sowing of
Sion House or Ne Plus Ultra French Beans may
be made in such a position that .-i frame may be
placed over them in the autumn it desired. Thosc
that are now in bearing should lie looked over
daily and the crop kept closely gathered, as when
±he pods are allowed to remain and form seed it is
at the expense of future supjilies from the same
plants. Although it may form a pleasing sight to
see a very full row of Scarlet Runners, over-
crowding is a common error and should be
uvoided. If only one (ilant were allowed to each
pole, and these say 9 inches or 12 inches ajjart,
finer Beans and a more lasting supjjly -H-ould be
obtained. A little timely attention in regulating
and stopping the most forward leaders would in-
■duce a more regular growth, and they would not
•become top-heavy, as is often the case towards
j.utunin, when they are allowed to grow anyhow.
This crop well repays for copious supplies of
manure water. Like the dwarf varieties, a large
.number of old pods should not be allowed to form,
as they ha\e a most weakening effect on the
plants. This is generally a fa\ ourite dish with
exhibitors, and to obtain tine straight dark green
pods they should be carefully selected and the
pods thinned.

Endive.— Although well-blanched Endive is
always appreciated in salad, it is somewhat diffi-
cult to iM-event the plants running to seed from
early sowings. Seed, however, put in now may
result in a good return. Ground that has beeii
cleared of Potatoes may be used for this crop, but
before the seed is put in the soil shoidd be care-
fully forked over and well broken to pieces.
Where this is found to be hard, dry, and lumpy,
water over-night and it will fall to'pieces the fol-
lowinsr morning, I prefer sowing in drills where

the phmts are to remain. This not only saves the
time of trans|>lanling, but there is less risk of the
plants running to .seed through any check being
given. Sow the seed thinly and cover with tine
soil. The seedlings should be thinned down to
about () inches apart if the (Jreen Curled \ariety
is grown, allowing a little more room for the
stronger-growing Broad-leavcil Batavian, Slugs
often do uuich damage to the young plants dm-ing
showery weather, and to guard against these, a
slight dressing of soot or lime should be given
after the seed is put in, repeating this occasion-
ally when the plants come through the; .soil.
Birds, too, are very partial to the seed, and the
bed should be netted where these abound.

Cki.kuv. — The earliest batch, or that recpiii-ed
for use say at the end of August an<l during the
following month, should iu)w be well forwaril and
ready for the first moulding. This requires to be
done carefully and the soil put round the plants
in small quantities, or there is a danger of some
of the mould either getting into the centre of the
plants and destroying the heaits, or when too
nuich is afforded at once and made too tirm it
checks the free development of the young central
leaves, and these become contracted, and if not
idjsolutely spoilt, it detracts from the appearance
when ready for use. The plants should be looked
over carefully, and all decayed leaves and sucker
growth at the base of the plants removed.
The trenches, too, should be freed of weeds and
rubbish. If rains have not been abundant and
the soil is only moderately moist, a thorough
soaking of liquid manure should be given some
hours previous to moulding up. This is most im-
portant, as the addition of soil round the plants
will ])revent to a great extent future rains reach-
ing the roots, and the plants in all probability
will suffer from the want of moisture, ■which
at no time should happen with Celerj', or the
produce will be tough and find little fa\'our.
After seeing that the roots are made all right in
this respect, break the soil down on either side of
the trench as fine as possible, so that it can be
easily worked round the plants with the hand.
Gather all the outer leaves round the plants in
such a waj' that the soil cannot get into the
centres and only make it moderately firm, suffi-
cient to keep the foliage in position without
crowding it together too tightly. It is best to do
such work piecemeal, affording more soil once a
fortnight, which w ill allow growth to be always a
little in advance, the final moulding up being
done, say, a month before the Celery is recpiired
for use.

Cucumbers. — Phants growing in frames in hot-
beds that have been in bearing since April will
now be showing signs of giving out, especially if
they ha\'e been heavily cropped, and if it is re-
quired to keep the plants in a full bearing condition
as long as possible, it will be necessary to thin
out a lot of the old growth, together with a good
fjortion of the foliage, so as to allow room for new-
growth to form and develop properl}-. A portion
of the plants, too, should have all the young fruit
picked off' as soon as it forms, together with the
male blooms, for at least a fortnight, so that the
plants may have a little time to recoup them-
selves. The surface soil should be slightl_v dis-
turbed and an inch or so of light, rich, porous
compost afforded, to which should be added a
slight sprinkling of soot. If the soil is heavily
charged w-ith moisture thi-ough constantly syring-
ing the foliage, withhold water for a time, but
make sure that this is the condition of the soil,
say a foot deep, where most of the roots abound.
Although the surface may ajjpear wet, that
beneath may be just the opposite, as the fer-
menting material forms a drainage, and there is
a danger of the plants suffering from dryness
at the roots at a time when it is considered' thej-
are all right in this respect. When w^ater is re-
cpiired, a thorough soaking should be given
through a coarse rose can, sufficient to penetrate
through the whole of the compost and at a tem-
perature of not less than Sir. Plants whii-h have
been rather severely pruned shouUl be kept close
and shaded for a w eeU and the foliage dewed over

morning and evening. If the roots are healthy,
new growth will soon form. This must be kept
pinched at about the third leaf and regulated over
the surface of the bed. Should the finings have
receded from tlie sides of thi' frames, a foot or so
should 111- well shaken out and nnxe<l with some
fresh litter. This, w hen replaced and made firm
round the frames, building it well up to the top
of the woodwork, will afford a gentle warmth,
assist to retain moisture in the frame, and the
plants will be greatly benefited thereby. Al-
though |)lants treated in this way will mostly
throw off' a goo<l second crop, it is hardly safe to
trust to them to supply a large demand tow-ards
autunni. To meet this, anotln'r hatch of ])lants
should be raised now, either from .seed or cuttings,
and L'rown on ready to succeed the early batch.
Another frame or house of course must ijo avail-
able to receive the ])lants, or a break in the supply
for a few weeks must result if the old plants luive
to be cleared out to make room tor them. At the
time of writing we are having dull showery
weather, and there is always a danger of Cucum-
lier plants growing in light houses suffering by a
sudden burst of sunshine. To guard against the
foliage being scalded, a little whitingshould be in
readiness for syringing over the roof -glass, which
would prove more beneficial to the plants than
suddenly throwint; the ventilators open with a
view- of reducing the temperature ; the evil of such
a practice cannot be too freely condemned. Heat,
moisture and a certain amount of shade are very
necessary to keep the plants in active growth, free
of red spider and other insect pests.

R. Parkek.

FRUIT HOUSES.
Peaches and Nectarines. — Early-forced trees
having been relieved of their crops, surplus
shoots and the now- useless bearing w-ood must be
kept cool to enable them to retain their foliage as
long as possible. To keep the leaves free from
red spider and the ends of the shoots clear of
aphides, the syringe or garden engine must be
brought into play each da\-, particularly in
modern houses having fixed roofs. Stop all
lateral growths while it can be done with the
finger and thumb, and above all things see that
the borders do not get over-dry. By paying par-
ticular attention to these details, and also giving
the roots the benefit of a soaking of liquid manure
or a chemical stimulant in cases where the trees
lack vigour, the trees will be the better prepared
for the ordeal of early forcing another season.
As the crops are gathered from the trees in suc-
cessional houses, look them over, thin the w-ood
if too thick, cut away that which has recentlj"
borne fruit, and in other particulars treat as ad-
vised above.

Later hocses. — Trees on which fruits are
ripening will need every encouragement as re-
gards heat, moisture, and stimulating food, which
should be applied «hen the borders recjuire w ater.
Well-drained Peach borders require a great fleal
of water, and this the trees must have right up to
the time the fruits ripen, but feeding must cease
once the pulp in the fruits is on the point of
softening. Overhead syringing must also be dis-
continued once this stage is reached, but damping
of floors and borders may go on until the fruits
are ripening generally. Less advanced crojis of
fruit should have all leaves turned on one side
and tied out of the w-aj- w-hen shaded wholly or in
part by them, and fruits inclined to droop down-
wards should be elevated towards the sun on
strips of lath to ensure high colour. Keep all
young shoots thin and carefully tied down to the
trellis, and pinch lateral growths at the first leaf.
Air liberally on fine days, syringe freely, and
keep Ijorders well supplied with moisture. Thii-.
the fruits on the latest trees if not already done,
pay every attention to border watering and
syringing, kee|) the young wood thin and
neatly tied down, and as soon as the fruits begin
to swell freely stop all growths beyond them as
an inducement for them to swell the more
quickly. Well water borders if in good order,
and feed according to the age and vigour of the

24

THE GARDEN.

[JcLY 10, 1897.

trees and their capabilities of assimilating the
same. The ventilators of late houses may be left
open continuously when warm weather prevails,
but they are best closed when a sudden change to
cold takes place such as occurred on .Tune 14 and
four succeeding nights, on account of the liability
of an attack of mildew.

Figs. — The fruit on jjot trees carrying heavy
second crops should be thinned before they get too
far advanced. It is better to do tliis than distress
the trees and run the risk of losing a first crop
next season. These fruits will not attain to so
large a size as those of the previous crop, but they
are none the less useful when ripe Figs are in
almost constant demand. When the first crop
has been gathered from second early trees, well
wash the foliage, close the house, and start feed-
ing the trees again to induce the second crop to
swell quickly. If the mulch or top-dressing is
worn out through repeated applications of water,
r-emove as much of it as possible and apply fresh
materials. Fruits on trees in succession hoiises
will be fast approaching the ripening stage and
in some cases will be ripe, when former cultural
details as to the diminution of moisture and keep-
ing up a circulation of dry warm air, together
with ample ventilation by day and a lower amount
at night, should be observed. In later houses
such matters as the thinning and tying down of
young shoots must have regular attention. It
is highly necessary that the wood should be kept
thin in these trees, so that it becomes thoroughly
ripened by the end of the season. It is astonish-
ing the numl:)er of fruits that well-riijened pieces
of wood will ]iroduce, especially when trained
directly under the roof. As mentioned in a jire-
vious calendar, young growths on all of tliese
later trees must not be stopped, but laid in full
length for future fruiting. Old trees are some-
times apt to throw up a good many suckers.
These are best pulled out, as they seldom become
sufficiently ripened to produce fruit. The Fig
being a gross feeder, all these late trees should
ha\'e free sup]jlies of liquid food, particularly
when the fruits start swelling after flowering,
and this may be continued uj) to the time the first
fruit ripens. Due attention must also be given to
the mulching of borders and the daily syringing
of foliage to keep off red spider.

C-iPE Gooseberry. — Established phints carry-
ing good crops of fruit will need plenty of water
and an occasional stimulant. Guano used in suf-
ficient quantity to tinge the water is most bene-
ficial, and at this strength may be applied again
and again without fear as to results. Young
plants raised from seed during the spring should
he shifted into 1'2-inch and 14-inch pots, and as
soon as the roots l>ecome active in the new com-
post, pinch the shoots repeatedly, or until good
bushy heads are formed ; they maj' then be
allowed to bear, and the fruits will come in useful
during the autumn months, when a full and varied
dessert has to be forthcoming. A warm green-
house or an orchard house answers well for the
Cape Gooseberry, or it may be trained on the
back wall of a Peach house, (irown in this way
but little fruit would be produced the Hrst season,
as, unless planted early in the year, the energies
of the plant would be principally expended in
producing growth.

Hardy fruits. — Well wash early Cherry trees
from which the crop has been gathered and
fasten back to the walls any young shoots whicli
liad to be neglected through the trees being
netted. Successional varieties on walls and trees
in the open quarters should also receive a final
cleansing and be netted over, otherwise birds will
soon take the lot. Unless the nets are sufficientlj'
wide to rest on the ground, they should be
strained and pegged down, for if only one gap be
left large enough for birds to enter they will
(piickly discover it and avail themselves of it.

Bush Plums. — Owing to the light crops that
the generality of these are carrying growth is
very luxuriant, and had better be sto|)ped at
once. All shoots on the spurs on the main
branches should, therefore, be stopped at the
fourth leaf, counting from the base, while the

leaders at the ends of the branches may be left
either half or two-thirds tlieir length according
to the size and age of the trees. If the trees are
trained pyramidal shape, the leader may he left
nearly full length in the case of young trees, but
if established, cut them back about half way.
Any trees which have failed to bear for the past
few seasons and which make rampant growth
should be marked for lifting during next autumn.
L.iTE Str.\wberries. — These should be kept
hand-weeded, and if the fruits do not swell freely,
through a weak condition of the plants, give
them tlie benefit of a soaking of liquid manure.
This must, however, be quite clear, otherwise
there is a possibility of a deposit being left on
some of the berries. As soon as the fruits begin
to colour net them over. Get forced plants set
out as soon as a piece of ground of due propor-
tions is at liberty, and prepare ground in due
course for planting with early laj'ered runners
after a sufficient number has been procured for
pot work. A. W.

Orchids.

VANDA DENISONIANA.

TuE blossoms of this delightful species arc
totally different from tliose of any otlier Yanda
in that they are of the purest wliite, no tint of
colour appearing either on the sepals, petals, or
lip. In habit the plant is like a dwarf V.
suavis, the leaves deeply channelled and much
decurved. the flower-spikes appearing at the
base of these when about a year old. Each
flower of a good form would measure 2.1 inclies
to 3 inches across, the sepals and ])etals being
narrowed at the base, spreading liigher up, and
the lip three-lobed, somewhat fancifully de-
scribed by Reiclienbach as like the tail of a
Ijlack cock. Six or eight of these flowers are
produced upon a .spike, and the present is its
flowering season. The plants may be grown
either in pots upon the stage or in baskets and
pans suspended from the roof glass, the latter
way being perliaps the more suitable owing to
the freedom with which both air and -liglit play
about them. When newly imported, consider-
able care has been found necessary to prevent
the foliage becoming loose at the axils and
dropping, this being so troublesome in some
cases that the plants have been entirely lost.
Doubtless in a measure this is due to the time
tlie plants are collected, and in many cases can
only be partially prevented, but if more care
were taken to keep water away from them when
first introduced to heat there would be less
trouble from this damping of the foliage. I
have found such plants do well suspended up-
side down from the roof in a shady part of the
East India house until they begin to plump uji,
when each plant may be separately placed in as
small pots as convenient, using clean, finely
broken crocks in lieu of compost. Thus after
their long drying they are brought by degrees
to more moisture, and their power of absorbing
it becomes gradually stronger.

Yanda Denisoniana is not quite so strong
rooting as some nearly-related kinds ; conse-
quently even for well-established plants the re-
ceptacles need not be large. If pots are used,
drain them well and repot when the roots are
comniencing to push in spring. The cleanest
and best Sphagnum obtainable mixed with
charcoal and potsherds is all that is needed for
compost, and this may be somewhat firmly
placed over the drainage. Cut the ends utt'
tidily and place the plants with as little delay as
|)ossible into the growing quarters, the East
India house suiting it best. The jilants must
not be allowed to want for water, but no more
than is absolutely neces.sary should be given.

Plants not over-supplied with roots may be lefb
to get well on the dry side before giving a fresh
supply of moisture, even while growing, and
during the winter months a nominal quantity
suffices. The foliage must be kept free of in-
.sects and e.specially scale, t(p which it is subject,
or good results must not be looked for. V.
Denisoniana is a native of the higher moun-
tainous parts of Burmah, and was first dis-
covered by General Benson growing on tall
trees at an altitude of about .3000 feet above sea
level. This was in 1808, and about a year after-
wards it flowered for the first time in England
with Messrs. Yeitch. There is a variety called
hebraica, owing to a supposed likeness in its lii>
markings to Hebrew characters. The sepals
and petals in this case are pale sulphur-yellow.
This plant was imported and sent out by
Messrs. B. S. Williams and Son, who received it
among an importation of the typical form about
1885.

Dendrochilum Cobbianum. — This is a pretty
plant just commencing to flower. It is distinct
from the better-known D. glumaceum in having
longer and thinner pseudo-bulbs, the flowers
occurring on long racemes, and a pretty pale yel-
low in colour, with an orange lip. It requires
plenty of heat and a moist atmosphere while grow-
ing, the water supply being in accoidance with
the state of growth. It is a native of the Philip-
pine Islands, and was introduced in ISSO by
Messrs. Hugh Low and Co.

Odontoglossum cordatum. — Few Odonto-
glots vary more than this in tlie quality of their
blooms, though but few named forms are de-
scribed. A good variety is now in flower with me,
the sepals orange-yellow, heavily blotched with
brown, the heart-shaped lip pure white excepting
just the tip, which is reddish brown. It is a
native of Guatemala, and does well with O. grande
and similar kinds here in a cool fernery. It was
first introduced about sixty years ago, but was
afterwards lost to cultivation. — H.

Stanliopea insignis. — This is a handsome
plant now in bloom, the scapes containing from
three to five flowers, each about 5 inches across.
They are straw-yellow on the sepals and petals,
spotted with purple, the lip wliite, with a deep-
purple blotch in the cavity in the centre. S. in-
signis is the type on which the genus was foundetl
and the first to bloom in this country, which it did
as far back as 1829. It requires ample warmtlL
and a very moist atmosphere to do it well, and
should be cultivated in baskets with fairly open
bottoms, so as to allow the descending flower-
spikes plenty of room. The plants should be re-
basketed when they begin to grow.

Trichopilia tortilis. — This is a free-blooming
and interesting plant, the blossoms not so large as
in some other members of the genus. The sepals
and petals are singularly twisted, bright brown,
with a yellow margin, the lip white, with a crim-
son throat and many spots of the same tint in
front. It is best grown at the cool end of the
Cattleya house, and when the roots have obtained
a good hold of the compost it likes jilenty of
water all the year round. It has a nice appear-
ance grown in baskets suspended fi-om the roof,
but may also be planted in medium-sized pots if
more convenient. It comes from Jlexico and was
introduced in 1835.

Masdevallia racemosa. — A nice plant of
this species I noted this week is bearing three
spikes, one of these having seven flowers. It is
cjuite distinct from most other JIasdevallias, the
flowers a bright orange-crimson, with an over-
lying tint of scarlet. The habit is not so tufted
as in the Harryana and similar sections, the stems
occurring at a slight distance apart upon a creep-
ing rhizome. For this reason a rather larger re-
ceptacle should be given, but it has the same dis-
like to a heavy, close compost as the other mem-
bers of the genus. It is not a common plant
under cultivation, though it has long been known

July 10, 1897.]

THE OATJDEX.

25

to botanists. It is known also as M. Ciossi, Imt
M. racemosa, as given l)y Lindley, is thu correct
name. Though discovered by HaitMcg over
half a ccntinv ago, it was only introduced to cul-
tivation liy Ml-, t'onlei- in 188:i.— H. R.

Cattleya Mendeli.— This is one of tlie most
refined-looking of the labiate Cattleyas, and it has
a longer lilooniing season than many. The ear-
liest plants are in flower in April, and a few plants
here are just opening, so that it extends over three
months. The .sepals and |ietals are usually nearly
pure white, the elegantly frilled lip having also a
good deal of white about the side lobes. The
centre i.s crimson, lined with purple, and an
orange-yellow throat. The jnne white foim is
one of "the rarest and most beautiful of the
albinos in tliis section, and it is named, in compli-
ment to its discovi-ror, ('. M. Blunti.

Habenaria bifolia.— Very beautiful and fra-
grant in the «uods around here is this pretty
Butterfly Orchid. It is seen at its best under the
shade of Hazel and other coppices, the spikes
being longer and tlie blossoms a purer white than
■when growing in more open positions. The spikes
grow about 18 inches high, the upper portion
covered with flowers each 1 inch across. It is a
useful plant for naturalising in a fairly moist
position shaded from the brightest sunshine. Any
good loamv soil suits it, and it will thrive better
for the adilition of plenty of leaf-mould when
planting and an annual mulch of the same ma-
terial.—Sikfolk.

Odontoglossum Harryanum. — A nice spike
of a gootl form of this favourite ])lant comes from
a corres])ondent, and I have also noted it in many
collections recently. Some of the varieties have
the bad liabit of only half opening their flowers,
but this is, I think, partly caused bj' weakness.
O. Harryanum is an easily enough grown plant
when once in good order, but once it gets into
bad condition it is by no means an easy task to
Viring it back to health. The pseudo-bulbs are
longer and more flowers are produced upon the
spike when a little more heat than that of the
coolest house is allowed. It is a native of Colom-
bia, and was first imported by the late Mr. F.
Horsman, of Mark's Tey. — R.

Oncidium luridum. — This is a useful and
handsome member of the ebulbous section of the
genus, of which better-known examples are O.
Laneeanum and O. Cavendishianum. The leaves
are pale green, and from their base a flower-spike
rises often to the height of 4 feet or 5 feet, clothed
with flowers over a good portion of their length.
The sepals, petals, and Up are all greenish yellow,
the first almost covered with light brown
blotches. There is also a form of it with prettily
S2)otted flowers. It is a native of .Jamaica and
other parts of America, and does well in a light
position at the warmest end of the Cattleya house.
It does not take kindly to disturbance, and often
fails to bloom after being repotted. This need
not, however, be the case if the work is carefully
<lone. Pick out the old material and replace with
new, without taking the plants out of their pots
until they have outgrown them, when a shift must
be given. Plenty of water is needed while grow-
ing, mueli less sufficing while at rest.

Dendrobium Farmer!. — This is one of
the latest to flower of the evergreen section,
and a favourite jjlant among Orchid growers.
Strong plants have p,seudo-bulbs 18 inches and
u))wards in height, the rather loose racemes pro-
ceeding from the ui)per portion of these in the
usual way. It makes a fine display in the flower-
ing house if placed there just before the blooms
open, and it lasts about a fortnight in good condi-
tion. In the typical form the sepals and petals
are a pale yellow, the lip deejier in colour, with
an orange disc ; but there are many forms of it
under cultivation, some having the outer seg-
ments tinted with rose, others a deeper yellow
than the tyi;ie, while others again are pure white.
It does well with rather less heat than the di'-
ciduous section generally requires, and may, in
fact, be grown in the Cattleya house all the year
round. The jiliint begins to grow sooii after the

flowers are |)ast, when the\' may be repotted if
this is necessary, using a compt>st of peat fibre and
Sphagnum Moss in ecjual proportions. The pots
may be a little larger than usual, owing to the
roots lieing more fleshy :ind pushing farlher from
tile centre of gi-owf h. It has a wi(l<! geogra|>!iiral
distril)ution in India and Moulmein, ami was in-
troduced to this country in 184".

Nanodes Medusae. — This very singular ard
weird looking plant was recently in bloom with
Mr. Hull. The blossoms occm* at tlie end of the
]iendent, ungainly-looking growths, and are chiefly
remarkable for their long-lasting (lualities and the
jiurple, deeply-fringed lip. Botanically, this ]ilant
difVers little from the Ejiidendrums, Init its dis-
tinct growth and general appearance will always
keep it separate as a garden plant. Its culture is
by no means dithcidt, yet it is an extraordinary
fact that in many eases plants treated for years
under precisely similar conditions will be found
to differ greatly in health and the amount of
growth made. The usual mode of culture is to
]»lant it in jnins or baskets of rough peat and
Moss, suspending these from the roof. If Tree
Fern stems can be procured, they make a ca|)ital
holding for it. Nearly all the year round plenty
of water must be given, for it seldom rests long,
one set of growths being little more than half
grown sometimes when another one is produced.
A light position not far from tlie roof-glass suits
it well, and as it comes from Ecuador, not much
heat is necessary. It was originally introduced
by Messrs. Backhouse, of York, in 1837, and it
flowered for the first time in England soon after
in the collection of the late Mr. .John Day.

the plants a little on the dry side, give all the air
po.ssible and keep them dormant until the spring.
C c;rispa is an old species in eulti\'ation and was
sent by Sir II. Chamberlain from Kio de .Janeiro
in l8-i(">. It has a wide geographical distribution
in Southern Brazil, this doulitless accounting for
tlie varialile (Jiaracler of the flower.

CATTLEYA CRISPA.

Althoi'cu this plant is strictly a Lajlia, it is much
better known as a Cattleya. The plants are just
now commencing to bloom, each spike carrying
about half a dozen large showy flowers, rather
narrow in the segments, but very bright and
effective. The growth is not so tall as that of
L;'.?lia purpurata and rather stouter, the flower-
spikes appearing on the young bulbs as they at-
tain maturity. It is a vigorous rooting plant,
and delights in a rough make-up of material con-
sisting of about equal parts of good fibrous peat
broken into lumps as large as a lien's egg, and clean
freshly gathered Sphagnum. Add to this a good
sprinkling of rough lumps of potter)' ballast or
crocks and a little rough charcoal. The growth
of large plants is ratlier straggling and untidy,
and a good deal of care is required to make a nice
shapely specimen of some of the newdy-imported
pieces that arrive in this country. It is quite im-
possible to avoid burying some of the bases of the
older pseudo-bulbs, but this is of little consequence
if plenty of new leads can be arranged on the sur-
face. Keep these as near the centre as convenient,
as the roots then stay in the compost, and by
means of stout stakes and ties draw the stems into
the required position or as near as possible. The
best time to repot established [ilants is when the
growths are getting well away in spring, as the
roots that are at this time emitted from the rhi-
zome give them a good hold of the new material.
Without disturbing the plants more than can be
heljied take away all dead roots and decaying rhi-
zomes, also any of the older peat that has become
sour. Give a good shift and fix the new compost
firmly and caiefully with the dibber. The plants
need not be elevated much, just enough to allow
superfluous water to escape and the pots must be
efficiently drained. Avoid checking the young
shoots by taking the plants to a cold or draughty
shed, and get them back to their growing
quarters with as little delay as possible. This
will be the warmest and lightest part of the
Cattleya house. Rather more shade than usual
may be allowed after repotting, as just at this
time both old and young foliage is apt to suffer.
Grow on strongly in a full Cattleya teni|)erature
and plenty of atmospheric moisture, taking care
that no water is allowed to lodge in the sheath
formed by the grov\ing leaf. Aftei blooming keep

Cypripedium callosumSanderae.— In liaron
,Sciu'<e^ler"s gi'oup at the 'ri-mplt: show was a vei'y
fine plant of this Cy])ripeflium bearing two splen
did flowers. The dorsal sepal has no tinge of
purple, but is white with heavy veining of deep
green, the petals similar in giound colour and the
lij) pale greenish with very fine venations. The
foliage is lighter than that of the type, the whole
plant in fact being a lovely combination of
white and various greens.

Anoectochilus Sanderianus. — .Judging by
the healtliy appe;i?'anee of sevei-al plants of this
species exhibited by Miwsi's. Sander and Co., it
should be more free-growing than the majority of
this section. The leaves are large, oblong, deep
green in theeentre,beeomingai>urplish tint towards
the outer wavy margin, the whole delightfully re-
ticulated with golden, green and silver veins, with
th(! usual glossy surface. If as strong growing as
it looks, it should be a decided acquisition.

Lselio-Cattleya Hippoljrte. — Several plants
of this pretty hybrid were recently in bloom at
Messrs. V^eitch's Chelsea nurserj', where it was
raised and first flowered some seven or eight
years since. It is a distinct and pretty pjlant, the
blossoms occurring from the top of the bulb and
in shape like those of a small Cattleya Mossia;.
The sepals and ]3etals are bright orange, with a
slight sutt'usion of rose. The lip is yellow at the
liase, the front lobe reddish purple and slightly
fringed.

Lselia grandis tenebrosa. — This was ex-
hibited by several nursery firms at the Temple,
but, taken as a whole, the varieties shown were not
particularly good, judging by last season's form.
The plant is too well known to need descri|)tion,
and probably we shall see it in better form as the
season becomes more advanced. L. grandis tene-
brosa is a strong-growing, easily-cultivated species
that thrives well in the warmest part of the
Cattleya house. It should be potted in very rough
open material on account of the size of the roots,
and requires abunrlance of water.

Odontog-lossum crispum Starlight. — A
good deal of interest was apparent at the Temple
show in this unitpie form of 0. crispum, which
was exhibited by Mr. R. Brooman U'hite, of
Arddarroch. The flowers are large, of excel-
lent shape, the petals broad and crisped, of a
rosy white, suffused with a deeper tint and
very profusely s| jotted, the spots small and
reddish brown. The lip does not dift'er material!)-
from that of the ordinary forms, but the plant is
perfectly distinct from any other know-n kind and
bore a strong, many-flowei-ed sjiike.

Lselio-Cattleya Digbyana-Mossiae. — There
is not a more beautiful hybrid than this in
cultivation, and though by now it is no novelty,
its characteristic and striking appearance calls
forth many encomiums wherever exhibited. Baron
Schneder," of The Dell, had a fine plant in his
group at the Temjile recently, su]ierbly grown and
carrying a magnificent flower. The sep;ds and
jietals are a delicate ro.sy lilac, the li]) rather
deeper in ground colour. The throat has a yellow
blotch in the centre, with streaks of crini.son. a
deeper sti-eak occurring in front and leading to the
prettily fringed I'osy pink margin.

Oncidium phymatochilum. — Not only are
tlie indi\idual lilossnins of tliis species very in-
teresting and quaint-looking, Imt in the aggregate
they make a very handsome show. This may now
be seen at Mr. Bull's, several large spikes being
in full beauty and others advancing for flower-.
It is a Brazilian plant, and may be grown in an
intermediate or Cattleya house temperature. The
iiseudo-liulbs are each about ."> inches high, each
bearing a large leaf, and the spikes rise to the

26

THE GARDEN.

[July 10, 1897.

heiglit of about 18 inches. The sepals are greenish
yellow, lightly spotted, the front lobe of the lip
white, tlie sides greenish, with spots of orange and
brown.

Oncidium olivaceum Lawrenceanum. —
In lialiit, ^liape and di.spositiun of tlie 1 )los.-5oni.'5
this somewhat resembles O. cucuUatum, liut it is
far superior as a garden plant. The spikes are
longer and bear a large number of flowers, each
about 1 incli across. The sejjals and petals are
very deep chocolate-brown, slightly incurving, the
dorsal sepal hooded. The column is crimson-
purple, the lip deep rose, heavily spotted with
brown. It thrives well in the cool house, and may
be potted in ])eat and moss. Several nice jJants
were recently in flower at Mr. Bull's.

Oncidium pulchellum. — This is one of the
prettiest of the smaller-flowered Oncidiums, and
I lately noted some very nice spikes at Mr. Bull's.
These are about a foot long and very closely
studded with flowers. The sepals and petals and
the broad-spreading lip are all white, the latter
with a rosy suffusion and a few pink spots about
the bright j'ellow crest. 0. pulchellum belongs
to a section of the genus too little cared for, and
including such as 0. elegans, 0. tetrapetalum,
and others. It is a native of Jamaica, and should
be grown in the Cattleya house in a light and
fairly sunny position. The plant itself is only a
few inches in height and consists of small leaves
without any jjseudo-bulbs. — R.

Laelia purpurata Ashworthise. — This is one
of the must distinct L;elias ever exhibited. Tlie
sepals and Up were of tlie ordinary class and
colour, but the petals were marked almost in the
same manner as the lip, the colour lieing a deep
crimson-purple that commences in i-adiating lines
at the base of each, spreading until it almost
covers the segments. It was remarked that the
thing was a freak and would not occur again, but
as it is not its first time of flowering this is liardly
likely. Nor was there anything of a monstrosity
about it, for the shape of tlie segments was ]>ev-
fectly normal, the colour only distinguishing it
from an ordinary L. purpurata. The plant bore
five p.seudo-bulbs.

each exceedingly useful when arranged with a
proper regard for colour effect. Then there are
so many Chrysanthemums grown on single
steins from late propagated cuttings and flowered
in .5-incli and 0-inch pots. These are often used
for the dect>ration of sideboards and other
equally important positions, and as the foliage
in this case has not to be interfei'ed with, very
little else is needed.

For table decoration, or for individual vases
for the drawing-room or liall, the large flowers
of the Chrysanthemum are seen to immense ad-
vantage. Fine bold-looking arrangments are
generally appreciated, and are a welcome change
from those in which smaller flowers have been
in general use. Vases confined to one colour,
or, if tlie selection be a limited one, those of
such colours as will liarnionise she mid be chosen,
and in association with them quite a wealth of
foliage with rich autumnal tints lends itself ad-

Chrysanthemums.

A TABLE OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
Havpily now for the blooms of a high standard
of excellence other uses than merely placing
them upon an exhibition table are being found.
This is a matter for congratulation, for while
most growers value smaller blossoms cut from
plants grown in a free manner, the majority of
them would readily acknowledge the superioiity
of tlie large flowers for all kinds of bold and
striking decoration. Such a fact cannot fail to
give an impetus to the cultivation of high-class
flowers.

As in all floral decorations, colour is one of
the most important essentials. The more
general use of large flowers for tables, side-
boards, vases, &c., would result in many dowdy-
looking and badly-coloured flowers being dis-
carded in favour of others somewhat smaller,
yet decidedly brighter in colour. There is one
important fact to lie remembered when arrang-
ing large Chrysanthemums, and that is unless
the stems be almost entirely denuded of their
foliage, the blossoms collapse in a comparatively
short time. While blooms which have been
treated in tliis way have kept in a fresh c<.>iuli-
tioii for some days, others not subjected to this
treatment have succumbed in a few hours, espe-
cially in a hot and ill- ventilated room. This
disadvantage in the loss of their own foliage may
be overcome by the use of small tine-leaved
plants in association with them. Plants such
as Cocos Weddelliana, Crotons, Eulalia japonica
variegata, small Ferns, Pterises, with an edging
of Isolepis gracilis and Panicum variegatum aie

CULTURAL NOTES.
To grow Chrysanthemums well they require
plenty of room. Crowding is often a cause of in-
different blooms, a large number of plants being
allowed to stand almost close together even
when more space is availabla. I have noted
such look well in the bulk ; that is, the leaves
become large and very green, liut they are want-
in texture and the stems produced are likewise
soft. Wood like this is not the kind to produce
solid well-formed flowers. It must be firm and
well ripened ; then if it be not over-large,
good results wiU follow. Chrysanthemum plants,
in .single rows around the sides of walks are
usually in a suitable spot, especially if this be
not shaded unduly by trees, and if they are
stood about a foot apart ; all other things being
attended to, we should expect satisfactory
growth. Crowding, however, is most notice-
able when a plot of ground is given up to their

A table of Chrysanthemums and foliage. From- a- photograph se7it hy
Miss H. Vernon, Auchans House, Kilmarnocli.

mirably to these arrangements. More parti-
culaily is this noticeable in the richly coloured
flowers of yellow, orange, and crimson, the pink
and white blo.ssoms being seen to greater advan-
tage with silvery-tinted foliage, and a few pieces
of deeper and richer coloured cojiper shades.

Ideas in regard to floral arrangements are be-
coming changed, and there is good reason to
believe that the Iiandsome blooms of the Chry-
santhemum, which at one time were rarely used
in tlie house, will in the future be largely in
demand for this purpose, thanks to the ettbrts of
the leading exhibitors in their endeavours to
prove the usefulness of large flowers for all
kinds of decoration. One good result of the
popularity of this system will be the retention
in the lists of the Chrysanthemum specialists of
a large number of varieties of good colour and
most desirable form which for ordinary exhibi-
tion purjjoses are a trifle undersized.

D. B. Ckane.

summer culture. I would here insist upoii]_t!ie'
space (if 5 feet to (i feet between each row and
quite 18 inches from jiot to jiot in the rows.
There is then ample room not only to get
among the plants for the necessary work, but
air and light may pass freely about the leaves,
and the growth becomes firm as it advances.
The pots may be stood on boards. This i.*
usually done to prevent the roots from wander-
ing in the earth through the drainage hole, and.
thus causing a check when removed. One need
not go to this trouble if the puts be turned
occasionally throughout the summer, and a
bottom of aslies is cooler — an item worth noting-
It is not an easy matter to jjrevcnt the roots-
getting scorcheJ at the sunnj' sides of the pots-
in very hot weather. I Iiave known cultivators
who have allowed the weeds to grow around
them to provide a little shade, with some
effect, although the presence of these is not tak
ing to the eye.

July 10, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

Tie the CL-ntnil stems of the iilants U> stieks
liL'foro thoy ^'et long. The need of tliis h.-is
been apparent lately wlien rough winds have
been so fre(|uent. A large number of the
lower leaves of my pl.ants are blown off. Tliis
gives them a naked look for a time, but it is as-
tonisliing how (Hiiekly they recover when the
elements are more favourable. I must .say I do
i.ot view with apjirehension the loss of a few of
the lower leaves, '["heir work will have been
tinished long liefore the end of the season, and
they are as well tliinned out to .allow a thorough
lipening of the stem.

Tall-grown plants are still, I fear, one of the
<lrawbaeks of growing large blooms of Chrysan-
themums, .and no system of topping generally
will make them more dwarf only at the expense
<if tlie blossom. 1 have more than once noted
improvement in this direction, Init some of the
newer varieties are as ungainly in growth as the
older sorts, discarded, perhaps, because of this
habit. Au.stralie, for instance, seems likely to
have stems '.> feet high before the season is over,
and Mme. Carnot Is not a nice grower. , Pride
of Madford, Pluebus, M. Ohe'non de L^ch^,
Austnilian Gold, and Oceana are among newer
sorts with a taking habit of growth, and ample
foliage I if a dark green colour. Watering jilants in
pots requires more care than many appearto tliink
nnda great number of Chrysanthemums suffer in
this respect. I feel certain giving too much mois-
ture at the roots rather than not enough is often
the causeofunliealthy plants. This over- watering
is very likely to occur at the present time, just
jif ter the plants are placed in the flowering pots.
I am n firm believer in keeping the .soil on the
<lry side, at least until the same is completely
tilled with roots. In the case of the subject of
these notes that is not likely to be yet, so that
it is wise to be very cautious in the supply of
■water. I know watering Chry.santhemums is
considered quite a daily item. Tliat is to say,
a supply is given almost regardless of the
weather. Now, it occurs to me that during
<lull, sunless days, unless the wind is drying,
there is enough moisture in the atmosphere to
prevent the leaves from flagging ; and at such
times the roots are more likely tfi be moving
in partially dry earth than in tliat in a soddened
state. I would rather sjirinkle the leaves than
pour water on the roots during sunless weather.
I should then expect to find roots coming to
the surface for moisture. During bright sun-
shine the danger of over-watering exists in a far
less degree and flagging of the leaves is then
avoided. But not even then is it wise to water
«very plant at the same time. Go over the col-
lection in the morning and deal with tliose
<juite di-y at the roots. Then again at mid-
day and in the evening take another round
among the phints. The well-known practice of
ta])i)ing the pots is a good one. A ringing
sound usually indicates dryness at the root.
But if a doubt exists, lift a pot, and its comjiara-
tive weight will provide a very good sign of the
condition of the earth. A cultural error to be
avoided is not giving enougli water at a time
to thoroughly soak the whole ball of eartli.
Mere top moisture will not do ; the Ixittom must
be soaked as well. Then the mistake of apply-
ing manures too early is not inicommon. Stimu-
lants are not nece.ssary at the time roots have
ample fresh earth to run in. To give fertilisers
then is a sure means of either unhealthy or
soft growth. When stimulants may be gi\'en
■depends ujion the time the plants are potted {ind
the size of the pots used. If the plants are
growing freely and the foliage healthy in tone,
we may be sure proper foocl is being supplied
in abundance. When the pots aie well tilhd
witli roots tlie lea>es quickly put on a starved

look, and then is the time to begin feeding.
Towards tlie end of July is usually a very good
time. H. .S.

THK LANDSC.VPK GAUDKNER AM) IITS

WORK.

H.vviNO been frequently exasperated by the use
in .\nierican writings of the term landscape
aiTliilt:ct and laiKlm-ape fiii/uii'ic, we .see with
nuich pleasure a ])rote.st ag.-iinst the u.se of
these terms by Mr. O. C. Simonds, of Chicago,
in an article whicli in other resjiects is interest-
ing .-ind true. Even our old friend Meehan, of
Philadelphia, has described himself somewhere
as .a ■■ land.sca|)e engineer "— as a word a curious
hybrid and in idea horrible.

The term " landscape gardener," instead of
"landscape engineer "or "landscape architect,"
is used here because it is believed by the writer
to be the most suitable to convey the meaning in-
tended. When one considers engineering in con-
nection witli landscapes, instead of thinking of
any artistic result, he is more apt to think of the
road scars along mountain sides, of the destruction
of lii>autiful .scenery along river banks, of the
changing of watercourses into sewers, of railway
embankments, canals and dams. The term " ar-
chitect " brings to mind a man who aims to de-
sign structures. His materials are stone, brick,
the various metals, wood, glass, paint, &c. On
the other hand, the term landscape gardener has
first, " landscape," which as defined by Hamerton
must necessarily be an artistic portion of the
earth's surface, and then "gardener," which indi-
cates that the materials used will be those found
in a >rarden or in Nature.

What are the attainments of a skilfid land-
scape gardener ? His art applies to any-
outdoor scenery which can be afteeted by the
hand of man. It is of the first importance,
therefore, that he know how to arrange the
ground surface, the trees, shrubs, and other
plants, the ponds and streams, the points of view
and the open spaces or \ istas, so that the general
ert'ect will be Ijeautiful. No matter how great
his knowledge of soils, of drainage, of road con-
struction and of the structure and characteristics
of the various species of plants may be, if he fails
to make an artistic arrangement he is not a land-
sca))e gardener.

Next in importance to a knowledge of arrange-
ment conies the ability to produce a result wliich,
with a reasonable amount of attention, will con-
tinue to im])rove with added 3-eai's of growth.
This ability will rest in part on an accpiaintance
with the habits and lite history of the plants used
and of the situations to which they are adapted.
The points of view will require a study of the
relations of buildings, drives and walks to the
landscapes. Where the landscape is an impor-
tant feature the landscape gardener should work
with the architect in the preparation of the pre-
liminary sketches. Unfortunately, architects fre-
ipiently design residences and other buildings
without any regard to the site and the characteris-
tic features which may have attracted the owner.
Cases are not unknown where houses have been
so designed and ])laced that the kitchen and ser-
vants' rooms shut oH' the very best \ lews from the
family living rooms. A landscape gardener should
place his drives where they will command good
view^s while not interfering with the landscape,
and he should know how to place them so they
will be convenient, have easy grades and proper
drainage and how to construct them in a durable
manner with a satisfactory wearing surface. He
sliould know how to economise in regard to space
and cost of the work coming under his direction.
While he should have no pecuniary interest in
any work that is carried on — that is, should have
no interest in any nursery' or nursery stock, or act
as agent for any firm — he should usually purchase
the material furnished by nui'.servnien on account
of liis kno\\ledge of wliat is retjuired, of the prices
that should be [laid. and the standing of the various

nursery firms. Ht- will often lie able to sa\"e an
owner several times the amount of his fees by his
knowledges of tlie value of plants.

His work should commence with a study of the
value of a given piece of ground for the pmpo.se
inten<led, especially when that purpose is the
making of a fiark, a botanic or ]mblic garden,
home grounds or aiiy roadway. The ground iu
([ucstion may have features which would be of
great imjiortancc in the design to be worked out,
such as an important view of a large Itodyof water,
a valley or a distant stretch of country, a grove
of our native trees or woodland, a locky ledge, a
steep bluff' or a ravine, or it may lack beauty
which could be secured by the .selection of an-
other piece of ground. When the site is finally
.selected a thorough study should be made of its
characteristic fi-atui'es and of all the surround-
ings, and aftei- such study the landscape gardener
should have a clear concejition of the effect he
means to |)roduce, of its ap])earance w-hen the
first planting shall liave been done when years
have elapsed. Not only that, but he should h<ave
in his mind the various effects of spring, summer,
fall and winter.

Having made his design and perhaps sketched
it on paper (" perhaps," because a sketch is not
always necessai-y, and there are cases in whicli
the Ijest result W'ill be produced by working
directly on the ground), he proceeds to execute it
just as his lirother artist proceeds to paint a pic-
ture. He has 10,000 servants to help him. If he
wishes a dark green carried up from a given place
on the ground he chooses a Maple, or if the green
is to continue through the winter he chooses a
Pine as his servant to gather the materials already
found or placed in tlie ground. If he wishes a
red in winter he chooses a Dogwood, which will
put this colour in its bark, or if he wishes a red
in summer he chooses a Rose. To be sure the
servant must breathe the sunounding air while
doing the work reciuired. By choosing the riglit
number and kind of such hel])ers a great mass of
colour may be carried high into the air or spread
out on the ground like a carpet. The colours
may be varied from time to time, or bits of one
colour may be scattered upon another. Choosing
the right servants is not always an easy task, but
each one performs with marvellous skill the work
he or she is able to do. Whether the living pic-
ture, as a whole, will be satisfactory or not will,
however, depend upon the choice made by the
landscape gardener, provided his supervision is
continued for a long enough time. The con-
tinued supervision is required because it takes
time — in some cases years — for the servants men-
tioned, the various trees, shrubs, vines and her-
baceous plants, to do their part in making the
picture. Few of the members of the profession,
to say nothing of the clients, appreciate the im-
portance of an oversight extending through a
series of years. The architect's work is finished
with the completion of a building ; the painter's
when he puts his last touches on a canvas, but
what a landscape gardener must have in mind is
not a single ]iicture, liuta series of pictures having
more or less resemblance to each other, changing
more rapidly with the first than with the later
growth, and needing from time to time the inspection
and criticism of a trained eye. This inspection may
be made by visiting a place once a year, once a
month, or even more frequently, as maybe agreed
on with the client, but it should not be omitted.

What compensation will a landscape gardener
receive for his work '! In the first [ilace, he will
enjoy the beauty of Nature far more than most
men. He will also get much ]ileasure from his
work. He will have a chance to get the pure,
clear air of the country, to take walks through
the woods and over fields. These are imiiortant
considerations, but he must also receive money
and have a liasis for his charges. It takes as
much natural aliility and as much time spent in
study to become jn'oficient in his jirofession as it
does to become a good lawyer, a good physician,
a good engineer, or a good artOiitect, and his pay
should equal theirs. Moreover, he must travel
and see what others have done in other cities and

28

THE CxARDEK.

[Jdly 10, 1897.

countries, and he should give special attention to
what Nature has done. This requires both time
and money. The percentage charge made by
architects is not applicable to landscape work.
A fee determined by an estimate of the time re-
quired in making a design is usually most satis-
factory, or an ai-rangement may be made to charge
a certain amount by the day, the month or the
year. The subsequent supervision should be a
separate matter fi-om the original design and
execution of the work. If an agreement for a
given amount per year is made for supervision,
the landscape gardener will feel more free to in-
spect the work as often as he may deem advisable
than if he charges for each visit. His income
should increase with his skill and experience, just
as that of a lawyer increases when his ability is
demonstrated by his practice, or the charges of a
painter increase when the critics recognise the
merit of his productions.

In conclusion, it may be well to state that the
best result will only be attained when the client
has an intelligent appreciation of what is
aimed at by the landscape gardener, anil
is in full sympathy with him. — Park ami
Cemettry.

exposure. The great value of E. Phillipiana con-
sists in its being hardier than any other species,
thriving perfectly, as it does, in the open in the
London district. It is, moreover, very distinct,
and both in its flower and mode of growth quite
different from the others. Its leaves are quite small
— half an inch to three-quarters of an inch long —
almost without stalks, quite smooth and faintly
toothed at the ed^es. The flowers also are small
(from one-third of an inch to half an inch in
diameter), pure white, l)ut borne in the greatest
profusion. The whole plant has a curious re-
semblance to the Australian myrtaeeous shrub
Leptospermum scoparium both in its leaf and
flower. Many of the main branches are long,
slender, and more or less pendulous. At the
present they are cylindrical masses of white blos-
som, and the shrub, indeed, is one of the most j
beautiful of those that flower in late June and
July. It is a native of Valdivia, and was
originally sent home about a quarter of a century
ago by Pearce, who was then collecting for

3. L. palustre (syiis., L. angustifolium, L.
longifolium, L. odoratuni). North Eurojje,.
North Asia, and North America.

The "Kew Index " includes a fourth specifier
name — L. californicum — the original description
of which appears in the "Proceedings of the
Californian Academy " for the year 1863, and is-
by Dr. Kellogg. Judging from it (but in the
absence of specimens or further information) it.
is most likely a form of L. glandulosum, which
is a native of California. L. latifolium and L.
palustre have been in cultivation for more than
130 years, but the other, L. glandulosum, is.
quite a new introduction to this country, and
the fact of its having flowered at Kew for the
first time a few weeks ago may be made the
opportunity of passing it and its two fellow
species in review. They belong to the Heath
family, and, like many of their allies, are
notable for their rounded, compact habit and

Trees and Shrubs.

SPIRAEA PLAGELLIFORMIS.

The subject of the accompanying illustra-
tion is one of the most distinct of the
Spirica family, the form of its long slender
shoots, studded with thickly-set rosettes
of white blossom, being well depicted in
the illustration. Some of these curving
shoots are a yard in length, whilst others
branching tliickly show palmate surfaces
of blossom. Though growing more rapidly
when, planted in the neighbourhood of
water, moisture is not so indispensable
for this Spirasa as for others of the family,
proof of which is aflbrded by the speci-
men here illustrated, which is evidently
in rude health, though situated in a posi-
tion that would at first sight appear to lie
particularly ill-adapted to the wants of a
Spiriea, for it is planted in light, shaly
soil on the steeply-sloping bank of the
river Dart, hard by its entrance to tlie
sea, fully exposed to the south, thougli
sheltered from the north and east. In
the same garden are many rarities that are
at home in the shelter afforded by the
lie of the land and in the warmth en-
gendered by the proximity of the sea, the
natui-e of the soil and the southern sun-
shine. Here Acacia dealbata grows and
flowers well. Enibothrium coccineum.
Eucalyptus globulus, Draca?nas, Palms
and other sub-trojiical subjects find tlie
conditions suited to their requirements,
but that Spira3a flagelliformis should have
appreciated like conditions would scarcely
be credited did not the photograph taken durino-
the arid summer of last year give evidence of its
luxuriance and prove that this Spinea may be
grown succes.sfully in many positions that would
be quite unsuited to others of the shrubby sec-
tion, such as S. aritefolia and S. Lindleyana.
In the present year this specimen promises to
excel its display of the preceding summer, show-
ing that it lias not suttered materially from the
long-existing drought (jf 1896. Spirrea flagelli-
formis has many .synonyms, of which the most
common is S. canescens. S. W. F.

Spircea fla^jelliformis. Fm,,, a phutwjraph sent by Mr. S. W. Fihherbert, Lavscombc House, Torquay.

Escallonia Phillipiana.— The bulk of the
Escallonias only succeed really well when they
are grown on a wall or in those parts of the country
like Devon and Cornwall where many things that
are only half hardy near London flourish in full

Messrs. Veitch. It can be projiagated from cut-
tings put in during August. — W. J. B.

LEDUMS.
Judging by the number of names that have
been given to the Ledums, one might conclude
that the genus was quite an extensive one.
There are, however, but three species in culti-
vation, and these, so far as I can ascertain,
make the total number of species known and
discovered. They are, at any rate, the only
ones represented in the herbarium at Kew.
Their names and commonest .synonyms are as
follows : —

1. L. glandulosum. West North America.

2. L. latifolium (syns., L. canadense, L.
grcenlandicuni). North America and Greenland.

the freedom with which they flower. They are
evergreen, and the flowers are white ; whilst
always of low stature, they are sometimes even
prostrate. They inhabit the swamps and
marshes of the cool tenijierate and arctic regions
of the three northern cfnitinents, and under
cultivation should be given a peaty soil deejj
enough to be permanently cool and moist.
They ripen seeds freely in this country, and
these aflbid a plentiful though not very quick
means of increase. Propagation can, however,.
be also effected by layei's.

L. GL.\NDUL0SUM.— It is curious that a shrub
like this, which is evidently as handsome as any of
the Ledums, should so long have remained un-
known to English gardeners. It was described
over fifty years ago by Nuttall, the American
scientist, and has several times been collected for

July 10, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

2!)

hei-biiriii since then, but it was not until ISiU, when
Pi-ofessor Sai-ijeiit sent sceiisof it to Kow, tliat the
species was iiili-ochieeil to this country. These
youni; plants have this year tiowerod very prettily
anil the species promises to have all the beauty of
the two older sjiecies. It is a Western North
American shrub, being found in California,
British t'olumbia, &c., but not on the eastern side
of the continent. From the other two species
this is quite distinct, chielly by reason of the
foliage. The leaves are ovate, each from threc-
(|uarters of an inch to nearly 2 inches in lengtli,
glos.sy fjreen above, and the slightly glaucous
under surface is dotted with small. Hat glands to
which the spceilie name refers. Of the soft rusty
coloured wool which is so prominent a feature be-
neath the leaves of the other two species there is
no trace in this, and, except for a few hairs when
(luite young, they are glabrous. Neither have they
tne revolute margins seen in the others. The
flowers are each three-quarters of an inch in
diameter, pure white and each has ten stamens ;
they appear in terminal clusters 2 inches to 3
inches across. Wild siiecimens are described as
growing from '2 feet to (i feet high, and the s|)ecics
is therefore considerably taller-growing than
either of its fellows. Already the small plants
at Kew give indications of a quicker growth and
more open habit. As a new addition to the peat-
loving American plants, this is certainly one that
merits notice from those interested in that beauti-
ful class of shrubs.

L. i.ATiFOLU-M. — From L. palustre — to which it
is nearly allied — this species can be distinguished
by its broader leaves and by each flower having
five to seven instead of ten stamens. The seed
vessels are also slightly difl'erent in shape. It has
not such an extended distribution, being found
chiefly in North America, where it reaches from
Newfoundland southwards to Oregon. It exists,
however, in Greenland also. The leaves are
narrow oblong, usually from 1 inch to 2 inches
long, sometimes as much as 2J inches long by
three-quarters of an inch wide ; the margins are
curled under as in L. palustre, and the lower sur-
face is covered with the same rusty-coloured wool.
The flowers are each half an inch to three-quarters
of an inch across, white, and produced diu'ing
May in dense corymbose clusters at the ends of
the shoots. As a garden plant it is preferable to
L. palustre, the larger foliage improving its
appearance. In spite of the differences mentioned
above, this species and L. palustre come so near
each other that more than one authority has made
them forms of the one species. L. latifolium glo-
bosum is a variety with exceptionally large anil
globular flower-trusses.

L. p.vLrsTRE. — This is by far the most widel}'
spread in a state of nature of any Ledum, en-
circling the entire globe at high latitudes and
penetrating within the Arctic Circle. It is etiually
common in North Europe, Siberia and .Japan,
and it spreads from east to west of the northern
parts of North America. It has been found wild
in Perthshire. It is a densely leafy bush from
1 foot to 2 feet high, the leaves being the
narrowest of the Ledums, and varying from half
an inch to I.t inches in length. In the far
northern latitudes the leaves are sometimes no
more than one-sixteenth of an inch wide. The
margins are always curled under, and the lower
surface is covered with a reddish soft wool. The
flowers appear during May, closely set in ter-
minal clusters, each flower about half an inch in
diameter. The stamens are ten in number, and
this is the chief character that distinguishes the
species from the nearly allied and very similar
L. latifolium. A common name for this species is
Labrador Tea, on account of its leaves being in-
fused and used as a substitute for tea. L. lati-
folium is employed for the same purpose, but this
is preferable.

L. p. VAR. DiLATATl'.^i is a .Japanese form dis-
tinguished by its leaves being oblong-oval, and
thus larger and bro.ader than those of the ordinary
L. palustre, and more like those of L. latifolium.

,L. p. VAR. DEcrMBEN's is a prostrate form with
very small, narrow leaves, and comes from the

most northerly regions reached by tlu; species,
but there is every grndiition In-tween it and the
ordinary form. ^\ . J- Bean.

Societies and Exhibitions.

CRYSTAL PALACE ROSE SHOW.

.Tixv 2.

A i.AitiiE and beautiful show was brought together
on tliis occasion, certainh- larger and better than
has been seen for the past two or three years.
Competition was in most classes tolerably keen,
and the average merit of the exhibits decidedly
good.

NrRSERVMEN.

In division A the first prize in the class for
seventy-two single trusses was won by Messrs.
Harkness and Sons, Hitchin, for a magniticent
collection of blooms, tine in form and condition,
tlie liest being Comte de Raimbaud, Marie Bau-
mann, Mmc. Eugene Verdier, Earl of Dufi'erin,
Prince Arthur, Kaiserin Augusta Victoria, Comtt;
de Ludre, Marie Kady, Mme. Uelville, Victor Hugo,
Crown Prince, The Bride, Duke of Edinburgh,
Marie Verdier, Camille Bernardin, Xavier Olibo,
Cath. Mermet, S. M. Rodocanachi, Marquise de
('astellane, Thomas Mills, Helen Keller, A. K.
Williams, Chas. Lefebvre, Francois Michelon, Du-
puy Janiain, Due d'Orleans, Mme. Montel,
Custave Piganeau, Horace Vernet, Mrs. .John
Laing, Mrs. Paul, Dr. Andry, Capt. Hayward,
and Fisher Holmes. Mr. B. R. Cant was a good
second, showing fine blooms of Horace Vernet,
Duchesse de Morny, Camille Bernardin, Countess
of Oxford, Dupuy .Jamain, Marie Verdier, Comte
de Ludre, Alfred Colomb, Mme. Hoste, Victor
Hugo, Princess of Wales. S. M. Rodocanachi,
Duke of Wellington, Lady Helen Stuart, Beauty
of Waltham, Ulrich Brunner, (ieneral .Jacquemi-
not, Mme. Cusin, Prince Arthur, Mme. Eugene
Verdier, Gustave Piganeau, A. K. Williams,
Xavier Olibo, .Jean Soupert, and Annie Laxton.
For forty varieties distinct, three trusses of each,
tlie first went to Mr. B. R. Cant, of Colchester,
for an exhibit of very high merit, wonderfully even
in quality throughout, many of the blooms being
quite perfect in form and condition. The best
were A. K. Williams, Marcpiise Litta, Ulrich Brun-
ner, Mme. Cu.sin, three superb blooms, Helen
Keller, Marchioness of Dufferin, S. M. Rodo-
canachi, JIme. (iabriel Luizet, Custave Piga-
neau, Horace Vernet, three perfect flowers, and
Mrs. Sharman Crawford. Messrs. Harkness and
Sons, Hitchin, won the second prize with
a remarkably good collection, but not so uni-
form as the preceding. The best varieties
were Ulrich Brunner, superb blooms; Francois
Michelon, Helen Keller, Earl of Duti'eriii,
Camille Bernardin, (iustave Piganeau, Maiquise
de Litta, Horace Vernet, Comte de Raimbaud,
C^aroline Testout and Mrs. W. J. (Jrant. For
forty-eight singles, the first prize went to Messrs.
.J. Townsend and Sons, Worcester, for a beauti-
fully clean lot of blooms, the best being Catherine
Mermet, (iustave Piganeau, Prince Arthur, La
Duchesse de Morny, Marquise Litta, Comte de
Raimbaud, Duke of Edinburgh, Marie Verdier,
Camille Bernardin and Dupuy .Jamain. Messrs.
.T. Burrell and Co. , Ho«e House, Cambridge, won
the second prize with an almost equally good ex-
hibit, containing fine blooms of Innocente Pirola,
La France, Duke of \\'ellington, Ethel Brownlow,
Xavier Olibo, Mrs. W. J. tJrant, A. K. Williams,
The Bride, .S. M. Rodocanachi, Earl of Durt'erin
and Mrs. .John Laing. Mr. C. Turner, Slough,
was an easy first for twenty-four singles, showing
a very fine set of blooms, among which \'ictor
Hugo, Mrs. .1. Laing, ilarie Baumann, Pride of
Waltham, Ulrich Brunner, Mons. E. Y. Teas,
Fisher Holmes, Ernest Jletz and A. K. Williams
were strikingly good. The second went to Mr.
John Mattock, New Headington, Oxford, for
another very good box containing Horace Vernet,
Ulrich Brunner, Duke of Wellington, Victor

Hugo, Duke of Connaught and Marie Banmaiui.
For t.ve:ity-four distinct, three trusses of each,
the first prize went to Messrs. D. Prior and Son,
Colchester, for an exhibit of high merit, the
hl(](ims being large, well formed and of splendid
substance. The finest kinds were Horace Vernet,
Uhich Brunner, Caioline Testout, Marie Finger,
< iustave Piganeau, .Mrs. .lohn Laing, Abel CaTiii-rc,
A. K. Williams, .\lis. Sharman Crawford and I^a
Rosidi-e. The second prize was awai'fled to Mr.
(1. Mount, of Canterbury, who had lovely blooms
of Fisher Holmes, Ulricli Brunner and Mis. .lohn
Laing. The next class was for twelve distinct
singles of varieties sent out by Messrs. A. Dick-
son and Sons, Co. Down, Ireland, and the first
prize was won by Messrs. Harkness and Sons, whose
box contained beautiful blooms of Mrs. W. .1.
(irant. Earl of Duft'erin, Helen Keller, .leannie
Dick.son and Ethel Brownlow. Mr. B. R. Cant,
of Colchester, was a good second with Mrs. Shar-
man Crawford, Ethel Brownlow, .Jeannic Dick.son,
Margaret Dickson and Marjorie.

AlHTEfRS.

For thirty -six single trusses. Mi. K. B.
Lindsell, Bearton, Hitchin, was first with a re-
markably good and even exhibit, with hardly
a poor bloom. The best w'ere Ulricli Brunner,
Marchioness of Duflerin, Gustave Piganeau,
Catherine Mermet, Mme. Hausman, Mme. Cusin,
Alf. Colomb, Mme. de Watteville, Mme. Hoste,
Muriel (irahame, Innocente Pirola, Horace Vei--
net, Mrs. (Jrant, Due d'Orleans, and Mrs. .John
Laing. Mr. C. .J. Grahame, Wrydelands, Le.ather-
head, was a good second, having fine blooms of
White Lady, Chas. Lefebve, A. K. \\'illiams,
Prince Arthur, Horace Vernet, Victor Hugo, Mrs.
W. J. Grant, and Duke of Wellington. In the
class for thirtj'-six distinct, single trusses, Mr.
E. B. Lindsell was again first, showing good
flowers of Capt. Ha3^ward, Horace Vernet, (ius-
tave Piganeau, Prince Arthur, Ulrich Brunner,
Dr. Andry, Mine, de Watteville, and Louis van
Houtte. Mr. Thos. Hobbs, Easton, Bristol, was
a close second, S. M. Rodocanachi, La France,
Her Majesty, Le Havre, Jlrs. .John Laing,
and Star of Waltham being the best. Mr.
E. B. Lindsell was first also for eight distinct
trebles, his best kinds being Mrs. (irant, Ulrich
Brunner, Mrs. .J. Laing, A. K. Williams, and
Horace Vernet. The second was awarded to Rev.
J. H. Pemberton for good blooms of A. K.
\Mlliams, Horace Vernet, Mrs. .J. Laing, Francois
Michelon, andComte Raimbaud. Fortwelvesingles
of any Rose, except Tea or Noisette, the first
went to Mr. H. V. Machin, Worksop, for (iustave
Piganeau, and the second to Mr. .J. (iurney-
Fowler for Caroline Testout. The first prize for
twenty-four distinct singles went to ilr. S. S.
Berger, Stevenage, for a charmingly coloured and
shapely set of bloooms, including Prince Arthur,
Mme. (iabriel Luizet, Belle Siebrecht, Comte
Riiiniliaud, Duke of Edinburgh, and Duke of
Wellington. Mr. Edward Mawley, Rosebank,
Berkhamsted, was an excellent second with
beautiful flowers of Duke of Fife, Ulrich Brunner,
Dupuy .Jamain, Alf. Colomb, and Marie Finger.
Mr. O. a. Orpen, Colchester, was easily first for
nine singles of any Rose except Tea or Noisette,
showing a box of verj' lovely blooms of K. A.
Victoria. Mr. E. M. Bethune, Horsham, was a
close second with a very uniform box of JIaric
Baumann. For six trebles, distinct, Mr. E.
Mawley, Rosebank, Berkhamsted, was first with
a splendid collection, showing JIarie Finger,
Dupuy .Jamain, L'lrich Brunner, Mme. Gabriel
Luizet, Horace Vernet, and Mrs. .John Laing.
The second went to Mr. P. Burnand, Hill Grange,
Reigate, his exhibit including good examples of
Innocente Pirola, Mine. Cusin, and Duke of Edin-
burgh. For nine distinct singles, Mr. G. Monies,
Hitchin, gained the first prize with very fine
blooms of C. Raimbaud, Souvenir d'Elise, Beauty
of Waltham, Her Majesty, Catherine Mermet,
LTlrich Brunner, Francois Michelon, E.arl Duft'erin,
and Caroline Testout. Mr. M. W. Little, Leicester,
was secjiid, having good specimens of S. M. Ro-
docanachi, Mme. Hoste, and Mrs. J. Laing. Mr.
G. W. Cook, North Finchley, was successful for

30

THE GARDEN.

[July 10, 1897.

six trebles, having Capt. Hayward, Mrs. .John
taing, and La France in fine condition. Mv.
R. H. Langton, Hendon Hill, won the second
prize. For six singles, distinct, Mr. R. Foley
Hobbs, Worcester, was first, his exhibit contain-
ing fine specimens of Ulrich Brunner, S. M. Ro-
docanachi, and Ernest Metz. Mr. R.. W. Bowyer,
Hertford, was a very close second, having Caro-
line Testoiit, Marie Baumann, and K. A. Victoria.
In another cla.ss for si-x distinct singles. Mr. A.
Munt, Slough, was first with very beautiful
flowers of The Bride, Ernest Metz, K. A. Victoria,
and Innocente Pirola, ilr. E. R. Smith, Muswell
Hill, being second. Mr. H. P. Landon, Brent-
wood, was placed first for four distinct trel:)les,
showing Victor Hugo, La France, Mrs. John
Laing, and Caroline Testout ; Mr. J. Parker, Old
Headington, was secontl. For twelve distinct
singles, the first went to Mr. \V. Kingston, Bed-
ford, who had good blooms of A. K. Williams,
Ulrich Brunner, Camille Bernardin, and Alf.
Colomb. Rev. A. Cecil Johnson, Ipswich, was a
very good second. For six single trusses of any
Rose except Tea or Noisette, Mr. (!. W. Cook,
North Finchley, was first with a beautiful box of
Mrs. John Laing, Mr. •!. Cobden Trueman being
second with Her Majesty. Mr. E. B. Ijindsell was
first for six distinct singles of varieties sent out
by Messrs. A. Dickson and Sons, showing Mrs.
Crawford, Earl Dufferin, Muriel Grahame, and
Helen Keller in good form. Rev. J. H. Pember-
ton was a close second. In another class for
six distinct singles. Rev. A. Cecil Johnson was
first and Mr. J. Cobden Tiueman second, both
lots being good. Mr. S. S. Berger gained the
first prize in j'et another class for six singles, while
Miss Jebb, of Rotherham, was second. Mr. G. W.
Cook was a splendid first for six singles grown
within eight miles of Charing Cross, showing Duke
of Wellington, Caroline Testout, Capt. Hayward,
Mrs. John Laing and La France in good style.
Jlr. .Jno. Bateman, Archway Road, was given
the second award. For six distinct single trusses
of new Roses, Rev. J. H. Pemberton was suc-
cessful, showing good blooms of Capt. Hayward
and Marquise de Litta. Mr. 0. G. Orpen was
second. The latter exhibitor was first for eighteen
distinct Teas and Noisettes — a very beautiful
collection, every bloom faultless. The best
were Catherine Mermet, Medea, Maman C'ochet,
Cleopatra, Mme. Cusin, Ernest Metz, Marechal
Niel and The Bride. Mr. C. J. Grahame was
second also with a very fine exhibit, his best
blooms being Ethel Brownlow, Catherine Mermet
and Mme. Cusin. For twelve distinct singles in
the same division, Mr. E. M. Bethune, Horsliam,
was a splendid first, showing Catherine Mermet,
Bridesmaid, The Bride, Caioline Kuster, Mme.
Cusin, Marie Van Houtte, Ethel Brownlow and
Maman Cochet among the best blooms. Rev.
Hugh Berners was a good second. Mr. C. ■!.
Grahame was successful for eight distinct trebles,
having a clear and uniform exhibit, including
Catherine Mermet, Innocente Pirola, Mme. Cusin,
Maman Cochet, The Bride and Francisca Kruger.
The second went to Mr. S. P. Budd, of Bath.
For nine singles of any one variety, Mr. E. AI.
Bethune was first with a nice box of Catherine
Mermet, and Mr. C. J. Grahame second with
Mme. Cusin. For twelve distinct singles, Mr. .1.
Parker gained the higliest award, his box con-
taining excellent blooms of Anna OUivier, Princess
of Wales, Mme. Cusin and Mme. Hoste. Rev.
J. H. Pemberton was second. Miss Baker, of
Reigate, was successful for nine distinct singles,
her best blooms being .lean Ducher, Maman
Cochet, Ernest Metz and Etoile de Lyon. Jlr. P.
Burnan<l was an excellent .seeoid. Rev. A. Cecil
Johnson, of Ipswich, was first in the next class
for nine singles, with fine flowers of Cleopatra,
Mme. Cusin and The Bride. The second went to
Mr. G. Monies. Rev. F. R. Burnside gained the
first for six distinct singles. For four distinct
trebles, jSIr. J. Parker Tvas a capital first, showing
Marie Van Iloiitte, Catherine Mermet, The
Bride and Mme. Cusin. Mr. R. Foley Hobbs
gained the first for six singles of one variety with
a gWdil box of Catherine Mermet,

A very lo\ely exhibit was that of Mr. 0. <i.
Orpen, who won the first for six bunches with
seven trusses to a bunch. Every variety was
remarkably good, but the best were Anna OUivier,
Marie Van Houtte, Mme. Hoste, and Mme.
Cusin. For eighteen bunches of garden Roses,
distinct, iSIr. W. V. Machin w-as first with fine
bunches of Perle d'Or, Laurette Messimy, Migno-
nette, Macrantha, Crimson Rambler, Mar<pus of
Salisbury, Cecile Brunner, Homere, and Bardou
Job. Mr. A. Tate, Leatherhead, was a very
excellent second, his best bunches bein^ Laurette
Messimy, Gloire Lyonnaise, Rosa Mundi, Bardou
Job, Gustave Regis, Perle d'Or, L'Ideal, and W.
A. Richardson. The bunching and arrangement
were far superior to those of the former exhibit.
Mrs. A. F. Perkins was first for six bunches of
garden Roses, distinct, and had a very splendid
exhibit, comprising Marquis of Salisbury, Mme.
Pernet-Ducher, and Mme. C. Guinoisseau.

Open Cl.i.sses.

For twehe bunches, distinct, of any variety,
Mr. John Mattock ^^•as first, his best liunches
Ijeing Marie Van Houtte and Innocente Pirola.
For twelve single trusses of any yellow Rose,
Mr. George Prince was successful, showing a very
beautiful box of Comtesse de Nadaillac, very
fine in form and rich in colour. Messrs. D. Prior
& Son were given the first for twelve Hybrid
Teas, ha\'ing a grand lot of blooms, including
K. A. \'ictoria, White Lady, and C. Testout.
Messrs. Harkness and Sons were first for tweh e
singles of any dark crimson, showing a fine set of
Horace Vernet. Messrs. A. Dickson and Son
were first for twelve single trusses of any new Rose,
showing a magnificent lot of Mrs. W. J. Grant.
For twelve singles of any crimson Rose, Messrs.
Dickson were again successful, having a fine box
of A. K. Williams. Mr. B. R. Cant gained the
first for twelve singles of any Tea or Noisette with
a charming box of Mme. Cusin. Messrs. Town-
send and Sons were first for twelve singles of an}'
light Rose, sending a box of splendid blooms of
ilrs. J. Laing. For twelve single trusses of new
Roses, distinct, Messrs. Dickson, Co. Down, were
first with Mrs. Mawley, Ulster, Lady Clanmorris,
Tom Wood, Countess of Caledon, Killarney,
Eileen, Mrs. W. J. (Jrant, Alex. Dickson, Bessie
Brown, and Mrs. Grahame. For three sino-le
trusses of any new seedling Rose or distinct sport,
a gold medal was awarded to Messrs. A. Dickson
and Sons for a finely shaped pink Rose called
Ulster. For thirty-six bunches of garden Roses,
distinct, the first prize was won by Messrs. Paul
and Son, Che.shunt, their best bunches beino-
Mme. Falcot, Perle d'Or, (iallica, Georges Pernet,
White Pet. Alister Stella Grey, Bardou Job,
Moss Blanche Moreau, (iloire des Polyanthas,
Mme. P. Ducher, Marquis of Salisbury. Ma
Capucine, and W. A. Richardson. For eighteen
bunches of garden Roses, Mr. Chas. Turner,
Slough, was first with good bunches of Bardou
Job, Laurette Messimy, Hebe's Lip, Mme. P.
Ducher, Crimson Rambler, and Gloria Mundi.
For nine bunches of single - flowered Roses,
Messrs. Cooling, of Bath, were a good first.
For twelve distinct trebles (nurserymen). Mi'. G.
Prince was first, his best varieties being Ethel
Brownlow, Mme. Cusin, Maman Cochet, Alba
rosea, Ernest Metz, Anna OUivier and Catherine
Mermet. In the same division Messrs. J. Burrell
and Co. were first for eighteen distinct singles,
the best being Mme. de Watteville, Ernest Metz,
Catherine Mermet, Jean Ducher, Bridesmaid and
Mme. Cusin. For twentj'-four distinct singles,
Mr. Frank Cant was first with a very fine exhibit,
including Maman Cochet, Ethel Brownlow,
Ernest Metz, .Jean Ducher and Medea. The silver
medal for the best bloom of any Rose other tlian
Tea or Noisette, exhibited by a nurseryman, was
won by Messrs. Harkness for a bloom of Horace
Vernet. The similar award for the be.st bloom
of any Tea or Noisette was gained by Mr. B. R.
Cant for a flower of Mme. Cusin. A like award
for amateurs was given to Mr. E. B. Lindsell
for a bloom of Muriel Grahame. The silver medal
for the best bloom other than Tea or Noisette,

grown b}' an amateur, went to Mr. 0. G. Orpen
for K. A. Victoria.

MiSCELL.V N EOUS.

Exhibits under this section were also \ery
numerous and good. Messrs. Wallace, of Col-
chester, again had a beautiful group of hardy
flowers, chiefly Liliums and Calochorti, arranged
with excellent etfect. Among the Liliums the
following were conspicuous : L. Hansoni, L.
Parryi, L. dalmaticum and L. canadense.
The collection of Calochorti included the usual
varieties which have been lately shown, C.
venustus citrinus being again very beautiful,
also the lighter-coloured forms of the same strain.
Other notable things were Hemerocallis aurantiaca
major, with remarkably large blooms, and Iiis
aurea. Sweet Peas were again beautifully shown
by Mr. F. G. Foster, Brockhampton Nurseries,
Havant, Hants, such varieties as Royal Rose,
Mrs. (iladstone. Daybreak, Brilliant, Countess of
Radnor and many others equally good being
shown in line form. A very pretty group of
hardy flowers was staged by Messrs. A. W. Young
and Co., Stevenage, Herts, and contained a great
\'ariety of beautiful Campanulas, a good collection
of Digitalis, the old-fashioned, but charming
Sweet Williams and Shirley Poppies. Mr. M.
Prichard, Chiistchurch, Hants, had a small, but
very good group of hardy flowers, among which
were some fine blooms of Iris Krempferi, a buncli
of large flowers of Chrysanthemum maximum,
and a number of very lovely Potentillas. Yet
another attractive collection of hardy flowers
and shrubs shown by Messrs. Cheal and Sons,
Crawley, included some good Roses and some
chai-ming Tufted Pansies. A very extensive and
handsome exhibit was arranged by Messrs. J.
Laing and Sons, Forest Hill. It consisted
of a superb collection of tuberous Begonias,
backed with choice Palms and flanked on each
side w ith a group of splendidly grown and col-
oured Caladiums, and extended in one direction
with a very representati\'e collection of hardy
flowers. The arrangement was throughout very
efl'ective. A few good plants of Malmaison Car-
nations weie noticeable.

A large group of Roses, very rich and varied in
effect, was arranged by Messrs. Wra. Paul and
Son, Waltham Cross, and comprised fine examples
of cut blooms, standard trees, and dwarf bushes.
Among the best varieties were White Lady, Belle
Siebrecht, Mme. Hoste, Spenser, Gloire Lyon-
naise, Roberta, and Grand Due de Luxembourg, all
these being effectively massed in baskets. There
were also good blooms of Empress Alexandra of
Russia, Queen ilab, and Xavier Olibo, and a good
collection of Briers and garden Roses. Another
nice collection of cut Roses came from Messrs.
Geo. .Jackman and Son, Woking, Surrey, and in
it button-hole Roses were particularly attracti\ e,
such varieties as W. A. Richardson, Reve d'Or,
Mme. Falcot, Mme. Lacharme, I'ldeal, and Perle
d'Or being very lovely. Messrs. Geo. Bunyard
and Co., Maidstone, sent five boxes of twenty-four
blooms each, with some excellent flowers among
them. The following were the best : Capt. Hay-
ward, Caroline Testout, Mme. 14. Luizet, Gustave
Piganeau, .Jean Ducher, Augustine Guinoisseau,
Innocente Pirola, Her Majesty, and La France.
The same exhibit included some beautiful bundles
of garden and button-hole Roses, among which
the common Moss Rose and the Polyantha varie-
ties were notable. Messrs. John Laing and Sons
also had an admirable and representative collec-
tion of cut looses.

A full prize list will be found in our advertise-
ment columns.

If the exhibition of the National Rose

Society at Portsmouth was the smallest the society
has yet held, that which took place at the Crystal
Palace on the 2nd inst. proved, on the other hand,
the most extensi\e on recorcl. The number of
exhibition Roses staged in competition on that
occasion amounted in all to 7200, or 1450 more
than the average for the five previous metropolitan
shows of the society, and 100 blooms more than at
the largest of those exhibitions — that of 18\)2,

July 10, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

31

Tliere were over 1110 exhibitors, whose exliiliits,
arnin<;o(l accordiiifj to the rmnilicr contriliiited liy
eucli county, were us follows: Essex lieads the list
with 71 exliiliits, .Surrey eoiiies next with .">l, then
Middlesex with .'«, Ueits ;jt, Kent .'W, Oxford -Jll,
Notts •>{>, Somerset, '2(1, Sussex -Jtl, Worcester 1(1,
Gloucester l.'i, Sutl'olk l.'i, Berks 12, Leicester 10,
Wilts S, Bucks 7. Devon (1, Hants (including Isle
of Wi^'lit) (i, Derby o, Northampton .'). Vorks .S,
Bedford 2. Camlpridjre 2, Shropshire 2, Dorset 1,
Stjill'nrd 1, and Warwick 1. In addition to the
Enijlish contributions, seven exhibits came from
Wales and eleven from Ireland, but, unlike last
year, there were iio.Scotch-<rrown Hoses. Seldom,
if ever, has the society held a more enjoyable ex-
hibition. The day, althoufjli didl, proved tine and
cool, thus allowinj; the blooms to continue fresh
and brii^ht durinj^' the whole day. The general
iiuality of the flowers was remarkably f;ood, and
particidarly was this the case in the exhibits from
many of the smaller growers. Moreoxei', there
was at no time any overcrowdin<r, so that the
blooms could be inspected with comfort by both
membi'rs and visitors. — E. M., llerkiiaiiiKferl.

NATIONAL AMATEUR GARDENERS'

ASSOCIATION.

July 3.

Thk exhibition of this association in conjunction
with the garden party held at the Rcjyal Botanic
Gardens, Regent's Park, W.. on Saturday last
was not a very extensive one, but being so ably
supiilemented by several very excellent trade ex-
hibits, the display was very interesting.

Flowers, fruits, and vegetables were each re-

S resented. Roses were shown in good form, .Mr.
. W. Cook, The Briars, North Finchley, show-
ing a fine lot of Teas in a competitive class. Hon.
Edith (Jirtbrd, Innocente Pirola. Mme. de Watte-
ville. Mme. Hoste. and Princess of \\'ales being
the best in his stand. H. P.'s were best in the
cxhiliit of Mr. (ieo. Moules, who had a small box
in whii'h the blooms showed high culture. They
were of much substance and very fresh. Tufted
Pansies were well shown, Mr. R. M. Dougall.
Walthamstow. winning the " Pye" troiihy. The
most notable tlowei'S were Mrs. C. F. Gordon,
Cottage Maid, Magic, A. .1. Rowberr}-, Lord Salis-
bury. Florizel, Norah May, and Stophill Om.
Hardy flowers were seen in excellent condition,
and there were some very fine individual exliibits.
Vegetables were not very numerous, but they
were of a high order of merit in each instance.
Fruit \\as almost exclusively confined to bush
fruit and .Strawberries, and the exhibits proved
that even among amateurs most excellent results
have been achie\ed this season. Except in the
case of a vase an<l hand-basket, the decoratixe ex-
hibits were very poor, and the exhibitors have
much yet to learn.

The trade exhibits were very much appreciated.
Tuberovis-riKitcd Begiuiias in splendid eonilition
came from Mr. H. .1. .Jones, Ryecroft Nursery,
Lewisham. Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons, Swan-
ley, showed an interesting gioup of Cannas, Queen
Charlotte. Pavonia, and Duchess of York standing
out prominently from the others. Mr. Baxter.
Woking, staged a number of sprays of Tufted
Pansies, which were much admired. Mr. W.
Rumsey had a fine display of cut Roses. Messrs.
W. Cutbush and Sons, Highgatc, had a superb
group of Malmaison Carnations, the pink and
fieshcoloured varieties being nicely balanced.
Hardy flowers were sent by Messrs. .1. Laing and
Sons, .Messrs, Barr and Sons, and Mr. T. S. Ware,
each firm making a splendid display, Messrs.
Dobbie and Co, made a very beautiful display of
Sweet Peas.

Royal Horticultural Society. — The next
fruit and floral meeting of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society will be held on Tuesday, .luly 1.3, in
the Drill Hall, .Tames Street, Westminster, 1 to ,5
p.m. A lecture on "Mutual Accommodation
between Plant Organs " will be gi\en bj- the Rev,
Prof. Geo. Hcnslow, M.A., F.L.S., at 3 o'clock.

Notes of the Week.

Gaillardia Vivian Grey is perhaps the most
distinct variety yet raised, the llower.s being of a
clear nniforn/ light yellow throughout, and of
rather a pleasing shade in the border.

Pentstemon diffusus.— A very jn-etty kind
of dwarf haliit, wiUi nunicious spikes of flowers of
a rose-])ur|)le tint externally, and internally of an
azure-blue .shade. The plant is well worth grow-
ing for its early floweiing.

Rose Captain Christie. — We recently .saw
tliis handsome Hose in excellent form in a garden
mar Hampton Court. The plants were dwarf
and sturdy, and being freely employed made a
line display of kirge and hand.some flowers.

Phloxes.— Some of the very earliest of herlia-
ceous Phloxes are Le Soleil and Eolaireur, the
farmer with bright rose pink blossoms, the latter
bearing rose - purple flowers in large jianicles.
As early kinds in this group these are worth
noting.

Carnation Miss Ellen Terry. — So far assize
and purity of Ijlos.som are concerned, this variety
is quite a'success, while of fragrance it has none;
a misfortune in a variety that otherwise possesses
considerable merit. It is rare that any flower is
so devoid of scent as this.

Callas in the open air. — From Mr. Sangwin,
Tlie Gardens, Trehssiek, Truro, come some hand-
some flowers and leaves of these, showing how-
well they do in the open air in Cornwall. The
flowers are large, of fine substance and on strong
foot-stalks, the leaves large and leathery.

Ornithogalum pyraniidale produces, as the
name implies, a large jiyramid of pure white
l.ilossoms on stems IS inches or so high tliat have
a srood efl'ect in rather cool spots in the boi-der.
Where a mixed collection of hardy bulbs is grow n
this Spanish kind should always be found.

Madonna Lilies are now very beautiful in
many gardens, and where the plants are free from
disease the etteet is very tine. In some districts
we have seen but little of the disease this year,
while in one cottage garden that contained (juite
a large number of spikes, one was very badly
afi'eeted, while the rest were fresh and healthy
looking,

Codonopsis ovata. — This curious little mem-
ber of tlie Campanulace;e was included last week
in Mr. Pricliard's group of hardy flowers at the
Drill Hall, The bluish [jurple blossoms which are
paler inside, are \ery curiously marked. When
oiven a good position on a warm border this does
well, and for a long time is covered with its
drooping blossoms.

Photinia japonica (Locjuat), — Considerable
interest centred around some fruiting branches of
this plant at the Drill Hall a week ago when Mr,
(ieo, Wythes exhibited several fully ripe fruits
from Sj'On House. It is known as the .Tapanese
Medlar or Quince, and the fruit rarely ripens in
this country. Both the seed and pulp are very
distinct in ajipearance.

Morina long-ifolia. — This is doubtless among
the most stiiking of border perennials now in
bloom. The spin}' leaves are each about 18 inches
long, and when developed very distinct and
ett'ective. From these in summer a flower-spike
issues, containing crowded wKorls of blossoms
that change from white to pink and ultimately to
a rich crimson hue that renders it a very con-
spicuous object.

CEnothera speciosa i.s now very showy, pro-
dueing large white, rose-tinted blossoms in great
prolusion. Intern.allj' the handsome blossoms are
nearly pure white, these presently changing
colour with age. In this way various shades are
seen when the plant is used freely. In good soil
the plant grows and flowers freel}'. For flowering
from .Tune onwards for weeks in succession it is of
ciinsiilerablc value.

Pink Albino. — I forward you a few blooms of
my new I'ink Albino. It rt;c'eivetl stn award of

merit at the Royal Horticultural Society, .June 1.").
It is a good grower and free bloomer, and also
forces well. — .1. L.V.Mii, Ihirlnii Jm/n , Xntls.

*,* This is a pure white sinooth-e<lged variety
of the border Piid{, the flowers large and of fine
form. In the lilooms sent there are no signs of
bursting. The fragrance, too, is very pronounced.

En.

Cytisus nigricans is a neat and pretty kind
with erect spikes of yellow blossoms on rather
long jieduncies. The leaves arc trifoliate and
stalked, and [jubescent on the under surface. It
is quite di.stinct among tlie later flowering kinds
and worthy of attention. C. n. longipedunculata
appears to difter only in the longer stems to the
sprays of blossom. Both kinds were exhibited
at tiie last meeting of the Royal Horticult\n-al
Soi;icty,

Hemerocallis Thunbergi, -This lieautiful
form is not so freely grown as it deserves : indeed,
many gardens are without it altogether. \'et
notwithstanding, it is of equal value with H.
flava, that comes earlier into flower, while the
above, which is somewhat dwarfer and produces
larger blossoms of a paler shade of yellow, makes
a capital succession. As a border plant it is all
that could be wished for, being hardy, vigorous
aiul free flowering.

Galega officinalis is now a very pretty as
well a.) useful plant either for the border or for
cutting. Neat in habit and free and continuous
in flowering, it should be grown freely where
large supplies of cut bloom are needed. Its
pretty pea-shaped blossoms of blue-lilac are pro-
duced in somewhat jjyramidal clusters for a long
time. There is also a )jure white form of this
[jlant that should be grown by all who have to
furnish useful flowers in quantity. Both are of
the easiest culture, and maj- be readily increased.

Magnolia macrophylla. — Messrs. Veitch
send us from their nursery at Coombe Wood a
flower of this distinct Magnolia. The flower cut
in the bud is priceless as to its beauty, and no
Lily could equal it in form. The leaves are
nearh' 1.S inches long, the under sides of a delicate
silver hue. It is a native of North Carolina and
has been introduced into Enghind man}- years.
There is at Claremont a remarkably fine specimen
of this some 40 feet high. Mr. Burrell showed
some blooms from this tree at one of the meetings
of the Royal Horticultural Society last year.

Senecio japonica. — This handsome (flant
should always be borne in mind when hardy finc-
foliaged plants, particularly such as are of a
moisture -loving disposition, are being arranged
in grou))S or masses. Planted in dee]) loamy soil
where the roots may readily i-each moisture, this
fine plant will give but little trouble. ^^'elI
grown, its handsome divided leaves attain to
large size, and in summer a bold head of flowers
several feet high is produced, the ray florets being
of a rich deep orange. This handsome plant was
included in Messrs. Barr's group at the Drill Hall
last week.

Tropasolum polyphyllum. — When so planted
in the rock garden that the rather succulent
growths can trail at will, this is a lieautiful and
interesting plant long before a flower is seen.
This is the outcome of its silvery grey leaves.
With about 2 feet of grow-tli the l)lossoms ap-
pear, and furnish the stems for some time. The
species is not oidy pc^rfcctly hard}-, but it will
force its way through the hardest of soil, fre-
quently appearing in the gravel walk a yard away
from the spot where the original tuber w-as placed.
Occasionally the plant is trained u)iwai-ds, though
as we think only to hide its bc^t side.

Geranium sanguineum album is certainl}
an acquisition, but from the ilifferenee between it
and the type I am inclined to think it is hardly a
variation only. The flowers do not open (in my
specimen) flat and with oveilajiping petals, as in
the type, but arc distinctly stellate and at the
same time cup-shaped. The growth, too, seems
more straggling as yet an<l the flower jjedicels
longer. I note a difference, too, in thp shap'e of

32

THE GARDEN,

[July 10, 1897.

the leaves. They are more regularlj- pahnate and
lobed than in (1. sanguineum. It would lie in-
teresting to know its origin, although it will make
no difference to its value in the garden. — T. J. W'.,
Crouch End.

Acantholimon venustum is a lovely summer
alpine, as choice and lieautiful as it is rare. The
largest single specimen I liave grown or seen,
produced some thirty of its prettily formed sprays
of pink blossom, one and sometimes two spraj's
issuing from its s]iiny-pointed rosettes. The
foliage is quite rigid, and its almost invisible
needle-like spines very sharp. This species is not
nearly so free as the better known kind, A.
glumaceum, often used as an edging, and in this
way growing freely. This latter cannot compare
with the above, which is of much .slower growth
and seeds only rarely. It is now one of the most
charming plants flowering in the rock garden, and
worthy of increase by every known means.
(Jritty loam and a sunny position suit it well. — J.

Iris Keempferi. — I send you herewith a few
blooms of my first crop of Japanese Iris Ka»m|)feri.
I think them extremely beautiful, and these Irises
might with advantage be largely grown in our
English gardens. I got these over direct from
.Japan, and they ciiuie in very good condition and
have since bloomed well in the gardens at Fair-
awn. Those which were planted on a compara-
tively dry site and well exposed to the sun always
come up first, but they do not carry the finest
blooms. A batch which I planted round the
edges of the pond and not in a sunny situation
flower later, but the blooms are always larger and
more beautifully coloured. I will send you a few
of the later blooms soon. They are very free
flowering, and they bloom almost equally well in
ordinary flower beds and when jilanted in tlie
grass in a damp situation, but I think it is under
the latter conditions that they attain their
greatest beauty. Some of the blooms measure
(3 inches across, and the tints 'vary — purjile, violet,
striped varieties of tliese tints with white strip-
ing, and some of them are pure white without
any admixture of colour. I have not as yet tried
growing them from seed. — Ernest H.\rt, Fair-
/iiirn, Tot/rn')/<ii . llrrts.

Philadelphus Lemoinei. — Each succeeding
June confirms the good opinion formed of this hy-
brid at the time it was sent out by its raiser,
Mons. Lemoine, of Nancy. The distinctness of
P. microphyllus from all the rest of tlie Mock
Oranges made it a very promising subject for tlie
hybridiser, and Ijy crossing it with the old and
well-known P. coronarius, M. Lemoine has added
to our collections a shrub that is not only a beau-
tiful one, but one more distinct from the rest of
the Philadelphuses than most of the so-called spe-
cies in that genus are from each other. The in-
fluence of P. coronarius has given the hybrid a
much stronger and more vigorous growth than
that of P. microphyllus, but the latter species has
bequeathed the purer whiteness of its flowers,
together with tlieir sweeter, lighter perfume. P.
Lemoinei grows 4 feet to 5 feet high (it mav be
more exentuallj'), of somewhat erect habit, with
thin ovate leaves eacli '2 inches long, that lia\-e
a few scattered teeth on the margin. The flowers
are each 1 inch to IJ inches across, and pro-
duced from the short axillary shoots of last year's
branches in such abundance as to transform them
into columnar masses of pure white blossom. IVI.
Lemoine has sent out several other hybrids origi-
nating from the same parents ; among tliem are
Lemoinei crectus (scarcely different from the
above), BouIed'Argent (double) and candelabra. —
W. J. B.

The Calochorti are now among the most
charming of flowers in the open, and where due
attention has been given to the soil in which they
are growing, a good display of flowers is almos"t
sure to result. Particidarly good and showy in
their \ aried colours is the section of these known
as the Eldorado strain. The almost endless va-
riety of colour in this group is very remarkable,
and varies from purple and reddish "purple to rich
red-pink, and even .salmon shades, the many inter-

mediate hues defying description. The lovely
golden yellow, known as venustus citrinus, is a
beautiful flower, the beauty of which is enhanced
by pencillings and blotches of a reddish hue. As
a cut flower for jmall vases this is quite unique,
and (piite equal to many of the choicest Orchids
in point of lieauty, while the liuUis are cheap. A
very handsome form, with yello\\- Ijlossoms each
4 inclies or 5 inches across, is C. clavatus, which
hitlierto has been unknown to cultivators of this
beautiful class, though botanists have for years
known of its existence. Another really lieautiful
kind, pei'haijs tlie most chaste of all, is C. Guni-
soni, with pure white flowers, having a zone of a
yellowisli green shade in the centre. These
lovely things may be grown in pots, though they
flower much more freely in prepared soil in the
open ground.

Notes from Baden-Baden. — Richardia Ad-
lami is now flowering in an open border. It is
distinct from R. Nelsoni in its glaucous green,
more sagittate leaves and the somewhat lai'ger
flowers, which also are creamy white, witli a
shade of sulphur, and have the violet-lilack blotch
extended up to two-thirds of the spathe. Both
species are likely to become popidar. Several
plants from a batch of seedlings of R. Rehmanni
are now blooming, and it is singidar how different
they are in tlie pink shading ; some are pink,
others are white with a pinkish sliade. A pleasing
contrast to these is produced by a small group of
a superior form of Sandersonia aurantiaca. The
plants are 4 feet high, having each six to ten
flowers the size of a Walnut ; these orange bells,
backed by the fresh green, healthy lea\es, look
very striking. In the rock garden Campanula
mirabilis is now in full flower, and it well deser\es
its name. It is a low pyramid about '2 feet through,
forming a much-divided, branching bu.sh, covered
with hundreds of its pale blue flowers, which are
nearly the size of those of C. Medium. For the
introduction of this very beautiful plant horticul-
ture is indebted to the munificence of M. Wm.
Barbey and to the unwearied exertions of the
botanist, M. N. Alboff, who found the plant as a
single specimen — no second found — in a rock}'
part of the Caucasus. Here it has proved per
fectly hardy. — Max Leichtlin, Baden-Baden.

Public Gardens.

Open space for Clerkenwell. — Yesterday
afternoon Captain F. T. Penton opened the
churchyard in connection with the old church of
St. James, Pentonville, which has been laid out
by the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association
as a recreation ground. The ground, which is
within the parish of Clerkenwell, will be main-
tained by the vestry. This is the fifth open space
which the Metropolitan Public Gardens Associa-
tion has provided in the parish. The Earl of
Meath said that the wliole of the money for laying
out the ground — £000 — had been provided by the
City of London Parochial Foundation, and Captain
Penton had promised to proxide a fountain at a
cost of £100.

Battersea Park. — A proposal ^\ill shortly
come before the London County Council for the
construction of a suitable embankment along the
whole river frontage of Battersea Park. The
existing river wall is of a \-ery slight nature, and
a large proportion of it is in an extremely bad
condition. The Paiks and Open Spaces Com-
mittee of the Council, who are making tlie pro-
posal, state that the present wall may be described
as a mere skin of concrete blocks, generally
!) inches in thickness and in some cases less. For
some years past it has been the practice to patch the
worst places from time to time at an annual out-
lay of some £400 or £.500. The result, however,
has not been satisfactory, and the deterioration
which has arisen in past years has not been over-
taken, so that the wall is steadily growing worse.
The Council's engineer reported in 1805 tliat the
cost of putting the wall into a proper state of

repair, if undertaken at that time, would be about
£6000, and that even then there would be a subse-
cjuent annual charge of about jE'200 for its main-
tenance. Under these circumstances the com-
mittee are firmly of opinion that the best and
most economical course would be to reconstrnct
the wall in a substantial manner-. The length of
the ri\-er front of the park is about 1300 yards, or
about three-quarters of a mile, and the engineer
is of opinion that a granite-faced wall with a
granite parapet can be constructed there for the
sum of £43,500. In view of the large recurring
charge for maintaining the existing wall and of
the economy that would ultimately be effected by
the substitution for it of a permanent granite
embankment, and also taking into account the
enhancement of the appearance of the park, the
committee strongly recommend the Council to
adopt their scheme. It is proposed that the cost
of the improvement shall be charged to capital
account, the repa3'ment Ijeing spread over the full
term of the stock, out of the proceeds of the issue
of which the cost would be defrayed.

THE VICTORIA MEDAL OF HONOUR
IN HORTICULTURE.

The following is the official list of those who ha\e

been selected by the Royal Horticultural Society

as the recipients of the medal in honour of the

Queen's Diamond Jubilee ; —

Baker, J. G., F.R.S. Moore, F. W.

Balfour, Prof. Isaac Morris, Dr. D.

Barr, Peter Mclndoe, James

BarrOD, A. F. Milner, H. E.

Beale, E, J, Moljneux, E.

Bull, Wm, Monro, (i.

Bunyard, Geo. Maries, Chas.

Burbidge, F. W. Nicholson, G.

Crump, W. O'Brien, Jas,

Dunn, Malcolm Paul, Geo,

D'Ombrain, Rev, H, H. Paul, William

Druery, C. T. Rivers, T. F.

Dean, R. RothBchild, Hon. Walter

Dickson, Geo. (Chester) Schroeder, Baron

Elwes, H.J. Sjnder, F.

Ellacombe, Rev. Canon Seden, J.

Foster, Prof. M. Smith, J, (Mentmore)

Fraser, John (S, Wood- Smith, Martin R.

ford) Speed, R,

Gordon, Gee, Sutton, A, W,

Hooker, Sir Jos, D, Sherwood, N, N.

Henslow, Rev. Geo. Thomas, Owen

Hole, Very Rev, Dean Thomson, David

Hudson, J, Thompson, W.

Heal, J. Turner, H.

Horner, Rev. F. D, Willmo't, Miss

Herbst, H, Wolley-Dod, Rev, C,

Jekyll, Miss G, Wright, J,

Kay, Peter Wythes, Geo,

Laing, John Wilson, G, F.

The weather in 'West Herts. — A week of
changeable, but, on the whole, moderately warm
weather. On the 2nd inst. the reading in shade
rose onlj- to (i2°, but on two other occasions it ex-
ceeded 70'. The nights were, as a rule, warm.
Since the beginning of the month the tempera-
ture of the ground at 1 foot deep has fallen 3°, but
is still slightly above the mean for this de(ith.
Rain fell on only one day, and then the amount
deposited proved insignificant. The winds have
been mostly high, and the record of bright sun-
shine rather below the average for the time of
year. — E. M., Berkhamsted.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

" Paying Pleasures of Country Life." By various
authors. G. Routledge and Sons, Ltd.

" The New Gulliver ; or. Travels in Athomia." By
C. T. Druery, F.R.S. Roxhurghe Press, Victoria
Street, Westminster.

Names of plants. — K. Osman.— The Fern is
AdiaTitum"(;-oncinnuin. We cannot undertake toname

varieties of Coleus, George Phelly. — 2, Heuchera

Richardsoni ; others next week, C. P. — Pleass

send specimens, N. P. — Phalsenopsis amabilis.

THE] a-^I^IDE3Sr.

Ko. 1339— Vol. LTI.]

[JULY 17, 1897

Orchard and Fruit:—

Applu Mere dc Manage .. .. 3'»

Apple Pine-appk- Kussct .. 34

Apple Yorkshire Hcauty .. 35

CucviinlK-rVeitohsCliaUengor 33

Curnint La \Vis;iillcs .. .. 3S

Cnrniiit.s, Hed, jTuiiing .. 35

Eugenia I'gni 34

(impe Duke of Huci'luucli .. 85

Melon KastuorOustle .. .. 33

Melon Huyal Kavonritc .. .. 33

Nectarine Early lUvci-s.. .. 3>

Nectarine Victoria 33

Peach Alesauder 34

Peach blister 33

Poach Crimson Oalando .. 35
Peach I'rince of Wales .. „ 35
Peach Stirling Castle .. .. 34
Raspberries, yelli>w.. * .. ,. 33
[ Strawberry Monarch .. .. 35
Stmwbcrry se;Wion, a short .. 34
StrawbeiTy season, prolong-
ing the 35

Strawbeny Stevens* Wonder 35

Btrawben-ies 34

Flower :—

Jrtma ovalij'olia af Afifiots-

bur>i 4ti

Cwiiatiou Loi-d Heudleshuni 39
Delphinium spikes, exhibit-
ing 3i'

Dcndroniccon rigidmn ..

Dictamnus Fraxinella ..

(iiniMa pr<'nt.r on u '-arptt of
Ai'i'rii'tia Lciclitliai at
Ahbotsbarii

Gladiohis The Uridc, hardi-
UCBR of

Malva mosehata alba

Pausios, Tiiftod, at Chiswiek

Pea, Sweet, Aurora

Ptntstemoii Urouh ri i,i rock-
flardcnat Abbot nlmri/ ..

Plants, notes on hardy . .

Popjiics, < iriiiital

Primula i'lailli

Rock gar.lL-n, the, at Abbots-
bury, Newton Abbot ..

iSnxiJ'niffa Ion (li folia and Edd-
wcixs, colon'/ of, (tt Abhots-
burn

Silene niaritima plena . .

Spring, the English, an appre-
ciation of

Sttps, rockif portion of, at
Abhotsburif

Roses : —

Rosa alpina and its var. R. a.

pyrenaica

Rosa laevigata

Rose Abel Carrifere

Rose Baroness Rothschild . .
Rose Blancheflenr

(lUu^lrationa in Italics.)

Roaj Conitesse de Murinais 10

Rose Jean Cherpin . . . . 4*2

Ko?o Kaiserin Augusta Vic-
toria.. .. .. .'. ■- 40

Rose Mugdeleine de Chatel-

lier 42

Rose Medea 42

Rose notes 40

Rose Robusta 42

Rose Rosonianc Alix Huguier 40

Rose S. M. Rodocanachi .. 41

Rose Thomas Mills .. .. 42
Ro.=e W. A. Richardson,

colour in 41

Roses at Portsmoutlx . . .. 40
Roses Hebes Lip and Roine

Blanche ..42

Roses Marquise de Salisbury

and Canioens as sfcindards 42
Roses, new, at the Crystal

Palace 41

Roses, seedling 42

Roses with coloured foliage . . 41

Roses, yellow 41

Garden Flora :-

Cinerarias, hybrid 48

Stn:rio multi_l1vn'S X mtrd<:n

Cii}<r<fr'ii 43

Week's Work:—

Fruit garden, the hardy . . . 43

Kitchen garden, work in the 44

Kitchen :—

Aspanigus, manuring
Can-otn, young, for winter ..
Lettuce, good autvnnn . .

Pea Early Morn

PeaGradus

Peas, new

Peas, very dwarf

Potato Sharpe's Victor . . . .

Stove and Greenhouse :-

C;irnatiMn Mrs. Kvcrard
Hanibro

Carnations, Malmaison, at
Cidford

Eupatorium odoratuni .. ..

Freesias all the year round . .

Poiusettias, growing .. ..

Societies:—

Royal Horticultural . . . .
Notes of the Week :—

Apple blossom, late
Bvodisea gi-andiflora
Campanula Balchiniana
Campanula G. F. Wilson
Carnation Jim Smyth . .
Carnation Nell Gwynne
Clematis J ackmani . . . .
Crassula coccinea .. ..

Echinons ruthcniea

Gaillarnias

llnllyliockH, single

Indigiifcra Huribunda ..

liis Ka-rn(jfcri

I -ilium Ilrnwni

Liliuni japunicvnn Krameri..
Lychnis vespcrtina jilena ..
NymphfBa Marliacca albida
Pelargonium Beauty of Golden

Hill

Phlox Coquelicot

Hose Empress Alexandra of

Russia ..

Scolymns grandiflorus .
Sidalcea malvjeflora I^istcri..
Wiitsiinia iridifoliaO'lSricni..

Public Gardens:

Open spaces 52

Waudsworth, open space for 52

Miscellaneous :—

51 , Caluchi.rtiisPluiamerajaureus 4'.i

51 1 Diervillascssilifulia 42

52 I June in Simtli Dfvnn .. .. 47
51 Halimudeudrun argentevun .. 42

51 Haw, a singidar 52

51 i Sub-tenant holding over .. 52

51 I Veronica lycopodioides . . . . 43

51 ' Weather in West Herts .. .. 52

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

PEACH BLISTER.

The abnoniiiil prevalence of blister on outdoor
Peach trees, which seems general throughout the
country this year, may be <A some service by add-
ing to one's knowledge of the influence of aspect.
In this district the visitation has been very
severe, and I notice that trees on south walls
ai-e looking far worse than those facing west ;
indeed, they are reduced in many instances to
the merest scarecrows. The season will be gone
before all signs of the scourge have been elimi-
nated, and the trees will have to strain all their
rest>urces in cirder to become furnished with
good beai-ing wood for another year. All hopes
of a good crop have lieen shattered for this sea-
.son, for though plenty of the fruits set, tho.se
on the worst branches failed to swell. This is
very unfortunate, as many gardeners who had
almost given up Peaches in the open have lately
been planting again and were looking forward
to a good harvest. The comparative well-being
of trees facing west holds out hope that a remedy
is to be found in choice of site, an<l that we
may, by providing complete shelter, either tem-
porary or permanent, from east winds, cope
with the ditticulty. It may be objected to my
suggestion as to planting on west walls that
Peach trees rei[uire all the sunshine they can
get in order to ri])en the wood pi'i>perly, and
this would probably be a safe objection with
very late varieties, which are also late in losing
their leaves, but it has no weight when mid-
season and second early varieties — the only ones
which c<inie really to jierfection on outside
walls far north of Ltjndon — are grown. For
the shooting season and for market very late
Peaches are only a little less valuable than early
forced fruit, and those which pay least well are
the midseason \arieties which have been grown
in cool houses, and which all ripen together and
make a glut. The same varieties on a west wall
ripen well, but later, and they then pay for
growing. I believe that too much stress is

often laid on the advice to thoroughly ripen the
wood of Peach trees. Most growers have seen
plenty of instances in which comparatively green
shoots have set and carried through fruits not
to be beaten by those on their more favoured
fellows, and, provided they have been given
plenty of room, have perfected good foliage and
are of good ; ize without being gross. These
conditions may be attained as well on a west as
on a south wall ; letter, in fact, if the ten-
dency to blister is reduced. It would be inter-
esting to learn how Peaches in other districts
have fared, and especially if aspect has had any
influence, beneficial or otherwise, on the trees.
Livermere Park. J. C. Tall.\(;k.

Nectarine Victoria. — As is well known, this
tine Nectarine is apt to crack badly, but looking
through the houses at Culford recently I found a
splendid crop of fine fruit and not one cracked.
This is the result of cropping heax'ily, combined
probably with something that the variety likes in
the soil and careful treatment. Humboldt, too,
was fruiting grandly, and of Peaches (irosse Mig-
nonne, Lady Palmerston, a good Peach with deep
coloured flesh, and Royal George, were all carry-
ing heavy crops of fine fruit.

Melon Royal Favourite.— This Melon ap-
pears to be well adaiitctl for early foicing. Some
time since I saw a nice crop hanging in the early
house at Hillside, and Mr. Day, the gardener,
thinks very highly of it. Last year at the same
place it was grown in a later house, the crop,
size of fruit, and quality being all that could be
desired. Royal Fa\ourite is sure to be largely
grown, as few \arieties have so tine an appear-
ance, the colour of well-finished fruit being a
beautiful lemon. It is also particularly well
netted. — J. C.

Cucumber Veitch's Challenger.— I have
given this Cucumber a trial this season, and the
results are very satisfactory, as it is not only a
heavy and continuous cropper, but the majority
of the fruits grow very straight and they have
but little shank. They vary in length from
18 inches to 20 inches ; the colour is also good,
being a nice deep green, and they carry a heavy

bloom. It is a white-spined variety, but the
fruits are but sparsely clothed with spines, and
the colour of the flesh and flavour are all one can
wish for in a Cucumber. I have neither seen nor
grown a Cucumber for a long time past which
has given me greater satisfaction than Challenger,
and have accordingly marked it for e.Ntended
cultivation. — A. \V.

Yellow Raspberries. — It is somewhat sur"
prising that the yellow and white varieties of
Raspberries are not moie commonly grown — at
least in pri\ate gardens — as they are so useful for
dessert and make quite an attractive dish. The
old White Antwerj) is well worth growing, as
although not so free as the red variety of that
name, it bears (profitable cro]js in good soil and the
flavour is delicious. White Magnum Bonum, of
larger size than Antwerp and early ripening,
is a grand Raspberry, and, where only one summer
white variety is grown, is perhaps the best, all
points considered. For bearing in autumn, the
canes being cut down in February, Yellow Quatre
Saisons should be grown. This is a good bearer
and the fruit is of fine flavour and valuable for
mixing with the red Belle de Fontenay for des-
sert at a season when outdoor fruit is becoming
scarce. — C. C. H.

Melon Eastnor Castle. — An old favourite
and still oiu^ of tlic Ix-st of Melons among the
dark green-fleshed section. It is seldom met
with in cultivation now, owing, I believe, to the
ditiiculty in obtaining seed of the true strain.
I grew it this year for supplying the first crop,
having been disappointed in obtaining seed of
my favourite kind for that purpose — Uavenliam
Early. The seed of Eastnor Castle pro\ed to be
true, the plants producing a good crop of even-
sized fruits, all of which bore unmistakable signs
of its parentage, Eastnor Castle being, as is well
known, the product of a cross between Victory of
Bath and Beechwood. The parents were two
most excellent kmds in themselves, and it is
doubtful whether the progeny— the variety under
consideration— has ever been surpassed in point
of flavour. A large fruit grower, when looking
round these gardens a few weeks ago, made the
remark that he grows none but Eastnor Castle
Melon for his own eating, and has done so for
many years past, as he considers the flavour to

34

THE GARDEN.

[July 17, 1897.

be perfection. It is a. capital grower and very
prolific, being suitable for growing either on the
restrictive or extension principle, and the indi-
vidual fiuits attain a large size under good culti-
vation. A great boon would be conferred on
gardeners if someone possessing a true stock of
this excellent Melon would increase it by saving
and e\'entually distributing the seed, as I feel
sure that many would be glad to obtain it once
again. — A. \V.

A SHORT STRAWBERRY SEASON.
Last year the supply of Strawberries failed very
quickly, but this season it was even worse in
many districts. Rain fell opportunely, or
otherwise the crop would have been a complete
failure. As far as market growers are con-
cerned, the reason for the shortness of the sup-
ply is not far to seek. All the early tiowers
either expanded or scarcely showing colour
were blackened by frosts, and as a consequence
fully a week was lost, and the crop was also
nnich lighter than usual, or considerably below
the average. Then came the spell of excep-
tionally hot weather in Juiie, and this rushed
i'l the later varieties. During the week ending
July 3 Strawberries were spoiling in the shops
in large quantities. Less than a week later the
season was practically ovei'.

Protecting rows or beds of Strawberry plants
in flower from frost may seem a rather heavy
undertaking, but I have never found it so, and
in two seasons out of tliree found tluit the out-
lay of a few shillings saved fruit worth nearly as
many pounds. In the first place the rows of
plants ought always to be worth the trouble of
attending to. It is strong, young, or compara-
tively young plants that give the best results.
Any upwards of three years old cannot be de-
pended upon to do well in the majority of gar-
dens. They are the first to suffer h-om the eftects
of severe winter frosts, they are invariably later
in producing ripe fruit than strong young plants ;
the fruit, if plentiful, is usually undersized and
indifferent in point of flavour, and tliese old
plants are the first to feel the effects of drought.
A good succession of young Strawberry jilants
ought, then, to be constantly provided.' There
should be no waiting for the old j)lants to show
signs of failing before planting more, Ijut each
season rows or beds, according to circumstances,
should be planted and an equal number of old
ones destroyed. By old plants I mean any
that liave produced tliree good crops of fruit.
Hundreds of readers can doubtless point to
older and, in their estimation, very jirofitable
beds, but after many years' experience the
conclusion I ha^•e arrived at is that younger
plants give much the best results, that is if °ve
tike into consideration the quality as well as
<iuantity of fruit supplied, and also the dura-
tion of the supply.

Market growers who plant by the acre have
almost, ])erforce, to be content to dibble out
runners late in the season and to prevent tliese
from fruiting the following summer, in order
that they may attain a serviceable size for fruit-
ing one year later. Not so the jirivate gar-
dener. He can layer his runneis early into
either ridges of fresh soil or pots, well-rooted
p'ants being ready for their fruiting cpiarters
by the end of July. It is then w'hen they
ought to be replanted, delaying this important
work till late in August, owing, it may be, to
the site for them not being ready earlier proving
a great mistake. Strawberries should have a
freely-manured, deeply-dug site, and if trench-
ing is practised — a desirable proceeding — this
ought to be done in tlie winter pre\ious, in
order that tjie ground may have time to settle
and. to become \yell. mellowed, for tjie Stiawberry

lilants. Crop this trenched ground with early
maturing Potatoes, and these can be cleared off,
leaving the soil in admirable con(liti(jii in time
to plant Strawberries. By planting the latter
early and firmly, and subsequently keeping
tlieni well watered, also free of weeds and
runners, grand plants capable of producing a
full crop of fine fruit can be grown before the
winter stojis further progress for a time.

Strawberries in many cases are planted too
tliickly. Instead of the plants being disjjosed
18 inches asunder in rows 2 feet or rather iiKjre
apart, the more satisfactory distances would, in
the end, be found 2 feet and o feet respectively.
When grown closely together they smother and
rob each otlier ; whereas when more room is
allowed, the individual plants produce heavier
crops, which seldom fail to ripen properly, for
the simple reason they are not smothered by
leaves. One reason why the Strawberries
grown in the open fields are often supericu- in
point cf flavour to tho.se produced by plants of
fclie same variety in private gardens is because
they get more light, sunshine, and air. The
plants, owing to rooting in solid ground, form
short, stout foliage, and they also have
abundance of room. During the height of tlie
season the ripening fruit can be seen between
the rows of plants in long bands of colour ;
whereas tlie luxuriant foliage on garden-grown
plants not unfrecjuently hides the fruit and
spoils the quality. For an extra early supply
of Strawberries, plant Noble, Royal Sovereign,
John Ruskin, or other favourite early-ripening
variety more thickly, or from 15 inches to
18 inches apart each way, on a warm .sloping
border where tliey can and ought to be pro-
tected when in flower. ( )nly crop them once,
the plants, after having also yielded abundance
of carly^ runners, ]jaying well for the trouble
taken with them. Young plants invariably give
tlie earliest ripe fruit. Late Strawberries are
(piite as much appreciated, if not more so than
early ones, and in order to prolong the season,
plant either Loxford Hall Seedling or Latest of
All on a cool border. I have found both of
these varieties succeed remarkably well on a
wide wall border facing north-east.' Other va-
rieties have been tried in a similar jiosition, but
they never eijualled the two named either for
lateness, weight of crop, size of individual fruit,
or quality. Curiously enough, the plants fail
after giving two crops. The one-year-old plants
produce the finest fruit, and the two-year-old
the latest and heaviest crop. Loxford Hall
Seedling is not a strong grower, and may be
planted about 18 inches apart each way.

AV. IliGl'LDEN.

10 to the l.'ith, but this season it is a little later
than usual. It should be freely planted for the
earliest supply where Peaches succeed outdoors.
— S. E. P.

Peach Stirling Castle. — This is still one of
the best second earlies we have for general excel-
lence, whether grown indoors or out. A little
later than Roval George, it forms a good succes-
sion to that \ariety, and its large, handsome and
highly-coloured fruits leave nothing to lie desired
in the way of flavour. It is a hardy, vigorous
grower and an excellent forcer, and, unlike its
companion Royal George, it is quite free from
attacks of mildew. A few 3'ears ago on a west
wall I lost a fine old tree of Stirling Castle which
would be more than thirty years old, and this tree
invariably bore heavy crops of large highly-
coloured fruits. Intending planters of Peach
trees should certainly make a note of Stirling
Castle as being a first-rate second early kind, ami
one that possesses a vigorous constitution. — W.

Eugenia Ugni. — This is an evergreen fruiting
shrub belonging to the Myrtle family the fruits
of which are edible. It is a native of Southern
Cliili, and must therefore be accorded the protcc.
tion of an orchard house or greenhouse, as it is
not hardy. Under glass this Eugenia fruits
freely, and the individual fruits, though small, or
about the size of an ordinary Red Currant, are of
a pinkish colour, while the flavour is very agree-
able, somewliat resembling that of a Str;u\ berry.
It succeeds best grown as a bush in a pot or tub,
and for compost, two-thirds loam and one of peat
with a liberal addition of sand seem to suit it
well. Those in searcli of a no^■elty may do worse
than jiurchase one or more plants for filling an
odd corner in either of the structui-es mentioned,
and the fruit ripening as it does in the autumn
would then lie very accejitablc. — A. W.

Apple Pine-apple Russet. ^A medium-sized,
but highly-flavoured dessert Apple, coming into
use about Christmas-time, when it is much ajj-
preciated. The fruits are roundish ovate, with a
pale yellow skin, sometimes coated all over with
russet and in some instances merely strewn with
irregular patches of dark brown russet. As its
name denotes, it has a pine-apple fla\our, which
is N'cry iironounced, and the flesh, which is yel-
lowish white, is very juicy. The tree is healthy,
hardy, grows well, and makes a fine bush or
pyramid. — S. E. P.

Peach Alexander.— In my opinion this is one
of the earliest and liardiest varieties of the Peach
_yet produced for outdoor culture, and this opinion
is not given after one or two years' trial only, as I
have grown it for the past twelve years. It' is a
most \-igorous grower, making plenty of foliage,
while it is a very free cropper, and it is but
seldom that it misses bearing. The fiuits, which
grow to a fair size, are brightly coloured and the
flavour is very good for such an early variety. On
a .west wall the fruit generally ripens from July

STRAWBERRIES.

As the fruit committee of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society at a recent examination of the
numerous varieties of Strawberries being grown
at Cliiswick made only one award, and that but
an award of merit, to Wonderful, a mid-season
variety that carries heavy crojis of fruit of medium
size, longish bjrni, and excellent flavour, it may
be assumed that so far no very special merit has
this season been displayed. It is undoubtedly
most advantageous as well as right that all new
sorts should lie grown at Cliiswick before awards
are made, as the true habit and cropping (piality
of each one are then so admirably seen. A
marked feature of the numerous varieties at
Cliiswick, both old and new, is the comparative
ab.seiice of tliat high c(uality which is so gene-
rally termed flavour. A few have it in good
form, but .so many have it not. The best
flavoured this season were Royal So\ereign,
President, Edouard Lefort, Auguste Boisselot,
and Latest of All, not really very late here,
whilst of newer varieties but not yet fruiting
their best because young phints. Admiral andG^
AVythcs give good jiromise. Wonderful, as men-
tioned above, is also of nice flavour. There
seems to be so much labour expended in
securing varieties that carry heavy crops of
large fruit, that only very rarely dots real
flavour crop up. Nothing in new Strawberries
last year excelled, or indeed came near to,
Veitch's Perfection. That is, however, a dis-
tinctly late variety, as might be expected
from the progeny of British Queen and Water-
loo, and so far that has not been tested
this year. Its habit is excellent, as the
leaf growth is moderate and compact, and the
flower-stems stand up prominently and very
erect. But whilst moderate leafage may be
good for pot culture, outdoors stronger leafage
is no evil, as it shades the ground and the
fruit. If anyone wishes to have a variety that
is an enormous cropper, he can hardly do

July 17, 1897.]

THE GAPvDE>^.

85

II t tor than grow Acquisition. The fruits aro
iiL^e, but soft and flavourless. Those wlio lil<e
ii'imiiu'usf fruitt-'r .'ilso, but pniilucini; ratlicr
lualU-T and tiruiur fniits well .suited for i)re-
servinj;, will do well to f,'row Newton Seedling.
It is really a sis^lit to see tlie erop of fruit, and
not b:ul fruit either, whieh twn-year plants of
this variety produee. In the direction of crop-
ping we may well be satisfied, and as to size
of fruits, more than satisfied. In new varieties
we need flavour, which is so rarely found.
Some seem to think flavour is found in sweet-
ness, others in acidity, which they term brisk-
ness ; but real flavour is an indescribal)le
.|uantity, aelicious tn the palate, and more re-
sembles jierfume in a flower than colour or
be.uity. The fruits of the variety Wonderful
are ideal ones for the dessert because they are
not large and can be eaten at once. Another
desirabFe feature in Strawberries is solidity.
So manv are soft-fleshed and, to use a current
phrase, will not travel. How many of the
\.irieties growing at Chiswick have soft, pulpy
flints and full of water. We want much more
of tle.sh .and less water. A. D.

atmos]>herie moisture win

Currant La Versailles.— It is somewhat sur-
prising that this Med (.'uiniiit is not more gene

is necessary, giviii;
air is on. — C.

Apple Yorkshire Beauty.— This Ai)ple is
svooiiymous with l!rd ll.iwl huniden, but 1 think
tile appellation Voikshiie Beauty has the prior
claim as far as nomenelatun! is connerned. It is
rightly named, for it Ii.ms a beautiful wax-like
a|)puaninnp, with :i iKindsome rosy blush on the
exposed side of the fruit when fully ripe. Oic'liard-
grown fruits are generally more highly coloiiied
than are those jji-oduced on Iiushes and pyramids.
It is an e-vi^llent market kind ; the fruits grow
from medium to large in size, some being round and
somewhat flattened, while others are inclined to
be conical. The flesh is tender, white and jniey.
It is an excellent croiiper grown in any form of
tree, and should be largely planted for maiket.
Trees worked on the Paradise stock require rather
careful pruning, as large numbers of fruit buds
are jirodueed at the tips of the young wood.
These should therefore be left until the crop has
been g.ithered, when they may be spurred back.
This Ajjple is not a long keeper, and is at its best
during October and November; after this it is a|)t
to go wooll\'. — A. \V.

Apple Mere de Menage. — Next to Norfolk
and Hereford.shire Beautins, this is the deepest
coloured Apple grown among table fruits. We
have darker-coloured fruits among the eider
Apples. An old kind, named Red German or Ger-
main, runs it very close for colour, but it is neither
so larce nor so handsome an Apide, and it does
not keep so «'ell as Mere de M nage, which comes
into use in Decemljer. In a properly

fruits are of a dull orange-red. It grows well in
light soil and will bo found suitable to follow the
mid-season varieties.

A variety named Georges Lesnir, a continental
variety, has |iroved a good late fruiter. It cannot
be elassed as a I'ine variety, Ijiit it has a rich Bine
flavour, is of large si/e, and liked by many.
It is a continuous bearer, a valuable late fruiter,
and admirably adapted for north borders. Th s
will provide dishes for a fortnight or three weeks
in good soils. My best late kind, if quantity,
size, and ipiality are eonsidered, is I.axton's Late^t
of Atl. The n.ime is n<it a h.ippy one, as it is now
(.luly 7) ripe on a noith border. Wehaveotheis
of the Pine family later, also Oxonian. Latetl
of All is a very tiiie fi-iiit of tiue Queen flavour,
and good colour. It is a small grower, needs
planting close, and does best from young plants.
This under a north wall will give riiie fruit for
three weeks, and its good (|iinlity shouUl commend
it to all growers who reipiire late fruit. With me
it gains favour yearly, and though like the (^)ueen
it does not always ripen (piite to the point of the
fruit, it is far ahead of others in most respects,
and if I were restricted to one late variety I would
give Latest of All the preference. Oxonian is
later, large, and of good colour, but it lacks
quality. It is a robust grower, and fruits freely
from young plants. -^I. W.

rally known and cultivated. I have heard it said
that it is a shy bearer, but with me it crops better
than any other sort, and that on a light soil which

does not hold moisture xery well Others con- gt;;u^,ted'Apple room the fruits will' keep in good
demn it on account of its ungainly grow'th, the condition until March. In some seasons the fruits

row to an extraordinary size. Such was the case

lower branches often being crooked and growin
in a downward direction; but I cannot see that
tills is a sutiicient reason for discarding it where
profit is the chief consideration. Were I plant-
ing Currant bushes with a \iew to growing for
market I certainly should go in for La Versailles.
I thin out the trees well, so as to admit plenty of
light and sunshine, and the noble bunches of fruit
colour up beautifully. The fruit will hang a long
time in good condition if protected from birds,
and is unsurpassed for wines and jellies. — C. C. H.
Strawberry Stevens' Wonder.— I do not re-
member to have seen a note on this Strawberry
other than as a forcing variety. I was induced to
plant it for first crop in the open, but with disas-
trous results, as it is not early and not at all a
heavy crojiper. In the open it makes a lot of top
growth, just the reverse of what one might expect,
and it cannot be termed early. My first fruits —
these badly shaped and of poor ciuality — came in
with President, a mid-season variety. Stevens'
Wonder is useless for general cropping. Had it
been as early in the open as under glass it would
have been a valuable introduction. Before penning
these lines I waited to see how it did in soil of a
ditt'erent character from mine in another locality,
and though there is less leafage there was no ad-
vantage as regards earliness. It would be well if
others who have given it a trial for eiirly fruiting
in the open would give their experience. My soil
may not have suited it, and other readers may have
had better results. — S. M.

Grape Duke of Buccleuch.— This, although
a grand Grape when in perfect condition, is sel-
dom seen in anything liut a ragged form, the
berries more often than not being badly spotted.
Attempting to grow the Duke on its own roots
generally ends in failure, the wood being rank and
sap|iy and many of the latei'als barren. Some
contend that the way out of the difficulty is to
work it on to the Black Hamburgh, but I have
seen it fail in a good many instances so worked.
Golden Queen seems to suit this capricious (irape
well, as, indeed, it does other uncertain varieties,
such as Alnwick Seedling. A few years ago I put
a bottle graft of the Duke on to Golden Queen,
and it has done well, improving each year and
exhibiting very little trace of the well-known spot,
which often difigures the berries and renders them
useless. Almost every lateral bears a bunch, and
the berries swell to a large size. As soon as soften-
ing commences a rather drier, bracing atmosphere

last year, and in average seasons they attain to
cood" dimensions. The fruits are very firm and
heavy, the flesh crisp and juicy, and it is an ex-
cellent cooker. Young trees are inclined to make
rampant growth, but in the case of pyramids and
bushes lifting soon rectifies this, and once they
commence to bear they give no further trouble.
-S. E.

PROLONGING THE STRAWBERRY

SEASON.
Those who require Strawberries for a long period
may have them of excellent cjuality for five or six
weeks. Such kinds as the well-known and still
valuable President, La (irosse Sucree, Gunton
Park, and Sir C. Napier may be relied upon for
main-crop supplies. Strawberries, with special
culture, ma^' be bad as late as September and
October by planting forced [jlants to fruit a
second time. Very few growers have the means
to grow so late a crop. All do not force to ha\'c
the plants at command, and it is to Strawberries
o-rown in the ordinary way I would refer. For
late crops, the Queen family in certain localities
does well on a north border if the soil is heavy
and good cultivation can be given. The fruits
obtained from such a border are superior in
qualit}' to those in a more open quarter. I have
grown British Queen on a cool border when it
failed in the open in a drier soil. Frogniore Late
Pine is a specially good late Strawberry, and
with me it succeeds in light soil without special
culture. I do not allow the jilants to bear more
than two crops. This variety is not a large
grower, makes but few runners, and is a superb
fruit as regards fla\ our ; indeed, I have seen it
preferred by some to a British Queen. It is one
of the highest-flavoured Strawberries grown. I
do not give it much room— 2 feet by 18 inches
between the plants— and grown on an east or
north border it is a fortnight later than the mid-
season varieties. Another excellent variety of
the Pine family is Elton Pine, a larger fruit than
Frogniore Late Pine, more acid, and on this
account much liked for preserving. This is earlier
than the Frogniore Late Pine, a heavier cropper,
of a rich red colour, and does well in any soil.
The Filbert Pine is not so well known as its
merits deserve. This grows where others of the
Pine section fail. It has more foliage and the

Strawberry Monarch. — After the good
accounts I had heard of this Strawberry, 1 con-
fess I am rather disappointed in it. It is a
splendid grower, and the fruit is absolutely fault-
less in appearance, very large and highly coloured,
but, like Royal Sovereign, it lacks the rich vinous
flavour one looks for in a first-rate Strawberry.
Many people will consider it good enough for
general use, and as a market fruit it may do
\ery well, for it is a very hea\'y bearer ; but where
flavour is required we must look beyond
Monarch. — W.

This new Strawberry does well on the

light soil of my garden, growing vigorously and
producing fruit of large size and highly coloured.
I obtained the [ilants in small pots last autumn,
and so small and indifferently rooted were they
that I did not expect much from them this season.
They have, however, made wonderfully fine plants,
the "foliage being large, and apparently a goorl
resister of spider. I am informed that on good
Strawberry soil Monarch grows to an enormous
size, and that it is certain to become a popular
variety. — C. C. H.

Pruning Bed Currants. — Would you through
the columns of The (i.uiOE.s tell me when is the
right time to prune Red Currants? — Perplexed.
*,* Red Currants may be pruned at any time
from November to JIarch during absence of sharp
fro.st. Bushes growing in strong retentive soil,
and which consequently ripen their wood later
than those in a lighter, warmer compost, had
better be left till say .lanuary, this giving them
all the longer a rest. Young tiees also that have
made verj' vigorous growth may be left till the
samedate. In large gardens ]iruninghastobe pushed
on all through the winter whenever the weather is
open. As a rule there is no advantage in deferring
the pruning of bush fruit of all kinds after
the foliage has fallen and the sap has ceased to
flow.— Ed.

SHOBT NOTES.— FRUIT.

Nectarine Early Kivers.— The other day 1
saw a tree of this variety, and was much strnck with
the handsome appcaanc of the fruits, wh'ch were
it it approaching maturity. It certainly is a great
aJvaice on Lord Napier as far as colour is coucerned,
ai d if the flivour is only as gond as its out ward ap-
peaiMUce betoken', it is indeed a most valuahle addi-
tion to the race of eaily N. ctirlne?. I intend givirg
it a trial next season.— VV. S. E.

Peach P ince of Wales.— This is a most ex-
cellent Peach tor outdoor wall culture, coming into
use at the latter end of September when given a
western aspect. It is a heavy bearer and the tree is
hardy aud makes vigo;ous growth. This eeaEin is 1:0

.36

THE GARDEN.

[July 17, 1897.

exception to the rule aa far as its cropping is con-
cernej, as it is again bearing well. The fruits when
ripe are highly coloured, attain a large size, and are
nchly rtivoured.— S. E. P.

Peach Crimson Galande.— Last jear I sent
a note in praise of this hne Peacli. I now wish to
uraw attoution to its free-cropping qualities in order
that intending planters and those unacquainted with
it may 1-arn what a reliable Peach it is. I have
grown it for several years past outdoors and have never
known it to miss a crop, the present season proving no
exception to the rule, and this when one hears so many
complaints of a scarcity of outdoor Peaches. The tree
is also very hardy and makes plenty of healthy growth,
and with me is not so liable to insect attacks as are
many other varieties, while size, colour, and flavour
are all one can wish for. — A. W.

Flower Garden.

PRIMULA TRAILLI.
I WAS much interested in Mr. Ric!i:ird Dean's
remarks concerning tlie jilant above-named as
exhibited in April last before the Royal Horti-
cultural Society, and wliile I cannot fully agree
with Mr. Dean that the jilant exhibited by Mr.
G. F. Wilson is " identicjil " with P. involucrata,
I go a long way when I s:iy the ditl'erence.s be-
tween the two are very small and quite insuffi-
cient to entitle it to specific rank. My first
impression of the plant was that it was in\olu-
crata, but, remembering the creamy blossoms of
this plant, I could not longer regard it
"identical " with the typical species, and con-
cluded at cmce that it was a well-marked variety
of this well-known plant. Mr. Wilson's plant
is undoulitedly related to P. involucrata, though
it certainly posses.ses minor difl'erences, e g., some
slight colour in the flowers, and, as sliown, slight
differences of foliage also. These latter, how-
ever, in so far as it refers to the aspect
of the leaves, may in a raea.sure have been
accounted for owing to the dry state of the
plant, which I subseijuently found was droiiping
fro)n lack of moisture. Had the jilant been
immersed in a pail of water a few minutes and
placed before the committee an hour later, the
horizontally-disposed leaves may have assumed
a more erect form, and thus brought it even
more closely in touch with the type to which it
undoubtedly belongs— viz., P. involucrata. The
fact sluiuld not be lost sight of that this is a de-
cidedly moisture-loving species, and to exhibit
such a plant lacking moisture is to deprive it
for the moment of some, at least, of its essen-
tial characteristics. I am surprised that the
so-called P. Trailli obtained a large number of
votes for specific rank, which only sliows the
need for such plants being placed before a sub-
committee of hardy plant experts, whose de-
cision shall be final. P. Trailli is not mentioned
in the .synonymic list that obtained at the
Primula conference of April, 1886.— E. Jen-
kins, Hamilton Hill.

With reference to several notices about

Primula Trailli in recent numbers of The Gar-
den, I think it may be of interest to mention
that I received about two years ago a larce
packet of seed from Dr. Wtitt himself so labelled.
The seedlings flowered well last year, but I
could see no difference botanically between them
and the species I have long had under cul-
tivation as P. involucrata, Wallich (Munroi,
Lindl.). Dr. Watt was in England last year, so
I showed him his seedlings in flower. ' He at
once said that they had notliing in common with
his P. Trailli, which was a much larger and hand-
somer species, and that his collector must have
gathered the seed from P. involucrata by mis-
take. These same plants (I have eight pots
full) came up much stronger this spring,
flowering abundantly and ripening seed ; some
even are still throwing up flowering spikes. The

flowers differ considerably in colour, varying from I public or private. For cutting it has few or no
pure white to more or less pronounced lilac, also | equals. It is invaluable in pots and delightful in

in size, some of my flowers being larger than those
on the plant e.xhibited at the Royal Horticultural
meeting by Mr. G. F. Wilson.— R. H. B.

I ha\'e only a few remarks to make on the

note on Primula Trailli at page 16. I told the
committee in a note to the chairman all I knew
about the Primrose. The seed came to me from a
friend, a first-class Indian botanist, who must
have been well acquainted with P. Munroi or in-
\-olucrata. He asked that I should be careful with
it, as the Primrose had not been bloomed in this
country. I have grown P. Munroi or P. involu-
crata for many years. There is an especial in-
terest attached to it from the fact that it was in
full retreat in Afghanistan that Lieutenant Munroe
(afterwards (ieneral Munroe, a great authority on
grasses) saw the plant and secured it in spite of
danger. The more I see of P. Trailli the more I
am convinced that it is a real acquisition. I am
an old man, so must not look forward too much,
but hope next season to show the Primrose before
the committee in such form that the great
majority of the members will not only be glad
that they gave an award of merit, but will con-
sider the plant worthy of a tirst-class certificate as
being a valuable new jilant.— Georoe F. Wilson.

Sweet Pea Aurora.— This is anew American
\ariety sent out this season with a great reputa-
tion, but, as far as my own experience of it by
growing it goes, and also what I have seen of it
elsewhere, I hold it to be disappointing. It has
a fault common to many of our newer varieties of
Sweet Peas— that of the standards ncit being
erect and displaying themselves to the best advan-
tage, but curling down over the wings and hiding
them from view-. What is absolutely necessary is
stout, erect, smooth, well-formed standards stand-
ing up, so that the colour of the wings can be
distinctly seen. Queen of England, white, is a
good model to follow, and no new variety
can be accepted as first-rate which has curled
incurving standards. Aurora is white, dis-
tinctly striped with bright pinkish rose, or, as
the Americans give it, orange - salmon. The
woodcut of this given in catalogues shows the
standards of this variety to be pei'fectly erect,
broad, smooth, and so displayed to the very best
ad\antage. But we get used to woodcuts of
novelties ; they iire devised to provoke A sale ; the
blossoms are large in size, but the defect men-
tioned above does not enable them to be seen to
the best advantage. — R. D.

Silene maritima plena.— It is very curious
to note the behaviour of this plant and its shy
flowering, as referred to by Mr. Wood at
page 400. Having invariably succeeded with it,
and in gardens and soils very opposite in many
ways, I had regarded it as among those alpines
that could be depended upon to flower abundantly
and regularly year after year. Indeed, this is
after many years' experience of it, for the plant
has grown so freely in some instances that I have
pruned back the whole, oi-, at any rate, the bulk
of the current season's growth, quite close upon
several occasions, and if the subsequent growth
is any guarantee of the wisdom of the experiment,
I can only say that it was so successful that it was
often repeated in subsequent years. In my ex-
perience this plant has not only" grown freely, but
flowered abundantly. It will repay a liberal
treatment, and in the raised positions of the rock
garden I have mixed manure freely with the soil
with excellent results. Chalk I ha\ e never added
in any instance, but in very heavy soils leaf-
mould and cocoa-nut fibre to lighten the soil. In
light sandy soils ]iatches 2 feet or more auross,
that jiroduce hundreds of liandsome flowers in a
season, have resulted in two years. Cuttings in-
serted in September in sandy soil soon root, and
if planted in good light soil early in March, will
give some flowers before the plants are a year old.
— E. J.

lines or groups in the open air. Even in
gardens where the hardiness of The Bride may
be doubtful it is more worthy of being lifted and
stored in safe quarters during the winter months
than so many other Gladioli that are mostly sub-
jected to this treatment. Before the jiresent
magnificent garden hybrids were raised, the older
species, such as byzantinus, cardinalis, gandaven-
sis, &c., were generally subjected to this treat-
ment with the best results. The Bride is even
more worthy of this extra labour where there is
the slightest reason to doubt its perfect hardiness.
Independent even of this consideration it
is possible that the annual lifting and re-
planting of Tlie Bride may add to its vigour,
health, and beauty. It may stand consider-
able cold in earth and air with impunity or
without ])ositive injury. It is certain, from the
enormous t|uantities foi-ced and bloomed under
glass, that it thrives under genial conditions.
Nor must the safe proviso of at least G-inch deep
protection of earth over the corms of The Bride
be forgotten. If an inch or two of cocoa fibre be
added to that the corms will be all the safer.—
D. T. F.

Hardiness of Gladiolus The Bride.— This
cannot be too largely grown in any garden,

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.

Ranunculus crenatus.— There is a special way
of propagating this slow-growing, but free-flower-
ing species, and all the group to which it is most
nearly allied. The idea is to take advantage of
its free flowering otherwise than from seed, which
happens, as in this case, to be rarely fertile. The
early spring or winter flowers have a short and
stout scape, with a sort of node or bract joint
about midway up. When the flower is half ex-
panded, pick it off; the result is that a foliar de-
velopment sets in at the joint, and by June it be-
comes a nice resetted tuft of leaves, only needing
to be pulled off the parent plant with original
flower-stem and set at once as an offsst, though
there may be no roots. Contact with the soil
causes roots to be emitted in two or three days in
June, and the young plants are assured. Of course
it is only worth while to adopt such special means
of propagation wdiere offsets and seed largely fail,
and it need not be said that but few plants lend
themselves to this mode of increase, and certainly '
all species of the genus Ranunculus do not.

Trautvetteria palmata is a free-flowering
plant of 2 feet to 3 feet stature, and delightful for
a half-shaded position. The corymbs of bloom re-
mind one of the white flufl'y Thalictrums ; but not
only are they more symmetrical, but far more dur-
able. It is decidedly showy, but, what is perhaps
more, it is unique and most interesting.

Geranium lancastriense album. — This
new variety in all except the colour of its flowers
more resembles var. sanguineum than the type,
i.e., its branches are more ascending, longer and
longer jointed. The big white flowers are, of
course, its main feature and the only one to note,
and tlieseare certainly striking.

Dianthus Lindsayi.— This is a curious and
pleasing cross between D. alpinus and D. bar-
batus, witli all the variations of colour common in
the Sweet William. There is a strong suggestion
of alpinus in the large flat flowers, which do not
come out all at once in big corymbs, as with bar-
batus. Stature 9 inches to 1 foot.

Cytisus schipkaensis is now beautifully in
flower, and by far one of the best dwarf and sjiread-
ing white-flowered things now out. This is saying
a deal when so many of the dwarf shrubby Veroni-
cas and Leiophyllums are out too. One formed a
good opinion of this with its clusters of large white
flowers at the first sight, but my old specimen of
three or four years has improved year after year
as it has become more established, and in no re-
spect more than the size and purity of its flowers.
A deep root-run of stony soil with full exposure to
sunshine seems to suit it well. J. Wood.

Woodvilk, Kirkstall.

July 17, lb97.]

THE GARDEN.

37

THE ROCK GARDEN AT ABBoTSIUKV,

NEWTON A1UK)T, DEVON.

In previous numbers of Thk Garden 1 h.-ivo
given a long series of articles dealing with the
eonstruction of rock gardens. As, however,
tliese essays were necess.arily more oi' less
theoretical, I |iro|iose giving a practical example
of a rock garden actually constructed at Abbnts-
luny, the residence of the late Mr. E. Fisher.
Having arranged this rock garden, 1 can speak
of the various combinations and etl'ects from
l)ractical experience. It cannot be said th.it
the site was a very suitable one, inasnuicli as it
consisted of an ordinary pasture field about an
acre in extent, bordered on one side ]>y the
town of Newton .\bl)ot and on the other by a
row of huge Elm trees adjoining the pleasure
grounds. As irregularity is one of the most
important conditions for a pictures(|ue arrange-

the surface of the stones plastered with cement
ur .any other suljstancc (as is so often done to
the detriment of the ]ilants). The formation of
the pniid, waterf.ill, and cave would, of course,
have been im|io.ssible without cement, liut even
here it was used only in places entirely hidden
from view, .so that in the whole of this rock
garden not a particle of cement wnrk cir
masonry of any kind can be seen.

In arranging the rocks, I followed the ]U'in-
ciple .so often advocated in these columns, i.e.,
the rocks were di.sijosed in groups of all sizes,
with gras.sy slo])es full of Howers, and banks of
miniature rock shrubs here and there to give
the neccs.sary repose : and though each indi-
vidual grou[i would distinctly show the strati-
tied character of real rock, the whole of the
groups combined represent a nuist irregular and
briiken-up appearance. A consider.able portion
of the field was given up to plantations for

Colony of Saxifraga lougifulia and Edehveiss in rock garden at Ahhotsbury.
photograph sent by Messrs. R. Veitch and Son, Exeter.

From a

nient, considerable excavations were made, and
the soil thus gained was used for forming Itanks
and planted with suifcible trees and shrul)s to
form a screen. The Elm trees were made
" harmless " by a deep concrete wall completely
under ground, which efJ'ectually prevents the
intrusion of tree roots into the rock garden
proper. The object of the rock garden was to
jirovide a home for as many mountain flowers
as possible, and to furnish a picturesque ad-
junct to the gardens where apparently natural
rocks shiiuld be scattered in profusion and
adorned with plants so selected as to form a
source of interest practically all the year round.
The rocks were built with liuxestone of a light
brown colour, which shows the plants to great,
advantage. In imitating the strata of natural
rock no cement was used, the crevices being
tilled with suitable plants instead. Neither was

shelter, w-ith broad, irregular fringes for all
kinds of hardy plants of the bolder type,
arranged for the most part in large, irregular
masses. The central portion, forming the rock
garden proper, is from (iO yards to 80 yards in
length and about 35 yards in width. There are
bold features, such as a waterfall 15 feet or
more in height, a shady Fern-lined cave with
seats, a streamlet fringed with water-loving
plants, a pond aglow with M.arliac's Water
Lilies, a bog garden, and rock steps of natural
appearance facilitating access to every portion
of the work. There are also introduced several
stepping-.stone bridges and smaller groups of
scattered rocks devoted exclusively to the
smallest and choicest gems of the mountain
fl(n-a. Inasnmch as close on 2000 species of
plants were used for the embellishment of this
rock garden, I cannot here enter into a detailed

descriiition, Init I hope to best serve the in-
terest of the readers of TiiK G.^kdkn by giving
a short review of such arrangements of plants,
iVc, as have given the most s.atisfactory results.
Throughout this work 1 Iiave tried to avoid
an aiudess scattering of jilants, Imt rather to
ma.ss the various kinds of shrubs, as well as
rcick ]ilants, into effective grouiis.

Entering the rock garden from the drive,
the visitor meets with groups of all kinds of
flowering shrubs, such as Caryopteris nuistacan-
thus, t'hoi.sya ternata. Magnolias, J{hododen-
drons. Heaths, ("ydcjuia, Ac. All are fringed with
hardy jierennials. The largest, and in spring
[)erhaps the most effective, of the.se groups C(m-
si.sts exclusively of a large collection of Berberis,
containing, among others, B. Thunbergi, B.
aristatii, 1$. j.aponica, B. buxifolia, I!. Fremonti,
B. Darwini, B. steno])hylla, B. asjierma, B. vul-
garis atro-i)uriiurea, B. nepalensis, B. ilicifolia,
etc. T|-aversing a gra.ss path between groujis
of Bamboos and various Cistuses of the larger
kinds, such as C. ladaniferus, C. crispus, C.
tlorentinus and others, the

RoUK GaXDEX I'KOl'KK

opens into view, and its beginning is indicated
by scattered blocks of rock proti-uding here and
tliere from the sward, or from a mass <jf Saxi-
frages and other plants. A bold mass of rock
forms a pleasing recess, with seats connnanding
.a view of the waterfall and other features. The
plants furni.shing this recess are, like the rocks,
of the larger and bolder type, such as Austra-
lian Tree Lupines, Dracocephalum grandiflorum,
masses of Heuchera sanguinea, Pentstemon
ovatus, carpets of Gaultheria procumbens,
G. nummulari:efolia, &c., and closer to the
eye the golden yellow Morisia hypogsea
and other plants of the smaller type. Most
effective is a tine specimen of Pentstemon
Scouleri, with its large bright purple Howers
(see illustration p. 42). The plant here illus-
trated is growing in a mixture of loam and
stones on an elevated jjosition, and it measures
considerably more than a yard across, being
j only 15 inches in height. Romneya Coulteri.
. the great t.'alifornian Tree Poppy, is doing well
at the foot of a gra.s.sy slope, divided by a [lath
fnjm a bog garden extending to the margin uf
the pond. One of the handsomest plants in this
part is the great Japanese Groundsel (Senecio
jap(jnica), with its huge laciniated leaves and
enormous yellow flowers on stems over a yard
high. In a shady recess are Cypripedium spec-
tabile, the yellow-flowering Saxifraga Hirculus
grandirtora, Primula Poissoni and many others,
wliile the sunny part of the bog garden contains
among others a mass of Dodecatheon, Houstonia
cierulea, Primula farinosa, P. rosea, Saxifraga
aizoides, several Pinguiculas and a host of others.
Diyas octopetala has sjiread out into a large
carpet, increasing faster than its yellow ci>m-
panion, Dryas Druunnondi. A group of rocks
abimt '.i feet high is devoted almost entirely to
Dianthuses of varinus kinds, including D. ne-
glectus, D. alpinus, D. Ciesius, D. glaucus, I).
al])estris, D. cinnabarinus, D. sylvestris, tVrc.
Gentians in about a dozen varieties were planted
in rocky beds on a lower level. Gentiana
bavarica has unfiutunately made very slow pro-
gress, but is doing better since it was shaded
Besides G. acaulis, which forms a large mass by
itself, (i. septemtida, G. cruciata and G. verna
have flourished best. Above the Gentians are
various Anemones and Saxifrages. Anenume
Pulsatilla is luxuriating in a flat space at the
foot of an rduuist ]ierpendicular group of large
rocks. Opunti.is of various kinds crown the
to]) of this rock, but the almost \ ertical ti.ssures
at the sides have btcome the home of many clu ice
Rockfoils, such as Saxifraga Frjderici Augusti

38

THE GARDEN.

[JcLT 17, 1897.

(true), S. luteo-viridis, S. apiculata, S. Burseiiaiia
major, and, above all, that silvery queen of
Rockfoils, Saxifraga longifolia, a grou]5 oi which
intermixed with Edelweiss is shown in illusti-a-
tion, p. 3T. Some of these handsome rosettes
have already attained a considerable size, and
grouped together their efl'ect is decidedly strik-
ing. Rocky steps lead from this point over a
steep slope about 12 feet high and fully exposed
to the mid-day sun. Here masses of Helianthe-
mum have spread out into a large group of
brilliant colours a dozen yards or more in ex-
tent, and their somewhat rapid progress is
checked by a ste]:)i)ing-stone path carpeted en-
tirely with the bright blue Veronica alpina.
Anotlier jiai't of this s'uiny slope is devoted
entirely to ditlerent kinds of Seduni, Semjjervi-
vum, and a mass of the handsome hardy Me-
semoryanthemum uncinatum. A sheltered nook
also exposed to the full sun contains a collection
of plants recently introduced by Messrs. Veitch
from Colorado. Of these, Townsendia Wilcox-
iana and several species of Erigeron, Trimor-
phrea, and Erysimum purpureum have done ex-
ceedingly well, l)ut I failed with Polemonium
confertum melituin and Phacelia scricea. The
steps leading over this slope are very convenient,
but they reseml>le an accidental pass formed
by Nature rather than a staircase. Every
crevice is filled with carjjeting plants, from
which the stejjping stones protrude naturally.
Among other plants I used Thymus lanuginosus,
Arenaria balearica, Herniaria glabra, Arenaria
cuespitosa, Veronica repens, Sedum da.syjjliyl-
lum, &c.

At the bottom of the afore-mentioned sunny
slope is a small group of rocks reserved for
small alpines which either hate limestone or do
not require it. Thougli the outside i)art of this
rock bed is bounded by the same kind of lime-
stone rocks as the rest of the work, the interior
of all the crevices is filled with granite and
sandstone chippings mixed with the soil. In
this part ilnurish, among others, Lewisia redi-
viva. Ranunculus parnassifolius, Saxifraga caly-
ciflora with its liandsome red flowers, Andro-
sace carnea, Linum maritimum, Linum Lewisi,
Achillea umbellata, Diantlius glacialis, and
many others. Andro.sace glacialis did well for
a time, but died the second year.

The Cave,
which is close by the last-named group,
is, of course, formed by the largest and
boldest rocks. The entrance is marked by
almost perpendicular "cliffs," furnished in
every crevice with suitable plants. On the
north side are masses of Ramonda pyrenaica,
including the pure white variety, whilst from a
shady nook at the foot of the rock spring
Primula sikkimensis. Primula japonica. Poly-
podium camljricum, and such carpet plants as
Mitchella repens and Linniea borealis. Facing
south is a bold prominence planted with the
variegated New Zealand Flax, and the larger
ledges of the rocks above are devoted to groups
of such plants as Achillea tomentosa. Cam-
panula glomerata dahuriea, Erigeron auran-
tiacus, Cheirantlius alpinus, Polemonium rep-
tans, Polemonium humilo, itc. The lower parts
nearer the eye are adorned with dwarfer kinds
of plants, noteworthy Lithospermum prostra-
tum, falling in a large blue sheet over the
stone, Erinus alpinus and its white variety,
Hypericum repens and others. The interior of
the cave is partly lined with Selaginella hel-
vetica, Cystopteris f ragilis, Cyrtomium falcatum,
Scolopendrium fissum, Scolo]iendrium cris])um,
Erpetion reniforme and other good things.
Above the cave, and partly hanging over the large
boulders forming the roof, are Muhlenbeckia
complexa. Polygonum \'accinifi:)lium and Arl)utus

Uva-ursi entwined with Smilax asjiera and the
h.ing-flowering shoots of Trop;«olum tuberosum.
Here also are shrubs among the rocks. Very
graceful in appearance is the New Zealand
iirMom (Notospartium Carmichaelite) with its
.■urliing branches covered with jjink flowers.
I'itrus trifoliatus. Pomegranate, and DesuKxlium
pendulifiorum are also conspicuous. The last-
named is intended chiefly for autunni display,
when the long arches of ro.sy ]ivn-i)le flowers are
vei-y telling. Masses of Waldsteinia fragari-
oidcs and the beautiful blue Camassia esculenta
are most cheering in spring. But, perhajis, one
of the most eft'ective groups of sjjring
flowers is that showing a large plant of
Genista pr;ecox with its elegant pale sulphur-
coloured flowers on a carpet of the ro.sy
])ur]jle Aubrietia Leichtlini (see illustration,
p. 48). Though the engravingportrays the shape,
it can give no idea of the charming con-
trast of colour. In order to give some amount
of probability to the idea of the cave being a
]ii'oduction of Nature, it was necessary to keep
its immediate surroundings more b(jld and
ma.s.sive in character than other parts ; the rocky
ledges were, therefore, kept rather wide and
wei'e planted with groups as large as the space
woidd allow. One ledge is devoted entirely to
the golden yellow Onosma tauricum, another to
the "Aljjcn Ro.se," Rhododendron ferrugineum,
and Rhododendron hirsutum, while still otliers
are adorned with Centaurea niacrocephala,
Centaurea montana and its varieties, Carpen-
teiia calif orniea with its large white flowers,
Pinus Pumilio, Anthericum liliastrum, and a
whole host of others too numerous to mention.
A portion of the rocky steps leading from the
top of the cave down to the waterfall is seen in
illustration, p. 39. Except where the foot falls,
these steps are cari^eted entirely with various
suitable plants ; the sides of the stejjs are
l)ordered at times by almost perpendicular
rocks, and in such cases plants are clKjsen that
locik most graceful when their flowering
(tranches fall down over the rocks. Vittadenia
triloba (.syn., Erigeron mucronatus), for in-
stance, forms long festoons hanging down at
great length, and very graceful, too, are
Tunica Saxifraga, Arenaria montana, Arenaria
grandifiora. Campanula isophylla and its white
v.ariety, Glossocomia clematidea, with its l)ell-
shaped flowers of peculiar marking. Umbilicus
chrysanthus, and many more.

The rocks at this point are traversed by an
apparently natural gully, and the scene is en-
livened by a waterfall a little over 15 feet high
and from 5 feet to 8 feet in width tumbling
over the rocks and wetting with its spray the
numerous plants which here have found a home.
(.)ne of the happiest of these is Aciena ovali-
folia (see illustration, p. 46), whicli hitherto I
had often used with good eftect for covering dry
stony banks, but never before have I seen it
flourish as in this position where its foliage is
wetted occasionally by the spray of tlie water-
fall. The illustration shows only a portion of
the plant, which has s].iread out into a ciu-tain
ijuite 10 feet long and 5 feet wide, forming with
its dee]) green foliage an excellent liackground
to the bright alpine flowers arranged in front of
it. I would strongly recommend this jilant for a
similar position. Above the waterfall Rubus
deliciosus s]jreads its arching branches covered
with white flowers over a prominent rock, which
later in the season is almost hidden from view
by the brilliant blue flowers of Plumbago Lar-
]ient;e. The streamlet whicli forms tlie water-
fall is traversed by a stepping-stone bridge. A
mass of rocks close by is covered in spring Ijy a
large group of Edraianthus (Wahlenbergia),
succeeded in autumn Ity a brilliant display of

Zauschneria califiirnica spjlendens. On the
sides of the streamlet are such water-loving
plants as Spiriva palmata, Astilbe rivulai-is. Irises
in variety, and Spiriea astilboides. The Sfiurce
of the streamlet is lost to view in a Fern-lined
cleft of a rock, covered in spring by masses of
Phlox of the setacea type, succeeded by late-
flowering ali>ines in numy sorts.

A walk around the rocks near the waterfall
leads again to a lower level. In a large shady
recess are many vai-ieties of hardy Cyclamen of
both autumn .-md sjn'ing-flcjwering kinds. Some
of the dwarf est kinds nf Japanese Maples of the
Acer polyjuorphum dissectum type are planted
between the Cyclamens, and give them the
shade they love so well. Separated from the
main rocks by a grass path is a group devoted
on the shady side to the Fire Pink (Silene vir-
ginica), the bright purple Saxifraga pyrenaica
superba and a few others, but the chief adorn-
ment of this group is formed by Hairbells and
Poppies, a combination, by the way, which has
given very satisfactory results. The collection
of Campanulas includes, among others. Cam-
panula Gr. F. Wilson, C. Waldsteiniana, C. gar-
ganica hirsuta, C. Elatines, C. Raineri, C. Zoysi,
C. Hosti, C. Eriims, itc. The Poppies are con-
fined mostly to the neatest and smallest kinds of
the Papaver alpinum section in its various
shades of red, pink, yellow and white. A low,
almost flat portion of the ground near the pond
is planted with Primula Sieboldi and Spinea
tilipendula, the latter flowering when the season
of the Primulas is over. Close by are als(j
numerous other Primulas of the aljiine type,
such as P. Auricula, P. Clusiana, P. marginata
and others.

The Pond,
which is fed by the water coming from the
waterfall, is, of course, as irregular as possible.
Of cement and other substances used in its
construction no trace is visible. The sides con-
sist only partly of rocks. Here and there inter-
vene grassy banks covered with Irises, or witli
such things as ( )smunda regalis, Saxifraga pel-
tata and the gigantic Sjiinea kamtschatica.
On a water-soaked promontory and surrounded
by smaller plants Gunnera manicata is in a fair
way of feeling at lujme. That the pond itself
is furnished witli aquatics goes without saying.
Special jilaces were prepared for them below the
surface of the water. Marliac's lovely Nymph;eas
have given the most satisfactory results. Of the
larger kinds, N. Marliacea carnea, N. M. Chro-
raatella and N. M. rosea were introduced, and
of the smaller kinds, the varieties planted were
N. Laydekeri rosea, N. jjygmtea alba and N.
pygmsea helvola. On the east side of the pond
the water again emerges as a streamlet, which
is crossed by stepping-stones, and finally the
water is lost to view beneath a rock. On the
south side of the pond are a Heath bed and also
a specially constructed rocky bed reserved for
very choice alpines of the smallest kinds, such
as Androsaces, Soldanellas, Silene acaulis, Silene
exscapa, Draba brunifefolia, Aretia vitellina,
Cyananthus lobatus, Cerastium lanatum villo-
sum. Umbilicus spinosus, Morisia hypoga3a,
Senecio incanus and otlier gems which one likes
to have close to the eye, wliere they can be
watched niiire eflectively than when scattered
in places where they are likely to be overrun by
plants of coarse growth. The whole of the
work, including the planting, was carried out by
Messrs. R. Veitch and Son, of Exeter.

Elmside, Exeter.

F. W. Meyer.

Dictamnus Fraxinella. — The rosy purple
form of this is now very attractive. The spikes
are each about IS inches in height, bearing a loose
raceme of widely opened flowers that show up well

July 17, 18j7.J

THE OARDEK

3!)

on the {rrceii foliiige. To f;et large plants of this
spei-ies they should he pliuited in i;oiiil soil, not
too moist, and Irft alone, these having a much
hettei- effect than small clumps. There is also a
white form of this plant, hut it is not piire, and,
talicn all rounil, tin- ]nu|ilc form is the better.

Exhibiting Delphinium spikes. — How
much better would these tlowi.TS look if set up in
large vases in (|uantity, such as seven or eight
S|)ikes of any one variety, and spread out, some
leafage being added. But those who exhibit
these things seem to want to show as many varie-
ties as possible rather than endeavour to
attract attention by setting up a bold exhibit of
tine Inniches in large vases. How noble large
Chrysanthenunns and Paninies look set up in this
fashion : so also would Roses if we could get them
on suliieiently long stems always. Mr. (J. Mount
shows Roses sometimes in this fashion, and singu-
larly beautiful they are. Some day perhajis we
may hope to see Cactus Dahlias so shown rather
than having them tied hard
into triangular-shaped clus-
ters by the aid of wire frames.
If those enterpris.ing nursery-
men whoexhibit hardy flowers
so largely and so generously
at the brill Hall meetings
Wiudd but select the best only
— not more than some two
dozen— and set them up in
good clumps artistically
spread out and stood in
large \'ases, what a gain it
^^'ould be all round. I ho]>e
some daj- that at least Del-
phinium siiikes may be so
exhibited. — A. D.

Oriental Poppies. —
" R. D. " in an interesting
note on page 467 refers to
these showy plants. They are
still quite gay here — that is
to say, the typical form and
the darker crimson kinds.
The variety Silver Queen I
consider not worth growing,
as it is neither white nor
rose, but a very undecided
and unatti'active tint of light
(lurple. These washed-out-
looking colours, so far from
being specially named, ought
never to be grown in any
quantity. Salmon Queen as
I have it here is quite a
(liflerent thing, and very
pretty if not grown in com-
pany with the deeper and
brighter coloured forms.
Each colour should be ke])t
separate, with a considerable
distance between them, if the
best results are looked for.
Nothing is worse than plant-
ing these Poppies, as I saw
them recently, close to double
red Piconies. Both flower

about the same time and both are noble hardy
plants, but the effect of one kills the other, so
to speak. In the bracteatum section the large
dazzling scarlet Beauty of Livermere is one of the
best, but, as " R. D." points out, many tine and
\aried forms can be raised if the seed is obtained
from a relialile source. — P., Xnjjhlk.

Carnation LiOrd Rendlesham. — This excel-
lent variety should be included in all collections,
its distinct shade of colour — buff ground, suffused
with rose— giving it a most attractive appearance.
It is, moreover, a very robust grower, making
.■ibundanee of grassand openingitsfirst flowers early
in the season. Its continuous habit of flowering,
and the fact that it grows and flowers well in light
shallow soil, enhance its value. Carnations of
this colour are none too plentiful, and several of
the varieties have weak constitutions and often
die out if the soil is not of the very best
description. Those who have not yet obtained it

should do so during the coming autumn. —
(Jhowkr.

Malva moschata alba.— Here is a hardy
pcrcruiial which is lielightful in the border at this
season of the year, but too seldom met with. It
is easily enough grown, one of tho.se plants which
takes good care of itself and is not easily killed.
1 lind that it does best in an open sunny position,
care being of cour-se taken that it does not su Her
from want of water when the weather is hot and
dry. I have phmts which have formed pyramids
of shoots, and they have a fine effect when in
full bloom. The plant is readily raised from
seed.— R. D.

THE ENGLISH SPRINO — AN APPRECIA-
TION.

As in bright mid-May, after a three-months' ab-
sence from England, one journeys swiftly Devon-
wards, past fields golden with Buttercuiis, orchards

Portion of rocky
Messrs.

steps at Ahhotshury. From a photograph sent by
R. Yeitch and Son, Exeter. {Seep. 38.)

here and there still pink with Apple bloom, and
hedges white with blossoming Hawthorn, it is
with feelings akin to penitence that one returns
to the old allegiance, and is inclined to recant all
that one has thought and said in praise of tlie
beauties of foreicjn climes, so infinitely more
precious appear the well-remembered charms of
an English spring. There is a restfulness in the
gentle sweep of the landscape to be found in no
other lands — truly, "(4od's finger touched, but
did not press in making England ' — an ineffable
peace in the emerald pastures where the red cattle
browse ; in the cool coombes where the evening
sunlight slants athwart the transjiarent green of
the young Beech leaves — one of the most beautiful
sights in Nature. " Such nooks of valleys lined
with Orchises, fed full of noises by invisible
streams." The very cloudlets that sail serenely
across the blue sky, though cloud-shapes are
much th^ same all the worlil over, seem familiar

and as belonging by right to English skies alone,
possibly because in childhood conditions were
chiefly favourable for piolonged study of the
heavens, from beneath tlie shadows of the Elms
or from the top of the newly-stacked hayrick, at
what time such white ileecy clouds slowly
traversed the blue vault. Doubtless in those
careless days we took but little heed of the
beauties of Nature, but wiser Memory focussed
them on her retina against the time when the
stress of life brought ability to understand and
appreciate. Now and again the scent of a Bean
field recalls the refrain of the " Bee Song," " I all
day long have filled my sack Among Bean blos-
soms white and black." Anon, sweeping out of a
deep cutting, we flj' by " cottage chimneys smok-
ing from the woods and cottage gardens smelling
everjwhere, confused with smell of orchards."

At length, driving up the nari'ow tree-em-
bowered valley in the sunset, we see the swallows
haw king along the stream, the swifts wheeling on
tense pinions far overhead in the clear sky, and
note that tlie martins have renewed their nest&
beneath the eaves. The cuckoo calls a welcome
from the copse ; the pink Thorn and Laburnum,
though past their best, still show their colours
over the winding village road, and the garden is
odorous with LiUtc, while in the house great bowls
of early Tea Roses fill the rooms with fragrance.
That the goddess of spring is coy and uncertain
must be allowed, but to be so is an attribute of
the " eternal feminine " that serves but to render
hei' smiles the more fascinating. Surely on such
a day no one, least of all the wanderer, is inclined
to cavil at the English spring I S. W. F.

Dendromecon rigidum. — I shall be glad of
any information as to the outdoor culture of this.
Should it be in the full sun '! My plant faces-
west.— H. B.

*„,* This member of the Poppy family should
be well suited in a westerly or south-westerly
position, though one of the largest plants we have
seen was in a position nearly due south at the foot
of a wall and growing freely. We have our
doubts, however, as to the perfect hardiness of
this Californian plant, and unless your plant is
strong and well established, we would suggest
either lifting and potting it in September or
October, or giving it the protection of some dry
bracken about the branches, and say 3 inches of
coal-ashes or cocoa-fibre refuse at the roots. The
plant will doubtless prove most hardy in a raised
position in the rock garden, where a not over-
luxuriant growth will be formed, and where if
planted at the base of a bold piece of rock the
plant would receive protection. In the more
favoured parts of these islands it should prove a
very charming as well as useful subject. Very
fiiin planting in loam and sandy peat without
manure suits it well. — Ei>.

Tufted Pansies at Chiswick.— The trial of
these hardy plants at Chiswick is this season not
a success, growers having but poorly responded
to the council's request for plants. Tlie site
selected for the purpose is without doubt a first-
rate one, and has the advantage of shade on the
south side and liut one face. Of pale-hued varie-
ties, most certainly the prettiest is Bridegroom.
The flowers, of good form, flat, and borne in
great profusion, are of a soft pale lilac hue.
They open nearly white and deepen in colour
with age. The habit is excellent. Bluestone has
the very best dwarf habit, and the flowers are
flat, round, and bold ; colour slate-blue. It is a
capital variety tci work upon to secure cjuality
ami good habit. Pencaitland is verj' pleasing,
but the yellowish tint of the lower petal detracts
somewhat from the whiteness of the upper ones.
Still, at Chiswick it is very pretty. Trentham
Purple seems to be the best of its section, and
W. Niel the best of the reddish lined varieties. \\"e
have but to see a collection of the numerous
varieties in commerce set u]) in spray form at
exhibitions, if not to be seen growing, to be able
to distinguish the worthy from the wortlile-ss.
So many that help to make up these displays and
are thought to be {iretty are soon found to be

40

THE GARDEK

[July 17, 1897.

useless for outdoor or garden decoration. It
seems a pity that some classification cannot be
made of tliose Pansies, those that are really use-
ful for massing or beddincr, or growing in large
tufts in borders to give good effects, being divided
from those numerous worthless varieties that give
no pleasing eft'ects whatever. — A. D.

Rose Garden.

ROSE NOTES.
Now that our Roses are in full growth and
beauty, they will be much benefited I)y a free
use of .stinuilants. Too often these are given to
a weakly ])lant and withheld from one carry-
ing a lot of bloom and growth. A weakly
plant cannot use additional food to the same
advantage as one in full vigour and activity.
Either cultivate the surface-soil freijuently with
the hoe or mulch with some well-decayed
manure. Where Roses are grown for decora-
tion in the garden, I would not use a mulch,
but give a dressing of some artificial maniu-e
and stir or hoe tliis in at once. Natural
manures are more beneficial and lasting, but
they are all more or less unpleasant in the Rose
garden. The production of exhibition blooms
is another matter. A most important item at
this season is the budding of stocks. July is
an excellent time for this operation, and all
stocks of the hedge Brier intended for standards
should be budded this month. Select buds
from a strong-growing plant of each variety, and
also give a little consideration to the matter of
quality and freedom with which the plant
flowers. Much of the so-called deterioration of
Roses can be traced to injudicious selection of
buds. We are careful with seed-saving and in
the propagation of many plants by cuttings, and
yet often take a Rose-bud without any attenti( m
to selection as regards the healthy, vigorous and
free-flowering properties of the parent plant.
In the issue for June 26 "A. D." writes of
Bl'iers as liedgerow plants. I do not think any
plant will make a better, more impenetrable or
sweeter-scented hedge than the hybrid sweet
Briers. I am sure no animal would face my own
plants, now some 4 feet to (i feet through and 1(_)
feet to 1'2 feet high. It would be easy to tie these
into a narrower space, but I have left them to
grow at will, and tliey have been a delightful
feature ever since early in May. The trusses of
deep scarlet upon Anne of (Jierstein and Meg
Merrilies, also the deep metallic salmon and
copper of Lady Penzance have been very showy.
Jeannie Deans produces tlie finest trusses with
me, many carrying from one to two dozen ijuds
and blooms. This is a semi-double, a more
lasting flower, and with rather sweeter foliage
than the others. Grand as these Briers are in
every form, I like them best when worked as
tall standards. The long njds of bloss(jms droop
over very gracefully, and are of a decidedly
deeper colour than when wt)rked upon the
Manetti stock. I am trying them as stocks for
Roses, and they certainly i-oot more freely than
the ordinaiy hedge Brier. To prune these is a
mistake, but they grow so strongly that one may
well have to use the knife i>r bill-hook to keep
them within bounds in many in.stances.

Referring to colour in W. Allen Richardson,
remarked ui)on by " S. W. F.," my own obser-
vations all point to cold and changeable weathei'
as the main cause of pale coloured flowers.
Ajjart from this, W. Allen Richardson is
naturally a most changeable blossom. It is not
difficult to cut a flower that would pass for
Lamarque, one even paler yellow, one a deep
yolk of egg and orange, and more than one
combination of these ciilours from the same

truss, especially early in the season. Under
glass I have seldom had pale blossoms, while a
cold season outside almost invariably gives the
dingy white and pale lemon colour that has so
often disappointed the grower and caused many
inijustitied complaints, suggesting that the
nurseryman had supplied a duplicate, or at
least an inferior example of this popular variety.
We find this diversity of colour in many Roses,
notably Mme. Lambard, with its deep crimson,
very pale salmon, and intermediate sliades.
Even Mar^chal Niel sometimes gives us a very
pale lemon, quite as much so as many specimens
of the so-called White Mar^chal Niel which I
have seen this spring. The same plant will often
throw good blooms i:)f a deep golden yellow, and
alsoof apureandclearyellowshade. Jean Ducher,
Rainbow, Marie Van Houtte, AnnaOllivier, Pride
of Reigate, and others also vary very nuich.
" Philomel's " notes upon Rose sports are most
interesting, and his timely warning to amateurs
as regards the watching and testing of any ap-
parent departure before deciding it is really
new is very opportune. Recently I have had
a com]iaratively large number of sports. I have
cut several from La France, C. Mermet, Souvenir
d'un Ami, and a grand acquisition from Sunset
which I am sure will become one of our most
jjopular Roses. This season I cut a bloom of
Letty Coles that cjuite eclipses any other speci-
men I have hitherto seen of this spoi't from
Mme. Willermoz.

A note in the same issue U])on Rosa rugosa
Belle Poitevine I can fully confirm. M. Bruant
kindly sent me a ground [)lant of this and his
other new rugosa, calocarpa, before tliey were
sent out. Both are beautiful at tlie time
of writing, and have been for several weeks.
R. calocarpa is my favourite of the two — a
better grower than Belle Poitevine, flowering
in immense trusses, a perfect bush of scarlet
berries late in the summer. Both last year and
1895-0 tliis was a grand sight with its deep
golden, pale yellow, and crimson-shaded foliage.
I was able to cut large sprays long after the
majority of our deciduous shrubs were quite
bare, and they retained their leaves well when
cut. We must feed climbers upon walls, and
cut away the bulk of last season's wood that has
now gone out of flower. A little judicious use
of the knife at this season saves loss (jf
much growth later on. It is healthy i-<jds that
flower best later on, and by thinning out tlie
wood now, we ensure good growtlis witli less
risk of their forming iqmn okl and badly-placed

wood. RiDGEWOOD.

Rose Comtesse de Murinais is a vigorous
growing Moss Rose that would make a fine pillar
variety. I think these strong growing Mosses
should be more often trained in this form, for not
only would they gi\e variety to the walks, drives,
and wild gardens where these pillar Roses are
usually employed, but ths style of training is
decidetlly favourable to a freer production of
blossoms. This Rose lias fine trusses of w'hite
flowers, and the lovely mossy buds are tipped
with rosy pink, which form a pretty contrast to
the white expanded flowers. — E.

Rose Kaiserin Augusta "Victoria. — This
com()arativcly new Hybrid Tea is certainly
among the best introductions of late years either
as a garden Rose or as a show flower. It is also
likely to be much prized by growers for market,
as it lias most of the characteristics required as a
sale bloom. It is white, faintly tinted cream
colour, and perfect in shape. The flowers are
borne on stitt' foot-stalks in profusion, and the
growth of the plant is excellent ; the lea\'es tine
and not so liable to mildew as those of many
kinds. I saw a fine lot of plants in pots of this
a few days ago, and have at various times noted I

it growing well out of doors. All interested may
safely add this fine variety to their collections.
— H.

Rose Blanchefleur (Hybrid Gallica). — It is
rather surprising that these white summer-
flowering Roses are not more in request. Their
earliuess commends them to all wlio have large
demands for white flowers, for they come w'ith
the Pinks and the Pieonies, and are always wel-
come. Perha}is one cannot say the above Rose is
pure white, there being a distinct shade of flesh
colour in the flowers, but for all ordinary purposes
it may be used as a white Rose. This variety
flowered with me this year quite a week earlier
than Mine. Plantier and Mme. Hardy grown
under the same conditions. — E.

Rose Rosomane Alix Huguier. — At present
this noxelty has attracted little attention, but I
think it deserves notice. It is evidently a seedling
from Lady Mary Fitzwilliam, and by many
rosarians it might be considered too much like
that variety ; but let anyone compare the two
together, and he will quickly discern a decided
difterence. The flowers of the Rose under notice
have a distinct buff' shading, and they are much
higher in the centre than those of Lady Mai-y
Fitzwilliam, the reflexed edges of the petals
seen in Lady Mary Fitzwilliam giving place to a
jierfectly [jointed, globular-shaped centre in Roso-
mane A. Huguier. The flowers are of enormous
size and liave a jieculiar appearance upon such a
dwarf plant, for, unfortunately, it has inherited its
very moderate growth from its parent. I am
hopeful this defective habit of growth will be
quickly remedied, as we already have instances of
improved vigour by hybridisation in the ofispring
of Lady Mary Fitzwilliam, as evidenced in those
superb varieties Somenir du President Carnot
and Antoine Rivoire. — W. E.

ROSES AT PORTSMOUTH.

The extra early date of the first National Rose
Society's exhibition for 1897 had a bad efl'ectupon
the number of exhibits at Portsmouth on June 18.
In several classes there were no competitors, and
in others only one or two. It was the smallest
show yet held by this society, and only contain-
ing 16G0 blooms from some three dozen or so ex-
hibitors. But we saw some good quality both
among the Hylirid Perpetuals and Teas. As a
proof of the scarcity of good Roses at this early
date, such prominent growers as Messrs. Hark-
ness and Sons, E. B. Lindsell, O. G. Orjien,
H. Machin, the Rev. Foster-Melliar, and others
were absent. Colchester, Oxford, and Tor<|uaj'
provided the best exhibition flowers among trade
classes, and there were excellent garden Roses
from Bath, Colchester, Cheshunt, Oxford, and
Leatlierhead.

The medal blooms were Mrs. .lohn Laing and
Lady Mary Fitzwilliam among Hybrid Perjietuals
and Hybrid Teas, Mme. de Watteville and Com-
tesse de Nadaillac winning in the Tea and Noisette
sections. The cliief amateur prize, also the two
silver medals, were awarded to Mr. Mease, gardener
to Mr. Tate, Leatherhead, for a box of twelve,
consisting of Mme. de Watteville, Rubens, Caro-
line Kuster, Mme. Cusin, Catherine Mermet, Com-
tesse de Nadaillac. and Souvenir de S. A. Prince
(Teas), w'itliMrs. John Laing, Hippolyte Barreau,
La France, and .leannie Dickson among the H.P. 's
and H. Teas.

Some reference must be made to newer varieties.
Tom Wood is a grandly formed H. P. , of a clear
cherry red, and one that retains its freshness and
shape for a long time. Mrs. R. G. Sharman-
Crawford was staged in splendid form. A pretty
pink and salmon sport from S. Marie Rodo-
canachi was staged in Mr. F. Cant's box of forty-
eight varieties. It is a very promising and dis-
tinct liose, but it was the unfortunate cause of
Mr. Cant's distpialification, new Roses not being
eligible until either projjerly named or in com-
merce under a recognised cognomen. A box of
Laurence Allen from Messrs. Cooling and Sons,
also their new pillar Rose, Purity, were much
admired. The former I have described quite

July 17, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

41

recently, Tnit I'urity is newer. This is ;i ])un'
white when fully opened, of fair size, gnuid shape,
bonie in lai'j^e trusses, and evidently a very free
bloomer. H.l'. Kev. Allan tJlieales, from Me.ssrs.
Paul and Son, Cheshunt, is quite distinct in
colour, a pretty rosy [jurple, clear, and well built
u|), but rather thinin petal as here shown.

By far the best show was made by ;,'arden
Roses. These were really <;ood, both trade and
amateur stands being in c;raiid condition. Among
the very be.st I noticed Ma Capucinc, .lanels
Pride, Austrian Copper, Maiden's Blush, Poly-
antha simplex, Rainbow, Lucida plena, tlniiuii-
flora, Hebe's Lip, Royal Scarlet, Harri.soni,
Crested Cabbage, and Moss Cristata. R.

Yellow Roses. — To make yelloxv Roses
deeper in their tint of colour I recently noted a
plan new to me. The \ariety was Peile des
.Tardins, a Tea-scented kind in great demand in
tlie c\it state, the blooms of which were almost
white in colour through the heat of the sun under
glass. The llowers were cut in the Inul state
during early morning, placed thickly in bunches
in water and put into a dark cellar. By the follow-
ing evening tlie change was surprising ; and
twenty-four hours after they were cut I saw the
same ftlooms in the market quite a deep yellow in
tint. They were readily purchased, being con-
sidered highly coloured. \Vhether it would afi'ect
all yellow Roses I do not know, Perle des Jardins
beii\g e.xeeptional in numy ways. It has flowers
of rare substance and will put up with sprinkling
with impunity. "Water will spoil the petals of
many Roses with light tints. It appears to be
the yellow for market, no other kintl seeming to
].)rovide such an abundant crop of nicely-formed
blooms. — H. S.

Rosa laevigata. — I notice that on p. 384 the
large single white Rose, blooms of which I sent
up from Kingswear, has been provided with a
name — Rosa hevigata. I And in the " Gardener's
Dictionary " that Rosa hevigata is synonymous
with Rosa sinica, which hails from China, and has
the date \~.V) against it ; both seem to have an
American name — the Cherokee Rose— apijlied to
them, though why this should be if they have a
Chinese origin it is difficult to imagine. R. sinica

frows freely on the shores of the Mediterranean,
ut is, I fancy, from specimens I have seen, smaller
both in flower and leaf than the South Devon
specimen now under notice. Perhaps, however,
those who have a greater ex))erience of R. sinica
have seen flowers of that a ariety 5 inches in <lia-
meter. I hope next year to be able to compare
a R. sinica brought from Mentone and now grow-
ing at Torquay with the Kingswear R. l.-evigata,
which was sent to England from Abbotabad, in
N.W. India. On further examination of the
foliage of R. gigantea, I detect a difference to
that of R. hevigata.— S. \V. F., Torquay.

Roses with coloured foliage.— Xot the
least of the many cliarms of the Tea-scented,
China and kindred clas.ses, especially of modern
\'arieties, is centred in their matchless ruby and
bronze foliage. One could truly say that the
young growths of all Roses are beautiful, but the
classes named excel all others in this quality.
Even among the Teas and allied classes some
varieties are more richly coloured than others,
and their efl'eetiveness might be serviceably era-
ployed to produce during the summer, in con-
spicuous positions, a mass of rich foliage in addi-
tion to their beautiful flowers. The following
varieties are more or less conspicuous for their
■ grand foliage : Chinas : Cramoisi Sup^rievu-,
Fab\-ier, Queen Mab, Mme. L. Messimy, Mme.
Eugene Resal. Tea,s : Sunset, Perle des Jardins,
Devoniensis, Perle de Feu, Beautfi Inconstantc,
Duchesse d'Auerstadt, Mme. Berard, \\'altham
Climber No. .3, Sylph, Bouquet d'Or, Souvenir de
Mme. SablayroUes, Souvenir de Catherine (Tuillot.
Hyhrid Tias : Captain Christy, Bardou .Job, (Jrace
Darling, Belle Siebrecht, Che.shunt Hybrid, Mme.
.Jos. Combet, La Fraicheur, (Uoire Lyonnaise.
Xoinette'i : Fellenberg, Mme. Pierre Cochet, Reve
d'Or. Hybrid Perpefua/s: General Baron Berge,

Lord Bacon, (irand Mogul, Empereur dc Maroc.
lli/hriil i'liini-ii : Blairi \o. 2. Si m})' rrir* nn :
Flora. U yhriil Ayrsiiiri : ,\Ime. Vi\ iand Moi'cl.
.\/icroji/iy//n : Ma Surprise, lioiirnaiill : (iracilis.
lidiirlioii : M. A. Maillt?, Souvenir de Lieutenant
Bujon, (Uoire des Rosomanes, Sir .los. Paxlon,
Ro.sa Brunoni, R. rubrifolia.

Colour in Rose 'William Allan Richard-
son.— Much has licen written of late coneeriiing
the varying colour of this favourite Hose. W'lmn
first sent out many had tlu' impression that it was
tlelicate an<l rc(|uired a wall. This, howevt^r, was
a delusion, as it thrives in many cold and exposed
situations. What it likes is a free and unrestricted
growth, resenting severe pruning ; and my ex-
perience is that trees on walls that are annually
spurred back somewhat rigidly, in order to keep
them witliin l.)OinKls, produce not oidy the fewest,
but the most inferior coloured blooms. (Jrown on
its own roots, ])lanted where it has an opportunity
of rambling, and no further pruning done than
the unripe tips of the growths shortened and
weak shoots removed, together with what old
wood can be spared, is the way to get the best
results, the long one-year-old arched growths
being literally co\'ered with good-sized blooms of
the deepest orange. It seems to enjoy a good
holding loam. — Grower.

-I have read " S. W. F.'s" note in The

G.iBDEN (June 20) on " Lack of Colour in W. A.
Richardson Rose,'' and beg to say that one of my
neighbours has this Rose in full bloom, all the
flowers in beautiful colour, except those about to
drop. The flowers remind me of those of a
Rose I saw in the south of the United States ;
the grower did not know the name, but because
of its rich colour it was called the Brown Rose.
The flowers difl'ered from those of W. A. Richard-
son in being verj' dark on the outside, brown,
tinged slightly with red, and lighter inside.
I sent cuttings of it to my garden (we
then lived at Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.A.).
The flowci's were beautiful for a year or two, and
then lost their colour. — M. C'roft, South Park,
Wadhurst, Su.sxej:.

NEW ROSES AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE.

The number and quality of the new Roses at this
meeting of the National Rose Society were so
marked, that a note on a few of the best, for the
benefit of those unable to attend, may be valu-
able. Limiting myself to twelve— the six best
already in commerce and the six which had the
most promising appearance among those shown
for the first time — I must commence with

Muriel Gr.^u.ame, a grand sport from Catherine
Mermet, which has already given us The Biide,
Waban, and Bridesmaid. Muriel Grahame won
one of the silver medals, that for the best Tea or
Noisette throughout the whole show in amateurs'
classes. It would have done the same even if the
many trade collections had been included. In
every way it is a giand example of a creamy blush
form of Catherine Mermet. At first it did not
come sufficiently full with many to be of gi-eat
promise, but no one could find any fault with the
magnificent flower staged in Mr. E. B. Lindsell's
champion trophy stand.

Mam.\n" Cochet is another Tea, and, I believe,
the only seedling from Catherine Mermet. It is
of grand size and fonn, a cajjital grower and free
bloomer, quite unique in its deep salmon and
coppery-peach shadings.

Mrs. W. .J. Gr.vnt has often been described,
but now that much of the weakness from excessive
propagation has departed, we are seeing it in
that beautiful form possessed by one bloom at
Chester in 1892. A freer bloomer we do not pos-
sess, while every liud is useful from the very
earliest stages. The colour is a deep pink, buds
long, and blooms well formed.

Mrs. Rumsey is one of our best late pink
Roses. It is absolutely mildew- ])roof so far as I
have grown and seen it. The presence of <leep
green foliage free from this disfiguring disease is
a great desideratum towards the end of the sea-

son, and it is then that this Rose is in much
better form than when staged at the Crystal
Palace.

Tom Wool) is ])erfect in shape, size, and habit
of growth. The flower lasts a long time and re-
tains its deep cherry-red colour well.

Helen Kei.i.ek is a thoroughly reliable exhi-
bition Rose, and is also a grand variety in the
garden. It is a clear rosy cerise.

Of Roses not yet in commerce, a Hybrid Per-
petual named

Ui-sTEK won the much -coveted gold medal.
This is a vigorous grower, with smooth wood, and
evidently a very prolific bloomer. There is much
of the deep .salmony-))ink foinid in a bright
Caroline Testout, with a distinct edging of
silvery pink. Substance and form are really ex-
cellent, and if it will open well wo have a grand
addition to salmon-pinks.

Kii.L.VRNEV appears to be a Hybrid Tea. To
my mind it was better, more distinct and taking
than Ulster, but it was not staged for the medal,
and no ground plant was exhibited. I understood
Mr. Dickson, .lun., to say it wasa promising Rose,
of good habit and free-blooming. It is certainly
a most fascinating shade of salmony-peach, witli
clear silvery edges, of grand form, good size and
substance.

Bessie Brown is a pale salmon and cream, a
most promising Rose in every way.

Mrs. CiR-VHAME also promises well. It is a flower
with much the same form and shades of colour as
might be imagined from a comliination of Mme.
Biavy and K. A. Victoria. These four came from
Messrs. Dickson, Newtownards, who are evidently
likely to outdo all other growers in the matter of
new introductions.

Mrs. F. Cant is a very pale coloured form of
Gabriel Lviizet. It seems distinct, and was well
shown among new Roses and as twelve of any one
variety. The growth is shorter than in G. Luizet
and rather more robust.

R. B. Cater, from Messrs. Cooling and Sons,
Bath, has much of the rosy-cerise found in
Helen Keller, is of more cupped form, distinct
in growth, and a very promising new Rose.

If I mention (Jolden (iate, Mrs. Mawley, Rev.
Allan Cheales, Countess of Caledon, Lady Clan-
morris, Daisy, Sylph, Eileen, First Cross, Antoine
Rivoire, Laiirence Allen, Bladud, Captain Hay-
ward (good), Clio, Mrs. W. C. \\'hitney, Comtesse
Dusy, and T. B. Hayward, I think the pick of
new Roses as seen at the Crystal Palace are
included. " Ridgewood.

Rose Baroness Rothschild. — This delicately
coloured pink Rose still remains a great favourite
amongst all classes, and no wonder. In symmetry
it far outstrips the well-known La France, which
must be caught in the half-expanded bud stage to
be presentable, especially if the blooms are wanted
for exhibition. The Baroness is of sturdy growth
and soon makes large bushes if mulched and
lilierally fed. La France stands an exposed situa-
tion as well as any Rose I know, and this fact is
a strong recommendation. I have it in an eastern
flower garden fully exposed to every gale, and in
vigour of growth and the way in which it sur-
vives severe M-inters it surpasses the generality of
Hybrid Perpetuals growing in the same position.
— Grower.

Rose S. M. Rodocanachi. — This splendid
Rose sliould be in every collection, being a hardy,
robust, and exceedingly free bloomer. The
trusses — for it rarely throws solitary flowers — are
borne on extra stout growths, five or six grand
half-expanded buds being often obtainable on one
shoot. I can confidently recommend this Rose for
planting in light shallow soils on account of its
vigorous habit of growth, which withstands
drought well. On account of its clustering habit
of flowering it may not be so useful for cutting or
exhibition, as the use of the knife means a sacri-
fice of numerous smaller buds ; but for making a
brave show in bed or border few can beat it.—
Grower.

I This is a suiierb variety, and the exhibitor

' should take care that a goodly number of plants

42

THE GARDEN.

[July 17, 1897.

is grown, as it is a good reliable kind. It was
well exhibited last week at the Drill Hall, and
also at the Crystal Palace. Both the tine globular
form with the showy guard petals and the charm-
ing and li\-ely rose colour are very attractive. I
cannot altogether recommend it for garden deco-
ration. It has the fault of Marie Baumann in
hanging its head and tlius liiding its beauty from
view. — P.

Bosa alpina and its variety K. a. py-
renaica lioth form ])retty masses of colour in the
rock garden, where they may be used as a sort of
background. Smaller and younger jilants may
be used in the fissures of the rock, where they
may rest their heads on a projecting ledge of
stone. By confining the plants to pots it is pos-
sible to keep them quite dwarf for some years,
and even in this way they are pretty, with their
solitary blossoms of rosy pink.

Rose Robusta (Bourbon). — One often hears
e.xpressions of regret that Crimson Rambler is
not autumn flowering. The above Rose supjilies
the long-felt want of a grand vivid crimson
autumnal variety. It is exceptionally vigoi'ous
and will make enormous shoots 7 feet to 8 feet
long each season. The colour is as ricli and
velvety as in Duke of Kdinljnrgh, and the flowers,
if not so large, are ne\ ertheless most abundantly
produced. The reddish wood and leaf-stalks are
also very beautiful. I can highly recommend it
as a pillar or climbing Rose. — P.

Roses Hebe's Lip and Reine Blancbe. —

These two Roses appear to lie identical. 1 1:ielie\e
the latter was sent out as an improvement on tlic
former, but I have them almost close to each
other and I can discern no difl'ercnce whatever in
the two kinds. Hebe's Lip is a delightful Rose,
and is evidently closely allied to the Damasks.
It is single, or perhaps one should call it semi-
double, as there are two rows of petals. These
petals are i^ory white, but the great attraction is
the beautiful carmine edging which is seen upon
the outer and sometimes upon the inner row. It
is a strong growing variety, with dull green foli-
age and very prickly wood. The flowers are pro-
duced in clusters of five and si.x. — P.

Seedling Roses. — It was the general o])ini(in
of those who saw at the Drill Hall the collec-
tion of seedling Roses from Lord Penzance
that he was making very slow progress to-
wards enriching our collections with good jjernia-
nent varieties. Although some of the kinds put
up were very pleasing in colour, the only conclu-
sion I could come to was that he was only repro-
ducing varieties and forms which have appeared
and been discarded long ago. I am confident
that if Lord Penzance would work upon these
seedlings with their hybrid nature, in two or three
generations some good enduring varieties would
betheresult, instead of our already extensive collec-
tions being burdened with worthless kinds, such as
some of those which have already appeared. — P.

Rose Medea. — This grand Tea Rose has lieen
seen very fine this season, and it is gradually tak-
ing its place among the leading exhibition Teas.
Both at the Drill Hall and also at the Ciystal
Palace last week Mr. Orpen, of Colchester, put up
some fine specimens that recalled in the beautiful
colour and substantial flower that almost forgotten
Rose Cloth of (4old. The growth of Medea is not
climbing, but it is very vigorous, after the style
of Marie Van Houtte, and as it is such a very full
flower, doubtless a low wall woidd be the best
position in which to grow it. At the Temple
show the raisers — Messrs. ^^^ Paul and Son, of
Waltham Cross — exhibited some ver_v fine floweis
growing on standards, proving it to be a valuable
kind for greenhouse culture. — P.

SHORT NOTES— ROSES.

Rose Jean Cherpin. — Purple Roses are gene-
rally disliked, aud perhaps when dying off the
blossoms are not very beautiful, but I think that no
one would object to the lovely buds of this Rose which
are so freely produced. It is a splendid variety to

grow to furui^li large supplies of cut flowers, and
when judiciou.sly intermingled with pinks, whites, and
crimsons, the colour is not at all objectionable. — P.

Rose Abel Carriere. — This is one of the most
reliable of the very dark Roses. It is certainly far
superior to such kinds as Jean Liabaud and Baron de
Bonstettin, which yield a good flower very rarely.
The splendid colour of Abel Carriere is always wel-
come in a collection, the rich velvety maroon con-
trasting well with paler tints. It is a good grower
and the form of flower excellent ; in fact, I consider
it tlie best all-round dark Rose we postess. — E.

Roses Marquise de Salisbury and
Camcens as standards. — Probably one could not select
two more efi'ective Roses to grow in standard or half-
standard form than the kinds named above. They ap-
pear to vie with the Monthly Roses for continuous
blooming. A grand display would be ensured if these
two varieties were extensively planted eithef in con-
juuction or separately. The vivid crimson of Marquise
de Salisbury would at all times serve to enhance the
lovely pink of Camoens.

Rose Thomas Mills is a brilliant crimson,
vigorous growing Rose. Its form is perfect, and

the Drill Hall, is a near ally of the AVeigelas ;
indeed, by our botanical authorities the genus
Weigela is now absorbed into that of Diervilla.
The V\'eigelas, however, as represented by the old-
world species and the innumerable hybrids raised
therefrom, will in most cases retain the name that
they have so long been known by, and under
which they have attained the great popularity
that they bear at the present day. Tlie plants to
which the name of Diervilla has always been
applied are D. canadensis and D. sessilifolia, both
natives of North America. The older of the two,
I), canadensis — which is also known by the spe-
cific name of trifida — was introduced as long ago
as 1739. It forms a somewhat spreading bush a
yard or more high, with Weigela-like foliage and
small j'ellow blossoms, which are borne during
June and Juh'. D. sessilifolia, which is a native
of Carolina and Tennessee, is decidedly more
ornamental than the other, the leaves being-
larger and more pointed, and when first expanded
they are yellowish, but when mature become
somewhat flushed with i-ed when in full sunshine.

Penistemon Scouleri m the rock garden at Abbotsbury. From a photograph sent by
Messrs. B. Veiich and Son, Exeter. (See p. 38.)

although it is generally deficient in fulness, it may
nevertheless often be found in exhibition boxes.
This variety is by no means a shy bloomer, but I
would recoinmend thatatpruning time the growths
should be left fairly long. It would be a fine kind
for a pillar Rose or as a standard. — E.

Rose Mag-deleine de Cbatellier is a fine
adflition to the poiiular Polvantha class. It is
quite distinct from Perle d"Or and Etoile d'Or.
The colour is saft'ron-yellow. shaded v\ith rosy
buft', and the charming little buds expanrl to
beautiful imbricated flowers that are highly at-
tractive. Provided the colours are distinct and
their Lilliputian character is retained, one cannot
well have too many of these pretty little Roses,
so useful are they. — E.

Diervilla sessilifolia. — This interesting but
uncommon shrub, which was recently shown at

The flowers are yellow, and borne for some time
during the summer months. Not only is this
shrub well worth growing for its own sake, but in
conjunction with the garden varieties of Weigela
it may in the hybridist's hands give us sonre dis-
tinct forms. — T.

Halimodendron argenteum. — By July a

o-reat many of our flowering shrubs are past, but
among those still in bloom the above-mentioned
Halimodendron, known also as the Siberian Salt
Tree, merits recognition, for it is decidedly orna-
mental, and quite distinct from anything else in
flower. It forms a freely-branched bush, 0 feet
or so in height, whose slender shoots are clothed
with silvery-grey leaves, which impart to it
quite an uncommon appearance. The pea-shaped
blossoms, which are of a rosy-purple colour, are
borne for some distance along the slender arching
shoots, and a succession is kept up for some time.
This Halimodendron is perfectly hardy, will hold

July 17, 1897.]

THE GAPvDEK

4.3

lits own liettiT lliaii nmiiy otlier shnilis in lu)(
sanely soils, wliiK: it vies witli tin- Tamarisk in its
ability to withstand the salt spvay in tin;
ininieUiati; vicinity of the sea. It is an old
inhabitant of our ijanlens, but one rarely seen,
though far more worthy of a place than many
.subjects which are j;enerally planted. The silvery
character of it.s folia'^e is more pronounced when
exposed to full sunshine than if the plant is in a
partially shaded |iosition.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1127.
HYBRID CINEIIAIUAS.

(with a COLOIRED I'LATE.*)

The accompanying plate represents tliree of tlie
colour forms obtained in the Botanic Gardens,
■Cambridge, by crossing Senecio multitiorus
(female) with the well-known tlori.st's Cineraria.
They were selected by the artist as the most
beautiful from about half a dozen, all of wliich
fairly repeat the colour of the pollen [larent
used in each particular ca.se. The colours of
the Cineraria have been so tran.sniittcd that
white centres arc ]ierfcctly pure and not in the
least afVectcd by the rosy-lilac of the female
parent, while the selfs of blue, purple and maroon
are bright and clear, though with brilliancj-
toned down to stmie extent. It appears, in-
deed, tliat the Cineraria always carries a strong
influence in colour and size whatever the other
parent may be, and whether used as male or
female. The ])lants of tliis cross reversed were
•also very beautiful, but the habit was not so
good and the general result less satisfactory
from a decorative point of view. To the artistic
eye, and in the opinion of all wlio are not
enamoured of the florist's ideal, tlie hybrids de-
picted in this plate are far more beautiful than
the garden Cineraria, having a lightness and
grace of lialnt which do not belong to the latter,
while pos.sessing at tlie same time an equal
beauty of colour. The graceful sprajs arc
vei-y suitable for cutting and look extreiiiely
well in water. They have conveniently h.ing
.stems, and are elegant becau.se all the flower-
heads have sufficient space to be seen properly,
which in tlie dense head of an ordinary Ciiier-
Jiria is hardly the case. In these hybriils the
advantage is gained of a greatly e.xtended flower-
ing season. The plants may be cut liack or
the first Ijranches of the inflorescence may
naturally exhaust themselves, when below new
growths appear and produce a fresh crojj of
flowers. Although the garden Cineraria does
this to some extent, the habit is much stronger
in Senecio multiflorus, and from this species it
has been transmitted to the liybrids. In general
habit the ]ilants are very nearly intermediate,
but much depends on culture, for small useful
plants may be obtained in (i-inch pots, or they
may be grown to be quite .'5 feet high. AH
grow very freely, and, though (juite as liable to
greenfly as the Cineraria, may be regarded as
less exacting in general treatment. They
Jippear to have gained by the constitution of the
female parent. In comparison with many
plants these hybrids are shy seeders, but tlierc
will be no difficulty in the liands of those who
seed the Cineraria. A selection of these hy-
brids was exhibited at the Drill Hall in January,
and though all were much admired, the rosy
form (most fully represented in the plate) w.as
generally considered tlie best. The plants com-
menced to bloom some time before Christmas,

• Drawn^ for The Garden by H. G. Moon in the
Botanic Gardens, Cambridije. Lithographed and
printed by J. L. Gofifart.

and .some of the same batch are still in flower
at the end of .June. For purposes of identilica-
tion it may lie said that these hybrids are called
Cineraria Lynchei liy Mr. Watson in the
(jiirilea and Forest of Feliruary last.

Other .s]iecies besides S. inultiHorus with
which the Cineraria has been hyl)ridiscd in the
Cambridge Botanic (iardcns arc .Senecio lleri-
tieri (female) and S. cruentus (male). .\ |ilant
of the lirst has been exceedingly charming, pi-o-
ducing on many stems witli small leaves a num-
lirr of large pure white flowers. Of the second
cross were many beautiful ]ilants, and one in
particular, quite ditt'erent from all the others,
m.ulc .a magniflcent object. 15elow was a conical
mass of large den.sely-set leaves, and above a

The Week's Work.

2^

1^*^

Senecio muliidortis x Garden Cinerurui. Heitild oj plant abui-e put,
2 feet G inches. From a photograph sent by Mr. B. I. Lynch,
Botanic Qardens, Cambridge.

panicle of large maroon-coloured flowers about
'2!i feet acro.ss, the entire plant being not quite
:'> feet high. R. Irwi.v Lynch.

Botanic Gardens, CamJiridge.

Veronica lycopodioides. — This minute shrub
of .3 in(;hes to 4 inches is flowering fairly well
this summer on the older and more exposed speci-
mens. The form and jiosc of the flowers are pretty
but common in the better-known dwarf shrubby
species, but the peculiar foliage as implied by the
specific name lends itself as a foil to the flowers in
such a manner that the specimens are distinctly
attracti\'e. As a rock garden subject this is de-
cidedly first-rate. — .J. \V.

HARDY FRUIT (iARDEX.
Pe.uiiks AM) Xecta RINKS. -Siuce last writing
about these, the trees have made excellent growth,
and they are also keeping clean. As it is impor-
tant in outdoor I'each culture to have the wood
well ripened, the young shoots must be kept well
fastene<l back to the walls. While this is being
performed, attention should be <liiected to the
stop|)ing of lateral shoots, also to see that none of
the fruits arc likely to be injured through being
in too close proximity to wall nails or wires,
cutting away anv ties which are already begin-
ning to encircle oraiichcs too tightly. The ci-op,
where necessary, should be finally thinned, and
wash the trees as often as
circumsUmces will allow
to keep the foliage clear
of i-cd spider. The latter
pest is more to be dreaded
than aphis after this time
of the year, and once it
gains a good hold on a
tree it is almost impos-
sible to eradicate it ;
hence the wisdom of giv-
ing the trees a daily wash,
for they cannot endure
tMild water. Border water-
ings will entirely depend
on the amount of rainfall
and the nature of the soil
in each locality. When
needed, give sufficient to
soak the border through-
out, and assist all well-
cropped trees with a
stimulant either in the
form of liquid or an arti-
ficial manure. Barren
trees should not have too
much moi.sture supjilied
to the roots, and so long
as they kee[) clean and
free from spider withhold
the water- pot or hose as
the case may be. Give
young trees every atten-
tion in the way of pinch-
ing l)ack the strong shoots
to equalise growth, and
train and tack in the re-
mainder. If any of these
are newly planted, see
that they do not want for
water at the roots.

Apricots. — These, like
the foregoing, aie mak-
ing free growth and stand
in need of another look
over, as the breastwood
and laterals will soon run
away with the nourish-
ment needed for the sup-
port of the fruits, which
are now taking their final
swelling. The tree should
therefore be closely stop-
[led, and the young wood
previously laid in must ha\e further sup])ort in the
shape of nails and shreds to prevent it from hang-
ing loose and presenting an untidy appearance.
Now that the fruits are swelling fast sec that the
trees do not want for moisture at the roots, as if the
borders are well drained it is almost impossible to
overwater Apricots. It is this deficiency of root
moisture wliich causes so many fruits to be mealy
or, at any rate, deficient of juice when ripe.
When once the final swelling commences water
is needed in ample (juantities, unless the rainfall
should jirovc sufficient — which is seldom the case
with me — to enable the trees to lay on plenty of
pulp. Follow uj) the <laily washing of the trees, if
only to keep w'oodlice from eftecting a lodgment
in old walls, as these soon spoil the best fruits and

44

THE GARDEN".

[JcLT 17, 1897.

those nestling close to the wall if left unmolested.
Some growers move the leaves on one side to ex-
pose the fruits when they commence to ripen, but
it is a practice I cannot recommend, as it leads to
the portion of the fruit facing outwards becoming
ripe in advance of the base. I always find that
the fruits ripen more regularly and thoroughly
wlien slightly shaded by the foliage, and have dis-
continued exposing them to the sun for some
years past. Renew the mulch on the border if
necessary, as we may yet have more hot, parching
weather to contend with. Young trees in full
growth and devoid of fruit must not be given
stimulants, which older trees require, and, if
growth is inclined to he rank, give no more water-
at the roots than is necessary to keep them in a
Iiealthy condition.

WaJjL Pears. — Where the stopping of these has
been delayed no time should be lost in getting it
done, and if the trees have made an excessive
amount , of growth, and disljudding has been
neglected, twist or pull out the surplus shoots at
the base. This enables weak and watery shoots
being got rid of, to tlie benefit of those retained.
These latter, with the exception of leaders at the
ends of branches in fan and diagonally-trained
trees, should be stopped back to four buds. In
the case of cordons the same amount of stopping
is required, leaving the leaders full length if the
trees are young and have not filled their allotted
space. The majority of the trees are carrying good
crops here. It" is surjirising how quickly Pears
develop and to what a size they attain wlien fed
with superphosphate of lime and muriate of
jiotash, and there are no other manures that I am
acquainted with which have such a marked effect
when judiciously applied. Heavily-laden trees
should be thinned, although if there are any
doubts in the matter it would be better to wait
another week or so ; but, generally speaking, the
best and most healthy-looking fruits can be
(juickly discovered after the month of .lune is
past. Should hot, dry weather set in, renew the
mulch, and keep the roots of the trees moist by
watering when necessary.

Pi.UMS ON WALLS. — In many places the crops, it
is to be feared, will be short, and in some instances
nil. Where this is the case the trees must be
judiciously handled, otherwise they will make
rank growth, which, if continued late in the sea-
son, will lead to the trees Ijeing unfruitful an-
other season in consequence of the wood being un-
ripened. Stimulants should, therefore, be with-
held, and no water given at the roots unless
absolutely necessary. The trees themselves must,
however, be kept clean, and after stopping the
spur wood and tacking or tying in that required
for furnishing, give them a thorough wasiiing,
and follow it up as often as time will permit.
Trees which ai-e bearing must be well fed to
enable them to carry as heavy a crop as possible,
but if the fruits are too close together a little
thinning will be beneficial. Look well after
young cordon trees and stop all side growths.
This is an excellent way of growing the choice
dessert varieties, and it is also a quick method of
covering walls and any odd corner on wall but-
tresses. Nearly all varieties succeed grown in
this way, the only exception, so far as I know,
being Victoria, which gives but poor returns.

Bush Morellos. — These are, as usual, carry-
ing heavy crops of fruit, and the trees have made
good growth. The points of the shoots should
now be pinched out, and where there is an excess
of these, a slight thinning may be done. This
will obviate the necessity for any winter-itruning.
That other fine cooking Cherry, Kentish Red,
should also be treated in like manner.

Apples and Pears. — These, whether grown as
bushes or pyramids, should be summer-pruned.
It is many years since the trees made so much
growth as they have done this season, and it is
healthy and clean. The stopping in this case
amounts to the cutting back of the young shoots
on the S|)urs on the main branches to from four to
five leaves, and in leaving the leading shoots at
the extremities one-third, one-half, or two-thirds

their length, according to the age or the amount
of space the trees have to fill. This will allow
light and air to penetrate all parts of the trees
and aid in the ripening of wood and liuds for an-
other season. Heavy crops of Apples ^^•ill be the
exception more than the rule, but still there
should be no hesitation about thinning in the case
of trees which are hea\ily laden.

Cordon C!ooseherries. — Young trees planted
last winter should have the leading shoot tied to
tlie wires, or be fastened back to the wall, and
stop in the side growths to two or three buds.
Established trees should also be stopped in, only
in their case leave from four to five buds.

A. W.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Cabbage. — We have arrived at the time when the
first sowing of spring Cabbage should be made.
It is a mistake to suppose that one sowing, and
at a fixed date, is always going to prove satisfac-
tory, as the plants are apt to suffer from a variety
of causes, while, owing to tlie seasons varying, the
plants may be too forward in one instance to
M'ithstand a severe winter, and in another so
backward that they do not become thoroughly
estaljlished before bad weather sets in. There is
also a risk of losing many of the plants through
the attacks of slugs and other pests. To ensure
a good supply of first-class heads at a season
when they are most appreciated, viz., from early
spring until Asparagus and other choice vege-
tables become plentiful, three sowings at least
should be made at intervals of about ten days or
a fortnight. Allow plenty of space in forming
the beds, so that the seed may be sown thinly,
which will enable the seedlings to make sturdy
growth, so that they can be jjlanted direct into
their permanent quarters without the extra
trouble of pricking tliem off into nursery beds. No
crop repays better for generous treatment in the
way of well-cultivated soil than this, and to en-
sure vigorous plants from tlie first, the seed-bed
sliould be selected in an open jiosition, and if the
ground be poor or exhausted b}' a previous crop,
a dressing of thoroughly decayed manure, or,
what is preferable, a dressing from a spent Mush-
room bed, should be afforded and forked in rather
deeply. After the ground has settled, the first
sowing should be made broadcast, well covering
the seed with fine soil from the frame-yard ; the
next sowing may be made in a similar way, but I
prefer to raise the last batch of plants in drills, as
man}' of these will remain undisturbed through
the winter and prove valuable for planting
out in the spring. As these seeds have to
be sown when the ground is generally in a
parched condition, frequent watering is not only
necessary to assist the seed to germinate quickly,
but also to sustain the young plants until they
become well established. Net the beds over to
prevent birds doing any damage, and thus save
loss of time and plants. A slight dusting of
slaked lime will ward off slugs and other vermin.
As regards varieties, most growers rely on those
which have proved suitable to their climate, but
there are few gardens now where Ellam's Early
does not find a place. At least three varieties
should be sown, which will not only allow of a
good selection being made, but there is the ad-
vantage of a succession of young tender heads
being maintained, which is a great point to
study with this crop, as they soon lose flavour
when they become large and coarse.

Celery. — More trenches should be made as
soon as ground becomes available, so that the
late batch of plants can be got in before they be-
come too large. The weather of late has been
favourable for those that have been recently
planted, as well as causing the earliest plants to
make rapid growth. Continue to draw a little
fresh soil round the plants as they require it,
which is better than banking them up with a
great quantity at one time. After the desired
number of plants has been put out, tliose that
remain in the nursery beds sliould be watered and
in other ways encouraged to grow freely, as these

will prove \'aluable for the kitchen and save
digging from the trenches. i

S.iLADS. — Continue to sow Lettuce seed about t
every ten days. With the exception of the earliest
lot of plants, I have not transplanted any of
these this season, as by sowing the seed broad-
cast and thinly, this extra labour is dispensed
with, the plants receive no check from transplant-
ing, and tliey turn in quicker. The site selected
should be one where the plants do not receive the
full force of the sun at mid-day, and they will
last longer in a serviceable condition. Radishes,
Endive and Mustard and Cress should also be sown
at short intervals, as these are always more appre-
ciated when used in a fresh young state.

Miscellaneous. — Many of the early crops, such
as Peas, &c., will now be over, and all remains of
these and other things should be cleared oft' the
ground as soon as possible, thus preserving a tidy
appearance in the garden and the land from un-
necessary impoverisliment. Take the earliest
opportunity also to manure, and get the same in a
suitable condition to receive succeeding crops.

R. Parker.

Kitchen Garden.

GOOD AUTUMN LETTUCE.

For many years I i-elied upon All the Year
Round for autumn sowing, but it is not alway.s.
reliable, and few varieties will compare with the
Hammersmith Hardy Green for August sowing
to stand over the winter and furnish an early
spring supply. I am aware even the Hammer-
smith is not hardy in our erratic climate. I
have lost quite as many plants from continual
rains, but the severe ea.st wind after frost
witliers up the tender leaves, and the plants
collapse. Few tilings are more appreciated in
March and April tlian early Lettuce, and to ob-
tain these one must not be niggardly in sowing
in the early autumn. I am aware there are
other kinds equally as hardy as the one named. A
favourite Lettuce of late years with me has been
Lee's Immense Hardy Green ; I tliink the term
"Immense" may be left out. It is an excellent
variety, as hardy as the Hammersmith Hardy
Green, growing freely in well-drained soil, turn-
ing in quickly in the spring, and of good
(luality. Another very fine type of autumn
Lettuce is Stanstead Park. This is quite dis-
tinct from those named above, and excellent for
autumn sowing. It is very hardy and a rapid
grower in the early spring — indeed, earlier than
Lee's Hardy Green — of compact habit and a.
beautiful light-green colour. Of Cos varieties '
the Hardy Bath or Brown Sugar-loaf is difficult,
to beat, and one of the best for winter and
spring supplies of Lettuce. It follows the
Cabbage varieties, and may be sown in August,
as large plants do not winter well. A new
variety I tried last season proved an excellent
winter and spring Lettuce. This is a small
kind — Sutton's Intermediate, a cross between a
Cabbage and Cos, more ujiright in growth tlian
the Cabbage, but hardier and earlier than the
true Cos. The plants have scarcely any leg or
stem, being close to the soil. It resembles ia
colour the old Bath Cos, but is quite distinct,
being much smaller. Winter Green is also-
good, hardy, and distinct. I have less liking
for Cos Lettuce for spring use than Cabliage
Lettuce, as earliness is essential. An Early
Cabbage Lettuce sown in February is nearly as:
early as the autumn-sown Cos ; tm the other
hand many prefer Cos. It is useless to sow for
spring supplies in places where slugs or snails
abound, as these pests soon clear a quarter, and.
I prefer an open bed to that on a south or warm
border, as the plants are more hardy and less

July 17, 1897.]

THE GiVrvDE^^

45

njured by culd. A wcU-clraiiied soil is a,
locessity for the pliuits, iiiul thin sowing is

ucdeil to givo tliu seedlini,'s room to grow. 1
iiid r.-iised l)eds in an open exposed quarter
;ive the best ])!ants for early spring i)laiiting.
am aware the plants are mneli earlier when
)lanted out in autiuini, but owing to losses 1 do
Kit advise plantint; largely. 1 have olitained

arly produee by sowing tliinly in rows on a
ioutli border and not transplanting. I prefer
ro sow broadeast in l)eds wlien ipiantities are
iieeded in spring, transplanting at the end of
February or earlv in Marcli to warm borders.
I ' G.W.S.

' Gradus Pea. — 1 trust I made it clear in re-

■erring to (Jnuhis I'ca that my experience of it

ivas ill a very ex])ose(l place, out in a large field

vnd under field culture. At Richmond, where tlie

ioil and .situation both are warmer, it has done

jetter, l)ut still in neither case is it so good

I croiijier as Ameer, which is at the most but two

iays later. As an earl}' warm border Pea there

can be no doubt that Gradus is a valuable

1 icquisition. Even for that purpose, however, I

I should like it better were it shorter-jointed. At

I Richmond still under held culture I have found

i Bountiful, A 1, and Empress of India to be all

1 capital first earlies, about 3 feet in height, and

i gtood croppers ; indeed, it is now absurd to sow

iavourless round earlies. — A. D.

Very dwarf Peas. — How very popular Ameri-
can ^^'onder still is with manj- persons for first
early sowing in rows at 20 inches apart. It
necessitates no expenditure of money and labour in
staking, gi\es really good gatherings of pods, and
can be if needed intercropped ere finally cleared
off. William Hurst and Chelsea Gem sown in
rows 2 feet ajxirt are e\-en better and more ]5ro-
ductive. Then also at 2 feet come Daisy and
Dwarf Defiance, both really first-rate dwarf Peas,
cropping wonderfully. English Wonder has
smaller pods, and may be sown even rather closer,
but the crop and qualit}' are first-rate. I find
this Pea also in commerce as Witham Wonder.
A fine podding Pea of this section is Early Dwarf
Marrowfat, and there is no better late dwarf than
Omega. Those who grow these short varieties
will find tiiey get as fine Pea quality from them
as from tlic tallest. — A. I).

Young Carrots for ■winter — There is no
ditticuky in lia\ing a good supply of Carrots in
winter, but my note refers to young roots, Now
is the time to sow for winter supplies, and the best
varieties are the stump-rooted kinds, those one
usually sows in the early spring, such as Early
Nantes, Early (Jem, or a Short Horn. These
should be sown thinly in well-manured soil, and
should the weather be dry it is well to water to
assist the seed to germinate freely. With winter
Carrots one must guard against slugs, wireworm,
and other pests. The wireworm is one of the
worst, and it is well to dress the land before
digging with lime and .soot, and in soils with a
tendency to wireworm gas-lime should be em-
ployed. Wood ashes is a • splendid fertiliser if
this can be used in quantity, and in heavy clay
soils the addition of road scrapings, old mortar
rubble, or spent manure is of great value. There
need be no fear of the crop [failing. Carrots are
t|uite liardy, and tliey are much sweeter when
ttrawn fresh. — (i. Wvthes.

Pea Early Morn. — I have this season given
the aljove new Pea a trial forced under glass, and
as a first early in the open, and consider it a \ery
superior variety, a grand cropper, with splendid
flavour. I am obliged to grow earlj- Peas in
quantity, and I note "J. C.'s" remarks at p. 4,
and would ask liim to give this a trial. I feel
sure he will ]ilace it c([ual with the one he notes.
I find it superior, having a larger pod and being
a very heavy cropper. The pod is much larger
than that of Springtide, in fact it more resembles
the Stratagem tj-pe than anj' I know. Though it
is large it is very early. The true Stratagem is
mot early, in fact more a mid-season variety, and not

ada]ited for early sowing in cold lieavy soils, whei-e-
as Early Mom witli me gn-minated freely sown
early in February, and was fit to Leather tlie second
week in .lune. Tliese I'cmai'ks apply to the open-
gromid crop : tliosc rai.sed in ]iuts were planted
out in ^hu■^h, tile Peasbeingfit for use the last week
in May. Early .Morn grows 2.J- feet high. The pods
liad eight to ten Peas in a pod and of splendid
fla\our. — (i. WVTHKS.

New Peas. — The fruit and vegetable com-
mittee of the Koyal Horticultural Society did well
at the conclusion of their Pea inspection last year
to request that such standard varieties as Chelsea
Gem, Duke of Albany, Sharpe's Queen, William
I., Autocrat, and Nc Plus Ultra be grown this
year to furnish fair objects of comparison with
new varieties. Hence when a meeting of that
body was held at Chiswick on the 1st inst. , out
of some fifty varieties examined the lowest award
was given to three varieties. Saccharine, a 4-feet
Pea having a fair crop of long green jjods ; Har-
binger, 4 feet, good crop of short pods, an early
\ariety ; and to Parclunent, one of tlie French
sugar Peas for cooking whole. Something of a
really remarkable character is now needed in
Peas to command any high award. In what di-
rection it is to be looked for it is difficult to say ;
crops seem to be now all that are possible, flavour
is relatively good too in the best, though not all
that can be desired generally. Colour, too, is
good, whilst we have all heights. Anyone
familiar with Peas knows that aAerage excellence
being so good it is very hard indeed to beat it.
It is a question whether those who have secured
a, score or so of the very best varieties now in
commerce will not render horticulture more
service by constant hard selection of the best forms
in each case for seeding, and thus practically im-
prove existing stocks, ratlier than to waste efl'ort
over the raising by intercrossing of new varieties,
nine-tenths of which are no better, and many are
worse than existing best sorts. — A. I).

as I advise above when tlic ]>lant is in full growth.
Many cannot obtain li([uid mainu'e. and the ferti-
lisers are of great value. One I liave found excel-
lent is fish manui'e and soot well "watered in.
Near <lwellings lish manure is objectionable when
left on tiic surface, l)ut when mixed witli soot and
watered in the strong .smell is soon lost. Sul-
phate of potash mixed in equal cpiantity with
guano is an excellent food. Nitrate of |)otash
given in a soluble state is a (|uick acting fertiliser,
and gi\en as a toji-dressing is best applied in
showerv weather. G. WvTllKS.

MANURING ASPARAGUS.
From the end of June till the end of August is, I
find, the best time to give manures to Asparagus
beds. I have great faith in liquid manure from
stables or cowsheds. This given freel}' is in-
valuable whilst the crowns are being formed for
next season's crop. I am aware many growers
prefer fertilisers, but, unless copious supplies of
water are given at the same time, it is useless to
give dry food which the roots cannot get hold of.
Another point deser\ing of attention is to feed
when growth is most active. I am not adverse to
manures earlier, say from the beginning of May, if
not given to excess ; indeed, in light soils there is
no better time to apply salt than May and .lune,
if given in showery weather, but it is most in-
jurious given in the late autumn, as I fail to see
what good it can do when top growth has ceased
and in a measure the plants are at rest. Many
good roots in heavy clay soils have been killed bj'
salt dressings in the autumn, also by heavy coat-
ings of manure. If beds could be regularly irri-
gated from now to the end of August, especially
\» hen there are wide alleys Ijctween the plants, and
the soil gravel, such irrigation would do so much
good that manures at other times would be little
needed. The best Asparagus I ever grew was on
beds on the flat. These I flooded with liquid
manure ; during growth, no food of anj' kind was
needed. By this system I could cut Asparagus
much later ; indeed, a few beds were cut well into
August, and there was no lack of grass as long as
I irrigated freely. I am aware at certain seasons
one has a difficulty in finding labour to give all
things the pro)ier attention. Fertilisers are so soon
applied that the\' have become fashionable, but I
have more faitli in al)undance of liquid food if it
can be obtained and laljour found to apply it.
There is no better food for Asparagus, and given
at the right moment it is soon absorbed and
builds up strong crowns, with a strong top
growth. It must not be thought I do not value
artifit-ial maiun-es. These are most valuable used

Potato Sharpe's 'Victor. —The discussion on
early Potatoes, ami Sharpe's Victor in ]jarticular,
proves that tliis variety is falling into disfa\ our.
Opinions as to its merits have been divitled from
the first, and I may say that with me it nevi'r was
wortliy of a jUace, though I grew >a limited ()uan-
tity ot it for some years, but eventually discarded
it entirely. The soil on which it was grown is
liglit and sandy, and usually jjroduces Potatoes of
high (|uality, but Victor never would pass as a
good variety, either in texture, flavour or colour.
The stock was certainly true, so the failure could
not be attributed to the reason suggested by
" S. H." (p. 4). Some of the newer early Potatoes
are proving so good and so productive with me
that it seems probable that the older Ashleaf va-
rieties will follow Victor on the discarded list.
My first and best early this year was Duke of
York, a little-known variety that was first distri-
buted, I believe, by a Norwich firm. This has
been in all respects excellent and the crop wa,s
enormous. It is a most precocious variety in the
way of making shoots in the store room, and it
seems difficult to keep it back by any ordinary
means. So the coolest storage should be given,
or the sprouts will lie in great danger of Ijeing
danuiged when planting. Following closely on
Duke of York and good at all points with me is
Ringleader. This has now had several years'
trial, and it has alwa3's been good and far ahead
of the older Ashleaf varieties as a cropper. The
tubers, too, are bigger, and I think that all other
early varieties will be discarded here in favour of
the two mentioned, unless in the meanwhile some
other crops up better than either, which is not
prob ible. While writing of Potatoes, I take the
0]5portunity of referring again to the merits of
Snowdrop, which is always first-class here. It is
a second early, but should be planted in plenty in
preference to too many early varieties, as it has
wonderful recuperative powers after having been
cut down by frost, a merit which most if not all
of the early ones lack.— J. C. Tailack.

That there are two or more varieties of

Sharpe's Victor no experienced cultivator will
deny, the white fleshed being decidedly inferior to
the yellow. I am inclined to thinli there are
other spurious Victors in the field. I have
seen Sharpe's Victor in an infinite variety
of soils and positions, and do not remember a case
of failure in the genuine Victor. It is not gene-
rally a heavy cropper nor a large Potato, but it
is a" sure cropper, of high quality, and one of the
earliest in cultivation : and then it is so short
topped that it may be planted close enough
together to yield a fair average crop without
overcrowding. Possibly " S. H." overfed his
Potatoes, as he confesses that he feeds freely.
Immediately under " S. H.'s" note appears that of
Mr. Cockenil, with whom Victor does well in pots
and outside, who says his soil is very light, in
some parts 2S inches from the rock, and that he
never manures for Potatoes. The striking con-
trast on the same page should give " S. H."
cause for thought, though he hastened to add,
the same culture has not produced such results on
older varieties. The same two writers form
equally opposite estimates as to Ringleader.
" S. H."' says it is growing into higher favour
and is furnished v\ ith more room every year, Mr.
Cookerill saying he has grown Ringleader two
seasons and "is giving it another trial, but if no
better than the last two years he shall iHscard it.
Does "S. H." carefullv green his seed Potatoes

46

THE GAKDEN.

[July 17, 1897.

of Victor and other sorts, and was the fresh seed
boiiglit in cfreened ? Last year I heard a com-
plaint of Victor. In(|uiring about the seed
for phinting, I was told that it was all in the heap
before me, a small hillock on the floor of tubers
almost hidden under green tops. Further in-
quiry brought out the fact that the stock had
been picked over for all the finer tubers to be
eaten in the early autumn or winter, the small
left for seed, found towards planting time in
the state described. Perhaps no Potato bene-
fits more from early and thorough green-
ing of the sets and cool storage in the light in
single file than Sharpe's Victor. — D. T. F.

Stove and Greenhouse.

FREESIAS ALL THE YEAR ROUND.

A CORRESPONDENT, " L. P.," inquires as to the
treatment and cultivation of these beautiful
plants to ensure, if possible, having them in flower
"all the year round." We are afraid we cannot
hold out much hope of success in this respect,
when the most successful gi-owers both in
Guernsey and England lia\e to be content witli
something less than six months as a ma.ximum
wherein good flowers may be secured with any
<legree of certainty. Freesias, in common with
all other bulbous or tuberous-rooted plants,
have in their native habitat, /.(?., the Cape of
(iood Hope, a fixed season of flowering, that in
these islands is merely accelerated or extended
according to the means and methods adopted.
The largest growers of these plants secure their
supplies as early as possible in the summer
months, and commence potting or boxing in
July and Angust. Boxing is that mostly in
vogue by the market men who cultivate these
flowers by the thousand, the Guernsey growers,
by their altei'ed circumstances, being enabled to
start cutting in No\'ember under glass, and from
this time onwards till late in spring. Want of
sun prevents the English growers obtaining the
same results at this season, while later on their
produce is highly creditable. The best advice mc
are able to give " L. P." for prolonging the sea-
son to its utmost limit is containefl in the follow-
ing : Plant in successive batches from the end
of July to end of October in pots 5 inches in
diameter, or boxes 15 inches long, 10 inches wide,
and 4 inches deep inside, permitting an opening,
say half an inch wide, in the bottom for free
drainage. Such boxes will accommodate four
dozen large tubers, which when planted should
be coveretl with not more than half an inch of soil.
The pots named will each accommodate half a
dozen tubers. A good mixture to grow them in
consists of fibrous loam one lialf, to which add
peat and well-decayed leaf soil and sharj) sandy
grit. Well-decayed and rather finely sifted cow
manure may be added at the rate of one-fifth
part. When ])lanted, the batches may be first
well watered, placed on a bed of ashes, and then
covered with 2 inches of cocoa-nut fibre. Later
planted lots should be treated similarly in all
respects, though as the colder nights appear they
will be safer for the protection of a frame to
keep off excessive wet. It will be well if the
whole of what is intended for early work under
glass be planted At much the same time, thus
encouraging an early and abundant rooting before
placing in the greenhou.se. With the advent of
the latter a light airy position and as near the
glass as possible should be chosen, and witi] in-
creasing growth water must be gii'en without
stint. Anything approaching dryness at the root
generally ends in failure. A fat il error is often
the outcome of stagnant root moisture, due to the
placing of the pots in saucei'S that are rarely dry, for
while with a free drainage the water supplies nray
be abundant, the other extreme will quickly make
its own mark. By early potting and subsequent
forcing these fragrant flowers may be had for at.
least si.x months in succession without scarcely
any break. And after this the season may be

perhaps somewhat further prolonged by placing
the bulbs in dry sand in a frost-proof shed or cellar
for planting in a sunnj' frame about the middle of
February. Such a frame, however, will need
some preparation, raising the soil a foot abo\ e the
surroundings. This could be done on the principle
of a shallow manure frame, planting the bulbs in
a bed of soil 6 inches deep on the top. Loam,
leaf-soil and rotten manure, with plenty of grit,
should be the soil used. Make the lied rather
firm and iilant the tubers nearly an inch deep.
It will be better that the soil be sufliciently moist
to dispense with any watering at planting time,
and afterwards as needed. In case of hard
weather, such a frame will need covering. When
all signs of frost are past the lights may be re-
moved. A frame (i feet by 4 feet will take 200 or
300 bulbs, and in this way, provided the prolonged

plants. Five hundred were arranged] in one
house all in flower, and when it is said that some
of the specimens are carrying as many as fifteen
fine large blooms, the eft'ect may be imagined. In
reply to inquiries, Mr. R. Davidson kindly gave
me a short account of his mode of treatment. The
layers are secured as early as possible, the first
batch now being ready for potting, others coming
on in succession. Being thus well established be-
fore the winter they are kept well on the dry side
in pits and span-roofed houses with as much air
as possible kept on and the pipes well heated.
The difference in plants that were for a time kept
in a rather deep pit and others grown in a light
span house is very marked, the latter of course
being much more satisfactory. The potting com-
post is made up of good sound loam, peat fibre
and a rather liberal allowance of sharp silver sand.

Acii^na ovaltjvUay jijftniuif a curiaia lii Jeet by ijjeei, m the rock garden at Ahbot^bury.
From a photograph sent by Messrs. B. Veitoh and Son, Exeter. (See p. 38.)

season of rest is not injurious to the tubers, you
may get some late flowers. We think it well to
say from our own experience, under not very
fax'ourable conditions, however, that a full
measure of success in frame culture is not usually
ensured in England, though, ti'eated in the way
suggested and similarly to Ixias and such things,
with due care the prolonged flowering would
amply repay the labour entailed. We know of no
publication dealing fully with the culture of these
plants. — Ed.

Malmaison Carnations at Culford. — In

few places are these beautiful ])lants more success-
fully grown than here, and although the season is
getting over, I noted this week a splendid lot of

A little of a good concentrated fertiliser is also
allowed, and the pots well drained. The centre
of the compost is kept a little higher to throw oS"
superfluous water from the stems and the plants
are \ery firmly potted. The final potting takes
place about the middle of January, the pots used
being apparently the 10-inch size for two-year-old
plants. They are not kept after the second season,
and, judging by the appearance of a large batch of
last season just gone out of flower, they will be
quite large enough. About 2000 plants in all are
grown, lint this number will probably have to be
increased in order to fill a fine new house being
erected for their reception.

Carnation Mrs. Everard Hambro. — When
the first batch of new Malmaison Carnations was

July 17, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

47

lent out, many were doulilful wlictlier tlie vow-
ititution would lie as robust .and tlie plants as
reeflo\vei'iii<;asiii theorifriuul llfsli-i'olouri'd form.
Experience, liowfver, proves lliut/ in tliis res])ecl,
hey are all that can he desired, while sonic of
,he varieties are of the richest anil most delicate
;olours. To my mind one of the showiest and
jest is Mrs. E\erard Hamhro. Tlu^ llowers an; of
;xtra large size, massive in form, and of a deep
larmine-rosc colour, which contrasts most pleas-
ngly with the livrhtcr llowcrs of the old llesh-
joToured form. It makes ahundanee of grass, so
,hat even from a single stock |jlanta good number
)f plants may lie secured by layering as soon as
lowering is over. The sooner after this the
letter. Another very vigorous and relialile va-
riety is Sir Evelyn Wood. The Ho«ers are large
md maysi\"c, ha\'ing a groTuid colour of salmon-
jink striped with rose. The llowers of the Mal-
naisons are a little too massive for some people,
I jut they cannot be dispensed \\ith, preventing as
;hey do a blank between the last of the Tree Car-
I nations un<ler glass and the earliest flowering
. lorder varieties. A fairly long succession of
) bloom may be secured from them if a portion of
i che plants is placed in a comfortable house facing
1 ioutli and the remainder in one having a north
> jutlook. This is a great gain where the blooms
ire retjuired for indoor decoration. From the
;ime the young plants are (jotted up in autumn, a
;ool atmosphere, free from excessi\e damp in
winter, perfect freedom from ajjliis by occasional
fumigations and a gooil turfy loam, with sufficient
grit to keep it porous at each potting, are the main
points in their culture. — J. C.

Eupatorium odoratuni. — There are several
\'arieties of this autmnn and winter-blooming
plant, the most useful, perh.aps, being odoratum.
Uuttings are easilv struck in a gentle bottom-
beat beneath a bell-glass as soon as a few inches
if new growth have been made after cutting
back old jjlants in spring. Several may be grown
on in one pot, larger buslies being therebj' se-
cured in one season with one or two stoppings.
A good holding loam, with plenty of o|)en mate-
rial in the shape of coarse sand or road grit,
grows them well ; some add a little leaf-mould or
even decomposed cow or horse manure, but I
think the former compost is best, as assistance
can be given when the pots are tilled with roots,
and unripened growth often fails to produce
flowers satisfactorily. Fine bushes may be grown
in two seasons in 10-inch or 12-inch pots. Old
plants cut closely back in February or March and
all weakly one-year shoots removed soon break
freely if kept on the dry side and afterwards
treated to a comfortable moist house and syringed
daily. When the shoots are an inch long, repot-
ting, if necessary, should be done, but good-sized
plants will, if well top-dressed and assisted
.throughout the summer with liquid manure,
flower freely for several seasons. In June, after
duly hardening off in a frame, the plants do best
stood on coal ashes in a sheltered corner, i-emov-
ing under glass again at the close of October.
Green fly is sometimes troublesome, in which case
remove under glass and fumigate with tobacco
paper, or syringe with tobacco water as they
stand in the open, laying the plants on their sides
during tlie operation. — Growkr.

moisture so long in the spring induces a leggv
gi-owth in the first stages, liy striking in .\pril
the plants get nicely established and ready for a
4.\ inch ])ot in .lunc, when if a pit having a gentle;
warmth from hot-water pipes is at hand, no better
|)hice can be had, gi\ing them a position near the
glass and standing the pots on coal ashes. Should
the weather prove utuisually hot, the pii)e heat
can be dispensed with, a liberal supply of air be-
ing given on fine sunny days. Towards tlic end
of .luly a shift into a l)-ini;h pot njay be giviMi.
using good turfy loam, leaf-mould and a little
coarse sand. Towards autumn, as the pots be-
couje filled with roots, feeding with weak farm-
yard liquid, say three times a week, will be bene-
ticial. Where no pipe-heat exists, the most must
be uuide of sun-heat, and great care used in air-
ing on dull, sunless days, or a check soon occurs.
Extra tine bracts are also produced by planting
out in a pit or deep frame in .June, giving each
plant plenty of room and a good larder for the
roots, closing early on sunny afternoons and
syringing overhead. About the middle of Sep-
temlier lift the ))lants carefully and pot, returning
afterwards to the same frame and keejiing close
and moist for ten days till established. If care is
used very few of the lower leaves will fall, and in
October removal to a moist house, having a night
temperature of G0°, must take place, still keeping
them near the roof glass. Defoliation often
occurs from defective drainage or too much
water, especially liquid manure. — Ed.

GROWING POINSETTIAS.
What is the best treatment to procure large
heads of Poinsettia ? I keep mine through the
summer in a cool \inery. I grow two-year-old
plants ; the}' always fail with me after taking
them into heat. As a rule, the foliage turns yel-
low and falls oB' until only the bract is left.—
Perplexed.

*,* There are several methods of culture by
which large bracts are produced. Some success-
t ful growers, who propagate annually and bloom
the jilants in from 4.J-inch to 0-inch pots, strike
their cuttings say in April. Propagating too
early is an evil, as "it is then diflicult to keep the
plants dwarf, as having to keep them in heat and

JUNE IN SOUTH DEVON.
Altekn-atiox.s of rain and sunshine have kept
the garden flowers growing freely, thouo-h some
of the taller subjects have been rather 'battered
by the heavier falls. The double white Achillea
ptarmica The Pearl has come into fine bloom,
and in the wild garden the tall Monkshood
(Aconitum Napelhis) has reared its blue flower-
heads. The hybrid Aijuilegias have been beautiful
as ever, with their sweeping spurs and faint colour
gradations, and a mass of the yellow A. chrysantha
has had a pretty eflfect. The hybrid Alstrtemerias
came into full bloom at the 'latter jjart of the
month, and division of the clumps, last autumn,
seems to have rendered them even stronger than
usual. Their colours, ranging from crimson to
faintest cream, create a delicious harmony when
the flowers are arranged in large bowls or vases.
Alstriemeria aurea is also now in bloom, but its
\ ivid orange blossoms have not the charm of hue
possessed by the hybrid section. The delicate
Anthericum liliastrum (St. Bruno's Lily) and its
larger form, A. 1. majus, liave, with St. Bernard's
Lily (A. Liliago), commenced their blooming period.
The bright blue Anehusa italica, though stragglino-
in growth, is ett'ective when massed, and as it is
not particular as to soil or jjosition, can be planted
advantageously in out-of-the-way corners. The
white Antirrhinum is already in full flower, and is
very efiective for massing. This strain is always
raised from cuttings, being of a singularly pure
white and of good" habit. Its seed rarely pro-
duces white-flowered specimens, and the seedlings
are almost invariably coarser in growth than the
jjarent plants. In a neighbouring pond Apono-
geton distachyon has sjiread its Hawthorn-scented
blooms in profusion, while in the rock garden
two of the Armerias, A. speciosa and A. brac-
teata rosea, are in flower, the latter particularly
handsome at the present time. The quaint As-
trantia maxima is also in bloom, and in sh.ady
spots Aubrietia violacea is still blossoming. The
beautiful Calochorti or Mariposa Lilies, planted
last autumn, came through the winter with no
protection, and commenced to bloom in the middle
of the month. The varieties of C. \enustus are
of exceeding beauty, and it seems almo.st an im-
possibility for such small bulbs to ))rodHce flowers
in such number and of such size. No flower-lover
can look at these beautiful blossoms without ad-
miration, and I shall certainly increase my stock
next autumn. Tlie blooms are so i>x(iuisitely
pencilled with pink, purple, and maroon, so
strikingly splashed with bold blotches of chestnut

and black, ea(;li set in a halo of sulphur or orange,
with outward-curving petals of such trans|>ar(7iit
purity, that one can scarcely (credit the fact that
these are flowers of the open English air. .luni;
is the month when the C'amiianulas are at their
best, C. glomerata being in bloom before its (com-
mencement, and C. carpatica being also common
to May. The tall Campanula grandis and its
white variety have been, as usual, very telling in
the wild garden, wliei'e the still stronger-growing
C. latifolia, both purple and M bite, throws up its
spires of pendent blooms to a height of over 4 feet.
Unfortunately, handsome as they are, neither of
these Campanulas is particularly satisfactoi'y foi-
providing cut bloom, though, if cut and placed in
water at onc;e, they will last for a few hours ; for
travelling, however, they are ab.solutely u.seless.
C. persii.'ifolia alba, its larger variety major, and
the double white form C. p. alba plena, last well
when cut, especially the latter. The Canterbury
Bells (C. Medium) have been very ornamental, and
when the flowers are jjicked oil' as they fade,
will perfect a second jjyramid of bloom. Cen-
taurea rubra was in flower early in the month,
and before its close the great C. macrocephala
lifted its golden brushes of bloom from the back
of the border, while the blue Cornflower (Cen-
taurea eyaneus) appeared but to be temporarily
extinguished by the Jubilee celebrations, corn-
flower-blue being the exact tint required for
tlie tricolour bouquets and button - holes.
Cerastium tomentosum is too common to be al-
lowed valuable space, but hanging, a glaucous
white-starred sheet, from an old wall, it has ii dis-
tinctly beautiful effect. The bright golden Core-
opsis grandiflora is in full glory, many of the in-
dividual flowers being over 4 inches in breiidth ;
these with their long stalks are excellent for in-
door arrangements and are produced in profusion
till late autumn. The t.all Delphiniums have been
very ornamental, especially those witli Cambridge-
blue flowers, this tint, a good deal lighter than
that of Myosotis dissitiflora, being rare in the gar-
den. Delphinium nudicaule seems a plant of
rather weak constitution, but its scarlet flower-
heads are pretty. The Burning Bush (Dictamnus
Fraxinella) and its white variety have been in
bloom, the type generallj' preceding the variation
by some days. One of the brightest spots in the
garden has been a bed of Dianthus Napoleon III.,
a glow of vivid crimson. Doronicum plantagi-
neum excelsum Harpur-Crewe, though its regulai'
season of bloom closed early in May, still pro-
duces a few great golden stars, while Erigeron
speciosus (Stenactis speciosa), with its lavender-
tinted yellow-centred blooms, is in the zenith of
its beauty, which, however, is a lasting one. this
plant having been in bloom for nearly six niopths
during the previous year. The colour of the
blossoms especially adapts them for association
with white flowers, and many beautiful combina-
tions are possible in this direction.

The Mexican Dais}' (Erigeron mucronatus) has
been in bloom for two months, and will doubtless
continue to produce its simple flowers for an-
other four or five. This iilant is quite a weed in
some gardens and seeds itself in the walls, from
which little plants grown in the crevices between
the bricks flower abundantly. The Caucasian Sea
Holly (Eryngium Ohverianum) is at present one
of the handsomest subjects in the garden, its great
flower-heads having assumed the metallic, steely
lustre that renders it so striking at the time of its
flower ng. E. amethystinum is another hand-
some species, its iridescence being, as the name
implies, more amethystine than blue. The white
Foxglo\es have reared their tall spires against the
evergreens in the wild garden where the Funkias
are coming into bloom, F. Sieboldi, with its large
cordate leaves, being exceptionally handsome.
About the middle of the month (ialega othcinalis
commenced to flower, but its handsomer white
variety was a full ten days later in opening its
Pea-shaped lilossoms. The latter is by far the
more valuable of the two, and, associated with the
scarlet Lychnis chaleedonica, creates .a pleasing
contrast. Early Gladioli have been very gay, but
there is no doubt that these succeed better in

48

THE GARDEN.

[July 17, 1897.

light soil than in heavy. Some very strong
clumps which I lately saw growing in shaly
ground had in two years increased in size and
vigour wonderfully, while in the heavy soil of my
own garden they diminish. Amongst the best are
G. Colvillei The Bride, ardens, insignis, delicatis-
simvs. Blushing Bride, Pi'ince Albert and Salmon
Queen. Where they succeed and increase they
should be grown in C[uantity, as they are very
decorative in the garden and cannot be surpassed
for cut bloom. (Jaillardia grandiHora has been
handsome with its ricli crimson and yellow, while
<;eum coccineura, though less brilliant than in
May, gives a bright note of colour, and U. mon-
tanum is studded alike with its yellow blooms and
quaint fluffy seed-vessels. Against an I\y-
coNcred wall the delicate Geranium striatum is
blooming, and (i. armenum is also flowering freely.
Of Day Lilies, Hemerocallis fla\a was in ilower at
the commencement of the month, its fragrant
yellow blossoms being almost past before the first
flower of H. fuha expanded. Planted by
Madonna Lilies the tint of the latter shows to ad-
wantage. H. Kwanso fol. var. had not commenced
to bloom at the month's end. The Sun Roses
(Helianthemum) were beautiful in the rock
garden during the intervals of sunshine, but
a ratlier unwelcome reminder of autumn has
sliown itself in the form of a premature crop
of bloom on Helianthus multiflorus Soleil d'Or.
Heuchei'a sanguinea has produced its delicate
coral-red bloom-sprays, which are in request for
indoor decoration, in abundance. Hypericum
Moserianum is in full flower, while the common
St. John's Wort (H. calycinum) has clothed an
almost perpendicular bank with its growth for
many yards, and is now studded with its wide-
spread golden blooms. Inula glandulosa has pro-
duced its large many-raj'ed flowers in profusion,
but their season of beauty is not a lasting one.
The coarse 1. Helenium has also been blooming
in a little-visited corner. It was sold to me some
years since as Telekia speciosa, a plant which it
somewhat resembles.

The Iris family began their display in Ma}' and
ended it with the last day of June. I. sibirica
by the streamside has been verj' fine, but some
of the German Flags ha\e bloomed poorly,
notably the beautiful Princess of Wales, the best
white, which did not open a single blossom.
My two favourites — I. pallida (pale la\ender)
and I. flavescens (light sulphur) — however, did
well, and the suave effect produced by their
flowers interspersed with the apricot-tinted
Papaver pilosum, which grows amongst the Iris
chmips, would have been well worthy of the brush
of that ijainter of beautiful colour schemes, the
late Henry Moore. English and Spanisli Irises
have both been good, out both demand good
drainage in heavy soils. The finest clump of the
former that I know consisted four years a^o
of one or two bulbs : this year there were fifteen
splendid flowers of a lovely soft, French-grey tint.
The clump in question is situated at the extreme
edge of a flat bed, where it is retained by about
3 feet of stonework. The soil is heavy, but the
drainage is naturally ample, and the bulbs have
never been touched since their first planting. In
botli English and Spanish Irises the self-coloured
flowers are to be preferred to those splashed or
flaked, and the best effect is produced by massing
the colours separately. I. K;empferi has flowered,
but I have had the misfortune to lose a fine clump
througli the devastations of water rats. I. orien-
talis (syn., ochroleuca), I. aurea and I. Monnieri,
all precisely similar in habit, liave l)een fine, some
having grown over o feet high and many havint>-
flowered. The variegated Water Flag has also
been a striking object, but its variegation passes
with its flowers, and its sword leaves are now
purely green. I saw the otlier day at Kingswear,
on the banks of the Dart, a colony of Jaborosa in-
tegrifolia growing with the greatest vigour. It had
spread over a large portion of the sheltered bed
where it was planted, and had even invaded the
gravel path ; in fact, it gave the appearance of
being as rampant in growth as Horse Radish.
It was bearing its white fragrant flowers in pro-

fusion. The soil in which it is growing is very
light and on a steep slope. Of the Lilies, L.
pyrenaieum was the first, being almost o-ver by
June 1. Then came davuricum, Thunbergianum
and the beautiful little L. elegans, then L. Mar-
tagon and Martagon album, followed lay L. cro-
eeum, L. candidum and L. pardalinum. L. can-
didum seems to be doing remarkably well this
season, and, though we have had heavy rains, has
shown no trace of the disease, of which I have as
yet seen no signs in this neighbourliood. L. par-
dalinum is especially flne, several stems being
nearly (i feet in height and bearing from thirty to
fifty flowers and buds. This Lily seems to have a
much stronger constitution than the other so-
called swamp Lilies, L. superbum and L. cana-
dense, which grow in the same bed, but never
show a like vigour. Lavatera trimestris (white,
pink and crimson) is already in bloom, and Linum
fla\'um is a ])atch of light gold on the edge of the
rock garden, while Linum narbonense is also
flowering. Libertia grandiflora is well worth

year, however, at Kingswear I was charmed o
see plants fiom some of my cuttings a blaze of
scarlet, and I hear from the Isles of Seilly, where
I also sent it, that it is a wonderful sight at the
present time. It has been sent from there to Kew.
and has, I am told, been assigned the name of M.
amcenum. I saw it a few weeks since in full
bloom on a balcony in the Spanish frontier town
of Tuy. By the water the Mimulus is a wealth of
gold and chestnut, where, in the shade, Myosotis
palustris and M. dissitiflora spread their different
shades of azure, and the white flowers of Saxi-
fraga Wallacei droop from the o\'erhanging stones.
On the Bergamot tlie large crimson flower-heads
are fully expanded, contrasting well with the
golden yellow of ffinothera frutieosa. CE. Youngi
and the charming OL. marginata are also in flower,
and the giant Evening Primrose ((E. Lamarcki-
ana) is also coming into bloom. In the early days
of June the Arabian Star of Bethlehem (Orni-
thogalum arabicum) was in fine flower, and
Onosma tauricum is now thickly set with yellow

Oenista prcecox on a carpet of Auirietia LeichtUni at Abhotsiury. From a photograph sent bi^
Messrs. R. Veitch and Son, Exeter. {See p. 38.)

growing, as it blooms with exceeding freedom, in-
creases rapidly, and is also not to be despised for
cutting. The Lupines, white and blue, were
handsome while they lasted, and the yellow tree
Lupine has just commenced to flower. The scar-
let blooms of Lychnis chalcedonica strike a high
note of colour in the garden, and L. viscaria
splendens fl. -jJ. is little behind it in brightness.
L. vespertina alba plena has also been in bloom,
but its flowers are not so effective as those of the
two first-named. The white Musk Mallow
(Malva mosehata alba) is in flower, and in
some gardens the Mesembryanthemums are a
sight of marvellous brilliance. The soil of my
garden is too damp and heavy for them, and I
have had to give up their culture. About
ten years ago I brought from the Cape a plant
of an exceedingly bright vermilion Mesembryan-
themum which I was never able to flower. This

bells, while Oxalis floribunda rosea is in the sun-
light a mass of bright pink.

By June all the P;eonies but a lovely flesh-
coloured variety of the herl)aceous section named
Leonie were past their best, but Pentstemons and
Pyrethrums were daily increasing their attrac-
tions. Of Pinks, Her Majesty seems a decided
acciuisition, as it is less clumsy in form than Mrs.
Sinkins. On all sides there has been a wealth of
Poppies ; the flaming Oriental, the drooping yel-
low Welsh Poppy (Meconopsis cambrica), quite a.
weed in South Devon, the Iceland Poppies (P.
nudicaule), white, yellow, and orange, P. pilosum,
already mentioned, the Shirley Poppies, and the ■
heavy-headed white Opium Poppy (P. somni-
ferum). The Potentillas have also come into'
flower, the dark maroon P. nepalensis contrasting
well with the yellow P. Thomasi. Early in the .
month a recently planted specimen of Romneya

July 17, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

40

Coiiltei'i expanded its first deliciite blossom, l>vit
establislied plants will pmlialily not coninu-ni-r
their blooming season for a few weeks, as they are
at i)resent firowinji' slronj;ly. The iloulile wliite
Rockets with tlie mciister weather experieiieeil
this .liuie have l)een more fra<i;rant than dnrinj;'
the past three years. These, Tike the Madonna
Lilies, seem to thrive best in eottage jrardens.
Fair ilaids of France (Kannneuhis aeonitifolius
fl.-pl.)and K. aeris tl.pl. have botli been l)lossom-
ilifT, while thej-toses have l)ren lookinj;- bet t el-
than for years past, the plants beini; i)artieularly
clean and healtliy and the llowers synnnetrieal.
The Anstrian Brier hedge with its bright gold
and copper was a brilliant s[)OCtacle when at its
best, and Paul's Carmine I'dlar Rose has been
much admired, as was Lady I'en/.ance of the hy-
brid .Sweet Brier.--. A \cv\ beautiful new Rose,
something after tlie manner of I'ldeal, is Irene
Watts, an indescribable mi.xture of subdued tints
ranging froni a suspicion of scarlet, through
orange and apricot to shell-pink and faintest
saftVon. The Sweet Peas ha\(> come out in force
this year, but the dirt'erenees between some of
the varieties are so slight as to be imperce|)til)le.
Perhaps the best combination for arrangement in
bowls is Countess of Radnor, huender, Venus,
very i)ale blush, and Prinnose or Mrs. Eckford,
botli white, with a trace of yellow. Scaljiosa
caucasica has openetl its first light blue flowers,
and Sedum album and the ]iink-fiowered Semper-
vivum arvernen.se are, as usual at midsummer,
j murmurous with the honey-bees. The delicate
little Silene alpestris is starred with its tiny white
blossoms, while S. maritima H.-pl. has studded its
glaucous leaves with close-.set lilos.soms. Manj- of
the Spiritas ha\-e been in bloom through the
montli. Of the herbaceous section, S. Auinous,
S. filipendula, S. japonica, S. palmata and S.
\enusta, while of the shrubby Spir;eas, S.
Ilagelliformis has i-omnienced to flower. Tbalie-
trum aquilegifolium and T. adiantifoliuni liave
both been in bloom, though that of the litter
Meadow Rue is of no decorative value, its sole
beauty consisting in the Maiden-hair-like foliage.
The handsome purple-flowered Tradescantia \-ir-
ginicii has almost gone out of cultivation, but
may occasionally be seen in cottage gardens, in
some of which it is now blooming in company
with the old-fashioned .Jacob's Ladder (Pole-
inonium cieruleum) and its white \ariet}% Sweet
Williams and Pansies. Verbascum phieniceum,
both jjurple and white, are now in flower, as is the
blue Veronica spicata. Violas are also very
charming. Border Witch and Countess of Kintore
being especially pleasing. Of climbers, Clematis
Miss Bateman has been remarkaljly fine on a
Laurel archway, while C. .lackmani has spread
its purple veil over liank, jjorch and ivied wall,
and the fragrant .Tasmine has starred a pergola
with its white flower-clusters. .1. revolutum is
also in bloom. Solaiuim jasminoides, unharmed
by the winter, has commenced to flower close
under the eaves ; by the end of the autumn the
li.i\ise will be clad in bridal attire w-ith its blos-
>Hming. Tropieolum speciosum, in a spot where
its roots are shaded, has painted a space of wall
with its \ ivid vermilion, and at last seems tho-
roughly at home.

Benthamia fragifera, which suffered so much in
tile severe weather three winters ago, is covered
with bloom, and no longer sliows any eiTeets of
the visitation. The Deutzias are in wonderful
flower, even better than in IS!!."), simply masses of
white. l)rac:enas have been in laloom in many
i-,iscs, one specimen not (i feet high bearing a
huge flower-spike 3 feet through, about which all
tlie bees in the \-alley seemed to congregate.
lOther shrubs in bloom have been the Syringas,
Ceanotbus azureus, Cistus ladaniferus, Fabiana
iinbricata, Ivalmia, Ozothamnus thyrsoideus, Ve-
ronicas and Weigelas. The first flower was cut
from the standard Magnolia grandiflora on .Tune
'_'--', exactly one week later than in 180(5.

S. W. F.

Calochortus Plummerae aureus.— Among
Calochorti this is perhaps the most vigorous, as iti

is also the most remarkable for its handsoir.c
llowers. At the last meeting of the Royal llorti-
i-ultural Society Messrs. Wallace had a line ex-
hibit of this kind for whicli an award of mciit was
obtained. When under the best conditions the
plant will attain to nearly ;! feet high, producing
its giant blo.ssoms over a long season. This
variety has blossoms each nearly 4 inches acro.ss
and of a clear golden yellow, with a faint ring of
reddish-mahogany in the \ippcr part of the flower,
while i[iside it is densely bearded.

Societies and Exhibitions.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
July 13.
As regards extent, there was a perceptible fall-
ing otl at this meeting, yet there was quite sutli-
(^icnt to well repay a visit. The jn-edominating
feature was the hardy border and other flowers,
which were fully represented from various sources.
Hardy Lilies, Calochorti, &c. , came from Col-
clicster, these, as at prev-ious meetings, being of
remarkably good ([uality. Cainations from C'liel-
sea showed wliat can be done within the
London radius with this popular border flower.
Sweet Peas in most lovely tints and of good
<|uality came from Wem, with hardy flowers
from Tottenham, Tunbridge Wells, Southampton,
and elsewhere. All made a most brilliant dis-
play, wdiilst of garden Roses there was a fine
show from Colchester, which district might fairlj'
be termed the " home of the Rose.'' Of [lot plants,
the best exhibits by far were the beaut ifully grown
lot of Aspleniums from the Dyson's ].,ane Nur-
series, which had the stamp of hardiness ujion
them, and a good display of tuberous Begonias
from Yeovil. Note should also be made of the
exhiljit of the new hybrid Water Lilies from the
extensive collection at (iunnersbury House, the
indiv idual flowers being of good quality.

Orchids were singularly few, a few choice hy-
brids being the almost only exhibit. Fruit -was
grandly represented by the superb collection of
pot-grown Cherries from Sawbridgeworth, the
varieties being of the finest quality and the fruits
of immense size. Uf Gooseberries there was a fine
selection in pots from Langley. The premier ex-
hibit, however, remains to be noted, viz., the
grand collection of vegetables shown from the
gardens at Aldenham House, Elstree, whence Mr.
Beckett had brought as representative a collection
as could be possibly desired, and that of fine table
( I uality without any undue coarseness.

Orch.id Committee.

Awards of merit were given to —

L.1':lio-Cattley.\ C.\ni[.\mian-\ v.\r. ai^isid.v (L.
purpurata crossed with Cattleya Mossia>). — A
lovely form with white sejials and petals. Tlie
petals have a slight tinge of rose. The lip is
crimson -purple margined with white, the side
lobes rich crimson-purple, shading to j-ellovv, and
lined with brown at the base.

Phah's .AsiiwoKTiiiANis (P. Mauui X P. macu-
latus). — This is a lovely form, the sepals and
]ietals rich yellow, the lip deep brown, lined with
l)rigbt yellow. The ujiper lobes of the li[) are rich
yellow on the outside, lined on the inside similarly
to the front lobe. It is one of the mo.st distinct
we have seen. The flower-scape was about .'i feet
long, and carried ten flowers and buds. From
Messrs. F. Sarderand Co.

Ei'iiiKNDRr.vi XKMOKAi.E. — A well-known spe-
cies which had never lieen previously certificated.
The sepals and petals, each about '2J inches in
length, are of a delicate rose colour, the large
front lobe of the lip nearly white, tinted with rose
towards the centre, where it has numerous purple
veinings. The side lobes are deep rose, lined with
purple at the base. .-\ finely developed cut spike
was exhibited. From Frau Ida Brandt, Zurich,
Switzerland.

Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, Ltd., sent a small
collection of choice hybrids. In addition to the

plants certificated, there were two slightly dif-
ferent forms of Lalio-Cattleya Canhamiana albida,
a grand ]ilant with tlirce llowers of L. -C. Ze|)hyra
(C. Mendeli X L. xanthina), the sepals rich golden
yellow, the petals ligliter than the sepals ; the lip
has a purple blotch in front, margined with white,
the side lobes creamy white, shading to yellow,
and lined with purple through the base. This
hybrid certainly improves on ac(|uainlance. L.-C.
Eunoma (L. pumila x C. (iaskelliana) is one of
the finest of tlie L. ])umila cros.ses. The sepals,
about ;i inches in length, are deep rose in colour ;
the petals, longer tiian tlie sepals, 2J inches in
bi-cadth, are similar in colovu' to the sepals ; the
lip rich criiTi.son-purple in front, sha<ling toadeep
orange-yellow in the throat. Two plants of
Uisa V^eitcbi were also included. .Messrs. F. San-
der and Co. sent Cy|)ripedium orphanum, ('. Eury-
ale, C. Svend Bruun, and C. Mains, which closely
resembled C. T. W. Bond. It is saiil to be a
hybrid between C. hirsutissimum arnl C. ].,aw-
renccanum. Mr. E. A.sbworlh, Harefield Hall,
Cheshire, sent good forms <if (,'. Warscevviczi (C.
gigas), the white ('. Eldorado Wallisi, and a grand
form of C. Mossia', liji very similar to that of
C. M. Richard Ciirnow. Two tlowt-rs of (.'. su-
])erba alba, the seiials and [letals white, slightly
tinted with rose, the li|) white, with a few lines of
purple in the centre in front of the small yellow
disc, and L;elio-Cattleya Mendeli, now rarely
met with, were also sent. A cut flower of the
new Dendrobium Victoria Regina, recently im-
poi'ted, was also shown. In this the sepals and
petals are blue at the top, veined with a darker
shade, the base being wholly greenish white, the
lip violet in front, where it has numerous purjjle
lines ; the column ivory white. It is very dis-
tinct in colour, but is scarcely worthy of the high
opinion given it. Frau Ida Brandt sent a spotted
form of Odontoglossum in the way of (). Wilcke-
anum, a grand spike of Phaius Humbloti, and
cut spikes of Epidendrum cochleatum, E. atro-
purimreum. E. Brassavola, and Pbahenopsis
violacea.

Floral Committee.

First-class certificates were on this occasion
voted to the following : —

Nymph.'e.\ Marliacea alhida, which is bejond
any question the' finest white Water Lily in cul-
tivation, fully-developed flowers being quite
■2 inches in diameter, the white being purer than
in the well-known N. alba. The vigour of this
newer form is also remarkable in the immense size
of the leav es, whilst each flower is supported upon
remarkably stout footstalks. Being quite hard}'
and a free-flowering plant, this variety should be
noted by growers. From the collection of Mr.
Leopold de Rothschild, Gunnersbury House,
Acton (gardener, Mr. J. Hudson).

Pl.^TA.NTS OCrlDENTAIjIS ARGEN'TEO-VARIEi:.\TA.

— A thoroughly well-marked form of this Plane, the
younger leaves almost entirely of a creamy white
shade, the older ones possessing more green in
them. This is a very showy variegat,'d plant,
and its future ('areer will be watched with interest.
From Mr. John Russell, The Nurseries, Rich-
mond, Surrey.

Awards of merit were voted to —

Rose (Tea-scented) Svli'U, a decided acqui-
sition, being so very distinct in colour, a soft, pale
creamy blush pervading the flowers, with deeper
blush tints in the bud stage ; a lovelv' Rose and of
fine form. From ilessrs. W. Paul and Son,
Waltham Cross.

Lobelia teni ior ura.ndiflora. — A very dis-
tinct Lobelia of slender yet erect growth which
branches at the base ; each flower is fully 1 inch
across, the colour a bright blue with a variation
in one instance to nearly white. From Mr. B.
Ladbams, Shirley Nurseries, Southampton.

('Ai.ociioRTts Pi.fMMER.E AfREi's. — A remark-
ably fine form with large flowers, the (letiils of
which are of extra breadth, whilst the colour is a
deep golden yellow, the hairs at the base being
very profuse. A distinct acquisition to the race.
From Messrs. Wallace and Co., Colchester.

50

THE GARDEN.

[July 17, 1897.

- Salvia bicolor. — A North African species from
Morocco, and at the same time hardy in this
country. The growth is exceedingly vigorous, the
flowering shoots being branching and clothefl
witli (lowers fi'om base to top, the colours being
pale lavender, blue and white. From Sir Trevor
Lawrence, Burford Lodge, Dorking (gardener,
Mr. Bain).

Nymph.ea Ellisia.va. — One of the more recent
hybrids raised by M. Latoiir-Marliac and a de-
cidedly distinct no\ eUj'. The growth is moderate
with leaves of medium size, the colour a brilliant
carmine sufi'used with purple. M. Latour-
Marliac considers this Lily to be one of the best
in cultivation. When well established it will no
doubt be hner. Mr. J. Hudson.

Bkuo.n'ia Miss C4riffiths. — A large double-
flowered tuberous variety, very full, the petals
distinctly undulated at the mai'gins, the colour
a pale blush-white. Mr. Davis, Yeovil.

A botanical certificate was given to

Arist(UjOchia beaziliessis.— A variety with
flowers above the average size, the venations and
groundwork of the colouring being much darker
than usual. Mr. H. Wallace, Amoy, China.

Messrs. R. Wallace and Co., Colchester, again
staged an extensive group of Liliums and Calo-
chorti, the former including a beautiful batch
of L. umbellatum Cloth of (Juki, L. Henry i, L.
Krameri, one of the most attractive of the pink-
coloured Lilies, and L. speciosnm album novum.
The Calochorti were as usual of fine form and
well grown, the Eldorado forms especially sliow-
ing remarkable variations in colour (silver Flora
medal). Messrs. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea, also
had a large and fine collection of hardy flowers,
arranged with admirable judgment. Among the
notable things were Achillea Eupatorium, Cam-
panula carpatiea alba, Helenium |mmilum, jjar
ticularly fine in colour and .size ; Acanthus lati-
folius, Cimicifuga racemosa, Prunella Webbiana,
and Linum flavum. There were also a collection
of very fine Iris Ka^mjiferi seedlings and a group
of Carnations, including many beautiful and deli-
cate varieties. A few of the most striking were
(Jeorge Cruikshank, a richly- coloured flower,
salmon and scarlet, and very full ; Sweet Brier,
a lo\ely cardinal, of good form and substance :
Eldorado, a charming yellow and pink fancy :
Golden Eagle, Voltaire, and Cardinal Wolsey
(silver-gilt Banksian). Another good group of
hardy flowers came from Mr. B. Ladhams, The
Shirley Nurseries, Southampton, and included
Verbascum pho-niccum, Pliysostegia virginiana
alba, (Knothera missonriensis, a number of varie-
ties of Campanula, a beautiful form of Scabiosa
caucasica, and some good varieties of Echinnps
and Eryngium (silver Flora modal). Hardy
flowers were again well shown by Messrs. Barr
and Sons, Covent (iarden, the group being ad-
mirably arranged and full of interest. Sweet
Peas were particularly good, also Chrysanthemum
maximum, a number of well-grown Pentstemons,
varieties of Iris Ka'mpferi, and Coreopsis grandi-
flora (silver Banksian medal). A small group of
hardy flowers was shown by Messrs. Young and
Co., Stevenage, Herts, and in it were Aconitum
Nafiellus and some good Gaillardias and Sweet
Williams.

A particularly delightful exhibit was a collec-
tion of Sweet Peas, shown liy Mr. Henry Eckford,
Wem, Shropshire. Every variety was finely
grown, the size, form and colour of the blooms
being excellent. Among the finest varieties were
Blanche Burpee, unrivalled among the ]3ure
whites ; Lovely, very delicate pink, lai'ge blooms ;
Mrs. Eckford, very handsome primrose-yellow
self ; Shahzada, very dark maroon, the wing petals
purple ; Lottie Eckford, jjure white, suft'used with
lilac ; Duchess of York, Venus, Mars, the largest
and finest bright red ; Mrs. Gladstone, Dorothy
Tennant, a fine deep mauve ; Stanley, very deep
maroon, with shades of purple ; and Salopian, a
rich dark red (silver Flora medal). Mr. J. Charl-
ton, Tunbridge Wells, also exhibited hardj'
flowers, among them being a good bunch of
Agrostemma coronaria. Salvia argentea, a good
ooUebtion of Alstrcemerias, Platycodon Mariesi and

Scolymus grandiflorus (silver Banksian medal).
Another grou]) of hardy flowers came from Mr.
T. S. Ware, Tottenham, Veronicas and Alstneme-
rias being good (silver Banksian medal). Cut
Begonias were well shown by Mr. B. R. Davis,
Yeovil. All were in admirable condition, with
full and well formed petals, the colours throughout
very beautiful (silver Banksian medal). Another
interesting exhibit was a group of seedling Bego-
nias from seed sown five months ago, sent oy
Messrs. Cainiell and Sons, Swaidey. They were
an admirable batch- of plants, dwarf and "strong
in growth. A strain of rich crimson flowers was
|)articularly fine (bronze Banksian medal). Mr.
James Douglas, Great Bookham, Surrej', had a
collection of cut Carnations, very good material,
containing a number of new varieties, among » hich
were Lancer, a shapely crimson and yellow fancy ;
Bedminster, simihir in colour, but' larger; Ibis,
a pale blush self ; Mrs. James Douglas, a handsome
bright red self, and Endymion, a very lovely pink
self of splendid form. A good group of Roses
came from Messrs. William Paul and Son, Wal-
tham Cross. Some of the best were Empress
Alexandra of Russia, a new Tea Rose of excellent
quality, with a good hard centre. The colour is
charming, being a beautifully shaded rose, tinged
with apricot. The foliage is good. It appears to
be a \ery free bloomer, and should pro\e a great
acipiisition. Other good things were White Lady ;
Sylph, a new Tea of very lovely form, pale jjiiik
in colour ; Enchantress, and Waltham Standard,
a new^ H.P. Messrs. Frank Cant and Co., Col-
chester, also exhibited cut Roses, the best in their
group being a dozen superb blooms of A. K.
Williams. The Bride, Mnie. de Watteville, Mme.
Cusin, Innocente Pirola, Cath. Merniet, and Mme.
Lambard were also good (silver Flora medal).
From Messrs. F. Sander and Co. came a
group of Watsonia iridifolia O'Brieni, handsome
plants, bearing fine spikes of pure white blooms.
A grand group of Aspleniums was staged by Mr.
H. B. May, Dyson's Lane Nurseries, Up]jer
Edmonton, and included Aspleniura nidus jihylli-
tidis, A. Mayi, A. contiguum, A. cuncatum, A.
Herbsti, A. nobile, A erectum, A. cultrifornie,
and A. lucidum (silver-gilt Flora medal).

For twelve bunches of hardy flowers, Mr. C.
Herrin, Dropmore, Maidenhead, was awarded first
prize, showing fine bunches of Helianthus multi-
ttorns, a seedling Delphinium, Achillea The Pearl,
Yucca gloriosa, Aconitum bicolor, I-Cose Crimson
Rambler, .Spinoa aria-folia, (ialega othcinalisl^
Lilium candidum, Lysimachia thyrsiflora, Lathy-
rus grandiflorus, and Alstriemeria aurantiaca.
Foreightbunchesof hardy flowers. Miss Debenham,
St. Albans, was first, her best bunches beinw
Erigeron speciosus superbus, Alstrccmeria auran-
tiaca, Eryngium Oliverianum. Lilium candidum,
and Hedysarum obscuium.

Fruit Committee.

The exhibits before this connnittee took up cpiite
half the hall. The vegetables from Aldenham
were superb, and Messrs. Veitch's and Messrs.
Rivers' fruit very fine.

Awards of merit were given to —

Melon Syox PuRriifTiox. — This is a seedling
from Syon House and Beauty of Syon. It is a
medium-sized fruit, nicely netted, with a greenish
rind, but bright scarlet tiesh of lich lla\our, and
great depth. It is one of the best flavoured
Melons of the year. From Mr. (i. Wythes,
gardener to Earl Percy, Syon House, Brentford.

The Lohan Berry, or Strawberry Raspberry.
— An American fruit, with foliage not unlike our
Raspberries, but of dwarf and bushy growth.
The fruits, long and freely pioduced, are of a dull
red colour and a brisk acid flavour. It is a
decided acquisition for cooking or preserves, and
is stated to crop freely. From Messrs. Bunyard
and Co. , Maidstone.

Messrs. Veitch, Ltd., Royal Exotic Nursery,
Chelsea, staged a very fine lot of (ioose berries
which had been grow n in pots at tliea' Langley
nurseries. This was a lemarkable exhibit, as
Gooseberries grown thus are so subject to red
spider. The trees were perfect specimens of

culture and laden with fruit. Forty varieties
were staged. The best varieties were Industry,
Red Champagne, Whitesmith, Coiner, High-
lander, Forester, W^ellington, Leader, Golden
Drop, Railway, and High Sheriff'. A \ ery large
tray of the new Strawberry Veitch's Perfection
was also staged. The committee thought it ex-
cellent, and confirmed the award given last year
(silver-gilt Knightian medal). Messrs. Rivers
and Son, Sawbridgeworth, Herts, sent twenty
varieties of Cherries, remarkable for their size and
colour. The fruits of Monstreuse de Mezel were
of enormous size, also those of Bigarreau de
Schreken and Noir de Guben. Rivers' Early
Black was equally fine, and was noticeable for its
small stone with so much flesh. Several others of
the Bigarreau type were \ery fine (silver-gilt
Knightian medal). Jlr. Allan, (Junton Park
(jarrlens, Norwich, staged a new Strawberry, Lady
Suttield, a dark red fruit, firm and good. This
the committee thought too much like Lord
Suttield.

The finest exhibit was the superb lot of vege-
tatiles from Aldenham, thirty-two varieties being
set up in large quantities, the produce just the
kind for table. Cauliflowers were very fine, and
were rei^resented by Webb's Mammoth, Veitch's
Autumn Giant, and Walcheren. Onions were
equally good, the varieties lieing Red Italian and
White Leviathan. There were excellent Cucum-
liers Beckett's Victory, with very fine Sutton's
Perfection and Polegate Tomatoes. Peas were
shown in three varieties, the best being Early Morn
and Ne Plus Ultra, Duke of Albany the other.
Sutton's Snowball Tarnip and Globe Beetroot,
with perfect Vegetable Marrows, Pen-y-byd and
Moore's Cream were also shown. Carrots were
perfect, the \arieties being Sutton's Gem and
James' Intermediate. Potatoes, in two varietits,
included first-rate Rivers' Ashleaf with Shariie's
Victor, and a nice compact Cabbage, Carter's
Model, with Broad Beans in variety (gold medal), j
From Mr. Beckett, Aldenham House, Elstrec, '
Herts. '

Messrs. Carter, High Holborn, sent a \'ery fine '
collection of Lettuce and a few Turnii>s, the [
quality good for so dry a season. The most
noticeable were New York, Carter's Longstander, |
Sugarloaf, Continuity, an excellent Cabbage
variety with purple leaves, Ne Plus Ultra, Vic-
toria, and Buttercup. Among the ten varieties '
of Turnips, Purple To]) Strapleaf was \ ery good
(silver Banksian medal), ilessrs. W. W'. .Johnson
and Son, Boston, Lincolnshire, staged forty varie-
ties of Peas, mostly excellent samples. Boston
Unrivalled was very fine, and such kinds as '
W'indsor Castle, Gradus, Duke of Y'ork, The
Queen, Peerless, Stratagem, Sutton's Seedhng,
Marrowfat, Ambassador, and Alderman were also
good (silver Banksian medal). Mr. Eckford, Wem,
Salop, sent half a dozen varieties of Peas of great
merit. These the committee desired to be sent td
Chiswick for trial to test cropping. Messrs. 1'..
Veitch and Son, Exeter, sent Peas Veitcli's Pi r
fection and Goldfinder, and their Broad Bean
E-xhibition Longpod.

The awards given at Chiswick on tlie 1st inst.
were now confirmed, awards of merit being given
to —

Strawberry W'o.nderkul. — A variety having
long scarlet fruits produced in great profusion.
Flesh firm and of excellent flavour. From Mtssrs.
Bunyard and Co., Maidstone.

Broad Bean Ch.\mpion.-^A very large pod,
long and handsome. It is a very free croinjcr.
From Messrs. Dobbie and Co., Rothesaj', N.B.

The award to the other Broad Bean (Exhibition
Longpod), given three marks, was not confirmed.
Messrs. R. Veitch and Son, Exeter, sent up a nice
dish, but it was decided to grow this variety again
at Chiswick with others for comparison. This
also applies to Harrison's Robin Hood.

Meeting at Chiswick.

This committee met at the society's gardens and
inspected the Peas, several of which were not ready
at the last meeting.

.1

July 17, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

51

Awards of merit were given to —

Pe.( Vkitcii's Pkkkection. — An old and well-
known \ariety of sterling merit. This variety
originated at Exeter many vears ago, and was
now grown from seed sent liy Messrs. R. Veitcli
and Son, Exeter.

Pka Ma.ikstic. — A very tine marrow variety,
prodneing in each pod seven to nine Peas of large
size, excellent quality and a good green coloni'. It
is not nnUke Ne Plus Ultra, and grows 3 feet high.
From Messrs. Watkins and Simpson, Strand,
W.C.

Pe.i Cai'Taix Ci'TTLK. — .\ vcrv fine Pea, with
large pod and of branching haliit, after the .Auto-
crat type. It grows 4 feet high and is of tirst-class
(luality. From Messrs. Hurst and Son, Hounds-
ditch, "E.G.

Pea (ioldlinder was thought to be an excellent
variety, and will doubtless be seen again at an
ejirlier stage of its growth. Mr. Hudson, Gunners-
bury House, Acton, sent Stiawberry Louis (Jau-
thier, a French variety with a white berry, a
hea\'y cropper, and useful on account of its
bearing a second crop in the autunui. The fruits
.sent were over-ripe, and the committee requestetl
that it be sent againwhen fruiting in the autumn.

On this occasion all the committees met and sat
down to an excellent luncheon, the president (Sir
Trevoi' Lawrence, Bt. ) in the chair. The chair-
man said the council were greatly indebted to the
committee for the time they gave the society and
the intei'est they took in its aftiiirs, and introduced
\)r. Masters, who opened a discussion on how to
better utilise C'his%\ick Gardens. He stated that,
as regarded past results, no horticultural society
could compare with the Royal Horticultural, but
his remarks more concerned tiic future and how
to keep up the society. In these days Kew did
what the society formerly did, and nurserymen
were ever on the alert to get good things. What
they had to consider was how to make the gar-
dens more useful. He thought they should make
the gardens more educational. He would lea\ e
the practical part of the subject to those who
understood it, and he would suggest thej- should
have a model garden, antl liave t3'pes of vege-
tables, fruits and flowers, or type collections, not
mere varieties. They would do well to have lec-
tures on pruning and other subjects, trials of
manures and the best means to cope with disease.
As regards the educational part, he would like to
see the students drafted to Kew in the e\enings
to hear the lectures there, and the Kew students
could with advantage come to Chiswick and get a
knowledge of fruit culture. In America there
was a much better educational system, and the
State supplied the means. He knew it was use-
less to apply to the State in this case, but the
county councils had means and could supply
them. In America there %vas a better knowledg(.'
of disease, and spraying of trees was «'ell under-
stood. Dr. Masters read extracts from eminent
botanists in America, wdio thought the societv
could well undertake the above work. He advised
more study, and to use the gardens for that pur-
pose.

Sir Joseph Hooker complimented Dr. Masters
on his able spstc'.i, and alluded to the good work
done at Chiswick in the past. He agreed with
what had been said as to the value of educa-
tion. There were great diflicidties in the way of
State aid. He recounted the troubles thej' ex-
perienced at Kew. He would ha\ e been pleased to
help them in the project of utilising Kew had it
been in his power, and he sympathised with them
in the good work suggested. Mr. Harry Veitch
expected they would find ditticulties in doing all
at Chiswick as suggested. They must remember
the place was now more conflned and the results
could not be so satisfactory as further afield witli
better soil and purer air, and Chiswick would
yearly be less valuable as an experimental centre.
He would gladly assist in any way possible. Dr.
Plowright spoke as to the American system ; he
would like to see it given a trial at Chiswick. M.
H. Vilmorin wrote from Paris regretting his being
unable to attend. He placed high value on the

good work done at Chiswick in the past. He
valued the trials, and he strongly advised con-
tinuing the same. Mr. .M. Dunn wrote from
Dalkeith Gardens, and noted the value of Chis-
wick Gardens as trial grounds. He would like to
sec this work extended and the commercial part
of the gardens done away with, thus giving inmr
tinu' and scope to the testing and growth of all
ni'w things. The chairman, in proposing a hearty
vote of thanks to Dr. Masters for his able address,
alluded to these two valuable opinions from
prat^tieal men, far a[)art and with a goo<l know-
ledge of the subject, and trusted the discussion
might load to useful results.

Notes of the Week.

Gaillardias are among the gayest flowers of
the week. A seasonable reminder is that a few
seeds, if sown at once, will make nice plants for
putting out in Octoljer in permanent iilaces. and
as sucli make the best flowering plants a year
lienee, no time sliuuM be lost in .securing seed.

Carnation Jim Smyth is, perhaps, one of the
very flnest of border Carnations so far as size of
flowers and the clear rich scarlet colour are con-
cerned. The \ariety possesses a certain amount of
freedom also, judging bj' a handful of blossoms
and buds at the Drill Hall this week.

Sidalcea malvseflora Listeri. — Some pretty
spikes of this charming kind were exhibited at
tlie Drill Hall on Tuesday last. It is a pale pink
variety , and if free flowering woidd make a most
welcome feature in the garden. The blossoms are
each nearly IJ inches across, prettily fringed at
the edge.

Lilium japonicum Krameri. — Some very
deeply coloured blossoms, as shown by Messrs. Barr
at the Drill Hall this week, showed the variety
of colour even in this ]ilant in its wild state.
The blossoms were also shorter in the trumpet, and
could it be but well grown generallv it would
make a lovely plant for our gardens.

Clematis Jaokniani is now particularly tine
in many districts. It is one of many plants raised
during the present century that has found favour
with the large majority of those possessing a gar-
den. The free-growing character of the plant
and the rich profusion of flowers help to make it
the most useful of a valuable race of plants.

Late Apple blossom. — An Apple tree here,
on which the fi'uit is about the size of a small
hen's egg, is now displaj'ing a few clusters of
Ijloom, one of which 1 enclose. The bloom of
this and another tree in May last was very
ssriously damaged by frost, and that of some
other trees here was entirely (lestroved at the same
timc.-W. M., HV.r/iW.

Campanula G. F. Wilson. — This very showy
plant is now lilooming freely, and in some in-
stances quite attractive from tlie large masses of its
flowers. As a rock plant it is ver}' desiraljle, suc-
ceeding best, however, where a good depth of soil
exists. It is a hylirid or more than ordinary
value, and more of such good and distinct ])lants
would be welcome in our gardens in the height of
summer.

Indigofera flcribunda. — A large example of
this about 10 feet acrots is now flowering freely in
the nurseries of Messrs. Veitch at Chei.sea. The
flowering has only just begun, so to speak, since
t'le ])lant during many weeks in succession jiro-
diu'LS its lilac-piu'ple blossoms, and loosely trained
to a wall is pleasing also in its habit of growth.
The example in cjuestion has occupied its present
position for j-ears and is still fresh and vigorous.

Carnation Nell Gwynne.— This handsome
variety is the first pure white kind belonging to
the Malmaison type of Carnations, and in its
foliage, even more so than in the large, handsome
snow-white blossoms, it is unmistakably of this
set. In the bud and form of calyx, however,
there is evidence of another type, which recalls
the large flowers of Ellen Terry, perhaps the

largest white of the border section. The above
will no doubt be speedily followed by others of
e(]ual merit.

Scolymus grandiflorus is one of the large
growing Thistle-like composites that is worth
more attention in gardens. Not that the |ilant is
\\'orth t\ur l>cst positions, yet it has a decorati\'e
value of its own when seen in groups of a dozen in
the higher jjarts of the rock garden. .Such a posi-
tion would be in keeping with the rugged or
picturesque character of the plant generally, and
when crowned with its deep golden flower heads
it is \ cry efieetive.

Rose Empress Alexandra of Russia.—
This lovely new Rose was exliibited by Messrs.
Wm. Paul and Son at the Drill Hall this week,
and po.sses.ses the merit of an entirely new shade
of colour, while the blos.soms are full and of good
form. The pi'edominant shade is a salmony
bronze, with a shading on the tips of th(; ])etals of
cherry-rose — a really charming combination. A
large basket of its flowers and l>uils displayed it
to considerable advantage.

Brodiaea grandiflora. — For the rock garden
or the border tliis is perhaps notonly the .showiest,
but also tlic brightest of its race. Indeed, the
clear rich lilue of its flowers is very remarkable, if
not imiciue, es])eciall3' so when planted freely, so
that a good idea may be formed of its value. In
loamy soil it is of easy culture, and worth growing
freely from the fact that blue flowers of this cdass
are not abundant at midsummer. Such [ilants
cannot be too widely known.

Single Hollyhocks in almost every shade of
colour and in some eases 9 feet and 10 feet high
now produce a distinct eft'ect in the garden. The
rose, pink, and white flowers are especially,
pleasing from a colour point of view, and not
less so by the light and airy character as con:-
pared with the double forms. Of no small value
is the fact that the majority of single kinds, while
growing mucli more freely generally, enjoy almost
pei-fect immunity from disease.

Iris Kaempferi. — The large collection of
flowers that the Messrs. Veitch brought to the
Drill Hall on Tuesday last would appear to do
away with the need for obtaining named varieties
of these plants. The group, which was labelled
" seedlings," showed not only very large and good
flowers, but considerable variety also, sufhcient
for almost any purpose. Indeed, it is surprising
what beautiful forms could have been selected from
the hu-ge array of blossoms shown.

Pelargonium Beauty of Castle Hill. —This
l\y-leaved Pelargonium is the most free-flowering
of all the double varieties of this useful group,
and, together with its compact habit and \ igorous
growth, may safely be regarded as one of the very
finest ever raised. The brighter coloured va-
riety Souvenir de Chas. Turner and the above
constitute a pair very difficult to eijual. Both
kinds were raised by the late Mr. Robert Owen,
of Maidenhead, and are still in the first rank of
these plants.

Crassula coccinea. — It is only occasionally
that the brilliant colour of the flowers of this
plant is brought to such perfection as was the
case with a group of large plants noted at Chelsea
the other day. The exceeding brilliancy of the
heads of blossom was conspicuous at a consider-
able distance. Frequently when grown undei'
glass much of the intense scarlet hue is wanting.
The plants were ])laced in the oiien in full sun,
and this plan is worthy of imitation by anyone
who experiences difticulty in obtaining- finely
coloured beads of bloom.

Nymphsea Marliacea albida. — The noble
blossoms of this came beftire the Royal Horticul-
tural Society on Tuesdaj' last and a tiist-class cer-
tificate, which they justlj' deserved, wiis at once
awarded. A grou]j of this noble form when fully
established will create quite a new feature in the
water gardens of this country. Mr. Hudson,
with commendable forethought, exhibited all the
blossoms in a shallow tray of water, and accom-
panied by their foliage in each instance they

52

THE GARDEK

[July 17, 1897.

formed a pleasing as well as instructive exhibit.
The flowers came from Messrs. de Rothschild,
(Jiinnersbury House.

Lychnis vespertina plena is an old-
fashioned Ijorder flower tliat produces for several
weeks in succession almost endless quantities of
pure white double flowers. As a border subject
it is among the best, lint it is not specially suited
for cutting, owing to the jjeculiar nature of the
stems, that do not take water so readily as many
things. In some soils tlie plant frequently sheds
many of its flower buds, a circumstance in all
probability due to the absence or presence of
certain food supplies. In gardens where the soil
is deep and rich, and -nhere also a certain amount
of chalk is contained in the soil, the plant will
attain to great size and flower in proportion.

Echinops ruthenica.— The globular heads
of piu-ple-ljlue that crown this plant at the pre-
sent time provide it with a touch of picturesciue
Ijeauty that is often admired in the garden or
woodland. The jilant is in this way jvist removed
from the ordinary flowering subjects which are of
daily occurrence ; yet at the same time such
things have their decorati\e side if only they are
seen in groups of sufKcient size to render them
etfective. Planted in deep and fairly good soil, it
should be allowed to remain a year or two to be-
come well established. Seed, division and root
cuttings are the means employed to inci-ease this,
as also the allied forms.

Campanula Balchiniana.— A very fine batch
of this ilistinct hybrid may be seen in Messrs.
Veitch's nursery at Chelsea. The plant is variously
employed, mainly, however, susijended in baskets
and in small pots. It is also on trial in the open
air, though as yet it is not so effective in this way ;
but as a margin near the grass, provided the
brightness of the variegation is maintained, it
should prove very effective. Under glass the va-
riegation is exceedingly bright and efiective, and
the flowers, a rather dark blue, show to advan-
tage. In size and shape the blossoms are a
counterpart of those of C. fragilis, which is one of
its [jarents, while tlie colour is somewhat darker.

Watsonia iridifolia O'Brieni. — A grand

exhibit of this plant under the name of Ai'dernei,
from Messrs. Sander, was among the finest things
in the Drill Hall this week. The plants, which
were arranged on tlie floor, were about 6 feet
high, bold and vigorous, as well as abundantly
flowered. The eflect of the grou]) was very fine,
as may be gatliered from the fact that the flower-
ing spikes were nearly S feet in length and in
prime condition. All the plants were grown in
quite small jjots. It would be ditticult to name a
finer subject for the cool conservatoi-y, where it
may be planted in bold groups among the finer
Palms and such things, and thus produce a remark-
able ett'et.'t.

Ijilium Browni — The Messrs. Wallace brought
to the Royal Horticultural show this week one
of the finest displays of tliis Lily «e have yet seen
in a cut state. It is undoubtedly a noble Lily,
vigorous, too, and of fairly easy culture in a deep
bed of peaty soil or even peat and loam. Tlie
segments were finely coloured externally, which is
one of the chief points of beauty in this noble
kind. In the planting it is well to keep the bulbs
some i inches under the surface, and by plantino-
in groups between dwarf shrubs afford .shelter for
tlie young growth in spring. Beyond this it is
not difficult to establish, though preferrino- a
little distant shade to full sun. Once planted the
bulbs are usually safe for two or three years, giv-
ing a little very rotten light manure as a mulch
only each year in autumn.

Phlox Coquelicot.— At the present time there
is a good collection of the garden varieties of
Phlox in some beds near the T range at Kew, and
this particular form stands out as the brightest of
them all ; indeed, \-iewed from a distance, the eye
is at once arrested by its vivid colour. It may
perhaps be best described as of a bright salmon-
scarlet tint, with a shading of violet just in the
centre. Though so superior, its merits do not ap-

pear to be very generally known, for I have
looked for it in \ain in two or three catalogues.

*„* Is not this the variety which used to be
grown manj' years ago under the name of Lothair?
Lothair was in the collection of Phloxes grown in
the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens twenty
years ago, and its distinct shade of colour (orange-
scarlet) alwa_ys arrested attention. — Ed.

SUB-TENANT HOLDIN<; OVER.

I SHALL esteem it a favour if you can advise me
under the following circumstances : —

1. I am at present occupying a small nursery
of three acres in Surrey, of which for ten years I
held an underlease (the latter expiring in March
last) at a rental of £8.t per annum.

•2. Prior to the exjiiring of underlease I ofi'ered
to renew the lease at £70 per annum. This oft'er,
howeser, has not been accepted or refused, thougli
in conversation with owner's solicitor a certain
reduction of rent was regarded piobable, t'7.) per
year being mentioned.

.3. As a full quarter- has now elapsed since tlie
expiration of underlease, I am anxious to know
what rental in the absence of any agreement
whatevei- can be justly demanded, and wliether
such would be regarded as a precedent in future.

i. In event of owner not conforming to my
terms, what notice to quit (under the circum-
stances) am I compelled to give? I am told I
occupy the position of yearly tenant and subject
to six months' notice. Is this .so ?

5. Tenant from whom I underlease has now-
left ; his tenancy was completed Ijy me, and the
owner I refer to above is really the owner. The
land is covered with glass, in which produce for
market is grown. — Lk.vseholder.

*,* When the tenant for a term of years holds
over after the expiration of his lease, lie becomes
a tenant on sufferance : but wlien he pays, or
agrees to pay, any subse;pient rent at the pre\ ious
rate, a new tenancy is thereby created upon the
same terms and conditions as" those contained in
the expired lease so far as those are not inconsis-
tent with a yearly tenancy. Although you are
(or were) only a sub-tenant, your position is not
really different from that of a superior tenant
holding over ; you are a tenant on sufferance and
the landloid may at any time bring ejectment
against you. It \vas your duty to give up posses-
sion when the term of your lease expired, and you
should either have ipiitted or ha\e brought "the
negotiations for a renewal of the tenancy to a con-
clusion. You might ha\e been unable to nego-
tiate terms satisfactory to yourself, but in that
event you should lia\-e quitted. Until rent is
]jaid, or agreed to be paid, you are not a yearly
tenant ; you are and will remain a tenant on suiFer-
ance, and you are entitled to no notice whatever.
Your landlord cannot recover any rent from you,
but he can reco\er from you compensation for the
use and occupation of the holding, and the
amount reco^erable is not necessarily the old rent.
It will be such sum as the jury may find tlie occu-
pation to be wortli, and may be greater or less
than the old rent. As your Tandlord's solicitor re-
garded a reduction of £10 a year as probable, it
seems likely that the landlord will accejjt rent at
that rate, as he e\ idently wishes you to remain as
tenant, but, if he tliiiiks proper, he may refuse to
accejit any sum less than he chooses to demand,
and on your refusal may take his chance with a
juiy. You certainly cannot compel him to ac-
cept tlie reduction of £1.3 you required, and you
should make the best arrangement you can with
him. Such rent as you may now pay will con-
tinue to be payable, unless you enter into an
express contract for some other sum. — K. C. T.

The weather in "West Herts.— On each
of the last six days the temperature in shade has
risen above 70°, and on three of them exceeded
75°. On the other hand, most of the nights proved
cold for midsummer, and on that preceding the
8th the exposed thermometer fell to within a
degree of the freezing point, or lower than in any

•July for ten years. Consequently the difference
between the highest and lowest" reading has on
several days been unusually great. At 2 feet
deep the ground is now 3°, and at I foot deep .5°,
warmer than the average. For more than a fort-
night scarcely any rain has fallen, and tlie soil is
now- becoming very dry, no measurable quantity
of rain-water having come through either perco-
lation gauge since the 10th. The atmosphere hai
been dry and the record of bright sunsliins
remarkably good , averaging for the week mi re
than lOj hours a day. — E. M., Berkham-ited.

A singular Ha-w. — I enclose a specimen of a
Ha^y so singular in its appearance that very few,
I think, would recognise it as the fruit of the
White Thorn. It is, as you will ,see, very much
swollen as compared with the others in the same
bunch, and is covered all over with small woolly
tufts, set in a very even and regular manner.
Perhaps " (t. S. S." might be able to explain what
is the matter with it if he w-ould kindly examine
it.— W. M.

*,* The Haw- you sent is infested by a fungus,
one of the cluster cup fungi (Riestelia lacerata).
It is at times very common on the Hawthorn, on
the leaves as well as on the fruit. If you can find
another Haw w-hich has been attacked and
examine it with a magnifying glass, you w-ill find
a number of little so-called "cups" clustered
together.— ti. S. S.

Public Gardens.

Open space for "Wandsworth.— On \\ednes-
day last, upon the motion of Mr. S. Creswell, it
was resolved to ask the London County Council
to take steps to secure the land abutting
on the river Thames at Putney Bridge Road
as a recreation ground for the parish of Wands-
worth. The Board has already voted £10,000 to-
wards the cost of tlie acquisition, which is esti-
mated at £.3li,00(l.

Open spaces.— At the monthly meeting of the
Metropolitan Public Gardens Association, 83,
Lancaster (Jate, W., the Earl of Meath, chairman,
presiding, it was announced that the association
had comjileted the laying out of St. .James's
Churchyard, Pentoinille, by means of a grant of
£000 from the City Parochial Foundation, and
that the ground was opened to the public by
Captain Penton, the freeholder, on the tith inst. ;
that St. Matthew's Churchyard, Bethnal (ireen,
was a|)proaching completion, and would be
opened on the iotli inst. ; that the gymnastic ap-
paratus granted by the association had been
erected at St. Nicholas' playground, Deptford,
and that this ground would be completed and
opened in about a fortnight's time. Progress was
reported with regard to the laying out of the
East Street site at \^'alworth, and it was stated
that tlie association had received the gift of a
handsome drinking fountain for this ground from
Mr. L. H. Isaacs. It was agreed to renew a pre-
vious off'er to lay out Christ Church Churchyard,
Blackfriars Road, and a disused liurial-grouiid in
Yoik Road, Walworth, provided their maintenance
was secured. It was agreed to support schemes
for the preservation of vacant sites near the Essex
Road, Islington, and in Wandsw-orth, Bromle3',
and otlier localities, and to offer prizes for the best
designs for durable yet artistic drinking fountains,
costing not more tlian £o0 and £100 respectively.

Names of plants.— J". B. Waldy.—l, Erica

tetrafix ; 2, Erica cinerea. J. Bennett. — 1, Cypri-

pedium Rothschildiaimm ; 2, not recognised.

Arthur T. Boiiles.— Genista, tinctoria. Banner-
man. — 1, Rose Boursault " Blush " ; 3, Rose Maidm's
Blush, not Celestial. Sophia C. White. — 1, Cam-
panula urtica- folia ; '?<, Campanula persicifolia ; 3,
Veronica buxifolia ; i, Veronica silicifolii ; 5, Gera-
nium armeoum ; 6, Alonsra myrtifolia. Alpha. —

Gladiolus byzm'iDus. ,-1. (V. Williams. Scro-

phularia nodosa. Robert Danes.— Diervilla cana-
densis. Nicholas Markev. — Probably Cupres-

sus sempervirens. T. Marsh. — Specimens too

shrivelled to identify. Amateur. — Lycaste Skinueri,

a good white form.

TJEiE! (3-j^:e^id:eii<t.

No. 1340— Vol. Lll]

[JULY 24, 1897

)endrubiuin rovolutuni . . . 53
Jpideudnim Fredtjrici (.in-

llelmi .. .. .. .■>4

Spidciidvum vitclliinnii .. ■')*

Spiphronitis \'eitfhi .. .. "'i

^wlift Liitoiiii .*i3

jteHia purpumtji ■''>4

,a,*lio-Cuttlev;i Ladv Wiguu.. ''3

i,|,.nt.^'Inssums ys

'111 idiuiii I'ulviiiatum .. ,. '>i

'.1 istcriji fcriiKi .'.4

litiiiuiiica stapeliiiiilrs .. .. Ui

-i Imnitmixkia til'i< iiiis . .. 51

^y^'oiietaluiii rnstratiiiii .. 55

Itchen:—

lrooct>li, late 5'>

aljbaiLfc, early • .. oi>

Lettuce running to seed . . 55

)nions in 1897 5()

i'oas, eiirly and late 55

Peas, medium sized . . . . 55

Peas, quality in 56

jj'eeds, saving 53

{lower :—

lAlstroemeria aurantiat-a .. 60

Annuals, some useful . . . . 58

Begonia Worthiaua lU

Calochorti, the i>2

Campanvila tiu-binata alba ,, 56

Carnatinns at Cbulsca ..
Coreopsis gnindiflura svipcrba
Coreopsis lanceolata

Crorus'^, nutninn

I>affudils, transplanting

Dahlias

Geranium sanguinevun album

(iladioli

Gladiolus The Hride planted

out

Lathyrus rotundifoliu.s . ..

Lilium Roezli

Lyehnis chalcedonica ..
Narcissus Mme. de Graaft ..
yarrissus Mm-, tie Groa^' ..
Omplialodes Luciliie
Pansy, Tufted, Ardwell Gem
Pansy, Tufted, Devonshire

Cream

Pansy, Tufted, Endymion . .
Pansy, Tufted, pnorizel..
Pansy. Tufted, Mrs. C. F.

Gordon

Pansy, Tufted Pencaitland,.
Pansy, Tufted, Princesa

Louise

Pansy, Tufted, Violetta.. ..
Pea, Sweet, Brilliant . . . .
plants for a backgrouud

Primula Trailli

Vcrbascum phceniceum and

varieties

(^llluttrniions in Italica.)

Garden Flora :-

Rose Augustine GuiiioiMNuilu i>2

Week's Work !-

Fruit houHea, work in . . . . i>3

Kitchen g;irden, work in .. 63

Orchard and Fruit:—

CheiTios for iuuateurs . . . . (iO

Fruit notes i>6

Fruits, hardy, thinning . . 04

Loganberry bush, the original t:t

Melon Knowsley Favourite . , 04

Peach stones splitting . . . . 05

Strawberry Ijeds, new . . . . 04

Strawberry Empress of India 04

Strawlierry Latest of All . . 04

Strawberry Royal Sovereign 04

StrawbeiTios in the north . . 0.>

Trees and Shrubs:—

Broom, the Spanish 07

Ceanothus azureus 00

Crat^gus cordata 67

Deutzia crenata and varieties 00

Erica stricta OG

Jasmine, the white 0(}

Ligustrvun sinense 07

Platanus occidentalis argen-

tea variegata 66

Spaftium juncouni 0(

S].ir;iii l.ullata fO

SpilMU liisr'ilur 07

Spiii'-a jupnnica glabrata .. Oti

Wistaria, the 00

Wt^iffiria, a Jioircrilifl hrnnrli of' 00

Books :—

"Lawns and Gardens," . , . . 07
" Wobum Experimental Fruit

Farm. First Report.".. .. 07

Roses:—

Ro.-^es, Banksian 08

HoS' s, Bank-sian 68

Roses, sweet-scented .. .. Ol*

Societies :—

Gardeners' Royal Benevolent

Institution 71

National Carnation Society . . 70

National Viola Society .. .. 00

Norwich Rose show .. .. 70

Royal Horticultural .. .. 71

Notes of the Week:—

Argemoue hispida 7*J

Arundinaria Simoni .. .. 71

Begonia Lafayette 72

Campanula Henderson! . . . . 72

Campanula Tenorcana .. .. 71

Carnation Cinnamon . . . . 71

Eccremocarpus scalxir . . . . 72

Erodium Manescavi 71

Eryngium giganteum .. .. 71

Has.«ocks, flowers from.. .. 71
Irises, Japanese, on Long

Island 72

Lachenaliaglaucina .. .. 71

Lilium Ale.xandras 72

Lilium Henryi 72

Myrtles in tubs ., 71

NyrnphiE-a pygmiea helvola .. 71

Pentstemoii Kichardsoni . . 71

Prunella Webbiana 71

Roses, Tea 71

Salvia bicolor 71

Shrubl:>erles, contrasts in . . 72

Wallflower, a blue 72

Water Lilies 7'i

Public Gardens:—

Bethnal Green, open space for 72
Brockwell Park rating appeal

dismissed 72

Miscellaneous :—

Browallia spcciosa major «• 0-3

Glo.xinias, seedling '8

Weather in West Herts.. .. 7i

Orchids.

ODONTOGLOSSUMS.
HE flowering of O. Schleiperiauum and its
irieties leads one to the consideration of tlie
ction of the genus to which it belongs, and
ith tliese only I pm-pose to deal in this note,
legarding their blooming season, they are
itlier erratic, especially (.). Insleayi, which I
.ive noted at difterent places flowering in
liuost every month during the year. But from
' .\v (jiiwards is usually regarded as the time to
. L- them in beauty. Their natural habitat is in
k'xico, (juateinala and Co.sta Rica, where,
Ithough at a greater distance from the ecjuator
li.in tliat at which the crispum types are found,
lif climate is warmer. Their treatment in-
-ued is rather more like that of inter-tropical
inds than the purely alpine species named
bove, in that they like a certain resting season
.8 distinct from their season of growth. Not
' hat they require dry treatment at the roots, for
E this is long persisted in the plants soon show
)y their shrivelled [)seudo-bulbs that the lack of
iioisture is not at all to their taste. What they
ike is a rather drier atmosphere, with a very
ree circulation of warm, dry air during the time
;rowth is inactive. This is from the time the
blossoms fade until growth starts in early suin-
ner, the actual time varying a little in the
iifferent species. Soon aftei', root-action be-
;omes more brisk, and the |ilants may, if neces-
iary, be repotted. Frequent disturbance is
lannful, but the plants must not be allowed to
remain in sour compost. The roots are larger
;han those of most Odontoglots, and a w'ider
pot is therefore required. A couple of inches
margin all round the pseudo-bulbs is not too
much, provided the plants are healthy and well
rooted, the pots well drained, and the compost
kept thin, rough, and open. Good peat broken
into rough lum])s, a little Moss, and plenty of
crocks and charcoal will be tlie material for it,
about a couple of inches of this sufticing for
medium-sized specimens. A little more warmth

is beneficial after disturbance, the roots being
stimulated thereby, especially if kept rather on
the dry side anil the atmosphere moist. The
plants are not so fastidious in their atmosidieric
requirements as are the crispum and similar
kinds, their wants being easily met in a house
kept at a night temperature of about 55° while
growth is active, rising about 10" by fire-heat,
and rather more in liright weather. Shade is
an important point, and the blinds should be
kept down at this time of the year until the
sun has left the house. \\'hile at rest more
light is required, t)ut bright sunshine must even
then be partially excluded. Insects of most
kinds are very fond of all the plants in this sec-
tion, so cultivators will do well to be on the
look-out and ready with preventive measures.
Perhaps the best known of all this cla.ss of
jjlants is

O. (JRANDE, a superb Orchid when in good
cultural condition and well flowered. The spikes
on the strongest plants contain from six to eight
flowers, these measuring about 5 inches across,
the sepals and petals bright golden yellow,
heavily blotched with brown ; the lip whitish in
ground colour and similarly marked. The bulbs
are roundish, deep green, each bearing a pair —
sometimes three — of nearly oblong leaves, lightly
spotted w-hen young. It comes from Guatemala,
and first bloomed in England in 1841 with the
Duke of Bedford, but this was several years after
its introduction.

0. Insleayi is a lovely Orchid in its better
forms, and bears a considerable resemblance to
the last named in growth. The flowers are
smaller, of varied tints of yellow in the ground
colour of the segments, which are not so heavily
blotched with brown as those of 0. grande. The
lip has a belt of bright red spots on a golden yel-
low- ground colour — a bright and beautiful combi-
nation. There are many named forms, of which
0. I. splendens is perhaps the best, a large and
very highly coloured variety b}' no means com-
mon in cultivation. 0. Insleayi is a native of
Oaxaca, in Mexico, and is n.amed after the gar-
dener of the gentleman who introduced it in 1839.
It was at that time, however, very rare, and
afterwards almost lost to cultivation, but about

twenty years ago and at frequent intervals since
it has been imported in large (|uantities.

O. ScilLElPERiANUM is another variable kind,
not so large as O. grande and a little diflerent in
shape. The petals in some varieties are almost
wholly yellow ; in others there are blotches of
orange, more or less clearly defined, on a yellow
ground, but all are useful garden Orchids. It
first flowered in this country about 1856, having
been imported from Costa Kica among other
species, and was named by Reichenbach after H.
Schleiper, a (ierman Orchid grower. The blossoms
of all the species here described have a great like-
ness one to another, and, as noted above, the plants
thrive under similar conditions. If the plants are
healthy, no harm is done by leaving the flowers
on until they fade, and as they last a long time in
full beauty their value in keeping up a late sum-
mer and autumn display is obvious.

liSelia Latona. — I noticed a very fine plant of
this beautiful hybrid in Messrs. Charlesworth's
exhibit at the Temple show. It was bearing six
flowers, the largest about 5 inches across. L.
Latona was raised by Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons,
who obtained it by crossing L. cinnabarina with
L. purpurata. As may be imagined, it is a
highly-coloured flower, the sepals and petals
narrow, of a pretty light orange. The laliellum
is delicately margined with deep orange, its undu-
late form giving it the appearance of being
fringed. The front lobe is crimson-|)urple, and
the base is creamy white. As usual, I think
with hybrids having L. cinnabarina as one of
the parents the influence of this species is very
apparent. — R.

Laelio-Cattleya Lady Wigan. — This is a
remarkabi}- fine hyliiid, and the opinion of more
than one expert Orchid grower was that it was the
best exhibited at the Temple. It is the progeny
of L. purpurata Russelliana and Cattleya Mossife
aurea, and combines the excellent qualities of its
parents in a remarkable degree. An object-
lesson as to how these strong-growing hybrids
progress was afibrded by the plant from Messrs.
Charlesworth and Co., of Heaton, Bradford. The
oldest of the four pseudo-bulbs was not a quarter
the size of the one now flowering, and a young
growth just pushing gave e\en greater promise

54

THE GARDEN.

IJuLy 24, 1897.

The contour of the blossoms rather favoured I/,
purpurata, the sepals and petals, of a rosy white
shade, being well thrown liack. The lip was
large, of ahnost circular outline in front, M'itli a
frilled margin, pink in the ground colour, with
A-eins of deep crimson-purple ; the throat rich
yellow and lightly spotted. The colours are soft,
yet clear and well defined. It is an undoubted
acquisition to tliis rapidly extending genus.

Dendrobium revolutum. — In the choice
group of Oruliids e.xhiliited liy Sir Trevor Law-
rence at tlie Temple show was a )]lant of tliis
species, carrying a good number of flowers upon
three out of the four bulbs of which it consisted.
In habit as in the manner of (lowering it some-
what resembles a weak D. Dearei, but appaiently
the flowers occur singly instead of in racemes.
The sepals and petals are short and of the [jurest
white : tlie lip distinctly three-lolwd, and very
broad in comparison witli the other parts of the
flow-er. In colour it is a pale green, the centie
lobe having a median line of clouded white,
streaked also with brown. Although it cannot
be described as a showy species it is decidedly
pretty and free-blooming, and not a mere botani-
cal curiosity.

L.ELIA PURPURATA.
Thi.s jiopular species might be very much betcer
cultivated in ]uany places were a little more
thought given to minor details of management.
These consist in timely attention to cleaning,
repotting, and various other items tliat are in
manj; cases gone about in a tliouglitless manner,
yet with a rule-of-thumb kind of precision.
Orchid houses, as generally understood, arc
small stuft'y places, little .suited to tliese deni-
zens of the forest. Inexperienced and self-
sitisfied cultivators say that their plants do
very well in the structures provided for them,
forgetting, perhaps, the fact tliat these were in
go.od condition at the start, and a season or two
m such places is no criterion. But take the
average plants as met with in small houses and
the same as seen in large collections of private
persons or nurserymen, where a roomy struc-
ture is set apart for these and their new
congeners, the Cattleyas. In the former case
t'le jjlants have been so shaded that the growtli
is poor and far from free-flowering, or else Inn-nt
UT by liaving been grown with their lieads
ahnost touchnig the glass when tlie sun has
been shining upon them. Either of these cases
contrasts badly with a similar lot of plants
grown in a house where there are no such ex-
tremes, and wliere the plants can be arranged
with their heads a yard or more from tlie roof.
But wliile gardeners cannot alter their liouses,
there are many gardens where tlie plants may
be reino\'ed to vineries. Peach houses or similar
places during tlie summer months with no
detriment to the occupants of such structures,
and a great advantage both to tliemseh es and
the other Orchids left behind. In the winter,
when they are, comparatively speaking, at rest,
t'ley may be returned to the old (piarters,
r ;inaining here until growtli has again started.
Those who have neither large Orchid liouses
nor any other structures where the plants have
jilenty of room must do the best they can with
the means at disposal, and they >vill find early
morning ventilation of great assistance, by
keeping the foliage cool and obviating the
necessity of shading until the sun has been
shining on the plants a little while. If the .sun
is allowed to shine on the foliage with the night
moisture still about it, the leaves scorch almost
as quickly as Vine leaves similarly situated.

La3lia purpurata is not so constant in its
habits as species like L. superbiens and many f)f
tlie-Cattleyas. Often when one is least expect-
ing it conies a free emission of young roots ;

often, indeed, when one does not want them,
for in many cases they are precursory to the
growths starting that would be better kept
dormant during the dull winter days. Some-
times they send up a sheath in autumn, and from
this jnisli a spike of flower in early summer ;
at others they keep quiet after blooming, and
flower upon the newly -fcjriiied pseudii-bulbs.
For this reason it is not wise to set any exact
season for repotting, but to do this when it is
apparent that no check will be given, and that
the plant will soon take to tlie new material.
Repotting ought not to be done oftener than is
really necessary, and no disturliaiice of the
roots need take jilace other than what is
neces.sary to remove old or sour material.
Large old-established specimens need careful
handling and judicious management afterwards,
or more harm than good will result. The plants
are often .'■o well supplied with roots, that the
whole of the old compost and drainage
material is firmly enwrapped. Doulitless in
most cases there will be a little towards
the centre of this ball of roots that is
not quite as it should be, but to get at this
means breaking many of the outer tiers of
healthy roots and thereby endangering the
liealth of the plant. Here let well alone is the
.safest policy, and by allowing a fair .shift and
filling u]) with new material of good quality,
the plant goes on again for several years. For
compost use good jieat and fresh Sjihagnum,
adding thereto abundance of roughly broken
charcoal and crocks. Never let the plants
suffer from want of water during the restin"
season, as this weakens tlieni cons'derably.
While growing they take a very free supjily.
After disturbance, water carefully and very
lightly until new roots are starting, wliile no
overliead sprinkling is allowable during dull or
wet weather. Keep the atmosphere well
charged with moisture while the growth is
active, and never allow insects to obtain a hold
on tlie plants.

There is a large number of named varieties of
L. purpurata, all more or less distinct frcun the
type and all cafjital garden Orchids. Its native
iioiiie is in Santa Catherina, in Brazil, where it
ajipears to liave been discovered by a collector
in tlie employ of M. Verschafl'elt, of Ghent.
Tills was in 1847, and since tlien it has been .so
freely inqiorted by \arious firms that it is now
one of tlic best known and useful in the family.

coal and crocks and drain the pots thoroughly,
])rotecting the drainage with a little rough Moss.
Keep the leads as near the centre of the pot as
convenient, and the line of compost may be
finished a little above the rims, forming a cone,
on which the base of the new bulbs should just
rest. The habit of tlie plant is nearly erect, the
stems about 18 inches high when strong, with two
or three large ovate, green leaves. The loni,'
spikes of flower appear between these, and attiin
a height of 4 feet anil upwards. The flowers arc
variable in size, those of a good form measuring
over 3 inches across, the sepals and petals prettily
undulated at the edges, of a bright rosy purple
tint, becoming lighter at the base and of a
brownish tint at the tips. The column is not en-
folded l)y the Ii|i, but stands exposed, the side
lobes of the latter being yellow with streaks ot
deep purple, the front lobe wliite, with purple
\ enations and margin. It flowers at various times
through the late spring and summer, tlie blossoms
lasting about a fortnight in good condition. It
is a nati^'e of Mexico and Central America, having
been first disco\-ered by Mr. G. Ure-Skinner in
Honduras. It first flowered in England in 1840
with Mr. Bateman.

SCHOMBURGKIA TIBICINIS.

As showing how nearly related are some genera
of Orcliids, it is ditticult to tell tlie difference at
the first glance in the habit of this plant and a
La'lia superbiens, while the spikes are similarly
produced, the flowers also being much aUke in
structure. There is no ditticulty in growino- S.
tibicinis, though with some growers ft rloes^not
floner very freely. Sometimes this is the result
of not ripening the growth thoroughly. Wliat
this species delights in during the growing season
is a house kept nicely warm, yet with abundance
of air left on, this consolidating the growth as it
is produced and tending to liard pseudo-bulbs and
plenty of flower. The pseudo-bulbs being quite
finished, the plants may be stood nearly"in the
full sun and the water supply reduced by 'degrees,
until in winter hardly any is needed. ' It would
be unwise to dry oft' badly-rijiened plants, for
these would at onee shrivel, but witli those
treated as above described it is surprisino- ho«'
little water they take while resting. The growth
commences in early summer, and should the com-
post be in bad condition the plants may then be
repotted. Use lumps of peat brolicn in \arious
sizes, according to the size of the filaiit, and
plenty of Sphagnum Moss, of which latter the
roots seem -(-ery fond. Add roughly broken char-

Epiphronitis Veitclii. — This quaint yet
beautiful little hybrid seems to be nearly always
in flower, and we noticed several plants of it re-
cently ill Messrs. Veitch's nursery. It jiartakes
most of the habit of its pollen pai-ent, Ejiideu-
drum radicans, but the glowing tint of the Howers
also shows the influence of Sophionitis.

Oncidium pulviuatum. — This is a beautiful
and free-blooming Oncidium, the long branching,
many-flowered spikes having a fine appearance,
and the small branching bits are very useful for
cutting. It grows with great freedom in eithev
pots or baskets suspended from the roof, and in
this way the blossoms show to great advantage.
About equal parts of peat fibre and Sphagnum'
Moss over good drainage suit it well, and plenty
of water must be given while growing.

Peristeria cerina. — This is by no means so i
frequently seen as P. elata. The habit is not un- I
like that of the last named, though not usually so ',
vigorous ; the spikes are ]iendent and crowded
with flowers of a deep yellow, dotted about the
lip with crimson -purple. During the growing
season this Orchid retpiires the heat of the C'at-
tleya house, and must be very freely watered at
the roots. A decided rest must afterv/ards he '
allowed or the plants fail to bloom freely. The
present is its flowering season.

Epidendrum vitellinum.— This I noted in
good condition this week, a plant in a o-inch jiot
having sex en spikes each bearing a large number
of the brightly tinted flowers. The bright scarlet
and yellow of these blossoms ha\e a fine eft'ect
against the deep green foliage, and the length of
time the flowers last makes it a most desirable
garden species. It is of the easiest culture, grow- i
iiig freely in a mixture of peat and Moss in a cool,
moist temperature all the year round. It is a
native of various parts of Mexico, and is usually
found at a considerable elevation. — R.

Promeneea stapelioides. — Although not a i
showy plant, this little Orchid is worth a place
in collections. The habit is that of a \ery small
Lj'caste, and the prett}' blossoms occurring from
the sides of the pseudo-bulbs are rather a pretty
combination of yellow and purple. It is of fairly
easy culture in a niceh-tempered cool and moist ,
house where the light is fairly clear, and wlieie
very little sun can reach the rather tender foliage.
The plant is very impatient of anything like a j
close or sour compost, and for this reason repot-
ting is usually necessary at least once in twu
years.

Epidendrum Frederici Gulielmi. — The j
deep purplish-red blossoms of this species are very j
attracti\e, but the plants ha%e rather an un- j
gainly habit. The stems are a yard or more in |
height, about as thick as one's finger, bearing |
leaves each about 6 inches in length. The flowers l

Jni.T 24, 1897.]

THE GATtDEX.

ppear on terminal racemes, and are each about a

oiiple of inches across. Its cultural requirements

re a clear Iip;lit in a warm, moist house wIutc it

an have plenty of head room. The roots may ))e

ontined to medium-sized pots in a well-drained

ompost consistiufj of peat and Moss, and must

e kept fairly moist all the year round. It was

iscoverod many years aijo, hut until recently was

. !)me\vhat lare.

Zygopetalum rostratum. — It must be con-

3sse<l that this is a dilhcult ))lant to keep in

ealth for any length of time. The pseudo-liulbs

nd leaves are small and extremely apt to lie

hecked by the least deviation fiom the proper

tmospliere or by undue disturbance. Uu-

oubtedly the best way to riow it is on a piece of

'ree Fern stem, the natural rouijhness of this

ti laterial forminnf a crood rootlu)ld and ob\ iatin^'

> he necessity forfreipient removal. It is a pretty

I »lant when in bloom, the llowers rosy-purple and

• .hite in a pi-etty and etVecti\e contrast. Coming

i rom Demerara, plenty of heat and a very moist

t tmospliere all the year round suit it, and its

labit will not allow of a lonj; dry rest.

Kitchen Garden.

SAVING SEEDS.

jiyour issue of July 3 (p. 3) an article on " Sav-
Bg Seeds " by " C. C. H. " .seems to me to want a
eply from some [iractical seedsman. \\'hile a
jng experience has made me familiar with the
iffieulties of saving choice stocks of vegetable
eeds, I cannot allow that " nurserymen cannot
ffbrd to rogue their stocks too rigidly." All
eedsmen of any note do so most carefully, and,
peaking for my firm, we find buj'ers perfectly
billing to pay a fair price for selected stocks — i.e. ,
lependable selections — and some of these ha\e
leen in our hands for thirty or forty years, and
re perfectly true to type, while we readily seize on
,ny improvement that can be effected, and we
ire convinced others do the same. Then you may
ay, " Why are there so many inferior stocks
n the countr3' ?'" Simply because the competition
n the seed trade, wholesale and retail, is so keen,
.nd there are a lot of retail dealers — chemists,
^ocers, ironmongers, &c. — who do not " know "
ihe business, but buj' the cheapest, and retail so as
0 cut one another in value. Tlie wholesale people
aust n;eetthis demand, ami as labourand rentsare
leavy in Britain, man}' seeds are sent abroad to
)e grown, and in many (not all) cases that care
md attention are not gi\en to isolate crops that
.hose who have large holdings in Britain can give.
Vgain, the growth of allotments makes the busi-
less more difficult, as it is not unusual to see
£ales. Cabbages, Sprouts, &c. , all flowering at

Ehe same time. The burden of this is, if the
lublic will pay a fair price they can command a
genuine article, and far better than any home-
laved stocks as a whole. — Georoe BrNY.\KD.

The notes on the saving of vegetable seeds

jy "C. C. H." (p. 3) were interesting as well as
nstructive reading, as ]5ointing out the great un-
jertainties of the work iniless the utmost care in
•reventing insect interference is given. I have
inly attempted seed-saving on a small scale, jire-
'erring to leave such in the liands of those having
arge experience and facilities for carrying it out
mccessfuUy. An experience gained some fe«'
irears since, which e-xactly coincides with the in-
jident given by " C. C. H.,' made me resolve to
;eave seed-saving of the Brassica family alone.
What I purposed saving a seed-stock from in that
jase was a particularly good Broccoli, and having
10 other of the Cabbage family in bloom in the
garden at the same time, I did not deem it need-
'a\ to protect it from insects. But the mistake
nade was only too apparent. When the produce
ihould have given first-class marketable Broccoli
the following year, it could oidy be used in the
same manner as Chou de Burghley. The mis-
phief must have been done by bees carrying pollen
Erom some distant cottage garden or allotment,

owners of which often save seeds of some favour-
ite winter greens. Had I taken the precaution
to have enclosed the plants (bn-ing the flowering
period in muslin or some similar insect-resisting
material, all would have been well, no doubt.
Tlie lesson, however, math- a lasting impression
on my memory, and I would strongly a<lvisi' anyone
<'ontemplating the growth of seeds in a private
garden to protect the plants from being fertilised
l>y foreign pollen, carrie<l, it may be, long dis-
tances by bees. "C. ('. H." dt)es not say that
bis friend took the trouble to exclude bees,
even when the lodge-kee])ers were entrusted with
their growth, so as to isolate the several kinds
under treatment, although the case of spoliation
whicl) happened with the nuT'.scryman proves con-
chisi\eU' that some such course is necessary.
Onions, although much frecjuented by bees while
in flower, do not seem so easily affected as the
Brassica family, for having saved my own seeds of
this vegetable, and in two or three varieties, I
have found them come (juite true to character
without any attempt at the exclusion of bees. It
is not often that in )iurchased seeds one gets this
loss of character through accidental cross-fertilisa-
tion, l)ut it has actually happened with me this
summer, the variety ordered being tlie invaluable
late winter green. Asparagus or Buda Kale. I
always sow this on the plot where it is intended
to mature in the same manner as one does Tur-
nips, as it is not so readily transplanted as other
varieties, and I do not in any case put in the
seeds until June. I have had to destroy almost
the whole of the plants thus raised this year, there
lieiug but very few true ones to be found, the
majority favouring the Couve Tronehuda in ap-
)iearance more than anything else. I have sown
fresh seed again, which, although late, may yet
be in time to be useful in late spring next j'ear.
This seed, I should have said, «as obtained
locally, but was grown in the eastern counties. —
W. S'., Wi/f'.

Early Cabbag'e. — There have been many com-
plaints regarding the lateness and bad hearting
of Cabbage, but I have not much reason to com-
jilain — no "bolting" nor losses of any kind have
been sustained out of five or six sorts. Earliest
of All has been the favourite ; close hearting,
few outside leaves, fine (luality, and earliness are
its properties. I belie\'e in well-manured ground
for Caobage, with a free root run on deeplj' dug
or trenched ground. On |)Oor soils where the
roots of Cabbage cannot work freely, running to
seed is greatly encouraged. Rosette Colewort is
not so much grown as it should be : it is one of the
hardiest of Brassicas, and can be had (by succes-
sive ])lanting) from autumn till late in the spring.
In July and early in Augu.st planting may begin.
I have a letter from a friend in Staffordshire who
says this Colewort was never seen injured by frost
in that district, where it has so often been grown
with great success. No test as to hardiness of
any plant (grown in the open during winter) can
lie greater than here. On cold heavy soil below
the level of the river Forth, this neat little
Colewort stands uninjured. — M. Templk, Carroii,
X. /I.

Early and late Peas. - -After growing Chelsea
(!em for several years, it holds its own against
all comers as an abundant bearer of good r|uality,
and is ready for use as early as any I have tried.
Some peas of reputed earliness are too small in
|iod and too dumpy in form for cooks to be
bothered with thein. I have alwajs favoured
well-tilled ground for Peas ; they are thus pro-
tected from drought, and during wet seasons they
ilo not get water-logged. It is a good plan,
where such can be aft'orded, to cover peas, when
sown in drills, with decayed vegetable refuse, or
a mixture of decayed manure and waste soil of
any kind, Seldom have I seen drought or mildew
attack Peas with a covering — say, 3 inches thick
— of such material over them. Even in the south
of England they do not often suffer. Watering
often does more harm than good to the crop, as by
continuous surface dribblings the soil is battered
hard and the Pea roots severely checked. With

all the excellent additions to the lists of Peas, the
mo.st popular among ohl sorts — Dr. McLean,
Champion of England, Ne Plus Ultra, Sangster's
No. I, and Dickson's Favourite — are often seen
among the winning lots at exhibitions. — M.
Tkmi'I.k, Carron, uV.B.

Lettuce running to seed. — In few sea-
,sons have Lettuces bolted so badly as this.
The Spring Cos varieties, owing to the
drought, Vjolted badly, and since then the
Cabljage varieties are worse, as, no matter
what care is taken in watering in our liglit
soil, they run wholesale. It is not a (juestion
of variety, as all are alike, and even on a cool
north border transplanted jilants ar-e not reliable.
Doubtless it is caused by the sudden changes of
weather. I am aware there is a remedy, but it is
not always convenient to sow Lettuce to stand
without transplanting, and I notice this season,
e\en with sown plants, they run worse than I
have known them in ]ire\ious years. I sow every
three weeks, from May to the end of July. Some
of your readers may have had similar failures and
have found out a remedy. I have in previous
seasons depended U]ion sown plants for mid-
summer and July use, but this season they have
failed, the Cabbage varieties being the worst. — ■
S. H. B.

Late Broccoli. — I have been much interested
in reading recent notes which have appeared in
The Garden on this subject, as I am rather a
large grower of late Broccoli. The kinds men-
tioned bj' your correspondents have not been
tried here, and I rely entirely on Maincrop, Dick-
son's Late May, and Model for late supply. The
seed of these three kinds is sown in the second
week in May each year, and the plants are gener-
ally set out on a piece of ground just cleared of a
crop of second early Peas and early Cauliflowers.
The ground receives no preparation beyond hoe-
ing to free tlie surface of weeds, and the soil being
firm, the plants make but medium growth. In
the month of October the plants are all heeled
ox'er towards the north, and the percentage of
losses from severe frost during the winter is but
small. The three kinds named afford an un-
broken supply of good heads from the commence-
ment of May until the middle of June, by which
time the earliest Cauliflowers are ready for cut-
ting. Model is the last to come into u.so and,
strange as it maj' seem, this \'ariety is preferred
to all others. Cauliflowers included, for jiick-
ling. Being but a medium and very dwarf
grower, the ]ilants of Model may be set out a
trifle closer than would be admissible with the
more robust-growing kinds — a great desideratum
where space is limited. — A. W.

Medium-sized Peas. — Many people object to
extra large Peas, and as the majority of the new
varieties are of that type, one has to go back to
older sorts. I am growing Fillbasket this season —
and shall do so in future — for the dining-room, !evf
varieties, all points considered, surpassing it. Its
dark green colour and sweet flavour are strong
recommendations. Further, its height is mo.-t
convenient, and its cropping qualities are wonder-
ful. Previous to the large-podded Peas being
introduced I used to^row Fillbasket in a shallow
trench, mulching ana feeding when bearing a
cro() ; and the handsome cur\ ed pods looked well
dished up for exhibition. I wonder this old Pea
has not been more generally grown for market, as
I am certain it would pro\ c most remunerative.
Another, and a most excellent, medium-sized
variety, and one which should be grown in every
garden on account of its productiveness and
general good cpiality, is Criterion. Its size and
deep green colour remind one strongly of Xe I'lus
Ultra, the usual height of the haulm being from
4 feet to .5 feet. Criterion is a capital dry weather
Pea, and grows well in light, porous soil.
Gardeners who liave tried it have made it a rule
to include it afterwards in their seed list. A Pea
called Nottingham Wonder, better known in the
midlands than elsewhere, is another of the
medium-sized varieties. The haulm is very
vigorous, reminding one of that of Autocrat,
Eotne 4 feet high, and covered with pods in all

56

THE GARDEK

[July 24, 1897.

tages, the colour excellent and flavour good.
More mid-season medium-sized Peas exist, but
they are none too plentiful. The three above
named will ])lease all who may try them. — J. C.

QUALITY IN PEAS.

Of late years there has been better quality in
Peas, especially in early or second early varieties,
and with good r|uality we have got a dwarf habit
with large pods. For some years past I have
grown Peas largely, and have endeavoured to get
those which are able to resist our variable
climate. Most growers will agree with me when
I state Peas are hardier than many persons think.
Peas not raised in heat and always exposed have
not suffered from frost when the tops are a few
inches out of the soil. I am aware in cold, wet
soil the seeds suffer, and this is a point we must
not overlook, and with the newer tj-pes with
Marrow blood means must be taken to assist
rapid germination. I am not in favour of autumn
sowing. A Pea — Springtide — noted in these
pages last week (p. 4) is a very early variety, and
far in advance of the smaller kinds. In this note
I ha\ e no desire to condemn old varieties or extol
new ones, but I am an advocate for progress, and
with no vegetables have there been greater strides
than with Peas. This is of great benefit to
those who ha\'e limited space and who need
to grow their crops quickly. The best quality
Peas among the newer types are those which
run from 2 feet to 4 feet, mostly between
those heights, and as some of these are equal in
size of pod to the Dvdce of Albany, there is a great
advance. I do not look upon the Duke of Albany
as a good quality Pea ; had it not been for its ex-
hibition \alue it would never have found the
favour it did. I am not a lover of any Pea which
gives its crop on the top of the haulm all at one
time, and if not gathered quickly it is of poor
quality. What I term a good Pea keeps up a
succession of pods. The best Peas are those
which yield well from the base, and as many of
the newer varieties do this and may be termed
continuous croppers, there is a great gain to the
grower, who, if he sows thinly and feeds freely,
can get a much heavier crop than from the small
white or blue early Peas, or the very dwarf
forms only a few inches above the soil. These
latter may }\ave been useful before these later
introductions, but, like the many selected earlies of
Early Sunrise type, they are out of date if qualitj-
is considered. I noted recently in these pages a
well-known authority on Peas had scant praise
for some of these first earlies, as they are termed,
and I certainly think where quality is considered
they are out of place. Much time and labour
of late years have been bestowed upon garden
Peas, and with size a dwarfer habit is secured.
There is now no need to grow (i-feet or 7-feet
Peas even for midseason or late crops ; the newer
kinds are equally prolific, with a dwarfer habit.
S. M.

Onions in 1897.— It was recently remarked
in The ( iARUEX that Onion crops sown in
spring were this season exceptionally free from
maggot and disease of all kinds, and promised to
be nervy and good. I can corroborate this so far
as my own neighbourhood is concerned, many
plots on light, shallow soils, where great diffi-
culty in securing even half a crop has usually been
experienced, looking just now very healthy, with
no blanks in them. The fact that there was much
more moisture in the ground from autumn and
winter rains, together with the unusually cool
spring, is put down generally as the chief cause of
this improved state of things, the general belief
being that if the plants are able to grow to a cer-
tain size without molestation to the stage — in fact,
wlien they commence to bulb — the Onion maggot
will not molest them ; at any rate, to any great ex-
tent. That this idea is perfectly correct is, I
think, plainly proved by the fact that those gar-
deners who have of late years sown their seed in
boxes in February, hardened the plants off in
frames and planted out early, have had no trouble

in securing good all-round crops of Onions. One
or two gardeners I know raise and grow the whole
of their spring crop in this way, ignoring the
extra labour — which, indeed, is not so great as
some might imagine, as seedlings raised in
a genial temperature give very little trouble,
beyond a sprinkling to keep them moist,
till transplanting time arrives, the ground
being prepared some time previous to give it
a chance to settle. A handy man will soon
plant out a few thousand seedlings. Where this
plan is adopted, the labour of thinning out — as is
the case when seed is sown in the ordinary way —
is avoitled, and, all things considered, there is
little difference in the long run so far as labour is
concerned. On shallow, hot soils this system is
undoubtedly the best. — J. Ce.vwfokd.

Flower Garden.

NARCISSUS MME. DE CRAAFF.

I LOOK upon Mme. de Graaff as one of the host
of new Narcissi. There may be others more
distinct and striking in colour, but its perfect
form, robust constitution and wonderfully free-
blooming habit will keep it in the front rank of
the choicest Daffodils when many of its com-
peers are forgotten. Besides the good ((nalities
above mentioned, this variety increases rapidly
and grows almost as strongly as Emperor or
Empres.s. The segments of the perianth are
pure white, of good form and firm texture. The
trumpet is pale sulphur and has a peculiar
appearance, unlike tliat of any other Daffodil.
The brim of the trumpet is rolled back, which
gives the bloom a distinct character. If the
Howers are cut in a young state and opened
indoors they will be almost perfectly white.
When this Daffodil can be bought at a cheaper
rate than at present obtains, it will no doubt be
very freely jjlanted. J. D. Pf.arson.

Chilu'dl Nurseries, Noit.i.

Lychnis chalcedonica. — It is not easy to
surpass the handsome heads of brilliant scarlet
flowers this plant is capaljle of producing when
well grown in deep rich soil. It is at such times
one of the most striking of hardy perennials, and
one of the easiest to grow or increase by seeds.

Campanula turbinata alba. — A most useful
\ariet3' early in .July tliat ma\' lie planted in rock
garden or border. The habit is very neat and
somewhat dwarfer than in C. carpatica or its
white \ariety, wliile it usually precedes these
latter in the time of flowering. But even if they
came together they are sufficiently distinct to be
useful.

Tufted Pansy Violetta. —This excellent va-
riety is now in tine form. Small pieces which
were propagated very late last season, and which
also looked very insignificant and unpromising
earh' in the present season, are now all that one
could well wish for. The growth has lately
been very rapid, and they ha\e already filled
up all the space between the plants. A careful
mulching early in June was much ajipreciated.
This pretty little rayless white variety is being
used very freely in the gardens at Regent's Park,
and appears to lend additional charm to several
long narrow borders of Fuchsias as a carpeting
plant. The white is very pure, and this to-
gether with a splash of yellow on the lower petal
makes the display more effective. It is also
sweetly scented.

Gladiolus The Bride planted out. — Refer-
ence was made a few weeks ago to the value of
this chaste Gladiolus in summer, the writer stat-
ing that it did well planted out in open borders.
I used to think this might be done in the south of
England, but was quite surprised a few days ago
to see a truly magnificent lot in a Newark florist's
window just cut from the open nursery beds.
Thousands were planted, and nearly all of them

have grown and flowered well. The position is a
sunny one and the ground somewhat sandy and
well drained. It seems to dislike cold and wet,
therefore the season may have suited it ; artificial
waterings, of course, having been given, the rain-
fall in this district having been small. The florist
in ((uestion finds that the flower-spikes open all
tlie way u\>, even though half of the blooms may
only be in the bud state when cut. — J. C.

PRIMULA TRAILLI.

In your last issue Mr. R. Dean contributes a note
on this plant, criticising those of us upon the
floral committee of the Royal Horticultural
Society who thought that the plant sent up by
Mr. (;. F. Wilson was entitled to rank as a new
species, and not merely as a variety of P. involu-
crata. Allow me to point out; — for the question
involved is of constant recurrence and of general
interest — what I regard as the fundamental fallacy
of his reasoning. He evidently assumes — as I
think he will admit — that the character and ex-
tent of those differences wliich entitle to specific
as distinct from varietal rank are matters not of
individual opinion merely, but of recognised
scientific precision and certainty. I am under the
impression that that view was long ago exploded
among plant physiologists. If Mr. Dean can
show me to be wrong, and can indicate a finer
scientific principle, widely recognised, by which
it shall be decided whether a new form is to be
deemed a new species or merely a variety of an
existing one, he will both surprise anrl oblige me.
He and I see a plant differing structurally more
or less from those hitherto tabulated. He and I
answer the question, "species or variety?" if
we answer it at all, by making up our minds
whether the differences are solid enough to justify
the creation of a new species. And our minds
may be differently made up without either of us
being able properly to claim that for any assign-
able reason he is right and the other wrong. The
case is not altered by the fact that certain charac-
teristics— for instance, colour of flower — are gene-
rally admitted not to entitle to specific rank. Nor
is it altered by the fact that more persons agree
with me than with him on any such question.
What is no doubt wanted, and very badly |
wanted, is the recognition of some standard
authority whose decisions in such matters — albeit
necessarily arbiti-ary — shall, as matter of con- ';
venience, be accepted bv all. But those most fit
for the office (c.;^, the I^ew authorities), would. 1
take it, be the first to insist on the necessaril,^•
arbitrary character of their decisions, in regard,
that is, to new plants. — H. Selfe-Leonard, Guild-
ford.

I read Mr. Jenkins's note at p. 36 with

the greater interest knowing that he has liad
considerable experience with herbaceous and
alpine plants. The drooping of the plant ex-
hibited was caused only liy want of water, and I
by the Drill Hall being more than usually hot ![
and stuffy, as it seemed to me, though I have not i
been able to attend there often lately. The flowers ;
soon held up their heads on the plant being !
watered when it got home. I presume P. Trailli
was not mentioned at the Primula conference,
from being unknown in this country. If the
plants raised by " R. H. B." last year from seed
sent him by Dr. Watt were no finer than those we
had then from seed sent by my botanist friend
(not Dr. Watt), I do not wonder that Dr. Watt,
if familiar with the Primrose in its proper form,
should have said that " they had nothing in com-
mon with his P. Trailli, which was a much larger
and handsomer species." This last description
would exactly apply to my plants of this year.
My experience agrees with " R. H. B.'s," as the
plants after blooming and ripening seed are
flowering again, but with weaker flowering spikes.
It is certainly a more free-flowering Primrose,
and though, of course, it cannot be compared
with the more showy members of its family, such
as P. japonica, it has a quiet beauty of its own,
which, combined with its very sweet scent, will,
I think, make it a favourite, at least with amateurs.
—George F. Wilson.

|i!

July 24, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

57

Narciseus Mmc. de Graag. From a photograph hy Mr. J. D. Pearson, Chilwell, Noltf.

•58

THE GAT^DEK

[JnLY 24, 1897.

SOME USEFUL ANNUALS.

AtTHOUiiH many flower frardens are now nearly
filled with pei-ennials, and things of a transitory
nature are but sparingly used, theie are some
annuals so useful for cutting, and also some that
make such a bright and, for the one season, such
an enduring display, that one can hardly dispense
with them. There is a tendency sometimes to
think tliat whilst perennials must be well pro-
vided for, annuals of any description can be
allowed to shift for themselves : but if we reniem-
Ijer that the majority are vigorous both in root
and foliage, and will flower under favourable con-
ditions for nearly four months, it is reasonable to
conclude that they require a very considerable
amount of sustenance. C4ypsophila elegans comes
considerably earlier than the perennial form
even under a north wall, and from that site I
started cutting in quantity the last week in .June.
I like to make two sowings of this, the one in the
open in the site above named, where the (jlants
grow strongly and throw some fine hends of
flower, the other about a month earlier under
cover, from whence the plants are removed to
well-prepared patches on the open border, and
where they come early into flower if care is taken
in the removal. Its chief value lies in the light
and graceful panicles available for cutting early
in the season. It is not a long-enduring annual,
and I should not recommend its use for promi-
nent places in the flower garden. Iceland Poppies
pay for early and thin sowing under cover. They
should be handled carefully in the piicking out,
so as to disturb the roots as little as possible, and
when the plants are ready for the open border
they should have a thorough soaking and be
lifted with a nice mass of roots. It is not advis-
able to use any members of the Poppy family in
vases that are only tilled bi-weekly, but tliey
came in very useful for dinner-table work or any-
thing of a similar nature where they are only
needed for the day or e\ening, as the case may
be. • The fact that this [jarticular variety is, from
a flowering standpoint, of long duration is suffi-
cient to lead to the conclusion that it wants a bit
of good soil, not necessarily rich , but of the quality
essential to produce good vegetables. Seedling
Carnations are just now among the best for cut-
ting. They are from seed that I did not obtain
until rather latein 1896, and the plantsconsequentlj'
only threw one, or at most two flower-stems
last season. They made, however, a flne lot of |
grass, and looked so promising that I decided to j
let them remain, with the result that they all j
came safeh- through the winter and are now a mass
of flower, some of the varieties being very good
and all as yet non-splitters, the colours out at |
present being scarlet, rose, and primrose selfs, I
and flaked in great variety. It is worth noting
that while among the named varieties, over
which a lot of trouble was taken in the way |
of layering, lifting, and replanting, there was i
so much loss, the seedlings should have proved
perfectly hardy. It is essential when dealing
with annuals to cater for the popular taste, and .
the three already mentioned are great fa\ourites ; '
so, too, are Gaillardias. Given the most careful i
attention and early sowing, the ainiual forms do |
not flower so early as the perennials, but when i
they do come there is a very gorgeous display, I
only rivalled, I think, by the best strains off
Salpiglossis. They stand very well when cut. |
Linum grandiflorum supplies at the present
time the colour to be found later in masses of
scarlet Begonias and Pelargoniums. Given good
treatment, it is a long-enduring annual, and one
of the beit for filling portions of borders in out- 1
lying jiarts of the garden. A liberal dose of ma-
nure, deep tilth, and early thinning to a foot e.ach
way are conditions essential to successful culture. I
Although Petunias do not come under the head-
ing of those things useful for cutting, they rank,
together with Verbenas, as about the best of the
hoii'J fide bedding annuals, possessing the merit of
being easily grown, coming quickly into flower,
and lasting out well to the end of the season.
Very great improvement has been eft'ected within
the last few years in Petunias both in the way of

introductions and in hybridising. I measured
latelj- some flowers of Carter's Empress quite
5 inches across, and the colours vary from a
slightl}' shaded white to an intense purple, with
a \ery richly marked throat. The growth being
proportionately sti'ong, it is advisable if the plants
are pegged to get them down as early as possible ;
if allowed to make considerable headway, it is
difhcult to |)erform the operation without snap-
ping them at the collar. I was rather amused
the other day when making a tour of inspection
of cottage gardens to meet more than once with
the remark that the flowering season of the Sweet
Peas was very brief, coupled with the information
that the growers liked to save their own seed— a
fact, by the way, plainly evident from the count-
less ninnbers of seed-pods that were hanging. If
this is allowed to o-o too far it is difficult to pull
the plants round, but if the foliage is still fairly
green and there are indications of growth, it maj'
be effected by the removal of all seed-]iods, a
thick mulch of good manure, and a thorough
soaking with water. There is no mistaking the
fact that Sweet Peas amply repay a little careful
attention. In the newer varieties, with an im-
})ro\ement in the flower come a greater \igour
and length of stalk, making them of additional
value for cutting. E. B. C.

Tufted Pansy Ardwell Gem ap]iears to be
in excellent condition just now. Small plants
which were |)ut out quite late this season are
growing freely. Although given a distance be-
tween each plant of i~^ inches, the dwarf creeping
form of growth has already filled up the inter-
vening space, and the plants are flowering most
jirofusely. It is an ideal sort for the flower gar-
den, ami although somewhat old, yet compares
favourably with many of the newer introductions.
— H. N.

Tufted Pansy Princess Louise is now at its
best, the cooler evenings of the last week benefit-
ing the plants considerably. This only goes to
prove that this variety is one very jiaitial to
cooler weather, and this probably accounts for the
plants looking so well during the early part of
August, 1890, when it was credited with a first-
class certificate by the Viola conference com-
mittee. The form of growth is compact and
tutted, the constitution robust, and the Sowers
of medium size and good form. There is no trace
of rays in the flowers at the present time, and the
].>lants are literally covered with charming blos-
soms.—1). B. C.

Tufted Pansy Florizel.— This fine variety
should be grown by all who are interested in
these useful ])lants. The flowers are of large size,
very neat and pretty. The colour vai-ies slightly
under the very trying climatic conditions which
prevail in the south of England. In cooler quar-
ters and where partial shade can be gi\en the
colour may be described as a \ery pretty blush-
lilac. Very hot sunshine bleaches the floMers. so
that the colour is less pronounced. This slight
defect, however, is not sufficient to deter anyone
from taking this variety in hand, as it isdeserxing
of one of the foremost positions in every selection.
The blossoms are rayless, with a neat yellow eye.
The growth is beautifully tufted, and the con,sti-
tution is also good. — D. B. C.

Iiilium Roezli. — This rare Lily is just now
flowering at Kew, where, in a bed at tlie liack of
tlie Palm house, it seems to be quite at home.
It is nearly related to L. pardalinum, and might
perhaps be regarded as a variety thereof, but
in colour at least it is quite distinct from any of
the forms of L. pardalinum that we have in our
gardens. In L. Roezli the Iea\'es are long and
narrow, and though occasionally borne in whorls,
as in many of the ilartagon section to which it
belongs, in most instances the whorls are broken '
up and the leaves scattered in an irregular |
manner around the stem. The flowers are about
the size of those of L. pardalinum, with the seg- !
ments much reflexed. The colour is a bright yel-
low, the central portion dotted more or less with
small purplish brown spots. They are borne in a

somewhat pyramidal-sha]3ed raceme, each bloom
being supported on a long stalk. This Lily is a
native of California, from wlience it was intro-
duced in 1871 by tlie collector whose name it
bears, but it has alwajs been scarce, and at times
there has been a certain amount of confusion with
regard to it. The bulbs of this are rhizomatous,
a feature limited to those species that are
natives of North America. A soil composed of
at least a fair amount of vegetable matter and a
moderately moist, though not water-logged, posi-
tion will no doubt suit it best. — H. P.

PLANTS FOR A BACKGROUND.

In old-fashioned gardens where the plantinn' is
carried out as far as possible on natural lines I
always think suitable backgrounds play a most
important part. Doubtless in the majority of
gardens many lieds are so situated that there is
nothing in the way of tree or shrub life near them,
but if they can be placed in positions where this
is available, the effect of many flowers is consider-
ably enhanced. This is very noticeable in the
case of walls forming a background to borders and
that are comparatively bare of foliage. Until the
clothing process is completed, one may tax his
inger.uity to plant such holders efiectn-ely, but
the task is easy when the wall is clothed from top
to bottom with a mass of greenery. Such a wall
and border about 100 yards long are close at
hand, the one covered with Wistaria and the
other nearly furnished n-ith perennials of various
heights. Any available spaces I always fill in
with Cactus Dahlias, Cannas, annual miniature
Sunflowers, and the like, with the full assurance
that they will show to advantage against the
leafy background. Another old wall against
which were planted in bygone days many things
scarcely hoiia Jide wall jilants, as the Judas Tree,
the variegated Buckthorn, Escallonia macrantha,
the single and double forms of Deutzia crenata,
and others have served as a background to a small
Rose garden, big old stuf}' of the vigorous pillar
varieties being planted comparati\ely close up,
and the different sections worked down to a
group of Polyanthas immediately in front. It
was not, howe\er, a background of wall, whether
clothed or otherwise, that occurred to my mind
when starting these notes, but rather the "utilisa-
tion, more or less, in the open of tree and shrub
life as a finish to tlie groups of flowering plants,
and the idea may be illustrated by quoting a few-
examples. A bed of scarlet Cannas, well grown
both in the matter of flower and foliage, may look
very well right out in the open, but certainly not
so well as when placed in some cosy nook backed
and flanked liy some light-foliaged tree or shrub.
Doubtless many readers of The Gakden may re-
member the interesting notes on flower garden
topics penned by the late Mr. Wildsfiiith and his
enthusiasm o\er his hedge of Lawson's Cypress,
w'ith Cactus Dahlias growing in front of antl
practically amongst it. I thought of this tin-
other day when noting a planting of Fire King
and Panthea Dahlias partly between and partly in
front of a considerable number of cut-back stuff' of
Ailantus glandulosa, the latter one of the very
best hardy foliaged plants we have. Take again
the case of the treelike shrub Prunus Pissardi :
how admirably Galtonia candicans, the Sweet
Tobacco and big plants of the white Marguerite
show against its bright-coloured foliage, but 1
think even a better combination is furnished by
the Prunus in the background faced by Purity
Starwort, and the latter in its lurn by the large-
flowered form of Amellus. Some of the perennial
Sunflowers also show well against this shrub,
notably Helenium nudiflorum. Very few gardens
possess occasional plants of Magnolia macro-
pliylUi. I think, however, tliis big-leaved tree
might be planted with advantage given a .sheltered
nook, because where it does well it is absolutely
unique as a background for tall-flo-n-ering plants
combining hardiness with trojiical foliage. Where
flowering or fine-leaved shrubs exist at the back
of borders, the planting in front of them should
always be carried out with tlie view to secure

July 24, 1897.]

THE GAKDEK.

59

etfective and iilpiisiiif; roiitrasts, aiul tliis, for-
tunately, van be done well with the aid of hardy
thinirs without tixnihlinj;- with plants that have to
he leiujwcd annually. Instanees of this are to
lmn<l in dumps of the lai-tro-llowered SyrinRa
faced with Oelphiuiunis, and later the double
Deutzia orpnata and some of the earlier Phloxes.
As a matter of faet, however, all deciduous
shrubs that are left ))raetieally free and not.
annually mutilated with a ])air of shears art, cjuiti'
apart from their flowers, as admirable liaek-
erouiuls to the taller perennials, especially if the
latter are so planted that thv. flower-stems or heads,
as the case may be, show up naturally amongst the
foliage of the slirubs. In the case of a background of
conifera', especially if the latter are of stiff', form i\
habit, tlie selection of flowers to face them is not
80 easy ; ijreference should be given to those of
irregular habit, such, for instance, as l)el|ihiniums
or Anchusa italiea, as op])osed to dense heads th it
keep about the same level. The same principle
applies to all hardy plant borders that are of suth
cent width to allow of the planting of some thiet
or four species across the same. The relief ot .i

deep hue of the Lobelias to the 'white-leaved
Veronica. The flower of the latter plant, by the
way, affords as pleasing a contrast to its foliage as
is furnished by Carnations of the crimson Clove,
Mephisto and Uriah I'ike types. E. B. C.

AUTUMN CROCUSES.

In too many gardens the Crocus is only known
as a flower of spring ; not as one which will also
light lip the garden when other dwarf flowers
are few and far between, and taller plants
dreary-looking and forlorn. This should not

Autumn Crocuses.

heavy group by one of light, graceful habit adds
greatly to the effectiveness of the whole, and
should be quite as much a matter for considera-
tion at planting time as the judicious arrange-
ment of different colours. In this latter matter
what wonderful contrasts can be numaged with
hoiia fiih hardy plants, ipiite as good, I fancy, if
this be tlie special aim as were ever brought
about by the most lavish use of tender subjects.
I have noted, for instance, within the last few
days Snapdragons of various heights in an endless
variety of shades, from almost a pure white to an
intense maroon ; tufted Pansies very similar, Pent-
stemons running rather more on the one shade,
but still very varied, and tine-foliaged plants so
far as the present time is concerned, from the

be, for, given a warm and siniuy spot, the
autumn-flowering species will give the greatest
pleasure. It is true we ha\e not a satisfactory
yellow-fiowered Crocus for autumn, but we
have blues, lilacs, juirples and whites, with
zones, stripes, and pencillings of various kinds
to add to their beauty. More refined in every-
way than the C'olchicums or Meadow Saffrons,
so often called " Autnnni Crocu.ses," they have
charms and graces to please the most fastidious
and exacting admirer of garden flowers. It is
difficult to draw a line which will separate the

.autnuni-rtowering Croci from those which bloom
in winter. They merge almo.st im|ierceptibly
into each other, but only those arc named here
which usually bloom from Augiist until the
begiiuiing of December, when what, for con-
venience' .sake, are called the winter-flowering
species come into fl(jwer. Kven in these late
days, though little sun apjiears to persuade the
flowers to open, the coloured cones are [jleasing.

()f the various species and varieties of these
Croci as now offered for sale, there are four
species which no one should be without.
Others ought to be added, but C. iridifhuais of
Maw (byzantinus of Baker), C iiulchellus,
C. speciosus, and C zonatus should not be
omitted when purchasing. I have named them
alpliabetically ; each is so beautiful that it
.seems invidious to arrange them any other way.
They have also the merit (to some it will appear
a fault) of being moderate in price, the lirst
being slightly more expensive than the others.

Ckoci's iridifi^orus.— This name, for what ap-
pears gootl reasons, was given by Mr. (jeorge
i\Iaw, who follows Heuffel, although Mr. Baker
(irefers the prior name of byzantmus, used by
Parkinson, in accordance with the jjractice of the-
present day. The appearance of tlie flower is so
like that of the Iris that one cannot but regret
that the name of iridiflorus has not been ado[>ted,
especially as that of byzantinus, Mr. Maw says,
implies an error as to its geographical distritju-
tion, its habitats lieing the Banat and Transylva-
nia. The outer segments are a clear rich purple,
the inner being much smaller and pale Idae in
colour. The stigmata are purple and longer than
the orange-coloured anther, the filament being
lilac. The flower of this species is \ery large,
and a clump presents a very beautiful appearance
when in flower in September and October. 1
oliserve a variety, offered as major, in some cata-
logues. I have not seen this, but it is said to be
much larger than the type ; if so, it must be fine
indeed. The next of the four is

C. puLCHELLus, which is an exquisite Uttle
Crocus differing entirely in appearance from the
foregoing and charming us more by its refine-
ment than its brilliancy. This was sent to me
from the Bithynian Olympus, where it is abun-
dant. The conns from that mountain produced
flowers varying consideraljly in colour, size, and
form. The typical colour of the flower is described
as bright bluish lilac, with the outside of the outer
segments self-coloured, the inner segments being
marked with five narrow dark purple lines.
There is also a white variety. The dowers here,
as already said, vary much, ranging from almost
white to the bluisli lilac, which is the typical
colour. C. pulchellus flowers very freely here
from Septemlier onward, and is increasing quickly
liy young corms and by seeds, which aie very
freely produced. Besides occurring on Mount
Olympus, it is said to be plentiful in the thickets
bordering the Bosiihorus. The third species —

C. si'ECiosus — is, perhaps, the liest known of
the four. This Crocus is very distinct in appear-
ance from the foregoing, and from its colouring
and the size of its flowers is remarkably etiectiye
when grown in (juantity. It is \ ery moderate in
price, and may thus be planted in considerable
numbers. It is also an early bloomer, flowering
w itli me generally early in September, but \-ery
rarely in the end ot August. The flowers, which
are large and open widely to the sun, are of a
colour variously described as bluish violet, bluish
purple and bright lilac. Possibly the second
most nearly approaches the shade. The segments
are prettily marked with dark purple veins.
These, witli tlie bright orange antMcrs and stig-
mata, add much to the eflect and beauty of the
flowers. It is widely spread in a wild state,
occurring in North Persia, Georgia, the Caucasus,
the Crimea, Hungary and Transylvania. Although
the liest known, and said by Mr. (Jeorge Maw to
be a common garden plant, there are thousands of
gardens where it is unknown, and where it would
be a cherished flower planted in the grass, the

60

THE GARDEN.

[July 24, 1897

borders, or tlie rock garden. The newer C. spe-
ciosus Aitchisoni is an exceedingl}' fine variety,
eclipsing in size the type. Generally speaking,
there does not seem to be much variation in (.'.
speciosus, but from seeds purchased I obser\ e a
tendency to variety of shade of colour. It pro-
duces seeds very seldom here. Of the last of the
four —

C. zoNATUs — it is hardly possible to speak too
highly. It is an e.xquisite little Crocus, with rosy
lilac flowers, with an orange-scarlet base. It
flowers early — from the middle of September in
good positions — and is so cheap now that it ouglit
to be freely planted. It comes from Cilicia,
where it was discovered in 1855. This beautiful
little member of the genus requires little or no
care, and will give much pleasure to its owner
from year to year.

A desire to speak at greater length of four
fine Crocuses such as the.se must necessarily
reduce the space available for the numerous
species not yet mentioned. Among the wliite
autumn Croci we have Boryi ; cancellatus, whicli
has a purple base, and of wliich there are
several varieties, including some with lilac
flowers ; hadriaticus, with its variety chryso-
belonicus, which has a yellow throat ; and
ocliroleucus, a creamy white flower with orange
base. I find that hadriaticus is the most satis-
factory of these here, ocliroleucus being a little
late and needing a sheltered place.

C. ASTURicos, of which there are some good
varieties, varying from purple to lilac, is also a
good Crocus, but I prefer the equally moderately-
priced

C. LONGIFLORUS, a prettj', free-blooming species
from South Ital^', with soft rose-lilac flowers.

C. Clush is a good Crocus with comparatively
large flowers and quite hardy here, although it
increases rather slowlj' with me. The I'are

C. ' VALLicoLA is diflicult to establish and is
rather disappointing. It is thin in the segments,
and tlie flowers are neither pure white nor a. good
cream colour. It has the reputation of being
among the earliest to flower, but 1 do not find this
the case. A coveted species is

C. ScHAROJANi, which, did it thrive, would give
us the yellow species we desire among the
autumnal Crocuses. I ha^■e had this, or what
passed for it, but it was among the few failures I
ha\'e had among these flowers. Coming from an
altitude of 7000 feet, it should grow with us in
Great Britain, but one must wait for fresh impor-
tations, as, so far as I know, it is not now in the
market.

C. XUDIFLORUS is a fairly well-known species in
some districts, and is said to be naturalised near
Nottingham. It has bluish purple flowers.

C. S.\LZMA.VNi is a cheap Crocus, also \\'ith lilac
flowers and dark-coloured feathering.

C. Memus is purple-lilac, and

C. Toi-RNKFORTi has delicately tinted rose-lilac
flowers. The old Saft'ron Crocus —

C s.iTivus — is fastidious in its ways, and in many
gardens — this among the number — refuses tobloom
after the first year. Possibly lifting annually and
drying ofl' might remedy this, but with so many
other good Crocuses it is hai-dlj' worth while to
trouble doing this. Its variety C. s. Pallasi, witli
lilac flowers, flowers annually here, but C. s.
Elwesi, which has been in my garden for some
years, never blooms. The variety Hausknechti is
said to be free-flowering, but it has not been tried
here.

There are a few other species named in Mr.
George Maw's great monograph which I have
not yet grown, but enough has been already
said U) show to some extent the variety at com-
mand. It now (mly remains to say a few words
as to their

Cultivation.

Tlieir great requirements in our climate are
sun, shelter and a rather light soil. The two
first are of primary importance for flowers
coming wlien sunlight is becoming scarce and

when the winds of autumn are jilaying liavoc
with the flowers. Sheltered sunny places on
the grass, cosy corners in the rock garden, or
b(jrders sheltered from high winds will suit them
well. If the grower care to be at the trouble,
he will find tliat a bell-glass or sheet of glass
overhead some choice Crocus will give him the
enjoyment he seeks ofttimes when without it
the flower would remain closed. Plant with the
crown <jf the corm about 2 inches deep. An-
( ither g( iklen rule is to plant as early as the corms
can be obtained. If flowers are wanted this
year, this must be attended to, and by doing so
there is more probability of succe.ss in the future
as well. With a few clumps of such flowers as
these showing among the grass or through some
mossy Saxifrage (jr <ither surface-rooting plant,
tlie shortening days need be no longer unre-
lieved by the lirightness of dwarfer flowers than
the Asters and their few companions of tall
growth, which form the sole interest <jf many
gardens at these times. S. Arxott.

Carsethorn, by Dumfries, N.B.

Coreopsis grandifiora superba. — For the
flower garden this is cei'tainly one of the neatest
and most elegant of hardy plants now in
bloom. The plant is worth more than passing
notice, for it is rare that we find such pro-
fuse flowering in combination with so accept-
al>le a colour. Its remarkable freedom of flower-
ing renilers it specially suitable foi- large beds,
and well grown in such its lilossoms — a beautiful
shade of clear yellow — maj' any day lie counted by
tlie hundred. In this way a profusion of its
handsome blossoms is kept up for weeks together.
For vase decoration the thin, wiry stems are ex-
cellent in every way, and little wonder the plant
finds such favour with the florist generally.

Omphalodes Lucilise. — Where this plant
thrives it is one of the most exquisite of all alpines,
yet one always more or less difficult to keep, and
still more difficult to increase to any extent.
Slugs are jiarticularly fond of its leaves, and will
tjuickly clear oft' every vestige of growth. In no
garden of my acquaintance has this p'ant ]iroved
such a complete success as it did in that of the late
Mr. Jas. Atkins, of Painswick, for here the jilant
not only grew freely, but it also rambled aijout,
quite a large piece being practically clothed with
the plant. No very special means were employed
to bring about so very desirable a result, «liich
was more due to local influences than anvthing
else. Evidently the high and dry position of this
garden suited the plant. Usually under cultiva-
tion the plant will succeed in a mixture of peat
and loam, with an addition of finely broken brick
and some sand. In the rock garden a deep crevice
filled with this soil would also suit it. Where
the plant exists a few seeds maj' be saved each
year, and though the seedlings present some varia-
tion of foliage, the greyish tint at times being
absent, the flowers are much the same. The plant
should nex'er be disturbed in autumn or winter,
but in April or May for careful division. — .1.

Geranium sanguineum album. — If the

plant mentioned l_iy Mr. Archer-Hind on page C,
and by " T. J. W." on p. 31, is the same as that
in my garden, it originated on the Kirkcud-
Ijrightshire coast of the Solway. It M-ns found
among the typical G. sanguineum by Mr. W. I).
Robinson-Douglas, of Orchardton, from whom I
had it. From the remarks of " T. J. W. ,'' I think
it is the same as his plant. There are many
tliousands of G. sanguineum along the coast of
this part of the Solway, but I ha\e never seen any
variation among them. The lattei- corresjiondent
has raised an interesting question bj- saying tliat,
from the ditt'erence between this plant and the
type, lie is inclined to think it is hardly a variation
only. The points of dift'erence of which he speaks
are very apparent, and it dift'ers as much except
in lightness of colour from (i. s. lancastriense, the
Walney Island plant, which more nearly resembles

the type than G. s. album does. G. pratense is
abundant on the Solway coast and occurs within
a short distance of where (i. s. album was found —
between the ri\ers Urr and Dee. Is it possible
that it may be a hylirid between it and G. san-
guineum Y Through an error in the deli\ery of
the issue of July .3, I did not see Mr. Archer-
Hind's note until that of " T. J. W." was read.
If either of your correspondents would like to com-
pare plants I shall be pleased to send them speci-
mens.— S. Arxott, Caivet/ioni, by ItiiiiiJ'ries, I^.B.

Alstroemeria aurantiaca. — The \arious spe-
cies of this genus are among the most useful
flowers for cutting at the present time, and
among them the above is a most ]iopular kind.
The variously coloured heads of bloom are pro-
duced on long stems that render them \aluable
for the decoratiion of large vases, and where large
beds exist in the garden the flowering sjarays are
most freely produced. Planted 6 inches deep in
good soil the plants are safe for years. Where
variety is needed, the forms of A. chilensis or A.
psittacina may be added, selecting a more shel-
tered position for the former and planting deeper
to keep secure from frost.

Sweet Pea Brilliant. — This is a new Ameri-
can Sweet Pea. said to be a bright scarlet variety
of improved form. The colour is really bright
crimson -scarlet. The other day I was looking
through a large and representative collection of
Sweet Peas, including most of the new varieties. I
gathered first a spray of Brilliant, then one of
ignea, one of Cardinal, wh ch is described as a
brilliant crimson-scarlet, one of Firefly, glow-
ing crimson - scailet, and lastly, one of In-
vincible Carmine. The likeness between the five
was remarkable. I thought Cardinal the best of
the five, having the deepest, yet brightest colour.
Here then is an illustration of the sameness in
Sweet Peas of which many complain. Mr. Henry
Eckford has given us many varieties and is still
producing others. Now not a few American-raised
sorts are being sent into the English market, and
the fear is lest we get the English varieties first
in the field o\er again. I have just counted
eighty-four so-called varieties in one catalogue,
and it seems incredible to think these are all dis-
tinct frcmi each other. I have enumerated five
crimson-coloured varieties in which sameness of
character is unmistakably displayed. We have at
least five white varieties, including the old white.
So many are scarcely wanted, but they appear in
lists, and each is stated to be very true. In ten
years time we may have another eighty varieties
at the rate they are coming over from America.
A thorough trial and selection are becoming abso-
lutely necessary. The question is, who will under-
take'itr— R. D.

TRANSPLANTING DAFFODILS.

I HAVE SO frequently seen the annual lifting of
Dafl'odils recoiumended in The Garhen and
elsewhere, that I am tempted to ask what ad-
vantages are in a general way to be derived
therefrom. I know that in trade establish-
ments annual lifting is absolutely necessary,
and it may be that in the case of some delicate
kinds where the soil is heavy and the average
rainfall high the ripening of the bulbs may to
a certain extent be perfected by lifting them
and laying them out in a dry, warm place for a
month or so, but in soil of a fairly light
character, where moisture rapidly drains away
and which in late summer frequently becomes
dust-dry to a depth of several inches, I fail to
see in what way annual lifting can be beneficial.
My (>^^'n experience is against the frequent
transplanting of Narcissi. I never by any
chance obtain flowers of such good quality from
bulbs that have been moved as from those that
have been two or three years undisturbed. It
may be urged that when the bulbs are lifted
after blooming they are apt to remain rather too
long out of the soil, and I am free to own that
it does fre(.[ueiitly happen that replanting is

Jdlt 24, 1897.]

THE rxAROEN.

(U

(U'feri-ecl until autumn is fairly advanced.
VVlion the bulbs are not set out until
Oi'tiibor, it is easy to understand that roots
are not so abundant as is the case with un-
disturbed bulbs. Narcissi coninience to push
out roots (|uite early in September, so that if
out of the soil for some weeks after that time,
there uuist be .some lo.ss of strength. It does,
jiowever, .seem stran<;e tliat this .sliould be the
case wlien it is a question of removal oidy.
One would tliink tliat tliere could be absolutely
no diuiinution in the liloouiini; powers of bull)s
that are siuijily transferred from one place to
another. According to my experience, how-
ever, this is exactly just what does happen.
Last .'Uituuin, for instance, 1 removed some
cstablislied cluuii)S of Ilorstieldi, Emperor, and
otlu'rs. The bulbs were just beginning to
show roots, and they were very carefully lifted
and replanted at once. Some few bulbs were
overlooked, and the ditl'erence in the quality of
the blooms they produced was very stril<iug.
On the transplanted bulbs the flower-steuis
were nuieh shorter, and the flowers one-sixth
less in .sine.

In a general way 1 am convinced that nothing
is gained by frequent transplanting, and that
the best results are gained by |ilanting the
bulbs some 8 inches apart and allowing them to
remain sevend years undistui'bed. I grow such
kinds as Horstieldi, Emjjeror, cernuus, ob-
vallaris. Empress, and Sir Watkin for cut
bloom, .-ukI m)' plan has been to set the bull)s
out at the abo\-e-mentioned distance in 4-feet
beds, allowing them to remain about five j'ears,
and my best results are obtained after the
second year from planting. Sir Watkin this
spring was very tine, better than I ever had it,
and the l)ull)s were planted four years ago.
All my experience of Dafl'odil culture has been
gained on the light Surrey loamy soil, and it
may be that in the case of soil of an ()p])osite
character frequent transplanting may be liene-
ficial, or, indeed, in the case of some kinds
rarely necessary. This is a matter that every
grower of these bulbous flowers can easily de-
termine for himself, as in the coiu'se of a coviple
of seasons a definite result uiiglit be arrived at.
Five years ago one single bulb of poeticus
ornatus happened to be planted in a small
border where miscellaneous things are grown.
The bulb was a good one, as good in appear-
ance as any that come from leading growers
of tliis family. It produced a flower such
as is generally brought into Covent Gar-
den, and made a good growth. It has, how-
ever, been very interesting to note the
sure, but gradual increase of this bull).
It has formed a clump that this spring bore
twenty flowers. It is not only that the nuEuber
of bulbs has increased, but there has been a
yearly corresponding increase in vigour. This
sea.son the flower-stems were 2^ feet high, witli
blooMis of finer (piality than I ever saw on
newly-purchased IjuUis — finer, indeed, than I
ever saw l)efore of tliis Narciss. Had I planted
an equal numl)er of the best ([uality bulbs last
autuuni, I am mnhdent that I should not have
had a similar result. I never fully realised
what a grand thing jjrinceps is until I saw it in
the form of est.-iblished clumps at Oakwood.
Tlie flowers were one-third larger than those
in-oduced by bulbs wliich I obtained from a re-
lialde source, and that were planted tlie previous
autumn. The latter have remained undisturlied
for three years, and are gradually taking on the
character that ilistinguishes this Daflbdil in its
highest stiite of devehipment. In the face of
sucli facts, one may doubt the wi.sdom of the
ainiual lifting tliat is practised by those who
grow in ((uantity for cut bloom. Tlie expen.se

of lifting and replanting an acre of Dali'oilils is
considerable, and the advantage derived there-
froiu api)ears to me to be very doubtful. After
all, the fre(|uent disturlvuice is uiniatural in the
ease of such a ]ierfeetly hardy l)ull)oiis flower.
The counnon Lent Lily in meadow and copse
and the old double naturalised in grass and
woodland are object lessons which ought to
guide us in tliis matter. .J. ('.

Jliijla't.

CARNATIONS AT CHELSEA.
RoUDKK Carnations are at the present time an in-
teresting feature in Messrs. .Fames Veitch anil
Sons' nursery in the King's Road, Chelsea. They
are interestiu" lieeause of the number of varieties
grown, and they are instructive because of the
fact that visitors will see them in large numbers
in the 0[)en beds and in such a way that their re-
lative value may be determined at a glance. And
it will be no disparagement in the least to state
that what under many and various adverse con-
ditions in the open is well grown by the Messrs.
Veitch at Chelsea, may, under impro^'ed sur-
roundings and purer air, be much better grown in
many parts of the country. Something like a
foot deep of fresh soil lias been added to the beds
during the past winter, the old .soil not having
been changed for several years. Unfortunately
the fresh soil contained wireworm in sufficient
(juantity to make one or two small gaps in what
otherwise would ha\e been a most complete
scries of beds, replete with an assortment of all
that is good in one of the most valued groups of
hardy florists' flowers. Only a very few of the lead-
in^' flowers are now at their best and still fewer
ill the very earliest varieties that show any sign of
p.'issing, but even of these there is yet ([uite a store
of lateral buds that will carry on the display for a
couple or three weeks longer in some instances at
least.

The entire batch is growing in a series of oblong
beds, each kind represented by a large block. In
this way a good idea may be formed of their true
worth in the garden. We will for the present direct
attention to the more worthy, taking the newer
kinds flrst. Of these. Sea Gull and Her Grace are
two of the most lovely of blush-tinted flowers,
both large and suthciently full to recommend
themselves to all, delicate in their beautiful shade,
and both singularly free and good in habit.
Exile and Miss Maud Sullivan, again, are sells of
rose and rose-scarlet hue, the former remarkable
in its |)erfect form and flue petal, indeed a grand
Carnation in every respect, while the latter is
wonderfully free and pleasing. Another fine
form is Winifred, this being especially noteworthy
for its free, compact form and dwarf as well as
jierfeet habit. The clear apricot-coloured flowers
are faultless. W. .1. Fish and Sweet Briar are
scarlets of differing shades, the former intense in
its brilliancy ; while Princess Charles of Penmark,
as a white for the open border, has much to com-
mend it to general use in its fine form and good
habit. Ellen Terry and Mrs. Eric Hambio are
fine whites, the former very large, the latter per-
fection in its glistening purity and form of petal,
though not so full as some and worthy of a
stouter footstalk. Foremost among the yellow-
kinds are Britannia, Primrose Day, Mrs. Patrick
Campbell and Miss Audrey Campbell — aset\ery
ditlicult to equal from an all-round standpoint.
Equally important is it that any grower may with
advantage embrace the whole of these, and the
wellknowii Germania also, without any fear of
overdoing this particular shade, as thej' give a
good succession naturally, besides possessing a
pleasing variety of colour. One or two yellow-
ground kinds were very tine ; these are Eldorado
and (iolden Ea<;le. The former is distinctly
marked with liright rosy red ; the latter, deeper in
its golden yellow shade in the centre, is also
prettily marked red. Both are perfection in size,
fulness of flowers and form. Xerxes is another
of these, a very handsome flower, margined with
deep rose ; while Mr. Nigel, the earliest blossoms
of which were only then expanding, is perhaps

the li.andsomest of all this race. This last, by the
way, (lossesses more of the true character of the
yellow-ground t^vjie, while its heavy edge of crim-
son is \'ery pronounced, and a tlower whii-h all
must admire. Hayes' Scarlet is a grand .self
Carnation, most decided in its brilliant hue of
colour, and a good doer. King Arthur, also a
scarlet, is [jerhaps the largest flower of this shade
among true border kinds. Flowers o inches
ai'i-oss ha\e been taken from [ilants grown
in the Chelsea nur.sery, and in this resjiect
i|uite ecpial to those of the Malmaison type
and worthy of pot culture. Before ttiking
li'a\ e of the best of recent introductions, special
mention muf-t be made of Mephisto, a dark crim-
son .self. This is not only a highly finished flower,
but its )ironounced erect habit; in the buds, as in
the expanded flowers, will render it valuable for
tlie ilo«er garden. More than this, it should
make one of tw'o parents possessing this very
desirable character, viz., a footstalk suthciently
strong to hold the best flowers well up. At the
present time many kinds have such weakly stems
and peduncles to the blossoms that at flowering
time, unless tied to near the bud, they droop in
the most helpless fashion ; and now that the
flowers themselves have attained to such perfec-
tion the florist may do worse than devote atten-
tion to this particular defect in many kinds.

In the general collection we noted many fine
sorts, which for convenience here we will refer to
in their shades of colour. In scarlet, .loe Willet,
Cantab, with strong clove scent, and Napoleon
III. strike one as very good, the two first espe-
cially good and free in growth also, while the
latter is a very neat and compact kind.
.\iiiong the rose and rose-pink sell varieties
Eudoxia is very fine and most desirable, while
Celia, Lothair, Rose Celestial, Ketton Rose, and
Duchess of York a|)peal to one as the indispens-
ables of this set. It is worthy of note, too, how
specially beautiful these kinds are when pro-
tected in a shady, cold house, a course of treat-
ment whicli appears to bring refinement of a very
charming type. For tliis same reason these self -col-
ours of this shade should not be planted in fully
exposed places ; when in rather reverse positions
their beauty is much longer retained. Of pure
whites, Mrs. Frank Watts and Snowdon are very
fine, the former free and dvvarf also, while the
latter is very desirable in size as inotherciualities.
To the crimsons already mentioned, and apart
from others too well known to be repeated. Uncle
Tom must be added for its size, freedom, and
good (letal. In yellow and buff'. Due d'Orleans,
with Floience and Corunna, are all worth}- sorts,
while The Dey, Mrs. Seymour-Banoerie, Elsie,
and George Cruiekshank are conspicuous among
such as are included in the fancy varieties.

These, then, are a few of the most noticeable at
the time of our visit : others as good are
appearing daily, and beyond these a beautiful
array may be seen in perfection in pots in one
of the adjacent houses, where with only ordi-
nary care in quite small pots they give abun-
daii'tly. and in the best of health, of their varied,
beautiful, and in many instances delightfully fra-
grant flowers.

Beg-onia WortMana. — The aim of the culti-
vator in the laising of new Begonias has been
principally directed towards the production of
large rouiid flowers, which hold themselves in a
partially erect manner, and are thus seen to the
best advantage. Under glass no exception can be
taken to this section, but when employed in the
flower garden the large blooms are easily injured
by wind and rain, whereas the smaller and droop-
ing blossoms will not suffer in the least. For this
reason B. Worthiana is popular as a bedding
variety, for the flowers, though numerous, are not
large,"and stand the weather well. They are of
an orange scarlet colour : indeed, it is a type of
Begonia of which we had many forms twenty
years or more ago, but now-a-days they are rarely
seen.~H.P.

Lathyrus rotundifolius. — In a recent issue
of Tin; Cakoen this is stated to be the earliest

62

THE GARDEK

[July 24, 1897.

blooming of the Everlasting Pea^. Tlie writer,
however, is not quite correct, for L. Sibthorpi
precedes it by about three weeks. This latter is
not often seen in good condition, being of slower
growth and taking some years to grow into a
good-sized specimen. My plant is about seven
years old and is only just beginning to lue effec-
tive. It apparently likes a rather light, well-
drained soil, with plenty of food in the form of
an annual toji-dressing of good manure applied
in the winter months. As an early-blooming
Pea this is worth a place where a succession of
hardy flowers is required all the season through,
but it is certainly inferior from a decorative
point of \iew to its near relative latifolius,
which if not of easy culture would probably
he held in much higher estimation by hardy
flow-er growers generally. It would be difficult
to find anything finer than the masses of this Pea
that one sees in cottage gardens. — J. C. B.

THE CALOCHORTI.
The \arious species of Calochortus have been
coming into flower since early .June, and now, at
the end of the month, are in their best form.
These native plants seem to be much neglected,
though tliey are amonw the most distinctly and
beautifully flowered of bulbs. It is probable that
many who ha\-e ventured to grow them have been
disappointed in results, for the cultural directions
of catalogues are usually hazy or else incorrect.
They also often recommend cultivation in frames,
or other conditions which deter most growers
from attempting their cultivation. My experi-
ence -with all the species is that they are neither
tender nor at all difficult to flower in this latitude
in an ordinary garden border. I have tested
them for several years and sacrificed my first col-
lection to satisfy myself as to whether they would
or would not survive. One should hesitate in
offering any hard and fast rule for the cultivation
of plants, for they can often be grown under
widely differing conditions. Calochorti grow
naturally in regions rainless in summer, and
where dormant plants waken into growth in the
fall under the influence of moisture, but not
necessarily of a high temperature. They are
hardy here without protection, but must be classed
with those bulbous plants whose foliage will not
always endure the rigours of our winters. The
successful growth of such bulbs r£quires that,
after being thoroughly ripened in the early
summer, they shall be kept ]ierfectly dormant so
late in the year that no foliage can a]jpear above
ground until early in the ensuing spring. Tlie
simjjlest and safest procedure is to lift the bulbs
after the ripening foliage indicates rest and store
them in dr}' earth in a warm dry place, planting
out when the ground has lost its warmth, which
in New Jersey is in November. Under such
treatment they grow and flower well here, even in
soil too hard to work in dry weather, and with no
other attention than that already suggested. Of
course, one does not plant bulbs in manured soil
or in soil rich in humus, which will liold water
and ferment to their mjury. In the state of
nature many bulbs seek the dejiths evidently to
escape detrimental surface humus. Calochortus
bulbs, if left in the ground here, may or maj- not
survive the summer if the soil is not too wet, but
the safe practice is to lift them.

There are more than a score of species. From a
garden point of view they may be divided into two
sections — the Star Tulips and the Mariposa, or
Butterfly Tulips. The former are free-growing
plants, many-stemmed, and bear a profusion of
small flowers, with petals closed into irregular
globes. Calochortus pulchellus (yellow), C. albus
and the red form, C. amo?nus, are the best trio.
The Butterfly Tulips are entirely different in habit
and form, and find their most distinct expression
in the white and roseate flowered kinds, as these
are spotted and lined with the butterfly mark-
ings, from which they receive the popular name.
The markings are quaintly beautiful in dull reds,
browns, yellows and green, sometimes in eye-like
forms, at others in a few bold lines' sketched, as it

were, on some part of the broad petals, mostly on
the base, but sometimes in the centre. Markings
of similar character are also found on the very
narrow green sepals. The flowers are three-
petaled, and about 3 inches in diameter, borne
about 12 inches high on thin stems. The foliage
is narrow and scanty. A good selection of these
would be C. venustus cenlatus, C. pictus, C.
venustus roseus and C. Eldorado (rose).

Of the yellow self-flowered kinds, perhaps tlie
best is Calochortus luteus \ar. concolor, a deep
golden flower afid a vigorous species. There are
also manj' purple forms, mostly self-coloured or
slightly shaded, which do not appeal to me as
favourably as the others, though there are spotted
kinds. The best is probably C. splendens, a
lilac-coloured form, which has finely-dentated
petals, and the base of the cup filled" with hair-
like growths. Many of the Calochorti have
these growths, but none, I think, in such pro-
fusion. Probably the specific name of this
species refers rather to someone's botanical enthu-
siasm than tlie gratification of his colour sense.
C. Catalin;e is a distinct kind, the white petals
being flushed with purple on the outside. Calo-
chorti seem to be attractive to a number of
different insects, and they bear seeds freely.
C. Plummera? seems to be a late-flowering sjjecies.
— J. N. Gerard, in Garden and Forest.

Dahlias. — These now require frequent atten-
tion, the extra dry atmosphere whicli has pre-
vailed of late being against them. Mulching
thickly with well-decomposed manure and giving
occasional copious waterings must likewise be
practised if robust plants and normal well-coloured
blooms are expected. Earwigs must now be
watched for ; altliough there are as yet no flower-
buds of any importance to injure, the j^ests feed
on the foliage and may soon cripple the plants.
Some growers use small flower-pots elevated on a
stout stick, a small quantity of hay or Moss being
put into each pot and these examined daily. I
have, however, killed most by placing in the
plants 9-inch lengths of Broad Bean stalks, tap-
ping these ever}' morning on the edge of a pail
containing boiling water to destroy them. —
C. C. H.

Gladioli. — Gladioli will now be making rapid
growth, and, provided they get sufficient moisture
at the roots, they enjoy a maximum amount of
sunshine. GladioU always pay for an addition of
sweet, fresh loamy soil and leaf-mould to tlie bed
or border when planted out in spring, and this
can best be done by drawing drills, planting the
buUis, and afterwards filling in with tlie new
compost. Mulching is very beneficial — in fact,
imperative — where the plants occuiiy a warm,
sunny position, which they always should do,
and, being planted in rows, staking, as a safe-
guard against rough winds, is best done by fixing
a stout stake at each end of the row where they
are short ones, and carrying a horizontal rod
across from one to the other, afterwards tying
each plant to it. Licpud manure tlie colour of
pale ale improves both the size and colour of the
spikes, and, where required to remain in good
condition for as long a period as possible, a tem-
porary shade may well be erected over them. For
church and, indeed, general decoration nothing
beats G. lirenohleyensis. — .1. C.

Coreopsis lanceolata. — For cutting I know
of nothing more useful than this during "the early
summer months, its long and slender stems
making it suitable alike for large or small vases.
As a biennial it is very fine and easily raised from
seed. In good soil it grows quite 2 feet in
height. In a mass it has a very bright and tell-
ing effect, and supplies material for house decora-
tion in almost unlimited quantity. The blooms,
too, last well in water, which cannot be said of
many better-known and more popular flowers.
Arranged with light foliage, such as Asparagus,
or kept alone, the flowers are very pleasing, be-
cause so \ery light and brightly coloured. My
jilants were raised last year in May, temporarily
transplanted when large enough^ and finally

planted in the autumn. The}' bear removal well
in the autumn or winter, as they make large balls
of fibrous roots. — W. S., Wilti.

SHORT NOTES.— FLOWER.

Tufted Pansy Pencaitland is essentially a
plant for garden decoration. It seems to tucceed
better during cooler weather. The flowers are of
medium size, pure white, with a slight suffusion of
yellow on the lower petal. It is of free and dwarf
habit and ilow(?rs very freely. — H. N.

Tufted Pansy Mrs. C. P. Gordon.— This
may be described as an improved Countess of Kintore,
and for its dwarf, compact form of growth should be
more often used. The flowers are large, circular, of
neat form, and borne on long foot-stalks. The colour
may be described as bluish purple, shading to pale
lavender on the cuter edge. The habit of growth,
too, is very good. — C.

Tufted Pansy Devonshire Cream.— OF
the later introductions, this variety is deserving of
special notice. In my own garden a few plants are
flowering very freely. The flower is of good size, rich
cream, with an orange centre, and rayless. It is of a
dwarf, ciiimpact habit. A few thousand plants of this
variety massed together in a large bed will long he
remembered. — C, A.. H.

Verbascum phceniceum and varieties.—

These are very beautiful at the present time in the wild
garden growing amongst the grass and in mixed beds.
The plants are self-sown. The slender spikes in masses
waving amongst the somewhat long grass produce a
charming effect. (_)ne of their great rect nimendations
is they are not particular as to soil. I have some plants
growing on a thin stony soil. — Dorset.

Tufted Pansy Endymion.— This is a very
striking new variety, colour light yellow and the
bloom of remarkable substance. In size it surpasses
any sort known. It will, therefore, he invaluable to
exhibitors. The habit, again, is excellent and the
growth free; it will consequently be nnt less useful
for bedding. A large bpd of this variety at the nur-
sery of Mr. Baxter, Woking, now forma a mass of
colour most distinct and beautiful.— S.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1128.

ROSE AUGUSTINE GUINOISSEAU.
(with a coloured plate.*)
Gener.\lly speaking, Roses were never more
lovely than they have been this year, and tlie
garden varieties have seldom been seen in
greater perfection. The above Rose is a spcut
from La France. I readily admit that it lacks
the fulness of its parent, liut with this exceji-
tion and in its colour it is in every way equal
to La France ; indeed, in my opinion it excels
that variety in effectiveness. It is a Rose tliat
requires liberal treatment, such as weak doses of
liquid manure and a sprinkling of good guano
now and then.

Although it is a fine variety to grow as a
standai'd, the best effect is produced when a
dozen to a hundred plants are massed together
on the grass. It is rather a misnomer to term
this Rose the White La France, for in reality its
flowers are of the delicate pink shade seen in
sea Anemones. However, viewed from a dis-
tance, a mass of this Rose lias the same eft'ect
as if it were pure wliite. I think it is even
more deliciously fragrant than La France — if that
were possible. It grows freely upon its own
roots. Now that the budding season is upon us
it would be interesting to bud two or more of
the La France tribe upon one standard stock.
For instance, Augustine Guinoisseau and Belle
Siebrecht would harmonise well together, or the
former and La France or Caroline Testout
wt)uld make another good combination. One

» Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon at
Gravetye Manor, Sussex. Lithographed and printed
by J. L. Goffa''t.

f

»'■%

July 24, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

63

•could readily gather from remarks overheard at
the Crystal I'alaee show reeently that these de-
ightful garden Roses are beeoiuing inereasiiigly
popular. Surely nothing ean surpass in beauty
masses or hedges of the Hose under notice and
others of the same tribe already mentioned, and
in addition 1 might mention others such as
Maniuise Litta, Viscountess Folkestcmc, Crand
Due de Luxembourg, Manpiise de Salisbury,
Mme. Pernet-Ducher, Enchantress, Olio, Mme.
Laurette Messimy, Mme. liambard, Marie ^'an
Houtte, Hon. Kd'ithCitt'ord, White Lady, Gloire
des Polyantha, and many others.

PlIILOSlKI,.

The Week's Work.

KITCHEN GARDEN.
^\■l^■TEK To.M.VTOEs. — The chief reason these do
not yield full crops during the early winter
months is more often than not; owing to not start-
ing the plants syon enough in the summer.
Unless strong plants, 3 feet at least in height, are
well set with fruit by the end of Sejitember, at
which time the}- are taken indoors and placed in
their winter quarters, it is hardly worth troubling
with them, as they would not repay for the room
and attention they rec|uire. Sturdy plants should
now be ready tor placing into fruiting pots.
Nothing is gained by overpotting the plants,
neither should they have very rich soil, or growth
■will be too tree. Nine-inch jiots and only three
parts tilled with soil «ill meet the re(iuirements
of the plants at first, as they ean be top-dressed
later on. Pot tlrndy, as this further tends to pro-
mote a sturdy growth. The plants should be
.stood in a sunny position, but not exposed to
wind. A piece of slate should be placed beneath
each pot to prevent the roots taking to the ashes
or other material on which tliej' are standing, as
well as to pre\ent the ingress of worms. Al-
though the plants are all the better for full expo-
sure to the sun so long as they are copiously sup-
plied with water, it is well to shield the pots from
its full force, or many of the roots may suffer.
It is easily done if the plants are stood in line
about a foot apart by laying a 0-inch board
against them, which is better than plunging the
[Hits in ashes. It is better to keep the plants to
a single stem, affording a stout stake to each, so
that growth can be secured against wind as it
develops. If the plants have become rather tall
before they are potted, it woidd be wise to twist
the stems round the pots, the object being to in-
duce them to form fruit clusters from base to
summit. Although it is considered neither ne-
cessary nor desirable to .syringe Tomato plants
at any time, a slight dewing saj' twice a week
after a very hot day tends to keep the ]5lants
healthy without the risk of encouraging disease.
^lanure water will not be required until the plants
-are well furnished with fruit and this has com-
menced to swell.

SrMMER KRCiTERS. — Of late the weather has
been very favourable for these, being both hot
and dry, which has assisted the flowers to set
freely. Feeding should commence directly a tew
]iounds of fruit are swelling, and the plants
should be relieved of these when they are about
three parts coloured, especiallj' if they have to be
packed and sent any distance. The pjlants are
often allowed to grow at will until a quantity of
fnut has formed, when they are suddenly strijjped
I if the main foliage and side shoots so as to expose
the fruit to the sun. Apart from this being very
iniijli treatment to the plants there is also a
■l:ni.:ii' of the fruit being: scalded by sudden ex-
posure, causing many of the finest to become use-
less. Let the sun act on the fruit by all means,
but .avoid stripping the jilants suddenly of a
ipiantity of foliage. Most of the plants, whether
vM'Owing against a wall or trained to stakes in the
open, will be all the better for a mulching of some
description, 'Hhich will assist to promote active
surface roots and also to swell off the fruit.

I'oT.VTOES. - AH the early ones and many of the
.second earlies, such as Beauty of Hebron, have
ripened up (|uickly, and it would be advis.able to
lift and store them in a cool cellar before we get
any rain. This, together with the heat that is in
the ground, would uudoulitcdly cause the tulicrs
to start into growth again, which would greatly
impair their quality ; therefore no time should be;
hist after the skinshave become firm in making
sure of them by lifting at onee.

Shallots. —These, too, have ripene<l quickly,
land in nuiny gardens will be ready for lifting.
It is neither necessary nor desirable that the
clumps sliouhl be broken to pieces and the bulbs
singled out, it being better to leave them whole
for"a week or so until they are thoroughly ma-
tured, when they may be divided, sorted, .and
storeci away in a dry, airy place.

Herbs. — A good store of dry herbs during the
winter is invaluable, and steps should l>e taken to
collect and preserve a quantity of each kind
before the season becomes too far advanced, as
both Mint and Marjoram will lose substance in
their leaves if not cut at once. To dry these
|)roperly, they should be made up in small
bundles and suspended in a dry, airy shed. When
laid in the sun to dry they wither too quickly
and there is much waste. Richard Parker.

FRUIT HOUSES.

Early orchard house. — The crops of fruit hav
ing been gathered, the trees should be moved out-
doors, as advised in a previous calendar. If
arranged in one block where they ean get full
sunshine all day long, with plenty of old hotbed
or some other non-conducting material packed
amongst the pots and tubs to keep the roots cool,
and such matters as syringing and watering
strictly attended to, the wood will soon ripen and
the trees be ready for re-tubbing or potting
shortly. In the meantime, pots, tubs and compost
should be prepared. The clearance of this house
will enable a rearrangement of the occupants of
later houses being made, when the most forward
can be grouped by themselves in it and pushed
forward if desired. In any case the trees will
appreciate an extension of room, es|)ecially if at
all crowded, while the attendants will be the better
able to get about amongst them.

Later houses. — Most, if not all the fruits on
the trees will now be taking their last swelling.
If necessary to hurry them, advantage should be
taken of solar heat to push them forward, and
close the house in the afternoon early enough to
run the temperature up to 85° or 90'. If time is
of no consequence, the ventilators may be kept fully
open, when, with due attention to routine matters
in the way of watering, with the administering of
stimulants in safe ipiantities, together with amiile
syringings during tine weather and damping of
paths, floors and oeds, the fruits will attain their
fullest size and e\ entually ripen to perfection.

Cherries. — The earliest forced trees in pots
and tubs will have been moved outdoors ere this,
and must be treated in the same way as recom-
mended for other orchard house trees with regard
to mulching, &c. Permanentlj' planted trees
must have all the air it is possible to afford them,
and the foliage should receive a daily wash of
cold water to check red spider and keep the soil
about tlie roots in a proper state of moisture. Old
trees may have the assistance of liquid manure,
which will greatly benefit them and cause the
fruit to swell up to full size. Later houses, in
which ripe fruits of the Bigarreau and Roj-al Duke
sei'tion are ripe, nuist have an abundance of air
during the daytime. A thin shading of white-
wash on the roof will help to prolong the supply
if the crop is wanted to last as long as possible.
Stretch netting over the ventilators and door-
ways to keep out birds, and to pre\ent the
atmosphere ot the house becoming too dr}-, damj)
the floors aliout mid-day when the ventilators
are full}' open, (iive clear water to pot trees
as often as the}- reiiuire it, but guard against
an excess, and maintain an ample mulch not only
on the surface of the pots, liut on Ijorders also

w here the trees are ]ilanted out. When the crop
is gathered take ste[)sto give the trees a cleansing
and treat as above.

PuM HOUSE. — Trees from which the fruit has
been gathered should be turned outdoors if in
)iots, and a.ssisted with Ii(iuid manure if in a weak
i>r stunted fiondition. Permanently planted trees
also a])preciati- the .same amount of attention, and
will then give all the better account of themselves
another season. These trees must now have an
abundance of air, and the garden engine or ho.se
.should be brought to play on the foliage daily.
Less forward trees huhni with fruit must be kept
well fed and top-dressings and mulchings renewed
as often as re(|uired. Attend to the ])inching in
of side growths on the main branches to allow
sunlight and air free play, and stop leading
shoots on young trees by pinching out the tips if
they have reached their limits. Continue syring-
ing the trees until the fruits show signs of ripen-
ing, when it must cease, especially if the water of
the district contains lime in solution, as this will
spot and disfigure them. When syringin"- has to
be discontiiuied, the floors and beds may be more
freely damped on fine days, which will compen-
sate in some measure for the loss of moisture
occasioned by the abandonment of syringing.
When the Phuns ripen, less atmospheric moisture
«ill be re<]uired, and when fully ripe the house
must be keptcool and dry, giving just enough water
at the roots to prevent the fruit from shrivelling
and the foliage from flagging. Such varieties as
.Jefferson's, (iolden Drop, and some of the (4ages
will hang for a long time in good condition, and
even if they do shrivel a little it will add to their
\alue, as they are then the more richly flavoured.
Pears. — If all the malformed and surplus fruits
have been removed and the trees liberally treated
at the roots, the early varieties of Pears will be
making great headway. Continue to give them
ample root waterings, supplemented with a
stimulant of some description, until the fruits
show signs of ripening, after which give nothing
but clear water. These early Pears may be placed
outdoors to ri|ien if they are not required at any
particular date, and this will give the later x'arie-
ties more space when a rearrangement takes
place. If moved outdoors, the pots should either
be plunged in a border or have a mulch of half-
decayed manure placed round them, or the dilti-
eulty may be got over by sinking them in tubs
and filling in the intervening space with short
manure. I have practised this with excellent
results, and jM-efer it to plunging. Watering, too,
must be well looked after, and a daily wash with
the syringe each evening will have a wonderful
effect in reviving the flagging energies of the
trees after hot, scorching days. Trees of later
varieties must have every attention, and if still
too heavily laden, give them a further thinning.
It is better to do this than run the risk ot over-
cropping them, however nuich the well-laden
branches may tempt the tyro to do so, as the
aggregate weight of fruit will far exceed that
produced by the trees if left unthinned. To
overcrop is a fatal mistake, as not only does it
lead to the production of inferior fruit, but the
energies of the trees become so overtaxed, that
they recjuire a whole season in which to recu-
perate. It is often necessary with such large-
fruited varieties as Doyenm' du Comice, Duchesse
d'Angouleme, &c. , to afford them sujiport when
the fruits become heavy, and this is best done by
means of stakes, to which the branches should be
securely tied. With regard to watering and
other such routine matters. Pears require the
same treatment as that accorded to Plums. .;Vt-
tend to the pinching back of young growths on
established cordons and bushes, also young trees,
but in their ease merely tip the leading shoots.
If ai)hides take possession of the points of the
shoots, as they are sometimes .-qit to do, dip them
in a strong solution of some approved insecticide
and well wash with clear water afterwards.

Pot Vlnes. — Those intended for early forcing
should now be ripening up, and as the canes be-
come brown, more air must be admitted and less
atmospheric moisture kept up. Stinudating root-

64

THE GARDEK

[Jdly 24, 1897.

waterings must, however, be given until they are
turned outilouis to finish, and as it is higlily
necessarj' to keep the foliage clean and intact,
syringing shouUl not be abandoned until they are
removed. When ready for removal, stand them
at the foot of a hedge or a wall ha\ ing a south oi-
western aspect, and fasten the canes securely
with shreds and nails, or tie them to the hedge,
as the case may be. Until the foliage drops,
watering must be strictly attended to.

Strawberries. — Where these are forced, the
potting of the earliest varieties will now be en-
gaging attention. When once the pots are well
filled with roots, the runners should at once he
separated from the parent plants and stood for a
few days in a shady jjlace and contiguous to the
potting shed if ))ossible, after which tlie sooner
they are potted the better. When potted, stand
each plant level on a firm, open, gravelled space,
or on boards by the sides of walks, and in addi-
tion to seeing that they get all the water they
require, syringe them daily also in fine weather.

A. W.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

NEW STRAWBERRY BEDkS.

During the next week or so Strawberry growers
will be busy layering young runners, botli for
growing on in pots for forcing and also for
forming permanent beds. In a few gardens of
extra large dimensions a (juarter is annually de-
voted to young plants for the production of
runners alone, all bloom-trusses being removed
as soon as they appear, in order to strengthen
the runners. Many, howe\er, cannot afford

was of sucli a character that with a fair amount
of sunshine in September and October maturity
was certain. A cube of maiden loam rammed
firmly round each ball, watered Iionie, and a
slight mulcli of leafy matei'ial to act as a con-
server of moisture, give the plants all the better
chance. If growth is normal and the autumn
sunny, several waterings with licjuid manure
may safely lie given, but in dull, sunless sea.sons
water pure and simple had better be adhei'ed
to. In the majority of seasons and under the
best )iianagement red spider will appear, but in
any case the young plants in pots, both for forc-
ing and planting out, had better be laid on their
side as soon as detached from the pai'ent, and
vigorously syringed witli sulphur water. This
will clear them (jf the pest and ensure a clean
and healthy growth, as it often happens
tliat some time elapses between severing the
young plants and planting or potting them.
The liest place in the interval is behind a north
wall. Eai'ly planting, however, is v;.ry impor-
tant. A change of runners every few years
always pays. J. Crawford.

Stravrberry Empress of India. — As a mid-
season variety I should say this would be hard to
Ijeat. It is of medium gi-owth, but very free-
bearing, the berries not large, but of a bright,
deep scarlet colour and rich Havour. The fruits,
Ijeing firm, travel well, and grown here alongside
most of the newer varieties that have been much
advertised and sought after. Empress of India
beats them all except for size of fruit. — C.

Strawberry Latest of All. — Out of a dozen
plants of this variety I liave not succeeded in
getting a perfect fruit, though they bore freely.

this, and have to be contented with runners j AH the fruit as soon as they began to 'show signs of
from the bearing plot. Some gardeners still colouring were attacked by a kind of fungus, which
adhere to the old-fashioned plan of planting caused the flesh to become hard and worthless. I
stock plants by the sides of the kitchen garden ' shall begladto know if thisisthegeneralexperience
walks in front of espaliers, and I use all such | of this variety. My plants are growing in a fairly
available space myself for the purpose. I plant strong loam. Royal Sovereign, growing by the
biennially, placing small sticks between the old side__of it_, has done well and gn-en me some

plants previous to chopping them up as a guide,
so as to change the ground each 3'ear. A few
spits of the old border are then taken out, this
being replaced with good maiden loam, raunning
firmly, and planting in the centre a good strong
plant. In this position the pots can be plunged
or half plunged with ease, and daily watering
and gen erak attention become an eas}' matter.
The great drawback attending runners on Ijear-
ing beds is the danger of ti-ampling them
with the feet, which to some extent the most
careful cannot avoid, and if, as they need to be
in order to preserve them, they are laid between
the plants in the rows before picking or even
netting commences, they get unduly shaded by
tlie foliage. Good results, however, follow this
system, especially if plenty of space is allowed
both between the plants and rows, '2 feet being
none too much. Early preparation of the
ground is important, as loose, unsettled soil is
against the plants in more ways than one.
Where digging or trenching immediately ]ii'e-
cedes planting, extra treading and, in the case
<if light soils, the use of the garden roller become
a necessity. That Strawberries prefer a firm
root-run I have had jiroof over and over again.
Mr. Allan, of Gunton, who, as is well known,
excels in Strawberry culture, always selected a
suitable plot of ground in spiing, digging it one
.spit and the crumbs, and placing the manure in i
the bottom. On this was sown liis main crop |
of Onions in rows 3 feet apart. The frequent
trampling during summer to attend to the crop
rendered the ground firm, and here in due time
his Strawberries were jilanted. The plants
went away rajiidly, did not suffer from drought
in a hot autunni, as where the ground was newly
turned and comparatively loose, and the growth

excellent fruit. — K. D.

Melon Knowsley Favourite. — This Melon,
the result of a cross Iietween Knowsley iireen
and William Tillery, still holds its own among
the numerous varieties which have been intro-
duced within recent years. I grew it the first
year it was sent out, and the high opinion then
formed of it has been confirmed by subsec|uent
trials. This season the fruits ha\e been all one
could wish, and so thoroughly have they ripened
and so exquisitely flavoured is the deep pale green
flesh, that every particle is fit for consumption
close up to the rind. The fruits, rather inclined
to be oval in shape, prettily nettetl, and golden
yellow in colour, vary in weight from 3 lbs. to
r) lbs. The only drawback in this excellent
Melon is the fact of its being a strong grower,
which precludes it from being classed as a good
kind for growing as a cordon. Where ample
room can be afforded the plants they gi> e
first-class results in the shape of heavy crops of
handsome and deliciously flavoured fruits. — A. W.

Thinning hardy fruits. — It is of great ad-
vantage to thin Apples and Pears, and to do the
thinning before the fruits get too far advanced.
My note more concerns late varieties of Apples.
These when gi\en more room to develop come
much finer, keep better, and have more colour.
In the case of certain varieties of dessert kinds
the fruits are none too large, and some cro]5 very
freely. I have found thinning at this season of
great advantage, as by so doing size is obtained
and keeping improved. It may be asked why
leave the thinning till July when it could have
been done a month earlier V The reason is that i me
cannot be sure of the fruit not dropping till July-
is well advanced, and in the case of late Apples
and Pears there is a period of three months
before the fruit is stored. A few \ arieties of late
Pears crop so freely on bush and pyramid trees
that they would not be worth storage unless well

thinned. It is surprising tlie progress the fruits
make after they have been thinned. — B. M.

Strawberry Royal Sovereign. — I have been
disappoiiited with the alio\e Strawberry thi>
year. I have had an excellent crop of fruft, but
the flavour is \ ery poor. It is a splendid Straiv
berry to look at. I have let several people taste
it, but all complain about the flavour. The soil
here is very light and naturallj- poor, from
IS inches to 2 feet of soil resting on the natural \
rock. The ground was trenched, plenty of ma-
nure worked in, and allowed to settle for a fort-
night, then well trod before being planted. The
plants were well mulched with rotten manure
soon after planting, and well mulched again this
spring with stable litter. Noble, on the contrary,
is very fine in flavour, the best all-round Straw-
berry to grow. Latest of All was the first to ripen
with me this season. On thi^ soil it does very
badly, making very little growth, and the foli-
age is very yellow. I shall not grow it another
season. I ha\'e tried Auguste Nicaise for the first
time this year, and have been very pleased witli
it ; it is a finely flavoured variety. I notici-
that some of the plants have round fruit, very
much like Noble, while others are cockscomb-
shaped. Would some reader of The Garden
kindly give me the names of two good Strawberries
for preserving suitable for light soil ': — Thomas
CoCKEKiEr,, Tlie G'alehoiise, ]Virl,:<irorth, Derliy.

THE ORIGINAL LOGANBERRY BUSH.

The following notes by Judge Logan, of Santa
Cruz, California, in Bulletin No. 45 of the
Agricultural Experiment Station of the Rhode
Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic
Ai'ts, will, we hope, prove interesting to our
readers, seeing that this new fi'uit has just been
certificated by the fruit committee of the Royal
Horticultural Society : —

Prior to ISSlf, taking great interest in smalt
fruits, particularly the Blackberry and P>aspberry,
I had tried in my garden every variety of those
berries that I could obtain. Among them were
the Texas Early, a high bush, Rubus \illosus, tlie
Aughinbaugh, a pistillate Dewberry, and an old
variety of red Raspberrj' which had been culti-
vated here for many years, name unknown, but
resembling the Red Antwerp. The Texas Early is
sometimes called Crandall's Early, because brought
to this State by Dr. Crandall, of Auburn. I was
not satisfied with any of these fruits as a table
berry. The wild Rubus ursinus, of which the
Aughinbaugh was the best variety obtainable,
bore a fruit that was all that could be desired in
flavour, liut all of the Rubus ursinus type are
weak growers and poor bearers, so much so that
they are unprofitable for general cultivation.
The Aughinbaugh being pistillate or uni-sexual,
I deemed it possible to grow a cross between it
and some other early Blackberry, such as the
Texas. I did not then think it possible to cross
the Rubus ursinus with the Lawton, Kittatinny, ri-
an}' other Rubus villosus, for the reason that the
latter flower after the ursinus, and repeated
trials of such a cross since that time have been
failures with me. I had by the merest accident
planted the Texas on one side of the Aughin-
baugh and the red Raspberry heretofore spoken
of on the other. The canes of all three inter-
mingled and flowered arifl fruited together. For
the purpose of securing an intermediate form
between the Aughinbaugh and the Texas, I
gathered and [ilanted the seed of the former in
August, ISSl, expecting a cross between those
two Blackberries. A cross between the Black-
berry and Raspberry was not then intended
or even deemed possible by me. I raisecJ
about fifty of these seedling plants. During
the next season, 18S'2, I saw from the growth
of the canes that the cross had produced some-
thing heretofore unknown. The canes of all ex-
cept one were unlike anything I had ever seen
before that time. The exception was a plant very
similar in every respect to the Aughinbaugh

July 24, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

65

|)arcnt, but vci'v iiiiR'h lurjicr and of stidii^'cr
growth. This was the L(ii^anlii'ri_v, In thu s|ii itij;
of ISS.'i I set tliu •^ardciici- to cultivate' ihusf
phiiits. Ill iloiii^' so, by an \uiforlunalc iioi'idciit,
the Loganberry phiiit l)arcly i-soaped extinction.
When fie got t'lnoiigh willi it there were but two
or three buds left to fruit tliat year. The last of
May, 1SS3, the fruit ripened, and then for thelirst
time the extent of the creation was noticed. It
has been repeatedly slated in public prints that 1
entertained the idea when 1 planted those seeds
of a cross between the Raspberry and BhicUbcrry.
I am .sorry to disturb one of the supposed truths
of history, but candour coiujiels me to say that
such is not tlie ease. 1 did not then deem such a
cross possible, and did ntit know what 1 had done
until May, 1!S8,'!, when the plant first fruited.
Subsefjuent observations of the Loganberry have
confirmed me in the belief that it is entirely
unique and distinct as a fruit. It is as much a
new and inilividual creation of the Rubus family
iis the Blackberry or Rasplierry. Repeated ])ljint-
ings of the seed since that time have continued
this individuality. Out of thou.sands grown from
seeds not one has to my knowledge ever shown
any of the distinct i'hiiracteristics of either parent;
not one has gone back to the original type of
either the red Raspberry or the Aughinbaugh
Blackberry. Most of the seedlings, to be sure,
are inferior to the original ; perhaps one in IIUI
only has anj- merit whatever, but they are all,
like the Loganberry, essentially a red Blackberry,
but similar in form of cane, leaf, time of ri]iening
and sex of flowers to the original Loganberry.
All mj' efforts, too, in the direction of crossing the
Loganberry with either of its parents, or with the
other seedling crosses between the Aughinbaugh
and the Texas ha\e so far been failures.

The characteristics of the Loganberry as to
shape and conformation of fruit, and the canes and
roots, are essentially thii.se of the Aughinbaugh.
Unlike the Ras|iberry parent, the^' have no adven-
titious root-buds, being propagated entirely by
growth from the tips of the canes, like the Black-
cap Raspberry. The fruiting canes are re-
plenished each year by shoots from the crowns,
which fruit and die yearly like all others of the
Kubus family. The core remains with the fruit
like the Blacklierry. Its principal similarity witli
the Raspberry is in the colour and the thnour,
although the Blackberry dominates in flavour as
well as in all other characteristics exce|)t colour.
As to the fact of the jilant being a hybrid between
the Blackberry and the Raspberry, of course there
is no absolute jiroof. The colour, with the dis-
tinct Raspberry tlav our of the fruit, and the cir-
cumstances under which it originated, 1 tliink
render the fact of such a cross almost certain.
Since then, too, the iiossibility of a cross between
the Raspberr}' and Blacklierry has been demon-
strated beyond a doubt. At the same time as the
origination of the Loganberry, and from the seeds
planted with the seed that produced that fruit,
another creation was jiroduced in the Rubus family
of very great interest. I have stated that froiii
the seeds planted in 1S81, about fifty plants came,
of which the Loganberry was only one. These
plants were crosses between the High Bush Texns
and the Aughinbaugh Dewberry, and are in the
Blackberry family just as unique as the Logan-
berry. Most of the characteristics of this new
Blackberry are from the mother, the Aughin-
baugh. Like the Loganberry, it has no adven-
titious root-buds, but is propagated from the tips
only, the same as the Aughinbaugh and the
Logan. The lierry is very long ; specimens have
been found \l\ inches, shining black, with the
flavour of the Rubus ursinus. The canes are
peculiar. Thev are covered with small spines.
thickly interspersed and not very strong. The
canes are sometimes Ij inches in diameter, and
start up in the spring like the High Bush, but
when they get 4 feet or o feet high they start oft'
with a trailing habit and sometimes grow over .30
feet long, and towards autumn the tips seek the
ground and root. One of the great characteristics
of all these fruit.r is tlie fact that they ripen very
early, generally Ijeginning in this climate in the

middle of May, .six or eight weeks earlier than the
i-arlicst of the High Bush varieties. As to the
adaptability of tliese berries to the different
elinuites, I am not able delinitely to say. The
University of California has experiment stations
in all altitudes in this .State— high, low, hot, dry,
and moi.st. At all of these stations they have the
Loganberry, and the i-cports from all are that th(!
berry is doing well. ,\s 1 have before stated, the
Loganberry is rejiroduced fidm seed, and while
such seedlings are essentiallj' Loganberries, not
one in a thousand is ccjual to the original.
Such seedlings are rank frauds when sent out as
the Loganberry, and unprincipled nurserymen in
this State, having in view only a little temporary
advantage, have been Hooding the East with such
.seedlings, anil wherever sent the result has been
condemnation of the Loganlierry. The bulk of the
fruiting of this plant is in May, .Tune and .July.
However, the autumn crop is often of considerable
importance.

CHERRIES FOR AMATEURS.

Amateurs are often at a loss to know what va-
rieties of Cherries to plant, and their too often
limited wall space necessitates a wise selection,
as many of the clioicc dessert Cherries are such
strong growers and shy bearers, and are not
brought into a profitable state, except by the
most skilful treatment. Others there are, how-
ever, that with ordinary attention usually give
a good return, always provided the climate is
tolerably good, as few of the Bigarreau and
finer sorts do satisfactorily as a laile in niitllaud
and northern districts. A very early, handsome
black Cherry which should be in every collec-
tion, however limited, is Early Rivers. It is
grow'n as a standard in the soutli and succeeds
well, but on a wall the fruit grows much larger
and the flavour is rich and juicy. Another tine
early variety is Belle d'Orleans, of a liandsome
red colour, bearing very freely and paying well
for wall space ; the flavour is very good. Too
many early fruiting kinds are not desirable in a
limited collection, but where the soil is licjivy
and none too warm no better variety can be
planted than Elton. In such a medium most
sorts soon gum and canker, even if lifting when
young and replanting are practised, so that
Elton will suit those who have not strictly a
Cherry soil. The tlavoui- is average, and colour
yelhiwish-red. Of the Bigarreau section.
Governor Wood is one of the finest, and may be
safely planted on wall in inidhmd localities, sel-
dom missing a crop, and in good Cherry seasons
bearing enormously. Like many of tiiis class,
it is liable to gum if planted in low, dry situa-
tions. Kentish Bigarreau or Amber Heart, as
it is sometimes called in Kentish gardens, is
still one of the most reliable and profitable
Cherries, a red and yellow fruit, growing to a
very large size. This variety is cultivated exten-
sively for market in Kent and Su.ssex. It is a con-
stant bearei' and sure to please those who plant it.
The well-known Bigarreau Napoleon succeeds
well in most gardens in good climates, bearing
freely tine showy fruit of excellent flavour. It
is good for mid-season su])])ly. For keeping up
the supply during August, Black Circassian, or
Tartarian, a noble black Cherry and one that
succeeds on a wall in cold districts better than
many, is indis]iensablc. The quality is first
rate, and it will hang in good condition for
several weeks if netted to protect from birds.
For late supplies, Florence, a variety grown in
standard form in Kent, produces encjrmous
fruit on a wall, but must not have a rich larder,
or growth will be too strong. In market gar-
dens this is known as Wellington, As a very
late variety grown on east or west walls, Late
Duke, a slightly acid variety, bearing well and
hanging long, is reliable in all climates and soils.

When young Cherries take to a gro.ss growth
when first jilanted, the best remedy is to lift in
November and replant near the surface in .soil
to which has Ik^i'U addeil ;i good percentage of
old mortar rubble, ramming very firmly and
depriving the trees of any extra coarse roots.
Planting oit stations composed of slates or tiles
is always advisable. C. C. H.

Strawberries in the north. — RoyalSovereign
Strawberry has become vei-y popular in the north
by reason of its earliness, free bearing, and large
fruit of good cjuality. It does not grow so freely
on some soils as (laribaldi, Duke of Edinburgh.
President and .(ohn P.uskin. The last is among
the earliest I have tried and <a most abundant,
bearer, especially the first year after being planted.
For preserving it is tirst-rate. I prefer [ilanting
out those which have been forced in pots on ric^h
ground, well trenched, then trodden firmly while
the weather is dry. During June is a good time
to jilant. The ground between can be utilised for
Spinach to be removed while the crop is young,
t)nions to be pulled green. Lettuce and young
Turnips. Garibaldi as a general cropper is popular
in the north. — M. Tk.mplk, CV//vo», y.li.

Fruit notes. — I do not remember such a
season of wind, rain and changeable temperature
as we have experienced here for three months past.

I When Apples, Plums, Cherries (in fact, most other
fruits) were setting, rains, cold and heavy, were
continuous, andthewind wassuchasone would con-
sider severe during January, and seldom remained
twelve hours in the same direction. North-easterly
winds were most prevalent. Though Apples,

' Cherries and all small fruits are very abundant,

I they were well thinned. It is well when planting
in orchards and gardens to keep in mind that
many varieties of fruits are more hardy than
others. Those Apples which have set very freely

* are Lord Grosvenor (in clusters all o\er the trees).
Cellini, Golden Spire, Northing (ireening. King of

I Pippins, Seaton House, Stirling Castle and York-
shire tireening. These never fail, and always give
a useful supply from August to May. — M. 'Iemi'LE,
Carroit , A". />.

Peach stones splitting. — One veiy important
and necessary constituent in all fruit soils is lime.
This applies more particularly to stone fruit. I
know some soils practically free from lime.
These are useless for stone fruit unless liberal addi-
tions of good air-slaked lime are made. It would
be interesting if the correspondent to wliom
" W. I." replied in last week's issue would kindly
say w'hether his soil is on a limestone or chalk
formation or otherwise. If the borders are reno-
vated, as " W. I." suggests, I would strongly re-
commend the addition of say one part of air-
slaked lime to twenty of " VV. I. 's" admirable
border compost, as lime enters so largely into the
process of stone formation, and I believe in a great
measure prevents stone-splitting. I find, as a
rule, a great many persons put too much faith in
old mortar rubbish. This material is of little use
for supplying the necessary substance, although
it is admirably suited for correcting adhesiveness
in strong soils. — J. E.vsteb, Xostell Priory Har-
dens.

Browallia speciosa major. — Blue Howers
are generally scarce in the greenhouse during the
summer and early autumn months. This Brow-
allia, however, is just the thing for this [lurpose,
as it is of easy culture and will continue to bloom
for a long time, while the flowers are of a beau-
tiful shade of deep blue with a lighter centre.
This refers to the blooms when they arc first ex-
(landed, for with age they become paler, while,
singularly enough, they also increase in size. It
maj' be readily grown from seed, which ripens
freely. Sown in the spring in a gentle heat, the
young plants when large enough may be pricked
off into pots or pans. They may then be potted
off singly, or, what is far better, half a dozen or
so can be dibbled into pots 5 inches in diameter,
and in this way, if sturily growth is encouraged.

G6

THE GARDEN

[July 24, 1897.

they form neat little specimens. Good loamy
soil, with an admixture of well-decayed leaf-
mould and manure with a dash of sand, will suit
this Browallia well. It is a native of the temperate
regions of South America. An allied species,
B. elata, has been cultivated in gardens for years.
— H. P.

Trees and Shrubs.

THE WISTARIA.

It is a pity people do not more often plant the
Wistaria, as the beauty of old specimens when
in bloom is worth striving for. The Wistaria
is a fast growing plant, and one has not long to
wait before getting some flowers if it is planted
under favourable conditions in a free, light soil.
In exposed places the flowers of tlie Wistaria
are sometimes injured by severe frost before
they open, but in favourable years they escajie,
and then this fine climber is seen to the best
advantage, the rich green foliage making a tine
background to the flowers. It is most often
seen against a wall, but it has also a picturesque
appearance when its vigorous branches can
ramble into the head of a neighbouring tree.
If planted in this way care must be taken not
to put it too close to the trunk of the tree, as
then it is simply starved to death.

When growing the Wistaria 'against a house
a little care in training is well repaid. A system
of pruning nearly similar to that of the spur
system in Grape pruning should be adopted,
or rather a system combining tliat with the
plan generally adopted for fruit trees which
bear their flowers and fruit on fjld spurs. In the
month of July all shoots that may be reserved
on the main or leading stems should be pinclied
back to within a foot of the main stem in order
to check the rampant growth. These shoots
will again break into growth from the buds just
behind wliere the shoot was stopped, and after
these shoots have grown a few inches tliey
should be again stopped. The result will be
the formation of flower spurs at the foot of the
shoot first shortened. Early in the following
.spring these shoots should be cut back to with-
in five or six eyes of the main stem, and the
young growths from these eyes are then to be
treated in the same way as those of the previous
year. By following this course of treatment
long continuous wa-eaths of flower will be pro-
duced. When the leading stems have reached
the length it is intended they should attain
they should also be stopped, and the result will
be a trim appearance of the jjlant, which yet
will not appear stift' and formal. W. T.

Ceanoth.us azureus. — It is singular that tlie
varieties of this pretty old plant are not more
grown. It is true they are a little tender in some
places, but there are many things given frame
cultivation during the winter that are less de-
serving than these. Nor is frame culti\ation
necessary, for in plenty of places this proves al-
most perfectly hardy. In an Essex garden last
week I noticed a plant trained up a potting shed
wall — not the ideal place for it by any means,
still it was extremely pretty. This plant has
stood the last five winters in its present position,
and it is now about (i feet high and almost en-
tirely co\'ered with the pretty blue flowers. — C.

Platanus ocoidentalis argentea varie-
gata. — As exhibited at the Diill Hall last week
this plant promises to be of some value. The
effect produced by its remarkable variegation is
very good indeed, and the plants, which were
some 8 feet high, were in excellent condition.
Unlike many highly variegated subjects, the
variegation does not appear so much in the young
leaves, these being of a bufl' tinge, but as they
get older the white variegation stands out in

marked contrast. If of permanent character, it
should prove of considerable service among orna-
mental trees for parks and gardens.

Spirsea japonica g'labrata.— This Spiraa, of
which there is a large circular bed at Kew, at the
present time presents an almost unbroken sheet of

appearance unless the old flower-heads are picked
off, as if this is done the secondary ones develop .
and continue the display of bloom. It is a pretty
little plant for the roekwork. S. buUata also
bears the specific name of crispifolia. — T.

The white Jasmine. — In any selection of

blossoms. There is a good deal of confusion in | flowering climbers this must have a place, for
the nomenclature of this section of Spiraea, the common though it be, it is admired by everyone.

specific name of callosa being far more generally
used than that of japonica. The variet.y glabrata
is certainly a very desirable form, the bushes com-
posing the bed in question being 3 feet to 4 feet
high, and each shoot is terminated by a large
flattened corymb of blossoms, which when first
expanded are of a bright carmine-rose tint, becom-

A flowering branch of Wistaria. From a photoijraph sent by
Mr. Mallet, CulcerweU, Bath.

ing paler with age. After the principal cluster of
blossoms secondary ones are pushed out, and by
this means the flowering season is considerably
jirolonged. It is a good plan to cut ofl' the old
flower clusters as soon as they are past their best.
— H. P.

Spiraea bullata. — This, the smallest growing of
all the members of this extensi\'e genus, forms a
compact little shrub not much more than (i inches
high, every shoot of which is just now terminated by
a crowded cluster of bright carmine-coloured blos-
soms. They do not, however, retain their fresh-
ness long and the plant soon presents a dull

the handsome deep green foliage servmg as an
admirable setting to the pure white fragrant
blossoms. Many a country cottage may be seen
adorned with this Jasmine, and when allowed to
grow at will it is really charming. The display
of flowers, too, is by no means fleeting, for it
blooms more or less throughout the summer. If
it is secured to any
substantial support
and then allowed to
grow at will it as-
sumes a dense bush-
like mass, totally de-
void of any stifl'ness
or formality. Several
examples of this Jas-
mine unfavourably
situated in different
|iarts of London, yet
laden with blossom,
have come under my
notice of late. The
stiff', vigorous-grow-
ing Himalayan .las-
minum Wallichianum
is also in many places
flowering freely, but
not where at all un-
favourably situated.
— T.

Deutzia crenata
antl varieties. — Soon
after midsummer the
different forms of this
Deutzia are at their
best, and the two
double-flowered varie-
ties are certainly en-
titled to a placeamong
the finestof ourflower-
ing shrubs. Besides
the typical kind with
single white blossoms,
there is a double one
with white flowers,
and another in whifli
the exterior of the
blooms is tinged with
purple, which featiue
is farmore pronounced
in the bud state than
it is after the blossoms
are expanded. From
a fine-foliage point of
view I), c. punctata
or variegata is notice -
able, the leaves being
freckled in a peculiar
manner with green
and white in :iliMiit
ecfual proporliciii-.
The bark of the youzig
shoots is reddish, and
the effect of a small
bush of this variety as
viewed at a distance
is very like that of
Vitis heterophylla variegata, in which the same-
colours occur. Deutzia crenata is, compared with,
the popular D. gracilis, quite a giant, and it is a
worthy associate of the Mock Oranges, all tj£
which flower at much the same time. — T.

Erica striata. — Of the taller-growing Heaths,
there is none better adapted for our climate than
this. Whilst such species as arborea, eodonode-
(properly lusitanica) and mediterranea allsuH'ered
badly in the spring of 1895, some being wholly
killed, this species survived with but little in-
jury. This summer it has flowered profusely, and
even now is still pretty. Like the other specie s

July

1897.J

THE GARDEN

67

just mentioned as less luirdy, it is a native of
South Europe, and has been in cultivation since
ITUri. Its leaves are linear, scarcely one-fourth
of an inch loii.^-, dark green, and produced thickly
on the stems in whorls of four. The flowers are
horno in umbels terminating each twip, and are
of a brijjht purplish rose : they are pitcher-shaped,
contract e<l at the mouth, and are about as loii<r as
the leaves. The shrub is of rather erect halut,
and fjrows ."> feet to (i feet hish about London,
but pnibably more in mihler localities.— W. .J. B.

Crataegus cordata.— Although introduced as
lon>; a<;o as 17SS, this Thorn is still quite an un-
common one in this country. It is said also to he
rare in a wild stiite in its native home— the United
States. Like most of the Thorn.s, it is a small
tree and is not often more than 20 feet hiyh in
Britain. It dilVers from all the others in beini;
the latest to bloom. The flowers commence to
expand in the latter half of .Tune, and even now
(in mid-.luly) the trees are still white with them.
They are followed by the small fruits, which arc
only one-thii-d of an inch across, but bright red
when ripe, and produced in suttieient quantity to
render the trees ornamental at that time. The
tree is distinct also, and easily recognised by its
leaves, which arc of a peculiarly glossy green and
quite smooth ; they are '2 inches to 3 inches long,
the main outline triangular, but with margins cut
up into several lobes, these again being irregu-
larly notched. The branches are armed with
slender spines, the largest 3 inches or so long.
The neat and distinct appearance of this Thorn,
as well as its late flowering, ought to obtain for it
a greater amount of notice than has yet been
given to it. It is commonly known as the Wash-
ington Thorn. — B.

Spiraea discolor (syn., S. aria?folia). — This
species, altliough it does not possess the rich
colour of some of the dwarfer ones now in bloom,
is still one of the most graceful and striking of
Spira'us at this or an}' season. It is a native of
North-west America, and was introduced in 1827.
It reaches S feet to lU feet in height, and is thus
one of the tallest Spirieas we possess. Its strong
shoots are erect at first, but many of them diooj)
gracefully ovei- at the top where the large panicles
are borne. The panicles are jiyramidal in outline
and as much as ti inches or 8 inches in diameter
at the liase. The flowers are of a dull white, and
the panicle has a somewhat flutiy appearance on
account of the numerous and prominent stamens
each flower possesses. The species is often called
by a more recent name, ariiefolia, which refers to
the resemblance its leaves bear to those of Pyrus
Aria ; they are, however, much smaller, being
Ik inches to 3 inches long but the outline is
much the same, and the lower surfaces are
covered with soft hairs that give a greyish ap-
pearance. Scattered through the delightful woods
at Dropmore there are numerous fine examples of
this Spira'a. Many of them are in semi-shade,
and, standing well above the undergrowth, the
graceful Hower-laden branches have a most charm-
ing effect. -\V. J. B.

liigustrum sinense. — There are few hardy
shruljs in flower now that make so conspicuous a
feature in the garden as this Chinese Privet. It
is, indeed, the most effective of all the species
gro\vn for the sake of their flowers. Its habit is
graceful, and if the plants are given a sufficiently
sheltered jilace, also luxuriant. It is tenderer
than some of the Privets, and is best planted with
other shrubs for the sake of shelter. Although
never killed outright by cold in the London dis-
trict, its branches are cut back in severe weather,
and the plant loses some of its natural elegance
thereby. Its leaves are of a rather light green,
thin in texture, with the petioles so twisted as to
bring the Viladcs into two opposite rows. The
natural habit of the shrub is to form a wide-
spreading, rather flat top, narrowing to the naked
stems near the ground. At the present time the
foliage is almost hidden by the panicles of white
flowers, which form a dense canopy over the
whole u|ip-r part of the shrubs. In the
arboretum at Kew it has been planted in groups,
and the masses of white are very striking, all the

more so now that shrubs in flower are becoming
much scarcer out-of-doors. It is not evergri^cii,
liut retains its leaves and fruits (which arc small
and purple) almost thiou.;h the winter. This
Privet was introduced from China by Uobert
Fori line ab.mt ISIlt or IStiiJ.— W. J. B.

The Spanish Broom (Spartium' junccum).
Among the comjiaratively few leguminous shrulis
now in flower, th<! S|ianish Bloom is the most
striking and beautiful. I never saw it so tine or
in such aliiiiidancc as it is in the shrubberies siir-
I'ounding the railway station at Taplow, in Biick-
ingham.shire. Here large rounded bushes averag-
ing li feet in height and perha|)S 4 feet in width
arc now covered with glowing masses of bright
clear yellow flowers. The species is a native of
the countries of South-western Europe, but it is
hardy in all liut exceptional winters, such as that
of Is'lM-.'), when it was cut back or killed outright
ill many places. The flowers are among the
largest seen in the hardy Leguminosie, measuring
2 inches in vertical diameter, and the heart-shaped
standard jietal being exceptionally large. The
whole flower is of a bright yellow, varying, how-
ever, in depth of shade in difl'erent plants. The
shrub is of erect growth and the spikes terminate
the shoots : one spike will bear twenty or more
flowers, about half-a-dozen of which are open at
one time. The leaves, which are few, measure
from 1 inch to 2 inches long and are quite narrow.
The young stems are \'ery Rush-like, being dark
green, slender, and largely filled with ]jith. Seeds
ripen in abundance and they afford the best means
of increase. The habit of the shrub is imjiroved
by the shoots being frequently stopped when it is
yiiung. There used to be adouble-Bowered variety
in cultivation, but it appears to be lost. Does any
reader of TiiK (iARDEN possess it or know where it
can be obtained ? — B.

Books.

LAWNS AND GARDENS.*

JrDcrxti by the many books on garden design,
gardening is rapidly becoming a fashionable art.
People begin to see in it something more than the
rule of thumb which they might have concluded
it to be from much of the flower gardening still
existing both in America and England. The
author of this book may be a very able practi-
tioner, but his book bears the ugly mark of many
books of our own daj' in heavy clayed pajjer and
cuts done by some brutal processes, some of them
the worst we have ever seen — for instance, p. 2.37
Chinese Wistaria : p. 238, Black Haw ; p. 227, Spira'a.
Coming to the matter of the book, one is rather
stojiped at the outset (page 4) by the following : —

It is evident that nmrhere in the world a wholly
■nafurnl arenei'u ecisfR; even in the hiqh Al'pt^ the
mouri1ainee>^ bnilda his dinoy cotlaae and siirvnunds
it with degrading niisociations : there are hardlu ajiv
jiriwitiv forests left, and if there were they would
vot he v.'hollv natural,

A statement untrue in all ways. Lea\ing out
America and the vast regions there still untouched
by man, there is scarcely e\'en a small country in
Europe which has not many thousand acres of per-
fectly natural forest, the very uselessness of the
ground and its elevation in many cases compelling
tliat state of things. Young or old writers who make
such silly statements would be much better pre-
pared for their work by an excursion through
such forests. They would get many lessons both
in form and grouping, and also learn how the
rocks come out of the ground naturally, and how
flowers take to them Another very ignorant
statement is at page 31 about wild gardening.

Of late years wild. ga.rd.enina has hcen murh re-
commended^ and it has been claimed that afiyhod]/.
hij snirivq a. 'niiifure of ftoiver seeds in the garden,
ivould, f'btnin the most charming results.

It would do the author good to see a few clouds
of the bolder Narcissi some April day happy in

* " I. awns and Gardens." By N. Jonsson-Rose.
I'utnanis, New York.

the grass in a wild garden, or in June to go along
a grassy path with many wild Roses on each side.
He would then perhaps begin to see what the
wild garden meant in .some ways Thoujrh parts
of the book show a good disposition and a ten-
ilency towards right elfort, when one is confronted
by statements of this kiiul it is ditiicult to per-
severe in reading whilst there arc so man\' other
sources of instruction. The illustrations of
briflges and garden buildings, although the
author rightly asks for simplicity, are, like all
illustrations in this kind of book that we
lia\ e seen, far too ])retentious. In none is
this more visible than in French gardens,
in which far too much attention is ])aid to
stru(;tures that ought in better design to take
their place simply and (juietly, as a boathouse
does on a Norfolk broad or a bridge over a
stream in a country district in Wales. But these
things would not look so well to many in a drawing
as the simjiler work, antl gardens, like buildings,
are no doubt destined for a long time to be ruined
by showy plans and designs. W. R.

WOBURN EXPERIMENTAL FRUIT FARM,

FIRST REPORT.*

What in the United States of America and some
few other countries is undertaken by the Govern-
ment is in England largely left to private in-
dividuals to carry out. As far as fruit culture is
concerned, anything in the shape of well-planned
experiments has not been attempted on a large
scale and in a strictly disinterested manner till
quite recently, and it was left to the Duke of
Bedford, assisted by Mr. S. U. Pickering, F. R.S.,
to step into the breach. A series of ably-planned
experiments with all kinds of hardy fruit were
initiated in a large field at Ridgmont, Beds (ad-
joining the Woburn Agricultural Experimental
Farm), in 1894, and already an elaborate report
of nearly 200 pages is before us. In this report
we are presented with full particulars of all that
has been done, with much that is still in cim-
templation, and from it will be gathered that
neither pains nor expense will be spared in making
the undertaking the success it fully deserves. Much
that is interesting and corroborative is placed
before us in this first report. Practically nothing
but what is already known to experienced fruit-
growers has been brought forward, nor is there
much probability of really valuable information,
from a commercial point of view, being forthcom-
ing for many years to come.

It ought not to be taken for granted that be-
cause the average farmer knows so little about
fruit culture the professional fruit farmer is
equally ignorant. On the contrary, many of them
are shrewd, clever, and, above all things, very
practical men, fully callable, too, of growing fruit
successfully and profitably — in some instances
under adverse circumstances. These men are
not likely to be benefited by the Woburn experi-
ments, and in all probability, if the reports were
presented to them, would laugh at those puny h.-ilf-
acre jjlots, intended, presumably, to revolutionise
fruit-fanning for profit, and also treat all those
forniiilalilc t-olumns of figures with which the re-
])ort abounds much as the authors went out of
their way to suggest should be done with certain
Government publications, viz., trouble themselves
no further about matters which are e\ idently not
adapted to their comprehension (see page 1.37).
The scientist revels in his columns of figures —
cannot hav e too many placed before him, in fact.
Not so the market grower and farmer. These
latter would prefer reports as presented by those
in charge of tihe various experimental stations in
America, the Cornell University in particular.
In these there are numerous jiraetical hints and
conclusions, presented in a form easily compre-
hended.

At Woburn an almost endless series of experi-
ments are now in full swing. Every possible

* " Woburn Experimontal Fruit Farm." First re-
port, hv the Dulce of Be'UViril and Spencer N. Picker-
ing, F.R.S. Kyre and Spottiswoode, Loudon.

G8

THE GAKDEN.

[July 24, 1897.

right and wrong way of treating fruit trees,
notably Apples, will be shown, and there ought
really to be something among them to prove of
educational value to the majority of visitors who
may inspect them during the next quarter of a
century. Already the ill-effects of planting care-
lessly, planting in shallow soil, and not keeping
the surface-soil free of grass or weeds are, accord-
ing to the report, showing plainly, the photographs
of neglected as "compared with properly tended
trees being most suggestive. It is in the matter
of planting too deeply and sowing o-ver the
ground at once, instead of a few years hence,
where so many farmers are at fault, though in not
a few counties these blunders have been re-
peatedly and forcibly brought home to them by
horticultural instructors and others. They also
require educating in the art of pruning young
trees, and in this direction, again, the Woburn
report gives instructive examples of what is best
to be done. Plots are also set apart for demon-
strating the correct time for both summer and
winter pruning, and any doulits upon these points
ought to be set at rest— say in the course of ten
years. Nothing very conclusive can be demon-
strated much under that time. The Woburn
tenantry will have good opportunities afforded for
deciding which ar'e the best kinds of hardy fruit to
plant, the trials of varieties being most complete ;
but beyond Bedfordshire the information gained
in that direction will not be very reliable. Straw-
berries, again, are on trial, eighty or more varie-
ties occu])ying separate plots, and have nearly
thirty pages in the report devoted to remarks
ujion them. If from among these a thoroughly
reliable late variety, good for either market or for
private gardens, is found, that will be well worthy
of being made public, and a few other facts,
plainly told, about other little- known varieties
would be welcomed by innumerable Strawberry
grow ers. \A'e are, however, warned not to place
too much reliance upon these experiments with
Strawberries, for it is stated on page 190 that
" Even within the limits of the farm (20 acres) the
same varieties have given different results accord-
ing to their situation, and there is evidence to
pro\e that the Strawljerry is very sensitive to
slight variations in the conditions under which it
is grown.''

Hedgerow planting has not received nearly as
much attention at the hands of British fruit-
growers as it has on the Continent, numerous ex-
cuses, including the boy " bogey," being offered
for this. At Eidgniont various hedges have been
planted for "protective purposes" of fruit trees
of different descriptions, and these will be scanned
very closely during the next few years. In these
hedgerows are comprised nine varieties of Crabs,
five varieties of Plums, four of Damsons, one
of BuUace, four of Nuts, two of Quinces, three
of Medlars, and one species of Berberis. Some
of the most profitable hedgerows in this country
are to be found in Essex. In this instance the
hedge is formed of Filberts, with standards of
Apples and Damsons, about 12 feet apart, dotted
among them. Why are there not more dividing
and shelter hedges of this description to be met
with? There ought to be no waiting to see the
results of the Ridgmont expei'iments. W. I.

fully wintered in a temperature of say 50° or
't')° and potted the following February, will make
grand plants the second summer. — J. C.

Rose Garden.

BANKSIAN ROSES.

These charming Roses are worthy of a place in
every garden where a suitable pcsition can

be

found for them. In northern or cold districts
none of the Banksian Roses thrive satisfactorily
in the open air unless it is in a sheltered posi-

been carefully attended to, never di.sappointing
its owner by not producing a moderate amount
of bloom even in the worst seasons. Last year,
when I saw it aljout the middle of May, it pre-
sented a most cliarming appearance, being one
mass of yellow. This variety appears to be
rather hardier than the white-flf)wered kind
and more free-blooming. Both, however, are
good and deserving of greater attention than
has hitherto been paid them. There are several
varieties of the type. One named Fortunei
produces flowers similar to those of the old
yellow, but larger, while the .same may b&
said of alba grandiflora in regard to white

Seedling' Gloxinias. — Young Gloxinias from
spring-sown seed are often neglected, being left
in the seed-fians or pots too long and becoming
drawn and weakly. The tiny plants should be
thinned out where too crowded as soon as they can
be handled. A shad}', but not dark position and
a moist temperature of 65° or 70° suit them.
February-sown batches should be first potted
into very small pots, and later on into 41-inch
pots, the former size being sufficiently large for
those sown in March and Ajjril. Thrips often
attack the foliage unless the syringe is freely
used, a gentle fumigation once in three weeks
being a good safeguard against the pest. A
compost of three parts light fibrous loam and
one part leaf-mould and silver sand will grow
Gloxinias well. These yearling bulbs, if care-

Sanhsian Roses.

From a photograph sent hy the i?er. Jthn A. Lloyd,
The Vicarage, Mere, Wilts.

tion and against a south wall. In such cases as
these, therefore, it is best to give them a place
under glass. The back wall of a greenhouse is j
a capital position for them, and so is the roof or !
rafters of a conservatory. In southern and
warm districts, however, the Banksian Roses
shdidd be planted outdoors, for there they are
undoubtedly seen to the best advantage. Few
climbers produce such a pretty sight as these
delightful Roses dui'ing the month of May and
in early June. Near Winchester, in Hamp-
shire, 1 have often seen a cottage that has its
fr<jnt wall literally laden with clusters of the
yellow kind. The tree, which has been in its
present position for more than thirty year.s, has

varieties. Jaune Serin, with yellow flowers,
and odoratissima, which jii'oduces clusters of
fragrant white blooms, are also useful varieties.
The culture of Banksian Roses is compara-
tively simple. As has been said, they require-
a warm south wall, and should, moreover, be
planted in a kindly soil. That of a light loamy
or sandy nature is most suitable for them ; in-
deed, to plant in other than this is courting
failure. If possible, a bricked-in border should
be given them, especially where the soil has a
tendency to be wet, and this must be well
drained by placing a layer of broken bricks in
the bottom. I have established . plants by
placing them in a tub well drained and sunk

July 24, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

60

intii tlie ground, filling it iis full as was neces-
sary with a prepai'ed omniicist of turfy loam ami
decayed uianuro. This involves a little umre
than ordinary trouble, but it pays. When
planted in greenhouse borders, of course less
care need be taken, especially when the roots
will be confined to a certain space. But, wlu'ther
indoors or out, it cannot be too strongly iui-
pressod upon readers that to obtain the best
results, planting niu.st of necessity be perforuied
in a judicious and workmanlike manner. Tlu-
pruning of Banksian Roses is somewliat im-
perfectly under.stood. Tliey should be pruncil
immediately after tlowering. Thin out the long
shoots, laying in sufficient to cover the space
only, and these at a good distance apart so th;it
they may become thoroughly ripened. Those
that are laid in should l>e shortened, say to
about one-third their length in most cases, just
removing the tips in others. Froui the jioints
of the.se, new growths will be formed during
the summer, and in early spring cut them back
to within 2 inches or '.i inches of their base,
leaving say three good eyes. From these a
bountiful supply of flowers will be produced.
A mulching of decayed manure placed aroinid
the stems and over the roots will help to
conserve the moisture during summer and
assist the tree wonderfully, while in winter it
may be necessary to neatly twist a few hay or
straw bands around the stem if the weather is
at all severe. C.

. Sweet-scented Roses. — It is high time the
National Rose Society took up this matter of
fragrance with spirit. Let every Rose lose one,
two, or more points on the show table that has no
odour. Let no Rose receive a medal as the best
Rose at any show unless sweet-scented. I «ill
only make one more suggestion for the present,
and that is, that at every show held by the
National Rose Societ3', and all societies affiliated
with it, one or more prizes shall be offered for
collections of the sweetest Roses and for tlie
sweetest Rose in the show. The fact is, while
we have been developing size, laying on colour,
elaboratiug form to great perfection, we have
done little or nothing to intensify the sweetiie.ss
of our Roses.— D. T. F.

Societies and Exhibitions.

NATIONAL VIOLA SOCIETY.

BOT.iNIC SOCIKTY, JULY 17.

The second annual exhibition of this society was
held at the Royal Botanic (Jardens, Regent's Park,
on Saturday last, and may be considered in
every way a distinct success. The exhibits were
arranged on either side of the corridor leading to
the conservatory, and this year, owing to the free
growth of Cobaa scandens, which is used on
the roof, capital shade was obtained overhead.
The south-western side being co\ered with green
baize, the enclosure was kept in a cool condition,
and the exhibition consequently rendered more
successful. Only in a very few instances, even
late in the day, was there to be seen any evidence
of the flowers withering, the sprays of blossoms
looking remarkably fiesh after so long exposure.
The exhibits came from all parts of the country,
several well-known Scotch growers sending up
interesting collections, while flowers from the
west country were useful for comparison with
the former and those grown in the neighbourhood
of London and the south of England. The
honours of the display were about equally divided,
amateur growers anfl those of tlie trade occupying
about half of the space allotted. There appeare<l
to be more exhibitors than last year, thus showing
that a greater interest is being evinced in the
flower, more especially in the amateur section.
There seemed to be a general feeling that

the display Mas a few weeks later than it
ou'dit to be, the climatic conditions prevail-
ing in the south duiing tlic jiast foi-lniglit being
exceedingly ti-ying. and nnich against tlic dif-
ferent forms of the I'ansy lieing seen in first-
rate condition. This, comliiiiod with heat of an
exceptionally ti-ying kind for two or three days
previous to the show, made the display all the
more meritorious when these facts are considered.
Fancv Pansieswero seen in goodly numbers and
in fairly good form for so late in the season, and
a few travs of the show forms were also in evi-
dence, although these seemed to interest but few.
Tufted Pansies, howevei-, were well shown, and
made by far the lai'gest display. The great va-
riety of their colouring— in nrany instances of the
most refined kind, combined with the chaste
characteristics of many of the newer varirties—
made the display of greater interest to the many
visitors to the show during the afternoon and
evening. The ]iublie appeared to evince a greater
intei-est than on any simikir occasion during re-
cent years, and there is a better prospect for the
llower than at one time seemed possible. Grow-
ing plants, too were .shown, the free-flowering
character of the Tufted Pansy perhaps being
lietter appreciated in tliis way, while one class of
especial interest was that in M'hich the flowers
were arranged in specimen glasses, with foliage
added to give additional effect. This latter com-
petition proved the \alue of the Tufted Pansy
for table decoration, the blossoms keeping beau-
tifully fresh and no stiffness being ap)iareut in
their arrangement.

TuprEO P.iNSlKS.
The premier class in the open section was for
forty-eight sprays of Tufted Pansies, distinct,
nine blooms in each spray, and arranged with
their own foliage. The leading position was oc-
cupied by Jlr. \y. Baxter, Woking, who had a
very nice lot of flowers of good size, and re-
presentative of the different types of the flower
now findmg most favour. His best sprays were
Mrs. v. F. Gordon, Craigie, Christiana, creamy
wliite, with a large, rich orange eye and \ery
dwarf ; \\'m. Haig, the best of the indigo-blue
flowers ; White Empress, a new rayless white
self; Stobhill (iem, an exquisite flower; Lemon
(,>ueen, a useful pale yellow self : Cherry Park
Endymion, a rather large flower, in colour half-
way between Ardwell ( iem and Lemon (^>ueen :
Cottage Maid, one of the best dark fancy flowers ;
Ardwell Gem, Princess I>oui,se, a medium-sized,
]iure rayless yellow self and a good bedding sort ;
( 'harm, Florizel, one of the very best, blush-
lilac ; Blush Queen, Marchioness, pure white,
neat orange eye ; and Yellow King, a dense yel-
low bloom of good size and substance. The only
other exhibitor in this class was Mr. J. Forbes,
Hawick, N.B., who was placed second with a nice
lot of flowers, conspicuous among them being
Lord Salisbur}', an immense pale yellow flower of
much substance ; Edina, clouded and streaked
blue on a grey ground, good size; The Mearns,
Mrs. Daniel, citron, yellow eye ; and Magie, a
deep rich rose flowei' and very striking. For
twenty-four sprays, distinct, six blooms in each
spray, Mr. .1. .Smellie, Bnsby, near (Jlasgow,
N.B. ,was ]jlaoed in the premier position with
nice fresh, clean, and large flowers. They were
a beautifully even lot, his best varieties being
Dorothy, a lovely pale blue self with a neat yellow
eye ; Liz Barron, a very large circular rosy
purple ; Duchess of York, white, ^ith well-de-
finerl dark rays ; A. J. Rowberry, deep rich yel-
low rayless self ; Maud, a beautifnl pale rayless
flower ; Sir Visto, large, striped deep blue flower
on a white ground ; Lizzie Paul, good yellow
rayed self, large ; lona, .and Dandj' Dinmont,
petals alternately marked piu-ple and white. Mr.
M. Campbell, Blantyre, N. B. , was a good second.
Sheelah, pale rose, with deep crimson centre, a
\ery effective flower ; Isa Fergusson, ver}' dark
blue-black lower petals, upper ones glossy
blue ; Magie, Lizzie Paul, and Border Witch,
one of the prettiest of the edged flowers,
being the best. There were two competi-
tors in the class for twelve rayless kinds, Mr.

.L Forbes taking the le.ading position, his best
flowers being Florizel, .Marchioness, and Border
Witch, Messrs. Isaac House and Son, Coombe
Nurseries, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, securing
second place with A. .1.' Rowberry, Princess
Louise, \\'hite Empress, and Duchess of AUiany
in good form. In the class for six s|)rays rayless,
miniature type, Mr. Forbes was first with Ophir,
deep yellow ; Violetta, white; Marginata, white,
faintly edged blue, and (!ol(l Crest, golden yellow.
A i)retty lavender-blue .seedling in this stand was
also much admired. Mr. .J. Smellie was second.
The class for thre(! sprays yellow selfs was a \'ery
interesting one. Mr. M. Campbell was first with
good sprays of A. .1. Rowberry and Lizzie Paul,
while Mr. J. Smellie closely followed him with
A. J. Rowberry, Lizzie Paul and Mary Gilbert,
altogether a very rich lot. The class for a similar
number of white flowers was secured by Messrs.
Isaac House and Son with Christiana, White
Empress, a superb flower, and Countess of Hope-
toun. Mr. M. Campbell occupied second position
with Nellie, the best of the white rayless sorts ;
Lady Salisbury, heavily rayed ; and Duchess of
York. Three sprays of tiie Duchess of Fife
famil}-, which includes that already mentioned
with Goldfinch and White Duchess, m.ade an ex-
ceedingly jiretty display. Only one competi-
tor entered for" the table decoration, and that
was a poor lot, a greater inducement than a bronze
medal of the Royal Botanic Society being
necessary to ensure a really good display. Mr.
W. AUison, Kingston-on-Thames, was the only
comiJetitor. This class mi^ht be made a very
good one it liberally treated, as the flowers are
so well adapted for this kind of woi'k. A class fi r
which a special prize was offered was for six sprays,
arranged with any other than Viola foliage. The
competition was keen, resulting in Mr. R. T.
Dougall being |)laced first with a \evy pretty,
simple and neat arrangement. His flowers were
backed with bright green sjir.ays of Asparagus,
the top spray being set off with a few pieces of
grass — altogether a delightful contrast. Mr. M ,
Campbell was second, he using Asparagus and
Maiden-hair Fern, but his arrangement was too
formal and heavy. Another class of special interest
for wdiich prizes were ott'ered by the president was
for six Tufted Pansies, distinct, shown as the
plants grow, to be gi'own in the open air in any
simple receptacle. The names of a few dozen va-
rieties from which the selection wag to be made
were specified, and this contained many of the best
of the old and newer sorts. Mr. D. B. Crane, High-
gate, N. , secured premier honours with six plants
growing in a circular wicker basket. His selection
was confined to Blue Gown, a fine plant covered
with blossoms ; Ardwell Gem, freely flowered ;
Border Witch ; Princess Louise ; Mrs. Scott,
pure white, very free, and another creamy-white
seedling. The few intervening spaces were mossed
over, adding materially to the finish. Such an ex-
hibit should be very convincing as to the value of
these plants for garden decoration, and is worthy of
more consideration when making u}) another show.
Messrs. I. House and Son were second with plants
growing in pots and in a nice fresh and healthy
condition. Their selection was White Empress,
Florizel, Sheelah, Christiana, W. Haig and A. .1.
Rowberry. The amateur display undei- this
heading was very fine, Jlr. R. T. Dougall winning
first prize tor twelve sprays, distinct, with grand
blooms. His best flowers were Nellie, Dorothy,
White Duchess, very chaste : Florizel, A. J. Row-
berry and Stobhill Gem. Mr. .T. P. Sheldon,
South Woodford, was second, his bestbein^(;old-
finch, lona. Duchess of Fife and Ardwell (iem.
For six sprays, di.stinct, Mr. J. Maxwell, Dalton
Newton, N.B., was first with Butterfly, a heavily
edged flower ; Lizzie Paul, J. Pretswell and Prin-
cess Beatrice. Dr. Shackleton, Sydenham, was a
good second, with neat and even flowers, Pencait-
land, white, flushed yellow lower petal. Blush
Queen and White Duchess being very good. For
six sprays rayless flowers, Mr. D. B. Crane was
first with an e\ en lot of chaste-looking blossoms,
Christiana, Nellie, Florizel, A. J. Rowberry,
Devonshire Cream and Border Witch being those

70

THE GARDEI:^.

[July 24, 1897.

staged. :Mr. B. G. Sinclair, Highgate Foad, was
second with a pretty lot. Mr. Crane was first
for three sprays white, showing Nellie, Ethel
Hancock, pure white, and Christiana, Mr.
Leonard Brown. Brentwood, being a good second
with \'estal, Ethel Hancock and Lord Fitzgerald,
pure snow-white flower. Mr. Crane was aaain
first for three S|)ra3's yellow, showing A. J. Row-
berry, Ardwell Gem and Princess Lonise. The
Duchess of Fife family was well shown here, Mr.
J. J. Sheldon being accorded leading honours with
large and well coloured flowers, ftlr. L. Brown
securing second position with a \-ery fine lot. A
charming contrast to the formal arrangement of
the flowers was a class for eighteen varieties of
Tufted Pansies, six blooms of each arranged in
specimen glasses with their own foliage, neither
blooms nor foliage to be wired. Mr. A. J. Row-
berry, South Woodford, was a good first, with large
richh'-coloured flo%vers arranged in a free and
informal manner. The system of exhibiting the
flower commends itself, as showing the [jractical
uses to which the Tufted Pansy in a cut state
may be placed. At future exhibitions other
classes confined to different colours, forms, &c. ,
might with advantage be added. Dr. Shackleton
was second with a fresh and meritorious display,
many indi\ idual specimens being very beautiful
indeed. The Tufted Pansies as a whole appear to
be the more popular, and such a display cannot
fail to further encourage their cultivation.

Fancv and Show Pansies.

These were exclusively confined to the open
classes, there being no competition in the
amateur classes, probably owing to want of
enterprise on the part of the latter. The premier
class, for which a gold medal was oft'ered as first
prize, was won by Mr. M. Cam]ibell, Blantyre,
N.B., and was for forty-eight bunches or sjirays,
distinct, six blooms in eachs])ray or bunch. These
were a heavy lot of flowers, and showed their
appreciation of the cooler climatic conditions of
the' north. The best sprays were Dr. Jameson,
Sir J. M. Watson, Marmion, dense violet blotch,
laced rosy white : J. Jackson, Annie Ross, Colonel
M. R. G. Buchanan, and several excellent seed-
lings. Second prize was secured by Messrs. Isaac
House and Son, Bristol, with a fresh and e\-en lot
of flowers, and being grown some 300 miles
further south than those in the first jjrize stand,
were a highly creditable lot. Consjiicuous among
thsm were John Connor, Earl of Beaconsfield,
Bronze Prince (good colour), and Rev. J. Aber-
nethy. For twenty-four fancj' Pansies, distinct,
Mr. M. Campbell was again first, with good
blooms of Colonel, M. R. (t. Buchanan, J. Jack-
son, J. Menzies, large circular flower, white
ground, neat solid purple blotch : Sir J. \A'atson,
James P. Tait, and Miss Stirling. Mr. J. Smellie
was second with smaller, but fresh blooms, Mrs.
R. G. Moir, Ben Doulton, C. J. Pooler, W. P.
Crosbie, and Valkyrie being in good form. The
last named M-as first for twelve fancy Pansies,
and occupied a similar position for twelve
show Pansies, the best flowers of the latter beinn-
William Fulton, J. McClennan, and Busby
Beauty.

Messrs. Dobbie and Co., Orpington and Rothe-
say, staged a fine collection of Tuffed Pansies.
embracing all the popular sorts, and including one
or two highly-coloured flowers of great ]3romise.
Half-a-dozen well-grown plants of White Empress
Tufted Pansy from Messrs. L House and Son were
also much admired. The Exhibitors' Supply Stores,
Kingston-on-Thames, exhibited their many useful
devices for simplifying the la1:>ours of the ex'liibitor.

The Norwich Rose show. — The northern
exhibition of the National Rose Society, which
was held on the loth inst. in conjunction with the
Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Society, was
a most successful one. The total number of exhi-
bition Roses staged in the joint show amounted to
3590, which is 500 more than the average for the
previous fi\'e northern shows, and greater than at
any similar exhibition of the society, with the ex-
ception of those held at Birmingham in ISOO, at

Chester in 1S92, and at Derby in 1805. There
were in all exactly fifty exhibitors and '220 exhi-
bits. Arranging the latter according to the num-
ber contributed by each county they come out as
follows : Norfolk, 55 exhibits ; Essex, 4(i ; Herts,
32 ; Suffolk, 23 ; Notts, 15 ; Oxford, 9 ; Surrey, 8 ;
Derby, 7 : Worcester, 7 ; Cambridge, -t; Yorkshire,
4 ; Leicester, 3, and Middlesex, 3. Nearly 7000
I^ersons visited the show, which is a record attend-
ance for a summer exhibition of the local society.
— E. M., BtrMtam-sted .

NATIONAL CARNATION SOCIETY.

Botanic Gardens, Regent's Park, July 21.

A Carnation show in these days is very dif-
ferent fi'om what it was thirty years ago, so
man}' new types having been olitained and new
classes established. The schedule of prizes of the
National Carnation and Picotec Society consists
of forty classes, and when they are well filled a
considerable space of tabling is required. The
lo-\er of the Carnation who grows only for ex-
hibition finds an abundance of material to his
hand, and those who, caring nothing for show
flowers, but valuing them for border decoration,
can liave an abundance of varieties suited to their
purpose. Those who jirefer the striking self
flowers, or the almost infinite variety of the fan-
cies with their varied markings, or they who have
a warm regard for the 3'ellow-ground varieties,
can enjoy surveying the choicest representatives
of these sections, while there is abundant illus-
tration of how delightfully the Carnation lends
itself to manifold decorative purposes. Eighty
years ago some sixty named varieties of double
Carnations were in cultivation, for the florist was
already at work impi-oving the race. From that
time onwards sorts in immense numbers have
been obtained, and at present the varieties are
bewildering in regard to their numbers. The
winter and spring-flowering types were practically
unknown three-quarters of a century ago, and if
it be correct to say that the Jlalmaison type
originated in the gardens of the French Empress
Josephine at Malmaison, then it is a product of the
same period. The Malmaison Carnation is valuable
as filling up the interval between the winter flower-
ing and the outdoor summer flowering %arieties,
but it is now possible to have Carnations in bloom
all the year rmmd. The culture of the Carnation
for market is now a great industry. One in-
teresting fact in connection with the Carnations
grown for exhibition is the lasting value of some
of them. Take Sarah Payne, which to-day stands
almost at the head of the pink and i)uri)le bizarres,
it was sent out fifty years ago and was in fine
form at this exhibition. Admiral Curzon, scarlet
bizarre, is older still, for it has been in cultivation
since 1845, and if leading exhibitors were called
upon to-day to name the two best flowers in this
section Admiral Curzon would be one of them.
Its sport — Sportsman, scarlet flake — has been in
cultivation forty-two years, and is still widely
grown and exhibited. Many other fine varieties,
Picotees as well as Carnations, have been in cul-
tivation for many j'ears. Many new varieties are
constantly being raised, but they are by no means
always improvements upon existing varieties.

A fear that the weather might pro%e -very hot
and sunny and seriously affect the flowers if
arranged under the glass corridor by the side of
the large tent, led to the flowers being arranged
within the latter, which under the dull morning
liglit had a dismal appearance. Tlie jjlaee was
far too large. The liglit im]jroved 1>3' tlie after-
noon and caused a brighter appearance to the dis-
jilay. But the dried-up turf banks made an in-
congruous background to the floM'ers, and they
were so low down that stooping was necessary to
read the names. These were not faults of the
executive, but of the place in which the blooms
were staged. Should the exhibition be held in
the gardens of the Royal Botanic Society again,
let us hope that a spacious tent will be erected
upon the lawn where the blooms would be seen to
the best advantage and with better effect. There

were not wanting on the part of the visitors pro-
tests aga nst the old-estabHshed practice of show-
ing the blooms on stands with paper collars be-
neath them. But the exhibitor holds to the old
ways because they, in his opinion, enable the in-
dividual blooms to be seen at their best, and no
protests will ever alter them. The white collar,
always larger than the bloom above it, enables the
sharp circular outline of the petals to be displayed,
showing their evenness and smoothness ; so the
florist will go along the old paths ; but then there
are many other classes in which the blooms are
differently shown, and so the two schools find
their ideas expressed in oliject lessons.
Cut Blooms.

The leading class was for twenty-four blooms
of bizarres and flakes in not less than twelve
^arieties. The scarlet bizarres, Robert Houlgrave,
Admiral Curzon, and Duke of York rejiresented
the darkest and richest flowers, because maroon
and scarlet are on a white ground. Crimson
bizarres have crimson and deep rose markings ;
some of the best were Thaddeus and Rifleman.
Pink bizarres have purple and pink markings ;
the most striking were Sarah Payne and Arline.
Purple flakes were represented by Prince (ieorge of
Wales, Bilh' Henderson, and Charles Henwood ;
scarlet flakes by Tom Pinley, Fred, and Sportsman,
and the soft rose flakes by M. Rowan and
Sybil. This collection, which was awarded the
first prize, came from Mr. C. Turner, Royal
Nurserv, Slough, thus regaining the old position
of supremacj' of some seasons ago. Mr. M.
Rowan, Manor Street, Clapham, which is now al-
most in the heart of London, was second, he had
some \ cry fine blooms. Mr. .lames Douglas was
third. Eight collections competed in this class.
\\\\\\ tweh e blooms Mr. Charles Pliilli])S, Brock-
well, was fiist, his leading blooms being mainly those
already named. Messrs. Thomson and Co. , Sjiark-
hill, Birmingham, were second. Then came the
selfs, bold and striking as they always are, one of
the brightest features in the show. There were
eight collections of twenty-four blooms, and they
formed attracti\e patches of colour. Mr. C.
BlicK, gardener to Mr. M. R. Smith, Hayes, was
first. Ot yellow selfs he had Naiad, Mrs. Prinsep, a
\erj' fine variety, Maron, Proserpine, and Boreas;
of crimson shades, Solon, and The Cadi ; scarlet,
Mrs. McRae and Boniface : rose, Endymion, very
tine, and Tredegondi ; jiink, Elsie ; blush. Her
Grace and Purity ; white, Ptarmigan, Helmsman,
and Mrs. Eric Hambro, a s|ilendid lot, mainly re-
cently raised seedlings. ilr. C. Turner «as
second, and here the finest were (Jermania,
Corunna and Miss Audry Campbell, yellow ; white,
lona, and ilrs. Eric Hambro ; and scarlet. King of
Scarlets. Mr. Jas. Douglas was third. Mr. E. Colby
Sharpin had the best twelve selfs, the leading ones,
Nabob, apricot in tint ; Jlrs. Colby Sharpin,
Thomas Parkinson. Seagull, and Ruby, rich
purple. Mr. C. Phillips was second, and Messrs.
Thomson and Co. third. In the class for six
blooms the judges appeared to have selected the
largest and coarsest, which came from Mr. H. A.
Wont. The finest quality was decidedly in the
second ) v'ze stand from Mr. A. R. Brown ; this
stand coi.tained a highly promising blush seed-
ling.

Fancies.

Under this heading came the large and in-
creasing section of yellow grounds and anything
other than a true bizarre, flake, or self. There
were six stands of twent3'-four blooms, and here
again Mr. C. Turner was first with a magnificent
lot of flowers, chief among them The (iift.
Duchess of Portland, white, striped with rose,
charming : Ma}' Queen, Virgo, George Cruick-
shank. Primrose League, and fine seedlings,
largely yellow grounds. Mr. James Douglas was
second, Mr. Weguelin, Teignmouth, third. Mr.
C. Phillips had the best twelve fancies. Mr. G.
Chaundy, Oxford, was second. With six fancies,
of which there were ten collections, Mr. W.
(iarton, Jun., was first, and Mr. A. Greenfield
Patton second.

In the single bloom classes the best s.b. was
Robert Houlgrave ; the best c.b.'s. Master Fred,

July 24, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

71

Pha'be, and J. S. Heddcrly ; p.p.b.'s, William
Skirving and Ellis Crossley : p.f.'s, Gordon Lewis
and Mrs. Doiiijlas ; s.f.'s, John Wormald, (iiiards-
man, and .). J'. Shar|) ; rose flakes, William of
Wykeham, Tlialia, and Mr. Rowan : white or
blush selfs, Mrs. Kric HumLro and Sir (!uy ; rose,
Loveliness ; scarlet, Verena, Little .lolm, and
Hayes Scarlet : maroon. Uncle Tom and
Mephisto ; yellow. Lord Wantage and (Icr-
mania ; bull', .Mrs. Colliy Sharpin and Tlic P>r;ui :
fancies, HrodcricU, Cecil Kliocles, and Monarch.

The premier t'arnations were — bizarre, K. lloul-
grave, sliow n by Mr. -M. Rowan ; flaked, Matador,
from Mr. J. Doujfhis ; self, Mrs. Prinsep, yellow,
from Mr. M. R. Smith ; fancy. Badminton, from
Mr. M. R. Smith.

I'lroTKLS.

There were six collections of twenty ■ four
blooms of the pretty chaste Picotee, Mr. ('.
Turner being again first. Of red edges he had
Brunette and Mrs. (iorton ; purple edges, Mary
and Muriel ; rose edges, which greatly prepon-
derated, ('lio, Duchess of York, Favourite, Lady
Emily Van tie Meyer, Little Phil and Mrs. Payne.
Mr. J. Douglas, who was second, had Fortrose, a
light edged rose of great ]iurity and beauty ; also
Constance Heron, •Athene and Mrs. Sharp, and
red-edgetl ( lanymede. Mr. M. Rowan was awarder!
the third prize. With twehe varieties Messrs.
Thomson and Co. were placed first. Mr. C.
Chaundj', Oxford, was second and Mr. t'J
Philli[)s third. Mr. A. R. Brown was placed
first with six blooms and Mr. T. Anstiss second.
With twehe varieties of yellow grounds Mr.
M. R. Smith was Hrst, having a very tine dozen
in Badminton, Doris, Voltaire, Mohican, Oolden
Ea^le, Bordeier, Mrs. Tremayne, His Excellency,
an J seedlings. Mr. .J. Douglas came second and
Mr. C. Phillips was third. With six yellow-
grounds Mr. Fred Hooper, Bath, came Hist,
having May Queen, Mrs. Gooden, Florrie Hen-
wood, Ladas, Mrs. R. Sydenham, and a seedling.
Mr. C. Hanlen came second, lie having Harle-
quin, and Mrs. Douglas. In the classes for single
blooms of Picotees the best heavy red edge? were
Ganymede, Brunette, and Heart's Delight ; light
red edge, Mrs. (Jorton and Her Majesty ; heavy
purple edge, Polly, Brazil and Muriel ; liu-ht
purple edge, Suiumcrtide, Esther, and Harry
Kenyon ; heavy rose edge. Lady Laura and Little
Phil ; light rose edge, Mrs. Payne ; heavy scarlet
edge. Duchess of York and Mrs. Sharji; light
scarlet edge. Favourite ; yellow ground, Mrs.
Douglas. The premier hea\ y edge Picotee was rose
edgeDuchess of York, from Mr. C. Turner the lii>-ht
edge, Fortrose, from Mr. .J. DougLas.

Then followed seven classes for undressed
flowers, each liloom shown with a spray of foliage.
The value of the.se as an attractive part of the
exhibition was practically nil. Given an oi'dinarv
bloom of a Carnation to which is tied a sprig of
foliage, and we get at the flowers filling these
classes. The teaching value of these classes is no
more than can be gained from the basket of a
flower seller at the Royal Exchange.

Plants in jjots were shown in several classes,
chief amonj them one for twelve specimens, three
;ind four ]jlants being allowed in a pot. Mr.
-M. R. Smith was first with a very fine group,
chief among them Lady Jane Grey, a beautiful
soft, rosy heliotrope-coloured flower, very distinct
and of fine quality. Mr. C. Turner was second
and Mr. J. Douglas third. There was also a
class for a single plant. Mr. M. R. Smith had
the best group, occupying .a space of 50 feet--a
superb group of about KJO plants of \ery high
quality. Mr. C. Turner was second. But one

froup occupying .SI) feet was shown — that from
-Ir. J. Douglas, which gained the first prize.
The best vase of Carnations came from >Ir. .T.
Douglas, very tastefully arranged. Mr. M. V.
Charrington was second and Mr. Munt third. The
best dinner-table for twelve persons was set up
by Mr. C. Blick ; a large centre and two side
pieces, with a number of siibsidiary small vases.
Mr. W. Green, Harold Wood, was second with
much the same arrangement, but not so elabo-
rately finished. There were also classes for sprays

and button-holes, all of a somewhat formal appear-
ance. Then followed the Martin Smith prizes for
Carnations for the ojien border ; for the best Imrder
variety in a bunch of not less than twelve trusses;
also for six varieties of .self-coloured border Cariui-
tions, and for nine bunches of flake, bizarre or
fancy varieties. A careful scrutiny of these failed
to le.-ive the impression that anything was slujwn
among them illustrating a real advance upon
H hat is already grown. A goodly inunbcr of
liunchcs were staged, but it appeared to bo ipiitc
unnece.ssar}' to give the names of the varieties of
any of the winning bunches.

SEIiDLINOS.

\\'hat prizes were awarded to these we weie
unable to learn. Some of the judging had to be
deferred until after the luncheon, owing to the
altogether unnecessary late liour at which the
judges were able to get to work. Surely such a
small show can be ai'rangetl in time for the judges
to eommence at 11 a.m., the hour named in the
schedule. One certificate of merit was awarded
to light rose eilge Picotee Fortrose, a very refined
\ariety from Mr. J. Douglas.

Miscellaneous exhibits included a table of Cala-
diums from Messrs. B. Peed and Son, a table of
charming floral decorations from Mr. .J. R. Chard,
Stoke Newington, S«'eet Peas from Messrs. Barr
and Sons, and Carnations from Messrs. Jas. Veitch
and Sons and Mr. E. F. Hopper, Hodde.sden.

Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution.

— We are asked to state that the Jlerchant
Taylors' Company and the Skinners' Company
have each given the sum of t'lO 10s. to the funds
of this institution.

Royal Horticultural Society.— The next
meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society's
committees takes ]il.ace on Tuesday, -July 27, in
th" Drill Hall, James' Street, Victoria Street, at
12 o'clock. At this meeting a silver Flora medal
is oft'ered for competition (amateurs) for best col-
lection of cactaceous plants. At 3 p.m. Mr.
W. D. Di-uery will give a jiaper on "Familiar (Jar-
den Insects, Friends and Foes."

Notes of the Week.

Carnation Cinnamon is one of the most dis-
tinct as well as decided of the salmon-apricot
shades, a colour as yet not over-plentiful, though
among the most desirable of these flowers. Some
capital blooms were shown at the Drill Hall last
week.

Tea Roses. — Messrs. Wm. Paul and Son send
us some e.xcellent Roses, of which Enchantress is
a beauty. Sylph, Zephyr and Empress Alexan-
dra of Russia are also sent. Enchantress we
have tried, and it is a good Tea Rose for this
country, in which every Rose does not open
well.

Flowers from Hassocks. — I have forwarded
per p;ircels post a truss of blooms of Aga]>anthus
umbellatus albus, of which I have some fine
(jlants in flower now, and which make a fine
show ; also a few spikes of flower of Pentstemon
Toreyi. I do not think this is \ery common, as
one does not .see much of it. — W. RioH.vunsoN.

Erodium Manescavi is one of the prettiest of
the Cranesbill family, .and for a long season pro-
duces quantities of its rosy red blossoms. The
plant is of the simplest culture, thriving well
in ordinary garden soil, and is suited to the rock
garden or border in almost any position. It is
not suited for cutting, and therefore capable of a
long disjjlay in the garden.

Prunella 'Webbiana.— This kind is worth
a more exalted place, if only for its very distinct
heads of purplish rose. Not unfrecpiently the
plant is rather roughly treated in the garden,
though as we recently noted a large group of it,
we were quite favourably impressed by the very '

distinct mass of colour that may lie turned to good
account in many gardens.

Arundinaria Simoni.— In April and May I
took up a c|uantity of large clumps of the abo\e
named Bamboo, divided them and planted them
in more suitable positions, with tin- result that
all the young culms arc furnished with striated
leaves, showing plainly, 1 think, that the variety
known as Simoni striata is merely a s|)ort from
the above-Tiamed species. — W. O. , Fol'i.

Laohenalia g^laucina. -The curiously foi-mcd
blos.soms of this arc of a steel-blue shade, amid
which a certain shaile of green ajipears — a rather
peculiar combination in a flower, and which ap-
pears variable in the different stages of develop-
ment. The Messrs. Wallace had pots of this
curious species at the Royal Horticultural
show recently, and we noted the same plant
flowering also at Kew.

Myrtles in tubs. -I send you a photo of aie
of our .Myrtlc-i, the height of which is 10 f(^et,
width 4 feet. These [iliuits give quite a uni(|uc
appearance to their surroundings w hen placed out
of doors. I have often wondered why Myrtles are
not more grown for standing out on terraces and
other places during the sununer months. The
Myrtle will stand several degrees of frost.-.I.
E.VSTICR, No^lell Priory dardiii".

Pentstemon Richardsoni is one of the most
showy of this race now in flower, producing lono"
spikes of blossoms, nearly ;i feet in length, of liglit
blue flowers, shaded with red on the upper sur-
face of the corolla. It is a beautiful kind when
seen growing in large clumps in the border, and
certainly among the most desirable of this ex-
tensive group. This ])lant was very conspicucus
in Mr. Ware's group at the Drill Hall recently.

Eryngium giganteum.— In place of the
prevailing .shades of blue so characteristic of the
leafage and inflorescence of these plants as a rule,
we have in this handsome kind a silvery sheen
that in its way is equally telling. The well-esta-
blishedclumpsof three years, whetherin thebor.ler,
woodbind, or rock garden, of this plant cannot
fail to merit ap[)roval in any of these positions,
[larticularly the latter, where if associated
witli bold or rugged rocks they would have a value
of their own. In deep sandy loam this plant is safe
for se\'eral years in succession.

Salvia bicolor.— Some handsome bunches of
this plant at the Drill Hall last week proved be-
yond doubt that it possesses a value of its own
for the garden. The jilant is distinct in many
ways from the majority of hardy plants, and
where space can be attbrded would no doubt
prove useful in the bolder or rock garden. The
hardy species of this genus are somewhat vigorous
in growth and desirable also. The spikes of
flowers are each from 2 feet to 3 feet in length
and well furnished throughout their length with
blossoms of pale blue and white.

Nymph 5ea pygmeea helvola.— While in

every detail of foliage and flower this is decidedly
[jigmy in character, it is none the less beautiful
and interesting. A week ago, from Gunnersbury
House, Mr. .J. Hudson brought several blooms of
this almost uniipie kind to the Royal Horticultural
show, and amongthemore lovelyandimposing .sorts
this dwarf kind, with creamy flowers that ha\'e a
deep yellow centre, was notieeable. All the lilos-
soins, together with their own foliage, were in
each instance exhibited floating in a shallow tray
of water — a thoughtful as well as natural method
of exhibiting aquatics.

Campanula Tenoreana. — This diminutive
1 ttle species is somewhat scarce in cultivation,
though it is one of the prettiest of the dwarf
kinds for the rock garden when well grown. The
species forms a spreading tuft of heart-shaped and
ileeply serrated lea\ es, from which issue tlie erect
flower stems. In place of the usual bell-shaped
blossoms, however, we have in this species floweis
of about an inch long, distinctly cylindrical in
outline, and of a lilac-blue externally. In rather
moist loamy soil and a p:irtially shaded position
this distinct plant is usu-iUy a success, and is

72

THE GARDEN.

[July 24, 1897.

worth attention. The plant is about 0 inches
high and comes from Naples.

Argemone hispida is a curious as well as
beautiful plant, curious in the glaucous, prickly,
thistle-like foliage, and beautiful in the large,
handsome pure white flowers that are nearly
4 inches across. The species has been called the
Prickly Poppy, which name conveys a capital idea
of the jjlant. It is a fine subject for the garden in
summer-time, giving it always the warmest posi-
tions and a fairly good and deep soil. The plant
in its Californian home is said to be perennial,
but this is not the case in British gardens
where it is best treated as a ^ood annual to be
raiseil early each year from seed.

Contrasts in shrubberies. — This may be pro-
duced either by foliage or by flowers. As an
example of the former, the variegated Tree
Mallow gives most distinct effects ; it is well
worth growing, either singly in a flower bed or
combined with shrubs. The Tree Lupine when
in bloom is an example of the latter kind of con-
trast, and is not nearly so often seen as it deserves
to be. The flowers of the normal form of it are
pile yellow and very abundant. The plant of
w'hich I send a jjhotograjjh was 4 feet high, 8 feet
in diameter, and two years old. There is a white
variety of it. — W. Thomson, Bi.ihops Tetgnton.

Eccremocarpus soaber. — Here we have a

really delightful climber that is not often seen ;
notwithstanding, it flowers long and freely dur-
ing the summer months. The plant may not
prove perfectly hardy in all parts of England,
though in southern and western districts it grows
freely and flowers year by year. The best jjosi-
tion for it is against a wall facing south or south-
west. In just this position a large plant has
stood for j-ears, and foi' some time past its
sprays of orange-scarlet blossom have been very
pretty, rambling amid the slender twigs of .las-
minum officinale. It may be freely raised from
seed early in the year and planted out in May.

A blue Wallflower. — Several times within
the last few years I have accidentally come across
a purplish-coloured Wallflower growing among
batches of the common tj'pe, and produced from
jiackets of mixed seed. Perhaps I might describe
this "sport " .as a purplish or bluLsh lilac, but it
is a very distinct vai-iety, and I should feel
obliged by any of your readers telling me where
it can be got true, and when and where it origi-
nated. In the "English Flower Garden " three
old original types are mentioned among "the
choice old double kinds," and one of these is the
old double purple. Other distinct varieties are
mentioned, but the colour I refer to is not com-
mon.— F.iNIIF.R.

Lilium Henryi. — Some early spikes of this
imique Lily were included in Messrs. Wallace's
group at the Drill Hall a week ago. In the cut
state as much as the open border a most favour-
able impression of its value gains ground. We
have in this fine species what is so much wanted
in really good Lilies foi' the open garden — a com-
bined vigour of constitution with great freedom
of flowering. For such Lilies as are likely to
prove of permanent value for the garden there is
yet aliundant room, and for British gardens
generally these must needs possess the vigour,
freedom and general hardiness of the speciosum
section, which is perhaps the most serviceable in
this respect.

Campanula Hendersoni. — This, one of the
most useful and beautiful of this genus, does not
appear to be so well known as it deserves.
Though not a difficult plant to establish, we
believe it is only rarely that large tufts are
secured even in good collections of hardy plants.
Some of the largest single specimens we have seen
were grown in a rather hea\y loam, these
being fully 18 inches across, and forming a perfect
pyramidal cushion-like tuft covered with large
and pleasing flowers. Too frequently this suffers
through being in a position much too dry to suit
its requirements ; and if planted in the rock
garden this should be borne in mind, while the

plant somewhat resents a too frequent disturbance
at the root.

Japanese Irises on Long Island. — A year
ago in the home nursery here I was astonished
: by the profuse blooming of some tufts of .lapanese
j Irises that were growing in full sun upon an ex-
posed gravelly knoll — conditions exactly opposite
to those supposed to be essential for these Irises.
I Recently I saw Mr. .1. L. Child's Irises at. Floral
Park, Long Island. There were several rows of
a kind, each row about 500 feet long, the varieties
mostly selfs. Two acres of ground were one solid
sheet of colour, white, blue, pink, purple and
intermediate shades, some individual blooms
measuring 10 inches across. Here were .Ia]xinese
Irises under (juite the reverse of aquatic con-
ditions. The soil of Long Island is loose, light
and sandy, and all bulbous jjlants thrive well,
.lapanese Irises ought to be tried under similar
conditions in England. — A. Herrington, Mddison,

Begonia Lafayette. — This handsome tu-
beriius-rooted kind promises to be one of the finest
ac{iuisitions to the so-called bedding section of
this family that has ever been introduced. The
variety is as remarkable in its erect bushy habit
as it is in its freedom of flowering, and not less so
for the rich, intense bright crimson of its flowers.
These latter are of medium size as compared with
the huge blooms one is getting accustomed to,
while in colour they bear some resemblance to
those of Davisi fl.-pl. , one of the early double
sorts that is scarcely excelled in colour among the
best to-day. Planted out it would probably
attain from 12 inches to 1.5 inches high, and ff
associated thinly with Bactylis elegantissima,
would make a most charming bed in a rather cool
spot on the grass. Quite recently this variety
was freely represented at Chelsea, where it is
largely grown by the Messrs. Veitch and Sons.

Lilium Alexandras.— At the last meeting of
the Royal Horticultural Society Messrs. Wallace,
of Colchester, had pot plants of this remarkable
hybrid Lily, though, unfortunately, the blossoms
were not quite expanded. The plant in question
was about 2 feet high, and carried four of its
giant horizontally-disposed blossoms. These are
perfectly white, with a slight shading of green at
the base, the segments remarkable for their great
substance. The hybrid cliaracter is well depicted
in both leaf n.nd stem, the latter partaking of
auratum in its formation and colour, while the
leaf character partakes of auratum and s()eciosum,
the shortened peduncle of the latter group being
rather pronounced, while in their firm substance
and horizontal asjiect there would apjiear a touch
of L. longiflorum. From one of the ex])anding
flowers the huge brown anthers were noticeable,
and fully open it is doubtless one of the most
beautiful of Lilies.

Water Lilies. —.luly and August .are the great
Water Lily montlis of the season, and wherever
there are well-estabhshed clumps of Nympha;a
candidissima, N. Mirliacea albida, N. M'. carnea
and N. M. rosacea and others, tliey will now be
in great beauty. The little pond here lias been
gay with flowers since the middle of .lune, but
the largest and most lichly coloured flowers
come in July. One point in Water Lily cul-
ture worthy of attention is the prompt remo\al
of all old flowers, and the more blooms there are
cut in the bud or newly-opened stages the more
will follow. As cut flowers. Water Lilies of all
kinds are well-nigh perfect, and as cut and packed
tightly in their own damp leaxes they will carry
well for long distances and quickly revi\-e and
oj)en i)erfectly when immersed and floated in fresh
water in large and shallow bowls. Not only is
our small pond a great attraction to Water Lily-
loving visitors, but the cut flowers are welcome to
our absent friends. — F. W. B. , Dub/in.

cold for the time of year. Consequently, the
range in temperature has been considerable, and
on the 1.5th it amounted to 33°. The temperature
of the soil has fallen somewhat during the last few
days, but is still about 4° above what is season-
able both at 1 foot and 2 feet deep. Until the
l!)th no rain worth mentioning had fallen for
nearly three weeks, but since then there has been
rain on two daj's to the depth altogether of about
half an inch. The ground, however, still remains
dry at a short distance below the surface, no
measurable quantity of water having come through
either jjercolation gauge for over ten days. On
two days during the week the air remained
unusually dry, the difi'erence between the reading
of an ordinary thermometer and one with its bulb
kejjt constantly moist .amounting to 18°. During
the past six days the atmosphere has been very
calm, the rate of movement averaging less than
two miles an hoiu'. — E. M., Berkha Dinted.

The weather in West Herts.— Between the
Sth and 21st all the da3-s were more or less un-
seasonably warm, and on the ISth the shade tem-
perature rose to 80'. -During the same fortnight
the nights, on the other hand, were mostly rather

Public Gardens.

Open space for Bethnal Green. — Lord
Meath, on liehalf of the Metro])olitan Public Gar-
dens Association, on Tuesday afternoon, opened
to the public the old churchyard and burial
ground, 3 acres in extent, of the parish church of
St. Matthew, Bethnal Green. Lord Meath said
as far back as 1883 steps were taken to acquire
the ground. The jjopulation of Bethnal Green
was 130,000, and altogether there were but 20
acres of public open space.

Brockwell Park rating appeal dismissed.
The House of Lords ( present the Lord Chancellor,
and Lords Herschell, Macnaghten, and Morric)
heard on Monday the case of the Churchwardens
and Overseers of Lambeth r. the London County
Council. It was an appeal from an order of the
Court of Appeal reversing a judgment of the
Queen's Bench Division in August, 180.5, and it
raised the question whether the County Council
weie rateable as occupiers of Brockwell Park,
which was vested in them solely for the purpose
of maintaining it for the use of the public. The
respondents were assessed for poor-rates in re-
spect of this park as beneficial owners. The
property consisted of (besides the land) a mansion
house, a lodge, and a cottage. The Queen's
Bench Division decided that the estate was
beneficially occupied by the respondents, and
they were liable to be assessed. The Court of
Appeal, consisting of the Master of the Rolls and
Lords .lustices Smith and Rigby, reversed that
decision, being of opinion that no part of the
jjroperty could be a source of pecuniary profit to
the respondents. Hence the present appeal.
The appellants' contention was that the estate
was beneficially occupied by the respondents, and
that such occupation was not rendered non-bene-
ficial by the fact that the property could not be-
come a source of pecuniary profit to them. The
respondents, on the other hand, submitted that
the jiremises were not capable of 3'ielding a net
annual value, after the expenses of maintaining
and repairing them had been paid ; consequently
that the park was not liable to assessment. The
Lord Chancellor, in giving judgment, said he
was of ojjinion that the park was not rateable.
He did not think that there could here be a rate-
able occupation by anybody. " The public " was
not a rateable occupier, and he thought that one
sentence disiMsed of the ease. The County
Council were merely custodians or trustees for
the jiublic, and there was no beneficial occupa-
tion by them. They could not use the park for
any profitable purpose, and they must allow the
public the free and unrestricted use of it. The
appeal must be dismissed. The other noble and
learned lords agreed, and the appeal was dis-
missed, with costs.

Names of plants. — (3. E. P. — 1, Mackdya
bella ; 2, l]30iiia3a Horsfallia? ; 3, Allamanda violace.T,
4. Rudbeokia calif ornica ; 5, Antliemis nobilis ; G;

Shrivelled beyond identification. J. R. Droop, —

AlstrtEDieria aurantiaca.

T-EBIE] C3-^I?.IDE3Sr.

Ilo. 1341 —Vol. Lll.]

[JULY 31, 1897.

Orchard and Fruit:—

Applf *:'""1'- tlio 74

CiiiTiints. Hlark 73

Fruits, staiui.ini hush .. .. 7o

Gni]>us. Muscat, tliL- Loiigleat 74

LoK.ml't'ny. the 74

Melon Kastiinr (':istlc .. .. 73

Slelons at Luiigleat 7"'

Poaoh Prince of Wiiles .. .. 73
Poftc-licM, treatment of, when

stonin^f 73

Poius on Apricot borders . . 74

Raspberry troubles . . . . 74

StmwbeiTy beetle, the .. .. 73

8tm\vbcn-y Ur. Ho^'k ■• •• 73

StrawJ)erry Latest .>f All . . 75

StJiiwberry Monarch . . . . 74

Strawberry, the, of the year.. 74

Sti'awl)erries, late 74

Strawberries, work am'ong .. 75

Orchids :—

Cattkvii Aclaiidia- 76

Cattlrva EM-inidu 70

Cattkya Hanlyana 70

Miltonia lilenana vir^'inalis. . 70

Oneidium incurvuni .. .. 70

Onciciium privtextmn . . . . 70

Pcscat ureas, notes on .. .. 75

Phalaii.'psi.s Hcbc 76

Pliahenopsis budde-violacea.. 76

Phalajuopsis Vestii 76

Saccolabium cceleste . . . . 76

SpathoglottiH aviroo-Vielliardi 70

Stanhopca otnilata 70

Trees and Shrubs:—

K'lfiiiin liifijolitt 77

Kalmias 77

Ledums as fly-catchers . . . . 78

Lonioera japonica 7S

Books :—

" Pot-Puurri from a Hurrey

Garden" 78

Roses :—

Rosa lievifjatji vel. R. siniua,

vel. R. ternata 80

Rose Climbing Xiphetos . . 80

Rose Horace Veniet .. .. SI

Rose Josephine Marot . . . . SO

Rose notes 81

Rose Souvenir de Mme. Eu-
gene Verdier SO

Rose T. B. Haywood . . . . 80

Rose The Garland 80

Rose Waltham Climber No. 3 SO
Roses, progress in home-
raised 80

Roses, Scotch, at last .. .. 81

Roses, sweet-scented .. .. SO

ito«t'.<, Tea, rt rase of 79

Roses, Tea-scented, arranging

in vases 79

Roses with coloured foliage. . 81

{Illustrations in JtitHca.)

Roses W. A. Richardwjn and
I'Ideal, colour in

Stove and Greenhouse :-

Callas, siuinnei- tr< atnient of.

Cienkowskia Kirki.

Heliotrope planted out ..
Kasmpferia Kirki . . . .

Lagerstnijmia indica . . . .
Pelargoniums, zonal, for win-

Prinuilas, potting'

Slreptu-^ulen Jatiiesinu ..

Garden Flora :-

DatTndil Klkn Wilbuott
Week's Work:-

Fniit houses, work in . ,
Kitchen garden, work in . .

F^rns:—

Lomarias

Kitchen :—

Beans, Broad, and drought .

Broccoli, late

Lettuces

Lettuces, good dry weather..
Pea Yeitch's Goldfindor,.
Potato Sharpe's Victor . .
Potatoes, a heavy crop of . .
Potatoes, two new varieties

of

Tomato Carter's Outdoor

84

Flower:—

Aiichusa italica

Campanula Hoati alba . . ..

Carnations, border

Core^jjtais gnindiflora ..

Crininn capense

Gladioli

Iris Gatosi and other Cushion
Irises in Holland

Iris Gat'usl in, Van Tubergtna
niii'ury ..

Lobelia tenuior grandiflora . .

Lilies, Arum, mai-keting

Mcconopsis Wallichi

Pansy, Tufted, A. J. Row-
berry

Pansy^ Tufted, Magie .. ..

Pansy, Tufted, Sheelah . . . .

Pansios, white Tufted ..

Phlox Coquelieot

Primroses and Polyanthuwcs.

Romnoya Coulterl

J{oinni;_'/a Coufteri

Yucca angustlfoUa

Societies:—

l{..yal Horticultural .. ..
Notes of the Week:—

Anemone japomcH

Asclepias tuberosa

Astill>e Lemolnei Gerbe d' Ar-
gent -

Calceolaria alba

Campanula jiyramidalis
Coreopsis verticillata
Delphiniiim Belladonna
DianthuH Heddowigi ,. ..
Fuchsia macrttstcmma . .

Genista a-tluicnsis

Gypsciphila paniculata ..
Helenium ]iuniilum
Hollyhocks in London ..

Inula ensifolia

Malva alcca fastigiata . .
Mesembryanthcmum pomeri-

dianiuu ....

Nymph:i*a alba candidissima.
Pansy, 'I'uftxjd, .Joseph ..
Pansy, Tufted, <^ueen of the

Year

Pereskia Bleo

Plagianthus Lyalli

Platycodon Maricsi

Rosa setigeni

Scabiosa caucasica alba . .
ScmpervivMiii Ucgin:*: AmaUa;

Public Gardens :^

Open space, new

Miscellaneous ;—

Dcscriptinns, misleading
Hibiscus Trionum . .
Pansy culture

92
82
79

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

TREATMENT OF PEACHES WHEN

STONING.

Peach trees nut uiifre((uently drop tlieir fruit
when stoning, tliis evil being much more com-
mon in early and second early houses than in
later ones, when the crop comes on from start
to finish under more natural conditions.
Opinions vary as to the safest temperature at
which to keep the house during this somewhat
trying time, few caring to adopt a higher one
than <>5° during hours of darkness, others re-
garding tiO" as a safer hgure. I tliink a good
deal depends on the outside temperature, a few
degrees above the latter doing no harm — when
frost-free, genial weather prevails — keeping as
near to it as po.ssilde when the open air ther-
mometer falls l)elow freezing jjoint. Eai'ly
Peach houses, like early Melon houses, should
be furnished with plenty of hot-water pijies, so
that the desired night heat can be maintained
without over - pressure, the excessive pipe
heat destroying the needful atmospheric
moisture, a great drawback to the trees at any
time, but especially when the fruit is stoning.
Many gardeners court failure by leaving far too
many fruit on the trees, thinking that this
is a safeguard in case of fidling during
stoning. Greater .safety would, however,
be secured by using a freer hand when
the fruits were iu an earlier stage,
although I do not agree with those who advo-
cate reducing the fruit to the retpnred numlier
previous to stoning, and I think the majority of
gardeners will agree with me. If the extra
thinning out of wood which the trees may re-
quire is not completed before stoning com-
mences, I think it is best to postpone it till
this is com|deted, as using the knife freely at
that stage is apt to give a check and cause
dropping. Too early closing of Peach houses
on hot sunny days just at this period is in-
jurious, the fruit being practically at a stand-

still. Defer final closing till a little later in the
day, taking care that the foliage gets dry by
nightfall. The bad practice of having wet
foliage during hours of darkness is more dan-
gerous still when the fruit is stoning, wet trees
and a lowered temperature for .several nights
being cpiite sufficient to cause the fruit to turn
yellow and drojj. Some people have said that
it is a bad plan to water the borders when the
fruit is stoning, but this, I think, is ([uite
imaginary, as trees growing in pots and tubs
have to be watered almost daily. It is a good
plan to thoroughly soak the borders just pre-
vious to the fnut stoning ; they will then with a
mulch go on until swelling again commences
with furtlier moisture, unless very limited in
width and depth. Red s[iider on the leaves,
caused by insufficient use of the syringe pre-
vious to stoning, is a^fertile cause of dropping.

J. Crawford.

Strawberry Dr. Hogg. — In the note on
"Prolonging the Strawberrj' Season," " M. W."
(p. .3,5) does not notice this variety. It has been
very satisfactory here, one-year plants throwing
a large quantity of fruits of excellent tpuility.
How it would behave on a light soil I cannot say,
but on heavy land it does capitally, the only
fault being the unfinished points of the fruit.
Latest of All, on the other hand, having much
less foliage ripens better, but is not so late as the
variety named above, the fruits of which are still
(.luly 17) good in the open garden. — Sui'FOLK.

The Strawberry beetle. — The Strawberry
beetle appears to he more troublesome this
summer than usual. In some parts of East
Anglia, notably near (ireat Yarmouth, this pest
has completely destroyed the entire crop. The
difficulty with most people is to find a plan of
extermination, as the beetles carry on the greater
part of their work during the night, and treading
about amongst the jjlants at random woidd soon
spoil the fruit. One grower, however, seems to
have hit on a plan of reducing the beetles by a
very simple method. A lot of jam jars were
obtained and a little lemon water put into each of
them, having previously sunk them in the ground

to the rim and covered each jar with litter.
Another and a still more successful lemedy of the
same grower consisted in placing some hens in
coops with chickens near the beds. These soon
cleared off the beetles and a host of other insect
pests. — Grower.

Black Currants. — These are almost a failure
in many cottage and large gardens in this neigh-
bourhood, but I have had a capital crop of nno
fruit. In a measure I attribute this to thinning
the wood at the time the fruit is being gathered.
Any boughs that are in the least crowding their
neighbours are cut out entire with the fruit on
and taken to a shed, where the latter can be
easily and more quicklj' gathered. This allows
the sun and air to reach the shoots left, ripening
them thoroughly and enabling the later foliage
to grow to its full size, an important point in all
fruit culture. — K., Siiflb/k.

Peach Prince of Wales.— At page .35 this
Peach is mentioned as being a good one for grow-
ing on open walls. I can also recommend it for
culture under glass. I have had a tree of this
variety in a lean-to house for the last twelve
years, and it has never missed a crop. The flower
is small, but the fruit always sets thickly, much
thinning generally being needed. The tree is not
forced, but allowed to come on gradually, the
fruit usually ripening about the middle of
August. The fruit is very highly coloured where
exposed to the sun and the flavour is excellent.
I should say Prince of Wales is one of the most
certain varieties in cultivation, the tree being in
no way a strong grower, but making under
ox-dinary care short, well-furnished growths. I
believe it is largely grown for market, a pretty
sure proof of its value. — J. C.

Melon Eastnor Castle. -■' .\. W." does well
to draw attention to this old Melon. Some gar-
deners of my acquaintance think it rather
capricious, and certainly it does reiiuire good cul-
tivation, but it well repays any extra trouble. I
have found it rather liable to scorch if careful air-
ing is not practised and a little air admitted
early in the morning. It certainly is a grand
Melon, and no mistake can be made in growing it
where first-rate flavour is a consideration. An-
other good old Melon, now almost discarded, is
Heckrield Hybrid. A few gardeners still cling

n

THE GARDEN.

[July 31, 1897.

to it, and certainly, all points considered, it takes
a lot of beating. It is one of the very best of
setters, and that, too, in a lower temperature than
many sorts like, and a full crop may generally be
relied upon. The finest crop of it I ever saw was
from plants grown in ])ots and plunged in a bed
of leaves in small lean-to houses in Kent. Many
sorts that do not alwa3's set well when planted out
are fertile enough when grown in pots. — C. C. H.

The Loganberry. — In last week's Garden
this new fruit was noted as having received an
award of merit. I am able to say something con-
cerning it, having grown and fruited it this sea-
son. With me the fruits, which are very similar
to a Raspberry in shape, have larger piffs and are
darker in colour, the flesh being firm, as though
they would travel well, and the flavour briskly
acid, there being plenty of juice. It should make
a capital jireserve. 1 received the plants last
autumn, and instead of planting out at once, I
potted the plants up and wintered them in a cold
frame, putting them in the open garden in a sunny
[jositi(in in spring. A few fruits liave been pro-
duced and stout canes thrown up, somewhat like
those of a Ras|)berry, but more prickly, and by
the number of fruits which the plant bore this
season, the }'ield ought to be an abundant one in
1898. Increase is done by division of the roots,
and if this is done in autumn and the pieces
grown on in small pots and planted out in March,
the plants stand the best chance. — J. Crawkord.

THE LONGLEAT MUSCAT GRAPES.
If the Longleat Grapes are not so much in evi-
dence as they used to be, those who pay a visit to
the famous vinery in which they are grown will
find tliat tliere are no signs of any decadence in
the A'ines, or of an^- want of ability to manage
t'lem properly. On tlie contrary, it is doubtful if
they were ever so uniformly good as they are this
season. The central portion of a grand span-
roofed structure is wholly devoted to the growth
of Muscat of Alexandria Grape. This division
measures 90 feet in length, and is 30 feet wide.
The roof is completely occupied by four Vines
only, and these have been planted about twenty-five
years. These four Vines are planted one in each
cirner, and trained along the front till they meet
each other. From these main stems, each of which
at 2 feet from the ground measiires close ujjon 18
inches in circumference, rods are taken up tlie
roof at intervals of <i feet. These have been
gradually extended till they ha\-e reached the
opposite side, so that the trellis is now actually
covered with stout rods 3 feet apart only. An
easy curve is given the rods, and nowhere are
they less than IS inclies from the glass. Tlianks
to this arrangement and to good cultivation gene-
ra'ly, not a burnt or scalded leaf is to be seen,
and no trace of redspidei- could be found, but all
the leaves are in perfect condition. Curiously
enough, neither the leaves nor the lateral growth
are ever large on these Longleat Vines. I have
paid frequent visits to this vinery during the
prst fifteen years, and each season have been
struck with the com])arati\'e smallnessof both the
young wood and the leaves, and the reasons for
this have never been satisfactorily explained.
But if the wood and foliage are small this cannot
ba said of eitlier the crop or the individual
bunches. There is a bunch to about every
IS inches run of rod, all are on the large side,
and perfectly furnished with large berries which
only require a few weeks more sunshine to finish
them properly. Scores of bunches are not less
than 5 lbs. each in weight, and some might be
found equal to scaling 8 lbs. Altogether there
cinnot be far short of one ton of Gra]jes in that
c jmpartment, and Mr. J. TroUojie, the head gar-
dener at Longleat, has every reason to feel jjroud
of what he has accompUshed. I ought, perhaps,
to add that the roots are belie\ed to be wholly
inside the house, but this cannot be vouched for
owing to the roots from the Vines in an adjoinin<i-
division having once forced their way through the
brickwork of foundation wall and spread far and

wide before it was known they had escaped con-
trol. The soil surrounding the Longleat vinery
is of a heavy clayey nature, and Vines rooting
into it are prone to shanking of berries, conse-
quently Mr. Trollope keeps the roots in the
inside border as much as possilile. No great
amount of manure of any kind is applied to the
borders, but plenty of litjuid manure and water are
given. W. Iugulden.

LATE STRAWBERRIES.

Never have late Strawberries lieen more appre-
ciated than this year, and though the season was
one of the shortest owing to heat and drought,
I am now gathering Latest of All and Oxonian
from young plants on a north border. British
Queen has also done well this year on a north
border under a high wall, the plants having been
put out in the spring of 1895 from pots, being too
small to plant out when potted up the previous
autumn. Those who \alue quality in Straw-
berries may with advantage grow the British
Queen and Pine varieties in this way, as they
make runners rather sparsely, and when pro-
cured from fruiting plants are not obtainable in
time to plant for fruiting the first season. Grown
thus, it is well to remote the weak trusses, which
show soon after planting. Latest of All treated
as an annual gives grand fruit as regards size, but
treated as advised for the Queen it is very fine,
and the fruit is produced in quantity. These
remarks are equally applicalile to several of the
Pine family. O.xonian does so well, it is not
necessary to refer at length to this \-ariety. Un-
fortunately, it is of poor quality, but its lateness
makes it valuable. I usually plant it early in
August for the following .luly snp[)lies. This
year our season will ha\-e been fi\ e weeks ; not a
bad one when the heat and drought are taken
into account, and seeing how soon tlu- mid-season
and early kinds also were over: without late
fruiters it would have been a short season in-
deed. This will induce me to plant more late
varieties. I am aware in wet seasons, if late
plants are at all thick, tlie fruits decay badly.
I am not an advocate for planting too closely,
and I think there is no need to grow old plants
— in fact, e\'en the Queen and Pine family should
be cleared after the second crop. There is a
great gain in early planting, as tlie plants, be-
coming established, winter so much better.

(i. Wythes.

Strawberry Monarch.— " W." (p. .35) states
this is of poor i.|uality in the ojjen. I have not
found it so ; indeed, though it cannot be com-
pared to a British Queen, it is superior to some of
the older varieties, the Ha^-our of whieli is rarely
questioned. For forcing I do not recommend it.
As a midseason kind in the open it is very good.
I fail to see the objection to Royal Sovereio-n.
With me it does not lack the quality I have
heard se\eral growers complain of, and I am this
season adding .another 1000 to tlie number for
early work. I admit the fruit must be gathered
before it gets too ripe for travelling or sale. It is
my mainstay for forcing and first crop in the
open, and the plant being so robust does well in
our poor soih For flavour " W," would do well

to gi\e the newer Veitch's Perfection a trial

O. W. S.

The Strawberry of the year. -Mv remarks
apply to the new Veitch's Perfection, the'result of a
cross between British Queen and \^'aterloo. This
new kind was staged on a recent occasion liefore
tlie fruit committee of the Royal Horticultural
Society, and every member was delighted with its
quality. I am not a great lo\-er of the Waterloo
tyjie ; it is too dark, and in hot, dry seasons soon
suffers. Another point, it is none too free the
first year. Fortunately, Perfection has not the
failings of Waterloo. It is not a gross grower, is
a grand fruiter the first season, and a superb
fruit. Messrs. Veitch are to be congratulated on
giving Strawberry lovers such a reliable x aiiety.
I do not advise it as a forcer, not having given it a I

trial, but in a season anything but good for
Strawberries it has done well. Of course, it is
early to state how it will tlirive in all soils, but so
far it is happy in one not the best for Straw-
berries.— (i. Wythes.

Peas on Apricot borders. — For many years
I have endea\ cured to gi\-e Apricot roots a free
run, and on no account ha^■e I planted directly on
the roots, allowing a 4-feet space from the wall.
At p. 4 Mr. Crook advises sowing Peas on the to|)
of the Apricot roots. I do not think this ad\is-
able if directly over the roots as stated. Possibly
in Mr. Crook's locality Apricots do well. Mine
are none too \igorous, and I could ill afford to
rob them by planting or sowing vegetables
directly o^■er them. Few fruit trees root so near
the surface as Apricots. Tliough one often sees
grand fruit trees with the roots under a hard
gi-avel walk, their well-doing is because the roots
are cool and undisturbed. — M. W.

Raspberry troubles. — Raspberries as a rule
do so well in various soils that it is somewhat
unusual to see general failure. Yet at Clandon
Park, the gardener, Mr. Blake, in spite of all he
can do to get rid of the trouble, has to see hi.s
canes die wholesale, so that where the winter
canes indicate a good product in the summer, it
is found that no leaves are put forth in the spring,
and three-fourths are then dead. That result is
specially the case in the third and fourth years
after planting. Later, were not other plantings
made, the breadths would be absolutely dead.
That the soil, which is of a fairly retentive nature
on a deep bed of chalk, is at fault there can lie no
doubt, and frequent ijlanting of young canes on
fresh soil seems to be the only alleviation.
Things are almost as bad at Bi'amley Park.
Possibly some reader m.ay be able to furnish some
remedy for this trouble. — A. D.

THE APPLE CROP.

If my own fruit garden might betaken as a f.iir
samiile of what has happened all over the
country, the Apple crop of 1897 would have <o
be classed as a complete failure. Fortunati ly,
it is only in comparatively low positions whtre
the wliole of the Apple blossom was destroyed
by sjuing frosts, and it will be fc)uud that there
are better crops in many districts than thought
pcssible at one time. It is true that much
damage was done by frost to the blussoiii on
trees situated well out of the valleys, but it
was so very abundant and in some instances
most robu.st, that enough survived to give a
fairly heavy crop of fruit. In my rounds iu
this and adjoining ccunitie.s (Somerset and
Wiltshire) I have been jileased to see some
orchai'd ti-ee.s ((uite heavily laden with fruit;
but, unfortuiiatelj', tlic majority of the orcliards i
are old and situated in v'alleys, and as a conse- I
ijuencc of this want of forethought the supply
of fruit will not be equal to local demand even.
It is worthy of note that fruit and forest trees,
notably the Ash and ( >ak, were severely
damaged by frost in the valleys, but escaped
on gi'ound not more than 50 feet liiglier.
Surely this ought to be a lesson to those con-
temiilating ];il;inting more fruit trees next
autumn. The famous Toddington orchards
are arranged some on low ground, other.s in
(juite high ])ositions, and the remainder mid-
way between them. If I am rightly informed,
it is the intei'uiediate sites that answer best in
most years, but I cannot say how they have
succeeded this season. (.)nce more shelter trees
have done good service, but it is only on the
east side where this is apparent. Tall ti'ees on
the east side of an orchard shade the fruit trees
in their immediate vicinity from the early morn-
ing sun, just long emnigh for the frost to go out
of the blossoms slowly. It is the rapid thaw
that does the mischief, and those who afforded
a light protection to their garden trees have

a

July 31, 1897.]

THE GARDEK

75

?oo(l ruasiin tn \w plt-ased with tlu' ivsult. Tlu'
blossom on these protected trees was frozen
hard, Imt the shade from ))right moriiint; sun-
shine saved nnieli of it. It is also worthy of
note that in some {gardens where hush trees are
bare of fruit, tliose liorizontally trained are
carryini; moderately S'""' erops.

Some varieties when in lih>om stand frost
betterthan otliers. Imt none tliat 1 am ac(|Uainted
with lias proved so rehal)k' as the ohl Keswick
Codhn, Not onl}' in these districts, but round
London and, in iiarticular. Gunnersbury way,
the Keswick Codlin is carrying the best crojis,
and it is a foi-tunate circumstance that this old
favourite has not been wholly superseded by
Lord Suttield, Lord Gi'osvenor and other large
Codlins, which are the most profitable in some
seasons. Ecklinville, again, is going out of
favour with market-growers owing to the soft-
Iness of the fruit, but garden and .sni.all orchard
[trees of this reliable sort are cropping so well
this season that they will not be discarded in a
jhurry. It is one of those varieties that never
quite fail, and which jiroduee enormous crops
in some seascms. ■^\'arner's King — a variety
jauthorities agree in praising — has once more
(justitied the encomiums bestowed upon it.
[Many g.arden trees of it ai'o carrj'ing good cro]js
jof large well-formed fruit, and this will be fully
appreciated, t'ellini Pippin is not a variety I
should consider good for resisting frost when in
[flower, but, all the same, I know where there
are garden trees of it very heavily laden with
fruit, wliile Cox's Orange Pipjiin and Margil
near at hand have not a single well-formed fruit
on them. Garden trees of Blenheim Pippin are
also failures this season, but there is a good
sprinkling of fruit on many fine old standards.
The trees of Bismarck that have come under
my notice flowered too profusely, and not many
fruits are the outcome. So also did the de-
servedly popular Lane's Prince Albert, yet .some
of the low standards are carrying half a crop of
fruit. I could point to trees of this in\aluable
Apple that have not really failed once during
the past thirteen years, and this cannot be .said
of any other variety in the collection. When
the re|iorts of fruit crops come to be analysed,
it will be fovnid that one or two varieties of
Apples will stand out pre-eminently as being
the most profitable in a bad season.

W. I.

MELONS AT LONGLEAT.

Melons are grown to perfection in the gardens at
Longleat. Wiltshire, Mr. J. TroUope being (|uite as
successful with them as the two well-known gar-
deners who preceded him. The extension system
is adopted, four plants occupying the same
amount of roof space as a dozen or more do in
most other gardens. Instead of the lateral shoots
being stopped at the second or third leaf beyonfl
the first fruit that shows on them, they are freely
and early thinned out and trained horizontally to
a distance of 4 feet, sometimes more than this,
before they are topped. The bulk of the crop is
produced by the sub-laterals or breaks from the
laterals, and not all at once, but in succession, so
that it is notliing uncommon to see fruit
in all stages of growth on the same plants.
According to most gardeners' views, the disadvan-
tages attending the extension system of growing
Melons more than outweigh the adxantages. I
am not so sure about that. No doubt a greater
variety can be grown by planting thickly, but
who cares for so many sorts ? As a matter of fact,
not more than one good green-Qeshed and one scar-
let-fleshed variety need be grown in any garden.
The cultivator should know his variety anil its
recjuirements or treatment well, and then there
would be fewer faihu'es. Mr. Trollo))e laughs at
the idea of losing plants from cardjer just when a
good crop is set on them, and it what I ha\e seen

at dilVcrcnt times at Longleat is any criterion,
cnnker may simply be defied. The plants are put
out in a nearly solid bed of strong fibrous loam
cut thickly, anil a fresh wall of turf is added when
tlie roots "have taken full jiossession of that they
were first planted in. Instead of being put to-
I'ether in a rounded heap, in which form the
water is thrown oil only too ellectively, the soil
innnc<liately about the collars of the plants only
is raised higher than the rest and kept constantly
dry that is after the plants are '2 feet in height-
while the main portion of the loam is ([uite Hat,
absorbing most of the water applii^d to it accord-
ingly. In this respect the Alelons are treated
similarly to and receive tpiite as much water as
Cucumbers growing in adjoining hou.ses. As a
con.se(|uence the soil is completely over-run with a
network of root fibres, the surface being quite
white with them. There is no premature loss of
low-er leaves owing to want of light, no canker to
be alarmed about, and no drying otl' at the roots
either as a preventive of fruit cracking or because
the crop is ripening. Need any surprise be ex-
jiressed at the solidity or high character of the
fruit produced under such conditions '! It is the
half-starved plants that fail to produce heavy
crops of superior fruits, and it is only by high
culture, somewhat on the lines I have briefly
sketched out, that a succession of handsome,
richly flavoured Melons can be had from a single
idant. W. I.

Strawberry Latest of All. — I saw this va-
riety fruiting in an almost wonderful way in Lord
Onslow's garden, Clandon Park, Surrey, just re-
cently. Ivot a fruit was left on any other variety,
but this one was loaded with fine fruit. It has
been recommended to be grown on a cool north
border, where doubtless it would be later still.
In this case it was fruiting in an open quarter.
Whilst no doubt the plants like a deep soil and a
cool situation, it is evident the fruits need plenty
of sunshine to ripen them, as they do not colour
right out, but resemble greatly one of the parents
— British Queen. The breadth was at its best on
July 10, but there was plenty of fine fruits on
July 15. The one-year-old plants had the finest
fruit ar.d the two-vear-old plants the heaviest
crop.— A. D.

Standard bush fruits. — The standard Ooose-
berries some 8 J feet to 4 feet in height, recently
exhibited at the Drill Hall by Messrs. Veitch and
Sons, were worked upon Ribes aureum stocks.
These are easily obtained of a good length from
cuttings. The height mentioned, however, seems
needless, as from 'i.j feet to 3 feet would be
much better. No doubt Red Currants would bear
similar treatment, and the fine La Versailles
makes a capital standard on its own roots if
ke])t hard pruned. In no case should such heads of
tJooseberries or Currants be allowed to extend
unduly. Kept close home and bushy they are
first-rate, and produce \ei'y fine clean fruit. The
heads are easily protected with nets or thin can-
vas. Blackbirds and thrushes usually attack
fruit from below and not from above.— A. D.

■Work amongst Strawberries. — The Straw-
berry season, so far as the early and raidseason
kinds are concerned, being at an end, the planta-
tions shoidd, in all eases where they are to be re-
tained for another year, be put in order without
delay. If layering was done when advised and
the necessary numbers obtained, the runners will
either ha\e been severed or be ready for sever-
ance from the parent plants. \Mien the pots are
removed the way ii then clear for dealing with
the ]>lants as their condition may demand. Those
set out last autumn will merely require trimming
up, which will simply mean the cutting away of
the oldest leaves and di\esting them of surplus
runners. Older plants carrying more foliage will
need a more severe trimming, and in all cases
where the leaves have become badly infested,
either with mildew, red spider or any other fun-
goiil or insect ])ests, the plants, if worth retain-
ing, had better have the whole of the foliage cut
awa}'. This should at once be remo\ed and
burnt to prevent the insects or disei'se from

spreading. The quickest way of dealing with
plantations in such a plight is to mow the leaves
i.>il' with a scythe, only eai'e should be taken to see
that the crowns do not become injiu'cd by cutting
too low down. If this is done at once the })Iants
will then make plenty of new foliage, which will
become fully developed and hardened by the en<l
of theautunm. After the plants liavc been Irinuned
up, the surplus ruimcrs <'ut away anti the grovind
hoed, both to lighten the suiface and to get rid of
weeds, sjn'cad a nudeh of well-rotted manure
about 2 inches thick between the rows. This will
induce the ])lants to make an abundance of new
roots and foliage, which in turn lead to tho
building up and develojimcnt of good sound
crowns, and thus render the production of heavy
crops of fruit another season all the more certain.
—A. W.

Orchids.

NOTES ON PESCATOREAS.

These singular and interesting Orchids are not
.so ea.sy to cultivate as the usual run of .species.
The first point to notice is their having neitlier
pseudo-bulbs nor large thick fleshy foliage
to sustain them during the resting season.
They require as much rest as a Dendrobiuu',
thcjugh it IS rest <jf a different kind. No attenqi
must be made to dry them ofl', or i)r(jbably i
will lead to their disappearance altogether, but
a slight diminution in the watei' su|)ply, com-
bined with a little more air and rather lower
temperature, causes a cessation of growth and a
general hardening of the plants. This cool
treatment should be led up to a certain extent
by expf)sure to more light when the little tufts
of leaves are complete and the flowers past.
During the time the plants are in active growth
the best position is a shady one in an inter-
mediate temperature where moisture is abun-
dant and a fair quantity of light is allowed to
reach them. A Ijright, glaring light is wrong,
as the foliage cannot sbind it ; a dense shade a. 1
the year rimnd, on the other hand, produces
growths so poor in texture, that the least
check in winter causes them to be attacked
by spot or to lose their foliage. If the Cat-
tleya house is a large roomy structure and one
not likely to part witli its moisture readily, th's
makes an ideal place for them if the requisite
shade can be afl'orded. But if the intermediate
house is at all inclined to be draughty or diy
they are far better in the closer and warmer
atmosphere of the East India house. The growth
will be more free and the plants in every way
more satisfactory. With regard to the trea', -
ment of the roots, the most important jjoint is
cleanliness. In a mixture that runs togetlur
and forms a hea\'y inert mass they are never
long-lived, yet they are of a strong fleshy
character and want feeding. Disturliance is
their bane, so when a renewal of material is
required it should be carefully done and with a
view to its lasting.

Pescatoreas thrive well in baskets or flat pans,
and even in pots if the drain.age is tlnn'ough,
the layers of crocks being well protected in
every ease by some rough Moss. Have gocd
fibrous brown ))eat prepared by shaking r>ut all
.sand and earth, and clean, freshly-gathered
Sphagnum Moss, plenty of clean crocks and
charcoal to keej) the whole open, and, if it can
be obtained, a little of that nice silky loam so
nnich looked after by gardeners. This makes a
meilium that, while holding abundant moisture
for the need of the plants, will not become sour
or water-lfiggtd. A fair margin may be left
around the plants, as they make rapid ]:r(igre;s
when healthy and strong, and ought nfrt to re-
quire another shift for three years. Befoie

76

placing in the new material be very careful that
none of the old sour peat is left. It is better by
far to shake them right out and to wash every
particle of old material away than to lea-se any-
tliing likely to contaminate the new material.
The plants need nut be elevated much above
the rims of the pots or baskets, and the new
compost should be kept moderately firm about
the roots, pressing it in with a blunt dibber.
The likelie.st time to repot is when the growths
are getting well away in spring or early sunnner
before they commence to root on their own
account. Water must be judiciously ajiplied
until the roots are again active, when a rather
free supply is necessary until the time men-
tioned above.

THE GARDEN.

[July 31, 1897.

Stanhopea ooulata. — This, one of the
Ijnghtest of the Stanhopeas, is now in bloom.
The blossoms are not so large as those of S.
grandiflora or tigrina, but moi-e showy than those
of either, owing to the large spots of purplish
lilac on a yellow ground. Fleeting as any in the
genus, it seldom lasts over a week, but strong
plants are very beautiful meanwhile. Grow it in
baskets of peat. Sphagnum, and charcoal, with a
little loam fibre or leaf-soil, and [ilace some large
lumps of charcoal over the bottom to allow the
scapes to descend freely. Water abundantly over-
head in summer and at the roots.

Oncidium praetextum.— A good form of this
species is as nice as anything in the 0. crispum
section, the blossoms being prettily marked,
freely produced, and slightly scented. Its cul-
ture is not difiicult, but sometimes it has a ten-
dency to grow out of season, which should, if pos-
sible, be checked by ripening up the growth well
in autumn and endeavouring to rest it naturally.
The compost for O. pr;etextum may be of an
ordinary description, and a thin layer only is
needed, either over good drainage in a basket or
an-anged on a raft. It does well in an inter-
mediate temperature, as it is a native of Brazil,
whence it was introduced in 1876.

Cattleya Eldorado.— This is a distinct and
pretty Cattleya, not so large as some of the labiata
section, but yet very telling. It flowers ujion the
young pseudo-bulb as a rule, but I ha% e known it
rest in sheath for a month or two and then send
up a flower after the manner of C. Percivaliana.
The sepals and petals are pale rose or lilac, much
lighter in some forms than others, the distinctive
character of the lip being a vellowish or orange
area, bordered with white. The front portion is
crimson-pur[)le, and it is prettily fringed all
round. C. Eldorado, though not so strong as C.
Mossiiv, presents no particular difficulty in its
culture. The growth should be gently e.xcited in
spring, and kept going until the pseudo-bulbs are
well finished, and then if possible kept dormant
through the winter. It is a iiati\e of the Rio
Negro district, and though imjiorted by JI.
Linden in 1865, was not much known until about a
dozen years later.

Cattleya Hardyana.-The parentage of this
lovely natural hybiiil having been proved, it is
desirable that those having the convenience
should raise it artificially at every opportunity.
Its jjarents, C. gigas and C. Bowiana aurea, do
not, it is true, always bloom at exactly the same
time, but they do occasionally, and e\en without
this the pollen of C. gigas may be easily kept a
Uttle while and still retain its potency. Beauti-
ful indeed is the jirogeny of these tvVo splendid
Cattleyas, and free blooming and strong growiii"-
as well. As is now well known, it first^ appeared
in the collection of Mr. (i. Hardy, of Timperley,
after whom it was named, and soon after it ap-
peared in many other places from imported batches
of C. gigas. Its aftinity to the species mentioned
above led Orchid growers to think it a natural
hybrid between them, and that this view was cor
rect, Mr. Norman Cookson's
lilants — exhibited

magenta, the lip, a most lovely feature, being
deep crimson-purple, veined with gold. The
plants thrive in the warmest and lightest part of
the Cattleya house, and should be well grown in
early summer, ripened and kept dormant after
blooming. — H. R.

Spathog-lottis aureo-Vieillardi.— This is a
remarkaljle and somewhat varialile liybrid raised
by Mr. Seden. It is the result of crossing the
two species from which the name is derived. The
sepals are each about Ih inches in length, pale
yellow, suft'used with purple, and thickly covered
with rich purple spots. The petals, of about the
same length as the sepals, are about I inch in
breadth, the ground colour similar to that of the
sepals, but more densely spotted with larger
purple spots. The front lobe of the lip is rich
crimson-purple, shading to yellow and thickly
spotted with brown, the side lobes yellow, spotted
with purple at the apex, white spotted with violet
at the base. It is well deserving of attention from
lovers of this beautiful species of Orchids. It is
now in flower in Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons' nur-
sery at Chelsea. It requires the treatment of the
warm house, with a humid atmosphere and an
abundance of moisture while in active growth. —
Stelis.

Saccolabium coeleste.— This is a dwarf and
very beautiful s])ecies, the pretty blue-tinted
blossoms plentifully produced upon the spikes
having a distinct character. It is fairly stout,
and the spikes occur at this season from near the
apex of growth, each flower being about 1 inch
across, whitish, tipped with blue. To grow it
well, a large, moist, tropical house is most
desirable, the atmosphere in such structures suit-
ing all the distichous section of Orchids better
than that created by a low, narrow house, where
the first upward move of |the ventilator takes
out most of the moisture. It does well in open
wood baskets. Sphagnum Moss and plenty of
roughly broken charcoal suiting it well as a root-
ing medium. The safest time to rebasket the
plants is about March or April, and in doing so it
must be borne in mind that few plants like dis-
turbance less. For this reason it is wise to give a
basket large enough to keep it in health for
several seasons, and when a new one becomes
necessary take the old one to pieces as carefully
as possible, syringing away the old decayed Moss
and placing the pieces o"f wood that the roots
have attached themselves to into the" new basket.
\A'hile growth is active and tiie roots are also
growing freely the Moss should never be really
dry, but a considerable reduction must be made
in the water supply during the winter. S. cn-leste
is a native of Siam, where it is found growing in
almost unshaded positions, consecpiently plenty
of light must be allowed.

artificially raised

last autumn — proved. The

best form of C. Hardyana I ha\e seen was nearly
8 inches across the sepals and petals, bright rosy

ONCIDIUM INCURVUM.
The colours of this charming little Oncidium are
distinct and telling, the long arching spikes of
flowers being very useful for cutting. On the
plant, too, they make a pretty show. The ordeal
of standing week after week in the drv, vitiated
air of living rooms is too much for most Orchids,
and though a Httle of it does not hurt 0. incur-
vum, it is not wise to leave the plants indoors too
long. As far as the flowers themselves go, they
ma.y, if the plant be strong and healthy, remain on
until they begin to fade, always provided, of
course, that water is duly supplied to the roots
and the atmosphere is right. Weak, badly-
rooted plants, on the other hand, should have the
bloom spikes taken oft' soon after these come to
maturity, for they are a strain on the plants for a
long time while forming. The spikes appear at
the base of the last-formed pseuflo-bulbs and grow
a yard or more in length, the flowers elegantly
yet closely set upon small side branchlets." The
sepals and jietals are small and narrow, creamy-
wliite with rosy-purple bands, the lip white, and
the entire flower is seldom more than an inch and
a half across. 0. incurvum is a native of Mexico,
and while thriving fairly well under cool treatment'

produces larger pseudo-bulbs and longer spikes in
a rather higher temperature. Too much heat, on
the other hand, is very injurious. It will do well
in a similar temperature to that required by the
Mexican section of L^lia, but likes more shade.
The roots are not large, but are plentifully pro-
duced ; consequently, a compost of medium (luabty
may be given. The plants do well in pots, these
being well drained and large enough to allow of
2 inches at least around the plant. Large old
specimens do better in shallower receptacles, the
pans pierced with holes around the sides suiting
them well. Such plants require careful handling
when renewal of the compost becomes necessary,
as the best roots are often on the outer portion of
the ball, and a lot of older, partly decayed ones
further in. There is onlj- one thing to be done,
and that is careful hand-picking of the decayed
parts, as far as these can be got at, without
damage to the younger healthy ones. Its season
of growth and rest is usually well defined, and,
as a general rule, no special treatment is neces-
sary, but it is an advantage during late autumn,
after the flowers are past, to keep them in a light
and moderately sunny position.

Phalaenopsis Ludde-violacea is a distinct
hybiid raised in Messrs. Veitch's nursery by
crossing the two species indicated in the name. It
is apparently of good constitution and very free-
flowering. A plant with three spikes and six
expanded flowers was recently noticed in bloom
in the Chelsea nurseries. The sepals and petals
are deep rose, marbled with white, the lip rich
crimson in front, with several slightly rai.sed
hairy ridges, the side lobes rose, shading to yellow
at the base. — S.

Phalaenopsis "Vesta.— This lovely hybrid is
the result of crossing P. Aphrodite and P. rosea
leucaspis. It is in the way of the beautiful
natural hybrid P. intermedia. The sepals and
petals are white, shaded with rose, the front lobe
of the lip deep purple, shading to yellow, and
spotted with Ijrown at the base, the side lobes
rose-purple at the apex, white at the base, where
it is thickly spotted with rich brown. A strong
plant carrying a spike of seven flowers I lately
noticed. — S.

Phalaenopsis Hebe. — This, the result of
crossing P. rosea and P. Sanderiana, differs princi-
pally from P. intermedia and P. Vesta "in its
broader and more highly-coloured sepals and
petals, which are white, heavily suffused with
rose over the basal half. The lip, similar in cha-
racter to that of P. intermedia, i.3 purple in front,
shading to yellow and spotted with reddish l.)ro« n
at the base. It is a free-flowering variety and of
good constitution, requiring the usual Phalienop-
sis treatment and should be grown suspended
from the roof. — S.

Miltonia Bleuana virginalis.— This dis-
tinct and lovely hybrid dirters from the typical
forms raised by M. Bleu, of Paris, in that it has
almost completely lost the colouring usually seen
on the disc of the lip and at the base of the jietals.
The sepals are pure white, petals white, M-ith a
very slight indication of rose at the base, the lip
upwards of 2 inches across, white, with a superb
purple disc. It is the result of crossing M.
Roezli and M. vexillaria. A strong plant of this
variety was recently in flower in the collection of i
Mr. E. Ashworth, Harefield Hall, Cheshire.— I
Stelis.

Cattleya Aclandiae.— Growers often make the ]
mistake of treating this Cattleya the same as a ■
strong-growing C. labiata or some similar kind.
This is quite wrong, for though block treatment
is decidedly too poor to obtain the best results,
it is infinitely better than stifling the roots under
several inches of peat and Moss. It is never
happier than on a raft with a little compost about
the roots, just enough not to prevent the air from
playing freely about them. Grow it thus in an
intermediate house, and let it have its own way in
regard to resting or otherwise, and it is usually
satisfactory.

July 31, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

11

Trees and Shrubs.

KALMIAS.

Amonc tho dwarfer evergreens there are few
that rank higher in merit than the Kahiiias.
There are altogether seven species known, but
of these only three appear to lie in cultivation,
all of which are valuable as ganlen shrubs.
The genus is purely an American one, extend-
in" from the arctic regions in the north as far
as°Cuba in the south. The tidiest growing of
the tln-ee species here described— K. latifolia —
i.s commonly known as the Mountain Laurel,
and is one of the chief favourites among the
many plants suggested for tho national rtower
of the I'nited States. The name Kalmia was

sideratum, and thi.s is why dee]) trenching is
recommended. In hot, sandy .soils the ground
should be removed to a de]ith of 2 feet and re-
placed at the bottom with the best of the
natural .soil mi.xed with a heavier loam, filling
the upper part with a mixture of |)eat, li^af-scjil,
and loam. This may l)e a troublesome and
perhaps costly business, but it is cheapest in
the end, and .saves nnich labour in watering
during hot summer weather. All the three
species here mentioned rijien seed in this
country, by means of which they can be in-
creased. Ijayers and cuttings may also be em-
ployed, but seeds are preferable.

Both K. angustifolia and K. Ijitifolia may be
used for forcing. The plants should be potted
up at the beginning of winter, and may be
})rou<dit into the forcing hou.se at intervals to

origin, and, according to Loudon, is a native of the
momitains of New Jersey. It is easily distin-
guished by its larger, oblong or ovate leaves,
which almost suggest a small leaved K. latifolia
in their glossy green colour and firnmess of tex-
tm'e. They are produced in whorls of three or
four leaves at each joint, and the whole shrub is
of taller, more robust growth.

K. A. VAR. N.vNA is also a distinct and very
pretty plant. It is of close dwarf growth, form-
ing a neat dense bush 1 foot or less liit^b, and use-
ful as an edging or for a front jjlace in a gi'ou[) of
the taller Kalmias.

K. A. VAK. Rt'isRA has flowers in which the
purplish tinge of the ordinary form gives place to
a purer reel. Of the several varieties it is the
richest in hue.

K. la.Auc'A. — This species differs considerably
in general aspect from the other two, and compared

Kalmia latifolia. From a photograph by ilr. I'. Moion-Good, Winchfield, Hants.

given to these shrubs by Linnteus in honour of
Peter Kalm, a pupil of his, and afterwards a
professor of botany in Sweden. He travelled
in Eastern North America about the middle of
the last century. The Kahnias belong to the
ericaceous family, the flowers being rather flat
and saucer-shaped and borne at, or near, the
ends of the previous season's branches. They
require the same condition.s inider cultivation
as the great majririty of their allies — the so-
called "American" plants. A soil of a peaty
nature is best, Ijut in gardens consisting of pure
loam they may be grown well by trenching
deeply and mixing plenty of well-decayed leaf-
.soil and as much peat as can be aft'orded with
the t(jp spit. They have the same antipathy to
lime at the roots, which renders the cultivation
of so many ericaceous plants in chalky soils a
difticult and expensive matter. A cool and
contiiniously moist soil is an important de-

provide a succession, but slow and gentle forcing
is necessary.

K. ANcnsTiFOLA is a very pretty dwarf shrub
growing from I foot to 3 feet high, which flowers
during June. Its leaves are oblong and blunt
and from 1 inch to 2 inches long. The name
angustifolia (narrow-leaved) is only appropriate
as distinguishing the species from the larger,
broader-leaved K. latifolia. They are, as a rule,
produced in threes at each node. The flowers are
of a purplish-red (but of different shades), each a
little under half an inch in diameter, the corymbs
being produced in the leaf-axils near the ends of
the shoots, sometimes extending several inches
downwards from the tips and forming a showy
cylinder-shaped mass of blossom. It is a \ery free-
flowering plant. It was introduced in I73(i from
Canada, out extends from there southwards to the
hdls of the Carolinas. Of the several named va-
rieties in cultivation the most distinct is

K. A. VAK. ovATA. This is a form of natural

with either of them, but especially K. latifolia, is-
poor and scanty in appearance. Out of flower it
is by no means so handsome a shrub. The leaves
are almost sessile and about an inch long ; they are
ovate-oblong, but often appear narrower on ac-
count of the edges being curled under, and are
mostly borne in pairs at each joint, but occa-
sionally in threes. The revolute margins of the
leaves and the glaucous white colour of the under-
surface render the species easily distinguishable
at any time. The flowers are reddish-lilac,
each over half an inch across, and produced in
terminal corymbs. The species was introduced
from the United States in 1707. It is in flower,
as a rule, early in April, and is thus two months
or so in advance of its two fellow species.

K. LATIFOLIA. — This is much the largest of the
Kalmias, and may freiiuently be seen 6 feet or
8 feet high in this country, whilst in the Southern
Alleghany Mountains it is said occasionally to
attain a height of 20 feet. It is a very handsome

,78

THE GARDEK

[Jdlt 31, 1897.

shrub both as regards its foliage and blossom,
and in places where the conditions suit it there
are few evergreens of greater beauty and value.
Among the many fine things that may be seen at
Dropmore are large spreading bushes of this Kal-
mia in perfect health. The leaves are alternate
and not produced in whorls, as in the other two
species, although they are clustered towards the
end of each growth ; they are of a dark lustrous
gi-een and taper to a point at both ends, avera<;ing
about 3 inches in length by 1.^ inches in width.
The flowers appear in June in a cluster of corymbs
terminating the shoot. Each flower is about three-
quarters of an inch in diameter, and is rose-
coloured. The shade varies in depth in different
plants, and the flowers are sometimes almost white.
Loudon says tlie leaves are poisonous to cattle and
sheep, but not to deer.

K. L. VAR. MYRTiF0Li.\ is a distinct and very
pretty plant, although not so well known as one
might expect. It is of dwarfer habit, and its
leaves are not much larger than those of the
Myrtle, being about 1 J inclies long, from a tpuirter
of an inch to half an inch wide, and sharplv
[Minted. The flowers also are smaller than in the
type, but the whole plant when in bloom is as
pretty as it is neat and compact. I have seen it
in quantity and in flne condition in the Knap
Hill Nuisery.

K. L. VAK. roijVrETALA. — Professor Sargent, of
the Arnold Arboretum, sent a )ilant of this varietj'
to Kew three or four years ago. Its foliage does
not differ from that of the ordinary K. latifolia,
but the corolla, instead of having the usual saucer
shape, is divided into several segments, as the
name implies. It flowers each year at Kew at the
same time as the others, but deserves mention
merely as a cm-ious freak.

Besides these three species and their varie-
ties there ajipear to have been in cultivation,
formerly if not now, two other species — viz.,
cuneata and hirsuta, but I have seen neither of
them. It would be interesting to know if any
reader of The Garden cultivates either ofthe.se
sjjeoies at the present time. W. J. Bean.

Whether the insects are caught in a merely me-
chanical way, as happens when flies stick on to
the outside of the glutinous corollas of some Cape
Ericas, or whether they are useful in securing
cross-fertilisation, is not accurately known, but
as the flies live for some days struggling inside the
flowers, it seems probable tliat they may be of
some aid in fertilisation. — F. W. Burbidge.

Books.

Iionicera japonica. — This name includes the
different forms of one species of Honeysuckle
which are \ariously known in gardens and nur-
series as L. chinensis, Halleana, flexuosa and
brachypoda. It is just now one of the most charm-
ing shrubs in flower, alike for the luxuriant ele-
gance of its growth and for the sweet, strong fra-
grance of its blossoms. It is a climbing plant,
but by giving it the support of thi'ee stakes
6 feet or more high, arranged as a tripod, it will
form a dense graceful bush, and may in this way
be used to furnish the open border. It has broad
ovate leaves, each from IJ inches to .3 inches long,
of a beautiful rich green. They are opposite, and
a pair of flowers is produced in the axil of each
one, so that four flowers appear at every joint.
At first they are creamy white, but gradually be-
come yellow with age, the four ujiper parts oif the
corolla uniting to form a broad, oblong standard.
The fragrance is like that of our native Honey-
suckle, with a suggestion of Cowslip added. In
mild winters like the two last this Lonieera is
e^'ergreen. It is a native of China and Japan. —
W. J. B.

Ledums as flycatchers. — As a note supple-
mentary to Mr. Bean's aihuirable paper on tliese
plants in Tjie Gardex, p. 28, I should like to
point out their fly-catching propensities. Early
in May of tliis year, Mr. Smith, of Newry, sent
me sprays of Ledum palustre or L. glandulosum,
I am not certain which, with the remark that the
flowers had a singular attraction for gnats or
small flies. The flower - clusters bore out his
observations, each bloom having one or more
small black gnats in its centre firmly glued to
the glandular and viscid ovaries. On sendinn-
some of the specimens to Dr. (J. H. Carpenter, of
the Diiblin Natural History Museum, he kindly
identified the little flies as Empis vernalis, Meig. ,
and remarked that lie did not previouslj' know of
the insect-trapping propensities of these Heaths.

POT-POURRI FROM A SURREY
GARDEN.*

Gardening is rapidly becoming a fasliionable
subject for writers, some of whom, it is true,
are very ill-prepared for the task, as we may see
by the silly articles in one evening jjaper.
Those illustrate a new way of writing, like
the new way fif drawing — that is, having no
preparation for the work, but writing as
a person might who had never thought of
the subject at all. Only a month or two ago in
a well-known magazine ajjpeared an article on
flowers, in which it was stated that it was about
twenty years ago since English ]ieo]ile began to
take an interest in them I Mrs. Earle's book
is not, we are glad to say, of this class. She
comes of people who for a good many genera-
tions back took their highest pleasure in their
gardens, and greater pleasure than we fear the
present generation of women on bykes,
women at golf and cricket, horsey women and
new women generally are likely to share. It
is an interesting book about many things, and
Mrs. Earle being a good gardener and not a
mere patron of the art, there is luit a little to
be learnt in it, and much with which we agree,
especially in her remarks aljout the spoiling of
vegetables under the name of " improvements."

It is a great mistake, when marking the nur-
seryman's seed list, to order the vegetable de-
scribed as "giant," "large," " perfection," &c.
Unless your soil is very strong such vegetables
do not grow large, and they do grow tough
and tasteless. This "giant" cultivation has
been brought about to win prizes at shows.
Amongst the delicious vegetables that have
been ruined by growing them too large are
Brussels Sprouts. I consider those sold in
the London sliops are not worth eating, they
are so coarse ; l:iut one can get the seeds of
old-fashioned small kinds. These are far sweeter,
nicer and prettier, either for putting into soup,
for boiling and frying afterwards in liutter, or for
boiling quite plainly in the ordinary English way.
They are also far more delicate for a puree, which
is an excellent way of dressing them. If fried
and put on buttered toast, they make a very nice
second-course vegetable in winter.

It is curious that, notwitlistanding the talk
about a thing, how many years it f-.kes the
French to take up Rhubarb or the English
Celeriac, about wliich Mrs. Earle writes —

Celeriac is an excellent vegetable, not very
common in England, and, when carefully cooked,
with a good brown sauce, forms a valuable con-
tribution to the winter supply. One of the con-
stant difhculties in the management of a house,
whether large or small, where the vegetable are
grown and not bouglit, is that the gardener
brings them in, and the cook throws them away
into a corner of the scullery or into the pig-tub.
Only last summer a gardener from a large place
in the neighbourhood said to me while walking
round my small garden : " What ! j'ou grow
C'ardoons V I took in beautiful ones last year,
but they were never used : the cook said she
didn't know how to cook them." The following is
a good recipe : The length of time Cardoons re-

* " Pot-Pourri from a Surrey Gaulen." By Mrs.
C. W. Earle. (London : Smith", Elder and Co.)

quire in cooking deiiends on age and size, and
varies from half an hour to three or four hours.
Scrape the stalks and pull oft' all that is thready
outside. Cut them into bits about 4 inches or
5 inches long, or longer if served in a long, narrow
dish with marrow on toast at each end. As you
cut them throw them into a basin full of water,
into which j'ou put a little flower to keep them a
good colour. When all are prepared, have ready
a large crockery stew-pan with boiling water,
herbs, a little salt and pepper, and a good-sized
piece of raw bacon. The rind of the bacon should
be cut in little bits, but not so small as to get
mixed with the Cardoons. Boil the whole slowly,
and prepare a brown sauce apart with well-
flavoured stock. Thicken this with flower (burnt
to a light coft'ee colour), butter and a little sherry.
Let it simmer for two hours, skimming it well.
Strain it half an hour before serving.

A Fine Star of Bethlehem.
A few years ago I brought from Paris some
bulbs of Ornithogalum pj-ramidale, the flower-
spikes of which are sold at the end of .June in the
Paris flower market under the name of L'epi^e de
la Vierge. I have never seen the plant grown
anywhere in England as I have grown it, and yet
in e\ery wa}' it is quite one of the most satis-
factory flowers for picking that I know. If you
gather it just as one flower is coming out, the
whole of the long spike grows and flowers in
water up to the very top, bending and curling
about, and assuming the most graceful curves.
No one can grow a better flower plant to send to
London. It has one fault in the garden — the
leaves droop and turn rather spotty and j-ellow
before the flower comes quite to its prime ; but
this defect can indeed be forgiven for the sake of
its many merits. I cultivate it nearly as I do the
abo\"e-mentioned Lilies ; only, when the bulbs are
dug up I place the small ones at once in a nur-
sery, but the large ones are well dried in the sun
and not replanted till October. A mulching when
they begin to show through in the spring does
them good.

Garden Lawns Bare of Flowers.

In the old days of bedding-out, lawns used to 1
be cut up into beds and patterns. Now the
fashion has changed, and bedding-out has be-
come so generally condenmed that most people
have levelled and turfed over the rounds, stars,
crescents, and oblongs that used to enli\en their
lawns for a short time, at any rate, every autumn.
As a result of this reaction, there are now an
immense number of large, dull lawns, which
as a rule slope slightl}' away from the house,
and often to the south. They are wet in
rain, and dry and brown in hot weather. They
have their weekly sha\e with the mowing
machine, and lie baking in the sunshine. The
poor plants, which would flower and do well in
the open, are planted at the edges of the
shrubberies, where — in a light soil at any rate —
they are robbed and starved into ugliness and
failure by their stronger neighbours.

Growing the White Lily.

The difhculties of growing the Madonna Lilies
seem to be overcome by Mrs. Earle, and we
cannot do better than let !ier tell her own story.

July 8. — I consider no trouble too great, whether
the garden be large or small, to grow the beauti-
ful stately Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum). It
requires very different treatment from other
Lilies, and flourishes in rich, heavy soils in full
sun, where many Lilies would fail. Gardening
books often tell you it is fatal to move these
Lilies, but I think this has arisen from gardeners
mo\ing or disturbing them when they have
"done" their borders in October or November,
and when the Lilies have made an autumn
growth ; moving them then is fatal. When I
used to leave them alone they made an excellent
top growth in spring, but dried uji and died down
without flowering. \A'hat I now do when they
begin to die down some time this month, whether
they have flowered or not, is to dig them up care-
fully •\\ith a fork, remove all ofl'sets, re-make and

July 31, ia97.]

THE GAP.DE^.

raiuuire the ki'o"'«1 "(^U- mixing ^^'i*'' '*- some
briek nibliish or chalk, and then replace the lai>;e
bulhs, [ilantinc; them rather <leei>, anil not too
close together." In this way every hulh (lowers.
A little li(|ni(l mannre helps them to open well
when they are in buil the following June. The
small ofisets are put into a nur.sery ajiart, and
many of them will llower the foUownig year in a
way "that does admirably for picking.
A Nedlected Salad.
Fchriinrfi 14.— Salads are rather a ditlicudty
during the early spring in English gardens. In
seasonless London everything is always to be
bought. I wonder why Maehe (Corn Salad, or
Lamb's Lettuce), so much grown in France, is so
little cultivated here? People fairly well up in
gardening come back from France in the winter,
thinking they have discovered something new.
Slache is a Tittle dithcult to grow in very light
soils, and the safest plan is to make several sow-
ings in .July and August. We find it most use-
ful, but, without constant reminding, no English
gardener thinks of it at all, though it i.s in all the
seed catalogues. As it is an annual, without sow-
ing you naturally do not get it. and if sown too
late, it is bound to fail. In very dry wejither we
have to water it at first.

Aspect of House.
The next question of the aspect of a liouse
is sensibly discussed —

The longest side of the house faces west. How
I love it because of this ! To my mind every
country house is lUill that does not face west and
have its principal view that way. Modern civilisa-
tion forbids us to enjoy tlie sunrise, but the varied
effects of the sunset sky glorify everything — the
most common-place gable or the ugliest chimney-
stack, a Scotch Fir or an open field, which
assumes a green under an e\'ening primrose sky
that it never has at any other time. The sky is
like the sea for its ever-changefulness. You may
watch sunsets most carefully every day in the
I year, and never will you see twice exactly the
! same effect. How we all know, and notice after
midsummer, that marching south of tlie sun at
setting-time ! The old fellow in June sets
] right away to the north, over the common,
1 changing group of trees and a little dis-
tant hill to purple and blue. At the autumn
equinox he looks straight in at the windows
as he goes down between the stems of the
I two tall Fir trees. Who, when forced to come in
I to dinner on a summer's evening, does not apprc-
I ciate a w-est dining-room with tall panes of glass
which give the power to measure the gradations
of the sky, from the deep grey-blue of night's
garments at the top, to the bright gold, streakefl
with puri)le and crimson, at the base — the earth
growing mysteriously dark all the while, and the
evening .star shining brighter every minute ''.
Architects tell you, and men say, they prefer
that a house should face south-east. I do not
at all agree with them ; the effects of evening to
me are too much to give up for any other advan-
tage in the world, real or imaginary. It is far
easier to make some other I'oom into a breakfast-
room, to catch the morning sun in winter, than
to change your dining-room in the summer for
the sake of the sunsets.

The Window Blind Nuisance.

There are many matters in the book of
interest to the householder besides the garden-
ing part and many good recipes. The following
may be of use to the many who have suffered
and suffer daily with the innumerable
patents to produce that nuisance, the jack-in-
the-box windi>w blind, where no patent or
mechanism of any kind is required.

They are expensive to put up, expensive to
maintain, and very difficult to keep clean in
London. I never have them in my own rooms,
in bedrooms or servants' rooms, in the stable or
gardener's cottage. What I do have is an inner
curtain hung from a small rod on the window.
It can be made of any variety of material, to suit

the different windows and the rctiuirements of the
room — thin silk (the effects of bght through
silk -orange, red, yellow or green — are very
pretty), chintz, muslin, or the thickest dark blue
or green twill lined with calico, to keep
out light in the bedrooms in the country (in
London I think light blue or green twill un-
lined is sutlicient) ; and tluMUost useful of all is
the common red Turkey twill, lined or unlined,
which washes year after yeai', and always looks
fresh, clean, and bright, antl practically never
wesirs out. In many modern windows these inner
curtains enable you to dispense with heavy out-
side curtains altogether — to my mind an advan-
tage, as drawn curtains almost always make a

means of prong or hoe. .Mulching is most helpful
in maintaining vigour and free-ilowering. If the
second spit cannot with safety be brought to the
surface, let it be tuined over and well broken. —
M. T., Can-on, X.Jl.

Rose Garden.

A Vase of Tea Roses,

room stuffy and nearly as airless as did the
shutters of our forefathers. All the same, thick
curtains are, of course, required in the country in
winter for warmth.

Pansy culture. — It is often remarked that
Pansies can be cultivated in .Scotland in a manner
which southern cultivators cannot imitate. This
I dispute. I have culti\ ated them with compara-
tive ease in the south and west of England.
Trench the ground thoroughly two spades deep,
place a good coating of decayed farmyard manure
under the top S|,it, give plenty of room to the
])laiits, and if watering is necessary, let a thorough
soaking be given. If this cannot be done, better
give none at all, and keep the surface loose by

ARRANGING TKA-SCKNTED ROSES
IN VASES.
Few flowers are so highly esteemed for decora-
tion as the Tea-scented Ifose, being charming in
cohmr and refined in ap-
pearance. Added to the
foregoing characteristics
there is another charm —
that of fragrance. For
thi.s valuable property
alone these flowers are
more readily appreciated
than the brighter and
perhaps more striking
Hybrid Perpetuals, and
in the arrangement of
vases, epergnes, hand-
baskets and other recep-
tacles the Tea Ro.se for
the purjKJSe of home de-
coration is more often
sought after.

As already mentioned,
the Tea - scented Roses
give us soft and beauti-
fully refined colours —
white, blush-white, deli-
c;ite rose, pale pink, flesh
colour, yellow, fawn, apri-
cot, salmon - pink, rich
salmon and carmine, be-
sides many other inter-
mediate shades. Any
reader with a taste for
the pleasing association
of colour should have
little difficulty in fixing
upon those which would
give the best and prettiest
effects. For associating
with these Roses nothing
suits them so well as their
<iwn foliage. From the
time that the first lot of
blossoms is ready a grand
lot of Rose foliage may
also be obtained. That
of the Tea-scented Rose
is often so highly col-
oured that this is often
in itself quite a picture,
and when in such con-
dition there is nothing
better tor association with
the blossoms than a free
use of its sprays and
leaves. The Tea Roses are more easily arranged
in vases, &c., than the H.P.'s, and often, being
less cumbersome, the simplest novice may
achieve considerable success. Most Rose
growers are opposed to the use of wires when
decorating a stand or tilling a vase, ^^'here a
number of individual blooms are arranged in
one vase the necess.ary lightness and grace
could not well be obtained without the aid of
wire supports. Bouquet " stubbs " are the
best for the piu-pose, and they can be Ixjught of
any florist. The R(jse should be wired in such
a way that it does not become an eyesore to
anyone. Hand-liaskets and the base of an
epergne should be fillled with a nice green

80

THE CxARDEX.

[July 31, 1897.

Moss, and the wires fixed ou the stem of the
Rose should be stuck into this material, plenty
of space for each flower with its sprays of leaves
being allowed. In this way a dozen Roses may
be sufficient to fill a pretty hand-basket or bowl
for a dinner-table decoration. Adopting; the
same rule, vases of large size should have the
opening filled with Moss, and the flowers
arranged in like manner to that described for
baskets, &c.

Small tubes and vases are seen to greatest
advantage when filled simply with two or three
small flowers and buds. Epergnes are best
wlien filled with medium-sized flowers and buds,
about three blooms being allotted to each arm
of the stand. Crowding must always be avoided.
Each Ijlooin should stand out distinctly from its
neighbom-, and so that the foliage which was
cut with the flower should also lend attractive-
ness to the arrangement. Noble vases of the
Tea Rose may easily be arranged, and without
artificial support, when the flowers are cut in
sprays.

Rose T. B. Haywood.— Thi,s Rose undoubtedly
has a future as a good reliable late-flowering
Hybrid Perpetual. It has the fine form of Mme.
Victor Verdier, and the colour is a rich crimson
somewhat in the way of Louis Van Houtte. I
consider it a worthy addition to a class that has
had but few notable acquisitions during recent
years. — P.

Rose "Waltham Climber No. 3.— Fragrant
varieties of Roses can never become too plentiful.
I think I should not be far wrong in saying that
to the majority of indi\iduals colour and perfume
take precedence over form and habit. The above
Rose is very sweetly scented, and for a climbing
Rose this is a great boon. The flowers are of a
clear scarlet-crimson colour. It is a very double
variety, and the pointed outer petals resemble in
a small way those of La France. This Rose is a good
vigorous grower, with reddish foliage, and is
admiralily adapted for a south or west wall. — E.

Rose Josephine Marot is a splendid showy
garden variety at present very little known. It
is of very \'igorous habit, producing fine bunches
of flowers on good stift' stems. A peculiarity of
this Rose is that eacli panicle of blossom will be
composed of Roses of three different colours.
The half-open flowers are of a delicate blush shade,
merging to almost pure white as they ex|)and,
whilst the pretty buds are of a deep rosy hue. As
the flowers are \'ery lasting, these three colours
may be seen at one time upon one stem, thus pro-
ducing a -very distinct and pretty effect. It is an
excellent variety for cutting.

Rose Climbing Niphetos. — This Rose ap-
pears to imjjrove with age. A few years ago I
planted it in a greenhouse, fixing a trellis to
train it on. The plant grew vigorously enough,
in fact more so than I had ever seen the ordinary
Niphetos do, but for several seasons it jiroduced
very few blooms. As it became thoroughly esta-
blished, however, and grew less vigorously, flowers
were produced in much greater quantities. I
think they are less compact than those of the old
variety. After flowering is past, all old wood
that can be spared should be removed and the
young shoots of the current year tied evenly in.
This will give the plant a much better chance
than if the thinning is left till the winter. —
Growhr.

Rosa laevigata ix/. R. sinica re/. R. ter-
nata. — Several notices liave appeared lately in
The Garden concerning this beautiful Rose, but
I have not seen one fact mentioned — viz., tliat
the leaf of this Rose is composed of three, and
only three, leaflets, and, to the best of my belief,
no other Rose has this characteristic. In this
country it flowers several times in the year, and
when it is at its best it is really a splendid ob-
ject covered with its enormous blooms, 4 inches
or 5 inches in diameter, and in such profusion
that at a short distance one would say a white

sheet had been spread over the plant. The leaves
are as evergreen and coriaceous as those of the
Camellia, whence, no doubt, in many French cata-
logues it is called Rose Camellia. — F. , Beiiifira,

Rose The Garland.— This Hybrid Musk Rose
should find a jilace in every wild garden, or fail-
ing that it should be planted where it can clamber
o\er stumps of trees, arbours, or in fact anj' posi-
tion where a good free-growing Rose is wanted.
Its immense panicles of fragrant tiny buff coloured
buds and creamy white blossoms are lovely. The
individual flowers ai-e about 1 j inches in diameter,
and it is quite common to see a shoot of this Ro.se
bearing ten to twelve laterals, each one of these
containing as many as twenty to tliirty buds and
blossoms. When the blossoms upon these laterals
are all expanded, revealing as they do tlie beauti-
ful and numerous yellow stamens, they have indeed
a very prettj' effect.

Rose Souvenir de Mme. Eugene Verdier
(H.P. ). — This variety must not be confounded
with a very lovely Hybrid Tea of the same name.
It belongs to a type of Rose that formerly was
much appreciated. The flowers are very large
and extremely flat, but such Roses have gone out
of fashion in this country, although on the Conti-
nent they still are held in esteem. I maintain
that the more diversity of form we can secure the
more interesting will be our collections, and upon
this ground I recommend the above \'ariety. The
colour is a pleasing shade of rosy-pink, and the
very double flowers are quite 7 inches in diameter.
Such enormous blossoms, borne as they are upon
stiff' Etienne Levet-like stems, have a very decora-
tive value, and one can imagine that a fine effect
would be produced by massing together a goodly
number of plants of such a fine Rose.

PROGRESS IN HOME-RAISED ROSES.

In looking over the official list of new Roses
issued to members of the National Rose Society,
I am struck with the large total named as being
introduced in the spring of lSfl4 and subsequently.
No doubt very few of the Continental varieties
have been missed, but no less than 34;? ai'e men-
tioned as appearing in English nurserymen's lists
.since 1S94. Over fifty of these are British or
Irish raised Roses, and include such grand novel-
ties as Muriel Grahame, Tom Wood, Alister
Stella Gray, Captain Hayward, Jeannie Deans,
Empress Alexandra of Russia, Helen Keller,
Laurence Allen, Mrs. Rumsey, Mrs. W. J. (Jrant,
Mrs. R. G. S. Crawford, and Sylph. Home-
raised Roses have been so numerous, that few
really good new ones come from the Continent
when com|)ared to previous years. Amon^j' the
350 I can only find Alice Furon, Antoine Rivoire,
Charlotte Gillemot, Comtesse Dusy, Germaine
Trochu, Mme. A. Chatenay, Hippolyte Barreau,
Mme. Carnot, Mme. Jules Finger, Mme. Wagram,
Comtesse de Turenne, Princesse Alice de Monaco,
Mrs. W. C. Whitney, and Yvonne (b-avier as
likely to be standard varieties ; most of the re-
mainder from abroad will certainly not be grown
to any appreciable extent. Although it may well
happen that a few are missed from tlie above list,
it does not look promising to find little over a
dozen one can really recommend out of 300 dis-
tributed in 1S94 and since. Among oiu- home-
raised varieties we find xery few indeed th;it are
not still favourites in the garden. There is no
need to name a long list, but taking a few which
occur while I write, we find some really grand
(juality. Duke of Edinburgh, Beauty of Wal-
tham. Prince Arthui', Her Majesty, Mrs. John
Laing, Duke of Connaught, Duchess of Bedford,
Earl of Dufferin, Ethel Brownlow, Margaret
Dickson, Salamander, Lady Mary Fitzwilliam,
Viscountess Folkestone, Devoniensis, Cleopatra,
Mrs. Paul, Souvenir de S. A. Prince, Lad}- Henry
Grosvenor, and Cheshunt Hybrid are only a very few
in addition to the grand varieties named from
among the newer introductions, and this gives us
a much higher percentage of good Rosea than
can be found in the many hundreds raised abroad.

But Continental growers have given us some of
the grandest of all. A. K. Williams, Horace
Vernet, Chailes Lefebvre, Alfred Colomb, (General
Jacqueminot, Dupuy Jamain, Gabriel Luizet,
Marie Baumann, Maurice Bernardin, Ulrich
Brunner, and Prince C. de Rohan among the
Hybrid Perpetuals ; with Anna OUivier, Catherine
Merraet, Comtesse de Nadaillac, Edith Giffbrd,
Innocente Pirola, Niphetos, Marie Van Houtte,
and Marechal Niel cannot well be Ijeaten in their
resjiective colours ; but these are the pick of over
2000 varieties. In Mr. E. B. Lindsell's champion
stand of thirty-six varieties at the recent Crystal
Palace show no less than thirteen were of home
origin ; while in the seventy-two staged by
Messrs. Harkness and Sons, and which won the
champion trophy in the trade classes, there were
twenty-six home-raised Roses. In each case a
little more than a third of the varieties staged
were raised in Great Britain or Ireland, and when
we consider the enormous number sent out by
Continental growers this is a very satisfactory
account, especially when we also note that fifteen
out of the twenty-six were of quite recent origin.
We have yet another proof of improvement in
this respect. In a very strongly-contested class
for twelve new Roses, and which was open for
any of the 343 varieties named by the society,
Messrs. Dickson and Sons, Newtownards, %\ere a
long way ahead with those of their own raising
only, and no less than nine of these have yet to
be put into commerce. It would be difficult to
find a better dozen than the following : Mrs. John
Laing and Mrs R. G. Sharman -Crawford are two
of the grandest and most distinct pinks. They
are always good, no matter the season, and are
grand in growth and free blooming. In Duke of
Edinburgh and Prince Arthur we have two of our
best dark crimsons, always of good form, tpiite
distinct, and opening well. If we want two good
whites, none can be better than Souvenir de S. A.
Prince and Climbing Niphetos, both sports from
varieties that have been prime favourites for more
than fifty years, and retaining all their good
qualities with the purest white blossoms. In
Crimson Rambler and Waltham Climber No. 3
we have two of the \-ery best deep reds for walls, .
arches, or pillars. Viscountess Folkestone gives
us a grand salmon-shaded flesh tint and some of
the sweetest scent found in Roses. Her Majesty is
well known as the best large Rose with a clear
satiny-pink shade, and Mrs. W. J. Grant cannot
be beaten for freedom of flowering and in useful-
ness of its blossoms from the bud stage upwards.
Our Ijcst striped Rose is found in Pride of Beigate,
and it would be very easy to name a second dozen
in no way inferior to the above.

RlIXJEWOOD.

SWEET-SCENTED ROSES.

"D. T. F.'s" note (p. 09) imphes that the
National Rose Society, or rosarians genei-ally,
have quite lost sight of perfume in Roses. Now
there are \'ery few Roses that do not smell
sweetly, certainly less than a dozen, and I note
that no less than thirty-eight are mentioned in
the society's catalogue as being specially fragrant.
His suggestion of prizes for the sweetest Rose or
Roses in a show is almost impossible to carry out.
Who shall decide when there is such a difference
of tastes ? I know persons Avho even profess to
findver3' little perfume in Socrates and La France
when compared to other varieties. " D. T. F."
writes that we have developed size, form, and
colour, and done " little or nothing" to intensify
sweetness. Baroness Rothschild is scentless, but
Laurence Allen, a Rose of 189(), is more double,
of better form, a little brighter in colour than the
Baroness, and certainly one of the sweetest-
scented Roses grown. Is not I'ldeal equally as
sweet as the old Damasks ? Mrs. W. J. Grant,
Captain Hayward, Gustavo Piganeau, Mme. de
Watteville, (i. Nabonnand, Luciole, Antoine
Rivoire, Mrs. W. C. Whiteuey, Pink Ro\er,
Viscountess Folkestone, and Mme. Alfred Carrifere
are only a few of those introduced recently, and
which are more than usually sweet-scented, even

July 31, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

when compiU'c'd to the very best of our old Roses.
Nor do any of tlie misers omit to give prominciiee
to tlie i|iia"lity of iierfuine wlieii descriuing varie-
ties, tlius clearly slunvint; that this is still con-
sidered a desirable quality in the Rose.

I nmintuin that, compared to the number of
varieties jjrown. Hoses are even sweeter now than
was the ease years ago, and if we can have more
perpetual-tlowering (|ualities, better form, and
higlier colours, so much more to the credit of
raisers. Run: i; woo o.

Rose Horace Vernet. — This superb Rose wa.s
exhibited in j^rand form at the recent Crystal
Palace Rose show, and doulitless it has won many
more admirers. The taet, however, cannot be too
widely known that such flowers are produced
upon what are known as maiden plants, tliat is
plants b\idded last year. Practically it is a failure
as a cut-back, and unless one is prepared to Inula
few each year, it will be better not to attemjit its
cultivation only in a very limited ()uantity. It is
very unfortunate that such a variety shoulil be
thus handicapped, but it does not stand alone in
this respect, tliere being several kinds, for
instance, Xavier Olilio, Louis Van Houtte, Harri-
son Weir, &c., that are only really good as
maidens. — Gkoweh.

Roses with coloured foliage. — In a note
upon the above (page 41) I notice two impoi'tant
omissions. Perle de Lj'on, an old Tea, sent out in
1 >>":(, has the deepest bronzy purple foliage of any
P.iise. Unfortunately', it does not produce \ery

_: 1 flowers. They are uncertain in opening, but

.if the deepest golden yellow. Mme. Dennis is
:iiioth(>r old Tea, of great vigour, and producing
.piantities of buds and new growth throughout
the season. I have several rows of this grown
-<il.ly for the supply of deep bronzy-red foliage.
t In.' does not like to cut away the pretty tips of
gi ciwth in many \arieties and so sacrifice bloom ;
but Mme. Dennis is not of much service as a
flower, and produces such quantities of young
^li.i.)ts that one need have no compunction in this

i. ~pect. — RiDliEWOOD.

Colour in Koses "William Allen Richard-

-1111 and rideal. — I have been interested in the
• •ui lespondence lately appearing in Tue (_!.\kden
on this suliject. Two growers this spring have
asked me if I knew whether this sporting (if I
may so term it) was gener.al with the two varie-
ties given above, neither having noticed this
freak before. In both cases the majority of
blooms have come white instead of their true
colour. I have grown both, but have never as
yet seen them do this. LTdeal flowers profusely
ever}' year on a low south wall and the colour is
superb. I prune my plant fairly close every
spring, as the wall is only .) feet high. I have it
on its own roots as well as on the Manetti, but
can detect no ditierence as regards the colour.
Another good Rose I would like to advocate the
claim of as a button-hole Rose is Papa Gontier, a
beautiful bright crimson and a good doer. —
J. M.WNE, liiftou, DeroH.

Scotch Roses at last. — Those who have seen
the Aberdeen, Dundee, and Edinburgh Roses at
their best regret the abnormal lateness of the
season that prevented these from taking a part
in the Rose show at the Crystal Palace on .July 2
this year. At a recent meeting of the Scottish
Horticultural Association in Edinburgh there
were some choice blooms from the Messrs. Croll,
of Broughty Ferry, Dundee, and Mr. Hugh
Dickson, of Belfast, also sent some beautiful
Roses. Among l)undee Roses the foUowitig
were superb ; (lustave Piganeau, White L.ady,

i Comte de Raimbaud, Caroline Testout, Mrs.

I .lohn Laing, Francois Jlichelon, Lord Bacon,
La France, Marguerite de St. Amand, Sena-
teur Vais,se, Victor Verdier, Niphetos, Luciole,
Rubens, .Jean Dueher, and Xlme. Welch. These
and other fitie Roses were fringed with choice
bunches of Common and Crested Moss, \A'm. Allen
Richardson, (Jloire des Polyantha, &c. Among
Mr. Dickson's Irish blooms the following were
among the best : Gustave Piganeau, Caroline

d'Arden, .Mrs. .lohn Laing, Countess of Devonshire,
Countess of .Sutlierland, Prosper Laugier, Heinrieh
Seluiltheis, and Mrs. Sliarman Crawford. 1). T. !•'.
Rose notes. — 1 do not know what may be the
experience of those who have tlie ad\'antage of a
good Rose soil. Here, where the soil is very light,
a few ch.'iracteristies of the liresent season are a
very fine display of Teas, especially on walls, a
good ilisplay generally on standards ami bushes,
but (juickly over, and very favourable notes on
some of the less-known Roses and one or two
that are sometimes decidedly poor. In the latter
may be mentioned the white and yellow forms of
Jianksian that have flowered remarkably well.
In the single or semi-double cla.ss Bardou .fob is a
great fa\ ourite, and is the only variety of this ])arti-
cular shade in the section. It stands very fairly in a
cut state, much better than the appearance of the
(lower wotild indicate. Macrantha contrasts
Hncly with it, and alternate plants of these two
varieties make a verj' attractive bed. I ha\ e been
ititerested this year in our small colony of the
Polyanthas. The plants have been in their pre-
sent quarters for several seasons, are consequently
well established, .and flower with great profusion.
I think the best members of the family might be
utilised more fre(|uently in connection witli stan-
dards. If alternate plants were put in we should
have Rose beds fairly well covered instead of
looking on a collection of walking-sticks. Un-
necessary crowding can always be avoided.
In a cut state the Polyantha family are he-
ginning to be appreciated at their true value,
and few things are better for vases than nice
clusters of such varieties as Ma Paquerette, Perle
dOr, and Red Pet.— E. B. C.

Stove and Greenhouse.

ZONAL PELARGONIUMS FOR WINTER.

Whatever the value of these plants in the
flower garden, there can be no question as to
their utility for winter bhioming, their bright
and telling colours lighting up the greenhi)a.se
when it is most needful. Doubtless the modern
style of horticultural structures has done a
great deal to bring this phase of their culture
into popularity, but the ettbrts of Englisli raisers
of new varieties have done a great deal im.ire.
In tlie old style (.if house the plants made plenty
(jf wood during winter, but the ab.sence of light
and air prevented this blooming with any de-
gree of freedom. In present-day houses oppo-
site conditions obtain, and the plants thrive
accordingly. I am now potting up the stock
for next winter. They are potted in good loam
of a fibrous character, a little dried cow
manure, and plenty of leaf-motild and .sand.
After potting they should be stood outside
in the full sun and kept well on the dry side
until root action is flee, when a fairly lilieral
allowance is necessary. So treated, the plants
make a stouter growth than in frames, owing
partly to the fact that more room can be
allowed. They are almost sure to push flower
buds at once, but these should be pinched out.
The plants may stand in the open until the
middle or end of August according to the
weather, when jirotection must be given. At .all
times under glass a good circulation of warm
dry air must be kept up about the plants, these
being stood as close to the roof as possible and
no shading allowed .at any time. If more con-
venient, the iilants iii.ay be brought on in
batches to keep up a succession of bloom,
though the s.ame jilants will go on blooming for
sever.'il months. In the meantime, it is true,
they are apt to grow a little unshapely, but if
duly fed at the roots the quality of the flowers
is as good at the end of the season as at the be-
ginning. The [ilaiits after blooming may be

placed in a vinery or greenhou.se aiitl kejit a little
on the dry side until .June, when they may be
cut back, using the prunings for projiagation if
desired, and .stood outside. Double-flowered
varieties rec|uire rather more warmth to induce
them to open freely than do single ones, but in
.•I house ke|it up to ()(V at night and fairly dry
either will be satisfactory. The varieties are too
nuiucrous to giveanything likeagood selection,
but, as a general rule, the English-raised va-
rieties are far superior to the continental ones.

K.

Heliotrope planted out. -It is surprising
how much space Heliotrope planted out in a
border ami trained over a trellis on a back wall
will cover in a single season. In a garden near
here the Heliotrope is a great favouritie, and pro-
N'ision is made for a siipjily of cut bloom all the
year round. At Christmas one large S|)reading
plant on a vinery wall was covered with large
trusses of fragrant bloom. Cuttings are taken in
s|)ring, and as soon as rooted are grown on in
a moist intermediate temperature, Vjeing duly
potted on until a U-inch pot is well filled with
roots. Planting out is then done in a good loamy
soil and where a fair amount of light can reach
the plant. An increased quantity of bloom in
winter maj' be secured by pinching out the bloom-
trusses in summer. — J. C.

Streptosolen Jamesoui. — This has been
many times alluded to in The Garden' as a desir-
able plant for the greenhouse, its distinct .shade
of colour and freedom of blooming standing it in
good steiid. Besides this, too, it will bloom freely
in the open ground during the summer months.
In Hyde Park some large plants of it are flower-
ing in as great profusion as the large Heliotropes
and Fuchsias with which they are associated. The
genus Strei)tosolen is nearly related to that of
Browallia ; indeed, by some authorities it is in-
cluded in this last-named genus. In colour, how-
ever, it is totally dilferenli from the commonly-
grown forms of Browallia, in most of which the
flowers are of some shade of blue, whereas the
blossoms of the Streptosolen, which are of a
liglitish yellow when they first expand, change
atterwards to a bright cinnabar-red. This .Strep-
tosolen was introduced nearly fifty years ago, but
was soon lost to cultivation. M. Andre, how-
ever, re-discovered it in Ecuador in 1882 and im-
ported it into France, from whence it soon be-
came general in cultivation. — H. P.

KBempferia Kirki. — In some of the K.emp-

ferias their handsome foliage is the princijial
claim to recognition, while in others the flowers
are so ornamental that thej' well merit cultiva-
tion. The species above mentioned belongs to
the latter class, and very pretty it is when in
flower, and though the blooms are thin in texture
and do not remain long in perfection, yet a suc-
cession is kept up from one scape for a consider-
able time. This Kiempferia forms a thick, fleshy
root-stock, and passes the winter in a totally
dormant state. Upon the return of spring, a few
Plantain-like leaves are pushed up from each
crown, and generally during the month of .June
the flower-scapes make their appearance. In
shape, size, and colour the flowers bear a great
general resemblance to those of Miltonia vexil-
laria, but they are more flimsy and do not last
so long. This K;empferia is a native of the Zan-
zibar region, and when first flowered in this
country, about sixteen years ago, it was known
as Cienkowskia Kirki, under which name it was
figured in The Garden, November 19, 1881.
Like most of the Gingerworts to which it belongs,
this Ka-mi)fcria is of easy culture, all that is re-
quired being to keep it nearly dry during the
winter, and aliout February the root-stock must
be shaken clear of the old soil and again repotted
in a compost consisting of loam, well-decayed
leaf-mould, and sand. After this the soil must
be kept slightly moist till the leaves begin to
push above the surface, when the supply of water
must be increased. It is readily propagated by

82

THE GABDEN

[July 31, 1897.

division, which is best carried out when repotting.
This Ka'mpferia is such a distinct plant that
when in bloom it will attract a good deal of atten-
tion for this reason, as well as for the beauty of
its lilossoms. A second species, K. rotunda, with
purple and white blossoms, was figured in The
(Jakden, August 18, 1888, while of those remark-
able for the beauty of their foliage, K. (iilberti is
one of the best. This forms a dense tuft of
Funkia-Uke leaves of a deep green, marked with
white. It grows about 6 inches high and is \ery
useful for edging groups. — T.

Although the flowei-s of this plant do not

last very long, they are produced over a long sea-
son. The flowers, of a soft rosy purple tint with a
yellow centre, are each about 3 inches in diameter.
They occur on a slender stem from 6 inches to a
foot in height. The culture of this plant is not
difficult. It should be grown in a moist stove
heat and potted in a mixture of peat, fibrous
loam, plenty of sand and a little well-dried cow
manure. The plants rest all through the winter,
and may at this time be kept nearly or quite dry
in a warm greenhouse temperature. They
may be repotted just before gi-owth commences,
kept moist when the growth becomes active and
until this shows signs of dying off in autumn. It
is a native of Zanzibar, whence it was introduced
in 1872. — Grower.

SUMMER TREATMENT OF CALLAS.
For many years I adopted the plan of plant-
ing out my Arum Lilies in the open garden
in June and lifting in autumn. No fault could
be found with the growth the plants made, but
the system has its drawbacks, one of the greatest
being the destruction of so many of the young
succulent rootlets, which cannot be avoided, how-
ever much care may be taken. Further, after
potting and housing, many of the main leaves are
apt to go oflf, rot sometimes seizing the stems.
They are also so tender, that the first sharp frost
cripples them if it catches them in the open gar-
den. I do not mean to say that good results are
not obtained by the planting-out system, but for
the production of early blooms and, for tlie
matter of that, quantity too, I think the pot
system is the best. The plan recommended last
season by " E. J." of keeping the plants through
the summer in the pots and resting them, repot-
ting them in August, has been practised by several
gardeners hereabouts for years witli the best re-
sults. The new roots being made after jjotting
takes place, none of them are sacrificed, as is the
case when they are lifted from the garden. Rot-
ting of the leaf-stems is unknown, and an early
and abundant lot of bloom is certain. One neigh-
bour of mine allows his plants to remain in the
same pots for two seasons, merely examining the
drainage each autumn, surface dressing with rich
loamy compost, and feeding with liquid manure
when in full growth. The jilants during summer
are stood under the shade of a tall hedge and not
watered at all, merely getting what reaches them
from tlie clouds. Another grower lays the pots
on their sides and allows the balls to I^ecome
quite dry during tiie resting period, reducing the
latter somewhat in autumn and repotting. No
one could possibly wish for a better display of
bloom, and I intend in future to treat my plants
in this way— in fact, am doing so this season,
feeling quite sanguine as to results.

A Midland Grower.

in 1816. It forms a freely-branched shrub, that
grows from 6 feet to 10 feet high, and is clothed
with deep green ovate leaves. The flowers, which
are of a particularly attractive shade of rich pink,
are borne in terminal panicles, and so freely are
they iiroduced that when at their best the plant
ij quite a mass of bloom. The petals being very
much crisped, the clusters of flowers have a pecu-
liarly loose and uncommon appearance. It may
be grown in large pots or tubs, as the Orange is
sometimes treated, and in this way it maybe kept
in health and flowered year after year with but
little attention. It succeeds best in a rather warm
greenhouse, and a thorough ripening of the wood
is necessary in order to ensure a good display of
bloom.— H. P.

Potting Primulas. — A good many Primulas
of the single section will be potted this month
into their blooming pots. The old plan of stand-
ing the plants behind north walls during summer
is less common than formerly, many gardeners
preferring to give them more light and sun. For
some years past I have grown mine in a frame
facing south, the glass being rather heavily
shaded, this shading being reduced as autumn
approaches. I was induced to try this plan from
seeing large numbers of health}' plants in a
nursery near Birmingham grown in low span-
roofed houses, the roof -glass being merely shaded
with whiting and the pots stood on coal ashes.
Nothing co'jld possibly have been more healthy,
and I find that stouter plants and better
trusses of bloom are produced on plants so grown
than when brought on in semi-darkness behind
north walls, especially if the season is dull and
sunless. The pots should be well drained, and a
compost of light fibrous loam, leaf-mould and
siher sand used. Some growers add a little de-
com|:iosed cow manure with good results, but
feeding when the pots are getting well filled with
roots can always be resorted to. Gardeners
formerly used to pot Primulas with the neck or
base of the plant out of the .soil, soeadying them
with small wooden pegs, having an idea that basal
rot followed lowering them well into the soil.
This, however, was more imaginary than real,
it being far better to make the plants quite
steady and to exercise due care afterwards in
watering. Under this treatment fewer plants
will succumb in winter than when the crowns are
left out of the soil, dry rot then often destroying
many. Primulas enjoy a gentle damjiing over
each fine afternoon, putting a little air on for the
night. — J. C.

Garden Flora.

Laeerstrcemia indica.— Among the plants at
one time popular in our gardens, but now rarely
seen, must be included this Lagerstrcemia, or
Crape Myrtle as it is sometimes called, which is
one of the showiest of all our greenhouse flowering
shrubs. Why it is not more generally met with
is hard to say, for its cultural requirements are
not at all exacting, and when in bloom it is the
admiration of everyone. Though bearing the
specific name of indica, this Lagerstrcemia is a
native of China, from whence it was introduced

Hibiscus Trionum. — Last summer my gar-
dener in my garden in Wiltshire called my 'atten-
tion to what looked like a weed growing between
two flints, which formed part of an edging on
the north-west side of my kitchen garden. It
shortly afterwards presented me with a remark-
able flower. I sent it to the editor of The Gar-
den for naming, and he was good enough to in-
form me that it was Hibiscus Trionum, called also
Hibiscus africanus ; and I have since found it
very accurately figured in Nicholson's "Dic-
tionary." The flower is about the size of a double
florin, the petals a soft yellow, with a fine dash of
purple at their base— a very lovely flower indeed.
It kejjt on flowering from the beginning of August
till the beginning of October. I was able to
obtain from it a large quantity of seed and also
a number of cuttings. I have made a little bed
of seedlings (the seed ha\'ing been sown in heat)
now beginning to flower abundantly, and throw-
ing out vigorous lateral shoots, each clothed with
buds. It has but two demerits ; one is that the
flowers are very short-lived, but for this defect
there is compensation in its freedom of flowering :
and the other is that they shut up early in the
afternoon. I have never seen the plant either at
Kew or in any privateer nursery garden, and how
the seed came to deposit itself where it did is a
matter for speculation. It is a curious fact that
another plant of it showed itself last year at the
same time in the garden of a relation of mine near
Gosport. — G. R. R.

PLATE 1129.

BICOLOR DAFFODIL ELLEN WILLMOTT.

(with a coloured plate.*)

In any list of the largest, best, and most shapely
Daftudils now known, I think growers would
place this noble variety at the top of the poll.
So far as can be known at present, it would
appear to possess nearly, if not quite, all the
requisites of a perfect garden flower. It blooms
freely, and its flowers are sliapely and of good
substance and colour, as shown in the illustra-
tion. To say that it has received a first-class
certificate does not prove much, since that
honour has been showered t>n other and inferior
varieties, but an early bloom from the original
seedling bulb obtained the premier prize as the
most perfect new Daffodil at the Birmingham
Narcissus show two or three years ago, and it
created, moreover, a good deal of interest
amongst connoisseurs then present. This va-
riety also received the silver-gilt Flora medal
of the Royal Horticultural Society as the
jjremier Narcissus of 18Vt5. This noble Daft'o-
dil is named in compliment to Miss Ellen Will-
raott, of Warley Place, a most enthusiastic and
successful amateur gardener. It is a seedling
from John Horsfield crossed with pollen of a
fine selected form of N. variiformis. It first
flowered in 18!t4, and in 1895 a bloom obtained
medals for the premier seedling both at the
Royal Hiirticultural Society and at Birmingham.
In 1897 it obtained a first-class certificate from
the Royal Horticultural Society. The plant is
somewhat dwarf, but throws up a tall, stout
stem, bearing a flower of great substance and
symmetry. It is early flowering, a little in
advance of John Horsfield, of which it .seems
to possess the rt bust constitution.

But there are other very tine new Dafl'odils
quite as vigorous in habit and as large in flower
as is Mr. Engleheart's seedling, but as I believe |
even the best of them lack two at least of '
the essentials of a perfect bloom, viz., form
and substance, not even the big and beau-
tiful Weardale Perfection having (juite the j
form, substance, and perfect balance between '■
perianth and trumpet that are such features in
the variety now illustrated. One of the greatest
diflicidties experienced by raisers of seedling
Dafl'odils is to obtain well-balanced flowers,
since the natural tendency is for either the
perianth or the trumpet to preponderate in size, ;
imd more especially in form and substance. '
This natural tendency is remarkably well shown
in the imported seedlings of the Daffodil known
in gardens as N. variiformis, amongst which may
be found the widest of variations, as implied in
the name. Many forms are poor and thin, but
in)w and then forms bloom that would compare
with the plate ; in fact, the best forms of N.
variiformis yield flowers that are well-nigh as
perfect as could be desired, but one can never
be certain of obtaining theni. A perfect bulb
one year carries a jierfect bloom, but the chances
are that the bulb splits or divides after flower-
ing, and yields two or three very ordinary
blooms the following year. I mention the wild
N. variiformis because its best and finest blooms
so clo.sely resemble those of Ellen Willmott in. size,
form and colour, although they may not be abso-
lutely so jierfect in substance or texture of peri-
anthas isthatnearlyperfectand matchless flower.
When I say a flower of any Daflbdil is well-nigh
matchless, it becomes necessary to allude to the

* Drawn for The Garden in Kev. G. H. Engle-
heart's garden by H. G. Moon. Lithographed and
printed by J. L. Goffart.

1

if

JoLU 3), 1897.]

THE CxARDEK

83

known cliiimants in the select luinnur list nf
Daffodils, imd those enunienvted below ,ire
those of the first rank or (juality as known to
me : Ellen W'ilhuott, Weardale IVrfeclion,
Mn>e. de (iraali' (which at its best is an ex-
quisite ivory-white flower, a ;^lorified J. ]5. M.
Cannn), Ibidsoeks Pride (a common-place name
for a really line yellow flower) raised at Ilod-
socks Priory, Notts, by Mr. Mallendar, and once
a premier bloom at the Bii-niingham Narcissus
show. Monarch is another fine thing, and we
have also Glory of Leyden .and Golden Bell, all
yellows. A very reniark.-ible yellow .seedlint; in
the way of Htxlsocks Pride was foiuid some
few years ago in the garden at Kells by the
Marchioness of Headfort, and the first bloom
was one of the most perfect dowers I ever saw.
It was a chance seedling, and promi.ses to be-
come one of the best of .all yellow Datl'odils in
the future. The above are the best of modern
seedlings, and they will compete for place in
our gardens until newer and still finer kinds
sin"pass them. They are not. however, likely to
be too ])lentiful fiir some years to come, since
the [irice of a bulb of each variety would
amount to a considerable sum. It is curious
that in self-yellow Dafi'od U nothing so fa'', sur
passes the wild N. maxinuis at its best. The
seedling M. J. Berkeley, although good on some
soils, cannot compete with the the old maxinuis of
gardens, nor with the maximus which Rev. C. \V.
Dodsiiwwildonthe Landesof Dax, near Bayonne.
It can never now be known how N. maximus
found its way to the College Gardens at Dublin,
whence it found its way to England and else-
where, but that it therein attains remarkable
height and size of flower has long been known.
I can never grow Dutch or Lincolnshire
inaximus bulbs to anything like the same state
of perfection as our own (_)ld stock, and yet the
wild bulbs from Bayonne, kindly sent for com-
parison by the Rev. C. Wolley - Dod some
years ago, are fully equal in growth and size of
flower to our old stock. This must not be
taken as an admission that they are identically
the .same, for there are notable differences — viz.,
the colour of the Bay<mne flowers is a shade or
so paler yellow, the twist in perianth is less
marked, and whereas my own old stock dies down
in June or July, the Bayonne bulbs retain their
leaves ipiite green si.x weeks or more later in
the season. We badly want pure strong
yellows of the maximus and Sanbi Maria tone
of colour, but of more free habit of growth and
blossoming. P^ven a strong-growing and free-
flowering .strain of N. obvallaris would be a great
gain.

Robust and free-growing white Daffodils are
also desirable, and may perhaps be obtained by
cross-fertili.sation. So far it seems impossible
to obtain colour in the trumpets of true Dafl'o-
•dOs. It is possible t(.> infuse orange and rod
into the cups of N. incomparabilis and N. Ber-
niirdi, but in crossing these highly-coloured kinds
back with the true Daffodils it again becomes
lost. A well-known statesman once said, "The
more difticult a thing is to do, the more neces-
sary it often becomes to get it done;" and
colour in true big trumpet Daffodils is most
assuredly a want long felt and a result much to
be desired.

The plate is a faithful, but by no means
a too flattering portrait of this variety.
It shows remarkably well one essential
•characteristic on whicli all perfect perianth
lobes in Daflodils absolutely depend. This is
the slight overlapping along the margins of tlie
lobes, and especially at their tips or apices.
The central bundle of nerves forms a backbone,
as it were, to the perianth lobes, but it is the
tightening consequent on the infolding of the

perianth margins that akso adds much to flu;
rigidity of the flower. In other words, tin-
growth .along the |)erianth m.argins is slightly
less than that whicji flakes place in the centre ;
hence the stifl'ened beniling forward and in-
wards of the perianth lobes on the principle of
t!ie open umbivll.a. Slight .structural details,
or a|ipareutly trifling <lifl'erenccs of growth like
these, often m.ake the whole difference Ijetween
a perfect flower and a loo.se or floppy i>ne.
These remarks also apply to bulb growth,
which progresses through cycles or in a rhyth-
mical manner ; hence, in order to grow the
lucjst perfect flt)wers, we must study the pro-
duction or growth of bulbs up to a maximum
j)oint, as do the growers of the finest Dutch
Hyacinths, juid as the Tulip fanciers did in the
old days of exhibiting the.se flowers. A seed-
ling Narci,s.sus bulb is at its best the .second or
third year after first flowering, and it is only
by annual division and careful replanting and
cultivation that the maximum eft'ort of the
seedling bulb is ever again reached.

F. \V. BuEBiDOf:.

The Week's Work.

FRUIT HOUSES.
L.\TE Melons. — If seed was sown as advised and
the plants well looked after, they will now be
ready for planting. The house selected for grow-
ing late Melons in should be well heated. If the
house is well heated it matters not whether the
jilants be grown in pots or on mounds of soil, pro-
vided the latter can be placed directly on the
slates or slabs overlying the bottom-heat pipes and
fermenting material is not made use of. Should
there be a deficiency of bottom-heat, and it is re-
(juisite to use fermenting materials to supply
it in part or wholly so, then pots are the oest
medium to employ, as the roots can then be kept
at home. The few roots that escape through the
crock holes will not result in any harm being done.
These jjots should be prepared beforehand, and
the compost for the plants to root into pounded
hard, after which place them on a good firm
basis, such as inverted pots or loose brick-built
piers, which will avert all danger of their getting
out of level and sinking when the bed subsides.
The mounds of soil, too, should be made
firm, and when planting see that the collars of the
jilants are kept above the level of the soil in the pots
or mounds and slope the soil away from the stems
so that water drains away at once. Place stakes
to tie and train each plant to until they reach the
wires and well water afterwards. As the plants
advance in growth, attend to such matters as
stopping and training, and endeavour to have
the trellis well clothed with laterals, so that
plenty of female flowers shall be open at one time,
setting in the usual way when this takes place.

Autumn Cucr.MEER.s. — Where quantities of
Cucumbers are in daily demand, it is a good plan
to plant a house from which a crop of Melons has
just been cleared, both to relieve the plants which
have been in bearing during the summer months
and to give a good sujiply until the close of the
3'ear, \\-lien they may, if the house be required for
other puriioses, be rooted out. If provision has
been made to keep a good stock of young plants
on hand, there will be plenty to select from, but
if this matter has been neglected, seed should be
sown at once, or, what is still better, take cuttings
from the tops of some healthy growths found on
existing plants and strike them under bell-glasses
or in a propagating case. Cuttings root in a few
days, and if put in before the cleaning and pre-
])aring of the house are carried out, there will be
no delay. All that has been said with regard to
the necessity of having plenty of heat for late
Melons applies in an equal degree to these Cucum-
bers.

Winter CccrMBEK.s. — Towards the end of
August a well-heated house should be set apart

and prepared for growing these in. I prefer a
lean-to liouse and one that is partly sunk in the
ground for this purpose, as such is more snug
and less draughty than if built on the surface,
while it also teiuls to economise fuel during cold
weather. The interior of the house should be
made clean. A good start with a clean house and
good healthy plants at the outset will go a long
way to keep nmtters right if cultural details are
properly attended to ; therefore the thorough
cleansing of the structure cannot be too strongly
emphasised. In the meantime sow seed and
rai.se the re(|uisite stock of plants, which should
be grown well up to the light to prevent tliem
becoming drawn.

Late-kkeimno Gn.vi'ES. — Now that all danger
of scalding is past, houses in which Lady Downe's
is grown may lie .again .syringed and damped
down daily. Look to the borders, and if these
are approaching a dry condition, water them
surticiently to moi.sten them down to the drain-
age, and give a stimulant at the same time.
When scalding ceases to prove troublesome, we
then know that the stoning process is completed,
and that it is, therefore, now safe to finally thin
out the berries in all bunches where they are as
yet too thick. Each berry should have ample
space not only to allow them to grow to a large
size, but also to allow of a free circulation of air
through the bunches, as in many instances these
late Grapes have to be kept until the ensuing
spring. Varieties other than Lady Downe's,
such as Gros Colman, Alnwick Seedling, and
Black Alicante, the berries of which attain a very
large size, must be extra well thinned, otherwise
they will bind at the finish, and then if a berry
should hapjien to decay, those immediately sur-
rounding it will very likely become affected be-
fore the mischief is detected. Look the Vines
over about once a week, and keep lateral
growths pinched in until colouring commences,
when they maj- lie allowed a little more latitude.
On bright, warm days the house may be closed
about 4 p.m., or early enough to run the mercury
up to 90', and to prevent the temperature falling
too low at night, turn on a slight amount of fire-
heat. When the weather will allow, a chink of
air put on in the morning aiid allowed to remain
on until the following morning does much good
by afl'ording the Vines a certain amount of rest,
but it is best taken off at 6 a.m., and the house
should then be ventilated, after dam|iing down,
in the usual manner. During such hot weather
as that we ha\'e lately experienced the front venti-
lators need to be opened to a certain extent, but
until colouring becomes general they should not
be used too freely.

Pines. — The plants which will afford ripe fruits
during the autumn months will need a consider-
able amount of attention in the way of watering,
feeding and syringing in order to keep the fruits
swelling. Other deliails, such as keeping the
fruits in an upright position and imlling of
suckers with the exception of one at the base,
should be attended to, and afford the plants a
sufficient amount of shade during the hottest part
of the day. Plants started as advised when last
writing about Pines will now be showing for fruit,
when more water may be given at the roots, but
unless the condition of the plants should demand
it, withhold stimulants until they have done
flowering, when they ma\' have guano water each
time they reijuire \\'atering right up to the time
the fruits commence to change colour. Succes-
sional plants or those intended for spring fruiting
should be encouraged to make free growth so that
the same may be completed and the plants got to
rest early in the autumn. These and later
batches may have the benefit of guano or liciuid
manure each time watering is necessary until
growth is finished, when in order to keep them in
a quiet state through the late autumn and winter
months, no more water must be given than will
keep the roots and foliage in a healthy condition.
Many err in keeping these ])lants too dry, and a
greater mistake cannot be made, as numbers of
the roots perish when subjected to such treatment.
These should, if possible, be preserved, as they

84

THE GAPvDEK

[Jdlt 31, 1897.

prove of the utmost service when the phiiits come
to be started at the beginning of tlie year. To
keep up a good stock of plants continue to take
off and pot up all available and likely-looking
suckers, and if any of those taken within the past
two months are well rooted give them a shift into
larger pots at once rather than allow them to be-
come pot-bound.

Soils. — Where much fruit growing is carried
on there is, as a matter of necessity, a great
demand for soil of a suitable description to grow
the various subjects in. This is best dug at the
present season, as the carting of the same can be
the more expeditiously carried out while the sur-
face is in a dry and firm condition. The turves
should not be cut less than '2 inches or more than
3 inches thick, and shoidd also be as full of fibre
as it is possible to obtain them. Old sheep pas-
tures or the top spit from a deer park generally
aflords the best soil for this purpose. Wlien
much loam is recjuired, steps should be taken to
get the bare surface green again as soon as possi-
ble by scarifying and sowing it down with grass
seeds. Neglecting to do this often leads to con-
sent being withheld when next loam is required.

A. W.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Winter s.vlads. — The season has arrived when
sowings of both Lettuce and Endive should be
made for standing through the winter, or rather
to furnish supplies during the greater part of it,
other sowings being made later for spring and
early summer use. Both Hicks' and (Joldring's
Cos varieties are very hardy and suitalile for
present sowing, though as a rule good blanched
hearts are not produced until the spring. For
mixing in salads, however, the young tender
centres are generally preferred to those of the
Cabbage varieties, as the latter are apt to flag and
become tough after they have been cut a short
time. A good-sized bed of each kind should be
sown, as it is seldom the stock of plants is too
numerous say after midwinter. Rich ground
should be selected, dug deeply, and well broken
to pieces, and the seed sown thinly in drills after
the soil has had time to settle. Jluch time is lost
before the seedlings become large enough for
transplanting if they are not frequently watered
during dry weather. In the meantime the site
selected for their winter quarters should be pre-
pared, so that all will be in readiness by the time
the plants are large enough for putting out.
South borders are generally given up to Lettuce
and Endive, as they can be cleared off in time for
sowing and planting early spring crops. A good
dressing of manure now will not onlj' assist the
current crop, but the soil will lie in good con-
dition for most things next spring without any
addition, especially for early Carrots. It is better
to have the ground prepared a week or so before
it is required, which not only allows time for it
to settle naturally, but several light dressings of
wood ashes and soot can be aftbrded before the
plants are jiut in and there is less danger of their
being attacked by slugs. Other positions, such as
the foot of warm walls and other sheltered nooks,
should also be got ready either for sowing a pinch
of seed or for pricking out plants. To maintain a
continuous supply of first-class salad throughout
the winter, pits or frames become a necessity.
These probably at the present time will be occu-
pied with Cucumbers and other things, but any
that are available should be prepared to receive as
many plants as possible of both Lettuce and En-
dive. Where the frames have frequently been
used for French Beans, &c., and the surface-soil
has sunk a foot or more from the lights, more soil
should be added, or in some way raised so that
the plants will not be more than 9 inches from the
glass during the winter. A few inches of fresh
loam, with some spent Mushroom manure and
wood ashes added, will greatly assist the plants
to make stout foliage and better able to with-
stand severe weather. Among the Cabbage varie-
ties for winter use there are few better than Lee's
Immense Hardy Green when a true stock is

obtained. This variety finds much favour, I
believe, with the large market growers. All the
Year Round, Brown Dutch and Victoria are also
excellent for autumn sowing.

Tripoli Onions. — A piece of ground should also
be prepared for a sowing of these. By sowing
the seed not later than the middle of August,
sufficient time is allowed for the plants to become
strong before winter sets in. Rather rich ground
and a firm root-run are most desirable, as the
plants are often lifted out of the soil by frost
when the ground is loose and porous. It is
not advisable, therefore, to dig in a quantity of
partially decayed manure previous to sowing the
seed, but a dressing of soot, lime, or wood ashes
may be given, or if the ground be poor, a liglit
one of fowl manure may be used. When the
ground has settled somewhat, go over it and
make it firm by treading, form the drills 9 inches
apart, and sow the seed thinly.

SpiN.-iCH. — It is seldom this is too plentiful
during the winter, neither can one sowing be
trusted to yield the best results. Plants from
seed sown in the middle of August often become
too far advanced, should the weather be showery,
to stand well through the winter, while seed put
in at the same date may remain in the ground
weeks before it germinates, owing to the want of
moisture, and the plants will not be strong
enough to withstand a hard season. A piece of
ground that is in good heart and also in an open
])osition should be selected. This should be
forked over deeply and the seed sown in drills not
closer than a foot apart. Another sowing should
be made ten days later, and should there be any
fear of neither of these not suiting the season, or
being too forward, do not hesitate to put in more
seed, as it is an easy matter to destroy the for-
ward batch if not required. A great thing in
jjreparing the plants to withstand hard weather
is to thin them well out in the autumn. This
allows room for the foliage and roots to de\'elop,
and stronger plants are obtained than would
otherwise be the case if they were crowded the
same as summer supplies.

TiRNiPS. — This is another important winter
crop, and if the sowing season is put off a week or
two too long, it may mean a scarcity of roots not
only through the winter, but well on towards the
following summer likewise. In the midlands I
found about the loth of August a suitable date
for sowing, but here I find a little later is better.
Much, however, depends on the season, and, like
Spinach, it is well to be prepared for making two
or more sowings rather than run any risk of there
being a scarcity. Ground cleared of second early
Potatoes will be suitable for this crop, but it
should be in a fairly good condition, or the seed-
lings will become starved, especially if there is an
absence of rain, and more than likely suffer
from fly attack.

General remarks. — The great heat together
with a scarcity of rain in many parts has seriously
affected different crops, especially such as Beans,
Peas, and Cauliflowers. Each of these has re-
ceived copious waterings and the soil between
them has been mulched. Now that both French
and Runner Beans are becoming plentiful, daily
gatherings should be made, and none of the jjods
allowed to remain on the plants to form seed, or
the supply will soon fail. The gathering of all
vegetables, especially if they have to be packed
and sent long distances, should always be done
in the early morning if possible, especially during
such hot weather as we have recently experienced ;
tlieir ([uality as well as appearance is greatly im-
jiroved thereby, and they last longer- in a fresh
condition. A good portion of Parsley which was
sown in the spring should be cut over during
dull, showery weather, and the new foliage which
forms will stand better through the winter than
that which was made earlier in the summer.
Another pinch of seed may also be put in after
the first shower, and the plants well thinned out as
they come through the soil. These will furnish
welcome supplies towards spring.

Goodwood. KioiiARD Parker.

Ferns.

LOMARIAS.

This genus includes some beautiful and dis-
tinct species ; there are also some good varietie.s
of garden origin. The best known and most
generally useful of the family is

LoMARiA GiBBA. — This is grown extensi\ely for
market, and though perhaps not so popular as
some of the Pterises, it finds many admirers.
There are several distinct forms of this, varying
considerably in habit and size of fronds. The
variety with pale green medium-sized fronds is one
of the best, as it forms a compact plant and is not.
so prone to throw up fertile fronds prematurely as
some are. The variety platyptera appears to
originate from this. Although I have trecjuently
sown what appeared good spores of platyptera, I
have never succeeded in getting seedlings, though
when raising the first-named I have several
times had some plants of platyptera appear among
them. In ajjpearance this closely resembles one
of the Blechnums, producing large, rather erect-
growing fronds of a rich green, with no sign of
led in the young fronds. There is also an-
other good variety of strong growth, with a dis-
tinct bronzy red tint in the young fronds. To.
grow Lomaria gibba successfully the seedlings
must not receive a check in any way from the
time they are started until they have attained a.
useful size. Spores are rather uncertain in ger- •
minating, but when they do start they usually
come up \ery thickly. The spores should be
saved from plants grown in an o[)en, exposed posi-
tion, and old plants are usually more prolific than '
young ones. After seedlings get a good start, if
potted in a light compost and given a good heat
they soon grow on into useful-sized plants. They
like a rather moist atmosphere, but not too much
wet at the roots. A dry atmosphere will be sure
to result in thrips making their appearance.

L. ciLi.ATA is an old favourite, but not often
seen now. Some two years ago I grew a fine
batch, which proved quite as useful as gibba, but
it does not usually furnish so well. Among a
batch of seedlings of this I have had two very dis-
tinct varieties, one of which has received a first-
class certificate from the Royal Horticultural
Society. This bears a somewhat similar appear-
ance to ciliata as platyptera does to gibba. It
is named L. ciliata grandis. The basal fronds are
broad and smooth, and the fertile (or rather semi-
fertile) fronds are erect, crenulated, slightly con-
tracted, but not so narrow as the ordinary fertile
fronds of the species. L. ciliata major, which re-
ceived an award of merit, more nearly resembles
the parent, but is of a more robust habit, the basal
fronds broad and spreading, the fertile ones grow-
ing more erect and contracted, as in the species.
Should the former of these two varieties prove
abortive, we may hope to get some good things,
from the latter, which has every appearance of
maturing perfect spores.

L. cYCAD-iiFOLiA, which is sometimes described
as a variety of Boryana, is very distinct, the fronds
being of a thick, leathery texture. When seen at
its best it is very handsome, but unfortunately it
is hard to manage, being liable to die off' without
any apparent reason. I ha\e raised seedlings,
but it is perhaps more difficult to get matured
spores than to raise them.

L. DISCOLOR BIPINNATIFIDA. — This is 0116 of the
finest of all the Lomarias ; indeed, it may be con-
sidered one of the handsomest of all I'erns ; the
beautiful feather-like fronds are gracefully re-
cur\'ed, and of a peculiar fresh green. Like many
other garden \-arieties, it is difficult to get good
spores. I have only known one instance of spores
o-erminating, and among the plants raised there
was great variation, some being (piite equal to
the parent, while others represented nuda and
falcata, besides other intermediate forms.

(.)ther Lomarias worthy of note are L. atten-
iiata, the greatest attraction being the delicate
shade of rosy pink in the young fronds, and L.
I'Herrainieri, a delicate little Fern, the young

July 31, 1897.J

THE GARDEN

85

froiKls having a very bright red tint. All tlio
Lomariiis io(|uire careful treatment, ami when
well managed they have few rivals among our
cultivated Ferns. A. He.mslev.

Kitchen Garden.

A HEAVY CROP OF POTATOES.
Bkfore the rains fell, or up to July 1!), Potatoes
in this di.striet were " giving out" fast, and the
greater portion would soon have matured pre-
maturely. As it is I am afraid the crops in most
gardens will be unsatisfactory, the rain notha\ing
come soon enough by at least a fortnight.
As yet I have heard of no comjilaints of pro-
tubcration, but fully expect that will be the elleet
of the late downfall. At Longleat, in Wiltshire,
the Potatoes were looking remarkably well before
tlie rains came. 'They had not ceased growing
strongly in fact, and there is every likelibood of
the crops being heavier than usual — a hot season
suiting erojjs on a clayey soil. Having seen
Potatoes on the same ground — a plot outside the
garden walls, with Apple and Pear trees distri-
buted about it — for several years in succession, I
enquired and learnt that there had not been a
change of crop for the past twenty 3'ears. I grew
Potatoes for twelve years in succession on the
same half-acre of ground, and the last crop was
the best of all, but at Longleat Jlr. Trollops easily
beats my record. Bruce is the variety princi-
pally grown, and the estimated yield is 4 bushels
to tiie " lug," as a square rod of ground is termed
in these parts. Of late years that has been the
average yield, and as before hinted, there is a
good prospect of an exceptionally heavy crop this
season. No solid manure of any kind has been
used on the ground for years, but the Potatoes
get the benefit of equal parts of mineral superphos-
phate (soluble ])hosphoric acid), kainit (potash),
and either nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia
(nitrogen), carefulh' mixed and applied at the rate
of one hundredweight to 20 square rods of ground
— that is, 8 hundredweight to the acre. For
medium and light soils nitrate of soda is recom-
mended, but for clayej' ground, sulphate of am-
monia is to be preferred. This manure promotes
a strong, but not gross growth of haulm, and
when used for The Bruce, Magnum Bonum
.and other disease-resisting varieties, spraying
with the Bordeaux mixture as a preventive of
disease is uncalled for and may easily do more
harm than good. I.

Somerset.

Good dry weather Lettuces. — Those who
have a dithcultv «itli summer Lettuce may with
advantage try the Bath or Brown Cos. This will
stand heat and drought better than any Cos
variety I have grown. Sown monthly from April
till July it is a superb variety, and the later sow-
ing gives a long autumn supply. The best
Cabbage variety is Continuity. This, like Brown
Cos, is a dark-coloured form, and stands heat and
drought better than any hght kinds, needs the
same culture as advised above, and remains tit
for use a long time. It is a close, compact
grower, and of good quality. There are other
coloured forms, but the two above named have
this season been my best, and it was the same
last year with long drought and heat. — <!.
'\\'vTni:s.

Tomato Carter's Outdoor.— This Tomato
is worth noting as exceptionally valuable to those
who have a lot of fruit to supply as early as pos-
sible, and yet have hardly any facilities for indoor
culture. With the view to thoroughly test its
claims as an outside variety, I sowed it this year
in pans early in March in a cool house and
planted it out .about the middle of May in a shel-
tered spot, the only protection given being a Sea-
kale pot over each plant if the nights threatened
to be cold. The first fruits were gathered .July
16. Although not quite up to the Perfection type in
smoothness and regularity, it is an evenly-shaped

fruit, a prodigious crop])er, and of vigorous con-
stitution. Its chief merit, however, and one that
will make it a general favourite, is the quick set-
ting and ripening. E. l5ri;l;KI,L.

Broad Beans and drought. — Broad Beans,
ihou'jh looked upon as a common vegctalJe, are
liki-ii liv many people. In seasons of drought the
plants "are often so badly attacked by fly that it is
dillicult to provide supplies in succes.sion. The
liest jireventive is to sow under a north wall for
latei' crops or even under trees in a fruit garden
if the trees are not too close ; but even when
treated thus there is a difficulty in [jreventing the
lieans turning black and getting tough skins.
It is this latter which makes Broad Beans dis-
agreeable to many palates. There is a simple
remedy, that is after the Beans are shelled, to re-
move the outer skin, this being of a greenish
white, often tough and hard, and of a disagree-
able taste. This, when removed, makes the
Bean young, as it were, green, and tasty. I ad-
mit it "needs a little patience to remove the skin
from each bean or seed, but it is work well repaid,
and this \'egetable treated thus is much nicer.
Broad Beans of late have increased so much in
height, size, and number of beans in a ])od that a
tpiantity can soon be shelled. The skinning ad-
vised is not so tedious as many would tbink,
especially when the quality is so much improved.
— (i. W.

Pea Veitch's Goldfinder. — For the past
twelve years or more this variety has been grown
in the West of England, giving the greatest satis-
faction to all lovers of good Peas. It was sent out
by Messrs. Robert Veitch and Son, Exeter, and
was submitted by that firm to the Royal Hoi-ti-
eultural Society for trial at the Chiswick gardens
this season, for the first time presumably. It was
thought to be merely either the true, or a well
selected stock of that deservedly popular variety
Ne Plus Ultra, and was jiassed over accordingly.
As it happened what we may reasonably suppose
to be the true stock of Ne Pius Ultra was growing
on the same plot of ground for the jiurpose of
comparison, and this low suffered considerably by
contrast with that of Goldtinder. The latter was
producing much the better crop of well-filled pods,
ijut still was not considered distinct enough to
entitle it to an award of merit. Undoubtedly the
Ne Plus Ultra is the best type of main-crop and
late Peas we have. No other type better- with-
stands extremes of either drought oi' wet weather,
and if the pods are not long enough to win prizes,
their contents never fail to please the cooks and
those they cater for. If, therefore, Goldfinder is
only a good stock of Ne Plus Ultra it deserves to
be recognised as such, and it will most certainly
be popular long after showier certificated varieties
have had their day and are forgotten. — W. I.

Lettuces. — Whilst we have so many varieties of
Cabbage Lettuces, there are few really distinct Cos
forms. The best known of these are Paris White,
often found under numeious diverse names ; Hardy
(Jreen Cos, very usefulfor winter work ; Champion
Cos, a tall jiale green form similar to Ivery's Non-
such, and far from being a reliable variety, but
when well grown very large ; the Black Seeded
Bath Cos, so good too for winter growth, and the
white seeded form which is much gi'own for winter
use, but generally hearts so indifferently. A good
stock of the Paris White, and that is generally
found good now, and the black-seeded Bath Cos
are the best and meet all requirements. Cos
Lettuces have been very good this season where
the ground has been well prepared for them, very
rarely have I seen premature bolting stocks, and
these may have been largely the product of bad
treatment in the early stages of grow th. As to
Cabbage forms they seem to be legion, yet these
may be reduced to smooth green, smooth red, and
lough or curled of both colours, and usually large
inclining to coarseness. Mo.st of the varieties are
good in their way, but all depends very much on
treatment. Those stocks which stand well
before running oft' to flower are best, but long
standing is usually obtained at the expense of
laispness of leaf and absence of flavour. To have
Cabbage Lettuces good it is needful to sow seed

in small (piantities often, so that the hearts may
be fre.sh and crisp. It is rathia' surprising that
the pi'aetiee of laying thin canvas over the plants
in the day does not prevail geneially, as exposure
to hot sunshine soim toughens the tender leafage,
and also induces (luick bolting to flower. Shad-
ing to keep the hearts cool is a most de.sirable
feature, as the salading is then so much sweeter
and crisper. — A. I).

Late Broccoli —There is a conflicting o|)inion
resi)eeting the merits of Late (^)ueen Broccoli by
your correspondents — Messrs. T. Cockerill and G.
Bolas — on page 4 (.Inly 3). The variety has been
a universal favourite now for several years, so that
to extol its merits seems altogether umiecessary,
because so well known to everyone. This may
account for the remark made by Mr. Bolas that
he finds no reference to Late Ciueen when late
Broccoli notes are perused. Mr. Cockerill evi-
dently has not had the true stock of this estimable
variety if, as lu^ .says, it turns in about the end of
April or early in Maj', because its season extends
from the middle of May until the same time in
.June. Seeds of this variety which I had obtained
from a local source turned in at the time named
fjy Mr. Cockerill, and showed characteristics alto-
gether opposetl to the true variety. This in m}'
case turned out very convenient, because the past
season's Broccoli crop was very erratic, and but
for the eai'ly maturity of the so-called Late t^ueen,
t should have been without any .supply. If, how-
ever, I had deiiended solely on this for the end of
May there would have been a considerable break
between these and the earlj' Cauliflowers, more
especially so this year, when the latter were quite
a fortnight late. "Mr. Cockerill does not say, but
I presume he alludes to Carter's Champion and
Gill)ert's Universal as being so far in advance of
Late Queen. The true stock of Late (Jueen I have
always found one of the most reliable and hardy
of Broecolis, and, as far as my memory serves me,
your correspondent is the first to under-estimate
so valuable a variety as Late Queen. I cannot
believe that he has based his convictions on ex-
])erience gained from growing the true variety,
which is very dwarf, distinct in foliage, very hardj-
and late — that is, when sown, as it should be, in
Maj'. Sutton's Bouquet and Model are two other
favourites of mine for late cutting. They are
both very hardy.— W. S., fVi/ts.

TWO NEW VARIETIES OF POTATOES.

Some friends of mine, enthusiasts in raising and
cultivating new varieties as well as in growing
the best old sorts of Potatoes, have spent years
in the pursuit without having succeeded in intro-
ducinn' a variety of any real commercial value.
Exception to this rule, however, must be
made in favour of Mr. G. Wythes, who without
being a Potato specialist has yet succeeded in
raising at least two varieties of sterling merit and
well worthy of a trial in most gardens. One,
named English Beauty, was the result of a cross
between Myatt's Prolific and Beauty of Hebron,
and combines in itself the good qualities of both
of these old favourites. It has the "Beauty"
foliage, and the tubers resemble those of that
parent in form, but are not so larj'e, and are also
white in colour. No fault can he found with
either its cropping powers or the ipiality of the
tubers when cooked, and seeing that it is as
reliable as Myatt's Ashleaf on most soils, also
maturing eai-ly, this variety should prove valuable
alike to the private as well as market grower.
What pleased me even more when at Syon was
the grand breadth of Syon House Prolific there
growing. In this variety we have a really good
di.seaseresisting, heavj' cro])ping Potato, that is
destined to take the jJace of Bruce, Magnum
Bonum, and the like in both piivateand market
gardens. It was the result of a cross between
Sutton's SeedUng and Hinton's Prolific, a local
variety of good repute, but the growth more
nearly resendJes that of the Bruce, and is of
a decidedly disease-resisting character. When
well growna sack of tubers to the scjuare rod may

86

THE GARDEN.

[Jdlt 31, 1897.

safely be anticip.ated. The tubers are moderately
large, pebble-shaped, with few eyes, a rough
skin, and quite handsome enough for exhibition.
It is said to keep admirabh', and has been proved
to be of excellent quality when cooked. Grown
in the Royal Horticultural Gardens, Chiswick, in
1895, and again in 1896, it was among the limited
number selected for an award of merit. Both
novelties were distributed by Messrs. J. Veitch
and Sons last winter, and will therefore be well
within reach of most growers next planting
season. W. I.

Potato Sharpe's Victor. — With regard to
" D. T. r.'s" note (p. 45), I must confess I maj'
have omitted to green my seed as much a.s
" D. T. F." would have me do. The two bushels
of seed 1 had from a trustworthy source were not
greened as much as my critic would ad\ise, in
fact, I fear they may have been similar to those
in the heap he condemns. The seed was pur-
chased from a large grower, and possibly he is
unable to keep his seed Potatoes in thin layers. I
am aware the tubers are best e.x posed before
housing, but I do not place the failure to the
greening. Why should Sharpe's Victor need
special greening ? I stated that others with the
same treatment had not deteriorated, one I had
twenty years, and I think loss of vigour was the
cause of failure. On the other hand " D. T. F."
quotes Mr. Cockerill's success (p. 4), and nothing
is said as to whether he greened his seed, but he
does not feed. I do feed, and my early crop in
such seasons as we have just passed through
would cut a sorry figure if I did not feed in a
poor soil, not 18 inches deep, but 9 inches in some
parts, not on rock but on gravel. I am obliged
to differ from " D. T. F." on these points. I
think " D. T. F." places too much importance on
greening, as, if the skin of the tuber is sound that
is what is needed. I thoroughly agree with him as
to size of seed. It is necessary to have good sized
seed, but I fear many cannot say Sharpe's Victor
is a sure cropper and of the highest quality. I
could name half a dozen early kinds superior. I
do not think " B. T. F." can have given Ring-
leader a fair trial, at least side by side with
Sharpe's Victor. A few seasons ago, in fact, be-
fore the advent of Ringleader, I noticed Victor
less satisfactory than it should have been. This
year I have several far sujierior to Victor in every
way. — S. H.

Flower Garden.

ROMNEYA COULTERI.

There are few flowers more beautiful than
those of this Californian Tree Poppy. The
blossoms are so simple in form, so exijuisitely
delicate in the substance of their petals, which
at first sight remind one of the finest white
crepe and flutter at the slightest breeze, their
purity enhanced by the great golden boss of
stamens from which they radiate. Many of the
flowers are C inches and more in diameter, and
when a dozen are open at one time form a
wonderfully attractive picture. They also pos-
sess the aditional charm of fragrance, and, in-
deed, in their qualities of perfume, form, and
colouring are very near perfection.

The plant, though it does well in the south-
west of England, can scarcely be deemed abso-
lutely hardy even there, several specimens
having been killed by the severe frost of two
winters ago. A certain amount of protection is
desirable, but undue coddling often leads to the
plant rotting to the rootstock, and so perishing.
It was suggested to me a short ti]ne since that
Pine needles would form the best winter mulch
for this subject, and I have no doubt that they
would prove a most efficient protection, holding
no superfluous moisture and allowing the air to
percolate through them, whilst they kept the
frost from entering the ground. I have found

the Romne3'a very impatient i >f root-distui-bance,
and have lost several seedlings in shifting them
on, though this operation was most carefully
performed. When plants have been put out in
the border they have lost most of their leaves,
though the ball of roots was left intact. When
once established in the open ground, however,
they grow strongly, the plant which the accom-
panying illustration represents having in two
seasons attained a height of over 8 feet, and
having increased considerably in size since
the photograph was taken in the summer of
18!I6. The seeds of the Romneya take a long
while to germinate. In one case ten months
elapsed before signs of growth appeared. The
plants may also be raised from root cuttings
and layers. When growing in the rock garden
it often sends out shoots at some distance from
the parent stem, and only the other day I
noticed a case where one such shoot had been
taken off and planted in a neighbouring border,
where it was flourishing finely and appeared to
have relished rather than resented the root-
disturbance involved in its removal. Probably
the most advantageous site for Romneya Coul-
teri is a sheltered one backed by a wall, which
enables rough protection, in the shape of a sus-

colour is most eflrecti\'e, especially when made u{>
into a spray. In the flower garden it is equally
striking, but must not be placed in the full sun.
In the latter position the top petals very soon get-
scorched. In any position in which partial shade
can be afforded all will be well. It is an excellent
sort for both early and late displays. — D. B. C.

Primroses and Polyanthuses. — There has.
been a very good harvest of seed of these this
year and the sample is excellent. Those who are
wise will not leave sowing until the spring, as in
the interval not only will the seed shells harden,
but the germ will have dried up and become-
worthless. It is because of the long keeping of
these seeds that so manj- failures occur from
spring sowings, or if not absolute failures, ger-
mination at least is irregular. It is best,
so far as practicable, to sow as soon as the seed
has ripened. It is well all the same not to sow ia
the open ground until the chief summer heat is
o\'er, and for preference to sow about the middle
of August. If the weather then be dry, a small
bed may be prepared by well forking and cleaning
it, leaving it a bit rough, then giving over-night
a good soaking of water. So treated, next day
the soil will break down well with a coarse rake.
The seed should then be sown thinly, be well
raked in, then lightly watered, and at once covered
up with mats. If heat and drought continue, one

Romneya Coulteri, From a photograph sent by Mr. S. W. Fitzherhert, Torquay.

pended mat or other material, to be more
readily and temporarily supjilied than where
the plant stands altogether in the open. The
last two winters have been so mild, that even
plants in the latter position have passed through
them uninjured, but like immunity cannot be
counted on during succeeding years. Wlien in
full growth the Romneya delights in an ample
water sujiply. Up to the present time 1 have
not obtained tht]roughly ripened seed from
plants grown in the open air. S. W. F.

Tufted Pansy Magie. — This is one of the
1896 novelties, and it has evidently come to stay.
Several handsome sprays shown at the meet-
ing of the National Viola Society doubtless
assisted very materially those who used the
\ariety. The flowers are rich rosy-crimson, of
large size and freely produced. The growth is
free and it is also fairlj' compact. We have no other
Tufted Pansy of a similar shade of colour. —
C. A. H.

Tufted Pansy Sheelah.— This is a pretty
flower, and one which has suffered vei-y much
from the trying heat of the last few weeks. The
colour is best described as pale I'ose with deep
crimson centre and a neat yellow ej'e. This

or two waterings may be needful to keep the soil
moist, covering up again at once. Germination is-
then quick and even. The mats may now be-
removed and the plants will become strong and
sturdy, rooting deeply and will stand the winter
admirably. Then if lifted carefully and planted
out the following April tlicy will produce huge
clumps to bloom during the succeeding winter and
spring. — A. I).

Tufted Pansy A. J. Rowberry.— It is a.
matter for regret that this handsome kind does
not possess a better habit. We have no other
Tufted Pansy of so deep and rich a golden yellow.
The flowers are of large size and, except \eiy
early in the season, absolutely rayless. The con-
stitution of this variety has over and over again
been described as anything but robust, but I am
inclined to think diflerently. My plants were all
rooted outdoors M'ithout any artificial protection
and on a raised bed with a northern aspect.
Here they remained right throughout the winter
and until spring planting commenced. Some of
the plants were planted out in beds in the ordi-
nary way, and as these beds were a piece of
pasture land the previous summer, I anticipated
trouble from the wireworm. All this batch ha.s
done well. In order, however, to prevent the
total loss of this variety, which I quite expected
would be the case if I trusted entirely to the

July 31, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

87

plants in my new i)iece of gjaiden, T made up a
series of roujih frames without frame li^lits.
With otlier varieties A. .1. Rowberry was aecorded
a place here, and, except for a jtoo<1 niulchini; with
rotten manure in .lune and an occasional watcrinf,'
durintj very hot weather, nothint; ex<«ptional has
been dune. At the time of writinj; 1 have a
capital batch of this variety in tlie most robust
condition. Does not this point to the fact that
over-i)ropafration in its early history is larRely
responsible for a weakened 'constitution durini;
the Hrst year or two of its existence? Many seed-
lings from this variety have recently been raised,
and we may hope to" get an etjually good Hower
on a dwarfer plant. — Growek.

BORDER CARNATIONS.
Amon'o the many objects of interest that came
under my notice during a short tour amonu; jjar-
dens near London,. none gave me greater pleasure
than tlie beds of border Carnations to be seen at
each place I visited.

Syok HorsE.
It was at the Syon Gardens, however, where
the finest display was made, and I was, fortu-
nately in time to see them before cutting com-
menced for an extra large garden ])arty, cut
Carnations playing an important part in the
decorations of reception rooms, tents, and the
like. Last autumn Mr. Wythes planted ten beds,
each .'JO feet long and 4 feet wide, wholly with
Carnations, and with few exceptions all have done
•well. Such well-known favourites as Ketton
Rose, Dnchess of Fife, Countess of Paris, Mrs.
Muir. Gloire de Nancy, Pride of Great Britain,
Germania, Pvaby Castle, Mrs. Reynolds-Hole,
Uriah Pike, Leander, and Redbraes were all
extensi\-ely represented, and were flowering
grandly. The Old Clove was in better con-
dition than I have seen it for a long time jjast.
Either the treatment given suits this old fa-
vourite, or else Mr. Wythes has got hold of a
superior form, for I noticed that the
grass was exceptionally healthy and strong, and
also that the blooms were large, of good form,
without the usual bursted ealj'ces. The beds of
Douglas' strain of seedlings comprised a good
percentage of really attractive varieties, superior,
in fact, to many named sorts cultivated with far
greater difficulty in gardens generally. Mr.
Wythes belie\'es in young plants of both seed-
lings and named \'arieties, also fresh soil, earlj'
planting, early mulching with old Mushroom-be<l
manure, and timely staking. In point of numbers,
the seedling Carnations at

The RoY.iL Horticultural Gardens, Ciiiswick,
come next, and as these are also all raised from
. seed supplied by Mr. .T. Douglas, it need hardly
be added that the strain is much above the average.
In reality the variety is remarkably good, plenty
of the plants fully deserving distinctive names
and to be (lerpetuated by layering. The yellow s
are very handsome and among the most valuable,
but there are also many good white, red, pink,
and crimson forms, the blooms being extra large,
yet not coarse, and borne erect on stout branch-
ing stems, while the foliage in some instances is
nearly, or (|uite, as broad as that of a Malmaison.
Mr. S. T. Wright has been very successful with
this large hatch of Carnations and is to be con-
gratulated accordingly. At

GUNNERSEURY HoUSE
Mr. Hudson usually succeeds well witli every-
thing he takes in hand, and his grand bed
of border Carnations does not suHfer in the
least by comparison with the other displays
just previously commented on. Once more
Mr. Douglas's strain has been favoured, and the
same excellence in variety, habit of plants and
<iuality of Viloom is observable here as elsewhere.
It is also worthy of note that fully 90 per cent, of
the seedlings are double-flowered, and anj'thing
better than that cannot be guaranteed either now
or probably in future j'ears by florists generally.
If I remember rightly. Mr. Hudson is an ad\ocate

of rather early sowing. When the seed is sown
in February it germinates more surely in heat
than it does in March, with its trying bursts of
sunshine, and tpiite as many plants are olitained
from 100 seeds aswlien the seed is sown in a warm
frame in April. Then, if the early-raised seed-
lings are propeily treated, or not allowed to re-
main longer than is good for them, either in heat
or in the seed-pans or boxes, grand plants are
ready for the beds in July. When raised and
lilanted out thus early it is astonishing what a
number of blooms a single jilant will la-oduec the
following summer. Hundreds instead of ilozcns
are the order of the day, in fact, the plants in
•Jul}' are literally all l)loom, little or no grass be-
ing formed, hence the necessity for raising a
fresh stock of pl.ints from seed every season.
Beds of seedlings rejiresenting a good strain are
far more pleasing to those growing them than the
more formal dis[)lay of named \arieties, a lover of
flowers finding much to admire even in the
singles, and the expenditure, either in money or
labour, is far less than in the case of forming
and growing a collection of named sorts.

W. Igoulden.

WHITE TUFTED PANSIES.

One could not help noticing the marked advance
made in the white forms of these beautiful
hardy flowers at the recent exhibition of the
National Viola Society. Preference certainly was
given to those of the rayless type of the flower.
A variety distributed last season under the name
of Nellie was often in evidence. This is a very
large flower, of beautiful form, pure white, with
a small, neat orange eye. As a plant for garden
decoration it is deserving of extended culture ;
its growth is vigorous, yet free from coarseness,
and it is an ideal sort for the flower garden. It
is also very free-flowering. Another variety seen
in excellent condition in several stands was
White Empress. This is one of the very latest
introductions ; the blossoms are very large and
circular, the lower petal being somewhat cupjied,
thus giving a finish to the flower. It may be de-
scribed as pure white, and, like the last-named
variety, has a neat orange eye, the centre also
being free from rays. Although a strong-growing
sort, it is very compact in its growth. Several
plants in pots were greatly admired. It does not
ap])ear to be quite so free-flowering as the variety
Nellie. One of the best of the white flowers,
liowever, was Christiana. This has a large orange-
yellow centre or blotch on the lower petal, which
enhances its apjiearance considerably. The flower
is oval in shape and its form is distinctly good.
As a type of what a Tufted Pansy should be, this
is an ideal plant. The growth is beautifully
dwaif and spreading, and it is also free-flowering.
,\ vai-iety with somewhat smaller flowers, yet \ery
refined, was Ethel Hancock. The flowers are
much whiter than those of most other white
sorts and they have a rich yellow eye ; the growth
is compact and strong. A pretty flower was
Devonshire Cream. As its name implies, this is a
creamy white flower with orange centre. The
habit is excellent and the growth wonderfully free,
yet compact. A lovely spray of Vestal — one of
the purest white Tufted Pansies in cultivation —
was much admired. This is another of Dr.
Stuart's gems. The flowers are of medium size,
but they are refined and chaste, qualities generally
characteristic of this raiser's flowers. The
northern growers seem to have a partiality
for large-rayed flowers, which did not for a
moment compare with tlie smaller rayless blooms
staged by their southern rivals.

D. B. Crane.

Campanula Hosti alba. — Among the white
Bellflowers this is perhaps the most worthy both
for its wonderful freedom as also the numerous
sprays of its pure white flowers. In a soil tliat is
deep and rich it is dcjubtful whether we have any
more beautiful or graceful subject for either the
rock garden or border. Indeed, it is tlelightful
anywhere provided an ample supply of moisture

is maintained during growth and flowering.
Many years since, I noted this])lant in excellent
condition in the midlands in a rather still' and
moist clay, so moist, in fact, that Primula japonica
was in the greatest luxuriance cpiite near. .Some
small plants of this kind weio noted recently at
the Drill Hall, but in small (li inch) [jots they give
not the least idea of their beauty. It is one of
those subjects that well grown may safely be
placed in the front rank among hardy flowers,
but in a ])oor, dry, or shallow soil the true cha-
racter of the variety is lost. In size and purity of
flowers it is far the best of its section, and esta-
blished plants will reach to "2 feet high, bearing
almost endless sprays of snow-white blossom on
slender branches.

Phlox Coquelicot. 1 happened to be at Kew
on tlie ITtli iiist. (the day on which the notice of
this variety appearcfl in The (Sauden), and I was
so struck with the extraordinary vividness of its
scarlet that I was on the point of asking in these
pages whether anyone could tell me where it is
procurable. As for its identity w'ith Lothair, as
suggested by the editor, I should certainly be
disposed to negative any such proposition,
although the way such names get mixed and mis-
applied makes it difficult or impossible for anyone
to answer w-ith real authority on such a matter-.
I grew (or believed myself to be growing) Lothair
for many years here. It was a beautiful Phlox of a
high colour and strong growth, and, if I recollect
right, it was one of the first noticeable high-
coloured Phloxes to be introduced, but it was cer-
tainly unlike and altogether inferior in the vivid-
ness of the scarlet (which is real scarlet) to the
variety now under notice, which is to my mind a
"new departure" in these magnificent florists'
flowers. There are a good many fine varieties in
the Kew collection which are evidently from a
French source. — J. C. L.

Meconopsis "Walliclii. — The Indian Poppies
are among the handsomest plants in flower at
the present moment. To obtain the fullest de-
\ elopment in these plants, seeds should be sown
early in the year, say in Februarj' or March,
the latter quite soon enough where slight warmth
can be had for the seed pan. An important
point is that of growing on the seedlings briskly
from the first, as a check in any of the early stages
prior to planting out is calculated to do serious
mischief. From the seed-pan the young plants
should be potted into equal parts of loam and
sandy peat in pots 4 inches across, transferring to
their permanent positions as soon as roots reach
the side of the pot. To delay planting out is to
court failure, as the jiyramid of blossom in the
year ensuing will be in proportion to the de\'elop-
ment of the plant in the first year. A deep and
rather moist soil should be provided, planting a
dozen or twenty plants in an irregular group at
18 inches apart. These tlie first season make
handsome rosettes of leaves that are quite orna-
mental in themsel\-es. Of this fine Himalayan
Poppy '^ "it's group is now flowering in the Kew
rock garden.

Marketing Arum Lilies. — Having many
thousands of splendid flowers growing on the
margin of a large pond, I thought it might be
worth while sending them to London for tlie
.Jubilee festivities, and wrote to a leading flower
dealer at Covent (Jarden, who replied "that at
present they were fetching from 'is. to 3s. per
dozen, but send them up and we will do our best
for you." I at once sent forty-eight dozen, for
which, after paying carriage, &.C., he sent me
17s. '2d. , saying the flowers were very poor, &c. A
few days afterl senta liox of flowers to The (Jarden
office for their verdict as to quality, &c., and that
verdict highly iiraised the substance and (juality
of both flowers and leaves. The flowers sent were
superior in every respect to the sample sent to you.
They were carefully packed in six cases each
'.Mi inches by 22 inches and 10 inches deep, well
lined with paper, with layer of leaves at bottom,
and e\-ery flower fastened down to prevent the
possibility of shifting. Tin; cases, costing Is. each,
were never returned. There was no complaint of
the packing or the condition the flowers arrived

88

THE GARDEN.

[JuLT 31, 1897.

in, only that they were poor in quality. The
amount received for them was a fraction over
4d. per dozen, and this during the Jubilee festivi-
ties. I was so disgusted with the transaction, that
I determined to let them rot rather than send an-
other flower to Covent Garden.— W. Sang win,
Treliiskk, Truro.

IBIS GATESI AND OTHEK CUSHION

IRISES IN HOLLAND.

In No. 1039 of The Garden, vol. xl., I had
the privilege to be able to insert a short
article on Cushion Irises, giving the way I
grow this most interesting group of Irids in
Holland. Contrary to the advice of some of
the most eminent English growers, whose e.x-
perience and great success in most other gar-
dening problems cannot be over-estimated,
I there urged the necessity of taking up the
rhizomes of these Irises every season in order
to give them that complete period of rest,
without which no proper flowering can reason-
ably be expected. The rhizomes are taken
out of the ground as soon as the foliage shows
signs of having fulfilled its task ; they are
then gradually dried off and are not replanted
until late in the season — end of November.

These are the main points of our method of
cultivatirg this most captivating set of
Irids, and that the .said system of cultivation '
works tolerably well in at least my garden
no one can possibly deny who takes a look at
the accompanying illustration, which the editor
has been good enough to reproduce from a
photograph sent by me, and representing a
portion of my beds of Iris Gatesi. This
species is unquestionably the prince of Irises,
and it is a really remarkable coincidence that
Herr Leichtlin, the prince of modern cultiva-
tors, has also been the first to place this royal
flower within the reach of all. The photo
shows a large lot imported by myself three
years ago, the rhizomes having been col-
lected for me in the mountains of Southern
Armenia. Naturally, the first season the
plants were weak, my collector having been
obliged to dig up the specimens when in bloom,
and it was only the second season that a few
blossoms were produced. This season when
the photograph was taken there were about
400 noble flowers in full splendour, with at
least as many more to follow, which the
numerous buds shown on the photo can fully
testify. At the time of flowering we had a
few warm, sunny, perfectly still days, causing
the flowers to open without the least injury,
and in the brilliant June sun the whole
literally represented a sea of noble silvery
blossoms, a sight more magnificent than
•which it would- be difficult indeed to find.
The sturdy, partially leafy stems attained a
height of some 2 feet to 2|- foot, and the
stately blossoms measured in some instances
more than 10 inches from tip to tip, the lip
being 4 inches across. It is not only with
Iris Gatesi that I have been able to chronicle
a success; of the quaint and interesting Wolfs
Fur Iris (I. lupina) at least seven or eight
plants out of every ten produced flowers,
more than 1000 blossoms having been counted
open at once, nearly all clumps of Iris Lor-

teti and susiana, a great many of I. Bismarck-
iana, Marite, atro-fusca, atro-purpurea, and a
number of own raised intermediate forms
having flowered. The closely-related group
of Eegelia Irises equally well responds to the
said method of cultivation, hundreds of
spikes of I. Korolkowi, with its varieties
Leichtliniana, concolor, and venosa, numerous
flowers of the bronzy I. Leichtlini and of the
interesting polychromous I. Suwarowi and
vaga having been produced.

It is difficult, or rather next to impossible, to
lay down fixed rules in any matter regarding
horticulture, the climatal conditions, the nature
and substance of the soil, and hundredsof other
often unknown circumstances sometimes lead-
ing to a decided failure where one fully had
expected to get a victory ; but it is certain
that in our climate, with our deeply-dug,
sandy nursery soil, no other system of culti-
vating the Cushion Irises can be adopted

were fully shown. I had previously seen the
kind, for it is a distinct species from the well-
known speciosa, growing in boxes as raised from
seed at Long Ditton. There I found both deep
blue and pure white, and also reddish tints, such j
as we have pre\-iously seen in the speciosa section. I
The plants do not seem to be of so branching a. !
form as bedding Lobelias are, and, indeed, were
largely used by Messrs. Barr and Sons for boxing,
for wliich purpose the kind is admirably suited,
not to hang down, but rather to intermix with
other plants. This Lobelia will no doubt presently
be largely used raised from seed for planting ire
mixed beds. — A. D.

Coreopsis grandiflora.— The tropical heat by
day and cold parching wind by night have almost
dried up everything in flower, but this plant is as
fresh as e\er. It is, in fact, a dry-weather subject,
heavy rain soon spoiling the beautiful golden-
yellow blossoms. These are produced very
abundantly on long slender stalks, and are
extremely useful for cutting. The pure white
Madonna Lilies and this Coreopsis are a lovely
combination in tall vases, while for small speci-
men glasses about five blooms of the Coreopsis
loosely set and a sprig of Maiden-hair Fern are

Iris Qatesi in Van Tiibergen'i< nursery at Zwanenherg . From a 'photograph sent by
C. G, Van Tuhergcn, Junr.

which gives better and more encouraging re-
sults. C. G. Van Tobergen, Junr.

Zwanenberg Nurseries, Haarlem, Holland.

Anchusa italica is perhaps one of the best
known of hardy perennials and also one of the
freest flowering. It is worth growing for the dis-
play of colour, this among blue shades being
most intense. Large plants produce a fine effect.
In common with m;inv Borage-worts, this plant
may be freely increased in a variety of ways — seed,
division, or root cuttings, the last a very quick
method in this instance.

Crinum capense is now flowering freely, its
strong spikes being nearly 2 feet high. The best
position for this plant is in quite moist soil either
in the bog garden or near the water's edge, where
moisture may be assured. Moisture, however,
or at least continuous moisture, is not absolutely
essential, but in the growing season it requires it
without stint, and, coupled with a deep rich soil,
good results at flowering time will be had. The
plants may be also grown in pots, and in the
summer-time immersed half their depth in water.

Lobelia tenuior grandiflora. — The plants
of this remarkably tine Lobelia shown recently at
the Drill Hall by Mr. Ladhams were a little out
of character, being rather drawn. In other re-
spects the size and very flat form of the flowers

charming. C. grandiflora is a true perennial, but
is easily raised from seed, and if the blooms are
required in the best order it is as well to treat it
as a biennial, sowing the seed in spring in boxes,
or frames, pricking out the seedlings, and later on
planting in nursery beds, placing in their per-
manent places in autumn. In this way they
throw a few blooms the first season, but the next
year they form grand clumps IS inches or more
across, from which sheaves of bloom may be cut.

Yucca angustifolia. — In the Bamboo garden
at Kew there is a large group of this Yucca,
thriving admirably on a sunny sloping bank, and
about a dozen of the plants are in flower.
Although, according to " Nicholson's Dictionary,''
it was introduced in 1811, and there is a poor
figure of it in an early \'olume of the '* Botanical
Magazine " (t. 22.36), it is as yet one of the most
uncommon of the hardy Yuccas. Yet the plant
is itself, even without flowers, a striking and
ornamental one. It does not form any distinct
stem, but merely a crown near the soil from
whicli springs a fine radiating mass of glaucous
leaves, forming, as it were, a semi-spherical
rosette. Each leaf is between 2 feet and 3
feet long, about three-quarters of an inch wide at !
the base, and tapers gradually thence to a long
fine point, tlie margins beset with a few white
threads, 4 inches or so long. The raceme is
quite erect, averaging 4 feet in height, brands
ing at the base, and the flowers are about the &vlv

July M, 1897.]

THE GARDEN

89

of those of ^'. yloriosa, but not of so pure a white,
the outsiilo of the six perianth sejfinents lieiii','
stronfily tinged with <;reen. Tlie species eomes
to us friini Western Nortli America, and is
found in tlie states of New Mexico, Colorado,
Iowa and Missouri. Tlie dwarf liabit of this
Vuccu, together with its strikini; appearance — so
(litVerent from tliat of most hardy shruKs — ought
to brintr it into treneral cultivation. For rock gar-
dens and sunny nooks it is especially well suited.
_\V. .7. B. J '_

GLADIOLI.*

FiKsT as to the (inestion of soil. Nearly all
writers on (iladioli recounnend a light sandy
.soil as being the most suitable ; in fact, some go
so far as to make this an essential, and con-
demn lieavy loams a-; being totally unfitted for
the purpose. On what grounds they speak so
decidedly I have never yet been able to ascer-
tain, but I a.ssume that, as Holland is a great
centre of bulb growing, and as the soil there is
mostly of ,-i light and sandy nature, the writers
in question take it naturally for granted that
everything of the nature iif a bulb or corm re-
i|uires .a light, .sandy soil for its proper de\'elop-
nient, without ever putting the matter to the
test. I have grown tiladioli in all kinds of
soils and nii.\tnres, and after careful considera-
tion, have come to the C( inclusion that the best
results are obtained on a somewhat heavy
yellow loam of an adhesive nature, without any
admixture of sand — a soil which I consider, if
anything, e\en of too close a texture to grow
Brier Koses in. < )n such a soil I am able j'car
after year to keep up a vigorous and healthy
stock of Gladioli, and, no matter whether the
seasons be hot or cold, dry or wet, I have al-
ways a good measure of success in producing
flowers and cornis. Perhaps I ought to have
stated earlier that my remark.s have reference
to the tine hyluids of the gandavensis section,
and I think it may be taken for granted that
whatever suits these, as regards soil and
general conditions, will also suit the moi-e re-
cent purpureo-auratus hybrids and Saundersi
varieties, and these three sections it will, I
think, be admitteil contain all the most beau-
tiful late-blooming Gladioli worth cultivating
for the beauty of their fioweis. The actual spe-
cies from which they have been obtained are
poor things in comparison with the fine hybrids

\ produced from them by careful hybridisation.

: In recommending a somewhat heavy loam for
cht)ice I know I shall be told that splendid
flowers of Gladioli are produced in soils of a
light, sandy, and even gravelly nature. I quite
admit the fact, and I believe that as regards the
mere production of fine flowers it may be done in
almost any kind of soil whatever; but I should
only consider a cultivator really successful when,
in addition to tine flowers, he is also able to keep
up a healthy stock year after year, and this is
more likely, so far as my experience goes, to be
attained in a good holding hjam rather than in
any other kind i>f soil, at all events so far as
the drier and warmer counties of England are

1 concerned. In the more northern counties,

I where the rainf.dl is excessive and the climate
less warm and sumiy, some moditication of the

' foregoing opinion might be necessary, and a soil
of a lighter nature might be found more suit-
able. But it is a matter of history how, when
a clever gardener like the late Mr. St.an<lish
attempted to grow these flowers on the light
sandy soil of Bagshot, he utterly failed to in-
crease or even to keep up a healthy stock, and
their cultivation liad to l)e abandoned. Monsieur

* A paper read by Mr. J. Burrell, of Cambridge,
' before the Royal Hon icultuial Society, September 8,
1896.

Lcmoine, on the other hand, has told us in his
interesting lecture, delivered in this hall, how
well ho succeeds with his (Jladioli in his nursery
at N.-incy, where tlu' soil is stirt' clay, and from
which he distriliutes his hybrids in such rapid
succession. And although it does not ajijiear
that the gandavensis hybrids flourish there on
stift' clay, they succeed admir.alily with me near
('ambridgo on a .soil closely approaching clay,
but where the drainage is good and the rainfall
light- -an average of about IS inches a year.

Glosely c<innccted with soil comes the (pies-
ti.>n of

M.\NfRE.

Excessive manuring is extremely harmful, and
is likely to generate disease. Of this disease I
will speak later on ; but when I see recommended
layers of (i inches to 8 inches of manure, and
mulchings of nearly the same, with frequent
doses of liquid manure, I cannot help thinking it
is greatly in excess of any of the reciuirements of
Gladioli in a fairly average fertile soil, and I am
sure that a portion of the manure and li(iuid
would be much more protitably employed on
some of the gross-feeding kitchen garden crops
I'ather than in encouraging disease among the
Gladioli. I mostly grow the bulbs, <jr rather
corms, on ground which has been well manured
for the previous crop, where, for instance. Dah-
lias or Roses have been grown the previous au-
tumn, and this, I tind, ]iroduces (juite as good
results as when I specially manured the ground
for the Gladioli alone. An excess of humus in
the soil is distinctly harmful, and the stiick will
rem.ain far healtliier in what is termed clean
soil. My ground is manured with ordinary
stable dung. I have at times applied moderate
dressings of bone meal, fish manure, muriate of
potash and other artificial manures, but all with
doulitful residts. I have sometimes given part
of the stock a slight mulching with fresh straw
litter, but have generally found those grown
without any mulching to do equally well. I
carefully avoid nuilchings of close rank manures,
and never employ liquid manure in any fonn
whatever. Clean cultivation is the best.

Although the average rainfall is so light (not
exceeding 18 inches), I rarely ever water the
growing plants ; in fact, they seem to prefer a
di'Y spring and a somewhat dry, warm summer.
The hot, dry summer (if 18113, for instance,
seemed to suit them to perfection, as the finest
growth and flowers I ever had were produced in
the early part of August of that year, when the
]ilaiits had very little rainfall and great heat and
no artificial watering. The extreme drought and
dryness of the air during the present summer
(liS'.Ui) have been too great an extreme on the
side of dryness, and the jjlants suti'ered during
.August from lack of rain and moisture in the
atmospliere. Up to the end of July they never
looked better, and were of wonderful health
and vigour, but they apjiear to rec[uire a fair
amount of moisture near the blooming period.
That they prefer dry and warm conditions
rather than those of an opposite nature seems
to have been noticed by Dean Herbert in the
earliest period of hybrid Gladioli. So far back
as the year 1847, when writing of the greater
hardiness of psittacinus (one of the parents of
the present race of gandavensis hybrids) hegfies
on to stiite that it sutt'ers much fnnn .Inly rains
in many positions. With reference to the

Fungoid Disease

which attacks the corms of these plants, and
with which the whole genus appears to be more
or less afl'ected, no remedy for its complete
eradication has yet been found. "S'arious sug-
gestions have l)een thrown out ; amongst others,

that of breeding new races direct from the spe
cies, and .some importance is attached to the re-
introduction of opposititlorus, .a plant of con-
sideralile vigour. But I am strongly of opinion
that the l.ate Monsieur Souchet, the originator
(jf the fine gandavensis hybrids, himself used
oppositiflorus, or hybrids from it, in producing
his earliest light-coloured varieties, and anyone
continuing the work of raising seedlings
from them will now and again have tall,
light-coloured varieties springing up, with
their flowers placed in opposite directions
to each other, and all opening nearly at the
.same time, just like oppo.sitiflorus, as some
few others almost reproduce the tyijical ganda-
vensis, although a great many generations re-
moved from it. A Gladiolus with its flowers
placed in op[)osite directions on the spike is a
poor garden [ilant, compared to one with its
flowers all facing in one direction, and I have no
faith in going back to the species as a remedy
for improving their con.stitution. As an instance
of this I may mention tliat a hybrid was given
to me for trial, a cross between a very vigorous
variety and Saundersi, and this became so badly
diseased the first season I grew it that it died
outright soon after blooming, whilst many of
the old hylirids raised more than twenty years
ago, growing in the same bed and under exactly
the .same conditions, remained in vigorous
health. There may not be much natural
affinity between Gladioli and Potatoes, but
both are plants more or less afl'ected with fun-
goid diseases difticult to combat, and the latter
serve the jiurpose of a good illustration on this
point. Mr. Sutton, in his interesting lecture on
the Potato delivered in this hall last year, re-
lated his experience of crossing varieties of
Potatoes with some of the species of Solanuni,
without obtaining any good results in secui'ing
varieties proof against disease. Such, I think,
would be the case with Gladioli, if we recom-
menc3d afresh from the species. As in the case
of Potatoes, I would rather look to clean culti-
vation, and the selection of vigorous hybrids
as parents, and the replacing of young stock to
replace worn-out corms, as is done in the case
of most garden plants. My own annual loss
from disease barely reaches 10 per cent. Many
people appear to have an idea that a Gladiolus
sluiuld be ]n-oj)agated in the same way as a Nar-
cissus, by the old bulbs increasing by natural
division ; and no doubt to a certain extent this
is so ; but this mode of increase invariably
wears out, and it is to the young bulblets which
cluster at the base that we must look for per-
))etuating varieties for an indefinite period.
( )therwise named collections of Gladioli would
not exist, where the stock of any given variety
C(juld be obtained by the hundred or thousand,
as is the case with many varieties at the present
time. A paper on Gladioli would hardly be
complete without some reference to the

Various Sections

of the flower. Many of the early varieties are
pretty garden flowers ; among these may be
mentioned Colvillei audits white variety, known
as The Bride, so largely grown for cut flowers ;
some few varieties of the nanus section and of
the later summer-blooming nunosus section,
followed by the fine hybrids of the Lemoinei
and Nanceianus sectimis, which, thanks to the
exertions of Monsieur Lemoine, have consider-
ably prolonged the blooming .season of Gladioli,
as they till up the gap between the ramosus
and g.and.aven.sis sections. IMany of both .sections
exhibit remarkable combinations of colours,
and as they become more and more infused with
the gandavensis blood, increase the number
of flowers opening at the same time, and give

90

THE GARDEN.

[July 31, 1897.

a more erect haljit of liolding their flowers up,
instead of looking at the groLnid, which is the
fault of many. I believe we shall have at no dis-
tant date remarkable and new colours, including
all shades of blue, and giving flowers and spikes
equal in size to the fine gandavensis varieties,
and, like the latter, opening a considerable
number of flowers at the same time without loss
of constitution. As many of the hybrids of
gandavensis are as yet unrivalled in vigoui',
size, and beauty of flower and sjjikes, I do not
fear loss of ccjnstitution by an infusion (jf the
good qualities of these into other sections, in
order to obtain a greater variety of novel colours.

Societies and Exhibitions.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
July 27.

The meeting on the aboxe date was not so exten-
sive as usual, but there was suflicient to occupy
the time of those who take an interest in gar-
dening. The chief feature as it pertains to the
massing of plants was that of the Begonias,
Lilies and fine-foliaged plants from Lewisham,
which formed a long group through the centre of
the hall, being of irregular outline, tapering
towards each extremity, and consisting of good
strains of the tuberous Begonia, bearing finely-
developed flowers, these being the special feature.
As at several previous meetings, hardy flowers
were present in quantity, aflbrding as the season
progresses what are the best and most continuous
blooming subjects for the hardy garden. Of spe-
cial interest were the hardy flowering shrubs from
Messrs. Veitch, more especially when such things
are none too plentifid. Roses came from Wal-
tham Cross and Cheshunt, and were representative
of the best garden kinds. Gladioli made their
appearance for the first time in quantity, and
were likewise of good quality, affording a pleas-
ing change. Tuljerous Begonias all the way
from Cork were of extra good quality, the
flowers being large and fresli, with a good choice
of colour. On this occasion the group of Ferns
from Edmonton consisted of Pterises, and com-
prised all the most useful kinds of this fine
genus. Cacti (curious, interesting, and in some
instances beautiful) were shown in fairly good
numbers. Orchids were chiefly represented by
cut flowers, of which forms of Cattleya gigas were
the most {ilentiful. At this season Orchids are
never very plentiful. Fruit had as its most
prominent feature a grand collection of Goose-
berries from Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, showing
freat di\ersity in size and in colour, the fruits
eing of high-class quality. Other fruits were
not at all i)lentiful.

Orchid Committee.

A first-class certificate was awarded to —
Epi-L.eli.a. radico-pukpur.^ta. — A remarkable
hybrid, the result of crossing La^lia purpurata
with Epidendrum radicans. The sepals and petals
are each over an inch in length, taking the inter-
mediate characters of the two parents. The
colour is rich orange-yellow, suffused with deep
rose, the lip IJ inches in length, 1 inch in
breadth, the ground colour yellow, suffused aroimd
the outer edges \\ith deep purple, which shades
to a rich golden yellow in the centre, with a brown
stripe in the middle. The column is yellow,
shaded with rose towards the base. The growth
has the character of E. radicans. The flowers arc
produced on the elongated spike from the centre
of the growth. It combines the ciualities of both
these lovely species. From Messrs. .J. Veitch and
Sons.

An award of merit was given to —

C.4.TTLEYA WaKSCEWICZI VAR. Mr.S. E. AsU-

woRTii. — A lovely form, with almost white se)Mls
and petals, very slightly su If used with rose. The
lip is of the same delicate shade of colour as

the petals, with a slightly deeper shade of pink
in the centre. There are the usual white and
yellow markings at the base, with the brown
linings through the base of the throat. From
Mr. E. Ashworth, Harefield Hall, Cheshire.

Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons sent Cattleya
Atalanta (C. Warscewiczi x C. guttata Leopold!),
a lovely hybrid, the sepals and petals ha\'ing the
brown shade of Cattleya guttata, suft'used with
deep rose-purple. The spoon-shaped lip is wholly
deep crimson-purple, the side lobes purple, shad-
ing to light rose at the base. Lielio-Cattleya
Clonia (L.-C. elegans crossed with C. Warscewiczi),
the [sepals and petals intermediate |in character
between the parents, the petals deep rose-pmple,
shading to a lighter tint at the base, the front
lobe of the lip rich crimson-purple, shading to
yellow at the base ; a fine form of Sobralia
\'eitchi and Phala;nopsis Hebe were also shown.
Jlessrs. F. Sander and Co. sent a large plant of
Angra?cum Eichlerianum, Vanda Hookeriana with
two flowers, Miltonia vexillaria superba, Masde
•\'allia gargantua, and a form of Bifrenaria.
Messrs. Hugh Low and Co. sent a small group
consisting of finely flowered Cattleya Warscewiczi,
C. granulosa, a distinct form of C. (jaskelliana
named Sunray, the sepals and petals sjilashed with
deep rose through the centre as inC. Trianie Back-
hoiisiana ; a grand form of Odontoglossum cris-
|)um, Bulbophyllura claptonense, and various
Cypripediums. The most distinct wasC. Brilliancy,
in the way of C. Voungianum.

Mr. E. Ashworth wasawardedasilverFloramedal
for a fine lot of cut Cattleya flowers, containing
eighteen distinct forms of C. Warscewiczi, good
forms of C. Mendeli, a good variety of C. Rex,
and three flowers of Lselia elegans Schilleriana.
Mr. G. Sloper sent a malformed Cy])ripediura
Charleswoithi and a dark form of Cattleya gigas,
and Mr. .J. H. Kitson, Leeds, sent Cypripedium
leucochilum. From Mr. J. F. Ebner came Cypri-
))edium Chapmani. Major .Joicey, Sunningdale
Park, sent Odontoglossum aspidorrhenum with
three spikes of lovely flowers, the sepals and petals
yellow, spotted with brown, lip white with large
purple sjiots ; a finely grown plant of 0. Schlieper-
ianum with three spikes, and a good form of 0. S.
aureum. Frau Ida Brandt, Zurich,- Switzerland,
.sent Z3'gopetalum Lehmanni, E)ndendrums in va-
riety, a good form of Cattleya Rex and Odonto-
glossum Schlieperianum aureum.

Floral Committee.

Awards of merit were given to

Croton Shcttleworthi, a distinct variety with
narrow pendulous leafage incurving somewhat at
the extremities. It makes a pretty table plant.
The colour of the stems is creamy yellow, the
growth remarkably short-jointed, the jiredominat-
ino- colours being creamy-yellow and oli\-e-green
with a suffusion here and there of \ inous red.
From Mr. A. Shuttleworth, Eastgate House,
Lincoln (gardener, Mr. Bugg).

Veronica La Sediiisante. — One of the most
beautiful of this class of plants, the flowering
spikes being freely produced and of good length,
the colour a rich purplish-violet, the leaf growth
carrying a dark bronzy shading. Even where
the plants are not hardy they can be strongly
recommended for pot culture. From Messrs. Jas.
Veitch and Sons, Chelsea.

HiBiscL's ccELESTis (Althaia frutex or Hibiscus
syriaous, variety of). — A very decided novelty, and
a" distinct acquisition to its class by reason of its
colour and larger flowers ; the colour is a dark
lavender-blue with a bronzy-crimson disc at the
base. From Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea.

HiEiscDS Pain'teo Lady (of the same section as
the former). — This ])lant is a fitting companion to
the foregoing, the colour Ijeing a |)ale flesh, in
some instances almost white, whilst the disc is
dark crimson — a very pretty plant. From Messrs.
.J . Veitch and Sons.

Pei.ar(!0Nium (zonal) Anna Bateson. — A
singularly dwarf and bushy variety with, in addi-
tion, (piite miniature foliage, the colour of the
flowers a deep salmon-pink and semi-double, being
supported on stifl', wiry stalks : an excellent plant

either for boxes, pots, or marginal lines in flower
beds. From Mr. G. Davidson.

Gladiolus Carlton. — A splendid variety, each
flower almost G inches across, the petals very
broad and the form good, the lower segments
beautifully feathered and spotted at the base on
a creamy yellow ground, the colour of the flowers
a clear salmon-rose. This variety shows its
affinity to the Nanceianus section. From Messrs.
Kelwayand Son, Langport.

Gladiolus J. G. Clarke. — Another fine seed-
ling, the colour purplish rose with the purple
pervading, and feathered on the lower segments
with a creamy shade. Messrs. Kelway and Son.

Gladiolus White Lady (gandavensis section).
— The best beyond any doubt, with (lure white
flowers, which in addition are large and of good
form, on long spikes. From Messrs. Paul and
Son, Old Nurseries, Cheshunt.

Gladujlus General Duchesne. — Another fine
addition to the Nanceianus section, each flower
nearly 6 inches across, the colour a decided ma-
genta shaded with purple, the petals very broad
and well reflexcd, with a large creamy yellow
blotch on the lower ones. From Sir Trevor Law-
rence, Burford Lodge, Dorking. (Mr. Bain, gar-
dener).

Godetia (jlorio.sa. — An extremely dwarf \a-
riety, \ery dense and close in growth, not more
than 10 inches in height, the colour a rich and
glowing dark purplish crimson, very fine for mass-
ing or in lines. From Messrs. Dobbie and Co.,
Rothesay.

Phlox Lord Rayleioh. — Very distinct by
reason of its colour, a deep purplish blue, the
flowers and spike of full size. Messrs. Paul and
Son.

Rose (Tea) G. Nabonnand. — A variety which,
although not new (as the term goes), is yet well
deserving of the award accorded ; the flowers are
of beautiful form and of average size. The colour in
the bud stage is somewhat similar to, but paler
than in Gloire de Dijon, and with age a ]jale
creamy blush is the prevailing tint. It is a fine
garden Rose. From Messrs. W. Paul and Son,
Waltham Cross.

Rosa kugo.sa .atro-purpurea. — A deep purplish
crimson vaiiety of and a fitting companion to the
type. From Messrs. Paul and Son.

Heliopsis Pitciieriana. — A deej) golden yel-
low Sunflower of medium size and of good sub-
stance, the foliage and leaf-growth being sturdy.
Messrs. Paul and Son.

The most striking and effective exhibit was a
group of Begonias from Mr. H. .7. Jones, of the
liyecroft Nurseries, Lewisham. This was arranged
down the middle of the hall in undulating form,
the general idea original and exceedingly good.
The Begonias were very finely grown, both flowers
and foliage being of splendid quality. Light
Palms, Ferns and Caladiums of good colour were
used as a relief to the gorgeous blooms (gold
medal). A large collection of cut Begonias came
from Messrs. Richard Hartland and Son, the
Lough Nurseries, Cork, and were \ery little the
worse for their long journey, most of the blooms
being in a perfectly fresh condition. The col-
lection was, on the whole, exceedingly good, the
large, full, substantial blooms showing consider-
able cultural skill (silver Flora medal). Messrs.
Paul and Son, Cheshunt, had a group of cut
Roses and hardy flowers, the former including
good examples of Belle Siebrecht, Gustave Regis,
and a new red single. Royal Scarlet. Among the
hardy flowers were Acanthus longifolius. Poly-
gonum molle, and some fine flowers of Rudbeckia i
purpurea (silver Banksian medal). A charming
group of cut flowers was staged by Messrs. Ban"
and Sons, Covent Garden, and comprised a fine
collection of fragrant herbaceous Phloxes, Del- '
phiniums, varieties of new Sweet Peas, and Pent-
stemons. The group was very tastefully arranged i
(silver Banksian medal). Mr. T. S. Ware, of
Tottenham, also exhibited a very fine collection
of hardy flowers, the arrangement of the colours i
being most pleasing. Several of the smaller va- [
rieties of Sunflowers were well shown, also Matri-j i
caria grandiflora plena, Scabiosa caucasica, anj;

July 31, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

91

some handsome varieties of Liliums (silver Flora
medal). A larjie exhibit of (Jladioli came from
Messrs. Kelway, of l/.in<jport. All the flower-
spikes were tiiiely (.levelopetl, bearinu' larj^e, hand-
some blooms, well formed and » ell coloured. A
few of the most striUinj? varieties wi're Niima,
white, shaded with cerise ; Charterhouse, rieli
salmon-pink, a very lonp and <jraceful spiki' ;
[Semolina, lU'ep rose, veined with red, and Don
I ,To8e,a rich cardinal. A few very r^ood miscellaneous
hardy llowers were also in this collection (silver
Flora medal). An interestini; exhibit was tliat of
Messrs. W.Paul and Son, \Valtham('ross,consistinj;'
. of new Roses. The most striking varieties were
Empress lAlcxandra of Russia, which was de-
scribed last week; Sylph, Francis Dubrieul, a
small Rose, resembling; in form the Duke of York,
but rich maroon in colour, a \ery efl'ective va-
riety ; Mme. Abel Cliatenaj', a very prettj- and
shapely pink : Mnie. Carnot, a pale ])rimrose-
yellow, resemlilinj; (iustave Reps in form and
[growth ; and Enchantress, which has already
been noticed and described (bronze Banksian
medal). A small, but interesting group of phints
' came from Messrs. Sander, St. Albans, and in-
cluded Watsonia iiidifolia O'Brieni, which has
been shown at prexious meetings ; Dipladenia
atropurpurea, with its rich dark blossoms ; Exa-
cum macranthura, Liliuni jihilippinense, and L.
Henryi. Messrs. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea, had
a few good flowering shrubs, including Spiraea
c.iUosa atrosanguinea, Spartiura junceum, Cornus
( macrophylla, single Hibiscus Painted Lady, bear-
ing numerous beautiful flowers ; "S'itis hetero-
]>hylla variegata, \'eronica La Seduisante, a lovely
rich jiurple variety ; Hibiscus ccelestis, w-ith large
dull blue blossoms ; Pavia macrostachj'a and
Eucrypliia jjinnatifolia, a very charming flower,
very etfecti\e in the mass. The same firm also
had a box of their beautiful javanico-jasmini-
florum hybrid Rhododendrons, the trusses being
perhaps rather larger and fuller than usual, and
the colours exquisite (silver Banksian). Messrs.
J. Cheal and Sons, Crawley, had a few early
Dahlias, the Cactus varieties including Starfish,
Mrs. Kingsley Foster, Chas. Woodbridge, Fusi-
lier, Mrs. A. Beck, and Cycle. The singles were
Naomi Tighe, Polly Eccles, Phyllis, Donna
C.isilda, Demon, and Duchess of Marlborough.
The pompons were Annie Holton, Sunny Day-
break, Donovan, Bacchus, Lily Wheeler, and
Nerissa. A small group of Lilies, including L.
nepalense and L. Wallichianum, was staged by
Messrs. Hugh Low and Co., Enfield (silver Bank-
sian medal). Another very interesting exhibit
was a group of Pterises from Mr. H. B. May,
LTpper Edmonton. Some of the most striking
varieties were Pteris ludezis, P. liastata, P. tri-
1 color, P. Regina', P. tenuifolia, P. tremula densa,
i P. involuta, P. seaberula, P. Duvali, 1'. asperi-
• caulis, P. sagittiefolia, and P. internata (silver-gilt
I Flora). ° ' V .

In the Cactus show, Messrs. H. Cannell and
Sons had the largest and best collection, includ-
ing plants of Echeveria metallica crispa, Gasteria
aiigularis. Aloe plicatilis. Cotyledon pulverulenta,
Cereus peruvianus monstrosus, Echinocactus longi-
ramatus, Ijearing three silky yellow blooms ; E.
Grusoniand Mammillariastella-aurata (silver Flora
medal). In comjietition, the first prize for a col-
lection of Cacti went to Jlr. W. Bodkin, High-
gate, for a very fine exhibit, which also was given
a silver Flora medal. The second prize was won
by Mr. C. A. Biogg, Brighton Road, Croydon, a
silver Banksian medal being also awarded. For
twelve Cacti, Jlr. W. Bodkin v/as again first, and
Mr. E. R. Clifton a good second.

Fruit Committee.

I An award of merit was given to —

I Nectarisk Pp.KfocE DK Croxcels. — A finely-
flavoured variety above medium size and of a
bright red colour, with numerous spots on the
shaded side. It is an excellent kind for pots on
account of its free-bearing qualities. From
Messrs. Veitch, Ltd., Chelsea.
^ A large space was taken up with over 100 varie-
ties of Gooseberries from Messrs. Veitch and Sons.

The fruits, shown in square trays, represented all
the best kinds. Tliis hrm on many occasions has
shown (ioo.seberries, but we never remember to
Iwne seen so fine a collection. A\'hinhain\s In-
dustry, a red fruit noted for its earliness and
])roduetiveness, was shown in ({uantity, also
Trumpeter, a heavycroi)ping yellow variety. Tlie
best flavoured yellow fruits were (Joldcn Drop,
Pretty Hoy, and Broomyard, the best white being
Wliitesmith and Champagne ; the best green,
I'itniaston Greengage, Early Green, and (Sreen
Walnut. Among the large-fruited kinds we
note<l, ir/i/t(. Progress, Transparent, Mitre, and
i,'ueen of Trumps ; (jncii, Random, London City,
and/relegraph ; rei/, Speedwell, Clayton, Monarch,
I.orfl Derby, Registrar, and Bobby ; yrlloir^ Rail-
way, Mount Pleasant, and (Jipsy yueen. A dozen
varieties of Currants, with Morello Cherries, and
Nectarine Rivers' Early were also sliown (silver-
gilt Knightian medal). Some very fine Sea Eagle
Peaclies, sent by Mr. McAuslan, Leeds Castle
Gardens, Maidstone, well merited the cultural
commendation given. Tlie .Japan Wineberry was
stagetl by Jlr. Cundey, The U^arren House, t'ob-
liam, Surrey. Melons came from Mr. Hudson,
Gunnersbury House, and Mr. Taylor, Hardwick
Grange, .Shrewsbury, ilessrs. Carter, High Hol-
born, staged eighteen varieties of Turnips, the
most shapely roots being Jersey Lily, Cardin.al (a
red variety), and .Swan's Egg. Messi's. Kelway,
Langport, showed Duke of Albany Pea and a good
dish of Bunyard's Exhiliition Longpod Broad
Bean. Mr. Wythes, Syon House, Brentford, sent
French Bean Veitcli's Early Fa\ourite, to show-
its cropping qualities in the ojien ground. Tlie
pl.ants were laden with pods. It is very early and
stands drought well. Mr. Wythes also sent Im-
[iroved Mohawk, a new Bean certificated at the
trial of forcing Beans at Chiswick early this year.
This is a very free-bearing and large-podded
xai'iety. A dish of Pea Trowbridge Hero came
from Mr. Stokes, Trowbridge ; this variety was
gi\en three marks at Chiswick last year.

Notes of the Week.

Fuchsia macrostemma. — This is one of the
most elegant of its tribe, and the flowers are as
dainty as the delicate twigs of which the plant is
composed. The flowers are very numerous and
have (|uite a jiretty ert'ect when seen in a bed on
the lawn.

Helenium pumilum. — At Kew just now two
groups in the hardj- plant department amply
illustrate the best side of this plant. Fully
grown in good ground it is about 1.5 inches high,
and the very pleasing soft yellow blossoms appear
in almost endless numbers.

Astilbe Lemoinei Gerbe d' Argent. —
Among moisture-loving plants this variet\', re-
cently exhibited at the Royal Horticultural
show, seems likely to prove a most worthy
kind. The inflorescence, erect and Ijranehing,
displays the \n\re white jjlumes to advantage.

Anemone japonica has already opened its
earliest flowers, and gives promise of a rich pro-
fusion by the appearance of almost endless buds.
An excellent plant in the shrubbery border, where
in its own way the [jlant will spread (piickly in
good soil, and ultimately provide a fine display of
its rosy-red Ijlossoms.

Nymphaea alba candidissima is, as may be
gathered from the \arietal name here given, a
<listinet white form, very pure in the large
liandsome, white blossoms that happily are \no-
duced very freely in the case of large plants.
Where this variety can be secured it should take
[irecedeiiee of the original form.

Asclepias tuberosa. — This, one of the most
distinct plants in flower in the garden now, is
deserving of more extendefl culture. The heads
of orange-scarlet blossoms are very showy, tbiuigli
only reaching about 18 inches high. A sandvand
rather moi.st rich loam often suits it well, and liy

the sea the plants grow even more vigorously. In
peaty soil and leaves we have also grown it
strongly.

Platycodon Mariesi is without doubt one of
the finest liaT'dy plants now in flower, and one
suited alike to the border or the i-cjek garden.
Tlie riehlv coloured blossoms are of largi-size, and
from estaliltshed plants very handsome. As yet
the plant is not common, though in a variety of
places batches are sjiringing up.

Calceolaria alba. —Some small plants in pots
of this singularly pure white kind are flowering in
No. 4 house at Kew. Even in this small state
they convey an idea of the value of the plant, and
where large [ilants can be obtained they will be
found excellent for cutting. The pun^ white blos-
soms are very distinct.

Scabiosa cauoasica alba. — This novelty
should be grown largely fur the sake of varic-ty.
But while being an adilition to good hardy plants,
this is still wanting in purit3'. As a break it is
valualjle, and the plant should now be seeded
freely in order to secure a pure white varietj'.
The soft mauve-blue of the type is alw.ays ad-
mired.

Inula ensifolia. — This pretty rock species,
which was freel}' shown among hardy plants on
Tuesday last, is in striking contrast to some
other forms of this genus. The plant is only a
few inches high, bearing small yellow blossoms
from a little tuft of narrow linear leaves. It is
easily grown in good soil in the border or rock
garden.

Gycsophila paniculata. — Those who only
know this plant by solitary examples have no
idea of its beauty when a huge cloud of its blos-
soms many feet across is seen. In this way the
plant, though so easily grown, has an efi'ect of its
own, iiarticularly when surrounded by suitable
associations. At Kew just now are many fine,
almost im]ienetrable, masses of this plant.

Coreopsis verticillata. — On Tuesday last at
the B.H.S. Messrs. Barr and Sons had liunches of
this by no means common plant, the narrow linear
leaflets in whorls on the slender stems being very
distinct from those of other kinds. Though by no
means so useful for cutting as C. lanceolata, the
plant is worth a place in the rock garden, where
its pretty yellow blossoms will be seen to advan-
tage.

Malva alcea fastigiata. — A large mass of
this at Kew sliows the importance of groups even
where the plants possess no special value from
scarcity or other causes. The bold group of
flower-stems 3 feet high, and crowded with blos-
soms of rose-pink, render it not only .show}-, but
very desirable in all positions where room can
be gi\'en it, or where space requires quickly filling
up in summer.

Tufted Pansy Q,ueen of the Year. — This is
another of the newer varieties of the miniature
type of these flowers, and although but a small
blossom, it is one of great beauty. It is de-
scribed bj- the raiser as a distinct shade of china
blue, the centre being white with a neat yellow
eye. The small flowers are almost circular in
shape, and produced rather freely on short, erect
footstalks on plants of neat and compact growth.
The flowers are also sweet scented.

Diantbus Heddewigi. — The impro\ement in
this race of annuals has been very marki-d during
recent years, particularly among the large self-
coloured single forms. Some of the intense crim-
son shades are very handsome, «ith blossoms
3 inches or 4 inches across. The double forms, on
the other hand, are wanting in a variety of w.ays,
and certainly by no means so eti'ective .as the singles,
these in large groups in the mixed border being
very attractive.

Campanula pyramidalis (the Chimney Cam-
panula) is one of the showiest of the genus with
special value for the greenhouse where bold plants
are required. Of its value in this way Mr. Geo.
Wythes has at Syon House taken advantage by
the free use of the white form, and by provid-
ing good culture the tall snowy-white spires of

92

THE GAKDEI^.

[July 31, 1897.

blossom are both valued and effective. Treated
as a biennial, a line result is secured at its first
flowering, and well repays the cost.

Pereskia Bleo. — This species is sometimes
employeil as a stock for grafting the hybrid
Epiphyllums on to, though perhaps P. aculeatu
has been more freely used in the past. The abox'e
species, which is now flowering in the succulent
house at Kew, evidently possesses greater vigour,
and, judging by the sample referred to, has the
merit of straighter stems, which would prove of
value in such cases. The blossoms ai'e ^'ery curious
in form and of a lilac-rose shade.

Tufted Pansy Joseph. — We herewith send a
spray of our new bronze Tufted Pansy Josejjh.
It has a good habit, is very free-flowering, and
has a good constitution, being easily struck and
kept during winter. — J. Grieve -4ND Sons, Red-
hntex X'lifxerien, Bronijhtoii lioail, Edinbiinili.

*»* A bronze-orange Pansy, distinct and pretty,
if it will only keep with us, as all the true Tufted
Pansies do. Our experience hitherto with all
these bronze-coloured Pansies is that they are
difficult to keep. — Ed.

Mesembryanthemum pomeridianum. —
Tliis lovely plant is employed at Kew as a ground-
work on a bed of Lady Penzance Rose, and while
in no wise enhanced by this particular association,
has merits of its own that should commend it to
all lovers of beautiful and easily grown plants.
Obviously annual in chaiacter, the low-growing,
freely-spreading plants flower abundantly, the
blossoms, each about "2 inches across, of the most
exquisite shade of deep sulphur-yellow. For hot
and dry as well as sunny positions such plants
possess considerable value, and for summer use
would give excellent results.

Sempervivum Reginee Amaliae is perhaps
one of the most distinct of the Houseleek family,
particularly in the manner in which the rosettes
cluster together. Usually there are from three to
five crowns sideways on the stem, and in this re-
spect unique. The flowers, which are greenish
yellow, are well lifted up on a strong stem some
6 inches or so high. The plant has quite a dis-
tinct way of reproducing itself, a fresh crown forc-
ing its way beside the old one. Sometimes a
solitary crown will arrange itself in a fourfold way
when fully grown, even before flowering, which
in some species is responsible for this.

Hollyhocks in. Iiondon. — Travellers on the
South-Western Railway on nearing London cannot
fail to note tlie fi'eedom with which the single
Hollyhock is used in quite small gardens, and the
many colours that amid the dirt and gloom of
this great city are especially bright and cheerful.
It is the single kinds that are thus freely em-
ployed, and as they tower far above the lioundary
walls of many cottage gardens, they are ^"ery
bright and cheerful. Any plant that will send
up its flower-stem 0 feet or 8 feet high in smoky
London cannot be ignored. Few plants could be
more useful among shrubs in many London
squares and gardens than Hollyhocks.

Delphinium Belladonna. — One of the finest
displays of this unicpie Larkspur may now be .seen
in Mr. F. Gifibrd's Carnatinn nur.sery at Totten-
ham. The plant is uneciualled both for its colour
and the remarkable freedom of flowering. Here
is a group, liriUiant beyond compare, aliout o feet
wide and lUO feet long, simply a mass of its
slender bright blue spikes, the latter the most
useful of all for cutting. Above all, the plant
blooms jjerpetually, the present mass being the
second crop this year, and still the stools are
breaking up freely fn jm lielow. The plant is more
at home here under Mr. Gifford's care in rather
light stcmy soil than we ever before remember.

Lilium Wallichianum, shown at the Drill
Hall on Tuesday by Messrs. Hugh Low and Co.,
is a handsome species, producing its huge, slightly
drooping, trumpet-shaped blossoms quite freely.
The blossoms were each 8 inches or 9 inches long,
some plants having three or more each, a some-
what rare occurrence in this lovely Indian form.
Externally the blossoms are greenish white,

internally of a clear yellow shade, and nearly
white at the slightly reflexing tips of the perianth
segments. Though among the handsomest of the
Lily family, it is unfortunately not a plant for the
open garden in these islands. The most may be
made of it, however, by growing it in the green-
house in sandy peat and in pots of fair size. The
pleasing fragrance of this fine Lily is certainly
nut the least of its attributes.

Rosa setigera (the Prairie Rose). — Except
for a few belated blossoms, most of the wild types
of Rosa are now past. Two or three s))ecies, how-
e^■er, are not at their best till late .tuly, and of
these this American species is the most effective.
In the Rose collection at Kew a large mass is now
in full flower. From all the numerous species of
Rosa native of North America, this difi'ers in its
rambling mode of growth. It produces each year
long, arching shoots, 8 feet or 10 feet long, from
which the flowering shoots spring the following
year. There are never more than five leaflets to
each leaf, frequently only three, but they are
unusually large, measui-ing 3 inches long and half
as much wide, giving in themselves a distinct
character to the species. The flowers — which, of
course, are single — are 3 inches or so across and
of a very bright shade of rose. They come in
dense clusters, nestling amidst the rich green and
abinidant foliage. One thing, unfortunately, they
lack, and that is fragrance ; but in spite of that
defect the species may be recommended as one of
the most attractive of hardy shrubs flowering in
late July.

Genista sethnensis.— Flowering during July,
and even until August, when the bulk of hardy
trees and shrubs is past, this Broom ought, one
would imagine, to be one of the best known of the
species. But in spite of its great beauty and the
lateness of its flowering, it is comparatively rare.
Of the Brooms that can be cultivated out of
doors in this country, it is the tallest and most
tree-like in aspect, groM'ing 15 feet high and
forming a main stem 6 inches in diameter. Its
mode of growth is somewhat sparse, yet elegant,
the thin ^terete branches being pendulous and
bearing scarcely any leaves. What few leaves
there are occur at long and irregular intervals on
the young shoots, and are each about a quarter of
an inch long and quite nai-row. The flowers,
which are very freely borne, are of a bright yellow,
and the plants are in beauty for over a inonth.
The species is a native of Sicily and Sardinia, and
one of its habitats is the sides of Mount Etna at
altitudes of 30(l(t feet to 6000 feet. It is quite
hardy, however, in this country and thri\-es in
almost any soil. Its value as an ornamental
shrub may be judged now by numerous specimens
that are flowering in the arboretum at Kew. — B.

Plagianthus Lyalli.— A large specimen of
this New Zealand shrulj, some 8 feet high and still
more through, is flowering in the collection of
malvaceous shrubs at Kew near the flagstaff'. In
our climate this shrub is considered difficult to
flower away from a wall, but that it will do so is
proved by this specimen, which has never been
trained to a wall, but has been growing near one
in a sunny nook. In this country (near London,
at any rate) it is deciduous, but tliis appears to
be merely a question of temperature, for in New
Zealand it is evergreen at low elevations and de-
ciduous after it reaches altitudes of about 3000
feet. The leaves are heart-shaped, \aryino' in
size according to the vigour of the jjlant on
which they grow, but they are, as a rule, 2 inches
to 4 inches long. The margins are irregularly
toothed, and whilst the upper surface is glabrous,
the lower one is sparsely set with stellate hairs.
The flowers are produced from the leaf-axils near
the ends of the shoots, two or three appearing in
each axil. The flower-stalks are slender and about
lA inches long, and the flower itself is the same
in diameter, the five elliptical petals being pure
white ; they have a slight pel fume. Its flowering
is mainly dependent on the thorough ripening of
tlie wood, and although it may occasionallv bloom
in the open, it is when trained against a wall that
its full beauty can be seen. A coloured plate

by Mr. H. G. Moon appeared in The Garden of
Julv 8, 1893.

MISLEADING DESCRIPTIONS.

DIS.4PP0I.NTMKNTS are of sufficient frequency
among the fraternity of those who garden to
induce, if taken aright, a certain equanimity
of mind under adverse circumstances, invaluable
when the losses, which will now and again occur
pro\e exceptionally trying, but it is difficult for
even the stoic to refrain from outspoken criticism
when a plant rev'eals itself, after many months of
waiting, as totally unw-orthy of the glowing de-
scription under M-hich it was sent out. This ]5rac-
tice of exaggeration is, unfortunately, not un-
known among our fellow-countrymen, but foreign
firms are, in this respect, by far the greater
offenders. Some time since I came across, in the
catalogue of an American Company, descriptions
of two new fruits, the Golden Mayberry and the
Strawberry-Raspberry. Of the former, the fol-
lowing was written : —

The bushes are distinct from all others, growing
like trees, 6 feet to 8 feet high, with spreading tops-
ail along the branches, large, white, well-shaped
Ijlossoms are pendent, which are soon followed by the
great, sweet, glossy, golden, semi-translucent fruit.
The plants when well estahhshed will surprise one
with their abundance of fruit ;

while the description of the Strawberry-Raspberry
reads : —

This is indeed a remarkable fruit. It is said to be
a hybrid between the Strawberry and Raspberry and
the habit of the plant gives strong evidence that this
statement is correct. Its habit is that of neither of
the fruits named, but a compromise of the two it
being a spreading, low-growing bush, producing'its
fruits in branching clusters of three or more at the
end of the stems. In form and appearance the fruit
is about as good a combination of a Strawberry and
Raspberry as one could well imagine, in colour a crira.
son, equalling in brilliancy the most beautiful Straw-
berry.

The descriptions are distinct enough, but now
that the jilants, sent in response to an order, have
de\-eloped they pro\-e to be absolutely identical.

Another fruit, sent out by a French firm with a
flourish of trumpets, was the Spineless (Joose-
berry. After a year's trial this Gooselierry,
which is evidently grafted on the Currant, has
in each case proved to be as spiny as the general
run of smooth-skinned varieties that do not pro-
fess to be spineless, and appears destitute of any
particular merit.

To the trade-groMcr, ^^■hose business demands
that be should keep abreast of the times and
make a trial of all the advei'tised novelties, such
divergences between fact and fancy are doubtless
of so frequent occurrence as to create but little
annoyance and less surprise, but in the case of
the amateur, who is occasionally tempted to order
some specially-vaunted introduction, and who
finds after a tedious wait that the reality entirely
fails to tally with the advertised description, such
discrepancy is provocative of considerable vexa-
tion. ^ ^S. W. F.

Public Gardens.

New open space. — The Parks and Open
Spaces Committee of the London County Council
liave recommended that, subject to the Wands- '
worth District Board agreeing to jiay the Council
a sum of £10,000, and to a further sum of £5800
being raised by subscription, the Council should
purchase for £31,500 a plot of land abutting on
the Putney Bridge Road, and having an extensive
river frontage, with a view to its being laid out as '
a puljlic park and recreation ground.

Names of plants.— H. Kruse. — Stanhopea ,

Wardi aurea. Brmhcell.—l, Rose Lamarque ; 2,

Ro£e Marie Van Houtte. C. P. B. — \, Centranthus i

ruber ; 2, Centaurea macrocephala ; 3, Lysiraachia
tliyrscidcs ; 4, Salvia argentea ; 5, Anthemistinctoria j
6, Anteunarii margaiitacea ; 7, Dicentra cucullaria;

8, Campanula Eapunculus. Arthur Tilley. — Catna-,

tion not recognised.

T-EIE! C3r^^:RjlD:Hll<T.

No. 1342— Vol. LII]

[AUGUST 7, 1897.

Orchard and Fruit:—

Appk- rri>i» in is'.i?

Applet ami Peai-s from ex-
posed tiituutions

I'Vuit cri'ps in MimiuoutU-
shirc

liooscltL'rries, notes ou .

(inipo Diikc of Bucfleiich ..

<;rape prosptvts

I,ot,':inliciTV, the

Peach blister

I'ca.h notrs .. .. ^. . ..

PoailK's at ( )rchiirdleigh ..

Pl'Hl'Iics on west walls..

I'inc suckers, potting ..

Plums and A]>ricots, scarcity
of .. ., ...

Struwherry alpine Lit Gener-
cit^e

Strawlwrry Latest of All ..

StiiiwliciTy planting ..

Stru\v})eiTies in nurseries ..

Flower ;—

A'-ncid ri/n,wph>/l(a in bloom
in Aprif (If Lit Moi-tota ..

.lijarrg, A/oiSf nnii Yvccas, a
group oj\ at La Mortofa ..

Carnation Royalty

Carnations

Jir/iiiniii>, a gvoup oj^ at La

Mortola 102

lui/tliorhia ab>/s8iiiii'a at La

Mortola lOii

Flowers, cut 101

Foarcroi/a Jit'(U,i'jhaii.-ii ia

bloom at La M(>rti>/a, ... Oil

Fuchsiasat Sandhurst Lodge 00

Gardens, English, abroad .. 07

Hollyhocks, single 09

Lily lilooms, duration of . . 98
Palazzo Orcngo, tli- , at La

Mortola, Uah/ .. .. .. 07

Pansies, rayless Tufted.. ,. OS

Phloxes OS

Primula 'lYailli OO

Rose y>lloic liaiUsiaii nt La

Mortola 103

Sidalcea malvsetlora .. .. 09
Spi>r;f-', the Abi/aslnian, at Lit

Mortola .. ". 106

Carnation Salisbury .. .. Oi5

Eccrcmoearpus scaber . . . . 06

Lilies , 06

Linum sibiricum 00

Nymph«jvs, hybrid, at Kow 06

Poppy, TiUip, the 96

Kitchen :—

108

Elidivo

.. 102

'M

Lettuce bolting .. ..

.. 101

100

Onions, autumn-sown . .

.. 101

{Illustrations in Italics.)

Onions Tripoli

Pea Alfred The Great . . . .
Pea Boston Unrivalled .
Pea, Uunyard's Karly Uwarf

Peas and drought

Tomatoes, mid-winter . .

Garden Flora : —

l{hnd..iicndruii Mrs. Thisul-
t(.n-l>yer

Week's Work:—

Fruit houses, the hardy,
work in

Kitchen garden, work in
the . .

Roses: —

Roses under glass

Books :~

"The Yew Trees of Great
Britain "

Stove and Greenhouse:

Lily of tlie Valley, forcing ..
Aehimenea at Sandhurst

Lodge

Aristolochia gigas

Browallia speciosa major in

pots

Ericas at Clapton 109

Lilium Alexandria 109

Lindenia nivalis 100

( )leander, the 100

Primula olx-onica 110

Zcphyranthcs earinata . .. 100

Orchids :—

Burlingtoniu Candida .. .. 110

Cattlej-a gigas 110

CcelogjTie Sanderiana . . . . 110

Cycnoches chlorochilon . . 110
Cypripedium Clinkaberry-

aiuim 110

Dendrobium d'Alhertisi f.. 110

Disa grandifiora 110

Epidendrum Brassavola .. 110

Gongora Loddigesi .. .. 110

Odoutoglossum cristatellum 110

Odontoglossum Ifeve .. 110
Od<intoglossum phymatochi-

huu .. 110

Notes of the W^eek:—

Amnrpha caneseens .. .. 112

Androsace lanuginosa . . . . Ill

AntherJcum ^n-aiiiinifi>lium 111

Campanula isi.phylla ;dba .. HI

Carnation Edith Leadcnham 111

CrinumPowelli album.. .. HI

Cytisus nigricans 112

Delphinium Willdenowi
Eucryphia pinnatifida..
Hants, flowers in ..
Heliopsis Pitchcriana . .
llomerocallis aurantiaca
Hibiscus coelestis ..
Huimematuiia fumariiufo

Itc.a virginica

Lilium nujjalense . .
Michauxia eampanuloide'i
Monarda didyma . .
Olearia Uaiisti
Pentstcmon hybridum
Romneya Cuult^ri . .

Rosa rugosa

Sedum maxinunu in

pureum

Spirtea kamt-schatica ..
Tritoma panciflora
Veratrum nigrum . . . .

ni
111
l\i
111
111
111
111
111
HI
112
HI
H2
Ml

lit
HI
111
III

Public Gardens:—

Hampstcad, new open space

at 112

Kew Gardens 112

Wandsworth recreation

grotnid 112

Miscellaneous :—

Royal appointment .. .. 112
Royal Horticultural Society 112

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

STRAWBERRY PLANTING.

The ground being now in splendid condition
for planting, owing to the recent heavy, but
welcome falls of rain, the formation of new
plantations should be proceeded with, as the
sooner the plants are got out, so much the
sooner will they become established and be the
better able to withstand the efl'ects of a severe
winter. This early planting also has other ad-
vantages, the foremost of which is that if good,
strong and well-rooted runners are used, an
excellent crop of the iincst fruit is secured the
first season. When planting is delayed until
autumn sets in and nothing Ijut naturally
rooted runners are made use of, or such as may
be found rooted in the ground l)etween the
rows of old plants, a whole season is lo.st, as
such plants cannot and do not give satisfactory
returns the first year. When tlie time and
labour involved in preparing the site for a
Strawljerry bed or plantation are taken into
consideration, it is cerfciinly worth while to
make use of such plant.s as will at once give a
fair return and so recoup the planter for his
outlay. Runners layered into small pots are
without doubt the best to .secure this end, and
when once planted and watered home they give
but little trouble afterwards. Therefore if the
necessary numljer of [jhints has been layered
and the ground on which they are to be planted
has been prejiared, all that remains to be done is
to thoroughly cons<ilidate it by treading the
surface regularly all over. If the soil is of a
light description, another treading in the
reverse direction will be needed, for the
fact that Strawberries can hardly have too
firm a root-hold should not l)e lost .sight
of, and as soon as this is done planting
may at once be proceeded with. It is a
good plan to well water the plants some
two or three hours ]U-eviously, and then if the
soil round the balls is watered so soon as plant-

ing is completed, they will not feel the eflects of
dry weather for some considerable time, espe-
cially if a mulch of some non-conducting material
such as sjient mushroom manure is laid between
tlie rows. Planting is best done with a trowel,
and the loose soil can ,as ((uickly be returned
and jjlaced all round the ball. The soil should
be made firm round the balls, and see that the
crowns are not placed too low down in the
ground. A good guide is to place the balls
just lew enough in the lu^los so that they will
be covered with a thin layer of soil and no
mcjre. When planting is finished it is a g(jod
plan to walk through the nlot and tread the soil
firmly round each plant carefully with the foot.
A little extra care taken now in this way pre-
vents the plants from being lifted and thrown
out during the winter. The [ilantingcomijleted
and the watering done, the surface may be
mulched as mentioned above, after which they
will not reipiire much attention beyond the re-
moval of runners and the suppression of weeds
unless the weather should prove unusually dry,
when of course watering now and again wall be
needed.

The distances at which to plant have not yet
been touched upon. As a rule, 2 feet between
the rows is the space generally allowed in gar-
dens and .'> feet for field culture, this giving
ample room for attending to their reiiuirements.
l^egarding the distances at which the plants
should be dispo.sed in the rows, a space of 18
inches is the usual allowance, but if room is not
restricted the more roliust and strcmger growing
varieties may with advantage be given li feet.

A. W.

Alpine Strawberry La Genereuse. — This
variety' of a very interesting section tliat should
be far more widely grown has nicely-sized, richly-
coloured, and very pleasant fruits borne in great
]irofusion and for a long season. The alpine forms
give in flesh .something so distinctly <Uvcr.se in
character and flavour from the ordinary garden
Strawberry, that they are almost distinct fruits.
When two or three batches are grown so that tjie

younger plants can be disbudded in the spring,
the older ones bein^ left to fruit, the disbudded
plants fruit abundantly in the autumn, when
they are most welcome. — A. D.

Fruit crops in Monmouthshire. — This has
been a disappointing sea.son. May frosts de-
stroyed a magnificent bloom of both Pears and
Apples, as also of Plums and Cherries, lioose-
berriesand RedCurrants generally havepoorcrops ;
Black Currants almost a total failure. Peaches,
Nectarines, and Apricots are utter failures ; Fil-
berts and Figs excellent. Strawberries lasted but a
short time ; my best both under glass and out-
doors was Royal Sovereign. Maclean's Wonder
was disappointing, and Noble not worth growing
or eating. My best late kind was Latest of All.

— (iwENT.

Peaches on west walls. — I noted with mucli
interest Mr. TallacU's remarks on Peaches ()). -24).
I do not think anyone need fear planting Pea(3h
trees on west walls either from a wood-ripening or
fruit-producing point of view. At Taunton Park
Peaches ha\'e not been grown on the south wall
for many years. Formerly they did as well as
Peaches could do, but in after years the springs
being more uncertain, the blossom which expanfled
eairly on the south aspect was nearly always fle-
stroyed by frosty winds, which at that particular
season are very prevalent in that part of Norfolk.
On an east wall, however. Peaches do very well,
excellent fruit being gathered. I believe the
varieties are second early and midseason, as Mr.
Tallaek advises. — J. C.

Peach blister. — As most of your readers too
well know, this malady has been very prevalent
this spring on outdoor trees. The majority of my
trees are on an east wall and suflered rather
badly, while those on a south as[ii'ct ha\e been
cpiite free. About a month since I was looking
over Sir Charles Cave's gardens, Sidbury Manor,
about seven miles from where I write, and the
trees on the Peach wall facing south looked de-
plorable: some of the tries appeared almos-t
beyond recovery and the crop very scanty. I
have had no experience with Peaches on a weet
wall. The trees here and at Sidljury were well
protected with double tish netting while in bloom,
and for some time after, though mine hiid the
advantage of a glass coping, which must have

94

THE GARDEN.

[August 7, 1897.

been advantageous to the trees. Most of my trees
are carrj'ing a crop on the eastern aspect, while
those on the south are laden with fruit. This
makes me favour the latter- named position. — J.
Mayne, Birtoii.

Strawberries in nurseries. — Where pro-
bably 100,001) put plants are needed yearly of
some fifty varieties, it is evident tliat the greatest
care must be e.xercised in keeping the runners
true. When looking over Mr. (Tcorge Bunyard's
nursery at Maidstone recently, I saw a huge
breadth of all the best varieties being layered.
The plants are put out early in the autumn in
good clean soil, usually folloiving Potatoes. The
rows are .5 feet apart, and so arranged that in
every case all tlie runners of any pair of rows come
into the centre, so that there is left every alternate
space free for walking, working, and, if specially
needed, watering. In this way it is impossible
for runners of adjoining varieties to become mixed.
The small pots are filled with soil, then well
watered. So soon as partially dry, the laj'ering pro-
ceeds, each pot being sunk to its full depth in the
ground and the layer pegged into it. So
treated, little watering is needed; indeed, little
can be furnished. In three weeks the layers are
well rooted and may be remo\ed to the home
nursery. — A. D.

GRAPE PROSPECTS.

Given a soil similar to that with which I have to
deal, i.e., very light and porous, little opportunity
of providing anytliing heavier in quantity, all
outside borders, and poor facility for watering,
the season of 1897, following the wet autumn and
early winter of last year, is one of the best I
have had for Grapes. The borders had a thorough
soaking last autumn, and a good surface mulching
having preceded the rainfall, they ha\e not been
in the least dr_v. I also generally manage to give
them an early sunnner top-dressing in the shape
of two parts stiff road sidings and one of cow
manure, and this was only on this year a couple
of days when we had a tremendous downpour,
giving the roots all the benefit of tlie stimulant.
With a soil of the nature described above I find
the rejuvenation of the rods is an absolute neces-
sity, and some two seasons back dwelt in a short
paragraph on the method adopted, \iz. , bringing
up a young cane from the bottom under the old
rod, cutting off from the latter the old spurs for
two successive seasons as the young cane was
making its way, and finally removing it alto-
gether when its successor was able to furnish the
entire stretch of rafter. An old house in which
such young rods are in their second season is just
now rather interesting, two-thirds of the house
from the front plate upwards being cropped from
the younger canes, and the remaining third from
spurs of the old Vines. A very great difference is
perceptible alike in vigour of wood and foliage, in
size of bunch and berry. It is, I think, evident
that, given a soil on the light side, there is little
prospect of producing good fruit from old spurs,
but yet the recuperative power of the Vine is so

treat, that the end is at once gained by the intro-
uction of young wood. I am having a little
trouble just now with cracked berries on Foster's
Seedling, and that despite the fact that a chink
of air is left on at niglit. The reason is, however,
not fiir to seek. The house is full of plants, and
a great amount of moisture was generated alike
naturally from these and from afternoon watering.
So far as the latter is concerned, the danger is
lessened by performing the work in early morning
and allowing the chink of air to i-emain "on during
day and night. In the event of more rain comin"
I shall lay some shutters or sheets of galvaniseS
iron on the border, and if more berries go, notcli
the shoots on one side to the pitli midway
between the main rod and the bunch. In the
late house two varieties, Mrs. Pince and Lady
Downe's, that are sometimes not u|3 to the mark,
the one in the matter of setting and the other in a
susceptibility to scald, are this year extra good.
Probably the better results are due to an in |

creased attention respectively to tapping and the
use of the rabbit's tail, and to a slight shade
applied early in the season. All tlie late (Jrapes
except Alicante are the better for a little sliade,
the vineries lying due south-cast, and it is a diffi-
cult matter to get the foliage dry before the sun is
on it. Alicante is, fortunately, a favourite, and
I am gradually running up side rods of this to
take the jjlace of other varieties. Two Vines of
Alnwick Seedling produce Grapes so wonderfully
attractive to the eye alike in symmetry of bunch,
size of berry, and perfection of colour, that I am
rather loth to take them out, desiiite the worth-
lessness of the Grape from a flavour .stiind point.

E. BURRELL.

(4RAPE DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH.
"C."in The G.\rden of July 17 gives some in-
teresting notes of his experience with tlie Duke of
Buocleuch Grape. Those of your readers who
have seen it in perfect condition will agree with
"C." that it is "a grand (Jrape." At the .same
time, it must be admitted that it has certain pecu-
liarities of constitution that require sjiecial treat-
ment. I have grown it here for twenty-seven
years on its own roots, and had fine crops
every year. There is no trace of spotting. The
Golden Champion I admit used to spot with me a
little, but never the Duke. The treatment I
gixe the Duke is as follows : I maintain a suc-
cession of young rods, cutting out all old canes as
soon as possible. When I say old canes I mean
rods, say four years old. In the case of the Duke
I look on that age as old, as there can be no doubt
it does not fruit well on canes of tliat age or over.
By running up young rods, by long S]iur prun-
ing (say four eyes left), and by paying attention
to the careful artificial impregnation of The Duke,
I liave never failed during twenty-seven years
to obtain a fine crop of this noble (irape" In
regard to fla\our, I think the Duke is first-rate.
Though not so sweet as the Muscat, it has a pecu-
liar lusciousness of its own, which, I consider,
makes it a Grape not to be beaten by any other
kind for placing on the dinner-table or handing
to the invalid. Taken all in all, I think that the
Dulce is well worth all the extra trouble that may
liave to be bestowed on it, and I am sure that
those who ha\'e once seen and tasted it in proper
condition A\ill say tliat it is a noble (irape. Some
may think that I am prejudiced in its fa\ our be-
cause my late father was its raiser, but I can
assure them that I judge the Duke on its own
merits, and I have tested and proved it for
many years. JoH.v Thomson.

Cloi'fvfords.

NOTES ON (iOOSEBERRIES.
The Gooseberry crop is an important one in all
gardens. It is astonishing the length of time the
Gooseberry crop lasts. This year the fruits were
large enough to gather for tarts, &c. , in May, and
I have been gathering regularly since that time
and shall be able to continue well into August,
and where they are grown on nortli walls
and late kinds chosen, they may be had well into
September. I am doubtfid if there is another
croj) that can be made to pay as well. During
tlie last ten or fifteen years I have been jiayino'
much attention to this crop, both as to their pro-
ducing powers and also from a Uavour point of
view. I dress the ground every year, as the very
heavy crops that we get need this to keep
the bushes vigorous.

Regarding pruning, I find a moderate course
the best. The shoots should be kept thin enough
to get your hand between them. I do not like to
see the shoots cross each other. I commence
to gather the fruit as soon as large enough, and
get off the largest berries first. I go over all the
bushes, choosing those with the heaviest crop
first, and continue this all through tlie season till
ripening begins. This helps to relieve the bushes
and causes them to cro() heavily every year.
It helps in another way — namely, gives theni an
opportunity to produce berries of the liighest

flavour for dessert. I think that when a tree oi
bush has a too heavy crop the fla\ our is very poor.
Some kinds are not Mortli growing for dessert,
as they liave no flavour, although they may be
kinds that swell into a usable size early. Indus-
try all will admit is a good kind, more especial!^,
for early work, but for flavour I consider w
second-rate. A recent writer spoke highly of
Whitesmith, and I quite agree with all he saya.
The late iMr. \\'ildsmith considered this one of
the best for flavour. I ha\e it now (end of July)
in fine condition. Another kind I can strongly
recommend is Hedgehog, a green hairy kind, not
a large berry, but of the very best flavour. It is
a good comjianion for Warrington, which is a
splendid late kind. Ironmonger is a fine-flavoured
kind. Early Yellow is fine when grown on strong,
bushes and well thinned in a green state.

J. Crook,

PEACHES AT ORCHARDLEIGH.

I RECENTLY visited the gardens at Orchardleigh
Park, Frome, the residence of the Fev. W. Duck-
worth, in whicli are many features of interesi
Wliat to me appeared a very prominent one w
the heavy crop of ripe Peaches in the earlier
the t\io iiouses devoted to them. The structure,
which would appear to have a long history,
would seem to be well adapted to the trees under
notice, judging from the very heavy crops bornej
annually by them and the high quality of t'
fruit. Tlie two houses are about equal in length!
one having a south-eastern aspect, the other fai
ing south-west. The early house is some 90 feet '
length by about 9 feet or HI feet wide, and the en
borne by the half dozen trees therein was remarl
able. Over 2000 fruits fit for dessert will ha
been gathered ere this beyond the many dozei
of smaller ones used for preserves, of which no ri
cord is ke])t. But for the fact that mediu:
sized Peaches are the most appreciated, there
abundant evidence that very fine fruit might
produced with less strain on the trees, althou^
these show no loss of \ itality from the abundai
crop they have carried. Two large trees of Royi
George, one of Bellegarde, and some unnamed sorl
were the varieties planted, the first-named bein]
the most remarkable. The houses being narro'
and lofty, they are furnished with front trees onlv.
Mr. Clarke, the gaidener in charge, evident!
takes great pride in his trees, ])runing away a1
old and useless bearing wood as soon as tlie en _
is cleared, and in the winter the roots have thi
same careful attention in the removal of much'
exhausted soil, and new turfy mixture. This is
not merely placed on the surface, but incor-
porated with the old soil to the depth of the
border, and both the trees and crop speak volumes
for the soundness of the treatment they have liad.
Mr. Clarke is favoured in having an abundant
water supply, and the total absence of red spider
shows that he does not stint water either at root
or branch. W. S.

ir//^--.

Strawberry Latest of All. — I was surprised
to read of " R. D.'s " failure with the above Straw-
berry. With me it has cropped remarkably well
this season. I consider it one of the finest
flavoured and largest midseason varieties }'et
introduced. The soil here is very liglit and
naturally poor, resting on sand, not an ideal one
for Strawberry culture. I also find it withstands
the drought well. Vicomtesse H. de Thury and
Sir .J. Paxton also do well here. I have dis-
carded lioth Noble and Laxton's Competitor as
being deficient in flavour, the latter, though an
enormous cropper, being one of the -worst
fla\-oured Strawberries I ever tasted. The fruit
is large, but very soft, and hollow in the centre.
— G. W. Hagon, Fowley Park, Liphoolc, Hant-t.

At p. 64 "R. D." complains of the

behaviour in his own garden of this new Straw-
berry, and asks if others have found it unsatis-
factor}'. I obtained jilants last autumn wliich
w-ere small and badl}- rooted, yet in spite of this
drawback they made good headway, and by

AuiiDsT 7, 1897.]

THE GA1M)EN.

95

Novoiulier had Riowii into onUnary-sizctl plants.
This .sinnmor they have fruited well, and for the
most part the fruit has been fairly well sluqiec ,
although I ilo not consider it one of the hancl-
somest'~Strawl)erries'. I have not .«een nn.\- truce
of the fuMjius "K. P."com|ilains of, and 1 ron-
sider the fla\.iur ijood for a late varu»ty, althougli
the sli-ht niuskiness pereejitiljle niitiht not be
cared fiir by some. I think it would be a <;"od
variety for planting on a north border. It srows
freely "and produees abundanre of fruit. My soil

iaIislit.—T-l'.

Potting Pine suckers.- Where the old
stools of (,>ueeii Pines have been well nourished,
the sueUers sliould l)y the bet^-innino; of August be
stout and \ig^<irous. "They should be twisted oil',
not drawn out from tlie [jarent plant, using a
leather <;love for the purpose, carefully trimmed
with a sharp knife and inserted, the largest into
S-incli and the smalle.st into (i-inch pots, using a
compost of good .sound fibrous loam, to which
may be added a little bone-meal and charcoal.
Animal manure is best avoided at this stage. The
potting stick nnist be freely used, a firm condition
of the" soil Ijeing necessary, as if this is in a
proper state neither too wet nor too dry— water
Mill not be needed until more roots are forming.
If, however, potting is loosely performed the soil
soon dries, rendering water necessary, which may
result in partial or complete rotting of tlie base of
the sucker. Potting completed, they should be
transferred to tlie iilunging lied. I prefer a sunk
pit for suckers, as here the atmosphere can be
kept more moist than in ordinary fruiting houses.
The rcof should be furnished with a roller blind,
as the suckers need shade in sunny w^eathcr.
Good Oak or Beech leaves are preferable to tan.
Atmospheric moisture must be supplied by fre-
quent dampings and by keeping the e%aporating
pans constantl.N- filled. The foliage each sunny
afternoon should be lightly syringed. Air must
be admitted cautiously until new roots are formed,
bat a chink must be given on fine days to sweeten
the house and lessen the liability to drip. As
soon as the plants become established shading may
hi dispensed with and each plant well moistened.
A bottom heat of 90° is a good one for suckers.
-J. C.

Raspberry, but at present it is too small to form
a very decided opinion upon. The descriptions
referred to by " S. \V. F." may prove exaggerated,
but hai-dlyso much so, I think, as he has inferred.
.As to "the T.oganljerry (or Blaeklierry Rasp-
lierry), I have a nice healthy plant. It has iiro-
dueedone good fruit with a wine-like flavour, and
another is being developed at the tip of a leading way.
shoot. I ob.serve in Hooker's " Htudenfs Flora
of the British Islands" (1S70), p. 110, under the
heading sub-sji. Ciesius (I)ewlierry), the remark
" R. pseudo-ida'us, Lejcune, is probalily a hylaiil
with R. Ida'us." It «ould, therefore, ajipear
that hybrids between the Dewberry, a form of the
Euiop'ean Blackberry of marked character, and
the Raspberry occur even in a wild state. It is
not, tht'refore, so very surprising that the Rasp-
berry sliou'd h.ave been successfully, though it
a|ipears inadvertently, crossed with an American
form of Blackberry. No doubt it is only the
commencement of further improvements.

Chiinoinjc, Teiynmouth. Eustace F. Clakk.

Malines in this strong soil ]iroduces extra large
fruits and plenty of them. .\s cordons. Doyenne
Bois.selot, Bern'riJ de St, Denis, two varieties
procured from the neighliourhood of Paris, are
fruiting nicely, and what surprised me as much
as anything was to find the delicious, but often
unsatisfactory, Thomson's doing «ell in every

J. C.

THE LOGANBERRY.

I iiAVK read with interest the remarks on the
Loganberry in recent numbers of Tiiii Gaudex,
also the paragraph on misleading descriptions on
p. !)2 of the recent number.

On )). .50 in your numtier for .July 17 I observe
that the Loganberry was gi\en an award of merit
by the fruit committe3 of the Royal Horticultural
Society, and the name of "Strawberry Rasji-
berry '' is given as a, synonym, but this must be a
mistake, though it does not apjiear to have been
noticed. I receixed some months ago a plant of
each of three new fruits advertised. These were
the (1) Loganberry, described as a true hybri<l
between the Raspberry and the Blackberry ; (2)
the Colden Mayberry, said to be a true early
yellow Raspberry with a tree habit ; and (8), the
Strawberry Ra.^pberry, said to be a hybrid
between the Strawberry and the Raspberry, of
.Japanese origin.

I observe that " S. W. F.," in bis remarks on
misleading descriptions, speaks of his plants su]i-
plied under the names (iolden Mayberry and
Strawberry Raspberry, proving to be identical
when developed. I conclude that he must have
had plants of one kind sent for the two. There
is no resemblance between the two plants received
by me under the names mentioned. The .Straw-
berry Ras|)berry seems to have a very inter-
mediate appearance. The leaves remind me of
those of some .Spineas, but the stalks ai'e prickly.
My plant started well, but has not fruited, and
appears to be making little progress. Thetiolden
Mayberry is a more healthy plant, but shows no
sign of fruit as yet. Its leaves in shape are more
like those of ("iooseberries than those of Rasp-
berries, but longer, less spiny, and more jiointed.
It is evidently more of a bush than the ordinary

APPLES AND PEARS FOR EXPOSED

SITUATIONS.

Woui.n HE planters of Apples and Pears are often
debarred from carrying out their wish on account
of the high and exposed position of their garden,
and the fact that the soil is heavy and retentive,
being under the impression that nothing but cider
xarie'ties of Apples and stewing sorts of Pears
will do any good under such conditions. When,
however, one meets with instances where even
so-called delicate dessert Apjiles and capricious
Pears are growing freely and bearing profusely
under just such conditions, one is apt to come to
the conclusion tliat after all it is to a great extent
a matter of getting the young trees acclimatised,
more, in fact, than any particular selection of
.sorts. An account of the collection of .\pples and
Pears growing at Hillside, Newark, may prove
instructive generally. Hillside stands very high,
and although a good deal of fresh opening material
\v .IS added to the stajile when the place was made,
the natural soil is strong in the extreme and the
, .subsoil by no means warm. Apples are grown in
liush, pyramid and espalier form, and Pears on
espaliers and w^alls. On espaliers the Apple that
suriirised me most was the old Ribston in fertile
condition, and free from its common enemy even
in light warm soils— canker. Cox's Orange does
cipudlv as well, and having tasted the fruit I can
answei-for the (piality. Another so-called capricious
French dessert Apple, and one which I failed after
much trouble to grow in a light warm soil on a west
wall, is Cah'ille Blanche. The espalier tree at Hill-
side grows freely enough and crops almost annually,
the fruit ripening up most satisfactorily. Lord
Burleigh, an excellent medium-sized dessert
\ariety, in season from Nmember to March, it
constant and good. King of the Pippins, eapri
eious in many gardens in the sunny south, pro-
duces at Hillside som," of the finest fruit I have
ever seen. Bramley s Seedling, Bedfordshire
Foundling, and Mere de Menage do grandly as
orchard trees. I also noticed a young tree of
Newtown Wonder, which is sure to become a
popular Apple, doing well, also one of Bismarck ;
both of these were grown as espaliers.

Pears are represented by Doyenn^ du Cornice,
Marie Louise d'UccIe, " Pitmaston Duchess,
Brockworth Park, and Princess on an east wall,
the growth being robust and the fruit large and
good. Those on espaliers are Belle d'.\bries, a
Tate spring Pear of large size, and in good seasons
average flavour ; Doyenne d'Alencon. a December
to .January variety of delicious flaAour. This Pear

APPLE CROP IN 1897.
In this di.strict it cannot be said that there is
anything like a full crop, thougli in some places
there is a fair amount of the early soft varieties.
This no doulit is owing to the unfavourable
weather in sjiring during the time the trees were
in bloom. In some oreliards there are heavy
crops of Keswiek Codlin, The (^ueen, Ecklinville,
Worcester Pearmain, and Pott's Seedling, but
as none of these are keeping varieties there may
be a glut of them in the market, while later on
good fruit will be scarce. With me Ribston Pip-
l-in, Claygate I'earmain, and some other choice
kinds are carrying a fair crop, but many of the
best kinds fail to give any fruit. There is but
little difference in this respect between old and
young trees, though the latter are producing by
far the finest fruit. Warner's King, King of Pip-
pins, Alexander, Stirling Castle, Irish Peach,
Yorkshire Greening, and Northern Greening have
all full crops with me, but in some orchards they
are by no means plentiful. Lane's Prince Albert
has never failed to give a good supply of fruit,
and this season is no exception, as many of the
trees are fully laden with fruit. It is often said
that late-flowering varieties are more likely to
produce a full crop than the earlier ones ; this is
not so this season, for Irish Peach, which is one
of the first to bloom, has a fine crop of fruit,
while Court Rendu Plat, about the latest of all,
has scarcely an Apple on it. There is much
to be said in favour of shelter for fruit
plantations. Here a tree of Blenheim Orange
that is sheltered from the north and north-cast by
some large Fir trees is carrying a full crop ot
fruit, though others that are more ex]iosed in the
same orchard have scarcely an Apple on them
That our orchards in many instances are too ex
posed there can be no douljt, and those who are
desirous of obtaining the finest results w ould do
well to take this into consideration when planting
is contemplated. The protection ought, however,
not to be too close, as the roots from such trees
would be a serious hindrance to the growth of
those it was intended to encourage. Caterpillars
have been less troublesome this season than for
some years past, so that most of the trees have
made a free, healthy growth. Canker in some
instances is a serious drawback, for just as the
trees are of a useful size the branches die off
wholesale. This is particularly so with Stirling
Castle, Ribston Pippin and Hawthornden. Bram-
ley's Seedling is ot no use at all with me. The
tree is of rampant growth and scarcely ever hcs
any fruit. This season there are not a dozen
Apples on a whole row ; the same m.ay be said of
Annie Elizabeth and Flower of Kent. The most
useful varieties I have are Ecklinville, Stirling
Castle, Lane's Prince Albert and Wellington, as
it is seldom that any of tliein fail to cro|j freely.
Keswick Codlin is u'sually a free cropper, but the
fruit is too small. It is, however, not well to de-
pend on too few varieties, particularly where a
constant supply has to be kept up, and those who
have room woiild do well to make a selection of
at least two dozen of the best. H. C. P.

JSiixtcil Paih, Susucx.

s generally supposed to reciuire the highest cul-
ture, but at Hillside, under the conditions de-
scribed, it is excellent. That generally reliable
late Pear, now grown by almost everyone, Olivier
des Serres, is quite at home in the strong soil of
the Hillside garden, the flavour being exquisite
during February and March. That seldom-seen
Pear Passe Colmar is also well represented, the
tjuince stock suiting it best. Josephine de

Scarcity of Plums and Apricots.— So far as
midland orchards and market gardens are ccn-
cerned, so great a scarcity of Plums and Apricots
has not been known for 'years. In the majority
of gardens the Apricot tices are absolutely b.nie
of fruit, ard the same may be said of Plums.
Even the haidy, free-bearing Yictcria has failed
to yield. The cold winds which prevailed for
several weeks just as the Apricots were in blccm
were r,o dcubt the cause of the fiuit failing to set

96

THE GARDEN.

[August 7, 1897.

even where fish netting was used. Those wlio
wish for Apricot jam will be forced to rely on
foreifrn fruit, as neither the fruiterers' windows
nor the open markets of the midlands will this
year be able to supply home-grown fruit. No
fruit is missed bj- lovers of higli-class preser\es
than the Apricot. — C. C. D.

Peach notes.— I beg to thank "A. W."' and
" G. W. S." for their kind answers (p. 382) to my
query about the selection of Peaches. "A. W."
desires to know what difference there is between
Royal George and Madeleine Rouge de Courson.
I have waited till the fruits of these two -v'a-
rieties ripened. On trees bearing their first
good crop I confess I cannot see any diff'erence.
The fruits on both are rather large and highly
coloured. They have small flowers. During their
blooming it seemed to me that the blooms of
Madeleine Rouge de Courson were somewhat
larger and of a different shade of colour, but it
may be that I was mistaken. In the growth and
leaves I cannot detect any difference whatever. I
must add that in the first house, where the Royal
George in question has as companions Amsden
and Hale's Karl}', the first ripe fruits of Amsden
were gathered on May 30, Hale's Early about two
weeks later, and Royal George will ripen in a few
days, that is, about July 25. In the second
house, where Madeleine Rouge <le Courson is
grown witli Montague Double and Grosse Mig-
nonne Hative, and which has been started three
weeks after the first house, Montague Double has
gi\-en the fir.st ripe fruits a few days ago, viz.,
July 17, also earlier than Royal George in the
first liouse, and Madeleine Rouge de Courson will
be ripe a few days later than Royal George.
"A. W." advises me to take Dr. Hogg or D}--
mond ; "(J. W. S.," Noblesse, Dymond, Crimson
Galande, and Barrmgton. Perhaps it would be
more advisable, instead of planting three trees of
one variety, to take three varieties. And if so,
which of them ? For instance. Dr. Hogg, Dy-
mond, and Barrington ; two trees of one kind and
one tree of another. Are there other Peaches \\ith
larger fruits than the three named?— R. K.,
iSt. J'tterfihiini.

Flower Garden.

HYDRID NYMPH.EAS AT KEW.

Many of the lovely hybrid Water Lilies that
M. Latour-Marliac has given to our gardens are
ii(.)W to be seen in excellent condition at Kew.
All the varieties named below are to be found
in the lirick and cement tank at the extreme
end of the herbaceous ground, which, to say the
least, is utterly unworthy the beautiful set of
plants it now contains. It may, however, be
urged, and that with a good deal of reason, that in
a tank of this kind visitors can better see the
beauty and value of the plants individually than
C3uld be secured were they growing in an open
pond or lake. The importance of the plants
themselves would, however, appear sufficiently
strong proof that a special tank or pond should
be a necessity, so that the handsome specimens
that now represent some of the best kinds may
have still wider scope for development, and
year by year see them attain to greater sine and
beauty. It is obvious that many of the larger
and bolder forms are getting too large for the
ijuarters to which they were consigned a year
or two back, and that unrestricted play for
root and branch alike would contribute ma-
terially to their future welfare. So far, how-
ever, the present quarters have been useful, in-
asmuch as they tend to illustrate that such
things may be grown to a considerable size even
without lake or pond, a piece of instruction
that is doubtless wanting in many directions,
and apart from this the plants are always at
hand for examination. One cannot but view
with satisfaction the general vigour and health-

fulness of these newer kinds, a condition of
things certainly not contributed to by the ex-
cellence of the water in the tank in question,
which is open to much improvement. That
the dense carpet of vegetation clothing the
sides of the tank has nothing to do with the
army of aquatics therein is abundantly proved
by other open tanks that contain none at all, and
while it does not beautify in the least, it is
satisfactory to know that it does no harm to
these beautiful hybrid Nyuiph;eas themselves.
As my visit was rather late in the day I did
not make a complete list, thougli the following
may be accepted as the most consjjicuous at the
moment, and in the course of a few days, with a
nnicli larger number of blossoms expanded,
tliese lovely flowers sliould be worth a long
journey to see.

NYMPH,t:..\ M.\RLi.\CEA loNEA is very fine, with
petals of a deep rosy crimson hue, and green
sepals margined with rose and white. The
foliage, too, is very beautiful, the young leaves of
a deej) bronzy hue and the older leaves blotched
with crimson.

N. M. CARNEA, with a dozen or more of its
Inids in various stages, promises a long and wel-
come display of its flowers ; indeed, it is the
great profusion of Bowers, at the moment indi-
cated by a host of appearing buds, that gives
these lovely Water Lilies a value of their own
till far into the early autumn months. The lovely
flesh tint of this kind is very beautiful.

N. M. ALBIDA is the giant of the white-flowered
kinds, the handsome flowers reaching from
S inches to 12 inches across; the growth also
vigorous, as also very dense on the water's surface.

N. M. Ki.AM.AiEA has many buds, but no expanded
blossoms at the moment. The flowers are pnik at
first, and afterwards deepen to red in the centre.
This kind is also vigorous and rather spreading in
habit.

There are also several forms that belong to
the N. Laydekeri group to be seen here,
notably

N. Laydekeri fulva, with several, large buds
that will open in a day or two : tlie blossoms are
red on a creamy yellow ground, and have large
mottled leaves.

N. L. LILACEA, while not large in size, is very
charming and flowers abundantly, something like
eighteen flower buds being noted. In growth this is
■^'ery compact, while the purjjle-bronze of the
young leaves makes it even more attractive.

N. L. TjUcida has very large flowers of rose,
vermilion and white, with a sjjreading habit of
growth. In this, again, the young leaves are of a
dark Ijronze, while the more mature leaves are
green, with irregular, longitudinal blotches of
dark chestnut near the margin.

Apart from those named I noted the
dwarf-growing N. pygmaja helvola, a dainty
kind in evei-y way and especially suited to small
acjuaria, and N. odorata sulphurea granditlora,
with long-stemmed blossoms of large size, to-
gether with the older forms, such as the curious
Nuphar advena and the common white Water
Lily, N. alba, and its variety candidissima ; this
last still a fine and useful kind, with large
pure white blossoms that are very striking.
All these promise a display of blosscjras for some
ueeks to come. Tliese newer hybrids are in-
valuable, and anyone interested cannot do better
than visit the Kew collection now in flower to
see for himself what has been accomplished here
under quite ordinai-y conditions of culture.

E. J.

Eccremocarpus scaber. — It is curious how
man}- flower lovers fail to recognise this old in-
mate of our gardens, and which not so many years
ago was extremely popular with window" gar-
deners. The half-hardy climbers were once in
great demand, and I should like to see them again
come to the front. Planted against a wall or

fence, or staked in the way of Sweet Peas, they
produce an effect which can only be obtained by
things of similar growth. — J. C. B.

Linum sibiricum. — This slender-growing,
hardy annual, bearing a profusion of light blue
flowers, and its white variety I recently noted in
tine bloom. One is a counterpart of the other,
except in the difference in the colour of the blos-
soms, both growing to a height of 2.J feet. Seeds
are readily ootainable, and they may be sown now,
or at any time which is convenient. Preference
is given to sowing in April and May, as then
strong plants can be secured for flowering the
following season. The blue form is preferaole to
L. perenne, which it resembles, but is deeper in
colour. — R. R.

The Tulip Poppy.— This, known as Papaver
glaucum, is a very striking annual Poppy grow-
ing to a height of from 1.") inches to IS inches, to
all ajipearance much more suecessional in bloom-
ing than most of the annual varieties, the colour
rich, bright reddi.sh-crimson, the inner petals
taking the form of a Tulip, hence its name. A
small bed of this, or plants dotted about among
other annuals are very effective. It is perhaps best
to sow the seeds in the open and allow the plants
to .stand and bloom, but some thinning out is re
quired if a good head of bloom is desired. Both
this and the fine types of P. Rhieas do not trans-
plant well, and though some succeed many fail,
and that is why sowing where the jjlants are to
stand is so much recommended. The better tin
soil and the more room gi\en to individuals assist
to produce not only fine, but succe.ssional flowers
— R. D.

Carnation Salisbury. — Those m ho value
Carnations for their usefulness as hardy border
flowers will find this very serviceable. It is very
hardy, of free, vigorous habit, flowers profusely,
and has stiff", erect flower-stems that do not
really need support. The blooms are of medium
size, but of good form and pure. It is perhaps
the best white Carnation that can be grown for
supplying a quantity of cut bloom. We want
more Carnations of this description, and some
experienced raiser should devote himself to raising
varieties that bear their flowers on stout stems
that require no support. Varieties like Red-
braes, for instance, have stems so weak that the
plants ha\ e to be gone over several times to main-
tain the flowers in an erect position. This ren-
ders Carnation culture rather expensive. — J. C. B.

Lilies. — I imported Lilies of various sorts from
Japan last autumn. They were all planted in the
same soil, a mixture of loam, peat, and silver
sand, and are all doing well except L. Bate-
mana;, which looks very unhealthy. The lea\-es
are turning yellow and some of the bulbs are
actually dead. Can anyone suggest what I ought
to do to save the remainder ? — Hibernia.

*,* It is not mentioned whether the plants of
Lilium Bateman:e referred to are in pots or in
the open ground. If in pots, it may be pointed
out that this Lily, as a rule, resents such treat-
ment ; hence it cannot be recommended for pot
culture, but in the open ground imported bulbs
generally do well and flower in a satisfactory
manner. The conditions most fa\'ourable to it
are an ojien soil, such as a mixture of loam, peat,
and sand, a well-drained spot, but at the same
time one that is not parched up during the
summer, and a partially shaded position, as it
dislikes exposure to the full rays of the sun
throughout the entire day. Little can be done
now to save the remainder, the only thing being
to lea\'e them untouched till the stems decay,
when they should be turned out of pots or dug
up, according to the way in which they are
situated, and every bulb thoroughly examined.
Those that are decayed had then better be thrown
away, while the sound bulbs can be stored in sand
kept slightly moist till planting time. The ad-
vice to leave them untouched till the stems decay
does not mean that if in jjots they should be kei)t
without water, as undue dryness will quickly in-
jure any Lily bulbs. — H. P.

August 7, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

97

ENGLISH GARDENS ABROAD.

Some of the most delightful things in tlower
gardening are to be seun in the gardens of
English people living in Madeira, the Riviera,
Algeria, and countries generally permitting
of beautiful flower gardening during the
winter and with a season of many flowers
throughout the spring. These are real gar-
dens varied and full of beautiful colour, yet
■without any trace of the barren monotony
characteristic of most gardens at home. The
generally picturesque iiature of the ground,
the presence of graceful fruit and other
trees, and the aljsence of any pretentious
attempt to conform the whole to one set

mate makes the garden beautiful, as the way

of planting is the main source of beauty here.
Borders are thick set with the good foliage
of the Iris in many forms, and ]iarticularly
the winter-flowering Iris, which has its home [
in Algeria, and its white variety found by!
Mr. Arkwright, both very charming plants. :
The P(dargouiums are in lovely liusluis in
light or shade. How well they look as hedges
or groups, while Datura, Palm, Jasmine, '
Acacia, Fig, Lemon, i\Iagnolia are happy in
tlie sun, with masses of Cineraria here and
there in half-shade, with many Violets, and
even wild flowers of the country. IJougain-
villeas and handsome Bignonias grace the

Some of the most beautiful garden effects
we have over seen were here, all the finer
from the background of higli cliB's above
clad with evergreen Oak, Pine, and wild
Olive, but the best lesson is not from the
varied life in the garden so much as from the
happy and natural way tlie whoht is disposed.

In this way wo have variety as well as pic-
tures— as much variety as may be wished, of
which there is an example in

Mr. Han dory's Garden at La Mortola.

This fine garden, the contents of which
are so very interesting from a garden as well
as a botanical point of view, we hope to be

V'i*1

Tlie Palazzo Orengo at La Mortola, Italy. From a photograph sent hy Mr. Hanhury.

idea lead to the simple and artistic gar-
den. The garden of Mr. Arkwright at
Mustapha, near Algiers, is a good ex-
ample of the English garden in other
lands, a garden full of beautiful things, and
withal so placed that pictures are seen
at every turn. Noble Tea Roses like Chro-
matella are fountains of bloom, sometimes
running up a tapering Cypress, and sending
out of it far overhead graceful shoots laden
with noble flowers. Lamarque, the noblest
of white Roses, grows and blooms about as
freely as the Elder tree does at home. ]\Iany
Tea Roses of all sizes are here, sometimes
kinds are superb that rarely open well with
us at home, such as Cloth of Gold and
Jean Ducber. But it is not onlv the eli-

walls in free and jiretty ways, wliile here
and there the Algerian Ivy is seen, a
noble climber, the fine qiialities of wliich
are not in the least affected by the hot
sun in the summer here. We have never
seen such rich banks of this Ivy as about
Algiers ; it ascends to high parts of the
mountains there, which look arid enough and
are terribly hot in summer. No one need
despair of gracing a dry bank with a fine
thing who takes the Algerian Ivy for that
purpose. It may be its long sojourn in so
dry a country has prepared it better for its
work in the sun than the forms of the Ivy
from the cooler north. There are several va-
rieties of Ivy wild in Algeria besides the one
wc know as the Algerian Ivy.

able to discuss in more detail at a future day,
and merely now give a short account of its
creation. The variety is not in itself so much
worth seeking as beauty, which is just what we
lose when we commit ourselves to any one
way of flower gardening. To be free to add
or plant at almost any time of the year is a
great advantage ; wliereas in the common
flower garden the whcde is set out and taken
up at fixed times. The result is a dreadfidly
fixed one too, and if any beautiful bush, or
bulb, or flower happens to come in our way
that does not fit into the wretched system, so
much the worse for it.

The fear of anytliing like a bush or low
tree that governs the idea of many flower
gardens at home at present does not exist

98

THE GARDEN

[August 7, 1897.

here, so that we have light and shade, many
hushes and even low trees that give chances
for surprises and changes. This is partly
owing to the warmth which allows of the
growth of many pretty bushes that may
well grace a Hower garden, hut once free
from the idea that a flower garden must
be a flat surface seen at a glance, there, would
be no real difhculty in carrying out like ways
of planting in our climate in which so many
lovely huvhes grow if we give them a chance.
One minor clnrm of these Engli.sh gardens
abroad arises from the fact that any necessary
stone-work is done in a simple way by the
garden men. As the ground is often steep,
steps and little walls or ]:)rotecting corners are
often wanted, but whenever the native
gardener wants anything of this kind he iloes
not go through a circumlocution bureau
for iiispirat'on and drawings to scale, but
builds what he wants in a simple ready way
■with tlie stone nearest at h'nd, and the re-
sult is much better gardening than more
elaborate and costly work.

La Mortola is the name of a very ancient
Italian village about three miles east of the gorge
of the Pont St. Louis, wliich forms the boundary
between France and Italy. Cap Martin on the
west and Cap Mortola on the east make the semi-
circle known as tlie bay of Mentone, a lovely and
perhaps the best sheltered spot on the Ris-iera,
where the mildness of tlie climate is attested by
the fact that the Lemon flourishes perfectly, and
is the ordinary crop grown by the peasants, and
where many species of Palms and Bananas with-
stand the winter without any protection.

The Palazzo Orengo, so named after the Orengo
family, Mho owned the house for two centuries
after KUO, when it passed to them from the noble
family Lanteri, of Ventimiijlia, was purchased
in the year 18(17 by Mr. Thomas Hanbury, an
English merchant at Shanghai, who traces his
descent from the Hanburys, formerly resident at
the villages of Hanbury and Feckenham, in
Worcestershire, and afterwai-ds at Pont-y-Moil,
in S. Wales.

Mr. Hanbury, finding no garden at the Palazzo
Orengo in 1887, immediately proceeded to trans-
form the steep hillside between the seashore and
the Corniohe road aljove by planting an immense
variety of exotic trees and shrubs which he
judged suitable for the climate. In this he was
aider! by his brother Daniel, the M'ell-known
pharmacologist, who, however, died in 1875.

La Mortola soon became well known to the
public as the largest and most beautiful garden
on the Riviera, and to scientific botanists .as a
garden nf acclimatisation, where certain plants
might be found flourishing in the o|)en .air which
elsewhere in Europe required culture under glass.
Although the climate is excessively drj' in sum-
mer, it IS found to be well suited to the flora of
Austi-alia, Mexico, the Cape, and the Canaries,
and the collection munbers at present about 4000
species, all living in the open air.

The garden and grounds, which are about 100
acres in extent and occupy the entire cape, are
thrown open to the public twice in the week.
They are traversed at right angles by the ancient
Via Aurelia, the only road along the coast in the
time of the Romans and down to the early part
of tliis century. A visitor in the month of
Janviary will find 400 to 500 species of plants in
blossom, but the garden is seen to the greatest
advantage in March and April. Invalids should
be warned that the descent from the entrance
gates to the sea is about 350 feet, and that no
carriage can enter tlie grounds.

W. R.

Phloxes. — Where facilities exist tor a good
surface uuilching and copious supplies of water,

given a light, dry soil and a hot summer, or on a
soil naturally well ad,apted for their cultivation,
I would advise the annual treatment of Pliloxes,
as spike and individual pips are certainly finer on
young plants, but it after putting out the young
plants they have to shift for themselves in
a rather poor, light soil, I should say tlie best re-
sults are obtainable from established stuff. Natur-
ally it is not advisable to let them occujiy the
same quarters for many years, and immediately
there are signs of deteriorating, the old clumps
must be removed and their number made up from
young stutt', of which a supply should be always
on hand. The above remarks in connection with
the younger plants and their inability to stand
tlie combination of a hot, dry summer and a light,
diw soil were borne out this year by a small col-
lection of newer \arieties planted rather late, and
which I have had to mulch and water to keep on
the move. Good ti-eatment is also conducive to a
greatly prolonged flowering season. Touching
this latter matter, it may be well to remind
growers who are trying Phloxes for the first time
that the pips are set on the spike very thickly.
A great number of unexpanded flowers are wait-
ing their turn, and as the pips go ott' they should
be nipped out with the finger and thumli to allow
of the dexelopment of those in the tiackground —
an apparently trix-ial matter, but, like good treat-
ment;, tending to greatly iirolong the season. It
will be found ad\isable to stake some of the newer
varieties in their first season if the weather is
rough and the situation very exposed. I do not
like to do this more than is necessary, but it is
preferable to finding some of one's finest spikes
prostrate and probably snapped ort' close to the
ground. No garden of any size should lie without
two or three beds of Ploxes, and a mixture of the
early and late-flowering sections is advisable not
only to )jrolong the season, but also that the dif-
ference in the heights may prevent a formality in-
separable with a collection all of nearly the same
size. A variety just now (July 20) at its best is
Snowdon, a splendid truss with pure white flowers,
the ]iip large and perfect in form. — E. B. C.

RAYLESS TUFTED PANSIES.
My remarks on Tufted Pansy \'\'aterloo in The
G.\KDEN of June 12 were founded upon a trial of
a young batch of plants alongside a smaller num-
ber of two-year-old plants. The former were
propagated late last autumn, and so far have been
very disappointing. Comparatively little growth
has been made, and the cpiantity of bloom has
been \ery meagre. On the other hand, tlie two-
year-old plants have done fairly well, eacli plant
giving a nice lot of blossom and of a shade of blue
that is now very welcome. Although these two-
year-old plants have much more vigour than those
flowering for the first time this season, there is
something still lacking in the constitution of the
plant, and which, I fear, we shall never get.
Regarding several other varieties raised by Dr.
Stuart, they are in almost every instance typical
of what a Tufted Pansy should be. This is espe-
cially noticeable in plants grown on a second and
third year, the plants being literally covered with
charming medium-sized blossoms, and for general
garden decoration invaluable. I quite agree with
all that is said of Blue Gown. My old jilants are
from a foot to 18 inches in diameter, beautifully
tufted and compact. Such a lot of plants shows
well the value of this kind when cut back late in
the autumn and allowed to flower freely during
the spring and summer months. Florizel is in-
deed a gem, the plant blooming freely, the blos-
soms of large size, haliit wonderfully dwiirf and
compact, while the colour — blush-lilac — is almost
unique in these flowers, and very effective in the
border. Christiana has been very fine for months
past, and should be placed in the front rank as a
creamy white bedding sort. The growth is
spreading, the flowers large and of good
form. Princess I^ouise, a new rayless yellow sort
sent out by Mr. Andrew Irvine last season, is a
distinct .acquisition. Both this 3'ear's and last
year's plants are now at their best. The blossoms

are only of medium size, but the colour is so rich
and clear that their effect in the border is very pro-
nounced. The habit of this sort is also % ery dwarf
and compact. Rosea pallida has not madeover large
two-year-okl ijlants with me, but this variety, like
Florizel, is wonderfully free. Early in the spring
there is very little difference in these two flowers,
but as the season advances the colouring becomes
quite distinct, and the beauty jieculiar to each va-
riety fully appreciated. As an individual flower
Border VVitcli is \ery fine when the climatic con-
ditions are not too warm, and because of this the
best flow-ers are to be harl early in the summer
or during the cooler weather of late summer or
early autumn. Two-year-old plants of this va-
riety have been very fine for some time, but it is
essentially a flower for tlie exhibition table, its
want of fixity of colour telling against it for
bedding. I have a number of plants raised from
seed, of which Sylvia was one of the parents, and
among these there are some very beautiful sorts.
The blossoms are (juite equal to, but not better
than those of the parent, liut they each liave some
distinct characteristic. In some instances the
blossoming period is earlier than usual, in others ■
the disjilay may be later, and from one of these
plants I gathered a beautiful spray of blossom
during November last. The two chief properties
are, however, possessed by these plants, viz. , fixed
colours and compact and spreading habit of
growth.

There is a bright future in store for those in-
terested in these plants for beautifying the garden.

C. A. H. i

DURATION OF LILY BLOOMS.

WnF.KK a collection of Lilies is grown, the length
of time that the flowers of some species will re-
main fi'esh and bright compared with others is
very noticeable, while e\ en the difl'erent varietii:^
of one species vary a good deal in this respect.
In the case of the upright cup-flowered section
the blossoms of the different forms of L. davuri-
cum or umbellatum are soon past their best,
while those of the allied L. croceum and L. bulbi-
ferum remain fresh and bright for a much longer
period. Among the numerous v.arieties of L. ele-
gans or Thunbergianum, the most fugacious of all
is lateritium or biligulatum, a brownish red-
coloured form, which in two days loses a good
deal of its beauty. The bright crimson Van
Houttei, on the other hand, is much superior in
this respect. One of the showiest of all the ele-
gans group is bicolor, a rich yellow flower flamed
with red, but its beauty is \'ery short-lived, the
petals being much thinner in texture than in many
others. I have been considerably impressed dur-
ing the jiresent season with the great length of
time that the gracefully disposed nankeen-
coloured blossoms of L. testaceum retained their
beauty despite heavy showers, a burning sun,
and occasionally rough winds. In lasting quali-
ties the flowers of h. testaceum greatly surpass
those of the Madonna Lily (L. candidum), one of
its parents, but, on the other hand, the second
parent (L. chalcedonicum) is in this respect equal,
if not superior, to any other Lily. The petals of
this almost appear as if they are cut out of wax,
so great is their substance ; hence, though this
Lily does not flower till Jul}' — the hottest portion
of the year — they remain fresh a long time. Of
another group with thick petals much the same
may be said, but not to the same extent as in the
case of L. chalcedonicum. This is the Martagon
Lily and its varieties, with the allied .lapanese
L. Hansoni, all small and long-lasting fljwers.
One of the most striking of all the varieties of
L. auratum is rubro-vittatum, in which the golden
band, which extends down the centre of the petal
in the normal form, is replaced by a broad crim-
son one. When first expanded the marked con-
trast between the glowing crimson and the rest
of the flower is very striking, but after two da3'S
or so the red portion changes to a kind of brown
pa|iery tint, and the flower then loses a good
deal of its effectiveness. The pure unspotted
form known as Wittei or virginale, on the other

AvGisT 7, 1897.]

THE GARDEN".

99

land, remiiins clear until tlie [)Ctals drop, luid it
s certainly the most chaste and beautiful of all
lie forms of L. auratum. Many of the Lilies arc
)f an average iluration of bloom, and of them leaf}- liabit,

know four varieties of Sidalcea malvallora, all
distinct in appearance and character. ( 1 ) The type,
with short, close spikes of dark |)ink flowers and

Acacia cyanophylla in hloom in April in Mr. Hanhiiry^s
garden at La Mortola. {See p. 97.)

arly. (2) A rose-coloured variety,
with long, loose spikes of large pale
rose flowers and very few leaves ;
this I call Warley Rose, later than
No. 1. (3) A dark-coloured variety,
with large Howersand upright spikes,
flowering later still. I first met with
this in Dickson's Chester nurseries.
and I call it James Dickson. (4)
Var. Listeri, of which as yet I know-
very little. I have freiiuentlj' raised
'2 and .'( from seed, and find them
true and constant. — C. \V. Dod,
Ar/;/e I/a//, M<i/i„i>'.

Self Carnation Royalty.— T^et
me commend this truly magnificent
self Carnation to the lovers of what
is good in this way. It was raised
by Mr. .J. S. Hedderly, Sneinton,
Notts, an old Carnation grower, to
whom we are also indebted for
Sportsman, scarlet flake, a sport
from s.b. Admiral Curzon, which
originated as far back as 1S8.5.
Royalty is of a rose tint, a strong
grower, free blooming, with frag-
rant, large, full flowers, and finely
formed shell petals. It does not
split its caly.x, as is the manner of
some. I can strongly recommend
this fine self, having grown and
bloomed it this season. — R. D.

Primula Trailli. — It appears to
me that Mr. H. Selfe-Leonard en-
deavours to confuse a simple issue
by weaving about it a web of spe-
cious rhetoric. The matter appears
to be obvious enough. Let me ask.
Was any evidence forthcoming to
the floral committee to the ett'eet that
there is a distinctly recognised sjie-
cies of Primula known as Trailli ;
and, secondly, ditl the specimen
shown as Trailli "differ structurally
more or less from those hitherto
tabulated," entitling it to specific
rather than to varietal rank ? The
floral committee assumed without
evidence that the specimen was P.
Trailli, and they exalted it to spe-
cific rank, though I called in ijues-
tion its distinctness from P. involu-
crata, and recommended that l.iefore
recognising it as a species and
granting it an award of merit it
should be referred to some standard
authority, such as Kew, to deter-
mine whether the plant was entitled
to specific ranlv Ijefore it was ac-
cepted as a distinct species by the floral com-
mittee. That was my simple contention, and I
think it unfortunate in the interests of Mr.

siunmer. I observed many other plants were used
for placing on the turf as big plants. Amongst
them worthy of note were several kinds of scented
Pelargoniums, such as (|uercifolium, .Shrubland
I'et and others. These were very large plants,
5 feet or so high. — .J. Ckook.

SINGLE HOLLYHOCKS.

SiNOLE-FLOWEREi) HoUyliock.s Constitute a very
beautiful race of hanly garden plants, and are
even more decorative than are tlie doubles. A
double Hollyhock is of course the florist's
correct form, and the fuller and doubler the
petals the more is it liked. I find these singles
growing almost everywhere in small gardens,
especially in suburban districts. Recently when
taken all over the Carshalton and Bed<lington
district 1 found them cropping up in little
gardens everywhere, exhibiting such varied and
beautiful colours that I was charmed with them.
We see in strains of these tiiree or four times
the variation in colours found in the doubles.
The diiection in which crossing in able hands
should be directed is in enlarging the flowers,
still further varying the colours, and in oVjtain-
ing if possible distinctly fringed edges. One
variety which I thought very beautiful had
flowers i:>f a glossy claret hue edged with white.
It served to sIkjw what variations and markings
in these singles are possible. I am glad to see

there is nothing particular to say. As thesummer's
heiit is on the wane when the blossoms of L. S]ie-
ciosum conunence to expand, they, of course, last
a good deal longer than many of those species that Wilson, as well as for the credit of the floral
bloom during the height of the summer. In the committee, that that course was not adopted,
open ground, however, the heavy autumnal dews When at a subsequent meeting I placed on
frequently disfigure the later blooms. That the tlie table a flowering specimen of P. involucrata,
season of the j'ear at which the flowers expand has the committee, practicallj' conceding the point

a good deal to do with their duration is shown
the case of the Neilgherry Lily (L. neilgherrense),
that will sometimes flower as late as November,
when the blossoms will in a greenhouse last for
nearly a month, yet blooms that open in August
are no longer lived than those of L. longitlorum
under similar conditions. H. P.

Sidalcea malvaeflora. — Last autumn a va-
riety of this was described with large pale rose
flowers as having been certificated under the
name of var. Listeri. From the description I

that they had been too precipitate, recommended
that P. Trailli should be referred to Kew, and
thanked me for producing the specimen! of P.
involucrata. — R. Dean.

Fuchsias at Sandhurst Lodge. — Few plants
are more beautiful than these, especially when a
1 suitable i)lace can be given them. At Sandhurst
Lodge groups are placerl on the turf at good dis-
tances apart, 6 feet to 8 feet, so that the plants
can be seen all round. These gi'oups are placed
on a sloping piece of lawn with a walk on the
lower side. JIany of these plants are very large,
some being grown as standards and others as half
standards. They are grown in pots and plunged
in the turf. At the time of my visit they hatl only

thought it the same as one I have cultivated for

many years which comes true from seed, and

which I have since last autumn distributed as var.

Listeri, but Mr. Barr has now sent me flowers of just been placed out, but from the clean healthy

var. Listeri, and I find it diffeient from mine, leafage and strong shoots I eoultl see they would

especially in the colour of the stigma. I now give a good account of themselves during the

Fourcroya Bcdinghausi in hloom at La Mortola.
(See p. 97.)

that seed can be purchased cheaply. That fact
probaljly ex])lains why these flowers are so
largely founil in small gardens, although it is
also passible that neighbours seeing them stand-
ing up so very prominently in a local garden
beg seed, and thus the ])lants are widely spread.
That form of increase, however, is not likely to
lead to high-class .selection. It is a good time
to sow seed outdoors now, or, indeed, it maybe
sown up to the end of August, the plants stand-
ing in the seed-bed all the winter, transplant-

100

THE GARDEK

[August 7, 1897.

ing early in tlie spring to the borders, where
they will flower. No plants should remain to
bloom longer than a second season, as it is when
standing too long in the same ground that
the soil gets dry and imjioverished, and the
Hollyhock fungus preys upon tlie stems and
leafage. Tlie more branching the plants are
the better, as numerous spikes of moderate
height are better than are fewer very tall ones.
I hope it will rot be suggested that spikes of
these Hollyhocks would look well at flower
shows. I hope someone will take these single
Hollyhocks in hand and improve them largely.
There is no telling what may lie ultimately
evolved. Selection may do much, and inter-
crossing perhaps more. A. T>.

CARNATIONS.*
The Carnation to-day is one of the most popular
garden flowers, and regard for it has entered .so
deejjly into the hearts of flower lovers that no
mere caprice of fashion will ever ajjpreciably
lower it in public favour. The early stages of
its evolution into a flower of such varied beauty
were hardly chance I'esults, for we know the
wild type and parent, and one may see it to-day
growing upon old castle and fortress walls, as at
Rochester, in England ; whilst across the
Channel, in Normandy, high n() on the ruins of
ancient fortresses, it lives on, braving the storms
in winter, in summer jjei'fecting its by no means
attractive flowers and rii)ening seeds that And
a suitable seed-bed in the flint masonry. Here
it knows no s])ot nor rust, and eelworms and
wirfeworms have not to be reckoned with. Such
are the conditions under which grows Dianthus
caryiiphyllus, which botanists agree is the type
and parent of the Carnaticm. The Carnation
was cultivated in England during the reign of
Edward 111. (1327-1357). Chaucer mentions it
in 138C, calling it the "Clove Gilofre." The
modern name Carnation was mentidued by
Henry Lyte in 1578. Gerard, in his " Herbal,''
published in 1597. mentions a yellow Carnation
that a merchant of London pi'ocured from
Poland, "and which before that time was never
seen nor heai-d of in these countries." In the
beautiful flower pictures of the early Dutch
painters Carnations are unmistakably and ad-
nurably portrayed. To-day we have several
distinct classes diverse in constitution, in habit
of gn.)wth, jjeriod of blooming, form of flower,
and variety of colouring. Most interesting and
instructive especially is the latest acquisition of
a race adapted to the recjuirements of the cul-
tural .systems practised in this country.

It will be interesting to growers in this
country to briefly review the several classes of
European Caknations.

The earlier Carnation fanciers appear to have
favoured the bizarre or oddly coloured varieties,
for as early as 1709 the Carnation was classified
according to colour vagaries under the names of
flakes, bizarres, Picotees, and Painted Ladies.
The varieties belonging to the three first named
classes found many admirers ; they became
"florists' flowers," their imjirovement was
taken in hand by a small body of enthusiastic
florists who set about evolving their ideal Cai-
nation in form as precise and ]ierfect as though
cast in a mould, its jietals sninoth and without
fringed edges, the several colours as clearly and
as shar])ly defined as though lined out upon a
colour chart, and to assist the eye in seeing all
the good pjoints of the flower when jilaced ujion
the exhibition talile. its petals were severallj'
arranged witli tweezers, supernumeraries with-

* Fa;e- r^ad by Mr. A. Hei'riTitjfon, Madison, N.J. ,
before Ih'^ M. rvis Co. (N.J.) Uorticaltural Society,
January 13, ISl'Z.

drawn, and when the " dressing " was comiilete
the bloom was inserted in a round white paper
disc. You may see this done yet at the annual
shows of the English Carnation Society, and
there is a tolerably large body of enthusiasts
who take a delight in it, but it is not the type of
Carnation that appeals to the great flower-loving
majority. It represents, howevei', many years
of patient work, and it is a wide gulf that sejja-
rates the single one-coloui-ed wild Carnation
from the mo.st perfect refined high-bred bizarre
' f)r flake of to-day. A very old class is the
[ Clove, the name having reference to the elove-
like odour of the flowers, which are self or one-
coloured. There are now many varieties be-
longing to this class in which we may embrace
all selfs, and it is these that have been mainly
instrumental in bringing aliout the gi-eatly ex-
tended popiularity of Carnations tliat marks the
last decade. The flower, quaintly variegated in
colour, did not apjieal to many, but when it was
to be had in clear, bright, and simple colours,
wedded to a charming fragrance, it soon came
into general request. In some of the best
English gardens the Carnation, in fine self-
coloured varieties, lias Iteen elevated to its
rightful ])lace as second only to the Rose, which
it succeeds, in time of blooming. Carnations
arc distinctly summer bloomers, w'ith a few ex-
cejitions, and to what extent they are fitted foi-
outdoor culture in this country has yet to be
determined. At a future date I may bo able to
speak of their behaviour, having some on trial.
The so-called Tree or pei'petual-flowering Car-
nations fr)rm another distinct class. In Eng-
land they are grown in j)ots and jiass tlie sum-
mer in the open aii', being housed for the
winter flowering. In their season of blooming,
and its long continuance, they possess flxe<l
characteristics. This class has its counterpai-t
in this country, embracing tliose varieties now
flowering on the benches. But whilst there are
wintering-floweiing Carnations in England and
Amei'ica, they form two well-defined cla.sses.
j The history of Carnation cidture on this side
of the Atlantic should not be hard to write. I
believe that these American varieties sprang
from the per])etual-flowering varieties raised
and sent out by M. Alegaticre in France, as
also did most of the winter-flowering kinds tir.st
grown in England. The varieties of European
growth make large plants. They have a main
central stem, and I have often seen jilants
3 feet in height well fiu-nished with side shoots,
which produce the flowers on com])aratively
short stems. Hei'e we have varieties (jf a close
and tufted growth naturally inclined that way,
and rendered nuire so by sunnner pinching, and
when they flower, the flower-spike disbudded to
the terminal bud attains a length (jf from 12
inches to 24 inches or more, according to the
kind, and if well grown the stems are strong
enough to stand erect and support the flower.
Tliese stems are cut right down to the base, and
when cut are quickly succeeded by othei's, and
this continues for months. All the vai-ieties in
cultivation here partake of the characteristics of
the earlier types of Carnations in having fringed
])etals and more or less of fragrance in the
flowers : in short, they are more satisfying to
the majority of flower lovers than the smooth-
edged, geometrically-formed tyjjc i>f flower. So
much for the American Cai-nation as a distinct
type.

We may now briefly look at some of the
individual varieties. It is not my intention to
say much about them, for those generally grown
to-day are superseded and discarded a year or
two hence by novelties not always of su])erior
merit. In the matter of cultivation, we have
first to consider the

Propagation.

If you would have the finest flowers a year
hence begin now with select cuttings for stodt.
Choose for cuttings only healthy shoots from
healthy jilants. It yiju observe a plant with
flowers deficient in size or colour avoid it, and
you will then have no cause to complain of de-
terioration of varieties in cultivation. After the
cuttings are taken get them into the cutting bed,
which shoidd be composed of good sharp sand.
The cuttings need little preparation, but it facili-
tates rooting to slun-ten back the leaves byeutting
off their tips. I used to think that the only advan-
tage derivable from this was a slight check to
the evaporation of the cutting's moisture, but an '
experiment with two batches, one tipped, the
otlier ncjt, proved that the cuttings that had
their leaves shortened rooted four days in
advance of those not so treated. After insertion
give them a thorough watering, shade from
strong sun, maintain a temperature of about
50°, and one's own judgment must suggest what
othei' attention they need till they are ready to
take out of the sand and prick into flats.

There is another fascinating method of I'aising
Carnations, that is

From Seed.
Here, again, haphazard work is of no accomit.
A law of nature shows the "like seeks to beget
like," but in the Carnation there is a latent
possibility of wonderful degeneration at one
remove. I had a very fine collection of Carna-
tions floweiing in the garden, and there w. s not
even a second-rate kind among them. A score
of varieties in groups of from fifty to 1(10 ]ilants(if
each represented a rigid selection from 100 kinds
tried the pre\ious year. I noticed many of
them were forming seed-pods, so I selected
some, watched them daily until the rijiening,
harvested good seed, sowed it the following
spring, and in late sunnner planted out for next
yeai-'s blooming 2000 as good jilants as anyone
would wish to see. I anticipated a grand series
of .seedlings, but was doomed to disajipoiut
ment. Twenty-five per cent, of the progeii\
produced only single flowers; 50 per cent, '^i
the remainder were double, but not so good as
their parents. A few of the remaining 25 pel
cent, were selected and grown the following
year, but the Carnation world is none the
richer for that attemjjt to increase its liclies.
Profiting by this lesson, I went to work again,
but resolved to trust to no chances. I cai'efuUy
crossed the flowers chosen for seeding, li.aud-
fertilising every one, and secured a number of
fine pods fif seed. The seeds were sown, gcjod
Jilants obtained, that ultimately came to the
flowei'ing stage. In this batch of 2000 jjlants
only two plants pi'oduced single flowers ; the
rest were as good as their parent, and reds ] ire-
dominating in the seed parents, there was in the
progeny the finest series of red seedlings I have
ever seen. Quite a number were selected for
another year, but I handled them no longer. 1
do know, however, that a few of tliem are .still
in cultivation, and one or two of the finest were
named and distributed. There is here amjilc
pi'oof that if you would I'aise fine kinds you
must select the parents and wfirk with an
object in view. The new kinds ofl'ered us each
season by specialists are the outcome of tlu'
same careful crossing and .sy.stematic working
on the part of their raisers. Even tlien, how-
ever, the blanks are many, the prizes few.
The only justification for putting another kind
on the market is either the possession of quali-
ties superior to those of the variety it most
resembles, or, if unlike any on the market, it
conforms with them in every other point that
goes to constitute the existing standard of
highest merit.

August 7, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

101

SUiMMER Treatment.

Turuiny; to the young plants that :n\: niisuil
from cuttings, the aim of the cultivator in sum-
mer shouUf l)e the growth of a strong pl.int,
calculated to yielil the fullest possible cro]) of
winter Ulooni, and this is best aeeoin| dished l)y
planting out the pl.mts in the open ground at
such tiuie as tlie season and hieality warrants,
May usually lieing a favourite month. The sum-
mer site and soil for the plants are important mat-
ters to consider. 1 rem.irked at the commence-
ment that the wihl Carnation grows nj) high
and oi)en, where it never sutlers from a sujier-
abundance of moisture, and always enjoys a free
circulation of air. Ju.st as much does the
cultivated Carnation want an open, airy situa-
tion and a free, well-worked soil of mediinu
texture, neither too adhesive nor too gritty,
well enriched, but not with fresh rank manure,
which is ])eculiarly di.stasteful to the plants.
If Carnations can be planted in .succe.ssi<m to
some crop for which the soil was previously well
manured, it will be found quite rich enough, all
it needs being dee]) digging or ploughing of the
soil. If fresii food for the plants be absolutely
essential at planting, give it in concentrated
form, as, for example, bone-meal or wood ashes ;
separate or in mixture, both are tirst-rate Car-
nation manures. After planting, the chief de-
tails of suunuer treatment are keeping down
weeds and pinching the main stems as they ad-
vance in length. The ideal plant to try and
secin-e is one of low and tufted growth,
with from six to eight shoots as near the ground
as possible. If one has a large quantity of
plants, it may be desirable to spray theru
with sulphate of co|)])er once a week, since
prevention is lietter than cure, but in private
e.stablishmcnts, with but a limited number of
plants, due selection of cuttings and proper
care for the infant plants bring its reward in a
comparative iunnunity from fungoid diseases.
Soil that will grow good Roses will likewise
grow Carnations, so it is needless to enlarge
upon the preparation of the compo.stheap where-
from to till the benches. Lifting from the
ground and [jlanting on the benches can begin
with safety in August ; indeed, I am inforuied
by one of the Ijest growers that he likes to get
all his plants planted on the benches in that
month. This grower further advises what I
would have hesitated to practise — the shaking
off entirely from the roots of all the old soil in
which the plants grew in tlie field, as they thus
start the more readily in the fresli compost.
The ([uality of his stock warrants me in con-
cluding tliat his practice on this point is sound.
With briglit, hot we.ather ])revailing in August,
slight shade and free syringing will be impor-
tant factors towards future good results ; but
when the plants show evidence of getting
est:iblished. less overhead moisture and abund-
ance of light and air should be given. Given a
light house that receives every possible ray of
direct sunlight during the winter months, and
ii:i e(iuable temperature of 50' to 55°, the chief
wint r items of labour are disbudding, watering,
and syringing. If these matters are attended
to, and later on food given to the partially ex-
hausted soil, you need have no fear of failure.

gloxinioides seedlings in different shades, (ial-
tonia eandicans and Achillea The Pearl supplied
bold masses of white and were Hanked rcspci:-
tively by Eryngiums and Monti iretias, and other
large vases were filled with cluster Roses and thi'
eaiTy-doweringSunlloweis, Hehanthusrigiihis and
lleliopss hevis. A good selection of perennial
(Jaillardias gave brilliant colouring to another-
row, together with good forms of Stocks, An-
tirrhinums and the taller Bellllowers. Some of
the best of the Carnations staged in separat('
varieties formed a good face to the taller things
behind, Uriah Pike, Ketton Rose, The Pasha and
the old wliite t'lo\-e looking remarkalily well.
Associated with these were Sweet Peas and
the blue and white forms of Platycodon
Mariesi. The point as to species in collections
of cut Mowers at cottage shows has again been a
dillicult ([uestion, and where the wording of the
scheikile states distinct species, it is almost im-
possible to get cottagers to abide by it. In one
instance where six collections had been staged
oidy one exhibitor had adhered to the rules, and his,
unfortunately, was a long way from the best.
Remarks the reverse of flattering follow discjuali-
tication, which is, however, necessary in siieh
cases, and I think \arieties should in all cases be
sulistituted for species until cottagers are better
able to classify their productions. — E. B. C.

Kitchen Garden.

Cut flowers. — .\ splendid assortment of out-
door flowers is available from the middle of ,July
until the middle of August, and when pre|)aring
to stage some fifty \arieties (not species) the other
day the difficulty was not how to find them, but
what to pick for the most effective display, and
these flowers are now so much appreciated that J
V venture to send a short list. Phloxes were repre
1 sented by Snowdon, A. McKinnon, Mrs. Miller
and J. Thompson, and Pentstemons by four of

MID- WINTER TOMATOES.

Tomatoes with me are much in demand all
the winter. A few plants raised now for the
December supply will be of great use to those
who provide vegetables in (luantity and need a
varied supply. Plants are raised with so little
trouble, that only a few words are needed on this
point. It is useless to grow too late plants, as
unless the fruits are set before October closes
they will probably not set at all. For early
spring fruiting late plants are valuable, as those
kept quiet through the winter will come into
bloom in February or early March. So far as
my experience goes I have not been able to set
the blooms from November to January. My
first success with what may be termed mid-
winter fruiters was gained by a simple experi-
ment and at small cost. For many years I had
struck cuttings for an early winter supply, but
owing to a misha() I lost the stock and potted
up some very jxior seedlings which h;id l)een
standing in seed pans for some time. With only
C(jol house treatment from August to October
these did well, set some fruit, though not placed
in heat, and gave much better crops tlian I ever
had from plants gnnvn specially from cuttings.
1 have never struck a cutting since that date for
winter fruiting. For mid- winter supplies plants
ere this should be raised and fit to pot on.
There are often a few surjilus plants left over
from a late spring or what is termed an early
sunnner batch to provide a late sujiply, and good
use may now be made of these. Avoid heat as
the hardier they can be grown the better. Jly
plan is to pot up, jilace in cold frames till the
roots reach the sides of the pots and then expose
freely night and day. Indeed, night exposure
is important, as tlie night dews keej) the plants
clear of insect pests and induce a short compact
growth. At this season I pot up into (i-incli
pots, or if the seedlings are in say 5-inch pots
they may be placed direct into the fruiting jiots.
In doing this care is needed in watering for a
time. Do not give any manure ; only a little
bone-meal is mixed with the .soil. Nine-inch to
10-inch pots are large enough to fruit the
plants in. Pot very firmly and leave a fair
sjiace at the toji to allow for later to]),
dressings and feeding when the fruit is formed

I dam]) the plants overhead when the sun do
clines, and this is continued till the weathei
gets cool ani the plants are removed to their
fruiting (piarters. If they set freely, which
tlicy should do by Se])tember, weak food, sucli
as licjuid manure, is given and tlie syringe less
used as the tlowcrs o])en. The plants to be a
success must be stu<lde<l with fruit at tlie time
they are housed. They certainly set a few
fruits when given more favourable treatment,
but it is not wise to rely u])on the cro]) secured
too late. I place in low i)its, not the best
structures po.ssible, but in gardens many shifts
have to be made. The chief thing after hous-
ing is to air freely in favourable weather, leav-
ing air on all night. Keep the jjlants clear of
white fly, one of the worst pests the grower
has to contend with, 'fhis is readily kept
down by the useful X L All fumigator ; one
dose a month will effect a clearance, and is far
siqierior to tobacco jjajier, wliich does not
always kill the pe.st. Tim plants are trained to
a single griiwth not too far from the glass, and
tlie winter temjjerature after housing is .55^ at
niglit and 10" higher by day, with air on all
favourable occasions. My ainr is to secure
medium-sized fruit and a medium crop, as the
season is not favourable to a heavy strain on
the plants. Tliere is no difficulty in securing a
heavy crop, but there is in finishing. I have
had plants collapse when allowed to bear too
much. Far better get a succession. When the
large fruits are gathered the smaller swell
freely. Exhibition fruits are out of the ques-
tion. Grow medium-sized kinds, not those
noted for mere size, as at the season named one
never minds a ripe Tomato being medium-sized
if of good quality. For years I have found
Conference one of the best winter fruiters ;
Early Ruby and Frogmore Selected are also
excellent. These are larger than Conference,
Ijut very free setters and of good quality.
From jilants which fruited in December I have
obtained a second crop in April by getting new-
growth and giving ample food. To do this, it
is necessary to keep plants warmer than advised
after the fruit is cleared, but I do not recom-
mend tliis plan, as by making a sowing at this
season and growing iilants for the purpose, a
better cro]) is secured. These are not allowed
to fruit till early sjn-ing. They are i)laced in
their fruiting pots in October or February,
according to their strength. Such plants are
far superior to those sjwn, say, in December
for first crop, give less trouble and need less
heat. G. Wythes.

Lettuce bolting.— Has " S. H. B." (p. 5.5)
tried Continuity Cabbage Lettuce ? This is a long
way the best I have had from a non-bolting stand-
point. A batch on a south-east border has been
tirm and solid for some time, and not one of them
has run. I look upon this as a first-rate variety,
for, in addition to tlie excellent characteristic
above noted, it grows to a great size and is very
crisp and fresh eating— in fact, more like a Cos
than a Cabbage.— E. B. C, Claremonl.

Avitumn-sown Onions.— These constitute
an imi)ortant item at all vegetable exhibitions .at
this time of the year, and they invariably [iresent
strong features "on allotments or in cottage gar-
dens." When being judged, as in .July, they are
usually in their finest form. But, all the same, it
is but natural to .ask what u.seful pnr|)05esdo these
large bulbs serve in domestic economy, for if not
prc"titably used they can have no real garden
value. That the bidlis have a very short fife is
well known. Some of the white-skinned varieties
are no sooner rii)e than they become soft and use-
less. The jiractice of growing soft Tri|)oli and
Italian varieties in [)reference to good hard
keejiers generally prevails. Now that it is so
much the rule to raise some plants of the finest

102

THE GARDEN.

[August 7, 1897_

varieties b^v sowing seed under glass in January
and transplanting outdoors in April, it seems
hardly worth while to trouble about autumn sow-
ings at all, except to gi\"e green plants for pulling
in the winter and spring. — A. D.

Endive. — The time is now at hand when the
earliest batches of Endive will be sown. Care as
to dates is of more importance with Endive than
with some autumn-sown crops, as if sown too soon
the plants in ordinary seasons grow too large before
lifting time, and the result is running to seed
early in the spring. On the other hand, late
plants do not reach a normal size, especially if the
autumn is wet and cold, and the plants are hardly
worth blanching. In this localitj' from July 211
to 25 is a good time to sow for main crop, and, as
with Coleworts, so with Endive, a north border
is a capital (jlace. Here the seed quickl}' and
freely germinates, and an occasional watering
keeps the young seedlings moist and in a growing
state. Few gardeners grow very much of the
Moss or Green-curled varieties, as they stand
frost and damp so badl}'. My favourite variety is
Fraser's Broad-leaved. This is a fine sturdy-
strain and easily blanched, nor does it run to seed
so quickly as some. — J. C, Notts.

Tripoli Onions. — The season is fast approach-
ing for sowing the Tripoli section of Onion to
stand the winter, and the sooner the ground is
got ready the better the crop will stand, as the
seedlings always seem to make a better start in
firm ground ; indeed, several gardeners who had
for years experienced great difficulty in securing
a respectable crop of Tripoli Onions found a way
out of the difficulty by sowing on ground from
which Strawberry plants had been cleared. The
same. individuals covered a portion of the Straw-
berry plot thickly in autumn with cow manure,
allowing it to remain on through the winter so
that the rains might wash down the nutriment,
removing it in JIarch and sowing their spring
Onions in drills without digging of any kind.
No crop is more injured by thick sowing than
Onions, as when crowded together it is utterly
impossible to remove the surplus seedlings with-
out loosening those that are to remain, and when
blown to and fro by high autumn winds they
seldom w-inter well. Even when sown fairly thin
early thinning is advisable, as soon, in fact, as the
young seedlings can be handled. All points con-
sidered, jjerha'ps the best variety is the old (iiant
Rocca. It grows to a large size, is of fine globu-
lar shape, the skin briglit brown, flavour mild and
delicate, and last, but not least, a good keeper.
Red Italian is another capit'il Onion. For using
early in the spring, Early White Naples and The
Queen are grand silver-skinned varieties. — J. C.

PEAS AND DROUGHT.

Few vegetables suffer sooner from heat and
drought than Peas in light soils, and this summer
they have felt the dry weather severely. Some
kinds suffer more than others. I notice those of
a dwarfer and stouter build, with thicker stalks,
are the best in dry seasons. I am aware mulching
in a measure will greatly assist the plants. I
strongly advise this before the Peas pod, as once
the pod-growth ceases mulching is not of much
use. It may assist in filling the pods, but it does
not add to new growth, with the result that a
portion of the crop, which would have been pre-
served had mulching been done earlier, is lost.
Several dry summers in succession show the value
of sowing the later crops, or what may be termed
the July Peas, in trenches. Treated thus, one in
a measure defies drought. There must be a
liberal supply of decayed manure in the trenches
for the roots to lay hold of, and though I have
seen this latter treatment objected to on the score
of failing in wet seasons, I do not think it can lie
termed failure, as though the haulm certainly
makes a gross growth, it also bears a much
heavier crop, and one can easily check growth by
stopping and sowing much thinner. Peas sown
too thickly are the first to feel the effects of
drought. In wet seasons the same difficulty

occurs, as though there is less root trouble, top-
growth is so gross and attains such proportions,
that pod-bearing is delayed. I am aware, no
matter how much one cares for certain kinds of
Peas, in a hot, dry season they are soon over and
the Peas when cooked are deficient of fiaxour.
There is need of more careful selection of varie-
ties in dry, poor soils. Fortunatelj', of late years
the Pea raiser has given us better habit, and
though size of pod is looked upon with more
favour than it deserves, we have a good selection
of high-class Peas. Some of the very large-
podded varieties are not ihe best flavoured. The
best [flavour will be found in Peas of medium
size and what are known as continuous bearers,
that is, those which bear from the base, or nearly
so, and which have a later crop on the top of the
haulm. I do not condemn the largest varieties ;
they have their use.?, but in dry seasons I find

Garden Flora.

A group of Echiums from the Canary Islands at La Mortola. (See p. 97 )

them less valuable when Peas are required :
large quantities. S. H.

SHORT NOTES.— KITCHEN.

Pea Alfred the Great.— This is one of Laxton's
fine varieties that seems not to have got largely nito
cultivation, yet it is finer in pod than is Ne Plus
Ultra, to which it bears close resemblance in growth
and in quality of Pea. It is really one of the good
varieties that has not earned fame, probably because
it is not a show one. — D.

Pea Bunyard's Early Dwarf is a very hardy
variety, as in Kent it is a commoa rule to sow it late
in October or early in November, the plants usually
wintering well. So treated it crops very early. It is
a heavy podder and the Peas are of excellent quality.
As it_ is but 2 feet in height when staked, a large
quantity can be grown on a small area of land. — D.

Pea Boston Unrivalled.— But recently put
into commerce, this fine Pea is giving great satisfac-
tion. It bears some resemblance to Telephone, but
has longer and better tilled pods and is all round a
greater cropper. It is best staked, as it grows from
4 feet to 5 feet in height in good soil. This and
Alderman represent two of the finest podded Peas now
in cultivation. — D.

PLATE 1130.

RHODODENDRON MRS. THISELTON-
DYER.

(with a coloured PL.iTE.*)

This Rhododendron is one of a new race which
promises to add much to the beauty and variety
— great as these already are — of the hardy
garden Rhododendrons. Their chief interest
and value consist in their bringing into the field
a species which hitherto has had no share in
the origin of hardy varieties (jf Rhododendron,
and is, moreover, absolutely distinct from those
that have. This species is R. Fortunei. It is a
native of China, and was
discovered and introduced
by Robert Fortune about
forty years ago. The follow-
ing communication from him
to the Gardeners Clironicle,
< )ct. 29, 1859, regarding its
discovery reads curiously
to-day, when so many Rho-
dodendrons have been dis-
covered in China, that this
country is now considered-
as likely to prove the head-
quarters of the genus, so
far as number of species is
concerned : —

When on one of my long
journeys in the province of
Chekiang(west from Ningpo)
I accidentally met with this
fine species amongst the
mountains, about 3000 feet
above the level of the sea.
The discovery was most un-
expected, for although the
lower parts of these moun-
tains are covered with the
allied genus Azalea, no Mho-
dodendron has been kno\\ n to
exist in this part of Cliina.
The specimens I met with
were of all sizes, from a
j'ear's seedlings to full-grown
plants, the latter being 10
feet to 12 feet high. The
large plants had been covered
with flowers a short time
before, and the ground un-
derneath was now strewed
with decayed blossoms. I
was told on all sides by
plants were most beautiful
\\'hen I returned

natives that the

objects when in full bloom

to the same place in the autumn I found an aliund-

ance of seed, which has vegetated freely in JSIr.

Glendinning's nursery at Chiswick. The only

other species of Rhododendron known in China is

R. Championte, a pretty plant discovered on the

Hong-Kong hills.

Instead of there being Only two Rhododen-
drons known in China, Mr. W. B. Hemsley, in
the "Index Florse Sinensis," enumerates over
sixty species native of that country. But of all
the sixty or more Rhododendrons that have
since been discovered, none can be said as yet
to give jiromise of ecjualling Fortune's species
as a useful and beautiful garden plant. The
largest specimen at Kew is about 8 feet high
and more through ; its leaves are smooth, of a
rather light green above, slightly glaucous
beneath. The flowers are produced in early
May in loose tru.sses, and are of a lovely blush
colour on first opening, afterwards becoming

* Drawn for The Garden in the Royal Gardens,
Kew, by H. G. Moon. Lithographed and printed by
J. L. Gofliirt.

^

^

M

Ifr'

■'^^fe^-^'%'

August 7, 1897.]

THE GAIJDEX.

103

Almost white. Two characters it possesses

which, 'taken together, distinguish it from all the

remainder of the true Khododendrons (as dis-

itinct from the Azaleas) grown outside ; these

4ire, first, seven segments to the corolla (instead

of the normal five), and, si'ccmd, a very pleasant

land slightly sj)icy fragrance. \\'hen tlie l.-irge

I plant in the Rhododendron dell at Kew is well

in tiower — and this year it hore many scores of

trusses — the fragrance is perceptible several

yards away, es])ecially on dewy mornings. It

is a near ally of R. Griththianum (.\ucklandi),

W. T. Tliiselton - Dyer— was obtained. It
flowered at Kew in May, 18!H!, and bore
numerous trusses of the type here figured.
The truss is more compact than that of U. For-
tunei, iind tlie flowers — individually measuring
between .'i inches and 4 inches across are of a
lovely shade of ro.sy pink, relieved by a blotch
of rieli maroon .at the ba.se.

Sliorlly after Mr. Luscombe commenced work-
ing with R. P^)rtunei, Mr. G. Paul, of Cheshunt,
m.adc an extensive series of crosses between that
species and some of the best garden varieties, one

(Luscond)e), Lu.scondjei (Luscombe), Lus-
combei splendens (Luscombe), Luscombe No. II.
(Luscombe), Duke of York (Paul), Duche.ss of
York (Paul), II. M. Arderne (Paul), Helen
Paul (Paul), Profusion (Paul).

What some will consider a defect in this new
In-eed of Rhododendrons from a ganlen stand-
point is their flowering s(j early in the season
(the first week in May), which renders them
liable to damage by late frosts. But their deli-
cate and hively colouring, their freedom in
flowering, and the fact that they introduce a

The yelloiv BanTtsian Eose covering an ancient arch at tlie entrance to the pergola, La Mortola. From a photograph sent by

Mr. Hanhury, (See p. 97.)

which is, perhaps, the noblest of all Rhododen-
drons.

The first to make use of the species for pur-
poses of hybridisation appears to liave been the
late Mr. Luscombe, an enthusiastic amateur
cultivator of Rhododendrons living in Devon-
ehire. He crossed it with R. Thomsoni, which
produced the fine varieties Luscombei and Lus-
combei splendens, which have been alluded to
in previous numbers of The Garden. This
cross appears to have been made about 1880,
and about the same time he also crossed the
epecies with several varieties of the ordinary
garden type, and it was from one of these that
the beautiful Rhododendron now figured — Mrs.

of whicli, curiously enough, produced a variety
identical with the R. Mrs. W. T. Thiselton-
Dyer raised by Mr. Luscombe. Visitfus to the
May fortnightly meetings of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society and to the Temple show, both
last year and this, will remember several other
of these Fortunei hybrids being exhibited by
Mr. G. Paul. Si^me of the best have obtained
awards of merit, and two — called the Duke of
York and Duchess of York — were given first-
class certificates at the Temiile show of 1895.
The following is a list of the Fortunei hybrids
known to me, although IMr. Paul has doid)tless
named several others : Mrs. Thiselton-Dyer
(Luscombe and Paul), Frances Thiselton-Dyer

new type into our gardens will commend them
to lovers of hardy shrubs. Some of Mr. Paul's
plants have distinctly fragrant flowers, and some
have six or seven segments to the corolla.

\\. J. B.

Tufted Pansy White Duchess.— This, the

most refined flower of the Duchess of Fife family,
was seen in fine form at the recent show of the
National Viola Society. Blossoms of White
Duchess are usually of even form and somewhat
oval in shape, while the edges of the flower are
very regular. The blossoms are white, distinctly
and irregularly edged blue, with a \ellow eye and
a faint .suffu.^ion of the same colour on the lower
petal. Tliere appears to be another flower bear-

104

THE GARDEN.

[August 7, 1897.

ing the same name, l)ut sufficiently distinct from
the original to permit of a separate name being
given to it. The flower is of the same shape as
its prototype, but slightly corrugated at the
edges, while the colour marlsings are much deeper
and more distinct. I have the two plants grow-
ing almost side by side, and tliere is no doubt
about their distinctness. — D. B. C.

The Week's Work.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Late Peas. — Athough there have been frecpient
rains of late in different parts, we have unfortu-
nately had next to none in these gardens for
upwards of three weeks, and at the present time
many crops are suflei-ing through the dry state of
the ground. Some of the midseason Peas were
attacked with thrips, but fortunately the later
crops are so far free of this pest. Watering and
more mulching have been necessary in om- case to
keep the haulm clean and healthy, but this extra
attention is not begiudged so long as good crops
are secured. Any rows of the tall growing varie-
ties whose haulm is likely to fall away from their
sticks should have additional supports, either by
using some more tall bushy sticks, or perhaps, what
is better, driving in some light Larch poles on each
side of the row 18 feet to 20 feet apart, and loop-
ing the growth up with stout cord.

Mushrooms. — In many gardens the culture of
Mushrooms is only attempted during the autumn
and winter, when they can be produced much
more freely than is possible througli the heat of
summer. Where the manure has to be collected
piecemeal and several weeks elapse before suffi-
cient can be obtained to form a bed, care is neces-
sary that it does not become overheated or too
dry. It should be spread out 9 inches or a foot in
depth in an open shed or where it is protected
from rain and turned twice a week. If there is a
danger of its getting too dry, cover it with
some old sacks or matting. In the meantime the
house should be prepared in readiness for forming
the beds. Very often a quantity of rubbish is
allowed to accumulate in the Mushroom house,
which tends to the increase of woodlice and other
vermin, which often prove destructive to the crop
just as the small •' buttons " are pushing through
the surface. Where these have been found
troublesome, endeavours should be made to de-
stroy them either by trapping or some other means
before the new beds are formed. A few Cabbage
or Lettuce leaves placed on the floor in tlie evening
will entice many to collect, w-hen they can easily
be killed with hot water. The walls, "too, will be
all the better for a dressing of hot limev\ash,
which will keep the house sweet. If the building
used is heated with hot water, see that this is in
working order, so that no hitch is likely to occur
at the approach of severe weather. It is unwise
to use up old spawn left from last year, as this
may fail to produce a single Mushroom and all tlie
time and labour will be in vain. Endeavour to
obtain the spawn from the most reliable source,
even though a high price be charged for it.

Cai!B.\ge. — Keep a sharp look out on seed
beds of this and other Brassicas, and protect
them from the ra^-ages of birds and other vermin.
Plant out good batches of Coleworts and othei-s
of the same family as ground is cleared, and they
will come in useful during the early winter
months after Peas, Beans, and the like are over.
Another sowing of Ellam's Early should be made,
especially if those put in a fortnight ago have not
come up so well as one would wish. Plantations
of Cabbages that have furnished a supply during
summer will yield a serviceable second crop in the
autumn if the old stools are freed from decaying

foliage and the ground between them kept' free
from weeds, and the surface soil made loo.se by

requent hoeings.

Tripoli Onions.— These will now be as large
as one requires, whether for exhibition or home

use. It is liest to lift the bulbs carefully as the
tops show signs of ripening, and store them in
a position where they will mature gradually
if not required for immediate use, as there is a
danger when they are left in the ground and
heavy rain follows of new roots forming and the
bulbs splitting, when they are useless for the
exhibition table, and the\' also fail to keep pro-
perly for any length of time. I hear of several
instances where mildew has played much havoc
with spring-sown crops. This is always regret-
able, as it is seldom any really sure remedy can
be applied to save the bulbs. A dusting of
sulphur may sometimes arrest the spread of the
disease, and on no account should the crop suffer
by being over-grown with rank weeds.

Goodirood. RifHARD Pakker.

HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

Fics. — The young wood on wall trees should be
kept thin, as the slioots which will bear another
season must ha^ e every opportunity of becoming
properly ripened. If the trees have become at all
crowded, the growths should at once be thinned
out, retaining those of medium strength, as such
will bear the best and most fruit next year.
Trees carrying good crops may be assisted with
liquid manure if their roots are confined to narrow
borders. Barren or nearly barren trees should
not be watered, especially if they are making
tpiantities of gross sapipy wood, and such sliould
be rigorously dealt with by root-pruning and con-
fining their roots to a circumscribed area in the
autumn. On warm days the trees will appreciate
a wash with the hose or garden engine, but this
must be discontinued once the fruits commence to
ripen, otherwise spotting and decay will soon set
in.

Outdoor Vines. — These are still to be met with
growing on old farmhouses and cottages, and
during the past week I ha^e seen many such
bearing excellent crops of fruit. If the autumn
should prove fine and warm, the Grapes will ripen
and prove fit for eating. Tlie bunches should
now have all the light and air possilile, and all
young growths should therefore be kept persis-
tently stopped. Hardly anyone thinks of thinning
out the bunches on outdoor Vines, nevertheless it
is a good [ilan to do so, as the remainder not only
benefit by it, but the berries also grow to a larger
size and ripen all the more quickly. Vines
growing against chimneys and under wide over-
hanging eaves are apt to become excessively dry
at the roots unless watered occasionally, more es-
pecially if the border in which they are planted is
largely composed of mortar rubbish and brick-
bats. A thorough soaking of water in such cases
proves beneficial, and if this is followed up with a
soaking of diluted liquid manure a few hours
afterwards, very much better results will follow
in the shape of finer fruit.

Raspberries. — The fruit having been gathered
from the summer fruiters, the old canes are no
longer of the slightest service. They should
therefore be cut out, and the young canes if
thinned out as advised, should after-wards be
fastened to the .stakes or trellis. If thinning has
not had attention, get it done at once, leaving
just as many as are retpiired and no moi'e, and
avoid ovei'crowding. If sewage or litjuid maiuu-e
be plentiful the plantation may be soaked with
it when properly diluted again and again durincp
dry weather, as this will ensure excellent results
another season and give a further mulching if
necessary. Autumn fruiters are making strong
growth and promise an abundant crop. To
secure the best results, the canes must be kept
moderately thin, whetlier several are tied together
and secured to stakes, or trained on wire trellises.
If allowed to become crowded much of the pro-
duce becomes spoilt should the autumn prove a
wet one. Thinning if recjuisite had better be
done without delay, and attend to tying as the
canes lengthen out, both to prevent them from
being blown about and broken with the conse-
quent loss of fruit, also to preserve a neat and

tidy appearance. Ijiquid manure is also of tin-
greatest service to these, especially if the stools-
are aged and the canes thin and weak.

MoRELLO Cherries. — It black fly has taken
possession of the points of the young shoots, tin-
nets had better be removed for the time being,
and after damping the affected parts of the tree-
lightly with a syringe, dust tobacco powder over
the fly pretty thickly. In a few hours' time ni
after the powder has had time to do its work,
well wash the trees with clean soft water, and ii
one application is not sufficient to rid them of th'
insects, repeat the dose next day. The watci
must not, of course, be applied with too great a
force, or the rijiening fruits will be injured, but
if care is exercised the washing can be done with
out harm resulting. If these Cherries are required
to hang late, thej- must be closely netted. Many
people greatly apjjreciate Morellos when fully
ripe, especially when tlie fruits are dipped in clear
syrup and dried before being sent to table. For
bottling they must not be allowed to become too
ripe, and just when they assume a dark purplish
hue is the right time to gather for this purpose.

Apricots. — As these are ripening fast, the
trees will need a look over e^■ery second day, when
the ripest and largest should be held over for des-
sert, the smallest sent to the kitchen, and the
, medium-sized ones used for bottling in a whole
j condition. For the last ])urpose they must not
I be too ripe, otherwise they break during the pro-
cess of bottling, and the same remark applies to
I fruits that are to be preserved in syrup. When
I all the fruits are gathered, give the trees a
I thorough washing, .as it is a great mistake to run
away with the idea that further attention is
I unnecessary because the crop is done with. Root
watering should also have the same attention as
I heretofore, and see that all breast-wood is kept-
pinched in.

Peaches and Nectarines. — The trees now
need another look over both to regulate and fasten
back the young wood and also to keep lateral
growths on the same pinched. Trees on which
fruits are fast swelling should have all the moisture
they need at the roots, and a stimulant also if
the age of the tree, want of vigour or weight of
crop should demand it. The leaves should also
be turned or tied on one side, as I am no advocate
of the barbarous method of cutting them off alto-
gether, so that the fruits are fully exposed to
I facilitate ripening, and until they commence to
soften, syringe or wash these and the other trees
also regularly whenever bright warm w'eather
prevails. The trees of early varieties should be
overhauled as soon as relieved of their crops,
when, in addition to cutting out the now useless
bearing wood, remove surplus shoots should there
be any so as to give the remainder every chance
of becoming thoroughly ripened. See that they
get a sufficient quantity of water at the roots, and
if necessary renew the mulch. Should wasps,
bees and flies prove troublesome, traps consisting of
bottles partly filled with sour beer and portions
of damaged fruits cut up and mixed with it, sus-
pended on the walls, generally answer well and
kill great numbers. Wasps' nests should also
be searched for and destroyed within a radius of
a mile from the garden. A few pence paid as a
reward for their destruction acts as a great incen-
tive towards keeping these pests within limits.

Other wai.e trees. — These will re([uire another
look round to keep them in good order. If the
attendant carries a nail bag or a few strands of
ratha with him, young shoots in need of further
support in the way of tacking in or tying back
can be attended to at the time the stopping is i
being done. In woodland districts the earliest
varieties of Pears ami Plums must be netted,
otherwise birds will soon devour the lot — at least, i
such is my experience.

L.4TE Strawberries. — As the beds become
cleared of fruit, store the nets away and trim up
the plants if a sufficient number of runners has
been secured. Some late varieties, such as
O.xonian, are best treated as biennials, as the '
returns are poor indeed if such are kejit the third
season. A. W.

August 7, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

105

Rose Garden.

ROSES UNDER GLASS.
It is surprising tliat amateurs and gardeners have
not taken more to the culture of Roses in pots,
considering the very eli'eotive disphiys that visitors
to the Temple shows of the Royal Horticultural
Society ha\e been aecustomed to look for for
several years past. The large mai-ket nurseries
for tlie production almost exclusively of cut Hoses
in the earU' months of the year are evidence, if
any were needed, of the popularity of the flower,
notwithstanding that the summer and autumn
furnish an abundance outdoors. The lovely Tea
Rose is always welcome, be i \, for bouquet, wreath,
or house decoration, and us the fashion is extend-
ing in cutting Ro^es with long stems, their true
decorati\e character is at once apparent. I am
convinced that the failures in the past in the culti-
vation of pot Roses can be mainly' traced to the
method adopted of growing them in a greenhouse
of mixed subjects. It would be far better to
devote a house or houses entirely to their culture,
be the structures ever so small.

Strfctcres.

The one I have found the most useful is the
span-roof running north to south. The length
may be from 50 feet to 100 feet or less, and the
width about IS feet to 'JO feet. Ventilation is a
very important matter, and should be carefully
provided. The top ventilators I prefer on Ijoth
sides, east and west, but instead of the hinges
being placed near the ridge, they should be at
the bottom of the light. This will enable us to
keep the plants from the cold gusts which sweep
down on them when the lights are hung
from the ridge, as in the method I recommend
the wind passes over the house and the air is
admitted \ery gently. Side ventilators are ad-
visable, although for early foicing they will not
be often needed. The top lights composing the
roof should be movable. This is of great import-
ance if the Roses are planted out instead of being
grown in pots. We are then enabled to give our
plants the beneficent rains and dews. Roller
blinds would also be of great benefit for shading,
for although Roses dislike shade when growing,
there are times when we desire to keep the blos-
soms back, and then shading is necessary in some
form. For pot work the sides should have staging
fixed for dwarf plants, and a brick bed in centre
for standards, half-standards, or climbers. A
path should run round the house between centre
bed and side staging. A row of 4-inch pipes
would be necessary .and would (unless very hard
forcing were desired) be suthcient. A tank for
■water is very important, as it is then chilled and
can be given to the plants at the same tempera-
ture as that in which they are growing.

Pl.\nts to Commence with.
If tlie desire is to go in for exhibition, the
largest proportion should be of t!ie H.P. or H.T.
class, as they are more lasting and would blossom
■without much heat about the time that the chief
exhibitions are held. The H.P. 'sand H.T.'s are
best grown one year outdoors previous to bringin?
into the house. Plants should be potted in
October from the open ground. Plunge them U])
to the rim of the pot in ashes or cocoa fibre and
carefully protect from May frosts. Give them
frequent weak doses of liquid manure during sum-
mer. They will not require repotting the first
year ])rovifIed the drainage is looked to in the
autumn. Keep the plants outdoors till Novem-
ber, then remove to a cold pit or house. The
Teas are best grown under glass. Standard Teas
can be [)lanted out or grown in pots. I would
prefer to plant them out. It is well known that
the finest Teas are produced on standards,
although for cutting, the extra-sized |)lants are
good enough. It will thus be seen that to grow
the H.P.'s and Teas together in one house would
be detrimental The H.P.'s are finer in quality

in every way if grown very steadily, merely using
sullicient artificial heat to keep out frost and to
kt.'c|i the atmosphere buoyant. A very im[)ortant
matter in the culture of Roses under glass is the

Prinixc

of the plants. The time to do it must be regu-
lated by the period at which they are required in
llower. If early blossoms are wanted say by
March, prune the plants about the end of Decem-
ber. This ap]>lics to Teas and Chinas only. If
H.P.'s and H.T.'s which partake more of the H.P.
character arc retpiired in March, then November
Wiiuld lie the time to prutic. Of course these plants
should have been brought under cover a month
previous to this. The H.P.'s need rather hard
pruning, but the Teas must be verj' sparingly cut
unless show blooms are wanted. If the latter, I
would recommend cutting back to good plump
buds, but if flowers for cutting' are desired, then a
good thinning of the weak shoots will be sufficient
combined with moderate pruning back of the
stronger growths. Climbers need clift'erent treat-
ment. Climbers grown in pots can be splendidly
flowered if their long shoots are trained spirally
around three or four sticks placed in the pot.
They will blossom from nearly every eye, and each
season these laterals can be cut back ready for an-
other supply. Semi-climbers are very pretty ob-
jects when trained in ])illar form, and produce an
abundance of flowers by this method. Such
plants need very little pruning, simply removing
mift'y growths. When ph^mts are pruned, the
next point to consider is their

Tk.vinino.

I am verj- much averse to so training anj' plant
that by so doing the ch.aracter of growth is
altered. There is absolutely no need to distort
plants into the hideous, one-sided objects some-
times seen. The chief con.sideration in traitiing a
])lant, in my opinion, should be to enable its
foliage and flowers to ])erfeetly de\elop. After
pruning, tie a string round the under side of rim
of the pot, then tie raffia on the shoots and gently
draw them down to the string, just enough to
shape the plant. When the plant lias mtide
shoots and these shoots show the buds, then
sticks can be placed in the pot and shoots tied to
them. A taste for form will soon tell us what is
the most suitable shape to fashion the plant to.
Standard Teas of a climbing nature produce more
flowers if their shoots are bent in an umbrella
fashion. Roses of the Pulyantha and China tribes
I prefer to grow naturally, merely tying out the
skeleton plant when first [jruned. When this first
tying out is accomplished the plants should be
carefully arranged in the house, so that the sun is
enabled to shine on all of them. I prefer to place
tlie plants (if in large pots) upon bricks or pots,
taking care not to imjjede drainage or admission
of air to roots through the hole in bottom of pot.
If a side stage is used to bring plants near the
glass it should be made so that it can lie covered
with ashes. W'hen plants are syringed these ashes
absorb some of the water, which enables a nice
moisture to arise around the plant in the hot part
of the diay. The

TeMI'EK.\TI'RE

of the house is of great importance. It must
always be borne in mind that we have, as it were,
t) make the ■weather under glass what Roses
delight in outdoors from March till .June. I am
no advocate for strong heat for Roses under glass,
believing that the best quality is produced in a
moder.ate temjierature. Especially is this the case
with the H.P.'s. The finest specimens I have e\er
seen of this class under glass were grown on ■what
is termed the cool system, givingall the air possi-
ble on most days, and just sufficient artificial heat
at night to keep out frost and to give a buoyancy
to the atmosphere. The Teas, however, are the
lietter for ([uick growth. For most varieties of
Teas a night temperature of about .50' to 55-,
rising in the daytime to about tiO", is suitable.
Of course a few degrees more would be allowable
if bright sunshine prevailed.

Another very important matter in the success-
ful man.agement of the Rose house is

\'entil.\tion.

Roses dislike cold draughts, but, on the other
hand, they delight in a buoy.ant atmosphere, free
from sturtine.ss. I like to inure my plants from
the commencement to ]jlenly of air, and there are
\ery few days aiul nights when I do tuit l(;ave
more or less top air on. Even if Ros^s are grown
without artificial beat by day, a little sliould be
turned on late at night, and this, combined with
a small quantity of top air on, is a good preven-
tive against the formation of dewdrop on the
foliage, a sure precursor of black spot, .so injurious
to Roses. To avoid failures in pot Rose culture
there must be no siidden checks. If a bright day
is certain, do not wait until tln^ sun raises the
tem])erature rapidly, Ijut give top air earl}-, cer-
tainly when the thermometer stands at (55' in the
Tea Rose house and about nri° in the H.P. house.
If .a commencement is made by giving side air,
even with the Teas, it is surjirising how they be-
come accustomed to it, but grow Roses on with-
out side air, with the consequent tender foliage,
and then admit side air because it is a fine day,
and a crop of mildew will be the result.

W.vTERiNn .4XD Syringing

must not be deputed to just anj'oue, but the
most careful man should always undertake the
watering and syringing of the Roses. No water
will be required until plants ha\e made about an
inch of growth. They will have the appearance
of being extremely dry, but it is better for the
young roots that they should be kept so.
The first watering should be a thorough soaking.
If plants are not too large, immerse them in a tub
or pail until water runs out at the Iiottom and the
air bubbles cease to rise. If this is not jirac-
ticable, give three or four good waterings in
one day until thoroughly soaked. After this
great care must be taken with the water-
ing. I like to look the plants over each
morning before syringing. After the first water-
ing we shall find a syringing amongst the j)ots
will be all the water needed for some time. Until
plants are well advanced in growth, it is better to
keep them rather on the dry side. Syringing the
foliage must only be done on bright days, and
then early in the morning, say about 9 o'clock, so
that any excess in moisture may be dried up before
evening. The soil should be frequently stirred
after watering to keep it sweet. If plants are
put on bricks or pots, so that ■w'ater can pass
away freely, the air will follow the water to the
roots to their evident benefit. Of course, lengthen-
ing days will increase evaporation ; consequently,
more moisture must be given. Liquid manure is
very beneficial to pot Roses, but weak doses and
often are better than strong ones. Avoid strong
artificial manures. Generally speaking, Roses do
not re(|uire liquid manure until the buds appear ;
then the}- can have some about once a week. Do
not imagine because a plant is strong and
vigorous that it requires no stimulant. It is such
as these that do require it ; whereas weak plants,
if we tolerate them, should have it withheld.
Urine from the stables is good, but it is very
strong, and the water must only be tainted w-ith
it at first. Sheep droppings nuike a splendid
litiuid manure ; so also does cow manure.
Some fresh cow manure, bone-meal and wood
ashes put together in a tank would nuike a grand
licjuid manure if carefully applied in weak doses.
A little litpiid manure sprinklctl on paths at night
is helpful to the foliage, but it must not be over-
done, or we shall have fine foliage and poor
flowers. A good sign of health in a ()ot Rose is
fine dark green leathery foliage, an(l w-hen the
plant dries up (luicklj' we may know there is
healthy root action.

DiSE.VSES,

such as red spider and green-flj-, are the worst
enemies. The former can be best combated by
water, but it is of no use spraying overhead. A
good force must be directed upon the underside
of foliage. Vaporising is the best means of settling

106

THE GARDEN".

[August 7, 1897.

the green-fly. Worms are often troublesome, and
if allowed to go unchecked they soon choke
up the drainage. A watering with lime-water
will move them and do no harm to the roots.
Mildew is one of the very worst enemies the Rose
grower under glass has to contend with. There
are endless so-called remedies, but thebestplanis to
carefully avoid giving a check to the plants. This
check can be given in several ways : a sudden
rising or lowering of the temperature, unchilled
water, or too strong- doses of liquid manure. Avoid
these and inure the plants from the commence-
ment to judicious ventilation, and little trouble
will be caused with mildew. If it should come,
sulphur and lime applied to the pipes is a safe
remedy. I have not much faith in dusting the
plants with sulphur ; I believe the sulphur fumes
to be the best method of destroying the fungus.
A very safe plan is to syringe plants with a fairly
strong solution of soft soap-water. Let it remain
on about lialf an hour, then syringe off again,
using soft or rain water each time.

Repotting.

After flowering, the H.P.'s and H.T.'s should b^
turned outdoors, standing them on bricks and
surrounding the pots with coal ashes or old fibre,
and after a week or two they may be repotted,
although many defer this operation till autumn.
The Teas should be kept in the house to make a
second growth ; then they can be put outside. It
is this second growth, well ripened, that will pro-
duce the finest Roses the next season.

I believe the best time to be July for repotting
this class of plants ; they are then enabled to lay
hold of the new soil and build up the buds for
next season. During summer and autumn the
plants must not be neglected. If plunged they
will not need so much water, but care sliould be
taken to prevent them drying too much. Weak
doses of liquid manure are also beneficial at in-
tervals, and all flower-buds should be kept picked
off. By potting when wood is ripened, less check
is caused to the plants than if covered with young
growth, as they frec|uently are in autumn. The
compost I employ for pot Roses is good fibrous
loam three parts, well-decayed cow manure one
part, leaf-soil one part, a small quantity each of
bone-meal and wood ashes or powdered charcoal.
The pots should be scrupulously clean and well
crocked. On to the crocks some turfy pieces of
the loam should be placed, and in potting see that
the soil is well rammed in, that is, supposing it is
in a good condition, neither too dry nor too wet.
It is as well to mix up soil a week or two before
using it and put in a covered shed with open
sides.

PL.4NTING Out

Roses under glass is a grand way of growing
them, and for cutting perhaps the best if house
room is no object. A correspondent said the
other day that he was not successful with La
France under glass. He sliould see a house of
this variety and Duchess of Albany at Messrs.
Beckwith's cut flower nursery at Hoddesdon, and
he would not soon forget the sight. Some hun-
dreds of plants planted out produced last April
quantities of grand blooms, which could
be cut with 2 feet to 3 feet long stems, a
method of cutting, by the way, which is in mucli
request for table decoration, and particularly
suited to fine massive Roses of this type. It
would not do to attempt it with pot plants unless
we were prepared to discard them after the
second season, but planted -out Koses seem to
have the power of recouping themselves if tlie
lights are movable and heavy mulchings of cow
manure and bone-meal are given. Sucli kinds as
General Jacqueminot will make shoots 8 feet to
10 feet long in one season. If these are bent over,
an immense cro]! of flowers can be taken, after-
wards cutting back hard. The plants will then
make another lot of long shoots, which will be
well ripened during the summer for another sea-
son's crop. If possible, a selection for site of house
should be upon a well-drained meadow. Trench
land about 2 feet 6 inches deep, putting all turf
at the bottom, grass downwards, a good proportion

of half-inch bones or bone-meal and some well
decayed cow manure. Trenching is best done
several weeks before we want to plant out. Pot
plants would be best, but plants from open
ground would do, especially if lights were mov-
able and we could grow the plants almost naturally
the first year. Climbing Roses planted out under
glass are best run horizontally the first year. I
will give my idea of growing Mare'chal Niel. I
would select a good young maiden standard.
Plant it in early autumn, cut back growths right
down to the base of shoots, leaving about one eye
on each of two shoots. As they grow, train these
young growths to wires right and left of the plant.
Of course, good heat must be maintained and

Books.

THE YEW TREES OP GREAT BRITAIN.*

The noble Yew well deserves a book to itself
which could be in the hands of everybody
interested in our native trees, and it is fortunate
in having a biographer who was equal to the
task he set himself to perform. We have no
hesitation in saying that Dr. Lowe has given us.
a book worthy of the subject. He has taken,
great pains to see and measure for himself
where possible a great number of the finest
trees in many parts of the country, and of thos.e.

The Abyssinian Spurge {Euphorhia abyssinica) at La Mortula. (See p. 97.)

plenty of moisture in the atmosphere. If the
plant is in good soil as described above, wondrous
shoots will lie made by the fall. The growths
should be well ripened in the autumn. The next
season these two long shoots will give some good
Roses, and .after flowering, growths can be taken
at intervals along the main shoot and trained
perpendicularly up the roof. The next season
these growths will give an abundance of good
Roses of wondrous colour if well fed. After
flowering gradually cut back growtlis to main
arms again to encourage more young growths for
the next seasoifs flowering. Most climbers of
vigorous habit are best flowered upon this system.

Philomel.

he has been unable to examine personally he
is enabled to give adequate data by correspond-
ing with people more favourably situated. His.
researches included all trees in the United '
Kingdom of 10 feet girth and upwards. Of the
trees 30 feet in girth and upwards, three are i»
Worcestershire, four in Sussex, one in Surrey,,
two in Shropshire, five in Monmouthshire, one
in Middlesex, three in Kent, four in Hants, one
in Gloucestershire, two in Derbyshire, one in.
Devon, two in Dorset, two in Carnarvon and

* " Tlie Yew Trees of Great Britain and Ireland.'
By Dr. John Lowe. London : Macmillan and Co.

August 7, 1897.J

THE GAEDEN

107

one in Berks. Tliese shoulil be sulHciont to
give ;ill the infonuation whicli is ju'tessary f"i'
the inactioiil inir|Misc of iiwakciiing in garck'nors,
pliintiTS and ainatL'urs, the interest wliicli tliu
subject of this little book deserves. In intro-
dueing his book the author ob.serves : —

There is no English tree which has gathered
round itself so much of historic, jjoetic and
legendary lore as the Yew ; none is so closely asso-
ciated, directly or indirectly, with events, persons
and buildings which are famous in our national
history. In early and mediaeval times it was the
source of our country's greatness and supn-niai-y
by supplyini; the bows and arrows with which our
great victories weie won : liut, in spite of this, it
has never attained that love and veneration in the
popular mind so lavishly bestowed on its rival the
Oak.

Apart from sentimental and historical con-
siderations, too much can hardly be said tu re-
commend the Yew tree as a garden tree. Its
fine effect if intelligently planted, its unrivalled
merit as an evergreen tree, preserving its beau-
tiful soft tones in the hardest winters, and its
value for shelter and as a screen from cutting
winds are qualities which were recognised in
old days jjcrhaps nu)re than in the present,
although our forefathers subjected it to a good
deal of indignity by cutting it into fasta.stic
shapes, a fashion which prevailed for several
centuries, despite the voice of common sense
which occasionally made itself heard in the land.
Thus Lord Bacon wrote : —

I, for my part, do not like images cut out in
Juniper and other garden stuff; they be for
children.

Pope and Addison also ridiculed the practice
of turning trees into bii'ds and beasts, and still
more ignoble objects. No doubt there is a cer-
tain charm in lines of clipijcd Yew hedges and
old avenues forming soft green backgrounds for
brighter things, and we are inclined to agree
with Dr. Lowe, that many old-fashioned gar-
dens have suffered in losing the i|uaint forms of
cropped Y'ews. Fnuu its association witli
churchyards, the Yew no doubt came to bo
looked U])on as a melancholy sort of tree, whicli
wanted ihe ((uickening touch of the gardener's
shears to make it presentable. The hand of
man placed it in the churchyard ; its natural
abiding place was not so much in low ground .as
in rugged scars and clefts on the sides of hills.
In her charining Ijook, "The Pilgrim's Way
from Winchester to Canterbury," Julia Cart-
wright (Mrs. Ady) writes : —

Once more upon the hills, we can follow the
lines of Yews which are seen at intervals along
the ridge from Saint Jlartha's Chapel, by Weston
Wood, anil the back of Albury I'ark, turning a
few steps out of our paths to visit Newlanfl's
Corner, one of the most beautiful spots in the
whole of Surrey.

l^Iany of our readers must know this spot.
which is not far from (iuildfcud. The ancient
Yew grove there is nientiiuied in Domesday
Book. It goes without .saying that individual
Yew trees are often of great antiquity', but
many erroneous views obtain on this head.
There have been ^■arious modes suggested ipf
estimating age, right and wrong. De CandoU ''s
come under the latter category. He assumed
that the tree's growth took place by a regular
deposition of concentric layers. This, as Dr.
Lowe jjoints out. is true in the case of the
young trees, but, as with other created beings
(not to particularise), after a certain stage in
life is reached the means of ascertaining age
become more a matter of conjecture.

It has been questioned whether some trees may
not produce more than one ring in a year. In
this country it is certain that only one annual

ring can be produced in young trees, but then it
seldom happens that a S'cw exceeds 'JOO years
without liaving the main stem injured by storms
or disea.se, and it is iin|)ossil)lc beyond tliis period
to depend upon the number of rings as a test of
age.

I'p to 200 years and a little over in unin-
jured trees the number of annual rings may be
taken to represent the age. Estimating the
age of trees by measuring their growths and
comparing them witli those of trees of known
agi> is another way, but not always aciair.atc, as
tiie rate of increase varies considerably accord-
ing to locality, climate, and .soil. The late Sir
K. Christison thought a foot in .seventy-tive
years was about the average rate of growth,
but many English trees far exceed this. A
tiiird way is by measurement of increased
girth at a fixed jioint and at stated periods, a
method which gives a ratio of 1 for)t of dia-
meter in about fifty-six years — a much higher
rate than that arrived at by Sir R. Christison.
The author has no faith in the trephine, or
trejian, as a means of computing tlie age of
Yews, and liis doubts will be found at ji. 57.
Tr.-ulitional accounts again are not always to be
trusted, owing to the natural human tendency
to exaggerate age in certain objects. Thus the
Abercairny tree in Perthshire, which is said at
one time to have sheltered the Marquis of
Montrose (1640), is 10 feet 7 inches in girth at
."> feet from the ground, and is probably not
much over 200 years old. Another fallacious
inethod, again the discovery of De CandoUe, is
to ascribe to a tree the age of an adjacent
building. The author gives several conspicuous
examples of its absurdity.

There is an instructive chapter on the cau.ses
of variation in growth, overcrowding, jiollard-
ing, and insect foes. From the attacks of
insects the Yew tree, owing to its poisonous
nature, appears to be singularly free ; the
\iilnerable spot is the points of the young
shoots, and tliese in certain localities are often
attacked by a gall-fly, which, by inserting its
eggs in them, arrests their growth, the leaves
being developed in the form of a cone.

To account for the practice of planting Yews
in churchyards several reasons are given. ()ne
ascribes it to Druidical custom ; another to the
fact that branches of it were often carried in
procession on Palm Sunday in lieu of Palms.
Yew trees in churchyards in East Kent, and
also in Ireland, are even now called Palms.
Ablett says the branches were carried over the
dead by mourners and thrown beneath the
coffin in the grave as a type of immortality. A
iiKU'e cogent reason than any, the author tliinks,
was the necessity of providing a supply of bow
staves for our bowmen in old days before the
" clothyard shaft" was finally elbowed out liy
tlie '"villainous saltpetre." The Yews of our
cliurchyards would then be the few tliat sur-
vived the severe cutting to which Yews were
subjected in old times. Even in Elizabeth's
reign

the Y'ew had become so scarce that bow-
sers were directed to have four bows of Witch
Hazel or Elm to one of Y'ew, and no person under
seventeen, unless jiossessed of movaliles worth
forty marks, or the son of parents having an
estate of ten pounds per annum, might shoot
"on a Y'ew bow."

However, the author is careful to state that,
according to Giraldus, the jiractice of jilanting
Yews in churchyards was common long before
" Yew bows" were in general use.

The etymology of the word Yew is variously
ascribed. According to Dr. .lohnson it is de-
rived from the original Anglo-Saxon, or from
tlic Welsh )i« ; Dr. Price from the Latin /r;(.

wliich also signifies the Ivy. According to Mr.
J. G. Cumming, Yew is ancient British f(n-
existent and enduring, liaving the same root as
Jehovah; and Yew in Welsh means "it is."
.\n ingenious in(|uirer in " Notes and Queries"
(1887) suggested "view," and quoted several
instances of the trees being called "view"
trees ; but, as Dr. Lowe jioints out, this was
probably a mistake due to the interchangeable
u.se of the letters ;/ and r, which sometimes
occurs in old writings and s])eecli. and which
still (jbtains in Norfolk. " wliere it is not un-
common to sjicak of tlie Vine of tlie (jrape
wine, meaning the wine of the (irape Vine."

Poetical allusions to the Yew are, of course,
frequent. Thus Chaucer : —

With many high lorer and jiyn
Was renged clean all that gardyn
With Cipres and with Olivcres,
Of which that nigh no plente here is
There were l-^lmcs grete and strong,
Maples, Asshe, Ook, Asp, Planes longe,
Fyn Ew, Popler and Lindes faire,
And other trees full many a payre.

Spenser, also, in the Faerie Qaeene : —

The Firre that weepeth still.

The Willow worne of forlorne paramours,

The Eugh obedient to the bender's will.

In more warlike strain, Michael Drayton
(Uallad of A'/incourt) : —

With Spanish Yew so strong,

Arrows a cloth-yard long.

That like to serpents stung,

Piercing the weather.

Shakespeare often introduces the Yew in
incantations and in jiassages full of melancholy
and forebodings. In one place he s]ic;iks of it
as "double fatal," in allusion, doubtless, to the
pcjisonous nature of the tree. Thus (Kiuy
liichard II., act iii. ) : —

Thy very beadsmen learn to bend their bows,
Of double-fatal Yew against thy state.

Poetical allusions to the Yew might be in-
stanced almost ((4 iiiji-itum, but the following
one from Wordsworth's jjoein. Yen; Trees, is
perhaps the most graphic, and with it we bring
our selections from Dr. Lowe's list to a close.
After telling us that

There is a Y'cw tree, [iride of Lorton Vale,
he continues :

But worthier still of note
Are those fraternal four of Borrodale,
Joined in one solemn and capacious grove.
Huge trunks! and each particular trunk a

growth
Of intertwisted fibres serpentine,
Up-coiling and inveteratel}' convolved.
Nor uninformed with phantasy, anfl looks
That threaten tW profane ; a pillared shade,
Upon whose grassless floor of red-brown hue.
By sheddings from the pining umbrage tinged
Perennially — beneath whose sable roof
Of boughs, as if for festal purpose, decked
With unreforcing berries — ghostly shapes
May meet at noontide.

The poisonous projierties of the Yevr are now
well e.stalilishcd, only the "sweet mucilaginous
cup " surrounding ilie seed is quite liarmle.ss.
It is doubtful wlicther birds even eat more than
a certain quantity, if at all, of the seeds, al-
though tlie latter are less ])oi.sonous than the
leaves. It is on record that 800 grammes of the
seeds administered to a fastinghorse produced no
ill-results. The wood and bark are less jjoisonous
than the leaves, as to the highly noxious (luali-
ties of which all authorities agree.

"The Yew Trees of Great Britain and Ire-
land " ought to find a place in the library of
every country house as a work of reference. It
is well printed and is full of illustrations.

108

THE GARDEN.

[August 7, 1897.

Stove and Greenhouse.

LILY OF THE VALLEY FORCING.*

Of the thousand and one plants which readUy
submit to be forced into flower out of tlieir ordin-
ary season it may be doubted if there is one
having anything like the universal popularity
which the Lily of the Valley enjoys. Half a
century ago clumps of Lilies were grown in
Berlin and Hamburg in a small way to get a few
blooms for Christmas and new year. By 1856
between twenty and thirty nurserymen in and
around Berlm had taken up the cultivation, but
in all cases only on a small scale. In 1859-60
the largest quantity of flowering crowns that
any one nurseiyman produced annually was
60,000 ; but this gradually increased, until in
1870 seventy-two acres of Lilies were under
cultivation outside the city of Berlin. At the

owing to the nature of the soil, they are kept
growing too long, and do not ripen off early
enough. The ground must be deeply dug and
well broken at the same time, working in plenty
of old hotbed manure, linings, rotten leaves, &c. ,
all well decomposed and crumbled to pieces.
This work should be done in the autumn in dry
weather, in order to be ready for planting as
soon as cro^vns can be obtained. I greatly pre-
fer autunm planting, considering that the
sooner the crowns are in the ground the better.
Nothing is more injurious to the roots of Lilies
than exposure to sun and wind. I liave been
compelled sometimes to plant in March in dry-
ing east winds with bright sunshine, when it
has been impossible to get the roots covered
quickly enough to prevent their getting dry, and
the consequences have been disastrous. The
ground having been prepared, the best and
quickest method of jjlanting is in rows 7 or 8
inches apart, the plants being about 1 inch apart

summer. Thus when they are fit to lift as
flowering crowns their actual age is three and a.
half years, -it is true that by good culti-
vation many \if these crowns will bloom
in two years from the time of plant-
ing, and many growers have been temptei
to lift them at that age ; but experience haa
taught me that the percentage of flowering
crowns is smaller and the increase of planting
crowns less than when they are left a year
longer undisturbed. It is generally understood
that Lilies of the Valley must be three years
old before they bloom, and they will then flower
eveiy alternate year. This is the rule, but
there are exceptions. By good cultivation, i.e.,
high feeding at the proper time with liquid
manure, and if special care is taken to remove
the flower as soon as ever it is open, by pulling
its stalk right out of the crown, such crowns
will bloom several years in succession ; and
hence it is obvious that Lily crowns can be

k^A^-^JTT'^

A group of Agaves, Aloes and Yuccas in the garden at La Mortola. From a photograph sent by Mr. Banbury. (See p. 97.)

present moment there are on the Continent and
in England many thousands of acres devoted
solely to the production of Lily of the Valley
crowns. In order to be successful in forcing
Lilies of the Valley, the

Cn.TrRE OF THE Crowxs
demands the first consideration. I have seen
Lilies grow in almost every kind of soil and
situation, doing better in some than in others ;
but exparience has taught me that the best soil
for growing crowns for forcing is a light sandy
loam with a damp subsoil, and the best situa-
tion is an open one to the south and west, shel-
tered, if possible, from the east and north. In
cold and heavy clay land they will not do well ;
they will grow, and sometimes produce very
strong crowns, with but few filjrous roots ; but
such crowns are not tit for early forcing, as,

* Paper read by Mr. T. Jannoch before the Koyal
Horticultuial Society, August 25, 1890.

in the rows ; paths of 15 to 18 inches wide may
be left between every eight rows for the con-
venience of weeding. In planting, which is
done by throwing out trenches about 5 inches
deep, take care that the crowns are not set too
deep : they should be only just deep enough for
the tips of the crowns to be level with the sur-
face of the ground. A good mulching of cow
manure, or, if this cannot be had, well-rotted
stable manure, completes the work, and nothing
further is required but keeping the beds free
from weeds and giving them plenty of water in
dry weather during the summer. If one-year-
old crowns have been selected for the start,
they will requii-e three seasons of growth before
being fit to be lifted for forcing. It must not
i be supposed that so-called one-year-old crowns
are actually twelve months old ; they really
' represent only four to five months' growth, the
rhizomes beginning to grow in June or July,
forming the crown under ground during the

made to bloom twice within twelve months, Tiz.>J
once at their natural time in May, and agaial
taken up the following autumn and forced intol
bloom before January.

Forcing.

To fox-ce Lily of the Valley successfully it is,
of the utmost importance to have well-ripened
and well-matured crowns that have fully com-
pleted their growth and are perfectly at rest.
Before they have undergone a period of rest, be
it ever so short, you cannot force them, no
matter what amount of heat you may give
them. Much also depends on where and liow
the crowns have been grown. The best are un-
doubtedly those that have been grown in light
sandy soil, heavily manured and well exposed
to the sun, as they will complete their growth
and go sooner to rest than those grown in hea'S'y
soil and shady places. Forcing may comuienco
about the end of October or beginning of

August 7, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

109

Niivuiiil)!.^!' ; the methods iulnpted are various,
liut for early flowers, in November ami Decem-
ber, a close i)ro])agating or forcing pit is abscj-
lutely necessary in onler to maintain a moist
and even temperature. If pots are used, jilant
about twelve crowns in a 5-inch pot in the
following manner : Place four crowns in the
jialni of j'our left hand, then ;i layer of soil on
the roots, again four crowns and more soil, and
itheii the remaining four crowns, keeping tlie
icrowns all level ; close your hand and drop the
j whole into a 5-inch pot, working the soil well in
between each crown, so as to have them C(|ually
Idivided and all crowns standing level just above
the brim of the jiot. Give them a good water-
ing, and plunge the pots in a bed of either
Moss or cocoa-nut fibre ; cover lightly with
|2 inches or '.i inches of clean Moss, and close the
ibod with boards to keep it perfectly dark.
'Bring the bottom-heat up to 80° Fahrenheit at
lonco, and gradually increase to 95° within a
ifortnight, maintaining a regular and even tem-
iperature the while. Never allow the thermo-
meter to rise above 100'-^ (jr to fall lower than 80°,
lor mucli harm will be done. Examine the pots
daily, keep a moist atmosphere, and water
(when necessary) with water of exactly the
same temperature as tlie bottom-heat in which
they are plunged. Wlien the crowns start into
'growth and are al)out 2 inches high, remove the
tip covering of Mo.ss and gradually inure them
t ■ the light, still, of course, maintaining a high
t .niperature. As soon as the bottom bells begin
t > open remove to a cooler temperature and dis-
|Continue syringing overhead, as moisture hang-
ling on the blooms is apt to spot the bells.
jAnother method, more usually adopted, and
which saves nuieh lal)our and room, is to plant
ithe crowns an inch ajiart in bi.ixes of a convenient
size and treat as above. .Still another ])Ian, liut
one not often practised now, is to plant the
|crowns in forcing Ijeds thickly together, and
when they have grown 2 inches or ,3 inches to
transplant tliem into ])ots. It may be here
mentioned that actual flowering can be retarded,
iwhen so desired, by the boxes in which the
crowns are forced being removed from the forc-
ing house into a cooler one of genial tempera-
ture. The heat, howe\-er, must be always even
and not too low, or else the damp will speedily
ruin the flowers. The foregoing methods refer
principally to the early period, before Christ-
'nias ; later in the season, and as the spring
{idvances, forcing is an easier matter. The
temiierature need not be kept so regular, and
jdl that is rec(uired is warmth and moisture,
iwhich will soon start the crowns into growth.
More attention should at this later time bo ])aid
^o the hardening ofl', shading from bright sun-
shine, and never allowing them to get dry at tlie
roots ; they should also have more room Ijy
planting the crowns wider apart, as more leaves
Will now appear than before Christmas. Finally,
't should be pointed out that if temporary frames
ire ]ilaced over the beds of flowering crowns out
■f iloors in March their blooming will be
lastened by two or three weeks. For this
)urpose keeping them close and watering as re-
luired are tlie only nece.s.sary directions". It is
luite innnaterial in what soil the crowns are
ilanted for forcing, as absolutely no new roots
ire formed during this period ; anything, in fact,
vhich retains moisture will do. You cannot
mprove tlie ))looms by planting the crowns in
he very best of soil or iiy giving them manure
vater. All the nutriment required for the de-
•elopment (jf the flowers is gathered during tlie
irevious growing season and is storeil up in
^he roots. It is not generally known that forced
jLilies will bear almost any rough treatment.
They can be pulled out of their boxes or pots

when in full bloom for making up into f.-uicy
stands, ornamental pots, and nicknacks of any
description witlioiit (lagging or spoiling. They
can be sent by jio.st or rail hundreils of miles
pai'ked in a little ilamp Mo.ss, when they may be
again planted and will look as fresh as if they
had never been disturlied. I once sent a cpian-
tity in an hermetically-sealed biix to I'ieter-
maritzlmrg, where they arrived after their long
ocean and land journey as fresh as if they had
only travelled a few miles. As regards the

V.MilETIES

best adapted for forcing, that known as the
Uerlin is un(]uestionably the best for early
W{)rk. The Dutch and Hamburg ones are good
for late forcing, Imt my exjierience is that tliey
do not approach the Berlin strain for forcing
before Cliristmas. These three varieties are
said to be .seedlings, or jiossibly " sports," from
the common or wild Lily of the Valley, on
which they are immense improvements. No
amount of cultivation would ever transform the
wild ])lant into a rival of either the Hamburg,
the Uerlin, or the Dutch forms. The Dutcli
variety is of more spindly growth than the
Berlin, and has, moreover, a weak and drawn
ap])earance.

Retarding Lily of the Valley crowns is now
done lioth extensively and successfully. The
movement, however, is still in quite its infancy.

Lindenia rivalis. —This is a pretty stove or
warm greenhouse slirubby plant, bearing long
tubular white flowers so freely that it seems to be
nearly always in bloom. The tube is 4 inches or
.") inches in length, ]mre white at the mouth,
retldish below, the evergreen leaves about ,3 inches
long. It does well in a most stove heat, and a
nice plant is in bloom at Chelsea in the Ixora
house. It is a native of Mexico, and was intro-
duced ill IS.'iO.

Ericas at Clapton.- Although but few of the
Ericas are now in flower, a look at the plants at
Messrs. Hugh Low and Co.'s nursery was very
interesting. Thousands of plants in great variety
and all sizes are to be seen, each one a model of
good culture, and not one in a thousand showing
as much as a brown leaf. The majority are stood
outside in the full sun, and so arranged that while
not crowding each other the foliage of each makes
a little shade to the pot next to it. E. hyemalis
seems here, as everywhere, a great favourite, there
being apparently tens of thousands of it. The
only species I noticed in bloom was the liiight and
sliow_vE. cerinthoides coronata. This too is very
largely grown, and one can easily imagine that it
meets with a ready sale, the bright scarlet
blossoms having a really line ert'ect upon the dark
green foliage. — R.

Zephyranthes carinata.— (;i\en the same
treatment as \'allota purpurea, this Zephyranthes
forms an extremely attractive object in the
greenhouse during the month of July and some-
times well on into August. The bulb's of this are
small, not much larger than a good-sized Snow-
drop, and the grass-like leaves, though 8 inches
or 9 inches long, are arranged in a spreading
manner, and consequently do not rise very far
above the soil. The flowers, which are borne on
stems usually less than a foot high, are a great
deal like those of the Vallota, but of a beautiful
rich deep rose shade. Each flower is borne singly
■ in a stem, but, as the bulbs increase quickly,
they soon form a mass or clump, and a succession
of blossoms is in this May maintained for some
time. As ,so many bulbous plants come from
South Africa and this Zephyranthes bears such a
gicat general resemblance to Vallota purjiurea,
it is often assumed to be a native of the Cape
region, instead of which it hails from .Mexico,
from whence it was introduced in 1824. It suc-
ceeds well in an onliiiary greenhouse, or even in
a cold frame from which frost is just excluded.

About half a dozen bulbs in a pot .I inches in
(Uameter will form an effective Utile elum|i, or
larger masses can be arranged in the same way.
The soil employed should be principally sandy
loam, such as will remain in good condition for
years, as this Zephyranthes, like many other
Imlbous plants, is most satisfactory when allowed
to remain undisturbed at the roots. A second
species, Z. Candida, is hardy in a sheltered
position, but to ensure a di.splay of bloom it must
be in a sunny spot. The flowers of this, which
are white and not unlike tho.se of a Crocus, arc
borne in great profusion towards the end of
.August or even later. — H. I*.

The Oleander. — Among the many classes of
]ilants whose merits are totally overlooked at the
present day must be included the Oleander, of
which there are several varieties in cultivation,
but, except occasionally in some old-fashioned gar-
den, none of them are ever met with ; and though
to a limited extent kept in stock by a few of our
nurserymen, there is really no demand whatever
for them. Notwithstanding this, the Oleander is
a rc-ally beautiful shrub, that will flower year
after year with but little attention, (irowii in
pots or tubs, it may be wintered in the green-
house or conservatory, and during the summer
can be placed out of doors in a sunny spot. Such
coiulitions are favourable to the production of
blossoms, which expand about July, the plant
then being jiarticularly attractive. When in
llower they may be allowed to remain out of doors
or removed to the conservatory if they are needed
at that period. A loose, o|)en-growing shrub it
naturally is, and any attempt to alter its charac-
ter in this respect will only end in failure. If a
specimen is cut back, at least one year's cro]) of
blossom will be sacrificed. The cultural require-
ments of the Oleander are in no way exacting, for
cuttings strike root very readily either in soil,
sand or water if they are kept close for a little
while, and they grow away freely in any ordi-
nary potting compost. In commencing with
youn^ ]3lants, the tendency to run up tall and
naked .should be particularly borne in mind, and
to ob\'iate this they must be fi'eely stopped dur-
ing their earlier stages, as in this way the founda-
tion of an effective specimen is laid. — T.

LILIUM ALEXAXDR.9i;.

It is now four vears since this beautiful and dis-
tinct Lily made its appearance in this country,
and it was shown in such grand condition on July
1 1, lsn3, that a first-class certificate was bestowed
upon it. Since then it has been seen but little
till the [iresent year, in the early part of which
some importations were disposed of in the London
sale rooms, and it is probable that some at least
of the many examples that I have met with
recently were obtained in this waj'. Its com-
paratively dwarf habit is to many a great recom-
mendation, for numerous examples have come
under my notice this season not more than
IS inches high, yet each jjlant was carrying three
or four of its massive blossoms. When first
public attention \\as directed towards this Lily,
it was stated to be a hybrid between L. longi-
Uorum and L. speciosum, but when in flower, L.
auratum and L. longiflorum were suggested as
the probable parents. This latter view I am in-
clined to favour, for it is in many ways about
intermediate between these two last - named
species. Firstly, the bulb, which is of a yellowish
white colour, would almost pass for that of L.
longiflorum, though there is somewhat of the
auratum appearance about it, but no trace what-
ever of L. sjieciosum. The flowersi again, are
shorter than the Japanese forms of L. longiflorum
and more tubular than those of L. auratum, while
the anthers are not invariably of a brown tint, as
in a few instances 1 have seen them nearly as yel-
low as those of L. longiflorum. The fragrance,
too, suggests a nearer affinity to this last-named
than to either L. speciosum or L. auratum.

There is a certain amount of iliff'erence to be
found .among the indi\itlual plants of L. Alex-
andra;, as, apart from the anthers just noted,

110

THE GARDFAT.

LAuGusT 7, 1897.

some flowers are longer than others, while the
segments reflex differently- and foliage distinetions
may also be noticed. This Lily was at first known
as L. Uke-uri, but it is now generally known as
L. Alexandra'. Whether an artificial or a natural
hybrid, a considerable amount of confusion seems
to prevail with regard to its origin, but in any
case it occurs in an apparently wild state on Uke
Island, the name Uke-uri signifying the Uke
Island Lily. The bulbs are not large, being
about the size of those of an average sample of L.
longiflorum, and such as these will produce three
or four fine blossoms. It is a particularly desir-
able Lily to grow in pots for the decoration of the
greenhouse or conservatory, as it does not run up
tall and weak under glass, added to which it is
not too strongly scented, while the massive wax-
like petals retain their freshness for a longer
period than many other Lilies. Like L. longi-
florum, it starts into growth early in the year,
and though Japanese importations sometimes
reach here as late as March in good condition, yet
in purchasing dormant bulbs at that season they
should lie carefully examined to see whether they
have suffered in any way by being kept out of the
ground so long. T.

SflORT NOTES. ^STOm cL- GREEXIIOVSE.

Primula obconiea. — On a rccerit visit to Saud-
hurst l.oJge, Wolsirigliaiu, I noted a batch of Primula
obconiea of a good rose colour, and, os far as I could
s^e, tli9 strain was tiscd. The plants showedthey had
given an enormous amount of bloom. It is a great
advarce on the grauditlora type in colour. — J. C.

Browallia epeciosa major in pots —
"H. V." at page 65 spcali.? in high terms of this
plant. I quite agree with ail he says as to its value
as a pot plant for house embellishment. Eecently I
saw some grand pots of this Browallia at Sandhurst
Lodge. These were grov\insr in o-iuch and C-incli
pots, nice bushy plants full of bloom. — John Crook.

Aehimenes at Sandhurst Lodge.— The
Achimcnes is a great favourite Itre. 1 ho plants are
grown in 5-iuch and G inch pots. As I 1 okedat these
with their numerous shades of colour I legrettcd they
are rot more often seen. The following are a few of
the best kinds : Coecinea, flowers very bright, but
small ; Carl Walfartb, Dazzle, Meteor, Ambioise
Verschaffelt, Lorgiflora niaior. Sir Trehcrne Tliomas,
and Rose Qufen. This last is amongst tlie most use-
ful, as it needs no stakes when well grown. — J. C.

Aristolocliia gigaa.— Inawarmhruseogainsta
back wall at Sandhurst Lodge I noticed a n'ee healthy
plant of Aristolochia gigas. Itliad three Ijrge bloom?
open. At another end of the house in a narrow bor-
der Begonia corallina was planted a"*! traired over
the roof. It was in full bloom, and as the blooms
hung down with Ihoir long foot-, terns they were very
effective. This is a strong-growing Lied, and just
adax^ted for planting out to cover wal's and r.,of
trellises, itc. It is a continuous blooming kind, and
should be more olton seen.— J. CitooK.

Orchids.

BURLINGTONIA CANDIDA.

As an easily grown and free-flowering species
this Bitrlingtoiiia would be hard to beat among
the sniallcr-flowcred Orchids. The liabit is
dwarf, the pseudo-bulbs flattened, bearing stiff,
dark shining green leaves. The flowers occur
on arching or semi-erect racemes that spring
from the base of the pseudo-ljulbs between the
sheathing foliage and are of the purest glistening
white, with a .stain of golden yellow on the lip.
The flowers appear at various times during the
spring and summer, and if not kept too hot or
damped with the .syringe, last a long time in
good condition. Being a dwarf plant, the
amount of room it takes uj) is little ; indeed,
in a well-flowered medium-sized specimen one
can hardly see the leaves, the flower-siiikes
almost hiding them. Such plants have a very
pretty efl'ect suspended from the roof in wooden

baskets, and owing to the amount of air and
light they get in such positions they are usually
satisfactory. The latter points arc perhaps the
most important in its culture, for the plant
grows naturally upon the highest trees. With
regard to compost, an ordinary peat and
Moss mixture kept open suits it well, but
it is a difficult plant to keep at home. The
roots are very freely produced, and many ar •
pushed almost erect, so that it is impossible to
bury all of them. But as long as the base of
the new growth is resting on the compost they
will take no harm, as a fair numlier are sure to
enter it. To let it ramble away at will, on the
other hand, is to coiu't failure, for valuable as
air roots are as accessories to those in the com-
post, they are not to be depended upon. No
harm comes from cutting partly through tlie
rhizome and bending this round to bring the
pseudo-bulb nearer the centre of the plant, or
to cover a bai-e place in a large specimen, but
avoid breaking it more than necessary.
Pans or pots may also Ije used for growing it in,
and the temperature of the Cattleya house or
even of the East India house is not too high for
them when growing. During tliis time give a
very free supply of water, but when at rest this
may be sensibly diminished, not altogetlier
witliliekl, as this would cause the growths to be
weak in spring, but much less than when grow-
ing freely. Its worst insect enemy is a small
white scale that is very difficult to thoroughly
eradicate, tliough it may be kept in check by
timely sponging and frequent light syringings
overhead when growing. Its stronghold is in
the sheathing bases of the leaves, and tliese
should have attention when cleaning. This
Bnrlingtonia comes from Demerara, whence it
was introduced in IS)??.

Gongora Loddigesi. — This species is now in
flower with Messrs. Veitch. It grows and blooms
after the manner of G. atro-purpurea, Ijut the
pseudo-bullis are more conical and less ribbed.
The leaves are stiff', deep green, and each about
6 inches in length. The spikes carry from nine to
a dozen flowers on each. The colour is a pale
sepia-brown, with overlying tints of a deeper hue,
the segments being almost transparent in appear-
ance. The plant is carrying five fine spikes.

Odontoglossum cristatellum. — Whether or
not this is distinct enough to warrant specific
rank is a ipiestion ; it is certainly distinct as a
garden plant. The se[)als and petals are yellow,
liut the ground colour is nearly hidden by the
large browntsh-purple blotches. Thelip isyellow,
brown at the jioint, much crested, the blossoms
being very sweetly scented. It does well in a
cool, moist house the whole year. Though intro-
duced nearly twenty years ago, this plant is still
not common, and it makes a nice feature in the cool
house just now.

Cypripediurn Clinkaberryanum. — This is
a \ery handsome Cypripediurn raised from C.
Roebelini and C. Curtisi. A fine plant is
now in flower at Messrs. Veitch and Sons' nur-
sery. The scajje is tall, reddish, and hairy, the
dorsal sepal having lines of purple upon a whitish
ground ; the lower sejial is paler in its markings
and greenish. The (letals are long and drooping,
so closely coloured with crimson-purple that the
white ground is hardly seen. C. Cliukaberry-
aninu was raised by Messrs. Pitcher and Manda.

Oncidium phymatochilura. — This is in first-
rate order at Messrs. Veitcli's, the spikes carry-
ing an immense number of flowers and ha\ing a
remarkably fine effect. They grow erect, but the
crowds of blossom hang around \ery gracefully.
The sepals and petals are yellowish green, with a
few reddish spots, and the lip is white on the
front lobe, yellow at the sides. The flowers last
a long time in good condition. It is not a diffi-
cult plant to grow, thriving in medium-sized,
well-drained pots of peat and Moss in the Cat-

tleya house. It is a native of Brazil and was in-
troduced in l.S4:i

Dendrobium d'Albertisi. — The singular
habit and blossoms of this jilant should make it a
favourite were it better known. A fine plant in
bloom at Messrs. Hugh Low and Co.'s nursery is
carrying several spikes of bloom. The jietals
grow erect, are pure white at the base, becoming
green at the tips. The lip is lined with purple
and the sepals are pure white. The flowers are
very lasting, and the plant being a native of New
Guinea requires abundant heat and moisture
while making its growth.

Disa grandiflora. — This is bright and effec
five in many collections just noM-, and may 1 r
seen in variety at Mr. Bull's, a pretty contra.- 1
with the typical form being D. grancHflora Bai
relli, a variety introduced by him from the Cape
In place of the usual crimson tint the outer sc;^
nients are orange-scarlet, the lip being much
paler than that of the typical form. Both aiv
beautiful cool house kinds it well done, rec|uirii]'j
to be potted in a nice open desci'iption of com
jjost in thoroughl}' drained pots or pans. I'lenty .
of water at the root and abundance of air arc
needed all the year round.

Odontoglossum laeve.— This comes from a
correspimdent for a luime. It is a u.seful plant,
strong growing and free blooming, and tht
flowers much resemble those of a Miltonia in the
smooth, almost crestless lip. It comes from
Mexico, wheneeitwas sent to Chiswick in 1841
bj' Mr. G. Ure-Skinner. It does wii;h rather more
compost than the cool Odontoglots generally,
being very free rooting when in good condition.
It should be grown near a ventilator and in ii
light position, this ripening it well and making it
very free blooming. The flowers last a long time
anel are at first sweetly scented.

Epidendrum Brassavola. — As indieateel b\
the specific name, the flowers of this plant bear i
consieleiable resemblance to those of a Brassavola,
They are produced from the apex of the pseudo
bulb upon a tall erect scape, and are each u]"iward:
of 4 inches across. The sepals and petals are ricl
brownish yellow, the narrowly heart-shaped li|
being rosy-purple in front, yellowish white witi
deeper lines at the base. It makesa hanelsomt
specimen when well grown, a very fine piece being
now in flower in Mr. Bull's nursery at Chelsea.
It is by no means a eliificult jilant to grow, thriving
well at the coolest end of tlie Cattleya house ane
needing plenty of water Avhile growing.

Cycnoches ciilorochilon. — This I have notec
in several collections this week, the varieties
diS'ering a little in size anel colour. The best
form I have seen is at Messrs. Veitch's, the
flo\\'ers being very large and the colour almost a
golden yellow on the broad segments. As usua!
when the individual lilooms are large but few are
])roduccd,the longer spikes having always smallei
flowers. C. chlorochilon likes a good substantia.
compost, a fair eiuantity of good sounel loam l.ieing
of assistance. It may be grown in baskets or pots^
these being well drained and clean. Plenty oi
heat anel moisture is necessarj' all through the
growing season, but during the winter the plants
must bo kept on the dry side. — R.

Coelogyne Sanderiana. — This species was
introilueeel about ten years ago by Messrs. Sandei
and Co., but does not appear to be very popular.
It is a fairly large grower, the blossoms appearinf
now from the side of the oval psevido-bulbs. Eacl
bears five or si.x flowers, whitish on the sepals ani
jietals, the lip pure white, with a yellow centn
and lines of reeldish brown. The foliage is hole
anel striking, anel when in gooel conelition it is one
of the most beautiful species in cultivation. Being
a native of some of the islanels about Ja\a close
to the Eepiator, it likes more heat than thf
majority of Cielogynes, and a shady moist house
suits it best.

Cattleya gigas. — Among a large number o
plants of this fine species noted dui-ing the la^i
few weeks at the principal nurseries there is coi.
siderable \ariety. C. g. Regina is a magnificen

AnousT 7, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

flower, the beautiful lip well shown owing to the
eflexeil iiutor segments. It is like imperialis in
shape, but more duiply tinted, while in C. g-
tnarginata a distinct margin of rosy-white sur-
rounds the deeper tint of the lip. C. g:. Sunderi-
una is another tino and better - known form, a
rather fancifully named one I came across bein;^'
called aurea owinj; to a more widely distributed
lilotch of yellow than usual. The species gene-
lally is in capital form this season, and each year
il seems to increase in finour.

Notes of the Week.

Sedum maximuta purpureum is now con-
spicuous among its tribe liy reason of its dark
purple leaves and tall growth. In the latter
respect it is nearly as vigorous as S. S])ectabile,
and the two l>y association could be made \ery
iH'ccti\e in the rock garden or border.

Rosa rugosa.— Two plants of this are just
now producing very tine large fruits. I have read
soniew here that they are eclible and make a good
l>reserve. I should be glad to know if any of
your readers have tried them and found them good
and wholesome. — Etstack F. C'i.akic.

Delphinium Willdenowi.— This is one of the
ihoieest of the single kinds, and produces fine
handsome spikes of clear briglit blue flowers, the
latter of a shade akin to those of the Io\'ely 1).
Uelladonna. The flowers are of a lustrous shining
1 line, a shade of colour that tells well in the garden.

Itea virginiana is a compact bush bearing
numerous spikes of white blossoms very freely
even on quite small plants. The plant when iii
good condition will reach from 4 feet to 0 feet
high, flowering abundantly. It is quite hard.\-
and deciduous, growing best in a bed of peat and
sandy loam.

Monarda didyma.— Apart from the pleasing
aroma arising from its leaN-es under friction, this
iproduces abundantly fine heads of scarlet flowers
^hat are a long time conspicuous in the garden,
^he ])lant is of the easiest culture, growing and
flowering freely in any garden soil. The above is
perhaps the best of all this group.

Anthericum graininifolium.— This has a

beauty of its omii in the border or even on the
Uiargins of sloping grassy banks. In any of these
Jpositions the profusion of its graceful spikes is
very pretty, with their succession of pure white,
though small blossoms. The plant does well in
juite ordinary soil if the latter is fairly good.

Carnation Edith Leadenham is perhaps one
of the finest pure white kinds in the border section
af these flowers. Rather taller in habit of growth
than many kinds is a good fault in the event of
hea\ y storms that frequently mar the beauty of
very pure flowers. It should make a very tine
?roup, and is certainly an acquisition to choice
whites.

Lilium nepalense. — This handsome Lily
ivlth yellow and black flowers was exhibited in
Bne condition at the Drill Hall a week ago by
Messrs. Low and Co., of Clapton. Thelinely
llowercd plants were (J feet or more high, and ili
company w ith the even more towering Trumpet
Lily, L. W'allichianum, made a most imjjosin"
lisplay. ^

Hibiscus coelestis is a handsome form of this
amily, with large blossoms of deep mauve that
ire the more conspicuous from tlie fact of their
iiaving a base of crimson-purple. Such showy
ilants are worth cultivating freely, particularlv
n isolated groups on the grass, or" the well-kept
ihrubbery could be made very showy by addin^ a
ew such things. "

Spiraea kamtschatica is perhaps one of the
jiants among herbaceous Spiraeas, and though not
ihowy, possesses an imposing apiiearance when
owering .several feet high. At the recent Drill
Hall meeting ilessrs. Paul and Son had examjjles
ff this. For marshy ground or the margin of the

lake it should prove of service. The examples in
(|iicstion were fully 7 feet high.

Ti-itoma pauciflora. — Though small and
scaT-ccly showy when comparc<l with the giant in-
floicsrenccs of this group in general, this plant is
still interesting by reasim of its pretty spik<w of
yellow cylindrieally formed flowers. In a choice
collection of rare plants this is worth growing, or
in the rock garden, but it will scarcely impress
one when seen oidy in solitary examples in the
border.

Heliopsis Pitcheriana. — This handsome
jilant, exhibited by Messrs. J'anl and Son recently
at the Royal Horticultural show, and de-
servedly given the award of merit, should prove
of considerable value in the garden. The blos-
soms, each 2 inches or ."{ inches across, of the
deepest golden orange, the ray florets firm, of
good substance, are freely borne on a bushy, com-
pact lialiit of growth.

Michauxia campanuloides. —This very pecu-
liar plant, though curious and interesting, is cer-
tainly not the useful subject that maybe expected
from descriptions of the plant. Tall almost to
ungainliness, it produces a thinly formed and
liranching inflorescence sometimes as high as
111 feet, but there is little beauty in the general
habit or character of the plant, and still less of
ntilit)- for the flower garden or border.

Veratrum nigrum. —Among fine-foliaged
plants this is now conspicuous. The handsome
foliage is quite exceptional in the garden, and when
in early summer the pyramidal head of blossom
api)ears it is quite a feature. For the wild gar-
den the Veratrums are well suited and require
but little care, being very hardy and vigorous.
They require establishing in a deep soil ''before
they llower well, when they attain some 5 feet or
so in height.

Eucryphia pinnatiiida.— The free-flowering
examples of this pUmt that are occasionally shown
by the Messrs. Veitch at the Drill Hall plainly
show the plant to be under their care at leas"t
vigorous and free flowering ; but to secure
plenty of flowers on this plant, a deep, fairly
rich soil and pure air appear almost if not (piite
essential. Well-flowered bushes of such things,
however, are not common, and its cultivation may
with advantage be consi<lerabIy extended.

Hunnemannia fumarisefolia.— Among half-
hardy annuals this member of the Poppy tribe is
now very showy. Its distinct habit of growth
and rather glaucous, triternate leaves make an
excellent setting for the clear yellow blossoms,
that are borne singly on the erect branching
stems. The plant requires a good rich soil to at-
tain perfection, and will grow to 2 feet high in
such and flower profusely. Seeds should be'sonn
abcnit February, and the plants be grown on in
frames till May.

Campanula carpatica pelviformis. —

Among the members of this numerous family
none are more distinct and worthy of general
culture than this, which is said to be a selected
seedling from C. turbinata. Instead of the well-
known flowers of this latter, however, the abo\e
[ilant produces immerous large blossoms, dee|)ly
saucer-shaped in form, in rather lax panicles on
freely branching stems, that are a foot or more
high in established plants. The above should be
found in every collection of good hardy plants,
for it is certainly one of the best of its class, and
both compact and free flowering. The blossoms,
caili about 2 inches across, are pale lilac.

Flowers in Hants.— The things look lovely
and such j)retty mixtures make themselves.
There was a Pyrus salicifolia, silverv leaf, into
which a yellow Silphium and a p'ink Spira'a
Xobleana had twined. Then a brilliant red Rose
Campion was peejjing through a Milkmaid Holly.
Potentilla Rollissoni is still in bloom. The double
pink Bramble and yellow .Japanese Honeysuckle
in a large mass at my entrance gate are admired
by the passers-by. Lonicera grata is lovi'ly, and
so is L. gigantea. Chelone barbata antwci'pcnsis
is magnificent. Hedychiura Gardnerianum is

lovely, and Melianthus m:ijor, I'latycodon Mariesi
about as handsome as anything. 1 have u Phyto-
la(!ca which seems better than P. decandra.
Asclepias cornuta is nice coming up through
shrubs. Veratrum nigrinn, S feet high, is splen-
did.—M. A. Roiir., I.iphn,,!;.

Androsace lanuginosa is now among the
more freely flowered of alpincs in the rock garden,
(ienerally speaking, it is not a |ilant that covers
much space owing to the trailing manner of its
growth, but where large ])lants exist or such as
were pinched at the point earlier in the .season, a
nunc spreading habit will ha\e been secured.
Best of all, however, is to plant the cuttings,
which root freely in sand, rather closely togetlier
in groups, so that they may grow and form one
large, important group. It may not be gene-
rally known that by a system of pruning back
the old stems to near the base each year a stronger
growth is secured, and as a result larger beads of
l)loom ; otherwise the rather elongated stems
assume a straggling form, and not unfrccpicntly
the blossoms suffer in proportion. This method
is suited to all the varieties of this kind. Seeds
should also be carefully preserved, for this is
an excellent mode of increasing these beautiful
plants.

Crinum Powelli album.— Among bulbous
plants and in those gardens where they are hardy
with only a minimum of protection nothing can
surpass this handsome kind. For the open gar-
den, however, it should only be planted in the
more sheltered positions, such, for example, as
against a greenhouse or a south wall. At the
present time at Kew are some of the handsomest
flowering groups we have seen. These are all
planted against the wall of the large Palm house at
either side the entrance. The position of course
is a most favoured one, yet it would be diflicult
to produce a finer group with the best culture in
a greenhouse. Some of the flowering scapes were
about .3 feet high, and bearing as many as
eighteen flowers in an umbel. These are of the
purest white and beautifully fragrant. Another
handsome group is of hybrid origin, the result of
crossing C. Moorei and C. capense. In this in-
stance the stems v^'ere nearly 4 feet high, and the
plants flowering freely made a really fine display
of what in tlie open garden cannot be called an
every-day occurrence.

Campanula isophylla alba.— Among hardy
plants of a trailing or drooping habit this lovely
form is almost, if not (juite, unique; indeed, no-
thing that we know can compare with the
abundance of its pure white blossoms [)roduce.l
on trailing stems upwards of 2 ieet in length.
Thus seen it is one mass of the purest white, and
(piite alone e\en in the much varied grou]) to
which it belongs. For the rock garden its trail-
ing masses of bloom are indispensable, while for
window boxes or hanging-baskets nothing can
eipuil it. Two-year-old plants flower earlier and
more abundantly than younger plants. The
typical species, C. isophylla, seems a scarce
plant, and one much more difficult to obtain true
to name, even where hardy plants are a feature.
The name is freely catalogued notwithstanding,
but the plant usuallv supjilicd is more nearly re-
lated to C. fragilis than the above. The forms of
C. fragilis are more procumbent in habit besides
being distinct in leaf and other points. For the
purpose here indicated the latter is also a much
inferior plant.

Pentstemon hybridum. — The hybrid forms
of this group that have originated from P. gen-
tianoides and other species are now among the
showiest plants in the garden, the flowers bright
and varied. At the K. U.S. recently Sir Trevor
Lawrence exhibited a fine assortment of these
useful plants as cut flowers. These were a
marked improvement upon the named varieties
of a few years since. Indeed, it appears somewhat
■a wa.ste of time, in a group so usually good, where
a reliable strain obtains, to go to the trouble of
naming at all, the more so when the merits of each
entitle one and all to e<pial recognition. For the
garden, however, they are invaluable, and as seed-

112

THE GARDEN.

[August 7, 1897.

ings may be sown and brought into flower in
sometiiing less than six months, it is scarcely
worth while to purchase so-called named varieties,
many of whicli are (juite inferior, and decidedly
less vigorous and free flowering than a large
majority of seedlings of a good strain. Seed may
be sown in January or February ])rior to planting
-in May ; meanwhile the ]jlants should be grown on
j|uickly and at the same time as hardilj' as is con-
sistent with discretion and good culture.

Olearia Haasti. — In many parts of the
country, even towards the south, this New Zea-
land composite was badly cut back during the
severe frosts of January and February, 1895.
Now, howe\'er, it has quite recovered and is at
the i^resent time finely in flower, some of the
bushes being completely covered with a sheet of
white blossoms. It is a really valuable shrub and
i|uite hardy in the home counties, except during
Avinters like that just mentioned, which, haiijiily,
occur but seldom. It is of neat rounded habit,
and its small Myrtle-like leaves are of a lustrous
dark green above and silvery grey beneath. With-
out considering its beauty as a flowering shrub,
it woidd be worth growing as a compact, dwarf,
and slow-growing evergreen, interesting also as
one of the comparati^'ely few liardy composites of
a woody nature. It bears its flowers in short
corymbose clusters 2 inches or more across, the
ray petals being few, but comparatix'ely large
and almost pure white. In New Zealand, where
it is a native of the mountains of the Middle
Island at altitudes of 4000 feet to 5000 feet, it
grows ultimately into a small bushy tree. It was
introduced by the Messrs. Veitch, of Exeter, in
18."iS.— B.

Hemerocallis aurantiaca. — Can any reader
of The Garden, speaking from experience, say
whether a plant bearing the abo\e name is in cul-
ti\ation in gardens generally or otherwise, and
where it may be obtained ? I am not now re-
ferring to the handsome kind which is known by
the name of major. Yet it is this very name that
would lead one to suppose the existence of a
typical species, and, indeed, such a plant has, I
believe, been described some j'ears since in a con-
temjiorary. Such a plant was doubtless described
from living specimens, and yet the curious puiL
is that no such plant appears to be known in
nurseries. Under the circumstances, one may be
right in inferring that only a small plant of the
typical species existed, and in some way or other
has ne\"er found its way into trade collections.
That such a ])lant wlien once introduced coidd be
lost entirely seems somewhat beyond reason in a
group like the Day Lily, so characteristically
vigorous. At the same time, there is the know-
ledge that sucli a plant existed years ago,
sufficiently distinct, too, to be worthy s].)ecific
rank, and yet unknown to our gardens. Years
ago such a plant would have enriched the genera
to which it belongs, but now the presence of the
major variety in a measure precludes this. At
the same time, any information as to the where-
abouts of the type, its habitat, or introduction
could not be without interest. Is it an overlooked
lilant in any botanic or private garden? — E.
Jenkins.

Cytisus nigricans. — Among tlie later flower-
ing Brooms — which, unfortunately, are not many
in number — none deserve a wider cultivation tlian
C. nigricans ; not one of them certainly remains
so long in bloom. Commencing to open its
flowers during June, it is in full beauty through
the entire montli of July, and even now in August
it has lost but little of its showiness. It bears
long, erect spikes, which commence to flower at
the bottom, and as the lower ones fade the upper
ones keep opening, so that a single spike may
liear fully-formed seed-pods, flowers and unex-
panded buds simultaneously. Some of the
longest spikes are 9 inches long, and the short-
stalked flowers, which all point downwards, are
of a clear bright yellow. The leaves are abun-
dant, dark green, and consist of three obovate
leaflets. The plants will attain from .3 feet to
6 feet in height if allowed to grow at v ill, but we
find it best to keep them comparati\ely dwarf

by cutting the shoots that are now liearing flowers
back to 2 inches next spring just as there are in-
dications of renewed activity. They flower on
the current season's growth, and the spikes are
larger than on unpruned j^lants. There is a
large bed in the arboretum at Kew that has been
in flower for six weeks past. The species comes
from the mountains of Central Europe, but al-
though it has been in cultivation since 1730, it is
not so often seen as its beauty, the length of
time it flowers, and especially the season at which
it is at its best would warrant. — B.

Romneya Coulteri. — About a year ago, dur-
ing a visit to the extensive and very interesting
nurseries of Messrs. Dickson, of Chester, I was
much struck by the fine stock of tliis Californian
Poppywort. It appears to thrive there outside in
jierfection, certainly better than I liad seen it
anywhere so far north, although in Devon and
Cornwall it maj' be seen equally fine. Wlien at
its best it makes a really magnificent and striking
shrub. One of the plants at Chester, if I re-
member rightly, was a spreading, loose-growing
bush 6 feet or 7 feet high, and had liorne several
dozens of flowers open at one time. The species,
however, is rare, and has never got a real foot-
hold in English gardens. It is scarcely hardy in
most parts of the country without Minter pro-
tection, and when grown permanently under
glass it grows lank}' and does not flower freely —
at least in my expei'ience. Its stems are her-
baceous and of a glaucous colour : the leaves also
are glaucous, 3 inches to 5 inches long, deeply
lobed, and have a few bristly hairs at the margins
and on the stalks. The flower is very showy,
being 0 inches across, with six pure white petals,
lieautifully crimped, surrounding a large spherical
tuft of yellow stamens ; it has a sweet and very
pleasing odour. The species, which is the only
one in the genus, was discovered by Dr. Coulter
about fifty-three years ago in the San Diego
County of California, where it occurs near the
borders of streams. The generic name com-
memorates Dr. Romney Robinson, astronomer at
Armagh in those days. Some small plants are iii
flower now at Kew. — B.

Amorplia canescens. — In the United States
this little shrub is known as the Lead Plant,
a name which it has obtained from the belief once
held that its presence indicated the existence of
lead in the soil. It bears but little resemblance
superficially to the better-known A. fruticosa. be-
ing a dwarf shrub ranging from 2 feet to 4 feet
high, and very distinct on account of the dull
silvery hue of its foliage. The branches are erect,
and except in mild winters die back to the ground
each year : the_v are abundantly furnislied with
the finely pinnate leaves, and covered with a' short
soft jjubescence. The flower-spikes are borne at
the ends of the branches and in the axils of the
leaves near, forming one large, compound raceme,
which is 8 inches or more long and about half as
much in diameter. The flowers are small, but
very numerous, and the purplish-blue colour con-
trasts well with the grey and minutely divided
foliage. The plant belongs to the leguminous
family, but, as in all the Amorphas, the flower
consists of the standard petal only ; those parts of
the corolla which in the papilionaceous section of
the family are known as the keel and wings are
altogether absent. The species lias a wide dis-
tribution on the eastern side of North America,
and extends from the region of the Red River in
Canada to the Southern United States as far as
Florida. It is not easy to propagate except by
seeds, and in this country it flowers rather late
for it to ripen them regularly every year, but
during the last few hot seasons it has done so. It
is naturally a deep rooting [ilant, and will stand
drought better than most hardy shrubs. — B.

■ The Messrs. Veitch showed this beautiful

deciduous shrub in ca]iital form at the last Drill
Hall meeting of the Royal Hoiticultural Society.
It is a very graceful plant, of 3 feet or 4 feet high
usually, the frail twigs being freely covered with
pinnate leaves, and producing numerous violet-
coloured Heath-like blossoms in rather dense
picate racemes.

Public Gardens.

New open space at Hampstead.— T

London County Council has just completed t
purchase of Fortune (Ji ecu, West Hampstet
which is to be used as a recreation ground,
iSOOO. The green comprises about three acres
be maintained as an open space by the Han
stead Vestry, which has agreed to contribi
£3000 towards the purchase, a similar sum havi
been given by the Council, and the remaind
raised by subscription.

Wandsworth recreation ground. — (

Friday last, at a meeting of the AVandswoi
Vestry, Dr. T. A. I. Howell read a letter fn
Dr. Longstaft' announcing that he would hi
much pleasure in giving a sum of £.5000 towai
the £liOOO required to complete the purchase o
large tract of land in the Putney Bridge Road
playing fields for \\'andsworth. Dr. Howell ■
plained that the land was over nineteen acres
extent and had a frontage to the river of nea
1500 feet. The purchase price was £31,300, a
of this amoimt the London County Council 1
voted £15,500, while the Wandsworth Disti
Board had voted a sum of £10,000 towards
purchase. The balance therefore left was abi
£6000. Now that Dr. Longstaif had given th
the handsome sum of £5000 the\' only requi
£1000 to complete the matter, and ho felt co
dent that they would soon get that amount.

Kew Gardens. — Mr. Akers - Douglas
Friday last received a deputation from the Ri
mond Town Council to urge upon him the de
ability of throwing open Kew (iardens to
public on week-days. Mr. AkersDouglas,
reply, while promising to give the views of
deputation careful consideration, held out
hope of their re(]uest being complied w
Subsequently, the First Commissioner of Wc
received a deputation on the same subject fi
the Kew (Iardens Earlier Opening Commit
A petition signed by 5000 memorialists from
parts of the kingdom in favour of the conces:
was handed in. Mr. Akers-Douglas, replyin;
the deputation, said the raixon d'iti-e of the es
ence of Kew Gardens was the valuable sciem
work it did, and he could not be expected to
anything in the way of extending the hours (
ing which the gardens were open to the gen
public if it would interfere with that work,
financial question did not weigh with him at
for if he were convinced that the interest;
science would not suffer by the earlier oper;;
he should endeavour to persuade the Treasur |i
grant any extra money required. The sole q ■
tion for consideration was whether the interest 1
science could be combined with the desire of :
people for the earlier opening, and he regret:!
to say that the scientific men whose opinions!
had obtained were entirely opposed to the ] •
posal. From a scientific point of view the i-
periment had not been a success in Edinbm ,
and they had no reason to anticipate any bei '
result at Ke«'.

Koyal appointment. — We learn that
Henry George Smyth, of (ioldsmith Street, Div'
Lane, has been appointed by royal warrant he -
cultural sundriesman to Her Majesty. This.iJ
believe, is the first apjiointment of the kindwl '
has been nuide.

Royal Horticultural Society.— The t'
fruit and floral meeting of the Royal Horti '•
tural Society will be held on Tuesday, Augustl'i
in the Drill Hall, James Street, \\'estminfi'i
1 to 5 p.m. A lecture on " Cross Fertilisatiojif
Florists' Flowers '' will be given at 3 o'cloek|y
Mr. .Tames Douglas.

Names of plants. — Hennj Baines.—l, Eiji
Ionia sp. ; 2, Olearia Haasti ; 3, Iciu'a Heleninm.i"
Q. A. — The Plume Poppy (Bocconia eordata). j

Names of fruit. — ^4. J. M. — Rubus laeiniatui

TilB] C3-^K/3DEn^-

So. 1343— Vol. LTI.]

[AUGUST 14, 1897.

Ill . .

rchldt :-

Aorides artiiio

lllotiH Sho]'hcrvli .. ..
Itullwphyllmu t-laptoiu
Ciitasot^rm Christyiiiuuu
CtitUeyii suihtIhi .. ..
Kpidendrmn iioniomle
(Jraninmtui.Iiylhmi Klli

iLiulitl I.iiiilk'yaiia .. ..

lOneidimii phynmtnchilu
Ort-liids, staging . .

irhiilwiiopHis violai'L'ii

il'hiilasiiopsids at ('Ia]itoi

ll'ilmnim fruKimis . ,

jSubmlia xanrliuKufu . .
rtriciiliiria Endrtt^i

IVanda I'arishi

I

'otes of the Week :—

Astilbe Thunl>ergi

Uiicconia fiirilata . .
iCitntpanuIa Silifiulizeri alba
Cjiiiii>;iiiul:i \.\.u Hi'iittci
Carnatinii Andrew N<il)le ..
Carnation Mrs. F. Gifford . .
Crinum longifulivmi . . . .

114
114
114
114
113
114
113
114
113
113
114
114
113
lU
114
114

Echinacea purpurea .. 11. '•

Erytliriua crisla-j^'ulli . . . . 11.'.

Fi^', the (.'ruepiiif,', in fniit.. 11"'

(Icntiana .suiitcnitida . . ,. llf)

GIiiric>sa superha lliJ

Hymenocallis Macleana .. 115
Lilium platyphylhuu vir-

ginale 115

Nympheea Marliacea flani-

niea IIT)

Pelargonium King uf Den-
mark II.'.

Ronineya Coulteri , 1 1 o

Tritoma Solfaterre . . . . 115

Verbena Tresservo 11.'.

Ferns :—

Adiantums, suiue new.. .. llii
Park and Woodland:-

Woods, German 116

Fornst, (Jmntui, in a. Eiiuc

of a char cut 117

Forest, in a Gt:nuan. On-

fall taken out 1U»

Forest, Gtnnan, in a. Tr-cn

not Vet thLnnc<t 117

(Illustrations in Italics,)

Kltohen :—

Ucans, French, in autumn. , 120

Cabbage sprouts 120

Culcrvflv. tho 110

Cc)Iew..rt. the Hosette .. ,. 110

CucumbLT.s failing 110

Tea Danby .Stratagem .. .. 110
Pea Walker's Perpetual

Bearer 120

Peas, notes on 118

Spinch The Carter 110

Tomato Scnsatiun 110

Tomatoes, early-fruiting .. I'JO

Tomatoes trained uji strings 119

Stove and Greenhouse:—

Coronilla glauca 122

Plumbago capensis . . .. 122

Rondeletia speciotfa . , . . 121

Swainsonia galegifolia alba 122

Vallota purpurea 122

Garden Flora :~

Cri,u'.,> rt,f,.n.'<f 123

Vi'ininii Moot'ii album .. 122

Criuum Sanderianum . . . . 122

Week's Work: -

Fruit houses, work in .. .. l'J3

Kitchen garden, work iu the 123

Flower :—

Carnatiuii notes fmm Wok-
ing 125

Carnations at Montague

Nursery, Tottenham .. 126
Hemerocallis aurautiaca

type 126

Iris macrosiphon 126

Iris macrosipkon 126

Lobelias, herbaceous . . . . 124

Lupines, Tree 124

Pansies, Tufted 124

Pentstemons 1 25

Plants, hardy, notes on . . 125

Poppies, Iceland 127

Xeranthemiims, annual .. 127

Orchard and Fruit :-

Fruit-tree budding
lia/'pberr)/ Oirttr'x Prolific

127 1

128 ^

RaapbciTies 12**

Htrawberrio?, a bati;h of now 127

Societies:—

Midland Carnation and Pico-

teo i:!0

Royal Horticultural .. .. 130

Public Gardens:—

Kew Gardens, opening of .. 132

Obituary :—

Sutton, Mr. Alfred .. .. 132

Miscellaneous :~

Daboecia polifulia 122

Farmers and gardeners,

orders of merit tor .. .. HtJ
Gardens, market, noting of

glasshouses in 120

.luly in South Devon .. •- 120

Vitis heterophylla vai-iegata 118

Weather iu West Herts .. 132

Orchids.

STAGING ORCHIDS.

jHE apjie.-iraiK-e of Orchids and also their
fell-being vuider cultivation are much affected
ly the way they are |>laced in the houses. In
iiany structures that are unsuited for them they
iiay, if judiciou.sly arranged in suitable posi-
iions, make much better jirogress than if set up
ki a promiscuou.s style, as is unfortunately too
iften done. Many houses are built too narrow
[o allow of a central stage, or, rather, headroom
II get round it, and in consequence the staging
s placed on either side of the central walk, a
pipital plan for small plants of such as Odon-
loglots, Masdevallias, Oncidiums, and many
^thers, but one fraught with a great deal of
Jiconvenience when a collection of plants of
ariou.s sizes has to be arranged. If one
rranges the larger jilants of such kinds as
'attleyas and Ljelias along the front, it is diffi-
rult to get behin<l them in order to deal with
inialler plants : while, on the (ither hand, if tho
Urge ones are at the back, they keep the light
U-ay from smaller ones. It is dithcult to know
flow to an-ange such houses, and the best way
san intermediate plan. Place one large plant in
I position suitiilile to it and arrange smaller ones
round it, those liking a shady position being
:ept to tlie front where the large .specimen in a
ueasure sliades them, the kinds that like more
ight being placed beliind, where, owing to the
;lope of the roof, they are nearer the glass.

E"he individ\ial large specimens will not be
.xactly in a line, but placed alternately, so that
:very one keeps a minimum of light from those
round it.

A much better arrangement can be etlected
vhere there is a central stage with small side
tages around it. Here positions may be chosen
0 .suit plants of .all kinds, from the .shade-
oving Cielogyne.s, Cymbidiums, Lycastes and
-"ypripeiliums to such as Dendroljes and Sacco-
ivbiums, that delight in sun.shine almost un-
lloyed. Small plants in most cases need to be

elevated a little, not only on account of light,
but because it is very difficult to damp between
them with the .syringe without wetting the sur-
face compost continually. This causes it to be
moist when the time for watering comes round,
the plants are missed, and the lower part of the
compost and roots go on getting drier until
the jilant sutlers. The pieces of lattice-work
raised above the s<ilid jiortion of the stage are
good if only small plants are cultivated, but
where small and large are grown together it
reduces the head room, a better plan in this
case being to set the large plants down on the
shingle or slate and put the smaller ones on in-
verted pots. All plants suspended from the
roof, whether in pots, baskets or on blocks,
ought to be hung just over a path or a water
tank, never over other ]ilants if it can by any
means be avoided. It is a bad plan to hang
them from eyes driven or screwed into the
raftei-s unless the latter are provided with drip
grooves. A better plan is to run a wire or
small rod the whole length of the house and
hang the plants to this. Every plant, in what-
ever position, should have sufhcient room about
it to allow of its being turned round for
examination, and, where possible, no one plant
should be allowed to touch its neighbour. Such
things as Panicunis, Tradescantias and small
Ferns are often planted about Orchid houses to
a very injurious extent, harboiu-ing insects and
keeping the air from circulating freely about the
Orchids. A few cuttings of Panicum dibbled
into the shingle on the stage do no harm if not
allowed to get too large, but when it comes t(j
hardy and cool greenhouse Ferns growing in
tropical houses, it is carrying tlie thing too far.
Many a troublesome attack i>f black thrips
among Orchids may be traced to tliis practice.

Oncidium phymatochilum. — Under the
bead of Orchids in the issue of .July 10, Oncidium
phymatochilum is mentioned at Sir. Bull's with
the spikes rising to the beio;ht of 18 inches. It
may interest your readers to know that I flowered
a spike 9 feet 7 inches long— the longest side

branch 2 feet 8 inches, and from tip to tip of
basal side branches 5 feet ; there were thirty-eight
side branches of inflorescence. It was shown at
the last meeting of the Royal Botanic Society
of Edinburgh.— Sir A. B. Hepburn, Eaxt Lothian,
N.B.

Grammatophyllum Ellisi. — This is not so
large growing as some of tlie other species, but as
handsome as any when in flower. The pseudo-
bulbs seldom exceed a foot in height, the leaves
rather longer, and the flowers, thirty and upwards
together, occur on an arching raceme. The sepals
and petals are yellow with brown blotches, the lip
rosy white, and the. whole flower has a shining
varnished appearance. Being a native of Mada-
gascar, plenty of heat and moisture is necessary,
and the plants need only be shaded from the very
brightest sun. Tlie plants are very free rooting,
and may be grown in peat fibre and Sphagnum,
with good drainage. Plenty of water while grow-
ing and a distinct resting season are necessary to
ensure their flowering.

Cattleya superba.-This fine plant is again
in flower, but the growth this season is not so
hard looking and solid as I like to see it, and cul-
tivators must be careful to allow plenty of sur-
shine from now onwards. Often while in flower,
if the plants are removed to a drier atmosphere,
a certain degree of ri|jening goes on that is bene-
ficial, and tends, too, to conserve the flowers.
The flowers are of medium size, very bright and
eflective in colour, and occur on spikes of about four
or five from the top of the bulbs. To grow this
fine Cattleya, plenty of heat and moisture and a
light position are necessary, and the roots must
not be disturbed oftener tlmn necessary. Tco
large pots or pans are a great mistake, and a well-
known and successful cultivator recommends
growing the plants on blocks of Tree Fern stemr.
C. superba is a native of some of the warmest
parts of South America, and was introduced in
18.38.— H.

Pilumna fragrans.— This is very erratic in
its time of tlowering, but the pretty and fragrant
blossoms are always welcome. The pseudo-bulbs
are very much flattened, deep green, the foliage
thick and almost leathery in texture. The spikes,
which sjiring from the base of the last-formed
pseudo-bulbs, are erect and carry about half a

114

THE GARDEN.

[August 14, 1897.

dozen pure white blossoms with a dense orange-
yellow eye. The plants when newly imported are
not difficult to establish, but when they get out
of condition under cultivation, more trouble will
be found to get them to start again. Often when
I ha\e ijurchased plants from nurserymen or at
sales I liave found when examining them that
they have not a single living root, owing to the
compost ha\ing become sour. This is of course
a serious drawback, and .should be prevented by
using the best of material only when potting and
watering judiciously, yet freelj'. Good drainage
is required, and everytliing about the plants must
be clean. It thrives well in the cool house if
carefully treated, but is jjerhaps safer in a house
a few degrees warmer. No dry rest is necessary,
though of course during winter the plants will
not dry so quicklj' and will consequently reed
less water.

Vanda Parishi. — This plant has not the grace
and elegance of some of the other Vandas, but is
a distinct and beautifid plant notwithstanding.
In habit it is dwarf and stout, the oblong leaves
very thick and leathery, the bloom spikes much
stiller than usual in the genus, and containing
fewer, but larger flowers. In the typicid form
these are each 2 inches across, the sepals and
petals yellowish, thickly covered with reddish
brown spots, the lip white, marked with orange
and pink. To grow V. Parishi well, a fairly large
receptacle is needed, as the roots are easily
sna[iped if much bent about, and seem to delight
in growing in straight lines. Clean Sphagnum
Moss is the best material to grow it in, adding to
this enough broken charcoal and ballast to keep
the whole porous. It may he repotted in early
spring, as less damage will 1 le done to the roots at
this time than when the latter are in acti\'e
growth. Plenty of heat, plenty of light and a
moist, well-balanced atmosphere it delights in,
these conditions cau.sing the emission of line
healthy roots in the atmosphere and a satisfactoi-y
state of health all round. In a cool or drauglitj'
house it is ]jerhaps more likely than almost any
other species to be attacked by spot. \'. Parishi
was originally discosered by the Rev. C. S. Parish,
who found it in Moulmein in 1862. It was not,
however, until someyears later, when Messrs. Hugh
Low and Co. imported it, that it became known to
Orchid cultivators in this country.

UTRICULAKIA ENDREHI.
The Bladderworts are such interesting and grace-
ful-looking plants that is ditticult to account for
their scarcity in gardens. One may go into scores
of places and not see a plant of any of them ; con-
sequently a fine basketful of the pretty species
named abo\'e came as a pleasant surprise recently.
The scapes contain aliout half a dozen flowers of
a delicate lilac tint, and the stems or jjedieels
being so very slender, these appear to be floating
in the air. U. Endresi is not by any means a
difficult plant to grow, but, like so many things
of a like nature, it is apt to be forgotten when
the leaves have fallen in winter. The rhizomes
and roots have nothing in them to allow of the
compost being kept dry for any length of time,
and if this drying otf is practised it will assuredly
mean their ruin. Keep the material about the
roots just moist — not wet — during the time the
plants are resting. This keeps the buds at the
end of the rhizomes plump and ensures their
starting strongly in spring. The best material
to grow this plant in is a similar compost to that
used for the usual run of pseudo-bulbous Orchids.
Sphagnum Moss three parts and an elastic
fibrous peat one part, with finely-broken crocks
.and charcoal in abundance, will grow it admir-
ably, and the less the roots are pulled about the
better. When well started into growth in spring,
a free supply of soft water is necessary, and from
this time onward until the foliage begins to
turn the roots must be kept wet. I am not sure
that hard water injures the plant itself ; only in-
directly by spoiling the Sphagnum around the
roots. .V shady corner — over a water-tank if pos-
sible— is the best place to grow it, and as it re-

quires stove-heat, the East India Orchid house
will suit it admirably. But though it likes shade,
it is not so satisfactory if placed a long way
from the glass as it is hung up within a couple of
feet of the roof. In winter it is safe in a house
that does not fall below GO', and at this time as
much air as possible should be allowed. R.

EPIDENDRUM NEMORALE.

Ix its best forms this species is worthy cjf a
place in the most select collections. The habit
is somewhat peculiar, the pseudo-bulbs being
only a few inches high, yet bearing very long
bright green leaves, each about an inch or less
in width. The scapes are often '2 feet high, the
ui)i)er portion closely studded with the pretty
reddish uiauve blossoms, the narrow sepals and
petals and broader lip being siinilai- in ground
colour, the latter much overlaid with lines of a
deeper purplish tint. It makes a fine shi:)w wlien
well grown, but requires a certain amount of
care. The roots require fairly liberal treatment,
but at the same time are easily injured by any
excess of moisture or closeness in the compost.
The drainage on this account must be excep-
tionally good and protected by a layer of rough
Moss, over which a couple of inches of compost
are ample, this consisting of the best (juality peat
fibre and Sphagnum Moss. In removing the
old material from about the roots care is
necessary that these are not damaged or dis-
turbed more than is absolutely necessary. In
fact, the first sign of failing witli this
fine species has often been wlien rejiotting,
and when once it is severely checked it is
n(.) ea.sy matter to bring it round again. The
plant is not always constant in its habits of
growing, resting, or blooming, and tlie time for
repotting must to a certain extent be left for
individual consideration. But it is better in
all cases to be early rather tlum late, and thus
to give the plants the best possible cliance of
getting well established before the winter, when
scarcity of light and oftentimes unsuitable at-
mospheric conditions militate against its well-
being. During this latter season it is best
grown in a house where plenty of light reaches
the plants all round and where the air currents
are free. Even in summer it is surprising how
little shading is required provided the plants
are healthy and well watered and the atmo-
sphere kept moist. Some plants I have seen
do well in a cool house, but as a rule the Cat-
tleya house, or at all events the Mexican house,
suits it best. Endeavour to consolidate the
growth as it is made rather than rusli into
(luick changes of atmosphere and temjierature.
If a good solid growth is made and the plants
kept clean and healthy, it can hardly fail to
bloom profusely, the fragrant blossoms lasting
well over a long period. E. nemorale is some-
times known as E. verrucosum, owing to the
warty appearance of the flower-stems, but the
true E. verrucosum is a little-known and in-
ferior plant from Jamaica. The subject of
this note is an old sjiecies, having first been
imported in 1843 by Messrs. Loddiges. Its
native home is a wide area in Mexico, where it
is found growing im tlie tallest trees. H.

Phalsenopsis violacea. — This pretty plant I
have noted in several collections this \veek, the
whitish purple-tinted blossoms having a fine and
distinct appearance. It is one of the most free-
blooming of Orchids, and should be grown by all.
It is a dwarf plant with bright green lea\-es,'each
about 8 inches in length, and requires care to grow
it well. The best position for it is in baskets not
far from the roof glass in a hot, moist house, and
the leaves must be shaded from bright sunshine.
It comes from Sumatra and has been known since

1859, but it did not flower in England until 187f
— R.

Aerides affine. — Several nice specimens (
the true type of this plant are now to be seen a
Clapton, the long pointed racemes of flower bein
very attractive. It is a dwarf-growing plan!
easily distinguished from other Aerides by tlj
colour of the flowers, a pretty bright purple-rost
and the shape of the lip. It is often met wit
under the name of A. multiflorum. Though pn
^■iously known, ilessrs. Loddiges, of Hackne.\
first flowered this species in 1837.

Bulbophyllum claptonense. - Under tli
name there is a very di.stinet looking Bulbo]jhyllui
in Iiloom with Messrs. Hugh Low and Co. 1
habit it comes nearest to B. Lobbi, but the flowei
are larger and the plants stronger in growtl
The scapes bear a large number of blooms, tL
sepals and petals being a brownish yellow, with
good many lines of dark sepia-brown. The liii
reddish purple in front, the centre yellow and tl
margin rose — a peculiar, but not unattracti\
combination.

Catasetum Cliristyanuin. — All the Catati
tums are quaint and interesting Orchids, and th
s|>ecies now in flower with .Messrs. Hugh Low an
Co. is no exception to tlie rule. It is a stoi
grower, the pseudo-bulbs tapering upwards, bea
ing fine deep green foliage. The flower-spike
erect, carrying over a dozen blooms, the sepals an
petals of which are chocolate-brow'n. The lip
of the usual structure, with sensitive horns nei
the column, and in colour a bi-ight green an
purple.

Bletia Shepherdi. — One of the oldest Orchit
in cultivation, this is still well worth a place, an
1 ha\ e noticed its brilliant flowers in several collei
tions latel}'. It blooms at various seasons, the bio
soms occurring on tall erect scapes, each one ahoi
a couple of inches across, bright reddish-purp
with deeper crest and a yellow centre to the li|
It is of the easiest culture, requiring only
moderate heat and to be grown as strongly ;
possible. After flowering the foliage soon shov
signs of decay, when the pots may be turned oi
of doors and kept a little on the dry side unt
again starting into growth.

Sobralia xantholeuca. — The blossoms i
this Orchid are fairly large, the colour a level
combination of yellow and white, the centre (
the lip being the deepest part. Dwarf in habil
free-flowering, and easily grown, it has but on
fault, that is the fleeting character of the flower:
In the small-flowering house at Messrs. Veifcch'
it is now quite a feature blooming alongside £
Lucasiana, S. Wilsoni, S. V'eitchi, and severa
others. The last-named is a lovely form with pur
white sepals and petals, tlie lip yellow in th
centre, white around the outside with a fain
flushing of violet-rose on the margin.

Iiaelia Lindleyana. This distinct and rar
species was recently in bloom at Messrs. Hugl
Low and Co.'s ruirsery at Clapton. It grow
about 1 foot high, producing from the apex of thi
terete [iseudo-bulb a scape usually containing
one flower only. This is about 4 inches across j
the segments narrow and pointed, giving thi!
flower a star-like appearance ; the lip white, witl;
a [lurple blotch on the middle lobe, this beingj
also spotted with a dcejier tint. It requireti
Cattleya house treatment, and does best in rather
small pots. Its native habitat is Santa Caterina,
in Brazil, whence it was first introduced in 1857.

Phalaenopsids at Clapton.— In a large, low'
span-roofed structure at Messrs. Hugh Low and!
Co."s nursery at Clapton there is a very large;
stock of Phalaenopsids in all the leading varieties..
Not many plants were in bloom at the time of
my visit, but the appearance of the plants is
abundant testimony tliat their wants are well
known and catered for. Fine pieces of P-
amabilis had made remarkably fine growth, and
this as well as P. violacea, P. intermedia and P.
rosea were in bloom. The beautiful foliage of P.
Schilleriana and P. Stuartiana was in good form,
while the roots of all were very vigorous and

AoGDST 14, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

115

ctive. Hybrid raising was KO'"K °" briskly,
svenil of tlie iilaiits liaviiif; anivoil at lloweriiif;
ize, wliilc liiiTubeds of smaller ones arc in every
:age of develo]iineiit. K.

Notes of the Week.

Pelargonium King of Denmark. — This
ind ])roini.«es to ]iiove of (■(iiisi<leiable value in
lie giu-deti, tlie liaiidsome trusses of deep salmoii-
'ink flowers beiiiir (iroduced in large numbers.
n a cut state it is also most efl'ective.
I Tritoma Solfaterre. — Though distinct from
Jio majority of this tine group, this is scarcely
I plant for etteetive gardei\ing, the Howers of a
ale greenish white or creamy tint, together with
[■sdwarfer habit, being (piite inconspicuous.

I Verbena Tresserve. — This is the name of a
lery pretty and showy \'erbena exhibited this
leek at the Drill Hall'by Mr. .1. T. Bennett-Poe.
n colour it is very attractive, being of a clear
iLse-scarlet shading to white in the centre. The
l0^ve^-heads are of medium size, and in a mass
|ery blight and cheerful looking.
, Crinum longifolium. -This very neat species
his noted recently in flower at Kew adjacent to
|ie large Palm bouse. The flowers are white
[itha flush of pink externally, and freely pro-
juced in umbels, the perianth tube, as also the
ijotstalk, being rather more than usually elon-
ated, and the nearly erect blossoms very pleasing
1 form.

Carnation Mrs. F. Gifford.— Despite the
lict that the petals of this variety are slightly
1-inged— in other respects, c.ij., its tine form, pure
Lhite petals, and remarkable size and fragrance —
t promises to be a most useful variety for cutting
r for the border. For such free- flowering and
ragrant whites there is yet abundant room in
iny garden.

i Carnation Andrew Noble. — One of the im-
ii'ovements in the Carnation tliat the florist has
xed his mind upon recently is that all the petals
liall be as nearly uniform in size as possible
hroughout the flower, an ideal that the above
ariety appears perfectly to attain. In other
espects also it is a Hne Carnation, particularly
1 its size and the salmon-rose tint of its flowers.

Astilbe Thunbergi. — The large, slightly
jrching jjlumes of creamy white flowers charac-
leristic of this jilant are now very showy among
^ood herbaceous plants. Of a jierfectly hardy,
igorous, and free growing character, this band-
;ome perennial should be freely employed, not
nly in the border or rock garden, but in semi-
(|uatic and moist positions where such things
sually attain their fullest development. In
eavy, moisture-holding soils these Astilbes are
wnerally a success.

I Campanula Soheuchzeri alba.— This is a
apital kind that is only rarely given in lists, and
till more rarely is it seen true to name. At first
ight the blo;soms are not unlike those of C.
btuiulifolia alba, though rather larger and
lightly bolder in the bells. In habit the plant is
istinct, growing when established about IS
pches high, and producing freely its pure \vhite
ells in profusion. The rather narrow linear
^aves, as also the stems, have a close pubescence
iy which it may be distinguished at a glance.

Echinacea purpurea is now a striking piece
: colour almost unicjue in the garden just now.
.s fine tufts, :) feet high or more, self-sup-
arting by reason of the line habit of growth, and
■owned with the large, handsome rosy-purple
lossoms, are not easily matched in the garden at
lis time. Not the least valued of many tine
lints is the well-balanced and branching
laracter of the flower-stems, the latter erect,
afy and rigid, and supporting large numbers
flowers. .\t the present moment it is one of
le inost desirable of hardy flowering plants, ex-
iedingly fine in the general effect and conspicu-

1

Besides this, the jilant
Plume Poppy) is now

ous at some distance
flowers abumlantly.

Bocconia cordata (tl
u St liking object in the border. Individually the
blossoms are small and by no means of a striking
colour. On the other hand, however, where many
of its large terminal inflorescences are seen
together the efl'ect is excellent. The foliage alone
is handsome, and when the groups are placed on
a sUiping gras.sy bank in proximity to the rock
gai-den, the plant will hold its own against many
far more costly things by reason of its beautiful
foliage. This is always seen to liest advantage
when planted in a group on the grass.

The Creeping Fig in fruit. I am sending a
fruiting branch of Fieiis repcns. This is from a
plant growing under glass. A few years ago it
threw out strong shoots from the top, and has
fruited this year for the first time ; the rest of the
l)lant is still small in leaf and clings to the wall,
I may mention that there is a plant here which
has been growing out of doors for the last ten
years or more. I am also sending some flowering
sprays of the Eucalyptus Cunni, or what I believe
to lie that. We have two plants in a shrubliery,
but only one has flowered. They seem to be quite
hardy, as they have been growing for the last five
years or more, and so have survived some exce))-
tional winters. — D.\^•I^;L C. A. C.iVE, Sii/hiiri/
Mdiiof, Sidmoii/h.

Lilium platyphyllum var. virginale.—
There are few Lilies that can in any way compare
with this noble and chaste variety of the well-
known L. auratum. The giant flowers of L.
virginale are without a spot of any kind, the
segments very massive and pure in tone, a fact
only enhanced by the creamy-yellow band that
runs through the centre of the petals. In common
with L platyphyllum, there is an increased vigour
in the above kind, which, coupled with its hand-
some pure white flowers, can scarcely be excelled.
As a pot plant in limited quantity in the conser-
vatory, or in groups among the Rhododendrons in
the garden, this nolile kind is worthy attention.
It was well shown by Messrs. Wallace at the Drill
Hall on Tuesday last.

Hymenocallis Maoleana. — Among many
interesting bulbous plants flowering in the open
near the Palm house at Kew is this charming
sjiecies, which may be recognised as Ismene
Macleana by some readers of Thk Garden. It is
a beautiful species, and would j^rove most wel-
come for its blossoms could the latter be produced
in (juantity with some degree of certainty. The
outer segments are [jure white, tube greenish,
excepting the tip, which is also white, thus pro-
ducing a very pretty effect. The plant is nearly
hardy, and may be well grown if planted out in a
frame or handlight. Indeed, a small frame filled
with this and similar plants would pro\ ide a
variety of interesting material during the year if
a careful selection were made.

Gentiana septemfida. — .4mong the summer-
flowering (Jentians this is always very fine, and
at the same time duly aijpreciated. Large
examples, however, despite the fact that it is
easily cultivated, and that it may also be raised
somewhat freely from seeds, are not common.
This species is well suited to the rock garden,
where a deep crevice of very rich sandy loam
.should be given it. The position .should be rather
moist, or, failing this, water should be freely
given during the season of growth. For two or
three weeks this lovely species has given freely of
pretty pale blue and white blossoms, the segments
of the latter crested internally in the most pleas-
ing manner. The plant is of somewhat jirocum-
lient habit and produces its nearly cylindrical
liliissoms in terminal clusters,

Nymphsea Marliacea flammea is another
of the splendid series of Marliac hybrids that are
being so well received in this country, and at the
same time honoured as they justly deserve with
the highest possible awards. The above kind, ex-
hibited before the Royal Horticultural Society on
Tuesday last, obt.iined a first-class certificate, the
flowers being of medium size and of a reddish-

p'U'ple shade, varying in intensity with the age of
the nlossoms. Such distinct and striking patches
of colour will atlbrd great contrasts in the future
in our ornamental lakes and ponds, and to tlioso
who desire their young plants to make t lie greatest
headway, it may be well to suggest tliat the
flower-buds be gathered as soon as they appear,
thus concentrating for a year or two all tjie
energies to developing larger [ilants.

Romneya Coulteri, — In reference to
" S. W. F.'s" interesting article on the Romneya
Coulteri, I nni jileased to say this beautiful plant
so rarely met with does well here. I phinted one
about four years ago, and it has (low ered cn cry
year since, but this year it has been exceptionally
tine, as many as nine blooms being fully expanded
at one time. As it is planted in the open I pro-
tect it through the winter months by placing a
layer of coal ashes with a dusting of lime over
tlie surface, and then thatch the whole of the
plant with straw. This is done in November and
reino\ed in April, when it commences growth.
In this way it came safe through the severe
winter of 1894-0, when on one occasion we had
3(i° of frost. I noticed Messrs. Dickson's had a
nice group of this beautiful plant in pots at the
Chester show. — O. J. Syriuus, Llrniijiibryn
Uarfhihs^ X. Walls.

Gloriosa superba. .As a trailing or climbing
plant for the greenhouse this is one of the most
worthy. It is generally an easily managed jjlant,
though one or two points are perhaps essential in
its cultivation. These are a good open compost
of fibrous peat and loam, rather rough in both in-
stances, and careful treatment in the early stages,
('.('., when starting the plants into growth. In-
deed, like many other things having fleshy,
tuberous or bulbous roots, <iuite a little moisture
will be found sufficient till growth has become
(|uite active. At no time w ill the plant bear ex-
cessive supplies of moisture, and to prevent this
plenty of drainage should be given. This, com-
bined with warm greenhouse treatment and frc-
(pient use of the syringe till the near approach of
flowering, will help to keep insects in check.
There is something very ornamental as well as
distinct in the strangely formed flowers of orange
and gold, while the wavy margins of the perianth
segments render the flowers even more attractive.
Though the plant has long been known to cultiva-
tion, it is not of frequent occurrence in gardens.
During the present year, however, we have seen
the flowers employed quite effectively in dinner-
table decorations, also in epergnes and as sprays
for the hair and such like.

Campanula Van Houttei. — .\mong border
Belltlovvers this is certainly one of the finest, the
plant quite distinct with handsome drooping bells
nearly 3 inches long. Happily-, too, it is of
tha easiest culture. It is well not to allow the
Iilants to remain too long in the same position, as
by dividing and replanting in Feliruary or March
each year renewed vigour with greater freedom
of flowering is ensured. In deep, rich, and rather
moist sandy loam such fine plants as this are
callable of creating a good display, and the
flowers of a dark lilac-blue shade are not etisily
matched. This fine plant is of hybrid origin. It is
frequently referred co under C. latifolia, and it is
not unlikely that this somewhat coarse jilant may
have been one of its parents. I am not aware of
the origin, but, judging by the manner of re-
production from the base, as also its more refined
character of leaf and blossom, it seems likely that
C. punctata or C. nobilis may have participated.
The creeping underground stems or shoots in C.
Van Houttei are quite unlike those of C. latifolia,
while it resembles in a greater or less degree each
of the other kinds here named. But whatever
its origin or parentage, it should be found in all
good herbaceous borders, and, while producing
underground stems, it is only in a minor degree,
as these never stray from the plant but a. few
inches. — E.

Erythrina crista galli. — It is to be regretted
that gardeners generally do not endeavour to grow
this plant more frequently in the open ground.
In many districts the plant is practically hardy in

116

THE GARDEN.

[August U, 1897.

all but the verj' occasionally severe winters, and
then a timely covering of the resting stools is all
that is required. We are reminded of the im-
portance of this handsome species by a recent ex-
perience in a garden quite near Hampton Court,
and, of necessity, the river also. This specimen,
we were informed, has stood out for several
winters and blossoms regularly each summer ;
indeed, it was fast approaching this stage when
we noted it recently. All that is needed is a
warm jjosition at the base of a greenhouse wall,
with a depth of good soil and fair drainage, and
when winter approaches to covei the crowns
with cocoa fibre or ashes. A year or two since
we saw it in splendid condition in a nursery near
Hereford, and liere, as usual, the plants were
against the wall of the greenhouse, the growths
between 6 feet and 7 feet high, with many of the
striking coloured blossoms on each growth. It
may be said that such positions are not suited
to so good a plant, and this may be true to some
extent. In this case the example set at Kew each
year of growing the plants in large pots or tubs
should be followed, plunging them in groups in
some conspicuous positions in the flower garden,
and wintering the stools in any frost-proof place.
In this way, if cai'efully attended to with water,
such groups could not fail to prove both attractive
and interesting. At the present time many line
examples are quite a feature at Kew.

as the French have a mania for decorations,
though some Frenchmen hold that among the
many evils inflicted on France by the first
Napoleon, the institution of the Legion of
Honour was by no means the least.

Ferns.

most
Al-

Park and Woodland.

ORDERS OF MERIT FOR FARMERS

AND GARDENERS.

Apropos of what we think the doubtful action
of the Royal Hcu-ticultural Society in instituting
an order of merit, the fi.>llowing may he interest-
ing. In France we believe these orders are
under State control, and if societies have the
power to create honours of this kind, where
are such things to stop ? We shall soon have
the barbers or any otlier society of men estab-
lishing f(_iuntains of honour.

The lo^'e of decorations is a national disease
in France, from which even the highest do not
escape, and an anecdote which is told of the
Chancellerie is characteristic of this. When
the Order of Merit for farmers was created.
General Rousseau, who was cliief secretary of
the Legion of Honour, placed himself on the
first list as officer of the new order of merit.
General Faidherbe, the distinguished soldier,
was the Grand Chancellor of the Legion of
Honour, and as such this list came under his
notice. He sent for the chief secretary.

"How is this, Rousseau';'' .said he; "you, who
possess every imaginable and possible decoration,
assign to yourself the Agricultural Order of Merit
also. "

"Well," replied the excellent Rousseau, "but
it has been created."

" But it is a decoration for farmers only."

" Yes, for farmers, and for others also, like all
decorations."

"Oh, is that so?" said Faidherbe; "now I
understand." And before returning the docu-
ment to the Ministry he struck out the name of
(ieneral Rousseau and put in his own !

It will, we fear, be a little ridiculous to see
gardeners swaggering about with decorations of
any kind. There may be a few distinctions
worth keeping up, such as, say, tlie Victoria
Cro.ss, Ijut all such honours are better under
State control. But if doubtful in its higher
forms, what are we to say to this extending of
the false jewellery of honours to men like gar-
deners and farmers ? Its eft'ect in various ways
will not be good, and, not least, in ignolile waste
of time in seeking such distinctions, which are,
we fear, in the long run given to those who seek
them most and take the trouble to worry people
to aid them in getting such baubles. In France
it is more excusable perhaps tlian with Britons,

SOME NEW ADIANTUMS.
The Maiden-hair Ferns are, perhaps, the
beautiful and certainly the most popular,
though we have such a large number of distinct
species, we are constantly getting further addi-
tions in the way of garden varieties. Many of
these are most interesting, and it is very diflicult
to account for the variations which occasionally
occur, for, as a rule, there is little variation even
among seedlings of garden varieties. Take as an
instance A. caneatum grandiceps ; this prettily
tasselled variety may be readily obtained from
spores, and among thousands of seedlings scarcely
any \ ariation will be found. A. cuneatum grande,
A. versaillense, and A. c. erectum are other ex-
amples. In some cases, however, it is difficult to
raise seedlings of hybrid origin. Although I have
tried many times, I have never raised A. Veitchi
(the beautiful crimson tinted Maiden-hair) from
spores, at least not to get it true. I ha\e had
seedlings which have proved to be a bad form of
decorum. Some other garden varieties are equally
difficult. I only know of one instance where
what appear to be good spores are not produced,
and this is the beautiful A. Farlej'ense, which al-
though imported from Barbadoes is undoubtedly
of hybrid origin. I have for many years used
every opportunity of searching for spores, but
lia\ e always failed. To revert to varieties raised
from spores, one of the most remarkable instances
I have known was a batch of several hundred
seedlings raised in Mr. H. B. May's nursery a
few years ago. The spores sown were from A.
;pmulum and A. Waltoni diff'usum, which had
been accidentally mixed together. Whether this
resulted in cross-fertilisation or an ordinary freak
of nature is uncertain, but a more variable batch
of seedlings I never saw, and several of them
have proved to be distinct novelties, and have
been recognised by the Royal Horticultural
Society, two having received first-class certifi-
cates, and four awards of merit. Of these, A.
elegantissimum is very distinct, having much
divided fronds, with verj' small, deep, wedge-
sliaped pinnules, the terminal ones being larger ;
it has black stems and the deep green shade of
A. iemulum, to which it is undoubtedly allied.
A. fasciculatum (F.C.C. ) is erect growing, irregu-
larly branching from the main rachis. The pin-
nules, closely set, \ary in size, the terminal ones
being much broader ; it forms a symmetrical
plant of a rich deep green. A. Hemsleyanum
(F.C.C.) partakes more of the habit of A. Waltoni
diffusum, but is more erect in habit. It may be
grown from 15 inches to 18 inches high in a
4)i-inch pot ; the large, finely-cut fronds droop
over just enough to give it a light and graceful
appearance. A. plumosum (A.M.) is of dwarf
habit, with small, nearly triangular fronds of a
soft pale green ; the medium-sized pinnules are
deeply lobed. A. Schneideri (A.M.) is of similar
texture, with long, erect stems, the soft pale
green fronds slightly deflexed. A. tenellum
(A.M.) is a very pretty variety with broad
spreading fronds, the pinnules being deeplj- cut.
Besides those named above, many others might
have been selected as being worthy of distinctive
names. With many seedling Ferns, \ariations
will be found from year to year ; in some in
stances they do not show their distinct charac-
teristics until they are two or three years old.
This is particularly the case with some of the
Adiantums of A. cuneatum grandiceps. Plants
two years old form much prettier tasselled fronds
than younger ones do. Exen with A. elegans,
young plants are rather inclined to be loose and
straggling, but the second year they make much
more compact plants. A. H.

GERMAN WOODS.

A fiooii deal has been written and said on thi
suliject of late, and those who read papei
on forestry know that something akin to
revolution in forestry practice is in progress i
this country at the present time. Wht
" standard " British books on forestry that ha\
done duty for generations and been implicitl
followed by owners of woods and their forestei
are withdrawn from circulation, acknowledge
to be radically wrong, and German authoritii
substituted in their place by arboricultur.
societies and responsible teachers of forestry, :
will be admitted, I think, that " revolution "
the only word for it. A few foresters ha\
been long enough acquainted, theoretically, wit
German forestry, conducted for the productif
of timber, but actual examples in this countr;
except where accidental and on a small scale,
would be difficult to find ; hence one has to f
abroad to see examples, and one visit is enoug
to enlighten and convince any forester with
mind f)pen to conviction as to the superiority
the Continental system. It was in that miii
that the writer undertook the journey about
be described. Going with organised excursioi
is not the best way to see the forests, becau.
time and critical personal observation are cu .
tailed thereby ; nor are tlie tourist agencies
much use, because they skip the forests. I cou
not get tickets to my destinations at any rat:
I was indebted to the kindness of Dr. Schlic
of Cooper's Hill College, for advice where to ;
to see good average examples of forests, and
Dr. Konig, of Lauterberg, Oberforster in t!
Hartz Mountains, and Oberforster H. Kalle
bach, of Thuringia Waldt, Eisenach, for arran
ing the prograunne of the journey, and I sh; ■
not forget the kindness of these gentlemen, f
tliey took infinite pains to satisfy somewhat i
quisitive inquiries.

Extent of German Forests.

Those who wish to get an idea of this shou
travel by day, and not by night. A very grc
deal can be seen from the railway as the foret
recede from or approach the line, according
the character of the country. Every morsel
land not .-luitable for agriculture seems to
covered by dense forest right away to the sui
mits of the highest and most distant mountair
where a good glass reveals the tops of the den
masses of Firs or Beech with which they a
clothed, and when you reach those mountai:
on which, in the distance, the trees look lil
coppice wood, you find yourself in dense, dai
woods where the trees often run up to ov
100 feet in height. I calculated that in
single journey through part of Westphah
Hanover, the Hartz, Thuringia, and onwan
till one emerges on the upper reaches of tl
German Rhine, I .saw nearly 1000 miles of cOn
tinuous forest. I .saw few or no bare hill
no heather, nor no underwood in the Englis
sense of the word. Centi-al (Germany is a hi'
table-land to begin with, and the mountains c
not look as high as the Scotch mountains di
which rise almost from sea-level, and, beiii
wooded to their tops, the German liills locj
more rounded, but they are lofty nevertheleil
— the Brocken, which stands in the middle i.
an almost unbroken stretch of wooded moui
tains, being nearly as high as Ben Lomond
One soon realises how 26 per cent, of tlie Ian
in Germany is covered by forests and only 4 pt.
cent, in Great Britain and Ireland, but whd|
we compare the density of the German foresi|

August U, 1897.]

THE GARDEK

117

■ith our own, I feel (|uito sure tliat 2 per cent.
■Dukl represent the liitter nuicli more accu-
itely. Let the traveller im,-ij;ine liinisclf
•ivvelling from the south nf En^'hmd tu the
(irth of Seutland along the skirts i)f the Pen-
) range, dnwn erne side and baek up the
tlier, anil all the hills covered with
lanaged on one strict system, and h

In a Gennmi forest. Edjc of a clear cut.
a photograph by Mr. J. J. Simpson,
Xeu-tyle, N.B.

.nine idea of these German forests as compared
vith ours. From the railway the difl'erent
imber crops, " compartments, " can be distin-
iiished as plainly as farm crops. From
ne point in the Hartz, the summit of the
vnollen, a hill over liOOO feet high and next
!oor to tlie Brt>cken, an unbroken expanse
if forest-clad hills, embracing at least 5(J0
iiuare miles, can be seen, looking over the
ummits, and not including the ups and downs
if hill and dale, and only .allowing for a mode-
ate sweep of the eye of twelve miles or so fiom
:ho point of view. Up here the unthinned
Spruce, less than 3 feet apart, three planted in
liole ("bush i)lanting"), over thirty years of
ige, about 20 feet high, was sti dense, that I had
'■■) take off my hat and crawl under on my hands
md knees to get inside. Talk of destruction
l>y storms in Scotland ; I never saw anything
like the destruction that I saw here caused l)y
•snow-bre.aks " alone. The. snow lies many
feet deep for montlis, and the trees are broken
ind smashed in all directior.s, and the damage
would be greater if the trees were not so dense
lud could not lean upon each other. The dense
planting is relied upon U> ensure a sufficient
L-rop in the end. Wind does not do so much
ilamage, because the crops at all stages are too
ilense, but the wind-storms are there as well as
with us, and the oberforster pointed out to me
places where clear gaps had been made by
wind where roads had been made and the wind
had got in. The margins of the woods are
denser than the inside for protection. Were it
not for the dense crop, sucli tall trees with a
slight root-hold would not stand even a mode-
rate g.-de. It is not ipiite realised in this
country how tall trees will grow at high alti-
tudes when crowded together for protection.
It was once stated in Woocla and Forests that
the Beech would not succeed on exposed situa-
tions, and in the Parliamentary forestry evi-
dence I think considerably under 2000 feet >vas

the limit mentioned as worth while planting up
to. In the

Hahtz Mountai.ns,

however, in about the same parallel as England

and Ireland, they ]ilant Firs unich higher u]), inid

I saw forests of Beecli trees 80 feet to '.«) feet

forests, all , higli 1800 feet above the sea. Probably neither

will have ! in Britain nor Germany would isolated trees ever

reach sucli dimensions at

sueli altitudes, or even

tiiuber si/.e, and the stunted
trees at the edges of the
German woods .show tliis
phunly. For shelter rea-
sons alone the margins are
inore like hedges in den-
sity, the trees often about
2 feet apart only, or less.
These remarks apply also
further north than any 1
saw.

In tliese forests anil

elsewhere I found our old

friends that keep down

prices at home, viz., tele-

grafih and scaffold poles,

pit jn'ops, and deals in all

stages <.)f growth and pre-

[laration. I have often

wondered how they could

atf<jrd to peel the dead

Ijark of the poles delivered

so cheaply in this country,

but it is a simple and

From s])eedy operation, tlie work-

Offices, man just running his little

axe along the pole and

stripping the bark off in

of which cover the ground

The timber that comes from

Trees 12(l/c
Wharncliffe

:t liiiih.
Estate

of timber sent

long ribbons, heaps
where the trees fall.
Germany to this country does not come so much
from the Hartz, but from the States further
north. Germany uses a vast quantity of its
own timber, and Central Germany sends much
to Holland. Still, one can understand, from
what he sees everywdiere, how it comes about
that, of the total (pumtity
to liritain from Germany,
£1.5,000,000 worth represents
.Scotch Fir and Spruce alone.
After all, what we get is but a
dea-bite to German production.
Holland has been, and .still is,
a large Ijuyer, its forests being
of comparatively small extent
and still young. Between
Amsterdam and the Prussian
frontier in North Holland the
coinitry is practically treeless,
witli vast tracts of sand-dunes
tit to plant, and at present a
desert ; but in the south, ex-
tensive plantations of Scotch
Fir have been made, strictly
managed on the German prin-
cijile of dense planting and no
thinning. In numerous cases
the owners of small holdings
have planted these up to the
edge with Firs, and as the ])lots
are usually perfectly square,
these occasional [ilantations
have an artificial hjok standing
among corn and other crops. The Scotch Fir
seems to thrive amazingly in the ]iuro sand
lands. In the Hartz Mountains Sinuce and
Beech predominate, but in Tliuringia and
further south towards Frankfort - on - Main
Scotch Fii' about equals all other species put
together, and covers the tops of hills where i;
almost dovetails into the vineyards further

down. Huge rafts of Scotch Fir are to be seen
delating down the (.'pjier Rliine.

The Germans use uuieli of their own timber
for building, whole villages ajiparently con-
sisting of little else than l.-itli and plaster.
Some of the gable ends between houses I
noticed, even in Eisenach, were of boards in-
•side and out, tilled in between with wattlework
and uuid. Most of the furniture of somewhat
]iretentious hotels and hou.ses is made from
the tindier grown close by. The doors, win-
dows, stairs, floors and <ither fittings are mostly
of Spruce, Scotch Fir or Beecli, and even such
things as wardrolies are made of these Spruce
deals nicely varnished outside. Tindjer seems
to be a general substitute for stone and bricks,
and there is a wealth of wood carving and
ornamentation in private hou.ses and in hotels
unknown in this country.

The Control .vni) Pi..\n- of Geum.v.v

FoRE.STRV.

A broad distinction must be made between
German agriculture and German forestry. We
have little or nothing to learn in the farming
line, except the small-holding system (allot-
ments would be a better name), long hours of
labour in the fields, wdiere the women work as
much as the men, the total abolition of fences
and hedgerow timber, and a thorough'utili.sation
of every inch of ground, compared to wdiich the
j)ractice of small holders in England is slovenly.
The German agricultural metlu.ids and tools are,
however, rather primitive, and German agri-
cultural science is a])parently made for British
consumption. Much of the work on the land
is done by the spade and hoe. I .saw women,
wives of the farmers, digging with shovels.
(.)ne is puzzled where the pasture and cattle
come in, because in a long journey tln-ough
Westphalia, Hanover, and by Erfurt, Frank-
fort, and on the Rhine the farm-lands seemed
one unbroken patchwork of Rye, Potatoes,
Chicory, Beet, Vines, etc. It is very different
in the forests ; these are mostly owned or con-
trolled by the State or the Duchy in wdiich they
lie, are of paramount importance to the nation,

In a German forest.

Trees nut yet thinned; aiout thirty-five
years planted.

and their superintendence is almost as strict as
that of the army. In fact, the forest adminis-
tration is military. It is easy to see how this
affects the management. The forester's work is
cut out for him. The system of management is
the same everywhere, and he must confornv to
it. German forest management is no recent
thing. Experiments are on record tliat have

118

THE GARDEN.

[August 14, 1837.

continued fur several generations, and experi-
mental plantations of trees, now 100 feet liigh
or thereabouts, planted nearly a hundred years
ago, are still going on, the " Star Plantation "
in the Thuringia Waldt, near Eisenacli, being an
example of this kind. Conferences of forest
officers are held from time to time where sub-
jects of interest are discussed, but German
forestry is very conservative in principle. New
introductions in tlie shape of exotic forest trees
are not common in the forests, tlie Weymouth
Pine being about the only species that has be-
come established, and which promises well.
Forestry practices seem to have altered but
little, one obeiforster following another, and
each perforce following in the footsteps of his
predecessor. There are promotions in the
service, and it is not unusual for an ober-
forster to be transferred to another and a
higlier charge in some other district. (Jne
oberforster's charge generally extends to about
10,000 acre.s. A certain percentage of the
forests are common woods, belong to the
villages, and some belong to private owners,
but in all, tlie management is, as a rule, the same
— all are conducted to tlie best advantage l)y ex-
pert forest oiiicers. One oberforster tliat I met
had, in addition to his regular charge, 5000
acres of common woods under him. A large
percentage of the timber goes for firewood.
Wliat we call " cordwood " here — "top and
lop " — all goes for firewood, nothing being lost.
Sometimes women from the village.s are jier-
mitted to gather the small branches and tops,
which they carry for miles on their backs to
their homes, but as a rule the top-wood is cut
and ranked and sold for firewood, per cubic
metre, for about the cost of collecting. The
forests are consequently clean, and, owing to
the dense canopy overhead, undergrowtli is
very scant or entirely absent, so that when the
regeneration period arrives, the surface of the
ground, covered deeply with humus, presents
one of the most favouralile seed-beds that could
be imagined. In our over-thinned British woods
the rank weeds and undergrowth smother the
young seedlings to death, but in the German
forests one wades knee-deep througli miles of
young self-sown trees that are to prcxluce the
next croj). In the State forests tlie oberforsters
(forest officers) are also tlie gamekeepers, and
conduct the .sporting expeditions. One of these
officers showed mo a beautiful pin set with bril-
liants presented to him by the present Kaiser
on one of these expeditions. The care of tlie
game is not, however, arduous work. The game
consists of deer, mainly, and now and then a
wild boar, with a sprinkling of hares. Rabbits
there are none, and no |ihea.sants are seen. The
deer are the chief four-footed enemies of the
trees, and tlie destruction they work is enoimous
in some pjlaces. They are the perquisite of the
oberforster. The rabbits are scarce because they
cannot survive the severe winters and deep
snows. They are unknown as an article of
food. When explaining to a German forester
our " hap]iy-go-lucky " style of forestry in this
country, and how it was mixed up with
fox coverts, rabbits, plieasants, and sport,
he seemed to be incredulous, especially about
the number of rabbits tolerated in the woods.
Our irregular system of management, dift'erences
of opinion and practice on different estates,
over-thinned woods and want of ])lan seamed
also to be incomprehensible. Pointing to a
mass of Spruce over thirty years of age not yet
thinned, a mass of dead under-branches, I said
that would ciiiidemn any forester in Scotland as
an example of neglect and bad management. My
listener stared. I was asked why our county
councils or other similar autliorities did not ap-

point oberforsters to supervise whole districts,
with the consent of private owners, and organise
some recognised system of management to which
foresters would have to conf(jrm. Tliis idea
seems a good one if it could be put into force,
and would provide a sliorter cut to better
forestry than our schools and lectures. The
Germans have forestry schools, but the whole
practical ai-t as practised by tliem is simple in
the extreme. It is in the uniformity of practice
and continuity of plan and its execution where
they beat us. Thirty or forty years of such a
.system here would cliange the aspect of our
forests. The great tracts quite recently covered
by the Dutch show this conclusively. They
have simply gone to work. On the German sys-
tem of close and dense successional cropping,
the quantity of timber on most English estates
would be doubled or trebled, and in some cases
quadrupled, as will liereafter be shown. Tlie

Rotation Sy.stem

followed in German forests, and on which so
much depends, has been in this country con-
founded with the rotaticMi of crops of different
species, as in farming: whereas in Germany the
period of rotation in forestry means the time
one crop of trees shidl occupy the grcjund up
to the final clearing, and be followed by an-
other not necessarily of a different species.
Beech has followed Beech for generations in
Germany, and so have the Firs. The final
crop of Scotch or Spruce is cleared off' at the
end of 100 years. Beech at 125 years, and Oak
at 150 years. Timber of great size is not so
much aimed at. The timber is more remarkable
for itslength, cleanness, and the almost cylindrical
sliape of the trunks than anything else. The
Fir deals used for flooring and other jmrposes
are often 18 inches broad, but by far tlie largest
proportion are 12 inches or under, such as
stock private and other wood yards in England.
In all the forests the trees vary in girth consider-
ably, but as firewood has to be supplied as well
as timber, the small poles and tops come in for
that purpose. In the hard woods, indeed, very
thick boughs, which we would here consider
much too good for cordwood, are .sawn and split
in the woods for firewood. The oberforsters
are provided with good maps of their cliarges,
in which the compartments are numbered and
described and their forest books correspond, a
complete record of every transaction being kept.

It is strange that our own Government should
do so much for our Indian forests and so little
for those at home. Students — both English and
native East Indians — are met with as pupils
living with the oberforsters preparing for
India. German pupils are recruited from the
better classes, and are everywhere distinguished,
at work or in society, by their uniforms.
An oberforster"s berth is a prize. At one
place I visited, two young German princes were
studying forestiy under the oberforster.
British landowners are also moving in tlie
matter. Just (irevious to my visit at one place,
a well-known Scottish landowner and member
of the Highland Society had in.spected the
forests and been impressed, and others were
heard of. J. Slmpsgn.

Gardens, Worthy Hall.

(To he continued.)

Vitis heterophylla variegata.— This jiretty
little variegated-leaved Vine is quite distinct from
any of its allies, and is a \-ery useful plant in many
ways. Though of climbing habit, it branches
freely, and when employed in the flower garden,
as is sometimes done, it forms quite a dense mass
of foliage, whose variegation is more pronounced
during bright hot summers than if the weather is

dull and wet. Under glass it may be turned
account in several ways, such as draping a stat
clothing a screen, or serving to hide any tall, nak'
stem. I recently saw a very attracti\'e group!
it emjiloyed for conservatory decoration, t
plants being grown in ti-inch pots and secured i
a single stick about 2 feet high. As the plai
branched out freely they formed very effect!
specimens, of a loose, graceful character a
totally distinct from anything else in the sat
structure. They had been in full leaf from Ap
to the present time, and the foliage was as fre
and bright as ever, and would continue so 1
some time. The manner in which the leaves a
variegated is a notable feature of this Vine, b
as a rule the ground colour is green, which
mottled and marbled in different ways with whil
The purplish tint of the young shoots is also ve
noticeable. Propagation is effected by cuttint
which root readily during the spring months.

Kitchen Garden.

NOTES ON PEAS.
The season, so far, has lieen a suitable one f
garden and field Peas where conditions ha
been favourable, but it is doubtful whether t
market grower has found tliem a remunerati
crop when the jirices received and the qua
titles on hand are taken into account. I a
told that quite recently many .sacks of Pe
were lying in a provincial market at the end
the week practically without a bidder, evi
when offered at ruinously low prices. The
were field Peas, probably of the round varietit
and poor in quality. With me early and secoi
early sorts did best ; mid-season sowings fc
the effects of the great heat which we e
perienced a few weeks since. In light sani i
soil the drought penetrated deeply where i \
strawy manure was available for mulchin '
bringing growth to a standstill ; and the chan
from heat to a cooler atmosphere brought i
mildew, and thus the supply, which liad been
abundant, was reduced so much as to
scarcely ecjual to the demand. Among t
early sowings, Chelsea Gem, May Queen ai
Veitch's Earliest Marrow did remarkably wel '
so also did Veitch's Early Selected RouHii
a quart of seed producing 18 jiecks
Peas. Stratagem is an old favourite, ai
this, sown at the same time as HoUow!
Rival, gave me the best crop of the yeai
the latter, viewed from the end of the row
presented a wondrous profusion of pods, which
although not over large, are full of good -sized ar
well-flavoured Peas. Sutton's Empress of Ind
is a fine-podded sort, and as showing the qualit
of the dry seed, slugs attacked these moi
severely than any other sown ; indeed, the row
were so thin and ragged that several had to h
taken up to make up two. It was tlie mor
remarkable as seed of this sort was sown o,
borders some distance apart, and in each oas
the results were the .same. (Jther varietiej
grown alongside escaped almost untouched. !
do not remember a similar case when slugs difj
criminated so completely in the choice of Pe
rows for attacks. Another enemy whose ac,
quaintance I had not made until this year wal
as bad, if not worse, than slugs, namely, th|
Pea weevil. I lost between weevils and slug]
several long rows of Peas, notwithstanding thai
soot, lime and dry wood ashes were frequentl;i
sprinkled over them when in a moist state]
Criterion, Maincrop and Autocrat did the bcsj
in the main-crop section. Duchess, Shropshirii
Hero and Prodigy became badly attacked witl
mildew. Duke of Albany, too, was equall.'l
bad, and neither of the four last-named will he'

August It, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

no

wn again. At Orcliardleiu'h [ saw, in .luly,
me fine rows of tlionlil ("li.impion of England,
e Plus ritni ;uul Britisli ',>UL'on entirely free
nil rnililew iind l)earing a wonderful crop. I
uld scarcely resist a resolution to grow these
future in spite of their height. On
ush soil liritish (^•ueen had gone up to the
lusual height of HI feet and the crop was pro-
)rtionate.

.\t p. 55 "J. C." .says '• many ])eople object
extra large Peas ; as the majority of the new
irieties are of tliat type, one h.as to go Ijack to
der sorts." This must bean i.solated experi-
ice, or rather not a common one with Pea
■owors, for 1 have never yet heard or read of
lyone objecting to large Pe.is. There is, ac-
■iding to my experience, a more frequent
ijuiry for large than medium ones, and if this
ere not .so, the newer introductions would not
id the favour they do, and it would be useless
. extol the virtue of possessing large seed
ronsumers preferred smaller Peas. What is
I .ibjction in one establishment is looked for

g.ardens is a ste[) in the .same direction, and is
what Peas enjoy. I once had William 1. nearly
8 feet high on freshly-trenched soil. 1 agree
with "S. M. " that Uuke of Albany is, or has
been an over-praisetl Pea. It is very seldom
one .sees a full croj) of this .sort, and when it
happens it is very cpiickly over. \V. S.

H^ills.

Pea Danby Stratagem. — I have "rown this
I'ea this season, and consider it a decided improve-
ment on the original strain, good as that is. The
pods are longer and llie colour equally good,
there being an entire absence of whitish-coloured
pods, which one fre<|uently gets in ordinary
Stratagem. This percentage of light-colouretl
pods was the only fault that ever could be found
with this noble Pea, and several good firms have
done their best to rid their stock of it. The
Uanby selection appears to possess even a more
robust constitution, the haulm being very stout
and the foliage large and vigorous. Stratagem
is a good dry weather Pe.a and suits light soil,
being also much less liable to rot when sown in

In a German forest. One fall taken out, ninetu years of age; elevation
2000 feet. Photograph by Mr. J. J. Simpson.

I another, and no doubt this is what "J. C."

nds when he says many object to large Peas.

'Xo vegetable repays for fresh ground like

as. Of this I have had convincing proof this

U-, both in this and other gardens. In one,

iUt two miles distant, there is not sufficient

ider ground for the earliest Peas without

lilting these every alternate year, and the

iitrast between the produce and that grown

<{uite fresh s(jil bears no comparison. In

I ill gardens it is difficult to keep up a con-

iit change for Peas, and particularly does

i^ ap]ily to warm borders. In my own case a

ith border had been occupied with Straw-

iries three years, and was temporarily

[iped with early Broccoli last autumn so as

lii'ing it into condition for early Peas. The.se

\e been nuicli the best crop of the year. An

'1 adage is to use the same ground for Peas

'ce in seven years, but it rarely hapjiens

1 it such a long rest can be given. I think four

.■ars would make a very gfiod limit. Where

ose cropping must be adojited, I believe the

'ler kinds would give larger returns, speaking

jnerally, than many of the newer and less

.|)ust sorts, and no doulit the Celery trench

■stem of growing them does away with the

I'lssity of radical changes in the ground avail-

le for Peas. Deep trenching, too, in small

the open garden in February. When sown at
this date it comes on more rapidly than many of
the so-called second early Peas, and forms a good
succession to such as William I., &c. — J. Ck.\w-

FORD.

Tomatoes trained up strings.— I recently
saw a large numlier of Tomatoes trained up stout
string, the use of stakes being thus rendered un-
necessary. The house was a lean-to, having a
bed in the centre and a path all round. The
plants were arranged so that a pathway went
down between every four rows of plants, two
rows of plants could then be reached, watered,
tied, and the fruit gathered from either side. The
cord was attached to the stout, short stick to
which the plant was tied when yountr, and again
to wires running lengthwise just under the roof
glass. Thus plenty of sun and light could reach
the [ilants. Hathaway 's Excelsior was the variety
gro\\'n. — .1. C.

Tomato Sensation. — This is not a new
Tomato, but it is certainly a very good one, and
would please all who are fond of a medium-sized
handsome-shaped fruit. The ([uality is also good,
and no fault can be found with its bearing
qualities when a light house and suitable atmos-
phere are given, ft very much resembles a good
type of the old Perfection. I have never tried it
in the open air, but a gardener in Wales has had
great success with it on a sunny wall. One is
apt to tire of reading about so many ditlerent

Tomatoes, but if any reader is contemplating
adding another variety to his list, I would advise
a trial of Sensation, procuring, the seed from a
reliable linn. When well giown Sensation is
hard to beat on the exhiljition talile. — (Jkowkr.

Rosette Cole wort.— I am ghid Mr. Temple
sots so much value on this grand winter vegetable.
.\ly kitchen garden is limited in extent, and Ihad
long since given up growing many mid-winter
varieties of Broccoli, as these in hard winters are
so a|it to collapse, and if one has not plenty of
other things to fall back on there is bound to be
a lilank. I ahvays plant as many Coleworts as
possible, as they arc a favourite vegetable
ill the <lining-room, the flavour being sim|)ly
delicious. 1 tirst learned of their extreme hanli-
ness from an old Essex gartlener, who informed
me that in one terribly sharp winter, when not
only all the Broccolis, but also Brussels Sprouts
and Scotch Kale succumbed, the little Colewort
remained i)ractically unharmed. After that he
always took care to grow large breadths. — J.

CitAWKOKI).

The Carter Spinach. — Were I confined to
one variety of Spinach, I should certainly grow
The Carter. In hot shallow soils it does remark-
ably well, the extra large sapjjy leaves accounting
for this. In a garden not far from here, where
Siiinach is in great request, this sort alone is
grown. The (luantity of leaves which may be
gathered from a fairly long row is astonishing.
1 feel incUned to give this variety a trial for
winter, as I have several times sown the ordinary
i-ound-seeded or summer Spinach in autumn, and
found it to succeed equally as well as the prickly
or so-called winter variety. Perhaps the old-
fashioned, smaller-leaved strains would stand a
severe winter better. — A Midi^.^nd Grower.

The Celery fly. — So far Celery plants in this
district (Notts) are quite free from any attack of
this pest. Not that it is too late for it to com-
mence its work, as I have known the foliage
attacked at all stages of growth. I have had to
contend with it in a good many diflferent gardens,
and have never yet discovered any remedy save
hand-picking. I confess this is a tedious opera-
tion, and one that is apt to be postponed, but it
pays in the long run, and a handy lad can go over
several long rows of plants in a day. Some
gardeners dread its attacks up to the time it is fit
for earthing up, but ignore it after that date.
I have observed that if allowed to be badly
disfigured even then, the Celery will not keep so
well after. — Grower.

CUCUMBERS FAILING.
\A'iLL you kindly inform me through your
columns what is the cause of my Cucumber plants
suddenly collapsing a few days after planting, the
same as enclosed specimens? — E. .J.

*„* Plants to be examined ought always to be
packed in damp Moss. Those sent by " E. .1."
had shrivelled badly when they reached me,
and the cause of failure was more difficult to
determine accordingly. A disease commonly
termed slime fungus sometimes attacks the stems
of Cucumber, Tomato and other plants, causing a
sudden collapse, but if this had been the case with
those before me the stems would have been rotten
rather than shrivelled. Sometimes wireworms
eat their way up the stems, the flagging of the
plants being the first indication of this trouble,
but no wireworms had entered the stems sent by
" E. .]." Early this season a few of my plants
collapsed similarly to those before me. They
appeared all right one day and flagged badly,
never to recover, the next. The underground
portion of the stems had perished. Two days
previously all the jilants in a long house had been
top-dressed with fresh compost. The compost
was not warmed through prior to use. It was to
the use of this cold soil that 1, whether rightly or
wrono-ly, attributed the collapse of the plants.
There could not have been much wrong with the
soil other than coldness, or otherwise fresh plants
put out into some of the mounds would not have

120

THE GARDEK

[AuGDST 14, 1897.

grown so strongly and healthily from the first as
did others in the old soil dressed with lime or else
watered with well-diluted soluble phenyl. " E..T. "
may have given his plants a chill, watering with
cold water, for instance, or he may have injured
the stems by surrounding them with soil to which
a strong chemical manure had been too freely
added. An overdose of kainit greatly injured a
batch of plants owned b}' a gardening friend of
mine, and a too free use of either nitrate of soda
or sulphate of ammonia would prove equally inju-
rious. Had the plants received been large enough
to produce fruit, I should have expected to find
either eel-worm in the roots or canker, similar to
M'hat affects Melon plants, in the stems, but am of
opinion that neither of these evils was responsible
for the mischief. All things considered, I think
"E. J." will do well to start afresh with good,
sweet, loamy compost, and if the jjlants are kept
uniformly moist at the roots, only avoiding satu-
ration, success will most probably reward his
efforts. Cucumbers ought never to be plantefl in
large masses of soil. Commence with small heaps
and add more compost as the roots gi\e signs of
requiring more. — W. I.

Cabbage sprouts. — Cabbage sprouts are often
invaluable in winter, affording a change in the
dininc;-room, and are found useful even where a
good breadth of Rosette Colewort is grown. The
great point, however, is to select the right batch
of summer Cabbage to save for sprouts. A
secondary batch, or one that came into use in
July, is the best for producing good succulent
side growths in November and December. In
any case the bed should be gone over in August,
all old leaves removed and straggling stems
cut back close to the ground ; this applies more
particularly to beds that were fit for use in May
and June, and that have produced numerous
smaller side Cabbages. It is astonishing what a
quantity of Sprouts an ordinary-sized bed will
produce later on if so treated. — C. C. 1).

French Beans in autumn. — In the autumn
when Peas and other vegetables are getting scarce
Beans come in most acceptably. lam aware Peas
are more pilentiful in the north well into the
autumn, and there may be less demand for I'Yench
Beans. This year, for instance, in the south,
owing to heat and drought there has been a short
Pea supply, but at the time I write, the last week
in July, French Beans sown to follow early Peas
are doing grandly, and in many gardens W'ith a
light soil are of great value to the grower.
There is no great ditKcultj' in having dwarf Beans
for a much longer period if grown specially for
late supplies, and now is a good time to sow for
the late lot, provided good soil and means to
apply moisture exist. Late Beans having to make
their growth in a short time need rich soil, and if
at all dry plenty of moisture to assist rapid ger-
mination of the seed. Above all thin sowing is
a necessity, as if cro\\ded so late they fail to set.
I find it best to sow at the end of July, or as
early in August as possible, in short rows, as
should early autumn frost follow it is a simple
matter to covei- at night and remove the cover in
the morning. Of course when movable frames
can be afforded so much the better, and in cold or
northern districts a sowing may with advantage
be made in cold frames for a late supply to eke
out those sown in June. I have used turf pits to

freat advantage, covering over with thatched
urdles, and thepilants bore well into the autumn
at a time there was a good demand. Pits used
thus come in useful later on for Lettuce, or to
preserve early Broccoli or late Cauliflowers. It is
well to use a ijuick growing kind. Syon House
or Early Favourite is good for that work.

SHORT NOTES.— KITCHEN.

Pea Walker's Perpetual Bearer. — What
a really tirst-rate lone season Pea this ia. It runs to
about 3^ feet in height, pods abundantly, and, kept
hard gathered, continues to do so over a long time. It
is one of the very best small garden Peas if but for

this reason. The pods are of good size, well iilled,
and the Peas keep t*>uder and sweet for a long time.
We have plenty of Peas carr\ing finer pods, but few
are more geneiiilly uselul. — D.

Early fruiting Tcmatoes.— I have several
varieties under trial, but tlie rine that pleases me
most is Lightning. This is not oidy extra early, but
it is a very heavy cropper, producing as many as six-
teen and eighteen fruits in a bunch. A very remai li-
able character in this sort is tbal the first bunch (.if
fruit is foi'med on the point of the stem. The plant,
however, quickly develops side growths below the
bunch of fruit. The fruit is round and fairly hand-
some.— J. C. Clarke.

JULY IN SOUTH DEVON.

Ix a sheltered garden a large plant of Abutilon
vexillarium is now in fine bloom, its slender
curving shoots being thickly strung with crimson
and yellow blossoms, while hard hy against a
wall Rhynchosperraum jasminoides is white with
its fragrant flowers. Achillea ptarniica fl.-pl. The
Pearl has remained in flower throughout the
month, and the rose-coloured spiny globes of
Aciena microphylla have thickly covered the
dense foliage that here and there carpets the rock
garden. From its shapely leaves the great
Acanthus has reared tall spires of bloom nigh
upon 6 feet high in a corner of the wild garden,
while Agapanthus umbellatus and its white
>"ariety are to be found in favoured spots flowering
in great clumps on the lawns. Where this fine
plant does not succeed planted out, a good supply
in tubs creates a wonderfully decorative effect in
the garden through the summer months, as the
umbels are very lasting and the tint of blue
pleasing to the eye. Anemone japonica Honorine
Jobert has already commenced its flowering
period, some of the plants being considerably
over 5 feet in height and covered with buds. The
blooming of these autumn flowers — for the
Michaelmas Daisy (A. Amellus bessarabicus) has
opened its lar»e purple stars, and many of the
perennial Sunflowers are in bloom — gives an un-
welcome hint of the passing of summer. Anten-
naria margaritacea, the " Pearly Everlasting," is
]:>retty in masses as sometimes seen in cottage
gardens, where the Sweet Williams and double
Rockets have been flowering grandly. The hy-
brid Alstricmerias, with their beautiful colour
gradations, were at their best at the commence-
ment of the month, while later on A. psittacina
and A. aurantiaca came into full flower. A very
beautiful floral arrangement can be formed by
the association of the latter flower with the
Caucasian Sea Holly (Eryngium Oliverianum), the
orange of the Alstrcemeria and the iridescent
steely blue of the Eryngium making a delightful
contrast. The white Antirrhinum is still decora-
i\\e in masses, especially where the seed-pods are
cut off as soon as formed, and the breadths of
Aquilegia chry.santha, though less striking than
during the latter days of June, have given a
pleasing note of pale saffron. The Anthericums
have flowered through the greater part of .lulj',
and the bright Sea Pink (Armeria bracteata
rubra) still produces its rosy flower-heads. An-
chusa italica sliow'ed signs of waning beauty after
the first week of the month, tliroughout which
the quaint Astrantia maxima has been in flower.
The tall feather-plumes of Arundo conspicua,
gently swaying with every breeze, are now at
their liest, the beauty of some plants, however,
having been marred by a torrential downpour
that occurred during a thunderstorm. In dry,
sunny spots

B.\BIANA.S, IXIAS AND SPAKAXIS

have been in bloom, and the tuberous Be-
gonias are week by week affording a more bril-
liant displa.v. The old red Bergamot (Monarda
didyma) has been a mass of fragrant crimson
flower-heads, and its white variety has also been
blooming freely, as lias the less pleasing M. hirta.
The Plume Poppy (Bocconia cordata) has been
very ornamental, growing between Bamboos to a
height of nearly 8 feet, the mixture of ivory-
white and bm-nt-almond tint of its pyramids of

inflorescence being very effective. This subjl;
is much appreciated for indoor decoration, ancf
the stems are cut at full length and loos/
arranged in a Lucca oil jar, or other simply-sha)|l
receptacle, will be found most decorative, lasti'
a week or ten days in water. Towards the enc;
July the tall Chimney Campanula (C. pyramida )
showed its stately beauty, and C. carpatica-f
which some strains possess much finer flow j
than others — and C. turbinata expanded tl: ■
fragile bells. In a rock garden before alludee >
in these columns, C. pelviformis, with wi
spread, pale lavender cups, was very beauti
and both C. Raineri and C. \\'aldsteiniana «
flowering. There also the dazzling Calandr
umbellata was in bloom, as was the hands.
Callirhoe involucrata ; while in another gar
C. Papaver was in fine flower. Some brilli
effects are now produced by the new lai
flowered Cannas, the vermilion being very \i
and the yellow and orange clear. The older
iridiflora Ehmanni, with its large, Musa-like le;
and pendent, rose-lake blossoms, is, however,
to be desijised, since to the beauty of its flow,
added a charm jof outline far nobler than is fn
in the new race. Carnations have in many j
dens been very good, a mass of Mrs. Reyno
Hole many feet through that I saw in mid-.)
creating a charming colour-effect, the plants ■
being healthy and the individual flowers la :
and shapely. Sir B. Seymour (flesh-pink) :
appeared good for massing. In one garden, L
ever, the old Crimson Clove was badly atl'et
with spot. The Centaureas (white, purple
red) have been blossoming in the wild gari
and C. cyaneus (the blue Cornflower) still adds
valuable note of c<jlour to the borders, whili
moschata (the Sweet Sultan) is in full blofim. '
yellow variety of the latter flower contrasts
mirably with the blue of the Cornflower, an
combination of the two will be found effective
indoor decoration. Celsia cretica is a plant ra
seen in gardens, but its yellow flowers are hf i
some, and well entitle it to a place in the bor'
Chelone barbata has thrown up its tall scai
blossomed flower-spikes, and is a decided ac
sition to any sheltered nook, where the floi
stems may be left unstaked, the bareness of
stems rendering it difficult to afford support 1
is not objectionably apparent. Chrysanthen i
maximum has commenced to flower, but is
equal in beauty to the later-blooming Pyrethi
uliginosum, which is more valuable both for i
border and for indoor decoration. The handsi ■
Cimicifuga racemosa has jjroduced its 1
white flower racemes, and is very striking w
in bloom. Coreopsis grandiflora has been a si
of gold throughout the entire month, and
white variety of Cosmos bipinnatus, with
Nigella-like foliage, has been very taking. <
matiis Davidiana and Convolvulus cneorum ar
habit decidedly unlike what might be expec
from their names, neither being a climber,
first is an herbaceous plant that produces sn
blue scented flowers at the axils of the lea'
while the second is a pink-blossomed shr
Crinum capense is now in bloom in some gardt
Slugs are very fond of the succulent leaves,!
where they are allowed to pursue their rava
unchecked, soon deprive the plants of muchi
their decorative value. The beautiful little ;
Cypella Herbkrti I

has been flowering on and oft" through the whok
the month. The individual lilooms last only a A \
but are (juickly succeeded by others, so that i'
flowering jieriod is an extended one, which, j
parently, will not conclude for another fortnig
Johnson's "Gardeners' Dictionary" gives
colour of the flower as vermilion, which is
correct, the tint being an apricot-.yellow. Thror
the courtesy of Mr. Archer-Hind I was enabled,
inspect plates of this Cypella which had appea;'
in the Bolitnical Magazine, the Botanii-al Begi"!]
and "Sweet's," in all of which the colour is J
low. It is also known under the synonyms
Tigridia Herberti and Mora;a Herberti. I
])lant in question is growing very strongly, I!
been in the border for two years, and will, I trm

August 14, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

121

ulure imotlier winter in the open. This is the

ist occasion of its lliiwerinfj in my garden. The

ill hliu' Drlphiniums were haiidsiime at the enm-

encement ut the ninnth, and a few hn-ge golden

ai-s of Doi-onieum plantagineuni Hiir|inr-Ciewe

ive been produced from )ilants whose old flower-

ems have been removed. Dianthus Napoleon

I. has retained its lirillianee, Init an even mure

vidly-hucd I'inU is I). AtUintoni. The Sou

[lilies have been most eti'ective, their colouring

in<' quite uniipie in the garden. Kryngiuni

netkystinum, K. Bourgati, and E. Oliverianum

■e ail worthy of cidture for garden adornment,

hiist tliey " are c<pudly \-aluable for cutting.

he Cactu.s Dahlias, though not at their best, are

mmencing to bloom, and vciy handsome are

me of the flowers, many showing the true Cactus

rm of .luarezi, which seemed lo.st in subsequent

troductions. In a rock garden the RocUy

ountain Willow Herb (Kpilobium obcordatum)

- been charming, while Erigercm speciosus and

iiuicronatus arc blooming bravely on, and

1, no signs of ceasing to flower. The Globe

-lie (Ei-hino|is Ritro), with its blue spiky

.1 -heads, is now decorative in the wild gai-

n. and the Evei'lasting Pea ( Lathy ruslatifolius)

I its white variety garland many cott.ige

hcs with their profuse blossoming. The ycl-

Foxgloves have bloomed well, but lack the

ire stately beauty of their white sisters.

mkias are in bloom, but their charm lies chiefly

the colour and contour of their leafage, F.

eboldi, with its large, cordate, glaucous leaves,

ing the most vahuible, while F. grandiflora

d F. ovata and their variegated varieties are

IV generally grown. Galega oflicinalis and

i 0. alba have both been covered with bloom,

■ge plants of the latter beint; especially eft'ec-

'o wlien associated with \-ividly-coloured sub-

I-, such as Lychnis chalcedonica or Gladiolus

iichleyensis. (iaillardias and tJazania splen-

iis have been bright, and the graceful Cape

laciuth (G.altonia candicans) has borne aloft its

hry bells abo\e the blue of Salvia patens. Two

llntians, <J. asclepiadea and G. septemtida, have

en in bloom. I have nexer, as yet, seen the

■ Indsome ( ierbera .Jamesoni in flower in tlie open,

l;t its large orange-scarlet blossoms are suth-

' iitly striking to merit a trial being given to

1 plants in dry, sheltered positions in the south-

-t. Gaura Lindheimeri is an herbaceous plant

' I seldom met witli in gardens, but its tall

.-kes of white and claret flowers are h.andsome,

t :1 in Devonshire, at least, it is perfectly hardy.

< ultheria procumbens in the rock garden has

pduced its drooping white flowers, which ere

iig will give place to equally attractive berries.

• nista schipkensis has also been in bloom. The

1 e-coloured Geranium lancastriense has been

1 ght w ith flowei' and at Coombefishacre I saw

' t; white variety of < !. sanguineum, alluded to by

^ -Archer-Hind on |)age (i. Here I also saw the

t of Ostrowskia magnitiea alba mentioned in

-ame note. It was out of flower, as was In-

Cjvillea Delavayi, but was, seemingly, in robust

hllth and nearly 4 feet high. Althougli I have

' d for Ave years I have never yet succeeded in

I'liug the Ostrowskia. Lemoine's (Uadioli

the well-known G. brenchleyensis are at pre-

• \ery handsome, several superb spikes of the

• !■ in full bloom amongst a colony of Yucca
liiMientosa, of which many were flowering, pie-

, 8 ting a wonderful effect in the direct contrast
o brilliant scarlet with the ivory white of the
^ccas. The season has now arrived when the
c rming ( iypsophila paniculata, with its billoHs
0 flower-lace, is approaching the zenith of its

. buty. It is a delightful subject in the garden,
b is even more in re(iuest for indoor decoration,

• 1( which it is now grown largely, its delicate

8) lys associating with almost any form of floral

a mgement and possessing the merit of retain-

" much of their beauty even when (juite

hered. Of the

iPKKKN N I AL Sr X KI.O W EKS
y are in flower, Helianthuslietiflorus,H. multi-
is, H. m. Soleil d'Or, and H. rigidus amongst
number, but H. rigidus Miss Mellish has not as

yet unclosed a blossom. The animal Sunflowers in
wayside gardens have a pleasing cll'ect, the light,
primrose-coloured variety showing oil' the dark
disc to perfection. Many fine Hollyho<.'ks are also
to be seen in the best of health, a row of singles
in full bloom that I .saw the other day exhibiting
no trace of disease, \\liich. however, has a]>peaied
with almost its old xiriilcncc in some gardens.
The common St. .lohii's Wort (Hypericum caly-
ciiium) has covered an almost perpendicular bank,
•J) yards in length, with its yellow flowers, and
each year usurps a further s)iace of stony territory.
H. olympicum I have also seen in fine bloom.
Ilemeidcallis Kwanso fl.-pl. and its variegated
varietv are also flowering well, in some cases gi*ow-
ing fully 4 feet high. Helenium pumilum has
also given its mass of bright yellow in the her-
baceous border, and Hj'drangea hortensis has
commenced its season of autumnal beauty. In-
digofera floribunda I have seen lately covered
«ith its pink Pea-shai>ed blossoms, and the bed of
.laborosa integrifolia, alluded to in .lune, has pro-
duced its flowers in like jirofusion through July.
The Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums, especially Souvenir
de C. Turner, brighten the borders wonderfully,
the brilliant Cherry-pink of the variety named
showing to the best efl'ect against a grey, stone
edging. The Kniiihotias have also thrown up their
fiery flower-heads, the sulphur-coloured K. Lachesis
lieing a very lieautiful introduction. Lavateras,
at the back of the borders, have blossomed pro-
fuseh", and are very efl'ective both in the garden
and as cut flowers. Of Lilies, L. candidum, in
fine form, was in bloom at the opening of the
month, and L. auratum is better this year than
for some seasons, the bulbs planted in '92 having
all flowered. L. croceum has been over (i feet
high, while L. pardalinum has considerably
exceeded this height. L. canadense and L. super-
bum have also bloomed, though not as satisfac-
toril}' as usual. L. Humbolti has been very beau-
tiful, as has the brilliant vermilion L. chalce-
donicum, while the bull'-hued L. e.xcelsum, or
testaceum, has grown and flowered excellently,
and towards the month's end L. tigrinum com-
menceditsblossoming. The white-flowered Linaria
repens alba is pretty on a rockery, where the yellow
I.inum flavum and the taller blue Linum narbon-
ense also flourish. The purple Lindelotia sjiecta-
bilis is seldom grown, but is pretty when in bloom.
Lj'chnis chalcedonica with its scarlet flower-heads
was a brilliant sight in the early days of .July,
and a large-flowered variety (L. c. grandiflora),
with blossoms '2 inches across, is a decided
accjuisition, while L. diurna rosea is still bright,
and by the waterside the Lythrums have thrown
up their bright pink flower-spikes. The green-
leaved Lobelia cardinalis is now in flower, some
time in advance of the dark-lea\ed variety. Two
Mallows that I lately saw in flower are M.
lateritia, bearing very lieautiful lilossoms of flesh-
white marked with salmon-pink, and M. Mun-
roiana with red flowers.

Matthiola bicornis, the Night-scented Stock, one
of the most fragrant flowers of the garden at e\en-
ti<le, has also been in bloom, while long lines of
Xicotiana atiinis make the summer nights odorous
with their delicious perfume. Many lEnotheras
have dowered the month with their beauty :
tE. fruticosa, (E. Youngi in the earlier days,
quickly followed by <E. pumila, <E. marginata,
(E. macrocarpa, <E. speciosa, beautiful in the
rock garden, and (E. Lamarekiana, while Oxalis
floribunda rosea has continued in bloom.

Poi'PIKS,

though not so plentiful as in June, gave us many
blossoms in July, Iceland, Oriental, Welsh,
Opium, Shirley, and P. pilosum all contributing
their quota. On tlie seashore the Horned Popjiy
(Glaucium luteum) made the pebblj- beach beau-
tiful with its blue-green foli.age and yellow blos-
soms, while in the green of the growing wheat the
scarlet stain of the Held Poppies flamed afar.
The Californian Poppj' (Romneya Coulteri), after
a mild winter, has done well in many gardens, and
yesterday I saw the plant from which the (ihoto-
graph that appeared on p. S(i was taken, and
which is now 10 feet high and blossoming finely.

Platjcodon grandiflorum and P. Mariesi have
flowered well, and the herbaceous Phloxes are
this season particularly fine. Of these a carcfu
selection should be made, as many of the colours
in commerce are not calculated to beautify the
garden. Phygelius capensis has opened its iirst
flowers, while the Polcmoniums, Polygonum capi-
tatutn, and the I'yietlirums aic still in bloom.
The single white -Macartney llosc opened its first
blossom on .Inly 2, when the Musk Hose was in
full beauty, while the beautiful double Brambles,
[link and white, were at their loveliest towards
the close of the month. Ranunculus acris fl.-pl.
is still briglit, and the "Fair Maids of France"
(Pv. aconitifolius fl.-pl.) clid not cease their flower-
ing till well on in July. The tall yellow Rud-
lieckias and R. purpurea were in bloom by
mid-July, and R. Newmani is now enter-
ing upon its blossoming season. Of annuals
the Salpiglossis st.ands pre-eminent in the
wondrous shot-silk colouring of its blossoms,
and w hen this flower is as.sociated in the bordci'
with the gorgeous Tigridias the colour effect is
marvellous. The light blue Scabiosa caucasica
and the yellow S. lutea have both been charming,
and on the rockery the purple Scutellaria alpina
has been flowering. Many Spiraashave been in
bloom, fine bushes of S. ariiefolia, S. Lindleyana
and S. flagelliformis having been laden with dIos-
som, while S. Antony Waterer, S. rivularis, S.
j.aponica and S. venu.stahave also been ornamental
in the garden. Solidago v'irgaureanana has come
into flower, and the handsome Statice latifolia is
Hearing perfection. Tradescantia virginica has
not yet ceased to bloom, and the yellow TroUius
is still bright, while the ]iink Tunica Saxifraga
has been pretty on light soils. Verliascum phceni-
ceum was flowering early in the month, and the
shrubby Veronicas, now in full bloom, are objects
of beauty along the south-west coast. V. Lyalli
has also flowered well. Of climbers, Solanum
jasminoides is studded with white flower-clusters,
and Physianthus iilbens is blossoming freely, while
Clematis, .Jasmine and Tropteolum speciosum
have all their flower-wreaths on arch and wall,
and the Wistaria has produced a second crop of
pendent lilac bloom. Amongst the shrubs some
of the most noticeable have been Carpentei'ia
californica, Desfontainea spinosa, the double Deut-
zia, Olearia Haasti, the beautiful Philadelphus
mexicanus, with its fragrant white-cupped blos-
soms, and Rhus Cotinus (the Venetian Sumach),
with its purple feather-like inflorescence, which
has earned it the title of Smoke Bush. The
standard Magnolia is now in full bloom, and is
yielding its white chalices in plenty day by day.

S. W. F.

Stove and Greenhouse.

RONDELETIA SPECIOSA.

McsT of our beautiful old hard-wooded green-
house plants have been put on one side to make
room for quicker-growing present-day favourite.",
and a]iparently it will not be long before the
majority of the stove species will be the same.
This Jlondeletia is one of the latter that I
should be sorry to see the last of, but even now
it is very seldom seen and presumably its ex-
tinction is only a question of time. Yet what
could be brighter than a free open busli of it,
covered with the \-ermilion and orange flowers
produced in small corymbs from the tip of
every shoot '. There ai-e several reputed varie-
ties of it more or less distinct by re.a.son either
of the size or colour of the flowers ; a form callc<l
brilliantissima I remember growing for several
.seasons in an Ea.st India Orchid liou.se. The
plants were often tied out into various shapes,
but as trained specimens they could never be
quite a success : the flowers seem to want to
liang loosely to show themselves to the best ad-
vantage. Proiiagation of the plant is easily
effected by cuttings of the young wood before it

122

THE GARDEN.

[A7ausT 1 4, 1897.

commences to bloom, and although growth is
rather slow in the earlier stages, the plants flower
while still in a young state, and every season in-
crease in vigour. The roots are very fine,
like those of a Heath, consei)uently the jjotting
comjjost must be something of the same nature
and placed very firmly. It may with ad-
vantage be made a trifle richer than for the last-
named plants, a good percentage of a fibrous
loam being of great assistance. Drain clean
pots tlioroughly, and over the crocks place a
layer of rough peat, making it firm with a pot-
ting stick. In repotting vigorous young plants,
give a shift of about I4 inches all round, and
see that the compost is made firm in every jiart of
the ]jot. See, too, that the plants are not dry
at the root for a start, for if tlie old Ijall gets
dry after potting, nothing but immersion in
water for a day or two will thoroughly moisten
it. Young plants from the propagating case
need not be <piite so firmly potted as older ones,
but a smart rap on the potting bench after the
soil is pressed down is advi.sable. All this class
of plants requires very careful watering, the
roots being easily damaged either by excess or
scarcity of moisture. A sunny spot in a moist
stove best brings out the characteristic deep
green of the foliage, upon whicli the flowers
have such a telling apjjearance. If carefully
attended to in the first years of their life with
regard to stopjjing, a good bushy habit is formed,
and leggy old specimens — such as do so mvich to
bring the plant into disre]5ute — are prevented.
Feeding at the roots should be gone about with
caution, or the result will be seen at the next
potting time in the points of the roots. A
judicious apj)lication of any good concentrated
manure is of assistance, esjiecially to old or
root-boimd plants.

Plumbago capensis. — This is well known as
one of the best phmts for the greenhouse, and it is
also used for the flower garden with good effect.
Old plants get stunted and unsightly, but if pro-
gated annually and grown on under favourable
conditions it makes a very nice pot plant, espe-
cially for autumn use. Good cuttings may gene-
rally be had in February. An old plant cut iDack
and put into a little warmth will soon give a good
supply of cuttings. Short cuttings treated similarl}'
to tliose of Fuchsias will succeed well ; they sliould
be potted singly as soon as established. It may
be gi'own in quite a cool liouse, but will make
better progress in an intermediate temperature.
Stop]jed as required, busliy plants are soon
formed. I have had C[uite dwarf plants w-ith
several good heads of bloom in 45-inch pots, and
when given a little artificial manure tliey go on
flowering for a considerable time. The white
variety is very prettj', but the type, I think, is
the better of the two. — H.

Swainsonia galegifolia alba. — This is an
olcl introduction wliich does not often meet with
the treatment it deserves. Let go its own way, it
does not make a very serviceable plant, but with
a little attention it may be grown as a comijact
bush, and will keep up a succession of pure white
blossoms for a considerable period ; in fact, it
maj' be had in flower nearly throughout the year.
For autumn flowering the spring-struck cuttings
will make nice plants, cuttings from plants which
ha\'e been cut back and made a fresh start strik-
ing freely in the ordinary stove propagating pit
or on a hotbed. They may be potted singly in a
good loamy compost as soon as they are well
rooted. Grown on in a cool house or pit and liept
stopped from time to time until thev have made
bushy, compact jjlants, thej' may then be left to
come into flow-er. As a pot plant for the cool
greenhouse the Swainsonia has few rivals, as it
keeps up a succession of bloom througli the
autumn and well-nigh through the winter. It
must be grown in a cool place, as red spider being
its greatest enemy, a dry atmos)3here must be

avoided. In addition to being a useful pot plant,
it is also valuable for cutting from. If [jut into
water as soon as cut the flowers will last well. —
A. H.

"Vallota purpurea. — A few well-flowered ex-
amples of this afford a pleasing \ariety in the
greenliouse at the present time. I am, however,
under the impression (which is confirmed by
others) that, generally speaking, the Vallotas of
the present day are inferior varieties compared
with those grown a generation or more ago. This
is in all probabilitj' owing to the fact that large
numbers are now imported e\ery year, and though
many of them die, yet some become permanentl}'
established. In these imported bulbs, as a rule,
the flow'er-stems are taller and the segments of the
bloom narrower than in the old Vallota of twenty
or thirt}' years ago. An opinion seems verj' gene-
rally to prevail that the Vallota will ]iut up with
any amount of rough treatment, but that is by no
means the case, and this erroneous idea is doubt-
less the cause of many losses. Two things in [lar-
ticular very detrimental to the welfare of the Val-
lota are over-potting and disturbing at the roots
more than is absolutely necessary. The plants
may be kept in good condition in the same pots
for j'ears, and consequently the soil employed
should be of a lasting nature. Good fibrous yel-
low loam and sand, lightened if necessary by a
little well-decayed leaf-mould, is a very suitable
compost for the Vallota, and in such as this the
roots will remain in good condition for a \ery long
time. Imported bulbs are sometimes affected with
an insect after the manner of the Euch:iris mite.

couple of seasons forming dense flowering bush(
some 3 feet in height if shifted into a 9-inch (
10-inch pot and liberally fed during the growin
season. Plenty of drainage, good loam, son
rotten manure, and road grit or coarse sand sii
the plants well. From the commencement (
June until the end of October a position in tl
open air suits them best, ha\ing, in fact, tl
same treatment in every way as Chrysanthemum
They look best when one stout stake only is ii
sorted in the centre of the pot for support, an
all outer branchlets allowed to fall down in a fn
and natural manner. The rich j'ellow blooms ai
then dis|)layed to advantage. Small spraj-s loc
very cheerful arranged in glasses, and they a
also very useful for dinner-table decoration. Tl
plants will continue in good health for five or s
years, after which young plants should be brougl
on. The}' will take no harm in winter if frost
kept from them. — J. C.

Garden Flora.

Crinum iloorei alhuni.

and consideraljle numbers have been lost in this
way. By importing bulbs of the Vallota we often
have them in bloom at a different time of the year
from that in which we are usually accustomed to
see them in flower. The}' generally reach this
country in the summer, and if potted at once, a
few may bloom in the autumn ; then about the
month of May many of them will, as a rule, push
up their flower-spikes. A few years ago numerous
examples were exhibited at the Temjjle show.
Sometimes pink forms crop up among these im-
ported bulbs, but they are more difficult to esta-
blish than the ordinary kinds. I have raised a
considerable number of Vallota seedlings, and find
that, as a rule, they grow away in a very kindly
manner. The flowers, however, are not all of
equal merit, and a good deal of variation exists
among them. Tlie Vallota is essentially a green-
house plant, and a good light position, such as a
shelf near the glass, suits it best. — H. P.

Coronilla glauca. — Since Chrysanthemums
have commanded such attention some of the old-
fashioned useful winter-flowering su injects have
been discarded, or now receive but little notice.
One of the most serviceable for either conserva-
tory decoration or for cutting is Coronilla glauoa,
the value of which is greatly enhanced by its
having yellow flowers, which, if we set aside
Chrysant^hemums, are none too common during
November and December. \Mie7i well grown, the
deep green, dense foliage contrasts ])leasingly
with the bright yellow Pea-flower-shaped blos-
soms. A stock may soon be raised by potting
several small plants into a G-inch pot, these in a

PLATE 1131.

CRINUM SANDERIANUM.
(with a coloured plate.*)
This is one of the best of the thirty speci
of Ciinum found in Tropical Africa and excl
sive of those found at the Cape, of which the
are about a dozen, the two most familiar
these being C. Moorei and C. Ion;
f I ilium (capense). I consider C. Mooi
the best of all Crinums in a gard' |
sense, its blooms lasting excc]3tionaI
long and its flowering season being.,
the summer tlirough. In this respol'
it difl'ers from all the other speci"
known to cultivators except C. Ion; (
folium, which is equally free floweri
and lasting, but a long way infer'
in beauty. C. Sanderianum was ti:
introduced in 1884 by Messrs. F. S:i
der and Co., St. Albans. It is a nati
of the west coast of Africa, i.e., Siei
Leone, &c. Its nearest ally is C. zt
lanicum (Amaryllis ornata of Eotanii
MarjnrdvR, t. 1171), which, according 1
Mr. Baker, is widely spread in Tropic '
Africa and Tro]iical Africa, and whicli
one of the best known of tropical garden t'rinun
Anotlier near ally is C. Kirki, introduced
Kew from Zanzibar in 1879 by Sir J<jhn Kii
and a familiar plant in the houses at Ki
still. C. scabrum, another African speci
gi-own in English gardens, is also nearly allii
to C. Sanderianum. These are all characterisi
by a globose, short-necked, purple-tinged bul
long strap-shaped, briglit green leaves, whil
are deciduous, the new leaves accompanying |
preceding the flower-scapes, which are stoi
from 1 foot to 2 feet long, with an umbel
from six to twelve fragrant flowers more or le
funnel-shaped, with oblong, not spreading, se
ments and a curved tube. In C. Sanderianu
the tube is aliout 5 inches long, and the se;
ments 3 inches to 4 inclies by 1 inch, whitj
with a band of bright red down the middle
each.

This .and all its allies require a stove tei
perature, a I'ich loamy soil, plenty of wat
whilst in growth, and little, or none, whilst
rest. W. W.

Daboecia polifolia. — There are few of oj
dwarf evergreen shrubs of which more can hesa|
in favour than of this little ericaceous plant. .<{
hardy as the common Gorse, of neat habit, flow«^

* Drawn for The Garden in Messrs. SandeS
nursery, St. Albans, by H. G. Moon. Lithographi
and printed by J. L. Uoffart.

1

August 14, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

123

■jng freely and througlioiit a long season, and
withal' easily ]iro]iagate(l and cultivated, it
unites 'in itself pretty nearly all the virtues one
<;ould wish for in a hardy shrub, for its beauty is
unquestionable. It is not a native of (Jreat
Britain, but is found wild in the west of Ireland,
also in several |.iarts of South-west Europe. Its
small leaves, each half an inch long and narrow-
ovate, which crowd the hairy stem are of a glossy
and very dark green above and I)lue-\\hite be-
neath. The raceme is erect, terminating tlie
branches, and bears numerous drooping urn-
shape<l llowi'rs. The flowers are of three different
kinds : in the typical form they are purple, in
Bore-albo they are white, whilst a third form
bears tlowers both [lurple and white, both colours
frequently occurring in the same Hower. It lasts
from June to September in flower, and is easily
projiagated by seeds. — H.

The Week's Work.

KITCHEN GARDEN.
I'KI.ERY. — Frecpient and copious waterings have
(jecn necessary to keep the plants from suffering

and result in the Celery being more crisp later on
when required for use. A slight s]iriidiling of
salt once a week and well watered in is also bene-
ficial, and may lie used as a substitute for the
fiirmei' where this is not at command. It is not
too late to plant out a kite batch, but it would
not be wise to disturb the plants until we got
rain, when with a few cloudy daj-s thej' would
soon take to the new soil, and little or no check
would be experienced. In the meantime, how-
ever, the plants sliould not be neglected, and
should lie well watered as often as necessary.

Si-:Ki)-i!i;ns of spring Cabbage, Lettuce, and
Endixe are also suffering from the dry state of
the ground, and it is only by fretjuent waterings
that the seeds will germinate and a good sto(^k of
[)lants be obtained. It is not altogether safe to
wait for rain before sowing more seed of each, as
the season maj' be too far gone before the plants
are large enough for putting out, therefore all
attention should Ije paid to those already sown,
so that a good store of |)lants will be ready for
putting out when the state of the weather per-
mits. In spite of frequent waterings, the sun has
such power that the yoinig seedlings will push
through the soil slowlj- unless a fairly shaded
border was selected for forming the beds. A few

Crinnm ca^cnse.

from the'exoessive heat and the parched state of
the ground. In gardens where there is a scarcity
«f water, or laliour to apjjly it, this crop will have
made little progress ; indeed, the plants will pro-
Imbly have lost their health}' green colour and
have a stunted appearance. Celery is natuially
a moisture-loving plant, and to obtain heads of
I lie finest (juality later on, no trouble should be
spared during the present spell of dry weather to
keep the i-oots well supplied with water. Mere
driblets once or twice a week are next to useless,
and to be of any use to the jilants the trenches
should be almost flooded as often as iiossible while
the dry weather lasts. Although it would l)e well
to draw a little fresh soil round the plants if they
are growing fairly well under the present circum-
stances, this .should be confined chiefly to the
■early batches that will be retpiired at the end of
the present month, but mid-winter and late sup-
plies would lie better left as they are until they
nave had several good showers sufficient to pene-
trate the soil well below the roots. Where the
earliest supply has not been moulded up as yet, a
thorough soaking of liquid manure would prove
'nost_ valuable, as it would assist rapid grow th,

bush}- Pea sticks laid on the surface, or a Straw-
berry net of several thicknesses raised a few
inches from the ground, will afford a certain
amount of shade, as well as keep birds from doing
any harm.

DiiicixG AND MAxnRiNfJ. — Unless the ground
has become foul and requires cleaning before a
crop can be put in, I would not recommend dis-
turbing it to any depth while the drj' weather
lasts, as, apart from this allowing moisture to
escape, the influence of sun and wind will also
exhaust much of the feeding properties contained
therein. It is better to deter digging under such
circumstances until the time arrives for putting
in the crop, when a change for the better in the
way of weather may ha\'e arrived. The same
may be said in manuring land. To expose the
manure by spreading it over the ground which
re<|uires digging, if only for a day, means so much
loss of strength and moisture. \\'here it is really
necessary to manure and dig ground for Cabbage
or Spinach, wheel the manure in heaps ami pro-
tect it from the sun with Pea haulm or some
other material, working it into the trenches as
the work proceeds, so that it retains as much

moisture as po.ssible. As a further moans of con-
serving this, it is a good plan to 1 glitly tread the
ground the following day, which will also make it
in a better condition to receive the plants or seeds
when the time arrives for putting them in.

Pkas, I am afraid, will have collapsed in many
gardens before now wheie it was not possible to
keep them well supplied with water, and those
who were careful to trench the ground in the
spring for late summer supplies will now be reap-
ing the benefit of the extra labour then incurred.
Much depends, however, on .soil and locality, as,
in spite of all the attention, some ground is so
poor and thin that it is impossible for this crop
to grow freely after a long spell of hot weather.
In such cases it would l)e wise to pay extra atten-
tion to other things which are better able to stand
dry weather, ]jrovided their roots are regularly
supplied with moisture, esjiecially in the Form of
liquid manure. A most important crop now for
keeping up a supply until cut oU' by frost will lie

Scarlet Runnkks. — It is surprising what an
amount of growth these will make when liberally
su()plied with manure water, even when grown on
poor land. Ridges of soil should be drawn uij
quite 6 inches high on either side of the rows, and
not less than 18 inches from the base of the
plants. Place a goo<l layer of decayed manure in
the trenches thus formed, and afford a thorough
soaking. A few inches of drj- soil sho\dd be
spread over the manure afterwards to conserve
moisture, and also to be less inviting to the attack
of birds. Keep the Beans gathered even though
they may not be recjuired, as their removal re-
lieves the plants and induces them to continue
flowering.

Although I have pointed out some of the draw-
backs resulting from dry weather, one should not
overlook the ad\'antages, as such a season is most
favourable for the destruction of weeds. All
weeds that have been allowed to reach the stage
when the seed is nearly ripe should be carefully
pulled up and burnt at once.

Richard Parker.

FRUIT HOUSES.

Early vineries. — The Vines in these houses
should now be in fit condition for a partial ]3run-
ing in the shajie of a shortening back of the
laterals to about half their length. This partial
]iruning has a very beneficial effect, inasmuch as
it not only induces the Vines to plump up their
basal buds, but also assists in the early matura-
tion of the same. Laterals which have borne
bunches of Grapes will not need shortening back
if a portion of each was removed when cutting
the bunches. After this partial pruning has been
carried out, syringing of tlie foliage had better be
discontinued, as it might have the effect of caus-
ing premature bursting of the buds ; but root
waterings must not in any way be neglected,
particularlj' if the hot weather should continue.
Towards the end of the month the top-dressing of
borders may be taken in hand, also such work as
adding to, renovating, or making new borders.
In the meantime the necessary quantities of the
retjuired materials should be prepared for forming
the borders, also for the top-dressing, &c.

MiDSEASON HorsEs. — From many of these the
crop will have been cleared, and as it is so very
essential that the first leaves be preserved in good
health as long as possible, they must be well
washed occasionally to prevent possible attacks of
red spider. The lioiders must also be watered
whenever they approach a dry condition, and
keep a fair thickness of middling on the surface
to prevent moisture evaporating too quickly. In
course of time these Vines may be treated as ad-
vised above for earlier houses, the ripening of the
foliage and cessation of sub-lateral growths form-
ing a good guide as to when it may be performed.
Other houses in which the Grapes are ripe must
be kept shaded whenever bright to prevent the
black kinds losing colour. The borders must also
be kept moist, otlierwise the berries will shrivel ;
and as an aid towards maintaining the berries in
a plumi) condition, the internal air should ba

124

THE GARDEN.

[August 14, 1897.

kept as cool as possible and the floors damped at
least once a day during fine weather. Wasps,
bees and flies, where numerous and troublesome,
must lie excluded from these houses, or they will
soon ^^•ork a considerable amount of mischief.
The best plan is to tack muslin or nettinf; o\er
the \'entilators, whicli if properly done will
prevent these pests entering. This method is
infiniteh' superior to that of enclosing the bunches
in muslin bags, while the handling of the bunches,
with the attendant loss of bloom consequent on
the use of bags, is avoided. In lieu of this,
saucers partly filled with sour beer and a few
damaged berries will trap a gi:>od many, as will
also the employment of the mixtures sold under
the name of wasp destroyers, but alisolute exclu-
sion is the best remedy.

Maix-ceop Muscats. — Here the Grapes will be
ready for cutting, and as the supply will in many
cases have to be prolonged as late as possible,
steps must be taken to keep the Grapes in a
sound jjlump condition. Aids to this end are :
shading the roof (-luring the hottest part of the
day, keeping the borders f|uite moist, with a free
circulation of dry air during fine weather, and
closing the house altogether on wet days and
foggy nights. Sprinkling water on the floors
about the middle of the day cools the air and
corrects aridity, l>ut the moisture generated b\'
its adoption will have evaporated long before
nightfall.

Late Muscats. — If these are on the point of
colouring and the borders are in a condition to
receive water, they may have a final application
of artificial manure. If liquid manure is pre-
ferred, this may be used and continued some little
time longer, but I do not advise its use once the
Grapes commence colouring freely generally.
Give every attention to air-giving making use of
the front ventilators during the forenoon when
colouring becomes general, and attend carefully
to matters of routine, such as stopping and damp-
ing down, gradually dispensing with the latter as
the berries assume an amber tint.

Late Hamburchs. — With Duch hot weather
as we have had to contend with lately the
greatest difficulty has been experienced in trying
to prevent these late Hamburghs getting too
advanceil, and it is to be feared that in spite of
shade and abundant air-giving they are in many
cases in too forward a condition. There is, un-
fortunately, no remedy for this, and the only
thing is to continue the same kind of treatment
as legards shade and airing, and when finished
to keep them as cool as possible, and trust that
their well-ripened condition will enable their
being kept as long as may be desirable. In the
meantime see that the borders are kept suffi-
ciently moist both inside and out, and if they dry
up more quickly than is desirable, increase the
mulch on tlie surface.

Early Peach house. — The time has arrived
when the consideration of such matters as lifting,
top-dressing, additions to existing borders, and
new borders should receive attention. In the first
place, root-lifting is an excellent method of
dealing with trees which make gross wood,
cast their fruit, or are subject to that great e\i\,
stone-splitting. Lifting the whole of the roots
with a good ball of soil attached in bad cases, or
a partial lifting in others when not of such a
severe character, acts as a corrective in nine cases
out of ten, and considerably prolongs their life
and usefulness from a fruit-bearing point of view.
Lifting must be done quickly, so that the roots
are exposed to the drying influences of the outer
air for as short a time as possible. Again, on the
other hand, when the soil in existing borders has
become partly exhausted, it is sometimes advis-
able to cut away the front portion to the width of
3 feet or 4 feet and to replace this with new soil,
in which the roots should be carefully laid out.
Top-dressing of borders is of great Ijenefit when
the trees are established and healthy, as the ad-
dition annually of a little fresh soil keeps the
roots feeding up near the surface. One thing
should always be observed in top-dressing, and
that is to remove a certain proportion of the old

surface soil before applying the new, and the
([uantity of the latter should not exceed the
former in bulk, otherwise the borders will become
elevated above their proper level. Additions to
borders are generally needed when new trees
have been planted and it has not been thought
necessary to make the border more than 'A feet or
4 feet wide at the outset. If the trees have done
well, an addition of another 3 feet to the width of
the border will be beneficial. Entirely new bor-
ders are generally retjuired in the event of a tree
dying, or when the replanting of a house with
fresh trees becomes necessary, and, lastly, when
planting a new house. In this latter case the
borders can be made piecemeal, 3 feet or 4 feet at
a time, but in the other cases the borders, as a
rule, have to be constructed of full width at the
outset, particularly if full-sized trees are lifted and
brought in from outdoors. Such are the common
reasons for lifting and border-making, and when
either is necessary the materials for concreting
the base, brickbats and rubble for forming the
tlrainage, and the soil constituents for building
the border w'ith should be prepared, so that the
work can be undertaken either at the end of the
present month or the beginning of the next, ac-
cording to the condition of the trees. In any
case it should be done while the trees retain their
leaves, as if these remain on but a few weeks
afterwards, they greatly assist in the formation
of new roots. A. W.

Flower Garden.

TREE LUPINES.

Conspicuous among the flowers of June come
the Lupines. Their elegant leaves, their usually
gocjd habit and their handsome spikes of pretty
flowers render them welcome to nearly every-
one. One never tires of the yearly display of
the best varieties of Lupinus polyphyllus. Less
enduring, but not less hands<mie, are the va-
rieties of the Tree Lupine (L. arboreus), with
their lavish display of yellow, creamy white or
lilac spikes of honeyed flowers. Natives of
Galifornia, tliese Tree Lupines seem to find our
climate less congenial than that of the golden
land from whence they come. They flower well
for a year or two, but usually depart when we
have begun to think that they mean to stay
with us for many years. It may be that in
their own sunny land they are not long-lived
either. It may be that even there the burden
of seed-bearing may be too great for longevity,
but here, at least, their life is all too short.
One is not disposed to attribute this short life
to severe winters alone. Large plants some-
times survive a hard winter, only to succumb in
a succeeding and milder one. These shrubby
Lupines are not biennials, neither can we say
how many years they will live. This does not
appear encouraging nor likely to induce any
to add the Tree Lupine t<j their shrubberies or
borders, and yet it is so easily raised from seed
or from cuttings, that there is no dittieulty in re-
taining a stock to replace the plants we have
lust. It must be some ten years or so since I
bought a packet of seed, and this one introduc-
tion has never failed to give successors enough
and to spare. Self-sown seedlings are produced
freely and have often to be thrown or given
away owing to want of space. The plants vary
from seed, and where a variety which it is
desired to retain appears it is well to propagate it
by means of cuttings taken off immediately
after flowering if the shoots are ripe enough.
( tf all the colours none are so much esteemed as
a good bright yellow. Some of the paler shades
look washed-out , and shades of lilac and blue are
so plentiful among the other plants of the
genus, that they are not sc > much appreciated in

this shrubby species. The deep, briglit yellow
is, on the other hand, a welcome colour, and a
well-grown plant covered with its grey-green
leaves ahno.st hidden by the countless flowers is
always and justly admired.

It is not ditticult to find a place for the Tree
Lupine. It is perhaps at its best among dark-
leaved shrubs, against a hedge, or on a steep
bank, where its spikes of flower will be seen to
most advantage. It is not out of place in the
border where, in its season, it is almost unsur-
passed for profusion of bloom and its mass of
colour. It likes a light soil with shelter from
cold and cutting winds. With these attbrded,
a Tree Lupine will in its second year attain
from 3 feet to even (i feet in height, and pro-
duce an almost incredible number of spikes of
flower. It does not object to pruning in spring,
but, as a matter of course, this must be care-
fully done, or a stifl' appearance will take the
place of the natural grace of the bush. Seed.--
ought to be sown early in spring either in pots
or in the open ground. The latter is the pre-
ferable course, and if possible the seeds should
be sown where the plants are to flower. This
will prevent any check to the growth. For
cuttings, the little shoots on the main branches
taken ott" with a heel when slightly hard at the
base usually strike well if inserted in pots of
sandy soil placed in a shaded greenhouse or
frame. After flowering, plants in borders look
a little untidy if allowed to retain all their seed-
pods, and the most of these may be removed,
only allowing any to remain which may be
wanted to keep up the stock in case of the loss
of the parent plants. The Californian Tree
Lupine, in common with the other members of
the genus, when shaken or touched when in
seed makes a rattling noise.

Even taking into account the shortcomings or
defects of the plant, the Tree Lupine is worthy
of more extended cultivation than it has re-
ceived during the hundred or more years it has
been grown in British gardens.

S. Arnott.

Carsethorn, hy Dumfries, N.B.

Herbaceous Lobelias. — These are excep-
tionally good this season, and as they are perfectly
hardy with me, the\' rank among the most useful
summer flowers. \\'hen at the end of a season
any new arrangement in which they are to take
part is contemplated for the following year, the
old clumps are split into two, three, or four
pieces, as their size allows, and replanted at once
in the required site, a mulch '2 inches thick of leaf
soil, or, better still, of peat moss manure if this is
available following the planting. For a large
bed in a prominent position let me recommend
irregular clumps of Lobelia on a groundwork of
William Niel Tufted Pansy. The colour contrast
is \-ery effective, and as this carpet plant is one of
the very liest of the Tufted Pansies alike for free-
dom and endurance, one has a very charming lied
right awa}- to the end of the season : indeed, it is
at its best through August and September, when
the spikes of the Lobelia are well developed. —
B.C.

Tufted Pansies. — It is sometimes argued that
the propagation of Tufted Pansies by ofl'sets or
division — a general break up, that is, of the old
plants eithei'in late autumn or in spring — is pre-
ferable, so far as after results are concerned, to
propagation by cuttings. It may be so on some
soils. It certainly is not here. Division was in
the case of several varieties rendered necessary
this spring on account of a failure with the cut-
tings, and an after comparison of the plants
obtained from the two methods has consequently
been afforded. There is no comparison between
them ; cuttings come earlier into flower, are far
more vigorous, bloom with greater freedom, pro-
duce better blooms and last much longer.

August 14, 1897.J

THE GARDEN

125

have hiul a tine display this year on all the
favourite varieties, and there has been less ten-
dencv to run out in several sorts that are. as a
rule, olVenders in this respect. Early in llie
season when there were indications of a loii^' spi'll
of dry weather the plants had a mulch of peat
moss inainire and a good soaking'. This .set tln'ni
well on the move and was instrumental in pro-
ducing a tine lot of early llowers, and just wlien
lliey were showing signs of going back the heavy
stiirin eauK- and gave tlieni a new lease of life. -A
rapiit run through to renio\ e any .seed-i)ods and
dead llowers clearly showed how (piickly they
l>icked up and started again with renewed
vigour. A noteworthy point when growing them
on the soil with which I have to deal is the advis-
ability of the occasional renewal of the stock from
a heavier soil. Despite dressings of road sidings
and cow manure, I never get the vigorous foliage
and large lilooms obtained from a naturally he.ivv
soil, except it may be in a wet summer, and then
the profusion of Hower is not forthcoming. —
K. S.

CARNATION NOTES FROM WOKING.

Thk cultivation of Carnations has been taken up
in earnest by Jlr. F. A. Welleslej' only two }ears,
but in his garden at Honeypots there is now one
of the choicest collections yet got together bv an
amateur. About 1000 plants are grown in "jiots
and flow'ered under glass, a large space being
devoted to seedlings in the open border. Among
tlie latter there are many promising kinds. Car-
nation blooms in the tropical sun of the past few
weeks have looked anything Ijut hap])y on the
hot, sandy soil of this neighbourhood. Outside it
seems cjuite impossible to cope with numberless
thrips which attack them. I have had several
opportunities of comparing the \arieties in Mr.
Wellesley's collection as well as noting his
methods of culture. The young plants are kept
perfectly clean throughout the winter months, at
which time they occupy the stages of green-
houses. This is an ad\'antage o\er cold frames,
because one may be working among his plants,
however bad the weather. Not less than once a
week each plant is examined, and if a " spotted "
leaf is seen it is promjitly removed. In the case
of gieen-fly, either a dusting of tobacco powder is
applied or the house is fumigated. Early in
March the plants are potted into the size in which
they flower. The size known as lO's, a trifle over
)S inches in diameter, is used. From two to foui-
plants are placed in one pot, according to the
strength of each variety. Several sorts of com-
post have been tried— loam and grit, a mi.xture of
loam and manure, also that cliarged w-ith vaiious
forms of fertilisers. Mr. Wellesley is convinced
that fertilisers are not necessary aiid that Carna-
tions olijeet to high feeding. Sweet fibrous soil,
with a fair proportion of rubbleor gritty material,
is all that is needed. The blooms resulting from
such a soil aie pure in colour, of good form, and
most refined in their glo.s.sy texture. Self-coloured
flow-ers appeal to me, and I w ill therefore mentinn
these first. In pure white sorts there is not one
to compare with Mrs. Erie Hambro. It has
all the c|ualities of a perfect flower. Not over large
— for huge Carnations become coarse — pure 7n
colour and excellent in form and substance, it
combines a most desirable habit of easy and sturdy
growth. Miss Ellen Terry is a good white variety,
but the blooms are too large to develop w ithout a
split calyx. This is a fault which Mr. \\'ellesley
cannot overlook ; hence many popular kinds such
as the Malmaisons are not cultivated. Niphetos,
agam, is a nice white flower, and the plants bloom
freely. Blush-white flow^ers are represented by
Uaterwitch, Her (Irace and Seagull. They are
all very line. The last-named, perhaps, has the
greater substance. Passing to a deeper shade,
Burn Pnik and Ketton Rose may he noted,
ihese are free-flowering, useful kinds, now well
known, but altogether inferior to such sorts as
t.xUe and Braw Lass, two bright rose-coloured
l^arnations. Hayes' Scarlet cannot well be beaten
m that shade. King Arthur has \-ery larn-e

blooms and is exceedingly showy. King of the
Crimsons is good in that colour, but l)y far the
tincst dai'k crimson sort is iMephisto, which is
gin)d in c\'ery way. Bendigo is a striking ilowcr
of a rich purple tint, and sliould be added to the
choicest collections, (xcrmania is an old kind
that holds its own as a yellow, but one coulil wish
the growth of a sturdier nature. Corunna beats
it in this respect and has a nice flower. Miss
.\udrey Campbell is a line yellow .self. Duke of
Orleans is also a showy one, but it must In- placed
among those that ai'e I'ather large to be handsome.
Among the apricot-tinted kinds there are some
(•specially pretty flowers. Mrs. Reynolds- Hole, so
generally esteemed, does not, however, compare
favourably with The I'asha ; this is rich and (iiie.
Nabob is a trifle less l)riglit, but is a charming
sort. Winifred and The Hunter may also be
included, the former being the better of the two.
1 noted Carolus Duran and was pleased, because
its praises had at various times been recorded in
Thk <T.\RnEN, but I am much disappointed with
it. Neither in form, colour, nor growth can it be
compared with any of the shade named, and I
have now no wish to grow it. It may be that in
tile north others succeed with it.

Yellow Ground Picotees,

as tliey are called, ha\ e within recent years been
\ery much improved. They are a delightful class of
flowers, and,',what is of not less importance, their
growth is easy, the constitution of all those I
shall name being robust. The ground colovu' is
yellow, but varying in intensity, and the borders
and flakes of rose, red, or dark ciimson are |)ro-
duced in the flowers, in some instances slightly,
in others heayy. Golden Eagle so struck me with
its refined and charmingly formed blooms, that it
is named first, although Mrs. Robert Sydenham
is generally regarded nearest perfection in this
class. Eldorado is very fine, so is Ladas. Mi-.
Nigel is a variety rich in its dark markings and
with excellent form. V'oltaire is also handsome.
Cowslip is a beautiful kind, and the same remark
applies to the variety Mrs. Douglas. Besides
those named, Mrs. Alfred Tate, Mrs. Dranfield,
Countess of Jersey, and Xerxes must be included,
also Monarch, a variety that appears to be but
little known. This last is a splendid flower.

Under the heading of " fancies" one may note
se\eral kinds that are certain to please most
tastes. Garville Cjem is one. This has slate-
coloured blossoms of pretty form. Distinction is
light )5urple, spotted witli a deeper shade. Car-
diiud Wolsey has flowers in which a rich red
accompanies yellow ; this is extremely showy.
So, too, is George Cruiekshank, buft' and reil.
The Dey is a most distinct kind — a combination
of buft' and rose.

I will not take up space by naming the various
"class"' flowers — the bizarres, flakes, edged Pico-
tees, and so on — for the reason tliat varieties
which were the best a dozen years ago are the
leading ones now. From time to time an im-
proved form may spring uj), but one might de-
sire something of an improved growth. Compared
with the varieties Ihave named, they are generally
neither sturdy nor easy to grow, although the blos-
soms wlien at their best are beautiful. H. S.

Pentstemons.— The experience of the last
three years has led me to place Pentstemons
(piite in the front rank among summer floweis,
aiul the variety gloxinioides is exceptionally use-
fid alike for the fine flowers produced, the many
and varied shades, and the ease and rapidity with
which it flowers in the one season. The .s'eed is
sown early in February in boxes, the latter being
[)laced on the shelf of a vinery just started. Old
soil from the potting-bench is a capital compost
alike for these and things sown at the same time,
such as Carnations, Antirrhinums, Iceland Pop-
pies, &c., and if it should be a bit on the heavy
side, leaf soil and sand may be employed to make
it lighter. The plants are pricked out into other
lioxes or into frames as soon as they can be
handled, and should be grown on as quickly as
possible, that is kejit a bit close and receive atten-

tion in the way of judicious watering and l;e
giadually exposcfl so as to secure good sturdy
stull' by the beginning of .May. The variety is
not <pnte hardy. Old plants wdl not come .sately
through any liutan exce|itionally mild winter, or
cuttings from the .same unless well protected.
.\s noted above, ca[)ital -things are always obtain-
able from a packet of seed, but if exceptionally
good forms are found, the same may be per-
petuated by cuttings. To obtain a (|ui'ck succes-
sion the first spike should be nipped otlassoon as
it shows signs of seeding. Thi! side sjiikes
(|uickly deyelo[), and from these a goodly show- is
obtained until the end of the .season. It is not
advisable to plant too thickly, just a little day-
light between the |)lants being conducive to
sturdier growth, and where special kinds liave
been retained and propagated from cuttings they
c.an be planted still more thinly on a dwarf carpet.
Tufted Pansies, especially the Violetta section,
are very useful for this purpose. If cuttings are
not taken until the spring and there is any doubt
as to the hardiness of the stock, old jilants can be
liftetl and stored in a cold frame. They w-ill
come through safely if frost is just excluded. —
E. B. C.

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.
Incarvillea Delavayi. — Plants grown in partial
shade are showing seed-pods freely, but there is
no seed on fully exijosed plants.

Sidalcea malvseflora 'Warley Rose. — This
is decidedly a border flower to make note of.
The delicate rose-coloured large flowers are freely
produced, and are attractive as seen in the garden
or when cut. No sticks are needed owing to the
flexibility of the tall stems. I was especially
struck with the rich and pleasing effect of a group
of this which chanced to be close to a group in
flower of Linaria vulgaris peloria.

Linaria repens alba. — This is a raie and de-
sirable form of a species which in the type hai-asses
many of us by its persistent running habit, and
so has become a thing to despise, and yet in many
places, as on dry banks and old walls, it proves an
ideal plant, for there it keeps ^ery dwarf and
flowers all summer ; the running roots somehow
find their way along the joints of the stones both
ascending and descending. There is also a deli-
cate soft mauve-coloured variety which has oc-
curred here, as well as one with a creamy varie-
gation of the foliage. The white-flowered sort is
the most charming, and it has all the vigour of
the type, the flowers as plentiful and pure, a suc-
cession being kept up for some time. It only needs
to be seen to be admired. Even if it should prove to
run a great deal, we can do with broad masses
of white flowers in the latter half of summer,
especially in the case of a plant w'hich does not
leave any litter to detract from the efl'ect of white
flowers.

Stobaea radula. — There is something most
attractive, to my mintl, about this, in which,
though a composite, the heads are neither like
those of a Daisy nor a Sunflower ; even the yellow
is peculiar, and in a head nearly 3 inches across
it need not be said th.at it is striking. The per-
fume, too, is just as singular. I should describe
it as of Stockholm tar and honej'. and verj-
pleasant. I tested the plants in the severest pos-
sible way last winter for hardiness and not a ]>lant
succumbed.

Hemerocallis aurantiaca major. — This, no
doubt, is one of the new introdiu-tions which have
come to stay ; the flowers are glorious in both
rich colour ami size, and they last longer than
those of most other kinds of Day Lily ; in fact,
this is a good flower for many a day in moderate
weather.

Achillea eupatorium. — How splendidly this
stately old plant shows up in the border of tall
things. It revels in plenty of sunshine, and this
summer has attained larger dimen.sions in all its
parts than usual, being, for instance, quite 5 feet
high and topped with its big, old gold-coloured
corymbs. Perhajis the most useful feature about

12G

THE GARDEN

[August U, 1897.

this plant is the great length of time the flowers
last. As with many other strong growers, the
better way is to transplant a few offsets every
year ; these attain their best form in two or three
years. The big, flat corymbs may be tried for
indoor use in vases. Not everyone would imagine
the rich effect.

Hypericum nummularium.— This is one of
the brightest and most pleasing of the rock gar-
den plants. E\en in the present fierce sunny and
dry weather it keeps up a telling succession of
bloom. I know nothing that could be more
profitablj' planted on the score of both colour
effect and season, for about this time we find we
have none too many reliable plants for keeping
the rock garden gay.

Cistus alyssoides. — Thi.s is one of the
smaller-leaved species, grey, almost silvery in the
foliage and very dwarf. The more consijicuous
and pleasing features are the brightness of its
yellow flowers and their long succession, whicli
lasts quite si.\ weeks in strong plants, and another
good point is that you get this to quite an effec-
tive size, because it can remain for years without
the necessity of lifting it in the autumn. In
Yorkshire it is perfectly hardy, it having stood
with me in one position for five or six years with-
out the. least protection. Stature 9 inches, habit
procumbent. ,J. Wood.

Woodvillt, Kirkstcdl.

IRIS MACPOSIPHON.

This is a native of California, where it grows in
company with I. bi-acteata and I. californica.
The foliage is narrow, grass-like, about a foot
long, tough, and hard to the touch. The
flowers, which appear in May, are of an un-
common form, falls and standards Ijeing very
long, undulated at the margin, and when open-
ing of a bright ochraceous yellow, with a deli-
cate network of brownish crimson. When
fading they turn to creamy white and the dark
network to rose. It is a very beautiful sight
to see on a big plant these flowers in all
the difl'erent shades. As will be seen from the
photo, it is very free flowering, and, all in all,
a handsome and striking i)lant. On one group
I counted as many as seventy-three flowei's
open at one time, and many more to come. It
is perfectly hardy, and prefers a loani}' soil and
a sunny and dry situation. I. bracteata has
somewhat larger flowers of the same colour,
but the network is more delicate. I. cali-
fornica, which is new to cultivation, occurs
with white, mauve, blue, violet, and lilac
colouis in all shades, and is also a pretty free-
flowering species. M.\x Leichtlin.
Baih)i-Badbn.

there was no check this spring to growth, flower-
spikes were early and are very fine. The fact
that the several side-sprays springing from the
centre spike are much later in opening has a ten-
dency to greatly prolong the season, and the dis-
jilay on such a border is of several weeks" dura-
tion. There are few more charming combina-
tions for large vases than well-grown spikes of
Jlontbretia rising out of a groundwork of Gypso-
))hila, and I can recommend these to the notice of
all gardeners who have to supply an abundance
of cut flowers. — C. P. S.

CARNATIONS AT iIOXTA(;UE NURSERY,

TOTTENHAM.

It is not yet a decade since Mr. F. Giflbrd made
a beginning in the above nursery for the express
purpose of growing the border Carnation, and by
raising some thousands of seedlings each year to
endeavour also to raise the standard of excellence
in these all-increasing pojoular summer flowers.
He has Ijeen very successful, particularly in the
high standard that now prevails in nearly all sec-
tions of the flower. For proof of this we have but
to examine the thousands of seedlings that are

Henierocallis aurantiaca (typel. — In answer
to Mr. Jenkins, this was described by me in vol.
viii. of the new series of tlie Oardeiu is' Chronir/e,
p. 94, from specimens now in the Kew herbarium,
from a plant in fxdl flower in Kew Gardens,
•luly 14, 1890.— .J. G B-\KEi;.

Montbretias. — The border in whicli my Moiit-
bretias had remained for se\eral j'ears having
become overrun by an objectionable weed intro-
duced bj' chance with a surface planting of alpine
Plilo.x, I was obliged to make a clearance last
autumn in order to get rid of the same. After
carefully picking it out, some rough manure \\'as
put on and dug in deeply ; holes were then made
9 inches apart and 6 inches in depth, and the best
corms of the Montbretia selected and replanted,
making the bottom of the hole moderately firm,
so that the corm rested on a sound basis. About
2 inclies of rough leaf soil were put on after the
holes were filled in, and the border completed by
dibbling in tliickl)' a lot of rooted cuttings of the
Phlox, that forms an admirable carpet to the
Montbretia. The Montbretia has benefited
greatly from the lifting and replanting, and as

Ins macrosi-phon. From a photograph s nt hy Berr Max
Leichtlin, Baden-Baden.

flowering at the present moment, and though con-
stantly halting to remark this or that fine Form or
colour, to find less than 5 per cent, marked as
worth retaining. This does not, howe\ er, prove
the inferiority of the strain, but just the reverse,
and the more so in a collection so rich and varied
as here obtains. A dozen years ago, perhaps
90 per cent, of the double Carnations, which, by
the wa}-, are mainly of self colour, now in flower
liere would have been selected as improvements
on existing kinds to be sent forth with glowing
descriptions, but now next to useless when they
appear in competition with the best things in aiiy
good collection. And what must untloubtedly
appeal to manv as so much waste time in the
raising and jjroving of all these seedlings year by
year is but the florist's own exacting ideas of what
this or that flower must be. For, be it remem-
bere<l, the florist himself fixes the standard to be
achieved ; next, he achieves it invariably to his
complete satisfaction, and then, espying further
possible grounds for improvement, again com-
mences on the self-imposed task and accomplishes
this also. And so on by degrees and with years,
till now, in many classes at least, further im-
provement appears well-nigh impossible. To the
florist, however, the latter word is unknown, as
unexpected breaks and new shades of colour are

sure to appear from time to time. All this rio-id
selection of the best and most worthy from all
points cannot fail to be esteemed by those
amateurs who make a leading feature of these
plants, particularly for the open garden, where
only the hardiest and most vigorous types
are sure of making a display worthy the plants
themselves.

In these respects Mr. Giftord's collection is note-
worthy, from the fact that the whole of the plants
are grown in the open ground, and in a soil, by
the way, that does not impress one at the first
view. But soil that is light and somewhat stonv
is eminently fitted for the Carnation in winter,
and if to this be added the gentle slope of the nur-
sery itself, we imagine that not a few would like
such a garden for the purpose. And whatever
first impressions to the contrary one may get, all
such must be C[uickly dispelled, not onlj' by the
general vigour of the thousands of plants in the
collection here, but also of the seedlings. One
point in particular to which Mr. Giflbrd attaches
importance is height, so that the flowers may
suffer the less from pelting rains. A thunder-
storm the daj' previous to our visit had ruined all
the flowers within 12 inches of the earth, while
the taller sorts were free. Quite a large number
of the kinds grown here are seed-
lings of Mr. Gilford's raising — a
fact that speaks well for the ex-
cellence of his strain. Of the
latter, the beds of seedlings also
testify largel}', there being about
a dozen beds some 60 feet long
filled with the plants. The whole
of the named collection, for con-
\enience of layering and other-
wise, is in narrow beds or lines,
and in this way all the kinds are
readily inspected. Some of the
more prominent of recent novel-
ties are W. J. Fish, a most bril-
liant scarlet, a great advance on
King of Scarlets and non-bursting.
Lord Leighton is also fine, possess-
ing the same Ijlush tint as Water-
witch, but said to be an improve-
ment upon it in the open. It is
certainly a \ ery fine flower. Lady
Cook — a clear soft yellow, with
faint, bright scarlet edge — i*
charming, and with its sweet
perfume and symmetrical blossoms
most telling. Hodgson Pratt, a
crimson-scarlet, with bai's of a.
deeper shade, is a handsome and
full flower and of fine habit ; while
Frederic Harrison, near by, strikes
one by its deep golden and almost
globular flowers, that are slightly
edged carmine. This is one of the fancy sorts that
are becoming popular. Another splendid thing is
Andrew Noble, rosy salmon in colour and among
the most handsome ; the petal is very fine and the
flower full. Wanda, Clive Brook, "Donnybrook,
Gordon Stables and Joe Willett are all scarlets of
very high order that cannot fail to sati-sfy the most
exacting, while J. R. Lowell, Laureate and John
Davidson represent those of salmon shades, the
last with powerful clove fragrance also. Bret.
Harte is a handsome crimson of intense hue,
as vigorous in growth as it is free and fragrant
of blossom.

White-flowered kinds are especially good, and
among these Wilfred Laurier is conspicuous in
the novelties ; this is of the purest, and possesses,
finely-formed petals and full flowers as well as a.
vigorous constitution. Esi^ecially good is Edith
Leadenham, of rather taller growth, but its erect,
free-branching character is seen above all else in
the pure white mass of its flowers. Even here in
the oiien sharing with the veriest weeds the great
parching heat and heavy, pelting storms of rain
and hail this splendid-habited plant was but httle
w^orse. Other whites are ilrs. (Jiflbrd, with large
flaky blossoms of immense size and beautifully
fragrant and free. Mrs. Eric Hambro and Miss.
Ellen Terry are both first-rate. Sigard is best

August 14, 1897.]

THE GAKDEK

127

described as Mrs. K. Hole im|irove(l, and W. M.
Thomson, apricotlmtl', hpa\ily murkod wit)i red-
dish scarlet, is a very attrartivo (lower. I'elliain
is a mixture of dark and brij^lit erimson, an<l
Sarasate is scarlet with crimson stripes with fine
habit. Mrs. C. \\ . Towidey is also a strikiiii,'
Hower and freely produced ; it is marprined ami
Haked with erimson on white f^round. Ai)art
from these, the most of which have l)e<'n
raised by Mr. (iill'ord.are to be found the choicest
jf those raised by Mr. Martin Smith and other
H'ell-known specialists of the flower. The whole
collection is trrown without the least protection,
ind the abundance of fine vifrorous i;rass that is
fjein» put down f;ives the most satisfying evidences
for success next vear.

Iceland Poppies. — To a])preciate the beauties
if these they want to be seen in large patches.
>uch patches jiresent to view hundreds of bios-
ioms, white, yellow, and orange-scarlet. A more
beautiful or useful group of perennial Po})pies can
icarcely be imagineil, and if the seeds be sown in
Vlarch and the seedlings carefully looked after
hey will bloom the same season. The blossoms,
ixtreuiely bright and showy, are borne on slender
items about u foot in height, and if cut in a young
itate they are very useful for table decoration
md are much employed for the ))urpose. The
>range-scarlet form known as Miniatum is in-
clined to be sportive, but a considerable per-
centage of the seedlings will come true to cha-
acter. — R. D.

Annual Xeranthemums. — Tlie douVile
)urple and the tlouble white varieties make
:harming subjects to cut from. In a good and
airly light soil they grow to a height of about
! feet and bloom with remarkable freedom.
?here is a rose-tinted variety also which it is
hought originated from the purple, but it does
lot always come true. In addition to their value
i\ the garden, the Xeranthemums are useful Ever-
istings, and, as in the case of the Helichrysum,
he flower-stems should be cut when the flowers
re about half expanded, the stems tied together
t the ends, and then hung up in a dry, cool
ilace, where they become rigid and the flowers
ally expand. The flowers come in very useful
3r nome decoration at Christmas. The seeds can
e sown and the plants allowed to stand where
hey are to bloom. — R. D.

Drchard and Fruit Garden.

FRUIT-TREE BUDDING.

AiLL you tell me when and how to du fruit-
•ee budding, as unfortunately I have been un-
iccessful in my prcxions attemjjts, chiefly, I
incy, from my ignorance when the buds to be
iserted are in their best condition ?— A

foVICR.

*** July '"id August are the months in
hich fruit-tree budding is most .successfully
irried out. The operation is no more difficult
lan that of building dwarf Roses, and is per-
rmed in much tlie same manner. Buds may
ther be in.serted in firm young shoots, as in
le case of budding standard Roses, in tlie
ems of young suckers layered, or on seedling
ocks in the same way as Manetti Rose stocks
V budded. Although nurserymen ])erseverc
ith this delicate work in hot weather such as
tcly experienced with sati.sfactory results,
uateurs are advised to select, as far as possible,
ill, showery weather for budding. It is of ini-
irtance (1) that the stocks run freely, the bark
>t clinging to the wood when ojjened ; (2) that
e bark to whicli buds are attached parts
adily from the wood, and (.S) that the buds
lected arc suitable for the puri)ose. W'liere
• ly a few dozen or scores of stocks arc budded.
'■ -sap cjin be sent up into the wcjod by freely

watering the ground about them, budding tak-
ing jilace a day or two latei'. The buds can be
detached from the wood with a minimum
amount of trouble when the trees from whicli the
shoots are cut are kept moist .at the roots, while
the most suitable buds are obtained from about
the middle |iortion of strong (not gro.ss) well-
niatured shoots, those near the base being too
ripe, .and those nearer the jioints of the shoots
immature. If the buds .are obtained frcjin a
distance, tlie shoots to which they are attached
should be lightly topped, have the leaves
shortened to near tlie footstalk.s, and be packed
in damp Moss. Those cut from home-grown
frees ought also to have their leaves reduceil to
one i|u;irter their original jiroportions, and be
ke))t in a c;iii i>f water till they are done with,
Vnids dr.agged from shrivelled wood seldom if
ever ' ' taking. " Before describing the o]ieration
of budding something more must be said
about the stocks. A judicious selection and
careful prejiaration of these contribute largely
to ultimate success. If large trees of
Apples are desired, the stock selected is
the natural or Crab stock, but more pre-
cocious, if smaller, trees can be had by bud-
ding on the surface-rooting Doucin, English
and Broad-leaved Paradise stocks. The wild
Pear is the best stock for choice Pears if large
trees are wanted, while smaller, quick-bearing
trees result from budding on the Quince stock.
Apricots are principally budded on the Mussel
I'lum stock, the St. Julien Plum being recom-
mended as a, stock for Peaches and Nectarines
in preference to the Almond stock. For choice
Plums, the St. Julien, Mu.ssel, and Myrobalan
I'lum stocks are recommended, though both
these. Apricots, Peaches and Nectarines are fre-
<|uently budded on ordinary Plum sucker
growths duly prepared for the purpose, and
to the use of which much of the trouble with
suckering growths may be attributed. Cherries
are budded on both the wild Cherry and the
Common dwarf species, the former imiiarting
the most vigour to the scion.

Stocks transplanted last autumn or spring
ought to be fit for budding this season. A
single bud should be inserted in each stem if
comparatively young, but the lateral growths or
l.irger older stocks may also be budded ; also
young growths on large trained or other trees
the characters of which it is desirous should be
changed, or for the purpose of testing either
.seedlings or novelties quickly. There ought
not to be a great dift'erence between the age
of the wood to be budded and that from which
the buds are taken. The buds are in their best
ccmdition when about half ripe and iilumpcd
up. It is just possible "A Novice " failed to
distinguish between wood buds and fruit buds.
Only the former are suitable. They differ from
fruit buds in that tliey are longer and more
pointed, fruit buds being, as a rule, round and
somewhat flattened. In the case of stone fruits
(Apricots, Plums, Peaches, Nectarines and
Cherries), medium-sized shoots frequently pro-
duce triple buds, the central one of these being
a wood bud, and these buds may be used accord-
ingly. Some few Apples, Bismarck in jiar-
ticular, frequently form twin bud.s, one wood
and the other a flower bud, and thousands of
newly-budded stocks have actually produced a
fruit ,-ind a strong wood growth (luring the
summer following budding. Neither single-
stummed stocks to be budded near the ground
nor lateral growths to be budded similar to
Briers should be headed down, but they may
be cleared of spr.ay and lightly topped.
Nothing should be done to force the" buds into
growth this .season. If they did start, the
growth wouhl be feeble ; whereas if they

become well attached to the wood this summer,
heading down the stocks <.r shortening lateral
gnjwths in the autumn or winter to near the
liud, long and strong shoots will be pushed out
next summer.

Tlie operation of l)udding is delicate, yet
sinii)le. The wood with buds attached should
be in a can or bucket of water close at hand. A
.shari) budding knife and r.aftia for tying, together
with good stocks, are all the accessories needed.
First prepare the bud. With the knife cut ott'
a thin slice of bark and wood IJ inches long,
commencing at the lower side and having the
bud in the centre. With the handle of the
knife removes the wood, commencing this time
from the upjier end. If this is successfully
done there will be no hollow eye in the bud,
but if the eye is open, owing to the pith coming
away with the wood, a v;icuum would be formed
and the inserted bud would jicrisli. Whc-ii
ready kee]) the shield with bud oh the tongue
till wanted for inserti(jn. In a clear portion of
stem or lateral growth, as the case may be. make
the usual cuts in the form of a T and raise the
bark carefully, commencing at the angles on
both sides. The shield with the bud facing
uiiward in upright stocks, but outward in
lateral growths, should be inserted under the
bark, the footstalk of bud coming in handy for
liushing it down, and when in position only the
thin bruised end of .shield should protrude.
Cut this oft' .so that the top of the shield of bark
fits tightly (butts against) the top of the cross
cut or top bar of the T cut and see that it does
not shift when bound up, as it is there where
the union most quickly takes place. Bind up
with either raffia or worsted, taking care not to
unduly press against the buil. If the leaf foot-
stalk connected with the bud remains fresh and
green a week or more, the bud is all right, but
if it shrivels during the next day or two the
chances are the bud has not taken, and if the
season is not too far advanced, a second bud on
the ojiposite side of the stem may be inserted.
Nurserymen usually commence budding Cherries
first, following with Apricots, then Plums,
Apples and Pears, with Peaches and Nectarines
last. " A Novice " ought to commence opera-
tions at once. — W. I.

A BATCH OF NEW STRAWBERRIES.

We have had several of late and still they come,
and so long as the new are different, or better in
.season, size, colour or quality than the old, the
more the better. The cry is also raised that some
of the old sorts are getting worn out, and that
new varieties arc needed to take the place of such
as Keens' Seedling, Elton, British Queen and
Sir .loseph Paxton. Be that as it may, Messrs.
Laxton, of Bedford, are doing their best to supply
all our wants. Take four of their recent novelties
— Early Laxton, Monarch, Royal Sovereign and
Latest of All. Of these four. Royal Sovereign
promises to become as popular as Keens' Seed-
ling, and here in Edinburgh we have Mr.
Carmichael offering four new' Strawberries.
These are the Prince and Princess of A\'ales,
Queen of Denmark and Richard Oilbert.
These almost cover the Strawberr\' season from
first to last. A^eitch's Perfection is also rapidlv
establishing itself in publie favour, while Mr.
Allan's earlier seedlings, (iunton Park and Lord
Sutiield, are taking higher rank in private gardens
and being grow-n for market. Jlr. Allan tloes not
believe in finality in the improvement of Straw-
berries, hence he exhibited another novelty (Lady
Sutfield) at the great show at Norwich the other
week, where it obtained a first-class certificate.
This is n cross between Lord Suffield and Em-
press of India. In flesh, flavour, colour and
aroma Lady .Sutheld is the most unitjue Straw-
berry I have yet eaten. The tie.sh is also
firm and of a dark crimson colour throughout.

128

THE GARDEN".

[August 14, 1897.

Several new Strawberries have also recently been
before the Scottish Horticultural Association at
their recent meetings. Thomas Carlyle, a cross
between Garibaldi and Ur. Hogg, has the fine
habit and enormous fertility of the former, with a
dash of the superior fla\our of Dr. Hogg. It is
also as early a^V. H. deThury, and seems to con-
tinue longer in bearing. W. E. Gladstone was
shown by James Grieve and Sons, of the Redbraes
Nurseries, Edinburgh, who hold the stock of this
large fine-looking Strawberry. In certain parts
Elton is still grown as one of the most profitable
and popular late Strawberries. In others, Frog-
more Late Pine is run abreast of Waterloo, Lord
Suffield, and Latest of All. With all our addi-
tions, however, some of the older sorts hold the
field, V. H. de Thury being still the most popular
Strawberry north of the Tweed, and Paxton south.
Royal Sovereign is making rapid progress alike in
Scotland and England. It will be several years
before it assumes the place or area devoted to
these two jiopular favourites. Fruit growers and
consumers are, in fact, so intensely critical as well
as conser\ ative, that there is no danger of being
overrun too rapidly with no\elties, however
meritorious. The difficulty and danger are all the
other way, as those find to their cost who try to
place a distinct Strawberry like Waterloo on our
markets. " I). T. F.

RASPBERRIES.

The Ras])berry is one of the few fruits that
travel badly, and each district has, tlierefore, to
grow enough for local use. Fortunately, the
Raspberry is by no means fastidious as to soil if
only there is depth enough to aS'ord a sufficiency
of food and moisture during the time the fruit
is swelling and ripening. Even when tlie soil
is shallow, resting on a hot or gravelly subsoil,
the plants can frequently be kept in a healthy,
productive state by means of heavy mulchings
of strawy manure, these keeping the ground
cool and moist. Raspberries are also liable to
fail early on heavy, badly-drained soil. On a
moderately deeji, fertile, loamy soil the planta-
tions can be kept much longer in a profitable
condition, but, as a rule, fresh jjlantations
should be made every few years, these taking the
place of those showing signs of failure. It is
worthy of note that when Raspberries are
planted among standard fruit trees, all growing
up together, they succeed well for a consider-
able number of years, tlie jiartial shade aft'orded
Ijy the fruit trees benefiting the. Raspberries
rather than otherwise. It is not to be expected,
however, that planting among fruit trees after
the latter have grown to a large size will turn
out so satisfactorily. (_)n the contrary, com-
])aratively puny canes result from this planting
on ground already exliausted of much that
makes it fertile, and the shade is also too
dense. There sin mid, however, be no digging
in of manure among the lines of canes, as this
means the wholesale destruction of many fibrous
roots with which the surface soil ought to be
crowded. Hoe and rake off weeds, if need be,
and then mulch heavily with either strawy
manure, peat Moss litter (using this less freely),
spent hops, sjient tanner's bark, or decaying
leaves. Anything of a very forcing nature
ought not to be used other than sparingly. For
instance, it would be a mistake to mulch with
kiln-dust or charred Barley sprouts obtained
from maltings. A free application, or enough
to act as a nuilch, once, to my knowledge, had
the eft'ect of forcing young Raspberry canes to
a height of !> feet, and their owner was very proud
of them. It proved the ruin of the plantation,
the plants not being equal to the strain of
pr(iducing a crop in the following year or (jf
forming good serviceable canes. Neither ni-
trate of soda nor sulphate of ammonia ought
to be used heavily by way of manure, as these

also are liable to force the young canes irito un-
due luxuriance. One part of either of these
nitrogenous manures ought to be sufficient for
mixing witli two parts each of kainit or other
potash salts and superjjliosiihate of lime, ap-
plying the mixture in February, March, or early
in April at the rate of 3 oz. to the square yard.
Li(|uid manure may be applied with advantage
to poor, well-drained soils during the winter
and early spring months, and where solid and
other manures are but sparingly used, liberal

Carter's Prolific Raspherry.

applications are of great assistance when the
crops are swelling.

There has hitherto been too much rule-of-
thumb business in the matter of

Pru>jino and Training

Raspberries. We are too fond of shortening
all the reserved canes to one height, and, as a
consequence, there are usually thickets of fruit-
ing shoots at the tops of the stakes or fences
and few lower down. The canes, whether
trained to single stakes, fences, or espaliers
formed with either wires or stakes, or grown

market-grower's fashion (that is to .say, withoii'
supports of any kind), should be shortened an
laid in at least of three difl'erent lengths, th
smallest of tliose reserved at the preliminar,
thinning being the hardest cut. Shorten till
latter to a length of 18 inches, leaving others t
from 30 inches to 3 feet in length, and in th
case of the taller growers the strongest cane
may be left to a length t,f 5 feet or rather les,'
In this way perfect columns, fences, or hedgt
of fruiting growths are had, and a greatt
weight of fruit obtaine
than by shortening an
training in the conmio
fashiim. It is true soni(
wliat hard pruning is a]
to favour sucker growt
from the roots, varietii
of medium height beiii
particularly liable to pn
duce far more sucki
growths than dcsirabl
This may to a certain t-
tent be checked by eithi
hoeing or hand-pulUii;
those left in the rows i
near to the old canes ali
re(iuiring tcj be timely ai
freely thinned out. The
must be no hesitatii
about pruning new)
l>lanted canes. Unprmn
or only lightly shorten,
canes may and do pre >du
fruit, but it is usually
an inferior chaiacter
uDiajmratively worthies i
added to which the plai
will be exhausted in t
attempt, and form
young canes worthy of t
name. Cut them doi
to within (i inches of t
ground, and if they wt ,
properly planted all w '■
push up strong you
canes equal to beari
fruit next year. In tl
way the foundation
profitable rows of planil
tions of Raspberries n
have been laid. New
planted canes should a'
be mulched, as owing
not having had time
send their " anchor "roi
down deeply into tlie s
drought will cjuiokly affi
them. They ought furtli
to be assisted by wateri
during dry, hot weathe
Varieties.
Reference has be
made to the niarll
grower's jjlan of growil
Raspberries witho
stakes, but it must be
membered that the '
Beehive or Fastolf and any other tall-growi
variety is unsuitable for this method of cultu ;
If these were grown without support th
would have to be arranged in I'ows not less tli
5 feet apart, and even at this di.staiice tl
would sprawl badly. As it happens, t|
growers can be wholly dispensed with, as thil
are at least four good varieties that are suital]
for the purpose. One of tlie best of these is 1

Carter's Pkolific, a good illustration of whij
accompanies these notes. This deser\ediy poj
lar variety attains a height of about 4 feet, ii!
be shortened to 3 feet, and the sturdy canes lij

[August 14, 1897

THE GARDEN.

129

;n remiiin nearly or <[iiite eivut. It is a lionvy
ipper, and tlio "fruits are large, tirm in tlesli,
B|) red in colour, and of excellent llavour. In
B.m'MKorth's Si:Ki>i.iMi we have a good com-
iiion for Carter's Prolific, this iilso forniint;
.tra sturdy, somewhat branchinj; canes, which
;! rarely injureil hy frosts. When the ripeiieil
lies are shorteneil somewhat severely this in-
, ces an extra early stronn; growth of young
.lies, many of which |)roduce fruit freely in the
.Itumn. The fruits are large, tirm in texture,
. rk red in colour, and richly Aavoured. This and
13 foregoing variety are good travellers, and
iiong tne best to send to a distance for dessert.
HoKNKT belongs to the same category.
3l'l'EKi.\TiVK is intermediate between the
iHlium and tall growers, and is suitable for
iTlier training to stakes and espaliers or for the
urket-grower's method of growing, the sturdy
(lies when shortened moderately hard standing
4ll without suppports. It is a heavy cropper,
i|d has large, rich red, tinely-Havoured fruit.
F.VSTOLF, an olil favourite, is not generally re-
llble, and, in my opinion, is inferior to Northum-
Wand Fillbasket. K.

ATIN(i OF (iLA,S.SHOUSES IN MARIiET

(JARDENS.

'iiE case of Smith /■. Richmond, survej'or of
(kes, before Mr. .Tustice (.'oUins and Mr. .Justice
jdley, sitting in the Queen's Bencli Division, was
I considerable importance t.i market gardeners,
'lis case was stated b}' the (juarter sessions for
est Sussex on an apjieal by the overseers of the
Irish of Worthing from a decision of the assess-
i;nt committee of the union of East Preston under
(; Agricultural Rates Act, 189(i (.Ml and (iO Vict.,
c 16). The case raised a question as to the rating
1 glasshouses over market gardens. By section 1
I the Agricultural Rates Act, ISlKi, "the occu-
lir of agricultural land in England is made
. ble, in the case of every rate to which the Act
1 plies, to pay one-half only of the rate in the
]und paj'able in respect of buildings or other
Ireditaments." The facts were as follows :
!ibert Piper was a grower of fruit, vegetables
<d flowers at Worthing, and described him.self
id was commonly known as a market gardener
id nurseryman. He was the owner and occupier
(land rather more than four acres in extent, on
nich fifty-seven glasshouses or greenhouses of
'rious sizes were erected. The houses were
ijd by the appellant for the purpose of growing
' inatoes. Cucumbers and (Jrapes, and to a
^ alter extent other vegetables, for the purposes
'sale. The plants and crops grown therein were
1 tered and heated by artificial means, and grown
ion soil placed upon prepared beds inside the
1 uses, and matured much earlier than in the
csn ground. The Vines are planted inside the
1 ises, and the roots run partly in the soil under
ti houses and partly pass through apertures in
t; walls into the soil outside. Fifty-one of the
p.sshouses are thus used for growing Vines.
I the Cucumber houses (which are six out of the
I y-seven hou.ses) there are inside the houses
' arf brick walls supporting corrugated iron
sfets, upon which sheets earth taken from the
Cier parts of the nursery ground is [ilaced. In
ts earth so placed upon the iron sheets the
( cumber plants are planted. Beneath the iron
r-fi-bi aiifl between them and the ground there
hot-water pipes. The area actually occupied
tlie fifty-seven houses is rather more than
t — ■

J acres. The rest ( rather more than two acres)
cisists merely of \"iiie borders, paths and the
ske-holes. The whole of the houses are built
1 3n dwarf brick walls like an ordinary green-
^^se. It is jirovided by section i) of "the Act
t,t "the expression 'agricultural land' means
nr land used as arable, meadow or pasture
piuud only, cottage gardens exceeding one
Qirter of an acre, market gardens, nursery
giunds, orchards or allotments, but does not in-
cde land occupied, together with a house as a
rrk, gardens other than as aforesaid, pleasure

grounds, or any land kept or preserved mainly or
exclusively for pur|)oses of sport or recreation,
or land used as a racecourse. " For the purposes
of the Act section (i (1) requires certain returns to
be made to the Local (Jovernment Board. In
imrsuanco of subsection (.'<) the Local (iovernmont
Hoard by the Agricultural Rates Order, 18',)(), have
made regulations. By Article IV. the overseers
are to serve to the assessm(;nt (committee antl the
surveyor of taxes a return showing, as regards
each hereditament separately valued in the \'alua-
tion List, which is partly buildings anil partly agri-
cultural land, the gross estimated rental and rato
able value of the parts not being agricultural land.
In this case the overseers returned Mr. Pi[ier's
projierty as agricultural land. The assessment
commitlee, however, on the objection of the sur-
veyor of taxes, deeideil that the statement, to the
extent to which it includes land partly covered
with glasshouses, was incorrect, and corrected it
liy striking out that entry.

Upon the hearing of the appeal before the
([uarter sessions it was contended for the ap|iellants
the overseers that the particulars of the gross
estimated rental and the rateable value of the
hereditaments in tiuestion were correctly entered
by them in their statement under the heading of
" agricultural land,'' and that the decision of the
assessment committee to correct the statement by
striking out the entry was wrong, and in support
of their contention thej- cited the case of " Purser
i: Local Board for Worthing" (18 Q.B.l)., 81S).
For the respondent it was contended that the
case relied on by the appellants did not decide
that the glasshouses were not buildings, but
merely that the land was not the less used as a
market garden because the glasshouse had been
placed upon it, and that, moreover, the definitioh
of agricultural land in the Agricultural Rates
Act, 18il6, was to be read subject to the context,
and that the context in the Act required that any
buildings should be excluded from the term agri-
cultural land, that the glasshouses were buildings
within the meaning of the Act, and that it fol-
lowed that eitlier iJtie whole of the hereditaments
in question should be excluded from the overseers'
statement, or, alternately, that so much thereof
as consisted of buildings should be inserted under
the heading of "buildings not being agricultural
land." The (juarter sessions were of opinion that
tlie contention of the appellants was right, and
allowed the appeal, and ordered the statement of
the overseers to be altered by restoring all the
items which formed the suljject of the appeal to
the condition in which they were before they were
altered by the assessment committee, subject to
the statement of a case for the opinion of the
Court. The following section of the Act in ques-
tion, "i9 and (iO Vict., c. 16, is material: 5. ('■)
Where any hereditaments consist partly of agri-
cultural land and partly of buildings, the gross
estimated rental of the buildings when valued
sejiarately, in pursuance of this Act, from the
agricultural land shall, while the buildings are
used only for the cultivation of the said land, be
calculated, not on structural cost, but on the rent
at which they would be expected to let to a tenant
from year to year if they (/ould be so used. The
Attorney-General (Sir Richard Webster, (j.C),
Mr. Hay, and Mr. Trevor ajipeared for the sur-
veyor of taxes : Mr. .Joseph Walton, {).€., and
Mr. Clavell Salter for the overseers ; antl Mr. A.
(ilen for the occupier. The Attorney-Ceneral
said this was a test case of importance. The dis-
tinction drawn in the Act was between land and
buildings and not between buildings and agri-
cultural buildings. The buildings here should be
liable to the full rate. The case relied on by the
overseers was on another Act. Greenhouses in a
cottage garden were fully rateable. The ques-
tion was not one of assessment ; it was whether
the buildings had to [la}' half rates or whole rates.
There were no buildings of any kind in the Act
which had only to piay half rates. He referred to
" Purser i: Local Board of Worthing" (18(^B.D.,
81S), " London and North-Western Railway i:
Llandudno Improvement Commissioners" (1897,
1 Q.B., 287). The strip where the Vines grow

might, perhaps, be treated as agricultural land.
.\lr. .loscpli \\'alton said .section I of the Act was
the guiding section, in that agricultural land
was defined as meaning, iiilir ii/ia, market gar-
dens. The land here was market garden. It was
therefore only liable to half rates. He would ad-
mit for the purpose of this case that a building
which was not part of the garden even though in
the garden was not to lia\'i.; the benefit of the
exemption. But anything that was garden was
entitled to exemption. Section 't (<•) had really
verj' little to do with the niattctr ; it only related
to the mode in which buildings- -not agricultural
land — were to be rated. Mr. A. (lien's appear-
ance on behalf of the occupier was under the
Agricultural Rates Order, Article I.\'., rule '.i.
The Attorney-General took the objection that
that rule, which permitted the occupier to appear
at (|uarter .sessions, did not authorise him to argue
here, especially after the argument for the over-
seers. Mr. (ilen cited " AV .Justices of Mont-
gomeryshire" (44 L.T., .310; .51) /.../., Mc. .'■>2),
and said that this was the appeal. It would be
ridiculous if the party interested could not appear
here. His client certainly was the [larty interested.
The Court, after .some consideration, thought he
was entitled to argue for his client. Mr. (ilen
continued the arguments for a short time. He
said it was begging the tiuestion to rely on sec-
tion .5 ((•).

The Court in the result disagreed, but Mr.
.Justice Ridley, accortling to the usual practice,
witlidrew his jutlgment, with the result that Mr.
.Justice CoUins's jutlgment in favour of the market
gardener prevailed. Mr. .Justice Collins said :
This case raises a question whether glasshouses
used in a market garden and constituting in
themselves market gardens are entitled to secure
the benefit attachetl to agricultural land in the
Act of 1896. The quarter session, over-r:ding the
decision of the assessment committee, held that
glasshouses were not buildings within the Act,
and against that decision the appeal came to this
court. His Lordship then read the first section
of the Act, providing for the occuiiier of agricul-
tural lantl paying one-half only of the rate pay-
able in respect of buildings and other hereijita-
ments, antl section 9 defining agricultural land
as inelutling market gardens, and continuetl : It
follows from this definition that if the structures
in this case are market gardens they are entitled
to exemption. Is this, then, a market garden ';
His Lordship read the facts as set out in
the case, antl continued ; From the above it
appears that one-half of the property was covered
with glass builflings. Was that hereditament a
market garden ': A great deal of light is throw n
on the matter by the case of "Purser r. Local
Board for Worthing" (18 (J.B.D.", 818). On the
authority of that case it is clear that this property
is not hinderetl from being a market garden by
reason of its being coveretl with glass. Up to
that point, then, this is a market garden. The
Attorney-tieneral, however, pressetl some argu-
ments based on the provisions of sections .5 (c) and
6 ('2), which .sections, he sairl, hatl the efl'ect of
excluding any buildings from the benefits attach-
ing to agricultural land. The cardinal point in
the Act being the distinction between buildings
and land, I tlo not, however, consider that well
founded. So far as buildings are concerned, the
object of section .1 is to give them a (|ualifie(l ex-
emption. It then goes on to buildings "used
only for the cultivation of the said land," and
gives them a tpialified exemption, which explains
why the distinction is tlrawn between agricul-
tural land and buildings. In the section market
gardens antl builtlings are mutually exclusive, as
it tleals with buildings excluded out of agricul-
tural lantl. Therefore, when once I arrive at the
conclusion that the premises in question are
market garden I am not pressed by the provisions
as to buildings, because they are excluded out of
agricultural land. The other casecited strengthens
the views that the platform antl roof over a rail-
way line were held to be part of the railway, antl
the tlistinction was drawn between the line and
buildings ancillary thereto. When, as here, the

130

THE GARDEN.

[August U, 1897.

structui'es are ])art and parcel of tlie market
garden the exemption applies, and you have to
get them out of the category of market gardens
before the provisions as to buildings apply. Any
other view would defeat the object of the Act.
The Legislature had swept "market gardens"
into the category of agricultural land. It must
have been known to the Legislature that they
were oftentimes covered with glass. I tljink,
therefore, that the buildings in cpiestion are to he
regarded as part of the market garden, and are
only liable to half the rates. Mr. Justice Ridley
.said he differed with difiidence, but felt bound to
state the opinion he had arrived at. The whole
scojie of the Act was to relieve agric\iltural land.
See the preamble, sections 1, .">, (i, and the detini-
tion clause 'J. Occujjiers of agricultural land
were to pay only half the rates charged on build-
ings and other hei-editaments. The object evinced
by those and other sections was to contrast the
land with the buildings. In the Act no buildings
were entitled to the same relief as the agricul-
tural land. As to them the law remained as
before, except in respect to the buildings in sec-
tion .') ('■). It was not likely that it entereil into
the mind of the di-aftsman that buildings would
stand on the very land which was being culti-
vated. Such buildings were none the less build-
ings because they did so. Those market gar-
deners who were wealth}' enough to erect glass-
houses all over the land were not the class of
persons for whose relief the Act could have been
intended. — Ti/tie-i.

Societies and Exhibitions.

THE MIDLAND CARNATION AND
PICOTEE SOCIETY.
August 5 and (i.
Tin: annual exhibition of this society took place
in the Botanic Ciardens, Edgbaston, Birmingham,
on the .)th and (ith inst. , and proved a great sur-
prise, for the extent and quality of the blooms
staged were much beyond what could liave bsen
expected, as it was feared that the hot wexther of
the previous few days would have seriously
affected them. The midland show was in remark-
able contrast to that lield in London a short time
ago. In the light and airy exhibition house of
the Botanic Gardens the blooms could be ar-
ranged to considerable advantage ; the light was
excellent and the convenience for seeing much
better. The weather was favourable, and a
supplementary exhibition was provided in the
various plant iiouses by the curator, Mr. \\'. B.
Latham, the flowering houses being especially sray
with subjects of a \ery high order of merit. The
yellow Carnation Germania and the dark maroon
Uriah Pike, both grown in pots, were really
superb. Fuchsias formed an excellent background
to the Carnations on the exhibition stages, and in
one part a magniticent specimen of Bougainvillea
glabra trained to the roof overshaded a consider-
able numlier of the cut flowers.

There is no large class at Birmingham for
Carnations as in London : a twelve stand is the
largest, and in the class for this n\imber of Carna-
tion blooms Mr. J. Edwards, Blackley, Man-
chester, was first, having J. S. Hedderly, James
Douglas, Mrs. Rowan, Robert Houlgrave, 8|>orts-
man, Sarah Payne (this fine old variety being
shown in good character), ilaster Fred, Ellis
Crossley, Lord Salisbury, Edward Rowan, Mrs.
Gunn, and Joseph Lakin. Mr. T. Lord, ilorist,
Todmorden, was awarded the second prize, and
Mr. Robert Sydenham the third, both with very
good blooms. Out of seventeen entries for six
Carnations fourteen were stage<l, Mr. C. F.
Thurstan, Wolverhampton, taking the flrst )irize
with charming blooms of Edward Adams, William
Skirving, George Melville, Flamingo, Robert
Houlgrave, and Crista-galli. Mr. A. R. Brown,
Handsworth, was second, and Mr. J. W. Bentley,
Stakehill, Birmingham, third. The white ground
Picotees were, as they always are, very attrac-
tive from their softness and delicacy, and always

command considerable attention. They offer
sharp contrasts in the breadth as well as in the
liands of colour round tlie petal edges. The
best twelve blooms came from Mr. R. Syden-
ham, these consisting of Ganj'mede, Mrs.
Payne, Clio, Jessie, Pride of Leyton, Muriel,
Esther, Favourite, Thomas WiUiam, Little Phil,
Somcrhill, and Scarlet Queen. Mr. T. Lord,
Todmorden, was second, having most of the fore-
going varieties. The best six, a superb half
dozen, came from Mr. A. W. Jones, Handsworth,
who grows in a district surrounded by chemical
and other works, where the atmosphere is de-
cidedly im])ure. He had Little Phil, Muriel,
Mrs. 6|)enshaw, Madeline, Somerlull, and Heart's
Delight. Mr. T. W. ( loodfellow, Walsall, was
second. The growing popularity of the yellow
grounds and fancy varieties was seen in the
number of stands of twelve blooms staged and in
their size and beaut}'. Mr. A. W. Jones, who
makes a speciality of these and the white ground
Picotees, was first with superb blooms of Voltaire,
The (iift, The Dey, Cardinal AVnlsey, George
Cruickshank, Xerxes, Harle(|uin, Eldorado, Gol-
den Eagle, Ladas, Mrs. R. Sydenham, and Mrs.
Nigel, a very good representative collection.
Mr. R. Sydenham was second with flowers only
just inferior, among them Yellow Hammer,
Monarch, Virgo, London, and May (j'ueen. Mr.
A. U. Brown was third. There were fifteen ex-
hibitors of six blooms, Mr. C. Thurstan taking
thetirst prize with fine blooms of Eklorado, Y'ellow
Hammer, (Jolden Eagle, Voltaire, Mrs. Douglas,
and Cardinal Wolsey.

In the class for six blooms of yellow ground
Picotees, Jlr. A. \V. ,Iones was again first with
Voltaire, The Gift, May Queen, Golden Eagle,
Xerxes and Mrs. R. Sydenham. Messrs. Thom-
son and Co. were second, they liaving, dif-
ferent from the foregoing, Eldorado, Ladas, and
Mrs. Douglas. The selfs were also very fine,
and in the class for twelve varieties twelve dozen
blooms were staged. Mr. A. R. Brown was first ;
he had Britannia, Little John, Mrs. Eric Hamliro,
Bendigo, one of the best purple selfs ; Braw Lass,
Her Grace, blush, a beautiful variety ; Hayes'
Scarlet, Germania, Royal Purple, Lady M.
Curiie, Nabob and Topsy. j\lr. R. Sydenham
took the second prize and Messrs. Thomson and
Co. the tliird. There were fourteen collections of
six selfs. Mr. A. W. Jones was first with Fiery
Cross, Britannia, Mrs. E. Hambro, Seagull, Miss
A. Campbell and Germania. Four classes were
set apart for single blooms of Cariuitions and
Picotees of the different sections in twelves and
sixes, occupying certain allotted spaces, a large
table being filled with them, only a limited
amount of dressing lieing permitted. The blooms
staged were mostly seed Hngs and very few were
named. The spaces allowed were not large
enough : consetiuently the flowers were crowded
and the best among them did not show themselves
oft' to the best advantage, while a good many
of a somewhat poor character were staged. Tliere
were also several classes for border Carnations
shown in trusses of three or five. Exhibits were
numerous, but few really good. There was
indeed so much of an inferior character, that some
modification of these classes appears necessary to
prevent this. There were also classes for single
blooms in the various sections of Carnations and
Picotees, and a great many were staged. Such
classes have an interest for experts more than for
the general public. Carnations in pots were also
shown in two classes.

Shower bouciuets formed of Carnations and
suitable foliage— of which there were se\eral ex-
hiliits — formed a very pleasing feature. That
shown by Mr. (_'. Blick (gardener to Mr. Martin
R. Smith, Hayes) was made up of pale rose and
yellow ground Carnations in a highly artistic
manner, suitable foliage being employed. Mr.
W. F. Gunn, of Nottingham, came second with
one made up entirely of white Carnations and
foliage. Soft-tinted Carnations were mainly em-
ployed in all cases. Sprays and button-holes
made of Carnations are pretty certain to be of
a somewhat formal character.

Floral arrangements on tallies (i feet by 3 :
brought seven competitors. Carnation bloil
only being allowed, but any kind of suita
foliage could be employed. The first prize •«
to Miss E. Mayell, Acocks Green, pink and li
colours predominating. As is usual, there wo
centre and two side pieces, with a few ap|
priate small vases in suitable pl.aces. Miss S^
den, of llirmingliam, was second, and Miss A.
Kemp, Edgljaston, third. All were very pret
in one or two cases dark flowers were used w
excellent effect. Epergnes of Sweet Peas w
numerous and good, some very pretty arrai
raents being staged, soft tints generally pre\
ing, though here and there a tew dark varic
were judiciously intermingled. Miss A. (i.Ki
was first and Miss Lovatt second. Evidently,
epergne means any centre-piece, as interpretei
Birmingham.

Prizes were ofiered in two classes for Sweet 1
in bunches ; in that for nine distinct varie
there were sixteen entries, and in that for twi
bunches, competing for special prizes ottered
Mr. H. Eckford, there were five entries. Mos
the bunches were arranged in glass vases \
suitable foliage, and they formed a very pleas
feature. Some of the most striking varif
were Emily Eckford, New Countess, Blar
Burpee, Stanley, Aurora, Her Majesty, Ver
Countess of Radnor, Royal Robe, and Princes
Wales. There were also classes for twelve bunc
of herbaceous perennials, Mr. John Walker, Ths
taking the first prize. Owing to the hot weat
the exhibits were very few and the Howers no
their best.

The society "s challenge cup was won outr
by Mr. R. Sydenham, and the Turner .Meint
cup by Mr. A. W. .Tones.

Miscellaneous exhibits were of an interes
character. Mr.. J. H.White, nurseryman, Worces
was awarded the Botanic Society's silver
medal for a superb bank of hardy and o
flowers. Silver medals were awarded to Mef
T. Hewitt and Co., Solihull, for a collectioi
plants and cut flowers. Carnations predominat
to Mr. B. R. Davis, Y'eovil, for brilliant Bego
of fine quality ; to Messrs. \V. and .1. Birkenh'
Sale, for a fine and interesting collection of Ye
and to Mr. Henry Eckford for a large collec
of Sweet Peas. A bronze medal was awardei
Mr. W. F. (.Junn, Nottingham, for a coUectio
hardy flowers.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

AriU'ST 10.

Thouuii in point of number of exhibits the m •
j ing on the above date was perhaps the smalles ■
I the present year, there was certainly no lacl ''
interesting subjects, especially for the outc '
garden. Hardy jilants, indeed, were the n ■
conspicuous as well as the most interest '
feature of this meeting. Of more than usual
terest — though perhaps crowded somewhat o»
to want of room — was the collection of anni
in flower from Messrs. .lames Veitch and S(
This array of beautiful and easily-grown plo
attracted considerable attention, so replete wo
with the good things this class comprises,
same firm also exhibited one of their usual ;
highly interesting groups of flowering shru
that invariably interest (juite a large numb
From Langport Messrs. Kelway brought a grc
of cut (Gladioli, many of them very good, thoi
scarcely up to the standard of excellence at
previous meeting. It is, however, with regi
that we note a departure in the mode of exhil
ing these flowers : and in place of the simple £|
almost natural arrangement so closely associaj
with these flowers for many years past, the fil
in question had nailed them fan-shaped on hi'
baize-covered hoardings — a method for which
ha\e not the least symiiath}'. A great deal
the beauty of the fine spikes was lost by the s
half-circular arrangement to which we refer.
Trevor Lawrence had a group of Cannas cut fr
the open, also fine spikes of Gladioli and i
pure white form of Crinum Powelli. DaW

AnensT 14, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

131

c very good iiiiil in considerable tjuantity also.
hids, us usual at this season, were not
lerous. Soino f^ood Apples were also con-

ti uted, Iml otluT fruits were the reverse of almn-

dlt.

Orchid Committee.

wards of merit were given tn the following :—

uoNTOiii.ossuM Pkscwtokki Harkisianim.— a

' 1a- form with a large branching spiUe of twenty-

ners. The srpals are white, slightly siill'iisril

i.ise, and thielily spotted at the base with

K.se purple ; the petals white, the centre of

Liisal half thickly spotted with purple as in

U) seiwds, the lip white, sliading to yellow anil

tHkly covered with rieli purple at the base. It

iV nnu'h i[i the way uf the lovely O. 1'.

11. but distinct from that variety. From

.. :t. J. \'eiteh and Sons.

I.kuo-Catti.kva eleoans .Sciiuikuekiana. — A

.n id form. 'I'he sepals and petals rich crinison-

•, the lip rich velvety crimson with

,ius raised lir.es, the side lobes deep purple,

ig to rose at the base. A rut spike of four

~~ was exhibited by Mr. E. Ashworth,

II riield Hall.

iKNDROiiir.M Victoria Reiiina. — In the tine

fv of this shown the sepals and petals, each

I inch in length, are pale violet-blue, veined

I darker shade of colour at the apical half and

at the base. The lip is rich violet, shading to

. at the base, where there are numerous

pi, lie lines. From Mr. T. Statter.

VI-RIPEirn'M CaI.LO - RoTHSCUILDIANrM. — A

hjrid derived from the species indicated in the

D^e. The dorsal seiial is pale green, heavily

• ! with dark brown, the petals greenish wdiite,

V covered with large purple-brown spots:

:i rich brown, veined with a darker sliade of

. The plant bore two flowers on the spike.

Mr. fl. (lurney-Fowler, (ilebelands, Soutli

Wijdford.

'es-srs. H. Lnw and Co. sent a neat and [jietty
Mil, prominent among which were some grand

- of Oncidium I'apilio, well-flowered plants of
' iiesianum, and several flne forms of 0.

mum. Among tlie numerous Cattleyas
nood forms of C Warscewiczi, C. tiaskel-
V. Loddigesi, and a good form of C. bicolor.

■ iiglossum crispum was represented by a good

with white sepals and petals, the sepals

d with reddish brown, the lip white

ig to yellow, and having a large

blotch in the centre. 0. Pescatorei was

-lilted by a grand form, with rich purple
'in the edges of the lip. Cypripediums
liybrids and siiecies) were extensively shown,

most prominent being finely-flowered C.

I -sworthi, a good form of C. macropterum,

ibamianumand C. lenanthum siiperbum. A

Bunksian medal was awarded. Messrs.

tch and Sons, Ltd., sent five hybrid Catt-

Two good forms of L. -C. Atalanta and a

; form of L.-C. callistoglossa igneseens (L.

1 1 rata x C. Warscewiczi), the sepals and

- deep rose, the lip rich crimson-purple,
!■_' to rich orange-yellow in the tiiroat, were

-liown. Messrs. F. Sander and Co. sent

dwarf forms of Sobralia xantholeuea,

I'ilfordi, a dark form of the S. macrantha

11, a fine s|)i'oimen Odontoglossum bic-

-!■ album with six spikes of flower, a grand

"f 0. .Schleiperianum, 0. Kramerianum, 0.

I'irei var. conspieuum, a beautiful form with

1 hite sepals, lip white, thickly covered with

iirple, and Cypripedium Lawrenco-Druryi,

hybrid derived from the parents indicated

,- name.

Aj..I.Gurney-FowlersentCypripedium Neptune

'Inlrande X "Rothscliildianum), the dorsal sepal

-reen, spotted with dark brown, the petals

_ieen, thickly spotted with dark brown and

Is sutfused with purple hairs on the outer

the lip purple-brown, .shading to pale

C. A. de Lairesse (Curtisi X Rothseliildi-

is very similar to the above, but with less

■ ly in the markings. C. Massaianum (super-

ciliare x Rothschildianum) is much larger than
the two above referred to, the ground colour
being pale green and the markings more regular.
It had previously been certificated. A fine
branching spike of the lovely Renanthera Storei
was also included. .Mr. K. .J. Measures sent
a fine form of La'lio-Cattleya .\ndreana (C. bicolor
X L. elegans), the .sepals and petals pale rose, the
li|j intermediate in character between the two
species, the front rich purple, sh.ading to pale rose
at the base. Mr. Reginald Voung, Liverpool, sent
Cypripedium Eyerinani var. llermione. .Mr.
(i. W. Law-Scliofield sent La'lio-Cattleya ele-
gans (New Hall Hey variety), .sepals and petals
deep rose, with a rich crimson-pur[)le lip, sliading
to rose on the side lolies. Sir T. Lawrence sent
a finely -grown and flowered plant of Platyclinis
filiformis, showing .some scores of spikes of its
rich golden flowers, a finely-grown )ilunt of Mas-
devallia infracta purpurea and the lovely terres-
trial Orchid, Eulophia guineensis, the sepals and
]jetals rich ]mrple, margined with rose, the broad
lip pale rose shading to white at the base, and
veined with a deeper rose in the centre. The
erect spike carried eighteen flowers. Sir F.
Wigan, Clare Lawn, East Sheen, sent a grand
variety of Lielio-Cattleya elegans, four spikes
being cut from one plant, a good form of Ladia
cris[ia and Masdevallia macruia. Mr. \V. H. Lums-
den, Aberdeen, sent Cypii])ediiiin Balmedieanum.
It has a great deal of the C. Stonei in it, but no
traces of tne other parent, C. Fairieanum, could be
discovered. It is very much in the way of C.
Xuma.

Floral Com.niittee.

First-class certificates were granted to tlic fnl-
lowing : —

C.vi.iEoLARiA ALisA.— A lovely Chilian species,
w ith white blossoms of medium size and produced
in the greatest profusion. The plants were
s]ilendidly grown, and not only displayed high
cultivation, but also revealed the \alue of the
species for greenhouse decoration. The plant is
so nearly hardy, that it deserves to be freely grown
for its value in the garden or for cutting. A col-
oured ])late of this species was given in The
(iAHiiKN, January 28, ISltT ([lage liO). From Mr.
J. T. Bennet-Poi-, Cheshunt.

Nymi'H.ea Marlucea fla.mmea. — One of the
beautiful Marliac hybrids, with reddish crimson
flowers. A splendid addition to these things.
From Mr. .J. T. Bennett-Poe.

Cuixr.M PowEi.Ei aliu'm. — Two giant spikes of
this nearly hardy species, with a dozen or more
blossoms on each umbel, were shown. Individually
the blossoms are very lai'ge, and the stems attain-
ing to 'A feet high render it a bold and conspicuous
object in the garden, w'here a sheltered spot
should be given it. From Sir Trevor Lawrence
(gardener, Mr. Bain).

Awards of merit were recommended to : —

Rl'DBECKlA LACINIATA Gol.DEN GloW. — A

showy and useful new plant, with blossoms like
those of a medium-sized Sunflower, but requiring
the highest culture to attain perfection. From
Mr. M. Prichard, Christchurch ; also Messrs. Barr
and Sons and Messrs. Kelway and Sons.

Hollyhock Leandek. — A bronzy yellow, with
large, double, well-formed flowers. From Messrs.
W'elib and Brand, Sattron \\'alden.

Gladiolus Countes.s Amy. — Warm purple with
a white base. Messrs. Kelway and Sons.

Gladiohs Mike Lamboikxe. — A rich deep
crimson-maroon, flowers very large. Messrs.
Kelway and Sons.

Gladioh's Coi'ntess of Leicester. — White,
striped lilac-purple, and streaked with scarlet.
Messrs. Kelway and Sons.

Dahlia Uaffouil. — A Cactus kind, with
medium-sized blossoms of a clear yellow shade.
From Mr. .lames Stredwick, St. Leonards.

Dahlia Miss Agxes Box. — Also of the Cactus
type, and of a fine rich crimson. From Mr.
.lames Stredwick.

I'HLOX EroENIL DAfZANVILLTKES.— A Soft lilac-

blue shade with white centre. Kelway and Sons.

I'liLiix La Matiijik.— .\ fine, handsome form
with purplish blossoms. From Mr. T. S. Ware,
Tottenham.

Vkkdkna TuicssERVE. — Of a clear rose-scarlet
shade with white shaded centre, flowers and truss of
large s'xe. Mr. J. T. Bennett- I'oi'.

One of the most interesting features of this
meeting was the large array of annuals from
Messrs. .James \'eitch and Sons, in a cut state for
the most part, and comprising the leading families
and varieties in these all-important summer
flowers. This was an interesting as well as fresh
and bright-looking exhibit (.silver-gilt Banksian).
From Larigport. Jlessrs. Kelway and Sons brought
a most extensive disphiy of (iladioli arrangcil in
fan-shajied design on boards as noted above. .\
few of the best and most distinct apart from tliose
that received certificatesof merit wen; .Mrs Langtry,
Empress of India, Duke of liuccleuch, a most
beautiful shade of salmon-pink ; Cardinal New-
man, Henry Irving, yellow flu.shed scarlet; Chopin,
Shazada and others. The same firm also had an
assortment of (Jaillardias and other hardy things,
for which a sil\er-gilt Banksian was awarderl.
From Tottenham Mr. T. S. Ware iinmght a varied
lot of the best hardy flowers in season, mainly in
bold telling bunches on long stems. Prominent
among these w"ere Echinacea purpurea, a very fine
form of this almost unitpie plant ; Veronica longi-
folia snbsessilis, Scaiiiosa caucasica, Pentstemon
glaber, \ cry beautiful in the azure tint of its flowers ;
P. barbatus Torreyi, Hyacinthus candicans, with
snowy drooping bells ; Campanula Van Houttei,
a fine Bellflower too rarely seen ; Statice latifolia,
the best of the hardy sorts ; Campanula G. F.
Wilson, C. Henderson!, a really good plant, form-
ing a perfect cushion when growing freely ;
Lilium tigrinum and others (silver Flora medal).
Another very beautiful lot of hardy flowers was
that from Mr. M. Prichard, Christchurch, Hants.
Mr. Prichard's group contained several fine
bunches of the newer kinds of Montbretias, to-
gether with handsome flowers of Scabiosa cau-
casica alba, the flowers finer and decidedly purer
than any we have yet seen and of especial
value for cutting. Phloxes of several kinds. Ball
of Fire and Etna being espfc'.ally good : Cimicifuga
coidifolia, with erect, compact spikes of creamy-
white flowers ; Echinops Ritro, with globular
heads of steel blue ; the jnire white Ever-
lasting Pea, Dianthus Atkinsoni and Delphinium
Zalil with pale yellow blossoms, though unfor-
tunately not a good do :r, were also noteworthy.
Very conspicuous in Mr. Prichard's lot was a
Mexican Thistle (Erj'throhena conspicua), said to
be a grand thing for the wild garden, and ha\ ing
a much-forked inflorescence and purplish-magenta
flowers, as far as could be seen by the unopened
buds. Unfoitunately, the plant was drooping,
and, being cut, failed to satisfy the committee.
Such plants, indeed, if worth exhiiiiting at all, are
well worth showing as growing, so that a fair es-
timate may be obtained of their worth (silver Flora
medal I. Cactus and other Dalilias were very fine
from Mr. S. Mortimer, Farnham, particularly the
former, the best of these being iitartish. Match-
less, Princess Ena, Countess Radnor, Bertha
Mawley, and Mrs. Francis Fell. Among the
show and fancy kinds, Mrs. Saunders, (Uowworni,
Harrison Weir, Duchess of York, Mrs. (iladstonc,
.John Kej'nes, and Sunset were notable (silver Flora
medal). Another collection of Dahlias came from
Mr. .1. Walker, Thame, Cactus and show kinds
being about e<|ually represented and in capital
form, the \arieties not difl'ering materially from
those in the previous group ; a silver Banksian
medal was awarded. A small group of Marigolds
from Messrs. Dobbie and Co. receixed a bronze
Banksian medal, the varieties being Lemon Queen
and Prince of Orange. From the garden of Sir
Trevor Lawrence (gardener, Mr. Bain) came a
fine batch of Cannas from the open ground, also
(iladioli. Among the latter was one named G. A.
Kiujk, a large spreading flower of puiple-crimson
hue, lower petals white, with numcruiis dots. In
the .s.ame group. Lobelia Crimson (Jem and L. Car-
mine Gem were exceedingly fine, as also the
lovely spikes of Crinum Powelli album, already

132

THE garde:n.

[August 14, 1897.

referred to, the group receiving a silver Banksian
medal. As usual, a very interesting batch of
hardy flowers canie from Messrs. Barr and Sons,
Covent (larden, the major portion comprising
Phloxes and Delphiniums. Of the former we
noted Etna, Embarrassment, W. Robinson, a pale
salraony shade, with flowers of large size ; Diadem,
Parachute, and others. The blue and white forms
of Agapanthus were also noted, together with
Rudbeckias, Helianthuses, Montbretia crocosmii«-
flora, very tine ; Lilium auratum rubro-vittatum,
and others. There was also a good assortment of
Gladioli, and not least among these the tiery-
scarlet spikes of (4. brenchleyensis, for which a
silver Banksian medal was awarded.

Messrs. Wallace and Co., of t'olchester, had a
very beautiful lot of Liliums, principally of
the speciosum group. In this lot crowding had
been entirely ignored, the intervening spaces
being filled with Asparagus growths that ma-
terially assisted to a light arrangement. Indeed,
in view of the taste displayed, as also the material
used, we are inclined to regard it as one of the
best gioups at this meeting, and deserving
greater distinction. The Liliums included of
speciosum varieties Melpomene, the pure white
Knetzeri, and allium novum, the best of this
class, together with a specimen in a pot of the
latter with five stems. There were also L. super-
bum, tigrinum in several varieties, the lovely L.
Henryi in plenty, as also L. auratum, together
with L. a. platyphyllum and the massive pure
white L. a. jjlatyphyllum virginale. At the one
end was a group of some half dozen of the newer
Montbretias in variety with Gladioli at the
other, and, towering above all, the noble spikes
of Kni])hofia nobilis, perhajis the grandest of
all the set. A silver Banksian medal was awarded.
For a group of Cannas in variety, with occasional
pots of Lilium nepalense and L. Wallichianum,
.Messrs. Hugh Low and Co. also received a silver
Banksian medal.

The Messrs. Veitch and Sons had a series of
flowering shrubs, the most worthy being C'lero-
dendron trichotomum, Coprosma acerosa, with
bluish and almost transparent berries, like a
gooseberry in miniature : Hypericum ascyron,
some 4 feet higli, with heads of yellow blossom ;
H. floribundum, a liushy kind, with numerous
golden flowers ; Colutea arborescens and its
variety purpurea, Abelia rupestris, Rhus glabra
laciniata, and Ptelea trifoliata. From Stevenage
Messrs. A. \V. Young and Co. brought bunches,
said to be cut from the open ground, of Pelargon
iuin King of Denmark.

Fruit Committee.
There was only a limited number of exhibits,
but these were mostly good.

Awards of merit were given to the following : —
Gooseberry (Joldkn Ge.m. — A seedling, the
])arents being Antagonist and Whitesmith. It is
of excellent flavour, the flesh rich and sweet, skin
thin, bright golden. It is an erect grower and
A-ery heavy cropper. From Messrs. Veitch, Ltd. ,
Chelsea.

Bl.\ck BERRY The Kittatinny. — An American
variet}'. The fruit is sweet and freely produced.
( irowths from 5 feet to (i feet, laden with berries
quite ripe, were sent. It requires a damp,
heavy soil. From Mr. Wadds, Cliveden Gardens,
Maidenhead.

Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co., the Nurseries, Maid-
stone, sent thirty-six dishes of early Apples, some
remarkable fruits being staged for so early in the
season ; some kinds, such as Lady Sudeley,
Cardinal, Okera and others, had no doubt been
at some period under glass. Mr. Gladstone,
Q urrenden, and Red .Juneating were remark-
able for their splendid colour. There were some
very fine cooking fruits, the best being Grenadier,
Sugar Loaf, Lord Suftield, Domino, Gold Medal,
Stirling Castle, Lord Grosvenor, Potts' Seedling,
Golden Spire and Ecklinville. Some good Peaches
were staged. Early York, Early Grosse Mi^nonne,
and Hale's Early being the best, with good Hems-
kirk, Blenheim, Moorpark, and the Peach
Apricots (silver Knightian medal). Mr. Miller,
gardener to Lord Foley, Ruxley Lodge, Esher,

sent eighteen dishes of fruit, including Brown
Turkey and Brunswick Figs, Royal George,
Violette Hative, Noblesse, and Alexander Peaches,
Hemskirk Apricots, W. Tillery ilelon, Apples,
Mulberries, Cherries, Gooseberries, and two
varieties of Grapes (silver Banksian medal). A
grand box of Royal George Peaches came from
Mr. Keif, gardener to Mrs. Aljbot, South Villa,
Regent's Park, well meriting the cultural commen-
dation bestowed on them, the fruits being large
and of grand colour. Mr. Wadds, Cliveden
(hardens, sent Blackberry Wilson .Junior. Not a
single Melon was staged on this occasion for cer-
tificate. A Tomato named Sutton Beauty, a
distinct fruit of medium size, was sent by Mr. J.
Moody, Sutton House (iardens. It was asked to
be sent to Chiswick for trial. Mr. Smyth,
The Gardens, Basing Park, Alton, sent two
distinct types of dwarf French Beans. One was a
\ery prolific variety, a cross between Smyth's
Seedling and the Scarlet Runner, with long,
straight pods, the growth about 2 feet. It is a
]iromising variety, and was asked to be sent to
Chiswick for trial. The other was \ery dwarf and
named Goliath, but not considered so good. Mr.
Wythes, Syon House Gardens, Brentford, sent
Lady Sudeley Apple and .Jargonelle Pear for the
Veitch prizes for flavour. The second prize in
each case was awarded.

A meeting was held at the society's gardens,
Chiswick, on the .5th inst., when a good number
of early varieties of Potatoes was examined.
Some nine varieties were good as far as cropping
was concerned, but only one satisfied the com-
mittee when cooked. The Tomatoes were next
gone through, but not considered forward enough
for classification. Some Aubergines from Dr.
Bonavia were next examined. These were con-
sidered good. Some new Vegetable Marrows
fiom Constantinople, sent by Mr. Toogood,
Southampton, were not considered equal in quality
to our own well-known varieties.

An award of merit was given to —

Potato Suttox's Hareinuer. — This is a very
heavy cropper and \ei-y early. It was obtained
by crossing Early Regent and Fillbasket. It
has white flesh, shallow eyes, roundish tubers,
strong hauhn, and is an excellent cooking va-
riety, being floury and of superb flavour. From
Messi's. Sutton and Sons, Reading.

Obituary.

MR. ALFRED SUTTON.
We regret to announce the death, at the ag
of 79, of Mr. Alfred Sutton, at his residencl
at Reading on Saturday morning, August ''
Both Mr. Alfred Sutton and ilr. Martin Hop
Sutton, his elder brother, who founded tn
firm and who survives him, retired from bus
ness in 18S.S, making over the business to the
sons, the present partners. Mr. Alfred Sutto
took principally what may be termed the hom
part of the work. Mr. Sutton took the deepei
interest in education, and was a member t
the Reading School Board for fifteen yean
The British School and other scholastic institi
tions had in him a warm supporter. He was als
a libeial subscriber to all institutions having fc
their object the relief of distress and sufferinj
In thrift societies, too, Mr. Sutton was muc
interested, and he rendered valuable help in tl
management of the Reading Savings Bank. A
religious movements, especially those establishe
for the benefit of young men, were dear to hie
His widow and ten children (seven sons and thri
daughters) survive him.

Public Gardens.

The opening oF Kew Gardens. — The
Director of Kew (Jardens has written the follow-
ing letter to Mr. E. S. Payne, a member of the
Hampstead Vestry, with reference to the earlier
opening of Kew Gardens to the public : — " Royal
(iardens, Kew, August 3, 18il7. Dear Sir, — Kew
is open in the morning to those who wish to
examine the collection for any definite purpose,
and facilities are given to them which could not
be extended in the presence of the general public.
The privilege is largely used. It is admitted that
with an earlier hour of opening to the general
public the existing arrangement would virtually
come to an end. This would be a serious de-
triiction to the public utility of the estalilishment.
The ([uestion then arises whether the public de-
mand for an earlier hour of opening is suiiiciently
definite to justify the sacrifice. In my opinion it
is not. The number of visitors who enter the gar-
dens between noon and 2 p.m. is annually very
small--only a few hundreds. Kew is, in fact, an
afternoon place, and as our average totals have
now risen to a, million and a quarter, or one out
of every four of the population of London, Kew
does not hide its light under a bushel, and I am
satisfied that the public generally is satisfied with
things as they arc. The administrative diffi-
culties in making a change in so complicated an
establishment are very considerable. My mind
is, however, open on the subject ; but I want
more definite evidence than is at present forth-
coming that any definite change is really de-
manded.

The weather in 'West Herts.— A very h'
week, the highest temperature in shade exceedii
80° on four days, while on two of these days tl
readings were respectively 84 and 86°, both
which are the highest shade temperatures r
corded here during the present summer. Tl
nights, on the other hand, were only moderate
warm for the time of the year, so that the ran;
in temperature has been verj' great, and i
several occasions exceeded .30°. The temperatu
of the ground at 2 feet deep is now 5° and
1 foot deep 8° warmer than is seasonable. I
more than three w eeks no measurable cjuantity
rain-water has come through either of the perco
tion gauges, and none at all for nearly a wet
Throughout the last five days the record of brig
sunshine has averaged about Hi hours a da
July proved unusually warm. In fact, in the 1;
eleven years there have been only two Julys wi
as high a mean temperature, viz., those of IS
and 1806. It was also extremely dry. Rain f
on bvit five days, and to the total depth of or
about half an inch, making this the driest Ji
in Berkhamsted for twelve years. The sun sho
on an average for 8 hours a day, which, with o
exception (1887), is the highest record for a
July during the same twelve years.— E. i
Berkliamiied., A iigii.it 7.

The [last week has again proved VE

warm, making this the seventh unseasonal
warm week we have now had in succession. •
the ath the reading in shade rose to 86°, but sin
then the days have been much cooler. On t
other hand, the nights were warmer than in t
]jreceding week. The ground temperatures st
remain very high, being at 2 feet deep 5°, and
1 foot deep 6°, above the August averages i
these depths. Rain fell on only two days of t
week, and to the total depth of but little m(
than a quarter of an inch. The air was, as
rule, very dry, and the record of Viright sunshi
remarkably good. — E. M., BtrVhainxfed.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

" Shade Temperature." By Edward Mawlcy.

"Hand-List of Tender Monocotyledons, excludi
Orchidea" sjrown in the Ecval Gardens, Kew." 18!
Eyre and Spottiswoode.

Month's numJDsra of The Garden (4 Si

scriber vf Xmrly Thirty reius).— The July numb

which is puljlisbeJ at the beginning of July, can or;

contain the numbers for June. 1

Names of plants.—/. G. Siynibbs.— Calyate(|

hederaoea fl.-pl. E. Batldelcy.—l, Vanda ccertdfj

2, Pha'a?nopsis amabilis. Both remarkalily good form

more particularly the Viinda. IF. S/iaii'.— l,Keril

japonioa; 5, Olearia Haasli ; 6, Hypericum calycinoi!
'8, Picea nobilis ; 9, the Tamarisk ; 10, Geranium A
drewsi. Please send better specimens of others. <

T'-EIE] G-JLI?/IDE3^.

No. 1344.— Vol. LII.]

[AUGUST 21, 1897.

>rohld8 :—

Anjfm'cum nrtitulutniii
CHUu^etmii lIuiiK'ernthi
Chysis U'virt ..
CymMdimii tigrimim .. ..
Cyprlpeditnu Charlusworthi
I>cnili»l>iuni rluHlustiima ..
I>onilrobiimi .stnitii'tt-s
Bpidendnim chiiialturiimiu
Kpidcndrum fni|,'r!ms . . . .
Iifvlin olegiins MiisterHi

Iiwliu xiuithinu

Ijallu-Cattleyas

Masfleviillia niiu-rura . .
Maxillam veimsta .. ..
Mornutdes pardimun . .
tMoutojflossmu rru-Skinneri
Oncidhim crispum gnmdi-

florum . .

Oncidium Lanccaiuun .
Oncidiiimpnetextvmiaureum
Oncidium pumiluni .. ..
Oticidiiim ti^iiHiiu
Oncidium triquutrmu . .
Kodrigiic/.ia sccunda . .
Trichupilia ttaleottiiina
Vituda f<.eruk*a at Gnnuers-

biry liovise

Mtetaen:-

Lvttticu Continuity . . . .
lettuce running to seed ..

Onion ileeord

Peas and droup'ht . . . .

Pca«. K^irden, in 1S'.>7 ..

Pea.**, late market

Potato Carter's llcconl ..
Potato Knplish Ueauty
PotattKJs, the American

Turnips, garden

Turnips in hot weather
Vegetable Marrows

1S4
133
131
135
134
133
135
133
134
135
134
135
135
133
183
134

134
134
135
133
135
135
133
133

Stove and Greenhouse:—

Azalea Vcrvn'mniid, u iinlur-

alhi fjroirii pl(ii\( 01 .. .. 187

Az-ileas, ^Trfuliuuse .. .. 137

Hfgonia Wnithiana .. .. 137

Uouvanlia Ifiantha .. .. 137

Ilouvardias 138

Callas, summer treatnientof IS'i
Carnations, Marguerite, in

pots 138

Fuehsia Countess of Aber-
deen 138

1, ilium nepalenso 138

relargonium, zunal, < ireste 137

Orchard and Fruit :—

Apples and Pears for juits .. 142

Apples, rich, but tender .. 141

Apricot trees in hot weather 189
I'Vuit crops on the south

coast 141

FYuit trees for north walls. . 139

Loganberry, the .. .. 13i)

Melon Ingcstre Hyltrid .. 142

Melon notes 141

Nectarine Early Rivei-s .. HI

Peach blister .. 142

Peach Early Grosso Mig-

nonne 142

Peaeh Waterloo 139

Pear HlsM.; 139

Pair Wil/iams Bon Chnti'-i 139

Pears, early 138

Plum jam 1 42

Plums, scarcity of . . . . . . 140

Strawberry I^atest of All .. 142

Strawberry runners . . . . 139

Strawberries for a Middlesex

garden 142

Straw^beiTies, forcing pot-
ting 140

Vines, treatment of yovmg., 140

(lllu.ifi'ation8 in Italics.)
Garden Flora :-

Utricularlas 142

Week*s Work :—

Fruit houses, work in .. ., 143

Kitchen garden, work in tlio 143

Trees and Shrubs:—

Calophaca wolgarica . . . . 144
Ceanothua Gloire de Ver-
sailles 144

Eucryphia jilnnatifolia . . 145

Hibiscis synacus 145

nicoria ixillida 144

Indigofcra Gerardiana . . 145

Itea vit^inica 145

Pavia nijicrostachya .. .. 144
Siiii"!ea liunialda var, An-
thony Waterer 144

Chrysanthemums :—

Ctirvsantheinums atSvdncy.

N.S.W '.. .. 145

Chrysanthemum notes . . 145

Flower :—

Carnation Pride of the Gar-
den 147

Carnations 147

Carnations, border, layering 146

Crinum Powelli 147

Dahlia, Cactus, Cycle .. .. 147

Dahlias and earwigs .. .. 147

Dahlias, white Cactus .. ,. 140

Dryas octopetala 148

Edelweiss, the 140

SdelireisK, the, in a pardcn of

Kortrood 140

Erj'throuiums 147

Erythroniums, Western Ame-
rican, largo plants of . . . . 14 t
Feather Grass and Poppies,. 147
Fuchsias, good outdoor .. 14ti
Hemerocallis, species of .. 147
Ueleniiun grandiflorum vol

striatum 147

Hollyhocks, single .. .. 147

Mitliauxia campanuloides .. 147

Phlox Coquclicot 147

Statice latifulia 140

Roses :—

Rose Beaute Tnconstanto . . 148

Roses, Hybrid Perpetual .. 148
Rose Mnle. Edouard Hclfen-

bein 148

Rose, climbing, Captain

Christy 149

Rose Eclair 149

Rose Helen Keller .. 149
Ro?e Sou%'. de Catherine

GuUlot 149

liosc Si'.sanne Marie Rodo-

cannc'ii 148

Roses, fmgrance of .. .. 149

Roses in Midlothian .. ., 149

Roses losingcolour .. 149

Roses, the Droughty Ferry 149

Roses unhealthy 149

Notes of the Week:—

Agapanthus umbellatus al-

bus 151

Asclepias tuberosa 151

Bamboos, two new .. .. 151

Bougainvillea spectabilis ,. 151
Cambridge, the fruits crops

in 152

Campanula G. F. Wilson .. 151

Carnation Mrs. Tudway .. 151

Carnation Sir Wilfrid Lau-

rier 151

Clematis campaniflora . .. 151

Clematis hcracL-yfolia ., .. 151

Clematis Viticclla alba .. 152
Eryngium planum var.

CLulestinuni 152

j Fouroroya in Cornwall . . .. 151

Fruit crops in Lincoln.. .. 151

Garden, Cornish, noteafroma 152
Hydrangea paniculata grandi-

I floni .. .. 151

Kniphofia Maeowani .. ,, 151

KuiplKifia nobilis 151

I LagcrstriKmia indica .. .. 151
I Lilium auratum rubro-vit-

tatuni 152

I Lilium Henryi 151

I Lilium tigriuum splendens 151

Lobelia Carmine Gem .. 151

l^upinus arboreus 152

I Montbretia crocopmiseflora . 151

Nelumbiimi sjicciosum . . lil

I Polygonum Baldschuauicum 152

I Poppy, a hybrid 151

I Rosa rugosa Blanc de Cou-

bert 151

Rose, the Prairie 152

Verbena venosa 151

Victoria Regia 151

Miscellaneous :—

Banana gi-ijwing fur the mar-
kets 149

Brier, Sweet, Celestial . . . . 152
Gardeners and farmers,

honours for 152

Mowing by tteam . . . . . li 0
Paris Chrysanthemum Com-
mittee 152

Saxifrages, fungus on . . .. 152

Weather in West Herts ,. 152

Orchids.

RUDRIGl'EZIA SECUNDA.
HOfdi .small, and by some considered a
icond-i'ate species, I know of nothing jjrettier
t this season than this bright and ett'ective
ttle Orchid. The pretty rose tint of the
l<>s.sonis is much enhanceil by the glistening
irfiice. which looks like hoar-fnist or dew.
; is seldom seen in anything apjiroaching good
mdition. but this is as often as not the fault
'tile cultivator, for it can be grown, and grown
ell, with as little trouble as most things.
anging it up close to the glass on a bare
lock is starvation to it, and, no matter how
irefully attended to, there are sure to be times
hen it suffers from want oi moisture. A much
;tter plan is to jilace it in a wood ba.sket,
lowing a fairly thin layer of compost, this
insisting of eipial jiarts of ])eat and Sphagnum
[o.s-s, with jilenty of crocks and charcoal. In
ibit R. .sccunda is not unlike a Burlingtonia,
id, like this plant, it will if not prevented
•ow away so far from its roothold that the
mng pseudo-bulbs get weaker yearly from
lint of sustenance. To prevent this, let the
tsket used be faiily wide, and every season go
•er the plants, carefully jiegging down the
iizomes to the compost. I have even gone

the length of tying a little Moss over
lu outside of the basket, in order to afford the
lots a chance to get hold, but this is not often
>ce8sary ; nor, "indeed, is it requisite that
'ery root should enter the basket, for it is the
ibit of R. s cuiida to push roots out into a
ngenial atino.sphere, where they feed upon
e moisture and ammonia it contains. The
iiall white roots at this seasijii when the
)wers are oiien have a nuaint and distinct
)pearance. Though not liking too great heat,

secunda will not thrive in a cool house, .such
■ suits many jilants from New Grenada^it.s
i.l)it,at. A mild, moist temperature, with
Venty of ventilation and not too dense shade,
* lits it adnrirably, the foliage in such an one tak-

ing on that deep russety tint that is indicative
of vigour, and the bloom spikes occurring with
freedom. At no time should the plants be
heavily watered, but all the year round they re-
quire a little moisture. Anyone having large
specimen Tree Ferns may do worse than jjlant
a few bits of this Orchid ujion the stems, secur-
ing them in position with a little fine copper
wire until ro(jts form, wlien they would become
self-su]iporting. The effect when in bloom
would be striking and pretty, while no kind of
root-hold could suit the plant better. R.

Dendrobium rhodostoma. — This is one of the

prettiest hybrids ever raised, and a tine jjlant of
it was recently in flower with Messrs. Veitch. It
is a cross between D. superbum Huttoni and D. san-
guinolentum, the flowers being only about 2 inches
across, and produced freely upon the stem-like
pseudo-bulbs. The sepals and petals are white,
each having a bright crimson-purple tip, this mak-
ing it extremely showv. The li]) is ro.sy-purple
with a yellow centre. It apjjears to be very free
in growth, and succeeds best in the warm house.

Mormodes pardinum. — This singular plant I
recently noted in good condition with Mr. Bull.
It is a fairly strong grower, and the blossoms
appear principally upon the up))er part of the
scapes. These are yellowish with crimson spots,
the pointed sepals giving them a peculiar appear-
ance. Plenty of heat and light and a brisk, moist
atmosphere are what this species delights in. It
may, in fact, be treated like a Dendrobium while
in active growth, abundance of water being
afl'orded as soon as the young shoots are out of
danger. — H.

Maxillaria venusta. I have noticed this fine
old species blooming in several collections lately.
It is a strong-growing, free-flowering plant, not
unlike M. grandiflora in habit. The flowers
occur on erect scapes each about 6 inches in
length, and have the segments pointed in front,
broad at the base, pure white except the lip,
which has a j-ellow centre and is spotted with
crimson. It is worth growing in any collection
of cool-house Orchids, the foliage being broad and
ornamental when the plant is not in bloom. It
requires plenty of moisture at the roots and in

the atmosphere all the year round. It is a native
of Oceana, and was intioduced in 1872. — H. R.

Epidendrum cinnabarinum. — Like most of
the upright-growing section, this species continues
to bloom over a long season, the flower-spike
lengthening as the blossoms fade, and producing
others successively over a long season. These are
about 2 inches across in the best forms, of a bright
red on the outer segments, the lip having a deep
yellow centre. It is a free-growing and easily
cultivated plant it not kept too hot. In an airy
large Cattleya house, w-here the temperature and
atmospheric moisture are not liable to sudden
fluctuations, it does well, if not dried at the root
during the winter.

Trichopilia Galeottiana.— This pretty and
distinct species was recently in flower at Mr.
Bull's. It is not perhaps so showy as some, but
well worth a place. The spikes each bear about
two or three (lowers, the sepals and petals of a
greenish yellow tint, the lip whitish spotted with
crimson. It is an easily-grown, free-blooming
plant, and reciuires a place in the Cattleya hou.-e
as near the glass as possible, but shaded from the
direct rays of the sun . The plants may be repotted
in spring or after Ijlooming, using eleiin pots and
an ordinary description of compost. It requires
abundance of water while growing and to be kept
just moist while at rest. It is a native of Mexico
and was introduced in 1859.

Oncidium pumilum. — This is a somewhat
rare little species, \eiy pretty and attractive, but
not large enough to find favour among present-day
Orchid growers. It has ri'ther thick leaves, each
about 0 inches in height, and its blossoms are pro-
duced upon erect branching scapes. They are to
densely set, that it would seem imi)Ossible to put
a straw between them anywhere, and are bright
golden yellow and brown in colour. It was flower-
ing fieely in Messrs. Veitch and Sons' nursery at
Chelsea la-st week, and is growing in small pans
suspended from the roof of a fairly warm house.
Anyone liking small-flowered and quaint kinds
would do M ell to give this species a trial. It is a
native of P.razU. and was introduced in 1824.

Catasetum Bungerothi. — This is one of the
finest species in the genus, its beautiful and
singular blossoms never failing to attract atten-
tion. The flowers are pure white after being

134

THE GARDEN.

[August 21, 1897.

open a little while, and last long in good condi-
tion. The best place to grow it is a light, almost
unshaded part of the East India house, where the
sun is allowed to shine on the glass after closing
time in the afternoon, (irow it in pots of peat
and Moss and allow plenty of water at the roots
as long as growth is active, diminishing the
supply by degrees, in autumn and in winter
keeping them well on the dry side. The culture
of C. Bungerothi, in short, does not differ much
f rom that reijuired for the deciduous Dendrobiums.

Cypripedium Charlesworthi.— There is a
very large stock in all sizes of this plant at Clap-
ton, one house being almost filled with it, and
among the plants in bloom a good deal of varia-
tion is apparent. The distinct rosy white dorsal
sepal and the pure white staminode are the most
distinct characteristics of this species. The
plants are oftentimes a little disappointing, for
when the blooms are first open the fine colour on
the sepal is very noticeable, but it fades consider-
ably with age. It is a fairly popular plant by
now, though perhajis it has not quite fulfilled our
expectations when first imported by Charlesworth
and Co. from the East Indies. A plate of a good
representative form was given in The Gari)En,
April 13, 1895.

Vanda coerulea at Gunnersbury House. —
According to my views, Vanda c(frulea is the
most beautiful of all the Vandas, and when seen
at its best no Orchid meets with greater favour.
Without being actually particularly difficult to
cultivate, it is yet seldom seen in a presentable
condition in private gardens. In common with
other kinds of Orchids, this species has its likes
and dislikes ; in other words, it fails badly in some
positions and grows almost like a weed in others.
Mr. Hudson, at Gunnersbury House, has not long
taken it in hand, but has already formed a group
of which he may well be proud. INIost of his
plants were bought as imported, and established
in baskets after being received. Both position
and treatment seem to agree well with these
Vandas, and the roots— which I invariably take
note of first when examining Orchids — are plenti-
ful and in a particularly happy state— a sure index
to a healthy, free-flowering top-growth. The
plants, without being actually exposed to direct
sunshine, are yet suspended where abundance of
light and genial air reaches them, anything like a
strong, dry heat not suiting these or any other
Vanda I have ever grown. The baskets are sur-
faced over with lixe Sphagnum Moss, a proof that
the plants are receiving abundance of water dur-
ing the growing season, and the exact treatment
required. A snug corner in a gently heated house
is where the best of Mr. Hudson's plants are
jocated. — W. I.

OI)ONTO(iLO.S.SUM UHO SKINNEHI.
This very distinct and beautiful Orchid is a
strong, vigorous-growing species bearing long
strap-shaped lea\-es almost like those of a Zygo-
petalum, and the flower-spikes appear at the base
of the pseudo-bulbs. These often grow nearly a
yard in height, and just now are very showy in
many collections round London and elsewhere.
The blossoms open successively upon the .scapes,
and are each 3 inches across in the better forms,
of a greenish yellow ground, covered with
brownish markings on the sepals and petals ; the
lip is a pretty bright rose, irregularly streaked
with white. The culture of O. Uro-Sk'inneri may
be safely taken in hand by anyone. It will be
noted that the roots are of a more flesh}- character
than those of the usual run of Odontoglots, larger,
and therefore more easily injured, and this fact
should be kept in mind when repotting or other-
wise disturbing them. The peat used in the
compost for 0. Uro-Skinneri should be of the
best qualitv, and plenty of large, rough pieces
of crocks or charcoal should be introduced
with a little clean Sjjhagnum Moss. Break the
old pots with a hammer if the roots are likely to
be much entwined about the drainage and sides,
and in repotting keep the base of the plant a

little above the rim. Owing to the character of
the roots noted above, a pot of fairly good dimen-
sions compared with those of the' plant maybe
used, but this must be thoroughly drained and a
couple of inches only of compo.st allowed, except
for %ery large plants. In a house keiit nicely
moist and duly shatled new roots will soon be in
evidence, and the jalants will soon take water
freely. Few Orchids require more water when in
active growth : hence the reason for care in the
compost and drainage. While the growths are
young and soft little or no water should be given
overhead, but when the foliage commences to
harden, light dewings are very beneficial both in
keeping down insects and also replenishing the
atmosphere just around the plants. A soft
brownish scale is apt to attack this plant, and
should be sought for and kept under. Spono-ino-
carefully and often with clear tepid rain water
will keep the plants clean without using any
strong insecticide, or if the plants are really dirty,
a little soft soap and tobacco water maybe mixed
with it. O. Uro-Skinneri was sent home in 18.54
by the gentleman whose name it bears, he having
found it growing upon rocks at Santa Caterina,
near ( Juatemala.

Angraecum articulatum.— The free-bloom-
ing character of this species is well shown by a
large batch now in flower at Messrs. Hugh Low
and Co.'s nursery at Clapton. There are hun-
dreds of plants, ajiparently only semi-established,
or, at all events, not very long imported ; but
they are covered with spikes of the pretty white
blossoms, each with its spur about -t inches in
length. It is not a difficult plant to grow, thriv-
ing well in any description of house, provided
heat and atmospheric moisture abound. While
not liking a dense shade, a little must be allowed,
or the foliage is sure to be injured. Pots, baskets
or suspended pans suit it well, the receptacles not
being larger than will take the plants easily.
Clean Sphagnum Moss and charcoal only are re-
(.juired as compost. Good drainage is necessary,
as the plants take a lot of water when in active
growth.

Chysis Isevis. — This is certainly one of the
finest species in the genus, and was recentlj' in
flower at Mr. Bull's. The stems attain, on the
strongest plants, a height of l.'> inches or
18 inches, and the drooping raceme of flowers
occurs from the young growth. The sepals and
petals are yellowish, with a brownish tinge at the
base ; the lip brighter, with reddish spots and
blotches. Its culture is not difficult, yet requires
care, especially during the early part of the sea-
son. It is not possible to flower it well unless
the growths are well ripened in autumn. Yet
the young shoots and foliage are at first very
ea,=-ny injured by strong sunliglit. The plants
are best grown in the Cattleya house in a com-
post consisting of equal parts of peat and Moss,
a little good loam being added for strong plants
and plenty of crocks in a finely broken state.
Good drainage is necessary and a thin compost,
there being no need to raise the (ilant above the
level of the pot's rim. Allow plenty of water at
all times whi^n growth is active, leducing the
supply in autumn, in winter giving only just
sufficient to keep the stems plump. C. hevis — so
called on account of the smooth lip — is a native of
Mexico and first flowered in England in 1840.

Lselia xanthina. — Although not .so .showy as
many others in this favourite genus, this species
is extremely pretty and quite distinct. The stems
grow o\er a foot in height, with a single leaf on
each, and the spike usually bears about four
flowers, each 4 inches and upwards across. The
edges of the sejials and petals being turned back
give them the appearance of being narrower than
they really are. In colour they are yellow, some-
times with a median line of brownish green, and
the lip is yellow, becoming paler at the edge and
having several radiating lines of crimson-purple
in the centre. L. xanthina is not .so strong or so
vigorous rooting as the majority of species, and
consequently should be placed in medium-sized I

pots only, these well drained, and a thin layer (
compost sutfices. Equal parts of peat and MosJ
with sufficient hard material to prevent elosenesi
will suit it well. Water must be judicious
gi\en, especially during winter, the quantity r
quired during this season being very small
Even wlien growing freely, it is wise to let til
compost get well on the dry side before giving
fresh supply, and then to water thoroughly. Tli
Bowers appear at \-arious times during the sur
mer, and last about three weeks if kept cool ai
(h-y.

EPIDENDRUM FRAGRANS.

This species and the nearly related E. radiatu
and E. cochleatum are all now in flower, and eai
has its distinguishing characteristic. The last
the oldest species of them all, in fact one of tl
oldest known Epidendrums, a quaint and singul
Orchid, worthy of cultivation \»here this class
plant is cared for. In habit it is very like
Cattleya of the labiata section, the pseudo-bul
erect, carrying one or two leaves, from the base
which the flower-spike springs. This bears sevei
blossoms about 3 inches across, the lip beii
inverted and shell-like — hence the specific nar
— in colour a deep jiurple-maroon. The sepals ai
petals are sijreading, greenish white, having
pretty eft'ect against the [lurple of the lip.
shape and colour of flower E. fragrans and
radiatum are similar to each other ; indeed, t
only difl'erence apparently is the looser habit a' ,
larger blossoms of the latter species. The colo
is similar to that of E. cochleatum on the sepr,
and petals, the purple of the lip being bright( -
with more blue and less crimson about it. T
culture of this group of plants is not difficu
The Cattleya house suits them well, a lig
position, only shaded from the direct rays of t
sun, being chosen. If possible it is best to ke,
them to an annual cycle of growth and rest, b ^
this is not always easy, especially with E. coc\
leatum, which sometimes grows away in
unaccountable manner when least expected. T
style of growth and manner of rooting give t
a clue as to the best compost and size of pot, a
th;se are not unlike those used for the evergre
section of Dendrobes, such as D. densiflorum a
its allies. While not liking the deep pots that
nobile thrives in, the small pans used fordceiduc
kinds make tlie treatment too poor, and it is w
to strike a medium between these. From t
time growth is pushing at the b.ase in spring un
the blossoms are past the plants require a lar j
quantity of w'ater, both at the roots and in 1 1
atmosphere. This must be diminished by degre,
when the bulbs are fully made up, and althou;
in winter they need not be actually dry, ve
little moisture is necessary. A cool, fairly cl
house suits them best, E. fragrans especially ; f
if this is wintered in heat it fails to blooi
properly.

Oncidium crispum grandiflorum.— As d

tinct from the type, this variety has much larg
flowers, of greater substance, and usually a narrt
margin of bright golden yellow to all the se
ments. This makes it a very fine thing, and
plant I recently noted was carrying four spikEJ
with an aggregate of something like seven |
flowers. To grow this Orchid well, a light, i
most un.shaded position should be chosen fl
it, and the ]ilants may be grown in shallo.
baskets with a thin layer of rough open compoS;
Plenty of water while growing and a moist atm'j
sphere are essential ; in winter, or whenevij
growth is quiet, give much less. — H.

Oncidium lianceanum. — A flne lot of th
Oneidium is now in flower at Clapton, conside
able variation being noted among them. Tl
flowers of a good typical form will be about
inches across, the sepals and petals greenis
yellow, with chocolate lilotchcs, the lip viiryin
in colour from almost a pure white to a dee
violet-purple. Those of the latter colour make j
fine show and may be considered the bette
forms. 0. Lanceanum has not the best of charat|

Adgcst 21, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

135

rs as a <;:iiil<?i' Orcliid, but if <ri«id. lioullliy,
ell-lcaved plants aie obtained at first, and they
e not iniduly distiirliud, not much diHinilty
,11 be foiuid in tlicii- cultino. It likes plenty of
■at and sunli^bt and a moist atniosplieie wliile
owinff.

Cymbidium tigrinum.- This pretty and
■eet-scentcd Orchid 1 noted in (lower this week.
nlike the Lowianmn and similar species, it is
small compact grower, seldom growing more
an 9 inches high. The racemes are short, bear-
i; about three IIom ers, srrcenish in ground colour,
th crim.son sjiots. Tlio lip is white, with
■eprular |)in-ple and crimson markings. It need
it be grown in so large (wts or so strong a com-
ist as the large growing kinds, e(|ual jrarts of
at and Moss suiting it well o\cr abundant drain-
e. It must not be dried when in flower or at
st, and while growing freely it takes a full sup-
y of moisture. It does well at the cool end of
e Cattleya house, and was introduced from the
'nasserim .Mountains in lSt)4. — R.
Oncidium triquetrum.- The blossoms of
is species, \ery pretty, though small, are pro-
'Ced on spikes each containing from a dozen

fifteen. They are rosy white in groundcolour,
metimcs having a pure white margin to the
laments, and these are spotted and lilotched with
i.mson. The ]ilant is of tufted habit, the leaves
ich about ii inches high and bearing no pseudo-
ilbs. To grow it well it should lie jilaeed in
aallpans of rough tibi'oiis peat, with very little
OSS, over good drainage. A light ))osition should

chosen at the cool end of the Cattleya house,

; d the roots must not be dried oft'. It is a very

'1 species, having been referred to over a century

; o, and is a native of Jamaica.

Lelio-Cattleyas.— This rapidly extending

nus already coTitains many of the Hnest artiti-

illy raised hybrid Orchids in existence, some of

e later varieties of L.-C. C'anhamiana, for in-

;ince, being among the showiest. L.-C. Can-

miana albida is a tine large flower, the progeny

La?lia purpurata and Cattleya Mossia'. The
pals and petals are nearly pure white with only
i.'ery faint flush of rose, wliile the lip, as may be
lagincd by its parentage, is deeply tinted "and
ry Hnely marked. L.-C. Stella "is also very
ndsome, with deeply-tinted outer segments and
1 ely undulated lip. " This is the result of cross-
i» Lielia elegans and Cattleya erispa. L.-C.
: pliyra is an extjuisite flower, the plant of dwarf
;t fairly robust habit. It is a cross between

ttleya .Meudeli and Ladia xanthina, and in its
I ely developed lip and the distinct yellowish
I it of the outer segments unites the best charac-
l-istics of its parents in a pleasing manner. All
1 hrids raised between these genera seem to
issessa robuist constitution, a fact that augurs

II for their future popularity.

DENDROBIUM STRATI0TE8.

its be.st forms this rare species is very

Ijautiful. It has straight, erect, stem-like

.;udo- bulbs, .stiff- Im iking and formal. It

ifwsabrjut •_' feet high, the^leaves being about

nchcs in length, and tlie racemes of Howcr

iir at the top of the pseudo-bulbs. These

iry several flowers, each about .'? inches across

]i widest jiart, whicli is from the point of the

. I to that of the dur.sal sepal. This, with tlie

. :eral sejials and jiebils are more or less undn-

1 .ed, pale greenish yellow, the lip thrce-lobed,

I i front one heart-shaped, the side ones stand-

i; erect; it is pure white in front, streaked

■th purjile. These flowers ai)pear at various

ines during the summer and autumn, and last

ii-eral weeks in good condition. Like all the

■ JwGuniea Dendrobes, D. stratiotes deliglits

: a strong, moist heat and plenty of ludit

iile making its growth, and I recently noted

ime very tine stems in a large Croton house

lere, apparently, very little shade was al-

^A-ed even in the height of summer. But

it suited this Dendrobiuni as well as one or two
of the iiigro-hirsute .section that were growing
with it. If grown in the ordinary East Indi.-i
hou.se the plants should be pl.acedasnearthegl.ass
as possible, .and as its habit hardly fits it for
b.askets, tlie pots must be suspended. These
need not be large, in fact, the roots do not
thrive in a great amount of compost. Clean
Sphagnum Mo.ss, with a little tibrous peat and
plenty of crocks and eharco.al, will suit it well,
and the base of the pseudo-bulbs must not be
buried. Tlio ])lants may be rejjotted when new
growth is starting, and the most critical time
with the watering is when the young shoots are
a few inches liigh before they coinmencu to root
independently. Too much moisture then or
cold water will cause them to rot at the base,
Irick breaks having then to be relied on if these
are produced. Still, with ordinary care this
will not happen, and when once growth gets
well away it will be very rajiid. Resting the
plants is another detail sometimes niisnianaged.
These plants are (piite unlike the Moulinein
and other Indian kinds, and if forced to rest by
witliholding water when they are starting to
grow, tliey soon show their dislike to the treat-
ment. Let them rest in summer if they are
inclined, but never try and f(.irce them to do
this or to grow. A drier atin<isi)here for a few
weeks is recuperative to them in early summer,
or at ;iny time when the growth is not active,
but when once the shoots are seen on the move,
then let them have the advantage of a stimu-
lating temperature, be it summer or winter. If
yellow thrips is carefully kept under by spong-
ing and the use of the vaporising fuiui-
gator, little trouble will be found with any other
insects. Root moisture is necessary the whole
year round, more, of course, when top and
root growth are nio.st active. D. stratiotes was
introduced by M. Linden, of Brus.sels, whose
collector found it in New Guinea or some of
the nearly adjacent Lslands in 1885. H. R.

SHORT NOTES. —OECIIIDS.

Kitchen Garden.

Masdevallia macrura. — This is a free-bloom-
ing interesting species I liave noticed in flower
this week. In the liest forms the blossoms are
nearly a foot in length, the sejjals long and tail-
like, of a greenish-yellow tint with small purple
spots. It blooms at various seasons and should
be grown in peat and Moss with the warmest sec-
tion of the genus. — II-

Lselia elogans Mastersi. — There are many
beautiful forms of this variable Orchid di tiering
greatly in size and colour, but this is very distinct.
The sepals and petals are almost pure white, only
a faint flush of rose being noticed, wliile the finely
formed lip has in addition to the blotch in front a
distinct margin of violet-purple on the side lobes.
.\ nice |ilant of it was recently in flower with Mr.
Bull at Chelsea.

Oncidium praetextum aureum. — In the
matter of colouring this fine species does not vary
so much as many others, but this is a distinct va-
riety. The usual brownish blotches and margin
have almost disappeared, and in their jilace there
is a kind of faint marbling of orange such as is
seen on some varieties of Odontoglossum Schleipe-
rianum. It does well in a light position in the
Cattleya house, and should never be dried off.

Oncidium tigrinum. — Already the branching
scapes of bright yellow blossoms produced by
this Oncid are in full beauty. It makes a capital
(ilant for keeping up a display now that Orchids
are getting past their best, and one never seems
to have too many of it. The flowers are delicately
scented, the blade of the lip a bright yellow,
the other segments rather small. It does well
in the cool house in medium-sized ])ots of
peat and Moss, and needs moisture all the year
round.

CARDEN PEAS— 189".

This season as a whole has not been one of the
most favourable for this crop. During the early
months the cold winds kept growth in check to
such an extent that it was late before gathering
was general, but wlien once a start was made
Peas for a time were plentiful, but of late in this
district they ha\e become scarce. Amongst those
of recent introduction Early Morn may be con-
sidered an advance in the large-podded varieties.
With me this grew to the height of about 4 feet,
and was ready for use soon after Exonian.
Carter's Forcing is a dwarf prolific kind and very
early, coming into use about the same time as
Chelsea Gem. The pods are straight and of a
deep green colour, and the peas of excellent
flavour when cooked. Carter's Seedling is another
variety with straight, deep green [lods, growing
to the" height of 4 feet, of robust constitution, and
free habit. Danby Stratagem grew about 4 feet
Iiigh. The foliage and pods were of a deep green
colour, the latter iiung in pairs all along the sides
of the rows. Majestic also was tried, and this
grew to the height of the last named, but was not
nearly so prolific. Magie, a variety sent out by Mr.
Eckford, is a good Pea, its robust foliage and
deep green pods being very conspicuous. A row
of each about GO yards long was sown in a field ;
the ground wa.s of but poor quality, there-
fore they did not attain the same height as those
sown in the garden. About sixty varieties in all
were tried, including many of recent introduction
from various raisers. As a Pea for podding and
withstanding the dry weather 'S'eitch's Main-
crop stood first. It is no doubt an excellent
variety either for garden or field, as its robust
constitution prevents an early attack of mildew,
which often plays sad havo'c in dry weather.
Sutton's Invincible was also first-class, likewise
Conqueror, Prizewinner, Dwarf Defiance, Peer-
less, and Windsor Castle sent out by the same
firm. Dwarf Peas for small gardens are a great
advantage, particularly where they can be de-
pended upon for their productiveness. Amongst
the late ones of this class Autocrat, Late Queen,
and Michaelmas are the three best. All have a
good constitution, and may be relied on as being
productive. Tall Peas haVe gone out of fa\our,
especially where there is a ditticulty in getting
stakes to support them ; there are, however,
some first-class varieties amongst these that are
well worthy of cultivation, notably those of the
Ne Plus Ultra type, the flavour of which is excel-
lent. They are far more certain to gi\e a crop
than the dwarf ones, not being so subject to the
attacks from fly : their growth being much more
lajiid. less chance is afforded for this pest to
harbour in the points of the growths. There is
one drawback e\'en where stakes are plentiful, for
in exposed situations the haulm is often blown
about by the high winds and spoiled.

Biixtvd Par!.; Urlfii/d. H- C. P.

Peas and drought. --The notes from " S. H.''
at p. W-2 are to the point. I find it ailvisable to
mulch before the stakes are put to the Peas. This
season I soaked the mulching with manure water
occasionally. Regarding sorts, I am at one with
" S. H.," and consider some of the big-podded
kinds a delusion. It seems strange that the big-
podded kinds should find so much favour with
judges. — DoESKT.

liettuce Continuity. — I was pleased to read
a note of praise on this Lettuce by " E. B.C.,"
page 101. I do not think this Cabbage Lettuce
is so well known as it should be. I tried it whfn
first sent out some years ago, and found it not
only first rate from aii eatable point of view, but
also for withstanding the drought, and not
running to seecl. In gardens of limited size one
.Mimetimes finds it a ditheult matter to keep up a
supply of good crisp Lettuce, owing to the fact
that no sooner does the majority of sorts arrive at
maturity, than running to seed takes place.

136

THE GARDEI^J,

[August 21, 1897.

Continuity, on the other hand, remains intact and
of good flavour for a long period. It grows to a
large size in good soil, and is of a peculiar
bronzy appearance outwardly. — J. C.

Potato Carter's Record. — In summers like
the present, when the majority of mid-season
varieties of Potatoes ripen prematurely, the tubers
only swelling to about one half their normal size,
any new sort which does well, in spite of a dry root
run and parched atmosphere, is sure to find fa\our,
especially with those whose gardens are of a light,
porous nature. Of new varieties recently tried.
Carter's Record has given me great satisfaction.
I planted the tubers with a view to lifting for
mid-season supply, but the growth was so rapid
and the tubers ready for lifting in such a short
time, that I feel sure it might, with certainty, be
planted as a first early. It crops well, is of good
colour, and first-rate flavour. — C. C. H.

Onion Record. — I am very much impressed
with the general character of this Onion. So many
of the well-known strains of the Spanish type are
very flat, the bulbs, though of fairly large cir-
cumference, being very light. Not so, however,
with the deep-bulbed varieties, of which Record
is a good form. It grows under good cultivation
to a large size, is of fine globular form, and a
grand Onion for exhibition. The fine glossy
skin which it has gives it additional beauty,
and the exhibitor will find in Record just the
Onion he needs for making a mark either as a
single dish or for collections. With me it has
stood a dry season well and will undoubtedly
b3 largely grown, — (iROWER.

Iiate market Peas. — What has struck me for
many years is the fact that market gardeners, as
a rule, and also farmers who yearly grow a cer-
tain acreage of Peas, put all their eggs into one
basket, and sow only for gathering during June
and July. All observant people must have noticed
how scarce good Peas are during tlie month
of August ; even at seaside towns, where good
vegetables are appreciated and readily bought, the
supply is just as poor. At this season Cabbages
and Cauliflowers are not at their best, the heat of
summer being, as a rule, too great for them. This
fact lea\'es consumers of vegetables in towns little
to choose beyond Scarlet Runner Beans and Vege-
table Marrows. If such good dry-weather Peas
as Prodigy, Stratagem and Omega were grown
for producing during August, they would find a
ready sale and well repay the grower. — Grower.

Garden Turnips. — The soil is now so heated
that if Ijut sufficient moisture be furnished, seed
of the Early Snowball sown at once, and again
just at the close of the month, will germinate
([uickly. The bulbs thus produced may not from
the second sowing lie large, but they will be very
fresh and even delicious eating. Still further,
they will endure frosts much better than larger
ones, and finally, if not otherwise used, will
give nice tops in the spring. To get bulbs of fair
size to stand the winter, a sowing of the Red
Globe may be made at once also. If the recent
rains have been general germination will be very
rapid. It is much Ijetter to sow seed in sliallow
drills than broadcast, also to sow thinly, as the
labour of thinning after growth is so much
lessened. Those who like yellow Turnips, and
they are exceedingly pleasant eating, should make
a sowing of the Golden Ball. — I).

Turnips in hot weather. — I never remember
to have seen Turnips fail so completely as during
the last few days owing to heat and drought, as,
no matter how well watered, saj' once or twice a
week, after one day's exposure they showed .signs
of distress. I fear, no matter where sown, the
roots will be poor and flavourless, and if grown
under trees they run badly. Now is a good time
to make up losses. With a genial rain and the
earth so warm, the seeds will germinate in three
or four days and the roots be fit for usein a month.
For present needs a tjuick-growing variety, such
as Snowball, may be sown, and a good breadth of
Yellow (^Jlobe or Golden Ball will be good for
later supplies. Failing these, if white-fleshed
Turnips are liked best, Red Globe and Green-top

Stone are excellent autumn varieties, as they keep
sound so lonw and are superior in flavour to the
flat roots witb little tap root. — S. H.

Potato English Beauty. — I am pleased to
seethe note on this new variety (p. So) by " W. I.,"
as it so fully confirms my own views as to the
merits of the above. " A. W.," I find, also recom-
mends this for its crop, in addition to good qualitj'.
As most Potato growers are aware, a dry, warm
summer is favourable to the heavy cropping
American varieties. English Beauty claims one
of these (Beauty of Hebron) as one of its parents,
with the result that there is a very hea\y yield, and
the other parent, Myatt's Prolific, adds to the
C|uality, with dwarf top and earliness combined.
English Beauty, just lifted (August .3), has given
a splendid crop, and the quality is all that can he
desired. From a very small quantity of seed I
have a \ery fine yield. It can be lifted for use
earlier than the Ashleaf. This is a great gain in
gardens where much has to be grown in a small
space. — P. F.

Lettuce running' to seed. — I am obliged to
" E. B.," Claremont (p. 101), in asking me to
give Continuity Cabbage Lettuce a trial. I am
able to confirm his remarks as to its drought-
resisting (jualities, as I recently saw this variety
in a trial of Lettuces, anfl it was quite solid when
many others had bolted. For se\eral years I
grew this variety and I liked it greatly, but
some objection was made to its colour, a light
coloured Lettuce being preferred, such kinds as
Golden Queen bemgalways asked for. For a season
or two I ha\"e not grown Continuity, but intend
to have some in reserve in future. Where Let-
tuces are needed in cjuantity, no one will find a
better variety, and, I may add, if Cos varieties are
needed, the Bath or Brown Cos sown for summer
use is one of the best in hot, dry summers. This
and the one " E. B."' advises will not fail. In
hot weather some of the summer Cbs Lettuces
bolt before half grown and the crop is lost, but
those named are always reliable. — S. H. B.

The American Potatoes. — This has been an
ideal season for sucli kimls as Early Rose, Beauty
of Hel-iron, Puritan and other large growers.
Owing to heat and drought, the amount of mois-
ture generally found in these kinds is less and the
quality superior. We often see these varieties
objected to, and in wet, sunless summers they are
not good. Much, however, depends upon the
soil and position where grown. It the soil is
light and ])oor or at all shallow, Eaily Puritan
is excellent, and need not be discarded, even in
wet seasons, if lifted early. For heavy clay soils
I would not advise these kinds, as they are sub-
ject to disease. Neither should they be grown
under trees, no matter how good the soil, as if
the season is at all wet it is fatal to these kinds.
I have noted they are very heavy croppers, and
this makes them valuable market Aarieties, as
they can be lifted early and find a ready sale.
Grown in fresh land yearly they give a good re-
turn, but should not be crowded, owing to the
robust toiJ-grovvth. This year from light soil
these American varieties are of S[)lendid (juality
when cooked, — G. ^^'. S.

"Vegetable Marrows,— When the fruit com
mittee were invited to examine in Chiswick
Gardens a couple of VegetaWe Marrows that
had presumably been sent from tlie Le\ant,
that body found \-ery poor products, such
as would be classed in our lists as very second
rate. It does seem evident that improvements in
these edible Gourds come \-ery slowly, we mio-ht
almost say do not come at all. With the exeep
tion of that most useful variety, Pen-y-byd, the
best and most prolific of its class, nothing ])ar-
ticularly distinct has been introduced for manv
years. The Custard Cream Marrow or Gourd, once
so much favoured, seems to have lost favour
altogether, and the long, tubular-formed fruits are
most in request. But these, as vegctalile food,
give ver}' poor material, consisting, as they do, of
about 8.5 per cent, of water. \Mthout doubt,
the best food is found in some of the so-called
Squashes. One was the Ohio variety, that used

to be much grown some years ago. It is, ho\l
e\'er, a coarse grower, and a worse fruiter, tl|
fruits being yellow. There seems to be a prett
wide field open to anyone, who has leisurl
to strive to produce amongst Marrows son
variety that is as good and much more attract!
than is any one we at present possess. Hi;
seldom the Inish varieties are met with, althoui.
they produce vei'y white, handsome fruit
Prol>al.ily they do not crop so continuously as tl'
free growers, jet these cover a maximum
ground, and give but a minimum of fruit
Generally, Marrows are eaten far too large, ai
in the production of these large fruits, no dou
the plants sutfer a severe strain, which chec
productiveness. — D.

Stove and Greenhouse,

SUMMER TREATMENT OF CALLA8

I WAS very much interested in the remarks
a "Midland Grower" recently contributed
The Garden, concerning a method of culture
the above that I recommended a year ago.
is interesting to know that success has be
achieved by what, to me at least, is not at al
new method, seeing I have practised it f(ir a do;
or fifteen years. And while I have no desire
specially persuade gardeners to alter th
modes of culture, one c.innot refrain occasion;!
from putting forth a .system which most
cidedly minimises labour to some extent at le
in summer, and at the same time provide
much earlier supply of blossom than is possi i
under the best means of culture byanyoti',
system. Again, the system advocated by
of simply laying the pots on their sides, orm
ing a stack of them in any out-of-the-\
corner, .should have some weight with th
gardeners who have not too much assistance or |
much room at command, and yet are expectet
produce flowers at almost any moment. '
gardener witli limited space for jilanting s
things in the kitchen garden, or equally g
place, should be only too glad to ki
that quite as good if not indeed better
finer blooms can be obtained, if instead
planting such things in a deep, prepa
trench of rich soil, he merely lays his pla
for six weeks at least on their sides,
gardens that are under-manned a few bate
of winter flowering plants that could t
be dismissed from all attention cultur
would be a boon indeed. And in truth as s
it came to me a few years ago, when grow
several hundred plants of these Callas. Si
very old gardeners who saw these hundreds
plants scorching to death, as they termed
week by week in the great heat of the Jub
year, 1887, prophesied many things concern
the future of my jjlants, none of wliich v
ever realised. Independently of the savin;,
time, and the assurance that good spathes Bl
be had weeks in advance of those from
planting-out .system, is the fact that the plaj
that are thus dried off are so mucli dwarfer :
more compact. There are also a freshness ;
vigour about them never seen in the bigf
coarser specimens that have Iteen luxuriating
rich soil all the summer long, when they sho
have been enjoying a well-earned rest ail
flowering steadily all the previous winlj
Given the rest and change that I have come
i-egard as almost a necessity, the corms w
more than the average of stored -up energy :
ready to commence flowering again. The plarl
blooming as they usually do under six vfe'
from potting up again, and the pure wl
massive blooms are the best answer as to.
wisdom or otherwise of the system. E.,

GREENHorSE AZALEAS.

E grceiilKuiso A/.alca is (Uio of tlio uiost

itmkr of iiiiloor |il.uit.s. Witli good ti-fatiiioiit

pliints iioVL-r fail to do wull. and to outlivu

greater portion of other hard-wooded tilings

tvm in pots. In fact. Azaleas are amongst

longest lived of the various tribes of green-

llise plants. In i)roof of this I may instance

eral large collections that are in the hands of

lie of the market gro-.vers near London, many

the s|)ecimens in which are known to be

t y yeiu-s old. They consist nio.stly of the

August 21, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

137

cared for, it usually takes two years to bring
them round. After all it may be said that j
there is some plea to justify this way of treating
Azaleas, inasmuch as most of what has been
written on their cidtivation is to the ettect that
the tiirning-out process is the right course to
follow. Another source of weakness that Azaleas,
in connnon with most other hard- wooded plants,
suft'er from is want of sullicient nutriment. In
the case of pot i)lants of tlie numerous kinds
that bear partial shaking out and repotting
annually, the old material which has become

some form. That ohl Azaleas can be kept for
a l<mg time full of .strength and vigour I have
proved with s]iecimens that have remained un-
disturbed in tlie same soil for ten years, and at
the end of the time they made as good wood as
when they were young. Peat of even the best
((uality is not rich enough to enable Azaleas to
make the growth they should do. The as.sist-
ance that is required in this way to either get
young .\zaleas on cpiickly or to keep up the
vigour of old plants is much more than seems
to be generally supposed. When ordinary
manure water is used for old specimens it
should be given once a week during the
time that the plants are making their
growth, and up to the time the wood is
apiiroaching a hard, mature condition
and the buds are prominent. After this
stiige has been reached it is doubtful if
manure in any shape does not do niori^
harm than good.

Regarding the new varieties of Azaleas,
many of which have been sent from the
Continent within the last score of years,
it is doubtful if they are any improvement
on the well-known older sorts. Some of
them are an advance in the colour and
also in form of their flowers, if we accept
the florists' circular outline as the standard
to aim at. The flowers in the variety
figured are salmon-scarlet flamed with
white. The plant illustrated has been
grown in a thoroughly natural way, hence
we get the shoots loaded with blossoms.

Gkower.

A culturally groicit plant of Azalea Verraeneana.

' I White and Fielder's White, which is only

Utly difl'erent from the original sort. The

nts in i|ue.stion are full of vigour and make

its from 8 inches to 15 inches in length

" anually, only a small percentage of which fails

t|flower.

Ihe weakening ett'ects which turning out-of-
• 'is has on plants whilst making their growth
"- ^Jy be seen in hardy shrubs that have been
T: levered in pots under glass when treated in this
\v ; the jiartially formed shoots do not thicken,
t ■ immature leaves look yellow and sickly, and
»'en the plants are again planted out and f:urly

exhausted is to a great extent got rid of and its
place supplied by new. With Azaleas and other
things of a like description, the nature of
which is such that they will not submit to be
treated in this way, the roots remain for years
in the .same soil, and unless something is done
to make up for what the roots extract from it,
the whole becomes so poor that the plants
cannot do more than exist in it. This is what
takes place with old specimens that, after be-
ing put into pots as large as it is convenient to
give them, by-and-by become de]iendent on
what they receive in the sha[)e of manure in

Begonia Worthiana. — This Begonia
which is largely used in the flower garden
is interesting "from the fact that it still
remains so jropular, while the difierent va-
rieties raised about the same time have in
nearly every case disappeared from oUtiva-
tion. The early history of Begonia Worthi-
ana is given in the French journal Le Janliii
for August .J, from which it appears that
this variety originated as a seedling from
B. boliviensis, and was raised by JL Barri',
gardener to M Worth, at Puteaux, in all
probability in 1809, as it was described liy
M. C'arriM-e, and liy him named B. Worthi-
ana in 1870. As B. Sedeni, which was the
tirst hybrid tulierous-rooted Begonia raised
in this country, was distributed in 1870, it
will be seen that B. Worthiana stands out
as one of the earliest hybrids of this class.
— T.

Bouvardia leiantha.— This is a pretty
and bright old greenhouse plant not often
met with. Its habit is distinct from that
of the garden hybrids belonging to the
genus, such as are now grown in immense
numbers everywhere for cutting. The
corymbs of flower are not so large as those
of the hybrids, but of a pretty soft scarlet
colour that is very attractive, and these
are very freely produced all through the
autumn and early winter. Indeed, there is
hardly a month'in the year when flowers
may not be looked for, and in the west of
England it is often used for planting out during
the summer months.

Zonal Pelargonium Oreste.— We have had
many distinct Pelargoniums sent to this country
by French raisers, among those of recent year.s
being .Souvenir de Mirande, which «as the com-
mencement of a distinct and now popular section
of single-flowered zonal Pelargoniums. A couple
of yeais or so ago M. Lemoine, of Nancy, sent out
a zonal Pelargonium— -VUianee—remarkiible for
its speckled blossoms, and the above-mentioned
variety Oreste is in the same way. but with its
distinctive features more pronounced. The ground
colour of the flower is a kind of lilac-pink, dotted

138

THE GATJDEK

profusely, especially on the three lower petals, with
bright purjjle. The dottins is far more dense to-
w-ards the centre of the flower than it is at the
margins. This variety presents such an un-
common appearance, that it will be sure to attract
attention, although it can scarcely be regarded as
a particularly showy form. Being such a decidetl
break away from existing kinds, this will doubt-
less be employed by the hybridist in the produc-
tion of new varieties. Pelargonium Oreste is one
of M. Lemoine's raising, and was sent out by him
in the spring of this year. As far as my ex peiience
extends, it does not appear to be particularly
vigorous. — H. P.

Fuchsia Countess of Aberdeen.— This dis-
tinct i)laiit sliould make a most effective group. It
has pure white lilooms, which are small, but pro-
duced with such remarkable freedom that a
complete mass of pearh- drojis results. It grows
into a close bush no more than a foot high. As a
pot plant it is a striking object, so unlike any
other Fuchsia that all who see it are charmed.-— H.

[August 21, 1897.

LILIUM NEPALENSE.

This Lily is certainly one of the most distinct
members of the entire genus, and forms a very
attractive object in the greenhouse, for to be seeii
at its best it needs that amount of protection. A
great deal of interest was attached to this Lily
when it was first shown in flow'er by Messrs. Low
on September 11, 1888, for whether it had been pre-
\iously introduced is at least an oiien question,
and from the various rumours of what L. nepalense
was like, no one was prepared to see such a beau-
tiful and distinct Lily. It is now generally well
known, but a fair amount of individual differences
exists in the case of this Lily, as well as in many
other species. In some the chocolate-purple
centre extends farther do-\iii tlie flower than in
others, while the lighter coloured reflexed portion
varies a good deal in its shade of yellow or greenish
yellow. While this Lily can be readily flowered
in a satisfactory manner if good imported bulbs
are obtainable, it is really aVery difficult species
to cultivate, as the second year the display of
blossoms will, as a rule, be few and far between.
From this circumstance, continual importations
are necessary to keep up the supjily, and as they
are collected in a wild state and not cultivated
for the purpose, as is done in the case of tlie
Japanese kinds, it is vei'y probable that L. nepal-
ense will soon get much scarcer than it was, as
has already happened in the case of the Neilgherry
Lily (Lilium neilgherrense). L nepalense is "a
native of Upper Burmah, and other species from
the same region are L. sulphuieum, L. Baker-
ianum, L. primulinum, and L. Lowi. Of tliese,
L. sulphureum still reaches this country in con-
siderable numbers, L. Low i crops up occasionally,
while the other two are quite rare. A notable
feature about these Burmese Lihes is the great
general resemblance that the bulbs bear to one
another, for although one may select some indi-
viduals with a certain amount of confidence, yet
in the case of others it is quite impossible to speak
with any degree of certainty till growth com-
mences. L. sulphureum, as a rule, lias larger and
darker coloured bulbs than the others, but small
ones of this species are \ery puzzling. In tlie case
of L. nepalense, and, in fact, all the above-men-
tioned kinds, the bulbs should be potted as socm
as received, which usually happens in the first
two months of the year. Pots 5 inches or (i inches
in diameter will be sufficient for even the largest
bulbs, as, in common with all Lilies, overpottino-
must be avoided. The pots should be well drainecL
and a mixture of loam, peat, and sand forms a
very suitable compost. In potting, the upper part
of the bulb should be about half an inch below the
surface of the soil. If the soil is kept fairly moist,
the roots at the base of the bulb will soon Ije-
come active, but it is often some time before the
shoot appears above the surface. The shoots of
this Lilj- are stout, but few in number, and while
in the case of some Lilies a great quantity are
pushed out at the base of the ffower-stem, in this

species they are not at all numerous. After pot-
tmg, a cool greenhouse temperature, such as that
in which Pelargoniums thrive, will suit L. nepal-
ense well. During the growing season the prin-
ciijal care will be to keep the plants clear of
aphides, as they quickly do a considerable amount
of injury if allowed to congregate among the youno-
unfolding leaves. H. P. ^

BOUVARDIAS.
Good flowering plants in pots are not over plentiful
at this season of the year. Although Bouvardias
are usually regarded as late autumn and winter
flowering plants, they mav be had in l.loom
nearly throughout the year. One-year-old cut-
back plants are best for' early summer blooming,
but early-struck cuttings make good plants for
flowering in August. The variety most suitable
for summer flowering as a pot plant is Candidis-
sima, with pure white flowers. This forms a very
dwarf and compact yilant, and if stopped evenly,
all the shoots will come into bloom at the same
time. .Jasminiflora is another good white, and
Jasminioides paniculata may be recommended,
being very free-growing and dwarf in liabit.
Reine des Roses is perhaps the best pink for
summer. Grown under the same treatment it
will come into bloom some weeks before most
varieties. Mrs. R. Green is a general favourite.
It varies a little in colour, but at its best the
colour is a very pleasing shade of salmon pink.
President Cleveland is by far the best scarlet we
have, and I am surprised that the other scarlet
sorts are kept in cultivation. The oldest scarlet
variety, Hogarth, is still in demand. The double
variety of this, A. Neuner (white), and President
(iarfield (pink) include all the doubles worth
growing. Several other singles might be named.
Humboldti corymTiiflora, though not suitable
for i)0t work, is \-ery useful for cut bloom. This
flowers well when planted out in the open, but as
the bloom is so easily damaged by wind or wet it
is more useful when grown under'glass. To keep
up a succession of bloom the plants must be
potted in a good rich compost, and after the pots
are well filled with roots, manure may be used
freely. No shade whatever should be given, and
if watering is properly attended to, the hottest
sunshine will do no damage.

In growing those recommended for pots, it is
important to propagate as earlv in the year as
jrassible. The plants should be potted in light
Ijorous soil and grown on in warmth during the
early part of the season, and later on they will do
well in cold jjits, the lights being taken off' in
favouralJe weather. Stopping the plants requires
careful attention. Each time they are gone over
all the shoots should be stopped, and each time
they should be stopped back to within one joint
of the previous growth. Although Bouvardias
enjoy hot, dry weather, they must not be allowed
to get too dry at the root, and the syringe should
be used freely, which will go a long way towards
keejiing oft' insects. Clear soot water may be
used, but this must not be applied when the sun is
out- H.

MARGUERITE CARNATIONS IN POTS.
These are grown for late autumn and early
winter bloom, and very useful they are at that
time, when Carnations generally are over, and so
many things in the outdoor garden are past their
best. They are, however, equally serviceable dur-
ing the spring months, and it is'po.ssible to have
a good supply of Carnations up to the time they
begin to flov\er in the open ground. I do not con-
sider this race of Carnations of much service for
midwinter bloom ; they form buds freely in the
autumn, but the blooms do not seem to have
much substance when they open and tjuickly
fade. From the beginning of March onward they
corne good in form and colour, and have that
delicious fragrance which is almost entirelv
wanting during the dull winter months. The cul-
ture of the Marguerite Carnations is remarkably
simple, consisting in putting them out in early

spring in well-worked, fairly enriched ground u
lifting and potting them late in summer or ea
m autumn. Many sow the seed in early sprii
in warmth, but I much prefer to sow in .July
early in August in a cold frame. The seed V
minates freely at that season, and the young ph,
can be kejit in a cool house through "the wint
coming into the open air in spring, without havi
been subjected to the debilitating effect of artific
heat. No hardening off' is necessary, as is ind
pensable in the case of plants raised in heat
February ; and if planting out for the sumn
months is to be practised, the young [jhints c
be set out a month or six weeks earlier tlian c
otherwise be the case. Some grow these Can
tions in pots during the summer, but I am (
cidedly in favour of ])utting them into the on
ground. Healthy young seedlings put out eai
in April «ill grow into specimens large enou
for 7-inch jiots, and they will be crowded w;
buds by the close of the summer. Early planti .
admits of early lifting, the iilants being lar
enough to jjot up by the middle of Augu
Flower-spikes will be thrown up, when th(
]jlants are doing well, early in July ; but thi
will have to be pinched off', as flowers are not
quired before October, just as outdoor things :
niostly over, and the formation of side growt
is thereby' encouraged, so that compact lea
specimens with abundant foliage down to ther
of the pot are obtained. From the beginniog
August the flower-stems should be allowed topu;
up, as these will give a crop of bloom during t
autumn and early winter months. If the weatl
is dry, it is advisable to give a good watering t
day previous to lifting. Pots only large enou
to contain the roots should be used, as the obji '
is to get the plants as pot-bound as possible
winter. The small amount of fresh soil necesss
should be very fine, so that it can be worked
among the roots. If the plants are stood in
cold frame, shaded from hot sun, and kept rati ,
close for a few days, they will soon make n '
roots, and can then"be exposed to the full sun.
ha\e had plants treated as above recommendi
the roots of which could hardly be got into 8-in
pots, and which gave a constant succession
bloom from November to July. The colours, ti
are really good, ranging from pure white to vt
dark crimson, and they have the true Clove seei
—J. C. B., in FkM.

Orchard and Fruit Gardeh

EARLY PEARS.

The Hessle, or Hazel, as it is more often calk
was years ago planted in great quantities ; i
deed, it was the chief fruit in market garden
Around the metropolis there are still many o
gardens with trees of this variety, which rare
fail to fruit. This early Pear is in season
September, and is an enormous crojiper. Ear
varieties should not be grown to the exclusi.
of late varieties, but with a garden of any size
few early fruits are most useful, such varieti'
as Jargonelle and the small, but very ear
Doyenne d'Ete, which is one of the very fir
Pears ripe, being tit for use in July. It
small, but refreshing, and of good flavour whe;
gathered a few days before it is ripe ; indeei
this remark aj)]ilies to the Hessle, the Jargonelli
and most of the early kinds.

The newer St. Swithin is one of the earlie.'j
Pears I have grown, and a note on early Peail
would be incomi)lete without referring to thi
variety. This season it was ripe the third wee,
in July, and a few fruits were earlier. S
Swithin is a iiiedium-sized fruit if well growi
but, nvving to its free-bearing qualities, itshoulj
be well tliinned. In appearance it is not unliij
a small Jargonelle, and, like that variety, is c
poor ipiality if allowed to hang till the fruitj
are fully rifie. I have it in coVdon and busi

August 21, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

139

form, and it nevoi- fails to give a good crop, but
cordon trcus aro tho earlier. lAs regards the
iiuiility, it is variable. I consider it superior
to the Hessle, and a few fruits should be

I

r^ m^

V ^

i*caY Haste,

[athored daily ; these will be fit for use in a day
two. Left on the trees they are mealy and

r-Havoured. .Another very early Pear and

II tie known is the Lawson. This was shown at
1 recent meeting of the Royal Horticultural
jSociety. It is of good size, not unlike Beurre
lairgeau in colour, but a second ijuality fruit,
t should not be allowed to ripen on the
lees. The well-known Williams' Bon Chr6-
ien, a l.-irger and nioie melting Pear than the
lessle. has of late years taken the place for-
lerly held by the Hessle, and being a larger
ruit and ripe at the .same season, is dcpubtless
lore )irotital)le, but is not so reliable a cropper.
'he value of these early fruits is that they can
e gathered a few at a time, thus prolonging
le season. When the bulk is gathered the
:>olest storage should be given them. The
[es.sie Pear cannot be classed as tirst-rate,
ut it is valuable, as it thrives in pcjsitions
1 which better or later kinds would not give
iiy return. The fruits may be termed below
ledium size, greenish yellow when ripe, and
uch spotted with russet, fle.sh juicy, sweet,
id pleasant. In some soils the fruits are
ritty near the core, and after housing require
1 be eaten quickly.

The tree is a jienduhjus gi-ower, and even
hen grown for shade or ornament is well
orth space in a small garden, as it is a pretty
ijectwhen in bloom, being as tine as our best
iwering trees or shrubs. Most of these verv
rly Pears are grown as standards, but I have
en them made good use of in other ways.
Iiey may also be grown as espaliers, or hori-
ntally trained .-ilong the sides of walks, and
u-n grown in this way give much finer fruit
id of better f|uality. Groweh.

Ik

Peach "Waterloo.— I urn much pleased with
.e above variety this season on a west «all. I

am now gathering very nice fruits of excellent
quality and of grand colour. For some years I
grew Waterloo in pots, and found it one of the
best, but never remember to ha\e seen it so good
on walls as this year, the flavour

also Ijeiiig lirst-rate. On a

.south wall this variety was ripe
on .July Hi, and tile trees on
the west aspect lia\ e provided
fruits since that date. The
fruits from the west wall are
much finer than those from the
south wall. There is one thing
these early Peaches need, and
that is severe thinning, as the
fruits lack size if at all crowded.
I ))refer this variety to Early
Alexander for walls, and it is
more reliable as regards crop.
With rae it rarely fails to finish
fruits of good colour and size.
— (i. W.

Strawberry runners. — The
season has been one of the worst
on record as far as my exjieri-
ence goes, as regards the root-
ing of the runners, the exces-
sive heat and drought having
cliecked growth. The earlier
runners did fairly well, but
made more progress. I am
sure where the plants bore fruit
the runnerj will be late. For-
tunately, we had a nice rain
on the 8th, and things will im-
prove greatly. One will need to
exercise patience as regards
planting if earlier runners from
special plants were not pro-
cured. I am a strong advocate
for reserving a few jilants or
rows for runner production, not
fruiting these, Layering early,
and planting also, as plants
now ill their permanent quarters will do grandly
and get the beneht of the much-needed rains.
I am sure large growers will experience a dith-
culty in getting an ample supply, as runners on
certain varieties are very scarce. I ])refer a plant
of medium size with a single
crown to those larger newer
\arieties with several crowns. —

G. WVTIIKS.

Apricot trees in hot
weather. — Although trees in
\ery many gardens are this
year minus fruit, the crop for
next year will to a great extent
be jeopardised if the roots are
allowed to become too dry, and
thus the wood and fruit-buds
improperly developed. No wall
fruit trees suffer sooner from
insuthciency of root moisture or
show it quicker than Apricots.
If the leaves droop and assume
a bluish tint, it may be con-
cluded root-dryness is the cause
of it. I have seen trees which
showed such symptoms one
day recoup themselves and
even improve in colour by the
next after a good soaking of
water. If by any means pos-
sible an extra effort should be
made to do them justice in the
way of manurial waterings be-
tween now and when the foliage
changes, as the rest the trees
are having this year, though
causing tenqiorary uneasiness
to the grower, ought to result in stouter wood
and an improveil condition generally, and con-
se(|uently better crops in 1898. — J. C"

The Loganberry. -I, hke Ut. Clark, was
much interested in the remarks made on this
American fruit in a recent issue. I procured two
plants early in the spring, also two plants of the

Mayberry and two plants of the Strawberry
Raspberry. I potted them up in good loam and
placed them in cold frames. They have all grown
into good plants. 1 have now planted out the
two tir.st in a warm border, and hope next year
to get good results. One of the Loganberries
bore about a dozen fruits, .something like a dark-
coloured Ilaspbcrry, but longer. These were of a
lirisk flavour, but very pleasant. The Mayberries
have made good growth, but no fruit has shown on
them, liiit on one of the Strawberry Raspberries
three flowers liavi; appeared, so that I hope to see
the fruit this year. The foli.-igi^ of the last plant
is very pretty. With me it does not seem likely
to make nearly so large a bush as the two former.
— W. TowxsENU, Saiidhar.st /,o(/;/e.

FRUIT TREK.S FOR NORTH WALLS.

In nio.st gardens walls having a northern asjiect
are only used for the cultivation of the Morello
Cherry, which, I think, is a pity, as in many
parts of the country other subjects, such, for
instance, as choice late dessert Plums, succeed
admiraljly on north walls, to say nothing
about Red and \\'hite Currants and dessert
Gooseberries. \\'here Morellos are in demaml as
late as they can be had, it is then necessary to
accord the trees a position where they will be
shaded from the sun duiing the hottest part of
the day, and such a position with the necessary
amount of shade they experience when grown
on a north wall. For the earlier supply. Morellos
may just as well be grown as bushes as not, for
they bear exceedingly heavy crops grown in this
form, while the individual fruits are quite as
large, and they hang for a long time if netted
over. If this is done, the space they would
otherwise occupy on the walls can be utilised
for the growing of Plums as indicated above.
Those who have to provide a large and varied
dessert through the autumn months know full
well the value of having a few trees of choice
kinds of dessert Plums to fall back upon when
indoor fruits other than Grapes begin to become
.scarce. Such kinds as Coe's Golden Drop,

Fear Williams' Bon I'hretien,

Jefferson's and Ickworth Ini])6ratrice will hang
in good condition quite as long as the Cherries
if covered with coarse muslin or very thin
tiffany as a protection against birds, wasps, and
flies while tliey are ripening. I have freipiently
gathered Golden Drop in the first week in
November, and although the fruits have been

140

THE TxARDEK

[AuGDST 21, 1897.

somewlKit shrivelled, t:ie flavour has been exceed-
ingly rich Mnd sugary, and, I need hardly add,
greatly appreciated when sent to table.

No special culture is needed for growing
Plums on sucli a position, and as a rule, owing
to tlieir flowering later than their brethren out
in the open and those on walls having warmer
aspects, they escape the efl'ects of spring frosts
;-.nd invariably set good crops of fruit. Last
winter I planted cordon trees of the newer va-
rieties of Phuns on a north wall as an exiieri-
raent, and hope to prove a few of them another
season. Tliis is an excellent way of clothing
a wall i|uickly, and awkward portions of the
wall, such as buttresses, lend themselves to the
growing of cordons. Fan- trained trees also
give abundant crops of fruit, and a favourite
plan of mine is to plant these 12 feet apart, with
a cordon between every two trees, not neces-
sarily of the same variety, but so selected that
the fruit will ripen about tlie same time on
account of afibrding them protection against
bird and wasp attacks. I have heard and read
(jf early Pears l^eing grown against north walls,
but never put the matter to the test ; but Plums
will and do succeed admirably, and where
north walls are of considerable extent and the
climate suitable, I would strongly reconnnend
that a i)ortion of the same be devoted to the
growing of dessert Plums for late autumn su])-
l^ly. Gooseberries are also a very profitable
crop when grown on north walls, and the fruit
may be had much later than wlien grown on
bushes. The best way to grow these is as cor-
dons with from three to five branches, which
should be trained perpendicularly in the same
manner as upright cordon Pears or Plums.
Currants of lioth the red and white varieties
bear most profusely grown in the same way,
and come in useful after the fruit on the bushes
out in the ojjen garden has been gathered.
Where autumn-fruiting Raspberries are grown,
these late Currants are then doubly useful, as
they can then be utilise<l for tart-making in
addition to being useful as an adjunct to the
dessert. A. W.

POTTINCJ FORCING STRAWBERRIES.

The potting of Strawberries for forcing may be
later than usual this year, but there need be no
fear of poor crops if the plants are not over-
]]otted. I am aware many growers like to get
their plants into the fruiting pots at the earliest
possible date, but, after some years' experience, I
liave come to the conclusion one may pot ton
early, as if the plants make a second growth and
show flowers freely before the winter, they do not
force so well the next spring. I find plants potted,
say, early in August quite early enough, as
they make one crown, this a good one, and the
embryo flower-truss is dormant till started for
forcing. I know it is an easy matter to thin the
crowns, but not in the case of all varieties, as
some split up so badlj' that it is impossible to get
one strong crown when the plants are potted u[)
very early. On the other hand, I do not advocate
delay, as, unless the plant tills the fruiting pot
with roots before being housed or placed in the
winter quarters, there will be a collapse if such
plants are forced hard, as, having few roots, the
crowns will fail to swell when the plants are called
ujjon for increased exertion. I think what may be
termed the middle course is a safe one. At one
time I was under the impression one could not
pot too early, but a severe failure convinced me
of my fault, and I am not sure if too early potting
with certain varieties, such as Vicomtesse H. de
Thury, is not the cause of so many weak trusses.
Far better have one or two strong ones, and not a
mass of useless ones not strong enough to bear
the fruit when set. Doubtless the cause of failure
is that the plants have lost \ igour owing to the roots
having exhausted all the food in the soil. Much
depends on the locality where the plants are forced

and, of course, how forced. If not required too
early, there is ample time for the plants to grow if
potted as advised. If runners are not strong,
much better use a smaller pot and get one
strong single crown. 1 have advocated early pot-
ting, and I am a great believer in a fair-sized
plant and the usual Strawberry pot. I have
found there is no gain in coarseness, and would
prefer the medium course after a severe trial of
the various kinds usually forced. Doubtless my
remarks would not apply to plants needed to
fruit, say, in .January or February, as here the
cultivator would need to get the earliest matured
jilants. I have seen s)>lendid results from very
late potting, but much depends on how the plants
are wintered and foiced. (!. \A ythes.

SCARCITY OF PLUMS.

This is the general cry in this part of the country,
anil when we find such varieties as Orleans fetch-
ing 20s. per bushel in the market, it is a sure
sign that they are scarce. There is no doubt
that for several years thei-e has not been so short a
crop, as but very few trees in exposed situations
are carrying any fruit, while those in more
sheltered positions have onl_v a few. Some va-
rieties, howe\er, are much more prolific than
others. This is owing either to their flowers not
being forward enough to be injured bj' the late
spring frosts, or because they are hardier. On
looking over the plantations here, I find that
Early Rivers, Orleans, The Czar, Victoria, Stint,
Wyedale and Bush or Waterloo are carrying by
far the best crops. Some of these varieties are
but little known, and on that account are not so
extensively grown as thej' deserve to lie. The
Czar is a most prolific earlj' kind, of fair size, hav-
ing a dark skin. It is seldom that the rains
cause it to split unless allowed to hang till over-
ripe. Where a quantity is recpiired for preserving,
this should lie largely grown. Stint is rather a
new variety of medium size, coming into use
early, in August. This with me is most prolific
lioth as a bush and against a wall. Victoria is
so well known that it rec|uires no description ; a
tree or two should alwaj's be planted against a
north wall, in which position a full crop is gene-
rally grown. Wyedale — a variety far better
known in the nortii than in the south — is of
medium size and keeps good till quite late in the
autumn, often plump till the middle of November.
The heavy rains do not seem to afl'ect its hang-
ing like someotherof the late kinds. Thisseason,
though so unfavourable for most varieties, the
trees are carrying a fair crop. Bush or Waterloo
is a fine late Plum tiiat seldom fails, and e\'en this
season it is no exception. Turning to trees growing
against walls, strange to say, those on a northern
aspect are by far the best, as many on walls fac-
ing south ha\e scarcely a fruit. Coe's Golden
Drop, .Jefiersou's, Washington and some others
are particularly conspicuous in this respect. In
the southern counties it is advisable to plant such
varieties against a north wall, as the autumnal
rains do not seriously affect them when ripe.
I'lums as a rule are fairly hardy, a few degrees of
frost taking but little effect on the expanded
flowers. When there are from 8° to Kl", as we
sometimes ha\ e for several hours together, there
is liut a ]ioor cbauce of saving them from injury.
By planting as before advised, the lilooming
period is often retarded, so that there is less risk
in this respect. A row of Victoria that was
shaded by some tall Apple trees is now carrying
a full crop, while trees more exposed have scarcely
a fruit on them. Plums are far more useful than
Peais, as they may be used for a variety of pur-
poses ; therefore it is well to allot the choicer
kinds positions on walls in preference to the latter,
as they usually gix'c a greater return for the
labour expended upon them. Most of the hardier
kinds may, however, be depended upon to give a
supjily of pood fruit wlien grown as Ijushes and
iirotected by a belt of trees to ward off' the cold
winds. H. C. P.

Biixted Pari; Cck/ie/d.

TPvEATMENT OF YOUNG VINES.

Reference was lately made to the class of bor-
ders that market-growers have to be content
with, and wliich answer surprisingly well.
There is no disputing the fact that the treat-
ment of young Vines varies considerably, and
it is equally certain results are also most vari
able. I hold that planting .strong canes, or any
supjiosed to be large enough to produce bunche>
the first season, is quite a mistake, yet it if
often done. Even as supernumeraries they an.
a failure. If jjurchased they cost too much,
and in any case they rarely give enough good
bunches to pay for the trouble taken with them
while the start, as far as forming stout canes
is concerned, is frequently deploralile. Vmsf
do not move well out of 10-inch pots, but thej
might be made to produce a crop if kept ii
their ])ots and liberally treated at the roots, anc
that is what I would do with them. I havf
long advocated keeping supernumeraries, oi
those that are to be cropped heavily for twc
seasons or so, well away from those intended t(
be permanent, because they greatly interfere
with their progress. Supernumeraries ougli
not to be planted at all ; they are not wanted
All that is required is to make a good star
with permanent Vines, and these may then b
freely cropped the following season. Pam
pered young Vines do not often develop int.
really good serviceable rods, and may easil;
prove the opposite. A gross start — such a
results when extra strong canes ai-e planted ani
duly cut down — is objectionable. Either futur
progress is somewhat on a par with the com
menceinent, long-jointed, pithy canes resultini.
or else they cease growing so soon after the firs(
burst, waiting for further supplies of sap froij
roots which have to be formed, that the woo i
becomes hardened and not much further pri |
gress is made that season. Short, well-ripene
canes, not much larger than the stem of a cla !
pipe, and strongly rooted in either .j-uich ( ■
6-Lnch pots, are, in my opinion, much thebesi
for planting in all positions where the suirshir
can reach them, and no Vine ought to 1
planted, where it can possibly be avoided, in
dark place. Thei'c are no stagings along tl
fi'onts of market growers' houses, no plantiii •
between coils of hot-water pipes and froi (
walls, and no liringing canes through from tl
outside. These ditticulties jirivate gardene:
have to contend \vith, and they greatly interfei
with a good start being made. If long cam
must be planted, by all means plant them, bi
I have a great objection to long, naked stemii
and like to have my Vines on a flat bordi'
where they do not suffer from contact with ho
water pi[ies and are favoui-ed with much of tl
light and sunshine going, A few words as to

When to Plant.

October is given as a good time to plai
ripened canes, as in this case the Vines have
chance to form a few fresh root-i before they q
to rest, starting stronger in the spring accorc
ingly. I have nothing to urge against this prai
tice, and little or nothing to .say in favour of i
If the border was ready and the course clea:
then I might plant in the autumn, but it In
usually answered my purpose to plant in w
spring. Sujijiosing the young Vines were raise
in the spring previous, duly topped, as the
should be when about 2 feet long, and arrange
outdoors all the summer, these would be hai
pruned late in the autumn, or cut back to witl
in 3 inches of the pots, and wintered in a coi
house or frame. Early in February they woul
be started into growth in a temperature li
about 55°, and directly the Ijuds coininenctj
moving, the time will have arrived for plantiii;

August 21. ISiiT.]

THE GARDEN.

141

When turned (Hit of jiots, these small Vines
should be found particularly well fuinishcd
with roots conijiared with their size, and these
ought to be washed or sliahen clear of soil so
that tlie r<'ots may be spread out ilatly and
evenly in the soil. Thus treated the young
Vines start moderately strongly and keep grow-
ing from the first, devehiping into tine fruiting
cnnes tlie same season. If larger \'int^s were
])Ianted, I would yet advise cutting them down
to near tlie ground, so as to have an even swell-
ing throughout and no stunted lower portions
of stem. Vines raised from ej'es started, say
in January, may be planted the following April
or May with a good prospect of their becoming
strong enough to give bunches during the next
.season, but not if Tomatoes were in full posses-
.sion of the house at phinting time. The " cut-
l)acks " planted in March and grown from the
first in gentle lie.it more than hold their own
with the Tomato plants on each .side of them,
and eventually g;iiii the upiier-hand.

Market growers crowd their rods more than

thought desir.able liy ] rivate gardeners, but

they do not invariably plant the young Vines

thickly. They have to study the Tomatoes.

The majority of their houses are span-roofed

ind the Vines are planted on both sides. If

.lisposedat a distance of 4 feet apart, there is g( jod

space for a row of Tomatoes midway between

:or two years, and half rows during the third

ieasoii. The Vines are not arranged exactly

ipposite each other, but are triangled ; this

loes not interfere with the lines of Tomato

ilants, because the pathway is in the middle.

Eventually each rod is taken clean over an

irched trellis, or from one side to the other,

md they are then not more than 2 feet apart.

11 some instances the rods are not taken any

urther than the apex of the roof, and in this

vise a second cane is laid in after Tomatoes can

:,, linger be grown in the vinery. Personally,

, prefer the arched trellis, or what amounts to

ho Siinie thing, training up longitudinal wires

lassed through long eyes screwed into the sash

lars of the roofs and across Bamboo canes — a

ecidedly cheap and convenient arrangement,

Iiviating the u.se of high steps and keeping the

iiies well away from the glass at the hottest

it of tile roof. So far I am in agreement

! h the authorities, except perhaps with

jard to the homely trellis. Whei-e the differ-

e comes in is in the matter of

Stopping .sssd Prusixo.
I Jlr. Barron's admirable treatise on the
I irajie Vine " occurs the following passage :
I 'lice fairly started, young Vines are all the
- Iter, for the first summer, to be allowed to

• >K and ramble pretty freely, with as little
a-cking and stopping as possible. The more
■eves and shoots developed the more roots

'duced and the stronger the foundation laid
> the future plant." The writer of this para-

■ ph is far from being alone in his views upon
11- free growth of young Vines, but I have
way.s fought against it, though admittedly in
iiiinority, and the more experience gained tlie
ore thoroughly convinced I become that Mv.
■irroii and those who follow the lines he has
id down are wrong. Fortunately, the average

• iiket grower is not tempted to allow his
Hies to " ramble pretty freely," for the simple
ison that his rent-paying Tomatoes would
Iter from undue shade. Why allow so much
'■wth to form only to cut it all off again?
lis rambling growth may be the means of
<imotingthe increase of roots, it does so in

t, but they .are of the wrong character —
ii-.se and ramliling, whereas it is abundance of
' 't fibres that I prefer to find, as these and
ese only conduce to the formation of stout,

sliort-jointed hard canes, which will last as long
as tho.se in charge may desire them. This un-
restricted growth is so much wasted vigour,
.also leading to a loss of fertility in the border
.and in ]iarticular a loss of time. The idea reads
]irettily, liut there is nothing in it.

In March, 18!l(i, t jdanted about fifty small
cut-backs, ami grew Tomatoes in pots between
them in the way usual among market growers.
< )ut of these three only are not carrying bunches
at the present time. Tiie strongest are fur-
nished with six bunches each, or weighing on
the aggregate not less than II lbs. weight ; others
h.ave four bunches each. In addition to pro-
ducing these bunches every Vine has formed
long leading canes that any gardener might be
]iroud of, the older portion of the rod also
swelling satisfactorily. Those planted on the
opjiosite side of the house in 18i)5, and crojiped
ei|ually hea\ily last season, are now furnishetl
with an average cf twelve bunches each, these
also being full of vigour and forming strong
leading canes. There is nothing remarkable
■about the border, as this was only so much
manured and trenched ground, prepared with
neither more nor less ceremony than many gar-
deners bestow on their Strawberry beds. I
shall be disappointed next season if these older
Vines fail to mature less than twenty bunches
each. I attribute this success largely to having
never allowed the Vines to grow to waste.
Timely stopping has invariably been practised,
this applying to both leading and latei-al growths.
If the J'ouiig ^'ines or the leaders on those
planted longer are weakly, they are topped
when about 4 feet long, while those that grow
strongly are topped at a height of 5 feet to (i
feet. All lateral shoots from these young canes
are stopped beyond the first leaf, and the lireaks
from these also just beyond the first leaf.
Treated in this way the canes swell evenly and
strongly, but there is no jiremature loss of
])rimary leaves as freipiently happens when the
lateral growths extend and swell. It is the
first formed leaves that do the best work,
and only on stopped Vines do these develop
properly and survive to the end of the season.
All the winter pruning required in the c.ise of
one-season canes is to shorten these lightly, or
only to the extent of removing the ends that
have flushed out growths from buds that should
have remained dormant till the following spring.
I find the Vines carrying three bunches were
shortened to within 3 feet to 4 feet of the
ground, and those more heavily cropped were
left to a length of about 5 f^et. Those too
weak to bear fruit were cut down to within
(i inches of the border. All have 6 feet leading
canes of fresh growth. W. Iggulden.

Melon notes.— ilelon (iunton Orange will
not set with me. Is it a very shy-bearing
variety? My attention was called to it by several
notes in The G.ibdex. All the other sorts, like
Hero of Lockinge, Conqueror, Scarlet Premier
and others, thrive well and set freely. The fruits
of Gunton Orange turn jellow one or two days
after setting. The plants of Gunton Orange are,
I think, the strongest in the whole house. Frog-
more Orange, also grown for the first time, cracks
badly and will be discarded. I fancy that the
best white-fle.shed variety is .still the old Hero of
I.ockinge. Which is the best scarlet-fleshed
Melon y—R. K., .SV. PHtrshimj.

Nectarine Early Rivers.— This new Nec-
tarine is this season much finer, the ipiality being
excellent. My lir.^t fruits were reall}' earlier this
season than last. I ha<l a nice dish on the •24th
of July and gathered daily until the 7th of
August. The fruits have been remarkable for
their splendid colour in addition to their size.
There can be no (piestion as to the earliness of

lOarly Kivers, and 1 have trees on west and south
walls, in i^ach case planted side by side with Lord
Napier, a favourite variety with me. The newer
variety is i(iiially good, and as regards earliness of
great value, and deserves all that was said in its
favour when sent out. Those wlio have a demand
for fruit at this season may with confidence
plant Early Kivers where Nectarines do well, as
it is a good grower, makes splendid wood, and
with me does not crack like some kin<ls. It .sets
very freely on both aspects name<l. My trees
are dwarf trained in lioth cases. — (J. Wvi'hes.

Fruit crops on the south coast. — This has

been a most disappointing year for fruit growers—
— at least, in this locality, for the promise of
spring, as far as abundance of bloom was con-
cerned, led me to hope that a reconl year was at
last to smile on the fruit grower, but cold winds,
rains and late s[)ring frosts pro\'ed too much for
the tender bloom, or rather for the embryo fruits,
as I'lums. Cherries and other stone fruits appeared
to be setting remarkably well. The}' did not
swell away kindly, and soon began to assume a
sickly yellow look and fall to the ground. A
more complete failure of all hardy stone fruits I
never remember. Pears flowered magnificenth',
but there is a very scanty sprinkling, the only
kinds that have anything like a crop are the small
coninioii sorts. Apples that, fortunately, did not
flower until more genial weather prevailed are a
good crop and promise to swell to a good size.
Bush fruits have been thin crops. Strawberries
that are grown in large quantities about here
were plentiful, but very soon over, and growers
did not realise any of the fancy prices they were
expecting in .Jubilee j'ear, for after the fir.st week
of gathering prices dropi^ed lower than they
usually do. The late frosts cut ofi' the earliest
and finest blooms. Sii J. Paxton still holds fore-
most place as a market sort. Royal Sovereign not
travelling so well. — ■!. (Jroom, (Inxjmrt.

RICH, BUT TENDER APPLES.

I w.\s pleased to see in Mr. Iggulden's remarks on
the Apple crops in certain counties mention made
of that old highly-flavoured, but now seltlom met
with, dessert Apple Margil. Many years ago this
Apple was grown as dwarf bush trees in an Essex
garden in which I was employed. For my part I
prefer it to either Ribston or Cox's Orange, but
the tree recjuires good culture, otherwise it
usually becomes affected with canker. The Para-
dise stock suits it best. The trees in (juestion
occupied a sunny position and were plantefl in
warm, well-drained soil, having been lifted '2 years
after planting to keep tlie roots close to the sur-
face. In gardens where this and other small, but
deliciously flavoured .\p])les are esteemed, it
would, I think, be a good plan to grow them by
themselves, and give them this special treatment,
as they seldom can be induced to yield in a satis-
factory manner under rough and ready treatment.
In this section may be classed that at present
comparatively little-known conical Apjjle Ameri-
can Mother. This Apple has a somewhat soft
flesh, but will keep firm and in good condition for
a considerable time after it is gathered, but it
must have a warm, well-drained root-run to do it
justice. Fruit well exposed to the sun will some-
times take on a beautiful streaked apfiearance.
The Melon Apjile of America, a December to
March Apple, much larger than the two preced-
ing sorts, pays for special treatment and posi-
tion. It has a rich, soft, melting flesh, and
must be left on the tree as long as possible.
Baddow Pippin, also known as d'Arcy Spice,
is well worthy of any trouble which may be be-
stowed upon it. I have heard a wall recom-
mended for these rich, but tender kinds, but my
experience is that wall culture for Apples of any
kind is an unsatisfactory undertaking, althoufrh
well-ladencd trees are now and then met witli.
An east wall can scarcely be called suitable, and
on either south or west aspects in hot summers,
and particularly where the subsoil is not of a
marly nature so as to retain moisture, insect?, in-

142

THE GATJDEK

[AuocsT 21, 1897

eluding red spider and American blight, are
almost sure to attack them. Some may say water
can be artificially supplied, but this is easier
said than done, where work, as is the case in
most gardens at this fiarticular season of the
year, is too plentiful. Supposing the roots never
to suffer from lack of moisture, burning of the
fruit by the sun has almost invariably to be con-
tended with in a greater or less degree. I have a
tree of Annie Elizabeth occupying a hot, sunny
aspect on a west wall, and this summer, just as
the pips were forming, the exposed side of nearly
every fruit on the tree was burnt as with a hot
iron, all fruits soafTected being, of course, u.seless.
U. C. 1).

STRAWBERRIES FOR A MIDDLESEX

GARDEN.

Will you kindly tell me what Strawberries you
consider most suitable for our garden ? I rather
fancy Royal Sovereign, President, and Noble. —

M. i.

*,* If the soil is not at all heavy you will re-
quire a free-growing kind, and as you say in your
note you fancy Laxton's Royal Sovereign, we do
not think you could do better. It is a good
flavoured variety with grand croppinff qualities.
We certainly do not advise Noble in addition to
Royal Sovereign, as owing to the latter named
being as early as Noble, quite as prolific and a
better fruit, why grow an inferior variety? Noble
previous to the advent of Royal Sovereign was
valuable on account of its earliness, but with
Royal Sovereign etiually early there is no need to
grow both. Noble being a softer and poorer fruit
in comparison. Royal Sovereign claims Noble as
one of its parents, King of the Earlies, a very rich
early fruit, lieing the other, and as it possesses the
vigour of Noble it will do well in an ordinary gar-
den soil. Royal Sovereign is not at all expensive.
President, a grand old variety, is one of the most
useful Strawberries grown, on account of its good
flavour and solid fruit. It is a raidseason variety,
fruits large, and colour very bright. It rarely
fails, but, as noted in the article referred to, the
best fruits are obtained from young plants. No
matter what variety is grown, it is well to plant
early, using good material and giving attention to
the preparation of the soil. Strong plants are a
little more costly at this time, but they gi\e
much better returns. Many of our Royal Sove-
reign plants carried 3 lbs. of fruit each. At Is. (id. a
lb., these well repaid for labour, as the land after
the Strawberries were cleared ofif was in splendid
condition for the next crop of a different nature.
—Ed.

STRAWBERRY LATEST OF ALL.

I WOULD strongly advise " R. D." not to discard
Latest of All Strawberry, and to give it another
trial, as on heavy land it should do grandly.
There may be something wrong with the soil, or
drought may have been the cause of failure. This
year I have some hundreds of plants, and they
have given splendid crops of large fruit and first-
rate flavour. My plants were mostly grown on
north holders. The soil is liglit and none too
rich. I am unable to say why " R. D.'s" plants
should be so unsatisfactory, but a dozen is a small
number, and in a lot of ■'iOO I have had no fungus
of any kind, and with such a dry season I fail to
see why " R. D.'s" plants should be so affected
if they were well i-ooted. Possibly Latest of All
will not be so good the first season, as it is not a
strong grower. It makes few runners, but gives
very tine fruit the first season and in [(uantity the
second. I note at page To " A. I). " gives a
splendid character to Latest of All, and it deserves
it, as during the month of July it has been in-
valuable. For years I grew Laxton's Jubilee for
late use. This in wet seasons mildewed badly,
and was not equal in quality to the Pine section,
which fruited at the same time. With the advent
of Latest of All I have had no difficulty. I am
pleased to see additional testimony at pages 9.5 and
%, and to see " J. C.'s " and Mr. Hagon's notes on

the value of this variety. It certainly resembles
British Queen in having green or unripened fruits.
On the other hand, I have this season noticed other
kinds known as good-shiiped vary greatly in this
respect, especially some of the earlier kinds. To
some extent the severe frost in May would be
answerable, and the severe drought after in this
part of the country may have affected the later
fruits. I intend to double my stock of Latest of
All this year, but plants will be late, as runners
are difficult to procure.

(!. WVTIIKS.

PEACH BLISTER.

There is invariably some of thi.s to be .seen
on open-air trees of Peaches and Nectarines
every season, but it is not often the attack
is so severe as it was thi.s spring. Experts
inform us that this blister is caused by a
fungus known as Exoascus deformans, and
give full descriptions of the disease accom-
[janied by supposed remedies. The descrip-
tions are correct enough, but the remedies
given are doubtful. What mystifies gardeners
is the fact that the leaves on trees under glass,
wliether the houses are heated or not, are never
att'ected by the disease, nor have I ever ob-
served it on trees under wall cases. It is also
a noteworthy tact that trees moved from under
glass to open walls are not afl'ected by the
blister for at least two years, and very little of it
is noticeable on trees at Longleat that have been
moved into the open still longer. I'ndoulitedly
cold cutting winds ai-e resijonsible for much of
the mischief done, these, it may be, damaging
the tender young leaves and rendering them an
easy prey to the disease. That the disease
germs are resting on tlie trees in readiness for
an opening would appear only too evident, or
how else are we to account for the comparative
immunity from attack enjoyed by those trees
moved from under glass ? It is further plain
enough that they are powerless in the case of
strong healthy foliage, or how comes it that
well-protected trees do not suffer from the
disease? I have never had any experience with
carbonate tif copper and the like on Peach trees,
liut if any of the readers of The Garden have
sprayed their trees both before and after the
flowering pei'iods with any of these poisi;>nous
preparations for combating the spread of fun-
goid diseases, they will render good service
by publishing tlie results. I have most faith
in screening the trees in the .spring from cold
easterly winds by means of blinds made of
frigi-domo for choice, and, failing these, with
doubled or trebled ti.sh-nets hung loosely over
the trees, keeping them at a .safe distance from
the walls by the aid of long rods. Ulazed
copings with running blinds are the best form
of protection, as in thi.s case no liarm will re-
sult by leaving these open all day long while
the cold winds prevail. It is worthy of mention
that many Peach and Nectarine trees against
south walls in the west of England lost nearly
every leaf from this blister, yet they liave i-e-
covered surprisingly, being well furnLshcd with
fresh, healthy young wood, while the cr(j]js are
(juite uj) to the average. In one garden not far
from Bridgewater Peach trees on a south wall
were badly attacked by blister, while those on a
south-west wall, anil tlierefore less exjjosed to
chilling easterly winds, only sufiered slightly
from it. \V. Igoulden.

Peach Early Grosse Mig-nonne. — The true
early variety of this fine Peach is now — August
7 — ripe in an unheated hou,se. It is a fine showy
fruit of exquisite flavour, the deep jjale flesh
slightly streaked with red. I have not a hea\y
crop, as the tree has gi'own rather too stronglj-.

but as it has to be shifted this autumn and il
healthy and well ripened, I hope the slight checl!
given will induce it to form more fruitful wood:
It comes in very useful just after Hale's Early, t
which it is much superior in point of quality. — H
Plum jam. — It may not be generally know
that the best of Plum preser\'e is made from undei
ripe fruit. Many people are so anxious to seeur
their fruit in a perfectly ripe state, and no donb
Plums are often what is termed dead ripe whe ''
the jam is made ; conseipiently it is never s
good, nor does it keep so well. A gardener
knew being without (Jreen (iages himself wa
forced to buy for preserve-making. When th
fruit was sent home he found it to be in an undei
ri|je condition, and was afraid the jam would nc
be satisfactory, but to his surprise when made i
was delicious, after which he always endeavoure
to gather Plums re(|uired for jam in an unde
rather than'an over-ripe condition. — C. C.

SHORT NOTES. —FRUIT.

Melon Icgestre Hybrid.— I have grnwn th
Melon for tbe first time this year, a friend having ^ve
me a few seeJs of the true stock. I grew the plant
on the cordon system, allowiug two fruits to
plant. The skin is of a bright golden colour and tli
riavour was excellent. — Dorset.

iippJes and Pears for pots.— I should I
very glad to learn the names of a few sorts of Peai
and A]>ples considered the very best for pot cnlturi
Cnnsidering our short summer, the sorts ought to t
rather early. — R. K., St. Petersburg,

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1132.

UTRICULARIAS.

(with a coloured plate of u. latieolia.*)
The species of this singular genus are worth
place in every collection of plants, their curioi
flowers !ia\ing much the appearance of those <
some Orchids. The Bladderworts thrive be:^
in a mixture such as most Orchids like, viz
fibrous peat and a little sand, and are increase
by separating the little bulb-like appendagt
that adhere to the stems and roots durin
summer. They do best when hung up to th
roof. During growth they require a good suppl.
of water with somewhat drier treatment whe
at rest. The following are the best know
kinds : —

U. ExDEEsi. — This plant should be grown in
shallow suspended basket in a little peat an(
Sphagnum. It is deciduous, and in winter shouL
onl}' receive sufficient water to prevent th
rhizomes shrivelling. It will winter well at th
coolest end of the stove or East India Orohi<
house. As soon as it starts into growth it shouk
be suspended from the roof at the warmest end o
the house and kept constantly wet until th-
flowerin" is over and the foliage begins to decay
It should not be fumigated with tobacco at anj
time. The flowers are pale lilac.

U. MONTANA. — In this the flowers are purewhiti
with an orange palate, and larger than those o
U. Endresi. The temperatui'e of a Cattley:
house seems to suit U. montana, U. Endresi re
quiring a little more heat.

U. HrMKOLDTi, given a first-class certificate by
the Royal Horticultural Society on April 12, 1802'
is distinct. The flowers are larger than those o
U. montana, of a ])ale lavender-blue colour, thi
spikes long and slender, the foliage broad and Oi
considerable texture.

U. LONOiFOLiA. — This, by mistake named I'
latifolia in our plate to-day, was also certificatei j
on April ]-2, ]S9-_>, liy the Royal Horticulturaj

* Drawn for The Garden in Messrs. Sander'i
nursery, St. Albans, by H. G. Moon. Lithographec.
and printed by J. L. Gotfirrt.

I CARQEN

. _T__T mTri_

V- i

August 21, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

143

■iocietv- It is i|iiiti' distinct from I'. Hmiil o'dti
the floVcrs smalli T, of a pule miuivo sliaile, spiUt
ihort and erect, foliafje loiifj and narrow.

The Week's Work.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Autumn Caii.iki.ow khs. — As the Pea season
iraws to a close a <rood succession of ('auHHowers
>roves most valuaMc in art"oi-{lintj a xariety ari<l
naintaininij the su|i|ily nntil the early Hniccoli is
•eady. For this inii|iose .Autumn (liant isby far
;he oest, as after it once gets a start and t(i\ en
food ground it gencivilly grows freely during the
iriest summers, and turns in at the season re-
uired. The earliest batch of plants will ha\e
irri\ed at that stage when an occasional dose of
nanurc- water will pro\-e of great assistance, as it
lotonly stimulates growth, but the produce is of
;ho finest quality when the plants are helped in
,his way. As a further means to secure this, fre-
luent surface hoeings should be resorted to,
Jioughthey may not lie required for the destruction
if weeds, but these, like all other crops, are greatly
mproved when a loose surface is maintained be
ween the plants. This crop often follows early
'otatoes and other things as they are cleared oti'
iiuth borders, for the reason that ground is scarce
lit the time the plants are ready for putting out,
liut it does not always prove a suitable position
luring a hot, dry September, as the flavour of the
nads is not so mihl, and they do not last long in
,1 good condition. They may be preserved, how-
ever, for several weeks after they are ready for
ise by lifting them carefully and burying the
■Qots rather deeply under the shade of a north
vall, though it is not recommended to disturb the
)lants if it can be avoided during bright sunshine,
ir when the ground is very drj*. Rather take
idvantage of a dull showery day, when if a good
vatering is gi\en afterwards the plants will not
eel the effects of remoxal so much.

Kr.Dci'oLi. — These together w^ith the different
vales will now be making satisfactorj' ])rogress,
nd a final hoeing should be made between the
■ws, in readiness for moulding the stems up a
rw inches before the plants become too large,
tvhen the work can be done more easily without
lamaging the leaves. It is not too Late even now
■ < put out more Kale of the dwarf curled \arie-
irs. These will make sturdy little jjlants before
vinter, and form a good succession to those
)lanted earlier. Indeed, I have often found that
mall plants put out now remain uninjured during
he most severe « inters, when taller plants w ith
mailer stems have collapsed. Wliere a late sow-
ng was made of the dwarf varieties of Savoys and
ither things, a few hundred plants put on a spare
)iece of ground w^ill be almost sure to come in
iseful before spring, and the site will be available
ly the time it is required for spring cropping.
luch plants may be put out rather thiikly and
nay be used as greens at any time, Ijut it would
16 useless to trust to Broccoli in the same wa3',
hnless it should lie a few late Model, if the plants

•• well grown, and hardly sufficient late kinds

re put in at the right time. I have just finished
ilanting good breadths of Little Pixie and Hardy
^olewort Cabbage. Both of these are most usefu'l
jinter crops, and as it is not desirable to retain
he plants for alibrding sprouts in the spring,
lose planting is resorted to, and they are pullefl
p as retjuired for use. This is a capital crop to
jUow second early Potatoes, and the plants may
e put in as these are lifted without the labour
f manuring the ground for them. Little Pixie
i somewhat smaller and considered not quite so
ardyas the Colewort named, and on that account
liould be used first. The plants are put out

foot apart, with 1.') inches between the rows.

Snii.xc CAiiiiA(;K.— It is most important that
"Od seed beds tilled with healthy plants shoukl
e III all gardens at this season, so that the ilc-
ired number of |ilants may be put out next
lonth. As before explained, it is not wise to
Vust to one sowing to produce all tlie plants re-

(|U!red, and at least three lots of seed .sho\il(l be
put in. Tlic last sowing is generally valuable for
producing plants for spring planting, and the seed
should lie put in towards the end of the present
month. If the young plants grow freely, it is a
good plan to prick them out about li inches ap.art,
iiurying their stems up to the seed leaf and tread-
ing the .soil firmly round them ; the}' are then
better able to witlistand severe frost, and much
time is saved. Recent show(;rs have greatly
a.ssisted the seeds to germinate, but unless the
soil is kept in a moist condition by rain, watei'ing
the beds must be resorted to, or growth will be
slow and the plants become stunted. Some wcll-
decaj'ed manure has been worked into a piece
of giound ready to receive the first batch, bj-
whieli time it will ha've become settled and in
good condition when the plants are ready foi-
putting out. Dust the seed-beds occasionally
should there be any sign of fly attacking the
plants.

Lettitk an'd Endive. — .Sowings of both these
are made at the same time as the .above, and
practically treated in the same way. It is always
desirable to ha\ e plenty of plants to draw from,
not only for autumn |jlanting, but for standing
through the winter to be planted in warm situa-
tions next March. Another sowing will be made
shortly of Hick's Hardy W'liite and Lee's Im-
mense, which will remain undisturbed until
spring. Thin .sowing is very necessary, as when
the young plants come up too thickly they often
deca\- owing to wet weather, and more are lost in
this way than through frost. South or other
warm borders will have to be (prepared for prick-
ing out a quantity of each at once. It is not
necessary to dig in manure if the ground is in
fairly good order, but after forking it over it
should be made rather firm by treading, and a
good dusting of wood ashes afforded on the sur-
face before planting commences. The firm soil
will prevent to some extent grubs attacking the
roots, while the wood ashes will assist to ward off
slugs. -Any pits or frames that are available
should be got read}- to receive as many plants as
possible. Fresh soil should be placed in these if
necessary, so that the plants are brought well u])
to the ^lass. Where there is ]jlenty of frames,
some of them may be filled at oncewith young
[ilants and the lights only used to protect them
during severe frosts ; others, of course, will be
reipiired for the storage of larger plants, which
will be lifted and stood close together on the
ap[iroach of bad weather.

Richard Pakkkk.

FRUIT HOUSES.
PoTTiNi: i-RiiT TREKS. — Pot fruit trees from
which the crop of fruit has been gathered should
be attended to without further delay, whether it
is in the shape of a shift into larger pots or
tubs, or root-pruning and top-dressing that is
needed. The potting of these trees is oe.st done
while the trees still retain their leaves, as new-
roots are then more c|uiekly emitted, and, as a
natural sequence, the trees recover in a much
shorter time, particularly w-hen they have to be
severely dealt with. Trees which are now in
medium-sized pots will benefit by having a shift
into larger-sized ones, provided they are already
well rooted and do not make gross growth. Those
which had a shift early last spring will merely
need knocking out to ascertain whether the
drainage is in good working order, and perhaijs to
add a little top-dressing if the surface soil needs
removing. Trees which are alreafly in the largest-
sized tubs or iiots are more difficult to deal with, as
no shift can be given these. If healthy, an annual
root-pruning is very lieneficial, especially in the
case of pot Figs, and by these means the balls
can be kept within bounds, and the benefit of a
little new soil can be given them at the same
time. I am no advocate for severe root-pruning
in these cases, and merely advise the removal of
all thick, fleshy roots fomid coiled round the out-
side of the ball and among che crocks, retaining
all the small fibrous ones. By doing this, and

])atiently picking out as much of the old
.soil fiom among the roots as is possililc
under the ciicumstances, room can be found
for the introduction of a little new soil,
from the crocks upwards, and if this is
carried out annually, trees of this description
can be kept in a healthy bearing condition
for a number of years. The old mulchings an<l
top-dre.ssings applied while the trees were in full
growth will be full of roots. These must be .sacri-
ficed, and all roots, soil. &c.. must be removed
down to the original k'vel or a little lielow it if
po.ssible to allow of a little new soil being applied.
In each and every case the balls of roots should be
in a thoroughly moist condition before being
potted : therefore, a good soaking of water should
precede the operation. U.se clean pots, tuljs and
drainage, and cover the latter w-ith fibrous pieces
of turf to prevent the finer particles of soil from
getting amongst and choking it up. Be careful
to ram the compost firm in every case, also when
top-dressing, and immediately after well water to
settle the soil among the roots. Trees which havi;
had to be severely handled will be best put into a
cold house and shaded for a time, and have an
oct^asional dash overhead \»ith the syringe to pre-
\ent the foliage drooping. Others which have
been merely shifted or top-dressed may remain
where they are outdoors, but the precaution
should be taken to prevent worms from gaining
ingress at the crock holes. When many trees of
this description have to be operated upon, a
general survey should be made to ascertain the
number, and then a pretty good estimate will be
gained as to the quantity of compost that will be
reijuired. As but limited quantities of this will
be needed, comparatively speaking, it should be
of the best description. (4ood fibrous loam of a
calcareous nature is the best for pot trees. Loams
containing but little fibre may have wood ashes,
old plaster or lime rubble pounded u[i fine mixed
with them to ensure porosity, bone-meal being
added also at the rate of a 10-inch potful to
every barrow-load of loam. This is the only
manure I advise lieing used w-ith the compost, as
the requisite amount of feeding necessary can
always be applied from the surface during the
season of growth.

Pot Vines. — Voiing Vines intended for plant-
ing or for cutting back and growing on another
season for forcing early the following year should
now be sufficiently advanced to allow of the pots
being raised out of the [ilunging material. In a
few weeks' time they may be taken outdoors and
placed in a sunny position, either against a wall
or hedge to finish the ripening of both wood and
foliage. In the meantime see that they get amjjle
supplies of w-atei', and the same when placed out-
doors. If trained to stakes fixed in an upright
position the canes will need no further support
when remo\-al takes place, but if trained to wires,
then the}- must be either fastened to the wall or
tied to the hedge. Should the hot w-eather con-
tinue, boards [ilaeed in front of the pots or a little
loose litter worked round ihem w-ill keep the roots
cool and considerably lessen labour in the way of
watering.

Pot Strawderries. — The early iiotted plants
are making good progress, the soil being already
w-ell filled w-ith roots. In a short time feeding, in
the shape of weak guano w-ater, may commence,
or, where liquid manure is plentiful, this may be
given instead. Keep all runners suppressed, and
turn the pots round frequently, if standing on
ashes, to prevent the roots catching hold. As
growth proceeds, give each plant more room by
thinning out, and syringe them freely towards
sunset when the day has been parching hot. Sue-
eessional batches should be accorded more room
as they make more foliage, and atteml to them in
every particular as advised for the early lot of
jjlanls. The latest lot of all should be potted, if
that has not already been done, and give the
plants the benefit of an open space where they
will experience full sunshine and a free circulation
of air. If enough [slants have been secured both
for ]iots and jilanting, a line or two of the kinds
which find favour for forcing should be planted

144

THE GARDEN.

[August 21, 1897.

by the sides of walks or in any convenient spot,
for aft'ording runners for pot work another year.
In order that these may grow strongly, so that
plent}' of robust runners will be atibrded in the
spring, the ground should be in good heart and
quite free fiom shade.

FiuiT BOOMS. — The present is a good time in
which to carry out any alterations and repairs,
also the cleansing and painting of these struc-
tures. In addition to whitewashing walls and
ceilings, the shelves and all woodwork should be
well scrubbed with strong soda water, to destroy
all mould germs which may be, and are very
likely, present, if any fruits were allowed to decay
last winter or spring. After this, any painting
that is necessary may be done, and, if carried out
at once, the same will become hardened and the
strong smell have passed away before the general
ingathering of the fruit takes i)lace. Orape rooms
should also be overhauled and cleaned in the
same manner, and if any structural alterations are
necessary they should be carried out forthwith.

Fefit c.iTHERiNc. — Much time will be taken
up now and for some time to come where fruit-
growing is carried on to any extent, whether the
produce is consumed at home or marketed. In
addition to Peaches, Nectarines, and Ajiricots,
which should be looked o\er e\'ery other day.
Plums are now ripening, and Morello Cherries
should be gathered for bottling. Plums are best
gathered fresh from the trees, as if kept long they
become unwholesome. The first-named fiuits
will take no harm if laid out thinly on an airy
shelf in the fruit room, and will, in fact, keep in
good condition with their fla\our unimpaired for
nearly a week. The early kinds of Pears, such as
Doyenni5 d'Ete, Citron des Carmes, and Summer
Beurrc? d'Ai-emberg, are improved if gathered a
few days before they are ripe and placed in the
fruit room. Souvenir du Congres, Williams' Bon
Chrt'tien, Clajip's Favourite, and Beurr^ de
I'Assomption should also be treated in like
manner, but these are much later than usual this
season, and will not need gathering yet. The
earliest varieties of Apples, especially the dessert
kinds, are best gathered direct from the trees,
as they lose flavour and go flat if stored. Apples
for market must be gathered before they become
too ripe, otherwise they bruise badly if thej' have
to be sent any distance, and a considerable loss in
value is the result. A. W.

Trees and Shrubs.

HICORIA PALLIDA.

HicoRiA i'ALUD.\ is nearer to the Nutmeg
Hickory than to any other, but while the Nut-
meg Hickory (Hicoria niyristicjcformis) has
many characters which ally it to the Pecan and
Bitternuts, this has characters which show close
affinity to the White Hickory. The sterile
flowers of Hicoria pallida are only from the base
of the shoot of the year, while in the Nutmeg
Hickory they are from separate lateral buds as
well. The twigs, which are even more slender
than in most forms of the Pignut, are purplish
brown in colour and usually smooth, althougli
.some collected in South-western (Georgia are
tonientose toward the tijj around the base of the
terminal buds. The oval bud.s are sharply
pointed ; the lateral buds are similar to the ter-
minal ones in shape and general appearance, but
are somewhat smaller. The fruit, as in most of
the Hickories, varies much in size and shape,
being sometimes almost globular, and again
nearly pear-shaped.

From its habit Hicoria pallida might be called
the "Black Jack" of the Hickories, for it
seldom exceeds 40 feet in height, and is often
not over 18 feet or 20 feet, with a projior-
tionate trunk diameter of from 8 inches to lii
inches. The very slender upper branches are
erect and closely crowded, forming a narrow.

oWong crown ; but the lower ones droop so low,
that on isolated trees their extremities are only
a few feet above the ground. The trunk, too,
is always short, even when the tree is growing
under the most favourable conditions, most of
the branches spreading from a point only 15 feet
or 20 feet above the base of the trunk. The
grey biirk is thick and firm, with deep and
rather broad fissures separated by broad ridges,
its general appearance being like that of the
White Hickory, but rougher. In the summer,
when in foliage, it bears a close resemljlance to
the White Hickory ; in the winter the slender
twigs make it more nearly resemble the Pignut.
The heart-wood is brown in colour ; the .sap-
wood nearly white ; and I was told by persons
who had used the wood that while nmch inferior
to the White Hickory in those properties that
make good hickory, it is equally as good as that
of the Bitternut. The tree, however, is too
small and too uncommon to be of importance
economically. Even in the mountains of North
Carolina, where I have found Hicoria pallida
most common, it is exceedingly local, occurring
at widely separated places, seldom more than
a dozen trees being found at the same station.
It prefers a ptior, dry soil, and I have usually
found it on .sandy soils, although not always.
In the mountains of Virginia and North Caro-
lina it is as.sociated with the Red Oak, the
Rock Chestnut Oak, the Pignut and White
Hickory, and ascends in the mountains of
North Carolina as high as 4000 feet above
sea-level. In South-western Georgia it is
found growing with the White Hickory,
Post (_)ak. Dogwood and Long-leaved Pine
on a good loamy soil underlaid with marl and
limestone. In Eastern North Carolina it is
found on the littoral sand dunes at Wilmington,
growing with the Sand Oak (Quercus Catesb.'ei),
the Spanish Oak and the Red Cedar ; while
near by are the Water Oak, Live Oak, Laurel
Oak and Bays. On the sandstone ridges of
Central Tennessee it occurs with the Scrub
Pine, Chestnut, and with the Oak and Rock
Chestnut Oak. Its distribution, so far as I
have observed, is from Southern Virginia and
Eastern North Carolina to Middli Tennessee and
South-western Georgia, but it is probably more
extensively distributed, and should be looked
for in Eastern Kentucky and Northern Alabama.
This tree was first discovered in the spring of
189.5 near Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where,
after two seasons' search, I have been able to
find only three specimens. The summer after
discovering it at Chapel Hill, while examining
on horseback the forests of the western portion
of North Carolina in the preparation of the de-
scription of the woodland of North Carolina in
Bulletin No. (i of the North Carolina Geological
Survey, I found this tree in seveial other
places in that State. The following spring it
was found in South-western Georgia and Eastern
Nortli Carolina, and more recently in Ten-
nessee. Having no good description of the
Nutmeg Hickory or specimen for comparison,
for a long time I considered Hicoria jiallida to
be that species, or at most a variety of it. The
Nutmeg Hickory, however, does not occur in
North Carolina, although indirectly credited to
this State in the recently published "Nomen-
clature of the Arborescent Flora of the United
States."

From what is now known of it, Hicoria
pallida seems to be another localised South
Appalachian .species. — William Willaro Ashe,
in Oardeii and Forest.

Pavia macrostachya. — This so resembles a
Horse Chestnut, that most people think it to be
that. It is now in bloom in our pleasure-grounds

(middle of August). It is quite a small hw\
and not in a favourable position. To those wl'
have not room for strong growing subjei'
this is well adapted, as it is not fast growin
I remember seeing a fine plant of this in full bloo
in the grounds at Croome Court, Worcestershir

— DOKSET.

Ceanothus Gloire de Versailles. — As

shrub to be grown in ordinarj' positions there
none amongst the Ceanothuses that has provi
more useful than this. Some of the species a
very tender and can onlj» be grown against a wa
and even then are killed by such frosts as those
February, 1S!).5, but C. azureus will stand oi
hardest winters if the ground is covered with
thick laj'cr of dry leaves. It is from this specie
apparently, that the \'ariety Gloire de Versailli
has been derived, but, compared with the specie
it is a more robust grower and has larger racem
of flowers, and is, indeed, in every way superio
There is now a large group of it in flower at Ke\
and the feather}' racemes of bright blue flowe
are verj' pleasing, not only for their own beaut;
but also because they are so difl'erent from othi
shrubs in flower now. It requires to be prunt
pretty hard back each spring ; a hard winter wi
do this, but during such winters as the two las
it is only the soft tips of the shoots that ai
killed. Close pruning encourages a compai
and shapely habit, and even with it our plants ai
4 feet high. It strikes quite readily from cutting
— B.

Spiraea Bumalda var. Anthony Waters:.

— The most important group of the Spin&asthi'
flower in July and August is the one tliat const
tutes thejaponica (orcallosa) group. To it, amor
many others, belong the fine varieties ruberrimi '
glabrata, and Bumalda, but it is to the variet
Anthony Waterer — a sport from Bumalda — thi '
the first place must be given, for none equals it i
its richness of colour. Its name alone suggests i
high degree of merit, for it was sent out by an
named after the late Mr. Waterer, of Knap Hil
than whom a more exacting critic of tree or shru
has never liA-ed. From Bumalda itself it does n(
differ in habit or foliage, having the same nea
comjmct habit and dark green toothed leave
and showing the same peculiar tendency to varii
gation. Its flowers are of a richer, brighter rec i
and lose much of the purple tinge that belongs t j
the ordinary Bumalda. In lS9o, in the early pai
of the season which was very dr}' and hot, it los
a gooil deal of its brightness of colour, and it wo
not till later, when the rains came, that it showe
its great superiority. But last year and this i
has been very fine and realises all that has bee
anticipated of it. If the old blooms are remove'
as they fade, it will keep in beauty till October.

Calophaca wolgarica. — Although this shru
has been in cultivation more than lUO years, it i
only rarely that it is to be seen now-a-days. i
sun-loving plant, it has during this and the las;
few summers flowered profusely, and has proven
itself a really handsome shrub tor sunny positions,
A few of its racemes are still bearing flowers, bu
it was about a month ago when it was in ful
beauty. It gets its sjjecific name from being fouiii
in Siberia near the banks of the Volga. It is ;
leguminous shruli, 2 feet to 3 feet high witli
pinnate leaves each 3 inches to 4 inches long. Thi
short-stalked leaflets (of which there are usualK
seven pairs and the odd terminal one) are orbicular j
aboutaquarter of an inch in diameter, and covere(,
on both sides with a greyish tomentum. Thi,
number and small size of these leaflets give thi
shrub a very distinct and pleasing character, an<
they serve admirably also as a contrast to tin
racemes of j'ellow flowers. These racemes an
axillary, 4 inches to (i inches long, and carry six ti
ten flowers of a papilionaceous character: they
are deep yellow, and on the standard jietals an
stained with a still darker, reddish tinge. In fim
seasons like the present, seed is formed ]:ilentifull\
and the pods, each IJ inches long, together will
the calyces and flower-stalks, are covered will
short, dark brown glandular bristles. It grow-
naturally in dry arid regions, and, like many shrub;

August 21, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

145

that clianu'tur, I liml it Jilliuult to niiso from
•il. The seed j;iTiiiiiiate.s freely enoe.j,'h, but
e vouiiy plants aie very apt to (lamp otl' the
St' wiiitev. This is indeed one of the few in-
inces amonjr shrulis where graftinij is advan-
eous. Worked on standards of Caragana ar-
rescens .") feet or 4 feet high, it thrixes admirably,
d ill being thus elevated it assumes naturally a
iident and grareful liabit. Theeommon Labur-
ira has also been recommended as a stock. — B.

Itea virginica. -This North American thrub
ill merits the recent note in TnK (iARDKX,
;■ though it li3s sonivhow accpiired the raput ition

being a poor phrit, it is whEii in gool coniition
really pretty stirub, and one whoie late seasin

bloommg is in its favour. \'- forms a freely
jnched, compact bush that reaches a height of
yard or so, but it will (lower freely when not more
an a couple of feet high. The flowers are small,
it biine in closely |iaeked cyliiidiical raccnus
ch from 4 inches to 6 iuches long. They ara
liite and bear a certain amount of ivseniblance

those of the North American Clethras, which
c still later in blcoming than this Itei. Bd-
iiically, however, they aie ipiite distinct, the Itea

:!>_'■ "a near ally of the Escallonias, while
Clethras. belong to the Ericace-j. The Itea
.,;ccedsbett uiultr thecouditions mo?t favourable
I what are comm nlj- known as American pi mts :
lat is, a fairly moist spot, a soil containing
1 admixture of peat or well-decayed leaf mould,.
id a position fully exposed to the sun's rays,

if shaded it does not flower so profusely as
sunny spot. In the autumn the Uaves die oft'

_htly coloured. This Itea in a native state
ii'fs from I'-nn.sylvania to CaroUna, and was

loduced into this country in 1744. — T.

Indigofera Gerardiana. — There is a ma.ss of

'lis shrub about 14 feet across in the arboretum

Kew. «liich is one of the most attracti\e of tlie

ijoily things in flower at this date. When grown

L the open it mostly dies back to the ground

koh winter, sending u]) the following summer a

unant thicket of slender, graceful stems 2 feet

'■'• feet liigli, clothed plentifully with rich dark

II pinnate leaves, from the axils of almost

ly one of which there is ]^roduced a raceme of

-\ purple flowers. These racemes are each

niches to (i inches long, the larger ones bearing

eral dozen closelj'-set flowers. The racemes at

base of the shoot are over before those near

top are expanded, and the flowering season

-IS, in consequence, from July almost up to the

line of the Hrst frosts if the weather remains open

lid sunny. For this reason, as well as for the

ceding grace of its foliage, this shrub deserves

more extended notice. Its only defect is that it

1 ite starting in spring. When grown on a wall

- -terns survive the winter, and it forms a stout

luudy stem several feet high. It is a native of

le Himalayan region and can be propagated liy

eans of cuttings put in this month, and also by

ieds when the summers are sufficiently sunny

ir them to ripen.

Eucryphia pinnatifolia. -This is, perhaps,
le most lieautiliil of all hardy shrubs in flower
ow ; certainly none is more striking. There is a
roup of plants near the Cactus house at Kew,
irming a mass about .') feet through and 4 feet
igh, very Hnely in flower. They have been in
leir present position — which is not a very shel-
!red one — for several years, and the species has
lerefore proved itself ([uite hardy in the neigh-
surhood of London. Whatever disasters the
inber of 1894-!!.") may have brought to many
(Otic shrubs, it left the hall-mark of hardiness on
lose that survived, and this shrub was one.
ach flower is 'A inches to 4 inclies across and pure
hite ; there are four wedge-shaped petals, and
1 the centre is a large tuft of yellow stamens. It
iggests at once a very noble Christmas Rose (with
petiU short) and a Hypericum. The leaves are
innate and the leaflets number three or five, and
•e of a dark lustrous green. For the south of
ngland, at any rate, this Eucryphia is a most
iluable addition to our .July and August flowcr-
g shrubs. Bentham and Hooker place the

Eucryphias in the great Koso familj", but otlier
authorities have placed them with the Hyiieri-
cuius or the Saxifrages.

Hibiscus syriacus.— The dilTerent varieties
of lliliiscns syriaens liave lieen long regarded as
desirable flowering shrubs, from the fact that
the lilo.ssoms are borne during the latter half of
the summer when hardy shrubs in bloom are but
few in number. Such being the case, it is some-
what singular that the first time any variety of
tliis Hibiscus received notice from the Royal Hor-
tieuUural Society was as recently as .Inly 2~, whim
two varieties were given awards of merit. Both
of them are single-flowered forms, one (Painted
Lady) being very little known, while the other,
culcstis, is of French origin, and has been long
grown in this country. There are numemus other
varieties both single and double, and a few of the
most distinct when brought together will form a
very interesting group, and one, too, whose most
efl'ective stage is at the end of July and in August.
This Hibi.scus is perfectly hardy, and succeeds
best in a rather dee|) soil of a loamy nature. It
is very essential that tlie soil is not parched up
(luring the summer, as the plants tjuickl^- sutler
fnmi drought, the leaves turning yellow and
drop])ing ott', while the flowers do not expand in
a satisfactory manner. Among other desirable
(|nalities possessed by this Hibiscus is the fact
that it will succeed in the neighbourhood of towns
better than many other shrubs.

Chrysanthemums.

CHRYSANTHEMUM NOTES.
T.\KiN(i the flower-buds is an item of cul-
ture that will be almost general now ; at least,
witli those who cultivate the plant on what is
called tlie "big bloom" system. To produce
flowers of large size, considerable time must be
given for the buds to develop. If, for instance,
we allowed the plants to perfect their last
natural flower-buds — which are known a.s ter-
minals— that usually appear in September, the
time between that state and blossoming would
be too short in the case o{ almost every variety
of note. Growers, therefore, are now (eai'ly
August) on the wjitcli for a flower-bud at the
point of each slioot, which may be almost hidden
by a cluster of growtlis around it. Unless in
the case of a few varieties this flower-bud .should
be retained on the jilant and the little growths
pinched away. This bud is known as the crown
bud ; it comes at varying times until about the
second week of Sejitember. Viviand Morel,
Charles Davis, Mine. Carnot and Australian
Gold may be named as producing fine deep
blooms from late-formed flower-buds, but it is
not wise to defer selecting buds of other Japan-
ese kinds as they appear from now. Crown
buds, again, are eliosen for the growth of large
deep blooms of the incurving class of Chrysan-
themums, and later or terminal buds in the case
of the different types of Anemone (.single and
pompon). What little manijiulation of growth
is required should be done in early sjiring.
For example, that splendid Japanese kind,
Mrs. H. Weeks, may not be expected to develoji
flne blossoms from late buds. These being
very late to show themselves naturally, one can-
not obtain them, e\'en in August, without hav-
ing topped the growth of the plant. Those
handsome show flowers, Mrs. F. Jameson, Mrs.
.John Shrinipton, Dorotliy Seward, .John
Neville, W. G. Newitt and Mrs. W. H. Lees,
are others which will be disappointing if flower-
buds cannot be had soon. In eveiy variety
that I know the flowers resulting from late
buds will give blooms com])aratively finer in
colour. For other iiur])n.ses than large IJooins,
therefore, tlie grower may wait for this forma-
tion in the natural manner.

Fi;i;iiiN(;.
That Chry.santhemnm ]ilants are generally
over-fed with rich manures either in .solid or
li(|iiid form I have not the .slighte.st doubt. In
looking through collections I see this every
year. Such over-fed ])laiits look taking t(j the
eye, with their large, deeji green leaves and
gigantic stcjiis, but rarely do such specimens
produce satisfactory blooms. li.adly-formed
ones or tliose of a broad, flat nature .are usually
the result. The wood of Chrysanthemums
must be firm, short-jointed, and well ripened
to give flowers of a high .standard. -\t the
.same time it is hardly po.ssible to keep the
]ilants in a healthy growing state throughout
the se;is(m without more i>v less feeding. Tlie
plants get yellow and contracted in growth
when the large pots become full of roots if assist-
ance be not given ; and esjiecially during the
trying hot weather lately exjierienced. I
would feed the plants, not for the purpose of
obtaining big wood, but only to retain a healthy
look in the leaves. Soot- water is excellent for
this. Some sorts again really resent strong
manures — \V. Seward, Mine. Carnot — in fact
all the whites — Col. Smith, Hairy Wonder, and
the incurved varieties generally. When light,
sandy soils are employed the need for stimu-
lants is compai'atively great, as such become
irapoveri.shed early. Li((uid manure from the
farin-yard is not easily beaten and Peruvian
guano has the constituents rec[uired by Chry-
santhemums ; whilst the approved fertilisers,
of which there are so many, may be used with
safety, always remembering weak doses and often
are the proper rule to follow. Some assistance
may also lie rendered by the aid of a top-dre.ss-
ing of soil ; an inch ov so as a surface covering
will be <(uick in producing top roots. Do not,
liowevei', make the soil over-rich with concen-
trated manures, or it may have the opposite
effect.

Insects
are not over numerous with me, the plants being
ill an open position, but earwigs are generally
plentiful. These should be trapped ; they do much
damage among the soft points of the shoots, and
often spoil many blooms. Pieces of the stems of
the Bi'oad Bean jilaced among the leaves are a
good harbour for this pest. Prompt action in the
matter of tying the sho(_its securely saves one
the disap])ointment of many losses, the results
of months of labour being easily spoiled by
high winds. It is curious how several of the
more popular varieties become addicted to some
disease or decay which appears to affect their
constitution in an unaccountable manner. Thus
we find the leaves of that fine sort E. Moly-
ncux, which are normally large, small, curled,
and thin in substance. Viviand Morel and
Charles Davis suft'er in a similar w-ay. Nothing
less than a change of stock will alter this,
and even then I have known them again
take the disease in a year or two.' I daresay
there is something in the idea that high cultiva-
tion weakens the constitution of ])lants, and
that in time they die out. The family of in-
curved sorts known as the (jueeii is another case.
IMany good cultiv.ators have expressed the
opinion that they, too, are past, and cannot be
grown so fine as they once were. Mme. Carnot
has a tendency to lose the leaves, even wlien
tlie best means have been taken to prevent it.
I notice also tliat a variety s;iid to be a seedling
from it, Baronne Ad. de Roth.schild, has a
similar, or rather an aggravated form of this
tendency. At first spots are seen all over the
leaves : these increase in size until finally decay
sets in. H. S.

Chrysanthemums at Sydney, N.S."W.— .At
the meeting of the floral committee of the New

146

THE GAEDEN

[August 21, 1897.

South Wales Horticultural Society, the following
colonial seedlings, raised by Mr. G. Kerslake,
were awarded first-class certificates during the
past season : F. JMcQuade. — Japanese : tips of
petals slightly incurving ; colour bright terra
cotta, amber reverse. Mr. J. H. Horton. —
Japanese refJexed ; colour bronzy yello>v, centre
paler. Miss Mary Underhay. — Japanese : petals
bioad and incurx'ed ; colour primrose-yellow. —
C. H. P.

Flower Garden.

THE EDELWEISS.

The Edelweiss (Leontopodiuni alpinum) is
perhaps one of the most popular plants of tlie
alpine flora, and the one plant of thousands that
the average mountain tourist is most anxifjus to
discover. Interesting the plant is undoubtedly,
though beyond this it pos.sesses but few
attractions from a decorative point of view.
Of course its correct home is the rock garden,
where it should be planted in not too rich soil,
yet quite firm. The plant is seen always to
good advantage if rather freely grouped in
colonies in the rock garden. The jilant may be
grown with complete success when a few strong
seedlings are firmly planted in a narrow chink
of rock, so placed that a deep fissure of gritty
or sandy loam may be assured for the roots to
ramble in. Plants in pots may be grown and
flowered when the collar is tightly wedged be-
tween some piece.s of stone or old mortar. At
thi.s season of the year I ha\e fre(i|uent.ly re-
ceived parcels of theplant bypost merely wrapped
in a bit of Sphagnum Moss and some oiled paper,
and in this way they travel well. But ^^■llether
these collected plants will continue to succeed
under cultivation in our lowland gardens de-
pends as much on the way they have been
lifted as upon any subsequent treatment on
arrival. Assuming such plants do come to hand,
and possessing a fair amount of fibrous roots,
there is no better way of starting such things
than by planting them not too deeply in cocoa-
nut fibre and sand. Many plants that
frequently rot, and that rapidly, when
placed in soil will start new roots quite
quickly when planted in this simple way :
Give one good watering when planted, place
in a rather shaded place and not a stutty,
ill-ventilated frame, and leave them alone f(jr a
week at least without further moisture. In
this way scores of rare alpines have been treated
after a long journey with a good deal of success.
On the other hand, those wlio have no oppor-
tunity of obtaining plants direct from their
mountain home will find seeds by far the best
method of obtaining a stock. Indeed, seeds
must lie looked to for perpetuating the stock
also, for the plant is not alway.s a success when
divided. On the other hand, it may be gn iwn
from seeds with perfect ease, and though I
have grown the plant with success, I am
bound to say I have never been able to obtain
such results as I saw a few years ago in the
gardens of Pusey House, Berk.shire. Here the
Edelweiss was treated as a biennial, large
beds being edged around with it. The plants
grew with considerable vigour, making tufts
of leaves over a foot higli and flower-
ing abundantly. In this way a succes-
sion of plants, to flower each year, was
maintained, seeds being harvested in great
quantity. The plant products tufts of hoary
or woolly leaves from which issues the fiower-
stem, usually not more than 4 inches or (i inches
high. The true flowers are small and incon-
spicuous, yellow in colour, and set as it were in
a star-like whorl of woolly, oblong leaves.

rendei-ed white or nearly so by the ilcnsity of
the down-like tomentum that covers them. To
this ])eculiar and interesting character the plant
owes much of its jiopularity. — E. J.

Mr. Jas. Epps, Junr., Upper Norwood, who
kindly sent the photo from which the illustra-
tion was prepared, writes as follows :--

I enclose a photo I have taken of a fine mass of
Edelw eiss that I have at the present time in flower
in my garden . I have made the bed on a steep
slope facing the S.W. and quite in the open. The
plants have grown freely. Last year the plants
also flowered freely, seed ripened, and this year
numbers of young plants have become established.
Some of the plants have ten to fifteen blooms.

Layering border Carnations. — JIany gar-
deners layer their entire stock of border Carna-
tions annually, and when well rooted transplant
the whole batch separately, but while agreeing
that the finest individual blooms are .secured in
this way, I maintain that the most attractive
masses of bloom are secured by layering one-year-
old plants and allowing the layers to remain
where they are. Of course only a portion of the
stock need be treated in this way, and the best
ett'ect is produced when these are together in
beds or borders. I have had a grand show of the
Burn Pink on plants treated in this way, also
Celia and Lord Rendlesham. For cutting and

with a heavy mulch of half-decayed leav.
General Roberts is a capital outdoor sort, a
forms a very attractive bed with alternate plai
of white Marguerites or Hydrangea paniculal
which, by the way, is flowering early this yt
and throwing very fine heads, or it may be plant
freely on a white carpet, such as Centaurea
Veronica incana. Duke of Edinburgh and t
old Rose of Castile are in their respective coloi
as good as General Roberts, and another splend
variety not so well known is Aimette. This fori
bushes and pyramids almost perfect in sha|
and flowers so freely that on well-bloomed spei
mens vei-y little is seen of the foliage. It is
season for I'uchsias, and they are certainly amo
the most attractive things in the flower garden.
E. B. C.

Statice latifolia. — It is worthy of note tl
seedling plants of the great Sea Lavender \:i
A ery considerablj' in their time of flowering, a
that their value for cutting is thereby enhanct
With the view to strengthening the stock of tl
very useful plant, I sowed a packet of seed in t
autumn of 18!).">. The young plants are throwi
up some huge panicles this summer, and it isve
interesting to watch the respective developmen
On August 2, for instance, one had its de
lavender flowers well expanded, the type bei
very good and individual blooms of extra siz
another had its buds well advanced, and yet a
other showed a perfectly green panicle with

The Edehveiss in a garden at Xonvood. From a photograph seiit iy Mr. Jas, Epps, Junr,,
Norfolk House, Beulah Hill, Upper Norwood.

for use in bouquets, I do not think there is a
more useful variety than the Burn. It .also has a
grand constitution. — .1. C.

White Cactus Dahlias. — There are several
.so-called white kinds, but a really good one has
yet to be introduced. Mrs. Peart has blooms of
nice sh.ape when caught true, but it is very un-
certain. I find the better flowers come through
])lanting the old tubers instead of young spring-
struck plants. Mrs. F. Fell is a kind that blooms
\-ery freely, but it is scarcely pure white or
Cactus-shaped. Salisbury White and Harry Free-
miin, although most u.sefulforasupply of cut flowers,
are not good types of the shape desired. Keynes's
White is the nearest to perfection ; this, however,
will not be grown generally until next year :
meantime it may be noted as a sort likely to be
greatly esteemed. — S.

Good outdoor Fuchsias. — The little Dun-
robin Bedder is a capital dot plant for small Ijeds,
as effective here as the stronger varieties are for
beds on a larger scale. Some two dozen plants
that were saved o\ er from last year and planted
on a long narrow border on a carpet of Manglesi
Geranium have developed into fine bushy stuff,
and are flowering very freeh'. I have not as yet
left it out through the winter, but the character
of the plant would seem to indicate that it is
hardy, or, at any rate, that it would be safe

sign of bud expansion. Bearing in mind tl
deep-rooting tendencies of Statice, it is advisab;
when growing from seed to transfer the seedlinji
at an early stage to the spot they are destined '
permanently occupy, and either to bastard trenc
or very deeply dig the site. They show to ai
vantage in a bed of considerable size, and by we
of contrast some clumps of .a highly-colour£
Pentstemon or Montbretia can lie planted wit
them. If the object is quite as much to secure ii
effective display in the bed as to obtain a suppi
for cutting, individual panicles may be light!
staked to keep them clear of the ground.-
E. B. ('.

Large i^lants of Western American Ery

throniums. — As stated in my article on Ei'j,
throniums, I do not beliexe that there is any di
ference in the average size of our Erythroniuir,
outside of E. purpurascens. Taking each specie
at its best development, I am fast learning tho
measures of size of any of oui' Liliacea^ are of httl
viilue. The size depends on conditions, and (
supposed dwarf species often takes on an in:j
mense development when just the right season an'j
soil conditions occur. A striking instance of thi-
came to my knowledge this season. Sereno \Vat'i
son in his revision described two varieties of Ery
thronium grandiflorum. E. grandiflorum vai|
parviflorum was, as its name indicates, rathe

August 21, 1897.]

THE CAT^DEy

147

Iwttrf in soapo and small in flower. Amonj; otlici
■egions, it occurierl in the Blue Mountains of
iCastci-n Oi'Ofron. One of my collectors found and
•oUected it In these same 'Blue Mountains tliis
oason, and there were many stalks 2 feet
ligh, with one 3 feet in height ; and while four
)r five llowers were common, a maximum of ten
ras attaine<l. The bullis were immense. Tliese
ine dimensions do nut indicate to my mind a larger
[Kjcics, or e\en a larger strain, but simply con-
renial surroundings. I recently saw stalks of
■>ythronium rovolutum i feet high. — C'ai;i.
'fRDY, Vkitili. C'l/i lorn til. r.S.A.

Feather Grass and Poppies. — The iiifonnal
lOrder of luudy llowers gives us at times many
nirehearsed etl'eets of tlie most pleasing kincl.
)ne of these this 3'ear has l>eeii a combination of
he Feather (irass (Stijni pinnata) and some scar-
et Poppies. The latter are self-sown seedlings
riginally from the Shirley strain of varieties of
'. Rha'as, and are of a brilliant crimson. Notliing
ould he more delightful than the ajjpearance of
hese glossy fluttering flowers, among which
Gated the fleecy plumes of the Feather Grass,
"he glowing colour of the I'oppics enhanced the
elicate beauty of the (irass, which in its turn
oftencd tlie brilliance of the " Corn Rose.'' as tlie
'oppy has been called. — S. AnNciTT.
Erythroniums. — In my article on Erythro-
iums published in Tin; (Jardkx .June 5, p. 40S,
wo varieties of Erythronium revolutum were left
•ithout a name. One was the fine cream-coloured
)rm which Sereno Watson in his revision called
le type of E. revolutiuii. B}- Mr. Baker's de-
ision the purple-flowered form is the type of E.
jvolutum, and Watson's type is left nameless.
know of no more appropriate name than E. re-
olutuni var. W; ts mi. The earl3'flowering form
etween E. giganteum and E. revolutum I will call
. revolutum var. iir:ecox. The plate in Buliinicid
[ayazliie, t. .5714, is the white form of E. revo-
itum var. Watsoni, and differs in no other respect
«cept that var. Watsoni is creamj' and the other
hite. The \\hite one is my E. revolutum var.
biflorum in The Garden of .June 5, 1S1I7. —
AHi. Prr.iiv.

Dahlias and earwigs. — Probably many gar-
iners, both amateur and professional, are finding
irwigs troublesome among the Dahlias, and the
Ilowing hints, both as to staking Dahlias and
apping earwigs, may be of use in the future.
grow about '.i'tO Dahlias, and, with a view to
ssenincf expenses, I have this 3'ear staked with
out .^-ft. bamboo canes (these cost about Is. fid.
sr dozen, as compared with 2s. lid. per dozen for
ihlia stakes). But the bamboos also make
pital earwiCT traps. The first 5 inches or li inches
the cane will be probably hollow, and into this
e insects creep after their night's feeding. I
erefore cut into the cane just above the first
int and make a hole large enough for an earwig
get out. Every morning I examine these
nes, and by the light shining in at the hole that
s been cut I can see ever3' insect inside, and
■ blowing strongl3- down the hollow, the earwigs
11 run into, or be blown into, a bowl or bucket
Id there for the purpose, and may then be

< sily killed. In this wa\- I have kept the ear-
gs from destroying the blooms and also kept

<wn the cost of stakes.— R. W. Foot.

Single Hollyhocks.— Few persons will dis-
Ite the opinion expressed on page !)!! th.at single
; lUyhocks aie more ornamental than the double
<es, for they possess a grace and beauty of their

< n which are totally wanting in the more lumpy

< able blossoms. Single flowers, too, seem to be
f ining in jiopularity, for they crop up in man3'
f -dens, and in most instances are in good coii-
tion. The writer of the above-mentioned
sicle concludes with the hope that someone
> 1 take the single Hollyhocks in hand and im-
pve them largely, while he says "selection
ry do much, and intercrossing perha])S more."
Vicre any system of crossing is followed it
Siuld be borne in mind that we have a most
f>utiful Hollyhock in Altha-a ficifoha, of which

■iloured plate appeared in The Garden

.lanuar\' 12, IS!).">. The <lrawing was made from a
plant that flowered in the herbaceous ground at
Kew, where a short time since this species was
rcmarkalily show3'. A. fieifolia forms a sturdy
growing ))lant that in vigorous examples will reach
a height of nearly 11 feet, the large leaves being five
to seven-l.)bed, while the blossoms, which are
each aliout 4 iiu,'hes in diameter, are of a l>eauli-
ful light clear yellow, in all respects totally dif-
ferent from those of theordinarv ganlen varieties.
If .single Hollyhocks are taken in hand by our
hy'iridi.sts, this charming species will doubtless
)ilav a jmrt in the production of new forms. —
H. P.

Phlox Coquelicot. — This Phlox, which has
attracted a good deal of attention of late, owing
to the brilliant colouring of its blossoms, seems to
be but little known, while, judging liv the cata-
logues, very few, if any, of our nurser3men have it
in stock. It is therefore wortliy of note that this
\ariety is one of the man\- triumphs of that emi-
nent h3'bridist, M. Lemoine, of Nanc3", by whom
it was sent out in IS'JO. and in whose catalogue it
occurs among the varieties of 18!H). On .July 27
tlie members of the floral committee of the Royal
Horticultural Societj- met at Chiswick to take
under consideration the I'entstemons, Cannas and
Pliloxes growing there. The variet3' Coquelicot
on this occasion received an award of merit, an
honour bestowed on some other varieties fi-om the
.same raiser, viz., Evenment, ros3' salmon, with a
violet e3'e ; Tourbillon, very large flowers of a rich
salmon-carmine tint ; and Beranger, soft salmon-
pink, rayed \\ith white, and a violet centre.
Theie are now so many Inight and effective varie-
ties of this class of Phlox, that there is no excuse
for planting the dull lilacs and washed-out purples
that are so often seen. — H. P.

We see that the I'hlox Coquelicot has been

much noticed and appreciated in England by your
luning twice published paragraphs al.iout it in
your paper. Its origin is as follows ; ^^'e obtained
this plant from seed and put it into commerce in
the autumn of 181I5 as a novelty. It ap|iears in
our last catalogue under the heading of " Varie-
ties of 1896," p. 76. The plant the flowering of
which has been noticed at Kew came directly
from us. — V. Lemoine et fils, Xanci/.

CARNATIONS.

The article in 3'our issue of 7tli inst. is interesting
from an American point of liew, but it is not verv
jjiactical for this eountiy, as the type of flower
that is admired in America is totally different
from that which we consider beautiful here.
Take any of the best of the American Carnations.
Tliev have all papery petals with the roughest
possible edges ; the3- are most of them, it is true,
nicel3' scented, which is a great thing in their
fa\'our. If an amateur wishes to please his own
fanc3' only, he may, of course, indulge in Ameri-
can or other saw-edged varieties to his heart's
content, but should he wish, as most amateurs,
and professionals also for that matter, do, to be
successful in the exhibition tent, it is imperative
that he discard anything of this sort. He must
see that his flowers are (1) perfect in form ; (2)
that the petals lie flat all round, with perfeetl3'
smooth edges ; (.3) that the calyx is unspbt ; (4)
that the colours are bright: and (.">) that the
stems are strong and able to support the blooms
well above the plants, bottles, or glasses, as the
case may be, without support.

Unless these few suggestions are carefully com-
plied with the exhibitor may never expect to
catch the judge's eye. If the grower can afford
time and space to grow seedlings, bv all means
let him do so ; but he must consider himself in-
deetl fortunate if from the best seedlings procur-
able he can select five percent, that are an im-
provement on existing \arieties. Carnations
have been so improved of late years, thanks to the
etfnrts of the president of the National Carnation
and Picotee Society, that each year the type gets
higher and the restrictions more difficult to cope
with. Amateurs may, however, take this as a

golden rule, that it is of no earthly use their
placing any .American or rough-edged flowers in
their show stands in any high-class competition,
for the judges will simply ignore them.

The autliority I liave <|uoted above evidently
favours the undressed flowers, as he gives valu-
able prizes each year for flowers grown exclusively
in the open air and tliat have not been touched liy
tweezers. These, therefoie, have to bo the
strongest and best bolder varieties to stand any
chance in a large jmblic competition. I do not
care for the large, sjilit, tweezered and collared
flowers, but in this I am, I believe, in the minority.
It is, as in many other things, a matter of taste.

These remarks apply quite as much to the
plants that are now being grown so extensivel3'
for winter l)looming. We have as yet no winter
exhibition of Carnations, but each season the
varieties ai-e improving and the number of winter-
bloomeis is increasing, so that by-and-by we may
perhaps have a National sliow^ and a Midland
show in January as well as in .July.

H. W. Wkoi-elin.

S'. Miiri/rhiirch, Torqiiaif.

Cactus Dahlia Cycle.— The demand for this
new type of Dahlia is causing the introduction of
a large numljer of new kinds, and it w-ill not be
long before some discrimination is required, as
among Roses, Chrysanthemums, and other popular
flowers. The object of this note, however, is a
great improvement in its colour. This is bright
rich rub3'-red. The form, too, most liked, is seen
in this variet3', which is striking and handsome.
Its habit of growth and freedom of flowering place
it in the list of the choicest. — S.

Carnation Pride of the Garden. — This is a
hardy and free-flowering variety, and one that
sliould be grown in all gardens where plenty of
bloom for cutting is needed. The colour is a rich
rose, which shows up well from a distance. This
variety makes plent3' of grass, so thiit a good
stock of young jilants can soon be raised. One-
year-old (ilants layered and allowed to remain un-
disturbed the second 3'ear made a brave show,
jiroducing hundreds of tlieir elegant rosy flowers.
Pride of the Garden should be grown where
ground is limited and onlj' a few varieties can be
accommodated. — .1. C.

Species of Hemerocallis. — Having recently
observed a question on this subject (p. 112), I
consulted "Index Kewensis" and the " Ke\y
Hand-list of Herbaceous Plants " — the two most
recent and most trustworthy authorities — neither
of which recognises the tliousands of pseudo-
Ijotanical names given on no authority to plants
by nurser3-men and gardeners. I fincl that each
of these authorities gives five species of Hemero-
callis. " Index Kewensis " recognises H. Dumor-
tieri, H. flava, H. fulva, H. Middendorfi, and H.
minor. The "Hand-list" omits H. Middendorfi
and gives one additional, H. Thunbergi, so that
these two authorities together recognise six spe-
cies in all. — C. WoLLEY-DoD, Ethir Hnll, Ma/pa-i.

P.S. — I have known H. Dumortieri called H.
aurantiaca in nurseries.

SHORT NOTES.— FLOWEB.

Michauxia campanuloides.- f)ne does not
often see this (luaint-looking and sliowy biennial. Per-
haps it is tbiit beint^a biennial it does not find much
favour. These biennials are certainly disappointing
plants. You think you have tberaestabbshpd and you
find to your disgust that you must begin Fowing them
afresh. There are some of them which seed very
freely and reproduce tlieniselvos. — D.

Helenium grandiflorum vel Btriatum.—
On going through the interesting garden of Mr. C. J.
Grahame, of WrydeUinds, Leatherliead, i was struck
witfi a plant, altlKugh its flowers were passing ofif,
which he told me he had received under this name —
Helenium grandiflornm. 1 cannot quite make it out,
either from catalogues I have or in Nicholson's
"Gardener's Dieti'niarj'." — H. 11. U.

Crlaum Po-welli. — This, which was raised by
Mr. Powell, of Southborough, near Tunbridge Wells,

148

THE GARDEN

[August 21, 1897.

was given to me some three or four years a?o. It bag
grown viporously witli me, and has withstood onr
severe winters without any protection, tboufih I think
I eliGuld be inclined to give it a little covering next
winter of fither Fern, Pine needles or cocoa-nut fibre.
The height is from 2 feet to 3 feet.— D. D.

ErySB octopetala. — This very pretty native
plant, with its delicately cut foliage and pure white
blooms with yellow stamens, may be induced to
flower all the summer if the seed-pods are picked off.
My clump of it, which wa.s sent me by a friend from
Galway, flowered early in the spring, and IS now (August)
covered with its pretty blooms. It is certainly worth
the little trouble of picking off the seed-vessels to get
it to flower so continuously. It will vie with many of
our alpine plants both in its fohage and flower,
and is certainlv more easy of cultivation than many of
them.— D. O.

Rose Garden.

HYBRID PERPETUAL ROSES.
This is the largest section of our Roses, and to
many the most desirable, their colours being the
brightest, and in most cases they are delight-
fully scented. The Hybrid Perpetual Roses as
we now have them are the result of much cross-
ing, hybridising, sporting, and other develop-
ments and methods of raising Roses, and origi-
nated in the first instance frcjni the crf)ssing of
the China with Bourbon Roses. The general
name " Perpetual " to all of this class is a mis-
nomer, as many are not at all perpetual ; but
some varieties, more especially some of our
oldest Roses, keep on blooming up to the
month of November. Amongst the old H.P.
kinds one may instance especially La France
and Charles Lefebvre, and amongst newer
varieties. Viscountess Folkestone and "Victor
Hugo as true perpetuals ; whereas Mrs. John
Laing, Margaret Dickson, Gabriel Luizet,
General Jaqueminot, and many other H.P. 's
do not usually bloom after tlie month of August
— at all events, it is quite the exception when
they do so. There is one advantage which
H.P. Roses possess over their more aristocratic
relatives the Teas, and that is they appear to
liave no marked preference for locality or posi-
tion. Give them a fair start by good planting,
and they will do equally well on heavy or light
land, in warm or cold positions, on the side Of
a hill or on a dead level. Naturally they will
bloom eai-liei- when they have every advantage,
and they will be heavier in jjetal ofi' heavy land,
but, taking them all round, H.P.'s will do well
in almost all localities and situaticjns where the
air is Dure and wliere they have lieen properly
planted.

There is still great divergence of opinion as
to what is the best stock on whicli to grow
Hybrid Perpetual Roses, althougli it is usually
allowed that Teas grow best on tlie Brier. The
Brier, however, is the l)est of all the stocks.
Some consider that maidens on Briers de\elo])
their first blooms too late in the season, and
therefore those rosarians who use this stock are
handicapped when they grow maidens exten-
sively for exhibition.

Which are the best Hybrid Perpetual Roses
to grow '< That is a question which might lead
to controver.sy, as our Rose lists alter annually.
Each year a few (very few) good, apparently
new. Hybrid Perpetuals are brouglit out.
Some last in favour a year or two, some even
longer, but the great majority are relegated to
the dust-heap or given to friends wht) grcjw
Roses in a casual sort of way. Few Hybrid
Perpetual Roses have been brought out of
recent years which can be said to equal and
none to excel our olde.st favourites. No doubt
many good ones have been produced, notably
Mrs. John Laing, Captain Hnywaid, Marquis

of Downshire, Marquis of Londonderry, Gustave
Piganeau, Jeannie Dickson, Sir Rowland Hill,
Viscountess Folke.stone (best of all). Her
Majesty, Margaret Dickson, most of wliich will
permanently hold their positions, but are they
better or more reliable, or will they sujiplant
such varieties as A. K. Williams, Baroness
Rothschild, Charles Lefebvre, La France, Marie
Baumann, Conite de Raimbaud, Mme. Gabriel
Luizet, Alfred Colomb, Dupuy Jamain, and
General Jacqueminot? Certainly not. But there
is a marked peculiarity in regard to the new
Roses brought out ; we seldom see a really
first-class new dark and distinct red Rose.
There are too many new Hybrid Perpetuals of
various shades of light and dark jiink, and too
much alike. We do not want Roses of these
uncertain lighter colours, but of decided shades

without exception the dark red Hybrid Per-i
petual Roses are sweet-scented, the want there-
of being principally confined to some of the!
pink varieties, as Merveille de Lyon, Susanne'
Rodocanachi (here figured), and Duke of
Edinburgh.

Rose Mme. Edouard Helfenbein (Tea).—
This season lias again shown the value of the
lo\ely Tea Roses. At the commencement o)
August, when most of the Hybrid Perpetuals are
devoid of all blossom, these grand Roses are
beautifying our gardens and filling the air with
their fragrance. The above variety is a worth\
addition to the very vigorous non-elimbino- Teas,
of which Marie A'an Houtte and Mme. Lamban
are good examples. The colour of the variety
under notice is of the shade generally known ai
old gold ; the centre of the flower is tinged with s

Rose {H.P.) Susanne Marie Rodocanachi. From a photograph by Messrs, Byrne and Co.,

Richmond, Surrey,

of red, as the brilliant scarlet of Duke of Teck
or Cheshunt Scarlet, or such whites as Margaret
Dickson. We already have too many pink
Hybrid Perpetuals similar in shade and shape,
and between which at times even experts can
hardly discriminate.

Another quality which of late years has not
been considered a sine qud iwii in ]iroducing
new Hybrid Perpetual Roses is that of scent.
Surely of all qualities the Rose slnjidd not be
scentless '! It is the crowning point in a good
Rose, and the greatest defect of two such gooel
Hybrid Perpetuals as Baroness Rotlischild and
Her Majesty. Who would prefer either of
these even in their greatest glory to a really
good La France or a Mme. Gabriel Luizet,
sweetest of all Hybrid Perpetuals ? Almost .

salmon shade, with fawn-coloured outer petals
Perhaps the flower is too rough or irregular i
form for exhibition, but for the garden it is super
and I can highly recommend it. — E.

Rose Beaute Inconstante. — Perhaps th
variety, on account of its wonderful colour, is tkj
most attractive of all the semi-double Teas. I
is of an indescribable shade, and to say it :
coppery reel is not doing full justice to the Rosi
A large amount of orange per\'ades the flowei
As its name im[)lies, it is variable ; sometimes tl
blossoms on one plant are partly coppery rei
others of a pink and fawn colour. Possibly ti
propagate constantly from the shoots bearin
highly-coloured flowers would in time fix tl
latter and most pleasing colour. Although it hi
this variable character, everyone should posse.'f
this variety. The perfurae_is_ delicious. It is.

August 21, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

149

Ibt-rate grower, excellent alike for bush or
r iidard. I'luler pot culture most of the bios-
Ills lire of the hii^h-coloured coj>i)ery-re(l shade.
Iwas raised liy M. Pcrnet-Duclier, who has jjiveii
1 Oustji\e Ut't^is, Cjiroliue Testout, and other
> rling novelties. — E.
loses losing' colour. — I see many letters in
'!E (i.vuiiKN asliin^' the reason of certain Roses
it nppearini; in tlieir proper colour. I enclose
1 example of Crimson Rambler in which the
lig was broken before flowering, and the flowers
I the end have come quite pale, whereas just
blind the break an ollshoot has eome on which
t ! flowers are of the natural colour. Of \V. A.
b^lmrdsoM I have four jilants on a brick wall.
1 9t season I had a few pale-coloured flowers ; this
ur not more than 1 per cent. — C. W. Cow.vn,
' Ueyjidd, Pemcnhk; X.B.

Rose Souvr. de Catherine Guillot (Tea).—
1 would be dilliciilt to name a more beautifully
t ted Rose than the above. Its colour is scarlet
I .nge, surt'uscd with salmon, the edges of the
I ;tty buds heavily lined with carmine; a most
1 ely eomliination. Jt has a fairly large petal,
U the flower is not full enough for exhibition;
U'ever, as a garden Rose it is destined to
tee a prominent place. This variety has a very
iractive feature m its reddish wood and foliage,
\ ich certainly tend to enhance the vividness of
i lovely-coloured flowers. — Philomel.

Rose Climbing Captain Christy Yellow,

il, and white climbing Ptoses we have in abund-
!=e, but pale pink varieties are not very numer-
( 4. In the above variety we have an ideal climber,
'le dwarf form is in almost every garden in the
bd, and the climbing sport of this grand Rose
'M also And a place. There is very little dif-
:ii'e, if any, in the flowers of the dwarf and
!■ climbing forms. The latter will make shoots
i ly .) feet in length each season, and when well
( ablished it flowers abundantly. It also makes
( plendid variety to grow as a standard, the fine
lig shoots gracefully drooping with the blossoms
lu'ch they produce.

Rose Eclair (H.P.).— The very expressive
line given to this Rose by its raiser is certainly
vU merited. Its brilliant, flashing, velvety
tmson blossoms are most cfi'ective. Probably
t;re is no Rose to equal it for doubleness, and it
1 ikes a gran<l front-row exhibition flower. It is
I globular form, not very large for a Hybrid
Irpetual, but the petals slightly reflex at the
(,'68, which gives the bloom a very distinct
tiracter. Its flowers are produced rather
I irsely, but it is a good grower, and if budded
I the seedling or cutting Brier, its lovely colour
i nuch more glowing. It is also a very frao-rant
'riety. ■'

Roses in Midlothian.— This has been the
1 it season for Roses experienced for several years,
It the following have jiroved as useless as
1 -etofore. Buds come in plenty, but on opemn'',
ti flowers are distorted so as to be quite worth-
U. Suzanne iMarie Rodooanachi and Mile.
1 genie Verdicr among Hybrid Per[)etuals, and
J.rquise de Salisbury among Hybrid Teas arc
t;worst oft'enders. Before discarding thegroups
c these sorts— eight or ten of each" dwarfs— 1
s.uld be glad of any hints as to whether any-
t ng can be done to make them flourish as well
a Dr. (irill, the Hon. Edith f;ifl;-ord, JIadame
I Jdane Cuinoisseau, Rubens, Marquise de Vivens,
al many others growing alongside of them.—
1 M.

lose Helen Keller (H.P.).-For general
u fulness this Rose will rank nearly eiiual witli
J^ s. John Laing. For the last week'or tvvo it has
t n one of the showiest amonn- the H V
p duces fine stron

-— It
, , , o shoots, which are crowned

h bunches of four and five blossoms, and a
citinct feature of the variety is that these
Dssoms expand almost simultaneously, a fact
n to be lost sight of. Helen Keller reminds one,
the exquisite high-centred, perfectly formed
nier, ot that almost forgotten variety, Emilie
tlusburg Its flowers have just the same silvery
■ 'ngtothe petals, but the ground colour is a

mucli deeper jiink than in that good old kind.
Another useful attribute of Helen Keller is its
sweet perfume. This cpiality is doubly valualilo
in such a lovely Hose.

Fragrance of Roses.— 1 cnelo.sc a few re-
marks on the fragrance of Roses. I have long
collected all the old Roses, not only for their
beauty, but for this very virtue, their great
sweetness of perfume. Of course we have the
pleasure of tlieir presence for a much shortn
liine, but no garden, however small, should be
without them. Many of the old ones are lost to
IIS, but I have found treasures in old villas in
Italy, often in tliose bid away in the mountains,
inan\' also are preserved in ol<l Scotch houses, but
thiuc is one 1 have .searched for in vain — the
single Moss — though I still hope to find it, and
that also would be a sweet parent. "Ridge-
wood's" comment on " I). T. E.'s" note (p. W)|
is true, but the ditficulty of judging of the com-
parative fragrance of Roses is not insurmountable,
and we inu.st allow that much of the perfume of
the old Roses can no longer be found in the beau-
tiful hybrids of the present day. If we fill a glass
w ith the sweetest of these and another with the
Rosa biflora officinalis (Redoute's Rose des Par-
fumeurs), all doubt would vanish. Or who would
make pot pourri with the sweetest of our new
beautiful friends? The scent of the old ones re-
mains long after their beauty has faded. This
Rose (biflora officinalis), the one used in all the
old pharmacies in Italy, is called in Tuscany the
Rosa di Maggio, and is also the one grown on the
Shipka Pass in the Balkans for attar of roses. I
think we should all sympathise with " D. T. F. ,"
and v\ish with him tliat the Roses of the future
sliould possess the lovely gift of sweetness. How
wouUl it do to use Rosa biflora officinalis for this
purpose ? — C. L. S.

THE BROUtiHTV FERRY ROSES.
This year the Roses at Broughty Ferry are from
three weeks to a month later than last year ; hence
the simple explanation of their absence from the
National Society at the Crystal Palace and
Norwicli and other great shows. The plants,
however, are in superb health and vigour, ancl
the time lost through the cold spring will be
added to the other end of the blooming season,
|irobably extending the Rose harvest well into
the winter. Though the Rose season is late, in
these nurseries the budding season is earlj-, and
was well-nigh finished at the time of my visit.
The Roses are mostly on the Brier or Dog Rose,
and though the Perpetuals are not so large as on
the Manetti at Colchester, the whole of the Roses
are a very even lot of the most promising charac-
ter. A unique system prevails in these nurseries
of obtaining a fine supply of maiden blooms
throughout from very early breaks from the dor-
mant buds. Almost immcdiateh- on the heels of
budding, the Briers, wliicli are specially roliust,
are pegged down level with the ground through
the use of bamboo canes pegged down strongly
over them. This system facilitates the taking of
the buds and forces them into growth and bloom
ill a few weeks from their insertion. Garden
Roses — Briers, especially the Penzance Sweet
Briers, Polyanthas, and other rambling old-
fashioned Roses — abound, and make a brave dis-
play on each side of the main walk from the
puljlic road into the nursery. Most of the leading
sorts are worked in breaks or masses by them-
selves, which adds greatly to the interest
and instruction of a ramljle through them,
f'limson Rambler has found a grand coinp:inion
here in the new Perpetual Polyanthas, yellow
Tea-scented Roses, Aglaia, Anne of (Jierstein. as
also a charming Sweet Brier with single dark
crimson flowers, succeeded by a profusion of
lustered bunches of heps. Bardou job is almost
ingle, glowing crimson. Brenda is another
chaste Hybrid Sweet Brier, single, white.
Maiden's Blush is t'cacb. Euphrosyne or Pink
Raniljlcr is a capital companion for Aglaia or
Yellow Rambler. Flora Mch'or is a charming
single white Rose with striking foliage. Janet's

Pride, almost single, white, tipped with crimson,
is one of the earliest and most striking Briers.
Lord and Lady Penzance are also among the
cream of the Hybrid Sweet Briers, the former a
single form, passing to yellow ; the latter a soft
tint of (X)pper with a metallic lustre, steeped in
fragrance. Moss Roses, the white and red Cab-
bage, the three W'altham (dimbers, ^'ol■k and
Lanea.ster, &c. , were also largely "rown.

" 1 ). T. F.

Hoses unhealthy. (;ould you kindly tell me
what di.scase allects my Roses at this time of the
y<-ar? It attacks all "kinils alike. They lo.sc all
their foliage, leaving only tlic bare stems, making
them very unsightly. Tile foliage is first attacked
with a small spot or several spots. These appear
to enlarge and spread over the surface of the leaf
and finally the leaf-stalk. The leaves, stalks,
etc., fall off. In some varieties it takes the colour
of iron-rust. The soil was very carefully [ire-
pared before the Roses were planted. The suli-
soil here is very strong clay, but in parts of the
garden there is a great quantity of old mortar rub-
bish. In preparing the beds I have the worst of
the clay removed to the depth of 2 feet or 3 feet,
and good loam and cow manure mixed with the
best of the remaining soil. The plants are often
watered, and shoulrl they have insect pests in the
spring, syringed with one or other of the insecti-
cides recommended.— J. C, Hertx.

*,* These Roses are undoubtedly suft'ering from
the ett'ects of a check in their growth, caused
possibly by the excessive wet in the early part of
the year. We should say "J. C.'s" soil is too
heavy, and should recommend that a good por-
tion of the heavy clay be burnt and then tho-
roughly incorporated with the remainder. Roses
on the Manetti stock are much addicted to this
rust. There is no better stock than the seedling
Brier for such soil as " J. C." has to deal with, as
it induces a continuous growth instead of early
maturation, as in the case of plants on the
Manetti. The artificial watering of Roses is
often tlie cause of much evil. \\'e would rather
frecpiently transplant Roses to newly-trenched
land, then with frec{uent hoeing little or no water
would be required even in the worst season. To
obviate this rust and black spot, overcrowding
should be avoided, and at pruning time the
growths must be well thinned ; this would allow of
a free circulation of air, and consequently good
healthy foliage, sufficiently sturdy to withstand
attacks of fungoid disease, would result. — El).

BANANA-GROWING FOR THE

MARKETS.

The headquarters of the Banana trade iii
Nicaragua is Bluefields, until recently the
capital of the Mosquito Reservation. For the
planter with small means — that is, with a
capital of £'.^00 upwards — I know of no occupa-
tion so certain to realise a decent income as
growing Bananas, provided that the ]ilantation
is within easy reach of the sea, and there are
steamers to carry his produce to New Orleans,
New York, or London. That is of prime im-
portance.

The Banana is cultivated from suckers spring-
ing from the roots of an existing tree, generally
known as the "stool. " These suckers are de-
tached and planted. They strike, and shoot up
so fast that it is no great exaggeration to say
that you can see them grow. In a year or less
the ])lanter harvests the first crop. The Banana
has no trunk, but a soft, tibrous. so-called stem,
compo.sed of the leaf-stalks rolled one over the
other, which grows to from 10 feet to 20 feet
in height, and withers after the fruit lias
ripened. The tree is seldom known to seed.
The roots, however, furnish shoots or suckers
year after year, until the stool is exhausted.
The purple flowers appear on long spikes,

150

THE GARDEN.

[August 21, 1897.

siJi-ingiiig from the cluster of leaves which ap-
pear to open out from the stem. The llower-
si)ikes are often 4 feet long, and the bunch of
fruit whicli succeeds the blossom comprises
from eight to twelve dozen Bananas, weighing
from 30 lbs. to 00 lbs. The leaves are from
() feet to 10 feet long, and ivom 1 foot to 2 feet
wide. Wlien the leaves are newly opened, the
tree has a most graceful appearance. For suc-
cessful cultivation, a cool, ricli, and moist soil
is required — the alluvial deposits of tlie river
bottoms or the higher land where rain is
abundant or water plentiful. Bananas grown
on high ground are said to be finer than tliose
of tlie valleys. In preparing a plantation the
trees and brushwood slmuld be cut down, and
after lying a month to dry, burned, and the
ashes spread over the land. The suckers,
whicli, being very abundant, may be purchased
at a low price, are then planted at a distance of
from V2 feet to 1.5 feet apart, or say 200 to the
acre. In Mexico, as will be seen presently,
they are often planted much more closely,
3000 plants to the acre being common. After
the first crop is harvested the stems shoukl be
cut down, chopped into short lengths, and
heaped round the roots, whence spring the new
suckers. A proportion of these only are allowed
to grow from the stool ; the rjniainder are re-
moved and sold, or jjlanted elsewliere. The
suckers grow as by magic, and bear fruit within
the year. It will be seen, therefore, that a
large plantation may be formed with the
greatest ease, while by judicious management
and attention to the time of planting the
suckers, a constant succe.ssion of crops is se-
cured and fruit gathered every week tliroughout
the year. All that is re(|uired as regards after-
cultivation is an occasional weeding, s;iy, twice
during the year, and the removal of suckers and
uprooting of barren stools. When the stems
cease to bear fruit, or the fruit is poor, the
sooner the roots are dug up and a new sucker
planted tlie better. The expenses of the neces-
sary cleaning and replacing are very small. The
only careful work required on a plantation is in
handling the massive bunches. This must be
done so as to avoid bruising them, or a small
black spot will appear, followed by rapid decay.
Care is also necessary in gathering the Bananas,
but experience has taught the native labourers,
when cutting the stems, to gauge the blows so
that the first will cause the ponderous bunch to
droop slowly until it nearly touches the ground,
when another cut severs it from the tree. The
Bananas are then collected and carefully loaded
into a cart, boat, or railway truck, as the case
may be, and conveyed to the nearest port to
await the arrival of the fruit steamers plying
between Bluefields and New Orleans. Soine-
tiines they are jjacked in waste cotton from the
Ceiba tree, but tliis is not general. The aver-
age price, if sold on the plantation or at the
IJurt, is 25 cents U.S. currency (or Is. O^^d.) per
bunch, while if carried to New Orleans they
realise from .'10 cents to 50 cents per bunch.
Some of these Bananas, like a proportion of
those grown in Costa Rica, find their way to
England ria New York, and when sound often
realise from 7s. to 12s. per bunch : but if in-
tended to be carried so far they must be ))acked
carefully and in a very green state. In the
year I8i)4-'.:I5 upwards of a million and a half
bunches of Bananas, worth £2-10,000, (ir an
ave'-af'e price of .about 3s. per bunch, were im-
1 orCed from Costa Rica. The v.alueof the Bananas
jUiportei into the United States from Nicaragua
in a single year has exceeded 600,000 dollars.

At the plantation on the Rama River where
I was staying I obtained the cost and profits of
plantations of various .sizes. The figures given

below relate to one of twenty acres in extent.
Land may be purchased at 5s. the acre, or
leased at an annual rental of 5 cents native
currency (Ijd.) upwards. The outgoings are
calculated in native currency ; the profits in
that of the United States.

Twenty Aokes. — First Ve.vk.

I^r. t s. d.
20 acres of land at 2 dols. oOc. an

acre .5 o ()

Surveying and titles 4 n (I

Clearing 40 (I 0

4000 suckers £it 2.) dob. per 1(100 .. lo o (i

Planting at 10 dols. per indd ... 4 0 l|

Weeding at 7 dols. per acre ... 14 0 0
Harvesting : Forty days' labour at

7oc. per day 8 0 0

Total cost
To balance

Cr. t: s. d.

4(100 bunches at •2.'^c.
U.S. currency each on
the plantation ... 208 (i ,S

. £80 0 0
. 128 C, S

£208 () S

208 0 8

Profit

£12,S () 8

In the second year two bunches may be ex-
pected from each stool, or 8000 in all, of the
value of £'41(j 13s. 4d. While the cost of culti-
vation in the second year will be, for two weed-
ings, £28 ; removing overplus of suckers, £4
(the cost of which may be covered by tlieir sale
or recouped by planting them out) ; and har-
vesting, £(; — total, £38. The jirofits of the
plantation, therefore, for tlie second year will
lie £378 13s. 4d. This will continue until the
stools are exhausted, when tliey must he
grubbed up, and suckers planted in their stead.
With the plants 15 feet apart the suckers may
be [ilanted between them when the first si^ns
of exhaustion appear, so that there sliall be no
break in the yield of the plantation. As each
stool sends up from six to ten stems by the end
of the third year, it is possible to reap that
number of bunches from each original tree, and
four or five stems are sometimes allowed to
produce fruit. But the liunches will be much
finer if only two stems are permitted to mature :
the others, if not sold or re(|uiredfor extendinff
the plantation, should be cut off high up, or
bent down, so as not to cause excessive bleed-
ing from the stool, in which case the stool will
not only yield finer fruit, Ijut remain in vigor-
ous health much hmger than if allowed to
exhaust itself.

In a recent bulletin, issued by the Bureau of
the American Republic at Wa.shington, it is
stated that sixty-nine acres of land will yield
54,000 bunches of Bananas, worth, in the mar-
ket, a minimum price of 374 cents I'.S. currency,
or about Is. 7d. per bunch = £4275 ; but I can-
not agree with so large a profit. In British Hon-
duras, which oflers facilities even siqierior to
those of Mosquito, with the inestimable advan-
tage of a stable government, the ]jrofits of a
Banana plantation are said by Mr. Morris,
assistant-director of Kew Gardens, to range
from £12 to £15 an acre after the lapse of
eighteen months. But the Banana can be most
profitably grown in connection \sith other
crops, for which it serves as a shade plant.
For india-rubber, the cultivation of which pro-
mises such magnificent profits, it afi'ords admir-
able shade ; also for Cacao, Cofl'ee, Vanilla, etc.,
as the Banana plantation can be so regulatecl
that it will provide shade all the year round.
In Mexico, where 1000 suckers to the acre are
often planted, the profits appear to be very

large. The figures given by Sir Henry Deri
in a recent Foreign Office report would shr
that the total cost of cultivating an acre
Bananas, including the purchase of the land, j
£(i Is. lOd., and the return for the first yt
£27 Is., a profit of £20 10s. 2d. per acre ; wli
the cost for the second year is under £3, ,ii
the return £54 2s., a profit of £51 2s. per aci
Sir Henry Dering also supplies a mass of i
formation, the greater part of which is equ:!
applicable to British Honduras. We appein
few extracts : —

The Banana will grow in almost anv si
except that composed almost ■i\ holly of saiid oi
calcareous matter. The best soil is a warm, w
drained, but rather moist, deep loam. The b(
ele\ation is 700 feet to loOO feet above sea-lev
but many \arieties do extremely well at a moi
rate ele\ation in the mountains, provided tli
are protected from the withering blasts of hi
winds. The sucker, wh:n planted, should
about 2 feet over all, and fovir to six months o
It should be placed in a specially prepared ho
and when the land is poor a little manure can
put at the bottom of the hole. After plantii
the earth should be firmly pressed down by t
feet all round the sucker. In seven month:
long spike bearing clustering flowers, surround
by coloured bracts, shoots forth from the cliistei
leaves, and minute Bananas soon appear at
base. During the growth of the plant the In
must be kept free from weeds.

Before tlie plant throws out its flowering ste
suckers will make their appearance. While (
plant is young all these should be cut an
except one. Afterwards, when the stool 1
matured, from three to fi\"e stems maj' be allow
to grow, which at three or four months old n
be sold or transplanted to a new plantation ; 1
on no consideration should a larger number
allowed to shoot up if fine bunches of fruit
looked for. After the stool has borne a crop
two, the earth should be loosened round the ste i
and manure or decayed leaves and Banana sta '
forked in, the whole being moulded up with s
face soil. \\'ith jjroper cultivation, a rich si
and a suitable climate, the first crop may
gathered in ten or twelve months from the ti
of planting, and at all times thereafter. — Ri
L..\ND W. C.VTEK, in Chriiiiher.i'-i ./oiirnii/.

MOWING BY STEAM.

Anything which lessens labour in gardens \
be gladly welcomed. The steam lawn-niowci
certainly a great saving of time, and it is mi
easier to work than an ordinary horse machi
It is very simple and not at all unwieldy, I
engine and boiler being fitted on the top of i
larce or main roller. The machine is so nio
balanced, that it can be turned with more e;
than a horse machine. The boiler is composetl
a series of copper tubes (sixty in number), a cop|
fae-box, and the pressure is up to 300 lbs. Wa
is fed to the boiler by a brass force pump, fi
passing through a heater, and is delivered at ate
perature of ISO'. The steam is generated in I
boiler by using ordinary petroleum, which
burned in the fire-box by a burner similar to tl
of an ordinary naphtha lamp. The oil is forced
the burner by compressed air, and to start t
engine a \ery ingenious pump is used. T!
when at full working is attached to thegeari,
and gives no trouble. Oil is forced to the Duri;
at a pressure of about 15 lbs. Perfect combustii
is obtained, with little smell and scarcely aj
smoke when in full working. I like the machij
on account of its ease in working and thewaji
does its work. The chimney, which is about 7 fi|
high, is over the boiler. |

The makers give the cost of working as .1
per hour. Our machine certainly costs mol
It will work six hours without fresh oil. .|
ordinary labourer works the machine, and (
' learnt its management in three days. A ni

August -'1, 1897.1

THE GARDEN.

151

rkini; steiulilv ran do as much work with the

chine in one day as wouUl take two with a hoi-se

T wer. There is no •jroat stress on the worker.

Jihnithe must be active to keep up with tlie

1 chine, whieli can be stop])e(l as quickly as a

1 wer drawn by a horse. A 'i.l-incli machine

\ighs!)cwt. Oursisa.SOincli.and \vcij;hs 14c\vt.

iSso fine! it extremely useful for roUini;. It fon'cs

\tcr pramllv by attaching a rotary pump with

!■ tion and ("iclivery hose. This is a fj:rand adcli-

t II, as water can lie thrown 5(1 feet, and at the

re of '2000 <;"llo"s '"^ hour. It is invaluable in

(,■ seasons like the jiresent. The makers also

111 the engine for various purjiuses, but I have

done so other than described. This machine

uitented by the Lancashire Steam Motor t'om-

y, Leylanil. G. A\'vtiies.

Notes of the Week.

losa rugosa Slanc de Coubert is a very
lijidsome form of this Rose, with blossoms
.■>|nches across, of the jiurest white. It is free
llyering and iicrfectly hardy.

jjarnation Sir Wilfrid Laurier is among
t Carnation novelties of the coming year. It is
ttower of e.xceeding purity, a non-burster, while
t habit is vigorous. The handsome ])ure white
Issoms are very freely produced.

jobelia Carmine Gem. — This lovely plant is
0: of the most striking of the herbaceous section
o^obelias, the colour very rich and bright, and
t flowers freely produced on long spikes. These
e ily-cultivated plants are worth the attention of
gdeners generally.

Jougainvillea spectabilis is now very at-
t ::tive with its wreaths of rosy-purple flowers in
i. greenhouse, where it still occupies a front
r; k among the climbers. The rich colouring is
n-t attractive, and if not ((uite unique among
genhouse plants, is still indis|iensable.

Terbena venosa. — Too frequently the rush
f( novelty does away with many of the tried and
u ful garden dowers, and this plant has certainly
8 'ered in this way. t,Uiite hardy and easil}' in-
cised, it may be variously employed in summer
wh good results either as a groundwork or in
n;ture with other phmts.

'ruit crops in Lincoln. — The South Lincoln-
si e fruit orchards su tiered severely from a gale
01 Wednesday the 17th. In exposed places manj'
ti!3 were almost entirely stripped, and as the
fajD fruit is yet unripe, much of it will be un-
it able. Most crops are deficient this year, and
tl loss to groweis will be heavy.

lematis campaniflora.— A singular species
it 1 Portugal, having numerous .small, drooping
fleers of a bluish-white shade, on climbing
8tii3. The smallness of its blossoms and their
|)( diar form render it an attractive species.
Sue large plants are now flowering at Kew,
w re it is found as hardy as any.

ourcroya in Cornwall.— I am sending you
a loto of tv.o plants of Fourcroya gigantea. I
rcet the' ]ilunts being so close to a dense back-
gund of shrubs, which pre\ents their .showing
o distinctly as they otherwise would have done.
'm. .S.vN(;win, TiilU^;./,:
* Nobly-grown plants, tine in form. — En.
ilium Henryi.— A large group of this Lily
ow nicely in flower at Kew. though scarcely
ately in the stems as a year ago. This, how-
, to some extent may be" due to the fact of the
bus having broken up, or po.ssibly suffering
fr( the heat of last year. At the same time it
nost beautiful Lily, and one that cannot fail
npress lovers of this unique class of bulbous

"I

evf
no
ha'
Hd

■■t9.

liphofia nobilis.— This is a noble plant in

way. W'iien in a cut state much of its

bearing is modified, and doubtless this fact

'i»-ei"ht with the floral committee of the Royal

icultural Society a week ago, when the plant

faili d to obtain an award of merit. That it is one
of the grandest of the whole race no one with
knowledge of the plant will deny. At the .same
time it is one of the most striking in colour, and
in this respect most valuable.

Agapantbus umbellatus albus.— Few of

the nearly hardy plants are so useful as the
well known blue form of this, an<l where large
examples exist thesis create a tine display on
many a terrac(! garden : indeed, it is rather sui-
]irising how often the blue form is used fur this
]>uriiose with no apparent attempt to substitute
the pure white form above noted, whii;h indeed
is a most useful and valuable kind of the same
easy culture as the ty[ie.

LagerstrcEmia indica. — I ipiite agree with
what is .said on this noble shrub by " H. I'."
(p. S'2). I find that it is much more hardy than is
generally thought. I have got in my garden a
s[iecimen 2 yards to 3 yards high, wliich was
planted against a sheltered wall looking due south
moie than twenty years ago. It is covered in
winter with straw, and e\ery year it blooms pro-
fusely. Just now it is a mass of pink flowers. The
climate in Geneva is far from mild. — M. Micheli,
(,;,l, n,.

Victoria Regia. — This is now flowering at
Kew. It is, we think, more vigorous than usual —
at any rate in the large handsome leaves, and
particularly so in the depth of the upturned
margin. As seen in the fine condition here, it is
truly a noble species, equally so in the monster
leaves of several feet diameter, and blossoms
something like a foot across. Perhaps one of the
most remarkable features is the rapid animal
growth of the plant when the right temperature
is maintained.

Knipbofia Macowani. — If tliis plant can
boast of any special merit at all, it certainly must
be in its dwarf habit and great freedom of tiovver-
ing. At the last meeting of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society Mr. Prichard had (piite a large
bundle of its pretty .and useful spikes, sufhcientfy
small indeed to be of service in a cut state, while
its dwarf habit will make it valuable in beds or
borders. For a dwarf race of these plants there is
still plenty of room if the flowers are bright and
frcelj' produced.

Nelumbium speciosum. — This handsome
aipiatic is now flowering beautifully at Kew. On
stems nearly 7 feet high are the giant rose-
coloured blossoms that arc nearly 10 inches
across. These handsome blossoms are exceed-
ingl}' beautiful. Of nearly the same height are
the large leaves, the.se being well-nigh '2 feet in
diameter. Apart from the sumptuous blossoms
to which we refer are others to follow shortly,
judging by the well-developed buds that are
nearly full grown.

Montbretia crocosmisefiora.— It would be
difhcult to name any flowering plant suited to
the border so pleasing and beautiful as this.
The slightly arching spikes give the plant a
special value at this season, when a few good
clumps are particularly attractive in any garden.
Such things indeed merit special treatment, and
those who can afford to place a barrowfulof loam,
]ieat and leaf soil in about equal parts, with the
addition of some manure, to each clum)i will
have an abundant reward in the rich display of
flowers in after years.

Carnation Mrs. Tudway. — I beg to enclose
a few blooms and grass of Carnation Jlrs. Tudway.
1 sent three dozen blooms to the Royal Horti-
cultural Society on the 10th inst. , but can see no
mention of them in any of the gardening papers.
I consider it one of the best hardy Carnations, as
it will stand for v'ears without laj'ering and throw
flowers abundantly annually. It is the last to
come into bloom, and grows about 3 feet high. —
A. (i. HooKiNos, Olduirii Howe (i'arden-'<, Al moiidt-
hnry, U/os

*,* A fine, dark, Clove-like plant with gra.ss such
as is rarelj' seen. — En.

Clematis heraclsefolia. — This is a most re-
markable species from China, with pale bin

blossoms, that individually are not unlike tho
recurving pips of some Hyacinths, especially
those of a pale porcelain shade. The foliage, on
the otliM- hand, as implied in the specific name, is
widely distinct from that of any other Clematis.
It is a non-climbing species, and just now a bed
is filleil with it at Kew, where the plants are
flowering freely. Tlie flowering stems, very
peculiar in form, produce large clustered heads,
and smaller later sprays of the singular flowers on
stems alioul I feet high.

Lilium tigrinum splendens. -On the gra.ss
at Kew, not far from the Victoria (!ate, may now
be seen a large group of this Lily, surrounding a
colony of Araucaria imbricata. In the distance
the cii'ect is very good, though less so on a nearer
view of the plants. Some years since we were
struck by a m'ich more imposing arrangement
of Lily and Araucaria. In this instance, however,
it was the pure Madonna kind, sending up its
snowy spires amid the deep, dark green of the
.\raucaria, that produced one of the most striking
and efi'ective groups we have ever seen in a
ganlen.

Campanula G. F. Wilson.— This pretty
hybrid Bellflower still continues to produce many
of its distinct blossoms, though more freely in
those instances where a slight top-dressing was
given after the main flowering earlier in the
season. But even this does not compare with
that portion of the stock that was divided and
transplanted in the month of March. All these
have bright fresh tufts of leaves and are flower-
ing profusely, though of course the division of the
plants interfered with their blooming at the right
season. The gain, however, C3mes in maintaining
a good succession of flowers.

Tvwo new Bamboos. -I have i-eceived fr.mi
.Japan this spring two Bamboos, which appear to
be new to western gardens. 1, Phyllostachj s
fulva (.Japanese name, Ogon chiku)— a Phyllo-
stachys of the .same type as P. nigra— not yit
sufhciently advanced for me to be able to describe
itindetail. It promises to be very ornamental. 2.
Arundinaria metallica (.Japanese name, Kaneyama
Dak.^, or Shakutan chiku', a dwarf species,
clo.sely allied to Arundinaria Veitchi. Both these
species shoidd, from their geographical position
in the .Jajianese islands, prove hardy in the avi r-
age English climate. -A. B. Fiikevi.\n MiT|-oi;ii.

Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora. — In
the open lied this fine plant is now flowering
freely, the pure white panicles of blossom b^ing
well formed and of large size. In the greenhouse
the heads of blossom are even purer, and among
other plants most effective. For the large co:i-
servatory this handsome shrub is worth grov»'-
ing in large tubs. The plant will bear rather
hard as well as close pruning, and where this is
carried out and the plants are growing in a deep
bed of soil, some noble heads of bloom are the re-
sult. Liquid manure may be employed as soon
as the trusses are well in sight.

Abybrid Poppy. — I enclose some flower buds
and leaves of a hybrid Poppy which has flowered
in my garden for the Hrst time this season. It
ajipears to h:: Papaver rupifragum x orientale.
The flowers are similar to those of P. ru[)ifr,agum,
but from 3 inches to 3 V inches in diameter, and
are produced at intervals along a stem from 2 feet
to 3 feet in length. .Many of yourreaders have no
doubt seen a similar hybrid from Mr. Carrington
Ley's garden, but in his plant the flowers are
produced singly at the end of the stem, in the
same way as in P. ru]iifraguni, and are of a deep
orange-red colour. —E. ('. BrxTos, Cur I Derii;
liiJIll-.i-l/A 'on/.

Asclepias tuberosa is noted in The (;.^RDE^f
of .July .'il as being " oin' of tin- most di-,tinct
plants in flower now.'' The same applies to it,
as I see it frequently wild by the wayside in New
Jersey. Perfect exposure to all the sun possible
seems of more importance than special composts ;
indeed, here are magnificent plants growing with
little or no soil at all on stony railway slopes or
along the fringes of rocky woods, and the most
casual observer cannot fail to noti- their lieauty

152

THE GARDEN.

[August 21, 1897.

with flowers so distinctly rich in colour. Its
relatives prefer swampy ground, and are also
very abundant in this district, but they cannot
compare with this one in point of beauty even in
all their natural luxuriance. — A. H. , Ma'/iMin.X. ■/■

Eryngium planum var. ccelestinum.— Thi.s
pretty Sea Holly is one of the neatest habited of
its kind, while the pretty globular heads that
form the chief attraction in these plants are very
freely produced. When in the mature state the
colour is attractive, and small sprays are very
useful in vases or epergnes. At the present time
in the rock garden and border it is very pleasing.

Polygonum Baldschuanicum. — Notwith-
standing that this species has been flowering pro-
fusely for some time past in the herbaceous
ground at Kew, it is worthy of note at the present,
moment that it is in no wise e-xhausted by the
heat and drought of the present year. As has
been stated previously, it is a climbing species,
possessing among these plants a claim to very
■considerable popularity. The elegant sprays of
blossom are white, with just a faint tinge of jjink
that iiroduces a very pleasing result.

liUpinus arboreus. — In the very light and
warm soils of the Thames valley, this plant
succeeds admirably, and never fails j-ear bj' year
to produce a most welcome display of its blossoms.
Of its liability to go off occasionally I ha've not the
same experience as Mr. Arnott, though se\ere
frost will at times with old examples play con-
siderable havoc. To the uses given at |iage 124
and of its value in the shrubbery I would like to
add its adaptability to cover a west wall witli but
little trouble. For years I had a very tine ex-
ample in this postion, where it luxuriated in quite
common soil, and the severest frost left it un-
harmed. It does not receive due attention in
gardens, and though naturally shrubby in habit
has a very pretty effect on a wall — E. J.

The Prairie Rose (R. setigera).— The writer
of the iiaragrajih concerning this Ro-se in The
G.iRDKN of July 31 (p. !l'2) must surely have made
mid-day observations of it only to ha\e come to
the conclusion that the flowers lack fragrance. I
would class the Prairie Rose among the sweetest
of Roses, and I know of nothing more delightful
than a bunch of its clusters cut in the early morn-
ing while yet fresh with dew. At day-dawn and
in the evening the bu.shes here scent the air for
yards around. In the bright sun, however, the
flowers wilt and are scentless. In the house the
buds continue to open and the clusters keep fresh
several days. The Prairie Rose should be planted
where it can have free scope, and it is doubly
valuable for its lateness of blooming. — A. H.,
Madixon, y.J.

The fruit crops in Cambridge. There is

an extraordinary falling otf in the chief part of
the Cambridgeshire fruit harvest this year.
Green (Jages and other kinds of Plums, for which
the district is famous, are almost a failure.
Orchards from which, in a plentiful season, tons
of (ireen Gages have been consigned in a single
night to the London and other markets have in
some cases practically none at all this year, and in
most instances such a very slight crop that the
enhanced market price cannot possibly recoup the
numerous growers who cultivate this famous fruit.
Pears, on the other hand, are abundant, and
Apples, in many cases, are fairly plentiful, though
it is not always the best sorts that are most
prolific, and nothing in this direction will juite
make up to the district for the loss in the harvest
of Green Gages and other kinds of stone fruit.

Clematis Viticella alba. — It is \ery dithcult
to find a reason why such a good, useful and free-
flowering summer climber is not more generally
seen. Now and again a large plant is seen many
feet high completely laden with its pure white
blossoms. One very fine example we have seen
of late occupying a south-east wall has been a
perfect sheet of its pure white flowei's for nearly
30 feet high and some 12 feet or more in width.
That the plant has occupied the same position for
some considerable time there is little doubt. Not-
withstanding its position, which does not impress

one as being the most favourable, the plant
flowers abundantly for weeks each year in July
and August. Singularly enougli, little sunlight
reaches the plant, owing to a rather thick shade
of Birch and Chestnut from an adjoining garden.
This fact in nowise prevents the plant flowering
abundantly each year.

Lilium auratum rubro-vittatum. — There
is no more beautiful Lily in the whole genus than
this, though it cannot be described as the most
useful or the most easy to manage. It is but
rarely indeed that any imported bulbs of it ever
give a second bloom in this country. Under
these cii'cumstances, any Lily that holds a posi-
tion quite uni<|ue among its kind is worth a special
effort to obtain home-raised stock, and. if pos-
.sible, to [irocure good flowering bulbs at home.
To achieve this, a beginning must be made with
scales of the variety in question, which should of
course be secured from a reliable source to start
with. Having detached the scales, place them in
a cool and not too damp cellar in rather moist
cocoa-nut fibre, and allow them to remain for some
time. By making a start in the coming autumn
with fresh scales a few small bulbs may be secured
in the following year, to be grown like seedlings
for a time. Of course it will take a few years of
patient working and waiting, but if successful,
all this will be repaid, and if not, some interesting
information should be gleaned l)y the experiment
in the hands of any intelligent amateur gardener.

Notes from a Cornish garden. — Heavy rain
this last week has rather spoiled the flowers, but
this summer flowers have been very good. As
I write, Callirhoe involucrata is flowering well in
the rock garden by the side of Tournefortia helio-
tropioides, which wintered out. Cyananthus loba-
tus is a mass of bloom, and Arctotis speciosa
and A. aspera var. arborescens seem to thri\e
on a sunny bank, where also manj^ of the
Mesembryanthemums are still flowering. In
the south border Hunnemannia fumariiefolia
has been bright ever since June, and a sin-
gle flower of C4erbera Jamesoni, now fading
away, has been out three weeks. On the south
wall Cassia corymbosa is a blaze of 3'ellow. The
white Swainsonia was planted out last August, and
is now covered with bloom. Nandina domestica
is at its best, and Eucomis punctata and Amaryllis
Holfordi are both in flower close to tlie wall.
Senecio Heritieri has been much admired here
this year. Rudbeckia laciniata never did better.
R. jHilcherrima is good, but R. speciosa is not
flowering so well. Lobelia Feuillei has many
spikes of flowers. Malva lateritia is bright, and
Physalis Franchetti wintered out, and seems to
have a very strong habit. Tlie seedling Pentste-
nions are splendid, and show marked imiirovement
in size and shajje on the old varieties. Cyclamen
hedera'folium has been in flower in the grass since
July 2(j, and Colchicum autumnale has been in
bloom just a week. — C. R.

Paris Chrysanthemum committee. — The

fourth issue of the bulletin of this committee
has recently come to hand. Among its contents
are a list of the officers of the committee, the
names of the members comjiosing the society's
floral committee, regulations and schedule of
prizes for the forthcoming show in No\ember
next, several short articles upon Chr3santhemum
subjects, and a list of the members of the com-
mittee, among whom we notice such well-known
Chi'ysanthemum specialists as Messrs, Bruant,
Calvat, Charmet, Cordonnier, CouilUird, Crozy,
Daupias, Delaux, Fatzer, Heraud, Hoste, Laoroix,
Nonin, de Reydellet, Rozain, Boucharlat, H. de
Vilmorin, &c.

The weather in West Herts. — Taken as a
whole, the past week has been about seasonable
in temperature. There occurred one cold night,
that preceding the 13th, when the ex|)osed ther-
mometer fell to within 7° of the freezing point.
Although the temperature of the ground has
fallen since the beginning of the week, it is still
3' above the average both at 2 feet and 1 foot
deep. During a thunderstorm on the afternoon

of the 1 8th nearly a cpiarter of an inch of r:,
fell, and for eight minutes was falling at the mi
rate of 1 j inches an hour. No measurable qu;
tity of rain-water has now come through eiti
percolation guage for over five weeks, and n<
at all for eighteen days. Since the 4th thewi'
has blown almost exclusively from some point
the compass between south and west. — E. 1
Berkhamnted.

Fungus on Saxifrages. -Herewith I st
you rosettes cif Saxifrage attacked with a fun^
which eventually kills the plant and is very c
tagious. I originally had it on a plant I boug
and from that plant it has spread all over
garden, but only on the leaves of encrusted Sa
frages. I suppose the spores fly about in the 1
or do \ou think the spores may be in the soil s
get up to the leaves through the roots? I 1
this because you can generally see the "spc
forming in the centre before it breaks open on
surface of the leaf to release the spores. I sho
be greatly oV)liged if " G. S. S." can tell me v
it is, and if there is any cure. — Lordswood.

*,* No doubt the fungus on your Saxifra
has sijread from the one infested plant, the spo
being carried about by the wind. I do not ii
gine for one moment that the spores are in
soil. \\'hen a s]iore falls on a leaf under suita
conditions it begins to germinate and penetra
the skin of the leaf, and the fungus grows and
creases within the leaf. Then at a certain per
of its growth the reproductive organs are forn
on the surface and spores are produced, which .
wafted about by the wind. I should \m\\ up i
plants which are badly attacked and spray
others with Bordeaux mixture, which is made j
follows : Dissolve H lbs. of copper suljihate ii
little warm water, slake 1 lb. of freshly-bu
lime and make it about as thick as cream »
water, then strain it through caarse canvas i
the copper sulphate, add ll gallons of water i
stir thoroughly. Spray twice at an interval
four or fi\e days. Next year keep a sharp lo
out for this pest, and as soon as you notici |
spray all the plants and again in a week's time (
G. S. S.

HONOURS FOR GARDENERS AND
FARMERS.
Ithi.sk the note (p. 116) rather severe on %
doners. Doubtless, from the writer's point
view, it is not an honour to accept an award or or
of merit, but as the recipient of the honour (noi
any way solicited or expected), I briefly give
reasons for accepting the same. I consider i
Jubilee honour, and I fear the writer at p.
overlooks this. Again, is it not well to encoun
merit'? I do, and hope the honour will not be u.;
in a swaggering way. I am of opinion hortic
ture has not received its proper recognition durii
the Queen's reign. When we see the ni£
honours given to soldiers, sailors, statesmen a
others eagerly accepted — indeed, looked for
hope the writer will be less severe on gardenf
who have had so little done for them. — G. W.

*,* We were not severe, we hope. It was 1
general effect of orders of merit that was c
cussed ; and there ai'e the loss of time, the moil
wasted and the disappointment of many to j
thought of. Many of those who had themeci
are oin- friends, and we feel sure no better cho|
could be made, but it was, and we hope alwi
will be, the pride of all good gardeners to love I
work for its own sake. Besides, in other walks
life than our own it is notorious that the besto\
of academic and like honours is not in thee
for the good of art, and that in the end is the r
question. — Ed.

Celestial Sweet Brier. — Do any of t

readers of The G.iKDEX happen to know tl
the name of which at one time occurred in Ki
books '! I now fail to trace it, and shall be gra
ful for an}' information. — Rosa.

Name of fruit. — Chas. Simpson.— Apple, Ca'
head.

TXiE C3rJ^:RiD:Hiisr.

No. 1345— Vol. Lll.]

[AUGUST 28, 1897.

Fohlds :—

Angnecum ftiU'utviin .. I.'i4

Cfittleyji crisjia 154

l'«tUey:i Ilarrisdiiiie . . . . 154

CfttticyiiMossia- llcinoc-kiniiu 153

Catticya Waniuri iinperiiilis 153

Cypripedium iiivcuin .. ,. iri4
Cypripedinm (eiiaiitlu m

auperbum 154

Pendrochilum filifin-nie .. 164

Dondrobiiiui VsiDiieriiinuni 153

Masdevallia Ilan-yaiia.. .. 154

Oacidium curtum 154

Oncidium dasytyle .. .. 153

Hncidium Kmrncrianuni .. 154
Oncidium maL-niiitluim Ikis-

tiferum.. 153

Spathoglottis Fortiinei .. 154

Vandasuuvis 153

Zygopetalum Gauticri . .. 154

Itotaen :—

Artichokes, GlotiL', and

drought

Asparagus feeding
Cabbage sprouts . .
Cauliflower Edipso

Onion Record

Onions

15ii
15j
155
155
l^S
154
155
156
156
156
156
156
155

i:.5

156
15",
155
155
156

Pea Autocrat

I'ca Daiiby Strat;igeni..
Pea Model Telephone .. ..

Peas, largo

Pens, liite market

Peas of niudiuni height

Pea.", Sugar

Potato Shiirpc's Victor . . . .

Potato Up-to-Date

Seakalc, feeding

Spinach

Turnip, the yellow '.
Vegetables at Shrewsbury . .
Winter and s]>ring vege-
tables, planting 156

Flower:—

Calorhorti(sfiai}'.<; 159

Calochortns fuscus 159

CaliH-horti 157

Calochorti, cultin-e of the .. 157

Carnation CaroUis Duran .. 158

Carnations at Bookhani . . 158

Dahlia, Cactus, Bridesmaid 160
Dahlia, Cactus, Charles

Woodbridge 160

Dahlia, Cactus, Fusiher . . 160
Dahlia. Cactus, Harry Stred-

wick ".. .. 160

Dahlia, Cactus, Matchless .. 160

(Illustrations in Italics.)

Dahlia, Cactus, Mra. Fr;uu-js

Fell 100

IJnhliu, Cactus, Priuce.ss Elia 1-0

Dnhlia, Cactvis, .Starfish .. ir.O

l)ahlia. Pompon, /!oar . . . . I'iO
Dahlias, Cactus, impmvc-

ment in ir»S

Effect, a charming .. ir>!t

Gypsophila paniculata . . .. 16S

Ueuchera sanguinea . . . . 159

Lilie.1, Mariposa^ some oj the 157

Lilies, notes on 159

Mosaicculturein the Father-
land 158

Poppies, Iceland 159

Orchard and Fruit :—

Fruit tivutiiinkTs. rclR'wiiif^ lti'2

Frviit trees, transplanting.. 161

Grape growing, mtidern .. IGl

Strawberries, new 160

Vines, mildew on ItiO

Garden Flora;—

Lathyrus splendena .. .. 162

Week's 'BTork:-

1-Vuit houses 163

Kitchen garden 163

Trees and Shrubs :—

Cedars of Lel)anon ia Nor-
folk li:(;

Shrubs, summer-fluwering 166

Wi.^ttrria, tlir, on a btdfonii 16i

Wistaria, the .. 166

Stove and Greenhouse: —

tilr< pfontrpi'.^ jihin/.^ lour

II ears old 168

Streptocarpi 168

Calceolaria alba 169

Plumbago caponsis .. ., 160

Societies :—

Royal Horticultural . . . . 169
Co-operative Festival, The

National 170

National Chrysanthemimi

Society 1 70

Notes of the Week:—

Al)elia rupestris 171

Abutilon Golden Fleece .. 171

Begonia Knowsleyana . . .. 171
Campanula garganica hir-

suta 171

Carnation Mrs. Tudway .. 171
Chrysanthemum Bronze

Bride 171

Chry-anlhemum Little Bob 171

Climbers, stove, three.. .. 171

(Icntiana Andrewsi .. 171

Gentiana iusclcpiudea alba .. 171

Gladiolus brenchleyensis .. 171

Lavenders, sea 172

Lilium speeioMum Mel-
pomene 171

Nertcra dei)ressa 171

Nympluea Marliaeca ignea 171
Nymphaxi tubcroia var.

flavescens 171

I'ansy, Tufted, ArdwellGem 171

Pansy, Tufted. Britannia .. 172

Pansy, Tufted, Magie .. 171

Pansios, Tufted 172

Phygolius capensis .. .. 171
Jludbeekia laeiniata Golden

Glow ' 172

Hpir.Tia Anthony Waterer .. 172

Sunflowers, perennial .. .. 172

Symphyandra pendula .. 172

Verbenas, seedling .. .. 172

Miscellaneous :—

Boiler, removing 168

Fruit and vegetable crops ,. 16 1

Fruit culture in Switzerl.and 167

Weather in West Herts . . 172

Orchids.

VANDA SUAVLS.
HE habit and general appearance of this nnble
rchid render it an attractive plant whether in
out of flower, wliile the delicacy of the blos-
ims is not .siir]ia.ssed by any in the genu.s.
'hile looking through the fine gardens at
ing's Weston, near Bristol, recentl}', I noticed
fine plant of it in flower. It is a large speci-
en, bearing two racemes of about twenty
)wers each, the individual blooms of fair .size
id richly tinted. To grow this Vanda well, a
irly large house is best, and one kept at an
temiediate rather than a very high temjjera-
re. Here growth will be quite free enough,
id as the plants can be arranged at a consider-
ile distance from the glass, a heavy shade is
)t required. Thus the growth made is of a
lid character, not liable to be easily injured,
,d, owing to this, the winter temperature can
kept low without danger and the plants rest.
kept at a minimum of .^O"^ they will take no
irm and are far mr>re likely to bloom freely
an if kept warmer. All this class of Orchids
:e plenty of room for root and top growth ;
6 pots or baskets used may therefore be fairly
:ge. Good drainage, too, is essential and an
en compost. Nothing but Sphagnum Mo.ss and
arcoal must be used for the latter, the charcoal
ing most u.sefid in lumps as large as a hen's
g for large i)lants, and for smaller ones in
oportion. When re[)otting or rebasketing,
e base of the stems will sometimes be found to
.ve decayed and tlie removal of the worst
.rts is advisable. If a large .specimen becomes
ihealthy without apparent reason, it may in
rly spring be shaken clear of the compost
d examined. If found in bad condition, let
ery part of it be well washed and place it in
smaller receptacle of clean crocks and char-
al only for a few months, this often causing
e emission of fresh ycmng roots and having a
>od effect upon the future' health of the plant.
is at this time that a little more warmth and

a closer atmosphere is desirable —a kind of con-
valescent treatment, in fact. But when growth
is again active and roots are being freely pro-
duced, the jilants may again have their usual
treatment, as growtli made in too mucli heat is
not usually satisfactory. A good deal of the
leaf-dropi)ing common in Vandas during winter
and early spring is attributable to this cause.
The plants having attained a good hold of the
new pots, a surfacing of Moss may be given,
and this may be added to as occasion
requires, always adding these to plenty of char-
coal or placing the two materials in layers. It
is good jiolicy to t;ike ott'ayoung piece or two
of this Yanda occasionally and set it growing
by itself, as should anything happen to large,
old specimens, these may liy judicious massing
be made to take their place in a few seasons.
Indeed, it is questionable whether any advan-
tage accrues from keeping very old plants, for
the further the heads get away from the com-
])0st, the weaker the growth and fewer in com-
parison are the flowers produced. If by placing
a plant against a wall and providing a hold for
the upper tiers of roots these could he kept
healthy and fresh, no doubt the condition of the
plant could be maintained almost indefinitely,
but in most cases this is impossible, or, at least,
not convenient. The state of the atmo.sphere
has considerable efl'ect on the well-being of
Vandas. They like moisture, they like a free
supply of fresh air, and in limited quantities
ammonia, which may be generated by frequent
damping with soot water, or sprinkling soot and
lime in places out of sight in the house. Given
this continually, tliere is no need to be always
swilling the roots with water. By all means
give enough to keep them healtliy, but let tliom
seek it themselves, as indicated by the fresh
green tips of the roots before watering heavily
in spring. V. suavis is closely related botanically
to V. tricolor, the chief difference being in
colour. It is a native of Java, occurring at con-
siderable elevation often near tlie coast, and
was discovered Ijy Mr. Thomas Lobb, who sent
it to Messrs. Veitch in 1846. R.

Oncidium dasytyle. — The dark purple callus

upon the labellum of this Orchid renders it easily
distinguished from all other species. It is a
charming and free-flowering little plant fref|uently
met with in good order. The pseudo-bulbs, slightly
furrowed, are each about 1 5 inches higli, this dwarf,
compact habit rendering it suitable for cultivation
in small pans or baskets. In a light part of the
Cattleya house, with abundant moisture while
growing and a distinct resting season, it is usually
satisfactory.

Cattleya Warneri imperialis. — This is a
very fine variety of C. Warneri, and a jilant of it
was in flower recently with Mr. Bull. In size it
is much superior to the type, and the colour is
magnificent, the lovely crimson-purple on the
front lobe being especially rich. It does well at
the warmest end of the Cattleya house, and if
suspended from the roof all the better. The
plants must be induced to rest as far as possible
during late autiunn and winter.

Dendrobium Vannerianum.— This is a very
pretty liylirid Dendrolie raised by Mr. W. Vanner,
of Chislehutst, and the result of crossing I), japo-
nicum with D. Falooneri. It retains much of the
shape of the latter fine kind, liut the colour is dif-
ferent. The sepals are long and lance-shaped,
and upon a pure white grounil there is a very
faint margin of pui-ple, this tint lieiug rejieated
in an apieal blotch on each petal. The lip is also
white, with a light yellow disc, this l)eing more
or less marked with a very luight purple. A plant
of it was recently in flower at Messrs. Veitch's.

Cattleya Mossiae Keineckiana. — There are
many tine sub-varieties of this Cattleya, as in-
dicated liy its being so freely exhibited, but one
of the brightest and best I have seen was recently
in bloom with Messrs. Veitch in the Chelsea nur-
sery. The outer segments were of the purest
white, the finely-shaped li|i having the usual yel-
low area, but the purple streaks about this were
very distinct. The flowers were large and of great
substance, and altogether, it is one of the finest and
most chaste Cattleyas in existence. It requires
the same treatment as the typical form. — R.

Oncidium macranthum hastiferum.— Al-
though not so bright as the tyi)ical O. macranthum,
the colours (yellow and brown) in this variety are
very nicely blended. The plant is not quite so

154

THE GARDEN.

[August 28, 1897.

strong growing as tlie typical form, but eijiuiUy
free-blooming, the long, scandent scapes having
a fine apjiearance loosely arranged among other
Orchids. Plenty of water at the roots and a cool,
moist atmosphere all the year round are essen-
tial to its successful culture. Care is necessary
that insects do not eat the young roots that often
appear above the compost line.

Angraecum falcatum.— This pretty little
species is seldom seen, but it has an exceptional
interest in that it is not a native of the African
continent or islands, but Japan, where it was dis-
covered many years ago. It is, in fact, one of the
very oldest known kinds, and, unlike the other
species in the genus, requires cool or intermediate
treatment. It grows only a few inches high, and
produces a small bunch-like spike of flowers from
the upper part of the stems. These are yellowish
white, with a curved spur about 2 inches long. It
should be allowed a light, fairly sunny position,
and be grown in clean Moss and charcoal in small
baskets oi- suspended pans.

Masdevallia Harryana. — The blossoms of
this tine species are now getting past their best,
but I noted several fine varieties in bloom
this week. One of the best of these is M. H.
violacea, having a distinct violet-purple tint in
place of the deep crimson of the type. Its culture
may lje almost exactly the same as for all in this
section, and it is not dilficult. August is the
safest time to repot, using a thin compost of peat
fibre and Sphagnum over good drainare. By
this means the plants take a good hold of the
compost before winter, and are not, therefore, so
likel}' to suffer from any check that may then be
experienced. — H.

Oncidium curtum. — Several fine plants of
this species have recently come under my notice,
one in a neighbouring collection carrying seven
of the brightly-tinted spikes. In this condition
it is a really fine Orcliid and worthy of all care.
It is a native of Brazil, consequently it needs
more warmth than tlie Peruvian kinds. In a
medium-sized pot or basket of good open compost
it does well, and may as regards its growth be
classed with such as O. Forbesi and 0. crisiium.
It delights in copious moisture both in the atmo-
sphere and at the roots while growing, and may
be kept just moist when at rest. — H. R.

Cattleya Harrisoniee. — This pretty plant I
noted in good order at Maintains. There are
several varieties of it, but the type is as pretty as
any of them. The flowers occur on the apex of
the young growth on erect racemes, and are indi-
vidually about 4 inches across, the rosy sepals
and petals reflexed and showing oft' the lip, which
has a dense yellow eye, to perfection. No par-
ticular difficulty will be found in its culture pro-
vided the plants are healthy for a start, but many
species have greater recuperative powers. An
ordinary Cattleya tem])erature and good open
compost are requisite. It is an old Brazilian
saeoies, and was introduced by Mr. Harrison in
1836.

Spathoglottis Fortune!. — This fine species
I have noted in flower in several places recently.
Each flower is about an inch and a half across, and
eight or nine are produced on each spike. The
s>pals and petals are bright yellow, the lip having
brownish tips to the lateral lobes. After flowering,
this plant soon begins to lose its foliage, and the
water supply must then be gradually diminished,
until during the winter months very little indeed
is retjuired. At t'lis time the plant may be
grouped in a cool, fairly dry hou.se, but a little
more moisture an 1 warmth are necessary when
growth is active. It may be grown in pots or pans
in the usual compost recommended for terrestrial
Orchids. It is a native of Hong-Kong and was
sent to Chiswick by Fortune about the year 1844.

Cattleya crispa. — A fine plant of this old
species is now flowering with Capt. Belfield, of
Malmains, Frenchay, near Bri.stol. It is in good
health, about a couple of feet across, and bearing
thirty fine flowers. Although the lip of this
-Species is not so finely de\'eloped as that of many

known kinds, it has a charm of its own in the un-
dulate crisped margin and bright bit of colour.
It flowers, too, at a season w'hen first-rate kinds
are getting over, and this alone should be suffi-
cient to make it more popular. It is not exacting
in its cultural requirements, and if a few of the
large old specimens that used to be common
enough were now exhibited, they would surely
command a good deal of attention. The flowers
are of medium size with narrow segments, pure
white on the sepals and petals, the lip bright
purple. It first flowered in England in 182G, in
the autumn of the same year that it was sent from
Rio de Janeiro by Sir Henry (Jhamberlain.

Cypripedium cenanthum superbum. —

This is one of the best Cypripediums of the week,
and is in bloom in many places. It is one of
Messrs. Veitch's hybrids, and the reverse cross to
that which gave the typical C. lenanthum, viz., C.
insigne Maulei and C. Harrisonianum. The leaves
are only slightly variegated, but the flowers are
large and handsome. The dorsal sepal is deep
reddish purple at the base, passing to nearly white
at the margin, the entire segment being overlaid
with lines of rosy purple spots. The petals are
clear brownish yellow at the base, merging into a
much deeper tint above, while the lip is a rich
vinous ])urple externally, with a yellow spotted
throat. As may be imagined by the parentage, it
is a strong, robust grower and thrives well in an
intermediate temperature, provided the roots are
in good material, kept moist, and no insects
allowed about the foliage.

Dendrochilum filiforme. — The graceful pen-
dent racemes of flower produced by this Orchid
have been not inaptly described as like gold
filigree chains. Not only are they charming in
appearance, but delicately scented, and they make
a distinct and charming addition to the species
now in bloom. Some nice plants I noted in flower
last week were carrying each about twenty spikes,
and the eflect of these hanging from the young
green growths was very fine. They appear in the
earlier stages of the plant's development ; conse-
quently when in flower the roots should not be
dried. The plants are of a tufted habit, with
small pseudo-bulbs and narrow green leaves, and
they thrive well in a moist, warm house, planted
either in liaskets or small suspended pans. Plenty
of water must he allowed even after the blooms
have fallen until the growths are quite complete,
when less heat and water necessary. Thrips are
fond of the rather succulent foliage and bloom,
and are apt to put in appearance when the flowers
are just opening. The usual remedial measures
should be taken for their destruction and every
endeavour made to keep them out of the house.
D. filiforme first flowered in England in 1.S41,
having been sent home to Messrs. Loddiges by
Cuming a few years earlier.

ZYGOPETALUM GAUTIERI.

There are few more attractive species than this
in this somewhat extensive genus, and it is, per-
ha|)S, as easy as any to grow when well esta-
blished. In habit it resembles the maxillare and
rostratum section more than Z. Mackayi or Z.
crinitum, but it is more robust than either of the
first-mentioned kinds. A jilant I noticed in flower
recently was carrying three spikes — twenty
flowers in all. Each of these is about 2 inches
across and has a fine deep purple lip. To grow it
well there is nothing to beat a large piece of Tree
Fern stem, the roots having a great affinity for
this material and thriving well upon it. Once
established in this material the most ordinary
treatment suffices to keep it in good health,
simply because the rhizomes do not carry the
young leads out of the way of a root-hold. When
they are inclined to leave it, it is only necessary
to tie or peg them do«n, while when they grow
over the edge of a pot or pan it is more difficult.
Rafts, too, are excellent if the stems cannot be
obtained, and if the leads are placed a good dis-
tance from the edge the plants go on almost
indefinitely. These of course must be lined with

a little compost of some kind, equal parts '
Moss and peat serving as well as any. TL
rhizomes may easily be jjuUed down to the raft
by passing a wire between the rods, and, owing t
the free circulation of air obtained, the roots d
well under this mode. Of course the great advai
tage in either of these wjys of cultivating it
that disturbance need not fie frequent, but
grown in pots or pans, on the other hand, they sor
require a shift owing to the reasons above notci
Perhaps the best time to replant is when tl
young shoots are starting, as new roots general!
appear about the time the jilants are in IjIoou
and these give them a hold on the new materi:i
No dry resting season is necessary, but a thorou^
ripening of the pseudo-bulbs is conducive to fn
flowering. This ripening is dift'erent to that of
Dendrobe for instance, and is brought about mo
by a plentiful supply of fresh air than by exce
of sunlight, which would be detrimental to tl
foliage. The worst insect enemies are spider ar
brown scale, but neither of these is troublesoii
in a moist atmosphere [iroperly balanced. An i
termediate temperature suits it well, such as
shady [)art of the Cattleya house. It is a nati'
of Brazil, introduced in ISOS.

Oncidium Kramerianum. — This beautif
Butterfly species is seldom without a flower ope
and plants having several spikes may be said
be constantly in flower for at least eight monti
out of the twelve. I have seen it in flower
several collections during the week, and natural
a good deal of variation exists, but there is not
single one that could not lie described as gooi
It is easily grown in a suitable temperature, at!
likes abundant atmospheric moisture, especial
while growing freely. — R.

Cypripedium niveum. — Thisbeautifulspeci
is now in bloom, and is one of the prettiest in tl
genus. From prettily variegated foliage tl
flower-spikes rise about 8 inches and theblossot
are nearly pure white, the only colour being ,|
few spots of purple. It does well in the warme ■
house in a shady, most position, and may be grov
in small pots of jieat and moss with a little liiu
stone. Messrs. Veitch first imported this pla
about 1868 from some of the islands about t
Malay Peninsula.

Kitchen Garden.

PEAS OF MEDIUM HEIGHT. . j

T.\KiNi; one year with another and judging tl
Pea crop in the aggregate, it ap])ears to me th,
the best results are obtained from a good selecti(
of varieties of medium height or, say, which ri
from 2.J feet to 3.^ feet. These are certainly tl
Peas which give the least amount of trouble ooii
bined with good crops, and there are now in cult
vation a sufficient number of good and distill'
varieties of this tyjie to bridge the whole seasc
through, so that neither the very dwarf nor tl
very tall varieties need be grown unless desirei
One of the earliest in the section is St. Osyth Gen
which closely follows Chelsea Gem, but is quil
distinct from that jiopular variety and runs aboi
3 feet high. The haulm and pods are of a vei '
dark green colour, as are the Peas themselves, an
the flavour is excellent and well in advance of th; I
of most early Peas. To follow this nothing cal
beat Dr. Maclean, an old favourite and one of tl
best of Peas judged from any standpoint ; it ha
the merit of doing well in all sorts of weather, an
this is a characteristic which it shares with ai
other variety of a similar type, viz., (iladiator,
very hardy and good crop].)ing Pea which, how'
ever, reiiuires sugar. After the above-mentione
are over there is a wide selection, including sue
fine varieties as Carter's Seedling, a very dee
green, free cropping, and large podded variety c
the best quality ; Veitch's Main Crop, very simila
to the foregoing in all respects, and Carter
Majestic, with paler coloured pods and Peas c

AtiousT 28, 1897.]

TTTR CAT! DEN".

155

ne flavour andfnll in the pod. Danbv Sti-ataf;i>ni,
hich is probaMy a taller and better coloured
■lection from the oUl Strataj;eni, uiust also be in-
uded anu>iij;st these main crop varieties, and its
lief charaeteristie, in addition to the t;ood (piali-
68 of its ))ro^eMitor, is that it is continuous fruit-
gaud stands the drought well. Include<l also
nong the I'eas of medium lieii;ht and of hii,di
iality are Senator, a very free cropper, and. for
lelatest crop, Autocrat, a Pea that will hardly
) surpassed for late work, and wliich has with nie
itirely ousted another "rood late I'ca, viz., Sturdy,
hich for some years pro\-idetl the latest crops.

I these notes I have not exhausted the list of
is section of Peas. Possibly theiemay be others

good as those I haxe named. My object has
sen to draw attention more closely to the value

Peas of this type for gardens generally. — J. C.
'lULACK.

ICauliflower Eclipse.— This is a grand dry
father Cauliflower for late summer and early
stumn cutting. Until I first grew it I found
ime difficulty in making the summer Cauliflowers
jet those of autumn, and could never entirel}'
■ ueiid on doing so iu spite of frequent sowings
cVValcheren, but with Eclipse to fall back on
lese difficulties have disappeared. I have now
lUgust 10) been cutting for some weeks from
lis variety, and shall do so until the Autumn
'ant comes in. Inhabit Kclipse appears to be
i«rmediate between the two \arieties mentioned
<ove, but the heads have none of that looseness
1 often to be met with in Walcheren, and are
"lite, solid and large, without being coarse. —

. C. T.M.I..\CK.

Globe Artichokes and drought. — The

(obe Artichoke suffers badly in hot, dry summers
I less well fed, watered and mulcheil, but even
'Ith these precautions red spider attacks the
)mts and ruins the health}' foliage, thus crip-
I ng the growths. It is well at this season if tlie
lints are at all distressed to cut the bearing
«nis within a few inches of the soil. By doing
lis new growths are encouraged and the plants
i|a better condition before winter sets in. When
ikcb exhausted during the summer months they
i;d a little extra care fi-om now till October.
(i-en this, there will be a full crop well into the
stumn, and in many gardens late Artichokes are
spreciated when choice vegetables are getting
Ipt their best. Few vegetables will repay for
lleral supplies of litiuid manure better than Globe
/iichokes at this season, and the plants will take
Eonger doses than many others. Failing this, a
ti-dressingof well-decayed manure with copious
sipliesof moisture will assist the new growth
al build up new wood for winter. Plants in any
vy neglected now make a late growth. This
{.iwth is soon injured in severe weather. —
5H. B.

labbag-e sprouts. — I am not sure that
' '. C. U." (p. 120) would advise us to grow Cab-
Ije sprouts in preference to Cabbage. I have
f some years followed the practice of growing
Ceworts even for November and Decemoer sup-
I JS, and I find the Coleworts more valuable than
Cjbage sprouts. I am aware it is an easier
otter to cut over Caljbages that have produced
h .ds and allow these to [jroduce shoots, but these
a;heir best are not e<iual to a well-grown Cole-
wt, and in my opinion much inferior to an an-
tin Cahliage. It may be asked, what is an
umii Cabbage ? My reply is, Cabbages sown
use from October to Christmas, such as Sut-
's Little (iem or Favourite. These grown spe-
clly for autumn use are far superior to those cut
r, which may be termed sprouts. Again, we
e St. .John's Day and Christmas Urumhead,
f jndid types of autumn Cabbage and well worth
8 cial cultivation for winter supplies. These are
vy hardy and of good nualitv. When once
gwn they will be much liked. ' I think allow-

II plants to produce sprouts robs the soil, as the
<■ )bage is a gross feeder. I admit that to leave
I nts which have produced heads is the simplest
I n, and where labour is scarce it is commend-

able, but for quality I would advise autumn or
winter Cabbage, not s()rout.s. — S. M.

Sug'ar Peas. — The.se are much liked on the
Ciintinent, but rarely seeiiin our gardens; indeed,
as regards novelties in vegetal>les, we are very
conservative, and year after year grow the same
things and pay little attention to new kinds. I
am aware the Sugar Pea can scarcely be called
new ; it is well known abroad ; but in a dry
season like the one we have just passed through
this Pea is well worth growing, as, gathered in a
young .'■tate, it can bo cooked whole or cut U|)
like the French Bean. Tbe best way is to cook
tlie pods whole, but of course they must not be
allowed to get old or stringy. In a young .state
the}' are very fleshy and of excellent flavour. I
am surprised a vegetable of so good quality
should be so little grown in our gardens, as
many would prefer it to Broad Beans or even the
Scarlet Runner. There are several varieties,
some much thicker than others, with broad pods,
and the grower must not expect line Peas, but
size and substance of pods are the points aimed
at. Culture is simple. Sow thinly in good land
and e\'ery three weeks or a month to give a long
supply, i prefer the pods cooked whole, not cut in
any way : they are delicious if young. — G. W. S.

Onion Record. — I am sure many will agree
with " Grower's " good opinion of this Onion at p.
13(i. I think if the writer had seen the splendid
bull.)S stagid at the great show of vegetables at
the last November exhibition of the National Chry-
santhemum Society, he would have been delighted
with such perfect specimens and so many of them.
I do not place too much value on the variety
named simply because it is an exhibition kind,
but for its general utility, as I find Record one
of our most valuable Onions. Its perfect shape
and excellent (luahty make it a desirable kind
for all gardens. Like " Grower,"' I much admire
its fine globular form, and I notice these shaped
bulbs, no matter how large they are grown, are
superior keepers to the flat ones. I saw sound
bulbs of this well into ApriL This shows its
value, and when grown with only ordinary cul-
ture it is one of the best, as there is no difficulty
in having it good late into the spring. Last year
I sowed it at this d;tte and with great success, as
our roots, with only ordinary culture, are very
fine, and were not affected by the heat and
drought as badly as the spring sown. In gardens
much troubled with the grub it is an excellent
practice to sow seed in the autumn and finer pro-
duce is obtained. — (i. \\'vthes.

Pea Model Telephone. — This new Pea tried
this season proves a wonderfully prolific variety,
and a valuable introduction for sowing early. It
is a main-crop Pea, but I advise it for what may
be termed a second earl}', as, if the cultivator
divides the season into four, this variety is spe-
cially good to follow the first earlies. It is a
selection from the original Telephone sent out
some years ago, and a good variety too, but this
is superior. A few growers of the older Tele-
phone found a difficulty in getting a true stock.
With Model there is a better growth, and as re-
gards crop, it is much superior to the older form.
With me it only grew 4 feet high, liut doubtless
the heat and drought were answerable for this, as
I saw it at least •> feet high in heavier soil. There
are from nine to ten peas in a pod, and the (|uan-
tity of pods for such a large Pea is wonderful. I
am not a great lover of coarse things, but Modi 1
Telephone is not coarse, as the peas, though large,
are of excellent quality, while the plants are more
vigorous. — G. Wvtkks.

Vegetables at Shrewsbury. — These gar-
den products are always seen in great force at
Shrewsbviry when the annual exhiliition of the
Shropshire Horticultural Society takes place.
But whilst the western district of England seems
to be specially favourable to vegetables, and cot-
tagers undouljtedly show up well, local growers
of the gardener class seem somewhat afraid to '
enter into the open classes in competition with
some who have made very high rejiutations as
growers and exhibitors. The first-prize collection

in Messrs. Sutton and Sons' open class was, to his
credit be it said, won by a young gardener from
Wales, beating sonic famous antagonists, and
that fact should encourage some others to enter
the lists in the open classes another year. In
.Messrs. Webb ami .Sons' ojien class the jirizes
went to Pope, of Highclere ; Bowerman, of Hack-
wood ; and Wilkius, of llenstridge, resjiectively ;
and in Messrs. .Sutton and Sons' cla.ss. Pope,
Howerman, Waite, and Wilkins took the other
prizes, so that the southern men almost exclu-
sively held the field. That fact shows that in
spite of the long drought experienced vegetables
can be grown as finely .south as anywhere in the
kingdom. Although no collection was jierfect,
yet in each collection some Imd perfect examples,
as, for instance, Foster's, of Wales, Tomatoes,
Pope's Cauliflowers an<l Peas, Bowerraan's Po-
tatoes and Runer Beans, Wilkins' Celery, Waite's
Cucumbers, &c. , all of which if in one collection
would have presented a degree of excellence un-
be.itable. The best aver.age collection, un-
doubtedly even, refined, good, was Pope's, which
took Webb and Sons' first prize. — A. D.

Large Peas. — I am pleased "W. S.," Wills,
in his excellent article on Peas (p. 118) noted the
value of large Peas. I had never heard of anyone
objecting to them. I am aware for special pur-
poses there may be a demand for small Peas, but
hiive never found any difficulty, as if small Peas
are needed we can gather before they are fully
matured. On the other hand, cooks will not
ha\e the small, round, white Peas, and I do not
grow them. I should think that the large Peas
" .J. C." objects to must have been extra large or
past their best, as the new varieties are, in my
o|iinion, a great boon to the grower. Stratagem
is still one of the best Peas grown. It may be
termed large if the white rounds are taken as the
right size for use. For many years I have noticed
these large green pods stand drought well, and
this is a point worth attention where Peas do not
thrive well. — L. M.

Pea Danby Stratagem.— Having for many
years grown the older Stratagem, I was curious
to test the newcomer against the old, and so grew
the two side by side. I have come to the same
conclusion as Mr. Crawford, viz., that the newer
kind is an excellent selection. As most growers
know, unless there is rigid selection of the seed
stocks, there is a tendency to go wrong.
Stratagem Pea of late years has been excellent,
but there appears to be more vigour in the newer
kind, and an absence of pale pods. It is a
fine early pea, and this is a great gain ; it is a
splendid cropper, and of first-rate quality. It
crops close down to the soil, and the pods are
mostly produced in pairs, the haulm of a deep
green, strong and vigorous. For years I forced
the older variety on account of its crojiping, as
when gathering commenced it gave quantity in
addition to fpiality. The Danby being earlier
will make it more valuable.— (!. Wvthes.

Late market Peas. — There are a few re.asons,
well known to market growers, why they do not
grow breadths of late Peas, as suggested they
should do by "(irower.'' I have put the same
question to market gardeners frequently, and
always obtained the same replies. The first is that
tlie land occupied by Peas is always needed for
filling up as early as possible with succession crops.
That could not be done in the case of late Peas
such as would be giving croiis through August.
Of course, it may be said that the rows miijht be
placed wide enough apart to enable plants to be
put out between them early, but everyone familiar
with market field Pea pickers know that jilants
so put out have such rough treatment, apart from
their being half starved by the earlier crop, that
they seldom pay to stand after the Peas are
removed. Thenthere is the undoubted fact that
the ordinary town consumer soon tiies of Peas, or
indeed of any other green vegetable, and a month
of Peas usually satisfies his requirements. Then
the Runner Beans come in, and these become such
formidable competitors in the market with late
Peas, that the price even of a good fresh sample

156

THE GARDEN.

[August 28, 1897.

of tlie latter is low. Then, so far as London is
concerned, the classes who can afford to pay higher
prices are largely out of town. Possibly it might
pay to grow late Peas in the neighbourhood of
watering-places. There is, too, a good deal of
risk attached to late Peas, arising from possible
drought or attacks of mildew. Market fields are at
the most ploughed only from 10 inches to 12 inches
deep, and lata Peas cannot withstand drought in
such cases as those in gardens can. As late Peas,
none excel Autocrat, Late Queen, and Latest of
AH.— A. 1).

Potato Up-to-Date. — A good deal of interest
is felt in the ultimate turn-out of this late strong-
growing Scotch-raised Potato. It is one of Mr.
Finlay's, who gave us- The Bruce and some others,
and undoubtedly has the Magnum Bonum blood in
it. The Bruce is almost a reproduction of Mag-
num Bonum, indeed in top and tubers is scarcely
distinct. However, it is not the only one put
into commerce that shows the Magnum jiarentage.
Up-to-Uate has some di\-erse features, although it
still has the strong tall top growth with which
the Magnum race has made us familiar. The
t ibers .should be more pebble-shaped and more
even in size ; indeed, the comparative evenness of
the tubers so far seems to have been one of its
special recommendations I have it growing on
s';0ne brash at Surbiton, beside Syon House Pro-
lific, Chancellor, The Bruce and numerous fine
varieties, but at present there is no prospect of
the tubers being ready to lift earlier than the
s;cond week in September. — A. D.

Spinach. — Will a "Midland Grower," who
r ^fers to a Spinach named The Carter at page
1 19, kindly say in what respect this variety differs
from others in commerce? There was a first-rate
and most complete trial of all the divers Spinach
in commerce conducted at Chiswick two years
since, and the result w.as to define but three
really distinct varieties only, each one having
both round and prickly seed. The Flanders,
which is the old commerce variety, is generally
grown as summer (Round-seeded) and winter
(Prickly-seeded), though differing oidy in young
s:ed. The second is the large-leaved Viroflay, or,
as also called, Victoria, now well known in com-
merce, and one of the largest leaved and finest of
the various Spinach. The third is the Long-
stander, a very distinct form, the leaves being
stout, very green, rather rounded, and the plants
' less apt to Dolt off to flower than either of the
others. Now, does The Carter differ from
either of these ? If so, then let us see it growing
at Chiswick, that its merits may be widely
known. Anything new and distinct is ever wel-
comed, if it be also good ; but praising old things
under new names is rather trying. — A. D.

Pea Autocrat. — In a season when many
vegetables have failed it is well to note the merits
of any good variety. Autocrat has been most
useful, as the crop was a full one, and though our
soil is very light, the quality was excellent. For
some years I have grown the above, and I have
advised others to do so in these pages, and the
longer I grow it the more useful I find it, my
only objection to it in the past being its price. Now,
Autocrat is within everyone's reach, and a grand
mid-season or late variety it is. It is not unlike
Ne Plus Ultra in colour, with the same good
(jualities. It is of a robust growth, which en-
ables it to resist di'ought and mildew. It should
be sown thinly to get good results, and then there
is a grand crop. I use it for July and August
supplies, and though the latter sowings have
turned in earlier than needed, owing to the heat
and drought, there is no lack of pods and of the
b3St variety. " W. S." (p. 118) notes that Auto-
crat has done well with him. — G. Wvthes.

The yellow Turnip. — In few gardens are
Turnips sent to the kitchen of good quality, say
f'om .January to May. This is owing to many
of our white-fleshed varieties getting too coarse
in rich garden soil and not standing the winter
well. In the northern parts of the country there
is less difficulty, as the yellow-fleshed varieties
are in constant demand all the year round. If

anyone interested in the market supply in our
large northern towns attempted to grow white
varieties he would ha\'e a poor sale. The yellow-
fleshed kinds are more solid, and I consider them
superior in quality to many of our white kinds.
Doubtless, for early sjiring sowing the white va-
rieties are superior, being earlier ; but for suc-
cession crops and for winter supplies the yellow-
fleshed are more useful, as they remain solid
longer. One yellow variety I grew last season
stood drought splendidly. I had it under the name
of Green Top Yellow .Scotch, and although the
white varieties soon got hot and tough, this va-
riety, with a longer tap-root, was excellent and
did not run. I am aware climate in a measure is
answerable for the excellent qualities of the yel-
low varieties, and I may add soil also. There is
no lack of really good yellow varieties ; the Orange
.Telly, Yellow Perfection, Yellow Malta and
Debbie's Golden Ball— the last a splendid type for
present sowing — are all good and worth a trial
where winter Turnips are required in ((uantity.
Even in warm soils for storing, or a winter crop
to remain where sown, the yellow varieties are
less injured by wet or frost. A sowing made now
and another a month lience will give roots from
October to March, oi' later. Huge roots are not
needed, but medium-sized, or even small for the
latestsupply. Whefe Turnips are stored, it is much
better to place in the open, with just enough
co\'ering to keep out frost, as when placed in a
warm store they grow out and soon become
flavourless. \\'hen sown in autumn the seeds
soon germinate in moist soil. For keeping till
spring I advise a later sowing. — G. W. S.

Feeding Asparagus.— Many take care to
supply a liberal quantity of artificial manure,
salt, and so on to their Asparagus beds in the spring
months, while growth is small and new roots are
comparatively few in number, but entirely neg
lect them after the grass gets a fair height
during August. But this is just the time
when the roots can assimilate plenty of food,
there Ijeing an abundance of roots working near
the surface. It can, with a little care and trouble,
be spread broadcast over the surface of the beds
in spite of the abundance of top growth, and if a
little salt is mixed with the manure it will destroy
any young seedling weeds that may spring up
after the rains, for nothing looks worse than an
accumulation of weeds and rubbish when the
beds are mown over in autumn, to say nnthino- of
the impoverishment by such things.— .J. C.

ONIONS.

A coTTAiiEK who hardly ever fails to secure good
crops of Onions was this year rather puzzled as
to the cause of some of the plants going off when
about one-fourth grown. The disease, as he
termed it, appeared for the first time last year.
On pulling up some of the affected bulbs I found
that the roots were nearly all decayed, but
an examination with the pocket lens failed to
reveal any signs of disease or insect pests ;
the roots seemed simply to have withered
away. I found that, contrary to his usual
practice, this man had not roughly dug his
ground in winter, but had waited until spring
had then dug it in the usual manner, sow
ing the seeds right away. In this waj' the soil
had not been exposed to the sweetening influences
of frost and wind, and, although naturally lio-ht,
was too close and sour for the roots to work freely
in. It is well to ridge up ground intended for
Onions early in the winter, so that every particle
of the top spit is subjected to atmospheric in-
fluences in the winter season, as Onion seed
should where the niaggot is troublesome be sown
in February. The cottager above referred to
sows, if possible, early in the month, and I have
not in twenty years seen a bad crop of Onions in
that garden, although the locality is much in-
fested with the grub. It would seem that, with
the soil in a very sweet condition at sowing time
and an early start, the young plants get too large
for the grub to injure much. If the soil is al-

lowed to remain untouched through the earl\
winter months, unless February is remarkabl;
fine, theie is no chance of thoroughly sweetenin;
it before March, and after a wet winter it is fre
quently the enfl of that month before it is real!
in a fit condition for the reception of seeds. 1
the roots cannot work fi-eely in the soil from th
time they appear above ground, they are liabl
to come into a stunted condition in a time of hea
and drought later on. When the plants ge
checked in this way they are almost certain t
fall a prey to the maggot in districts where thi
prevails. J. C. B.

Potato Sharpe'd Vict jr.— My sead Potato:
are always well greened. At lifting time they ai
laid out nil an asplialte walk for a week or fortnigl
if favourable. Then they are put into shaUow boxe;
st od in an open thed, and kept as cool and given i
much liaht as possible until planting time. 1 plai
Sharpe's Victor as early in Febrinry as I can. As sri
as tlie tops are through the ground 1 stick Pea rods in
slanting direction amongst them, and itis very seldo
frost does them any harm.— T. CoCKEBILL.

Feeding Seakale. — Those who force .Seaka
and rely upon home-grown roots will find th.
much finer crowns are obtained by feeding free
at this season. I find that after prolonged he
and drought, with the rainfall there is such
liberal growth. Food given now is of great vali
in swelling up the crowns and furnishing fuU-sizi
crowns for forcing. Sewage in a diluted form
an excellent food. Failing this, liquid manu
from stables is a grand fertiliser, as this latt
contains saline matter which is good for t
plants. Nitrate used now is specially goo
and as a tojj-dressing at the rate of 3 cwt. p
acre is one of the best and cjuickest acting foo '
we have. Nitrate of soda is of special value
poor soils, used before growth is too far advance i
and if used in wet or showery weather its effc '
is soon seen. Fish manure is a valuable food wh j
moisture can be given to wash the food into t ,
soil. This manure mixed with nitrates or sulpht >
of potash is one of the best fertilisers, but giv
alone is of great value applied at the rate |
5 cwt. per acre. Seakale often suffers in d I
seasons, and unless moisture is given freely grow '
is checked, and for plants grown for open air su '
plies food given now is of great \alue in buildi I
up strong crowns. — S. M.

Planting winter and spring vegetables.

Gardeners and others are often perplexed as
the best course to pursue with their young Co ,
wort and Cabbage plants in hot, dry autumr (
being afraid to transplant on account of the c
treme drought. In such seasons the great adva
tage of sowing thinly and thinning out the see |
lings freely when (juite sm.all is seen, as even i
left until slightly larger than ordinary plantin
out size they take little harm ; whereas wh( '
crowded toj^ether they must go out or be spoile ■
Much may be done to help on the young plan ,
after removal by a little timely preparation, sue
for instance, as drawing out good deep drills tl
day previous to planting and filling them wi
water several times. If the ground is fairly deij
and in good heart this will usually suttice, b'j
where the reverse is the case the plan adopted 1 [
some with their Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, aij
Kales of making a thick paste of clay and wat
and dipping the roots in previous to plantingm!
be practised even in August and September.^
good deal of trouble in transplanting such thinjl
as Lettuces which are intended for cutting in ear.
winter in the open border is saved by sowing whe)
they are to remain, and merely thinning outtotl
required distances. In large gardens where extij
large quantities are required this plan, of coursi
would not answer, but in gardens of limited siij
the case is dittierent. I find Coleworts sown on
north border are doing far better in every wa
than those occupying a west or even an eas
aspect, and the plants will doubtless lift mucj
better. Of course, wherever practicable it i|
always advisable to plant immediately after rair
J. "C.

AncusT 28, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

157

Flower Garden.

THE Ol'LTl'HE (»F CALOCHORTF.

ALO('HiiiiTi arc natives of a vast regie m in
orth America, stretching from far east of the
.ocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, and
•oni Nortliern Rlexico to Hritisli America,
'rom tlie sea-coast and islands they grow from

di'liris are respectively the chosen homes nf cer-
tiiin species. Several choose the blackest and
stickiest of clay.s. Dne is found in salt mea-
dows and many in grassy meadows. In

The Cultivation

of the species, it is only to bo expected that ex-
perience will vary much. I have at dill'erent
times tried nearly every known species in many

Flmcers of the rarer Mariposa Lilies,

•00 feet to i»UI)l) feet altitude on the peaks. ]
)me are natives of the intensely hot deserts of
)uthern California and Arizona, and some
ow in tlie moist meadows of Oregon in a
.mate differing but little from that of England.
Montiina and other states of the iidand
gion the species indigenous there have to bear
low a temperature as 40' below zero. In the
ils in which tliey naturally gi-ow there is as
uch diversity. Clay, sand, loam and rocky

soils and situations. The winter climate of
Ukiah is quite wet, with the thermometer often
at 20° to 24°, and sometimes as low as 15° above
zenj. • )ften the Calochorti leaves are frozen
till they crackle, but I have never known any in-
jury to result. In spring there is abundant
rain until their Howering time. Our mid-
summer is perfectly dry. Perfect drainage
is the first es.sential to success. A well-
drained soil is best for all sorts. Mr.

Wallace, in his notes on their culture, has
prnpiM-ly outlined the be.st tre.-itmeiit in this
res]iect. My experience more and more empha-
sizes the fact tliat no success with them need
be expected unless drainage is good. More
failures can be attril)uted to f.-uilty drainage
than to anything el.se. In the growth of
Calochorti I connnenced with the idea that the
nearer 1 imitated the natural .soil the better.
The latter idea is a mistake. I have tried
many soils. Their home is in a mountiiinous
region where a gre.at variety of soils is obtain-
alile. I have gradually come to the use of
three mixtures. Along our river banks there is
a winter dejjosit of .sandy silt. This is excel-
lent Calochortus soil, but not .so good as the
next. I find the best results follow from the
use of about (me half half-rotten spent tan
bai'k with one half sandy or clay lo.am. The
tan bark ruts slowly and gives a loose, well-
drained soil, which will not p.-ick. This suits
all Calochorti and gives a s[ilendid bloom and
firm, well-ripened bulbs. For English growers
many .substitutes will occur. 1 know of but ime
disease to which Calochorti are subject. This
is a mildew, the " Lily leaf ash." It
attacks them in the spring, just before tile
flowering stalk appears. It; attacks the leaf
tissue, and in a week entirely destroys
the leaf and injures the bulb. In their
susceptibility to the attacks of the fungus
Calochorti vary greatly. All of the species
having a single glossy radical leaf, such
as the C. albus, C. elegans, C. nitidus, and C.
Weedi possess, are entirely free from its attacks
excepting that C. Weedi is rarely touched. This
includes all of the Star Tulips and the C. nitidus
gr(ju|). Of the Maripo.sa group proper, C.
luteus, C. Vesta, C. venustus var. purpm'ascens
and C venustus var. citrinus are exem[)t, C.
luteus var. aculeatus and the Eldorado C. venus-
tus are nearly so, with C. cla\'atus, while all of
the desert species, such as C. splendens, C.
Kennedyi, C. Palmeri, C. Gunnisoni, C. Nut-
talli, C. macrocarpus, and C. fiexuosus are sub-
ject to it, some as C. Kennedyi to such an
extent as to make their successful culture very
near hopeless unless some cure can be found for
this mildew.

I have planted hundreds of good C. Kennedyi
l)ulbs, have had them come up and make a
splendid leaf and root growth through the
winter and early spring, ami yet have never
flfiwered one. I notice that there is a great
difference in the degree to which lots of Calo-
chorti from different localities are affected by
this mildew. I believe that there is reason to
hope that strains of each variety may be
discovered which to a large extent will not
suffer from it. Thus the beautiful Calochortus
venustus var. roseus is very much injured l)y it,
while the very similar Eldorado venustus is but
little troubled, and C. Vesta not in the least.

While the amateur may prefer to try all
sorts and get his experience for himself, I be-
lieve that the ordinary grower will appreciate a-
list of the

Best Grow'ees

among the Calochorti, as well as a collection
representing all sections of the genus. For
such I would recounnend the follciwing : —

In the globular-flowered Star Tulips, C. albus,
white, C. pulchellus, yellow, and C. auKcnus,
rose-coloured, are all thrifty and be.iutiful.
Among the open-cupped Star Tulips, C. Ben-
thami, in yellow, and C. Maweanus var. major
are the best. There is, however, a race of
giant Star Tulips, sturdy |)lants 9 inches to
1(5 inches high, with large flowers of the .same
delicate style as JIaweanus, which, although
rare now, will soon quite displace the smaller

158

THE GARDEN".

[August 28, 189

ones. These arc C. apiculatus, straw-coloured,
C. Greenei, blue, and C. Howelli, yellow. C.
lilacinus, a lavender-coloured sort, is a splendid
grower and very desirable. In the next section,
C. nitidus is a tine hardy and very beautiful plant,
combining the attributes of Star Tulip and
Mariposa. In the C. Weedi set, C. Pluiniiiene
is best. Nearly all of the C. splendens group
are subject to mildew ; C. splendens var. atro-
violaceus seems the hardiest. (_)f the C. venus-
tus, tlie true Butterfly Tulips, C. Vesta is by
far the best grower. It is a sort which has
great vitality, can be propagated very rapidly
by offsets (tliree or four a year), and grows well
in any well-drained soil. I saw a fine instance
of its comparative vigour in the garden of Mr.
Luther Burbank, of Santa Rosa, California. A
set of about a dozen s])ecies had been planted
in a bed of rich soil, with summer watering, two
years ago. Of the set, one C. Plummene, and
two C. venustus oculatus survived, but the row
of C. Vesta had quadrupled and showed a solid
mass of immense blooms. C. venustus yar
purpurascens is almost as good a grower, and
the two are by all odds the easiest Calochorti
to grow. C. venustus var. citrinus in lemcjn
is very thrifty, rather more so than C. venustus
oculatus in white, or the Eldorado strain in
all colours. C. Lyoni, C. splendens, C. Pahneri,
C. Gunnisoni, and C. Nuttalli are all subject to
the mildew. That grand plant C. clavatus is a
fine grower and much thriftier than the fore-
going. C. aureus, C. Kennedy i, C. flexuosus,
and V. Nuttiilli are apt to give little satisfac-
tion, beautiful as they are. C. macrocarpus is
in the same list. C. luteus var. concolor is
rather better, although not so good as clavatus.
C. luteus is a very thrifty little plant, but not
to be mentioned with C. venustus vai-. citrinus.

I have found that by very late planting I can
bring soi-ts to flower which planted early invari-
ably succumb. I planted such species as C.
Nuttalli, C. Lyoni, C. splendens, and C. vemis-
tus roseus in February this season and had a
magnificent bloom. I had the same experience
a year ago. It would seem that when ])lanted
early they reach a standstill period in late
winter and cannot resist disease, while planted
late they are. in full growth at the critical
period. Cakl Purdy.

Ukiah, California, U.S.A.

Gypsophila paniculata.- A very nice point
was raised at the recent exhibition of the Midland
Carnation Society at Birmingham. There was a
class for floral arrangements or designs for a
dinner-table. Ferns or any other foliage may be
used, but Carnation and Picotee blooms only
allowed. There were seven of these tables, and
in most of them Gypsophila paniculata was em-
ployed. The question raised is a very nice one :
Was it in accordance with the schedule that
Gypsophila paniculata be used, seeing that the
schedule distinctly states " Carnation and Picotee
blooms only '! " The matter came before me as
the superintendent of the show, and I held that
the Cypsophila w-as employed solely as a light
and graceful-foliaged plant ; that from the floral
point of view it had no value whatever ; and as
its use had been permitted in the past, I should
allow it on that occasion. This \iew was held lij-
Mr. Robert Sydenham, and there was no dis-
qualification. At the same time I am free to ad-
mit that the Gypsophila is a flowering plant, that
it is shown as such in a collection of bunches of
perennials, and that it would be well if its use
were made permissive in the future in order to
prevent any objection being raised to its employ-
ment.— R. De.\n.

Improvement in Cactus Dahlias. — The
taste for iJahlias other than the lumpy masses of
colour of the old show varieties, as they are called,
has led to the production of the more useful and

Ijeautiful Cactus-shaped kinds. The transforma-
tion has been rapid when one thinks of the sorts
so popular even a few years back. But a season
or two ago it was thought that in Gloriosa,
Matchless, and the like a standard of excellence
had been reached which could not possiblj' be im-
proved upon. Who, however, that has the means
of comparison would now consider these the best
types ? The former looks heavy beside a variety
called Starfish, and the latter the same compared
with the newer Harry Stredwick. The grace and
lightness of formation lately gained are decided
advances, and when new shades of colour are
obtained with this desirable form, then indeed
there will be a race of lovely Dahlias. It is
pleasing to note size has not been the leading
point. To my mind, if a Cactus Dahlia measures
much over 4 inches in diameter it becomes heavy.
Another noticeable trait in the newer kinds is
the habit of throwing their blossoms out on long
wiry stems. Shortness of the flower-stem detracts
from the merits of many otherwise beautiful sorts
— Delicata, Lad_y Penzance, Countess of Radnor,
for example. The growth of the plants in the
later sorts is an advance in its healthy, bushy
character. We require more freedom of flowering
in some instances, or rather every flower should
come double. This is not the case yet with too
many varieties which exhibit an eye or disc in the
centre if not severely disbudded. Earl of Pem-
broke is a perfect type in the matter of free
flowering. — H. S.

Carnation Carolus Duran. — In his Carnation
notes from Woking, "H. S." (p. 1"25) mentions
having been much disappointed with the above
Carnation, which he, presumably, met with for
the first time in the collection under notice.
Evidently there was something radically wrong
with the plants in question, for, whatever may be
its faults, Carolus Duran is one of the healthiest
growers and best formed flowers among ajiricot-
coloured Carnations. Its shade of colour is not
so striking as that of Mrs. Reynolds-Hole, but for
all that it is distinctly pleasing. In season it is
later than the majority of summer Carnations,
and onlj' comes on as the others are getting over ;
indeed, it is with me now (August 18) at its best,
and will go on flowering for weeks to come. In
habit it resembles the more moderate growers
among the Tree Carnations, as it grows about 2J
feet high and flowers all up the sides of the main
stems. The flowers are very full, and a burst
calyx is very rareh" met with on a healthy plant,
excejjt when it has been very se\'erel3' dis-
budded, which it resents. I would not have
troubled you with this defence of an old favourite
had I not so often praised ic in your pages. 1
must say, however, that I think "H. S." has
based his objections on very slight knowledge of
the variety, and that it is not quite fair to con-
demn a valuable border Carnation on the strength
of a failure to bring out its best points under ])ot
cultivation. Let " H. S." grow it in big groups
in the border where he can cut it by the armful
at a time with stems a foot or more in length, and
I feel sure that he will then neither condemn its
growth, form, nor colour. This seems to me the
only true way to judge the qualities of a border
Carnation.— J. C. Tall.vck.

Mosaic culture in the Fatherland. — The

tiermans are good planters, and tlieir town gardens
are very gracefully arranged, but when they come
to the phase of btdding-out called mosaiculture
the effect is appalling in its ugliness and stupidity.
Thi« lioime hoiiche is reserved for the very be-t
positions in often charming cities and well-plantei
parks, and i< put down in front of the finest
buildingp, ar.d as a centre-piece of the garden art
in the parks at fashionable " baths " like Homburg
and Wiesbaden. Ic is never pralty in colour as
a whole as seen at midsummer, the plants mostly
being of a sicklj- puipU or other ugly colour,
and any form and freedom of growth the plants
might naturally show are cut down, as in our
own case, by the scissors and fingers. A flowtr
gardener who is ambitious of competing in design
with the poorest kind of carpet-makers may find
man\' designs as lia'd and median 'cal as could be

imagined, but dissociated wholly from true a
To those who think this a matter of taste, we s
no ; the error of it should be a matter of commc
sense. These designs are wrong, ugly, and oft
ridiculous, because the designer thinks of patter
and not of form and beauty, and forgets he
dealing with living things. The garden e
is degraded when we resort to conventional co
Ijlexities, which are light enough on flit surfic
lika panels, carpets, and pavement. The peoi
who produca these — amang the best of which '
the cloitonns work of the Jajjinsse — cot
do nothing better with such surface*, but the g:
dener deals with living things, often more beautil
in their natural forms than anything made by mi
The only result got Idv putting plants in su
mosaic is masses of colour, which could be f
better gnt by grouping and massing in natui
waye. — Field.

CARNATIONS AT BOOKHAM.

The collection of choice border Carnations in t
Edenside Nursery of Mr. James Douglas, at Gre
Bookham, is perhaps the most complete of
kind. A year ago Mr. Douglas had some thi
long houses devoted to his favourite flow
These in the short space of twelve months wt
found inadequate for the accommodation of fort
coming no\ cities, and a new house about 100 f(
in length and 18 feet wide has been built duri
the present summer expressly for the novelties
all sections. Tlie novelties alone are a wonderl
lot, the spacious house being filled from end
end, each kind arranged in one huge block. Wi
cannot fail to strike one on seeing this remarkal
set of novelties is the size of blossom, with vigo ,
and robust constitution, that prevails. Especia! i
is this so in the j'ellow ground and fancy kin(
which are increasing in favour every year. 1
deed, it would be difficult to concei\ e anythi:
more handsome in its way than Voltaire, rais '
by Mr. Martin Smith and distributed a year aj
A similarly high standard prevails throughout.

In the yellow grounds there are several novc i
ties for this year, all of great merit. Badmint i
is particularly good, handsome in form and s
of blossom, the petals well formed and of a cle
yellow, with a deep red margin. Empress Eugft
is considered one of the very best of its kind, ai
is a most distinct flower with rose edge. Uervi
has a primrose ground and a margin of lilac-ros
this is one of the largest flowers. JSIiss Ah
Mills, raised b}' Dr. Colby Sharpin, is an exce
tional flower, most beautiful in form, deep rii
yellow, and margined with rich scarlet. Anoth
kind, Stanley Wrightson (Douglas), has larg
massive flowers and heavy scarlet edge, whi
among the general collection, Ladas, Mr. Nig(
perhaps the most remarkable of all ; Mrs. Dougla
a beautifully refined flower ; Xerxes, Voltair
already noted ; Golden Eagle, a fine deep coloun
ground ; and Eldorado were conspicuous.

Selfs are a more numerous class as also a stror
and important one, and generally in demam
Among these we noted some especially eoc
scarlets, foremost among them being Lady Hinuli]
a brilliant and striking flower of the richest scarle
with petals of exceptional form and substanC'
Lamplighter is another very fine bright scarle
clear and good, while Mrs. McRae is of darki
hue and said to be an improvement upon Hayi
scarlet in colour. Belladonna and Boadicea ai
both high-coloured flowers, the latter especiall
vigorous. Garrick is quite distinct, a rich rub;
red, while the form is all one could desire. No
is certainly the darkest yet raised, in colour a
exceptionally dark maroon -crimson, while tb
flower in form is well nigh faidtless. In the pin
and salmon-pink shades there are some specialll
good things, at the head of which we must plac.
Endymion, a really magnificent Carnation, i>\
cpiisite both in form and colour, and of a level I
salmon-|jink shade, ilay Yohe is very pleasin,
in a shade of reddish-pink, the flowers sweetlyfr8|
grant and very handsome in form, while the growt
is strong and vigorous withal. Scarcely an]
Carnation can surpass Regatta, more particular!.

AoofST 2S, 1897.

THE OATJOElSr.

159

its iierfectly neat form, while tlic rose-pink of its
wei* renders it in this respect most pleiisini;,
d Minervii, a elear deep ])ink well, up to ex-
>ition standard so far as its fnll llowers and tine
uits are eonccrned, completed the most worthy
this ever-important shade of nolonr.
In the shades of llesh, Ibis and Cassandra -which
also a late llowerin;^ variety, and for this reason
th incUidinjr in every selection— are con-
icuous. iMpially so is the lovely Lady Nina

Calochortus fuscus. {See p. 157.)

} Ifour, a blush or pale peach shade, and a flower
t considerable merit, though not a noveltj' of the
.sent year ; indeed, it is freely fjrown in
tbern districts, and that deservedly. In the
» lewhat rare shade of cinnamon there are but
', therefore Mrs. Colby Sharpin is doubly wel-
eiie for its exquisite rich shade of this colour
ul for its superb form. This variety has olj-
t led the highest possible honours as a show
lU'er, and makes a conspicuous object even
aongthe hast of meritorious things at Bookh.am.
.('other conspicuous novelty is that named Jlrs.
Joes Douglas, which Mr. Douglas regards as
' ie best Carnation he has yet raised." The
c jur is rich carmine-rose, the flowers large and
oijerfect form: indeed, as we recently saw it,
t. flowers were handsome in tlie extreme. Pure
w te kinds are not numerous in this collection
tli year, and Mr. .Martin Smith's new Silver
S|an(l may be taken as the best of these.

lie above is far from a complete list, even of
novelties to be seen at Edenside, for some
i<ds,_ as yet in insuflicient numbers for dis-
tuution, are nece.ssarily omitted here. Adjoin-
II the house of new varieties is another of equal
si , and equally meritorious for the ricli col-
le ion it contains. Here, again, the fancy kinds,
a-'.lso the yellow ground varieties, were in strong
If :e, which, with the selfs— mostly the novelties
OU year ago —make a most sumptuous feast of
tl Carnation. In the open nursery a large space
islevoted to seedlings, many very flne, «hile
tl >e that even bear a mark for further trial are
VI f few and far between. E. J.

ar.d I have not been at all sueccs.sful with it.
I was in a neighbour's garden the other day when
1 siwa p'ant of it with a y hole .sheaf of flowers
open. No particular pa'ns had been taken with
its culture, and 1 can rnly imagine when it is
now so constantly raised from seed that the
seedlings vary in "tUs (pudity of free flowering,
and that mv friend had got one of the best
of them. 1 liave tried with my own phnts the
\arious plans which have been suggested
in Thk (J.^rdbn for inducing it to flower f'eely,
but in vain. As is usual in most directions
about culture, you get the most varied re-
commendations, and I can only conjecture that
.soil and situation liave induced growers to make
these recoininenilations. One says, do nr,t disturb
the plants at all, while another says, iiuU theji'anis
to pieces. Botli [jUuis have been e([ual'y inetteetual
witli mc. — D.

Iceland Poppies.— .\t page 1'27 " R. D." has
a note on these showy and useful flowers, recom-
mending them for table decoration. When grace-
fully and hghtfully arranged with (Jypsophila or
some light grasses, few things can surpass them
on the dinner table or in vases. The white and
yellow or orange blend well, or they have a charm-
ing effect arranged separately, lasting fairly well
when cut and placed in water at once. The}' are
not amongst the best things for sending to a dis-
tance, not travelling well unless special care is
taken in jiacking. A little care is needed in rais-
ing the [ilants, a shaded position and siiecially {.re-
parcd bed being best, sowing in May or June and
transplanting in early autumn for next summer's
flowering. They are capital subjects for mixing
in the herbaceous border. — J. C.

feuchara sanguinea.— We are continually
'ling complaints of this not being free flowering.

NOTES ON LILIES.

There is one family of plants which persistently
asserts itself at this season of the year, viz., the
Lilies. Here, for instance, is a grand spike of
that most valuable acquisition Liliinn Henryi,
the stem from G feet to 7 feet high, crowded
with a cluster of brilliant orange-coloured
flowers copiously spotted with dark cliocolate-
brown. This, which is in truth both in struc-
ture and form an orange-coloured speciosuni, is
likely to become one of our most pojiular Lilies;
it has a grand constitution and is perfectly
hardy. Some of the Lilies are, of course, past,
but many of them have done exceptionally
well, as, for example, Lilium candidum, and
yet we are hearing continual complaints of its
failure. I had a visit the other day from my
neighbour, the poet laureate. He somewliat
envied the condition of my bulbs, and said that
he had lo.st all of his ; yet, midway between
him and me there are some cottagers' gardens
on the brow of the hill, facing due south, with a
hot, sandy soil, and there the plants are more
vigorous than my own, the stems being between
4 feet and 5 feet high and crowned with a pro-
fusion of large, well-formed flowers, so that,
considering what a dry season we have had and
the position of these bulbs, I cannot resist the
conclusion that we cannot grow them in too dry
and warm a situation. These plants receive no
sort of care, are never watered, and yet, as I
have said, they are full of life and vigour.
There is another white Lily about whose hardi-
ness I am not quite sure, although some
growei's assert that it is perfectly hardy. I
mean Lilium philippinense. In form I think it
is one of the most elegant of the longiHorum
typo of Lilies, the tube being nearly a foot long
and very elegantly shajied. Its habitat would
at flrst siglit seem to throw a doubt on its
hardiness, but, although found in the Philip-
pine Islands, it grows at an elevation of
HOdtl feet, and so may probably bo like some of
the plants found in East Africa, perfectly
hardy ; it is very dwarf, and, if h.-irdy, will do
admirably for the front of any l)ed. There is

another well-known Lily which has been
exceptionally good this year, viz., Lilium
cru.si'ieevnii, or as the older generatiims always
called it, l.sabellinum, a name which seemed to
indicate its hybrid origin. It is very easily
grown, and I am often surprised that a plant at
once so stately and so beautiful is not more
widely u.sed ; its apricot-coloured flowers are
very attractive. Liliuin Leichtlini has flowered
very well with nie tliis year, and is certainly a
very ]ileasing flower, but it does not seem to
h.-ive a very strong constitution ; I have fre-
quently lost it, but this yc.'ir it seems to have
done very well indeed. Lilium superbuni, or
the Swamji Lily, as it is sometimes called, has
had a hard time of it in this dry weatlier ; my
jilants are alive and flowering well, althougli
those who have been accustomed to see it 0 feet
or iS feet high will hardly recognise it in mj
dwarf plants.

A CHARMING EFFECT.

RiiEXH viRi:iNi('.\ and the distinct Muhlenbeckia
complexa are now both at their best out of doors.
The above heading was suggested by an acci-
dental mixture of a wild sort. Nothing, as it
struck me at first— and I have been many a time
to look at the beautiful lilend — could be more
charming. The Muhlenbeckia is well known as
having a resemblance to a climbing or sprawling
mass of Maiden-hair Fern with black stems and
fawny green foliage. If there is anything by
which it can climb as a twiner it climbs, otherwise
it runs rapidly on the surface and becomes a
eaijital foil for any sort of short, late summer-
flowering jilant or bulb, espeeiall}- the Colehi-
cums. In the present case the Rhexia had been
placed near some strong plants which had covered
the ground, and now the Rhexia has come through
and at a stature of 9 inches is mingling its clus-
ters of big ro.sy carmine flowers with the more
sombre hue of the creeper. But the brightest of
touch of colour is given by the curly filaments of

Calochortus flavus. (Sec p. 15/.)

the sheeny flowers of the Rhexia: they are of the
brilliant golden yellow that almost seems to turn
twilight to sunlight. I try to be a contented
man, but I wish 1 had the space and other means
to make up a big grou]) of these plants to light
up the garden in the latter half of August, when,
as we well know, there is a great want of bright-
ness.

The Muhlenbeckia will grow almost anywhere,
but a sheltered nook is advisable, as the severest

160

THE GARDEN.

[August 28, 1897.

winters have been known to kill it. The Rhexia
has special requirements. The bed should be
sunken so us to get yjlenty of moisture, the soil
well decayed peat or leaves, and, of course, as it
further decays and settles, should be replenished
with fresh mulchings. This plan will very «ell
suit the tubers of the K-hexia, as the younger
ones often come near the surface than would
otherwise l:e good for them in keen frosts. To
grow these two plants together as indicated, the
creeper, of course, would get the same sort of
black soil, and this would do well, because the
foliage would be all the more luxuriant, as it
should be, for showing off flowers of such high
colour as those of the Rhexia. J. Wood.

Woodvillt, Kirkstall.

SHORT ^^OTES.— FLOWER.

Cactus Dahlia Princess Ena is one of the

newest varieties. The colour is a striking shade of
amber, the blooms of medium size, full and nicely
formed, the petals narrow and pointed, and the habit of
the plant dwart. It is, in fact, one of the shortest in
my collection. — H. S.

Cactus Dahlia Mrs. Frances Fell.— I am
not at all pleased with this variety, althougli much
has been said of its merits. It is supposed to be white,
but the blooms here are dirty in colour and very heavy
in build. The Cactus form, too, is absent, and the
long ungainly flower-stems do not add to the beauty
of the plant. — H.

Cactus Dahlia Charles 'Woodbridge.—
This variety was introduced last year, but I only saw
ore flower of it at the Dahlia show. It is unquestion-
ably the best of its colour, and indeed one of the most
perfect sorts yet raised. Its colour is crimson, with a.
purple glow. This is most vivid and rich. It is dwarf
in growth and has particularly tine foliage. — S.

Cactus Dahlia Bridesmaid.— This is a de-
cided improvement, being a distinct and most deli-
cately tinted kind. It has a primrose-yellow ground,
tinped with rose, and in form the blooms are perfect.
The plant is sturdy, throwing the flowers up on long
stems, unlike the older variety of somewhat similar
tints, Delicata. A Dahlia bloom which is hidden
amongst leaves, however pretty itself, is useless
either for cutting or as a showy obiect in the garden.
— H,

Cactus Dahlia Fusilier is about the best of
last season's novelties, and it is one of the earliest
to bloom this year. The shape and colour (coral-
pink) are beautiful. I find the buds recpiire
thinning, the plant producing more than can de-
velop perfectly. Its blossoms are thrown well
away from the lea^■es. — H.

Pompon Dahlia Zoar. — This is a charming
little flower, perfect in shape and delicate in com-
bination of lemon and pink. Apart from its blos-
soms which come most alnindantly is the dwarf
habit of the jdant. It does not reach 2 feet in
height. Anyone desiring a bold and pretty group
will do well to make a note of this little-known
variety.

Cactus Dahlia Harry Stredwick. — This is
a very dark crinisoncoloured variety of much
merit. In form it may be classed among the
best types. The blooms are produced on long
foot-stalks ; therefore they are not hidden by the
leaves — a fault of not a few otherwise beautiful
kinds. The plant is of medium height and has
stout foliage. — H.

Cactus Dahlia Starfish is a tine new
variety. The blooms ha\e the narrow ]iointed
and twisted petals so much admired in this class.
The colour is a vivid scarlet. Its flowers are full
and borne very freely, whilst the habit of growtli
is all that can be desired. The raiser describes
it as being the most perfect of Cactus Dahlias,
and I think it well deserves this recommendation.
— H.

Cactus Dahlia Matchless. — Few Dahlias are
more admired than this almost black variety.
One of its chief merits is the abundance of blooms
each ])lant gives. My plants are literally covered
with flowers and they form striking objects. One
can scarcely point out an improvement in a

Dahlia of this shade of colour, although time may
bring a kind with less flat and heavy-looking
petals. — H.

Orchard and Fruit Garden,

MILDEW ON VINES.

Eight Vines in my vinery are badly covered
with mildew and to a less extent with what I
believe is ru.st. Early in July, or perliaps it
was in .June, there was a little mildew, and I
gave the gardener sulphur. I was then away
from home for several weeks, and on returning
found leaves and bunches of Grapes all thickly
covered with mildew. The gardener says it is
too bad to be dealt with. The Vines are
Black Hamburgh, Alicante, and two white
kinds. They have done well for twenty-five to
thirty years. What is the cause, and what the
remedy ?— H. D. R.

*j(.* Mildew is very bad in many vineries this
season, but it is to be hoped there are few such
cases as above described, or where it is thought
the Vines are not worth restoring to a healthy
condition. If the Vines owaied by " H. D. R."
are feeble and the young growth promises to
ripen indifl'erently, then it might probably be
the most economical in the end to root them
out, and also to remove the whole of the border,
a thorough cleansing of glass, woodwork (this
should be painted), walls, including the founda-
tions, being followed by the formation of a new
border and the planting of young A'ines. This
would mean a considerable amount of work and
expense, and entail the loss of a supply (jf
Grapes for one season only. Vnies from
twenty-five to thirty years old need not neces-
sarily ))e worn out, and if those under notice
have formed moderately strong lateral growth
and the wood promises to rijien .satisfactorily,
these might be restored to a healthier, profit-
able state next season, only a few traces of
mildew being observable. In this case there
would not be a loss of crop. If this is the line
decided to be taken, an attempt should be
made to check the progress of the mildew at
once. Supposing the bunches now hanging are
worthless, all ought to be cut and the Vines
freely syringed with some mildew sijecitio,
diluted and applied as advised by the vendors,
repeating the application a week or ten days
later. It must be understood that if these mil-
dew specifics touch sound bunches they will
greatly disfigure them, and they should not,
therefore, be recklessly used by other readers
who may be troubled with mildew on their
Vines. In all instances where mildew is on the
Vines, but the bunches are worth saving, its
progress may be arrested by sulphur fumes
generated by means of the hot- water pipes.
Paint the latter with a mixture of flowers of
sulphur and skimmed milk, close the house
after sunset, and make the pipes as liot as
possible. The fumes ought to be almost un-
bearivble to anyone going into the house, other-
wise they will not be effective. If applied when
there are no berries to crack, the house may be
shut up in the daytime and the temperature
raised to 130° for a slioi t time with advantage.

Vines rooting into new soil are usually in the
most profitable condition, and a fresh width of
border would benefit " H. D. R. 's" Vines
greatly. This part of the work of renovation
o\ight to commence soon, or while yet there is
time for the new soil to become partly occupied
by roots before the leaves cease their functions.
Fork away all the old border u]) to within a
yard or so of the stems of the Vines, preserving
the bulk of the roots unearthed and further

removing the surface of that portion of tli
border saved so as to bare the roots. It is ni
necessary to completely form a new border th:
autumn, but a width should be added to ho]
the old roots after they have been freely prunes
and the rest added piecemeal in later years. ^
particular mixture is absolutely necessary, bi
fresh fibrous loam from an old pasture is vei
desirable, chopping this up roughly and addin
a sprinkling of wood ashes, mortar rubbisl
nearly fresh Ina-se manure and half-inch bone.
Failing turf, the border may be formed with
mixture of fresh loam and garden soil in equ;
parts, with enough mortar rubbish, "bun
bake " and horse manure to keep it porous i
after years, the other essentials being supplit
by some special Vine manures used at the rah
advised by the vendors. The portion of cj
border sliould be top-dressed with a rich mi
ture of soil and mainires of the character ju
described, and neither this nor the new soilco
taining old roots regularly distributed throuj
it must be allowed to become dry for the ne:
twelve months at least.

The imprcjved root-action, which is certain
follow a change of soil, wOl aid the Vines
ward of}' disease and insect attacks, and large
contribute to the production of greatly improvf
crops. At the .same time it nmst not be whol
relied upon to keep mildew ofl'. When tl
Vines are at rest and have been duly prune
the rods should be cleared of loose bark, n
severely scraped, and following this with
scrubbing with hot, soapy water prior to dres '
ing with Gishurst compound applied accordii
to instructions given on each box, and, failii
this, flowers of sulphur may be freely ruljbed
with a soapy brush. A few disease germs m
escape all this painting, white- washing, scru ,
bing and change of soil, and if the first ti:
patches of mildew that show on the leaves a
overlo(jked they will quickly spread all overt
Vines again. A close look-out must therefc
be kept in the sjiring, and any small patch
found be at once either coated with fresh flows
of sulphur or be damped with diluted mild)
specific applied with a sponge. A rush of on
air admitted through front ventilators on
bright day in the sju-ing is liable to introdu
mildew, while a sluggish moist atmos]iliere
most conducive to its further spread. — W. I.

NEW STRAWBERRIES.
There is a long list of names at p. 127 of wh
may be termed new varieties, and even then wi
so long a list such kinds as La.xton's Leader, o:
of the best, I consider, and su|)erior to Monarc
is omitted ; also the newer Mentmore, a Strawber i
we shall hear more of. My object in adding
"I). T. F.'s" note is to give those a place he ove
looked, and I think he will pardon my remar.
if I do not set the same value on some that he do£
I have this year grown Leader in good numbei
and it is a \evy fine strawberry, well worthapla
in all selections for its crop and size. I am awa j
in gi\ing size as a recommendation I a|
on dangerous ground, but I have yet to leai'
why a good-sized fruit, if it is of good ((ualit;
should be condemned. I have never self
large fruits objected to. It is all ver3- well to co :'
denm size if quality is lacking; but I look up(
large Strawberries as a great boon to growers wl (
need Strawberries in qviantity, and I have nevil
heard any objection to a fine dish. " D. T. F. |
I am pleased to see, gives La.xton's Royal Sovereig|
a place among the new kinds. It is well deservir
of this on account of its forcing and open-a'
qualities. It will grow where others fail. 11
show my oj anion of its worth this year, [
have added another thousanil to my stock f('
forcing, as it is equallj' early as the Vicomtess
H. de Thury, and there is size with a heaviij
crop. Mentmore is a new variety of this yea;

Adgust 28, 1897.]

THE OATJDEN.

If)!

1(1 was ijiven ;in award oaily in June. Thi.'s i"*
valuable fruit, foUowini; Roval Sovereign. It is

a deep crini&on eoloiir, handsDiiie, and (if j^ood
lality. The j^trowtli is rolmst, and it is a line
ain-erop variety. Tiiis was raised by .Messrs.
ixton, who have others, new ones, wbii)i
U doubtless be heard of in time. Mentniore's
■rents were Noble and British Queen, and they
e well known, the one for free growth and size,
e other for (juality.

'1). T. F." names .Mr. Allan's valiuible seedlings
id the newer l.aily Suttield I have not grown
e last-named, but if ecjual to Lord Sulheld
will be valuable. Again, we have four from
r, Carmichael, and here my remarks must be
ief. I have only seen fruits once, and not
(1 the same opportunity of seeing growing
lints as " L). T. F." A great deal depends upon
owtli, as in some soils some vaiieties do not
rive. Veiteh's I'erfeetion has this season |iToved
•eally grand fruit, and though not large tliere is
ality. I trust it w-ill be found a free grower

what may be termed a bad Strawberry- soil.
note it is not recommended for foreing, and this
imporUmt, as growers will not be disappointed,
e have plenty whieli force. Another good point

Perfection is that it travels well. This, like
3St of the new .seedlings, claims British (jiueen

one of its parents, I have not noted the new
evens'Wonder, a fruitfentoutforforcingchiefly,
d another of more recent introduction, Early
ant, a very large fruit. Some of " D. T. F.'s "
mes I have no knowledge of. It may be urged
lit this great increase in numbers will lie
wildering. Soils vary so much that one season's
1 al must not condemn any new kind. 1 find

our light soil I mu-t grow young jilants, also
: just growers. JIany are in a position to give
: w varieties a trial, and these can give us

■ i result of their work. The Royal Horticultural
eiety devotee much time and space to trials,

■ lich are a great help to those who cannot grow
w things. G. Wythes.

TRANSPLANTING FRUIT TREES.
IE time is at hand when this work will have to
attended to. Large trees that have to be moved
< her from one house to another, or from the out-
! le to new structures need care, if a season's crop
not to be lost. On no account should the
ing be left until the leaves fall. It is much
Ittertobetoo early than too late, but as soon
t the foliage on the older wood is ripe no time
list be lost. New borders should be made some
Iv weeks in advance of lifting to gWe them time
t settle. The soil must be firmly packed, and in
list cases it is necessary to use a rammer, the
tl being fairly dry and not likely to clog. I
I k'e known growers recommend outside borders
1 ng left until planting time, because they are
1 ely to get soaked by autumn rains : but such a
in will not recommend itself to anyone who has
(served the etfect of loose borders, on young
tes more especially. If properly firmeil any
c linary rains will n(jt harm them, and should a
csrnpour occur it is easy to lay a few lioards
C old shutters over them to" throw off the
I'isture. According to my experience in
\'ious soils and different counties, I find
t : covering (juite unnecessary. For borders
csetohot, dry walls I find a greater depth of
si is required above the drainage than in any
t icription of peach house, where the borders are
iially wider and come in for more fre(iuent
listening. A depth of -J feet would be
a pie in either case were water supplied in
sKcient quantities as often as needed, but the
r ss of spring and summer work often causes
t3 to be neglected outside, and in such cases an
aiitional de|ith of (j inches is advisable. The
cipost suitable for Peaches has been often
acnbed in The Garden, and all I need say is,
t sure that plenty of lime is applied if this con-
8 ,uent IS not present in the soil. Less comjilaint
c the fruit dropping while stoning would be
tird if this were always attended to. Burnt
s I and charred garden refuse, too, are valuable

additions, but manure of any kind should lie
excluded. It is ea.sy enough to feed the trees
from the sui'facing found to lie nec(;ssary,
this, too, having the ell'ect of keeping tlie roots
well up. After carefully lifting each tree, any
long tbonglike roots may be shortened liack,
making a clean cut sloping upward, but all
small fibres must be carefully n^tained, and
damaged as little as possible. Bruised or twisted
roots must be cut back to where they are sound,
and as much soil as possible kept about the ball.
.■\ good soaking of water before lifting is necessary
should tlie soil be at all dry. Have a strong mat
or large bag ready spread out upon a liand-
liarrow to take the tree, and pull this up after-
wards, tying it around the stem to keeji the ball
of soil intact. Have the holes a foot larger every
way than the sixe of the ball, and after spreading
out the roots carefully with an upward slant,
eo\ er them with a little fine moderatelj' dry soil
befoie tilling in, laj'ing each tier out separately.
The upper tiers ought not to be more than
'2 inches under the surface, and when all is
finished and firmly trodden in, give a thorourdi
soaking of water to settle tlie soil round the small
roots. If the weather is very hot and sunny,
shading should be given both to trees outside ancl
under glass, but the less this is used the better.
Damp the trees overhead daily in dull weather,
and twice daily if bright, this serving to
keep the foliage fresh to the last, and ensur-
ing plumpness of the wood. With regard
to jjruning either of young or old trees,
no (jreater mistake is made in fruit growing than
cutting hard back, always provided that the
trees have been carefull3' lifted and planting not
unduly delayed. All that is needed is to remove
weak or badly ripened ends of shoots, and when
the time for disbudding comes round in spring,
if an3-thing unsuitable to produce fruitful wood
has been left, the shoots may be rubbed off and
the faulty wood subsequently removed. When
the shoots have finished u|i naturally with good
triple buds at the end it is simply ruinous to cut
them back. These few details carried out
carefully, the lifting of larger trees may be
safely attempted, and in most cases it may be
done without loss of crops. T.

MODERN GRAPE GROWING.
Without entering into the vexed question of
elaborate versus simple, inexpensive Vine
liorders, this paper would yet be incomplete
without some reference to that portion of
my subject. And here, let me add, that
what may be correct in the case of a jirivate
garden would, if attempted by a market grower,
be altogetlier wrong, because uncalled for and
far too expensive. When the bulk of Vine
roots are to be found in a half dead state, deep
down in a cold, water-logged soil, the value of
the crops produced is very low indeed. In an-
ticipation of this difficulty, it has long been the
fashion to excavate deeply both for the founda-
tion walls and for the borders, concrete floors,
aliundance of drainage, extra deep drains and
the like following as a matter of course. S(.)me
of these jirecautions are not quite unnecessary,
especially seeing that the Vines in private gar-
dens are supposed to remain in a productive
state for a long time, say from twenty-five to
fifty years. My sympathy is with numerous
gardeners who are not allowed to do what they
think best with Vines in an unprofitable state.
They must not think of rooting them out and
starting afresh, nor can they produce enough
fre.sh .soil for the purpose of ]iutting new life
into the stale borders, which the Vine roots take
every opportunity of escaping from. It is no
fanciful C(im])ost that Vines require, but what
tliey thrive in is good, .sweet porous soil, the
very opposite of half the borders in the country.
The initial mi.stake made by so many of us
has been this .sinking the foundation of the

houses and borders so much below the ordi-
nary ground level, thereby inviting the very
evils we are most an.xious to avoid. Market
growers ought, however, not to take a great
amount of credit to themselves for having
avoided tlie errors of their brethren |irivate gar-
deners. It was neces.sity, as previously inti-
mated, that first drove them to avoid deep
borders, excessive drainage and such things. If
it had been .-ibsolutely necessiiry to form borders
on tlie old lines comjiaratively few Grapes
would have found tlieir way to the markets
other than the surplus from private gardens.
Only those who h.-ivc ever excavated for the
deep foundations laid in corresiKjndingly deep
drains, and moved the mass of soil necessary be-
fore the site was ready for the new borders,
have any eoncepti(jn of the amount of labour
entailed and the cost of the whole work.
Whether market growers are justified in rush-
ing to the other extreme, and merely planting
on the top of the ground that is to serve as a
ready-made Vine border, may be questionable
from a private g.ardener's point of view, but it
answers surprisingly well all the same.

It is considered that ordinarily good land
drainage, or that which is sufficient for hardy
fruit trees, is good enough for Vines, any way,
that is all many of them get, and they seem
happy enough. Naturally, soils and sub-soils
vary greatly, but no person with any experience
would think of pitching upon a mass of heavy,
clayey ground for growing Grapes extensively,
unless prepared to go to some extra expense in
fitting it for such work. From choice, I prefer
either a sandy or gravelly, light, clayey loam,
and would avoid as much as possible black
spongy soils as well as tenacious clays. Some
of the best Grapes I have yet grown were pro-
duced by Vines rooting in ground considered
well adaiited to the growth of cereals, especially
Wheat, and noted for the grand crops of thistles
that had been in possession from time imme-
morial. Tliere was no extra draining done, nor
a cartload of loam added. The preparation con-
sisted of bastard trenching, good solid manure
being added to each spit, and a dressing of
burnbake and half -inch bones forked into the
surface. This was neither more nor less than a
good preparation for Tomatoes, and as a matter
of fact the Vines had to share the border with
Tomato plants for three successive sea.sons. It
is true the latter were osten.sibly in 10-inch
pots, but the roots quickly found their way int(j
the border underneath, and derived much of
their supjjort from it. To all appearances the
Grajie Vine does not suffer greatly from asso-
ciation with Tomato plants, and the latter are
happy with the Vines so long as they are not
unduly shaded.

The old notion that a Vine ought to be treated
like a colt, or worked very lightly, if at all,
during the first three or four years of its life, is
(]uite exploded as far as market growers are
concerned, though it is c\'ident enough it dies
hard in the case of private gardeners. There is
no analogy between the two, and why they
should be similarly treated passes my compre-
hension. If early cropping of Vines efiectually
stopped all further sound progre.ss, then that
would be a t,ood reason for working them
lightly for the first three or four years, but it
does not neces.sarily do anything of the kind.
Gardeners of my acquaintance have been .so
well pleased with the condition of their super-
numeraries after they have produced two or more
heavy crops, that they have actually preserved
them and cut out what were intended to be
permanent rods, but which had been unduly
pampered and failed to crop satisfactorily j.c-
cordingly.

1G2

THE GARDEN^,

[August 28, 1897.

There is more to be said on the subject of
the treatment of young canes than can be
crowded into one short article, and for the
present I will not attempt it. The career i.if
market-growers' Vines is supposed to be brief,
but again I say not necessarily so. It is true
they crop them sometimes lightly, but more
often heavily during the fii'st year after plant-
ing (I know where there are some that were
planted in Februaiy, 1896, and which are now
carrying six good bunches apiece, and others in
the same house a year older with twelve bunches
on each), but there is no good reason why
these rods should not be as serviceable and
as full of vigour twenty years hence as any
very lightly cropped at the outset. It is all a
question of management. If the heavily-cropped
young rods form strong leaders and swell
satisfactorily throughout, this to me is proof
positive that they are not being badly used.
In reality it is those Vines planted in rich bor-
ders, thought essential by some gardeners, that
are the least equal to the strain of heavy
cropping, and the first to require rest, renova-
tion of border and other restorative measures.
The market grower plants in comparatively ])oor
soil, as compared with the great stacks of turves
private gardeners are frequently enabled to
plant in, and does not forget that good living
must accompany hard work. Rich top-dress-
ings, lii|uid manure and abundance of water are
aij])lied to their Vines, these serving to keep
the roots active near the surface, and to sustain
the Vines in excellent health in spite of the
extraordinary cro]is they are expected to pro-
duce. When from various causes the Vines do
fail to produce remunerative crops, no time is
lost in trying to nurse them back to a more pro-
fitable condition, but they are rooted out and
Tomatoes are grown in their place. In anticipa-
tion of this breakdown of the Vines, other
houses are planted, and the work of keeping u]i
a lieavy, regular supply goes on. Enormous
quantities of Grapes are put on our markets by
foreign and home growers, but, tlianks ti> the
ever-increasing demand for them and the simple
methods of culture now in vogue, they pay
fairly well, even if the average price is Is. per

pound. W. luUULDEN.

RENEWING FRUIT TREE BORDERS.

The time arrives, sooner or later, when the
renewing of fruit tree borders becomes impera-
tive, particularly 5n connection with fruit
culture under glass, as, owing to the circum-
scribed area of such borders, together with
the demands of the roots and the frequent
necessity for applying large quantities of water,
the soil, in course of time, becomes exhausted.
When this should be done depends entirely
on the condition of the soil comprising the
borders, and this can only be ascertained
by careful examination, comuiencing at the sur-
face and samjiling the same right down to the
drainage. When a loam of good quality is
used, in the construction of fruit tree borders,
the necessity for renewal occurs at less frequent
intervals, but wlien a loam of inferior (luality
only is to be had, the renewal of the bordei'S
eveiy few years becomes an absolute necessity,
that is if fruit of first-rate fjuality is looked for.
Loam, as is well known, varies very much in
character, some being full of fibre and some
almost destitute of it, or containing such a
small jiroportion that it soon becomes worn out
and inert. Borders constructed of loam con-
taining plenty of, or a fair projiortion of, fibre
will remain in good condition for many years,
but when they are made up with loam of
inferior quality the necessity arises for either

partially or entirely removing them at much
more frequent intervals. Such cases as th(jse
just menti<ined are by no means infrequent,
and, however troul)lesome and inconvenient the
matter may be, the inevitable has to be faced,
for it is useless to expect good results once the
soil becomes exhausted.

Now, the wearing out of the principal con-
stituent of fruit tree borders shows itself in an
unmistakable manner on the subjects growing in
them, not all at once, it is true, but, generally
s])eaking, in a gradual manner. The .symptoms
will, of course, vary according to the kind of
fruit, and none will show it nioi'O quickly than
the Vine and Peach. These symptoms when
first niiticed, whatever form or shape they may
take, will at once convey to the mind of the
cultivator the idea that all is not right, and the
sharp practitioner will at once commence an
investigation by exanuning the boi-der, and
according to the condition in which he finds the
compo.st, so will he fornudate his plans,
whether the renewal has to be done wholly or
in part, and make preparations accordingly.

The best time for carrying out this kind of
work is undoubtedly in early autumn, but it is
not always convenient to do it then, in many
cases on account of not being able to get
the cro])s cleared in time. However, when
it can be done early and while the Vines or
trees, as the case may Ije, still have leaves on
them, it certainly is more advantaget)us from
more points of view than one, as the fact of
their still retaining their f(jliage leads to root
action being set up at once, and by the time
the leaves fall the new compost will contain
numbers of new [roots, which greatly accelerate
their i-e-establishment. In any case such work
should be done if possible before winter sets in,
and incidental matters, comprising the haulage
of the necessary materials, such as loam and
old lime rubble, for correcting the former when
heavy and retentive, wood ashes, charcoal, and
drain pipes and rubble for the drainage, should
be done in the meantime. In low-lying and
damp districts where the sub-soil is a])t at times
to be charged with water, a flooring of concrete
should be put in, if one does not already exist,
to keep the superfluous moisture back, and the
sand and lime should be ready for doing this
with as soon as the old border has been re-
moved. Where nothing but light or friable
loam can be had, it is an excellent plan to add
a little marl, clay or turf from the sides of
roads, or even road scrapings to such for grow-
ing such subjects as Peaches and Nectarines,
only they should be thoroughly dried and well
pounded up before they are mixed with the loam.
Wood ashes are easily made by charring refuse
wood, such as the prunings of fruit trees and
shrubs, etc., which should be in a green .state,
and after the fire is once started, it should be
partially smothered down to prevent the ma-
terials from Mazing freely, otherwise the mass
will be reduced to nothing but fine a.shes.
Old Ijricks and brickbats form the l^est material
for placing over the drain pipes to make the
foinidation for the bordei', and they should be
broken to three sizes, using the finest grade as
a matter of course for the top layer. Bricks or
In'ick rubble are much warmer than stone for
this purpose, and besides this, stone is not easily
procured in many places.

The loam should be dug and carted at once to
a convenient spot, and as handy to the spot
where it will be required as possible. Preserve
enough whole turves for covering the drainage
with, also for building up the fronts of borders
when the latter are above ground level and
have no retaining wall. The remainder should
be roughly chopped, after which add the

various ingredients deemed necessary. We
mix the whole together and throw the mas
into a long ridge-shaped heaj), and let it lie i
that condition until required for use. As loan
vary so much in character, they nuist be dea
with according to their merits ; no hard an
fast rule can be laid down as to what should I
added t(j them to make them fertile, but tl
materials mentioned in this note act in a beni
ficial manner, and with the exception of lin
rubble, which should be used for medium ar
hea\'y loams alone, they can be added to a
classes of soils alike. Both charcoal and woe
ashes are great helps in keeping the compo
open and sweet, while they absorb and retain
great deal of moisture which the roots soon di
cover by the way they both jienetrate and clii
to the particles. Manures, such as crushed bon
and bone-meal, may be added in varying qua
titles according to the quality of the loam, bi
the ()uantity used should not exceed 1 cwt. of tl
latter for every ton of soil. For Vine horde
a manure can now be jjurchased called Vii
border compound, which contains all that
necessary liofh for the present needs of tl
Vines, and for several years to come. This ci
be highly recommended, while it saves tl
trouble fjf buying and mixing the necessa
manure at home.

In any case every requisite should be reai
to hand, and the work inidertaken as soon
circvmistances will permit, and as success depen
so much on the o]ieration being quickly pi
formed, the necessity of being thoroughly pi
pared is quite obvious. A. W.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1133.

LATHYRUS SPLENDENS.

(with a coloured plate.*)

Thls is a perennial Pea with four-angled stei
about a dozen feet long, slender pinnate lea\
and erect axillary peduncles, each bearing fr<
six to twelve large carmine-red flowers. It it
native of Southern California, where it was d .
covered about twenty years ago, but it does ii
appear to have attracted the attention of hor
culturists until a year or two ago, when M
Orcutt, writing in Garden and Forest, dri
attention to its merits as a garden plant. Win
wild it is usually found creeping over busht
and when in flower it thus presents tlie Ulusic
of a grand flowering shrub. It is known in tl
United States as "Pride of California."
1894 Professor Greene, of the University
California, sent seeds of it to Kew. They we
sown under glass, and when strong enough tl
plants were placed in the open air. Here tin
grew fairly well, but failed to flower. In Apr
1895, one of the seedlings was planted in a bi
of sandy soil in an airy greenhouse in whii
Cape bulbs are grown. Here it grew vigo
ously, forming a thick tangle of Sweet Pea-lil
stems. No flowers were ]iroduced until tl
spring <.)f this year, when in March buds a
peared in almost every leaf axil of the youngi
shoots, and for about three months there was
continuous display of beautiful flowers, such ii
are represented in the accompanying plate. Tl
colour is unlike that of any other Pea flowi!
known to me. Thus grown this Lathyrus is
flrst-rate greenhouse plant ; it is perennw:
stands London fog, and yields a large and coil
tinucjus croi)"of riclily-colourcd flowers in spriii!]

* Drawn for The Garden in the Royal Gardet
Kew, by H. G. Moon. Lithographed and printed 1
J. L. Goffiu-t.

LATHYRUS SPLENDENS

August 28, 1897.]

THE GARDEN"

1G3

'he stroiiitost of the slioots got somewliHt

rusty" iifter Uowering, and were tluTi'foiv
emoved, but the plant is now again in vigonuis
i-owth, and will no (loul)t bo e(|iially goinl next
ear. Seeds were ripened by the Kew jilant ;
here are also seeds of it otl'ered in the cata-
jcnies of .\nierican and other nurserymen.

Mr. Stin-tevant writes that in his garden at
jOS .\ngeles. California, this Lathyrns nsn.ally
owers in February, but sonietiiues it begins in
)ctober and continues all winter, i)rodueing its
neatest amount of bloom in February and
iarch. In a note recently counuunicated to
he Gardeners Chronicle by Dr. Franee.schi, of

'alifomia, it is sfcited that this plant is not
ommun in California, growing only in San
)iego at the extreme south, and also in Lower
!^alifomia. Although a native of the desert
ligh region of the interior, it adaps itself freely
o liberal watering, provided it has sufficient
Irainage, and in this ca.se it will keep growing
,nd blooming all summer. It ought to prove
lardy \nider the s,-ime conditions as answer for

remontia and Komneya. In the warmest
)art.s of the Cnited Kingdom it is worth trying
aj the ojien air, and, judging by its behaviour at
Kew, it woidd i>roli;iiily prove an ideal ])lant for
luch gardens as that of Mr. Hanbury at
flentone. It does not aopear to be happy
4nder cultivation in the northern States of
|Vmerica, where one would e.xpect it to grow and
lower as freely as the Sweet Pea does here.

\V. \\'.

The Week's Work.

: FRUIT HOUSES.

Figs. — Pot trees will have been relieved of their

econd crop of fruit ere now, and should, therefore,

>e got to rest as earl}' as possible if retiuired again

or early forcing. If the wood is ripening \\ell,

he pots may be stood outdoors in the full sun

nder the shelter of a hedge or wall, but if yet

mmature, keep them under glass or in the house

n which they have been growing during the

ummer. Here, under the influence of full sun-

hine aufl an abundance of air, the wood will soon

nature, without which it is useless to look for

I iiit next season. The trees should be relieved

f all green fruits which may have formed while

he second crop was ripening, and if the inner

lart of the bushes has been allowed to become

rowded with young shoots sent up from the base,

bese should be cut away ; or if too much wood

las been allowed to develop in any part of the

ree, thin out the same at once, cutting out that

.liich is weak and sappy. Before the leaves are

bed, repot or shift these trees into larger pots

s the Ciise may demand, and until the leaves

rop, keep them moderately suiiplied with water.

lepotting is best done now, as new roots are then

jrmed in the fresh compost before the trees go to

est. Planted-out trees started early in the year

iiould now be ripening their wood.' This should

Iso be thiruied out if too much has been laid in,

nd all fruits above the size of Currants should be

ulled off. (Jive all the air possible, and, as the

jliage ripens, gradually reduce the sujiply of

'ater at the roots. Root pruning of trees which

ave got into an unsatisfactory condition should

Iso have attention now, and "if the failure has

een caused through ramjiant growth being made,

nd a too rich Ijorder, curtail the roots by confin-

ig them to borders of limited extent. This and

le sulistitution of soil of a poor character, in

eu of that alre.-i.dy composing the border, will

ring them back into a fruitful condition. In

Jch cases as these the compost should consist of

[ilcareous loam and lime rubble alone, using the

itter in the pro|)ortion of one-sixth of the whole.

.ight loam may have marl or pulverised clay mixed

nth it with advantage, and in all cases the com-

■ost should be made very firm. Trees, the roots

of which are kept within limits by brick walls, or
those growing in borders of limited areas which
are kept in place by means of turf walls, ar-e
alwa\'s the ln-tter for !ia\ing their ri>ot.s shi)rtened
back with a modiciun of new compost, and new
tm-f walls built for them to root into aimther sea-
son. It is astonishing what a small amount of
soil the Fig will llourish in when restricted if well
fi'd fjom the surface during the sea,sun of growth.
The wood made in such cases is always of a most
fruitful <lescriptiou, because the roots camiot
ramble away from home, and this is the true
siM^ret of success in Fig culture under glass. I
ha\e a tree at the present time which covers
about .'ilKI sijuare feet of trellising, the roots of
which only have about 2 cubic yards of soil to
grow in. This tree carries two crops of fruit
annually, the second, of course, not equalling the
first in point of size, but they are none the less
appreciated on that acco\mt. Trees in other
houses ripening their second crop of fruit should
not be neglected in the way of watering, l:iut
the syringe had better be withheld and damp-
ing down reduced to a minimum, or discon-
tiinied altogether if the situation is a low one,
otherwise the fruits will spot and decay. The
hou.se should also be aired abundantly during tine
weather, but when wet atlmit a little air at the
front oidy, and turn on a small amount of heat to
keep the air dry and circulating through the
house. Late houses, from v/hich oidy one crop
will be gathered, should be freely aired during the
day, especially if unheated, and the fruits are
commencing to ripen. When such is the case,
syringing and damping must necessarily cease.
Moisture must, of course, be supplied to the roots
to keep the fruits swelling up to the last, but dis-
continue feeding when they commence to soften,
otherwise size will be gained at the expense of
flavour.

Pe.^ch houses. — As the crops are cleared from
the trees in successional houses, thin out the
wood as directed in a jjrevious calendar, and take
steps to give them a thorough cleansing with an
insecticide if they need it. In any case a good
hoseing or a wash with the garden engine now
and again is always beneficial to the trees, as it
enaljles them to retani their leaves until the latter
have fulfilled their proper functions. Open all
ventilators to their fullest extent, and see th.at
the borders receive as much water as they re-
(|uire, giving established and aged trees diluted
liciuid manure now and again if it can be spared.
Houses in which the fruits are ripe and ripening
must be kept dry when the weather is fine, but
on wet days and cool nights a little fire-heat will
be needed, especially in cold districts. Look the
fruits over daily, or every other day, and if tliis
is done but few of tliem will drop, while those
gathered will be of better flavour than if allowed
to remain on the trees until dead ripe. Fruits on
trees in late houses will be fast swelling, and as
the Peach crop outdoors is admittedly a short one
in the majority of cases, the value of these late
fruits will be considerably enhanced. Good feed-
ing is essential, whether the borders are inside or
out, or both, to enable the fruits to attain full
size, as such varieties as Exquisite, Late Admir-
able, Princess of Wales, Sea Eagle, Goshav\k,
Pine-apple, Pitmaston Orange, Victoria, Hum-
boldt, and other choice Peaches and Nectarines
will swell to a very large size if generously
treated. As the nights generally get much cooler
after this time of the year, s^'ringing must be
done more cautiously, as the lea%es should always
be dry before night. If this cannot be ensured,
syringing had best be confined to the mornings,
and if the trees are clean this will be sufiioient to
keep them so. A little air may be kept on
through the night, which should be gradually in-
creased as the day wears on ; when bright, and if
necessary to hurry the crop to maturity, close
with sun-heat in the afternoon. If, ou tlie other
hand, it is desirable to delay the ripening as long
as possible, keep the house fully ventilated.
Keep all gross growths suppressed, and laterals
pinched in regularly, to cause an equal flow of
sap, and if elevating the apex of the fruits to-

wards the sun has not had attention, it should be
done before the fruits In-come too hea\'3' and
they begin to soften. Where this has been done,
fully expose the fruits by pushing or tying the
leaves on one side, so that the sini nuiy shine full
upon them and ensure high colour.

L.VTK I'oT I'K.vcnKS. — These will reipiire much
the sam<^ treatment as the (lermanently planted
trees, only they will need water much oftener.
Feeding either with artificial or li(|uid manures
should be pursued uj) to the time the fruits com-
mence to ripen, and then cease. ^Vfter this give
pure water, and no more than i.s necessary, be-
cause if over-done the flavour will be flat and in-
sipid. As the trees are cleared of fruit cut away
all superfluous wood, and when the leaves show
signs of ripening get any repotting or tubbing
done, and keep them under cover until the leaves
drop, with tine house amply ventilated if the
autumn should prove wet. If fine antl w.arm,
they will be all the better for being stood out-
doors. A. W.

KITCHEN GARDEN.
Kidney Bihns. — So long as a good supply of
Scarlet Runners is forthcoming there is little
demand for the dwarf varieties, but those who
have to keep up a good supply of choice vege-
tables know the value of these in the autumn,
when the former are cut down by frost, which
often happens in September, long before other
thmgs less tender feel any ill effects from a low
temperature. To guard against a break in the
supply it Ijecomes necessary to again resort to
pot or frame cidture. The latter is certainly to
be preferred for autumn crops, if the frames are
provided with only a small amount of hot water
pijjes. Where such pots or frames are not at
command, pots or boxes must be used, so that
they can be transferred to a warm house, when
it becomes necessary to use artificial heat. It is
better to make an early start, so that the plants
will make sturdy growth during the coming month
with as little protection as possible, whether they
are to be grown in pots or planted out in pits.
This is better than waiting until the outside
supply is cut off and then resorting to hard forcing.
Heated pits in which a crop of Cucumbers or
Melons have recently been produced may be used
with advantage. The same soil will grow a good
ci-0|) of Beans without further trouble, beyond
forking it over and attbrding a good watering if
necessary. There is no comparison l.ietween
jilants grown in this way and those in pots, as
regards the yield. Of course the lights are dis-
pensed with as long as possible, and only replaced
at night \rhen there is danger of frost, or to ward
oft" heavy rains : even then fire heat should be
withheld if possible, and only applied when
really necessary. Select dwarf-growmg varieties,
such as Earliest of All, which is most suitable for
this treatment. If pots or bo.xes have to lie used,
these .should lie filled with a rich holding com-
post, which should be made moderately firm
l5efore sowing, as this assists the formation of
sturdy growth, and the plants will not reipiire
watering so frequently. Good drainage is very
necessarj', but it would be safer to stand the pots
in a cold frame, so that they do not become over-
charged with moisture after heavy rains. Sowings
recently made on warm holders «ill pro\e most
valuable for late sujiplies, if a frame or some
other temporary protection can he afl'orded as the
nights become colder. Indeed, it would be wise
to have sheets of tiffany, or some other hght
covering, ready for [ilacing over both the dwarf
and the taller kinds, as a slight protection of
this kind may save the plants from one early
frost, and they will go on bearing for weeks after-
wards.

Vkoet.vule M.\rrows. — Like the former, these
often succumb to one early frost, which is very
disappointing wlien jierhaps for weeks afterwards
the weather remains fairly mild, and for the want
of a little timely attention their season is so much
shortened. Seeing that we ha\ e a long time be-
fore us when there will be only a small variety of
outside vegetables to select from, it becomes

164

THE GARDEK

[August 28, 1897.

necessary that we should retain the summer ones
as long as possilile. A framework of stakes can
be easily arranged round the bed on which the
plant are growing in such a way that mats may
be used immediately frost is expected.

Sprin'c:-sown Onions. — The time has arrived
when these should be got out of the ground, care-
fully harvested, and stored away in their winter
quarters. Much depends on the waj' the bulbs
are ripened to insure them keeping properly
through the winter. In most beds a good pro-
portion form thick necks, and longer time is neces-
sary to mature them properly. It is a good plan
to go over the bed and bend such as these over
with the back of a rake ; a few hot days after-
wards will cause the tops to wither, when they
can be pulled up and placed under cover, spread-
ing them out thinly so that they can get plenty
of air and become firm before they are stored
away. Tlie small silver-skinned varieties should
be carefully ripened before they are used for
pickling, to insure them being both crisp and
clear in colour. Other vegetables used for mixed
pickles, such as Caulitlowers, French Beans, (Gher-
kins, Radish pods, &c., should be sent into the
kitchen while they are plentiful, leaving Red
Cabbage for some weeks later, as this is generally
preferred after it has been subjected to a little
frost. RiciiAiiii Parker.

Fruit and Vegetable Crops.

SYON HOUSE, BRENTFORD.

The fruit crops in this neighbourhood are not
up to the average, and if we fcike the most use-
ful one, the Apple, it is much below the average.
There is, I regret to say, in many instances
trees without a single fruit, whilst a few have a
full crop. The Codlin varieties arc the best
this season, and this is remarkalile, as I have
observed these varieties fruit very freely one
season and fail the next. Keswick Codlins are
good. Manks Codlin, grown largely in this
district, is, I might say, a failure. Lord Gros-
venor and Lord Sutlield are bearing heavy
crops, and a few late-looking kinds, such as
Lane's Prince Albert and Alfriston, have excel-
lent crops. Dessert Apples are not at all
plentiful. King of the Pippins has only half a
crop, the valuable Russets none at all, and late
keepers of all kinds will be very scarce. We
have only a few Blenheims, but early kinds,
such as Devonshire Quarrenden and Irish Peacli,
are a full crop. Lady Dudley is fine both in
crop and size of fruit. Pear.s, like Apples, are
much under average : the early kinds are
best. Williams' Bon Chretien and Margaret
Marillat are our heaviest cro])])ers. Louise
Bonne of .lersey, which rarely fails with us, is
good, and I notice a few trees in the district
bearing well on walls, but bush and standards
are poor this season. Our young trees on west
walls are good. Such kinds as Marie Louise,
Conference, Durondeau, and Bourre Diel liave
full crojjs, with a fair (juantity of Pitmaston
Ducliess and Soldat Laboureur in bush form.
I regret we have but few late Pears, and, unfor-
tunately, such .second-rate varieties as Beurre
Baehelier and Clairgeau are laden, whilst there
aie no Doyenne du Cornice. I had this sea.son
the poorest crop of Apricots I have had during
the past few years. The frost and hail ruined
the fruit early in the spring ; the best was the
Large Early. Peaches and Nectarines are
excellent both in crop and quality. They have
done well where well attended to with moisture.
Amsden June was the earliest Peach in the
open. This was very good, and I am
pleased to note we now have a good com-
panion Nectarine in Early Rivers. This is a
grand acquisition, large, good, and hardy.

I had .splendid fruits in quantity before July
was over. All kinds of Peaches and Nectarines
are good, the trees clean and ripening up the
wood well. I never saw Lord Napier produce
such fine fruit in the open. I feed and water
freely and allow young trees to grow freely,
never checking when there is ample wall space.
Plums are a failure. I have these as cordons,
bushes, and on walls, and have scarcely any
fruit. Victoria, usually abundant, is poor. I
have a few Gages, Golden Drop and Prince
Englebert. Damsons are very scarce indeed ;
the Fiu-leigh variety is the only one giving any
fruit. Cherries had a nice crop and good fruit.
Such varieties as Early Rivers and Governor
Wood were excellent. Morellos were an ave-
rage croji, but few fruits. I grow a large quan-
tity of these, but they did not come up to the
usual standard of ((uantity. Small fruits, such
as Strawberries, exceeded our expectation. I
had a fine crop. I only fruit young plants, in
most cases treating them as annuals. Royal
Sovereign is the heaviest cropper. It is good
on a light soil, and Lord Sutfield with Latest of
All did grandly. Raspberries, though [)lentiful,
were soon over, owing to heat and drought.
Superlative was the most reliable cropper.
Currants and Gooseberries were an average crop.
Vegetables have suffered much from drought,
and in light soils, unless given special culture,
were i)Oor. There was no difticulty in getting
early su|)plies, as, owing to a mild winter,
spring Cabbage was early and good. There
was no lack of good Broccoli, and Asparagus
was abundant. Peas, owing to drought, were
soon over, and unless special attention was
given to variety to suit the soil the crop was
poor. Potatoes have been good, but early
kinds were not very plentiful. In many cases
they were cut by frost, and drought affected
others. Later ones promise well in deeply-
cultivated land, and so far I have seen no
disease. I fear, unless we get genial rains, we
shall have a scarcity of good winter vegetables,
as the plants make poor progress. The soil is
very dry at the time my note is written, but
with rain growth would be rapid. — G. \\'ythes.

SOUTHERN.

Aldenham House, Elstree, Herts. — The

fruit crops in this district are poor, tsi)ecially
Apples, Plums, and sweet Cherries. Jlorellos are
good. Apricots good. Pears average. Small
fruits good, particularly Gooseberries. .Straw-
berries plentiful and good. Nuts very aljundant.
Vegetables are good. Potatoes clean and free from
disease. ~ E. Bkck ktt.

Old Warden Park, Biggleswade. — Apples
under average, but the fruit is generally good
and the trees are clean and healthy and making
excellent growth. Pears are under average. The
fruit is generally good, but rather small, the
trees very clean and healtlij' and making fine
growth. Plums are very thin on bush and
standard trees, but better on walls with a south
aspect. The fruit is clean and good and the
trees healthy. Cherries under average, not much
grown except Morellos, which are good. Peaches
and Nectarines on unprotected walls are a good
average crop, the fruit very fine. Apricots under
average. Gooseberries and Currants very thin.
Raspberries are an average crop. Superlative is
the best variety grown here. — G. R. Allis.

Luton Hoo, Beds. — In this district Apples aie
under average. Pears are better, but these too are
not up to average. Peaches on the open walls are
very thin. The same applies to Apricots. Plums
and Cherries on the walls are slightly undei-
average, on the standards none. All bush fruit
has been scarce. We have had a short season of
Strawberries ; the crop was light, but the quality
was all that could be desired. With the excep-
tion of Apples, there was a good show of fruit in

the spring, but the cold early months of the yea
proved too much for a good set. Added to thi>
the severe hailstorm which bioke over here oi
June 24 played such havoc as to permanently in
jure what fruits were left on the trees.

With the exception of Cauliflowers, all vege
tables have Ijeen good. — Geo. H. Maycock.

Elmstead Grange, Chislehurst. — Frui
crops in this locality cannot be called a success
the bloom in many instances being damaged b;
late frosts and the hailstorm of .lune 0. Thi
latter played havoc with Apples, Pears, &c., the
few remaining on the trees bearing the marks fc
this day.

Vegetables, notwithstanding the dry season am
the above-mentioned hailstorm, have done remark
ably well. Peas, early and second early, have beei
a splendid crop ; later and taller varieties havi
suffered fron^ want of rain. Winter vegetable
look fairly well, but require copious rains to pusl
them on. — .J. BLACKBntx.

Olandon Park, Guildford. — Fruit crops ii
this garden and in the district are far below thi
average. Apples are very small owing to dr;
weather, and fruit on trees that are bearing i
fair crop are infested with maggot and falling of
wholesale. In some places near here you may sec
an orchard here and there bearing good crops, bu
they are few and far between. Pears are ver
scarce, but what there are appear to be good
Esiialier trees have done best with me this season
there being scarcely any on the standards. Plum
are very light all round. Peaches and Nectarine
are much below the average, but will, I think, h '
fairly good, as they have finished stoning and an i
swelling fast. The only way I can account fo
the scaicity in this garden and adjoining district: I
is the late frosts, as there was plenty of bloom oi i
all kinds of fruit trees. I

Vegetables, taking the dry weather into con |
sideration, are very good, but everything need
rain badly. Early Potatoes were light, owing ti -
their being cut back by frost. Jlicl-season varie i
ties are veiy good and late Leeks very promising ]
Init I am afraid if wet sets in it will cause disease |
Winter stuff' of all kinds looks wonderfully wel
in most places. — H. W. Blake.

Mentmore, Bucks.— Apples are only a poo
crop, although a few varieties are bearing freely
such as ^\'orcester Pearmain, Stirling Castle, Sea
ton House, C'alville Boisbunel, large and very fine
Ecklinvile, Mr. Gladstone, Jefferson's, Oslin, Rib ,
ston Pippin, large and good on young trees
Prince Albert, Lord .Suttield, Yellow Ingestre
and Keswick Codlin are all bearing a good crop
The trees are growing very freely and are fre(
from blight of any kind. Pears are about half i
crop on walls, standards, and bushes. Peachei
and Nectarines about the same. Apricots verj
poor. Nuts a heavy crop. Small fruits of al
kinds abundant and good.

Potatoes are small, but good in quality and free
from disease. Beans and Peas atnindant and
good. The soil here is a strong loam resting on
chalky clay, so that a dry summer is always best,
and hence all kinds of vegetables have been abun-
dant and good. — .James Smith.

Cliveden Gardens, Maidenhead. — Pears,
Apples, and Plums are a poor crop. Cherriesarea
failure. Strawberries and all bush fruit are above
average crop. Peaches and Nectarines on walls
outside excellent. Apricots made average.

All vegetables are very good. Potatoes very
clean and no disease. — A. B. Wadds.

Yattendon Court, IITewbury.— Apples about
half a croj). Some varieties, as Lord Sutfield, |
Warner's King, Tower of Glamis, and Ribstonl
Pippin are good, and in our village I have seenj
some good crops of common Ajjples. Of Pears'
we have a fair crop. \'ictoria and Pershore;
Plums are good. Cherries on standards a failure. |
Morellos on wall fair, but troubled with black fly.i
Currants and Gooselierries about half a crop.l
Raspberries and Strawberries a very good crop.'!
I may add that we sprayed Pears and Plum&J
twice with a diluted Bordeaux mixture and Paris*

I

August 28, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

165

reon, luid I tiiul tlint what is safe for Apples,
ears, luul IMums, injures Cherries.

Vegetables j.'nod. Early Peas a wondcr-
erfuT crop, 'J feet higher than normal height.
!iiuliflowers tine. Onions, Carrots, l'arsni[)s good.
'otatoes an excellent crop, free from disease and
f good (piality.— K. M.uiKR.

Harewood Lodge, Sunninghill.— Apples a
Otal failure \\ itli me. Pears a trille better, and
n walls in many places good. Plums over ave-
age. Gooseberries very abundant. Red Cuirants
Mrly good, black very scarce generally. Rasp-
lerries scarce. Apricots partial crop only.

Peas were abundant and goocl up till last week
n July, when all late sown ones collapsed through
aildew in s])ite of being sown in spacious trenches
,nd liberally supplied with water. Dwarf Beans
■ory abundant. Early I'otatoes are satisfactory,
lut late ones are suli'ering from want of rain.
I'he same remark applies to all the Brassica
:amily, elub being very prevalent. — C. Ueavix.

Cassiobury Park, Watford. — Apples are

Inder average. Pears almost a failure, and Plums
oor. Peaches and Nectarines good cro])S on
rails. Cherries almost a failure ; Morellos under
verage. A[)ricots under average. Small fruits
verage. Strawberries and Nuts are average
rops. — Cii.is. Dk.ane.

Royal Gardens, Windsor. — This is by no
iieans a good Apple year in consequence of the
harp frost on May 6 (8°), and the succession of
pet, cold days whilst the trees were in bloom.
){ early cooking \arieties we have an average
lop, but of later or long-keeping sorts the crojj
- generally light. The same may also be said of
(■■ssert vai'ieties. The sorts carrying the best
"ps are Lane's Prince Albert, Rosemary Rus-
t . Frogmore Prolific, Paradise Pippin, and the
uUin varieties. We have every form of trained
i e, but I cannot say that any one pai'ticular
I Jim is bearing better than another. Pears are a
ong way from being a heavy crop ; at the same
fime, I am told by visitors who call that we have
>ur full share. It is rather singular that the
iest thnoured varieties, such as Thompson's, Doy-
i-im^ du Comice, Fondante d'Automne, Williams'
^on Chretien, (iratioli of Jersey, &c. , are the
icarcest. Plums, I am sorry to say, are quite a
allure. Damsons the same. Peaches out of
loors are excellent, both as to crop and quality of
ruit. Nectarines the same. Apricots are bear-
ng a specially heavy crop of excellent fruit, and
.he trees looking healthy and well. In spring our
Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots are well pro-
«cted by tifl'any blinds until the fruit is well set
md the trees were well furnished with foliage,
ind during the summer they are frequently
ished with the hose and well mulched and
at€red in hot weather. Cherries in the open
luarters have been a failure, but on the walls
iney have been splendid, and, as we have trees
growing on every aspect, the season for this
avourite fruit is prolonged to the utmost. Some
)f our best sweet Cherries are picked from trees
'rowing on a north wall. Gooseberries are about
lalf a crop. Black Currants almost a failure.
Jaapberries moderate crop, and Nuts generally
JOOa.— OWKN TlKJM.VS.

Wrotham Park, Barnet.— There was an
ibundance of blossom on the Apple trees, but
inly a poor crop on the whole ; in fact, in some
;ardens there is scarcely an Apple. Here we have
I very partial ciop, some varieties heavily laden
pith good fruit, others with either none at all or
inly a few, but good samples. The best here are
Stirling Castle and Lane's Prince Albert, then
:omeWorcesterPcarmain, Cellini, Lord Grosvenor,
Jess Pool, Duke of Devonshire, May Queen, The
Jueen ; all thesi- are bush or pyramid trees and
'oung, having in fact all been planted within the
ast seven years. Keswick Codlin and Dr. Harvey
imong the old standard trees are carrying heavy
Tops. I'ears also blossomed well and on the
Thole are an average crop of good fruit. Here
m young trees on a west wall we have nice crojis
)t Williams' Bon Chretien, Beurr^ Diel, Easter
Beurrfi, Bergamote d'Esperen, Winter Nelis,

•Tosephine de Malines, Doyenne du Comice, Pit-
maston Duchess, Henrre Clairgeau, and .Marie
Louise. On the Plums there was jilenty of blos-
som again, but very little fi-uit on the whole, Vic-
toria being the best crop, (irand Duke, Archduke,
Rivers' Early, and Old Orleans are also carrying a
few nice fruits ; all these, however, are on an east
wall. The bush and stan<lar<l trees in the garden
have nothing at all on t hem, this in a great measure
being due to the birds — bullfinches principally —
devouring the buds in early spring. Peaches are
about an average ci-op, although they did not re-
quire much thinning this season, many of the
lilooms and small fruit being cut by the frost and
cold winds so prevalent last spring. Much of
the foliage is badly blistered. Figs are rathei-
over an average crop this season here, and the
fruit promises to be fine. In the case of sweet
Cherries, a splendid lilossom was followed by
almost a total failure in the crop. The frost com-
pletely spoilt all chance of any fruit. Only one
tree here had any fruit at all — a May Duke on a
south wall. Morello were better — an average
croj) of good quality. Among the small fruits.
Red Currants were much above an average crop
and very tine, as also White. Black, on the other
hand, were very much below the mark and the
fruit poor in quality. Gooseberries very uneven
— in some places ]]lentiful, in others scarce.
Strawberries over an average crop and very good,
but the season short. Waterloo stood the drought
well here and gave some very tine late fruits.
Raspberries a failure on light soils, as here ; better
on heavier ground. Apricots very poor, although
there was a good show of bloom, but they, like
the Peaches, suffered from the frost. Filberts are
an unusually heavy crop, and Walnuts are very
scarce.

Vegetables taken altogether are very good.
Potatoes yielding well and up to the present show-
ing no signs of disease. Peas have been plentiful
and good up to now, but the hot, dry weather lias
brought mildew, and, unless from the latest sow-
ing, which may give a few pickings, they are
practically over. Carrots and Turnips are poor
in some places. ' Onions, Beet, Parsnips, and the
winter crops are all looking very weU. Runners
are doing very well, though they were rather late
in coming in. — (!. RiNon.i.vi.

Claremont, Esher. — The fruit crop of 1897
must be described as slightly below the average,
although the expression is really applicable to a
few things. On the whole, there is not much to
complain of. Apples are very thin, absolutely
the worst crop I have every known ; tree after
tree, alike of bushes, pyramids and standards,
being without a single fruit. Apricots are thin,
but the fruit is large and of excellent quality.
Dessert Cherries were a good crop, but Jlorellos
lielow average. Plums are also much below ; the
Viest results are from a south-west wall on a south-
easterly aspect, where most of our trees are. A
bitter wind played on them continuously for
several days when the bloom was expanded, accom-
panied by frosty nights. Pears are barely half a
crop. There was plenty of Woom and the set
seemed right, but three parts dropped when about
the size of marbles. Peaches and Nectarines are
very good ; indeed, on a sti'etch of wall 150 yards
long there is not a single failure. Figs and Nuts
are both .above average. Small fruits have been
well up to the average, with the exception of
Black Currants. In.sect pests have been rather
troublesomi^, but aphis in various forms, also i-ed
spider — that is strongly in evidence on our light,
sandy soil — have been kept in check by heavy and
repeated washings. Earwigs are the worst enemy
on the Peach wall, but the bean traps were put
in early and thousands have already been caj)-
tureil.

^'egetabIes were never better. All roots were
looking clean and healthy, and the Greater part of
the wiiitergreen cropwas justplanteawhen thctirst
heavy storm came, and gave everything a grand
start. Potatoes are a heavy crop, but the disease,
I am .sorry to say, is making its a|)pearance. Re-
medial measures in the way of cutting off" and
carefully clearing away e\-ery particle of haulm

are resorted to as soon as there is any sign of ripen-
ing.— E. Bl'KKKI.L.

Bearwood, Woking.— This is the woi.st
season we ha\'c had in this neighbourhood for
years. -Apples, I'ears and I'lums are quite a
failure, and owing to the drought the fruits are
very small and maggoty. Peaches and Nectarines
are a thin crop; Apricots the same. Cherries
bad . Bush fruits have been a poor crop and small,
and owing to the continual cold weather in bloom-
ing time, everything got much injured by blight.
Strawberries have been an average crop. Many
of the earlier sorts got much injured by the sharp
1 fi-ost in blooming time. Our best Strawberry for
I our general supply is the British Queen. Early
I sorts ari^ Keens' Seedling, Noble, Vict, de
] Thury. Sir Josejih Paxton is grown for market
in the open rather largely.

Vegetables have been fairly good up to the pre-
sent time, but are now giving u\> from want of
rain. Potatoes, early and second early, arc good;
late sorts, I fear, will fare badly.— J. T.\f;ci.

Wrest Park, Ampthill, Beds.— Apples arc

under the average. Cherries, too, poor. Damsons
a very liglit crop. Apricots much lighter than in
189G. Plums average on walls, under average on
standards. Peaches good average crop all o\'er.
Nectarines average crop on early and late trees.
Pears on walls and standards are o\er the average.
Strawberries of all varieties a good crop. Goose-
berries average. Currants very good average
crop, and Rasplierries average.

Vegetables very good in the garden, but much
in need of rain, as Broccoli, Cauliflower, Peas .and
Carrots are now suffering from the long spell of
drought. — ( Jeorce M.\ckin"lav.

Elvetham Park, Hants. — The fruit crops
generally wei'e very jjromising here until May 12.
On the above date we registered 10" of frost at
!) p.m., which continued throughout the night,
proving disastrous to the Apples and Pears, with
the exception of Pears on the wall trees, which are
carrying a fair croj). The Strawberries would have
shared the same fate had they not been covered ox'er
with straw in the evening; being thus protected,
a very good crop was secured. Gooseberries,
Currants, Raspberries, and Plums under average.
Dessert Cherries fair crop, Morello Cherries very
good. Apricots fair crop. Peaches abundant.

Vegetable crops are satisfactory. Peas, both
early and mid season, have done well. Late Peas
are beginning to feel the effects of the recent dry
weather. I grow Ne Plus Ultra largely for latest
sui)ply. Broccoli with few exceptions stood the
winter well. I finished cutting Model on June 8.
I always take the old jirecaution with Broccoli
in the autumn in having a trench taken out on
the north side of the rows, heeling the plants over,
taking care the stems are covered up close to the
lower leaves, this being a check to root action, and
thus making the ]jlants more hardy to witlistand
the winter. Autumn sown Cauliflowers have done
equally well, coming in a few d;iys after the
Broccoli were over. Early Potatoes have done
well this season and are free from disease. — G.

MiTCIIISON.

Falconhurst, Edenbridge, Kent. — The

fruit ci'op in this locality falls very short of the
average, and is in some cases almost a failure. The
appearance of the trees in the spring gave promise
of very heavy crops, but the frosts, accompanied
by north-east and east winds H'hich we experi-
enced on no less than ten nights during M.ay,
played havoc with them. Peaches and Nectarines
being seriously damaged, more by the east wind
than fiost. From .June I to August 7 the drought
and hot sun caused the bush fruit to ripen early
ami dro|i oil' wholesale. The total rainfall for
that ])eriod in this district was 2"I8 inches as
compared with li'2~ inches for the same [jeriod of
last year. Apples are a very thin crop, fruit
small, and some trees a total failure. Pears are a
better crop, but the fruit is very small. Peaches
and Nectarines are scarce. Plums and Damsons
are a thin crop. Cherries were poor, while Figs
are extra good. Black Currants were a good
hejivy crop with me, but scarce in the district ;

1G6

THE GARDEN

[August 28, 1897.

Red and Wliite were plentiful. Gooseberries are
under the average. Raspberries were a <;ood
crop, Init thefi-uit was small. Early Strawberries
were very good, liut later varieties were not at all
satisfactory, the fruit being small and the crop
soon over. Xuts and Filberts plentiful.

The drought and heat combined have in many
instances proved too much for vegetables. Po-
tatoes are a good crop, and free from disease, so
far as early sorts go. If rain comes now I am
afraid it will be too late to do late kinds any
good, but might cause disease. Early and second
early Peas were very good, but main -crop Peas a
failure. I have some late ones looking very well,
and if rain comes they promise to yield well.
Broad Beans were a good crop. Runner and
dwarf have grown well, but set badly. Onions,
Carrots, Beet, and Parsnips are plentiful, but
very small. Tomatoes are a splendid crop, the
fruit of fair size and plentiful, (llobe Artichokes
were never Vietter. Every kind of Brassica is
stunted, and I doubt if a good many will be worth
saving. Winter and early spring vegetables will
be very scarce in this district. — A. Cannon.

Theydon Grove, Epping.— The fruit crop in
this gniden and neighbourhood, as far as I can
ascertam, is the poorest we have had during the
nineteen years I have been here. The late spring
frosts did serious damage to all kinds of fruit,
and the se\'ere hailstoi'm throughout Essex of
June 24 destroyed what prospects we had.
Peaches and Nectarines outside are very light.
Apricots the same. Plums very few. Pears on
the ^\-all a good crop ; standards none. Apples,
what few there were, were destroyed by the hail.
Strawberries, Rasjjberries, Gooseberries, Currants,
and ilorello Cherries promised well, but the
greater part destroyed by the hail.

The vegetable crops suffered very much from
the hailstorm ; up to that time they looked \ery
promising. The Asparagus, early Peas, and Po-
tatoes were good, but Peas from the date of the
storm are a failure. Beans, Marrows, and other
late vegetables are recovering. The second early
crop of Potatoes is very light, as the haulm was
quite destroyed. — George Hewitt.

Caddington Hall, Dunstable. —The fruit
crops in these gardens and immediate neighbour-
hood are rather under the average. Apples are
very scarce. Fears are plentiful here and also in
the district. Plums very thin. Prunes are very
thin. We had a very ]joor crop of Gooseberries
and Red Currants. Black Currants about half
the usual quantity. Raspberries were a fair crop.
Strawberries were an aljundant crop.

The vegetable crojis in these gardens and neigh-
bourhood are, on the whole, very good, though
we have suffered considerably from the drought.
Rain is very much needed for the winter vege-
tables. Early and second early Potatoes very
good crop and free from disease. Late kinds
want rain to finish off growth. Cabbage and
Cauliflower have lieen very good. Peas, I5eans,
&c., have been good crops and the quality excel-
lent.— W. Stanton.

Buxted Park, Sussex.— Apricots on walls
facing S.E. were good, ]jarticularly Moor Park,
M'hile those on other aspects suffered severely
from the late spring frost. Peaches I never saw-
cut u]i so badly as they have been this season.
The blister was so bad in the early ])art of the
summer that not a leaf was to be seen without it,
the consequence being that there is no fruit of
any account. Trees on south-east walls suffered
most. There is no difference in this respect
between those said to be hardy and the more
tender kinds. Pears on walls are carrying fair
crops, while standards and bush trees have
scarcely a fruit on them. Plums are a partial
crop, some varieties being loaded, while others
have not a fruit. Orleans, Victoria, Blue (iage,
Coe's Golden Drop, The Czar, and a few others
are the best. Apples are also a partial crop, some
kinds being plentiful, while others have not a
fruit. The best are Stirling Castle, The Queen,
Hawthornden, Pott's Seedling, Lane's Prince
Albert, Warner's King, Ecklinville, Cox's
Pomona, and Irish Peach. Currants, both Red

and Black, were good, but Gooseberries were only
a )jartial crop. Raspberries were abundant, par-
ticularly Prince of M'ales and Superlative, but the
dry weather caused them to very soon go over.
Nuts, Filberts, and Cobs are good, but Walnuts
are a failure. — H. C. Prinsep.

Trees and Shrubs.

THE WISTARIA.

Although written many years ago, since which
time great numbers of plants have been intro-
duced into this counti-y, Loudon's words, "that
this plant may truly be considered the most
magnificent of all our hardy climbers," is just as
applicable at the present day as it wa.s when the
abo^'e was written, for it has not been surpassed
or even equalled since then. The Chinese Wis-
taria is so well known that nothing further need
be said as to its general appearance, except that
the large massive clusters of lilac-purple blos-
soms are in colour very distinct from anything
else in bloom at that time. It is generally

member of the family available, there bemi
among others a pure white counterpart of it
which, as far as my experience extends, appear
to be equally free-floweriug with the type, si
that a charming effect might be produced b'
planting tlie two in close proximity. Th',
double-flowered variety has been frequentl;
figured and the subject of many notes, but it i"
greatly inferior to the ordinary form, and ma;
be at once passed over. Another specie.s is W
nrultijuga, wliich has been described as produc
ing racemes of blossom over 2 feet in length
This certainly reads very attractive, and it i
by no means a misrepresentation ; but as a set
off the individual flowers are smaller and of
paler tint, while there is also a much greate
space between them than in the case of th
common kind, to which in ornamental feature
it is much inferior. The oldest of the Wistaria
is the North American W. frutescens, whic)
was introduced during the early part of the las
century, but at the [.resent day it is rarely seen
though very desirable, for it does not attain th
dimensions of the others, and may therefore b
grown in a more limited space, while the flower
do not expand till those of all the res
are past. In this species the flowers ar
borne in shorter and denser racemes
which are erect, or partially so. Thi
may be trained to a wall or treated i
any way similar to the other kinds, while
being mucli less vigorous than any c
them, it forms a very ornamental speci
men if jilanted in the open ground
trained round a few sticks, and the:
allowed to f;row at will. Another featur
possessed by this Wistaria is that th
blossoms are pleasantly fragrant. Wis
tarias, as a rule, do not transplant readily
owing to their stout, deep, de.scendin
roots ; still, from this very circunistanc
they are enabled to resist drought, an
will consequently succeed better in dr
sandy soils than many other classes c
plants ; but, for all that, they much prefe
a good deep loam.

The Wistaria on a balcony. Engraved for Thi
Garden from a photograph.

treated as a wall jjlant, where it will soon cover
a considerable space, but it may also with ad-
vantage be employed in other ways ; for in-
stance, being of such vigorous growth it will
rapidly make its way into a neighbouring tree
if opportunity occurs, and in this way some
charming and picturesque eft'ects may be pro-
duced. Again, it may be used for covering an
arbour, screen, or anything in that way, a good
instance of which is to be .seen at Kew, where
there is a large circular arrangement of iron-
work completely clothed with this Wistaria,
which in spring attracts everyone. True, the
blooms are in an exposed position sometimes
injured by late spring frosts, but in a genei'al
way this seldom haj^pens, and when it does take
place we often get a scattered number of flowers
later on, while the beautiful pinnate foliage
renders it an attractive climber throughout the
sunnner. Though we seldom see any other but
the Chinese Wistaria it is by no means the only

Cedars of Lebanon in Norfolk.— S

far as I know, Norfolk is not so famous fo
Lebanon Cedars as Essex, Kent, and Sussex
but I recently saw some very fine old speci
mens at Beeston Park, near Norwich. 0
measuring one I found it to be some 2.5 fee
in girth at the base, but, unfortunately
many of the far-reaching limTis had diei
and had been sawn off close to the body o
the tree. There ■^veve several others mud
-=**' higher than this one, but they had neve
; had a fair chance so far as furnishing tbei

bottoms was concerned, on account of beinj
too thickly and closely surrounded by othei
trees. Their towering heads, however, showec
well from a distance. It is a mistake to plan
Lebanon Cedars amongst other trees. They shouk
stand out boldly by themselves where their ful
beauty can be seen. — C. C. H. [

Summer-flowering' shrubs. — The yellow i

Spanish Broom is now charmingly in liloom, anc
there are man^- golden Ijlossoms on various Sti
.John's Worts (Hypericum). H. Moserianum is s
good thing and worth general planting. Several
masses of Berberis stenophylla, moved last spring,!
are now charmingly in flower. It is nice to havt|
the flower now, even though the lieauty in spring'
may lie lost. I suppose the moving had somt
effect, though it is not uncommon tor this and
Darwini to liloom in autumn. The Tamarisks are
in bloom now, and a plant on a wall has attainedj
large proportions. It is a pity the Ceanothuses are
not perfectly hardy. I have lost them so manyl
times that I have ceased to plant them. An arcbr,
wayin an amateur's garden covered with the white!
Clematis flammula and the purple variety Jack-

August 2S, 1897.]

THE GAIIDFN.

107

anni was very pleasing : the blending of the
)lours and thc'trainingwere perfect. Hoth these
-e hardy, and it woulil be better to plant known
irdy tilings that will grow than tender plants
hicli die. 1 hoar of nnrserynien selling thousands
: these plants in pots annnally. 'I'lie reason
ir the large demand is that owing to the system
propagation being fanlty many plants die.
have known these plants pnrchased by the same
irties time after time, with the hope of get-
iig them estalilished at last. .Taekmanni is one
' tiie hardiest, and if projiagated by cuttings or
yering the plants soon get strong, and do
ot die" Two American trees, the Buckeye tree
nd the (.'alabash, arc summerflowering trees of
stinct eliaracter. The Hibiscus and the Irish and
lediterranean Heaths may be adtled to the list
shrubs in flower. — E. H.

FRUIT CULTURE IN SWITZERLAND.

HE Swiss Hortieidtural Society, a new assoeia-
jn comprising French and (ierman groups of the
icieties and committees of horticulture and free
icieties of twenty-two cantons held a " pomologic
ingress" on Scp'tcmbfr l24 last at (ieneva at the
lue the national exhibition was held there, and
e congress was presided over by M. Marc
icheli. M. Charles Baltet, of Troves, who forty
•ATS earlier inaugurated the first French pomo-
gical congress at Lyons, was among those who
ok part. He writes in the Hcrue Horlirole as
Hows : —

Fruit tree cultivation in Switzerland well de-
rves a special study. The fertile [jlains of Hel-
■tia, the presence of lakes, together with the
ountiiin slopes and elevated plateaux are produc-
e of extremely varied results. In all such places
e cultivation of fruit trees is carried on and the
irkets and i^x)K]rt trade are su|)])lied therefrom.
le conferences and exliibitions held in towns and
Uages and fostered by the state, by societies, and
the cantonal or communal administrations
ive had the effect of at once encouraging and
lucating planters, with the result that new or-
ards of considerable extent, in addition to the
are modest garden, have been formed, and also
'1 plantations have had the benefit of a more
' lightened .system of cultivation, iiruning and
afting. In reputation the|)roduce of the Valais
kes first rank, then next those of the Vaudois
1 the (Geneva canton, next Friburg, Thur-
la, Zurich and Ticino, the last-named enjoying
mintages as regards sun. In many districts the
; ower's aim has been to produce as well a good
iivelling fruit for exportation wholesale to,
1 longst others, the cider districts of near coun-
1 es.like Northern France and Southern (Jermany,

■ icre it is used sometimes bv itself and sometimes

■ th other kinds. Among t^ie Apples grown for
1 s purpose we have —

Aargouer Herrenapfrl. — A late-bearinjj kind.

i beiqnets. — From the Jura (Vaudois), a plnmp,
1 !en winter Apple.

Blanche a cotes. — A sweet preserving and cookhig
i pie.

tacheli^lte.—A good eating Apple, from the Jura
{ ludois).

'Je Fer.— Native of Gros de Vaud ; a good keeping
^ pie.

Oe Prince. — A firm, juicy Apple ; will keep for a
ir.

■'ronfoise. — From Vaud ; aromatic in flavour and
g>d for all purDoses.

h-os Bo/uiiip/e/.— Jfuch grown in Canton Fribourg.

ianmdi. — Long well known in the market.

'almapfel and SnuergraiiPch. — Varieties which
fit in the high valleys, such as GriodelwaUi, and
gid for drying.

-uiken. — A pretty fruit, originally from Wur-
t iberg.

'aradia d'Aatomne. — Sweet; for preserving and
ckint.

"cHte Tardive.— A white Apple ; keeps long ;
r ust tree.

fnmme Coiny.— Good for baking, preserving, and
r-niaking.
'""« Knu:—A popular fruit for garden, orchard,
market.

Princes.'te dc Wurtemhrrq. — Very late and robust.

Iti'inette Bovardc. — Handsome and good winter
fruit from canton Vaud.

Itnst^ de i^irginie. — t^'uick grower ; handsome an<l
I'urly fruit.

H<iiige iloiice. — Good cwking fruit ; keeps till July.

V!<tcrapfel. — Yielding HID bushels the tree.

In general, the trees which produce these flivcrse
varieties, and which condiine the (pnditics of
iiibustni'ss and fertility, are happy alike in the
lii'lcl and by the I'oadsicle. Kxperienee has taught
the eider-niakiny peasant the superior virtues of
the following: Kcine dcs Reinettes, Reinette de
Cinx. Reinette d'Osnabruck, Reinette Baumann,
lieinettedeChataignier, Calville dc Dantzig, Saint
Nicolas, together with Bohna])fel Breitacher, Fran-
rotachcr, Spatlauber, Spitzweissei-, WaldhoHer —
well known in the li.sts of cider Apples bi-yond the
Rhine, the last-named \ariety often heading the
list of fruits destined for the cider |)re.ss. At the
same time, the cultivatcir does not forget the
(lelber Jacobs Aijfel, a cooking Apple so much
in demand in Thurgovia for cider making, that
tliere is a proverb to the effect that "He who
knows not .lacob's cider is no Thurgovian."

In the cantons Thurgovia, Friburg and Lucerne,
sparkling beverages are manufactured from Pears
and Ai)ples, and in many districts it is the custom
to combine these two fruits, and thereby increase
the yield of juice. Cider is of daily consumption
in the household, the hotel and the inn. In
speaking of

Dkssert Apples

we cannot omit mention of two delightful Apples
— Transparente de Zurich (an ivory-white Apple)
and De Lact (with its delicate dead-white and
scarlet skin). The trees of both, generally dwarf
in growth, are good bearers, and offer a stout re-
sistance to the winter frosts. Our own Reinette
Ananas, with its reddish brown skin, is fertile also
in the Valais ; and we may now find cultivated, at
an altitude of nearly .S.500 feet, Russian Apples
like Borowitzky, Antonowka, Titowka, Alex-
andre, as also some Canadian kinds.

The Pear also has its local varieties as well as
those which are propagated by grafting. Thus
we have

Bnrheyrnn. — A from December to January fruit,
delicious when cooked

Botzi et Chaune. — Fruits for drying and cooking.

De Fraulerb. — Latest as regards vegetation.

Gelbmnstler and Gunicrshauser, which are popular
in Argovia.

Oelhe Montbirne. — A robust tree on the high
mountains of St. Gall, Appenzell, and Thurgovia
cantons.

Lederhirne and f^chwartzwalder. — Hardy trees in
the severe winter frost, growing at a heiglit of over
31.1110 feet.

Loup, Mivrxler. Grosse hlanrhe de Chamvagve,
Nnrmande blanche on verte, which are a good addi-
tion to the juice of the cider Apple.

Thilerfbirne. — Yielding nearly two hogsheads of
cider the tree throughout the whole of Eastern
Switzerland.

Wasscrbirne, wdiich, growing as large as an Oak
tree, produces a light coloured and abundant P< ar.

The Pear tree de Maude is propagated every-
where. The tree, which attains gigantic propor-
tions in .Savoy and the French and Swiss Alps,
jjioduces as much as from 800 to 1000 litres of
cider. We can recommend as a good "all-round"
Pear one of the most common in Switzerland, the
T>i"mgler or Kannenbirne, or sometimes known as
d'Estranguillon, which has always been a favourite
for cider, baking, and preserving. Like the Pear
(ioliath, the Laustieglerin of Thurgovia is grown
both for drying and for alcohol. It is a tree
which bears at 200 years of age. There are many
kinds which, like the last, are good for various
economic ))nrposes, and which fringe the roarl-
sides of (ierman Switzerland. Most of these are
described and figured in a pomologic work
published at Saint (iall, now out of |)rint, but of
whicli ii new edition is expected shortly. It is our
ho|)e that a result of the ]>omologic sessions the
congress may be to fix the value and to revise, if
necessary, the nomenclatuie of the various species

in geiu-ral cultivation. Besides the country or-
cliards we should nuaition those gardens of dwarf
oi- half dwarf trees wbii-h l]av<.' been planted by
cultivators of acknowledged skill with line, g(iod
vaiietics of each season's fruits for the tabic.
These i)lantations aie fed from the nurseries of
Swiss, French or German growers. Williams',
Louise Bonne, Bcnrr^s, and Doycnm's do wondei-s
in them, and Pear trees, like Urbanistc, Baltet
)icre, .losc])hine de Malincs, are found to with-
stand the extremes of climate.

The espaliers of the.se gardens oH'cr a whole
series of Peach trees bearing fruit hirge in siz(!
and good in tpiality, scattered over the sheltered
hillsides or in the vineyards. The Syrian Peach
known as de TuUius and some native types are
prcxluced from the kernel. The elinuite of the
Valais is as good for the maturing of the fine late
sorts of Peach, Calville Blanche .Ap|)les in the open
air aiul the Malvoisie Grajje as the Lyons re-
gion is.

The Cherry tree does well in these districts, and
in order to sujiply the requirements of the dis-
tilleries, it is found profitable to plant good kinds
of Kirsch Cheriies, such as Noire Commune des
Avants, de Sovertz, de Montreux,.*! (,hi(-'ue Rouge,
la Rouge Commune (which is a good fruit for dry-
ing), la IVquenette (which docs well even in clay
soils), and some unnamed local kinds. Cultivators
of these have their own little nurseries for sup]ily-
ing their needs. Some Cantons jjlant the Kirsch
Cherry, and orchards of these trees are found along
the roads leading to la BJrochc, in canton Neuf-
chatel, whilst others massed on the slopes and
plateaux of the mountains help laigely to inciease
the re\'enue derived from ruial industrw Dessert
Cherries, like the White Heart, the Black Cherry
and the Black Heart Chen-y, succeed either as
bushes or as standards. In the environs of
Lausanne, the Che\anne, a black Cherry, is chiefly
used for preserving. A white heart Cherry called
Napoleon does well at considerable altitudes, as
does also the black du Right Cherry, which ripens
in .July.

For table, cooking, drying and distilling pur-
poses, the Plum is in great demand, antl we our-
selves observed numerous unnamed varieties of
white, yellow, red and puiple Plums being brought
to market. We were assurred that Plums like
Quetsche de Bale, Berudje (or Bcrouge), and
Mechelette can hold their own against the imports
fi'om Servia. There is, for example, the de
Bacon, a tree which bears at an altitude of over
1000 feet, and has a disposition to naturalise itself
liy offshoots and seed like the Berudje ; also there
is the Baconette, with the synonym of Mirabelle
Rouge, and Monsieur Rouge of proved robustness.
Plums like Reine Claude, Jlirabelle, and Monsieur
hatif ai'c found ]>rotitalile to grow on the plains
and the hillsides even in the shade. Its fine
foliage and the fact of its fruit demandino; shelter
makes the Apricot a suitable tree for cultivation
near dwelling-places, where it is seen ornamenting
the hotel yard and the villa approach. In certain
gorges and slopes it is generally a fertile tree.
As we follow the Rhcne valley we note the tine
Apricot orchards near Saxon-les-Bains, and the
sale of the fruit is never at a standstill. Clo.se to
lakes, it is also favourably ]jlaccd. We have only
to mention the wild (irenadicr at .Sion, on the
sunbvirnt slopes of the Tourbillon, innuediately
abo\e which the eternal snows form an unex-
pected contrast. That decorativ(> and most
abundant bush, the Cognassier de Portugal, has
its place in the orchard ; it is at once useful and
ornamental. The same valley is from Bex to
Brigue crowned with forests of (^^hestnut trees.
If the Chestnut is insufficient in (juantity to
sulkily I he needs of <:onsuniers, Franije and Italy
are at hand to make good the dcticiency ; whilst
as regards luits, domestic trade and connnercial
re(|uiremcnts are fed from the produce of the
plains, the hillsides, and the mountain hollows,
although the imjiorted nut is no stranger. It
would not be possible to fix the nomenclature of
the dry fruit, as tin: seed does not i-eproduce the
types. Nevertheless, the c.xam|ile of Dauphin^
grafting the Walnut has alreadv found imitators

168

THE GARDEN".

[August 28, 1897.

in some of the Swiss cantons, where good late
sorts are propagated, like Mayette, a dessert
fruit ; Chaberte, used in oil manufacture ; and
de la Saint Jean for the market.

As regards the smaller fruits. Gooseberries,
Currants, and Raspberries, although scattered
o\-er the fields, vineyards, gardens, and orchards,
the demands for the table, economic or domestic
purposes, are not sufficient to make it a profitable
industry. Our own good kinds of (Jooseberry —
Fertile, Versaillaise, and Holland— are found
here, as well as some Currants and Raspberries.
Not to speak of the glasshouse culture, whicli
shows a tendency to expansion, the Grape is
found not only on the garden trellis or espalier,
but also in a high state of cultivation in vineyards
on the shores of the lake of Geneva, at Mont-
reux, Vevey, Clarens, Lausanne, and in the Valais,
in the territory of cantons Neufchatel and Fri-
burg. The Pineau Grape comes to the talile
undei the names of Salraguin Klcevnez and Cor-
tailloid. Our Chasselas Dorf— called Fendant
Roux and often Gut-Edel in the high Rhine
valleys — has attractions for the wholesale dealer,
of which the canton Vaud has had fruitful ex
peiience. Le Chasselas is the foundation of the
Swiss white wines. La Valais sends
out large quantities of the best
(Jrapes in boxes, whilst letaining tie
smaller fry for the factory, which, ;is
a certain outlet, has encouraged land-
owners and farmers to extend and
improve the open-air and covered
vineries. The canton Ticino, in the
Piedmontese region, the fertility of
the valleys in which is well known,
exports by the lake of Lugano lar^je
quantities of wine and Grapes, to be
used, as regards the former, in the
manufacture of sparkling wines. The
Vine is now gaining in importance in
this comjiaratively warm country.
Seconded by the action of the sun,
the chalky nature of the soil is a
stimulant to the fertility of the
Muscats, Frankenthal,Lignan Blanc,
Avarengo, Malvoisie, Gros Guillaume
and other Vines producing Grapes of
fine quality. The manufacture of
the raw fruit into various pi-epara-
tions has made great jjrogress in
Switzerland, so that the grower has
now in the factory an assured and
profitable outlet for the fruits of his
toil. The attitude of the federal and
cantonal administrations is favour-
able to the establishment of factories
and distilleries.

Stove and Greenhouse.

STREPTOCARPI.
Though the fine hybrid strain of Streptocarpi
now in coranierco has been distributed for some
years, it is but rarely that one meets with a
good batch of plants. This does not arise from
any difticulties that their cultivation presents,
for, given a suifcible position, they are as easy
to grow as the commonest of greenhouse plants,
and certainly we have hardly any other plant
that gives such a splendid return for the little
trouble spent over them. Personally, I think
that their introduction was one of the greatest
boons ever given to the gardener who has not
the connnand of much heat, as they flower con-
tinuously from May to September, and even
later, in unheated greenhouses without giving
tlie trouble of raising successional batches, and
the delicate coloiu-ing and ijuaint txacery in
their flowers are a continual source of pleasure
to all who see them. I like best of all the

flowering .scapes. As a cut flower used wiij
delicate greenery they are delightful, and, omi
got into position, there are but few things moil
lasting, whicli is a great consideration to thos!
who have much of this work to do. I

Cultivation.

My method of treatment differs in time i
sowing from that generally recommended, as .
prefer to sow in a cool house late in sprin'
rather than in heat earlier in the year, for tl
latter method gives more trouble and more ris
of losing the tiny plants in the early stage;
Sown in carefully prepared seed pots witli a
inch or so of finely sifted loam and leaf inouk
freely mixed with sand, on the surface, an
placed in a shady corner away from draught i
a cool or temperate house, the seedlings con
up quickly. They should never be allowed I >
get dry, and the seed-pot should be covert
with a sheet of glass from which condenst
moisture should be wiped daily. Damping c
is more frequently the result of dryness belo
than of anything else. When the seedlings g(

Removing lioilor. — I should feel
obliged by advice on the following
subject : 1 have two small vineries
(one to come on in July, the other in
September), a small greenhouse in the centre, and
the other side a small stove house, and an orchard
house for Peaches in June, heated by about (i.")0
feet of piping. I consume armually about
eighty chaldrons of coke. This seems to me enor-
mous, owing, I am led to belie\e, to the size of
boiler which was originally placed there to heat,
when built, four other small houses, two on either
side. I contend that it would answer my purpose

IStreptoccLrpus plants four years old.

From a photoaraph
Burgess Hill, Su:

white grounds with blue or purple pencillings,
but there are also many delicate self shades of
heliotrope and light or dark purple that are very
beautiful. One peculiarity I find is that it is
the flowers of lightest shades that are borne on
the tallest and finest scapes, and it is not un-
common to be able to cut scapes of the white
grounds at least 10 inches high and with as many

to remove the boiler and ha^e a small one placed ' as twelve flowers and buds on a scape. The red
there to heat 700 feet of jiiping —A. A. W. i and rose-coloured flowers are not S(j generally

*.* This is a rather awkward subject to advise satisfactory, though they contain some beautiful

on, especially seeing that "A. A. W." does not state
what kind of boiler he has in use. It cei-tainly
seems wasteful, and a smaller one unless not equal
to keeping up the heat without hard driving,
would be the most economical. With large
boilers much may be done towards economising
fuel by a judicious use of fii-e dampers, but the
boiler complained of evidently swallows u]j more
fuel than ought to be necessary with the amount
of piping to be heated. If "A. A. W." will de-
scribe his present boiler we will endeavour to ad-
vise him upon changes that may be desirable.
—Ed.

varieties, but the percentage of plants which
have to be discarded for jioorness of colour or
dwarfness of habit is higher among these shades
than among the whites and purples. S. Wend-
landi is rather an awkward type of ]ilant, but it
bears tall, many-flowered scapes of blue flowers
that are very useful, and a new strain of
hybrids between this and S. Dunni is likely to
be nuich sought after. Hybridists are still busy
among the Streptocarpi, so that nothing like
finality has been reached, and we may look for
plants of faultless habit combined with tall free-

seni by Mr. Chas. Jones, Ote Hall Gardens,
'Sex.

big enough to handle they arc jiricked off ui
pans filled with equal parts of loam and le
mould, and removed to a frame containing
spent hot-bed where they are kept shaded a
summer. A few of the strongest jjkuits ai
potted off' into 3-inch pots during the ear
autumn, liut the niajiu-ity are left in the pans a
winter and wintered in a house that has
minimum temperature of 38" f)r 40°, keepn
them fairly dry at the root till March, wheutht
are potted into their flowering pots. The si
for this shift is similar to that reconnnendt
above except for the addition of about oi
quarter its bulk of finely broken and wel
decayed cow manure, and it is to the latter tn;
I attribute the robust and healthy growth mat
by the plants. After potting, water nuist I,
given in gradually increasing (piantities, but !j
no time must the soil be allowed to get soddei.
To the position selected for the plants whej
growing and flowering I attach some importancj
and I never think they look well or do we|
: when mixed with other flowering plants, thoufi

loonsT 28, 1897.1

T^TTE r,ARDE\.

109

do botli when grown amongst Ferns. In
own ciiso tlu'y are grouped at tlio west
of a tidl lean-to house facing north, ami
1 on a bench wliicli is covered willi an
or two of cocoa-nut tibre, and liere they
er with the utmost |)rofusion, the only

.itntion they rei|\nre being watering and
iccivsional ]iicking over to remove the see(
which form quickly and weaken tl

plkts if left on. Tl

d well-doing <if tl
x)ni, freedom from
t without direct

df)ii8 which

1

sue
h
a
ti

to the plant, which, while nearly hardy, is not
s\iHiciently 30 to render it of permanent worth in
thr garden. As a nool greenhouse ])lant, how-
eviM-rthere is plenty of room for it, or even in beds
in tlie open all tlie summer long.

Societies and Exhibitions.

weaken
recjuisite conditions for
plants are a cool, nujist
draught, and plenty of
sunsliine ; in fact, the con-
n\ake our I\Iaiden-hair and other
eato Ferns look their happiest will do the
with the Streptocarpi. This s]iring,
ing many surjilus plants on hand, I formed
rder to the main i)ath of a large house by
ng on edge two 4-inch planks at 4 inches
a]rt, filling" up the intervening space with
pt and loam, in which I put the surplus
8l;k. Here tlie ]>lants have dime very well
ai. provided ([uantities of tlowers for cutting,
ides adding greatly to the appearance of the
ise. The only insects which trouble Strepto-
c;pi are green Hy, white fly, and mealy bug ;
two former may be easily dealt with liy
vliorising with nicotine insecticides, but the
<;r if allowed to establish itself will surely
the ))lants. as there are no successful means
etting rid of it from plants witli woolly leaves
1 a close-growing habit. Given cool treat-
iipit throughout, however, mealy bug should
get a staniling ; the danger arises through
iing the .seedlings in a hothouse among other
nts already infested with the pest.
Pile illustration shows three well-flowered
luples grown by Mr. C. Jones, gardener to
J . H. Woods, Ote Hall, Burgess Hill, Su.ssex.
lese plants were each four years old and
asured .'Si feet across. They were in 10-inch
s, and at their best at the end of the month
June. There were then on them 1.50 more
fitvers than at the time the photograph was
en. J. C. Tall.vok.

tl

(

ts,

'lumbago capensis. — The remarks by " H.'

HI) on the treatment of this useful but much

II fleeted plant, are well worth perusal, as show-

ii the usefulne.ss of it when grown in pots. As

ot plant my experience of it is but limited, but

ave proved it to be a capital subject for cover-

trellises in conservatories and cool corridors,

aioueh, as " H."' says, a little warmth suits it

1 1. Planted in a fairly rich loamy compost it

f] ckly covers a large space, and when in bloom

lutumn its pale blue tlovvers are very attrac-

I have a large plant on a conservatory wall,

1 each spring I cut it back to several eyes from

ba.se, removing altogether the weaker growths.

I icon breaks away again and the growths are

a>wed to fall down naturally. — Grower.

ialceolaria alba.— What may be accom-
pihed with this perfectly be.autiful species as a
j: plant was well shown at the Royal Horticul-
t al Society, on Tuesday last, by a grou]j of

eral plants in a circular basket, the importance
ovhich may fairly be estimated by its receiving
a rst-claas certificate. The species, a native of
C li, has been in cultivation for half a century or
nre, yet has been little known to gardeners
p erally. Several notices of this beautiful spe-
c I, as also acolouied plate last year in Thi:(;.\r-
have brought the plant more prominently

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
On i,v a very small number of exhibits were brought
together on this occasion. The most conspicuous
exhibits were a large group of Cakidiums fi-om
Messrs. John Laing and Sons, Forest Hill, hardy
plants fnmi Messrs. Wallace, of Colchester, an
extensive and very interesting- collection of twenty
dishes of Cob Nuts and Filberts from Messrs.
Bunyard and Co., Maidstone, a large collection of
fruit from the Dowager Lady Freake, Ful«ell
Park, a group of hardy Heaths from Messrs.
Veitch and Sons, and groups of Orchids from
Messrs. Sander and Messrs. Veitch and Sons.
]'"rom Sir Trevor Lawrence came an enormous
spike of Grammatophyllum speciosum.

Orchid Committee.

A gold medal and first-class certificate were
awarded to Sir T. Lawrence for

(TR.\M5iATopHTLLrM SPECIOSUM. — A gigantic
form producing spikes upwards of 7 feet in length,
and carrying upwards of sixty flowers, each about
(i inches across the sepals and petals by 1 inch in
breadth, the ground colour being rich golden yel-
low, heavily spotted with rich brown ; the lip
pale yellow, lined and suffused w^ith brown.
Two flowers are produced at the base of the
spike, which are not fertile ; the ground colour
greenish yellow, with darker brown markings.
Althoughan old species, it is somewhat difficult
to induce it to flower freely, only two instances
of its ha\-ing previously flowered in this country
having been recorded, viz., with Messrs. Loddiges,
of Ha'ckney, in 18.51, also with Mr. Farmer, of
Cheam, in 1858.

Awards of merit were adjudged to the follow-
ing : —

L.«i.io-Cattlf,va Jcno (C. Mossi;e x L. majalis).

The sepals and petals deep rose, suffused with a

darker shade of colour, the lip rich purple, shad-
ing to yellow, lined with purple-brown at the
base, the side lobes pale rose, shading to yellow.
The flower is intermediate in character between
the two species, but the habit of growth resembles
C. Mossia'. From Mr. N. E.Cookson, Wylam-on-
Tyne.

L.ELTo-C.iTTLEYA Anderiana (bicolor X ele-
gans). — The sepals and petals are nearly white,
slightl}' suffused with rose at the base, the lip
fleep velvety crimson, with a white blotch and
margin in front, the side lolies pale rose, shading
to purple, lined with white at the base, the colour
rase-purple, with a white blotch at the ajjex. The
lip has the elongated character of C. bicolor. It
is remarkably free-flowering ; the plant exhibited
carried four flowers on the spike. From Mr. R. .T.
Measures, Cambridge Lodge, Camberwell.

Goodvera Rolllssoni. — A lovely form, with deep
velvety green and yellow foliage. It is remark-
abl}- free growing and a most desirable variety.
From Jlr. W. Bull, Chelsea.

Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, King's Road,
Chelsea, sent two fine forms of Cattleya Atalanta,
a good form of C. intertexta (C. Warneri x 3.
Jlossise), a large, bold-flowered variety with deep
rose sepals and petals, the lip deep rose, veined
and suffused with rich crimson-purple in the
ii) notice, and now Mr. J. T. Bennett-Poi', of i centre, shading to rich orange-yellow at the base ;
C shunt (gardener, Mr. Uownes), has proved its Ladio-Cattleya Nysa (L. crispa X C. Warseewiczi),
vie both .as a jKit jjlant or cut flower. The a lovely fornr with pale rose sepals and petals, the
pfectly grown j)lants shown by Mr. Poii were ' lip rich crimson-purple, heavily fringed at the
c<i|)act bushes laden with blossoms, these being I erlges with light rose, the side lobes white, shading
bine on much-forked heads in considerable pro- to rich yellow and deep crimson at the b.ase ; L.C.
fiion. The elegant sub-shrubby character of the Parysatis (Boweringiana X puraila), intermedi,ate
p. It, with numerous linear leaves that .are in character between the two parents, with three
m utely serrated at the margin only, add beauty ' flowers ; Cypripedium Melanthus (Hookeri x

Stonei), a distinct form, the dorsal sepal pale
green, suffused with yellow and lined with brown,
the petals greenish yellow, lined and spotted with
dark brown, the li)) greenisli yellow, suffused with
l)mwn : and C. .lanct (.Spicerianum x glanduli-
fcruui), taking a great deal of the characters of
( '. Spicerianum in form and colour, with the
twistefl char.acteristic of the other parent in the
petals (silver modal). Messrs. F. Sander and Co.
sent a small group consisting of Catasetum
t'hrystianum, a distinct form with deep rich
brown sepals and |)etals, the lip brown, mottled
with green aiul heavily sulVused witli dark purphj
liaira at the margin ; C. fimljriatum with ton
tlowers, Lelia amanda, C.ittleya Gaskelliana vir-
ginalis, a nearly wliite form with a slight tint of
rose in the centre of tlie lip ; Lielio-Citlleya R j!)in
Measures (parentage not recorded), the sepals and
petals pale lemon-yellow, the lip yellow, suffused
with rose-purple, witli a deeper shade of yellow at
the base : and L.-C. Sanderiana, a variety very
similar to one previously noted under the name of
L.-C. Elsteiid Gem.

Sir T. Lawrence sent a distinct species of Cym-
bidium with pale green sweetly-scented flowers,
and L:elio-Cattleya Janet (C. intermedia \iolacea
X L. pumila), a lovely form, with pale rose sepals
and petals, lip crimson-purple in front, which
extends round the margin of the side lobss, the
latter rose, shading to yellow at the base.

Mrs. Briggs, Bury Bank House, Accrington,
sent Cypripedium Hercules (venustum x Stonei)
with two flowers. Mr. R. J. Measures exhibited
the rare Masdevallia Lowi, a most distinct va-
riety, the sepals and petals white at the tips,
spotted with purple, and shading to yellow at the
base. Tlie plant carried eleven spikes of flowers.
Mr. C. J. Ingram sent a form of L. Dominiana,
Lielio-Cattleya Ruby Gem (C. Lawrenceana x
L.-C. elegans), the sepals pale rose, [letals rose,
heavily suftused with a darker shade of colour ;
lip rich crimson-purple, shading to white in the
throat ; and Cypripedium gracile (Haynaldianum
X Swiinianum),agraceful form with three flowers.
Messrs. H. Losv and Co. had La-lio-Cattleya
Canhamiana, L.-C. Aurora, and a fine form of
Cypripedium Alfred HoUington with three
flowers.

Floral Comm^ittee.

A first-class certificate was awarded to —
Ficcs radicans VARlEG.iTA.— This is a very
pleasing variety, dwarf and bushy in habit, with
pretty mottled foliiige, grey-green and white. It
a|ipears to be a strong grower, and is a highly
attractive plant. From Mr. W. Bull.

Awards of merit went to the following : —

Cactus Dahlia Amber.— The colour is very
charming, being shades of bronzy yellow. Tn ;
form is fairly good, the petals narrow and pointe 1,
but not tw'isted, and the bloom is slightly in-
clined to be coarse. From Mr. J. Stredwick,
Silver Hill Park, St. Leonards.

Cactus Dahlia Xioiit.— A very dark velvety
m;uoon, of excellent form and a very taking colour.
It is not unlike Matchless, but has a better centre.
It should make a good exhibition bloom. From
Mr. J. Stredwick.

Pompon Dahlia Hvp.\tia.— This is a variety of
good form, with a close, hard centre. The colour
is quite distinct, being a pinkish terra-cotta,
shading almost to bronze yellow at the centre.
From Mr. C. Turner, Slough.

Pompon I).\hha Vesta.— A shapely white ;
certainly an improvement in form on most of the
existing whites, but spoiled by a defective centre.
From Mr. Turner.

PcjMPoN- Dahlia Phryne.— A pretty variety
with yellow petals, shading to scarlet at the
edges. The form is generally good, but the
centres appear to be not quite reliable. From
Mr. Turner.

Show Dahlia M.\rjorie.— A very pretty
flower, amber-yellow, the older petals faintly
tinged with pink. The form is good, but the
centres slightly uneven. From Mr. Turner.

The principal exhibit in this section was a
large group of Caladiums from Messrs. John Laing

170

THE GARDEN.

[August 28, 1897i

and Sons. The plants ivere not generally of great
size, but were in good condition, well grown ;ind
of brilliant colours. A few of the most striking
phint.s were the charmingly variegated C. E.
Dahle, Michel Buchner, a particularly handsome
specimen of Louis Van Houtte, Baron Adolphe de
Rothschild, Princess of Teck, Flammant Rose, a
very bright \ariety : Raymond Lemoinier, verv
nne, P. Klein and Mrs. Laing. From the same
firm came also a very j)retty group of Crotons,
every plant in which was a madel of symmetrical
growth and all were well coloured (siher-gilt
Flora medal). A nice group of plants, chiefly
Begonias and ornamental foliage plants, was shown
by Mr. P. Purnell, Woodlands, Streatham Hill.
The arrangement was tasteful and ertective (silver
medal). Mr. T. S. 'Ware, of Tottenham, made a
gorgeous show with a collection of Dahlias, con-
tammg pompons and Cactus and decorative varie-
ties. Among the pompons the best bunches were
Eurydice, Tommy Keith, Mrs. \V. Besant, Mars,
Darkness, Lilian and .Juliette. The Cactus section
contained good examples of Valkyrie, Mrs. A.
Beck, Matchless and John Welch (silver medal).
Messrs. ^V. Wallace and Co., Colchester, staged a
beautiful collection of Liliums and Gladioli, mak-
ing a very brilliant bank of colour. Varieties of
Lilium speoiosum were well shown, also L. aura-
tnm, L. Maximowiczi, L. Batemanni:;.-, L. tigri-
num splendens and L. tigrinum flore-pleno (silver
medal), Messrs. Veitch and Sons had a very
delightful exhibit, viz,, a collection of hardy
Heaths. The varieties shown were Erica Mac-
kayana, E. A-ulgaris variegata, E. \. aurea, with
\ery good foliage ; E. v. Hammondi, a very strong-
growing white form; E. vulgaris fl.-pl., a very
lovely variety, free-flowering and of very sturdy
growth, the colour also very charming ; E. cinerea
alba, E. vulgaris Allporti, a handsome variety of
darker colour (silver medal). Mr. W. Bull,
King's Road, Chelsea, sent plants of Musa superba
and of Ficus radicans variegata.

A few new Roses were shown liy Mes-rs Wm
Paul and Son, Waltham Cross, viz., the new Tei
Empress Alexandra of Russia, Aurora, a pretty
pink bedding and decorative Rose; Waltham
Standard, a new red Hybrid Perpetual ; and
Queen Olga of Russia, a new Hybrid Tea.

Fruit Committee.

An award of merit was given to

Melon Froumore Scarlet, a scarlet flesh fruit
large, oval, nicely netted, and of excellent quality'
It IS a cross between Duchess and the old Beech'
wood. Sent by Mr. O. Thomas, the Royal (Jar
dens, Frogmore.

The exhibits before this committee were not
numerous but interesting. Fruit was shown
well by Messrs. Rivers, Bunyard, Elliot, Wythes
and Rickwood, and some excellent vegetables
came from Mr Lawrence. Some excellent (Jrapes
were staged by Mr. Elliot, gardener to Capt.
Macdonald, Hurstside, West Molesey, consistino-
of the varieties Foster's Seedling, Madresfield
Court and Gros; Maroc (silver Knightian medal).
The Dowager Lady Freake (gardener, Mr. Rick-
wood, lulwood Park, Twickenham) sent thirty
dishes of fruit, consisting of Apples and Pears,
Peaches, Plunis, Nectarines, Currants in xariety
and Black Hamburgh Grapes, with Morello
Cherries (silver Banksian medal), Mr. G. \\>thes
Syon House, Brentford, sent thirty Melons, the
chief variety being Middlesex Hero. The fruits
were beautifully netted. This kind was given an
award in 18!).->. The same exhibitor sent a new
If {?•"„ '^J''°S-' ,?'h^"^'=s Bank, but not ripe.
Mr. Willard, Holly Lodge Gardens, Hirrho-ate
sent a new seedling Melon, a white flesh, Tjut the
fruit was not quite at its best-a promising kind.
Mr. Mclndne, Button Hall, Guisborouo-h Yorks
sent a dish of Japanese Plum Burbank, a very
prolific variety. Messrs. Rivers and Sons, Saw-
bridgeworth, sent black and white Grapes Gri
diska IS a very sweet, refreshing Graj.e, not larc/e
but good, amber-coloured berries and verv free
bearer, and Direoteur Tisserand is a blue berry
round and distinct. They also exhibited three
boxes of Plums grown on pot trees-splendid

fruits, the varieties being Late Transparent Gage,
(Jolden (iage and Monarch. These were given a
cultural commendation. Messrs. G. Bunyard and
Co., The Royal Nurseries, Maidstone, exhibited
twenty dishes of nuts— Cob and Filberts, very
fine, and varieties worth special notice. The
Atlas Cob, Webb's Prize, Duke of Edinburgh,
Pearson's Prolific, red and white Filberts, the
Kent Filbert and the purple-skinned Filliert were
most noticeable for size and quantity, and the
collection was most interesting.

Vegetables were well shown by Mr. F. Robin-
son, gardener to Mr. V. Lawrence, Elsfield House,
Hollingliourne. There v.ere very good exhibits
of Excelsior Onions, Standard-bearer Celery, Bun-
yard's Scarlet Perfection Carrot and good Stu-
dent Parsnip, Potatoes in variety. Hill's Prize
Runner Bean (a nice dish), excellent Cheltenham
(ireen-top Beet, Sutton's No. 1 Cucumber, Wal-
cheren Cauliflower, and other good dishes (silver
Banksian medal). A collection of Cucumbers
(eighteen fruits) came from Mr. W. Kemp,
Barnes, the variety lieing Covent Garden Perfec-
tion. Mr. Corbet, gardener to the Marquis of
Normanby, Mulgrave Castle, sent seedling To-
matoes Royal Sovereign and Mulgrave Castle.
Douljtless these will be tried at Chiswick.

The Veitch prizes for flavour in Apples were
given, first, to Mr. Wythes, Syon, who had a dish
of Irish Peach, and second, to Mr. Herrin, Drop-
more Gardens, for Lady Sudeley. Mr. Wythes
was cri\-en the second award for Jargonelle Pears,
but by the rules the award was vetoed, as he had
it on the previous occasion for the same fruit.

A most interesting lecture on Plums was gi\en
by Mr. A. Pearson, of Chilwell, Notts, who al-
luded to the value of the fruit on account of its
hardiness and its freedom on a north as|5ect in
moist soil and in exposed places. In noting new
varieties he remarked what good kinds the
Messrs. Rivers had given us, mostly from seed,
but a few had been obtained from suckers. He
dwelt on budding and grafting, the former being
the most suitable, as trees treated thus were not
so liable to canker. He described the varieties of
stocks for the work, and ad\ ised a good dwarfing
stock for these fruits. When the cuttings are
needed for grafts they should not be in active
growth, but nearly dormant. Jlany growers, on
the other hand, took their cuttings direct from
the trees. Plums should not be too closely
pruned, and wall trees should be trained hori-
zontally, not fan-trained, the shoots pinched when
growing rather than pruning with the knife.
Thinning the fruits was often neglected. It was
important to do the thinning early. He ga%'e
instances of immense crops of fruits obtained by
market growers in fa\-ourable localities, and
noted the value of jam factories in the districts
named, and used in this way the Plum gave a
good return. For market. Rivers' Early Prolific,
Victoria, Kirke's, and many others gave a splen-
did return when well grown and sent with care to
jireserve the bloom. For dessert, Jeft'erson's, Early
Transparent, and Green Gage Mere doubtless the
most profitable. There was a demand now for
fruit for bottling. The smaller fruits were best for
this purpose. He dwelt on the various kinds
grown in the midlands and the \arious aspects
needed for certain \'arieties. He mentioned that
the Prunes, which did so well at Jlentmore, did
not succeed in many other places. There should
be greater care in the gathering of these fruits
and in selection for certain soils. He alluded to
the Japanese Burbank shown that day and to
other •Japanese kinds. The chairman, %It. Bun-
yard, added some excellent remarks on planting,
grafting, and the A'alue of the (Jolden Gage,
Pond's Seedling, Victoria, and Frogmore Prolific
Damson and other interesting matters connected
with the culture of Plums.

the chair and was, considering the season of L
year, well supported by his brother otticers 1
members. The business was mainly formal :!l
of a routine nature. A vote of condolence v'l
the family of the late Mr. R. Owen was confirn'
and the \acancy on the floral committee caul
by his death was filled up by the aiipointmen f
Mr. Gleeson to the vacancy. A report wasfl
mitted as to the annual excursion, which was |'
nounced to be, as usual, a most successful afi
It was resolved that the society's medals
awarded at the forthcoming September shoft '
the same way as at the other shows of the soci
so far as miscellaneous exhibits are concerr
Twenty-five new members were elected, and
Higham Hill and Barnstaple Chrysanthem
Societies were admitted in affiliation.

National Chrysanthemum Society. — The

members of the general committee of this society
held a meeting on Monday evening last at
Anderton's Hotel. Mr. T. W. Sanders occupied ' made a brave display, though many, no doubj

THE NATIONAL CO-OPERATIVE
FESTIVAL.
August 20 and 21.
This festival, which brings into a common ceii
the leaders and members of the various co-opt
five societies in the country, extends througl
week, the most interesting "part of it being
large flower show which took place on Friday;
Saturday of last week at the Crystal Palace,
has been the practice hitherto to hold the floi
show in the nave of the building, but, as that
occupied by the Imperial Victorian Exhibitioi
huge tent was erected on the garden terra
500 yards in length by 40 feet in width, and
this the various exhibits forming the floi
show were staged, where they were seen to mi
greater advantage than in the building, i
where also they suffered much less from heat,
was not only a very extensive exhibition, but i
of general excellence.

On the first day the fruit grown under gl
was staged, some good collections being plai
upon the tables, the produce very largely of g
deners or well-known amateurs. Saturday brou|
the most interesting part of it, the produce mai
of the gardens of working men— self-taught g
deners, who have gained their knowledge by
perience learned in the course of culture. T
portion of the show came from all parts of
country, and comprised twenty-nine compl
collections of vegetables, forming in the agg ,
gate IT-l dishes ; of these, one entry came fr
Scotland, two from the midlands, three from i
west of England, five from the north-west, eij
from London and its suburbs, and ten from 1
south of England. The counties are grouped ii
eight ditferent districts, so that the colleoti<
grown in a certain area compete by themselv
and thus a favourable part of the country ga
no advantage over one of a colder and less gen
character. Saturday's display was made up
over 1000 entries ; among them were 2i(S disl
of Potatoes, many of them of the highi
cjuality ; of Beans there were 1,30 dishes,
Beet seventy -eight, of Cabbage twenty -nil
and of garden Turnips seventy-seven ; but thf
particular vegetables, owing, it was said, main
to the inclemency of the season, lacked their usi ■•
quality. Everything else was decidedly goo
Of Cauliflowers there were few entries, as it is
season between the early types and the lar
autumn varieties ; of Celery there were thir
dishes, some of it remarkably good ; Peas we
represented by sixty-four dishes, the Duke
Albany and Autocrat types being most in e'
dence ; Vegetable Marrows by ninety-one. Ai
not only is there an improvement in "quality, b
it is made quite clear that the range of varieti
widens also ; the best of each is what is soughtf
and cultivated.

There were excellent plants also, many of the
brought with great care from long distances,
finely-grown specimens of Ferns, including sod
of the choicer Maiden-hairs and others, Coleu
foliage Begonias, delightful pots of Harrison;
Musk, admiralile flowering Begonias, Fuchsia
Lilies, Pelargoniums, &c. Annuals grown in. po

iuousT 28, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

171

been tiikcii ii|i fn'"' "'O K"-ouiiil and ]i1!Ic(m1 in
ixtfor tlio |iiu|iosi-. I'ol iiluiits lUuiiliL'ivd iicmlv
" but cut II.PWuiN renched to ll.'iT entries, uiid
most |iii|nd ir willi tlieso co-operators are Dah-
Marij;old.s, Roses, Asters, Hweet I'eas, Mi^-
•tie, lie. The show. Cactus and ronipon
Has Here excellent, and African Marigolds very
It was sansfaetory to note that there were
■six entries made by working' women and
\ nine liy tlu- children of artisans in the
N set apail for them. All the time the show
..j;en to the pidilic the tent was crowde 1 with
ors, who appeareil to be deeply interested
he exhibits. I'erhaps no other exhibition of
kind draws to it so much of human interest
IS lis one of co-operative products. It always
at Jclsan cnornunis crowd.

1 the Italian Court within the I'alace could be

.■\n cxhiliition of photographs of "Gardens

-te," slioHu individually and also in collec-

-, for which prizes are offered. Many of these

eofisted of wiirkmen's town gardens, cottagers'

ffJitry gai'dens, window garilens, floral porches,

■ ry. Iianging liaskets, &c., ten classes in all,

professional photographers were invited to

rolleetions of garden views and sylvan

-, anil prizes were awarded for these also.

1 a useful hint was conveyed bj' the.se, as they

presented what human hands had wrought

-listed Nature to disiilay in the way of delight-

luubjeots.

he principle of co-operation has undoubtedly

reT largely into our social and industrial

;us, never to get out of them again. Some of

iding advocates may be deemed visionaries

lieir projects regarded as crude, but it does

M probable that, were the principle more

Juiuly introduced into industrial organisations,

miy of the labour wars between emj)loyers and

!'iye<l might be i)revented. This is a consum-

M (lexoutcdly to lie wished, and if the results

~ annual festival and flower showtend towards

'.'■V understanding of laliour and social ques-

-, and a more t-'ordial intercourse among

ttJierd and their ma- ters, then it is a movement

w !;li, if it does not command full adherence, may

Vi excite and draw to it the sympathies of the

cc munitv-

Notes of the Week.

ladiolus brenchleyensis.— The bold spikes

his old garden ]ilant have been singularly
eflitive of late, and, in spite of many choice
hj^id kinds, tlie bold scarlet of this well-known

t is as much admired as ever. A splendid

t for shrubbery Ijorders.

tegonia Knowsleyana. — For grouping
fny in the conservatory this is a most pleasing
voety, bearing its elegant white and rose-tinted
soms in considerable numbers. So free indeed
J growth, that many useful branches could be
red when cut flowers are in recjuest. In this
the small sprays would be very charming for
e use.

ympheea Marliaoea ig-nea.— This lovely
id is now flowering sj)lendidly at Kew in the

of

hulya<iuatie tank, its richly-coloured blossoms

>-P

ading out in all directions. The colon

mi *able as well as pronounced— a shade of briglit
"■ crimson, inclining possibly to an intenserhue
. ."ge. It bears a continued succession of glow-
in; ')lossoms for weeks together, floating on the
ice of the water, and is most valuable.
ymphaea tuberosa var. flavescens.— This
very pleasing v,-niety, now flowering abun-
ui ly in the o|)en water, where its large, pale
cr.my yellow lilo.ssoras are most attraeti\e, and,
as:;iated with the brighter tints of the more
re. It hybrids, the effeet is indeed beautiful. The
les is a native of North America and quite
y in British gardens, of easy culture, and
ily increased by division of its tuberous roots
1 dormant.

fentiana Andrews!.— For moist or very
shiy positions this is a capital plant in groups.

and of eonsiderablo value at this time in the bog
gaidrn, wlu'i-e so few things of its colour can \n:
found. Where there is no bog garden the plant
may be grown with perfect suci'css in similar
positions and soil to the Trilliuins, Dentarias,
Oyprijiediiim spectabile, and such tilings. In a
shady spot at the foot of the rockery the plant
grew' and flourished for some years in succession.

Carnation Mrs. Tudway. - I have sent
you a plant of Carnation .Mrs. Tudway for you
to SCO its liabit and constitution. It was layered
in .\ugust, iSitli, and planted out the following
Oetiibcr. i planted out ;!(K1 and not one went
oil during the winter. I planted out .500 of the
old Clove, and lost about 100 plants. — A. O.
HooKiNcs, The Oardeiis, 0/iloirn llouxe, Almond.t-
liiinj.

Tufted Pansy Ardwell Gem.— This old
variety is just now flowering exceptionally well,
and although there are several distinct acquisi-
tions ill yellow sorts in the newer varieties, this
sort flowers consistently. Small pieces planted
out in the sjiring have now attained to large
proportions, the rich green creejjing style of
growth being literally covered with bloom. It is
a pity that the constitution of some of the newer
sorts is not equal to the variety under notice. —
D. B.

Chrysantbemum Bronze Bride.— This is
one of the first of the early-flowering pompons to
flower this season. The colour in its early stages
is a rich reddish bronze, and is especially eSective
when a few plants are grouped together. With
age the blooms pass to a light bronze colour. .-V
good feature in this plant is that when the
flowering .sfeason is over the plant may be cut
down, when new growths break away freely from
the base, and these each give a numljer of
blossoms of excellent form and colour. The height
rarel}- exceeds 2 feet G inches. — D. B. C.

Campanula garganica hirsuta. — This is a
pretty kind that flowers profusely during the
sumimr months. The plant flowers when given a
position not too hot or dry in the border or rock
garden. Its trailing, tufted hal)it, however, is
best suited to the latter position, where its masses
of somewhat starry blue and white flowers are
singulavly eft'ective and pretty. The typical
species is also a valuable plant for the same
reason, and not less so the [) re white variety,
which is not nearly so plentiful as it deserves to
be, and diflicult to obtain true to name.

Nertera depressa. — The pretty orange-scarlet
berries of this plant are now ajjproaching matu-
rity, and among very dwarf subjects it is quite
distinct and, for the time being, effective. Given
frame protection for the winter and fresh potting
in the early spring with returning growth, success
may be assured. Potting should, however, be
done some time before the inconspicuous little
blossoms appear, and if divided at all the gardener
should lie lenient, or the set of berries will be
meagre. When the plant is in flower, plenty of
air should be given to encourage a free set of
lierries.

Gentiana asclepiadea alb^. (White Willow
Gentian). — Some tine tufts of this graceful Gen-
tian ai-e now flowering abundantly in the rock
gartlen at Kew. The position is a somewhat
shady one, and here in the cool, uniform condi-
tions thereby ensured the plant grows and blos-
soms freely. A mixture of the blue and white
forms of this plant with graceful stems, that
doubtless suggest its popular name, growing
"ij feet high, lias a decidedly ])retty effect in the
rock garden or in any s[)0t at once cool and
shaded. The plant is at home there, and in deep
moi.st soil of peat and loam luxuriates.

Three stove climbers. — I herewith send you
a spray of three good stove climbers — Schubertia
grandillora, I'assiflora princeps, and Aristolochia
elegaiis. Passiflora princeps is growing in a 12-
inch pot and has not been potted for four j'ears,
and wc are seldom without plenty of floweis ;
there is now over fifty rhizomes on it. Schubtrtia
grandiflora is very rarely seen, but it is one of the

best climbers to grow where plenty of wdiito
flowers are reipiired ; it will commence to flower
early in the spring, and continue till very late in
the autumn. — .\. G. Hookiscs.

*,* Handsome flowers, all well grown. — El).

Lilium speciosiim Meliiomene. — When
freely grou[)ed in the garden in partially shadv'
jjlaces this is one of the most handsome, as also
the most desirable and useful of all the forms of
this section. Vigorous of growth, fre'C and abun
(hint, as well as reliable in flowering, it yields a
grantl profusion of its richly coloured blossoms.
These latter are of great sub.stance, the rich crim-
son hue that predominates being freely spotted
with white, the margin of the petals being also
lined with white. This very handsome Lily is
now flowering freely, and is very conspicuous in
a mass.

Tufted Pansy Magie. — This variety, sent
out by Mr. S. Pye last year, is now at its best.
The cooler and moister weather of the last fort-
night has suited it. All through the season the
flowers ha\e been highly prized, as they were
freely produced and are of a shade of colour
somewhat new. The colour is a pleasing shade
of rose, with a light suffusion of crimson in the
centre and on the lower petal. The flowers are
of large size and of circular foi-m, with a very
neat yellow eye. This variety has growth which
is fairly dwarf and compact, and on this account
should supersede that formerly much-prized sort,
William Kiel, for bedding. — I). B.

Abelia rupestris. — A charming and pretty
rock shrub or wall plant of comparati\ely easy
culture, and bearing a profusion of [lale pink and
white blossoms. Though by reason of its specific
name it is called the Rock Abelia, it is very rarely
indeed so employed, but, at the same time, a
rather sheltered spot should be given it where
the proximity of a large piece of rock would
aflbrd some protection. Flowering, too, quite
late in summer, it would assist in keeping the
rock garden more attractive, while the general
efl'ectof such beautiful things judiciously placed
would pro\e a step in the right direction.

Abutilon Golden Fleece.— This variety has
the merit of providing a rich luofusion of blos-
soms of a beautiful golden tint and considerabl i
size. During its period o£ flowering, which
ranges from early in June to the end of October,
or even later, the old-established examples jiro-
duce many hundreds of flowers. As a greenhouse
plant for the roof this \ariety has but few equals,
and its flowering propensity appears endless.
A capital idea of the value of the plant may
lie gathered from a good-sized exanqjle in one of
the greenhouses at Kew. Where an aliundance
of useful flowers for small glass is required, this
kind is worth some attention.

Phyg'elius capensis. — For a position fully
exposed this distinct and useful autumn-flowering
perennial cannot be regarded as absolutely hardy,
and should be well mulched each year. At the
same time it would be advisable to root some
young plants for wintering in frames in the event
of the old plant being killed by the frost. Freshly
rooted plants are also more vigorous, and take to the
soil readily when (ilanted in good ground early in
April. A few cuttings could be inserted as soon
as [jrocurable, and these, in sandy soil, root readily.
Bright-coloured subjects such as this are always
valued in late summer and autumn when theyellow-
flowering composites appear to hold sway in the
garden.

Chrysanthemum Little Bob. This excellent
old |)ompon is flowering well already this seascn,
its charming little blossoms of bright crimson
standing out conspicuously from among other
varieties of the .same flower. Although flowering
so early in the season, it is not to be despised in
the least, but rather should be more wi lely cSid
for planting in clumps in the hardy border, or in
small beds by itself. The plant is dwarf and free
growing, and rarely exceeds 18 inches in height.
It is wrongly named in one or two instances in
the trial of early-llovvering Chrysanthemums at
the Roval Horticultural Society, Chiswick, being

172

THE GARDEN.

[August 28, 1897.

there described as Scarlet Gem, wliieh is really
synonymous with the variety under notice.—
D. B. C.

Tufted Pansy Britannia.— So much has lieen
written about the need of a really true blue tufted
Pansy, that all interested in the distribution of a
noNelty of this description should welcome it. The
colour is indeed a rich and deep shade of blue, and,
like other Pansies of this shade of colour, the hot
and trying weatherof July and early August caused
them to be anything but pretty. Now, however,
this variety is simply superb, and may be con-
sidered a magnificent addition to these plajits if
a position can be given to it where partial shade
can be secured, more especially during the hottest
part of the day. The flowers are rather large,
circular, and deeply veined. This variety is also
fragrant. Free habit of growth characterises
this sort.— C. A. H.

Symphyandra pendula. — A good summer
plant for the rock garden, too rarely seen in any-
thing approaching good condition. It is a plant
easy to accommodate in a light, warm soil, and
the small fragments that one .sees occasionally
must not be taken as representative of this spe-
cies, which will reach a diameter of 2 feet, or even
3 feet, when well grown. Thus seen, it is %ery
attractive either as a front row border' plant or on
an easy slope in good soil in the rock garden. The
large pendent blossoms are creamy white and
nearly 3 inches long. A good plan is to raise a
few seedlings and plant out at (i inches apart, with
the object of forming a goodly-sized patch. At
Kew just now the plant is in fine form in the
hardy plant department. — E. J.

Sea Lcavenders. — So many persons now use
the bloom of Oypsophila paniculata for vase deco-
ration, and use it .so commonly also, that already
some occasional and yet pleasing substitute for
it is asked for. Nothing I know of furnishes that
substitute so pleasingly and abundantly as do the
Statices. When cluurps of these hard}' plants are
established, and they do remarkably well on
mounds or rockwork, the}- give great clusters of
beautiful small bluish flowers in large racemes.
Not only may these be used with exceedrng grace
with other flowers, for the bluish tints are almost
neutral, but gathered now and stood in vases
without water they keep bright for months, as
Everlasting Flowers do. Everyone who wants
such things should get plants of iucana, latifolia
and Lemoniana, for they are all good. — A. D.

Spiraea Anthony Waterer.— Those who have
Sjiiriea Bumaldi should also secure plants of this
rich, deep crinrson-carmine flowered variety. It
is well worth poiirting out that where a few plants
arc grown, one or two pinched back in the
summer induce later bloom, and that is valuable,
especially where rich colour is desired in cut
flowers. Small clusters of bloom cut well and are
very effective. As these Spira?as are shrul)by and
very hardy they are easily grown, as are any
other deciduous shrubs, but they are naturally
dwarf. They like a semi-peaty soil, that lieing
indeed the natural character of the Knaphill soil
where these shrubs thrive so well. A few plants
put out thinly into a bed, various Liliums being
planted between, or clusters of Hyacinthus candi-
cans, give very pleasing garden decoration with
very little trouble. — A. D.

Tufted Pansies. — I have but just seen the
large collection of these growing at Long Ditton,
where during the season comparatively little r-ain
has fallen. The plants were small ones put out
in the spring, and the majority have now grown
into masses. The following few I noted as re-
markably effective, not only in colour, but having
done wonderfully well, forming dense masses of
leafage and liloom : Nellie, rayless, pure white :
Primrose Dame, pale lemon ; Lord Elcho, rich
yellow ; Florizel, bluish-hlac, a marvellous mass
of a lovely hue ; William Haig, colour of Archie
Grant, but flowers of better form, a beautifrd
variety ; Blue Gown, pale blue, and True
Blue, a rich blue. All these seem to make first-
rate masses and are singularly effective. It is
only by seeing these plants thus grown that their

suitability for massiirg can be accurately deter-
mined.— A. D.

Perennial Sunflowers. — It is one of the mis-
fortunes of these hardy jjlants that they increase
too rapidl}-. If not kept in check they become a
positive nuisance, apart from which they grow
so tall and bloom so profusely that but a few
plants in a garden seem irnduly to dourinate every-
thing else, and yellow prexails e\'erywhere. How
much is this the case where largely grown it is
easy to realise just now. It worrld be a good
thing if all the tall, coarse, weedy growers were at
once destroyed, and one-half the stock of all others
also, as nothing tends so much to depopularise any
family of plants as their too all pervadence.
Perennial Asters, with their generally blue tints
and many so tall, are fast getting into the same
category. Unfortunately these are tilings which
diseases seldom trouble. They survive, not be-
cause the fittest, but because so robust, elbowing
myriads of better things into oliscurity. — A. D.

Rudbeckia laciniata Golden Glow. —

Though this plant obtained the award of merit at
a recent meeting of the Roj'al Horticultur-al
Society, the flowers presented were scarcely as
meritorious as one could wish either in colour or
form ; in both of these it seenrs inferior to the
more fr-eely cultivated Sunflowers. Whether the
plant is as yet hardlj' established in gardens or
not is not quite clear, though so far as English
gardens in the south are concerned, the plant
would appear the reverse of happ}'. Members of
its genus are usirally quick at establishing them-
selves in our gardens, and unless this one im-
proves in the coming year we shall be inclined to
regard it as an over-rated plant. Of a dozen or
more blossoms in the Drill Hall recently only
two were passably good, which, seeing these
emanated from widely removed growers of hardy
plants, does not speak much in its favour. We
trust so distinct a variety will eventually prove a
success .

Cobaea scandens. — A short time back an ex-
cellent photogr-aph appeared in The (iAKDK.v
showing a porch clothed with Coba'a scandens, and
a note was appended thereto explaining how
easily and quickly such clothing could be effected
with this climber. I have been using it this year
to cover some wires at the back of a cold house,
and the growth made was so rapid that I was in-
duced to take one or two measurements to verify
the above statement. The seed, it may be noted,
was sown singly early in February in small pots,
the latter being plunged in a bed of leaves giving
out a gentle warmth. The place being hardly
ready when the young plants had filled the small
pots with roots, a shift was given into .5-inch pots,
and they were planted the first week iir May. On
Arrgust 2 the leading shoot of one of the plants
had attained a length of 30 feet, and the super-
ficial area covered Ijy the same plant is 120 sriuai'e
feet. Naturally, a little trouble has been taken
in the way of training and tying, but not very
much, and I think the case affords an apt illustra-
tion of the ease and rapidity with which bare
places can be clothed with this very (juick-gr'ow-
ing climber. — E. Br'RRi';r.i..

Hailstorm at Acton, Gunnersbury, and

neighbourhood. — On Wednesday la.st (August 2.5)
about noon a terrific hailstorm burst over this
immediate neighbourhood, accompanied with
heavy peals of thunder and most vivid lightning.
The damage done in Acton is most grievous to
witness, more especially amongst the many mai'ket
florists of the district. A hurried visit |)aid to
Mr. Humby's nursery in the .Mill Hill Road
r'evealed such a destruction amongst growing
plants still standing outside and in broken glass
as could scarcely be credited were it not seen. A
large number of Cln-ysanthemimiR, which in the
morning wer-e the pictrrre of health, were broken
down, other things also suffering extensively'.
When seen six hours after the storm had burst,
hailstones by the barrowload could be gathei'ed
up, many of these as measured then being fully an
inch in diameter. In this district, too, there are
many very pretty villa gardens which are com-

pletely denuded of their flowers and the folin
completely riddled. The foliage of the trees i
also stripped off so as to cover the ground qu i
thickly, some trees being almost bare. Ot ■
nui-series besides that quoted have also suffep
notably Mr. Pike's, the Carnation grower, j;
Gunnersbury the damage is not nearly so appare ,
I am glad to say ; the hailstones here ranged i
to the size of nuts. Of these there was an er .
mous quantity. In all probability we shall
more signs of the injury to growing crops in a
days' time. The Aucuba shoots sent are fron
villa garden in Acton. — J. Hi'dson.

Seedling "Verbenas. — When but a few d
since I was looking over the beds ot seedrai
Verbenas in Messrs. Sutton and Sons' nurs( ,
Reading, I could bit remember the exceed ■
trouble involved in the propagation of nan
Verbenas half a century since, when these pla .
constituted so important a factor in the sumi •
bedding arrangements of that date. W
trouble was involved in procuring proper shoot
make cuttings, and even then how difficult
induce them to strike if M'iry, and how rear*
they damped oft' if too young and sappy. (
tainly it was wisest to keep stock plants in |
all the summer, and these, wintered in a i
house, provided mildew was kept at bay, wo
furnish very good cuttings to root in the spr
in heat. Yet what a large amount of trouble
involved. Now things are, indeed, changed,
by purchasing a packet of mixed seed, if a mi
bed of Verbenas be desired, or getting seed
packets of distinct colours, if preferred, it is e
to obtain in that way beautiful varieties tha
long way exceed in quality and colouring i
best named varieties of half a century sii
Thei'e were blues in Messrs. Sutton's beds t \
almost vie with the hue of Salvia patens, |i
rich were they, and as to blooming povi
were wonderful. So also the scarlets, so fi(
yet from seed so alike. Then there were ]
whites, roses, maroons, and other colours, al
charming as to indeed make one wish for agar
in which to grow from seed these lovely thii
How one sees in such plants, in Petunias, ,i
Lobelias, Phlox Drummondi, Stocks, Asters, M I
golds, and dozens of diverse things, s .
summer floral wealth, and all obtained by '
mere sowing of a few packets of seed. — A. D

The weather in 'West Herts.— The weal ■
of the past week has again been about season.- :
in temperature. The days were cool for the t ■■
of year, while the nights, on the other hand, v i
mostly warm. The ground temperatures h)i
fallen, but are still slightly above the aver ■
both at 2 feet and 1 foot deep. Rain fell on e\
day but one during the week, the total
amounting to nearly l?i inches. There occurn
very heavy downpour shortly before 7 o'clock
the morning of the 25th, when for ten mini
rain was falling at the mean rate of over an i
an hour. On each of the last five days some i
water has come through both the percolat
gauges. Previous to this no water at all 1
come through either gauge for three weeks, ;
no measurable ijuantity for nearly six weeks,
winds were, as a rule, rather high, the direct
again being some point of the compass betw
south and west. — E. M. , Berkham-ffed.

BOOK RECEIVED.

" Report on the Plienological Ohservations
18!)G." By Edward Mawley, F.R.H.S.

Kcsa biflora officinalis.— Will " C. L.

say where this can be obtained ?

Names of fruit.— IF.— 1, Yorkshire Cfreeni
2, Eoundway Mhgnum Bonum ; 3, Cellini probab
4,pleare send again ; 5, Cox's Orange Pippin ; 6i "'
CalviUe. j

Names of plants.— H. 0. IF.— Virginian Pi

(Pbytolacca decandra). FT. Harding. — Dr\

phyllum caljcinum. C. Stewart.— 1, Pavia mm

stachya ; 2, Gleditschiatriacanthos ; 3, Viburnum t
tana ; 4, Arbutua Menziesi.

TSIE G-^^I^/IDEIsr,

No. 1346— Vol. LIL]

[SEPTEMBER 4, 1897.

erni :—

nuvalliii ftjiun.sis

To.lejus !it h'ivm-li;iy .. ..

bryaanthemums:—

Chrysauthcinuju Thistle ..
Bnrly Chry.*iin the mums in a

vase

Early tinwerinjf varieties . .
Ripcnotl WHO i and the buds

ubllo Gardens :—

lti>se.'4 in pul'lic [Kirks ..

itohen:-

Asparn^tm, watering . . . .
Froneh HciUi Canadian Glory
FroDch Boims, climbing . .
Cabbflges, winter ..
Carrot Smnnicr Favonritc . .

CucuDibora

Onion Record

Onion Silver ftall

Pea MftiiK-rup

Poa Mieluiolma-s

l^eas and gi-ecntly

Potato Karly Regent ..
Tomatoo'i and the disease . .
Vegetables, nutes on . .

rees and Shrubs:—

Ampclojisis and Ivies ,. .,
Dof/iCOO'l, the Aiinriritii..

Stove and Greenhouse:

Az;ile:i.'<. greftilii.iuse
Begonias, tuberous-rooted,

at Lewishani

Buronia SLMTulat;\

Encephalartos villosus
Gloxinias as market idiints

Roses:—

Ban k* inn Rose ^ th:' Ydlotr ..

Ros:i Pissardi

Rose Comtesse Panisse .
Rose Unkc of Connanght . .
Rose Eugene l''ur.st
Rose 'o-seph IJernacchi
Rose Mrs. James Wilson .,

Rose Papa Gontier

Tea'^, seini-elimbing, under
gliiss

Garden Flora : -

Lily nf the Valley, tlie . ..
Week's IBTork : -

Hardy fruit garden
Kitchen i,Mrden

Orchard and Fruit :—

Ai't>le IK'Vditsliirc Quarren-

de

Apple Potts* Seedling ..
Apples and Pears for pots ,
Apples in EastAnglia.. ,

1S5
184
184
185

(Illustrations in Italics.)

Api'les, early, flavour in .. 184

lUaek Currant mite .. .. 185

Fruit trees on north walls .. 18(i
Grub in Apple and Pear

leavc3 18(i

Mulbcn-ies 185

Nectarine Early Rivers .. 18'»

Poach Lord Palraerston .. 185
Peaches and Nectarineoi in

pots .. . . 186

Pear Beurri Glffard . . . . 185

Plum notes 185

Strawberries for forcing . . 185

Strawberry runners in 181)7 185

Flower:—

Azalea procumbens . . . . 1S7

Begonias, bedding 100

Calceolarias bedding .. .. I!t0
Carnation Hum Pink .. .. 100
Carnations, border . . . . 187
Flower garden notes . . . . 1S8
Gaultheria procumbens .. 187
Geraninms, twogood bedding 100
Helenium gran diceph alum

var. striatum

Incarvillea Delavayi from

seed

Lobelias, herbaceous ..
Mignonette on north Ixjrders
Pansy, Tufted, Duchess of

York

100

100
180
100

.„ 188

Pansios, Tufted 190

Pansies, Fancy 180

Phloxes, perennial 180

Primula Rusbyi 187

Sodum eoraicum 188

Scdnm hirsutum 187

Spifi' a (istithoidrn 16S

Htatico latifolia 11)0

'i'ropjoolum spcciosum.. .. 180

Violets 100

Notes of the Week:—

Ae;iiia mierophylla .. ,. 192

A/.olla tilieidoides 192

]{eK""'i^- tuljcrous-routed .. 102

(';iin;itiun Lady Hindlip .. 191

Cariiatiniis fmin Kelso.. .. 192

Chrysanthemum Flora. . . . 102
Chrysanthemum Mme. Marie

Masse 192

Clematis Davidiana . . . . 192

Cnc-ksLondw as bedding plants 102

ColrliiLUin autumnale .. .. 101

Dahlia Night 191

Echinacea puri>nrea .. .. 101
Echiudps lianaticus .. .. 191
Erica vulgaris Ilaniuiundi .. 101
Euphorbia L-urullata .. .. 191
Fieu>. radieans variegata .. 191
Gladiobis Sauudersi .. .. 191
Gyi^sophila paniculata . . .. 102
Helenium autumnale stria-
tum 191

Hibiscus Mrs. M.iekintosh . 191

Kniphofia Laehesis . , .. 191

Lilinm longiflorvmi . . . . 192

Lilium tigriniUM tl.-pl. .. 192

Lobelia cardin.alis 191

Michavisia canipanuloicles .. 191
Mixed plants in a long,

narrow Ijorder 192

Montbretia Tigridia .. .. 101

Nympha;a odor.ata rubra . . 191
Rose Empress Alex;indra of

Russia 191

Scnccio pidcher 191

Statice latifolia 191

Tufted Pansy M(dly Pope .. 191
Tufted Pansy Mrs, Chas.

Turner 101

Tufted Pansy Norah Creina 101

Tufted Pansy WalterB. Child U'l

Miscellaneous :—

Awilea indiia 174

Carrion Flowers, the .. .. ISO

Fruit and vegetable crops . . 180
Gardeners' Royal Benevolent

Institution 102

Holidays for girdenera . . 192

Phyj=alis Franchettl .. .. 17(1

Stai>i(ia bufonia 18(i

Substitutes for watering in

dry seasons 173

Weather in West Herts ,. 192

Ferns.

TODEAS AT FRENCHAY.
RKAXi:ei> in a Iriw lean-to house at Malniains,
renchay, near Bristol, is a capital collection of
lese charming Filmy Ferns. They were col-
■ted [jersonaliy by Captain Belfield, the pre-
iit owner, many years aj^o in New Zealand,
id a healthier, more thriving lot (jf [jlants
uld be dithcult to find. They are principally
two species — T. siiperba and T. pellucida,
le last-named lovely kind being represented
J many immense specimens, one fif which is
er 7 feet across. The age of the plant is
lown by the large root-stock, which on the
rge plant is several feet in circumference, and
iO leaves are beautifully fresh and green. The
)use is an annexe to a large temperate fernery,
id is, of eour.se, entered from here only ; con-
quently drying wind never reaches it, while
i aspect and the heavy shading used combine
keep up that cool, moist atmosphere in which
I these Ferns thrive. A winding path runs
e entire length of the house, and the large
ivcs of the Todeas look remarkably well in
■ominent positions upon the rockwork, with
liich the hou.se is lined (m each side. The
ants are evidently in good hands, and, what
even more im])ortaut, in a house that suits
em well. Mr. Rye says it is not unusual in
nter to find the fronds covered with hoar-
ist, but ijresumably, owing to the damp atmc-
here and tlie fact of the surface of the fronds
ver being dry, no harm results.

DayalUa fijiensis.- A nice specimen of this
rn IS very ornamtiital. and such an one I noted
cently at Malinains. The finely divided fronds
ow about IS inches high, and are I: road and
lely arched, the hairy rhizomes having a very
laint appearance. D. fijiensis is not a difticult
irn to cultivate, and is much more elegant than
e common Hare's-foot (I), canariensi.s). Like
I the DavalHas, it dislikes a close or heavy root-
n, but delights in rambling about over rough
mps of cork or charcoal. It is suitable for

hanging baskets or for suspending on large cork
blocks, such as are often used for Platycerium
alcicorne. If grown in jians these must be well
drained, and the rhizomes planted in a compost
consisting of rough lumps of jjeat and loam, with
charcoal and small crocks liberally added. A
moist atmosphere is congenial to its growth, the
plants thriving well in a shady position in the
stove. — R.

SUBSTITUTES FOR WATERING IN

DRY SEASONS.

The best substitute for watering in a dry season
is a deeper and better working of the land
with more manure or compiost. In a dry season
artificials are of no use, simply because without
nu.)isture the plants cannot take them up. A
plant with its root confined nnist of necessity
.suffer from drought if its wants are notsup]Jied,
but placed out in the open, and the ground well
broken and exposed and, if possible, manured,
the watering-pot, except in special cases, such
as transplanting, or special crops such as
Celery, which is to a certain extent a mai'sh pilant,
need not be so much used even in dry weather.
Mulching is a sidistitute for watering and is
only second in im]iortance to the deepening of
the root-runs. When mulching is menti(jned it
is commonly understood that a covering of
manure is placed over the roots on the surface
of the soil, but where manure or compost cannot
be had, an inch or two of loose soil, though it
does not afl'ord the nutriment which manure
gives, has pretty much the same effect in
checking evaporation and keeping out the in-
tense heat. A hard baked sui'face cracks, and
the moisture issues out of the fissures in the
shape of vapour, but a loose sui-face i)revents
cracking, and so the moisture remains in the
land, and is added to by what is known as
capillary attraction. And this explains how the
crops cm a freely stirred ' soil Hourish whilst
others on hard baked land fail. Then the loose
friable surface being in an absorbent condition
to a certain extent gains fertility from the at-

mosphere. During all the late drought where
the hoe has been run through the surface often
— and the oftener the better in reason — the
pilants have attained their full development
without a drop of water. The sunshine is the
most glorious gift the cultivator f)f the soil
I'eceives, and if it does harm it is because the
nuitter is not properly grasped, and the right
mea.sures for its utilisation taken. E. H,

Chrysanthemums.

EARLY-FLOWERING VARIETIES.

The first to bloom is M. (i. Grunerwald, the
plants of which have been a mass of colour for
some time in the open border. It is of a pink
shade, but varies, some of the blooms fading to a
blush-white. This is very free flowering. Alme.
Marie Masse has flowers of a better colour than
M. Grunerwald and more bushy growth. I think
it an excellent early kind. In whites there is
little to choose between Mme. Desgrange and
Lady Fitzwj'gram. Perhaps the latter is the
purer white out of doors, but both of them require
the shelter of glass to bring the colour out free
from a yellow tinge. Flora is a very showy
border sort. Its yellow blooms are bright, and
the small flowers are borne in great freedom, so
as to Ijeeome a fine mass. G. Wermig is also a
capital yellow. M. Dupuis is good in the bronze
shade. Taking the habit of the plant, with its
free-flowering qualities and its earliness, it is one
of a very few really useful early kinds. Notwith-
standing the larcre number of new varieties that
have Vieen brought into cultivation, the choice of
sorts worth growing is extremely limited. Sam
Barlow, a salmon-pink flower, is a useful kind.
Mile. Eulalie Morel is of a somewhat similar
shade and very good, but it blooms rather late in
September. A good early red is wanted. Roi
des Precoces, the best, is a bit late ; so, too, is
Harvest Home. The last-named is rather a tall
grower. Except Flora, the sorts named are
Japanese Chrysanthemums. This variety is a
pompon. Others with a wealth of small blossoms
useful as border varieties are Blushing Bride and

174

THE CxARDEK.

[September 4, 1897.

Bronze Bride. These are \'ery free : La Petite
Marie, a dwarf-growing white ; Little Bob, crim-
son-brown : Mignon, yellow ; Pieroy's Seedling, a
capital bronze.

Ryecroft Glory is a valuable earl}' variety, but
seldom flowers outside before frost sets in. It is,
however, first rate as a pot plant. The growth is
naturally bush}', and quite massive specimens
may lie obtained in small pots. The flowers are
rich deep yellow under glass. For the various
purposes for which plants are used in decorations
this Chrysanthemum should be grown in quantity.
Emily Silsbury may be called a white companion
to the above. The blooms are larger and more
ragged. The haliit is not so bushy, but it is
equally free flowering. It is likely to become
popular as an early kind for pot culture.

H. S.

RIPENED WOOD AND THE BUDS.
I HAVE had several opportunities lately of noting
the difference between the flower-lnids on soft
growth and those on stems that are thoroughly
ripened liy exposure. From the latter the flower-
buds seem to be thrown up, as it were, by the
solid force liehind them, right away from the foli-
age. The peduncles are stout and the buds clean,
sure indications of gigantic blooms to follow. By
the time these burst into colour ths leaves imme-
diately below them will lie large, firm and leather-
like in substance. The flower-buds at the points
of sappy growth appear limp and unkindly.
Many have a tendency to remain stationary, as if
the vigour of the plant is wasted in leaves. The
foliage in an opposite direction to that of well-
ripened wood is smaller as the tips of the shoots
are reached. Such growth will certainly not pro-
duce the desired solid well-formed bloom. Over-
feeding in the early or growing stages of the
plant's growth is a cause of this sappy wood ; also
being stood too closely together or otherwise cod-
dled in a shady situation. Anyone is able to grow
Chrysanthemums up to midsummer, but it is after
that period the test of good culture comes in. I
have seen an instance in which the variety Mme.
Carnot has stems now 9 feet high. These plants
have been fed with stimulating manures, as well
as growing in rich soil, the whole summer, and
although the}' are large, abundant, and of a fine
healthy green, I shall be surprised if the blossoms
are at all satisfactory. The stems carry the leaves
too far apart, and the growth is much too soft to
produce any other than flat ungainly flowers. If
plants have been exposed to the full rays of the
summer sun, fii-mly potted and not stimulated
with manures, they resiiond in a remarkable
manner to the showery weather which generally
prevails in early September. It is then we may
assist, by top-dressing and otherwise, the develop-
ing buds. A weekly dose of some approved ferti-
liser will work wonders by bringing the roots to
the surface. But use these aids in weak rather than
strong applications each time. Most that I have
favoured, such as Ichthemic and Thomson's, may
be sprinkled on the surface in the jjroportion of a
tablespoonful to a 10-inch pot. The safer ])lan,
however, is to mix an eijual {[uantity of sifted
earth and then put it on in the aliove quantity.
Guano, soot, and sulphate of ammonia or nitrate
of soda are best used in the liquid state, but the
latter require very great care. I would not use
them at greater strength than half an ounce to
two gallons of water. They are quick in action and
cause the buds to push up fast, and have also the
virtue of adding brilliancy to colours in flowers.

HonsiNii THE PLANTS. — The proper time to put
Chrysanthemum plants under glass is when there
is danger from frosts, or as soon as the flower-
buds burst and the florets show colour. Suliject
to these conditions, they are best outside, because
no indoor treatment we can give is so favourable
to the swelling buds as are the natural dews. I
ha\'e attempted to hasten the bud development
by placing backward plants under glass, but
believe that such treatment really retards them.
The moment colour is seen in the blossoms there
is no lietter means of preventing decay of the
early florets than keeping them quite free from

moisture. It is well, therefore, to ha\-e a green-
house ready to shelter these early blooms as they
advance, but allow the bulk to remain out some
time longer. Tlie end of September is a go:d
general time for housing Chrysanthemums, for
rarely does frost occur before that date — at least,
enough to do harm. Taking the plants under
cover gives us an opportunity to thoroughly clean
them. The pots may be washed and decayed
leaves removed. Those that ha\'e a touch of
mildew on the leaves may be dusted with sulphur
Oftentimes green-fly is lurking on the under sides
of the foliage, to spread in great numbers when
under glass. A dusting of tobacco powder will
destroy this. Keep the greenhouse airy and cool
as |jossil)le by throwing open every ventilator,
and for a few days let the roots be on the dry
side. This will get the plants accustomed to
their new conditions. H. S.

Chrysanthemum Thistle.— For those who
need li,i;ht elegant varieties of Chrysanthemums
for cutting. Thistle is most useful. It certainly
is not one of the most showy of its class, " small
.Japanese," but its extreme lightness in a great
measure atones for this. Of a lemon shade, it
makes a pretty vase arranged with a little
greenery. I find, however, that to grow it well a
lightish, open soil and extra well drained pots are
necessary. Last year my plants were grort'n in
such a medium and gave satisfaction, flowering
well. This year a heavier loam was used, and
although suiting the general run of varieties.
Thistle does not seem at home in it, the foliage
presenting a somewhat sickly appearance and
growth being slow. Care will be used in watering
to give them every chance of recovering, but I am
not at all sanguine of that, and shall in future use
a liglit soil.— C. C. H.

Early Chrysanthemums in a vase. — With

the advent of September the early Chrysanthe-
mums come into blossom apace. The handsome
flowers of the Mme. C. Desgrange type are, durino-
this season, generally at their best, and these
flowers, if cut with long stems, are invaluable for
decoration where an arrangement of an artistic
kind is wanted combined with blossoms showing
the highest cultural skill. What is prettier and
riclier in appearance than a vase containing nine
to twelve large flowers of the light yellow Mrs.
Burrell, or the deeper shade of the same colour as
seen in G. Wermig and Mrs. Hawkins ? Let
either of these sorts be arranged by itself, and the
rich green foliage of the plant is all that is needed
for the embellishment of the vase. Those desiring
still further eiu-ichment, and a more strikincf finish,
may obtain it by using a few fronds of the feathery
Asparagus plumosus, these to overhang the side
of the vase. Tlie chaste white flowers of Mme.
C. Desgrange answer the same purpose and make
a magnificent decoration for the drawing-room or
hall. A few sprigs of Prunus Pissardi or any
purjile-coloured foliage make a pretty contrast
and a welcome change. In this case, too. Aspara-
gus foliage may be used, but only those of the
lightest shade of green. The oiie essential in
these simple arrangements is never to crowd the
flowers together. A really handsome vase may
be arranged with just a few flowers, each blossom
standing out t[uite distinct from its neighbour, so
that all its good points may be seen. A batch of
plants should always be grown for this purpose.
— D. B. C.

ing Azaleas would years ago have been look;
upon with susi)icion,but many now make a rule I
feed either with very weak farmyard liijuid, or \
sprinkling some approved fertiliser on the surfii
of the pot and watering it home, and a mark-
ditference is soon perceptible both in the vigoi
and colour of the new growth as compared wij
plants that ha^■e no stimulants given them —J.

Azalea indica. — Formerly there were few gar-
deners who did not stand their Azaleas out of doors
in autumn with a view to securing a thorough
maturity of the new wood, and douljtless the idea
was a correct one, though in more places than
not now-a-days one sees the i)lants left in the
greenhouse all the year round. Of course by non-
removal much labour is saved, and the fine dis-
play of bloom to be seen in the large nursery
houses each spring is ample proof that the open-
air treatment may be dispensed with, providing
abundance of air is given night and day. Feed-

Public Gardens.

ROSES IN PUBLIC PARKS.

I AM awara it requires a certain amount
courage to advocate the more extensive emplc
ment of Roses for decorating the public parks
our large cities, but I think the time ha? arriv
when something should be done towards remi
ing the repioaches often heard at the appart
neglect of our national flower in these places; a
when we consider the immense popularity
which the Rose has attained in our country, it
surprising that no attempt is made to use
more extensivel}'. I daresay the vitiated air v
be one excuse for thi» neglec'-, but I am firn
convinced that Roses could be grown in thi
parks from .Tune to September without fear
permanent injury to the plants. It is a W(
known fact that shrubs ha\ing shiny foliage c
resist to a great extent the impurities floating
the air, and in the China, Tea-scented, a
Hybrid Tea-scented Roses this style of foliagt
very common. Although Finsbury Park is si
ated amid healthier surroundings than manv
its rivals, it has, nevertheless, to contend w
many disadvantages compared to country g
dens, yet Mr. Melville has successfully emplo}
the China Pvoses as bedding plants, and m
beautiful they apjiear when massed in this w;
If, therefore, "the Chinas can be so used, why i
the moie refined Teas and Hybrid Teas '; As I
season is fast approaching when the mat
should be taken in hand, perhaps a few ideas
this subject will be admissible.

In the first place, I would suggest that •
plants to be used should be grown in pots
somewhat expensive method, but I think
extra expense will be more than saved in the ei
as I am jjersuaded that plants so grown fo
part of the year in a purer air would well re)
any extra trouble taken to produce them. 0
year-old plants from the open ground should
procured, of the freest -flowering and sturdiest
the Tea, Hybrid Tea, China, Hybrid Perpetu
Polyantha, "Bourbon, and Rugosa classes. 1
potting of these should be commenced early
October. As it would be absolutely essential
these plants to be grown in a pure air, my sugg
tion is that the park authorities should rent
buy a plot of land right away in the couni
where land is cheap and the air puie. Eight-iii
pots would be the best size in which to put t
plants the first year, and the compost should ci
sist of good unsifted fibrous loam, with soi
artificiil manure of a lasting nature, and
little charcoal dust added. After potting, sta
the plants in the open upon a bed of asl
until about November. They should then
plunged over their rims in coal ashes in
cold frame, taking care to keep lights
night and day until the sbarj) frosts con
About the commencement of March the plai
should be sparingly pruned, still keeping them
the pits and preventing injury from sevt
frosts. Roses in this dormant state will stain
few degrees of fi'ost. Keep the plants dry afl
pruning, and when young growths are ano
2 inches long give a good soaking. We coi
now to a very critical time with chem. In tl
forward state a few degrees of frost will crip]
the fii'st blossoms ; therefore put on the ligl'
every night. If the plants are inured to tti
hard"y treatment they should be sood, soun
healthy plants by the end of May, witli a qua!
tity of flower-buds showing. These plants c:
then be taken from their country home, ai

September 4, 1897.]

TFFE GARDEN.

175

edded out in prominent ami sunny positions in
10 parks. If tliuse bids were previously well
•ttined and tillnl with {,'ood lilirous loam, with
mie well •decayed eiiw nianurr added, the plants
ould ([uiekly lay liold of this, and the result
ould bo some splendid suekerlike growths
owned with grand trusses of flowers.
As to the style of plant to enii)loy, little need
) said. To the elever superintendents, styles
id methods will speedily present themselves,
id if the dwarf or bush form, or the pyramidal
■ pillar form be employed, they may be made
!ry attraeti\ e. We are far behinil our Continental
id American frien<ls in this matter. Certainly
leir climate is better than ours in many respects,
it I should ima^nne that all lai'j^e cities have
le usual amount of injurious air to contend with,
it it is no uneonuuon circumstance to meet
ith plantations of Hoses in the parks and gar-
;n3 of continental cities and those of the States.
am not aware that they remove their plants in
le autumn, but, in my ojiiniim, for London and
ties of lesser magnitude, the practice would be
icidedh' beneticial, if more costly. The advan-
ges would jiredominate, for the beds filled with
e Roses in summer eoidd be rendered interest-
g in winter and sin'ing !)}• bedding out small
inifer.i? an<l bulbs. Roses grown in the manner
iuggestwoidd be available for this treatment for
veral years, and a larger pot for them, as the}'
quired it, would be an item of small considera-
m in such establishments. .Just imagine what
bed would be like containing, say, 50 to IIK)
ants each of such lovely Roses as La France,
igustine Cuinoisseau, Camoens, JLirie Van
outte, Caroline Testout, Cajitain Christ}', Mrs.
'. J. Grant, Viscountess Folkestone, Gloire des
ilyanthas, Mme. Laurette Messimy, Sou\'enir
I la iMalmaison, Mariiuise de Salisbury, SLiie.
jrnet-Ducher, Anna Ollivier, Mme. Hoste, Sou-
nir du President Carnot, (irand Duo de Luxem-
nirg, Enchantress, Mme. Abel Chatenay, Mme.
, Bruant and suchlike kinds. They "combine
acefulness of habit, fragrance, and, indeed, all
e qualities that one looks for in a decorative
ant. I gladly broach this subject for the con-
Jeration of responsible authorities, and trust
ey will give the matter the attention it deserves.
[eel sure that it only requires a careful considera-
)n of the advantages to be derived by the more
tensive use of these lovely Roses to ensure
mplete success. Philomel.

Kitchen Garden.

NOTES ON VEGETABLES.
UTH01-(;h far fmm being the most attractive
ameut in gardening, there is no part of it that
of gi'eater importance than is vegetable cul-
rc. We have learned to more fully estimate
rir value as healthful fcjod, and in the doing

have also in a remarkable degree improved
em as both food and garden products. Good
rdeners have now learned also to iind in
getable culture niueh that is at once very
teresting and pleasurable. This gratification
« largely been induced by the beauty as ^^•ell

high quality found in vegetables to-day, and
ey compare surprisingly to their advantage
th the veget;ibles of but 30 to 40 years ago.
part from their domestic value as food, vege-
bieshave become most important market .sub-
cts also, and myriads of persons tind in their
owth means to a prosperous livelihood. The
iige of ^■egetal>les, too, is exceedingly wide,
tcrally they serve to satisfy all tastes, and
ose whose pleasure is found in jirofitable gar-
bing, whether for a livelihood or for re-
eation, derive from their proilucts jileasure
urn which the ordinary consumer of market
igetables is debarred, seeing that the former
Ji always ccjmmand greater variety, the best

.Kinds, exceeding freshnes.s, and the satis-
'■tionof consuming one's own products, which,

too, is of great value, as well as adding much
to the pleasure incidental to their consumiition.
The .•unatour's chief trouble, perhaps, in .seek-
ing to make from seedmen's li.sts suitable selec-
tions is found in the multi]ilieity of varieties
which in these lists abound, varieties that are
added to each year. On the other hand, the
gardener finds very nnich of interest, amounting
almost to excitement, each year if he obt.uns
but a few diverse sorts, and by growing a
variety of each kind of veget;ible each year
eventually succeeds in securing the very best to
suit his requiixMuents. Whilst main crops
.shoulil always be of well-established varieties,
tri.al rows of newer ones jirove to be useful and
instructive. Everyone who gardens, no matter
whether amateur or pi'ofe.ssional, has to learn at
the outset certain fundanientd principles of
culture. Soil must not be shallow, but dee])ly
worked, and this is done by trenching. In that
way x'oots run deep, and find moisture from
which in shallow-worked .soil they are excluded.
Then the soil, which is, /ifter all, but a store or
larder, must be amply furnished with jjlant food
in the form of various manures, and although
i-epletion is a.s wasteful to plants as to animals,
yet plants know better than animals do what
is good for them, and take up only what they
need. Still, this may be done to(j grossly, and
therefore the best average results come from
deep trenching, allied to moderate manuring,
yearly performed. But manures vary very much,
as these are useful in proportion as they con-
fciin pho.sphate, jiotash, and nitrogen, the
])rimary constituents of plant life. Any
manure, so-called, in which these elements
are absent is practically worthless. This fact
shows that soil may be amply manured in a
way, yet be half stirved. Fairly fresh
animal manures, non-fermented, and artificial
manures of guaranteed ijuality are best for all
jjurposes. When seasons are dry, lujwever, these
manures applied in liquid form are the most
acceptable to plants, as all roots absorb food
only through minute root hairs, and these can
absorb only in lifjuid form. Hence, again, the
importance of watering crops freely in dry
weather, for when the soil is very dry, even if
there be ample manure in the soil, if water be
not presenttodivert theniineral elements, plants
cannot utilise them. Plants of nearly all des-
criptions, but vegetables especially, being (juick
growers, need ample water as well as plant food.
These facts serve to show that the primary
needs of vegetable culture are deeply worked
soil, ample plant food, and abundant moisture
to enable plants to utilise that food. The
primary vegetibles grown in gardens are, of
roots, Carrots, Beet, and Parsnips, all tapering
ones and long keeping, and round or bulbous
roots, such as Turnip-rooted Beet, Turnips, and
(_)niou.s, and of tuberous roots. Potatoes, Jerii-
.salem and Chinese Artichokes. Of fruit-bear-
ing ones we have Peas, dwarf and runner Beans,
and Broad Beans, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and
Vegetable Marrows.^ Of stem plants, usually
blanched to render them tender and ediWe,
Leeks, Celery, Asparagus, Seakale, and even
Mushrooms, whilst of leaf or heart plants we
have Cabbages, Kales, Savoys, Brussels Sprouts,
Broccoli, Cauliflower.s, Spinach, ice, and Lettuce
and Endive of salads. Beyond these there are
numerous lesser ones in great variety, so that
even of kinds, apart from varieties of each,
the range or selection is great. Herbs, too,
are useful products not to be overlooked. In
the good culture of all these things there is
found an enjoyment and satisfaction no other
form of recreation furnishes. D.

Peas and green fly. — lean confirm the state-
ment made by your correspondert as to tall Peas

escaping the green My this season. I have grown
this year for the first time Chelsonian. It is a Pea
advertisi'd to grow 11 feet or 7 feet high, and I have
no doubt that ir] an ordinary .season it would even
exceed that height. Other well-known dwarfer
varieties, such as Satisfaction, Rentpayer, and
Maincrop, were badly infested with Hy, but
Chelsonian entirely escaped it. It has a stout
haulm, vigorous growth, plenty of ]jods, and is tirst-
rate for table. The pods are scpuuc at end, thin
in substance and packed with Peas. Anyone
anxious to try the newly-introduced varieties
should include in their selection Chelsonian.—
S. F.

Winter Cabbages.- The value of these can-
not be too highly estimated. Tho.se who can now
have nice strong |)lants of F.Uam's Early, Flower
of Spring, oran\' other small precocious variety, and
will put them out 1.5 inches a()art on some good
ground, giving the plants a good w.atering to start
them, ma}- tind as reward at Christmas and in
.January, if the winter be fairly open, that they have
plenty of nice little heads to cut. A sowing of
seed of EUam's Early and I'Etampes, the finest
of second early Cabbages, made at once will give
plants to go out about the middle of October, soon
enough to furnish nice hearts in March, April, and
May if all go well with them. Small plantings
and often should be the maxim of Cabbage
growers. — A. 1).

Potato Early Regent. — It unfortunately
happens that so many persons regard Potatoes
more for their size, and the way they fill the
bushel, than for their general excellence and
suitability for table use. I have just been lifting
amongst others Early Puritan, White Beauty of
Hebron, Supreme, and other early varieties, and
the one named above, Early Regent, ga\e me a
better crop of tubers, of more even and useful
table size. None give better fpialit}'. In relation
to Potatoes generally there is no feature more
needed than greater evenness of shape and medium
size with plenty of tubers. The big-tubered va-
rieties are of little service to anyone, as no one
cares for large ones, and they command but a
poor price in the market. On the other hand, a
good crop of fine, medium-sized tubers is not
only the most economical, but sells best also. —
A. D.

Tomatoes and the disease. — I recently in-
spected a large span-roofed house in a private gar-
den in whieli Tomatoes were grown. Formerly
the gardener used to plant each border with
plants in an upright position, training them to
stakes, but has now abandoned that system, pre-
ferring to plant close to the front light, and train
them up a wire trellis, similar to Vines, his reason
for changing being that when grown thickl}-
together in an upright position it was difficult to
check growth, and disease was much more ram-
pant. Grown in a slanting position under the
roof glass, each plant received a full amount of
sunshine and fresh air, growth was firmer and
disease not half so troublesome, and even if it did
appear, it was much more easily dealt with. At
the place under notice Challenger was found to
be much more addicted to disease than some
others, and for that reason would not be so much
grown in future. The house was built over the
ordinary garden soil, which, with the addition of
a little bone-meal, suited the Tomatoes well. —

.J. c. •

French Bean Canadian Glory. —This is a

distinct t\pe of dwarf Hean, and may be cliissed
as of s|)Ccial value in dry seasons, as the |)o<ls are
produced in great (piantily, and when cooked are
of excellent quality : indeed, I find the liavour
superior to some of the older kinds. It may be
asked, do we require so many distinct kinds of
Beans, either runners or dwarfs ? and I reply,
yes, especially if the new ones are good and pro-
long the season. The value of Canadian Glory is
that it is a fleshy pod, compact and stringless —
th.at is, devoid of stringy material, which makes it
more suitable, as it is so soon prepared in the
kitchen ; indeed, if cooked in a young state it may
be cooked whole, and is sure to become a favourite

176

THE GARDEIT.

[September 4, 1897.

in large establishments. ^ In addition to the last-
noted quality, it is a very precocious variety,
being one of the earliest Beans I have grown, and,
unlike man}' others, does not Ijecome tough in
dry weather. Of course, it is well to gather the
pods regulai'l}', as if allowed to run to seed the
plants lose strength, and if this is done the plants
bear an enormous crop of Beans, and will ]iro-
vide dishes for a long season. The Beans when
cooked are much liked for their good colour in
addition to their quality. — (i. Wythes.

Watering Asparagus. — Asparagus, in com-
mon \vith other good \egetables which depend
upon this season's growth for ne.xt year's supplies,
may with advantage get assistance at this season,
as heat and drought have affected the growth of
the plants. Those who can give moisture freely,
or irrigate, are in a good position to build up a
strong crown for the next season. Drought in
the case of Asparagus is fatal to the good growth
of the plant, as unless a robust top-growth is made,
there will be weak crowns and small grass next
season. Food given now must be gi\en freely,
as the season of growth will soon be past, but
no one need fear feeding a little later than usual,
as, the soil lacing warm, with a liberal supply of
moisture, growth will be later than usual, and in
light soils food and moisture may be given
liberally till the end of September. Newly-
planted beds have suffered from drought, but
these, given food now, will be benefited, and beds,
if at all old, and which may be forced early, will
make larger crowns if given liquid manure freely.
We flood our beds if the liquid can be spared ;
failing this, a dressing of nitrate of soda, fish
manure, or even guano well watered in will be
efficacious. — G. W.

Carrot Summer Favourite. — I had this
superb variety on trial this season, and am very
pleased with the quality and the way this root
matures, as it is superior to the Short Horn, to
which type it belongs, but is of a thicker build,
without much top, and is a splendid summer
variety in gardens where quality and quantity
are needed. The colour of Summer Favourite is
distinct from most others — bright cochineal-scarlet
— with a very small core for the size of root, and
few Carrots are more shapely. For exhibition
purposes it will take a leading position on account
of its size, shape and colour. I am not a lover of
the long Altringham type of Carrot, and prefer
those of the Intermediate type ; in fact, I fail to
see the utility of large gross roots for home use,
and the size of the one noted is what I admire,
while for early s|)ring sowing it is very good, as it
soon comes to maturity. I notice any Carrot with
a small core or centre is earlier than those which
have a large core, and with early Carrots time
saved is important. Of course, the same reasons
which make it a valuable early variety stand
good for autumn supplies, as when sown for late
us3 the roots are sweeter than those sown in early
spring. — G. Wythes.

Cucumbers, &c. — Without doubt, the verj'
best lesults in the matter of good fruit crops from
these plants, as also from Melons and Tomatoes,
all three having now in low span or lean-to houses
vary similar treatment, are obtained when the soil
is placed in shallow troughs or boxes, as it is now
^,0 well understood that restriction of root area
1 rto good, sweet turfy loam is far more conducive
uO fruit production than is the furnishing of too
much soil area. In addition to this, the roots,
being near and under control, are easily fed from
the surface, and in that respect all the needs of
the plants are easily supplied. One of our most
successful Cucumber and Melon growers, who
plants usually two ci'ops yearly in the same
houses, and who also has grand crops of Tomatoes,
uses shallow, movable troughs. 'These consist of
broad open trellises about 16 inches wide, to the
S'des of which are fastened stout, clean boards
'/' inches deep. Thus a trough 6 inches by 16 inches
is furnished. The troughs are laid along o\er the
bottom pipes on cross-bars, and the open trellis is
first covered with pieces of rough turf, the com-
post following, and is slightly heaped in the

centre. Plants are put out in single rows about
1.5 inches apart ; they soon grow fruit, and having
carried a good cro[) are removed, the soil is taken
out, the troughs cleaned and whitened with lime,
then refilled with soil and plants, and a second
crop is taken. That treatment of course applies
to Cucumbers and Melons only ; the grower in
this way never suffers from eelworm. I have in
several places this season seen remarkable crops
of Tomatoes grown in shallow boxes, feeding
with artificial and liquid manure, and keeping the
plants heavily cro]iped over a long season. — A. D.

Onion Silver Ball. — Of late years considerable
additions have been made to the varieties of
Onions ; indeed, few vegetables show greater im-
provement both in variety and culture, such sorts
as Record and Ailsa Craig being now grown for
their size, and they have their uses, for when
cooked as a vegetable they are superior to the
imported bulbs. I have seen huge Onions
objected to, and I do not advise their growth, but
a few special bulbs for the purposes of exhibition
are valuable, as the varieties mentioned are noted
for their mild flavour. Silver Ball is not a large
grower, but is specially suitable for early use. It
is a pretty l.iulb, of medium size, pure white, and
of very mild flavour. It is not recommended
for keeping, but for supplies during the summer.
In shape it is a perfect ball, not a flattened root,
and its bright silvery colour makes it a nice con-
trast to other varieties. I have found it to be a
remarkal>ly quick grower, and seeds sown in the
autumn at this date give \-ery early supplies the
following summer. It is much liked for cooking
on account of its size, fine texture, and mild
flavour, and for the purpose named its maturing
so quickly makes it valuable. — (4. Wythes.

Climbing French Beans. — Whatever faults
may have been found with this type of Bean
when first introduced, it has fully justified
its advent, and I am prepared to place them in
the front rank for quantity, quality, and earli
ness, three cardinal points of great importance to
those who need earlj' vegetables of tne best
quality. During the prolonged heat and drought
of July, and early in August, the Climbing
French Bean has given us a splendid lot of
pods, young, of good shape, and just the kind
desired in the kitchen. They are less stringy
than the dwarf Bean, and, what is so important
to those who need quantities, they are more
lasting, they produce freely, and are less influ-
enced by heat and drought, while the quantity
which can be gathered from the jilant is wonder
ful, as they give supplies when the dwarf kinds
fail. I am induced to class these as superior to
the runner Bean, for they are much earlier, re
quire less space, and are, in my opinion, more
productive. For gardens of limited size they are
invaluable, as where the dwarf varieties cannot be
sown often, a row or two of the new climbing
type will furnish a liberal supply till cut down by
fi-ost.— G. W.

Pea Michaelmas. — This is one of the newer
introductions, and one worth a special note for its
crop, lateness, and good qualities. Like all the
best autumn Peas, it is of a deep green, and, un
like some \ery early ones, it remains good a long
time, and is noted for its splendid flavour. If 1
can compare it, I should describe it as a dwarf
Ne Plus Ultra. It has the good qualities of the
old favourite, at the same time is dwarfer and
quite as prolific as that variety. Though only
2 feet to 3 feet high, it bears profusely to the
bottom of the haulm. The habit and strength of
haulm denote its good qualities, and last year
when on trial in our light soil it exceeded our ex-
pectations, as it cropped for so long a season and
gave Peas of splendid quality. It is not a very
large pod, but may be termed above medium size,
and is filled with large Peas of a deep green
colour, remarkable for their sweet flavour. It
is free from mildew and has no disease of any
kind, this freedom from mildew being a strong
point in its favour, as so many late-growing Peas
mildew badly. This j-ear this variety has stood
the heat and drought well. It is very vigorous,

extremes of weather affecting it little, and, beii
what may bo termed a continuous cropper, it bea
a long time. — (!. W.

Pea Maincrop. — Defects in the Pea crop w
have been found out this year, and any new varie
which held its own may be grown in future wi
confidence. Requiring a good number of Vt
during June and July, I am always on the al(
to find the best for our light gravelly soil, a
last year I was so pleased with the croppi
qualities of Maincrop that I grew it more lare(
this year, and it was specially good, standi
heat and drought and podding grandly, withe
getting yellow, tough, and flavourless, as some
the midseason varieties quickly do in dry yea
Maincrop gave us nice green pods to the last ; t
haulm continued green and was not infested w
mildew, showing it to be an acquisition as
dry-weather Pea. In colour it much resemli
Ne Plus Ultra, but the haulm is more rob>:
branching, and the pods larger, thicker, a
longer ; but let me advise intending cultivat
not to sow too early. It does not like too m\
cold or wet in its infancy, as the variety appe
to me to be more of a late kind than a raids
son, but sown from April to June it is a grc
Pea and of superior table quality. I am a gr
lover of this class of Pea with a dwarf grow
Maincrop being 3 feet in height. These dw
kinds are readily cultivated, needing less s
port and space. — O. W.

Record Onion. — When I grew this vari
both from glass-raised plants, dibbled out, i
from an ordinary sjjring sowing, I found it to b
late in ripening that practically it did not ri
at all. That was on light ground at Richmi
last year. Dittering in this respect from sevi
other varieties, I could not yet classify it at
Judging by the reference recently made to
fine sample bulbs shown under the name of Rec
at the W'cstminster Aquarium last Novemhe
am very much puzzled to determine whether
splendid bulbs in question were the true Reci
or had been grown by mistake under that nai
as these bulbs were unquestionably Ailsa Cri
And I was even then, when seeing them, all
more puzzled because what I have previously s
shown as Record was of a flattish nature. W
is the parentage of Record? Has it any of
Tripoli blood in it? Onion varieties come so f
or, perhaps, to put it more correctly, Oi
nomenclature grows so rapidly, that it is hard
keep pace with it. I could but have m
sympathy with a seedsman who the other i
showed me his bulb stock of a dozen assui
diverse ones, when he said, " We want for
customers just about three or four types, gk
round and flat, white, and a good crimson, !
that satisfies all requirements. As to so ma
they become a nuisance." — T>.

Physalis Franchetti.— Having been one
the first to recommend this great Bladder Che
from Japan in The Garden, and haxing he
of many disappointments from those who havi
far failed to grow and fruit it freely, I should 1
to say that I recently saw it luxuriant and fei
in a rock bed at Carton, Maynooth, co. Kild:
It there forms a fresh green, spreading mas:
stems, the tallest of which are about 3 feet
height, and bearing fruits and flowers freely
all the upper leaf axils. Some of the swob
calyces, though not as yet coloured, are lari!
than any figure of this i>lant that I have seen a:
much larger than any ripe specimens I have .
had under my notice. Not only is the pi
much taller and more robust than P. Alkeken
but its leaves are of a much lighter and brignf
tone of green, giving to the plant quite a tr(|
and distinct appearance. A deep, rich soil «'
stones seems to suit this fine new introduoti
admirably at Carton, so those who have hittie
failed, myself included, may ultimately succed
The plant grows so easily and rapidly from sf
that a good strong stock may soon be obtained
F. W. B.

Sfptember 4, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

177

Trees and Shrubs.

THE AMERICAN DOGWOOD.

(c'ORNUS FLORIDA.)

ms is ono of the iiui.st beautiful of our spriiig-
ooniing trees. VVe American readers of your
ilcoiue journal have often wonilered to sec so
tie mention ni.-ule of this lovely tree, and
•esuine it does not flourish with you as in the
nited States, for so tine a plant cannot be un-
lown to English gardeners. This specimen
18 planted some twenty-tive years ago in a
iiestone clay soil, and

now some 14 feet

Tlic fruit, in bundles of brilliant red drujies,
is almost as showy as the blossom, so that tliis
hardy small tree should be planted for its
autumn eti'ect abuost as much as for its vernal
glory. - Mauy L. S. Perkins, OalJicUl, Eati
Walnut Hills, Cini-innatl, Uhiu.

*#* It has often been planted, but we never
saw it flower. Do any of our readers find it
flowers well, and where f The illustration shows
a very handsome tree and strange to English
eyes. — En.

Ampelopsis and Ivies. — A very showy wall
may be had by planting alternately Ampelopsis
Veitchi and (ioldeii Ivies. During the season of

tenaciously to the briftwork that snow and wind
have no power over tll^i.— ('. C. H.

Stove and Greenhouse.

TUBEROUS-ROOTED BEGONIAS AT
LEWI8HAM.
The increasing popularity of the tuberous- rooted
Begonia both tor tlie flower garden and the con-
servatory is due to a very large extent to the
energy of the leading specialists, who, during
recent years, have given us many fine kinds.
Notably among these is the display made by Mr.
.lones at the Ryecroft Nursery, T>ewisham, where

h li by 17 feet [across, well branched to the

g

und.

The American Dogwood (Cornus Horida). From a photograph sent by Mr. J. L. Stettiniuf, Oatfield, East Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, Ohio,

'he flower buds, which are formed the pre-
vlis sea-son in clusters at the tips of the twigs
tt Dver the tree, begin to open about the 1st
o; May in the latitude of Cincinnati. The
11 r leaves of the involucre grow very rapidly
ai turn white (there is also a ]>ink form) as
t\\f devel(>p in size, until the wlinle plant is a
of snowy beauty, before the true leaves
•11 grown to full size, and one can easily fancy

tree covered with great white butterflies
1 open wungs .'} inches to 5 inches acro.ss.
,'race and beauty cannot be well described,

imst be seen.

growth the brilliant golden shade of the Ivies
and rich green of the Am])elopsi^ form a pleasing
contrast, while later in the autumn the beauty is
enhanced by the rioh crimson shade of the latter.
The one drawback of such an arrangement is that
the Ampelopsis lose their leaves during winter,
causing the wall to have a somewhat patchy ap-
pearance. The small-leaved tiolden and Silver
Ivies, besides being very attractive, give far less
trouble than the large-leaved, coarser sorts,
which require frequent clipping in to induce a
neat, close growth, and thej' can now be pur-
chased at such a reasonable piice that a long
reach of wall may be quicklv covered at a little
cost. A few tacks given to the plants when first
planted is all that is necessary, as they cling so

special pains have been taken to keep the stock
' up to a high standaid of excellence. Special at-
tention has been given to raising those kinds
I which have stout erect footstalks, thus dispensing
with the aid of stakes for displaying the in-
dividual blooms. Of course there were sorts to be
seen where the drooping form of growth was
specially recognised, but in these instances they
were per))etuated for the special purpose of using
them for baskets, or any form of planting where
the drnopins character of the growth woidd be
valuable. The double flowers were of a high
order of merit, an immense number of seedlings
possessing flowers of exceptional size and beauty,
and promising to supersede others now thought
higlily of. The Camellia form of double flower

178

THE GARDEX.

(September 4, 1897i

certainly appears to be the more desirable one to
perpetuate, and of these there was an excellent
assortment. The heavy double flower does not
compare favourably with the neater blossoms of
Camellia shape and a single eye. Some of the
colours too were quite novel, and cannot fail to
create a greater interest in the flower. The varia-
tions in the different self colours appeal to almost
every taste, orange, buff, salmon, rose, red, scarlet,
vermilion, yellow, white, and intermediate shades
of colour being represented in the many beautiful
things seen. The fancy or margined flowers have
also made a marked advance, the colouring of the
margins in several instances being almost unique.
A real gem has been raised this season, tlie ground
colour being a pretty shade of yellow with a strik-
ing margin of reddish-crimson. This seems likely
to be the forerunner of a new race, and will be
welcomed as a contrast to tliose fancy flowers with
a white ground. The best display is made in a
large house 103 feet by 25 feet, a grand mass of
doulile varieties being arranged on the centre
staging, while the staging all round the sides is
filled with smaller plants of the doubles and singles
too. Other houses are devoted to the raising of
stock, and a large structure is set aside for the
purpose of seed saving, and where many interest-
ing experiments and crosses are each year carried
out. Over 100,000 seedlings are planted out and
potted up this season.

Double Flowers.
Conspicuous among the double flowers was a
variety named H. J. Jones. This is an immense
vermiiion-scarlet of Camellia form. Another
flower of similar form was Beauty of Belgrove,
colour somewhat resembling La France Rose.
Mrs. Walter Finch, a bright crimson of exquisite
form, was also mucli admired. Viscountess Cran-
brook is an unusually good sort, rosy pink flower
with large white centre. Miss Clara Walkei- calls
for special comment ; this is a double blush-iiink
shaded salmon with cream centre. Princess of
Wales is a new flower of large size, colour, blush-
pink, fine erect footstalks. Jubilee White is a
very neat flower with erect stems, Camellia form
and free flowering. A very pleasing bright i)inli
is Mnie. Garde, the flower is prettily crimped at
the edges and is also large. Another Camellia-
shaped flower is Triumph, colour bright crimson,
nice habit. A grand yellow of good form is
Yellow Queen. This variety is free flowering,
and is considered to be the finest yellow Camellia-
shaped flower in cultivation. A flower of a lovely
flesh colour is Olive Smith. Ryecroft Favourite
is a variety of a pleasing shade of Ijright pink
beautifully fimbriated large full flower on erect
stems. An effective flower is Mar^inata, having
salmon- blush flowers, neatly-edged light pink.
One of the best w-hite Camellia-shaped flowers is
White Queen. A flower of exquisite shape is
Miss Dolly Fell, pure white, with crimped edges and
erect stems. Ryecroft Salmon should prove a fine
exhibition plant, with large salmon-rose flowers
standing out well afjove the foliage, and with a
nice branching habit. A light primrose flower of
a drooping form of growth is Mrs. Stottart, and
this should make a good plant for baskets, &c.
Lady Guest is a bronze-yellow, with salmon-pink
margin, nice dwarf habit. A good liriglit crimson
is B. R. Davis, a very effective flower. Mottled
Beauty is a slightly mottled flower, colour bright
pink, mottled white, quite distinct. A plant with
good branching form of growth and invaluable to
the exhibitor is Victor}' ; this is a salmon-scarlet.
The foregoing are a few of an immense numljer of
high-class flowers seen here.

SiNliLES.

The singles are very fine indeed, several of the
best being named. Those deserving special
notice are Mrs. G. P. Linford, pink, wliite centre ;
Maud Surman, pure salmon : Eclio, apricot ;
Ryecroft, apricot ; Novelty, margined, liriglit red
oii a white ground ; Beauty, magenta-pink, light
oentre ; and Mars, deep vermilion. C. A. H.

Encephalartos villosus. — I have had a plant
of E. villosus for twenty-six years. The fronds

are 6 feet long, though the root has not developed
much, which I attribute to the gardener cutting
ott" the fronds when they change colour. It is now
in flower. The flower is 18 inches high, with a series
of scales like a Pine-apple. Is this rare ? Is there
any particular treatment ? Is the plant likely to
die? Is it worth while to photograph it? —
J. W. B.

*,* The stem of the Encephalartos in question
increases very slowly, and the fact of the fronds
being cut off when they change colour would have
no effect on the grjwth of the stem, as presum-
ably it is only the very old fronds that are
treated in this way, and they have lost nearly the
whole of their vitalitj'. In the case of an esta-
blished specimen it occasionally flowers, but
plants of this class are now so little grown that its
flowering, though not exactly rare, is decidedly-
uncommon. No particular treatment is needed
during the flowering period. It is not at all likely
to die, as the crown of young leaves will push the
cone on one side and develop without any check.
.•\s it is not often seen in bloom, a photograph of
it would be interesting^.

GREENHOUSE AZALEAS.

The note on greenhouse Azaleas (p. 137) is very
opportune, for there are at least two items con-
nected with these Azaleas to which special atten-
tion needs to be now directed. One of these is
tliat where Azaleas of this class are kept out of
doors particular care must be paid to the water-
ing, as towards the end of the summer, with
occasional showers and frequently hea^■y night
dews, both of which tend to make the surface of
the soil moist, there is far more danger of the
plants suffering from drought than during the
height of the summer, when one is not so likely
to be deceived as to the state of moisture around
the roots. The second item to which attention
may be directed is that very soon the importations
of these Azaleas from Belgium will reach this
country, and an opportunity is then given of in-
creasing one's stock if required. As a rule the
earlier importations reach here about the latter
half of September, and it will be found advan-
tageous to obtain them as soon as possible
afterwards, as the plants can then be treated
according to one's requirements ; whereas, if kept
in stock by dealers anxious to .sell them, and the
plants are obtained late in the season, one does
not know the treatment to which they have been
subjected during the interval between their
arrival in this country and the time they were
sold. They are frequently sold in quantity at
the various auction rooms, but obtaining them in
this way is a somewhat risky matter, for though
the plant is likely to die if the roots are once
allowed to get thoroughly parched, 3'et the injury
may not be seen for a few days, particularly if
the soil has been moistened meanwhile. Of
course, plants that have stood about in sale rooms
and such places, often in draughty passages, are
far more liable to suffer in this waj' than those
which have been sent direct to a nurseryman and
properly attended to on their arrival without
delav'. The Azaleas sent from abroad are lifted
from the beds in which they have grown and
packed together as closely as possible in order to
economise the expense of carriage. Then directly
on receipt I prefer to unpack them and soak
any that are at all dry in a tub of water, so that
the ball of earth is moistened com] iletely through,
then they are stood on the floor of the potting
shed and sprinkled overhead. The following day
they will be in good condition for ])otting, using
for the purpose good sandy peat. Care must be
taken to work the soil thoroughly around the
roots, but it need not be rammed down to the ex-
tent that some think necessary for the cultivation
of Azaleas. An examination of the imjjorted
plants with their luxuriant growth will show that
Azaleas will both grow and flower well even when
the soil is of a far more open and loose nature
than most imagine. As the Azaleas are plante<l
out in Belgium, the balls of earth are frequently
very irregular in shape, and unless they are some-

what reduced, pots out of all proportion to
plants will in some cases be required. When
happens one need not be afraid of reducing
roots to reasonable proportions, as no injur-
thereby caused, provided the plants receive reai
able attention afterwards. When jjotted I pn
to keep the plants in a frame the lights of wl
are kept rather close for a time, and shaded c
ing bright sunshine. An occasional syrino
overhead will tend greatly towards keeping
foliage fresh until the roots recover their nor
activity. In about a fortnight they will beci
to a certain extent established, when more
may by degrees be given and the shad
lessened till they can do without it altoget
After this they will recpiire the same treatir
as established plants. In alluding to the
that Azaleas do not require such very hard pott
I of course refer to the freshly im)3orted pli
that have been lifted from the ground, as in
case of old-established plants the ball of e:
gradually gets exceed! nglj' hard ; so if they
shifted and the new soil is not made corresp<
ingly firm, the ])lant would be simplj' starvec
death, as all the w-ater would percolate thro
the new soil, leaving the ball of earth (juite 1
In old plants, however, potting is very sel
needed. H. \

BORONIA SERRULATA.

It is not often that one sees a good specime f
this Boronia, and it must be admitted that r
greenhouse plants rec|uire so much skill 1
]5atience to bring to specimen size. Even in e
days when this class of plant was in high fav ,
and when huge plants were shown in splei 1
condition at the London exhibitions, a really 1 ■
class specimen in perfect health was rare. .^ v
leading growers were apparenth' unable to im e
perennial vigour in this Boronia, and gave u s
culture for that of other things more reliable, i
plants are so telling in a collection of sto\ 1
greenhouse plants, and for this reason 1 t
exhiliitors of them have been anxious to seen a
good specimen of the Boronia serrulata. T e
is but little difficulty in cultivating this spi s
up to a certain age. With a little more care 11
is necessary for Cape Heaths one may count h
reasonable certainty on inducing a free, hea,?
grow-th. The cultivator's real trouble begin t
what is called the three-quarter specimen
What it really is that without apparent c- i-
carries off this Boronia at a certain age has n 1
been quite satisfactorily determined. The at li
is so sudden and at times so violent that in ^s
than a week a plant that from its infancy ly
have been a ])icture of healthy vigour is < i-
plettly ruined. More fret[uently the attacs
only partial, a branch or two giving out and e
remainder of the plarrt remaining quite hejil .
It r-arely hapjjens, however, that a plant i 'f
much use after it has once been attacked in s
way. Tire par-tial defoliation deprives it 0 a
value for exhibition purjioses, and sooner or 1 'f
it collapses entirely. The seat of diseases
apparently near the soil, thus interqepjg
the flow of sap, and causing perfectly hea|y
portions of the plant to shrivel. As |S
much dreaded enemy almost invariably ijs
its work in the dull months of the y|'i
it is safe to assume that damp in some wal8
the predisposing cause. It is possible il*
if that portion of the stem which touches the"l
could tlrrough the winter morrths be kept dry. '
danger would be miirimised. A successful gr-i^ '
of hard wood greenhouse plants once told me y
he liad in a gr-eat measure proved this to be 9
case. He made a [loint of growing on his plip
to specimen size, either from cuttings of his <p
striking, or from quite small plants when oblil
to purchase them. Before repotting from2|-ii
jiots he .sawed round the iiot some 2 inches be'
the rim. Wherr the plant w-as placed in a lar r
pot the upper portion of the severed pot was •
tained intact, and this remained throogh '
period of time retprired to bring it into spem
size. The advantage claimed for- this plan =

!BPTEM3En 4, 1897

til when so desired water oould be given with-
ivetting tlie eollnr of the i)lant, so that the

1)1 of the stem could lie maintained in a semi-

(li condition. In this way ho asserted that the
len collapse to which such thinjjs as Boronias,

'it'leas, HedaroMias and some('a|)e Heaths aie
y would he almost entiiely averted. This
vidual had some very tine specimens, which
lined in good health, to ray knowledge, for

joje years, and many of them were grown right

Com the cutting. " Tlie most successful pro-

,.r of Boronia scrrulata 1 ever knew took

I ings fi-om plants that had made growth in

airy hou-e, in a temperature of about .Ml",
iitiiig pots ((> inches) were aliout two-thirds
A ith draiinge, a little rough material being
I on that, and then tilled with tinely-sifted,
-andeil peat to within 2 inches of the
liuishing ort' with silver sand. The pots

plunged in a tan bed, the cuttings

covered with bell glasses, which were
. out dry every morning. In this way

9tl pel" cent, of the cuttings made
-, When rooted they were gradually inured

THE GARDEN

179

Ksi)ecial care must be taken to secure perfect i
drainage, as the roots of this Begonia are easily
injured Viy excels of moisture. The compost should
be used "in a moist but not wet conilition, and
should be firmly ja'cssed in, as this Boronia
never attains the dimensions that many Jjlants ci
a similar nature do, growth being comparatively
slow. Considerable caution in repotting is indis-
pensable. If a plant is given a greater amount of
fresh .soil than the roots can take po.ssession of in
the cour.se of the growing season, there is much
danger of their coining into an inert condition,
and the probability is that when the dull days
arrive the foliage will take on that yellow lustre-
le.ss appearance which too fre(iuontly nuirs the
beauty of this species. Plants that are repotted
after "blooming should get as small a shift as
possible, as they have not so long a season of
growth as young ones repotted early in spring.
Another most important item is a free admission
' of air whilst avoiding draughts. Where plants
are wintered in span-roofed structures, enough air
can through the winter be admitted from the top
ventilators. In the spring when cold easterly

Rose Garden.

THE YELLOW BANKSIAN ROSE.

I AM forwarding you a jihotograph for reproduc-
tion, if possible, to show your inimcrous readcr^i
how well this llosc flowers in the favourcil
clim.atc of Devon. The pl.int was photographed
early in May, IH'.l.'i. Though it blooms most
profusely each year, I, too, find that the white
kind is very shy in flowering. It does not grow
so freely nor so strongly. I prune the jilant
every year after flowering, and tie in all I can in
the way of young growth without crowding.
The very strong shoots 1 dispense with, unless
required to till up, then T shorten to about half
their length. Unlike your correspondent (see
Thk G.\ri)KN, July 24), I do no further
pruning in the spring, though no doubt his
method is a good one, as it is conducive to
keeping the growth close to the wall. Banksian
Roses require a wall due south, even in this part

The yellow Banlcifian Rose in Devon. From a photograph by Mr. J. Mayne, Bicton Gardens, Salierton, Devon.

he general atmosphere of the house, and then
into small pots in sandy peat. They were
t in the propagating house until the roots be-
gi to work freely in the compost, and were then
It oved to cold frames, being shaded from very
sun, carefully watered and sprinkled overhead
he morning on tine days. By tlie autumn they
e well established in their pots, and were in
i condition for shifting into 4J-inch pots the
fc )wing spring. Peat of the very finest quality
it be used for this Boronia. It should not be
but be pulled to pieces by hand into lumps
al^ the size of a Cob-nut, adding one-sixth of
■9C silver sand. The end of March or be-
ling of April is the best time for repotting in
earlier stages of growth, but later on it should
b lone when the flowers fade, and just as the
•ing growths are pushing. After potting, a
ewhat close atmosphere should be maintained,
as soon as the roots begin to work into the
compost and growth is being freely made,
ndance of air must be given. A little shade
ir^ hot sun is beneficial, but this must be re-
able, and must not in any case be overdone.

winds accompany bright sunshine much injury is
frequently done to this class of plant, and care
must be taken that the cold air does not directly
pass on to the foliage. J. C. B.

Gloxinias as market plants. — I was re-
cently much struck at the display of small, ex-
ceptionally well-grown plants of Gloxinias exposed
for sale in Norwich market. The plants occupied
pots about 3 inches in circumference anfl each
carried from three to four fine highly-coloured
blooms, the price asked being Ijd. each. They
were seedlings of this year's growth, being sown
ill March and grown on in a brisk moist tempera-
ture, care being taken to harden them well ott'
before bringing them out into the o]ien air. Very
few who purchased them would be able to do any-
tliiiig with them the second year, but if they only
remain in good condition for a few weeks, which
«ith care they will do, they are well worth the
money asked for them. The strain was one of
the best I had ever seen, the colours of many of
the flowers being exceedingly beautiful. — J. C

of England, to flow^er them well, a.s we had one
until recently on a west wall, but not a single
flower appeared, consequently it was removed
to a south aspect. J. Mayne.

Bicton, Devon.

Kose Mrs. James Wilson (Tea).— This is a
good Kose that appears to be a combination of
The Bride an<l Marie \'an Houtte. It has the
lovely carmine shading of the latter variety, but
its globular flowers of jiale lemon colour somewhat
resemVile The Bride, although there is an absence
of the pointed outer petals peculiar to this variety.
Mrs. James Wilson is a vigorous variety, and
although the flowers do not always open well, it is
nevertheless a servieealile Rose. — P.

Rose Duke of Connaught (II.P.). — At the
present day Tea and Hybrid Tea PvO.scs claim
rather the larger portion of our attention, but we
must not entirely forget our old and useful friends
the Hybrid Perpetuals. The above-named variety
for garden decoration is quite first-rate. Its
colour is a peculiar fiery crimson, with rich vel-

ISO

THE GARDEN"

[Sei thmuer 4, 189''

vety shading ; tlie form of flower is almost round.
It makes good vigorous gi'owth. not rampant, but
quite strong enough, and its flowers are freely pro-
duced in summer and autumn. — V.

Rose Joseph Bernacchi (Noisette). — This is
an excellent climbing Rose of fairly vigorous
habit. It has flue long buds of a pale cream
colour : in fact, both in bud and blossom this
variety somewhat resembles that grand variety
Mme. Hoste. Any gardener who has large de-
mands for Roses with long buds, for liouquets or
button-holes, would find in Joseph Bernacchi a
reallv useful kind, and it can be cut with fine
long stems, which are so essential to the proper
display of any Rose.

Hose Comtesse Panisse (Tea). — This inetty
variety is certainly deserving of more popularity.
It is a good grower, making good solid wood and
thick leathery foliage. The colour is a pleasing
shade of flesh-pink, mingled with rose and a dis-
tinct copper}' shading. The petals are almost
wax- like in texture, a fact which enables this
Rose to withstand the rain better than many of
its more delicate-petalled relatives. The flowers
also show up well, being borne upon good stiff
stalks, and are generally seen in corj'mbs. It is
not a show Rose and the blossoms are only of
medium size, but I can strongly commend it as a
garden variety. — Philosiel.

Bosa Pissardi. — The true kind bearing this
name is a lovely semi -double Rose for the
garden. It is a very continuous flowering kind,
almost as much so as Stan well Per|ietual. The
paper-white flowers, which are about 2 inches
across and generally appear in corymbs, contain
two and three rows of petals. These flowers
when expanded have a striking resemblance to
the Musk Rose Eliza Werry, but the difference
in the varieties is marked in the tiny buds, those
of R. Pissardi being elongated and pale pink in
colour, whereas Eliza Werry has bufl'-coloured
buds, smaller, and almost round. R. Pi-ssardi
has pretty lanceolated foliage of a bright green
colour. It is a strong grower, but of compact
habit, enabling the flowers to show to great ad-
vantage on the plant. This variety has the sweet
fragrance of the Dog Roses. — P.

Rose Eugene Furst (H.P.).— It appears
strange that some of the best Hybrid Perpetual
Roses for garden decoration remain in comparative
obscurity. Perhaps this will not be so when the
National Rose Society institutes an autumnal
Rose show, and also gives more encouragement
to the display of useful Roses which perhaps are
devoid of finish, as looked at through their critical
ej'es, but which, nevertheless, surpass some of their
more refined relatives for garden decoration. The
above Rose is a case in point. One rarely meets
with it at an exhibition, but it is to my mind one
of the best crimson Roses for cutting. It never
fails to yield a good supply of flowers of a vi\ id
scarlet-crimson colour, and especially is it useful
during the month of August, when there is rather
a dearth of Hybrid Perpetual Roses. It is a good
vigorous grower, equally useful for bedding, to
grow as a pillar Rose, or as a standard. — P.

Semi-climbing: Teas under glass.— During
a recent visit to the gardens of Hatfield House I
was astonished to see that lovely Rose Sunset
clambering away up the sunnj- side of the Ca-
mellia house as though it were a real climber.
The plant was fully 10 feet high and covered with
a mass of splendid blossoms, which Mr. Norman
doubtless found very useful for cutting. The
plan adopted at Hatfield, of planting out these
dwarf Teas and using them as semi-climbers, is a
very good one. One can thus obtain a supply of
useful flowers without the inconvenience of the
over-luxuriant growths of the real climbers.
Sunset was not the only variety employed, for
that good old kind, Niphetos, appeared' ju.st as
vigorous, and one almost questioned the need of
a climbing Niphetos when the old variety could
be so successfully grown. I should mention that
the conservatory in which these Roses were grow-
ing had the sides entirely of glass, so that abund-
ance of sun was given to the plants, which doubt-

less considerably assisted in producing the effect
described. Other excellent varieties for similar
treatment would be Kaiserin Augusta Victoria,
Perle des Jardins, Anna Olivier, Bridesmaid,
Catherine Mermet, Marie VanHoutte, The Bride,
Mme. Lambard, Mme. Hoste, Sou\enir du Presi-
dent Carnot, Medea, Belle Siebrecht, Mme.
Charles, Sou\enir d'un Ami, Caroline Testout,
La France, Duchess of Albany, and Mme. Abel
Chatenay. — P.

Rose Papa Gontier. — As a winter Rose this
is very popular with the market growers in
\\'(>rthing and neighbourhood, where large areas
covered with glass, demoted to the cultivation of a
few popular classes of ]jlants, occur in all direc-
tions. It belongs to the Tea section, and, like
many others of its class, as the flowers are not
very double, it is more attractive in the bud state
than afterwards. The buds are really charming,
being particularly long and of a i)leasing bright
ro-sy-crimson colour. It meets with a ready sale
and possesses the great merit of developing its
blossoms thi'oughout the winter in less heat than
most of the other varieties ; indeed, in too high a
temiierature the blooms lose their richness of
colouring. This Rose was, I lielieve, sent out by
Nabonnand o\ er a dozen years ago, and our
American cousins were the first to find out its
value for flowering under glass, as occasional
notes used to appear in the horticultural publica-
tions on the other side of the Atlantic, while it
was as yet almost unknown in this countrj'.
Judging by the numbers now grown, it would ap-
jjear to have become quite an established favourite.
Rose Papa (iontier is another illustration of the
fact that a plant may 1)6 in cultivation for years
before its merits are recognised, a very striking
exam] lie of which is to be found in the case of the
now popular Pelargonium F. V. Raspail, which
was sent out by Lemoine as long ago as 1878, yet
it almost dropped out of cultivation, and then
some years afterwards bounded into jiopularity.

Fruit and Vegetable Crops.

SOUTHERN.

Warlies Park, "Waltham Abbey.— The

fruit crop here and in the district tliis year is very
poor. Apples are very much under average and
the fruit is a poor sample. Keswick Codlin,
Manks Codlin and Lord Sufiield among the
kitchen, and Irish Peach among the dessert, are
the only varieties I have bearing. Pears are a
little better, but not up to the average ; the fruit
is a fair sample, especially on the walls. Plums,
with the exception of a few on the walls, are a
failure. Damsons the same. Gooseberries are
over average. Black Currants average. Red
Currants under average. Rasjiberries under aver-
age. Peaches on walls are not up to the average
and the fruits are small. Apricots are an average
cro)) and the fruit good.

On the whole, this has been a good vegetable
season, and most of the crops are above average.
Potatoes have not been so good with me for several
years, the tubers being of a nice size and shape,
clean, and entirely free from disease. All root crops
are good ; so are all the Brassica tribe, with the ex-
ception of Cauliflowers, which have suffered very
much from the hot weather we have had lately.
— Wm. Cl,\rk.

Caversham Park, Reading. — Neither for
C|uantity nor (|uality will the fruit crop in this
district compare favourablj' with those of the
past five years. Ajjples are fairly good, and some
varieties, such as Devonshire Quarrenden, Cockle
Pippin, Cox's Orange and King Pippins, are
heavily laden, while on several trees of Blenheim
Orange there is no fruit whatever. Pears are
about an average, but I fear the quality will be
poor. Plums are bad, as are also Cherries, with
the exception of Morellos, which are good both
in quantity and quality. Peaches on walls are
good. Ras|iberries, Currants and Gooseberries
are under the average, but Strawberries were very

good owing to being mulched early. Nut. ire
very good, and Figs on walls promise to llgd
well.

Early Peas were exceptionally good, but
season and late varieties are poor, as al-.
Beans. Green croijs generally are bad, and
toes are small and below the average, (i
where sown early have done well, and all kii
roots promise a good return, but are sul]
from the jjrolonged drought. — W. Miles.

Arundel Castle, Sussex. — Apples are uer
average. Cox's Orange Pippin, Cox's Por,
Lane's Prince Albert, Lord Suflield, Keswick
lin, Cellini Pippin, New Hawthornden, (
Mundi, Stirling Castle, old Nonsuch, jd
Peach, Hambledon Deux Ans and King o he
Pippins are carrying the best croiis. Pear
under average. Beurre Bosc, Beurr^
Duchesse d'Angouleme, Eyewood, Duront u
Catillac and Uvedale's St. Germain are can w
heavy crops. Plums are a failure both on stam T<
and walls. Peaches and Nectarines are an av >
crop, some trees badly infested with spot,
cots average. Cherries poor. Small fruits
age. Black Currants good. Nuts and ,S
berries over average.

Vegetable crops looked well until end of . e,
liut the want of i-ain and excessive heat o le
last fortnight have checked Peas and B s.
Potatoes are full of disease, lioth early and te
kinds. Disease apjieared in the neighbourho <it
the end of June, earlier than I have known it e-
viously. — E. BURBTRY.

Basing Park, Alton, Hants.— The I^
crop is under the average. Some of the a
have fair crops where they are protected m
the north and east winds and screened by sr
trees. I attribute the failure to frost in Ma; id
June, which destroyed the crops, and partici ly
where thej' were exposed to the cold winds. 1 ly
of the trees have good crops on the south ,3li
side of the trees. The Apples liave dropped 7
much of late from the dry weather and cold ni s.
Pears are good average crops on the walk ,d
on protected trees, but they are dropping 7
much from northerly winds. Plums are aim a
failure. Cherries not more than half a •
Peaches poor, and Nectarines under ave ;.
Strawberries not more than half a crop ; al le
early blossoms were cut off by frost, and the le
hot and dry weather caused the fruit to n
early, and the Strawberry season was soon r.
The Gooseberry crop was under the average, id
Currants were a good crop. Raspberries i h
under average, quite small. Black Currants i h
under the average, but fruit fine and f 1.
Lee's Prolific Black Currant is the best. I U
grow no other, as that always gives a good ,p
of first-class fruits of a fine flavour.

Vegetables have been good this season yi '6
they have had plenty of water and where thi il
is good and rich. — \V. Smythe.

Eaglehurst Castle, Fawley.— Apples d
Pears are carrying heavy crops, excepting a w
trees that bore very heavily last year. B'>
berries were not so good this year, either in jP
or size of fiuit. Owing to the drought last l-f
the}' did not produce such fine canes. Gc'i-
berries were the best crop we have had for s 9
time. Plums are very scarce here this seal'i
some trees carrying only one-third of a crop jd
others none. Apricots were only a moderate Ci'i
also Peaches and Nectarines outside. The Sti '•
berries here bore very heavy crops. The soi 1
grow are Sir Joseph Paxton, King of the Earj'i
President, and Dr. Hogg. Royal Sovercigl
iJanted last autumn and it produced some j«
fruit this season. Sir .Joseph Paxton and Kin[ii
the Earlies do well here. Planting early in ie
autumn, from plants layered in pots, gives the ,'
results. — Henry (i.^RH.iTT. i

Hackwood Park, Basingstoke.— The f|'
crops in this district are very poor. ApplejJ
think, are the worst. Lord Grosvenor, lij
Suflield, Potts' Seedling-, Warner's King, |'
Keswick are the best. Pears are much undcrje
average. Souvenir du Congres, Louise Bonmil

Sbptkmber 4, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

181

■•^ey, Mine. TTey\e, l'itin;i.stoii Duche.ss, Beunv'
(lii-geiiu, Keini-6 Did, uiiil Winter Neli.s liiivo ;i
f ■ croi>. I'hnns almost a failure, even the Vic-
t ias. Pcaclit'S and Nt'rtarines very few. 1
er I'ememlicr to lia\e .seen the trees blisteroil
hadly as this year. Apricots a failure. All
fill fruits much ovei- the average. — J. Bowki;-

SN-.

;iaydon Gardens, Winslow. - -The fruit

[B ill this di.strict are rather below theaverai;e.

1 rly in the season there was every promise of

gpcl crops, but a long spell of cold, cutting winds

I late frosts destroyed most of the bloom, so

t with the exception of trees in sheltered posi-

13 the crops are verv poor. A[)plo trees in

Itered positions have borne well, especially the

f( owiii": varieties : Keswick Codlin, Cox's Orange

pin, Hisniarck, Peasgood's Nonsuch, Emperor

J .\ander, Mr. (iladstone, and King of the Pip-

ps. Pears, on the whole, are a poor crop,

" 1^ in sheltered positions fair. (Jooseberries

' ariants have boiiic plentifully, and in this

....cdiate vicinity been quite free from the cater-

Sar of the (looseberry sawfly. Strawberries
e been an exceptionally good crop, excellent
.. (uality and large. The \ arieties that do best
wii us are the following: Royal Sovereign,
Psident, Scarlet Queen, and Laxton's Latest of
A Raspberries have eropjied abundantlv, es-
pially Superlative, which I tind does tetter
it 1 any other varietj'. — J. iliLso.M.

''he Hoo Gardens, Welwyn, Herts.—

.■\iiles are umler an average crop. Pears averan-e.

I'las under tlie average. Cherries a good ave-
erop, especially Morellos. Peaches and
lines are good and the trees healthy.
^s are very poor. Small fruits are heavy
■f good quality. Strawberries very good.

.\ ^ of all kinds a most remarkable crop,
he first and second early Potatoes are small,

bi the later varieties appear to give larger

tiars. — C. E. M,\rti.x.

;idbrooke Park, Sussex.— The Apjile crop

: is below the a\erage. Some varieties are

■ • 'ii'.r heavy crops of clean-skinned and equal-

:iHit. All the trees of Blenheim are bear-

ii!l crops. That useful Apple, Forge, is bear-

iinlieavy crops, more especially upon old trees.

Nl- Hawthoinden on espaliers is cropping very

: no fruit upon standards. Lane's Prince

' and all the different sorts of Codlins are

■J- good average crops. Apricots above an

:e crop, fruit large and of first-rate (piality.

es (sweet) almost a failure. Morellos an

,e croj), but small. Figs are an average

Black Currants above an average crop ;

■ xtra larp. Red and White Currants fair

^e crop, but the fruit rather small. Goose-

- an extra heavy cro|) of fruit. BUickberries
average crop. Medlars below an average

Xeetarines poor. The trees sufTered very

from bb.ster during the cold east wind.s.

Is and Nuts very jilentiful. Peaches good

-<■ crop, but fruit smaller than usual. Plums

-I a failure upon wall trees and standards.

ily.sorts bearing fruit are Prince Englebert,

lagnum Bonum, and Victoria planted upon

wall. Quinces an average crop. Rasp-

- a plentiful crop, Superlative bearing the
<Top and Prince of \\'ales coming next.

berries above an average crop, but owing to
>■ weather the crop was soon over. Pre-
stood the drought better than any of the

-orts grown. Walnuts ^■ery few. Damsons

|. -W .M. CUKISTISOV.

*opmore, Maidenhead.— The fruit crops

'lly are somewhat under the average in this,

'ith Bucks district. The greatest loss will

uiid in the scarcity of Ajiples, which are not

uaila crop. There are exee|,tions ; for in.stance,

Kl< leims are ([uite heavily cropped in the Burn-

h(

,. 1 'v ^'"i'|Jci-» lit tile i:>urn-

distriet, two miles distant on lower ground
ted, however, that last year these trees were
•-S, and this may account partly for their
' Ins. The trees may possibly have had more
-;ta in the blossom and ab'e to withstand

cold winds and frosty nights better than others
that had cropped freely the previous year. The
iilossoming of trees was |)rofuse in all instances,
but why an occasional orchard is to be found well
cro]i|:ied in similar situations to tho.se just the re-
verse, 1 am unable to explain, unless the facts
above stated have some bearing on the ([uestion.
Bush trees on the Paradise stock have generally
cropped better than orchard trees, a few varie-
ties, as (ilrenadier. Lord Crosvenor, Lane's
Prince .-Vlbert, Lord Derby, Eeklin\ille Seedling.
Worcester Pearinain, and Bismarck carrying good
crops. Pears are almost a failure ; an occasional
tree may be found cropping fairly well. Peaches
and Nectarines on walls are excellent as regards
crop, and the trees very healthj'. Severe thinning
of the fruits has been necessary. Apricots are
very poor, and the same may be said of Plums
botli on walls and standards. Both Morello and
sweet Cherries on walls are, and have been, plenti-
ful, but on orchard trees the crops were generally
very poor. Gooseberries and Red Currants were
plentiful. Black Currants are about half a crop.
Raspberries promised to be good, but the dry
weather which set in at ripening time was too
much for them and half the crop dried up from
want of moisture. Nuts are very abundant.

The vegetable crops have been generally excel-
lent, although Peas, Beans, and^ other subjects
are now feeling the efi'ects of the continued dry
weather. Potatoes are cropping abundantly, and
very little disease is apparent u]) to the present.
— C. Hf.huix.

■Woodhatch Lodge, Reigate.— Apples are
under average. The varieties tliat are cropping
well are Stone's, Warner's King, Bess Pool,
Stirling Castle, Prince Albert, Wellington, Hor-
mead's Pearmain, Duchess of Oldenburg, Allen's
Everlasting, King of Pipjiins, Cox's Orange and
Blenheim Orange. Pears are under average. A few
espaliers on a wall have good cro})S. Plums are a
failure. Gooseberries under average. Currants
(Black and Red) are poor. Raspberries average,
especially good being Superlative.

Peas haA'c been good this season. Chelsea Gem,
Earbest Marrow, Exonian, Veitch's Main Crop,
Autocrat and Chelsonian ha\-e cropped well.
Beans have done well, and all the green croi)s are
looking well. Potatoes will be a light crop, but at
pre.sent they are free from disease.— C. J. S.\i.tek.

Kingston, Surrey.— Ver\' erratic are Apples
in this locality. Some growers ha^e none ; others,
especially on old trees, have plenty. The Codlin
family give the best results, although Prince
Albert, Blenheim Pippin, King of the Pippins,
and some small fruiters have in some localities
cropped very well. It seems probable, in spite of
adverse reports, that Apples will be fairh- plenti-
ful after all for a time, but we shall find them
scarce and dear at the close of the year. Pears,
too, \ary \-ery much, the earliest and most com-
mon forms being plentiful, whilst the larger and
best ones are scarce. Plums and Damsons are
almost a failure. Seldom ha\-e there been fewer
of these stone fruits. xVpricots have been thin,
but Peaches, Nectarines, and Cherries are, or
have been, fairly abundant. Bush fruits, too,
have been pretty jjlentiful, the thinnest crop
having been Black Currants ; (Jooseberries have
been the best. Raspberries also have been
abundant, and the Strawberry crop was far more
abundant than was at first anticipated would be
the case. Walnuts vary, from some trees abso-
lutely fruitless to others" elsewhere full of fruits,
and small Nuts are in the same category.

The vegetable crops have on the whole been
good, though in shallow soils drought has told
adversely. Potatoes late, are yet robust and
healthy on deeply- worked ground, and so far
there is little evidence of the disease. The early
ones have (juite ripened and present a \ ery fair
tuber crop. Peas have been very good, and m'ildcw
has given little trouble : in many directions fine
crops have been obtained. Kuiiner Beans have
suffered from lack of air and root moisture, and
liloom has fallen, but that has now been checked.
Onions have never been finer or cleaner than this
year. Beets and Parsnips are ca[)it.d and clean.

but Carrots are only moderately good and the
foliage is rust,\-. There is neither Onion maggot
nor Celery (1\ anywhere this season. — A. Dk.\x.

■Waddon House, Croydon. — Fruit and
vegetable crops iii this district, as a whole, have
been unsatisfactory, the late frosts and hot, dry
weather being very unfavour.alilc, as the subsoil is
very bad as a rule. Ap[)lcs under average. Pears
very few. Peaches and Nectarines over aver-
age and good. Gooseberries average. Currants
under average. Strawberries about average in
the district, although mine were uniler, owing to
all the early fiuit, al.so bloom, being cut off with
frost on May 13.

Vegetables have been very good, especially
early Peas, Beans, Cauliflower and Cabbage — .1.
Harris.

Strathfieldsaye, Hants.— The fiuit crops in
this riciglibourhood are fairly good. Small fruits
have Ijcen |ilciitiful and good in quality. Straw-
lierries extra heavy crops of even-sized" berries, of
first-class flavour. Raspberries a full crop, espe-
cially Superlative, which is a vigorous grower and
heavy cropper. Magnum Bonum is al.so a fine
yellow Raspberry of extra flavour and good crop-
ping qualities. Black Currants have been fine in
si^zeand crop, such sorts as Lee's Prolific and Black
Naples doing best. Red Currants have also been
a full crop ; the sorts which do best here are Red
Dutch, Mammoth, Fay's Prolific. Of White Cur-
rants, the best crops are got of White Dutch,
White Versailles and cut-leaved White Dutch.
Gooseberries ha\e not been so heavy a crop as
usual in this district. Cherries on walls and
standards have been very good, the fruit clean and
good in flavour. Plums and Damsons are a light
crop and the fruits poor. Apricots are an average
crop. Pears are rather a thin crop, but the
fruits are swelling into a good size. Apples are
also under an a\erage crop ; Lane's Prince Albert,
Duchess of Oldenburg, Blenheim Orange and all
the Codlin types are good. Nuts are plentiful and
good.

Vegetables are an extra good lot, especially
where watering has been attended to. Potatoes
are a heaAy crop, free from disease and of first-
class quality. Peas have been fine, especially
Boston Wonder, Ne Plus Ultra, Duke of Albany,
and several of Sutton's Marrowfat Peas have done
well this year. Cabbages have been plentiful
and good. Onions, Carrots, Leeks and Celery are
good erojis, and now rain has come winter vege-
taljles will soon fill their quarters. Our rainfall
for January was 2-;ii7 ; February, 3-84 ; March,
4-(w; Aprii, 1-53; May, 1-14; June, ■2-04 ; .July,
1-67. Total, 17-24.— J. W. McH.^TTiE.

■Wycombe Abbey.— The crops of .Apples,
Plums, Damsons, and Cherries are very short in
general. Peaches and Nectarines an average crop.
Pears above an average. Bush fruits generally
are an average crop, although in some places there
was a deficiency of Black and Red Currants. Nuts
are very abundant, and Walnuts a fairly good
crop.

All crops of vegetables are excellent this year,
the Potato crop being exceedingly good, and at
the present time but \ery little disease abounds
in this locality. — (i. T. MiLi;s.

■Wakehurst Place, Hay wards Heath.—

The fruit crops in these gardens have not been
good. iVpples showed well for bloom, but, on
the whole, there is a very iriegular crop. The
best are Early Red M.argaret, Red Quarrenden,
Cox's Orange, Ribston Pippin, Wonester Pear-
main, Lord Surtield, Warner's King, and Sand-
ringham. Pears are very poor, and Plums on
walls much below the average. ( 'herries are not
extensively grown, and the crop is poor. Straw-
berries have been a fine crop and of good C]Uality.
Royal Sovereign and .John Piuskin are carrying
fine crops, but I much prefer the former. Rasp-
berries are good average, but soon past owing to
the drought, (ioosebenies below the average.
Red Currants good, also Black. Nuts are an
abundant crop, and Walnuts very good.

Vegetables have done very well, except Cauli-
flowers, which have been almost a failure. I

182

THK TxAUDEK

[REPTIiMtER 4, 1897.

have found tlie following Peas succeed best :
Early — Sutton's May Queen, Veitch's Chelsea
fteni. For succession. Prodigy, Criterion, and
Maincrop ; and Ne Plus Ultra for late use. Po-
tatoes arc good, and quite free from disease. —
A. Drewett.

The Gardens, Stoke Court, Slough,
Bucks. — Apples and Plums are a pour crop with
the exceiition of one or two kind.«. Pears are
about half a crop. Marie Loui.«e, Beurre Bo.»c,
and Doyenni= Boussoch being fairly well crop])ed.
Cherries half a crop, but good fruit, both Morellos
and sweet Cherries. Peaches, Nectarines, and
Apricots are very good, trees healthy and fruit
fine. Waterloo and Amsden June I sent to table
.July 1.5. Red, Black, and White Currants very
good. Raspberries and Strawberries excellent.
Gooseberries very good. Nuts abundant and
good.

Peas have done wonderfully well. Beans, Run-
ner, French, and Broad, ha%'e done well. Carrots,
Onions, Parsnips, Beet, Artichokes are good.
Potatoes excellent crop, and free from disease at
present. Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, and Broc-
coli are very much affected with club at the root.
— F. W. Beeveks.

EASTERN.

Livermere Park Gardens, Bury St.
Edmunds. — The fruit crops generally this year
are light, though there are no absolute failures.
The irregular way in which Apples and Plums are
fruiting is curious, for many trees are carrying
heavy crops side by side with others absolutely
fruitless. Of Apples, early varieties such as
Manks and Keswick Codlins, the old Nonsuch,
Devonshire Quarrenden, and White .Juneating
have heavy crops, as also have the old Haw-
thornden and King of the Pippins : Ribston
Pippins are a fairly heavy crop and the fruits
extra fine. Others that may be mentioned as
carrying fair crops are Lemon Pippin, Emperor
Alexander, and Warner's King. Varieties other
than those mentioned are either fruitless orcarr}'-
ing a very much below average crop. Pears
are a good crop all round, but much in want of
moisture. Peaches and Nectarines on a south
wall were blistered almost to death and the crop
is very light ; on a west wall their condition is
much better. Plums on walls are a light crop, as
the trees were caught by a sharp frost while in
blossom, the best in this position being \A'ash-
ington, Goliath, and Reine Claude de Bavay. In
the open some trees, notably Early Prolific, Belle
de Louvain, Victoria and Orleans, have heavy
crops ; other varieties are very light. Damsons,
Apricots, Figs, and sweet anil Morello Cherries
are much below the average ; the latter, however,
carried a tolerable crop of very fine fruits.
Currants of all kinds. Gooseberries, Medlars, and
Quinces are average crops. Grapes (outdoor) are
a good crop, and promise to finish well. Rasp-
berries are a full average crop : Walnuts and
Filberts over average. Undoubtedly the croii of
the year was .Strawberries ; these I never had
finer and the crop was immense, as rain came
just in time to swell the fruit, and during the
gathering season dry weather prevailed.

Among vegetables, Potatoes in gardens have
done well, but in fields the yield is poor, drought
having much afl'ected the crop. Disease appeared
earl_y here and caught one plot of Snowdrop before
the crop could be lifted ; only a few tubers showed
the disease at lifting time, but many have shown
it since, though the same variety from another
plot hard by, lifted at the same time, was not
affected. Onions, transplanted from boxes, are
fine in spite of the drought. Tomatoes are doing
w-ell and ripening early, and the earliest with me,
both on walls and trained to stakes, is Carter's
Outdoor, a free-cropping, corrugated variety of
good quality, and reminding one forcibly of
the old Large Red, but much earlier. The root
crop generally is good, as, too, is the Celery crop,
but the latter has to be ke))t well watered. Kales
of all kinds are backward, but will have jilenty
of time j-et to make good progress, growth M'ith

these in autumn being generally rapid. Peas,
with the exception of early sowings, have not
carried veiy heavj' crops, or rather the crops on
most varieties have not lasted long, but the quality
has been good and insect pests not so prevalent
as they were last year. Taking vegetables gener-
ally, they are very good where growing on deeply
worked soil. — .J. C. T.allack.

Shrubland Park, Ipswich. — We in this
neighbourhood have cause to remember the in-
clement spring of this year. Night after night
we «ere visited with severe frost just as the fruit
trees were in full bloom. The result is that the
fruit crops, as regards Apples and Pears and all
stone fruits in this garden, and so far as I ha\'e
seen in this neighbourhood, are, with few excep-
tions, ^'ery light. Strawberries were fairly ])lenti-
f ul, but as many of the first blooms were destroyed
by frost, the fruit was much smaller than usual,
(iooseberries and C'urrants are plentiful ; Rasp-
berries scarce. Filberts, Cobs, and Walnuts are
heavy crops.

As we have been favoured with plent}' of sun
and a fair quantity of rain, all vegetable crops
ai-e looking well. Peas have been exceptionally
good. Early Potatoes are also good ; (juite free
from disease. Since the moister weather set in
on the 7th I find that disease is showing itself
on the late varieties of Potatoes. — G. T.wlor.

Diddington Hall, Hunting-don. — Apples
very thin indeed. Pears a good average crop on
walls, tliin on standards. Peaches and Nectarines
about half a crop, healthy and clean. Plums and
Damsons a complete failure. Walnuts, Cobs, and
Filberts a very heavy crop, the best I have had
for years. Gooseberries rather thin, but fruit
large and clean. Currants, both Red and Black,
very thin. Strawberries a splendid crop, but soon
over, owing to the excessive heat. I still find
Keens' Seedling and Noble the l.iest early kinds
for jireser\ing. For table use Royal Sovereign
and Sir .Joseph Paxton, and for late use Waterloo
and Oxonian are the best.

Potatoes on early borders good and quite free
from disease ; the earliest and best was Ring-
leader, followed by Duke of York. Onions sound
and clean, Ijut small. Peas, early crops extra
good, late crops light and suffered from mildew.
Beans an excellent crop. All tlie Cabliage tribe
are sadly in need of a good soaking rain. — T.

LOCKIE.

Babraham, Cambridge.— What promised to
be one of the best crops of fruit of all kinds has in
some cases fallen nmch below the average
Apples are much below. Some sorts have a crop,
the most noticeable being Lane's Prince Albert.
This variety seems to have withstood the frost
better than any other. .Some of my Apjiles, the
above \-ariety and Ecklinville in particular, had
their buds entirely stripped by bullfinches and
tits. Plums are the worst crop we have. They
were a long while in bloom owing to the cold
winds, and then to finish them off a sharp frost
appeared after rain. Victoria, Rivers' Prolific,
and Czar seem to be the only varieties bearing.
I have several acres planted on some higher
ground, the trees not having been planted long,
but I notice that most of these are carryingafew.
Damsons are about the same as Plums. Pears are a
little better. Some sorts are carrying a crop, but
I find the clioicer sorts ha\e failed. ( 'berries were
pretty good. Apricots not good, but I am of opinion
the loss to them was from want of water more
than the weather. Gooseberries and Black Cur-
rants are not much more than half a crop. Straw-
berries, Red Currants, and Raspberries were very
good. Nuts very plentiful. Quinces I never
have seen so scarce as this year. Peaches and
Nectarines are, as usual, carrying good crop. Of
course the trees are alwaj'S protected fiom frost
when in blossom. I had Nectarine Precoce de
Croncels ripe end of .July on walls.

Tomatoes are doing well this year ; Sutton's
Perfection and Best of All are excellent. Vege-
tables of all sorts have done well Peas I have
never seen do better ; the crop on Earliest of All
was wonderful. Gradus is a good second early ;

for a later variety Sutton's Peerless is a splentli
sort, the flavour being excellent, and Veitcb
Extra Marrow is all that one could desire. The.-
varieties only growing about 3 feet must take tl
place of all such kinds as the Duke of Albani
While these excellent varieties are of the very be-
([uality I hear complaints of their Ijeing too largi
and Peas about the size of Sweet Peas are aske
for. Potatoes are \ery free from disease as yet
the early kinds ripened off very quickly, and tl
crops are not so heavy. Cabbages were very earl
this year. I cut in quantity end of ilarch goo
heads of Ellam's. The root crops in fields will 1
the best seen for some years. — J. Hill.

Hardwick, Bury St. Edmunds.— The fru

crop around this neighbourliood cannot be coi
sidered satisfactory. It is the worst season f(
Apples I have known for many years. The di
ferent kinds of Codlins, Duchess of Oldenbur
Hawthornden, and a few other kinds are preti
good ; still much of the fruit of those kinds is fa
ing off through maggot, and Ribston, Blenheii
Warner's King, Court Pendu Plat, Fearn's Pi
pin, and many others are almost a failure. Pea
are somewhat better ; the fruits are small and.
fear, will not come to any size. Apricots aie ft
and far between. There was a good show
bloom, but the fro.st during April quite spoilt t
jjrospects in our garden. Peaches and Nectarin
are fairh' good and may be considered an averaj
Earh- Cherries were pretty good, but Morellos :(
very light. Many of them fell during the stonii
time. Plums are light ; a few kinds, such
Early Orleans, Victoria, Monarch, Prince Engi
bert, and Ickworth Imp^ratrice are fairly goc
but Golden Drop, .Jefferson's, Goliath, and t
Gages are almost a failure. Strawberries ha
been good all round, the best season I have se
for some time. Raspberries pretty good, but fri
small through the drought. The different kia
of Currants and Gooseberries are very good.

Early Potatoes were very good, but seco
earlies and the late kinds have suffered throu
the dry weather. I hope the rains that we ha
just had will not be too late to help them. T
early kinds of Peas were very good, but la
kinds have suffered very much from the (
weather. — B. M.\rks.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1134.

THE LILY OF THE VALLEY.

(with a coloured plate of CONVALLAKLl
MA.JALIS, FONTIN's VAR.*)

In figuring such an exquisitely sweet and lovi
woodland flower as this, no apology is neci
sary. There may be newer and rarer flowi
in our gardens, but we certainly possess li
few, if any, wild plant.s which are at tlie sai
time so dainty in all their ways and blossomii
and there is, perhaps, no native wild flo«
that is so universally grown in gardens of bn
rich and poor all over the country as is t
Lily of the Valley. We do not remember tli
it has ever received a first-class certificate iri
any .society, and it seems to be one of the fii
plants that has escaped being figured in the a
emi)racing JJotaidcal Mar/ciziHe. Of course
has its usual niche in all the floras, and Hook
tells us that it is found in " woods from Mor;,
to Kent and Somerset, ascending to 1000 fej
in the north of England, naturalised in Set!
land and Ireland, flowering in May and June!
Its general distribution is Europe, North Asi,
and North America, and it is also met with ,
North China and Japan. Its chaste modes
and sweetness alike recommend it to all tastt

* Drawn for The Garden ia Messrs. Laxtoij
nursery at Bedford by H. G. Moon. LithograpH!
and piiiiteJ by J. L. Goffart.

m

'yy.i

LILY OF THE VALLET ( FONTIN ^ S VAR.)

I

Septemder 1, 1897.]

THE GARDEK

183

id it is ])L'i-h.-i]is ii blessing that it has so far
)e(l thi' atti'utiiin lif thcise who like to im-
■ove on Natnro by i-uaring variations in form,
' size, or liabit, or colour. It is essentially
onotypie ; there is nothint; in the whole world
plant.s i|inte like it, its nearest relatives
;im; the twin-leaved Smilacina and the i^race-
I Solomon's Seal (Polygonatmn). The ]]lant
rtsinly does vary, but it is within very narrow
iiits, the range of its variation being in in-
!rse proportion to its extensive geographical
stribution. There arc tall and dwarf, broad-
aved and narrow-leaved kinds, and some
»rm8 are a little earlier or more sensitive to
Hificial heat than others, this dei)ending to
Une extent on the climate and .soil in which
:ie roots or crowns are, or have been, grown.
here is a giant kind with semi-double tiowers
.rely seen, there is a poor and ]iuny rosy
irple form, .and a kind having golden j'ellow
'ripes on its foliage. Commercially, the plant
IS become of late years very important, and
pecially since Mr. dannoch, of Dersingham,
r. T. Uochford, of Turnford, and other
owers of its Howers tor market have made of
such a gigantic speciality.
In Germany the culture of Lily of the Valley
an industry of considerable magnitude, and
ie Berlin " crowns " are considered iiner than
lie French or Dutch-grown produce, and these
re most largely cultivated by all the extensive
powers. The forcing of Lily of the Valley for
it flowers has proved so remunerative, that
ifrigerator chambers have been in some cases
tilised in retarding the crowns, with heated
jircing pits to forward their growth, and in this
'ay it is now quite possible to jirodnce plenty
c flowers every day in the year if need be
jistead of merely during the two or three spring
lontlis when it was formerly in season. The
round and climate near Berlin .seem particu-
Irly well suited to the culture of this jjlant,
:id it is curious to note that the Berlin crowns
pe valued far more highly than are those from
famburg and other localities.
The best varieties are Berlin, Dutch, Victoria
id Wallace's, and even the common wild types
jon improve as grown in the Berlin soO. By
pe best crowns stout s])ikes of from fifteen to
yenty-tive bells are produced. As we have said,
kit little, if any, attempts have been made to
'.iprove the Lily of the Valley from seed. As
rule it increases vegetatively by its numerous
ndergi-ound stolons, but now and then, as at
traffim, Kildare, and elsewhere, spikes of soft
-Tmilion berries succeed the snowy flowers and
pen good seeds from which some variations
ight naturally be expected, not but that the
ant. as wild or ;is well grown, is beautiful
lough as it is. The following account by Mr.
. M. W.aketicld in the Spectatui- of June 5,
!97, of the Lily of the Valley as still existent
(' the acre in the woods of Arnside Knott may
terest tho.se who have never seen this plant
:ippyaiul luxuriant in its native haunts, wood-
iiid and wilds.

The w-oods where this fairy-flower has elected to
veil in such profusion cover perha))s three or four
mdred acres of ground, and the beds of Lilies
e literally all over them, spreading in patches
from a quaiter to a whole acre. Above them
■ow the Nutwood, the Dog Rose, and the
ramble, while here and there the Firs and 'S'ews
ve the scene a quiet distinctive dignitv. Below
e trees there is nothing but cool, broad, shadv
ives and the little bells of the "Maiblume," as
e Germans call our Lily :—

The stnnpintr Lilies of the Valley
That love with shades and dews to dally,
AnH bendin.,' droop on slender tli rends
With liroad liood leaves nljjve their beads,
Like wliito-robed maidi in .summer hours,
Beneath umbrella^ shunning showers.

Not a sound can be he.ard exce|)t the bird's song ;
\'erily a place lo dream in, and f)erliaps it is tine.
' as is saiti, th;it the scent of the Lily of the X'alley
I has a narcotic influence, for fancies and imagin-
ings take possession of one's scent-soothed soul.
I The Lilies seem a cool, pure world of themselves ;
far away, indeed, are the stress and turmoil of the
real world, for at this moment nothing seems real
save acres of Lily of the X'alley — at any rate, for
half an hour ! 'Phrough a cutting in the wootl the
mighty and well-beloved outlines of the hills
stand I'learly against the horizon from Coniston
OUl Man to Kentmere. Helvellyn, Fairfield, and
Red Screes rear their ln'ads straight in front of
us. Mountain peaks in the distance, and Lilies
of the Valley all around us, verily "a sight for
saireen." We do not need (Jerarde's famous de-
coction of the blossoms, which he says is "good
against the gout and comforteth the heart ; " the
comfoi't enters into us with the sight of the fells
and the .scent of tlie flowers. We make no dye
from our lovely Lily leaves, beautiful colour
though it be. We distil no famous aqua aurea
from their bell-like flowers to preserve us, as in
olden days, from contagious maladies ; the Lily
beds of Arnside are just the joyous playground of
children and a tb-eamland for their elders. And
the tide covers the golden sands with its dee|)est
blue of southern hue, the birds are quieting one
by one, while the Arnside Lilies, as the old
sixteenth-century herbalist put it, '"comforteth the
heart." F. W. BiRisinoE.

The Week's Work.

HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

Strawberries. — Planting should be brought to a
close as speedily as possible, especially it these
plants are expected to give returns in the shape
of a crop of extra fine fruit next year. Keep the
hoe at work amongst previously set-out plants to
prevent weeds from growing, and pinch out run-
ners as fast as they appear. Should September
prove warm and dry, these plants will make good
headway and growth must not sustain a check
through dryness at the roots. The training up of
the remainder of the old plants should be brought
to a conclusion, and a mulch of manure used
between the rows at the first opportunit}' that
offers. Red spider has been so rite among planta-
tions this year, that it is necessary, where a
wholesale cutting away of the leaves has had to
be done, to induce the crowns to make a fresh
crop of leaves as speedily as possible. This the
mulch and the efl'ects of the copious rains of the
past fortnight will speedily bring about if attended
to at once.

Wall trees.— These should have a final look
over as far as regards pinching and tacking or
tying in, as the case may be, for little growth
will be made after this date. Where too much
wood has been laid in a tree, no matter what kind
of fruit it may be, thin it out at onoe and give the
remainder a better chance of becoming thoroughly
ripened. Peach and Nectarine trees bearing but
scanty or no crops at all should, if they have made
ftn abundance of wood, be kept drier at the roots.
Artificial watering had better be discontinued,
and to induce the trees to ripen their wood
properly, remove the mulching from the alleys so
that the sun's rays can have free play on the
border. Trees which have made extra strong
growth should be root-lifted, but of this more
anon.

(Ienekal WORK. — The heavy rains which have
fallen of late have saved much labour in the shape
of watering, and all fruit trees without exception
will be surticiently moist at the roots for some
time to come. In districts where the rainfall has
been slight, especially if the soil be light, water-
ing will still need attention, and all trees bearing
heavy crops should ha\e all they require. In
woodland districts, netting of choice Pears and
Apples will have to be ilone, as tomtits are ex-
tremely numerous and destructive this .season.
This is easily managed in the case of walls, but it

is not so easy a matter with bu.sh trees; nevcrthe
less it will bo the only means of saving the fruit
where these destructive pests [jrove troublesome.
.Shooting them is an effectual remedy, but they
keep so close amongst the trees that it is almost
impossible to hit them without damaging either
the crop or the trees. Take nets off (iooseberry
and Currant bushes as fast as they are cleared of
fruit and store away for future use when dry.
Attend to the ingathering of fruit, especially
I'eurs and Apples of the earlier kinds. A good
way to ascertain when they are ready is to lift
one or two of the fruits with the hand, when if
the stalk parts readilv- from the tree, gathering
may be done with safety, and none .should be
gathered unless they do so. The warm rain has
had the effect of causing myriads of weeds to
spring up in fruit ijuarters as well as other parts
of the garden, and they must at any cost be kept
under. The hoe should therefore be kept at work,
and if the showery weather of the past few days
continues, the quickest |)lan is to rake the weeds
off, as the roots will only catch hold again if left
on the ground. Note should now be made of
actual rec|uirements in the shape of fruit trees
and bush fruits for the coming autumn, so that
orders may be placed early in the nurserymen's
hands when a personal visit and selection of trees
cannot be made. This greatly facilitates matters,
and the purchaser can then depend on his trees
being despatched as soon as lifting can be done
with safety.

LifTiNi! AND TRAN'SPLAXTIXG. — Where this has
become necessary, either through unfruitfulness
consequent on rank growth, or from want of
vigour through being planted too deep, or from
poorness of soil, or through crowding, necessitat-
ing the removal of every tree planted too close
together at the outset, it may be carried out
either towards the end of the present month or
early in October. Trees carrying fruit must of
necessity wait until the crop has been gathered,
but once that is done there need be no further
delay. Trees which have to be procured from a
distance cannot, of course, be lifted until the
leaves fall, but at home it is not necessary to wait
for this to occur, and so long as the trees have
ceased to make growth, the fact of their retaining
their leaves is an advantage, as it induces the
roots to send out new fibrils at once, with the
result that the trees are partl\- re-established
before winter sets in. The great aim in prac-
tising lifting with regard to unfruitful trees is to
check exuberant growth, which leads to the pro-
duction of fruit-buds in lieu of a superabundance
of wood-buds, and once the trees are brought into
subjection and made to bear fruit, the very fact
of their bearing generally prevents them from
getting out of bounds again. If lifting was only
more generally practised we should not hear so
many complaints about unfruitful trees. Lifting
comes under two headings, one of which may be
termed partial lifting, in which case a portion of
the roots are laid bare, according to the necessi-
ties of the case, but the tree remains stationary in
the same position. In the other case, or that of
actual lifting, a good ball of soil must be preserved
on the roots, so that the tree maj- be lifted out
bodily and transported to another part of the
garden. This |)oint cannot be too strongly in-
sisted on, as, unless lifted with a good ball of soil
attached, the trees would suffer so severely, that it
would take them two or three seasons to recover
from the shock. In the first case, a trench should
be opened out 2 feet wide all round for bush and
pyramid trees, and in a semi-circular form for
wall trees, at some distance from the stems.
This distance will vary according to the size and
age of the trees, but, as a rule, the trench should
not be opened nearer than 4 feet, and it is but
seldom that it is necessary to go further out than
S feet, G feet generally being the usual distance.
As the soil is removed, all roots met with should
be carefully preserved and pegged back out of the
way until no more are found. If there is a suspi-
cion that the tree possesses tap roots, a drift or
tunnel should be driven underneath, and when it
is found, cut the root off close up to the ball. If

184

THE GARDEK

[September 4, 1897

any otlier strong roots are found striking straight
down into the subsoil, follow them as far as is
practicable, then cut them through, and when fill-
ing in again lay them out in a horizontal position.
The roots laid bare in the process of digging the
trench should be examined, when all strong ones
may be shortened back, and the mutilated por-
tions of the weaker and fibrous roots trimmed otf.
They will then be ready for laying out afresh,
either in soil of a poorer description than that in
which they have been growing, if it is necessary
to administer a check, or in a richer compost if it
is necessary to imiiart fresh \'igour to the tree.
The roots must be laid out nearly level, and at
various levels also, as the filling in of the trench
proceeds, so that the topmost roots w^ill be about
4 inches or .5 inches under the surface. In no case
should any of the ends of the roots be allowed to
take a downward direction, for this will only lead
to future trouble, and those in charge of the lift-
ing should ])ay i)articular attention to this matter.
Before finally filling in the trench give a good
soaking of water to settle the soil amongst the
roots, and let it drain a few hours or a day before
finishing off. When trees have to be lifted bodily
and moved to another place, the same care is
needed to preserve all the roots found when open-
ing out the trench, as in the above instance.
After this the soil should be gradually worked
away with a five-jironged fork until a ball of soil is
left from about 2 feet to 3 feet in diameter, and
the roots should be pegged or fastened back out
of the way. The ball must be tunnelled under
and unseated before attem]:>ting to lift the mass
out of the hole, and if the soil is at all loose it
would be well to prevent a possible mishap by en-
closing the ball in a strong mat or some old
bagging and fastening it round with cords. A
hole should be dug in readiness to receive the tree,
so that no delay occurs, and the same lules ob-
served in laying out the roots, and watering the
soil also before finally filling in the trench, as
given above. A mulch of some description, but
preferably that of strawy manure, should be
applied to the surface in all instances after lift-
ing, this being a conservator of both warmth and
moisture. A daily .syringing of cold water for a
week or two is a great help to wall trees after
lifting has been done, as it freshens up the foliage
and enables the trees to retain their leaves much
longer. A. W.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Leeks. — It is not too late even now to make a
further plantation of these, where there is a con-
tinuous demand for them, as they will form a
succession to those planted in trenches some weeks
ago. The early batch will miw be growing
strongly, and soil may be drawn round the stems
so as to have them blanched and ready for use by
the end of October. If the roots are recpiired for
exhibition they should be fed up with frequent
waterings of licpiid manure. Few jilants absorb
more moisture from the ground than these ; there-
fore it is almost impossible to over water them
when tliere is an absence of rain.

C'elery. — Recent rains have improved this croj)
wonderfully, the foliage being of good colour and
so far free of disease. Continue to draw more soil
round them as growth develops, it being better to
do this piecemeal than burying them with a great
depth of soil at one time. There is a danger of
the early lot running prematurely to seed, owing to
the check received during the drv weatlier.
Where there is a danger of this the plants should
be used up at once, or it will soon become useless.

GENER.4.L WORK.— Beyond making the usual
sowings of Cabbage, Spinach, Turnips, Lettuce,
and Endi\-e, September is considered a quiet
month in this department, but there are few- gar-
dens in which much of the winter's work might not
be pushed forward with advantage, especially in
backward districts and where the gi-ound is natur-
ally of a heavy nature. In some gardens the
ground is so retentive that, unless it is turned
over before it is soddened by autumn rains, it is
late in spring before it is in'a fit condition to do

so, and much valuable time is lost in getting in
the different crops. The sooner suuli ground
can be turned over, when present crops are
cleared ofi', the better, as it gives a long season for
ex]5osure to weather and is tfie more easily worked
in the spring. The present is also a good time to
prepare difi'erent composts for dressing the ground
as it becomes vacant. Ashes produced by burn-
ing garden rubbish of all kinds, mixed with soil
that has accumulated from different sources
during the summer, are more suitable for some soils
than farmyard manure, and now is a good time to
jirepare this for winter use. In the case of ground
cleared of spring-sown Onions, we generally clear
the surface of weeds and give it a good sprinkling
of gaslime. This is allowed to remain on the
top most of the winter before it is dug in, when
it is sown with the same cro]) the following sjjring,
and we have little trouble with maggot Besides
having made a late sowing of Parsley for standing
through the winter, we have recently cut all the
main lot o\er, as the foliage being gross, it could
not withstand bad weather. The new growth
will be more sturdy and will not turn yellow like
the former after a lot of rain and snow.

RiCH.\RD Parker.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

FLAVOUR IN EARLY APPLES.

Thoi'i!H of late years there has been a con.sider-
able number of new Apples added to the list of
these early fruits, we have failed to get good
quality, as most of them are second-rate, and a
small percentage not worth growing, if flavour
is considered. Last year I was much surprised
to see Worcester Pearmain given a first prize
for flavour ; doubtless the dish in question was
staged under advantageous circumstances, and
may have been the best, but certainly such was
not my impression. I would at any time pre-
fer an Irish Peach, the old Devonshire Quarren-
den, and Duchess of Oldenburg to the Apple in
question ; but, as everyone knows, tastes difl'er.
Still, althougli the Worcester Pearmain may be
a good market fruit, it certainly cannot be
classed as one of first-rate quality. Doubtless its
free-fruiting (|ualities have made it a favourite,
but I am Sony to .see it recognised as a sort de-
serving of special merit, in the way of prizes for
flavour, when there are so many superior. I
tliink the newer Lady Sudeley, if gathered at
the right moment, far better as regards flavour.
This has a brisk, refreshing taste, with a spicy
aroma, which is lacking in the one noted above,
and the newer variety is most handsome and
the tree a rapid grower. With me it has never
failed to fruit since the year after planting.
Of course, I do not place Lady Sudeley on the
same footing as Cox's Orange ; indeed, there
are no early Apples that one can, but if eaten
direct from the tree it is not lacking in good
flavour. This variety needs less pruning than
some ; it bears so freely on the points of the
shoots, that mucli fruit is lost if hai'd pruned.
A fruit much liked by some growers is the
Irish Peach, but I think where Lady Sude-
ley is grown there is no need to plant
this old variety. I admit few early Apples are
sujieriiu- to it in flavour, but, owing to its free
cropping, the fruits are not large and do not
keep long. I have noted how curious the
larger Lady Sudeley grows, and the Peach is
somewhat similar. Those who prefer a solid
fruit will find none eijual to the old Devonshire
Quarrenden. This, grown on tlie Paradise
stock in Inish form, is an excellent early Apple,
and does well in light or well-drained soil ; on
clay it is not .so reliable. The usual method of
culture with this variety was large standards.

but grown thus the fruits soon bruised in wind-
weather and tlien decayed quickly. Grown in th'
form advised and on the stock recommended
tlie fruit is very fine, and its grand colou
and rich flavour makes it a general favourite,
few words will describe Mr. Gladstone, ai
early showy fruit. This is somewhat like Wor
cester Pearmain for (juality, and is very prolifi
on the Paradise stock, and where Worcester i
grown there is no need to include the newu
form, though Mr. Gladstone is the earlier o
the two. We have a very showy Apple, mucl
liked on acctjunt of its very bright colour
The fruits have a rich bloom on them like ,
Plum, and the tree is a grand cropper am
known under two names, Duchess of Glouceste
and Duchess Favourite. The fruits are ver-
shapely, though not large, and if gatherei
direct from the trees, are of fair quality am
keep longer than some very early kinds
Another very showy Apple is Red Astrachan
larger than Duchess, and, like it, beautiful]
Coloured and not deficient in quality for an earl
variety, if eaten direct from the tree. This i
less valuable than Duchess if stored, as it sooi
becomes mealy. This is m season at thi
date (August 23) — rather earlier than usual
A brisk, sprightly fruit is Summer Goldei
Pippin, also known under the name o
Yellow Ingestre, a small fruit, firm flesh
a golden yellow when quite ripe, and mucl
liked by those who prefer a solid, brisk
flavoured fruit. There are, I Ijelieve, two, i
not more, varieties of the Sunnner Pippin, a
some are much lai-ger and greener, but steel
and soil will influence these fruits. The tru(
form is a good standard fruit, and though ripi
early in September it will keep well into th
winter. I have not noted the value of Duche.s
of Oldenburg as a summer fruiter. This is
class of Apple many persons like, and is i
some catalogues classed as a cooking fruit
but if grown in bush form on the Paradis
stock it is well worth a place on the desser
table ; the fruits are of medium size, with a bris
acid flavour. This is much liked by many, am
the tree is a constant bearer and grows freel;
in almost any soil ; in fact, it may be classed as .
good towni Apple, as it rarely fails to croj) unde
adverse conditions, and is in season in Augu.";
and early September. There are others — in
deed there is no lack of variety — but I hav.
noticed those noted for cropping, with the hes
(piality and earliness combined. By growiiu
tliese early varieties in bush form anyone i;
able to get an early supply ; at the same tiim
large quantities are not needed, and witli smal
trees there is an early supply with finer fruits.

G. Wythes.

Apple Potts' Seedling.— Further experienci
of this fine Codlin A]iple proves that it is wortli)
of more extended cultivation, and should bi
(planted by all who require cooking Apples ol
first-rate quality during September. The fact
that in the scarcest seasons Potts' Seedling usuallj,
bears more or less fruit, enhances its value, andi
as it succeeds well in smoky districts in the_
vicinity of towns, amateurs should include it inl
their list. It succeeds well either on the Paradise'
or Crab stock. It is a great favourite in Norfolk.
- C. C. H.

Apples and Pears for pots.— "R. K."j

having asked for the names of a few Apples and
Pears suitalile for ]>ot culture, I have much.
pleasure in submitting the names of six varieties
of Apples and nine of Pears, all of which I shouldl
imagine would succeed well in the clinuxte of St.
Petersburg. If I ha\e named too many Pears.
" R. K." can make a selection from the list belo«',
and I may add that they all produce fruit of large
size and of first-rate quality, \A'hen purchasing

Sbptembrr 4, 1897.]

THE GAIIDEN.

185

tho I'eivvs, troes on the (,)uince stock ^'lo^ll(l be
aski-il for, iis these k'^'"? ''J' ''"" '-''*' '"'■'' '"I'sulls
when irrowii in pots. Both the Apples :uiil Pears
are arnuitjocl in tlieir order of ripening;. Six
Apples ; liuantj'of Bath, Lady Sudeley, Washinfj-
ton, Melon, Cox's Orange I'i]>i)in and Peasjirood's
Nonsuch. Nine Tears : Becirr^ de rAssomption,
Clapp's Favourite, Williams' Bon Chretien, Beurrc?
d'Amanlis, (iratioli of .lersey, 'riiouison's, Beurre
Superfin, Duchesse d'Ani;ouleme and Doyeinid du
Cornice. — A. W.

Nectarine Early Rivers. — This will un-
douhtedly liecome a yreat favourite amonjist gar-
deners who reciuire ripe fruit early in the year.
Mr. Shingler, tlie gardener at Melton, thinks very
highly of it, and as grown there it does C(|ually
as well as Lord Najiier, so far as cropping is eon-
i cerned, «hile it has not t'nat objectionable habit
of turning soft and rusty as if from sunstroke
; which Lord Xapier has. (iiown in a pot at
Melton it has borne a good crop of tine, highly-
coloured, delii'iously flavo-.ired fruit.and more trees
j will be planted in future. In Early Rivers, EIruge,
Rivers' Orange, and Violette Hati\e we have four
Nectarines ripening in the order named, which for
I hardiness of constitut:on, freedom in cropping and
gener.al good (luality cannot, I think, be beaten. —
J. C.

Strawberries for forcing'. — Where fruit is
required in March the forwardest batches for in-
troducing into heat during November will have
' been potted. Some growers are careless as to
[where they stand their plants, sometimes plac-
ling them on a bottom minus ashes, with the
result that the Ijalls become infested with worms,
.and the holes in the l>ase of the pots sto]iped up
with soil. Some of the most successful growers
use the sides of the kitchen garden walks, placing
boards, or, better still, trellises for standing the
pots on. All superfluous water can then escape
and a good circulation of air is secured. Jlore
I room should lie given as soon as the plants
^approach one anotlier in growth, crowding having
ia weakening effect. Liquid manure diluted to
about a fourth of its natural strength is a cajiital
istimulant for Strawberries, but soon does injury
lif given too strong where the plants are confined
jto pots. — J. C.

Peach Lord Palmerston. — Few gardeners
who have had any exjierience with this Peach
would care to plant it where talile Peaches alone
lare required, but where there is plenty of house
room and fruits are used for sweets in the kitchen,
a tree will be found very useful, as it is a caiiital
cooking variety and a prodigious bearer. I lately
saw a tree of this variety at Melton Constable
carrying an enormous crojj of extra large, tine-
Jooking fruit, which Mr. Shingler informed me
iw-ould chiefly be used for culinary purjioses.
jMany have been tempted to plant Lord Palmer-
'ston from seeing a dish of it at an exhibition, only
to find that they had made a mistake, so far as
guality was concerned. I never grew Ladv
jlalmei-ston, but have been told that it far sur-
passes Lord Palmerston in quality. Perhaps some
k-eader of The (J.ardkn has proved it.— J. C.
1 Strawberry runners in 1897.— Mr. Wythes
•ecently noted lio«- unsatisfactory Strawberry
•unners are this season, Ijeing not only late, but
imall and inferior. This, I am afraid,"is the case
n mo-t places, and market gardeners will in
nany inistances find it ditiicult to muster sufficient
;unners with which to furnish the allotted areas.
recently saw in market gardens in East Anglia
arge Strawberry beds which had borne fruit this
■ear, and so bronzed and wizened were the\', that
Mrcely any runners could be got from them. I,
ike Mr. \\ ythes, strongly advocate the sjstem of
)lantmg a percentage of plants annually for
unner production, and although in many gaidens
t may for want of room be difficult to do this,
aarket growers with their larger areas could easily
lo It, and would undoubtedly find it to pay
lell.— ,1. C.

Apple Devonshire ftuarrenden.— I do not
hink there are many young trees of this good old
essert Apple planted now-a-days, people appa-

rently going in more for the larger, softer, and
indillerent keeping varieties, which, in fact, re-
quire to be eaten almost as soon as gathered from
the tree. The soil and climate of East Anglia
seiMn to suit this Apple well, and, judging from
the quantities of it now being oll'ered for sale at 1 more easily killed than the black"fi

the various seaside towns, it would appear that
some of the old trees are still yielding good crops
of fruit. In light, warm soils the true bevonshire
tjuarrenden becomes rod nearly to the core, is
deliciously sweet, and w ill keep good for a con-
siderable time, which is saying a good deal for an
autumn dessert Apple. Intending planters should
b(! careful to purchase their trees from a relialile
linn, as there is a larger and inferior variety of
(i>iiarrenden which seldom colours up weU. —
(Jkowku.

Apples in East Anglia. — East Anglian
orchards, in coniinon with those in most other
parts, seem to have suffered from the cold winds
which prevailed in May last. In travelling
through Cambridgeshire and Norfolk I noticed
orchard after orchard quite bare of fruit. I learn
that the show of blossom was one of the best
seen for years, but that it succumbed to the bitter
blasts of spring, whicli were actually worse than
frost, crippling tho fruit in its infancy, so that
where trees did hold their fruit in the first
instance most of it fell later on. The majority of
the trees one sees with fruit on appear to be small,
old-fashioned varieties, having extra good consti-
tutions. Plums are equally as scarce, fruit of
what appeared to me to be the old Orleans sell-
ing in Norwich for 6s. a stone. Altogether this
great scarcity will be keenly felt both by growers
and consumers. — Grower.

PLUM NOTES.
Although the Plum crop as a whole is a decided
failure, and there are stretches of wall with abso-
lutely no fruit to be found, several of the best
kinds are bearing fairly well and a supply of fruit
has and will be available alike for dessert and
ordinary cooking, the failure being in the large
quantities usually supplied for (jreserx ing. I have
both Rivers' Early Prolific and Early Favourite,
and recommend the latter. It is (|uite as early as
Prolific, an equally sure crop|)er and a decidedly
better Plum, good ripe fruit, if not up to the
standard of the Gages, being acceptable for des-
sert very early in the season. I do not know how
it does on heavier soil ; here the annual growth
made is very slight ; it takes the tree years to
reach the top of a high wall. I have not grown
Rivers' Stint. What is the difference between
this and Early Favourite ? The Czar is a decided
acquisition, coming in just after the early and
before the mid-season Plums, and no more certain
cropper— not even Victoria— is to be found. As
cooking Plums, to the two already named may be
added Victoria, Pond's Seedling, and Pershore,
the last on account of its colour and the admirable
preserve it makes. I do not grow a later cooking
Plum than Pond's Seedling, for the reason that
Coe's (iolden Drop is a great and consistent
cropper, and furnishes ])lenty of fruit alike for
dessert and the kitchen all through the latter part
of the season. Where, however, a greater variety
is required. Diamond and Imperiale de Milan are
good cookioCT sorts for September and October.
Oullin's Golden (lage is one of the earliest of the
lioiia ilrle dessert Plums, and if to this are added
Transparent and the old Green (iage (true), Jeffer-
son's and (iolden Drop, a few of the very best are
secured. Denniston's Superb I am compelled to
omit, for, although free on some soils, here it is
very shy. The soil being on the light side, I am
compelled when planting young ti'ees to excavate
rather deeply and till up with the heaviest soil
obtainable ; a little of the same soil is put on as a
top-dressing everyautumn, with a mulch of manure
in the spring if the weather seems likely to be hot
and dry. Enemies are spring frosts, grey aphis,
and blackbirds. For the first-named I manage
enough fish netting to put on a double thickness,
and this is generally sufficient protection unless
the visitation is exceptionally severe, whilst the

same netting is utilised against blackbirds, that
always commence an attack on the Plums when
the small fruit is over. The grey ajjhis is a
troublesome emnny, and multiplies faster than
any other of the sjjecies. Fortunately, it is

ick form. I think
quassia extract is about the best remedy; other
insecticides may be even more etlicaeious in the
way of sudden death to the fly, but the great
point about the (piassia is its safety. In the
hands of an inexperienced workman an extra dose
will not be detrimental to young shoots or foliage.
E. B. C.

BLACK CURRANT MITE.
Wii.r, you kindly inform me if there is any remedy
for the Black Currant bud mite ? My bushes are
badly infested.— R. H.

*,* The Currant bud mite (Phytophus ribis)
each year becomes more destructive, and unless
drastic remedies are applied Black Currants will
soon be a thing of the past among many market
growers. It used to be considered one of the
most profitable fruits togrow, but, owingto the bud
mite, farmers of my acquaintance have had good
reason to think differently of the value of Black
Currants, andhave cleared whole breadthsof bushes
off the grou nd. All classes of growers are strongly
advised to keep a close look-out for first attacks
and to take measures for the prevention of tfie
spread of the mite. The mites are so small as to
be undiscernible to the naked eye, a powerful lens
being needed to see them, yet if they take
possession of the buds they arrest natural de-
velopment of growth, an abnormal swelling of bud
taking its place. In the spring w-hen it is seen, a
certain number of buds fail to burst into growth,
and are much swollen. The slioots bearing these
should be cut off and burnt, or if there is only a
bud here and there affected, these only may be
removed and burnt. Neglect or fail to persevere
with these precautions and the time may ariive
when the bushes will be so badly infested'by bud
mites as to be quite worthless, and only fit for a
bonfire. Owing to the protection afforded by the
I)ud scales, there is no reaching the mites "after
they are once in possession, but experts give
remedies of a preventive nature. The best of
these is a preparation of soft soap, soda, and
sulphur. Dissolve 4 lbs. of soft soap by boiling in
eight gallons of water ; boil S ozs. of caustic soda
and 1 lb. suljihur in a gallon of water, then mix
all together and boil gently for about half an hour.
When wanted for use add twelve gallons of water,
heating and applying it at a temijerature of 100°.
Spray the bushes with this preparation in Novem-
ber and again in February, doing it thoroughly.
This, coupled with the timely removal of all
swollen buds that are seen, will'rid the bushes of
the mites. I should also advise " R. H." to start
a fresh plantation with young bushes from an un-
tainted source, and on ground well away from the
affected bushes. If his remedial measures prove
of no avail he will then have his new clean bushes
to fall back ujjon. — W. I.

Mulberries.— These, in common with the
majority of fruits, appear to be scarce this season,
and, even where trees are carrying fruit, much of
it is deformed and small for the time of year, and
will never swell to its normal size. Jlanj' have
no idea of the richness of Jlulberry jam, and it is
a great pity that more young trees have not been
planted during the last half century to replace
those that are fast disappearing. A semi-shaded
position suits Mulberries well, but they like a
moist root-run. Those who have only a few
fruits on their trees will do well to protect with
fish netting, as blackbirds and thrushes will take
them even while in a red unripe state. — C. C. H.

Pear Beurre Giffard.— In the interesting
article on early Pears which appeared in the issue
of the 21st, mention is not made of that most
excellent dessert Pear Beurre (iiffard. 1 do not
think this variety is generally known, although it
deserves to be, as, independent of its general good

18G

THE GARDEN

[September 4, 1897

quality, it does not decay so quickly as many of
tlie early autumn Pears, Citron des Carmes for
instance. Beinre Gifi'ard is a medium-sized fruit,
of handsome appearance, having a red cheek on
the side exposed to the sun, the flavour being
exceedingly rich and melting. It grows rather
irregularly, but succeeds well grown as a cordon
on the Quince. In shape it much resembles Jar-
gonelle, and is in season from the end of August
to the middle of September. It is a good Pear for
exhibition on account of its extreme hardiness.
—J. C.

Peaches and Nectarines in pots. — There
is a capital lot of Peaches and Nectarines in pots
in one of the houses at Melton Constable, Mr.
Shingler's treatment differing somewhat from that
usually given. The pots are plunged in a narrow
border along the front of a lean-to house, trained
trees occupying the back wall. The pots are ht
into pans so as to prevent the roots going down
into the border and encouraging rank growth, and
each season all roots which grow over the sides
are cut off close to the pots. The trees are left
plunged all the year round and mulching annually
practised. By this means the trees are kejit
within bounds, growth being moderate and becom-
inj; well ripened in autumn, and if necessary feed-
ing can easily be practised. Many of the stronger
growing shy-fruiting varieties are rendered more
fertile, while such well-known sorts as Elruge,
Pine-apple, and Rivers' Orange bear so freely that
liberal thinning of the fruit is nec:ssary. — J. C.

or twice in the season proving next to useless. A
close look-out should also be kept for any signs of

I the moths having done their work in spite of the

' sprayings, and all blistered leaves found ought to
be at once gathered and burnt. " A Perthshire

I Writer," having once inadvertently allowed the
moths to get the upper hand, will ha\e to be most
persevering with his work of prevention, but may

' succeed in getting rid of the pest in the course of
two or three seasons. — W. I.

GRUB IN APPLE AND PEAR LEAVES.

Would j'ou kindly tell me what the enclosed
leaves are attacked with ? All my Ajiples and
Pears on the walls are every year attacked in the
same way. This season they hiive been worse
than ever. The walls are built of hard whinstone.
One wall faces south-west and one wall south-east.
I have watered the trees all along in dry seasons,
but never could stop this trouble. I have watered
now and again with licpiid manure from farmyard.
Plums are ne\er affected. — A Perthshire Writer.
*„* This is one of the worst instances of injury
done by the Pear tree blister moth (Lyonetia
clerckella) I have ever met with. Although the
popular term would imply that it is an insect pest
affecting the Pear only, it has been found, as in
the case under notice, that the Apple and also
Cherry are liable to be attacked bj' it. In order
to be able to cope with this insect, its life history
must be inquired into. A certain number of per-
fect moths, which, being so small — not measuring
more than one-third of an inch across the expanded
wings — are never heeded, pass the winter in
crevices in dry walls, among dry leaves, and such
like. In the spring these dejiosit their eggs on
the young leaves, into which the newly hatched-
out grub eats its way, causing a small blister at
that spot and mining round it, eating away the
pulp to a circumference of one-eighth to one-third
of an inch in diameter. In some instances these
dark brown patches are so numerous as to coalesce,
and the injury done to the leaves is severe enough
to cause them to drop wholesale. While the tiny
grubs are at work, or sa}' during May, .lune, and
the early part of July, it is only by close observa-
tion that they can be discovered, and by the time
the patches change to a dark brown colour, the
change from the larva; stage to the perfect insect
has taken place and fresh broods of moths are at
work laying more eggs. Once the grubs have
entered the leaves, nothing can be done to save
the latter, and prevention must be the order of
the day. Preventive measures should consist in
a thorough cleai'ance of all i-ubbish from about
the trees, and the stopping with fresh mortar of
all crevices or lurking places in the walls. This
should be followed in the spring by frequent
spraying of the leaves with either soap-suds, a
decoction of quassia chips and soft soap, or other
form of insecticide not strong enough to damage
tender leaves, but sufficiently distasteful to the
moths. Once a week is not too often to spray
with the selected insecticide, doing it only once

FRUIT TREES ON NORTH W^\LLS.

I AM pleased to see A. W." (p. 1.39) point out
tlie value of north walls for fruit trees, as in a
season such as we liave passed through, with
much heat and drought, north walls are doubly
valuable. I find we can secure excellent crops
of Cherries from such positions — I do nc^t mean
Morellos, but the best kinds — whereas on warmer
aspects in such a season, and on light soil, the
fruits are soon over. I admit that a few of the
better Cherries, but only a few, do not thrive
as vigorously as one could wish, but these are
not numerous. Many of the Bigarreaus and
Heart Cherries do well, .and a few of the Dukes.
These latter make less wood and gum more, but
there is a large number to select from. North

Stapelia bufonia. Fmm a vhntnuraph by Mrs.
McDoneil, Edgware Roud, London,

walls in favoured localities are too useful for
growing merely Morellos. I note "A. W."
advises Plums, and these do better on this as-
pect than on a warmer one in certain districts.
I am aware there is less protection in the spring,
but when once the crop is set the after growth
is much cleaner, as on a warmer wall the trees
are frequently badly attacked by fly and
dithcult to keep clean. Most of the Plums
will do on a north wall ; in fact, they like
this position during .July and August, and there
is a great gain in retarding a portion of the crojj
grown in this way. "A. W." fully notes the
advantages of Plums grown thus, and 1 m.ay
add Pears also, as I find this year (jur best crops
are on a north wall. In places where Apples of
the best quality are needed for dessert, I have
seen very good results obtained by utilising a
north wall. Treated thus, special culture nuiy
be given, and thinning is a simple matter. If
cordon Pears are grown, it is well to jilant the
free-growing early kinds, if the situation is

exposed, and strong plants. The best crop of I
Gooseberries I ever had was grown on a north '
wall 8 feet to it feet high, with the trees trained as
double cordons. When once the top of the
wall was reached these gave little trouble
beyond spurring in and netting over to protect
from birds. Grown thus the trees give us fruit
for weeks after those in the open were past, as.
they last well if trees are kept close in to thei
wall. No matter what variety of fruit is grown,-
it is well to keep the trees close to the wall
and give shelter in the way of a good coping if
pos.sible. G. Wythes.

THE CARRION FLOWERS.

(stapelia.)
The genus Stapelia is an extensive one, as sixty
or more species are known, but many of them
are not in cultivation. Except in botanic gar-
dens or in the collection of some specialist, they
are rarely seen, one objection to them being
the unpleasant odour of the blossoms, which is
exactly like carrion, and, the petals being thick
and fleshy, they often become infested with
maggots after being expanded a few days.
Nearly the whole of them are natives of .Soutli
Africa, and consequently they require green
house temperature in this country, with a
dry atmosphere during the winter months
They are nut deep rooting ; hence the pot;
in which they are gi-own should be thomughl)
well drained, or pans may be used for theii
culture. Sandy loam, lightened by an ad
mixture of leaf-mould and brick rubble, wil
suit these Carrion Flowers exactly, anc
during the summer they may be waterei
with moderate freedom, but in the wintc
greater care nmst be exercised, for it is no
advisable to parch them up, while an exces
of moisture is likely to prove fatal. Not
withstanding the fact that Stapelias are nn
]iopular at the present day, they are wonder
fully interesting and, in a way, beautiful
their ([uaint starfish-like fjovvers being, ii
some cases at least, marked in a most remark
able manner. One sjiecies, S. gigante;i
claims a place among the wonders of tli
vegetable kingdom, as the comparatively hug
blos.soin is shaped like a five-pointed star,
foot or more across, and the marking is equall.
strange. The ground colour is a pale tawii
yellow, marked in a zigzag manner wit
reddish transverse bars, and the entire flon't
is densely covered with hairs. Its odour is :i
vile as any of the others, so much so tha
when in bloom it must be covered with a bell
gla.ss in order to allow of a near inspec
tion of the blo.ssoms, or if stood on a shel
with a ventilator overhead the stench is i
good deal lessened. This Stapelia has flowerec
several times in cultivation, and a tirst-clan
certificate was awarded it by the Royal Horti
cultural Society in the autumn of 1891. It i
the only member of the genus that has eve
received such recognition. S. bufonia, whos
general appearance is well shown in the accoiii
jjanying illustration, is a much smaller flowe
than the last, but strangely marked, as th-
specific name of bufonia (toad-like) would imply
Other species that may be mentioned are S
Planti, S. pulvinata, S. primulina, S. Asterias
S. variegata, S. Sim,si, S. grandiflora, and S
defiexa, of which a characteristic illustratioi
was given in The Garden, January 30, 1892i
A great many of the Carrion Flowers were introj
duced during the latter years of the last centurj
or the earlier ones of the present. The generaj
appearance of the Stjipelias when growing woiiki
suggest a near relationship to the Cacti o
Euphorbias, instead of which they are allies <
the Hoyas and other Asclepiads. H. P.

SEPTEMnER 4, lf^97.]

THE GAllDEN.

187

Flower Garden,
border carnations.

" Many men — many niiuJa."
N northern gardens Carnations are now at
lieir best, malting a glorious show in borders
I'hen boldly massed, and still moru delightful
'hen planted in raised beds, so that the long
ower-stems may fall over, garlanding the
:one or the woodwork with a llowpry drapery
ich in colour and redolent of spicy odours.
I'o flower has been more killed by kindness,
b to say, than the Carnation, for the Uorist
as taken it in hand and reduced it to his
tandard of uniformity, till half its charm and
Lore than half its beauty have been smoothed
jway. Year by year it is very instructive as
rell as interesting to buy some of the many
iarioties which are so loudly praised, either
t shows or by their raisers, and (were it not
I rather expensive luxury) to watch the
1-eeding out, both by death and by the de-
Iberate pulling up as worthless, of at least
jiree-quarters of these dearly-bought novel-
las. It is cui'ious to notice how indis-
•iminate the praise of some folk is. They
imp together the most delicate florist's
ower with a bold border variety, till none
ut the most expert can understand how
luch failure will result from following such a
■lection,orrather, I might say, conglomeration,
adividually, I haveahorrorof the prim ilorist'.s
ower as a border plant. It is all very well
pulled " out and dresised for exhibition after
aving been specially grown and severely
isbudded in order to impart special vigour,
ut, just plant one of these show beauties in
leopen garden, and see the result ! The won-
der is that so many still grow the Carnation at
d after having been so bitterly disappointed,
t^ere it not for the robust vigour of Cloves
nd beds of seedlings, we should hear, I fear,
ttle or nothing of this fragrant llower. It
!Joices in the cool mirtheru air, and prefers
le freest breath of heaven to the sheltering
uffiness of suburban gardens. In such a
lasonas this the Carnation is peerless in the
Drlh, where no black thrips destroy the
sauty of the opening petals, and where
-ought is not felt so keenly as in warmer
'lis and situations, and we may well be
lankful for its beauty. First and foi-emost
, the borders come the fragrant Clovc-s in
ch three-year-old clumps, laden with heavy
)wers, which show to greatest ]ierfecti(]n if
own in big boxes on the top of a .Jasmine-
vered retaining wall and allowed to hang
•wn, mingling their sweetness with the stars
the white .Jasmine. In Spain, in the
ngadine, in Italy, and along the Riviera
is plan of growing Carnations is so com-
on and so much admired, it is always a
alter of wonder to me that it is never
opted in England, where they will do quite
well, and brave severe winters fully exposed
[len once established.

To my mind, the proper definition of a

irdcr Carnation is one that will endure for

least three years in the same place, and

vc an increasing abundance of flower.

This cuts ofl' nearly nine-tenths of the vaiic-
ties catalogued, because there is no need to
recur to nurseries in order to renew one's
plants. There is no doubt a strong tempta-
tion to nurserymen to grow varii^lies that re-
(juire special attention, but 1 think that
when once a good ccdiection of hardy border
Carnations is established, the amateur will
readily experiment with new sorts, in the
hope he may find something which will
make a permanent addition to his borders.
To-day I will not talk more about old
favourites, but note down the behaviour of
various newer Carnations which will, I think,
remain in our gardens. There an; many
gains, especially in selfs and yellow grounds,
but fragrance is sadly deflcient in most, so
that [ hail with delight a specially sweet white
— ;^[rs. F. Gifford — which should bo worth a
trial, from all accounts. Three years ago I
was much fascinated by a yellow ground
with pink tips called Cowslip, which has
proved an excellent border variety. This
year there are two others — one, Voltaire, and
the second, Eldorado, deeper and fuller in
colour. Of these, for gardening purposes
Eldorado is much the better, strong and
sturdy in habit and most telling in a border.
Voltaire is the nearest to the florist's model,
and intermediate in colour between Cow-
slip and Eldorado, and apparently a more
delicate variety, so that, personally, I should
discard Voltaire and grow Cowslip and
Eldorado. The Dey is another yellow and
red Carnation, but niuddly in tone, to my
fancy ; it is good in habit and thin in petals.
Cardinal Wolsey, Sir .John Falstafl: and Geo.
Cruikshank are all deep tones of red and yel-
low and good border plants, but they do not
specially appeal to my sense of beauty. The
much-praised yellow ground Mrs. Sydenham
is (juite worthless as a border plant. Of
apricot shades, there is one (Winifred) which
seems a great addition to the border ; it is
excellent in habit, apparently hardy, and bears
abundant flowers, delightful in colour and
shape. Pasha comes next to it in excellence,
and Nabob, The Hunter, Carolus Duran and
Mrs. Hole are all a long way behind in a
border. Of pure yellows, there is still nothing
that surpasses Germania, which does so well
here on a bank where no winter damp can
linger ; but the robustness and freedom of
Duke of Orleans make it useful, and the
number of secondary blooms down its long
straggling flower-stems is remarkable. Hang-
ing over the edge of a retaining wall, Duke of
Orleans, Hayes' Scarlet and Mephisto make a
brilliant mass greatly admired by visitors.
Neither Corunna nor JNIiss Audrey Campbell
are improvements in any way, as far as my
experience goes, but their lemon-yellow colour
is pleasing. Of soft pinks, Duchess of York
is the best here, ju'omising to make a good
mass, but lUirn Pink (or Duchess of Fife, as
it is often called) is so bad to beat that I am
content with it. Of scarlets. Sweet Brier is
good, and so is Paradox and several others.
King Arthur is always the most wonderful
llower in the garden, but it is not a true border
variety ; it needs annual propagation and is

particular in its requiienimts. Still, it is so
grand, it is worth a little extra trouble. So
far as I have seen, there is no dark border
variety to come ne.ar Mephisto. Uriah Pike
positively refuses to grow outside with me,
and Duke of York is not so rich in colour or
so vigorous. White and rose-coloured border
Carnations arc so .abundant, that it is hard to
say this or that only should be grown. Still,
I must say that a three-year old plant of Ellen
Terry is a joy and a possession ; the huge
white flowers are so abundant, the growth so
vigorous, and on old plants the blooms are
more reKned and ofoen do not split at all, so
that it improves with age, like good wine.

Of fancies, I can only say "everyone to his
or her taste." Few of them can make effective
border plants, but now and then the C{uaint
mixture of colours appeals to someone's sensi-
bilities, and among a good batch of seedlings
there will always be one or two worth keep-
ing for one's own garden, if not worth putting
into commerce. E. H. Woodall.

St. Nicholati House, Scarborough.

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.

Sedum hirsutum is more like a miniature
Sempervivum in the arrangement of its foliage,
and thickly beset with distinctive hairs, as the
name suggests, but tlie flowers are like ttie finer
Sedum, white and starry, with big lilack anthers.
The plant is not onlj' of interest ))ecause so
dift'erent to other species, but it is exquisitely
beautiful when in ilower, though its height is less
than 3 inches. It is also perfectly hardy, as I
kept it going many years in the open and growing
on nothing but tufa. Pigeons and other birds
a])pear to liave a preference for it.

Azalea procumbens. — It is when we see this
in late summer, with its small leaves and twigs
of such glowing colours as orange and mahogany,
that this pretty creeping shrub assumes its most
ert'ective and useful aspect as a garden or rock-
work plant. It is pleasing all the year round,
from its neat, close habit and evergreen character,
and the flowers are an additional charm, but, so
far as my experience goes, in a garden somewhat
low in a lowland valley the clusters of blossom
are very sparse indeed. I have therefore learnt
to value it for the colour of its foliage just
mentioned, and with annual top-dressing of peat
and sand I am rarely disappointed.

Primula Rusbyi. — This is one of the latest
species to vegetate and flower, the latter often
occurring in the present month. As regards its
jiropagation, it is easy enough if done with strong,
healthy stock and at the right time ; in fact,
however strong the stock, it may not be pulled to
pieces to advantage exce])t in a leafy state in mid-
summer. A fortnight ago I divided one piece,
putting the ofisets into little pots. I have just
iaeen to turn a few out to examine the new roots,
for there was plenty of evidence of their exist-
ence beforehand. The new roots constitute
clear and distinct white lines all the length of the
balls, such as delight the gardener when working
with precious material of this kind, and these
results have come about in a fortnight. Of course
the weather has been very warm aud not too wet.
No doubt all such hardy plants are better in
every way when they are jirepared to go through
the winter with new and established roots under
them. Tliis is one of tlie most rare, lieautiful,
distinct, and hardy of the Primulas.

Gaultheria procumbens is now in its best
form here : it has its maximum amount of character,
with all its features displayed at once. The old
deep green foliage contrasts with the shoots of
the new foliage, whicli is a bronzy refl. There
are present the early croi) of bright scarlet berries

188

THE GARDEN".

[September 4, 1897.

in plent.y and abundance of the waxy white bell-
shapeil flowers. The whole plant is only 4 inches or
5 inches hi^h, but it forms an effective vari-coloured
object without a single fault of any kind when
well grown, which is easy enough to do in a half
loam and half peat soil on the flat, where plenty
of moisture can find it.

Sedum corsicum. — Without flowers, how very
eflective a group of this is when resting on a
conspicuous point in full sunshine, where doubt-
less it gets those conditions needful for the deve-
lopment of its many pleasing tints. Of course,
this variety of dasyphyllum does not withstand
our wet winters, but it may often be brought
through with a little shelter from wet and may
be preserved in a cold frame kept diy in winter
— a little care it is well worth. J. Wiiiid.

Woodrille, Kirlctitall.

note by a firm in the south. The flowers are
pretty, with a bright bluish narrow margin, the
ground colour being white with a light suffusion
of yellow on the lower petals. — D. B. C.

SPIR^A ASTILBOIDES.
This distinct Spirrea was fiist exhibited by Mr.
William Bull, of Chelsea, in 1880, and dis-
tributed by him four years later. After that it
soon worked its way into popular favour, and is
now to be met with in nearly all gardens of any
pretentions whatever. This Spinea is now sent
from Holland every year in large quantities,
just as in the case of the older S. barbata, or
japonica, as it is often called. It is altogether
a larger and bolder plant than S. japonica,
while the inflorescence is of a creamy-white
tint and more lumpy than in that kind. It is a
fine subject for greenhouse or conservatory
decoration, but cannot be forced into bloom so
early as S. japonica ; indeed, it is most effec-
tive when simply protected under glass and
brought on without any severe forcing. Out of
doors, too, it is very atti'active, a nKjist nook in
the rockwork or some such a spot being just
the place for it. When fully exposed, the
young foliage is of a distinct bronzy tint,
which ini[)arts a very pleasing feature to
the plant and contrasts markedly with the
creamy-white blossoms. In 1891 a Spinea
was sent out by a Belgian nurseryman
under the name of S. astilboides floi'ibunda,
and announced as a seedling from a plant
of S. astilboide.s, which had presumably been
fertilised with the pollen of S. japonica grow-
ing in close proximity thereto, and such is
doubtless correct, as the newer kind is in general
appearance about midway between the two. The
foliage partakes largely of the characters of tlie
two species, as the leaflets are larger and
rougher than those of S. japonica, and at the
same time they are of a much brighter green
than S. astilboides, and do not become bronzed
by exposure. The inflorescence is more in the
way of S. japonica than the other, being more
erect and of a whiter tint than S. astilboides.
It is, however, a larger growing plant than S.
japonica. This Spinea received an award of
merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in
1894. Both S. astilboides and S. astilboides
floribunda have figured prominently at many
exhibitions, grand masses having been several
times seen at the Temple shows. H. P.

Tufted Pansy Duchess of York. — A few
weeks since a note appeared in The Garden with
reference to a \ariation in some plants sent to
me under the name of White Duchess, but which
was sufficiently distinct from any other member
of the family to make careful note of. From
information recently acquired it is understood to
be a sport from Duchess of Fife, the s|iort ha\ ing
originated in the garden of a small, but enthu-
siastic amateur grower in the neighbourhood of
Chingford a few years since. The stock has
evidently been widely distributed, as my plants
were received from the nursery of a celebrated
midland grower, and now I understand the plant
is to be sent out under the name prefixing this

FLOWER GARDEN NOTES.

Some rather interesting combinations in the way
of summer planting, noted from time to time,
and quiet, pleasing and effective in the way of
contrast, may serve as a guide to another season's
planting. Perhaps the most striking carpet for
beds of Lobelia fulgens vars. Queen Victoria and
Firefly — if, that is, the carpet may be an annual
and not a ])ermanent affair — is (iolden Harry

little darker than that of Sugar Beet, but it is hard!
worth growing. If when planting the LobeliJ
a permanent bed, or, at any rate, one that w
last for two or three seasons, is designed, a mo
enduring carpet than the Pelargonium' will 1
found in several of the lighter-coloured Violas i
in Veronica incana. If the beds in which Lobeli,
are growing are to be occupied next yearby oth.
subjects, the plants may be lifted at the end
the season and packed together tightly in boxes ^
frames. They should be kept under such circui
stances on the dry side, and protected from vei
severe frost. Hardy combinations, both effe
tive and pleasing, have resulted with the associ
tion respectively of Montbretias and the o
Fuchsia gracilis with Hydrangea paniculat

Spircea astilboides. From a photograph sent hy
Mr, Qreenwood Pirn, Monkstotvn, Ireland.

Hieover Pelargonium, the taller plants some 30 ins.
apart each way. These Lobelias are verj- vigorous
this year, some of the stems being 1| inches in
diameter at the base, and with stems of this size the
flower-spike, as maybe imagined, is proportionately
strong. I notice that varieties difl'er in the deep
colouring of the foliage, and it is therefore well to
put a small stick or label to the best types, that
propagation, if retiuired, can be made from
them, the contrast with the lighter undergrowth
being much more effecti\'e. There is a variety
whose foliage, from a colour standi)oint, is very

e latter is exceptionally good tl
year ; the plants had a top-dressint;
some good cow manure when the Ro-
were mulched, the buds to which I
j-hoots were headed back were plun
and strong and the heads of flower ve
line. The Montbretias commenced
flower earl}' in Jul}- and have be(
gay ever since. A very pleasing co
trast has followed the carpeting of '
bed already partially filled with Pa]
(iontier Rose with a good dark Helu
trope. This Rose has a deservedly hig
reputation as an autumn bloomer;
also well earns the name of [jerpetua
for the bushes are very seldom withoi
flowers. In the bud stage it is vei
charming alike in shape and coloui|
and shows to great advantage againt
the Heliotrope carpet. Scarlet an
nearly white Pentstemons have mad
two very eflective beds on carpets rt
spectively of William Niel and Mrf|
Bellamy Pansies. Reverting for |
moment to Heliotropes, beds of scentei|
flowers that are always appreciated, in
which they take a part, were fiUed thil
year in a somewhat haphazard 8tyl|
with (besides the Heliotrope) Eucalypj
tus citriodora, Aloysias, scented Pelari
goniums in variety, "both plain and variej
gated, with occasional jilants of Princes!
Alice Stock, Mignonette, and Harrison']
I am partial to these beds ; there is ail
attraction about them that is very pleasing, and i|
is interesting to stay by them occasionally and tr
all the diff'eient perfumes. Having referred latefj
to the ditterent forms of Phloxes, it is onl;;
necessary to add that special beds devoted tij
this family have been for some time as brigh
and attractive as any in the flower garden, au('
that the idea of groiq.iing together the early wO
late-flowering sections has tended both tj
prolong the season and to do away with a oertaiij
formality inseparable with planting in quantit;

Musk.

September 4, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

189

tl if,'s of similar lici<;lit and season. Marfjiiei'itcs
h 0 helil tlu'ir own bravely this year. It seemed
ii iiissilile to keep tlie niafjo-ot in eliock, .so far as
n oidture was eoneerned, and to preserve
h Ithy clean -look ill};; plants, liiit all those pUinted
0 have developed into niee clean Im.shes and are
fl eriiijif spleiuiidh'. Both the white and yellow
V eties associate well with dillerent forms of
C tua and pompon Dahlias, and they also d.^
ihiirablv as occasional tall ]jlants for thiiiii's of
(I irfer lialtit, such as |)ink .and scai'let rdar-
t; iums, purple I'etunias, and the like. Small

05 are gradually heinfj filled with suitalile
pjnnials, of which tufted Pansies, Vinks, far-
n: ons, the dwarfer Veronicas, (,'ampanulas,

6 may be cited as e.xam]iles, and others not .so
ti d are fiunislied with I'lilox Urummondi and
Niiosia Suttoni. J'Vir other small betls I liiid
tl sempertlorens (fibrous) type of Befjonias
rtimg the best things. They resemble the best
f. lis of herliaceous Lobelias in that they combine
(li|)ly coloured foliage with bright fiowers, and
iK' may be used, either in a mass or as occasional

-. on a carpet of variegated Mesembryan-

:in or Canneirs dwarf Ageratum. Tuberous

.. .aias are not a success ; our soil is too light

ai dry, despite either a natural carpet or a heavy

mching of cocoa fibre or spent mushniom

miiire. Constant watering might give tlie

vi>ur required, but our facilities in that direc-

iie very limited. The old strains of annual

IS were too short lived to be serviceable,

M I arter's Perpetual seems likely to prove a

dJded acquisition. E. Bukrell.

PERENNIAL PHLOXES.

li s to me inexplicable that in scarcely any

(Mer show schedules can' we find a class, or

•— , for either plants in pots or single trusses

rbaceous Phloxes. Surely there are few

l\ florists' flowers that will make a more

itiful class than these would. How much I

1 iM like to see some hardy plantsman, instead

< itiiig up one of these eternal collections of

"iiial flowers, which includes so many

lh|p everybody has got and is already getting

till of, putting up instead on the Drill Hall

a grou]) of Phloxes in pots, single trusses,

I from spring cuttings, mixed with Ferns, or

II a table a collection of spikes also set up
ly in Ferns. If the collection included the

■ of the beautiful \arieties we have so many of
lupmmerce, I will undertake to say that such a
gr p would create a distinct sensation. What
u ir average experience of the Phlox and its
cu are, or rather lacking it, in gardens ? We see
:n le hardy plant borders big clumps that liave
be there several years, and now are soon
wiered up by heat 'and drought, of few vario-
lic md those of the poorest. They are also usually
tx The plants seem rather to be tolerated as

- o-y evils than cultivated for their beauty,
lit .should be allowed to stand untouched
than two years from the cutting, and

-hould be a free proiiagation of the liest

-pring, the collection occasionally getting

I'iditions, whilst inferior ones are destroyed^

assured that if gardeners would but grow

tii'p pknts more intelligently they would fur-

ni^| to their employers objects of lieauty they

ha-in these hardy Phloxes no conception o't ; anil

II, ill further, flower show committees would

bupfier prizes at late summer shows for twehe

triles set up in Ferns or Asparagus, and for

twVe plants in pots, single stems, they would

- rcatly to the popularisation of one of the
-t, yet most beautiful, of hardy plants in

' ion. Some two years ago I made a similar

lion at one of the meetings of the Royal

•cultural Society, and Mr. Douglas, wlio jiie-

»■■(«, made a note of it. I have looked interestedly

toi I class at one of the meetings, but have

no yet found it. But that knowledge of the

bet vaneties is general is, I am certain, not

-e. I coulil but realise this much when

i over the extensive collection just now

ng at Long Pitton ; indeed, many of the.se

forms came as a revelation to me, and I was very
thankful to be enabled thus to become act|uainted
with them. Not all tlie plants wore from spring-
struck cuttings ; some iiad been divided last vviiilcr
and reiilanted. Apart, too, from the rich and
varied colours, what huge trusses and what
splendid round, flat pips many had. Then as to
lieigbt. There were many varieties blooming
profusely, the plants carrying eight or ten fine
trusses at only I.") inches in height; others were
'JO inches, and others ran up to ^io inches. Thus
ill planting them it is well to know heights, so
that the varieties may be suitably arranged.
• IroMtli elongates each year if plants are
allowed to stand in the .same place, and the
slicots become thicker, while the elongation re-
sults from the fight after light and air caused by
denser growth. It is so easy to obtain shoots
from the roots 2 inches or so in length, even in
.March, to .set them as cuttings into pots filled
vvitli sandy soil, stood in a very gentle warmth,
and to root tliem well in a few weeks. Some may
then be grown on singly into 0-inch pots, in which,
being moderately fed witli liquid manure, they
will bloom finely, or may be planted outdoors in
good soil to carry fine trusses. It is with such
treatment the finest iiro])erties of the herliaceous
Phlox are fully seen. Of the best varieties I noted
among so many go 3d ones were Sylphide,
pure white ; Flocon de Neige, blush-white ;
Leonidas, bright reddish rose ; and Aurore, rich
carmine. These four are very dwarf, blooming at
lo inches in heiglit. Rather taller, ranging from
20 inches to 30 inches, were Sesostris, rich rosy
lake, \"ery fine ; Eclaireur, rosy puce with pale
centre, a huge pip and beautiful form ; Okera,
rich salmon-carmine ; Coccinea, fiery red, pips not
large, but of perfect form ; Mme. Antoine Denis,
an occulited form, having deep red eyes. On a
white ground, eingularly attractive : La Siecle,
rich de p pink, flushed blue ; Wm. Robinson,
rosy salmon, a superb variety ; Aurore Boreale,
almost rich scarlet, wonderfully effective : and
Regulus, carmine, shaded mauve, also a lovely va-
riety. Many others might be selected, but these
are all first-class. The novelties now range more
largely amongst carmines and reds, as these are
the favourite hues amongst Phloxes. The old
purplish reds have largely disappeared from good
collections, and striped or flaked forms find little
favour. It seems only needful for gardeners or
amateurs to see these good varieties to lead them
to become enthusiastic growers. A. D.

Herbaceous Lobelias.— I read with interest
the note on these showy subjects (p. 12-t ). They
are certainly effective during the autumn months,
their brilliant scarlet colour being noticeable from
a long distance. At Bliekling they are freely
used in the flower garden, Mr. Oclee having
them rising from varied and suitable ground,
works such as blue Violas. The sijikes of bloom
stand a wet season fairly well, but they must be
securely fastened to neat sticks, or wind soon
plays havoc with them. Formerlv pro|:iagation
was effected only by division of the old plants,
these being either lifted in autumn and protected
from frost in a cold pit or greenhouse, or in light
warm soils mulched with leaf-mould. ilany
people now, however, and Mr. Oelee amongst
them, raise annually from seed, and find as good,
or even better results from so doing, as the fine
strain at Bliekling am))ly testifies. — Okower.

Zauschneria californica.— For some days
past the rock garden has been brightened by" a
well-maintained jirofusioii of the flowers of this
lirilliant plant. It is somewhat strange how par-
tial the plant is to some gardens and soils, grow-
ing almost as a weed in .some instances and in
others almost refusing to grow at all. ITsuallv in
a light sandy, loamy soil the plant grows freely,
and where it does this it is one of the most aecep't-
able of plants for the rock garden at tlie present
season. Indeed, I know of nothing to compare
with it for brilliancy of colour, and for this reason
alone it is worthy of siiecial culture. In some few
instances the plant increases too freely, and in its
ardour encroaches on other important subjects.

Such, however, are rare, and I do not call to mind
any instance where the growth was such as to be-
come troublesome, thougli I am aware of several
instances where attempts to grow the plant have
proved futile. A deep and fairly rich sandy loam
and a warm, well-drained )josftion in the rock
garden or border is, perhaps, the best place for it,
and if these prove favourable, a tuft will carry
quantities of its vermilion-scarlet flowers for some
time. In gardens where clay soil exists it will be
found a good plan to provide it with special .soil
and good drainage. A tuft 2 feet acro.ss is a very
striking object when in flower and not more than
a foot or so high in most cases. In very severe
winters a shovelful of cocoa-nut fibre over it will
keep the plant secure from frost. — E. J.

Tropseolum speciosum.— .V most welcoma
liard3' climber if, indeed, as it must be confessed,
it is somewhat fastidious as to soil, [losition or
locality. In some gardens, where the old-esta-
blished plantations are a feature, it is indeed a
lovely plant, difficult to adequately prize at its
full worth. In other gardens the fleshy roots have
been planted again and again, only to fail badly,
as they were not seen after. One of the surprises
in this connection is the way in which the plant
flourishes in some Scotch nurseries. Quite small
pots will be crowded with its roots, that appear
to po.s.se.ss enough vigour to threaten to become
a most troublesome weed. In the south, how-
ever, its growth is rarely vigorous, and never
sufficiently rampant for the majority of those in-
terested in gardens. In the rock garden at Kew
an attempt has been made to establish this beau-
tiful plant, which around London, at least, re-
quires a good deal of coaxing. Perhaps if, instead
of planting the dormant roots, as is usually the
case, the planting be deferred till spring when
growth begins, giving a good bed of prepared soil
of light material ancl pUnting freel3', better re-
sults may be obtained. Frequently, when the
pots containing it are plunged in ashes and cocoa-
nut fibre, the roots overrun the sides of the pot
and grow quite freely in the plunging material.
At the same time, one of the best displays we have
seen was in a midland garden where the soil is
(juite heavy, a fact which makes the soil question
somewhat puzzling. — E. .J.

FANCY PAKSIES.

It is unfortunate that the fancy Pan.sy does not
succeed better in the south tlian .seems to be
generally acknowledged, as its flowers are so
handsome. There are few gardens in the south
of England wliere anything like a representa-
tive collection may be seen growing, and at the
same time giving evidence of their well-being in
robust growth. Unfortunately, the constitu-
tion of these plants is not so good as it icight
be, or we might enjoy the display these
flowers make in districts where the climatic con-
ditions are more favourable, and where the
more [jopular tufted Pansies repay us for our
trouble with their wealth of bloom. It may be
possible in the course of time to raise a race of
plants capable of withstanding the trying cli-
matic conditions whicli usually prevail in the
south of the United Kingdom, and it is al.so
probable that we may be nearer the realisation
of our hopes than may .seem possible to many.
Flowers of the fancy Pansy of exceptional
beauty and size distinguish the newer sorts .sent
out from the Tamworth collection of Mr. W.
Sydenham, this raiser taking ,1 very pi-ominent
position in the introduction of new sorts. A
visit to the Pansy gardens in the height of the
season is the best proof one can have that these
plants succeed remarkably well in the midlands,
the many thousands of plant.s, new and old,
looking the jjicture of health, and each carrying
a number of blooms tyjiic.-il of what a fancy
Pansy should be. This Pansy is essentially an
exhibition flower, and although it is difficult to
ajiprove of the flowers set up in the orthodox

1

190

THE GARDEN.

[September 4, 1897

fashion, one would ajjpreciatc them much better
arranged in some less formal manner, :ind in
such a way that a little artistic taste might lie
brouglit into use. Some trade growers exhibit
the blossoms in sprays of six, and this is cer-
tainly to be preferred to arranging them individu-
ally on a flat tray. We want plants of free and
fairly compact growth, and, combined with this,
a tendency to flower more profusely. The sorts
which call for special notice are

•Mrs. Wii. LocKWOOD. — Tliis is a large flower
with a deep velvety purple blotch, edged ruliy
and white, with top petals of rich purjile and a
white lacing.

Mrs. R. (i. MoiE. — Large circular lilooni with
velvety black blotch, laced pure white and tinted
crimson, upper petals white with a In-oad band of
reddish jjurple, and a thin margin of white.
This is a standard variety, and should be in all
collections.

CoL. M. R. G. BUCHANAN is a very fine flower,
with a dense, rich dark brown blotcli with amber
margins, and upper petals violet and amber. This
is a very popular sort.

Mrs. Butler Barton. — This is a seedling. It
has a large flower, with deep rich blackish purple
blotches, edged rosy plum on a white ground, top
petals a beautiful jilum colour.

Miss Isabj:li,e Hibrard is a beautiful flower,
with a neatly defined purple Ijlotch, edged garnet
on a cream ground, upper petals similar to edging.
A capital seedling from Tamworth Herald is

MyosoTi.s. — This has a rich dense blotch of
violet, laced rosy white, lavender top petals,
shaded ro.se and white. Another exipiisite flower is

Stei'Iianib, with purple blotch, edged creamy
yellow.

GiLEAD is being sent out for the first time this
season. It is a very large flower, ^\ith dee]) rich
purple-plum blotch on a yellow ground, with a
very neat naixow margin all round. A \ ery fine
seedling was seen in

Mandolin, this flower having a splendid blotch
of deep reddish brown colour, edged bronzy red
and yellow, u]iper petals purple, paling ott' to a
plum colour. This is a \ ery lo\ ely flower of per-
fect form.

GE(Uti:E HosKiso.v struck us particularly with
its dense wel'.-defined blotch of purple, edged
a reddish plum colour, and may be considered a
very fine flower. A large bloom is

Mrs. W. L. Fraser, of good form, with dark
blotches, laced pale yellow, upper petals pale
yellow, streaked with bright rosy purple. One of
the best fancy Pansies we have is

Mysie Paul, with large, round indigo blotches,
edged pure white, top petals white, suffused with
indigo. A very fine flower is

AoNEs Mabel, ])ossessing large circular purple
blotch, with white lacing, tinted rose, the upper
petals being shaded dark purple and ro-e. A
large showy flower is

Mrs. James Ixi:lis, having rich deep violet
blotches, edged pure white, upper petals white,
veined violc. This is a very constant sort and of
standard tpuility.

Mrs. I). P. RiTOHiE is a big flower and ver3'fine
too. The bloom has rich violet blotches, edged
primrose, upper petals primrose, flaked with
violet.

James V. Erskine is a pretty flower, with a
dark circular blotch, edged cream and shaded
crimson, upper petals cream, prettily reticulated
with crimson.

Mrs. W. Steele is considered a champion
flower, being one of large size, grand circular
bluish purple blotches, with cream edging, upper
petals cream, heavily sutt'used with light purple. A
fine flower named

Tom Watters is the best thing raised by Mr.
J. D. Stuart. It has dense glossy blotches of
purple on a red ground, the red colour forming a
uni(|ue margin round the blotch and edged with
rich yellow, upper petals having a band of deep
maroon, shot with red.

These are just a few of the special things in
the Tamworth collection, and show a most dis-

tinct advance. A few acres of these plants when
in full flower are very rich in appearance, and
the time is not far distant when they will be
far more popular than tlicy are even now.

D. B. Crane.

Inoarvillea Delavayi from seed. — This
beautiful species of Incarvillea has with me pro-
duced a couple of seed-pods, which ripened a fort-
night ago, the pods then sijlitting to such an ex-
tent that many seeds were visible. They were
sown at once, and several of them have already
germiruited, and others will probably follow. The
plant that produced these seeds was flowered in a
sunny greenhouse and allowed to remain there
till the seeds were ripe. As this Incarvillea can
be increased so readily from seeds, we shall doubt-
less before long meet with it far more often than
we do now. — H. P.

Carnation Burn Pink (syns., The Burn
and Duchess of Fife).— It is 'to be regretted
that this most useful of all border Carnations
should have so much confusion in its nomencla-
ture. The heading of this note is an extract from
a trade list now before me, and your correspon-
dent "J. C," on page 14(i of The Garden, uses
two out of the three names. Surely one name is
sutticient, and I tliink I am correct in saying that
Duchess of Fife is the name it is usually known
by. The colour is a lovely pink, and it is of very
robust constitution, very free blooming, and
delightfully fragrant. In association with Carna-
tion Miss Audrey Campbell (yellow) it is most
efl'ective. — A. J. iR.

Bedding Calceolarias.— I was lately sur-
prised to see in the suburbs of Noi-wich the yel-
low forms of bedding Calceolarias doing so well.
The beds and borders in villa and cottage gardens
were jjerfect, no trace of the Calceolaria disease
being noticeable. I think locality has a deal to
do with the success or otherwise of bedding
Calceolarias, as in many places where the disease
was troublesome the original soil of the beds was
entirely removed and fresh substituted, while
some gardeners refrained from the use of manure
in the soil, but these measures were unavailing,
and the culture of the plants was at length
abandoned. Although there are several substi-
tutes for the Calceolarias in flower gardens none,
so far as I have seen, can eijual them in brilliancy
and good eft'ect — Grower.

Helenium grandicephalum var. striatum.

— Is not this phmt current in nurseries under the
name H. nudiflorum of Nuttall (see Asa (iray's
" Flora of N. America," vol. i. , part 2, p. 34!l). I
ha\e not had an op])ortunity of comparing s]ieci-
men3 in tlie herbarium of Kew witli the garden
plants which I have grown for many years ; but
it seems to me, as far as I can judge without
going into botanical technicalities, to correspond
with the description of that species, the only one
described by Asa Gray as having rays striped with
orange. He also says that it hybridises with H.
auturanale, and even if botanists should consider
it to be one of these hybrids the name, at least in
nurseries, had better be changed. The height of
Heleniums varies so in culti\'ation that it is an
uncertain botanical character. — C'. Wolley-Dod,
E(/;ie Hall, Ma/pas.

Violets. — The present season has so far been
most trying for the double section of Violets,
which are being ]3repared for supjjlying bloom
during winter and s{U'iiig, as the drought has
encouraged the spread of their greatest enemy,
red spider. Where they are grown in the full
glare of the sun, which is a bad jjiactice, and not
mulched or syringed regularly, the chances are
that the foliage will become yellow and under-
sized and the crowns poor. The plants need just
as mucli, and very similar, treatment during
summer as a pot Strawberry, as if they are not
fully grown, and the crowns large and prominent
Ijy September, no amount of trouble in winter
will make up for it. Mulching is a great help in
hot weather, yet how few gardeners trouble to
give it to Violets. I always use old Mushroom

manure, which answers admirably, yet does
promote a rank growth. — J. C.

Tufted Pansies. — Mr. Crane .sends us an
teresting collection of the new tufted Pan:
The flowers are beautiful in colour and form,
varieties comprise Lavinia, in the vvay of Viuli
colour of Border Witch ; Pembroke, rich onr ;.
yellow in centre, gradated to white on edge, f|d
shape and crimped edges ; Princess Louise, .e
the aViove, but more lemon in colour and no a
deep in centre ; Sir Robt. Peel, also similar, it
paler still (the last three mentioned are charrg
kinds of shades of yellow) ; Celeste, pale laven >
l)lue ; Ethel Hancock, a siilendid white variet if
excellent liabit ; .Jestyn, creamy white, streiid
or mottled with porcelain-blue, Ncry free ; 1
annia, good violet-blue; Symphony, violethi
der, with blui.sh eye.

Statice latifolia.— This hardy Statice is ,.t
gaining popularity, especially amongst those o
require graceful subjects for mixing in e
decoration. A cool, semi-shady position suits <
Statice well, the roots revelling in abundanc if
moisture. A north border is a capital posit ,
although the flowers may be a little later in o ■
ing than when grown in a more sunny posil ».
The bloom lasts well either on the plants or n
cut state and has a very elegant apjjear:!
the colour being a lavender-blue. The ]jlaiit
increased by division at the roots, which ma c
done in October or November, or indeed any e
during winter in open, frost-free weather. V n
done at the latter date it is best to put a mil
of leaf mould over the surface of the groun -
C. C. H.

Mig'nonette on north borders.— In hot i
summers Mignonette often does indifierei ',
owing to an insutfieiency of root moisture, f '.t
ditficulty often being experienced where the Si t
shallow. It is a mistake, unless in deep, retei c
soils, to .sow Mignonette on south borders < 'n
any position fully exposed to the sun, as ev 'if
it comes to maturity it lasts but a short tin: 1
full beauty compared with that grown in i 'B
shaded situations. I find a north border jus !e
place for sowing on in May for a sujjply oi i
blooms in August and September. If the old J
trusses are cut oft', the plants will continue tO| 'v
and yield until frost cuts them down. When e
soil is too itrong and close, a little finer mat ,1
in the shape of potting-shed mixture and a 1 e
leaf-mould worked in will make matters righi I
find the taller, stronger growers, such as Crir |ii
Queen, better for outdoor work than k;i'
Spiral.— C. C. H.

Two good bedding Geraniums. — Itwou |«
difficult to name two more attractive or ;|r
flowering bedding Geraniums than Henry Jai y
and John Gibljons. The former is perhaps the i 3
extensively grown of the two ; indeed, one v
seldom sees a flower garden of any import c
without a few beds of it. The truss is very la ,
and the colour, which is intense dark scarlelo
telling. It has a good constitution and '6
branching babit, the bloom trusses beirg '■
duced in gr. at numbers. John ( Jibbons, a lig''
scarlet, is eijually good as a bedder, so far as '<■
dom in growth and flower is concerned, thcjil
not so telling at a distance. B th thete |.-
rieties should be grown where first-class bedi|?
Geraniums are in demand. It is wonderful ^|''
a length of time Vesuvius has remained popii'.
There are few places in which it is not fl
grown, and as a dwarf free-flowering all rc,l
scarlet it is hard to beat. — C. C. H.

Bedding Begonias. — The present suirrr
has not proved the best for bedding BegoiHi
having been too dry and arid ; as autumn 'i-
proaches, however, they will no doubt impi«
considerably. A cool, moist summer seeni^i'
suit Begonias best, their wants beiu'^ quite e
reverse to that of the Geranium, which revels i"
hot sunshine so long as sutticient root moistuiis
supi)lied. Much may be done to induce Begoi«
to grow and flower well evtn in ad\-erse suBij*
by incorporating with the soil of the bedsaij''
quantity of well-decayed manure; andif apoii"

Sbptemijer 4, 1897.1

THE GARDEN.

191

0 loldinj; loamy coinnost i-aii l>c spared to woik
ii sweirso iniic'li the better, especially wheri-thc
J) its occupy the same beds two years runnini;-.
Areover, a good iiuileh of some short material
a ilied early in the summer, as soon in fact as
intin<; is completed, well repays for the labour,
t roots beiiiLT ihereliy kept in an eiiuable e<Miili-
tn and laliuur in watering saved. The pink
sltles are \ery telling associated with scarlet
daniumsand (.'aleeolarias. — .7. C.

arnations. — In Tin-: (iAHi)KN of August 7
" C. B." (under the headiTig of Carnation
S sbury) makes some very sensible remarks
a' lit the development of a strain of Carnations
»-ii stout stems needing no sujijiort, but it is
di btful whether it would lie ))ossilile to do with-

01 the stick altogether in Carnations, for tlie
niority must lie liable to sway aliout at the
•lar. " W'liat is wanted is Carnations that wlien

1.1 a short stick will hold their blooms erect.

' ■!!>,' those that have tliis useful characteristic,

< to its other many cliarms, is a line new

self which was sliown at the R.H.S.

I ion of, I think, July 21. It is named

Moore Binns, and as I have had the good

'■ to grow several plants of it on trial for

ars, I can strongly recommend it as a per-

"irder or pot Carnation. The flower is of

>izc and good substance, of a pure yellow

N , and of a strength and robustness not to be

il by any tlower of its delightful family. —

i I.OK, The f/fo-f/e/i.s, lJi(jli.i Honxe, Woire.ifei:

Notes of the Week.

.iontbretia Tigridia. — A very beautiful hy-

bi| form of this pretty and useful class, with

•' iKict sjiikes and Howers of a clear orange-

1 . with scarlet eye. It is a lieautiful and

ng variety in the border andeciually so in a

LViintate.

arnation Lady Hindlip. — This variety is

■it'd to occupy a front place in the future, the

ii'ar sctirlet blossoms I leing of a very intense

and of e.xcellent form. The flowers are not

kable for size, yet sufficiently large for ordi-

[Hirposes.

lahlia Night. — This is a flower of very dark

Ti'ir, in fact, a deep crimson-maroon of a very

or intense .shade. But it is also a capital

vi the Cactus-Howered section, and as such

icMitly obtained the award of merit from the

R<ul Horticultural Society. — E. J.

ose Empress Alexandra of Russia. —

Roses of recent introtluction are more Iiean-

than this, which is of a salmony bronze tone,

gh these words do not ade(|uately describe

ovely shade that predominates in this beauti-

lower, and which catches the eye again and

:hiaops banaticus is one of the best of the

trlije Thistles, and now in its best form. .\ large

'I' p of this kind with many of its globular

- of lilue is very attractive in the I'ougher

IIS of the rock garden. In the border or

*'ery, too, it is a good and showy plant in

I'-r.

'.|ifted Pansy Norah Creina has the appear-
and of being a capital sort for bedding. Its
til is comiiaet and free, and the consti-
. seems to be all that is recpiired. The
^ are of good size, lavender-blue in colour,
liing midway between Blue (Jown and
I Lavender, with an orange centre and free
rays. -I) H. C

Irmpheea odorata rubra is a verv charm-
nd beautiful Water Lily, that should' be found
frequently in lake and pond alike, andbein

mo
mo

oasr accommodated in rather shallow water may
swed with ease from the margin of the lake,
irilliant colour of the flowers renders it one

of ti gems of the older sorts, and it may be ob-

tai' 1 at reasonable rates.
I;us radicans variegata. — This very

pre ly marked plant obtained a tirst-class certi-

lieate at the recent meeting of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society, when it was shown by Mr. W.
Hull, of Chelsea. The (ilant is likely to prove of
coiisideralile use to decorators, and should have
some value in the greenhouse or conservatory,
where such plants may be put to divers uses.

Statice latifolia isnowvcrylino, more especially
a few clumps that were replanted a year ago and
now again fully established. In tlie bonier or tlie
rock garden the plant is always striking wlien in
flower— a rather extended period, as the longevity
of the blos.soms and tlio colour also are remark-
able. A plant of the easiest culture that should
not be overlooked in any collection of hardy plants.

Tufted Pansy Walter B. Child.— This is a
most exi|uisite little tlower, neat and pretty, and
everyone interested in Tufted Pansies should
possess a batch of plants. The lower petals are
white, with a pretty margin of azure-blue, and the
upiier petals are azure-blue also. The blossoms
are rayless and develop most ]jrofusely. It has a
nice spreading habit and is a free-growing sort. —
I), B. C.

Kniphofia Lachesis. — This is one of the most
beautiful of the now somewhat numerous hybrid
section of the family, the blossoms of a very
pleasing and delicate shade of apricot and light
orange. Among many of the newer shades this is
quite conspicuous by its colour, and being free-
ifowering should prove a useful kind. This hand-
some form is among the best in Mr. Perry 'scollec-
tion at Winchmore Kill.

Colchicum autumnals. — These pretty
flowers are now occurring quite freely in
the shrubbery, the hardy fernery, and little
nooks in the rock garden, everywhere giving
[ileasing i-esults. Best of all, perliajis, wheie
they appear in grassy spots or banks, for here the
naked blossoms are clothed, as it were, as soon as
they emerge from the earth. In this way they are
pretty indeed, and give so little trouble. — E. J.

Erica vulgaris Hammondi. — Among the
hardy Heaths this variety, with its pure white
blossoms so freely produced on spikes (i inches or
S inches long, is very charming, the flowers being
conspicuous for their snowy whiteness among the
rather predominant lilac and piir[ile that obtains
among these dwarf free-flowering shrubs. In a
collection of these from Messrs. Veitch at the
Drill Hall recently this white kind was indeed
lieautiful.

Echinacea purpurea. — This handsome peren-
nial still continues to produce a fine succession of
welcome flowers, welcome because of iheir colour
in the hardy plant garden now. Planted in bold
groups, we have no more useful plant at the pre-
sent time. One large bed of it with the well-
known Hyacinthus candicans interspersed among
the Coneflower is very satisfactory, the pure
white drooping blossoms of the latter displaying
the Coneflower to ad\'antage.

Lobelia cardinalis. — For weeks past no
hardy plant has maintained such a succes.sion of
brilliant flowers as this olil -fashioned garden
plant. Brilliant beyond compare, thougli only
luxuriant w'here moisture or a very rich soil is at
hand, it is a plant to be prized for its colour at
this season. Where moist places exist this is one
of the best of plants, for here the stems will attain
ti feet or 7 feet high, always giving flowers in pro-
portion. A few clumps well disposed give a very
tine result.

Tufted Pansy Mrs. Chas. Turner. — In the
trial of Tufted Pansifs at the Royal Botanic
(Jardens, Regent's Park, this old sort looks
remarkably well. Its colour, a rich and bright
bluish ]iurple, stands out so distinct from every-
thing else, that it stamps the flower as being a
\ery useful sort where this colour is required.
The blossoms are large and the colour is a good
fixed one. The habit of growth is nice and com-
pact, and the constitution most robust. — D. B. C.

Gladiolus Saundersi. — Few members of this
genus, even among the large number of liybrid
forms that now exist, could possibly make a more
eft'ective display than this when freely grouped in

the garden. The brilliantly-coloured flowers, so
freely spotted withwhite, are not onlyeft'cctivefrom
a colour point of view, but there is a distinctness
of form also that materially adds to the beauty of
the freely-flowered spi!:es of the plant. In the
Winchmore Hill district the plant grows <|uite
fnely, and as soon in the nui-sery beds closely
planted an almost dazzling etl'ect is jiroduced.

Hibiscus Mrs. Mackintosh. — This very
lieautiful .-uid showy kind was exhibited at the
last meeting of the Royal lloiticulluial Society,
when it attracte<l considerable attention. The
specimen was .some 5 feet high and carried a
number of large and handsome, clear yellow blos-
soms of the size and colour of tlie large yellow
ICvoning Primrose. It is eviilently a froe-tlow( r-
Ing kind, judging by the clusters of terminal and
auxiliary buds on the rather free-branching habit
of the plant, and with the deeply cut digitate
foliage makes up a distinct and striking jilant. —
E. J.

Helenivim autumnale striatum. — This very
showy )iereniiial is now a striking feature in many
gardens, and especially when the blossoms are of
a crimson hue. In Mr. Perry's hardy plant nur-
sery at Winchmore Hill .some handsome clum|is
of it, bearing a large proportion of crims<iii
flowers, make a mo.st efTective disjilay. A criui-
son-floweri'd variety of this jilant, which appear.)
of a sportive nature, would prove welcome among
tlie many composites now in flower, and an
attempt should lie made to tix the sport if pos-
sible. .\ large spray of it has all the flowers of a
rii/h crimson shade.

Euphorbia coroUata is one of the most ele-
gant of flowers at the present moment, and pro-
duces a large branching panicle of small, pure
white blossoms, the latter of the size of the
Forget-me-not. For vase decoration it is simply
charming, as is also the disposal of the much-
forked branches, that carry from two to four of
its blossoms on each tiny branchlet. The neat
and elegant foliage is quite as attractive as the
flowering, and, altogether, a plant that would
jirox-e of great ser\ ice generally where such things
are needed. Some good tufts of this pretty plant
are now flowering freely at Winchmore Hill. —
E. .1.

Tufted Pansy Molly Pope— This handsome
flower is evidently at its best late in tlie sea.son,
at least so far as regards its growth in the soutli
of England. -Just now it is one of the mo3t
striking clumps in the garden, with rich and dee;)
yellowllowers of the most beautiful descriptioo.
Early in the season the centre is slightly rayed,
but as the summer ad\ ances and cooler weather is
exjierienced, the blossoms are absolutely rayless,
and the plant is a good one for all purposes. It
has a nice compact haliit, yet possesses a freestyl-3
of growth. This is the second season of its dis-
tiibution, and there is little doubt it has come to
stay.— D. B. C.

Senecio pulcher. — This handsome composite
proratses to do good service this year, a fact, how-
ever, mainlv due to the replenishing of the stock.
This is most readily done ijy means of root cut-
tings in winter, and when these break into growth
to be treated as cuttings or tender seedlings for
a while, eventually transferring them to their
permanent positions. When this latter is done in
the June of the preceding year good strong plants
are formed that give excellent results when in
blossom. A deeply-dug soil of good quality will
grow this handsome plant to perfection. Where
the best results are required frequent renewal of
the plants is the simplest way. — E. .1.

Michauxia campanuloides.— 1 saw this very
interesting hardv plant growing and blooming
well just recently on Messrs. Dobbie and Sons'
seed farm, Orpington, feed was sown last sum-
mer and the plants wintered well in the open.
The foliage is elongated and of Acanthus-bke
nature. The flower-stems reach 0 feet in height,
and carry a great profusion of white star-like
flowers w"ith narrow jietals that slightly reflex
The seed-pods much resemlile those ot the Canter
bury Bell. The second flowers come from the

192

THE GARDEN.

(September 4, 1897,

0 xils of the first, just as do the blue flowers of the
Chicory, but those of the Michauxia are three
times the size. Because so easily raised and so
hard}' the plants merit wide cultivation. — A. D.

Chrysanthemum Flora. — This old bright
yellow pompon seems as much in demand as ever
for market work, as well as for the embellishment
of the hardy flower garden. In this nnghbour-
hood the cottagers' front gardens are made cpiite
bright and cheerful now that the summer flowers
are on the decline, and in the parks and large
gardens it is proving itself invaluable by the free
display its pretty little blossoms make. The
growth of this old sort rarely exceeds 2 feet in
height, while its free growing character and
dense, rich green foliage render the plant highly
valuable for massing in large beds and borders.
Unlike many others, this variety is a most con-
tinuously blooming one. — D. B. C.

Chrysanthemum Mme. Marie Masse.—
For two or three weeks past the first blooms of
this sort have been perfecting on the earliest batch
of plants. In the hardy border, however, tlie
plants are looking particularly well, and the
colour of the later flowers, which are developing
quite fast now, are very pretty indeed. The
earliest blossoms were lilac-mauve in colour, but
those from later buds are heavily suffused with
bright magenta, this colour being very useful
under artificial light. A free manner of growth,
and without disbudding, suits this variety best,
its fine branching habit ensuring a long-continued
display. The flower belongs to the .Japanese
section and is a decided acquisition. — D. B. C.

Clenatis Davidiana. — A singular-looking
species with Hyacinth-like lilossoms that alone are
scarcely distinguishable from C. herackeifolia,
though in foliage the two kinds are widely dis-
similar. The flowers are quite unlike those of
the ordinary forms, somewhat inclined to be
tubular in shape with the ti|is hea\ily recurved :
in colour a deep azure - blue. These flowers,
though comparatively small, are produced in con-
siderable numbers, and have a distinct effect when
established in the garden. Both kinds herein
named are of non-climbing type, and would pro-
bably give some interesting progeny if used in
conjunction with some of the best flowering t3'pes,
or even by crossing such as C. erecta orC. integri-
folia.

Mixed plants in a long, narrow border,
which skirts the greensward in one part of the
gardens at Regent's Park, have been very in-
teresting and pretty all through the spring and
summer months. At the present time the Zinnia
is well represented in many different shades of
colour and in individual blossoms of good form
and large size. Celosia pyramidalis is very showy
and of great use now that the summer season is
ending. By its free use a bright array of colour
is ensured in blossoms of a kind rarely seen by
the ordinary \ isitor anywhere else. Phlox Drum
mondi is also used, and Begonia semperflorens.
Stocks, as well as other popular flowers, all seem
to succeed remarkably well in this garden in the
heart of London. — C. A. H.

Cockscombs as bedding plants. — An ex-
ceedingly pretty circular bed of handsome heads
of the crimson Cockscomb is one of the best
features in the bedding at Regent's Park just
now. Each plant has a fine Ijold head of bloom,
and these are pleasingly dotted all o\er the bed,
with the free use of a pretty form of the Arte-
misia as a contrast. A few plants of the graceful
Acacia lophantha give an elegant linisli to a
> ery pleasing association of plants. An edging
of one of the Saxifrages, with its rich green car-
)5et of growth, and devoid of blossoms, completes
a unique bed. Another striking bed of Cocks-
combs was seen with yellow and crimson flowers,
each toned down beautifully by the wise associa-
tion of other plants. — C. A. H.

Gypsophila paniculata. — That is un-
doubtedly an interesting ]joint that is raised by
" R. D." in relation to the use of flowers of this
plant with Carnations, &c., at exhibitions. Fern

S employed as freely with cut flowers as Parsley

is with vegetable collections. But, of course, if
Gypsophila be utilised as Fern is, why not other
flowers '! and if so, where is the practice to sto]i 1
All will admit that the introduction of the Gypso-
phila as commonly utilised is an exhibition gain.
Why not then in schedules make its use as a deco-
rative element with Carnations, or other cut
flowers, permissive? Of course, its presence
makes no difference to the quality of the Carna-
tions, &c. Even Sweet Peas look all the prettier
when set up in vases with Gypsophila. — D.

liilium long'iflorum. — The typical form of
this Lily has flowered well this year in the open,
and in the case of some freshly-planted bulbs has
given every satisfaction, the long pure white fra-
grant trumpets on sturdy vigorous stems being
handsome in the extreme. Fortunately, these
escaped the very severe storms of hail that caused
so much destruction in some jjarts, and which
■nould have quite spoiled the Lily blooms had it
touched them. When seen in all its purity this
Lily is indeed difficult to surpass, and if planted
in the open gaiden, it is a good plan to secure
them in a measure by giving them a position near
to shrubs of 5 feet high or therealiouts. In this
way the Lilies receive a good deal of protection
from driving storms that often do irreparable
mischief.

Tuberous-rooted Begonias are used with
good efJ'ect where other plants may be utilised to
relieve their somewhat cumbrous appearance. A
bed of rose, rose-pink and light salmon shades of
colour is a very lovely comfiination, and with
blossoms of these kinds the disjilay in Regent's
Par'i has been further eniiched by the free use of
the variegated Chlorophytum, just now showing
its flower-spikes, and as a carpet to the bed there
is the handsome foliage of Lysimachia aurea.
Saxifrage as an edging forms a contrast to the
richly-coloured foliage of the other plants, and
gives a neat finish to the whole. Another bed of
rich crimson tuberous-rooted Begonias, with a
similar association of plants to that first men-
tioned, is a welcome change where variety is of
importance. — C. A. H.

Lilium tigrinum fl.-pl. — Less beautiful per-
haps than the purely single forms of this group,
this variety certainly is quite distinct, and in the
doul lie flowers there is less confusion than in many
flowers that possess abnormal quantities of peta-
loid segments. This variety, too, is fully as use-
ful as the single kinds in the garden, and, for
grouping among shrubs, all these Tiger Lilies
ha\e a value of their own by reason of their
hardiness and easy culture. They may be in-
creased to any extent almost, b}- the many axillary
bulbils that are to Ije found on the stems of the
plants. Sown in liglit sandy soil in boxes and
left for a year, many will ha\e attained to a good
size, at which time, and when dormant, they may
receive a more liberal treatment for another year,
and then be planted permanently into their places
in the garden.

Azolla filiculoides. — Wherever there are
shallow jjools of muddy or half stagnant water
this excjuisite little aquatic cryptogam is easily
grown, and in such situations it spreads rapidly
and even drives out, or crowds out, the native
Lemna minor, a plant pretty well able to survive
and take care of itself. The Azolla, after a shower
or early in the morning, is covered with jjearly
globules of water or dew that glisten in the sun
like so many diamonds. It is impossible to wet
the upper surface of its tiny fronds, wliich soon
right themselves if placed uijside down on the
surface of water. Early in the year it is suffused
with a soft J3ale salmon-rose colour, but is now
green in its fruiting stage. A supply is a^•ailable
to any gardener or botanist who would like fertile
specimens on their sending stamped and addressed
label, — F. W. BcrdiD(.;e, Co/fo/t Botanic Garden",
Dublin.

Acsena microphylla. — There is perhaps no

more beautiful carpet plant in the rock garden at

the present moment than this, though its pleasing

ifects are not seen at a glance. If closely re-

garded, however, the richly coloured heade f
crimson spines that shield as it were the incon .
cuous blossoms are very attractive, posses; r
indeed a beauty that is at once curious and r, '
On warm, sunny rockwork the plant spreads
quite freely into large creeping patches of dei
cut ijinnate leaves, and above these the ne;
globular tufts of crimson spines appear (|i
freely in late summer and autumn. The wl
plant is scarcely more than 2 inches high, )
may be used as a carpet for spring flowei ;
bulbous plants, such as Glory of the Sno^
Snowdro)!, with good results, and in no wise
tracting from its usefulness later on. — E. J.

Carnations from Kelso. — Messrs. Laing il I
Mather, of Kelso, have sent us a fine selectioi i I
Carnation blooms, which show how well tl i (
flowers do in the open air in Scotland. Am ; '
the varieties received were Lady Nina Balfi
Mrs. Cochrane, Duchess of Fife, Kelso Abbey,
Gift, Scarlet Seedling, Viscountess Melville, i
Dey, Dundas Scarlet, and Hayes' Scarlet.

Royal Horticultural Society.— The i ,
fruit and floral meeting of the Royal Horticult ,1
Society will be held on Tuesday, Septembei ,
in the Drill Hall, James Street, Victoria Strt
Westminster, 1 to 5 p.m. A lecture on "Pib;'
Plants " will be given by Mr. H. .J. Veitch, F.I
at ,3 o'clock.

Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Instituti
— The committee, treasurer and trustees, ac
on behalf of the members and subscribers of i
above institution, with the concurrence of 1
president, the Duke of Westminster, recently •
warded through the Home Secretary a loyal add
to the Queen, for forty-six years the grat
patroness of the charity, congratulating
Majesty on the completion of the sixtieth yen
her beneficent reign ; and a reply was rece
from the Home Secretary, stating that
Majesty was pleased to receive the same
graciously, and that with reference to the app
tion for permission to make u-e of the w i
" Victorian Era " in connection with the title
fund now being raised bj' the institution, he
to inform them that Her Majesty approved of >
desired permission being granted.

Holidays for gardeners {G. H. C).

answer to inquiry n holidays for "A Working F
man,'' we should consider that ten days wouli
fair. A deal would depend upon time woi
and if all overtime is paid for. If overtime is
paid for, a fortnight would not be too ni i
holiday to allow. — H.

The weather in 'West Herts.— The
temperatures during the past fortnight have I ^i
very uniform and rather cooler than is seai'.
able. On several occasions the rain has a; i
fallen very hea\'ily. August proved a w; i
summer month, especially the early part of .
Fain fell on seventeen days to the aggre^ll
depth of 3i .inches, which is more than half an i i
in excess of the August average. Of the al
amount nearly the whole was dejiosited dm
the last fortnight. Indeed, until the 20th |>
rain-water at all had passed through either pe |-
lation gauge, but since then 1^ inches has cii
through the heavy soil gauge, and nearly
same quantity through the ligiit soil gauge,
record of sunshine was in excess of the averager'
August. There was, howeser, a marked conti'''
between the weather of the first and second '
of the month, the former being very warm, < ■
and sunny, while during the latter half ^^^} '.
perature was only about seasonable, the rainl'
heavy and persistent, and there was oompi
tively little sunsliine.—E. M., Berklmmsted.

Names of plants. — Anxiovs. — Dajmonorops
proiialily D. pak'mlianicus ; wifl keep in healtli
some time in a cool conservatory, but needs more I

to grow it successfully. 1). T/iofltscm.— Tms'

moIUssima.

THIIE a--A.K/IDEIsr,

3. 1347— Vol. Lll.]

[SEPTEMBER 11, 1897.

taN ard and Fruit :^

A loots Hint Ncrtarinos . . 194
G 'tingr, tho tivils ui, as re-

i.rtU tho Apricot .. .. 194

Ntnrino Eiirly Rivers .. 104

Pi- Marie Louise d'Ucde 194
Pin the M inilK-lle, not

eChurry Phini .. .. 194

Pius as cordons 193

Tps, grafting old . . . . 195

lolit-

R-'9, Hvbrid Perpetual luid

vbridTcu 195

f 0 8 of the Iffeek :—

ALuithcra bio.lur .. .. 195

Ai romedii arborcu . . 195

.Ainiono jiiponica BrUliiiiit 196

Ar Mrs. W. Peters .. .. 196

JJigainvillea glabm . . . . 196

Caiophora aurantiaca .. .. 19.0

Canipan\ila barbata . . . . l'.'(>

Campanula nobilis 196

Chclone Ottigmi 195

Chrysanthemum Barbara

Forbes 193

Combination, a pretty .. 196

Cornus florida 196

Crocosmia iniperialis .. .. 196

Colchicums 196

Erodium macradenium .. 196

Eucomis punctata 196

Helianthus Queen Victoria 196

Hibiscus Manihot 195

Hibiscus totus albus .. 195
Kniphutia Leichtlini dis-

tachya 195

Lilium Batemani 195

Lilium speciosum album

novum 106

Lilium speciosum Kr.etzeri 1!»6

Phlox Regulus 105

{Illustratiovis in Italics.)

Rosa rugosa 106

Scnecio pidchcr 196

Verbena vcnnsa 196

Stove and Greenhouse: —

Achimenes 197

Calceolarias, herbaceous . . 197

Cclosia pyramidalis . , . . 107

Foureroya Bedinghausi . . 197

Fourcroiia B<:'lmghaas'i . . . . 197

Fuchsias 198

Gloriosa sujierba 198

Pelargonium, variegated, Sirs.

Parker 19S

Pelargoniums, zonal, for win*

ter flowering 108

Phyllanthus pallidifolius . . 197

Streptocarpi 197

Tabemsemontiina coronaria lOS

Park and Woodland; —

Forestry, Gcnii:ui 199

2-'iji\.it, ill a (hrmuii — ki'jh
fon-st (jlooiih 199

Garden Flora:—

Oxftlis enneaphylla ., .. 202

Week's Work:-

P'ruit houses, work in ., 203
Kitchen garden, work in the 203

Flovrer :—

Acers in flower gai-den .. 208

Begonias outdoors . . . . 207

Calochorti, the culture of .. 208

Carnations, border . . . . 207

Clematis Vitiilba 208

Erodium chrysanthum and

Stachys chrysautha . . . . 20S

Lilium Uenryl 207

Lilium speciosum 207

Montbretias 2o7

PhloxL», a iirovp of ichiU .. 206

Phloxes, herbaoeouB . . . . 206

Trees and Shrubs :—

Brytlu-ina Iluuici 208

M.jrU': iaa(,'l> 208

M JTtlos in tubs 208

Venetian Sumach, thQ., ,. 20?

Societies :—

National Chrj'santhemum

Soeiety . 211

National Dahlia Society .. 209

Royal Horticultural .. .. 210

Miscellaneous :~

pruught, the great, of 1S96 204

Fruit and vegetable crops . . 200

DCHARD AND FRUIT GARDEN.

PLUMS AS CORDONS.

recent note contributed to these pages I

lie ;ioned the fact of cordon Plums being ;i

Mill forin of tree for (juickly clothing walls,

iilso for planting in odd corners and

v?rd positions where ordinary trained trees

be unserviceable. My object in again

•etring to the subject is to give a list of the

(ii s which I have found to succeed best grown

Ji lis way, and at the same time to state the

I'aiius aspects the trees occupy against the

»'as. The list will be found to comprise

:)o| cooking and dessert kinds, and among the

atir a few of the best Gage Plums are included.

rhtrees are all grown against walls, the latter

sang in aspect, some being due east, due

. and others north-west and due north.

.11 these asjiects the trees succeed well, and

plentiful crt)]is of fruit in any but very

rse seasons. They are all trained as single

jp^ht cordons, and tlie majority stand from

l2!ottol4 feet apart, the space between being

icipied either by Plums, Cherries, or Peaches

iii'Pyectarines, according to the aspect of the

and they att'ord the latter a certain amount

'f lelter, inasmuch as they act as wind-breaks.

culture accorded them is simple enough,

consists merely in stopping young side

ths to four leaves about the middle of

; and after this all shoots produced are

ly pinched — generally about twice, the last

at the end of August — with the result that

spurs bristle with fruit buds by the end

lUtumn, there being little or no winter

ing to do beyond shortening back any

|)i<bs of wood found to be of undue length.

In'purse of time the spurs protrude some dis-

taib from the wall, but unless they become

"nily long this is rather an advantage, as

in. then bear larger crops of fruit, while the

iai of their standing out a foot or 15 inches

8eifes to form a tine break to the wind when the

latter is blowing from certain directions, to the
benefit of the trees growing between them.
However, when they grow too far away
from the wall, a judicious spur-pruning
soon puts matters right again, and the Plum
being so accommodating in this respect, the
stems can be clothed afresh with new spurs in
the course of two seasons. It is sometimes
found necessary to partially lift some kinds
and lay the roots out afresh until the trees come
into full bearing ; after this it is unnecessary,
unless any are found to be making rampant
growth, as a result of failing to carry crops of
fruit, such as is the case with a few this season.
Young cordon trees will reach the top of the
wall in from two to three seasons, generally
the second, and invarialily conunence bearing
the second year from ])lanting. I prefer
maidens for this purpose, planted as early as
the trees can be sent out frcmi the nursery, and
cut down to within 1 foot of the ground about
midwinter. A barrow-load of fresh soil is placed
about the roots to give theui a start, and, as a
rule, they break away strongly, and the stems
by autumn are generally well clothed with
prominent fruit buds. The following spring
the stems are shortened back somewhat accord-
ing to their strength, and unless anything .should
go wrong with them, they break again and
reach to the top of the wall, and reijuire to be
stopjied before autumn arrives. The next year
the W(jod buds on the stem will break freely,
and by the end of the third season the trees
become clothed throughout their entire length
with spurs, and will then be firmly established.
Should no fruit buds be formed by the end of
the second year, the trees should then be lifted,
partly or wliolly so, according to the condition
of the wood, and this will give the necessary
check to induce fruitfulness. If a too rich soil
should be the cause of failure, a little lime
rubble mixed with it acts as a capital corrective.

Varieties.

The first variety to head the list is Rivers'
Early Prolific, which is so well known that a

further description is unnecessary. This suc-
ceeds admirably as a cordon, and I have it on
all the aspects mentioned, with the result that
the fruits may be had as late as the second
week in September. The wood produced by
this kind is of a most fruitful character, and
it is but seldom that winter pruning of any
description is required. The next is The Czar,
and this is almost etiual to Prolific in pro-
ductiveness. This I have on an eastern
aspect, where it does exceedingly well, and
the fruit keeps in good condition until the
end of August. Cox's Emperor on the same
and a noi'th-east aspect crops well, and bears
fine handsome fruits. This is rather a strong
grower until it commences to bear, but a check
at the roots soon remedies this, and afterwards
it behaves satisfactorily. Autumn Compote and
Belle de Septembre, two excellent Plums some-
what similar in appearance, bear heavy crops
grown as cordons, and if protected the fruits
last in good condition for a long time, or until
Coe's Late Red is ready for use. The last as a
cordon is a marvel of fertility, and should always
be included when forming a collection on ac-
count of being so productive and valuable as
a late cooking kind. This and the two fore-
going I have on an east wall, the trees being
about twenty years old. Angelina Burdett on
a western and also on an eastern aspect is a
great success, as it bears regular crops of its
medium - sized, but richly - flavoured fruits,
which are alike useful either for crn)king or
dessert. As is well known, this Plum has
very distinct foliage, and it makes but medium
growth, but is very fertile. Reine Claude
Violette is a good companicm to the last, and
is a delicious Plum for the dessert. This I
have growing on the same aspects as the last
mentioned, and if not quite such a heavy
cropper as that variety, it is very certain and
seldom misses. The fruits of both Angelina
Burdett and Reine Claude Violette will hang a
long time, but uiust be protected from flies and
wasps, which will otherwise .soon make short
work of them, so deliciously flavoui"ed are they.

194

THE GARDEN.

[September 11, 1897.

Webster's Gage is ;i good cropper and comes
into use about the middle of September on a
west wall. Unlike the last mentioned, this is
a golden-yellow Gage ; it attains a much larger
size than Webster's, while in point of flavour they
are about equal. The tree is rather a strong
grower and perhaps not quite so prolific as
some, but it is, nevertheless, deserving of culture
as a cordon, as its handsome golden fruits when
properly ripened amply compensate for all
deficiencies. Guthrie's Late Green is somewhat
similar in appearance to Webster's Gage, with
the exception of the colour, which is a
greenish-yellow. It is, however, a deliciously
flavoured Plum and a good cropper, and com-
ing into use, as it does, towards the end of
September, it is then invaluable either for
cooking or eating. The next is the old Green
Gage, which invariably bears well on an eastern
aspect, the individual fruits being tiner than
those gathered from either fan -trained or
standard trees. This sort is the worst of the
whole lot for growing away from the wall, and,
no matter how closely the wood may be pinched,
the older wood has a habit of tlirusting itself,
as it were, out from tlie stem year by year until

t forms an obstruction when jjassing up and
down the alley. One good thing, sjiur-pruning
soon rectifies this matter, and if part is
pruned away one season and the remainder the
next, there is then only a partial loss of crop.
In spite of this objection, if it can be termed
an oljjection, several trees fif this kind should
be included by anyone feeling tenqited or dis-
posed to adopt this system of growing Plums
on account of its intrinsic value l)otli as a cook-
ing and dessert variety. After all said and
done, no variety of Plum that we })ossess can
surpass the old Green Gage for flavour, and no
apology is therefore needed in recommending it
to be grown in quantity. The last on my list
is Coe's Golden Drop. This I have both on
eastern and western aspects. It is a grand
Plum for general purposes, and is a constant
and heavy cropper, and several trees should be
grown if a long supply is needed. It is a sort
that will hang well until the first and second
weeks of November if pains are taken to protect
the fruits froui insects, and when shrivelled
the fruit is delicious. The trees are uiode-
rate growei-s, and always set a profusion of
of bloom-buds once they commence to bear, and
if kept clean and the roots fed when the trees
we heavily cropped, they will continue in a
fruitful condition for many years. Victoria I
have grown in this way, but it is not satisfac-
tory, and I intend removing tlie trees this
autumn. I have some of the newer varieties
planted on a nortliern asjiect, and, according to
appearance, many will fruit another season, but
until this takes place I am not in a position to
give an opinion either of their merits or de-
merits.

No doubt there are other varieties which are
eminently suitable for growing in cordon form,
but those named I have found to succeed here,
and if from three to six trees of each kind were
planted they would furnish a long succession of
fruits, particularly if the aspects could be
varied. Even if this could not be done and
the trees were all planted against a wall having,
for instance, an eastern aspect, tlie supjily
would last a long time, and as they may lie as
near together as 18 inches they will not take
up a great deal of room, and this wlieie wall
space is limited is a consideration. A. W.

Stoke Edith, Hereford.

descrilie the Mirabelle [and [the Myrobalan as one
and the same thing are in error, and this we see
done in the lists of good houses. " A. F. B." says:
' ' Some contusion seems to exist as to what is meant
wlien the Mirabelle or the Myrobalan is named,
the lecturer seeming to consider them one and the
same, whereas they are as distinct as two Plums
can well be. Tlie former— the Jlirabelle — is a
small, round, early yellow Plum. It is not much
grown in this country ; why, I do not know. In
France it is much esteemed. As a stock for the
Plum this Mirabelle is, in fact, not used, and does
not appear suitable. "

Nectarine Early Rivers. — I saw the other
dayatColdham Hall, Bury St. Edmunds, a grand
young tree of the above-named Nectarine carry-
ing several dozen ripe fruits. That it is an ad-
vance on Lord Napier in point of earliness is un-
doubted, and the fruits are very tine in size,
colour and quality : but what struck me most of
all was the splendid growth the tree was making
in s])ite of its heavy crop. In this respect it also
is well ahead of Lord Najiier, which is only a
moderate, not to say puny, grower at the liest,
and seldom lives long, though it has the knack of
finishing up a heavy cro|i of grand fruit on very
meagre growth, and always performs better than
it promises. If the constitution of Early Rivers
is anything like as good as it promises to be at
Coldham, it is indeed an acquisition. — J. C. T.

Apricots and Nectarines. — At this season
Apricots need copious supplies of moisture at the
roots, and though there has been some rain, I find
it has failed to reach the roots, especially where
the borders are cropped. Much mischief is caused
by dryness at this season. The trees in many
cases bore a thin crop and are making a free
growth, needing ample supplies of moisture. I
find the more robust the trees the less danger
tliere is of branches dying. Should this occur, it
will be less felt if there is some good wood made
to fill in the blank spaces. Few fruits love mois-
ture at certain seasons more than Apricots, and
by gi\ing free supplies the wood is better .able to
stand our variable spring weather, which tries
the trees so much. The Apricot does best when
its roots are near the surface, hence the need of
moisture in dry seasons. A mulcli at this season
is of great ^■alue in such soils, as it retains the
moisture gi\en and promotes root-action. I do
not advise a thick mulch. — S. H.

The Mirabelle Plum not the Cherry Plum.

-—A much needed correction is made Ijy " A. F. B."
in. the Gardeners' Chronick last week." Those wli

THE EVILS OF GRAFTING AS REGARDS

THE APRICOT.

The Gardeiierx' Chroitidt, which has hitherto
made somewhat light of our efibrts to call the
attention of the pulilic who suffer by it to the dire
results of grafting, now itself begins to get some
evidence together about the evil : —

In its native country and in Central Asia the natives
propagate the Apricot by seed. True reproJuction of
a variety is, howuvtr, only obtained by meiu9 of the
graft, and to this end, in more northern latitudes and
in Ctntral Europe, in ground with a Kood subsoil, the
stock generally adopted is that of certain varieties of
the Plum tree, such as Myrobalau, St. Jiilien or
Damascus.

At the pomologicil congress whiuli, not long ago,
was held at St. Petersliurg, M. Simireiiko drew atten-
tion to the value of the wild Apricot for gr.afting cul-
tivated varieties of tlio Apricot itself, as well as those
of the Plum and Peach trees. He gave it as his
opioioii, based on the results of many years' experi-
ence, that the wild Apricot is the most valuable stock.

The President of the French Pomological Society,
who has recently referred to this subject in the
Pomoloqie Franraine, states that the average duration
of Apricots grafted on the Plum in the Ain depart-
ment, for instance, does not exceed four years. Nor
does the cause appear to have been hitherto explained.
The Apricot, almost invaiiably grafted on the Plum
in France, grows at iirst very vigorously, the scion
dies, though the subject (stock) continues to thrive.

If anyone who reads the above extracts has
ever looked at the gumming and dying Apricot
trees growing under the most favourable condi-
tions in English and Irish gardens, he may begin

to see '^ se for the misery, without looking
any pl.j . • al or other vain subtleties w
have character sed writings devoted to the c
of a trouble which has now gone on for gei
tions. It almost entirely deprives us of thi
of a goorl fruit.

what is to be done ? First, for the fair ur
standing of the question, we have to con;
what is done now. The nurseryman has a 1
stock of one of the wild Plums noted fo
vigour and belonging to the same genus of p
as the A]iricot, so that the alliance is close en^
to allow the stock or base of the future tr
push up a vigorous growth for the first yei
two, or the time when the tree is in the nur
The unnatural alliance goes on very well unti
tree is of a saleable size and happily disposi
into some good garden, but the vigour of
stock does not go very much further, exoe)
trying to escape from its burden, antl it if
very long before the Plum begins to creep U{
injure the Apricot upon it. By pulling awa;
suckers continually — which is part of the u
tunate gardener's duty — we may esca|je sor
the evils of the forced union for a time, but
come on the gumming, and loss and deat
other ways, and the poor state of health o
tree. Now it might be remedied, we thinl
several ways, or at least a trial made to i
the question. If M. Simirenko is right, we
take the wild Apricot, but why not also, fo
ing the example of the people in the n
country of the Apricot, i.e., sow some seeds (
finest fruit we can get and raise it natur
We might get a poor \'ariet3', but also we n
get a precious sort. As these things var
finitely, we might get cpiite distinct varieties
seed, and perliaps find — at least in warm soil
on the sheltered warm walls that aboun
British gardens — healthy and fruitful trees,
adopting the cordon system of training,
seedlings could be planted rather close, so
the poor ones could be weeded out and tht
seedling varieties take their place. Lastly,
are layers and cuttings, as we cannot Buj
that this tree is less amenable to the propa; ',
than many other trees of its family. — The F

It

Pear Marie Louise d'tTccle.— This r,

though not equal to its parent, Marie Loui; n
point of flavour and general excellence, surp a
it in vigour of constitution and productive s,
and being, as it is, a pretty certain cropper lis
a ca])ital kinrl to grow for market. For pr :e
consumption it is much valued in many pi
particularly where Marie Louise itself is Dv
indift'erent success, and the fruits when thorou
well ripened are certainly not to be despised, n
cold soils the flesli is coarse grained and is .V
half melting at the best, but on a warm, rich li
it becomes buttery and melting anfl the flu n'
fairly good. Cultivated in pyramidal form oi c
Pear stock, it will form a handsome siiecimen u
short time and j)rove very prolific. When gi u
as a bush or cordon on the Quince stock is
equally as satisfactory and never fails to pre e
heavy crops of \ery fine fruit. I would rei i-
mend its being grown in private gardens "
where Marie Louise succeeds well, as it can "
be used for stewing, a purpose for which »
eminently suited. — A. W.

I was lately somewhat amused when m ■

ing round a small garden at being shown a i '
loaded Pear tree on a south wall which the
doner called Improved Marie Louise. The i
was the variety was Marie Louise d'UccIe, wl ■
so far as being an improvement on the old vari -
is not to be compared with it. It is true thatwi'i
once established the tree is a good cropper, J8
fact making it so poiiular amongst ma"
growers, but as to flax'our the less said the bet
I think it keeps longer soinid, but in nine c -
out of ten it eats gritty and has very little ju
It is a good Pear for stewing or for growin; '
cold localities where the better class of varie ^
seldom succeeds : but certainly the title of " ■
pro\ed " is quite out of place, as all who know w '

Sbptbmber 11, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

195

ood Pear is ami liiive tasted the two sorts will
:tify.-C. C. II.

drafting old trees. — Wliatover may be thv

riefits rt'sultiii^- from the f;i-aftiiig of olil trees,

tably Apples and I'oars, with diverse varieties,

: exiJcrience has always been that it is better to

such graf tin j; by using; stroni; grafts on large

ims than to employ small grafts on many stems.

iwever, not everyone eoineides. I saw the

ler day in an nld orchard at Ruxley Lodge,

her, admirable examples of the plan I favour

some Tear tiees that were several years ago

llieaded and regrafteil, and now have splendid

iramidal heads of the best possible character.

'ie gardener, Mr. Miller, having formerly resided

i Worcestershire, where grafting old trees is

Anmon practice, and where, as he said, even the

• lage shoemakers are in the slack season expert

lifters, saw such admiralile results from the

^ictice, that having a number of large trees at

ixley Lodge that required the operation per-

j'-mea on them, had one of the \\'orcestershire

(Crators up to carry out the work. The |)resent

le robust heads show how well it was done. The

d trees were (uit back to three or four large

I'lnch stems, into which were inserted in each

iie Uvo or three large grafts fixed in wedge

tihion and driven hard home. Mr. Miller men-

ilned that he once saw an operator who, ha\ ing

iliven a stout graft of this nature home, before

•in" hung the whole weight of his body on to it

ilshow how tirmly it was fixed to the tree. It is

ich grafting as this \\hich eventually produces

■it only stout growths, but results in far earlier

liting than is the case when many grafts of

arling wood are [lut on to small numerous

'ttnches. Not only is the result better, but such

lifting is more ([uickly done. As to beheading

|e old trees, that may be partially done early in

'e M'inter, such as during frosty weather if desir-

Jle, but at the time of grafting a fresh cut should

made to the point at w-hich the scions are

ierted.— A. 1).

Rose Garden.

K

HYBRID PERPETUAL AND HYBRID

TEA ROSES.
IHINK that sim])licity of classification ought in
I case.s to be aimed at with regard to culti-
ted flowers, and hence I have always pro-
seed against the recent "fad" of making a
parate class for what are called Hybrid Teas,
I was certain it would lead to confusion, and
at, moreover, there was no necessity for it,
all the Roses so called might very well be
gaided as Hybrid Perpetuals, and that theadd i-
nal Roses added to this class might as well
once have been put into tliat class. I think

all know that the so-called Hybrid Per-
tuals are of a very mi.xed origin, some show-
Ig more affinity to Bourbons and Damask
(OSes, others more inclining to Teas and
tiinas, but all of a very mongrel character,
lie connnittee of the National Ro.se Society
(ought otherwise, and ventured upon forming
distinct and sei)arate class and issuing a list

those Roses wliich were to be regarded as
ilonging to it. The idea seemed to please the
rench Rose gi'owers (I think simply from a
mmercial point of view) ; they have poured in
)on us of late years such a quantity of use-
as Roses of the H.P. cla.ss, that, .seeing sign.s

the ])o[iularity cjf the new class on this side
the Channel, they announced from time to
me several additions to it. but their first step
JS a very curious one. La France and the
lorts from it, Augustine Guinoisseau and Dan-
ark, and Capt. Christy were transferred from
le H.P.'s — amongst which they had been
ways claR.sed— to. the new class of Hybrid
ias, while on this side Lady Mary Fitzwilliam

;ind Viscountess Folkestone were .similarly
treated, and were no longer to bo regarded as
H .P.'s. Anotlier notable example was Kaiscrin
.\ugusta Victoria, a very beautiful Rose of
Hungarian origin, bvit in no way — according tu
the opinion of .some experienced growers of
Teas distinguishable from a pure Tea ; and
this last .season we have seen it carrying off' the
medal for the best H.P. or H.T., thus ex-
cluding many of tliosc wliich we have hitherto
ri'garded as deserving of an award in this
cliiss. What are we to .say of Ciloire Lyonuaise >
Guillot sent it out as a yellow Hybrid Per-
jictual, which, of cour.se, it never was, for tlie
faintest suspicion of primrose colour at tlic
bottom of the petals did not warrant it being
so called ; but now we are told to regard
it as a Hybrid Tea, and that the raiser was all
wrong in calling it a H.P. Assuredly .some
of the Roses which have been of late put into
the class, such as Clara Watson, Mrs. W. J.
Grant and Caroline Testout, might very readily
Iiave taken their place among H.P.'s instead of,
as at in-esent, Hybrid Teas. One is continually
asked by correspondents, e\'en so far off as
Cairo, how to define a Hybrid Tea and dis-
tinguish it from a H.P., and one's answer
must always be that there is no way in which a
satisfactory reply to these questions could be
given. Thus, while agreeing with a paper
which ajijieared in The Garden, Augu.st 21, in
many of its statements I see the same confusion
uj)iui this subject ; thus all through La France
and Visccjuntess Folkestone are regarded as
H.P.'s, but if the writer were to compete for a
prize ort'ered for Hybrid Perpetuals he would
find himself disqualified if either of these were
found in the exhibit.

I entirely agree in the strictures passed upon
scentless Roses. I do not think that we ouglit to
haveany of them, even although it would lead us to
discard such as Baroness Rcithschild. We have
now so many Roses of all colours which are
perfumed, that I do not think any encourage-
ment ought to be given to a new Rose which
lacks this essential. Unquesti(jnably the dark
Roses seem to have the true Rose scent more
distinctly than the lighter varieties. There are
some pec:>ple who do not care for the scent of
the Tea Roses. I do not go so far as this, but I
unijuestionably prefer the scent of such Roses
as Charles Lefebvre, Prince Camille de Rohan,
Earl of Dufl'erin, Jean Soupert, and Horace
Vernet, as they have the true attar of rose
perfume. There is one sentence in the article
in question which completely puzzles me :
" Almost without exception the dark red
Hybrid Perpetual Roses are sweet scented,
the want thereof being principally confined to
some of the pink varieties, as Merveille dc
Lyon, Susanne Marie Rodocanachi, and Duke
of Edinburgh," for Merveille de Lyon is a
white and not a pink Rose, and generally
takes the prize as a white Rose in the classes
arranged for flowers of that colour, while Duke
of Edinburgh is a most brilliant scarlet-
crimson and is so described in the Rose
Society's catalogue, and is very sweet-scented.
Merveille de Lyon is not so, and is generally
supposed to be a sport of Baroness Roth.schild.
It is somewhat curious that so few Roses of
recent years either in England or France belong
to this highly coloured section of the H.P.'s.
Sir Rowland Hill, sent out nearly ten years ago,
is a sport from Charles Lefebvre. Captain
Haywood, the last Rose raised by the late Mr.
H. Bennett, is very brilliant in colour and un-
surpa.ssed as a dark Rose for forcing, and in the
sup]ilement of the National Rose Society Cap-
tain Haywood is the only dark Rose jnentioncd.
The Duko of Fife is -certainly a dark sport from

Etiennc Levct, and Duo d'( )rlcans is said to be a
brighter Marie Baumanii, but neither of them
has the colour we cs|iecially now want. Two
(if the very best dark red Roses, Reynolds-
Hole, rai.sed by Paul and Son, and Louis van
Houtte, one of Lacharnic's, raised some twenty-
eight years ago, liave, unfortunately, not very
good constitutions and do not answer as cut-
backs. There is thciefnre jilenty of room for
hybridists to .see if they cannot give us some-
thing more decided in colour and at the .same
time sweet scented. Probably, by going back
to the old Gloire des Rosomanes, which is only
si^mi-double, we might, after two or three
generations of careful cross-fertilisation, obtain
what we want. In these matters, however, I
write entirely as an outsider. I liave never
hyliridised and never raised seedlings, and
therefore my suggestion may be worth nothing ;
but at any rate it is worth trying, and I
hope some of our more experienced hybridiserw
may attempt it. Delta.

Notes of the Week.

Phlox Kegfulus is a very showy and beautiful
variety of the herbaceous Phlox, the flower large
and of a bright rosecerise shade, that is very
effective in a mass. The habit also is good.

Caiophora aurantiaca is a very charming
annual of cliinbing habit, and bears a profusion
of rich orange-coloured blossoms that are very
striking. In many positions where there is no
room for the more rampant growing climbers this
plant should be found of service.

Andromeda arborea is a very distinct species,
with large terminal lieads of creamy white blos-
soms that are produced in great numbers. The
foliage is quite distinct from that of the other
species and much larger and broader. Flowering
too at this season, it should be useful in the
garden.

Chelone Ottigna.^This at first sight bears
some resemblance to C. obliqua vars. The
flowers are, however, richer in colour and the
habit much more refined. The flowers are of a
warm rose-purple hue and very attractive. Mr.
Ware had some bunches of it at the Drill Hall
this week.

Hibiscus totus albus. — The pure snow-white
blossoms of this plant are very chaste, and seen in
the mass are ettecti\e in the extreme. At the
Drill Hall this week Messrs. Veitch had some
compact, well-flowered examples that could not
fail to attract attention. Small plants, not more
than 2 feet high, were laden with flowers.

Lilium Batemani. — For the late summer this
has no equal in the open ground, where with a
little care it may be easily cultivated if planted in
a deep bed of loam and peat. Even at this late
date there are a few blossoms, as was exemplified
at the Drill Hall this week, when Messrs. Barr
exhibited flowers in their mixed group of hardy
))lants.

Hibiscus Manihot is a yellow - flowered
form which gained an award of merit at thcFloyal
Horticultural show this week, though to our
thinking inferior to the variety called Mrs.
Macintosh, which only gained a vote of thanks
on the 24th nit. Boih are yellow-flowered, the
latter having the larger blossoms and also a well
coloured base.

Kniphofia Leichtlini distachya is one of
the nio»t curious and beautiful of th s large family
of perennials. Individually the blossoms are of an
orange tone, and much shorter than in the
majority of the varieties of this group; so much
so, that'the stamens which protrude very considci--
ably predomin.ate by their exceeding briUiancj-,
and provide a most distinct result.

Acidanthera bicolor.— Cut spikes of this
very distinct plant were shown by the MeSsrst

196

THE GARDEN".

[September 11, 1897.

Veifcch on Tuesday at the Drill Hall, and attracted
attention by reason of the distinct form of the
flovvei and its quaint colouring at the base. This
latter is a sort of violet-purple shade, not wholly
uniform, but embracing dilJerent hues of heavy
and light shades of the same colour.

Cornus florida. — In your issue of last Satur-
day (p. 177) you ask if Cornus florida is known to
flower well in England. I have two ]5lants here
which flower more or less every year, and some
years very jjlentifully, and they are then a very
pretty sight. — B. E. C. Chamlers, (I'rai/itrood
Hi'l, Hitsiemere.

Chrysanthemum Barbara Forbes and C.
Queen of the Earlies are both jiure white kinds of
distinct form. Flowers of each came before the
floral committee of the Royal Horticultuial Society
without receiving any award. Both are Jap.-inese
in form, the former with incurving petals, and the
latter, which is somewhat flat in form, incurving
slightly at the tips ; the flowers are of medium
size.

Rosa rugosa. — Though we have scarcely
realised that this handsome jilant has finished its
flowering for the year, we are reminded of the
near approach of autumn by the masses of richly
coloured berries the plants produce. These in
their way are also effective, and give the plant a
value of its own during the early autumn
months. The handsome foliage of this species is
also an attraction both before and after flowering^

Helianthus ftueen Victoria.— This rather
distinct form, exhibited by Mr. T. S. Ware at
the Royal Horticultural show on Tuesday, is
said to be a sport from H. multiflorus var. It
differs from the H. multiflorus pi. in the almost
tubular form of the central tuft of florets, in the
same way as may be noted in the Anemone-
flowered Chrysanthemum. The outer or guard
petals are the same as in the old form, while the
tubular florets impart a certain neatness and
compactness to the flower.

Aster Mrs. W. Peters is a seedling variety
of the Michaelmas Daisy with small white flowers.
Though rather pretty in the case of the pot plants
as shown, the two-year-old plant from the open
ground possessetl no merit whatever to entitle it
to an award of merit. Indeed, it is not too much to
say that the Drill Hall could easily be half filled
with seedlings possessing as much merit as this
one. If we remember aright, much better varie-
ties were passed over by the conference com-
mittee a \'ear or two ago.

Eucomis punctata. — Judging by several
well-flowered examples at the Drill Hall this week,
this distinct plant is receiving attention for pot
culture, for which purpose it is well suited. This
species is perhaps the largest of the genus and
the leaves reach quite 3 feet in length when well
grown. The flower-spike, rising from the bulb to
fully 2 feet high, is for some half its length densely
clothed with wax-like starry blossoms of a creamy
white and freely spotted with rose. The blooms
are also sweet-scented.

Verbena venosa. — Since the recent abundant
rainfall this old garden plant appears to have
assumed a fresh vigour that has also given effect
to the fine mass of flowers so characteristic of the
plant. As though approving of the lessened sun-
light and sun-heat, the flowers are of much deeper
hue and the stems more elongated than was the
case during the great summer heat of this season.
For these reasons it is now a most welcome mass
of colour, and being of good habit and very [jro-
fuse flowering it is a valuable autumn plant.

Senecio pulcher. — While some plants dete-
riorate with constant rain, particularly when
accompanied with wind and cold, others again
improve, and this is so of this Senecio. During
the great heat of the present year the young
plants put out in spring made little progress, but
as noted recently in the collection at Long
Ditton they have improved considerably. Some
of the best formed flowers of the plant we have
gsen were in Messrs. Barr's group at the Royal

Horticultural show this week, each bloom being
nearly 4 inches across.

Erodium macradenium. — This pretty flower-
ing plant appears to be hardly ever without many
of its blossoms expanded when the tufts are large
and well grown. In the herbaceous borders at
Kew a very handsome tuft spreads out over nearly
18 inches, and the very pleasing foliage and dainty
blossoms combine to make it both a choice border
plant as well as a most desirable and beautiful
object for the rock garden. The plant may be
easily raised from seeds, that should be gathered
at intervals throughout the year, in consequence
of the profuse flowering of the species.

Boug'ainvillea glabra. — Among the more
uncommon jilants that are employed for furni.sh-
ing the flower beds in Hyde Park are several
specimens of this Bougainvillea, which, being
thickly studded with their bright-coloured bracts,
are not only very showy, but quite distinct from
any of their associates. Many beautiful subjects
are to be seen along Park Lane in the shape of
large plants all flowering freely. Beside the
Heliotro))es and Fuchsias, which are always a
special feature, may be ])articularly mentioned,
beside this Bougain\ illea. Plumbago capensis,
Streptosolen or Browallia Jamesoni, and Ery-
thrina Crista-galli.

A pretty combination. — A pleasing effect is
sometimes accidentally produced from very simple
materials, as in the case of a plant of the wild
Teasel (Dipsacus sylvestris) here, about 5 feet
high, round the base of which some shoots of the
wild Convolvulus.(C.sepium) sprang up, and have
now clothed the lower half of the stem with a
conical mass of dense foliage, the combination
suggesting the idea of a hut;e candelabrum with
a richly embossed base. This chance arrange-
ment of two simple wild plants is quite as eSec-
ti\e and pretty as many things which I have seen
that required some thought and taste in design-
ing them. — W. M. , Wt'x-fonl.

Lilium speciosum Kreetzeri. — This very
handsome pure white Lily is witliout doulit one of
the best things among the hardy plants now in
flower. Indeed, all the forms of the speciosum
group are valuable because of the season of their
flowering, while their perfect hardiness and free
growing characteristics render them invaluable.
A single bulb when well planted will make a fine
specimen in a year or two, and where three or six
can be grouped so much the better for innnediate
effect. Against the frequently over-abundant
sombre hue of many shrubs in the borders the
warm rose or crimson shades of these Lilies appear
with surprising results ; so much so that it is a
wonder they are not more often seen.

Colchicums. — The Meadow Saffrons have
again come into flower with almost wondrous
rapidity. The first to come into liloom was Col-
chicum Bertoloni, which has now many com-
panions. Among these the pleasing C. byzantinum
is a general favourite, although cast in the shade
in some respects by the more massive flowers of C.
BornmuUeri, C. speciosum, C. sjjeciosum rubrum
or the fine chequered blooms of C Sibthorpi.
The common C. autumnale and some of the less
plentiful Meadow Saffrons look magnificent in size
beside them. None of the double varieties had
opened in the first week of September, and the
constant rains have deprived the single forms of
much of their usual brightness. — S. Arnott,
Carsi Ihoni, X. II.

Anemone japonica Brilliant. — At Winch-
more Hill i\lr. Perry has a variety of this well-
known plant bearing the above distinctive title.
The coloured forms of this fine autumn flower are
open to much improvement, and the name above
given is certainly suggestive of improved colora-
tion. An acquaintance with the growing plant,
however, in such a case is the only real way of
deciding as to its merits or otherwise. Many
yeais ago a red form that was distinct from the
type bore the varietal name of A. j. rubra, but
whether it remained constant we are not aware.
Different soils and localities are at times respon-

sible for certain colour changes in gai-den flow
these latter often reverting to their original st;
at no distant period.

Campanula nobilis.— This is an exoelk
plant for a cool spot even where a rather hea
soil obtains, as by its vigorous nature the spec
is at home, both growing and flowering free
The flowers, too, which are of a reddish-hlao h
in the type, are both large and handsome, a
very striking when seen in a cool and moist sp
In such a place the plant spreads quite freely
means of underground stems, though it mi
not be accepted as being of a weedy or e\
troublesome nature. Indeed, in these respei
the plant is readily kept in hand, as is also I
creamy-white form known as C. nobilis alba. 1
plant will grow from 18 inches to 2 feet high, I
large drooping blossoms each upwards of 3 incl
long. It is a native of China and a good bon
plant when once it becomes established.

Campanula barbata.— This very beauti
species is certainly not largely grown, and it
only occasionally met with even in some botai
gardens. Its scarcity in collections of hai
plants may be due to the fact of its not being
good perennial and frequently perishing af
flowering. For these reasons it is best to reg:
it rather in the light of a biennial, and as set
are produced somewhat freely, it is quite easy
raise sufficient plants to form a very pretty cok
in the rock garden, which is the best place for I
plant, (irown in a deep and rather sandy loa
the plants will reach I foot high or rather mo
The pale blue of its drooping corolla is of a vi
charming shade, the plant being of a neat a
attractive habit withal. The white variety is es
cially beautiful, and worthy of the best posit
that can be given it, viz., a warm and sun
aspect. A very pretty group may be formed
the two in mixture in the rock garden, where
will at least equal the best of its genus.

Lilium speciosum album novum. — Amo
several good forms of this beautiful section
autumn Lilies the above holds a prominent pc
tion, the reason being not far to seek. Pure a
spotless in the chasteness of its fair white flowe
that are even of greater substance of petal th
is usual in the other white kinds, the blooms p
sent an almost massive appearance, while t
orange-yellow anthers at once distinguish
from other white kinds. In other minor deta
it is also cpiite distinct, and flowering a day
two in advance renders it useful on this accoui
When grown in a deep bed (say at least 3 feet)
loam and rough jjeat, with a little mam
added and plenty of sand, this lovel}' Lily,
the second or third year, will reach 8 feet
height. To achieve this, however, the beds shou
be slightly sunken at the surface and the positi(j
a jjartially shady one. In the growing seasi'
and until the flower buds are fully grown t
plants should not lack moisture. Thus grow
this is one of the grandest of the hardy Lili
during September, and as such should be in eve
garden.

Crocosmia imperialis. — This is undoubteil
one of the finest hardy plants extant, and therefo
we can only hope for the time when such a reall
handsome autumn-flowering plant shall becon
plentiful in our gardens. At present, however,
is anj'thing but common, though we are reminde
of its value by meeting it in flower lately. Tl
really handsome flowers are often 4 inches across-
some, indeed, we have seen must be even largt
than this— while the clear orange-scarlet of it
flowers, produced on stems about 4 feet high, givt
a \ery striking effect in the garden. It is a plai
to take care of and increase freely both by seed:
when these are procurable, or by division, whic.
is more easily accomplished after flowering i|
complete. Though regarded as a perfectly hardi
perennial, care should be taken to secure it froni
severe frost, firstly, by planting in position
naturally sheltered and having perfect drainage-
and secondly, either by deep planting or subse
quent mulching overhead. It is altogether to
valuable a plant to be risked without some wintei
protection.

Stove and Greenhouse.

Sfptembbu 11, 1897.]

THE GARDEK

197

FOntCKoVA BEDINGHAUSI.

E Fi>iirci-iiy.'is (ir FunTn'as boloiig to tlie
ive tribo, to wliii-li both in leafage and
ver-spike tliey bear a iiiarkcil resemblance.
L-y are mostly natives of Mexico and Trojiieal
lerioa, and are thus gencndly nntitted to
istand the climatic comlKions inseii.-irable
m open-air cultui'c in Fiiigland. In the Isles
o'icilly, however, Fourcroy.a long;eva Hourishes
lerfection in the geni.al atmosphere that ])er-
es those f.avoured shores, encom]iassed by
warm tides of the (iulf stream, and in the
.lens of Tresco Abbi'y it maybe seen in ipian-
. rearing its tall l)loom-s[iike in some eases
I height of 2') feet. Fourcroya Kedinghausi,
i>ne time confounded with F. Roe/.li, is .said
ler favoui'.-dile circum.st.ances to attain and
n exceed this stature. When in Hower this
u'croya is far more ornamental than F.
^'leva, its intlore.scenee being pendulous and
nmg almost a curtain .around the central
li-er-stem. S. W. F.

ACHIMENKS.

s (jratifying to find these old-fa.shioned showy
enhouse flowers gaining favour again. Years
I used to like to inspect the fine specimen )jaiis
\chimenes which found their way to the South
isington exhibition, these being from '2 feet to
t across. Two collections that recentlj- came
uler my notice had been well grown. One of
m was in pots, the other in hanging baskets,
y do best in rather shallow receptacles, or if
glwn in ordinary flower-pots the drainage should
n;h nearly half way up, as they only like as
nch soil as they can permeate with roots during
tlir limited season of growth. Although fairly
ejily managed when once established and grow-
ir freely, Achimenes are sometimes difficult to
cix into .active growth, unless a fairly warm.
ir statmosphere is given them. Indeed, although
c'.sed generally as greenliouse plants, I always
ftnd them to enjoy an intermediate house.
B dies are often spoilt when quite in a young
St e by allowing the morning sun to strike on
tlm when in a wet state from the syringe.
Ven the plants get older and the foliage mon-
lened they stand it better. Afraid of scorch
growers sometimes gi\'e too heavy shade oi
k p the pots too far from the roof glass, hence a
j^y, weakly growth and ill-furnished pots oi
3 with little bloom in the end. A compost ut
it fibrous loam, rubbed down b\- hand in pre
nee to being sifted, with the addition of a
h part leaf-mould and sufficient sand of a
ci-se nature to keep the whole porous, will
g IV Achimenes well. Care is necessary at the out
St in watering, as any excess in this matti i
p i'ious to a fair quantity of roots being mad.
3*1 turns the young plants yellow and sto])-
?^ivth. When aljout 8 inches high the tips may
bi linchcd out to induce side breaks and a stocky
fcidation. As soon as the blooms are freely
luced syringing must be abandoned and
ospheric moisture sui)plied by frequent damp-
down. Harry Williams, Dazzle, Longifloia
or. Doctor Andry, Ambroise Verschaflelt .
ive Queen, and .Sir Treherne Thomas are all
Ilent varieties. J. C.

elosia pyramidalis.— This, as represented

lumerous f.niiis, is fre<iuently used for bedding,

vivid-coloured blossoms being associated with

e sober-hued subjects in forming some of the

ed beds that are now so popular. The season

looming may be varied to almost any extent

: lowing the seed at different times, and during

autumn and winter months the brilliantly-

ed blooms impart a colour totally wanting in

Chrysanthemum, which forms the bulk of

"'lers at that time met with. During the

summer, when growing freely, these Celosias are
lilicial feeders, particularly if confined in ])Ots,
but in autumn and wintcM" care must l>e taken not
to overwater them, as, being of a somewhat succu-
lent nature, an excess of moisture will often cause
them to decay. This Celosia is by no means a
new plant, having been introduced from India in
IS'in, liut it is only within the last few years that
it has been grown to the extent that it is at the
present time. By continued selection we have
now .several well-marked forms, which in a general
way can be depended upon to come pretty true
from seed. An ally of this Celosia — viz., the
Cockscomb — may also be seen bedded out oeca-

Fourcroya Bedinrthausi. From a photograph sent
by Mr, W. Sangtvin, Trelissick.

sionally, generally with satisfactory results. —
H. P.

Phyllanthus pallidifolius.— The pretty little
red .-iiid yellow Ijlossoms of this plant depending
from the finely -cut leaves have an elegant yet
striking appearance, and one wonders why it is
not more grown. As a warm greenhouse shrub it
is very fine, the glaucous foliage showing thus to
great advantage, while single-stemmed ])lants
are light and pretty for table decoration. A

mistake often made in its culture is growing it
too well, or rather too strongly, rich soil causing
giossiiess of foliage. To get nice shapely little
plants, cuttings of half-ripene<l wood sh.'nild be
struck under bell-glasses iu firm .sandy soil, potted
on and gro«n rather (linched for fxit room in a
light, warm house. For compost use a third of
good loam, one-third of jieat, the remainder made
up of broken bricks, charcoal, or some .similar
material, and a good sprinkling of sharp silver
sand. In the earlier stages care is necessary to
prevent the plant damping, especially if the cut-
tings were placed rather dee[)ly in the first place.
Afterwards a free su|)i)ly of water is advisable,
and when the pots are quite full of roots a little
weak soot water is helpful. The plants may be
cut down and will break freely in spring, or, if
late ones are reipiired for grouping, they may be
taken up in single stems and hardened a little
before being taken to the house or conservatory.
I*, pallidifolius is al.so known as lleidiaglaucescens
and is a native of .Java.

STREPTOCARPI.

The recent illustration of these useful flowering
jjlants, together with the cultural remarks by Mr.
Tallack, would, I am sure, be welcome to readers
of The G.\kiiex. .Some gardeners succeed well
with them, while others find a difficulty in grow-
ing them well, their soil not seeming to suit
them. I am glad Mr. Tallack gets the paler and
more delicately coloured varieties to grow
\igorously and flower satisfactorily, as I must
confess that the latter with me have up to the pre-
sent made indiflerent headway. The older, darker
strains seem to possess a far more vigorous con-
stitution and soon grow into large plants. I
have some in S-inch pots that in one season have
borne 100 spikes of bloom, while the foliage is
very long and of a dark glossy hue. The paler
varieties start well enough when repotted and
subjected to a gentle warmth, but gradually lose
their vigour when p)laeed in a greenhouse tem-
perature. Several of my neighbours have ex-
perienced the same difficulty. I think the paler
coloured, less vigorous varieties rerjuire to be
potted in a lighter compost, of which leaf-mould
forms a good part, the pots to be no larger thar
is absolutely necessary, and to be thoroughlj
well drained. Some gardeners have condemned
the use of any heat whatever for Streptocarpi,
but my experience is that an intermediate tem-
perature, charged with a fair amount of atmo-
spheric moisture, suits them well, a slight shading
being given, and if those who do not succeed with
them in a cool greenhouse were to give this treat-
ment, better results would follow. During the
winter months the foliage takes on a rusty appear-
ance, and care is needed not to give too much
root moisture, or the plants are apt to die right
out ; in fact, no more should be gi\en than will
keep the foliage from flagging. C. H.

HERBACEOUS CALCEOLARIAS.

The earliest sown batches of these will now be
ready for transferring to 6inch pots, but before
doing so it will be advisable to subject them to
another gentle fumigation, as when newly potted
they do not care for the ordeal. .Some growers
condemn the use of tobacco fumes for (Calceolarias,
but I have always found that mild doses adminis-
tered say once a fortnight or three weeks will
kee]) the plants quite clean and not injure the
foliage in the least. It is when the pest is allowed
to get a strong hold and hea\y fumigations are
given that injury follows. A north aspect is the
most suitable for the plants at present, but to
leave the lights entirelj' oft' the frames and the
[jlants quite exposed, as some do, is only to
court failure. They should be tilted sideways, so
that a free current of air can pass over and around
each plant. If the [lots were well drained and the
plants vigorous, the roots will, when working freely
in the new soil, tiike water freely, but anything
approaching excess must be guarded against, or

198

THE GARDEN".

[September U, 1897.

yellowness of the foliage will quickly follow. Care
is also necessary to prevent the water from settling
round the collar of the plants, or rot will set in.
For this reason it is always advisable when | lot-
ting to keep the neck or collar of each plant
slightly elevated. A good yellow fibrous loam
five parts and one part well-decomposed cow
manure free from worms, leaf-mould and coai-se
sand or road grit form a good rooting medium.
Slugs must be watched for, as they are very par-
tial to the young sappy foliage, a dusting of soot
and lime over the ashes on which the pots stand
being a good safeguard. When well established,
Calceolarias like an occasional watering, say once
or twice weekly, with weak diluted farmyard
liquid. Old Calceolaria growers like to see the
water beads hanging from the edge of the leaves
at daylireak ; this they consider a sign of good
health. J. C.

GLORIOSA SUPERBA.

This beautiful plant appears to be getting more
popular ; at all events it is seen much more fre-
quently than formerly. I noticed it in several
gardens last week in the west of England, a very
strong plant of a good form of it being in full
beauty at King's Weston, the seat of Mr. P. N.
Miles. It was growing on a wire trellis close
under the roof of one of the plant houses, and the
stems were apparently about 20 feet in length,
closely covered with the bright showy blossoms.
These are a deep orange, with tips of scarlet when
fully developed, the segments standing erect
owing to their recurving form. G. superba is not
a difficult plant to grow, jjrovided a few simple
details are observed. It is a native of some of
the hottest parts of the world, consequently it
must have plenty of warmth while growing, and
even when at rest must not be kept in a colfl
place. The bulbs are offered as imported, but
established ones are possibly jireferaljle, especially
for inexperienced cultivators. They should not
be disturbed unduly when shifting on, as the
roots are easily damaged, being so brittle. Et|ual
parts of good "loam and peat, with a little dried
and [)ounded cow manure and some rough, sharp
sand, will grow it well. Bulbs tliat do not stait
freely may be placed in a brisk bottom-heat, such
as afforded in a stove propagating pit, and kept
there until the shoots are a few inches in length.
They may then lie slightly hardened, but will
grow and flower best in a stove temjjerature.
Direct sunlight is injurious to the foliage, but the
plants, I think, are often kept in too dense a
shade. While there are no flowers open the
syringe may be somewhat freely jilied about the
stems. The roots must be ke^it moist until the
foliage and stems begin to die down, when it
must be discontinued by degrees. During winter
the pots containing the bulbs may be laid on
their side in any dry, warm shed or house, but
they are not safe where the temperature falls
below about 50°. When potting up the bulbs in
spring, offsets may be taken off and set going on
their own account, but if a large specimen is re-
quired, these are better left to increase its bull;.

H.

heat, stopping them fref|uently to produce a
bushy plant. It is not so bushy in habit as a
Gardenia, but will make a nicesha]3ely plant with
care. Large plants may be kept for years in
pots, using a compost of peat, loam, and sand,
with a little manure, but much the best re-
sults are obtained by planting them out in
a bed of good soil. " The growth they make
under these conditions is remarkable, and
they produce an immense quantity of flower.
A suitable place for it, too, is planted in a warm
conservatory, and one of the prettiest things I
have lately seen was a fine specimen loosely
trained over a trellis on a conservatory wall.
Plenty of light and warmth and a moist atmo-
sphere while growing are essential, and I have
known excellent results follow the use of highly
diluted soot-water for syringing the foliage and
damping the house wherein it is grown. During
winter growth is less active of course, and if the
wood has been well ripened by exposure to sun
and air in autumn, a cool, restful temperature
suits it best. A very dry atmosphere is even now
harmful, though naturally less moisture is needed
than in summer. Insects, mealy bug especially,
are fond of the foliage, and it is difficult to
thoroughly clean the plants if ever this pest gets
a firm hold on them. But this they will not do if
the syringe is kept well at work and the plants
are not starved at the root. Old specimens in
pots need a lot of feeding, and there is nothing
more suitable for the purpose than clear soot water
varied occasionally with weak applications of
guano. H. R.

TABERN.^EMONTANA CORONARIA.

White scented flowers are always in demand,
especially when they may be cut with tlieir own
foliage, as in the case of this pretty plant. When
it is healthy the leaves take on a deep shining
green that goes far to counteract their some-
what stift' appearance, while the style anH carriage
of the little panicles of flower are perfect. Few
things look nicer under artificial light, so that it
is useful for table decoration, while the flowers
are produced over a long season. To grow the
plant well it must ha\'e liberal treatment from
the first. The best way to propagate it is by
cuttings of the young wood, these striking very
freely in a warm house, under a bell-glass or in a
propagating frame. As soon as these are well
rooted they may be potted into small pots and
grown on as rapidly as possible in a brisk, moist

FUCHSIAS.

Since the advent of the tuberous Begonias these
have not found so much favour as formerly, yet
even the great strides that have been made in
improving the Begonias cannot ecli])se the older
favourites entirely. We still find some who go on
raising and obtaining improved \'arieties of the
Fuchsia. I lately saw some remarkably distinct
varieties in Mr. W. Bull's nursery, particularlj-
Alfred Raimbaud, with flowei-s of immense size,
crimson tube and seiials, corolla of a rich purple
and very full double. Tribute is a single variety
with crimson tube and sepals and a fine purple
corolla, the jilant being of good liabit. Mine.
Carnot is a striking variety, the large double
white corolla being \eined and suffused with pink.
In Due d'A\imale the tube and sepals are of a
bright red, corolla very full, double, of a clear
white. A great number of other varieties were
flowering in the same house, all of which were
comparatively new, and showed improvement
or some distinct characteristics from older
sorts. Like many other subjects which will grow
and flower freely under almost any kind of treat-
ment. Fuchsias will well repay a little extra care
and attention. The same plants will flower year
after year, but where plants of medium size are
required, young stock is decidedly preferable.
Cuttings put in in the spring will make fine
plants for flowering the same season.

The first tiling is to have clean, healthy cut-
tings, which can only be done by starting the
old plants where they are not likely to get in-
fested with green fly or other insects. The stock
plants can be thoroughly cleansed by fumigating
or dip])ing, either of which can be done more
ett'ectually than after they have started into
gi'owth. There is a great advantage in getting
strong cuttings. They require to be kept close
until rooted, but should be gradually exposed
before they have started into growth and potted off
singly as early as possible. There are some varie-
ties which cannot be grown into shapely plants
without stopping, but some will make sym-
metrical pyramids without any stopping, and I
much prefer plants grown thi^ way ; they must
be grown on without receiving any check from
the time they are started. If a good rich loamy
compost is used for potting, large pots are not
necessary. Some of the examples seen in Covent
Garden Market well illustrate what may be had
in a 5-inch pot, though for keeping up a succes-

sion of bloom in a conservatory it is certaij-
advisable to use larger pots. After the plat
commence flowering, liquid or artificial man
may Ije used regularly, and with fair treatm
there are few plants that will keeii up a brij
display of bloom for a longer period than Fuchsi

H

ZONAL PELARGONIUMS FOR WINTE

FLOWERING.

So much imjirovement has been made both
the colour and habit of this section, that it is r
possible to keep up a display throughout
winter. Varieties are too numerous to enumer;i
I may, however, refer to the improved variet\
F. V. Raspail and the semi-double form of \\
Brighton Gem as two of the most popular aim
those grown for market. One of the best dou
whites is Mme. Rozain. Tliose wlio would ha\
greater variet}' should make their selections
cording to their own individual taste. It is
difficult to judge which will prove good
winter, even if seen in summer. Those of co!
growth, with long joints, should be avoid
Generally those with a short branching habit :
medium-sized trusses pro\'e the best. Of cou
treatment makes a great difference in the h;i
but when a collection is seen, all being under
same conditions, it is easy to select the b
Good summer treatment will go a long way
wards ensuring successful winter flowering,
like to pot the plants early in June, select
short-jointed, sturdy plants either from tl
propagated the previous autumn, or early spri
struck cuttings will answer as well. A eomi
consisting mainly of good fibrous loam, wit
little manure and sand added, may be reci
mended, and I like to pot fairly firm. This
to some extent prevent too vigorous growth bf
made. After potting, the plants may be st
out in the oiien where they are fully exposed
the sun. Care should be taken that no wo
penetrate the pots. It is better to err
the side of keeping them too dry than
over-water, and no manure should be i
until they are in flower. All bloom-buds she
be taken off as soon as the}' appear, and S'
sorts require stopping from time to time, w
others will branch out freely without 1"
stopjied. The time of taking the bloom-buds
will depend upon when the jjlants are require'
be in flower. Those required to be in flower c:
in October should now be gone over for the
time, taking off the forwardest trusses only,
takes about six weeks from the time the tru;
first show until they are well in flower,
plants should be taken under glass early in
autumn, or before we get heavy rains. Wl'
first housed, air. should be left on night and di'
plenty of room should lie given. More bloom '
be got from a dozen plants standing wide a]
than from two dozen crowded together. Li;
and air, with just enough fire-heat to keep
damp, will ensure success early in the season,
later on more heat must be given. For win
work I prefer a house with a southern aspt
though a liglit span house running north ■•
south may answer fairly well ; the direct ray.s
the sun, which are so beneficial, can better
obtained from a southern aspect. Althoi
during the early part of the autumn it is best
keep the plants as cool as possible, later on ni',
warmth may be given. One of the finest batcll
I of zonal Geraniums I ever saw at Christmas-ti j
I was grown in a lean-to house, facing the soul
the plants being arranged on a stage near Ij
I glass, and the temperature was kept far higl|
' than is usually given for such plants.

H

SHORT NOTES.— STOVE ct GEEENHOV^

Variegated Felargcnium Mrs. Parkeri

This is a vigorous. growing, yet conipact-babited vaif

gated z"nal which makes a delightful^ pot [ilant,

I tiower pink in colour. I am not .'*ut-e if it is id cl

' merce, but I saw it recently at Mestrs. W. Balchiu a

ns' nursery at Hassocks, where it seems tobo prown
goly. Whetlier f<ir tbe tlower givnlon or pots it is
most desirable vari-ty. Tlie variegation is white,
; leaves being soniewliat deeply eilgetl, — R. D.

September 11, 1897.]

THE OARDEK

199

Park and Woodland.

(iERMAN FOItKSTKV.

Rki:kni:kati(in am> Kotation.

ANY of the Gcnnan forosts iire produced by
tural regeiu'ration. In hard woods, the Beech,
inctinios mixed with TTonibeaiu and citlier
ecies, alionls the best example nf natural

eneration and illustrates the effects of crowd-
:' well, t>ecause, as is well known, the lieecli
naturally branchy and wide-spreading in the
ten, like others of our British forest trees

ich also conform to plantation culture, de-
lloping trunk instead of lateral branches of
tie or no value. In these German forests of
.-ech what strikes the English forester is the
• nsity of the young trees and the gre.at heiglit
ey are allowed to reach before thinning

attempted. The regeneration ])rocess with
e Beech begins with the first opening of the
erhead canopy, when the light is admitted to
e ground. The crop will then be approaching

0 years of age, and tlie regeneration process
cupies about twenty-tive years, by whicli
lie the new crop has been established from
enatursilly shed seed of the previous crop in its
it stage. At this young stage a Beech forest
iked at casually has tlie appearance of a thin
iglish wood with underwood, and has been
stakeu for such by English foresters. But
ey are not like our woods, for the mass of
idcrwood seen consists not of Yews, Hollies,
der, Hazel, and such things, but exclusively

' young timber trees, the .same as the preceding
op. There is no attempt at thinning till the

!es are nearly forty years of age, in ordinary
: uations. The overhead canopy is carefully

eserved. and the woods are dark and the
;ound almost destitute of undergrowth, but as
:i:in as the light is admitted the young trees
uiie up in millions, looking at a distance like

asses of wild Kasjiberries. At this stage I
I ed to form some itlea, by counting, how thick
le plants were when about 18 inches high, and

1 Iculated that there were from 80 to 100 to the
juare yard in most places. The struggle for
'istence now sets in. and by the time the trees
a above one's head they have decreased in
1 inber to aliout ten or less to the sipiare
; I'd, standing just like seedlings in a hotlied.
'le struggle continues until "height growth"
i attained, and at this ad\anced stage the trees
;; so dense that the sides of the paths are
linmed like hedges to keep the road clear.
'le seems to be walking between two Beech
lilges, only the other side of the hedge is
I -est. By the time the trees have reached the
light of 40 feet, or perhaps more, according to
f 1 and condition, they have thiinied themselves
1 iportionally, but are still rank and the can( ipy
'broken. Many trees in process of being
Kithered — the "dominated trees" — are ready
the removed, and are thinned out for firewood.
1 thinning, the ojjerator looks up at the tops
fl not at the ground, and if the removal of
■'Ytree is going to m.ake a hole in the overhead
<iopy it is left. The conseiiuence of this is
tit the trees, especially in Fir woods, are
It so regularly distriljuted over the gnumd
■■ we try to have them in England. 1
unted, where 1 happened to stand, as many
'four Scots Firs, each .50 feet high or so, in
t; space of one scpiare yard, and close Ijy
ttse three others standing in a line about

L'O inches apart —groups, as it were, here and
there, jierhaps 5 feet or (i feet a|)art, but above
the canojiy was complete. It is at about this
middle .stage that the condition of the hard
woods like the Beech strikes one at Hr.st
unfavourably, wlio has been accu.stomed to
Scotch thinning practices and theory. The
trees u[) to from ;!0 feet to (iO feet in height or
thereabout, though tall and straight, are of all
girths, from rails no thicker tli.-in one's arm up
to good poles of u.seful measureable dimensions.
In this country the smallest trees would be
classed as rails in a fall of timber, and sold for
next to nothing as cordwood or " cratewood,"
and a wood crowded with such exam]iles just
answers to Brown'.s description, in the
"Forester," of a wood ruined from want of
thinning. Such long .slender rails have reached
a stage after which, in Britain, it is thought
impossible they can ever become useful timber
trees. ( )ur idea is to carry trunk bulk on along
with height growth from the beginning, but the
(ierman idea, put into English, is to get height
growth first and girth afterwards. The wand-like
poles look as if they would never do this, but
they do. I walked through these Beech forests from
thefirsttothe last.stage, where the rotation period
wasaliout to end. Here I measured an average
example of Beech which squared by the tape

lives,
for tin

The trees have remarkably small heads
ir length, according to our ideas, but largo
enough to produce good stems. When thick
trunks are wanted, the heads of the dominant
trees are allowed greater develoimient, and the
annual rings become broader, and I'l'te versd^
but timber of the best quality is produced by
those trees in which the annual increase has
been most regular and the rings are of moderate
breadth. The average production to the acre
as regards quantity is not so much ailected,
because the thicker the trunks the fewer the
trees, and so on. The Germans do not go in
for very big timber. Plenty of it of useful .size
is what they want, and a vast proportion never
passes pole size. I saw nothing that we could
not do equally well at home in the same way,
and occasional examples are to be seen here
and there on almost every estate. There can-
not be the least doubt but that the German
.system of forest management could be easily
adojited in this country, and that, too, without
interfering with game preservation in the least.
Good crops of timber and pheasants, l^'c,
could go on perfectly w'ell together by a
right method of procedure. One could see in
these German forests that, if game were
an object, dense coppice shelter could easily
be provided by simply leaving a space here and
there for it to grow, and under such
conditions, what we call underwood
caver would grow better than under
the trees. Without this, however,
the Spruce, Scotch Fir, and hard
wood forests of Germany produce
ideal coverts for pheasants, wild
pigeons, and other game, both fur
and feathers. The Spruce and
Beech form dense covert up to a
late stjige of their existence, and
as by the compartment system a
regular succession of plantations i.s
always coming on of all ages, covert
is abundant. In Scotland no better
covert tree for pheasants and hares
is found than the Spruce, affording
as it does both shelter or shade and
an incomparable roosting tree for
the birds. Moreover, for shelter
in winter these dense German woods
quite beat a thin English wood,
even though the undergrowth may
about 17 inches near the ground, .and l:-! inches \ consist of bare poles only. In winter the
about !M) feet up, with a considerable tuft of ' canopy overhead prevents excessive radiation,

In a German forest. High, forest gloom.

branches above that, but none below, the trunk
being clean and wonderfully round and cylin-
drical up to the abo\-e height. I said to the
oberforster, "Now, has this tree, and all those
like it standing here, grown up to its present
dimensions under the crowded conditions, from
youth to age, that we have seen where we have
coine through to-day ( " and the answ^er was,
"Yes, you have seen it all." I could have
selected bigger trees, elsewhere in the valleys,
where they reached 150 feet, but the above
examples were about 10(.)0 feet above the sea,
or ].ierhaps a little more. The Firs are produced
under exactly the same conditions. One p.asses
through compartment after compartment till
the end of the rotation is reached in the mature
cro|,.
theory

clean, straight trunks, and as the dominant or I and plenty of game also,
tallest trees are left, and keep pace with each
other, they are liound, while their tops keep
alive and in health, t<. deposit a layer of wood
in their trunks annual'y, and, given the re-
quired number of years, the girth desired is
simply a ((ue.stion of time. The increase to the
girtli may be small, where the top of foliage
is restricted, but it is constant while the tree

and the stems of the trees filter the gales, so that
neither severe cold nor keen wmds are felt. I
was in a dense high forest one day when a gale was
blowing outside, and yet so still was the air inside
the forest that the gale would hardly ha\e de-
flected the ilameof a candle. In short, with re-
gard to the production of timber, as Professor
Schlich .states in his third volume, "the prin-
ciples of forest management hohl good all over
the world," and there is not a wood, however
small, in this country that might not have been
made a miniature counterpart of a well-
managed German forest. The allotments in
Holland, planted with a crop of trees instead of
corn, show this conclusively. As to game pre-
servation, gentlemen who are sportsmen should
So much for the results. The German judge for themselves what is most practicable
IS as follows: The crowding produces and best to be done, to have good crops of timber

Receneratiox bv Planting.

The purely natural Pine forests of Germany
are not so common as one might think. Many
of them have disappeared by the axe and are
being replaced by jilanted forests. Some are
raised from .seed sown on the spot, but wliere-
ever I went in the Hartz, and in Thuringia,

!00

THE GArJDEK

[September 11,1897.

planting was the rule. The worst and highe.st
.situations are give up to the Spruce, but Spruce
and Beech do well together. What Dr. Konig
called an ideal compartment consisted of Beech
and Spruce, the latter planted ten years later
than the Beech, but now 20 feet higher. This,
which may be called a handicapping process in
forestry, is practised by German foresters in
mixed woods to prevent strong-growing sjiecies
dominating the weaker ones. In England any
.sort of mixture goes in pell-mell at the same
time, and the smothering process goes on from
the very first, necessitating far more attention
than German plantations receive. The Germans
also pay much attention to the shade-bearing
power of dili'erent sjjecies and plant accordingly.
The S])ruce bears sliade well, and Oak woods
crowded beneath with Spruce are to be seen,
but Beech is the shade-bearer par excellence. In
the photo of a "clear cut" in my fii-st chapter
the spray seen in the gloom of the forest is from
Beech trees 50 feet oi' 60 feet high, growing as
straight as the Spruce between their legs, as it
were. In planting Spruce and Scots Fir the
hack is used instead of the sjjade, and
the plants are about 0 inches high and home
raised. Regeneration begins in the Iioine nur-
sery, a very homely aflair, but well adapted
to the purpose. These nurseries are little
enclosures here and there in the woods,
railed round with small Firs cut near. The
ground is dug and cleaned and the seed so\vn,
and while an English nurseryman would be sow-
ing and transplanting and adding to the price
of his foi'est trees every time tliey were handled,
the German forester has his jilants out and in
the W(.)od at a tithe of the labour. Of course
the work is all planned, and stock does not
accumulate in the nursery from want of time to
get it out, and it is not wasted, as happens in
both public and private nurseries here. In the
German forests tliere is no rank undergrowth
to contend with, and the trees can be planted
put very young and small without fear. In the
Hartz Mountains 4 feet apart appears to be the
usual distance between the plants, but in the
Thuringia Waldt 3 feet is common. This dis-
tance is allowed in the more favourable localities
and soils, but at high elevation "bush" planting
is adopted, three trees being put into each hole
sometimes less than '■'> feet asunder. This is to
ensure an early covering of the ground. In
plantations thirty years old tlie three trees in
each hole are in many cases all still ali\e, but
as a rule one takes the lead and the weaker
ones die ofi'. 1 asked the forest officer how he
reconciled the 4-feet-wide .sy.stem with the
opinions of German authorities, that complete
cover of theground(canopy)should be established
if po.ssible within five years inorderthatthelower
branch growth might be arrested, and his reply
was that thicker planting was desiralile, but
the initial expense was greater. The Spruce
and Scotch Fir forests, I must say, do not look
well inside in the earlier stages, when the
lower branches are all dead, but have not yet
fallen oft'. Later, howevei', when this lias
taken ])lace a long way up the trunks of the
trees, a Pine forest is a beautiful sight, and tlie
long, straight, narrow forest paths, with the tall
clean trunks ranked densely in a straight line on
eacli side, look more like a cathedral aisle than
anything else one can think of. Indeed, when
looking at the tall columns inside of Cologne
Cathedi-al, it occurred to me that 1 could have
easily picked out trees of dift'erent sizes
in the Hartz forests which, when packed
together in proper order, would have made
a jiillar almost exactly the .same as the
massed columns that supported the nave, so
tall and cylindrical are the trees. After plant-

ing, little attention is bestowed on the com-
partment for perhaps as long as twenty-five
years, and in some cases more. Then a thinning
out of the dead and dominated trees takes
place. These are not thicker than one's arm or
thereabout and are long and even. Tlie best
go for deer fencing, bean sticks and firewood.
Towards the end of the rotation period (100
years), at perhajis the age of seventy-five years,
the timber croji begins to be reaped, ending
when the last fall is cleared oft'. British
foresters are loth to believe that such crowded
woods can ever grow into fine massive timber,
but there are the trees in all the stages, miles
upon miles of them. The photo of " A clear
cut " in last chajiter shows a crop of Spruce, in
which every tree is just as perfect a timber tree
as once could imagine.

As regards the weight and value of the timber
crop per acre, fi'om tiOOO cubit feet to 8000
cubic feet in the last fall at about (id. per foot
seems a common thing from what I was told,
and what I saw and calculated myself. That
would pay even in Biitain, and pay well on land,
like the German hills, worth so little agri-
culturally. That is Fir timber, but our Ash,
Sycamore, Larch, Elm, &c., would be worth
much more. The German forests are mostly
" pure," and Scotch Fir, Spruce, Beech and Oak
form the staple crojjs. Ash is beginning to be
appreciated, but, as a rule, the Germans are
behind us in the variety of species cultivated.
They have just taken up their natural woods as
they found them, and the whole art of German
forestry consists in adhering to Nature as closely
as possible. They have studied the principles
on which Nature pi'oceeds in the manufacture
of timber, and they have explained these prin-
ciples and reduced them to practice in a
systematic way. "It is an art, but the art
itself is Nature." Our Bi-itish forestry is an
empirical invention only, having no frmndation
in either Nature or art. It is just the exact
opposite of both Nature and of German practice,
so far as the production of timber is concerned,
and produces the exactly opposite results.

The above quantities to the acre are ordinary.
In experiments conducted in the dukedom of
Saxe-Weiniar they have been much exceeded.
Herr Kallenbach showed me the complete
record (jf results from a crojj of timber grown
on one hectare. The quantity amounted to
1112 cubic metres, which is equivalent to close
upon 20,000 cubic feet per English acre. This
was sold by auction at the rate of £475 per
English acre or thereabouts, 27 per cant, being
sold for firewood. The timber consisted mainly
of Fir ninety years of age.

RoAiis, Tr.\nsi'ort, and Conversion of the
Timber.

Much foretlii:)Ught is exhibited in the laying
imt of the forest roads for the removal of the
timl)er in the mountain regions. They are all
laid out at a certain gentle gradient, winding
through the woods in a continuous ascent to the
highest elevations ; consequently the timber is
all hauled down hill jn-incipally by cattle. I
took the contents of one load of timber — an
average example — and estimated it about 2i
tons, or 100 cubic feet, loaded upon a timber
waggon not nearly so heavy or expensive as the
timber waggons used in England, and drawn by
three horses, the load seldom reaching the above
weight. Our wood roads at home run anyhow,
and the haulage is much more expensive. Six
milch cows hauled two waggons like the above,
and would be milked when they got home.
Everywhere the work is done with marked
economy, and, judging from the rate of wages

and other charges, I should say that Gemu
forestry is conducted at about one half tl
expense incurred here. Another point in favoi
of German management is the speedy conve
sion of the timber on the spot. Factories .i
brought to the forest, and not the timber
the factory, as with us, involving expen
that has to come oft' the price paid f
the timber in the wood. Of course tl
German forests have created permane
industries that employ a large portion of tj
population. In some parts builders are ca
penters more than masons, and many of t
wooden dwellings of the better classes a
models of comfort and seem to endure. T
entire framework of many houses is of Spru
or Scotch Fir beams, many of them apparent
of great age. After the wooden framework
completed the filling in of the walls wi
plaster or brick does not seem to be a diffici
afl'air. Some of the most famous castles
Germany — the Wartburg, for example, a pala
inside, appears outside to be built principal
of timber and red tiles. This is a beautif
place, but without any pretensions to tine law
or gardening — no ornamental trees, no HoUii
Rhododendrons, Yews, Laurels or other shni
worth mentioning, only good approaches, rou
I)ark and dense forest up to the very windows
the mansion, but no remarkable trees,
far as I had time to look, my travels bei
almost confined to the forests, I thought Germ
flower gardening poor, neither bedding-out r
hardy ])lants being remarkable. The woo
are the gardens of Germany. For perfect on
and gootl management they look more like ■
namental woods than timber forests, and
there are few or no fences, and the roads tlirou
the forests are also the highways, the pul
have full access to them and enjoy them great
Everybody, even the humblest, seems to unci
stand the importance of maintaining the fore
at a high standard and of undiminished extei
Forestry is quite a recognised institution of I
first importance, and more than once apjirehi
sions as to the state of the ft>rests have nea
caused a panic amongst the public in the gn
wooded regions of Germany. J. SiMrsc

Tlie Gai dens, Worthy Hall.

Fruit and Vegetable Crop

KASTERN.

Oopped Hall, Epping.— The fruit crop
the whole in this neighbourhood is very pi'
Strawljerries being an exception, also Peaches a
Nectarines in this garden, but it is somewhat
markable, with regard to them, that on an ini
south wall all the trees are bearing very gc
crops, while on the outer (south) wall there ;
several trees with no fruit at all on them, u
many of the sorts are the same on both walls ; \
instance, Noblesse Peach, outside wall no fru|
inside wall a good crop : Elruge Nectarine, oij
side no fruit, inside a good crop. All the tr(|
were covered up the same in the spring. Apricil
are hardly half a crop, the best being Larl
Early and Moorpark. llorello Cherries are afi
ci'op, but of other sorts the trees are too yoai
to bear, and I have no other standard trees |
Cherries here. I attribute the failure with Kl
Currants to the fearful ravages of the sparro'j
amongst the buds. Of Black Currants I h
but half a crop. I have gathered a nice lot
Figs from outside trees, and still have a gO'
show, the Brown Turkey being a little lat(
Plums are quite a failure on standard, bush
wall trees, with one exception, and that is a smi
trained tree of Pershore Yellow ]ilanted last ye
against a north wall, the only tree here, hat

Sbptemoeu 11, 1897.]

THE GAKDEN

201

lU pliiiit nioic, for it i^^ a good cooking I'liiin.

iiive ni'vur known it to fail cithi-i- as a standanl

traiiu'd tioe since lirst it canio unilor my notice

no twelve years ago. 1 lia\e seen some good

1 1] IS of Pear's about here on starulavd, pyramid

1 wall trees, but mine arc very poor, taking

>m as a whole. Raspberries show'ed well, but

I'ored from the want of rain. < niosebcrrics were

air erop. and would have been a heavy one if

; for the bidltinches taking the buds. 1 was

•y much troubled with mice eating the Straw-

1 ries this season, spoiling what would have

l;n a very licavy croj), the late frosts doing

•y little harm. I think Apples must be

Iked u|>on as a failure idio\it this part, for I

Ire scarcely any, and othei' people are the same.

ere is now ami then a ti'cc with some on, but

■ fruit is very jmor. Medlars, Mulberries and

inces are not very good this season. — .James

r-Kjiiiioru.

Joldham Hall, Bury St. Edmunds.— The
f it crops in this neighbourhood cannot lie dc-
pibed as good, Apples and Plums especially
I iig very much below the average. Here eook-
i : Apples are fairly gooti, but the choice dessert
1 ids are almost a total failure; the old Keswick
tftlin and Dr. Harvey alone are bearing full
tjps. Plums on young standard trees arc oidy
tjut half a crop; on the walls none. Orleans
el The Czar are the best. Strawberries ha\'e
\m good, the season longer than last year : but
Ispberries, on the other hand, were quickly
cr. (iooseberries have been abundant and
f )d, but the late varieties are rijie before the
tuil time. Young trees on espaliers have borne
c)d crops and are making capital progi-ess.
H Currants very short. Black a full crop of
f? fruit, and White about an average. We
1 .'e very few Pears on espalier or standard trees,
J -gonelle and other early varieties being quite
le. In the earlier stages Peach and Nectarine
tea outside were in a bad plight from blister,
I; they have outgrown it now and are carrying
a average crop. Inside the trees have done
niarkably well, the fruit tine and of good
(|dity, the appearance of the trees being all that
cild be desired. \\"aliuits are very une\"en,
8 \e trees being very hea\ily laden, while the
c p on others is verj- thin. Cob Nuts and Fil-
t ts are carrying good crops.

e^etables of all kinds have been, and are,
a maant and good, but each season shows more
al more plainly that .stocks of seeds of all kinds
a getting mixed and not saved with pro)5er
c e. Onions raised under glass and planted out
a very good indeed. Early Peas were good,
B Iseason fair, and since the welcome rains
In rows are looking well. Again Autocrat is
e eptionally good and Chelsea Gem is very use-
f' sown late in May. Lettuces have been a
t iible through the summer, one of the verj' best
tt stand drought being Sutton's Favourite.
1 "nips and root crops generally wei'e very good
e|ly in the season, but felt the drought severely.
luatoe.s came in later than usual, but have lieen
a apital crop in every case so far. The later
i\ irter will need lifting to prevent second growth,
b the rain came just in time for the latest field
c ps. Broccoli and other winter crops were
siering badly in .Julv, but are now growing
fi!ly.-H. R. Richards.

'he Abbey Gardens, Kamsey, Hunting-
L— Here in Xortli Hunts tlie fruit crops are far
Jw average. Plums w ith a few exceptions are
lilure : Apples half a crop ; Pears the same,
iwberries are a heavy crop of good fruit,
ih fruits, such as Currants, Gooseberries, &c.,
" only half a crop. Walnuts are a failure.

egetables have done extremely well with few
e eptions, the following varieties of Peas being
niarkable for their productiveness and high
(ihties: Veitch's Earliest Marrow, Prodigy,
fcbmger, Gradus, Autocrat and Masterpiece.
r atoes are below average owing to late frosts.—
' W . Se.\br(>ok.

onnington Castle, Peterborough.— The
rt crops HI this neighbourhood are far below

the average. We had an excellent show of bloom
licre. and in some eases a gootl set of fruit, but
the continual cold winds in spring, with an
oecasioiuil frost, pro\ed too much for it. The
oidy Apples that are carrying a fair crop ari!
Kentish Fillbasket, Lord Sullield, and Alfriston,
"bile among the Pears (ilou Morccau and Louise
Bonne of .lersc^y are cro|iping fairly. Plums are
<luiteout of the (piestion, hardly any of the trees
carrying a dozen fruits, excepting the Orleans.
One tree of Morello I'herry on an cast wall bore
an excellent cropof fruit, while those on the north
and west as|)ects are barren. Raspberries also
have been almost a failure, while Strawberries
have been above the average.

X'egetable crops generally are good. Early
Peas did remarkably well, particularly a new one
sent out by Dicksons, of Chester, called Dicksons'
Harbinger. — Ahthir 0. Gatland.

MIDLAND.

Gopsall, Warwick. — The outlook during the
spring had every ai>])earance of a fine crop of
fruit, the blooms on everything being most jiro-
lific, especially Apples and Pears, but owing to
the I'old, cutting winds and severe frosts during
.\pril and May many kinds suffered badly. This
is especially noticeable here with Apples, for,
with the e-xception of the Codlin trilie, they are
very thin, although in some of the neighliouring
gardens and orchards I notice a full crop of most
of the popular varieties, whereas in others almost
adjoining there are but few. In our own ease the
orchard, which is situated a short distance from
the fruit garden, is this year quite barren of fruit.
Pears in the walled-in garden are plentiful with
such varieties as Marie Louise, Louise Bomie of
Jersey, Trout Pear, Easter Beurre, tJlou Morceau,
and Beurr^ Bosc. Plums are a very thin crop, as
are also Cherries and Apricots. Peaches and
Nectarines are a fair croii, but much subject to
parasites, and have taken a deal of labour to keep
going. Of small fruits Black Currants are a
light crop, also Raspberries. Gooseberries and
Red Currants are axerage crops.

Vegetables, although very backward and slow
in making a good start in the spring, have done
w-ell, the early crops being good, especially
Dicksons' Harbinger Pea and Sutton's Excelsior
Potatoes, small, but of good quality. The later
kind of vegetables are showing the want of rain,
such as Peas, Cauliflower, and Lettuce, ripening
up and running to seed yery quickly, and they
can only be kept going by mulching and watering
copiously. — J. Lee.

Broomfleld Hall Gardens, Derby. — Some
of the Apples are gootl this year ; in fact, far
better than last year. I have a crop of Mr.
(Jladstone, a good bearer with me on pyramid
trees. Worcester Pearmain comes next, bearing
good crops (does well here), and the follow-
ing sorts are all bearing good crops : Pike's
Pearmain, Domino, a good old sort for cooking,
and in my own opinion hardier in bloom than any
other sort ; Russian, Lord Sutheld, Potts' Seed-
ling, Warner's King, New Northern Greening,
nearly perfection in growth, bearing and quality ;
New Caudwell, good bearer, tree a large grower,
but 1 would like the fruit a little larger, and Blen-
heim Orange. 1 still like the old Eve Apple,
which is a good bearer and full this year. New
Bess Pool is a grand Apple, but rather poor bearer,
the bloom easily killed by frost. Many of the
Pears this year are fruitless. Doyennfe d'Etfi on
pyramids is good, but the standards are a failure.
The following sorts are good this year on the
jiyramid : Louise Bonne of .Jersey, Marie I.,ouise
d'Uccle (it is twenty-four years since I jflanted
this sort and 1 have never known it to fail after
it got established), Beurr(5 d'Amanlis, Beurn?
d'Aremberg. Plums on standards are a failure, also
on w'alls e.xcept Victoria, (iooselierries only
moderate crop. Raspberries a failure. Black
Currants none. Apricots .a few. Red and White
Currants good.

S[>ring I'eas, that we have some years gathered
at the end of .May, this year were gathered in the
second week in .lune, but on the whole they have
cro]>ped well. Early Potatoes were caught with
frost and have turned out under average. Late
I'otatoes are suH'ering from the long dry weather
and crops will be light. Onions good crops.
Lettuce failed to heart from want of rain. Early
Cauliflowers are moderate, latct'aulittowers looking
well. Dwarf French Beans here are only mode-
rate. Scarlc-t Runners are now doing lietter and
will be good crops. Other vegetables looking well.
— F. Oldham.

Burghley Gardens, Stamford. — In the
earlj' part of the season there was every sign of
an average fruit crop, but owing to the easterly
winds and late frosts it seems to have sull'cred
more or less. Out of a great nundicr of .\pple
trees here, Keswick Codlin, Lord Sulhcld, tirena-
dier. Schoolmaster, (Jolden Noble, Warner's
King, Barnack Beauty, and several Pippins
are carrying very good crops : whereas other kinds
are totally b.are. Pears on walls are fairly good,
of which late kinds pi edominate. The most pro-
lilic are Beurre de .Jonghe, Bergamoted'Esperen,
Van Mons Leon Leclerc, \Mnter Nelis, Easter
Beurre, Uvedalc's St. (iermain, and Catillac.
Jlorello Cherries are an average crop, very fine,
and free from insect pests. Red Currants good
both on walls and Imshes. Black Currants
scarcely any, and (iooseberries none at all. Out-
door Peach trees, although every ettort was mjide
to protect them, were blistered very much by the
cold east winds so prevalent in May and .June,
which not only caused the blossom and the set
fruits to fall off, but have very badly crippled the
fruiting wood of the coming season ; yet I may
say that only a few varieties nave suffered in this
manner, the woi'St being Barrington, Late Admir-
able, Crimson Galande, and Princess of Wales ;
whereas there are several varieties in the same
asjiect which have entirely escaped being blis-
tered : still these have lost the majority of their
fruit. — A. jMetoalfe.

Enville Gardens, Stourbridge. — This is
tlie worst year we have had here for about six
years. Peaches outside fairly good. Nectarines
fair. Apricots bad. Plums poor ; some varieties
are bearing nice crops. Rivers' Early .average
crop. Victoria very good, scarcely ever fails.
Orleans very good. Kirke's very good. .leffer-
son's very good. Denniston's Superb good.
Angelina Burdett good. Coe's Golden Drop
under average. Apples are a bad lot generally,
the following doing best : Lord Grosvenor, Golden
Noble, Lord Suflield, King of the Pippins, Stirling
Castle, Warner's King, Cellini, Ribston Pippin,
M6re de Menage. None of these are bearing
an average crop, however. Pears are the best
fruit crop here, the following being best :
Williams' Bon Chretien, Gratioli, Doyenne Grey,
Louise Bonne of .lersey, Ne Plus Ultra, (ilou Mor-
ceau, Marie Louise, Hessle, Doyenne d'Ete.
Gooseberries very good. Currants (Red and
Black) good. Raspberries good. Nuts (Cob and
Filbert) heavy crops. No Walnuts grown.
Hazel Nuts in woods and hedgerows immense
crop.

All kinds of vegetables have done well here.
Cauliflowers especially, but Peas have sufTered a
Httle from drought and mildew. Potatoes (early
kinds) fairly good crop and of very good quality,
especially Puritan, which has been best of the
early kinds. Second earliesare looking very well,
but none lifted. All kinds of late ones are look-
ing well, and promise a good yield. — (i. H. (!reex.

Eastwood Grange, Ashover, Chesterfield.
— In this district Ajiplcs and Pears are much
below the average, and in many ])laces a complete
failure. Plums and Cherries are also very poor.
There was an excellent show of bloom in the
spring, but the late frosts and hea\'y wind proved
very destructive. Gooseberries in the.se gardens
are an enormous crop and of good <|uality. Cur-
rants a good cro|). but small. Raspberries are a
good crop, but deficient in flavour.

Vegetable crops of all kinds are good. Peas up
to date have been exceptionally good and the^^late

102

THE GARDEN.

[.September 11, 1897.

viuieties promise well. I find Criterion for the
main crop one of the very best, both for quality
and quantity combined, and it seems to withstand
the hot weather better than many of the main-
crop varieties. Cauliflowers have been good and
promise well, the variety Veitch's Extra Earl}-
Forcing lieing particularly good from plants sown
in February. I cut Cauliflowers of medium size
the first week in June. Winter Brassicas pro-
miss well. Potatoes are a good crop, but small.
— F. Hakhk<jw.

Barkby Hall, Leicester.— Apples are vari-
able, being good crops in places, but not
(juite an average crop on the whole. Pears
the same. Plums are scarce in the open and
on the wall trees, Victoria bearing the best.
Peaches and Nectarines are not quite an average
crop. Apricots good average crop. Cherries de-
cidedly under the average. Gooseberries good
full crop. Currants, Black, very scarce ; Red,
good crops. Strawberries good heavy crops. Nuts
good full crops. Walnuts average. Raspberries
fair average crop, but scarce in places.

Peas liave been good, considering the dry
weather, especially in trenched ground, also on
heavv land. Dwarf Beans have been fair, Ijut
runners have dropped their blooms. Cauliflowers
fairly good. Spring Cabbages were very late ; I
had some sown in May, 1896, that gave the best
heads as spring Cabbage. Celery has run to seed
far more than usual this year. Onions not quite
a good average crop in this neiglibourhood, rather
small. Early Potatoes good crops, but rather
under size; no disease at present. — J. Lansdell.

Castle Gardens, "Warwick.— Fruit on the

whole is decidedly under average : the only varieties
of Apj)les gi\'ing full crops with me are Ecklinville,
Warner's King, and Stirling Castle. Cox's
Pomona, which rarely fails in this district, was a
very scanty crop. Speaking generally. Pears may
be termed a failure ; the exceptions are Beurre
d'Amanlis (heavy crop), Glou Morceau (average),
and Jargonelle (light, but clean and good).
Plums very thin. Royal Hative, Pond's Seedling,
and Goliath are the only varieties 1 have met
with carrying full crops. Peaches, Nectarines,
and Apricots much below average. Figs on
walls good crops, ripening well. Morello Cherries
average, good. Raspberries and Black Currants
average, good. Red Currants and ( Jooseberries
under. The latter, where grown as single cor-
dons, are in many instances a heavy crop. This
is a fact which cultivators should note and act
upon. Strawberries a heavy crop of good quality.
The season was, however, a short one, owing
to the absence of rain. Filberts are a wonder-
fully heavy crop.

A'egetable crops ai'e generallj- good where high
culture is given, but in poor soil, where deep dig-
ging and liberal manuringare not practised the pro-
duce is, as a matter of course, inferior in quality
and small in bulk. With me Carrots, Parsnips,
and Beet never looked better. Onions are not
quite so large as usual, but still a fine and even
crop. Early Peas turned out well. Mid-season
varieties were not so good, owing to the jiresenca
of drought just at the critical time. A contin-
uous supjily of Lettuce has been difiicult to
maintain. The copious rains received during the
last few days came just in the nick of time
to save large breadths of the Brassiea family, and
the prospect of a good supjily during the coming
winter is good. Potatoes are a good average
crop, ,Tnd but for the fact that the tubers are
.somewhat smaller than usual, the crop would have
been a heavy one. A few days ago I noticed some
diseased tubers among a crop of Early Puritan
which was being lifted. — H. DrNKiN.

Hopton Hall, 'Wirksworth, Derbyshire.—

Apples, the jjrinciijal fruit grown, are good crops,
with fine fruit. Nonsuch, Irish Peach, Keswick,
Lord Surtield, and Old Northern Greening
are heavy crops, as are also Bramley's Seed-
ling, Stirling Castle, Newton Wonder, \\'ar-
ner's King, Ecklinville, Cellini, Fearn's Pippin,
(lascoigne's Scarlet Seedling, New Hawthornden,
King of Pippins, Lord Grosvenor, Margil, New

Northern Greening, Potts' Seedling, and Worcester
Pearmain ; other varieties moderate crops. Plums
very few ; Victoria and Rivers' Early poor crop.
Damsons are a faihire in this district ; one large tree
in my gaiden at home on the west side has looked
like a tree scorchedallthesummer — from the eftects
of frost. Cherries, May Duke good crop ; Morellos
half crop of last year, fiooseberries fine crops
(though 1 hear of many failures higher up the Peak
of Derbyshire) : these are mostly on standani
trees. Black Currants a failure ; Red good ;
White excellent, still hanging. Raspberries very
good, still gathering (August 17).

Vegetables are excellent this year. Potatoes are
clear and good eating ; not over large, but full
crops. French and Scarlet Runner Beans are
early and good. Peas excellent, just in full bear-
ing now (August 17). — Geo. Bolas.

Enderby Hall, Leicester. — Apples under
average with tlie exception of Keswick Codlin, of
which variety there is a good crop. Pears fair
crop Ijoth of early and late kinds. Plums very
bad. Apricots under the average. Gooseberries
good. Red and Black Currants good. Rasp-
berries fair crop. Strawberries very good. Wal
nuts and Filberts fair crops. The fruit crops
suffered from the sexere frost during April and
May.— J. W. SiGEE.

Henbury Park, Macclesfield. — The Apple
crop.s here and in this district are very thin ; the
only kinds carrying good crops are Mere de
Menage and Lord Grosvenor. Pears are a very
light crop. Plums much under average. Dam-
sons none: Cherries average crop and very fine
fruit. Strawberries very good. Raspberries,
Gooseberries, and Red Currants a\erage crop.
Black Currants none.

Vegetables are very good all round. I never saw
them look better. — Wm. CnEESBRori;H.

WESTERN.

Batsford Park, Moreton-in-Marsh. — Fruit
in this garden and neiglibourhood, with very few
exceptions, has not been so scarce for the past ten
years, and in manj' instances the crop is a total
failure. This may be the result of a combination
of causes. Last autumn was very wet and sunless,
after a hot, dry summer, and the wood had
scarcely a chance of ripening properly ; there was a
prevalence of cold north-easterlj' winds in the
spring, and several frosts occui-red about the
middle of May. Apples had a scarcity of blossoms,
especially on orchard standards, and the crop is
far below average, many lai-ge trees being with-
out a fruit, including Blenheim Orange, which is
extensively cultivated and does well when estab-
lished. A few cooking varieties are better, in-
cluding Keswick Codlin, Stirling Castle, Tower
of Glamis, Warner's King and Cockpit, the first-
named as a standard and the others garden
pyramids. The best dessert Apples are very
scarce, ^'ery few Pears on trees in the open ; on
a south-west wall, Marie Louise, .Josephine de
Malines and Doyenn^ du Comice are bearing
better. Peaches and Nectarines were badly
blistered and the crop is verj' light, the best of the
first-named being Dymond and Royal George, and
of Nectarines, Elruge and Hardwicke Seedling.
Nearl}' all of the trees lost their foliage, at least
it had to be picked off, and some have not
reco\'ered sufficiently to be worth keeping.
Apricots were under average for this garden, as
they succeed well as a rule ; but the quality was
pronounced excellent, and the trees ha\'e made
fine growth. Dessert Cherries were very good,
and tlie trees ke):it fairly clean, while Jlorellos
flowered splendidly, but nearly all the fruit
dropped. We attributed it to frost wdien in
flower, as these trees are generally to be relied
upon for a good crop. All the best Plums, Gages
of all sorts, i&c. , are verj' scarce': Victoria and
Pond's Seedling are bearing much better and are
most valuable this season. Strawberries were a
hea\j- crop, though the qualitj' on the whole
was not considered so good as last year, and

the fruits were not so bright in colour
usual. They sufTered a little from droug
towards the end of the season, which was near
the middle of July. Raspberries were plentifi
though rather small, the weather being very li
and dry at the time of ripening. Goosebeni
and Currants were much injured by birds takii
the buds (even Black Currants do not escapi
and there seems notliing to sa\'e them except )
netting all winter and spiing, and this is ii
always a certainty. Dusting with lime and so
is a preventive to a certain extent, but wi
heavy rains it soon washes off. In the cotta
gardens bush fruits have been plentiful. T
destruction of buds is not so serious here as
larger gardens, where there is comparatix'ely It
disturbance. Nuts of all kinds are plentiful.

Vegetables taken altogether have done we
man}- things better than usual. Spring Cabha
w-as rather late, as the plants did not get aw
well in the autumn, although started at tin
usual time. Broccoli was plentiful and goi
Early and successional sowings of Peas hi
licavy crops, which matured rather too quick
for all to be used, and the later ones have coi
on earlier than was intended. Asparagus ii
plentiful, but not so fine as in some years. Eai
Potatoes gave an excellent yield, and very go
in quality ; some planted for succession of t
same varieties are partly diseased. Late or
have been looking very promising, but at the tii
of writing it is too early to judge of the en
Magnum Bonum is still one of the most relial
for this locality. Beans ha\ e been doing we
Cauliflowers also, considering the hot season. .
roots are much better than at this time last ye.
and green winter vegetables have grown apai
perhaps more than is desirable, especially Bn
coli, which rarely stands the winter so well wli
too sappy. Seakale growing on a slope in a tic
with late Potatoes for forcing seems to have be
suited with hot sunshine, as it has rarely look
so strong. Lettuces have been good, and
means of sowings made during the hot weatl
on a north border an unbroken supply has be
maintained. — John Garrett.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1135.

OXALIS ENNEAPHYLLA.

(with a coloured plate.*)

This is one of the most distinct and attracti
of the many species of Oxalis know-n, but it li
never attainecl to the position of a garden pla
because until lately it has been practically 1
ycjnd reach. It is a native of Fuegia and t
Falkland Islands, being abundant in the latte
where, according to Sir Joseph Hooker,
grows on banks overhanging the sea, coverii
them witli a snow-like mantle of white flowt
in the spring. It was introduced to Kew alui
with otlier plants brought in a Wardian ca
from the Falkland Islands in 1870 by H.M.
Challenger, but, although kept alive ever sine
it has remained a rara avis until recently, as
failed to ripen seeds or tv afford any otli
means of multiplication. In 1895, howeve
Kew supjilied a gardener, Mr. A. Linney, i\
Government House at the Falkland Island,
and he has since sent to Kew quantities of tli
and other jjlants of interest peculiar to thj
region, among the latter being the remarkalv
Senecio Sniithi, a peculiar form of Loniar
alpina, Sisyrinchium filifoliura, and otliers. JH
( )xalis has done well in the rock garden at Ke\
being planted in a .somewhat shaded and mm
position against a stone ; here it flowered free

* Drawn for The Garden in the Koyal Gardei
Kew, bv H. G. Moon. Lithographed and printed I
J. L. tioffart.

^^J.

OXALIS ENNE/

!'

Sbptembkr 11, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

20.3

June. Smne i)-inoIi pans wore also tilled
ith it. anil these were kept in a cool frame tn
! brouylit into the alpine house in spring ;
ese were at their best in May.
The root-.stock is ovate, tnljereletl, bulb-like,
0 largest 2 inches long ; tlu' leaves have short
(Ulish petioles and :i wheel like whorl of from
ne to twenty leatlets, which are glaucous and
ther tk'shy ; tlie Howers are borne singly on
ort stalks and are about 1 h inches in diametei',
c sepals ciliate, the petals overlapping, jiure
liite or tinged with lilac along the veins. The
ives all wither in tlie autunni .and the i)lant
les to rest for the winter. If grown out of
lors it would be advisable to cover it with a
indliglit or pane of glass to w.-ird ofi' excessive
oisture and severe frost during the winter.
aiiie notes on the best species of Oxalis for the
jrden will be found in The G.\ri>kn for May,
SIK), plate 755, along with a picture of ().
owieana. \\ . \\ .

The Week's Work.

KITCHEN GARDEN.
flSTER ToM.\ToKS. — The plants should be w-ell
tablished in their fruiting pots by now, but re-
pve them to a light, airy bouse directlj' wet,
iilly weather sets in. To leave them in the
|en after this there is a danger of the roots re-
Jiving too much water, growth being long-jointed
. d sappy, and what flowers do form will fail to
t properly. A more sturdy growth «ill lie
sured if the ]ilants can be iilaced where they re-
ive plenty of light and air during the day with
little artilicial heat at night. Keep them to a
igle stem if jjossible, as there is a better chance
the fruit setting, and more plants can be ar-
iiged in a small hovise. Young, vigorous plants
liich are in full bearing should have all fruit
iit is larger tlian a marble removed if they are
Jpected to keep bearing through the winter,
"lis will relieve them for a time and cause fresh
:|wer-trusses to form. Give a surface dressing of
ch loam and bone-meal if the plants require
wistance and thin out old leaves. As most of
<e winter fruiters will be destroj'ed in the spring,
:L>atch of young plants should be in readiness to
ipceed them. These are olitained by sowing
«d at the ijresent time. It being desirable to
)ep such plants as sturdy as possible, sow the
fa very thinly in pans filled with rather stiff
hm, and onlj- subject them to gentle warmth.
hen sown thieklj' in rich, loose soil and forced
( quickl}-, they seldom prove serviceable. Thej'
;f)uld be potted up when large enough and kept
tar the glass.

iTrRxiPs. — Winter crops should be thinned
<rly, or there is a danger, when they are left in
JTOwded state, of the roots bulbing on the sur-
Ibe of the ground instead of being well covered
■'th soil, which forms a great protection during
13 winter. Free thinning and freiiuent hoeing
•jile the ground is in a dry state will help this
op very much. Hoeing should follow directly
I; crop has been thinned, as this fills up the
(I'ities in the soil and keeps the permanent roots
Im.

kVlNTER Si'iNAfir.— This crop .should be treated
ia similar way to allow each plant to stand just

< ar of its neighbour, so that the leaves may be-
<ne strong and of good colour. When the jjlants
main in a crowded state the lower leaves turn
J low and they soon decay, especially after a fall

< snow. It is not uncommon for this crop to
<ne patchy, but the gaps may be filled up by
t iisplanting, so long as the plants are lifted
c efully while young and i nice portion of soil
i-etained round the roots. A dull, showery day
i^)uld be selected for doing the work, as the
I nts not only lift better, but there is less danger
t them flagging. Young plantations should have
Ci or two dressings of lime, soot, or fine ashes
t|\vard off the attacks of slugs, which are very
fi'tial to the young foliage.

CwLiFLowKHS. — With tho new eaily varieties
which are now raised in heat in February autumn-
raised [ilants are in many gardens dispensed with,
but they still ])rovc very accc[)lalilc as foi'ining a
succession. \Valchcien is still aliout the best,
and a sowing made now should furnish a nice
batch of plants, which shouhl be wintered under
handlights or in cold frames. In cold, w'et dis-
tricts sow tlie seed in boxes, or it may fail to ger-
minate and much time would be lost. Seed that
is sown in the open sliould be coated with red
lead, as it preserves it in wet soil, and also pro-
tects it from birds and slugs. Mould up late
batches of Savoys, Broccoli, &c. , as this is a pro-
tection against wind and frost. In \'er}' exposed
])ositions it is a good plan to heel the plants over,
covering most of the stem with soil, and by doing
the work at once they become established again
liefore hard weather sets it.

C-'.\bh.\<:k. — The planting of the.se will now be
general, and the desired number should be got in
witli all speed. I ha\'e recently seen large
breadths in a cold northern district, and I noticed
sueli kinds as Ellam's Early were planted 1 foot
apai't each way. Tlie planter' found that by
putting them close together they suffered less
from the searching winds experienced in that dis-
trict, and it is also a great saving of space.

Radishes. — Make a sowing of these in shallow
frames, as sowings made outside seldom pro\e
successful after this unless it be in verj' favoured
and warm gardens. Remove the lights on all
favourable occasions, but replace them at night
when heavy rains are expected. A sowing
should also be made in a frame of Early Nantes or
French Short Horn Carrots, the small tender roots
being preferred to the longer ones for many pur-
poses. Keep the seed bed well up to the glass
and use rich sandy soil. Thin the seedlings out
early, affording a good watering afterwards with
tepid water. Richard Parker.

FRUIT HOUSES.

Melons. — Plants set out during the past few
weeks have had bad weather to contend with,
but they have made good progress and will soon
be ready for stopping. The plants I leing robust,
will then produce plenty of fruit-bearing laterals,
but as no one thinks ot waiting to secure a heavy-
crop of fruit at this late season, it is always ad-
visable to set the first pair of female blossoms
which open together and swell them off quickly.
As soon as this is discernilile, rub out all the other
shows and reduce lateral growth to safe limits,
so that the whole energies of the |ilants will be
confined to maintaining a fair amount of foliage
in good health, and in the production of two fruits
only. The plants should be urged forward by
tlie application of a continuous and steady bottom
heat of 80°, and fire-heat must also be requisitioned
during the dav, also when the weather is dull and
cool ; in fact, after this time of the year it can but
seldom be dispensed with. Give every attention
to watering, and although water in a cold state
should never be applied to the roots of Melons, the
fact that it should alwaj'S be of tlie same tempera-
ture as that of the house cannot be too strongly
emphasised now. Be careful not to wet the stems
and the soil just immediately surrounding them,
and syringe but once a day, and that only when
bright and directly after closing for the da\-.
Keep the roots active by giving them a little
fresh compost to root into once a week, and warm
it before laying it over the roots. As the autumn
advances and nights get colder, it is a good plan
to cover the roofs if there is any ditHculty
in maintaining a proper degree of heat, and this
may be done at dusk. Plants on which the crops
of fruit are in a more forward condition will need
every attention if they have to be lead}' for cutting
early in October. The utmost use should be made
of sun-heat to advance the temperature during
the forenoon, and early closing should lie prac-
tised, varying the time according to locality.
This, with the aid of fire-heat during the afternoon
and night, will induce the fruits to swell rapidly,
piovided judicious applications of water and

mihl stimulants are given whenever the condition
of the .soil about the roots demands it. Water, it
need hardly be mentioned, is not required so
often oi- in such huge qiiaiilities as during the
summer moiitlis, when moisture is evaporated so
much more rapiilly, and it is better to err in the
direction of giving too little than too much when
autumn sets in. Keeping the soil in a condition
approaching saturation at this time of year is a
fruitful source' of canker, while it also causes full-
grown fruits to s|ilit. The same care should be
exerctised with regard to syringing as mentioned
above, and as the fruits ajiproaijh maturity, dis-
pense wnth it altogether. Should eanki-r show
itself either on the stems or any other part of the
plants, immediately apply quicklime or powdered
charcoal, and follow u]> these remedies until the
moisture exuding from the diseased parts is dried
u]i. Hou.ses in which fruits are now ripening or
are about to do so must have a free circulation of
warm, dry air to ensure gootl finish and high
flavour. Therefore as soon as colouring com-
mences cease damping and syringing, and giadu-
ally withhold water at the roots, ^iaintain a dry
atmosphere \\ith the aid of tire-heat, kee[) up the
bottom-heat until the last fruit is cut, while a
little air at the top will materially assist in im-
proving the flavour, and this may be kept on both
day and night.

Frame Mei.on.s. — With a few exceptions these
will be over for this season, and in those few in-
stances the greatest care will be necessary to
ripen up the fruits where linings alone are de-
pended on for supplying warmth. No more water
should be given at the roots than is absolutely
necessary to keep the plants growing and the
fruits swelling, and entirely dispense with syring-
ing and damping. Little or no ventilation will
be required except to change and sweeten the in-
ternal atmosphere until tlie fruits change colour,
when a little will be needed during the day. If
the temperature falls to a low jioint, mat the
frames over nightly.

CrcrMBEKs. — The young plants for winter work
should at once be planteil, if not already done, so
that they may become established before autumn
gets too far advanced. Like Melons, these will
reijuire plenty of heat to keep them in acti\e
growth, and damping and syringing must be made
use of in a judicious manner. As canker is not to
be feared, and no modification of treatment is
necessary as regards the fruit when ready for use,
a moister atmosphere may be maintained, but it
should be varied according to climatic conditions.
For instance, on dull days a damping of the floors
and perhaps the surface of the beds will be ample,
Avhile on bright mornings damping may be freely
done, and at closing time the foliage and beds may
be thoroughly syringed with tepid water. The
vapour troughs should be kept constantly filled
and a steady bottom-heat maintained. Attend to
stopping and training and get the trellis well
covered with growth before allowing the plants to
liear. Give the roots a little fresh compost every
week, which will keep them in an active condi-
tion, ami lead to young growths l.ieing freely pro-
duced. This compost should consist of tilirous
loam torn into pieces about 2 inches square, a
little charcoal broken up to the size of Walnuts,
and a little bone-meal. Always apply it in a
warm state. When stimulants are recjuired
nothing can equal real Peruvian guano for
the winter - time, and enough may he used
when necessary to just colour the water. Sum-
mei' fruiting plants showing signs of exhaus-
tion may I le brought back into healtli again if a part
of them is entirely relieved of fruits and rested
for a few weeks, or if there are two houses of such
plants, the one may be rested for a time, while the
other is made to do extra dutv by keeping up the
supjily, and rested in turn afterwards. In addi-
tion to cutting off the fruits, remove all the oldest
leaves and thin nut the most exhausted portions
of the bine. Keep the house and the roots
moderately dry for a few days, and where the
plants show signs of breaking afresh, syringe
them and water the roots with tepid water. Then
remove any loose soil there maj* be over the roots.

204

THE GARDEN

[September 11, 1897.

and give a top-dressing of the above-mentioned
compost with a little soot added. If the roots are
healthy this will speedily have the effect of
inducing the plants to make an abundance of new
growths, with which the trellis should be covered
before being allowed to bear again, and it will set
them up for the winter. If these plants have been
badly infested with red spider or tlirips, syringe
them once or twice with an insecticide after trim-
ming them up. Autumn fruiting plants must
have attention in the way of training in the young
growths and stopping the same at two leaves
beyond the fruits, but avoid both overcrowding
and overcropping.

Fe.\me CucrMHEES will soon be drawing to a
close in the case of unheated frames and pits, and
even where heated they are a source of trouble
during such weather as that lately experienced, as
they cannot be properly attended to. However,
where it is necessary to keep them going as long
as possible, in the absence of a Cucumber house
proper, the linings should be frequently renovated
to prevent the heat from declining in the first case,
and the precaution taken to mat tihe frames over
at night. In both eases give proper attention
to stopping and keeping the bine thin and evenly
distributed over the beds, and remove all fruits as
soon as they are large enough for use. Discontinue
damping and syringing and use but little water at
the roots, though at the same time do not allow
the soil to become so dry as to cause the leaves to
flag. Air the frames and pits daily if possible to
liberate moisture, otherwise mildew will attack
the foliage, and the fruits, instead of growing to
a useful size, will mould at the [loints and become
useless. A. W.

THE GREAT DROUGHT OF 1896.*

If the great frcst of 1895 was the mcst notable
feature of the year, certainly the great drought
was tlie most notable feature of IStKi, yet
neither the fro.st of the one, nor the drought of
the other, stood alone in the two years ; tliey
were preceded and followed by other conditions
equally notew(jrt!iy, and it is the story of these
conditions which will be the subject of my
paper.

The twelve months that have past between
December 1, 1895, and December 1, 189(),
divide tliemselves into three well - marked
periods ; a very mild winter, a very dry .spring
and summer, and a very wet and cold autumn.
It may be convenient to say something of each
of these separately. The

Mild Winter
comes first, and how very mild it was can be
seen at once by thi.s .short I'ecord. Leaving out
the previous Decembers, because they were
almost alike, with seven days of slight frost in
the one year, against .six days of slight frost in
the other, and confining ourselves to the tliree
months of Jaiuiary, February and March, we
find that there were in those three niontlis of
this year, twenty days in which the thermometer
fell below 32" ; in the same months of 1895
there were fifty-five such days ; and this was not
all ; the frosts of 1895 were unusually severe,
the frosts of 1890 were very slight. The ther-
mometer in 1890 was seldom below .30°. and the
lowest reading was 26° on February :i. The
thermometer in 1895 was often below 2(J°, and
was as low as 10° on February 8 ; and to jiut
the matter shortly, the winter of 1895 was one
of the coldest, and tlie winter of 1896 (.me (. f the
mildest on record. Now, what were the results
of this mild winter '! They were very marked,
and in some respects very unexjjected. The
most obvious result was that plants which had

■^ Paper read by Rev. Canon Ellacombe, JI.A.,
before the members of the Bath Natural History and
Antiquarian Field Club, December 9, 1896.

been weakened by the cold weather of 1895, but
not killed, and which had made a struggle for
life during the summer and autumn of the year
were largely helped in the .struggle by the mild
winter, and were alile in .spring to come on with
their usual vigour. That was a real gain ; and
anotlier gain was that many plants which were
apparently quite killed liy the winter, and put
in no appearance at all during 1895, came up
well in 1896, and so taught us a lesson of the
extreme vitality of all vegetable life, and a
lesson not to desjjair or be in too great a hurry
to root up all that have been injured, but to be
hopeful and patient. Among the plants that so
reappeared in 1896, after having disappeared in
1895, I may mention these : the sweet-scented
Verbena (Aloysia), Vitis striata. Allium gigan-
teum, Bulbine annua, Hypericum coris, Bceh-
meria nivea (the Himalayan Nettle), the Japan-
ese Yam (Dio.scorea Batatas), the Indigo (In-
digofera Dosua), Azara microphylla and others.
The mild winter also brought a very early
rtowcring, esj^ecially of flowering shrubs, which
was partly the cause of many shrubs flowering
twice : this is a doubtful benefit, but a more
certain one was that the jilants were able to
make good and healthy growtli, which have had
full time to mature, and so are better fitted to
face the winter. ( )n the otlier hand there was
one result of the winter which was rather unex-
pected, and tliat was that some plants whic!i
were uninjured during the severe weather of
1895. were much injured, and in some cases
killed during the mild winter of 1896. At first
this was a surprise, but a very little thought soon
gave the reason : the plants were not killed or
injured by the mild winter, but by the severe
weather of the previou.s October and Novem-
ber. You may remember that we had a great
wave of heat in the latter part of September
and the beginning of October, followed by an
miusual wave of cold in the end of October and
beginning of November ; and it was these two
combined that brought injury to many ])lants.
The warm wave had unduly stimulated the
plants in many cases into new growth, and
in many more by arresting the natural decay or
change that plants go through in the late
autumn. Herbaceous plants prepare them-
selves for winter by gradually dying domi, and
preserving their life by underground life only ;
if the frost comes too soon, much of the nourish-
ment which would have been carried down to
support the underground life during the winter
is lost, and the plant is so much the weaker,
and so much the less able to resist cold. AVith
shrubs the case is of course difi'erent, but the
result is the same. In the normal state the
leaves fall, leaving the bud.s for next year fairly
protected by their own well-ripened coverings,
"the plant lias time to become a chrysalis
slowly, in preparation for the winter " (Kerner),
and the sap, or what botanists call " the water
of imbibition," is gradually withdrawn to the
roots, to remain there till it is wanted for the
new life in the spring, and so the branches are
said to be "ripened;" but if there comes an
early frost, while the plant is still growing and
full of life, the buds are injured, and, if not
killed, they fail to produce flowers, and the
sappy branches are easily frozen, and either die
altogether, or are rendered quite useless for the
next year's growth. I entirely put it down to
the early frost of last October and November
tliat my Jaj^anese Persimmon (DiospyrosKaki),
which had been quite uninjured by many pre-
vious winters, was cut to the ground last
winter. Fatsia japonica alr.o was more injured
than I ever knew it before ; my Palm had no
flowers, the first time for six years past ; Halesia
hispida, though a very healthy tree and always

a free flowerer, had no flowers this year ; am
so with other plants. Before leaving the sul
ject of tlie mildness of the winter, I should lik
to call your attention to one thing connects
with it. You may remember that two year
ago I quoted to you an observation of Si
Robert Christison, that when frost occurred n
the last week of October or the first ten days i
November, it was always followed by a mild
open winter ; this was certainly the case thi
last winter to a very remarkable degree, and
mention it again because I have been lookin
into the forecasts of other observers to see hoi
far the same thing had been noted by othen
Sir R. Christison was a thoroughly scientiii
man, a man who was content t(j make acourat
observations and to record them ; but not
man to say that because A followed B, thcrefoi
A was caused by B. This was, and is still, tli
error of most weather prophets. They note i
some years that a warm January has followed
cold (Jctober, and they prophesy for all tim
that a cold October is sure to bring a wan
January ; they argue from the particular to th
universal, which is absurd. Tlie error show
itself in the common belief that abundance o
Holly berries is a sign of a hard winter t
come. They are a proof that the previou
seasons have been favourable to the forraatin
of Holly flowers and berries, but they can tf
us nothing (jf the weather to come. Yel
though a mild winter is not a consequence of
previous cold October and Novemlier, it is
coincidence which may be well worth notini.
and it is curious how univer.sal has been thi
forecast of a mild winter from a cold beginnini
The turning point in the weather of Noverabi
has been from time immemorial fixed to A
Saints' Day and S. Martin's Day, Novemljer It
and 11th ; and no doubt that has arisen frm
the observation that fine warm weather so ofte
comes, though for a very short time, at th:
time, making the "All Halloween" sumnu
and the " S. INIartin's summer, halcyon days,
that Shakespeare notes. There are several ol
proverbs grounded upon this common observ:
tion, but I need tmly mention one or two.

' ' If there is ice in November that will ben
a duck, there'll be nothing after but sludge an
muck."

" If it's fair, dry, and cold at Martinma.s, tli
cold in winter will not last long."

"It the geese on S. Martin's Day stand u
ice, they will walk in mud at Christmas."

Thei'e are many such proverbs used in man
European countries ; and without attachiii
much importance to them as universn
rules, they are worth attending to and testing
because they are the result of many year;
observations both of scientific and unscientili
men ; and looking again at Sir R. Christi.son
remark, limiting the time to be noted to the las
week in October and the first of November, i
is curious to notice how almost all weatlii'
])i'ophets profess to attach great importance t
such weeks. I have spoken at some lengt
alv>ut the autumnal cold, followed by a niili
winter, not only liecause last winter was sucli
marked example of it, but also because we hav^
been passing through a cold Halloween am
Martinmas of more than usual length, and i
may be interesting to note whether the sani'
result will follow this year, but I am afraid vvij
must at present content ourselves with hopuifj
only. But before I quite leave that part of m:
subject I must ask you not to suppose for i
moment that I consider the mild winter of 189*
as the result of, or in any way caused by, thi
severe cold of November, 1895. The weathei
of any month we may be passing through is no'
caused by the weather of any preceding montli

Sbptember 11, 1897.]

THE GARDEK

205

ir can it li.ivo any efiect on the weather of any
luth t(i fdllciw. The weat.lier of each month is
used hy atniosi)heric .'uul I'liinatic conditions
ich may have existed hundreds of miles away,
i, perha]>K, many weeks or months that may
,ve long passed ; and it is only when the eondi-
ns draw near our globe, and our portion of
i glohe, that we are able to make a poor
■iither forecast of four and twenty hours, a
reoist which, as we all know, is often far from
e reality.
I have said (luite enough about tlie mild

nt«r, and it is tiiue to come to the other
irked feature of the year.

The Great Drovoht.
iiring January and February the rainfall was
low the average, but during I\[areh it was
, love the average ; and then from the first of
jril to the end of July the total rainfall was
ily 3^ inches, of which more than half fell on
few days in June. Since that time we have
d enough rain, especially in September and
e first half of October, to bring the total rain-
11 of the year almost up to the average. We
%y say that for four months there was no rain ;
. d what was the result in our gardens ? We
\y put out of the question all the newdy-]danted
rubs and other plants ; of course the}' wouM
tier more or less in such a drought and they
lied for a good deal of labour and watering.
.it the point that m<ist forcibly struck me was
at with well-established [ilants the injury was
ry small indeed. My own garden has a rich
ep soil, and so is able to contend against a
iig drought Ijetter, perhaps, than some others ;
it during the summer I visited many other
rdens, and everywhere I met with the same
rprise at the little amount of sutl'ering that
e plants had to bear, and I bail not much
tliculty in finding the explanation of this,
iiich is so interesting that I must speak of it

some little length. The first factor in the
quiry is, I think, the good rainfall of March,
' which the ground, which was by no means
•y before March, got an ample supply ; and
ring to the mild weather the plants were
fliciently ftjrward at once to take advanfcige of
e supply. Now, you are probably all aware
at water is of no use whatever to |)lants e.\-
pt at the roots, and plant life is full of all
rts of devices to gather in a good sujiply of
iter to the roots and to keep it there. Almost
. . the water that comes to the leaves of plants
ids its way down to the roots by gravitation
• iefly, but in no case through the leaves or the
iiiiis. The skin of the leaves of plants, and
'e rind or bark of their stems, are almost like
' D human skin, able to exude moisture, but in
' ry few instances — some botanists say in none
- can they imbibe water. Their function is to
J e out water, and there are many instances in
' lich the water that has been drawn up from
1 e roots is given out so largely by the leaves
' !it it flows down again from the leaves to the
ots, not, of course, the same way it came, but
trough the air, almo.st like rain. Familiar in-
J.nces of this are found in our common Teazle
Jd in the Alchemillas ; but as the subject is
It perhaps familiar to you all, and is very
<«ely connected with the provisions made in
-^ture to provide against drought, I will ven-

e to give you two or three well-marked
<binples. One of the best examples of the

treme jirovisions made to ])revent access of

ter to the leaves or stems of plants it is U>
found in tlie Bamboos ; and any of you who
pw the common hardy Bamboos can test it.

)t only is there a general prcn-ision of rings
hairs on the stems, which ett'ectually pre-
^tits any ludgment of water that may come

from rain by throwing it off, but the leaves are
so m.ide that every provision is made to pre-
vent the entrance of water and to facilitate its
fall from the leaves to the mots. If you will
take a leaf from tlie Baml)oo and [dunge it into
water and hold it there, you will find on draw-
ing it out, that the underside of the leaf is abso-
lutely dry. Now Bamboos are great pum]is ;
they consume much water, but instances are
found where they ab.solutely weep and keep the
ground beneath them quite moi.st. M. Carriere
has noted this in Algiers, and in Gregory's
.account of the Great Rift Valley in Tropical
Africa he tells of some thickets of gigantic
r>amboos, whose " upper f(diage interlocks into
an impenetrable thatch, which is always sodden
with moisture," and among.st them would grow
nothing, "except Mosses, but in places the soil
was covered with Iceland Moss (Selaginella) and
the Maiden-hair Fern," and "a mi.st hung over
the Bamboos and kept the vegetation sodden
with moisture, and matle the soil as satui-ated as
a sponge."— "Great Rift Valley "—1—290.
That is one way in which " the wilderness is
made into a standing water and water-springs
in a dry ground," and is an instance of the way
in which thirsty plants can supply themselves
with water in a dry, tropical country. I will
give you another example from a very different
climate. In the Death Valley of California the
rainfall does not exceed 5 inches in the year,
yet the district has really an abundant vegeta-
tion, chiefly, however, of low trees and shrubs,
with Cacti and Yuccas. The problem is how
this 5 inches can be made to answer for the sup-
port of the vegetation, and the problem is thus
solved by Nature. The trees and shrubs are low
and far sfireading, and so the evaporation from
the earth is reduced as iiiueh as possible ; the
mots spread to enormous distances, and so are
able to suck up every particle of moisture ; and
the transpiration is reduced to a minimum partly
by some leaves not transpiring at all, partly by
the leaves being clothed with a thick, and in
many cases a woolly epidermis, and partly
by the leaves falling very early, and so stop-
ping at once the leaf transpiration. This
is a most curious example of the way
in which difficulties are met in plant life ; but
really, we have in our own gardens many in-
stances as curious, which were especially notable
this year. There are many plants which we
m.ay fairly call Resurrection plants ; plants
which apparently die during a drought, but
which come to life again at the first approach of
rain. A very familiar instance is found in the
pretty Fern that is so abundant in many parts
of this district, though very rare in many parts
of England — the Ceterach ofhcinarum. As soon
as the dry weather comes, and sometimes almost
before it comes, the leaves shrivel up, showing
only the under part of the fronds, and looking
like so many shreds of brown paper ; but on the
first approach of rain the fronds go back into
their proper position, they regain their full
colour, and carry on their life as if they had had
no check. To those of you who grow alpines,
the pretty Ramondia pyrenaica will be almost
as familiar, and in that, too, you will see the
same power of resisting a long drought. After
a week's di'ought tlie leaves will be shrivelled
and lirown and almost reduced to nothing ; it
will remain in that state for weeks, and then
when the rain comes the leaves regain their
colour and the plant is as hajipy as ever. In
these two plants there is a mystery which I can-
not explain. I can understand a iilant losing
its leaves by drought and then getting new
leaves, but I cannot understand how leaves can
l(jse all their colour and then regain it, as these
two plants and many others are able to do, and

it seems as if plants had the power on the
a])proach of danger to part with their cliloro-
])liyll not entirely, but to .store it in a safe
jihice, their roots, from whence they C(mld draw
it again when the circuiii.stances were favour-
able. But there is another still more comnKm
instance, which I tlo not mention with these
twii. because 1 am not sure whether or not the
result is produced in the same way. Many of
you must have been distressed at the state of
your lawns this year. My own having a deep
soil stood the drought well for a few weeks, but
the battle was too long, and .at last it was almost
the same colour as my gravel walks : yet before
we had a week of rain it was a brilli.-int green,
as green as the freshest growth of spring. 1
do not class this with the other Resurrection
plants, becau.se I think it likely that the fresh
green arose from young leaves freshly grown,
and not from the old leaves recovering their
colour. But it was really marvellous how soon
everything responded to the rain ; the lawn was
perhaps the mo.st conspicuous examjile, but it
extended in a \ery pleiusant way to our fruits.
I had a good crop of Peaches on the wall and a
good crop of Ajiples, but both Peaches and
Apples were very small, and the Peaches at
first were dry and flavjurless ; but as soon as
the rain came both Peaches and Apples became
visibly and very raiiidly jilumper, and I had no
cause to complain of their size or flavour. And,
indeed, smallness, either of fruit or leaves, is
one of the many provisions that Nature uses to
prevent the bad ett'ects of drcjught : and you will
have noticed many such cases this year. With
me the Willow-leaved Gentian ((i. asclepiadea)
grows very well, and is often more than a yard
high : this year it was about half that size, and
that meant about half the usual quantity of
leaves, and that, again, meant that the plant
had only to part with one-half the amount of
moisture that it does part with when in full
leaf. That shows why in a wet summer there
is always an abundance of foliage ; a greater
([uantity of leaves is required to carry ott" the
moisture that the plant sucks up by its roots,
and leaves are provided accordingly. The con-
clusion, then, at which I have arrived is very
shortly this : that there was never a complete
failure of moisture at the roots during the long
drought, and that, in one way and an(jther,
Nature economised the store, and so the plants
were saved. I might say more on the drought,
but I must leave myself room to say some-
thing on

Some other Aspects of the Year.

I think the dnmght has confirmed what I
said last year as to the value of rich suitable
soil to enable jdants to stand against frost.
That statement was objected to by some of my
friends, though I gave it on the high authority
of Huuibnldt ; but I am sure it is right, and this
year's experience has taught me that plants
cannot stand against either drought or frost un-
less they are strong and liealthy, and that a
good rich soil is the best way to make them so.
I think my own garden is to some extent a
proof of this : with its deep alluvial .soil it gives
many plants all that they ask for, but I saw it
more fully jiroved in another, and far grander
garden. I went in October with your vice-pre-
sident to Abbotsbury, in Dor-setshire. Though
I had often heard of the be.iuty of the garden,
I had never seen it, and when I did see it I
could scarcely believe my eyes. There were
trees and shrubs, and other plants from
.\ustralia. New Zealand, the Cape, Mexico,
Brazil, and other i)arts, not merely living, but
flourishing as if they were in their native
countries. Then came the ])uzzling (piestion,

206

THE GARDEN.

[September 11, 1897.

how do these plants grow at Abbotsbury with a
luxuriance that is ahiiost unknown north of the
Riviera > The garden is near the sea, facing
thi! south, witli the hiw hills of the Chalk
Downs behind sheltering it from the north, and
is well sheltered l_iy walls, fences, and otlier
artificial protections ; but this will not explain
it. There are hundreds of places round our
coasts as well .situated for aspect and jjrotection,
but with no such gardens ; and I have been
driven to the conclusion that the secret must
lie to some, perhaps to a gi-eat, extent, in the
soil. As we walked to the garden from the
village we passed a small roadside cutting, .show-
ing a section, which at once attracted the atten-
tion of my geological companion. It was a fer-
ruginous oolitic brash, and I should have con-
sidered it as bad a material for a garden as
could be found ; yet the Abbotsbury garden is
almost entirely on this. There is no doulit that
iron in the si^il is a great helj) to many plants ;
gardeners like it for their Hydrangeas, and in
my own neighbourhood I have a good example
of its value. I have never succeeded in grow-
ing the beautiful Tropicolum speciosum, which
in many parts, especially in the ncwth, grows
like a weed. I know of one jilace where it is
even a troublesome weed ; but I do not know
of it growing well anywhere in this district,
except at Iron Acton, where the soil is strongly
charged with iron. Yet, I do not say that good
soil by itself will enable plants to resist drought ;
it can only be a great help, and on whatever
soil plants are growing, a long drought will test
the skill of the gardener. Perhaps the skill, or
no-.skill of a gardener is shown in notliing more
than in his wa}' <jf watering his plants. Plants
soon show when they are thirsty, and a good
gardener will at once c:|uench their thirst by a
plentiful sn]ipl3' of ^vater at the roots ; the un-
skillful garilener loves to water the drocjping
foliage ; it looks pretty and is of no use ; and
if he has a plant drooping by the side of a gravel
path, he is rather surprised to be told that he
had better soak the gravel path well than wet
the foliage only. There is an advantage in
wateiing leaves when they are choked with
im]jui-ities, and in some places, as at Kew,
where they have to contend with an atmosphere
charged with Uacks, constant and copious
syringing is useful ; but this is cleansing, and
not watering, and is the .same use to the plant
that a good washing is to a dirty man, opening
the pores by cleansing them of their choking
impurities. Very shortly I will mention two
other features of the garden this year. I attach
a high value to the autumnal tints as one of
the chief ornaments of the garden, and this
year I had none. We are now told that it is
wrong to speak of equinoctial gales, but this
year we had very strong gales at the time of
the autunnial equinox, with the unpleasant re-
sult that the trees were stripped bare long
before their time, and so there were no leaves
to be tinted. The only compensation that can
be had for this loss is in the old weather fore-
cast that if the leaves fall before Martinmas the
winter will be mild. I hope this forecast may
come true.

The year was not so remarkable for abund-
ance of unusual fruits and seeds as I should
have exijected. The Catalpa, some Magnolias,
and tlie Koelreuteria fruited well, and 1 had
fruit on ffinothera macrocarpa* ami berries on
Solanum crispum which I never saw before,
but I did not notice many others out of the

common ; but the Hollies and the Hawthorns
are beautifully set with berries, and the berries
on the Privets were, this year, (pute remark-
alile from their number anil the intense depth
<]f the black colour. I think, however, that the
mild winter, dry sunnner, and wet autumn of
this year will have a marked influence on the
vegetation of next year. Fruit trees of all
sorts are well set with fruit-buds ; the spring-
flowering shrubs, such as tlie Magnolias and
Calycanthus, are full of promising flower-buds,
and though all November was cold and had an
miusual amount of frost, plants, even tender
jjlints, seem to have been very little affected by
it, which shows that they have made strong
and healthy growth, and are well prepared for
the ccjld when, and if, it comes. The animal
life of the year requires a short notice. I do
not know whether the mild winter was in any
way the cause, but I think that the number of

time, and I believe it was a good honey yeai
but there was a sad lack of moths and buttei
flies. I always consider that one of the mo:
beautiful things in the garden in autunm is tli
swarm of peacock butterflies on the Michaehiu
Daisies ; this year there were scarcely any.

In my last paper, and in this, I have tried I
show you what I feel myself that frost an
drought are not the dreadful visitations thi
heartless gardeners make them out to h
More than that, I am sure, that th(jugh m
pleasant while they last, they have their use
and are as necessary as mild winters and tl
fruitful rain in its season. We may, in fac
feel quite sure tluit they are absolutely necf
sary ; and thiiugh we may not understand lie
it should be so, tliey do fill their proper allotti
parts in the grand scheme under which we Hvi
the scheme that has for its great object tl
well-being of all organic life.

* The fruit of Oenothera maorocaTpa is most curious.
From a central line sprinjj; four wings each about an
inch wide, each wing V)eing the pod containing the
seeds. The length of the fruit is from 3 inches to
5 inches.

A group of white Phloxes.

our immigrant birds was much below the
average. I noticed this e.specially with the
swallows and redstarts. Of redstarts we had
very few, though we generally have them in
abundance ; we had a great many swifts, but
the swallows are certainly few in number and
arrived very late. I did not see one in my gar-
tlen till the last week in April. But this may
have been a purely local occurrence, for the
number of swallows in the autunm was as large
as usual. Of coui'se, there are always luore in
autumn from the accession of young birtls, but
the great addition must have been from the
southward rush, which always swells the num-
bers in our southern counties, and the full
number that we had in the autumn probably
shows that in other parts the nuvuber was not
below the average. Wasps were rather plenti-
ful for a short time, but it was a very short

.FLOWERs^GARDEN,

HERBACEOUS PHL<)XE.<

Theke is a great deal of truth
the remarks of " A. D." at p. L'
concerning the neglect attendi)
Phloxes. In the majority
instances even where the
highly decorative border flowt
are found at all, they are to 1
seen very much in the bac
ground, scrambling for an t-
istence with a forest of yom
sucker growth from such thin
as Lilacs and other things tli
have for years run wild. Anotli
place e<jually unfitted to t
well-being of these sliowy sii
jects is the neighbourhood
trees that both by root ai
branch tend to rob tlie groui
of the very moisture the Phlo.x
need when in the season
growth. I have repeatedly sc
them in both positions in sevei
of the London jiarks and g:
■C* ^^^^^^^ dens. Even supposing it Wf
■ ^^ iuijiossible to set aside a fi

lieds on the grass for these plan
where they may receive speii
treatment, it would still be •■
easy matter to arrange a seri
of large groujjs in the horde
at intervals, either in a mixta
of the l)est kinds or these latt
employed .separately. In eitli
case they would surely pro'
interesting and attractive,
show flowers, to which attentii
is also directed,' they are scarcely so well suitt"
as when packed after being cut many of tl
flowers fall. For h(mre decoration these Phlox
are invalual)le, either in beds or for furuishii
bold spikes of flowers as occasion requiii'
Years ago, however, these Phloxes were exli
bited each sunnner by the late Mr. Bobe
Parker, and cut with long stems, i.e., aboi
2 feet long, and about three trusses of eai
variety : the display was very imposing. InM
Parker's case, however, little packing »■
needed, and tlie large handsome panicles >
bloom suflered but little. The system adopti
was very simple, though efi'ectual, and wa.s ■
follows ; Some (i-inch or 7-incli pots were ivr
dered watertight and afterwards nearly fiH^
with cpiite wet silver .sand. Three large spiki
with all the lateral branches intact were tin
thrust into the sand, the latter gently waterci

Sbptembku

1897.]

THE GARDEN.

207

id iill was roiuly for placing in a light spring
M. In tliis way the exhibits were conveyed
, their destination, where they invarial)ly
■rived little or no worse. In much tlie same
iiy did IMr. Parker exhibit a large number of
irdy things Uowering in the autumn, andgene-
lUy most successful. Flower-jiots, too, of the
zes named are intiuitely superior to the small,
irrow-neeked bottles so much in vogue to-day
id so ill-suited to a good re]iresent;itive bunch
■ many good hardy flowers. Such pots are easily
iide watertight with a plug of cement in the
.)le at bottom. It was in this simple manner,
1 the utter exclusion <if wooden boxes for |iaek-
ig everything for exhibition, that Mr. Parker
reserved so much freshness in his exhibits of
it flowers. Seen in this way there is no need
ir either Fern or Asparagus to assist the dis-
,ay, for the foliage of the Phlox, when ]nx>-
jrly grown, is abundant for all purposes. Such
jhibits of Pliloxes were made each year and
tracted a good deal of attention, and, more-
•er, by the general system of cultui'e as then
jtained good trusses were always forthcoming.
I cannot agree with " A. D. " that " No plant
lould be allowed to stand untouched more
lan two years from the cutting " ; for to pull
ich a plant to pieces at this time of the year is
rtually to destroy the plant at the very time
has become estaldished and capable of creating
show. Furthermore, I have cut some of the
rest heads of these Phloxes from plants twice
le age, and the advice to frequently pull such
lings to ])ieces is often attended with very poor
suits. I'li.ssibly " A. D." will explain the need
r such freipient renewal. Provided a start
made now with a fresh young plant, prefer-
)ly from the open ground with single .stem, that
ant a year hence will produce three or four
oderate heads of liloom. A year later the
iiic plant will easily carry twelve much better
jads, anil in the third flowering the same plant
ill produce fully double the number, and very
rge and hanilsome into the bargain. This is
)t an imaginary ideal, for it may be accom-
ished by any good ganlener %vho will take a
tie ordinary cai-e in preparing and enriching
e soil, early discarding the growths not
quired, jiroviding an open position, and so
anting that the beds containing them may be
iluged once a week at least with liquid manure

. ,d once with water. It was no unusual occur-
nce with Jlr. Parker to exhibit fine heads of
iloxes from stools that must have been five if
it six years old ; Imt then the Tooting Phloxes
;re in ch)se proximity to some huge tanks of
iter, and of this they had their till. On the

■her hand, there may be those who cannot

■mmand such a supjily as the above, or even
e quality. Thesis must compensate as much

■ possible with rich as well as deep soil,
Lilchings equally rich, and occasional .soakiugs

• moisture. In all these respects it is
possible to err, and when the gardener will
disc these facts, and act up to them, the her-
ceous Phlox may be made one of the finest

•riaments of the garden.

The heights given at page 180, if accepted as
'uy 8t*ind, will prove misleading, because no

dox, whether a spring cutting of this year

< a divided plant of the previous autumn, can
issibly attain maturity in a single season. I
Ive here a bed of a splendid white kind,
jinted six years ago, and this season scores of
1 nches have been taken from it, and, in spite

• age and heat and drought, the plants have
uched about 4 feet high and carried beautiful
' lage to the soil. Cuttings of the same kind
1 their first year are rarely more than 2(J inches

< 2 feet high ; the year following the same
I.ntswill be 3 feet, and Just so those men-

tioned at page 18(1. All will increase in height
with ago. The variety wliicli in a se:isnn
reaches 2i) inches to .'W) iiu-hes will attain fully
.5 fecst in its third or fourth year, and, if "in-
telligently grown," pi'oduce very handsome
heads of flowers, that would put to shann' many
of the scraps shown at the Drill Hall. It is
want of cultin'c and the non-attendance to small
details of ainuial nuilching and early thinning
of shoots that cau.se these ])lants to look un-
sightly. If some hardy-plant speciali.st during
the present month were to plant two or three
dozen in as many oak tubs (paraffin casks cut in
two are best), and make a feature of the same,
these plants could be exhibited in the year
18!t!l, with an average of a dozen trusses each,
that may cause a sensation to be remembered ;
and while this can be accomplished in such a
tijue, why need the hardy-plant nurseryman be
content with bringing [)oor, often very wretched
exanqiles of such a beautiful class of hardy
flowers? Such examples would require neither
Asparagus nor Fern to show them ofl', and I
only regret my limited space prevents me taking
the thing earnestly in hand. There is no better
time than September for planting Phloxes, a
fact that renders the subject quite opportune at
the moment. E. Jenkins.

Hampton Hill.

Lilium Henryi. — This is often referred to as an
orange-coloured L. speeiosum, but, apart from an}'
other consideration, the bulbs are very widely re-
moved therefrom, as those of L. Henryi are far
more like those of the Burmese L. nepalense and
I-. sulphureum than they are those of L. speeiosum.
Again, while the individual blooms are quite of
the speeiosum stamp, the general aspect of the
plant reminds one of L. tigrinum. — H. P.

Montbretias. — These charming flowers are
gradually working their way into public favour
and being estimated at their true value, so I
think it is worth noting that they are capital
"shade" plants, and although the growth under
such circumstances is not quite so strong, the
flowers are produced with equal freedom, and, as
tliey are later, the season is naturally prolonged.
I planted a batch early last autumn in a portion
of a hardy Azalea bed, o\er which there is a dense
growth of Deodar Ced.ar, and have been very pleased
to note the satisfactory results. Are the newer
\arieties of crocosmi;eflora as vigorous as the
type? Spikes of the latter from strong corms re-
[ilanted last autumn are now 3| feet in height. — E.

BURRKLL.

liilium speeiosum.— The different varieties
of this fine species are amon^ the best late-flower-
ing Lilies for planting outsicle in exposed gardens
and other places, where they have to take care of
themselves to a certain extent. Two years ago I
planted some scores of bulbs of it in variety with
no special preparation of the soil, just a little
light compost being placed around the bulbs, as
the soil is heavy and at this time of year very re-
tentive of moisture. In every case these are now
fine elum|5s, many of them sending up four and
five spikes, while the bulbs of L. auratum have
almost vanished. No doubt the latter fine Lily
requires special and careful preparation of the
soil. As a really hardy plant to take its chance
with the other occujiantsof the herbaceous border
it is a failure. Among \ arieties, the pure white
I\r*tzeri is one of the best, and there are one or
two other fine white forms more or less distinct.
Melpomene is one of the very best dark forms and
a distinct advance on the better-known L. speeio-
sum roseum. — H. R.

Begonias outdoors.— After a careful inspec-
tion of the splendid show of outdoor Begonias
at Cowdray, I came to the conclusion that where
the same amount of skill and attention can be
bestowed they rank uinnistakably among the
best of summer flowers, and the result is obtained
in this case mainly from seedling plants and home-

saved .seed. .Mthough Mr. Gee.son has long been
known as the raiser of doubles of all shades,
some remarkable for their size and others for their
j)erfc('t .shape, it is only very recently that he has
been able to unite to the perfection in shape astrong
flower stem and a stiff neck, that keep the flower
erect. Naturally, size of flowei" has to be
sacritied to a ceitain extent, but this is certainly
no loss, for, given a fair-sized flower, holding
itself well erect, <|uite first-class in shape and of
pleasing colour, one has, I fancy, the hefiit iihftl
of an outdoor Begonia. I came upon a batch of
.some 20Ult seedlings just after a heavy storm,
and the flowers lookefl none the worse for
the deluge they had experienced. They were
in all shades, from white, primrose, yellow,
through pink and scarlet, to deep crimson, and
the habit was nearly as varied, some making large
bushes and others having a smooth leaf and a
close, compact habit that reminded one of some of
the Saxifrages. In the flower garden many beds
were filled with types that had been selected
from ])re\'ious years' seedlings, planted thinly on
carpets of Mesembryanthemum or Veronica in-
cana, or mixed with I)actylis glomerata. The fact
that all this grand show of doubles was the result
of home-saved seed made the display all the more
worthy of notice, as any gardener can testify who
has made the s:iving of seed from these flowers a
specialit}'. I noticed a strain of double white
that was both very free and vigorous, just the sort
of plant to be put out thinly on a carpet of dwarf
Ageratum. — E. Bi'rkei.i..

BORDER CARNATIONS.

Ix Mr. Woodall's verj' interesting paper on this
subject in your issue of September 4 there is
little to which exception can be taken from his
point of view, gained by the experience of his
Io\'el}' garden at Scarborough. Here, however,
matters are somewhat difl'erent ; all my Carnations
have been out of bloom for three weeks at least,
but though they do not continue so late in bloom,
the}' begin earlier. Your correspondent says
" that no flower has been so killed by kindness."
This, I hope, I may be ]5ermitted to dispute.
Does he mean to say that the list of beautiful
varieties, the names of which he gives, is not a
great improvement on those grown a dozen years
ago? The efforts of Mr. Martin R. .Smith have,
I maintain, greatly improved the standard of these
lo\ ely flowers, and buying, as I always do, most
of the new varieties as they come out, I have never
as yet found an}' of them " dearly bought novel-
ties " — those at least that have emanated from that
cjuarter. I do not propose to argue the advis-
ability or otherwise of having a proper standard
or what a good Carnation should be. I presume
there is some good reason for the fact that a
smooth flat petal is considered desirable, that a
clear white or yellow ground should be a "ine. r/iia
noil in the matter of Picotees, and that the stem
should as far as practicable be strong enough to
support the bloom and not flop about all over the
place. From the ])urchaser's point of \iew, it
may be a good plan to leave his plants for three
yeais in the same place, but I maintain that he
will not ba^'e such good blooms on his two or
tln-ee-year-old plants as he would on those that are
layered annually.

Now as to varieties. Mrs. Gifford is the oidy
one that I do not know and have not grown in
large quantities. The statement that Mrs.
Sydenham (Mrs. Robt. Sydenham) "is quite
worthless as a border plant ' is, according to my
experience, quite incorrect. I have had this
plant growing in my garden from the first, when
Mr. Sydeidiam jjuichascd the original stock from
Mr. Douglas (the raiser), and of all the Picotees
or Carnations I have grown, I never found any
variety grow so strongly or flower more freely in
the open border. It is aimually greatly admired
by visitors who come to see my Carnations when
in bloom. Your correspondent says neither
Corunna nor Miss Audrey Campbell are "improve-
ments in any way." As far as Corunna is con-
cerned, I .admit 1 am .somewhat of his opinion,

208

THE GARDEF.

[September 11, 1897.

but Miss Audrey Campbell is a totally distinct
\"ai'iety, a splendid border Carnation, and one that
will please amateurs. Tliat it pleases professionals
as well is proved by the threat use that was made
of it both at the National Carnation and Picotee
Society's show at the Botanic Cardans in July
last and at the Midland show in August at
Birmingham. As to fancies, I should take up
too much of your space if I were to go into this
question ; but there is one which I am rather
surprised your correspondent did not mention,
and that is President Carnot (Douglas). Of this
flower I am particularlj' fond ; if he has not got
it I should advise him to get it.

H. W. Wecuklin.
St. Miiry Church, Torqnriy.

THE CULTURE OF CALOCHORTI.

I SHOULD like to add a few remarks to Mr. Purdy's
verj' interesting letter in a recent issue on the
above subject, especially in reference to the
disease or mildew which he mentions as attacking
certain species. It generally makes its appear-
ance with me in C. Nuttalli just when this f i>ecies
is about to open its flowers, and speedily wrecks
the jilant, so that I only save about 10 per cent,
of the flowers.

It has been confined \\ith me entirely to
the desert species, C. Niittalli, C. Palmeri, C.
flexuosus, C. macrocarpus, and C. Kennedyi.
This last, planted by itself 100 yards away
from the others, was affected just in the same
way. 0. Gunisoni, though classed b}' Mr.
Purdy as subject to disease, has been quite
free from it with me the last two years, but I
fancy my bulbs have come from a diflferent locality
of late. He also includes C. s|5lendens and C.
splendens atroviolaceus as partially subject to the
attack, but I have ne\er noticed it on either of
them in any year, nor on C. Lyoni, which is parti-
cularly vigorous and free.

There is, however, one point of congratidation
about this disease, that the kinds that are attacked
by it, though beautiful, are not the most so Ijj' a
long way. The lovely ^•enustus and Eldorado
groups are quite free, also the Cyclobothras and
8tar Tulips. One would like to know more about
the disease. I ha%e tried several remedies, but
they apparently make no difference, and it is
very strange that it confines itself to the desert
species and never spreads to the others, though
planted side by side. I have not found so far that
it aft'ects the bulbs, as they always turn up larger
than when jilanted. I have lifted immense bulbs
of C. Kennedyi of which the flower-spikes have
gone off just before opening. All the Calochorti
make good bulbs and larger than when planted.
This is due, I lielieve, to cutting the flowers and not
letting them seed. It cannot be too often re-
jieated that to grow Calochorti successfully you
must give them the necessar\soiland situation, and
theprincipalfactorof all, thorough drainage. Even
this is easily obtained on a clay soil by means of
a raised bed and a mixture of a light porous
material. I do not think there is anj- garden
where a small spot could not be made to suit their
recpiirements, which have so often been men-
tioned in these columns. R. W. W.vll.ue.
Co'rhe-ittr.

Erodium chrysanthum and Staehys

cbrysaiitha. — Two exceptionally cbarmiug alpiues are
in flower here now, viz., Erodium cbrysautlium and
Staehys chrysantha. I raised tliem this spring from
seeds collected last year in the high mountains of the
Southern Peloponnese, so their complete hardiness
has yet to he tested. In each the colour is a delicate
lemon-yellow, and in the Eroditim it is set off by most
attraf'tive foliage. The sight I once had of a plant of
the Erodium in Herr Fro^bel's nursery at Zurich
loaded with flowers is a thinjr I shall not readily for-
get.— A. K. Bi'LLEY, West Kirhy.

Acers in flower garden. — Silver-leaved Acers
are now much used in flower gardens, and witli
very good eft'ect too. In large beds three or four
nice-sized dwarf bushes break the monotony and
blend well with such things as scarlet Geraniums,

yellow Calceolarias, Petunias, and the like. They
may either be planted permanently, lieing kept
judiciously trimmed in each season, or grown in
large-sized jiots, and each year ])lunged in the
beds in June. One Acer in the centre of smaller
round beds suits well, and in corner beds the
plants trained in standard form and planted
beneath with Lobelia cardinalis on a groundwork
of blue Tufted Pansies produces a very good
effect. Flower gardens freciuently are far too flat
and formal, and anything of the aljove character
used sparingly helps to give grace and beauty. —
C. C. H.

Clematis Vitalba. — Few ]jlants are more
beautiful during the late summer and autumn

wall. For many years this plant must have heli
possession, for it was yards away from the wall ii
places, and the long pendent shoots in ever
direction were full of the characteristic corymti
of flower, which scented the whole garden. Sucl
a plant is extremely beautiful, and would bemud
more often seen but for the shearing, clippino
and clearing-up propensities of many who tak
charge of such gardens. — R.

Trees and Shrubs.

MYRTLES IN .TUBS.

The accompanying illustration represents on
of five specimen Myrtk
wliich we have here in tub;
They are the finest plant
of the kind I ever saw.
liave tlierefore sent yu
tlieir dimensions, which ai
as fuHows : Height, 10 fei
from the bottom of the tub;
diameter, 4 feet, and ear
specimen is the exact coui
terjjart of the one repn
sented in the illustration
The plants are jjlaced oul
doors for the emljellishraen
of the groiuids during th
sunnner months. I conside
them far better for the put
jjose than such things a
Bays, Laurustinus, Portugi
Laurel, &c. They requii
to be housed during winter
but Myrtles are Morththii
attention more tlian man
subjects which find sheltt
during the winter montl;
in cold greenhouses. Afe
degrees of frost, howevci
will not harm them,
sliould be interested to knii
where finer plants in tul
or pots can be seen.

J. Ea.stek.
Nostell Priory O'ardens,
Wakefield.

Myrtle

In I,,

Fruiii- a photograph sent by
Nostell Priory, Wakefield.

months than our indigenous Clematis or White
Vine. In moist places in almost every county it
follows the beautiful wild Spira?as in hedgerows
and banks, rambling through and o\er the
thickest hedges, and making a feature for months
after the flowers have faded by the feathery seed-
vessels. It should be more freely planted in con-
nection with semi-wild g.ardening, and even in
the garden proper it does not look out of place.
In a fine old garden in (;ioucestershire, well
known for the grand old specimens of herbaceous
and other plants therein contained, I noted it a
week or two since growing quite loosely and
naturally over a wide arch in the kitchen garden

Erythrina Humei.— TL

common Coral Tree (Er\
thriiui Crista-galli) is quiteai
old-fashioned plant often me|
with in gardens, while E
Parcelli and E. marmorat
were frequently grown ii
the days when fine-foliagec |
plants were in the height Oi
tlieir popularitj', but thi
species, though introduce!
many years ago, has nevf
become popular. Still, to
all this it is very showy am
attractive, the flowers beinj
of a brilliant scarlet colour
and thus make a goodly sho«
at this season of the year
To succeed in its culture,,
this Erythrina needs a light
sunny greenhouse, or. even »
little additional warmth. The flowers are arrangec
in a totally different manner from those of the well
known E. Crista-galli, forming as they do a dense
cluster on the upper portion of a tall raceme,
which stands quite clear of the foliage. PrO'
bably the reason that it is so seldom seen is that
it cannot be grown as a bush however it may be
stopped and tied about ; but its natural habit is
to form a tall rugged stem, branching out at a
height of 6 feet or so, and the lower portion is al-
together bare of foliage, the leaves being confined
to the ])oints of the shoots. Any appearance of
nakedness may, however, be readily prevented by
associating this Erythrina with other subjects

Mr. J. Easter,

Skptember 11, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

209

clusters of leaves on tho points of 'the shoots
» .e adminibly us a setting to tho brilliantly
(• Hired blossoms. — T.

'he Venetian Sumach (Rhus Cotimis). -
1 s shrub, also known as the Smoke I'lant, is at
psont very beautiful, the rosy purple feather
c iters with which its shoots are smothered bein^
lut effective. The crieat recommendation is the
lifing ([ualities of its display, which continues
u -active for nearly t«o months.

SOCIETIES AND EXHIBITIONS.

NATIONAL DAHLIA SOCIETY.
Crystal P.vl.vi k, Skitkmhku ;? .vsn 4.
lis not too much to say that the introduction of
cl Cactus Dahlia saved the large show and fancy
tj;s from extinction as exhibition Howers. The
lia had been a prominent exhibition llower for
miy years, but those who take an interest in it
tired somewhat of it. The Dahlia Society
declined, and the demand foi' varieties was
rericted. Then came the Cactus tyjie in the
101 of Juarezi, and with it the single scarlet
C<3inea. The advent of these brought some-
thg whicli at once hit the popular taste, and
fri that moment a revival of interest in the
r>.'lia commenced. One or two old species or
: ii's of the single Dahlia also appeared,
were seeded from. M.any new v'arieties
raised, and for a time this type had an
il run of ]io]iuIarity. But their fleeting
irr told against them, .and they are now
iile grown as compared with their popularity
M.-ars ago. Meanwhile, the pretty, small,
ay uetrical pompon varieties — one of the most
us il sections grown, either for cutting or gar-
de decoration — were being recognised, and
sit ! then a gre;it many new varieties have been
raid. The habit of growth has been reduced
ani-enderedmorecompact. The improved varieties
arijvonderfully free flowering, and better suited
thJ any other section of I)ahlias for garden
delration. But the Cactus type has advanced
ips and bounds. The decorative varieties,
•d, are rapidly disappearing, and the new
of Cactus taking their places, and though
'- outset some attempts at crossing with the
■ative varieties were necessary, in order to
II new tints of colour, the peculiar form of
1 v.i has not only been retained, but rendered
uio refined. Quite unexpected tints of colour
Hii(j pecuharities of form, as seen in the new
— :■ like varieties Fanta.sy and Arachne, have
lad. A wealth of new Cactus varieties
ijilieared this sea.son, man}' of exceeding
utsicy and symmetry. An improvement in the
hut' of growth is now necessary ; it needs to be
' d, to be rendered more compact ; greater
iweriiig is indispensable, and the flowers
11 on erect stems well abo\ e the foliage. In
i "f the newer varieties these desirable charac-
Mcs are being developed, and they will be
furfer extended in the next few years.
fs was one of the most extensive exhibitions,
1 •■<, yet held by the National Dahlia Society,
I some respects one of the best, especially
' las-s for Cactus varieties. There were five
•n< iif eighteen bunches, each bunch having
luuuis, and there were four collections of
"jeje varieties, also with six blooms in a bunch.
ThiWde a most imposing bank of rich blossoms
andkttracted considerable attention. Despite
the tormy weather, the blooms were generally
and unstained. The same may be said o"t
'unpon varieties, which were shown in
^ ijs of ten and six blooms, and highly de-
ugniil many of them were— small, symmetrical,
"od ^y in tint.

J Show and Fancy Dahlias.
Ill objections made to the present method of
exhifcing the show and fancy Dahlias are always
nearht exhibitions, but nothing yet attempted
™ 'P^'ered in the way of change. If the lines
ot H}-ers are formal, yet the whole of the bloom
can seen, and it is ix>ssible to make the stands

(luite attractive by an intermingling of contrast-
ing colours. The largest collection was for sixty
vanctics, show and fancy distinct, and the admis-
sion of tho fancy varieties helps the attractiveness
of a large nuinber of blooms. Messrs. Keynes,
Williams and Co., nurserymen, Salisbury, took
tho first pri/o with a fine, bright, even lot of
flowers, amniiir them tlie following dark and crim-
.son selfs: William Kawlings, Xul>i.ni. WiUic
Keith, Arthur Rawlings, Thomas Holilis, and
Duke of Fife. Of tipped flowers there were
Miss Barker, .1. T. West, Mrs. Saunders (a
(■liariiiiii<' fancy yellow, each petal distinctly
tipped \nth white), Mrs. P. Wyndham, and Henry
Walton. Of iirettv light varieties there were
Vin'inalc, Mrs. Gladstone, and Mrs. Slack. Of
yellow selfs, William Powell, R. T. Rawlings,
John Hickling, and J. N. Keynes. Mr. Charles
Turner, Royal Nursery, Slough, was a good
second, some of the blooms showing the etfects of
the weather : and Mr. .lolin Walker, Thame,
third. Mr. Walker came in first with forty-
eici-ht blooms ; he had well-finished examples of
.Toiiii Standish, Willie (iarratt, Victor, Shirley
Hibberd, Duke of Fife, Mrs. Langtry, Harry
Turner, Miss Cannell, R. T. Rawlings, (ilowworm
and .J. T. West. Mr. C. Turner was second, hav-
ing a few specially good blooms in Mrs. Saunders,
(ieorge Gordon, Rosamond, Prince Bismarck,
Mrs. Langtry, Jlatthew Campbell and Shottesham
Hero. Mr. "S. Mortimer, Farnham, was third.
Then came thirty-six varieties, and here Mr. (.!.
Humphries, nurseryman, Chippenham, was first.
His finest flowers were Duke of Fife, Harry
Turner, Miss Cannell, .T. T. West, Mrs. <i. Raw-
lings, William Rawlings and William Powell.
Mr. .1. T. West, Corn\\'allis, Brentwood, was
second, and Mr.. J. Stredwick, St. Leonards, third.
Mr. Humiihries was also first with twenty-foui-
varieties, and Mr. West second. The best twelve
blooms came from ilr. .J. R. Tranter, Henley-on-
Thames ; Mr. A. Rawlings, Romford, was second.

The amateur growers also had certain classes
for show and fancy Dahlias. There were ten
competitors with twenty-four varieties. Mr. T.
Hobbs, Lower Easton, Bristol, was first, and as
his flowers were particularly good we name a few
of them, viz.. Duchess of York, A'ice-President,
.John Hickling, Matthew Campbell, Imperial, .Mrs.
(Gladstone, Mrs. W. Slack, Thomas Hobbs, Muriel
Hobbs (new), and Prince of Denmark. Mr. A.
Starling, Havering, Romford, was second, and Mr.
T. Anstiss, Brill, third. Mr. .S. Cooper, Chippen-
ham, had the best twelve; Mr. W. Mist, Ightham,
Sevenoaks, was second. Mr. C. F. Kei-p,
Streatham, had the best six, Mr. G. Wyatt,
Twickenham, Ijeing second.

Then came two classes for fancy Dahlias only,
Mr. S. Cooper having the best twelve varieties,
his leading blooms being Frank Pearce, Mrs. .John
Downie, Mr. Saunder?, Matthew Campbell and
Lottie Eckford ; Mr. R. Burgin was second. Mr.
A. Starling h.ad the best six blooms of fancies,
very good indeed ; they were Rev. .J. B. M. Camm,
.S. Mortimer, Peacock. Duchess of Albany, S.
Cooiier and Dazzler. Mr. E. Jefferies, Langley
Burrell, was second.

There were also classes for Dahlias in colours.
The best dark Dahlias were Prince of Den-
mark, Shirley Hibberd, and W. Rawlings ; the
best light, JSIrs. Gladstone, each of the three
prize-winners h.aving this variety. The best yel-
low selfs were .John Hickling, J. N. Keynes, and
R. T. Rawlings ; the best reds, Mrs. .1. Downie
in a self form, .John Standish, and Arthur Raw-
lings. The best white self was .John Walker. iTlie
best tipped Dahlia was Mrs. Saunders ; the best
striped, Mrs. .J. Downie ; the best edged, Mi.ss
Cannell and J. T. West.

Cactus Dahlias.
The best eighteen blooms of Cactus Dahlias,
six in a bunch, came from Mes.srs. .J. Burrell anil
Co., Cambridge, very bright, fresh, and even,
and a good representative collection. They were
Falka (new), Mrs. A. Beck, Mrs. W. Noble, Lady
Penzance, Gloriosa, Delicata, Fantasy, Fusilier,
Matchless, Mrs. K. Foster, Starfish, Cinderella,
and Regulus (new). Messrs. Keynes and Co.

were second, having some very fine varieties,
such as Keynes' White, which promises to be a
serviceable sort ; Starfish, one of the very
best : Lady Penzance, Cycle, Delicata,- and the
following line new varieties : Ruby, Arachne,
\lfrod Vasey, and May Service. .Messrs. .7.
Cheal and Sons were third. Mr. .T. T. West had
Ihi: best twelve bunches, among them a beautiful
pale mauve seedling named Island Queen. Mr.
(i. II umjilirios was second, also with an excellent
stand. The best twelve decorative varieties
came from Mr. M. V. Scale, Sevenoaks. Messrs.
.7. Cheal and Son were second.

In the amateurs' division, Mr. W. Mist hiid
the twelve best Cactus, showing in fine character
Starfish. Mrs. Wilson Noble, Mrs. A. Beck, Miss
.\. Xightingali-, Matchless, and (iloriosa. Mr. E.
Brown, Horley, was second. Mr. E. Mawley,
Bcrkhamstcd, had the best six varieties, and Mr.
C. E. Wilkins, Swanley .Junction, was second.
The best nine Cactus competing for the special
prizes oft'ered by Messrs. .T. Cheal and Sons came
from Mr. C. E. Wilkins, the leading varieties
beinf Mrs. \A'ilson Noble, Lady I'enzance, Fusi-
lier, and Charles Woodbridge. Mr. H. A. Needs,
Horsell, was second.

PoMFON Dahlias.
The best twenty-four varieties, ten blooms in a
bunch, were staged by Mes,srs. Keynes and Co., and
comprised many of the leading varieties ■,^ Messrs.
.J. Cheal iind Sons were second, and Mr. C. Turner
third. Messrs. .1. Burrell and Co. had the best
twelve bunches, all very good. The leading sorts
were Emily Hopkins, Eurydice, Distinction,
Bacchus, Nerissa, E. F. Jungker, Douglas, and
(Jeo. Brinckman, a good white, but rather large.
Mr. .1. T. West was second, and he had, differing
from the foregoing. Captain Bcn'ton, Donovan,^
Little Dorrit, and Tommy Keith. In the amateurs'
division for six varieties, Mr. W. C. Pagram,
Weybridge, was first, and Mr. .J. Hudson,
Gunnersbury House, Acton, second. Mr. J.
.Jefferies had the best six varieties, six blooms of
each.

Single Dahlias.

Only two collections of twenty-four bunches were
staged, ten blooms in a bunch. Messrs. .1. Cheal
and Sons were placed first with some charming
varieties such as Phyllis, Aurora, Alba perfecta.
Beauty's Eye, Amos Perry, Donna Casilda, orange
and rosy-purple, very effective ; Jack Sheppard,
Marion Hood, pink -."Naomi Tighe, Demon, Polly
Eccles, and Miss (Jlasscock. Mr. Seale w.as
second. Jlr. .John Walker w-as the only exhibitor
of twelve bunches, the flowers a little large, the
best varieties Victoria, Mrs. Harris, Miss Roberts,
Maude and W. C. Harvey. Mr. T, W. Girdle-
stone had the best six varieties, ten blooms of
each, consisting of Cadet, Naomi Tighe, .Jeannette,
Polly Eccles, F. Leslie, and Phyllis. Mr. C.
Osmaii, Sutton, Surrey, was second. Mr. E.
Mawley had the best six bunches; Mr. J. Hudson
was second. Fancy single Dahlias were repre-
sented by some very pretty v-arieties. Mr. JI. ^'.
Seale was first, having an excellent selection, viz.,
Fanny Harker, Miss Parrot, May Sharpe, Emmie,
Miss Glasscock, Duchess of Albany, Mrs. Wythes,
and Alice Seale, with four others. Messrs. .J.
Cheal and Sons were second. They had, differing
from the foregoing. Duchess of Marlborough,
Harry Brater, Jack Sheppard, Jeannette and
(Julielma

For an epergne of Dahlias, the first prize was
won by Miss L. Hudson, of (Junnersbury House,
who used small blooms of Cactus varieties in shades
of yellow and mauve, and light -col cured bloorns of
singles and single Cactus varieties. Mr. W. C.
Pagram, of Weybridge, was second, with a large
and imposing arrangement. For a \ase of twelve
D.ihlia blooms, Mr. R. Edwards, of. Beechy Lees,
Sevenoaks, was first, with a well-arranged exhibit
consisting of enormous flowers of Mrs. F. Fell and
Fusilier. Miss L. Hudson was second, using
flowers of Beatrice, Earl of Pembroke and Mrs.
Peart. In the great commemoration class for an
extensive decorative exhibit, the first prize w-as
won by Mr. Seale, of Sevenoaks, whose arrange-

210

THE GARDEN^.

[September 11, 1897.

ment was highly efl'ective. It consisted of a grouiul-
work of the orthodox exhibition bunches, from
which rose ttouquets and epergnes, the whole Ije-
ing softened with Ferns and ornamental foliage.
Graceful arches were used at the back and shorter
ones in front. On the front of cloth which
surrounded the table were the dates 1837 — 1897,
very skilfully worked in two shades of red pom-
pons. The second prize went to Messrs. Cheal
and Sons, Crawlej', for a less ambitious, liut very
tasteful exhibit, in which all the flowers used were
of the highest quality. A pyramid of Cactus
varieties formed the centre piece, with smaller
banks of pompons on each side. Two epergnes
filled with single Cactus varieties were very
pretty. The table was eft'ectively lightened by
the use of graceful Palms and Ferns.

Certificates of merit were awarded to the follow-
ing new varieties : Shoir JMMias : Muriel Hobbs
(T. Hobbs), a clear, soft yellow self of fine shape ;
Mrs. W. Fellowes (W. Fellowes), j-ellow ground,
heavily suffused with orange-red, excellent out-
line and centre ; Harbinger (G. St. P Harris),
soft pinkish rose, a very pleasing shade of colour,
fine shape ; and J. R. Tranter (.1. R. Tranter),
pale orange-red, good petal and outline. Caiiim
varieties : Night, rich maroon, Virighter towards
the edges of the petals ; Daffodil, soft primrose, a
lovely variety of exquisite .shape, and Tillie,
salmon, suffused with pale rose, the petals tinged
with soft mauve ; all of the best Cactus shape.
From Mr. J. Stredwick, St. Leonards. Regulus,
deep shaded crimson, came fi'om Messrs. J.
Burrell and Co., Camljridge. Alfred Vasey, bril-
liant orange-salmon, flushed with rose ; Mary
Service, golden salmon ground, flushed at the
points of the petals with delicate rosy mauve,
very distinct ; Capstan, salmon, suffused with
red, and Arachne, one of the curious spider-like
forms, the curling, white, tubular florets mar-
gined at the sides with bright crimson, came
fiom Messrs. Keynes, Williams and Co., Salisbury.
E. J. Deal, a bright scarlet, came from Mr. S.
Mortimer, Farnham. Annie Turner, orange-red,
with pale cerise shading, and Island Queen,
soft lilac-mauve, a lovely variety, came from Mr.
<;. Humphrie.s, Chippenham. Pompons: Hypatia,
deep terracotta, with yellow centre, from Mr. C.
Turner ; and Nellie Broomhead, soft lilac, of fine
shape, from Mr. J. T. West, Brentwood. Siiifih.s :
Colton Beauty, white, with edging of pale yellow,
an exquisite variety ; from Mr. T. Bonny.

MlSCKLL.\NEOUS .

A large, handsome group of tuberous Begonias
and ornamental-foliaged plants was staged by-
Messrs. J. Laing and Sons, Forest Hill. The
blooms were remarkably good in form and colour.
The most striking of the foliage plants were the
very beautiful Caladiums. A miscellaneous group
of cut flowers and hard3' herbaceous plants came
from Messrs. J. Peed and Sons, Roupell Park Nur-
series. Anextensivecollectionof Cactus, decorative
and pompon Dahlias was shown by Messrs. Cannell
and Sons, Swanley. Mr. T. Charlton, Tunliridge
Wells, staged a collection of hardj' herbaceous
flowers, including some good varieties of Helian-
thus. A large exhibit of Cactus, decorative, and
pompon Dahlias came from Mr. T. S. \A'are,
Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham. The pompons
were not generally very fresh, but the Cactus
bunches were very good. A group of exceed-
ingly good Cactus Dalilias, with a few pompons,
was shown by Messrs. Carter, Page and Co.,
London \A'all, E.C. The blooms were arranged in
vertical rows on very narrow staging, each flower
in a tiny jar, which was practically invisible when
the exhibit was finished. Excellent Cactus Dahlias
were also shown by Mr. John Green, Norfolk
Nurseries, Dereham, who also had some perfect
blooms of the lovely pompon Ganymede. A large
exhibit of cut Roses came from Messrs. Wm.
Paul and Son , Waltham Cross. Some of the most
pleasing varieties were Queen Mab, a lovely apri-
cot-tinted China; the common pink China Rose,
Marie van Houtte, Kaiserin Augusta Victoria,
Viscountes.s Folkestone, Georges Nabonnand,
Gloire des Polyanthas, and Mme. Pierre Cochet.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Septembkr 7.

The show on this occasion was again a compara-
tively small one, though it was by no means de-
void of interest. The majority of the exhibits
were submitted to the floral committee, and in
this section the most striking were a large
group of Nepenthes from Chelsea, Eucharis
amazonica from the Fulwell Nursery, Twicken-
ham, and a very fine collection of Dahlias from the
Lowfield Nurseries, Crawley. Before the fruit
committee, one of the principal exhibits was an
imposing collection of fifty dishes of fruit from
Syon House (Jardens, containing varieties of
Peaches, Nectarines, Apples, Pears, Plums, &c.
There were also two dozen good Melons from
Barnes, and a very beautiful collection of out-
door Peaches and Nectarines from the Royal
Gardens, Windsor. The fruit was throughout
well coloured. Not many Orchids were shown,
the largest exhibit being a collection from the
Royal Exotic Nurseries.

Orchid Committee.

A first-class certificate was awarded to

C.\TTLEY.\ EnpHR.isiA, across between C. suyierlja
and C. Warscewiczi. The sepals and petals are deep
rose-purple, of fine form and substance. The front
lobe of the labellum is the most intense in colour
we ever remember to have .seen, being of a rich
velvety crimson-purple margined with a lighter
shade of colour, the side lobes rich purple, shading
to white and yellow at the base, where it is lined
with the purple of the front lobe. The plant
carried a raceme of two flowers. From Messrs.
Veitch and Sons.

An award of merit was given to

RiiYNCHOSTYLi.s oiEi.ESTTS (Cambridge Lodge va-
riety).— The sepals and petals are nearly white,
shaded with blue. It is the finest form of
this well known Orchid we have seen. The plant
carried two spikes of flower. From Mr. R. J.
Measures.

Botanical certificates were awarded to the follow-
ing: Acineta Barkeri, the sepals deep yellow, the
petals yellow spotted with dee]) brown, lip j-ellow,
hea\ily spotted with deep brown. The plant boi'e two
racemes of thirty flowers each. From Major Joicey,
Sunningdale Park. Oncidium panduratum, a
small - flowered pretty species with brown and
yellow flowers, from Mr. W. Ellis, Dorking : and
Brassia Lawrenceana, the sepals and petals pale
yellow spotted with brown, the lip pale greenish-
white spotted with brown at the base, from
Messrs. .1. Veitch and Sons.

Messrs. J. ^'eitch and Sons were awarded a
silver Flora medal for a large and interesting
group, amongst which were finel3'-flowered plants
of Oncidium incurvum and O. varicosum. Amongst
Cypripediums there were large pans of C. lenan-
thum superbum, C. Charlesworthi, a dark form of
C. Carnusianum, C. Morgana? langleyense, and C.
Leucretia, a new variety of the Selenipedium
group, the result of a cross between C. cahirum
and C. Boissierianum. The most prominent
amongst the hybrid Cattleyas was a grand form
of Ln?lio-Catt!eya Clonia, the sepals and petals
delicate rose, of fine form and substance. The
lip was deep velvety crimson, the side lobes Ijeing
of the same colour and lined and mottled with
yellow and purple through the throat. L.-C.
Nysa, another distinct variety, is the result of
crossing L. crispa and C. Warscewiczi, The sepals
and petals are pale rose, lip deep crimson, heavily
tinged and margined with rose, the side lobes
pale rose, shading to deep yellow and rich purple-
brown at the base. L.-C. callistoglossa bore two
fine flowers. L.-C. Eunomia, a grand form of the
dwarf-growing section, is the result of a cross
between C. Gaskelliana and L. pumila, having the
characters intermediate between both parents.
L.-C. Epicasta (C. Warscewiczi x L. pumila) and
L.-C. Parysatis (C. Bowringiana x L. pumila),
also belonging to the same section, were most in-
teresting. Cattleya Melpomene (C. Forbesi x C.
Mendeli) is a new hybrid with -very pale rose-veined

sepals and petals, the lip I'ose in front, vei]
with a darker shade of rose, the base deep yelli
shaded and lined with deep brown. Cycnoc"
chlorochilon with two flowers, Angr.vcum Eich!
ianum, a good form of Aerides Lawrenceami
Odontoglossum grande, a spotted form of 0. p
catorei and Miltonias in variety were also shoi
Messrs. F. .Sander and Co. sent Cypripedi
callo-Rothschild ianum, another very similar
riety between C. barbatum and C. Rothschil
anum, a fine form of Miltonia Morrelia
M. Petersi (a small - flowered variety ^\-ith
colouring of Miltonia Morreliana), and a gr,'
plant of Odontoglossum Krameri with fifti
s|)ikes of bloom. Messrs. Hugh Low and t
Clapton, sent Cypripedium Alfred HoUingtor
dark form of La'lia elegans, Cattleya Minuciaw
four flowers, and Cypripedium ilemoria Mtei
Mr. F. Hardy, Tyntesfield, Ashton-on-Mers
was awarded a silver Flora medal for a collect
of rare and interesting Orchids, amongst wh
was a fine-grown plant with four flowers
Cattleya Hardyana. Cattleya Ashtoni is a sm
flowered variety with pale rose sepals and pefc
lip purple, shading to yellow at the base. C. [
phyrophlebia has delicate rose sepals and pet
lip rose, suffused with jjurjile in front, shading
white, and lined with j)urp!e at the base. A
Lajlio-Cattleya elegans and Cypripediums in
riety were also included. Mr. A. Warburt
Vine House, Haslingden, sent Cypripedium
signe Laura Kimbell with two flowers.
R. J. Measures sent a dark form of Cattl
Schofieldiana, the sepals and petals beautifi.
spotted with deep brown. Mr. C. J. Ingram f
Lielio-Cattleja Gazelle (C. bicolorxL. elega
similar to L.-C. Andreana, and L;elia splend
(L. crispa X L. jnirpurata). This is a lovely, f
flowering hybrid, the sepals and petals d
rose, much fringed at the edges ; the lip :
crimson-purjile, heavily fringed at the mai
with rose, the side lobes pale rose, shadiug
white, and heavily lined with purple at the b
This is a most interesting hybrid, as it clear;
the parentage of C. exoniensis, proving thai
crispa was not the seed-bearing parent. }
Harris, Lambhurst, sent Cattleya Miss Harr
hybrid resembling both in growth and gen
characteristics of the flower a dark form o
Schilleriana. It is the result of crossing
Mossiaj and C. Schilleriana. Mr. T. Stat
Stand Hall, Manchester, sent Cypripedium 1
Derby, a lovely hybrid, previously certific;
and described in these columns. It certainly
proves under culti\ation. C. Lady Isabelle
Rotlischildiaiium X C. Stonei), a pretty fo
the foliage showing considerable tessellat
which is remarkable, seeing that both pan
have plain green foliage, and C. triumpi
(Sallieri Hyeanum X cenanthum .superbum) v
also included here.

Floral Committee.

A first-class certificate was given to —
Nepenthes Ti veyi. — This is a handsome vai
of excellent growth, the pitchers very shap
dull green in colour, marked with reddish chi
late. The parents are N. Veitchi and N. Cui
superba. From Messrs. Veitch and Sons.
Awards of merit were given to —
MicH.\ELMAS Daisy Mrs. W. Peters.— A pi
of dwarf and bushy habit, the flowers pure wh i
each about an inch across, and borne in gi|'
j5rofusion. The plants were from cuttings stri.
in April of this year. From Mr. W. Pet
Leatherhead. J

HiBisci's Manihot. — This is of strong, shruj'
growth, the flowers delicate lemon-yellow wit ■
shade of maroon on the backs of the petals, >]■
rich deep maroon in the throat. It is a charinil^
variety, and appears to be a free bloomer. Fi
Mr. Fulford, Moor Hall Gardens, Cookham.

Cac'ti's Dahlia F. C. Pawle is a bloom
good form with fluted and pointed petals. It
a good centre, and in colour resembles Ber
Mawley, but is somewhat richer, and does
burn in the sun like the variety just mentioi
From Messrs. Cheal and Sous, Crawley.

Sbptembeh 11, 1897.1

THE GARDEN.

211

An excellent collection of Ncpentlics, containinj,'
me very lino varieties, was staged by Messrs.
jitch and Sons, Cht?lsea. Some of the most
■iking were N. mixta x N. Cnrtisi, willi
rious little jjreen pitchers each aliont 1 iM<'h
)g; N. ampuUaria vittata, with beautifully
A\>ed and delicately-tinted little pitchers; X.
iistersiana, N. Hookeriana, N. Mor{;an;e, N.
irkei excellens, with very beautiful and luightly-
lourod pitchers, and N. albo-maririnata (silver
,t Flora medall. Another exhibit of exeeptinnal
;erest was a collection of Sarracenias and
iphaloti, fnuu Mr. R. J. Measures, Floddcn
lad, I'amberwell (ijardencr, Mr. H. J. Cliap-
:in). A few of the many ^ood things were S.
lilanorrlioda, S. Chelsoni, S. Courti, S. Stevensi,
1 WriKleyana, most e.\(iuisitely marked : Dar-
1 gtonia ealifornica, and .some beautiful plants of
(phalotus follicularis (silver-gilt Flora medal).
. very handsome eli'ect was produced l),v a large
id representative grouj) of Crotons from Mr.
, Peai-s, Isleworth (gardener. Mr. Farr). The
pnts weie \ery clean and admirably grown, and
I; colouring very good (silver Flora medal).
J group of tine jilants of Eucharis ania/.onica
(ne from .Mr. F. Knight Eames, Fulwell Nur-
sy, Twickenham ; all clean, healthy plants, and
livering freely (silver Flora medal). Messrs.
(tbush and Sons were represented by a group of
Ixine Fothetgilli, finely -grown plants, bear-
it freely masses of brilliant scarlet flowers.
J'. Robert Owen, of Maidenhead, sent a small
( lection of cut Cannas, the best being Comte de
luchaud, Caniille Bernardin, Louis Van Houtte,
( neral de Miribel, Monsieur Olcombet, and
Issident t'handon. Messrs. J. Cheat and Sons,
tawley, stjiged a splendid collection of Dahlias,
« itaining good examples of show. Cactus,
t gle, and )X)mpon varieties. The shows were
I narkably good both in form and colour. Par-
tularly striking were Major Barttelot, Mrs.
-)rgan, (loldrinder, Crimson King, Duchess of
''rk, and Thomas Hobbs. The singles were
f <h and bright. The best bunches were Polly
Icles, Cadet, Donna Casilda, Northern Star,
Imon, Harry Brown, and Mi.ss Morland. The
(ctui varieties were fresh and of s]jlendid form.
tme of the linest kinds were Lady Penzance,
(as. Woodbridge, Beatrice, Starfish, Mrs. Leo-

I i\ Seymour, Mrs. Kingsley F''oster, and F. C.
Iwle. The pom])ons included some good bunches
c Phu-be, Clarissa, Eurydice, Jessica, Donovan,
Virion, and (ianymede (silver Flora medall. Mr.
IF. Such, Royal Berkshire Nurseries, Maiden-
hid, also had a collection of Cactus Dahlias, in
V ich were good blooms of filoriosa, Kynerith,
Ilicata, and Mrs. Peart. Mr. .John \A'alker,
lume, Oxon, exhibited Cactus and show Dahlias

II jood form. Of the former, Beatrice, .Mrs. W.
Jble, and Harmony were good (bronze Bank-
s i). Baskets of cut shrubs, &c., came from
issrs. Veitch and Sons, the varieties being
l)iscus totus albus. Hibiscus Lady Stanley, H.
sijle Painted Lady, H. cielestis, Andromeda
a orea, Hynienanthera crassifolia, Acer palma-
t'l sanguineum, and Robinia hispida. A small
b interesting group of cut tiowers came from
S Trevor Lawrence, Burford, Dorking (gardener,
A Bain). Notable things were Clematis David-
18 1, Lobelia Gerardi, Mina lobata, and a collec-
tii of very fine Pentstemons. A group of hardy
fl -ers, containing Verbena venosa. Clematis
"•■imula, Alstnemeria psittacina, and Lobelia
ideri, came from Messrs. Barr and Sons, Co\-ent
Oden (bronze Banksian medal). Air. T. S.
Vre, Tottenham, also showed hardy flowers
(Imze Banksian medal). A group of very
lidsome i'rench Marigolds was shown by
M srs. Dobbie and Co. , Rothesay.

Fruit Committee.

here were some excellent collections of hardy

fr ;, notably those from the Royal Gardens and

Sn House. Melons were shown in quantity,

wii some good (Jrapes, Peaches and Tomatoes. "

wards of merit were given to the following :—

ELON- Mrs. Heriu.s-.— The result of crossing

fruit above medium size, flesh white, of good
depth, and of excellent flavour, skin bright golden,
nicely netted. From Mr. Ilerrin, The (iardens,
Dr-opinoi"(\ Bucks.

Bi.Ac KiiKKiiv .MiTCHEix'.s Skkdlino. — a Very fine
fruit with a brisk acid flavour. It is a very free
licaicr. From Mr. Mitchell, Fir Cottage, Farn-
ham Royal.

Mr. O. Thomas, the Royal (iardens, Frogmore,
sent nearly forty dishes of Peaches and Nectarines,
and a couple of baskets of Tomato Golden .Jubilee.
There were a few duplicate dishes, but all were
good and well deserved the award given. .Men-
tion nuist bf made of Pinc-ap[ile, Lord Napier,
Elruge, Humboldt, \'ictoria, Hardwick Seedhng
and Spenser Nectarines. The best Peaches were
Gros.se Mignonne, Stirling Castle, Noblesse, Belle-
garde, Princess of Wales, Crimson Galande, Dy-
luond, Violette Hative, Priniu; of Wales, Barring-
ton and Dr. Hogg (silver-gilt Knight ian medal). Mr.
Wythes, Syon House Gardens, Brentford, sent a
eolliction of early Apples and Pears, with a dozen
varieties of Peaches and a few Nectarines. Thc^y
were nicel)' arranged in small groups on coloured
foliage, and not on plates, as is usually the ease.
We like this mode of arrangement for hardy
fruits. The best Pears were Williams' Bon Chre-
tien, Souvenir du Congr^s, Margaret Marillat,
I )urondeau, F^mile de Heyst, Fondante d'Automne,

travellers expressed great surjjrise when they
first met with these plants. The first record we
have of the Nepenthes was in 1()(>1. It
was then lost sight of for a time. In the
eighteenth century, Linna'us, to whom we owe
the name Nepenthes, gave us interesting facts
and named new varieties, but as regards the
latter they wen; not |)lentiful at tlie date named.
Many [jlants were lost owing to our hou.ses at
that period being unsuitalile for cultivation. To
Messrs. P. Veitch and F. W'. Burbidgc wc are
indebted for four splendid species from Borneo;'
Dried specimens from their native habitat, alS**-
sonie very fine ones from Dublin (Trinity ('olh^ge),
showed to what size the pitchers grew and their
colours. Sir H. Low nearly fifty years ago found
some splendid \arieties, but at that time, unfor-
tunately, failed to get them alive to this country.
Others also a little later sent plants, but our
stoves of that day, owing to the dry, hot flues,
were no doubt answerable for many losses. In
I.S.")8 Sir H. Low made another attempt to send
the splendid N. Rajah, a noble spetues, but met
with little success, and of seeds sent but few
survived. Since l.S7"2 many hybrid varieties have
been raised, and at that period, through the aid
of Miss North's drawings at K«;W, we got the
beautiful Northiana. ilr. Burbidge, after much
labour, securetl this fine Pitcher, which is such a

(iratioli of .Jer.sey, Pitmaston Duchess, Dr. .Jules | great ornament to our stoves. The lecturer noted

(iuyot and JjOui.se Bonne of Jersey. Of the
.■\])ples, (Jravenstein, Duchess of (Gloucester,
Worcester Pearmain, Irish Peach, Yellow Ingestre,
Lord Sutfield, tJrenadier, Wealthy and Cellini
were the best. Peaches in variety. Plums and
Mulberries were also included (.silver Knightian
medal). A collection of Melons in variety came
from Air. W. Kemp, Barnes, the best fruits being
Hero of Lockinge, (Golden Ball, Earl's Favourite
and Blenheim Orange, with several seedlings
(silver Banksian medal). Mr. Miller, Ruxley
(iardens, Esher, sent some very fine Princess of
Wales Peaches, with a good dish of Yorkshire
Beauty Apple (bronze Knightian medal). A cul-
tural award was given to Mr. W. W. Taylor,
Forest Hill, for three excellent bunches of Grape
Madresfield Court, good berries and well coloured.
Similar awards were given to an excellent dish of
Stirling Castle Peaches, well grown and nicelj'
coloured, from .Mr. Howe, Streatham Common,
and very fine Peaches (Exquisite) from Mr. .J.
(Ailes, Heger-Balcombe, Sussex. A new seedling
Nut was sent by Mr. Mitchell. Farnham Royal,
and thought well of by the committee. Melons
were plentiful. Mr. Herrin staged several seed-
lings, also Mr. Scott, Lydney Park, Gloucester,
Mr. Marsh, Clarence House, East Cowes, and
othei-s, but most of them lacked fla\our. Mr.
Farr, Spring Grove (4ardens, Isleworth, sent a
plant of All the Y'ear Round Tomato laden with
fruit and bearing enormous clusters. .Mr. Russell,
The Nurseries, Richmond, Surrey, sent fruiting
plants of a Tomato named Campbell's Prolific
This the committee asked to be sent to Chiswick
for trial. The plants had been lifted from the
oi)en ground and were fruiting very freely. To-
matoes were sent by Messrs. Francis, Frew and
Son, Lyminster, but of no special merit.

Tlie Veitch prizes for flavour brought fortli
nine dishes of Pears and eight of Apples. The
first ))rize was given to Mr. Herrin, Droiimore,
for Williams' Bon Chretien, the second going to
Mr. Wythes, Syon, for larger fruit, but less ripe.
The other varieties staged were Dr. Jules (iuyot,
■Jargonelle, .Jersey (iratioli, and Early Roussellet.
.\pples were good. Air. Alayne, Bicton (iardens,
Budleigh Salterton, being first with a nice dish
of Kerry Pipjjin ; Mr. Wythes second with a
good sample of (iravenstein. The other \-arieties
staged were Worcester Pearmain, Oslin, and
Devonshire (^uarrenden.

the value of N. Alastersiana, one of the best of the
hybrids. This, the result of crossing N. Kh-asiana
with N. sanguinea, is one of our best and most
easil3'-grown I'itchers. Plants of this variety
were shown, some following one parent, some the
other. The hybrids raised in this country in
most cases made a much freer growth than the
older imported plants. Seedlings in their various
stages were handed round, and the newer N. Tiveyi
C;rtificated that day was much admired. This is
one of the latest crosses. The Nepenthes occupied
a wide range of country and were much scattered,
but most of them were close to the sea. The
larger species had been found from o(J()l» feet to
8(I(J(I feet above the sea, but there was a great
uniformity of temperature — rarely more than 5^
dillerence during the day, with abundance of
moisture. Alany other interesting points were
referred to, including their mode of growth, shape
of lea\es, &c. Air. Burbidge said they owed
their best thanks to Mr. Veitch for his most in-
teresting paper and foi the specimens sent.
He described the various formations of the plant,
how built up, and the best means to get fine
Pitchers in this country. He also made some in-
teresting remarks on collecting and the ditliculty
in obtaining new species.

The lecture on Nepenthes given by Air. II. .1
\'eitch was well attended, the lecture being illus
trated by diagrams and specimens. Air. Veitch
stated he would avoid as much as possible the
botanical part, dealing chieflv with the plants

J ^ — . ■- -^.-...v.... Aij,^ ivoiiiu \ji uiu^aiijg uotanicui pari, oeaung ciuenv w iin tue plants

i-savonte with an unnamed seedhng. It is a I from a horticultural standpoint. No wonder

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEAIUM SOCIETY.

Sei'tember 7, IS, and 9.

The display made by the condjined efforts of the
Dahlia, Chrysanthemum and (liladioli growers at
the Roj'al A(juarium, Westminster, may be con-
sidered quite a success. In most cases the classes
were each well filled, and the exhibits were also of
a high order of merit. Chrysanthemums, as usual
at this first exhibition, were only shown in a very
limited quantity, and this year's display being
more of an experimental one, supporters of the
early flowering sorts may rest sat stied. On this
occasion exhibitors were confined to the varieties
included under the heading of " Early-flowering"
in the society's Jubilee Catalogue, lS!Hi. There
were several interesting exhibits, and to make the
show of these flowers more popular it will be
necessary to add proved sorts to the list each year.
Already it has been noticed se\-eral very excellent
varieties have been omitted from the catalogue.
That the early-flowering Chrysanthemum is essen-
tially a plant for the hardy flower garden the
cla.ss of exhibits staged seemed to distinctly
prove, the bunches of small and medium-sized
flowers having evidently been grown in the open
with little or no disljudding. Dahlias were the
chief feature, these being exhibited in fine form
and in large numbers. In the leading classes the
blooms of the show and fancv sorts were verv fine.

212

THE GARDEN.

[September 11, 1897.

The chief interest was without doubt centred in
the beautiful Bowers of the Cactus type, their rich
colour and pleasing form appearing to interest the
majority. The winning ftand of singles in the
class for twenty-four bunches was a very line lot,
and well merited the distinction it gained. Pom-
pons were largely shown. The trade display of
Dahlias was not so fine as on some former occa-
sions, but this was amply compensated for by the
numerous entries in the competitive classes.
Gladioli were shown in fine form by Messrs.
Burrell and Co.

Cheysanthemums.
In the class for twenty-four bunches there was
only one competitor. Mr. Eric F. Such, the
Koyal Berks Nursery, Maidenhead, was awarded
first prize. This was a fine exhibit, and con-
tained large bunches of good coloured flowera in
fresh condition. The most notable among them
were Harvest Home, a pretty crimson and gold
flower ; Mme. Marie Masse, M. (Justave (iruner-
wald, M. G. de Dubor, Le Poets des Chrysan-
thfeme, and Mme. Eulalie Morel, pi'etty cerise and
gold colour, of the Japanese sorts ; while the
best of the pompons, and these were good, were
Mr. Selly, Piercy's Seedling, grand colour ; Mr.
W. Piercy, Longfellow, Blushing Bride and its
bronze sport. Bronze Bride, Strathmeath, and
Mme. Edouard Lefort, a prettj' crimson and gold
flower. There were three entries for twelve
blooms of Mme. C. Desgrange. Mr. B. Calvert,
gardener to Col. A. Houblon, Hallingbury Place,
Bishop's Stortford, was an easy first with an even
lot of flowers. Mr. Chas. Crook, gardener to
Dowager Lady Hindlip, Hodson House, Droit-
wich, who had very fine blooms too, was placed
second. The class for twelve blooms, any large-
flowering variety or varieties exceiit Mme. C.
Desgrange, brought only one competitor, ilr.
Calvert again showing handsome flowers of (i.
Wermig. These were good, full, and deep, and
of a rich colour and fresh. Mr. Such was placed
first for twelve bunches of pompons. His best
sorts were Bronze Bride, Piercy's Seedling,
Mme. E. Lefort, J. B. Duvoir, and Long-
fellow. This was a nice lot of flowers,
large, fresh, and clean, but arranged on
Moss, which was anything but attractive.
Miss R. Debenham, St. Peters, St. Albans,
secured second honours with smaller flowers, not
well set up. Mr. Calvert was first with a vase
containing six blooms (.Japanese) of Mme. C. Des-
grange, but the effect was lost by bad arrange-
ment and the want of a little foliage. Miss
Debenham was second, showing Edwin Row-
bottom, a pretty little yellow flower, and arranged
with Fern fronds. The class for six bunches of
any of the yellow sports of Mme. C Desgrange
resulted in the first prize being awarded to Jlr.
Calvert, who staged four bunches of G. Weimig
and two bunches of Mrs. Hawkins. This was a
very handsome exhibit, and would have been
better had more space been taken in arranging the
flowers. In this class, as well as in one or two
others, there was evidence that blooms of the late
sorts had been hurried forward, but these were
excluded, not coming within the list of those de-
scribed as earl}' flowering. Extra prizes were,
however, given to these exhibits. In the ama-
teurs' classes Miss Debenham was accorded
premier honours for twelve bunches of Chrysan-
themums (pompons allowed). Her best flowers
were Vicomtesse d'Avene (splendid colour),
G. Wermig, Edith Syratt (rich purple-magenta),
Edwin Kowbottora, Mme. Carmaux (|jretty new
white flower), Longfellow and Mrs. Cullingford.
Mr. D. B. Crane, Highgate, N., was a good
second, his best bunches being Mme. Marie Masse,
Harvest Home and M. Dupuis. This exhibitor
was also first for a vase of six blooms, showing
Mme. C. Desgrange and Lady Fitzwygram,
arranged with sprays of richly-toned Oak foliage
and grasses. The class for an epergne was well
contested, resulting in Mr. T. S. Williams,
4.\, Oxford Road, Ealing, W., being placed first
with a somewhat cumbrous arrangement. The form
of the stand resembled a small umbrella in shape,
with a neat base. The second prize was awarded

to Mr. D. B. Crane, who had a light arrangement,
flowers, foliage and grasses being pleasingly asso-
ciated together.

Gladioli.
The class for a collection of (iladioli spikes
always brings a very large and handsome display,
Messrs. J. Burrell and Co., Howe House Nursery,
Cambridge, being invincible. This exhibit covered
one side of a table arranged across the liuilding,
and included many dozens of very beautiful flowers.
The most striking varieties among them were
Oriental, Rosalind, Atlas, Ella, Flambeau, Eunice,
Grande Rouge (many very fine spikes), Arch-
duchesse Marie, Ruth, and Baroness Burdett-
Coutts. The trusses were very large and the in-
di\idual blossoms very fine. Messrs. Harkness
and Sons, Bedale, Yorkshire, were placed second.

Dahlias.
The jirincipal class was one for forty-eight
blooms of the show and fancy tyjie of the flower,
and in this there were five competitors. Mr. J.
Walker, nurseryman, Thame, Oxon, was de-
servedly first with a very fine lot of flowers.
These were large, well finished, of good colour, and
set up in a neat and even manner. His liest
flowers were T. W. Girdlestone, Joseph Ashb}',
Maud Fellowes, James Cocker, Queen of Autumn,
Shirley Hibbeid, Victor (very fine). Chieftain
(good colour), J. T. West (excellent), Mrs. David
Saunders, Mrs. C. Noyes, S. Mortimer, Hercules,
Buffalo Bill, and W. Powell. Mr. S. Mortimer,
Farnham, was second, his flowers lacking the
evenness which distinguished the premier dis-
play. In the class for thirt}'-six blooms, distinct,
there were six entries. M'. S. Mortimer was first
with an even lot of flowers. Second honours fell
to Mr. J. Walker, who followed the first prize lot
very closely with large even flowers of good
colour. For twenty-four blooms, distinct, there
were three com|jetitors. Mr. (i. Humphries, nur-
seryman, Chippenham, was first with even, though
smaller flowers. The best in his stand were Re\'.
J. Godday, Shirley Hibberd (very fine). Senator,
.James Stephens (fine colour), Earl of Ravens-
worth, and Mrs. J. Downie. Mr. .J. T. West, Brent-
wood, was placed second with a neat lot of flowers.
In a class for twelve blooms, distinct, Mr. G.
Humphries was again first with a well-balanced
lot of flowers. Buffalo Bill (very fine buff, striped
vermilion), William Rawlings (fine form), Mrs. J.
Downie, .James Stejjliens, Arthur Rawlings, and
R. T. Rawlings were among the best. A good
second was found in Mr. J. R. Tranter, Henlej'-
on-Thames. In the amateurs' and gardeners'
classes the premier one was for twenty-four blooms
(show and fancj'), distinct. In this Mr. Thomas
Hobbs, Fasten House, St. Mark's Road, Easton,
Bristol, was first out of four competitors with
rather small flowers. Mr. R. Burgin, St. Neots,
Hunts, was placed second with larger, but an un-
even lot of blooms. There were only two com-
petitors in the class for twelve blooms, distinct,
the leading position being taken by Mr. E.
Jefferies, Langley Burrell, Chippenham. The
second place was taken by Jlr. W. Wheeler,
.')3, Bill Street, Henley-on-Thames. In a small
class for amateurs who grow their plants without
professional aid there were eight competitors with
six blooms. Mr. Thos. Hobbs was first with neat
and beautifully finished flowers. The pompons
were a very pleasing feature of the show, the
charming little flowers when well set up nuiking
a delightful change to the heavier blooms arranged
on boards. The principal class was one for twenty -
four bunches, distinct, and arranged in triangular
form, with ten blooms in each bunch. There were
four competitors, the premier jjosition being se-
cured by Messrs. Keynes, \\'illiams and Co., nur-
serymen, Salisbury, with a very charming selec-
tion. Mr. Chas. Turner, Slough, was second
with smaller, yet lovely blooms, but not so well
arranged. For twelve bunches, Messrs. J. Bur-
rell and Co. were first with neatly-arianged and
high-class flowers. Mr. J. T. West was second
with smaller flowers, having Nellie Broomhead,
Mary Kirk (a good yellow), and Bacchus. For
six bunches, Mr. G. Wyatt was first with a fine
' lot, having Capt. Boyton and E. F. .Jungker in

sjjlendid condition, while Mr. J. Hudson w;i
second with a pretty exhibit, having Mars i
splendid colour. The single varieties were see
in exceptionally fine form in the first prize exhibi
of twent3'-four bunches. This came from Mi
T. W. Girdlestone, Sunningdale, Berks, and wal
a very beautiful, bright, even, and well-arrange
lot of flowers. The B3cond prize went to Sli
F. W. Scale, Vine Nurseries, Sevenoaks, with les
even flowers and also less beauty in their settin
up. Eclipse, Formosa, Miss .Jefferies, W. C
Harvey, and Beauty's Eye were his best bunche;
For twelve Ininches, Mr. E. F. Such was firsi
Mr. .1. Hudson, (junnersbury House, Acton, W
was second with smaller, but pretty flowers.

The decorative, including Cactus, \arietie8 wei
in themseh'cs the most distinct feature of th
show, and were an object of interest to most <
the visitors. Great improvement seems to be see
each season. The true Cactus form seems to \
the essential, and on this account several strong!
groT\n flowers having lost some of the chi(
characteristics regarding form had to give plac
to those of truer form. The chief class for th
type of the flower was for eighteen bunches, di
tinct, six blooms in a bunch. Messrs. .J. Burrs
and Co. were first with a grand lot of flowers
medium size and good form ; Starfish, Lady Pei
zance, Mrs. A. Beck, Falka, Mrs. Francis Fe
Cinderella, Casilda, Mrs. Wilson, Noble, Fantas
Harmony and Cycle were the best. Messr
Keynes, Williams and Co. were second. The
were six competitors in the class for twel
bunches, and these made a most striking array
colour. Mr. J. T. West was first with flowers
exquisite form and a pleasing assortment
colour. The second prize was awarded to Mr.
Stredwick, Silverhill, St. Leonards-on-Sea, for
heavier lot of blooms. Quite a strong competiti(
was seen in the amateurs' and gardeners' class, f
six bunches, the premier award going to Mr. I
Wyatt, with small flowers and, with one exce
tion, good form. To several exhibitors this \v
a great surprise, as the disappointed ones li
flowers showing high culture at the expense
form.

Miscellaneous Exhibits.

These were large and varied, and assisted ve
materially to make a fine show. Mr. H. J. Jom
Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham, S. E. , well merit
the silver-gilt medal for a charming group,
the centre were early Chrysanthemums and Liliii
speciosum album artistically arranged, and
each end of the group and finished off' to a poi
were fine tuberous-rooted Begonias, both doul
and single forms. The whole was pleasire
finished off with Palms and edged with Ferns, i
Mr. T. S. Ware had a large group of cut Dahli
of all types arranged on the floor, a central co
of large size being composed of the Cactus flowt
with smaller cones at each of the four come
made up of the jjretty pompon flowers. This al
received a silver-gilt medal. Mr. Norman Dav
The Vineries, Framfield, Sussex, had a lar
table of Chrysanthemums, inter.spersed with c
flowers of the perennial Aster. A vase of Chrysa
themum Queen of the Earlies and one of Barba
Forbes, each excellent early white sorts, we
much admired (silver medal). Mr. W. Wei'
Earlswood Nursery, Redhill, had a small tal
of early Chrysanthemums (silver medal),
grand group of Chrysanthemums associated wi
fine-foliaged plants came fiom Mr. .1. H. Witt|
Nunhead Cemetery, and this was awarded
silver-gilt medal. Messrs. H. Cannell and Son
Swanley, for cut Chrysanthemums and a nice 1
of Saintpaulia ionantha in 5-inch pots; M|
E. F. Such for a collection of liardy flowers ai
Dahlias; Mr. J. R. Chard for a large table
decorative exhibits, including some of his mo
recent designs, and Mr. Scale for a large table ;
Dahlias in vases and on boards; each received {
silver medal. Messrs. S. Spooner and Son, nuj
serymen, Hounslow, had a large table of Apph
and Pears set up in baskets and on dishes, fl
which a silver-gilt medal was awarded. Fro
Reid's Nursery, Sydenham, came Cannas,
which a bronze medal was given.

TSZIE G-JL:RJD:Ei2>T.

134S_VoL. Lll.]

[SEPTEMBER 18, 1897.

l.iddi^fesi .. ..
nil (■•'injiUcuhituiii.
Mill hraivi

■ Irii('(n-liiUnn..

ii.'tos..n

I . -lata

iluinbh.ti

ii-!s vi.ilacea . .

I >,'Mttul:ita .. ..

I I tortilts . . . .

>] III- Stiuliei in Bo-
th*" -m:*

»M -

low tuko uf AllKUiy .. •• -1^"'

lt«i . Xaboiuiand . . . . '2\t<

iuet roiiprin/.' isin Victoria 21t)
lo9i [inc. Alfred do Rougo-

mt ;21t5

loetliuo. Fanny do Forest "J 10
U«< floscttc de la Legion

d'lnnour 21G

■nldewon 216

ii^'leTea 21(i

lit cuttings .. .. "315

and Greenhouse: —

-, Tree, housing .. 218
. , n.-i, winter - bloom-

lUBilter flowering .. .. 218

Cyclamens, summer treat-
ment of 218

Lilium longiflorum Harrisl.. 217

Li/iitm loiigijlornm Ilnrrhi.. 21"

Solanuni capsicastrum ,. 218

Ferns :—

Aspleniums 210

Pteris tromula 2ls

Park and Woodland:-

Pine, the Corsiean, at home. 219

Pint, the Cnrsiran, at horn'-.. 210

Caryopteris mastacanthiis . . 221

Dcsnii'diiiui peudiilifloium.. 220

Destroyers :—

Lily liiilli disease, a .. .. 220

Kitchen :—

Beets 221

Cablmge sprouts 221

Caulitiower Eclipse .. .. 222

Onion Allan's Reliance . , 222

Onion Golden Rocca . . . . 222

Onions, soil for 222

Parsley for winter 222

Pcivs, large 222

Potiito Ashleaf Kidnoy ., 222

Potato notes 222

Potato Syon House Prolific.. 221

Potatoes 221

Spinach The Carter . . . . 222

{IltuMrations in Italics.)
Garden Flora :—

Iris lAirlitlini 222

Week's Work :—

I'Yuit hoviscs, work in .. 221

Kitchen garden, wurk in the 223

Flower :—

Flower garden notes . . . . 227

Lilium giganteum 226

Liliiitn!fi!f<i»t,i'm 226

Lobelia Oerardi 226

Montbretiaa 227

Omplialodcs Luciliiis .. -. 227
Pansies, Tufted, in the ruck

garden 227

Primula obconica var. fim-

briata 227

Rudbeckia laeiniata Golden

Glow 22ti

Orchard and Fruit :—

Apple Kenti.sh Fillbasket .. 229

Apple White Juneating .. 229
Apricot tree, sad end of a

giant . . 229

Currant, Black, Lee's Pro-

Ufic 229

Figs, open-air 229

Kimberley Park, fruit at .. 230

j.Monmmith, notes from ,. 230

Nectiirine Cardinal . . . . 229
Peach growing at Carrow

House 229

Peaclies, outdoor 220

Peaches and Nuctarinos at

Exctor .. 227

Ptarli'in and N'lrtnrineit on a

hifjh ircHt icall at Exeter .. 227
Pears Bcurr6 d'Aromberg

and Beun-6 Sterckiuans .. 230

Wasps, plague of 230

Wineborry, Japanese . . . . 22'.»

Notes of the W^eek:—

Abutilon niegupotaiiiicum . . 231
Agave vivipara var. nova .. 2.S0
Amaryllis Belladonna .. 231
Anemone japonica Whirl-
wind 230

Asclepias incarnata pulchra. 2^0

Aster ucris 230

Aster Amellus 230

Aster spectabilis 230

Begonia gigantea 230

Berkheya purpurea . . . . 230

Colchicum speciosum .. .. 230

Coris monspeliensis .. .. 231

Dendromecon rigidum . . 230

Eucomis punctata 231

Flowers from a Surrey gar-
den 230

Fuchsia simplicicauHs . . . . 230

Gazanialimifiscajia .. .. 231

HeWnimn nudilloi-um .. .. 230

HcliopHis Iifvis 230

KniplM.lia Nilsuni 231

Lolielia spl.'ii.IdUH (Winch-

nioro Hill var.) 230

Meadow SaffrouH in grass . . 231

Phyyalia Francbctti . . .. 231

Polygoinnn orientale .. .. 231

Punica Granutum nana .. 230

Ro.sa canina v]ir. dumetorum 230

Zepbyranthcs Atama^co .. 231

Public Gardens :—

Richiimnd, new recreation

ground for . . . . . . . 232

St. Paul's Churchyard .. .. 232

Vandalism, municipal ., ,. 232

Obituary:—

Cocker, :Mr. James .. .. 232

Miscellaneous :—

Boiler, removing a ,. .. 231

Carnations, planting . . . . 232

Fruit and vegetable crops . . 224

Ginger plant, the 232

Grubs in Cyclamen , . , . 232
Grub on Pear foliage .. .. 232
Juniperus compressa, creep-
ing form of 232

Tulip seed, sowing .. .. 231

Weather in West Herts . . 2?2

Orchids.

DENDROBIUM DEAREI.

-■te and jiretty blossoms of this Den-

: (-■ |)roduced at this season with great

1, ind doulitless this has in a measure

lis popuhirity. Few species are more

for cutting, even among the spring-

l; deciduous kinds, and the fact that

I lids are now at tlieir best is an addi-

nmmendation. I liave been in phaces

IS species gi-ows hke a weed, though no

I attention seemed to have been paid to

in others it is more or less a failure.

' it is most satisfactory in places where

irge batch is cultivated, as here it can

gi

■n just the right position and treatment,

icre a few plants only are mixed with

het|r)rchids it is more diificult to do. It

from the Philippine Islands, conse-

I'lenty of heat must be allowed, and I

lys found it do best in a house laden

H'spheric moisture the greater part of

Tlie growth, it will be noted, is short-

. lud all such plants take longer to make

I those with longer internodes and fewer

■' > >i Get them into growth tlien as early as

)8si|e in the season, and see that from

'• ^iie the buds start till the terminal

ire finished no check of any kind is

I'lu plants. They may be checked in

ivays — by neglecting the ventilation or

in spring when cold winds are often

- at the time the sun is bright, by

-rnce of insects about the young tender

'ii.iu or by sudden fluctuations either of heat

■ ii|isture. All this should be carefully

'• 1 against, and after the growth is fully

o it nmst be well ripened by exposure to

IU-. It is quite a mistake to think that

;he blossom.sare over, the growth there-

1 not be ripened. Each pseudo-bulb has

■" play in the economy of the plant, and

• ■'^ is only half done when the Howers are

fer. A well consolidated plant rests during

the winter and starts strongly in si)ring, but
one with green, half-ripened bulbs is never
satic-.factory. D. Dearei should never be un-
duly dried while at rest ; the roots and com-
post may get quite dry before giving a fresh
supply of water, but they must not be allowed
to remain long in this condition. If propei'ly
potted, it takes water almost daily when both
root and top-growth is acti\'e. The young
.shoots begin to emit roots when about 3 inches
in length, and if the compost is in need of re-
newal, this is the safest time to set about it.
Ncjthing is gained by using large pots or baskets,
fi->r the roots, though rather freely [produced
and fairly vigorous, do not seem ambitious in
leaving the centre of growth, like those of D.
nobile and similar kinds. Nice speciniens may
be grown in pans about 5 inches or 0 inches
across ; in fact, if the receptacle used allows of
a margin of compost about li inches wide all
round the plant, it is ample. For jiotting D.
Dearei I use about three jiarts oi Sphagnum
Moss to one of the best fibrous peat rid of all
sand and earth, adding plenty of rough crocks
and charcoal, and draining the pans well.
Should any of the jdants be badly rooted, and
conseipiently difficult to fix in position, a thin
copper wire may be run over the convex surface
of the compost, catching the rhizome between
two of the older pseudo-ljulbs'this serving to
hold it steady until new roots are emitted,
when it maybe removed. If sufficient moisture
can be otherwise maintained in theatm(is]ihere,
syringing overhead is unnecessary, but it will
do no harm if judici.msly managed, and is .some-
times helpful during very hfit, bright weather
in summer. The most risky time is when the
shoots are small and tender, but it is not then
needed. The plant is named in crimplimeiit to
its discoverer. Colonel Deare, who found it in
Dinagat about the year 188- . R.

Peristeria elata.— Of this I noted a large
plant la.«t week carrying a spike considerably
over a yard in length, the upper portion for more
than a foot bearing the pure white, sweetly-

scented blossoms. The column and lip bear a
strong resemblance to a w-hite dove ; hence its
popular name of Uove Orchid. P. elata is a
strong-growing, semi-terrestrial plant, thriving
well in large well-drained pots, the compost con-
sisting of equal parts of peat, loam fibre, and
Sphagnum Moss. Plenty of crocks and charcoal
must be added, the plants grown strongly till
they flower and afterwards rested. — H.R.

Stanhopea guttulata. — This belongs to the
same set as Stanhopea ooulata and S. Wardi,
and is a variable and beautiful jjlant. The flowers
are large, the sepals and petals pale yellow,
closely covered with large, light purple spots,
the lip nearly pure white, with snuiller dots of
purple. S. guttulata does well in any warm,
moist house it grown in fairlj' large baskets sus-
pended from the roof, ke]it moist at the roots,
and regularly syringed overhead twice daily in
hot weather. The best compost is equal parts or
thereabout of Moss and charcoal, with a little
loam fibre over good drainage.

Trichopilia tortilis. — This pretty species is
still in good con(Htion, the well-known blossoms
with their singular twisted segments being very
attractive and fragrant It does well in a shady,
moist position in the Cattley.a house, and though
liking abundant moisture while growing freely,
may easily be over-watered during winter. The
roots are not very strong or any too freely pro-
duced, so care is needed to keep the comjiost
clean and open, so as to ensure ample aeration
right through the ball. Where duly shaded, the
closer they are to the glass the better, but they
cannot stand direct sunlight. T. tortilis is a
native of Mexico, whence it was introduced in
lS3.i.

Oncidiuin leucocliiluin. — This is an old
species, but a very beautiful one, the long arch-
ing spikes of flower having a fine appearance just
now. Each bloom is about '2 inches across, pale
yellow on the 6e])als and petals, which are blotched
with chestnut-brown. The li]) is similar, or
lighter in colour, w ith a reddish centre. It is an
easily-grown, vigorous plant, thriving well in
quite a cool house during the summer months,
and in winter a minimum temperature of oO° is
ample. The roots are strong, thriving well in a
compost of medium thickness consisting of equal

214

THE GARDEN.

[September 18, 18J

parts of peat and Moss. It likes plenty of water
while growing, and must never, in fact, lie dried
off. It is a native of Mexico and was introduced
in 183.3.

Dendrobium canaliculatum. — This Den
drobe is not so frequently seen as it deserves, for
it is a distinct and pretty plant. The stems are
much more thickened than most others of the
Australian section of the genus. These bear a
few pairs of leaves towards the top whence spring
the stout erect spikes of bloom. These are about
a foot high as a rule, the flowers occurring chiefly
towards the top in a loose raceme. The outer seg-
ments are rather narrow, white at the base, becom-
ing yellow at the tijis, the lip being white with a
very deep purple blotch in the centre. The
plants require plenty of heat and atmospheric
moisture while growing, but the roots are easily
damaged by either a too free supjily or too
much material about them. The pots or pans
used should allow a margin of 2 inches round the
plant, and the compost must be made ver}'
firm. The most suitable time to repot is wlien
young growths are starting before they begin to
root. D. canaliculatum comes from almost the
extreme ))oint of North-east Australia, and was
discovered by Mr. J. (Jould Veitch in 1865.

Cattleya Loddigesi.— Flowers of the typical
form of this plant come from a corresi>ondent for
a name. It is a jjretty plant that is worthy of
more care than present-day Orchid growers give
to it. The flowers occur several together on an
erect scape at the apex of the newly-formed
pseudo-bulbs ; they are about 4 inches across, the
sepals and petals a delicate rosy-lilac, the lip
deeper in colour with an orange blotch in the
centre. Its culture is not dithcult, being prac-
tically the same as for most of the upright grow-
ing, autumn-flowering Cattleyas. A position not
too far from the roof glass suits it best. The
plant may be repotted in March or April, using a
compost of rough peat and Sphagnum witli plenty
of charcoal and crocks. Old specimens are apt to
become bare in the centre, and when this occurs
they ought to be broken up and the young plants
either re-massed or set growing separately. In
any case let the leads be kept as near the centre
of the pot as possible and use the latter of medium
size in accordance with that of the plant. Keep
the growth dormant during winter if possible and
only give sutticient water to prevent shrivelling of
the pseudo-bulbs. It is an old plant in collections
and a native of Brazil.

PHAL.?iNOPSIS VIOLACEA.
Thkre are a great many varieties of this pretty
Moth Orchid, dift'ering more or less in the
intensity and distribution of the colouring, but
every one is a handsome and beautiful plant. In
the typical form the blossoms are about 3 inches
across, white, prettily marked at the base of the
segments and lip with \iolet-purple. The}- occur
on stoutish scapes, about four or five on each, and
these are not as a rule o[>en together. The habit
of the plant is dwarf, the leaves deep shining
green, about ti inches in length. It is not more
difficult to grow than others in the genus, and
may be cultivated in pots, small pans, or wooden
baskets suspended from the roof. The growing
season is usually from February or March till Sep-
tember, and during this time a hot, moist, and
carefully shaded house suits it best. Shading is
an important point in its culture, for though it
cannot be denied that growing naturally the
plants are exposed to almost direct sunlight, this
will not do under cultivation. On the other hand,
for obvious reasons, too heavy and long-continued
shade is not advisal)le. Enough light to properly
consolidate the leafy system of the plant must be
allowed or the foliage gets weak and thin, falling
off wholesale in spring when the plant begins to
get^active. j Air in abundance the plant likes, pro-
vided it can reach it at a proper temperature, but
to open the ventilators when cold winds are
blowing is simply ruinous. Better by far keep
close then and allow more air when the weather is
more propitious. Keep the temperature as

regular as possible, and avoid a dry atmosphere

at all times. The foliage dislikes heavy syringing
overhead ; it is unnecessary if the atmosphere is
right. The treatment of the roots is simple. The
more they can be induced to break up and ramify
in broken crocks or similar material the easier
they are to transplant, and this has led me in many
cases to remove Phaljenopsids of various kinds from
thecylinder-shaped receptacles often used for them
and place them in pots of ordinary make. The
roots are exceptionally impatient of anything close
or sour about them, cleanliness being one of the
important points in its culture. Pots or pans
should be clean and dry when used, and the
sphagnum about the roots should have all foreign
matter removed before using. A winter tempera-
ture of 60° by night is high enough, and the day
temperature at this time must not be too exciting.
A proper annual routine of growth and rest is thus
kept up, the plants blooming freely every season.
P. violacea is a native of Sumatra, and was first
discovered in 185!). It has, however, only been
in general cultivation since 1878, when it flowered
in a Cornish collection. R.

Masdevallia ephippium. — This is a .singular
and interesting species, but not so showy as some
other kinds. The flowers are very freely produced,
one or two on a scape. The upper sepal is the
smaller, being narrow, yellow, stained with
brown, the lower ones forming together a cup-
shaped process enfolding the column and petals,
cliestnut or reddish brown at the base, becoming
yellow at the end of the tails. Few species are
better ofl' for names than this, but the above is
the one generally recognised. It is a native of
New Grenada, whence it was sent home in 1874,
and it has been collected in various localities by
different people since. Reichenbach took the
specific name from a Greek word, meaning a
saddle, but where the likeness to this comes in, it
would be difficult to say. M. ephippium does
not always thrive under cultivation, but, as a
rule, it will be satisfactory if kept slightly warmer
than the Harryana set during winter, potted up
in clean Sphagnum and peat, and never dried at
the root. The safest time to repot the plant is in
autumn, when it has a chance of getting re-
established before the winter. Remove all old
and sour material from about the roots when re-
potting, and finish the line of compost a little
above l;he pot. Yellow thrips are its worst insect
enemy, and must be kept down by fumigating if
needful.

Promensea stapelioides. — This is a quaint,
yet striking little Orchid, and I have noted it in
flower in several collections recently. In habit it
is similar to the other species in the genus, but
usually rather smaller, the pseudo-bulbs only
about 1 inch high and growing in close tufts.
The flowers, usually produced singly on the
spikes that spring from the base of the bulb,
are each IJ inches across, pale yellow, with bands
of deep purple-brown. The lip is darker than
the rest of the flower. Although this species
comes from Brazil, its habitat is so high up on
the Organ Mountains, that it likes much less heat
than Brazilian Orchids generally. It may, in
fact, be kept quite as cool as Sophronitis, and
will be all the better for it. In a shady, cool
house of any kind it will thrive if carefully
attended to. " Perhaps its roots are the most im-
patient of any resjiecting closeness in the com-
post, and for this reason the plants need frequent
renewals of the latter. They must not be top-
dressed time after time without repotting, as this
tends to thicken the bulk of the compost, and
thus defeat the end in view. A thin layer of good
peat Moss and fibrous loam suits this plant well,
and from the time growth starts until the bulbs
are made up the roots must not .suffer from want
of water. Insects are fond of the tender foliage,
and these must be kept in check by sponging. — H.
Phaius Humbloti. — There is something very
singular about the constitution of this beautiful
Phaius ; in some places it grows very freely, in
others even skilled cultivators fail to do much

with it. I am of opinion that not only thirst
many other Orchids vary in robustness and \iiur
in the individual plants even when apparentlall
are as strong and healthy as each other. ,la]|
events it is not unusual to see plants und'kj.
actly the same cultural conditions varying gi'tlv
in the progress they are making. Cleanlinei's'a
very important factor in its well-being, wl'iff
the term is applied to the plant itself or the'm-
post and rece|)tacle in which it is grown. j''ret
step in fact in bringing unhealthy plants to \i)ur
would be a thorough washing of every port ' of
root and Imlb, repotting into fresh con'st.
Being a nati\ e of Madagascar, it natural re-
(juires warmth, but possibly it has been kej .oo
hot by many growers in the past. I know m,
least one case where a lowering of the ten 're-
ture has led to better results, while a nice hi liv
lot of plants I noted during the week was «•■
ing in the airiest part of a large Cattleya isc
and blooming freely. It is very attractive '.en
in flower, much more so than the majority o ]e-
cies. The spikes rise to about 18 inches Big 'nil
bear seven or eight flowers each. Thes in-
dividuall}-, are 2 inches across ; the sepa '«!
petals white, with a rosy-purple suffusion, t liii
a pretty shade of lirownish-crimson. The m
commemorates its discoverer, M. Leon Hui ot,
who sent it home with other species in 1870. I.

NOTES ON ORCHIDS.

The weather of the past few weeks has beei I'jy
unsuitable for Orchids, and it has been neoi ^ry
to use much more fire-heat than usual in the ;.iii
houses. The grower's first care now, of ci ,ie,
will be the consolidation of the growth mad ir-
ing the past summer. Most of the deci '•m
Dendrobiums ha\e by now finished growin Qd
are hanging in the full light with the above' «1
in view. 1). Macarthi:e has made good gr ihs
with me this season and the terminal leav|.re
just ajipeariug, D. superbum and one or two liis
being in a similar condition. These will r .jn
in the warmest house for some time longer , it
is a great mistake to turn them out beiori ley
are really finished. This treatment tends 1 !*
and badly-formed flowers, also subsequent v Jj
growths. The evergieen kinds have been .let
irregular this .year, l)ut as the growths of .86
are made up in a much shorter time than |i8e
noted above, it does not so much matter i ey
are a little later. D. chrysotoxum and the v tj
suavissimum are now just starting. J^J-
imported plants of I), formosum are gr og
freely, so are others of D. Phahenopsis, D. F li-
anum, 1). bigibbum and D. Dearei— a i er
mixed lot of plants this, but just now they f on
wonderfully well together. Calanthes are ill
green, and I give these liberal moisture i lit
root, with now and then a weak applicat of
manure. Thunias that have ripened up o' lie
should by now be under cover, as the nighi re
much too cold for them, and as soon as a be
foliage is off they may be shaken clear of the n-
post and hung up in a warm house for the w ,''■
Late plants and stems that have not bloomed |8d
care, or the}' keep growing too late in the seai |lo
ripen properly, and such stems never price
good flowering shoots in the spring. V re
the houses are apt to become covered with ,ty
or other deposits, owing to the proximilo'
the stokehole, these must be kept washed off i'
is imperative that all the light at command jM
the plants now. Especially is this the case ijre
Phahenopsids are grown, for though it isnjs-
sary even now to lower the blinds for a le
while on bright days, they want all the ligbt
before this and afterwards. It is too early y
reduce the moisture much to these beai
plants, but a slight difference maybe mad
the atmosphere. The leaves, especially the M
the Schilleriana group, show by their appeal :«
when the season's growth is drawing to a clo;

In the Cattleya house C. Gaskelliana is "
flowering, some late plants even }'et just I
ing the buds through the .sheath. C. Wl
autumnalis will soon be the attraction, i

SEPTEMBER 18, 1897.]

THE GATJDEK

*r

215

th leJlutifiil Dowiuim vurioties are also foi'wanl.
iittata Leopold; with its olive and ciimsoii
is just 0|)Ciiinf;, and C. bioolor, a quaint and
prity species, will follow it closely. Keep L;elia
pt>uratji, Ij. j^ramlis tenebrosa, antl ("attleya
■isoni:i' at rest now if ijossible, also the sum-
' I'loomiiii; kinds that flower upon the youni;
(lis. Cattleya Mosai;e is pulling up, but
\iarmer, or at all events brighter, weather
lime, while C. Trianie and C. Percivaliana
-tint£ in sheath. These tine kinds have the
if the season to grow in, but in the neigh-
li.iod of large towng where fogs are injurious
worst of seasons for flowering. Oneidimn
- anuni is an erratic subject, but if the
.: ill can be arrested now that the new fleshy
laees have formed and grown to full size, there
ia 5 doubt they start away better for a rest, if
on of a few months' duration. Other kinds, as
CI. irthaginon.se and roseuni, O. Cavendishianum,
an'O. luridum, may lio treated similarl}-. None
of lem like severe ih'ying, I ait neither are they
nifiietoryif kc|it sluggishly growing through-
lie year. The cooler section of the genus,
I-. 0. macranthum and its varieties, and the
!■ kinds, as 0. coneolor and cucullatum,
many cases pushing new roots from the
nj p-rudo-bulbs, and if the compost is in
"I irihwal this may be safely carried out
.Many of the Odontoglots, Ma.sdevallias,
ihallis, and Restrepias may also be looked
None of these like a thick spongy mass of
-t. They delight in one that quicklj- runs
rr watering, and has i^lenty of capacity for
■ m. The first-named delight in deep "pots
111 rough open material, where the large fleshy
'lirive and ramify freely, but all the dwarf
ire best with less. The Schlieperianum
iiilar types of Odontoglossum are coming
1 forward, and great care is necessary that
kes are not eaten by slugs. These pests
■re troublesome in the cool hou.se than any-
• else, and this section of the popular geniis
especially to their taste. Disas, tooi may
repotted, the root-stocks being carefully
'I or the tiny shoots will be broken oti'.
H ill soon again be in growth, and when this
I - a very liberal siqiply of moisture both in
aiosphere and at the'roots must be given,
-pecies in pits and frames must be well
' led at night, and after the end of the month
'i 111 be, if^ convenient, placed in their winter
ijUXers. No drop in the temperature in any of
ihiouses is advisable as yet. R.

Books.

)PEN-AIR STUDIES IN BOTANY.*

" Come forth into the light of things.
Let Nature be your teichev."— Wordsworth.

NB.\T, well-printed, and most interesting
Iiook of 260 pages, with glossary and index"
iir seventy original illustrations, and seven
' L'ravures of wild plants as naturally grow-
I their homes. As the author tells us in his
■e, this work is

ttompt to exhibit, by means of familiar eeenes

iiir own islands, glimpses of plant life; inter-

., t'" lot hy the exumining of microscopic slides in

tb laboratory, nor yet by the "conning of olant-

mi mies m the lierbarium, but by the study of

iiciil scenes from Nature. We stand, in fancy, out

e open country, with the wild flowers at our feet,

bum of insects and the rustling of the wind in

o>i?ars, and the blue sky overhead, and we use those

PO!ra of observation that have been given to us.

U s only can we hope to comprehend the life of a

plit rr of a plant-comniunity, and appreciate the

""itions under wliich each species lives, and the

tations by which each is able to maintain its

ad

, Open-Air Studies in Botany : Sketches of British
n r''" '" "'"■'' Homes." By R. Lloyd Pra-ger,

I' 1 i' ^'■^•'•^- Illustrated by drawings from
freljy S. Rosamond Pra>ger, and photographs from
ire by R. Welsh. London : Chas. Griltin and Co.,

I , Exeter Street, Strand, W.C. Ig'.i;

position in the plant world and fulSl its proper
luui'tious.

And wo must honestlj* say that thi,s simple little
programme has been well carried out, and it is
just the book to interest and eneourago those who
are fond of our natives wildings and do not know
much about them.

There are eleven chapters, or "scenes "as the
author prefers to call them, representing so many
of the peculiar habits generally resorted to l)y
the special plants included under each head.
Tims we have A Daisy Starred Meadow — Under
the Hawthorns — By the River — Along the Shingle
— .\ Fragrant Iletlgerow— A ('onnemara Bog —
Where the Samphire (irows — A Flowery Meadow
— Among the Corn — A Study in Weeds — In the
Home of the Alpines, and finally a city rubbish
heap with its vagrant population is described.
The book is by no means a complete flora, Ijut
aims at the illustration of our most popular
nati\e flowers in a go.ssiping or familiar manner.
In treating of the flowers themseh'es oyiportunitj'
is taken to " point a moral and adorn a tale " by
pleasant glimpses at the underlying principles of
classification, distribution, and movements of
plants, as also to those now familiar biological
questions of "the struggle for existence" and
" the survival of the fittest," &c.

The book is rendered much easier for reference
by the partiorjlar generic and specific names and
other important words being printed in a larger
and darker type, though the ordinary body type
is also bold and clear. Thus, under colours of
flowers the work of (;rant Allen is mentioned,
and under Orchids there are references to the
«orks of Darwin on cross-fertilisation, and else-
where the works of Kerner, Midler, Johns, Ben-
tham. Hooker, More and Moore, Babbington, &c. ,
are named, so as to facilitate the studies of those
who care for further information.

The book is mainly written from an Irish flora
point of view, but will on that very account be
more acceptacle to many other British readers.
The rare and peculiar Irish Orchid, Spiranthes
Romanzoviana, is figured on the title-page as grow-
ing in grass, but, as it seems to me, miiiii'i its
own leaves, and mention is made of the peculiar
fact that this delicious almond-scented little flower
is found nowhere else in Europe except in three
or four Irish localities, but crops up in New York
State, and is found at interxals between that
place and San Francisco. It is a little disappoint-
ing to find the dainty little Fairy Hyacinth (or
Scilla verna) ignored, though the Wood Hyacinth,
or Bluebell, is alluded to as Scilla vestalis several
times : but no doubt Mr. Lloyd Praeger thought
it would not be likely to intruile itself upon the
majority of those who read his book. Again,
very little, excei^t a bare mention, is made of that
t|ueen among all British wild flowers, the Lily
of the Vallej', which makes the woods near
t'oniston and elsewhere in the English Lake dis-
trict so fragrant and delightful during May and
.lune every year. We quote Convallaria majalis
here, as being one of our most exquisite wild
flowers, and one to which the botanist has rarely,
if ever, done justice. Will it be believed that
there is no jiortrait of it in the Botaiiiral Mar/a-
ziiie ? At the hands of the gardeners and of the
general public, liowever, it has met with due cul-
ture and a[)preciative admiration, and thousands
of pounds are jiaid annually for its roots or
"crowns" for forcing, as grown near Berlin,
Hamburg, and other (icrman towns. It is also
largely grown in France and Belgium, and there
are florists, like .Tannoch and Rochford in Eng-
land, who can now su|)ply its exquisite leafage
and pearly bells for at least ten months out of the
twelve. This is done by a very clever application
of chemistry and jihysics, a steam engine working
a refrigerating apjiaratus in a cold chamber,
where the " crowns" are preserved dormant until
required. This is merely one instance out of
many in which our native flowers are now attain-
ing to a profitable importance, but little, if any-
thing, le.ss than that of many exotic ones. We
have no means of knowing the total sum derived

from the sale of Lily of the Valley flo*.ers in Eng-
land, but it must be .something enormous.

To return to the charming book before ns, wo
may say that it relates to wild flowers only — as
its title indicates — nothing being said of the
Ferns, Mosses, or fungi, nor do we find any refer-
ence to the enormous quantity of Blackberry
fruits now gathered in Ireland and ship|ied to
England every year, but as another edition is
sine to be soon called for, we would suggest that it
should contain a short chapter on the economic
and medicinal uses of wild flowers and |ilants, in
the efficacy of whii^h the Irish peasantry to this
day so thoroughly believe. Twenty years ago only
aver}' few "hot-house" flowers were seen in a
very few of the best shops in Dublin, but today
(lowers are met with everywhere, and there is,
moreover, (|iiite a profitable trade established in
wild flowers throuj^diout the Dublin streets every
spring, when tlie flower girls and basket women
hawk about Primroses, May Blobs or Kingcups,
Buttercups, Oxeye Daisies, &c. Later in the year
the Blackheads, or Banshee Rods (Typha), and
great clusters of golden Corn Marigold and fresh
masses of purple Heather appear, while " Holly
and Ivy " brings the season to a close on Christ-
mas Eve.

Both author and publisher are to be con-
gratulated on the production of a work as fresh in
many ways as the flowers themselves of which it
treats, and the reader may feel quite satisfied
that the rich store of information the book con-
tains is quite up to date and reliable.

F. W. BURBIDCE.

Rose Garden.

ROSES FROM CUTTINGS.

By the time these lines are in print the prepara-
tions for obtaining a quantity of own-root Roses
should be commenced. Before explaining the
tiioduK ojnrandi it will perhaps be as well to
consider the advantages of own-root Roses over
those that are budded or grafted. These advan-
tages consist of ( 1 ) immunity from destruction by-
frost, (2) ab.sence of suckers, (3) continuity of
flowering, (4) greater longevity, (5) economy.
Considering these five points in the order given,
doubtless the first one is of great moment to most
individuals. It is very disappointing, not to say
disheartening, to see our favourites totally killed
by frost, which timing recent j-ears has been
so severe. Although we can be tolerably safe
with liudded dwarf plants if moulding up with
earth is resorted to, yet there are times when we
are caught napping, the ground being too hard to
carry out our intentions, and, consequently, our
plants are almost, if not cjuite, crippled beyond
recovery. The Manetti stock is very tender. I
have seen it killed outright at the root whilst the
plant budded upon this stock was scarcely
touched. Of course, one remedy for this would
be to use the seedling Brier as a stock, but this is
not obtainable everywhere, and unless we can be
certain of having |)lants on the Brier, then I saj-
most decidedly own-root plants are the best. If
the cuttings are properly made there will be a
continuous throwing up of suckers, but we have
the satisfaction of knowing that these suckers
are also part of the Rose plant. Then again,
we ha^■e no suckers to cut away. I was
surprised to see tjuite recently in a first-class
pri\ate garden huge bushes of the Manetti
stock growing amongst the Roses. I think
had they been mine I would have budded on to
them some good popular kinds or cleared them
out. Three or four years ago I was looking over
some beds of Roses, and could have cut away
almost a barrow-load of wild suckers of the Dc la
Grifferaie stock upon which had been budihd
many of the Teas. Now this is not a satisfactory
state of things. Perhaps it will be said that no
good gardener would allow suckers to remain on the
bushes, but it is not always convenient to search
for them, and Roses are often planted in positions
where to a certain extent they are not always

216

THE GAEDEK

[Septkmeer 18, 1897.

under our eye. In the third place we have by
planting these own-root Rose.s abetter succession
of blossoms. This applies chiefly to the Hybrid
Perpetuals, because we all know how perjietual
the Tea-scented and allied classes are. But with
the Hybrids on the Manetti stock, when the first
flush of flowers is over there is a great dearth of
blossom for several weeks : but with own-root
plants this is not the case. Even before a shoot
has developed its blossoms another sucker-like
growth is making its way upward, to be finally
crowned with a grand head of flowers.

Seldom do we find in gardening perfect union
of bud or graft and stock. To show that such is
the case, even the production of fruit trees upon
own roots is freely spoken of amongst professionals,
and there is no douljt in the case of Apricots,
Peaches, &c. , a more healthy class of plant would
be the result if the (ilan could be successfully
adopted. As regards Roses budded on the Manetti,
let anyone dig up a plant after being planted three
or four years, and he will generally find a mass of
roots springing from the Rose plant at the junction
of bud and stock. This proves that Roses have a
natural inclination to make roots, and it
certainly is more in accordance \vith Nature's
methods. Were it not for this rooting from the liud,
Roses on the Manetti would be very short-lived.
On the contrary, own-root plants practically never
wear out. We see this in some of the grand speci-
mens of climbers in old gardens. For these
climbers, pillar Roses, hedge Roses, shrubliery
Roses, cemetery Roses, and indeed everywhere
where one wishes to treat them as shrubs, own-root
plants are decidedly preferable. Then on account
of the greater economy of own-root plants I recom-
mend them. If well-rooted plants are carefully
put out in good fibrous soil, they quickl}' overtake
their budded brethren, although at first they
have poor puny tops comjjared to theirs. In
grouping Roses one does not want to be constantly
filling up vacancies, and this we are bound to do
if budded plants are employed. There is a saving
both in the plants required and in the time
occupied in attending to their requirements, also
in their production. Good own-root plants may
be obtained in twelve months, whereas twenty-
four months from the planting of the stocks are
necessary to produce budded plants.

Having said this much in favour of own-root
Roses, perhaps a few hints as to

Striking Cuttings
will be helpful at this season of the year. I do
not advise trying to strike the Tea Roses in
autumn. This is best done in .July under hand-
lights in a very sandy soil. \\'hat I recommend
putting in now are the Hybrid Perpetuals, some
of the Hybrid Teas, Bourbons, Chinas, Hybrid
Chinese, Ayrshire and Evergreen, &c. The
(iallicas, Mosses, Damasks, Albas and other sum-
mer Roses are best rooted from layers put down in
July.

The plot selected should tje out in the open in
full sunlight. Trench the ground at once and
work in some good decayed manure and road
scrapings. The advantages of trenching are very
manifest in a season like we have had this year.
Let the land lie for two or three weeks, then it
will be ready to receive the cuttings. If a heel
can be taken with the cutting, it is a very good
practice. These cuttings should be about
G inches long. The most suitable wood is that
which flowered first this season, cut oft' level at
an eye with a sharp knife. Leave the top leaves
on and lay the cuttings in the shade in some old
fibre until the ground is ready for them. They
must not lie about long, because as soon as cal-
lused they emit roots, which break oft' [quickly if
rubbed ever so slightly. When planting take out
a small trench and cut down the soil with a spade,
so as to form, as it were, a wall of soil. Place a
small quantity of a mixture of old cocoa-nut
fibre, sand, wood ashes and pot-mould in the
row, and stand the cuttings about 4 inches apart
on to this compost, and slightly lean them against
this wall of earth. Only just the point of the
cutting should appear above ground. Then dig
up some soil and give a fair treading to firm the

cutting ; then another row about 12 inches from
the first one may be prepared in a like manner.
Nothing further will be necessary until sharp
frosts threaten ; then, if possible, cover over all
the surface with a layer of leaves or light litter.
If the frost draws up the cutting, it must be
pushed down again when a thaw takes place, and
a favourable opportunit}' must be seized when
the soil is dry to tread the cuttings up firmly.
If kept thoroughh' clean, the following summer
some fine plants will be produced. These should
be removed early in October to their permanent
quarters. Lift them very carefully, and when re-
planting put a half peck of good soil around the
fine fibrous roots. I would not recommend putting
in cuttings of delicate mitt'j' growers such as Louis
van Houtte, Horace Vernet, Xavier Olibo and
such like, but varieties of the style of Charles
Lefebvre, La France, Baroness Rothschild, John
Hopper, Mrs. .John Laing, Captain Hayward, &c.,
strike most freely. To ensure success, put
cuttings in early. W. E.

Rose Duke of Albany. — The flowers of this
are of a rich scarlet-crimson-rose. It is excep-
tionally valuable as an autumn flowering variety,
the colour at this time of the year being very
brilliant. The flow-ers when fully expanded are
richly shaded with blackish maroon. It would
surely be very valuable to exhibitors, because it
is not one of those "catch'' varieties that only
give one good (lower in a season. It is a good
grower, not extra vigorous, but quite strong
enough. Perhaps it is most suitable as a bush,
although it makes a fairl}^ good head on standards.
It is a fragrant variety, having very spiny wood
and bright pea-green foliage.

Rose G. Nabonnand. — It is at this season of
the year that the loose, informal Roses are seen
in greatest perfection. Although we admire the
stately beauty of Maman Cochet, Souvenir d'Elise
Vardon, and such like varieties, we are compelled
to admit that it is such kinds as (!. Nabonnand
that best beautify our gardens and houses. This
Rose is beautiful in bud ; it is doubly so when ex-
panded ; then its immense shell-like petals of
a soft rosy apricot colour are lo\ely. It is a
splendid grower, making each season a quantity
of strong growths of a deep purplish colour— an
admirable contrast to the blossoms.

Rose Mme. Fanny de Forest. — This
Noisette Perpetual is a grand white Rose for pot
work. When its numerous blossoms are fully ex-
jianded it makes one of the most attractive plants
in a collection. Under glass the flowers remain
upon the plant a considerable time, and before
any of them show signs of decay the whole
corymb of buds has expanded, producing a most
striking ett'ect resembling that of a huge snow-
ball. The flowers are large for this class of Rose,
quite as large again as in Boule de Neige, and
they are of a very pure white indoors, but outside
there is seen a faint tinge of pink. It is a good
grower, making solid, rather stift' shoots, but not
of the rampant nature of Boule de Neige. As a
standard or a Ijusli it is etjuall}' useful.

Rose Kronprinzessin 'Victoria. — It seems a
pity that raisers of new Roses elect to bestow
such outrageous names as the abo\'e upon their
novelties. If our German and French friends
desire to honour their Roses by giving them the
names of members of their Royal houses, sui'elj'
they would not object if our countrymen angli-
cised them, and thus rendered them more eupho-
nious to our ears. Although this lovely Rose
sported from the old Souvenir de la Malmaison
.some few years ago, it still remains almost un-
known, and I believe the name given to it has
hindered it gaining popularity. The flowers are
very clear and beautiful, of a milkj'-white colour
suflused with sulphur-yellow, flat in form, but
ver}' pretty. In all other respects it resembles its
parent.

Mildew on Roses. — Will you or some of .your
readers tell me how best to get rid of mildew on
my Roses ? I read in De.an Hole's book about
Roses that " Mr. Rivers recommends soot as a

remedy," and he gives the following ciuotai)
from Mr. Rivers' letter: "Have you mildc!

try soot Perry " (his foreman) " ti'l

sulphur without end, and at last in desperai i
smothered them with soot in the dew of ■
morning. This rested on them for four or
days, and was then washed off'. The efl'ect
marvellous : the mildew disappeared, the le;
turned to dark green, the buds opened frc
and the flowers were brilliant." So in the "i
of the morning " I tried soot, and the efl'ect ,
certainly " marvellous," for although rain i
the following night and washed off the soo
killed all the foliage, which was blighted. -
Amateur.

Rose Mme. Alfred de Rougemont i? i
excellent variety that should be in every gai i
where good decorative kinds are prized,
whole of these Noisette and Bourbon Perpet
are well worth growing. They are so useful
cutting, and although they lack the refinen ;
of their rivals, the Teas and Hybrid Teas, t r
nevertheless have the merit of being quite hi
and most of them make capital town V-
What conduces to the particular attractive ,
of the Rose under notice is the exijuisite carm .
tinted buds, contrasting so prettily with i
pinkish white expanded flowers. The bless i
are produced in real Noisette style. The g i
beauty of this Rose, and, indeed, of all the tril i
most revealed when trained in pyramidal I i
and very sjiaringly pruned. By isolating thei i
sunny positions in good soil they are verit i
cones of blossom the best part of the summer 1
autumn.

Rose Rosette de la Iiegion d'Honn •
(H.T.).— This pretty climbing Rose must bee i
very popular, albeit encumbered with afecl
name. Its very tiny buds are each about ■
inches deep and of extjuisite shape, every f .
evenly arranged, bending outward at the poi
forming, as it were, a miniature trumpet,
colour of these buds is brilliant vermilion. T
of them backed up with their own foliage n
one of the jirettiest button-holes possible,
expanded flowers are only semi-double, but '
are quite unique in their way, for the cc
petals have a broad line of creamy yellow co
extending from the tip of each right down tn
base. The ground colour of these expai
flowers is a soft carmine, the base be
suft'used with yellow\ The fine sprays of flo^
are borne upon good vigorous shoots. It is
of those climbing Roses, such as Longwi
Rambler, Gustave Regis, and others, that &'
freely when grown as bushes. It will most
tainly be in demand by florists when better kno

Single Tea Roses.— I was particularly
pressed when at Kew last week with the hea
of a bed of Rosa indica var. diversifolia
lovely, rich carmine-red single variety,
idea at once occurred to me, "Why not li
a collection of autumnal single Roses ? '
autumn of the year, with its cool nights ;
days, is distinctly favourable to single floW'
Raisers of Roses know full well that they obt
a very large percentage of single varieties, an
maintain that if some of the more beautiful sin
Teas were retained instead of being rutllle^
destroyed, as they are at present, a delightful 1
ture would be added to the garden. The wc
that the opponents of June-flowering single vai
ties have been enabled to say of them is that tl
are too evanescent, but I think even this fc
ing would diminish in autumn-flowering sin
Tea-scented varieties, if not entirely, at least
a very considerable extent. Some of these sini
Teas possess the most exquisitely formed bm
long and pointed, and it seems a pity that su
lovely gems, so rich and pure in colour and so ii
in growth and flowering, are not perpetuated i
the adornment of our gardens in late summer a:
autumn. Hard by the variety noticed above w
to be seen in all its autumn glory the almc
single cream-coloured Isabella Sjjrunt, and
better illustration could be found of the utiii
from a decorative point of view that a coUecti'!
of single Tea Roses would produce.

ily it is at unco siii)i)lii!il in the accdnipanyini;
llustratioii. This h)vely form is not only the
lost usffiil ami liaiulsunie of its raco, butisalso
ree-tiowei'ini,' and easily grown. It is a Lily
o one can niistaUe, for no other of the loug-
owered or tnnii|i('t section is exactly like it or
imparablo witli it. This one may be selecteil
cadily by experts in Lily culture from tlu'
iiilbs alone. Indeed, m;uiy years ayo, before
he present final detinition was attaehe<l to this
ind, it was easy to select it from among the
I'st, which were mostly of tlie typical liind in
lio oi'iginal importations from .Japan. The .same
liaracteristics are only now more fully developed

Septembir 18, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

217

Stove and Greenhouse.

n

LILIl'M L()N(iIFL()Kri\r ILVKKLSI.

)roof were w.iuled of the beauty of tlie above

SU])

sometimes thrico the size of tho.so sent from
.)a]ian. the l)e.st side of this Lily is brought out,
Jind it is no surjirise that a varietj' characterised
by freedom of (lowering wherever it is known
should by culture that suits it to a nicety i)osse.ss
this in a still greater degree. It is no uncom-
mon occurrence for the largest bulbs of this
Lily, ])roducing only five or six Howers from
ordinary bulbs, to produce (juite double that
number from much larger bulbs. But to ensure
ret lining all its powers intact in this direction
there should be no tiuie lost in getting the bulbs
into the soil the moment they arrive in this
country. Indeed, it .should be remembered
always in this connection that a Lily grown in
Berumda and shipped to England has already
had a much longer season out of the
earth than is at all needful for any
Lily ; and of the hjng-tiowered section this is

may be planted in ])ots from 5 inches to
7 iiiclies acnws, that is to s,ay, giving them the
pot in which it is intended they should flower.
In my experience, this is to be preferred to any
sub.se(|Uent repotting after growth is well ad-
vanced. With these im|>ortations the roots
and stem growth are i)roduced with .singular
rajiidity, and in a few weeks the hitter has
made its appearance through .some i> inches
of coal ashes, while the i]ots are also tilled with
roots. I'sually these Lilies are in a sound, plump
condition on arrival, and all that is needed
is to free them from the rough sawdust or other
material forming the jjaeking ]>rior to potting.
H.aving no root hl)res, a soil fairly moist with-
out being in the least adhesive is best for
potting, and to this no water need be given.
ri;int the bulbs quite firudy iu a good sandy
loam with which some bone meal has been

Liliutn longiflornm Harrisi. From a photograph by Mr. F. Mason Good, Winchfield.

ice the culture of this Lily has been so much
feature in the Bermudas. In the typical L.
iigitlorum the base of the bulb is small, widen-
g to the top, which is distinctly flat, while the
)s of the scales are arranged in a slight depres-
m. In the Lily now under notice, which

15 known generally as L. longiHorum exi-
um, the .scales are of more uniform size
roughout, while the bulb as a whole is so dis-
ictly conical in shape that a glance will decide

The growth of the leaves is also distinct,
; d so also the arrangement of the flowers on the
ijm, as well as the aspect of the Idossonis.

16 Bermuda-grown bulbs of Harrisi, however,
!: more vigorous than those of the same variety
'>m Japan. But this does not alter or change
I e well-defined characteristics. By a .system of

Iture that often produces bulbs twice and

especially true, seeing that in a greater or less
degree these are closely akin to evergreen
when left alone. It is this fact, indeed,' and
the readiness to start into fresh growth as soon
as flowering is well past that cause the loss of
this secondary growth, and often some injury
to the bulbs. It was also this fact that gave
rise to the theory, long since ex])loded, that this
Lily flowered twice and sometimes thrice in a
season. That it is a grand Lily for either pot
work or the open ground there is no doulit
whatever, but any bulljs intended for the latter
if of Bermuda growth should not be planted
out in the open till severe frosts are jjast.

The annual im[)ortations from Bermuda
usually reach this country in September, and if
possible should be potted without a m<iment's
delay. According to the size of the bulbs, they

mixed, and plunge overhead 0 inches deep in a
bed of coal ashes. Here they will be .safe with-
out water for at least three or four weeks, by
which time tlie stems will be piercing through
the ]ilunging material. In the event of wet
weather following the ])otting, the bed contain-
ing them shouhl be covered with lights or
sheets of corrugated iron to throw off the rain,
examining from time to time so that the points
do not come into contact with the iron. As
soon as up a frame .shcjuld be placed over them,
or remove the pots to a rather deep pit where
ample light and ventil;ition can be given. To
leave the pots too long in the plunging bed is to
tempt the roots to the surface, and sometimes
the formation of stem-roots alsf), and the.se
perishing by sub.secjuent exposure cannot in-
fluence for good, to say the least. Do not place

218

THE GARDEN.

[September 18, 1897.

bhem in the greenhouse too hurriedly, and
when tliere endeavour to keep them scrupu-
lously clean. Better anticipate green Hy, and
fumigate in advance, for once it gains a footing
in tlie points of these Lilies it is most difficult,
as well as expensive, to eradicate. E. J.

SOLANUM CAPSICASTRUM.

This useful plant is extensively grown for market,
some growers keeping their plants under glass the
whole season, while others stand them out in the
open quite early. They are usually propagated
from cuttings, though some growers depend on
seedlings, which, if selected from a good stock,
make good plants, but they do not always set
their berries so freely as those from cuttings.
Cuttings should be put in in January, or even
earlier. They may be obtained by putting some
plants into heat. All the berries should be taken
oif and the plants will soon start into growth.
Short cuttings from the new growths root freely
in a close pit where there is a good bottomdieat.
To succeed with Solanums it is essential that they
.should be potted oft' as soon as sutliciently rooted,
and they must not be cheeked in any way.
During the earlier stages they may be grown on
in heat, and later on they will do well in pits, or,
as I have previously said, they may be placed out
in the o])en, but should have a sheltered i>osition.
Plants grown from cuttings begin to flower early,
but if kept well syringed it will prevent them set-
ting berries, or if they do set their berries before
the plants ha\e made sufficient growth they must
be taken oil'.

Solanums may be potted in good loam, with a
liberal addition of well-rotted manure, and after
the pots are well filled with roots, liquid manure
may be used freely until the time for setting the
berries. At this period the syringe must be
withheld and a good circulation of air kept up.
After the plants are well set with berries, manure
may be used again, and the syringe must also be
used freely, otherwise red spider and other insects
will be troublesome. An early batch which has
been kept under glass throughout the season is
now well covered with ripe berries. Although it
is rather early, they come in very useful, and
with careful attention the berries will hold on
«ell up to Christmas, but if allowed to get too dry
or given a great change in temperature, the
berries may drop much sooner. H.

'Winter-blooming' Carnations after flower-
ing.— How to treat these after blooming is a ques-
tion frequently put by amateurs, and I have occa-
sionally to reply to it, for the desire to have a few-
Carnation blooms during the winter appears to be
keenlj' felt by a good number of amateur cul-
tivators ; yet I find that the " Carnation ilanual,"
which is supposed to deal with the details of cul-
ture of every type of the Carnation, is absolutely
silent on this point. There are full details as to
the striking of cuttings and growing them on
into size to flower, but details of treatment atter
flowering are wanting. Even the yearly calendar
of operations is silent as to the treatment of
plants after they have flowered for the first time.
If the National Carnation Society at any time
should bring out an edition of the work, a further
chaj^ter dealing with this particular point may
be added with great advantage, ftlany amateurs
who have no convenience for propagating by
means of cuttings desire to grow on a plant for
two or three seasons. — R. D.

Summer treatment of Cyclamens. — Cycla-
mens are a special feature at Carrow House. The
old system of growing Cyclamens througli the
summer in frames behind north walls is fast d\ing
out. In such a position good plants have been
and still are grown, but in dull, rainy seasons the
plants often go wrong, the leaves suddenly turn-
ing soft and the footstalks falling down. The
plants do not dry often enough and many of the
roots perish. When the frames stand in an open
position, as at Carrow, shading of a light nature

can be given just when the plants need it, it being
withheld in dull, sunless weather. Plenty of light
then reaches the plants. I was rather surprised
at the size of Mr. Jones's plants, as the seed was
not sown till October, a rather late date, and the
plants now occupy 6-inch pots and are from !) inches
to 1 foot in diameter, the foliage of many being
beautifully marbled. Mr. Jones is opposed to the
use of cow- manure, though it is frequently recom-
mended for Cyclamens, as he once had an extra
good batch suddenly collapse, the leaves one by
one withering. On examination he found a colony
of small grubs had attacked the bulbs, these, in
his opinion, being introduced with the cow
manure. The latter he now excludes from the
potting compost, and that its use is not impe-
rative is proved by the fact that manj- gardeners
grow splendid Cyclamens in loam, leaf-mould and
grit alone, feeding cautiously when the pots are
well filled with roots. In airing the plants when
standing in frames through the summer months,
care should be taken to avoid draught, as this soon
causes the leaves to flag and often wither. As
autumn approaches great judgment is needed in
watering. Kar better err on the dry side, although
the happy medium is what should be aimed at.
Weak farmyard liquid given about twice weekly
is the best and safest stimulant for Cyclamens. —
J. C'R-iWFORD.

HOUSING TREE CARNATIONS.

No time should now be lo.st in placing these
undercover. The very heavy and continuous
rainfall of late has done much to sodden the
plants, and where these are grown in very
large numbers and in large pots for market, it
is well-nigh impossible to provide frame room
acconnnodation for them all, or even tt) place
lights tem])orarily over them. Indeed, there is
a good deal of risk even in the latter, particularly
when the weather is rough and boisterous, as it
has been of late. In such a case it is not
possible to provide any temporary structure,
and the next best thing, or peihaps the best
thing under all the circumstances, is to house
the i)Iants without further delay. Late-rooted
batches have not made so much progress as
usual under the great summer heat, but with
moister weather and cooler nights considerable
progress has been made, and the jjlants generally
are therefore promising. Should the heavy
rains continue and for various reasons the plants
cannot be taken in-door.s, it will be well to lay
all the pots on their sides and so prevent the
soil becoming unduly soddened. Few plants,
taken all in all, are really more delicate in their
rooting than these Carnations, and for this
reason they are more likely to succumb to over-
much water at the rotit, especially when a low
temperature prevails. When the ]ilants are
again placed in the greenhouse, all the air
possible should be given, and an endeavour
made to get the plants thortmghly dry at the
root. Indeed, no plant in my keeping will
receive water at the I'oot for at least a
week, even though the weatlier be very
hot, in which case a very fine spray
from the syringe overhead will be given to
ward off red spider. It will also be well,
when removing any small weeds, to lightly
prick over the surface soil so as not to disturb
surface roots tt)0 much. This will also assist in
drying up the soil, which for the time is the
most important matter. It is a good plan
always to cleanse every house before bringing
in the plants. This in my case is done by
fumigating with sulphui- and a few hot cinders,
well tilling the house with a blue cloud, and so
dispersing much that cannot l)e detected with
the naked eye. The walls and bare jilaces are
also well washed with lime in which has been
thoroughly incorporated a 4-inch potful of sul-

phur, first mixed to the consistency of thicl
mustard. Thoroughly working this into tli
brickwork serves as a deterrent in the futur'
against all insect life. When the plants hav
become dry enough to permit of it, a gnoil all
round syringing of clear soot water will hi
found of service, as it is equally while th
jilants are in the open. Some growers at thi
time of housing give artificial manure as a top
dressing, but I strongly advise keeping clear n
all of them. A very small application may li
tolerated in January or February, but certain!
not before for plants that have been propa
gated within the present year. Clear rain
water, or with a little soot occasionally added
is all the plants will require to the end of th
present year. After housing a very earefii
supervision must be maintained over the watei
ing, for no jjlant will more quickly resent cart
less or indifference in these details. Where
good collection of Tree Carnations is grown, th
most careful workman only should have to d
with them, or, better still, the principal him
self should personally attend to their wants i
this respect at least. E. J,

Ferns.

PTERIS TREMULA.

The ease with which this species may be growi
and its hardines.s, fine ajipearance, and lastin
qualities render it one of tlie most usefu
Ferns in cultivation. It is one of the hes
for indoor decoration, and if slightly hardenu
before being used will last several weeks i
good condition. P. tremula is perhaps th
freest seeding Fern in existence, the back of tli
fronds on large plants being nearly covert
with spores. The ripe fronds should be ci:
and shaken over a piece of w-hite paper to en
lect the spores, which should be kept in a drj
cool place until they are reipured, and tli
sooner they are sown the better. If a dam
wall or stage in a fernery or stove is at con
mand they may be sown on this, as they wi
germinate almost anywhere, or pans of crock
and a little rough peat and loam may be pit
])ared and placed in a shady, w-arm houst
They must be kept regularly and constant!
moist without sprinkling them heavily witi
water, as this is apt to swill many >'
the spores away. A green film over the sui
face is the first indication that germinatioi
has taken place. Soon after the tiny youni
leaves appear, when they may be pricked ofl' ii
very small patches into pans or small pots. Ni
amount of care will ensure all the plants comin;
true, and often Ferns of entirely dift'erent spv
cies wQl come up. P. tremula show.s its distiiit
five characteristics very early, and as soon ii:
the young crowns can be distinctly seen the;
may again be divided, this time pricking then
ofl' singly around the edge of small j)ots in ;
light and open description of compost. Thougl
strictly a greeidiouse species, they may be givei
more warmth now if it is desired to hurr\
them on, but keep in mind that the more air am
less heat they get the longer the frond will lasl
either in a cut state or on the plant. In an}
case growth is rapid, and they must never bf
come pinched for root room until they han
reached the size intended for use. Small ]ilant'
in :l-inch pots are very useful for standinL
singly on the table or for grouping with tlowcr
ing plants, and it is one of the lulvantagcs of t!"'
kind that a nicely furnished plant with a head n
foot or more across may be grown in the size of
pot mentioned. There is hardly any arrange-
ment of plants that this Fern may not I'e
used Viith, the light graceful stems standing

SEPTEMdEIt IS, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

219

;11 up, lightciung tlie elfcut of other
imts, wliicli lose iiothiiig by contrast with
cm. The hirgo flat opcri,'iie.s in whicli flowers
id fruit coiiihincd iisc'<l to be arranged arc not
much used as foruierly, but where they are
;ed tlie cut fronds of this Fern set off the
uit admirably. There are also many cut-
iv.'er arrangements that are iuiproved by its
iO in |)hice of the pojiular JIaiden-hair, which it
n'passes in lasting i|ualities. It is also a
i])itid kind for a planted-out fernery where
leru is plenty of room for its full develop-
ent, but it is a mistake to plant it among
warf kinds, as it s ion overgrows its station

a widely distributed plant in Australasia, and
was introduced in 18l!(l. R.

ASPLENIUMS.
Thosk of the bulbiferum group are s3 readily in-
creased from the bulbils, or youiig plants pro-
duced on the surface of the fronds, that there is
little need to trouble about raising stock from
spores : hence we get very few garden vai'ieties
from these. It is remarkable that nearly all the
Aspleuiums are mor-e diftieult to raise from s[)ores
than many other Ferns, but as many can only bo
propagated by this means, it is necessary to
persevere. In the first place, they do not germi-

The Corsicai Pine at home. From a photograph by Mons. Maurice Vilmorin.

1 have seen some distinct forms, and many inter-
mediate between the two above named. In
many instances it would be ditlicult to .say to
whii'h tlicy belong. A. pteridoides has also
shown .some variations, among « hieh may be
mentioned A. .Mayi, a very distmel and licautiful
variety with rather long, arching, pinnate fronds
of a ricli deep green. Among seedlings of
this some prove true, while others \ary,
some showing some adinitj- to A. Baptisti. A.
Herbsti is another distinct variety, the |)arentage
being doubtful, though it shows some character-
istics of A. bicidum : the broad pinnate fronds
grow nearly ereet, the jannu- are irregular in
shape, some being (lee|)ly cut and others
entire. It makes a most etiective plant, and if it
should come true from spores it will undoubtedly
become a favourite Fern. There are few more
u.seful Ferns than A. lucidum, but being ditlicult-
to rai.se and very slow in a j'oung state, it is not
likely to ever be over-iilentiful.

There are very few crested Aspleniums, except
those of our British Lady Fern. A. Druiyi is an
exception ; this belongs to the Baptisti section.
It has rather bro.ad pinn;e, each terminating with
a flat, almost circular crest. Seedlings vary
somewliat, but in its best form it is a very dis-
tinct variety. One great advantage of the As-
pleniums is that when once established they keep
in good character for a consideraVjle time.

H.

id smothers pei-haps choicer and more rare
inds. In a large house a single large plant of

in a prominent ]iosition hasanobleappearance.
s to com[iost, it is Ijy no means fastidious,
specially wlien it gets beyond the first stage.

light fibrous loam mixed with half its bulk" of
af-mould and a jjlentiful addition of sharp
Iver sand suits it admirably. It is safe in
inter in a moist house kept at a miirimum tem-
erature of 40'. There is a crested form of P.
•emula in cultivation which by some is thought
1 acquisiticin, but it is certainly less licautiful
id not so easily grown as the type. This is

nate so quickly as many, and are liable to be
smothered by Pterises, (iymnogrammas, and
others, but this may be obviated to a great ex-
tent by isolating the plants from which spores are
to be taken, and taking care that no other spores
exist in the soil used for sowing on. In the case of
A. Xidus, occasionally ([uite a good crop maj' be
obtained, yet I have known many failures, espe-
cially when the spores have been taken from
young plants. One great point of interest in
raising seedlings is that some variety is sure to
be found.

A. Baptisti and A. Xeo-Caledonite belong to a
very distinct group, and from seedlings of these

Park and Woodland.

THE CORSICAN PINE AT HOME.

The prospect held out to us of a visit to the
Corsican Pine forests was a tempting one. We
remembered a reply made by a garde general
in Corsica to the directors of the exhibition of
1 8G7 : " Impossible to send you, as you ask, sec-
tions of the trunks of our tallest Laricios ; our
longest saws are shorter than the diameters of
our great trees." Then there were the more
recent imjiressions got from the accounts of
travellers in Corsica, and eloquent descriptions,
concluding with the inevitable advice to " make
haste if «e wished to see really ancient trees
and foi-ests in their natural state." An excur-
sion to Corsica was planned in the spiiug of
18!t7, but for various reasons the original band
was reduced to four. These f<iund their way to
Ajaccio under the guidance of a Corsican, by
adoption if not by birth, M. Doumet-Adanson,
who was so suddenly stricken by death after our
return to France. In Ajaccio we were cordially
welcomed by the Conservator of Forests, who
gave us some valuable information on the
I'resent condition of the Pine forests. M.
INIabaret also insisted upon planning out an
itinerary for us, which enabled us to see the best
examples of Laricio in the limited time allowed
to us.

The majority of the Coi'sican Pine forests are
very easily approached to-day, the department
of Bridges and Highways having constructed
some marvellous roads, but tliere are other
forests situated in remote valleys which ;n-e still
only to be reached by w.iy of mule paths and
goat tracks. In these the largest trees, even
when decayed, are still left staniling, as their
removal cannot be economically etl'ected ; also
isolated trees situated in the rockiest and least
accessible places remain intact for the same
reason. Our party, which included one person
already advanced in age ;ind in delicate health,
was not eiinipped for journeying over mule
paths and scaling goat tracks : the flnest forests
within our reach were, therefore, those of
Aitone, Valdoiiiello, V'ezzano, Marmano, and
Bonifato, the four first being situated in the
dejiartment of Coi'te, and the last in that of
Calvi, and all being intersected by good roads.

220

THE GARDEN.

[Septembkr 18, 1897.

Those which offer most readily to the eyes of
the tourist the finest trees set in the most
pictures(]ue surroundings are tlie forests of
Vakloniello and Mannauo. The vale of Asco is
almost alone at the jireseiit day in being still
aljle to show some ancient trees as yet un-
touched by the hand of the exploiter, but we
were forced to abandon this part of our ex-
cursion, which, however, has a place in our
plans for the future.

The fine.st specimens of Pinus Laricio we saw
did not exceed 19 feet fi inches in circumfer-
ence. Trees of 14i feet to 15i feet in girth
were frequent enough ; some of these were
more than 130 feet high, but the mean height
of fine old trees is about 120 feet. In the
forest of Marmano, near to the pass of Verde,
the highest and also the best shaped trees
were to be found, the dimensions of these
being Hi feet to 14i feet round by 130 feet
high. They grow in clumps by themselves or
pretty thickly mixed with Beech and a few Firs.
The Laricio in Corsica is found on the slopes of
mountains with a marked preference for a
northern exposure. Commencing at about 2950
feet, the limit of the Maritime Pine, it reaches
an altitude of about 3400 feet. At this jjoint it
Ijecomes rare, not becau.se it does not thrive at
such an altitude, since fine specimens are also to
l)e found at the extreme liudt of the forests,
Imt because these highlands are pasturage in
summer for flocks of sheep and goats. Outside
this high zone replanting from seed is very
easy ; the great danger to the young forest
arises from the risk of fire during the hot, dry
summer months. In the older parts of the
forest tlie risk of destruction by fire is less, the
trunks of the trees being stripped of their lower
branches and the underwood being generally
choked oft' by Pine. The groups of trees are as
close and as regular as in our continental forests
of Picea and Silver Fir. This is especially so
in certain parts of the Aitone forest, which is
one of the most regular as regards growth.
But the full picturesqueness of P. Laricio is
best seen in the higher limits of the forests.
Here the growth is sparser, because the condi-
tions of existence are harder, liut chiefly be-
cause the majority of the plants have Ijeen cut
down by the sheep and goats. In its struggles
with wind and snow the tree is not so high ;
the trunk thickens and throws out some power-
ful branches, the leader is destroyed, and the
crest becomes flat and .spreading. Looking at
certain Laricios in the vicinity of the pass of
Saint Pierre, between the limits of the Aitone
and Valdoniello forests, it is diflicult not to
believe tliat tliey are Atlas Cedars, as these
grow on the highest of the Algerian mountains.
— Maukice de Vilmorin, in Ilcrue Horticole.

Caryopteris mastacanthus.— The Wight
purplish lilue blossoms of this Chinese shrub are
quite unlike anything else in bloom at the present
time, and being very showy withal, it is a jilant
well worth consideration where a suitable position
can be found for it. This Caryopteris forms a
bushy-growing plant that reaches a height of
from 3 feet to 4 feet, and is clothed with deeply-
toothed, oblong-shaped leaves, which are par-
ticularly hairy. The flowers, which are borne in
axillary clusters on the upper part of the stem,
are so numerous, that the greater portion of the
plant is quite a mass of blue. It cannot be re-
garded as tlioroughly hardy in this country, but
is just one of those suljjects well adapted for
planting at the foot of a low wall along the front
of a greenhouse, or even warmer structure, as in
such a position the wood is thoroughly ripened,
thus ensuring a good display of liloom. If cut
back by the frost during- the winter it quickly re-
covers, and flowers again the following autunm.
In many places on the Continent it is more jjopular

than it is in this country. This Caryopteris was
one of the great number of beautiful plants intro-
duced by Robert Fortune, but it would appear to
have soon been lost. For its re-introduction we
are, I believe, indebted to Messrs. Veitch, through
their collector, Mr. Maries, who visited China
and .Japan about the j'car 1880. — T.

Desmodium penduliflorum.— This is a very
beautiful autumn-flowering plant usually classed
wilh the shrubs, though at most it is only of a
half-shrubby character, as after flowering it dies
nearly to the ground, and pushes up the next
season's shoots from a few large buds near the
base of the plant. These shoots are long and
wand-like, the most vigorous reaching a height
of 6 feet or more. They are rather tliinly clothed,
especially towards the base, with trifoliate leaves,
while the upper part is occupied b}' crowded
racemes of bright rosy purple. Pea-shaped blos-
soms. These flowers are borne in such profusion
as to quite weigh down the shoots unless some
support is gi\'en. All stiffness and formality in
this respect are avoided if two or three of the
principal shoots are tied to sticks and a few of
the others looped thereto some little time before
the flowers expand, as by then the shoots will
dispose themselves in a very graceful manner, and
display the wealth of flowers to the best advan-
tage. This Desmodium usuallj' commences to
bloom about the middle of Sejitember, and con-
tinues for some time. Early autumn frosts, how-
ever, occasionally injure the blossoms. The plant
itself is perfectly hardy. This Desmodium used
to lie frequently met with as Lespedeza bicolor,
a totally difi'erent plant, and it is now at Kew
known as Lespedeza Sieboldi. — T.

Destroyers.

A LILY BULB DISEASE.

DuKiNc the past year a destructive wave of fun"
goid disease almost comjiletely ruined the crop o^
Lily bullis raised in Japan for exi»rtation to
Europe. The first indication of this disease re-
ceived at Kew was through Messrs. Tozer Bros,
and Co., of Gracechurch Street, who sent a large
number of diseased bulbs for examination. These
bulbs formed part of a consignment received from
.Japan in November last, consisting of 848 cases,
containing 73,0.50 Ijulbs of Lilium speciosum
(Thun.), album, and rubrum. Out of this
number only 2.50 bulbs arrived in a saleable
condition, the whole of the remainder being
more or less rotten and worthless. At a later
date the same firm received a second consio-n-
ment of 37,. 500 very large bulbs of Lilium
aui-atum, and out of this quantity only 4000
were saleable. Similarly diseased liulbs re-
ceived from .Japan were afterwards sent to Kew
for examination from other sources. Finally, a
cjuantity of bulbs obtained through an agent
from .Japan, for planting at Kew, contained a
large jiercentage suffering from the same tj'pe of
disease. The bulbs received for in\-estigation
showed every stage of disease ; in the earliest
condition, the base of the bulb is alone dis-
coloured and somewhat soft ; this discoloration
and softening of the tissues gradually spread
from the base, until finally, in the most advanced
stage, e\'ery part of the bulb is of a brownish
colour, and suHiciently soft to admit of Ijeing
readily crushed into a puljiy mass between the
fingers. ilicroscopic examination revealed the
presence of slender, continuous, hyaline, branched
hyphaj traversing the tissues in every direction ;
the cell-walls are never pierced, but gradually
dissohed, and it is only at the last stage of the
disease that the starch grains become irregularlv
corroded and gradually dissolved. So long as the
epidermis of the liulb-scales remains intact there
is no trace of mycelium or fructification on the
surface, but when the tissue is reduced to a soft
pulp, or when a diseased bulb is cut open, the
broken surface is within twent.y - four hours
covered with a dense snow-white mycelium,

which within three days becomes studded wifci
numerous clusters of fruit, resembling to th'
naked eye miniature pins with round blackheads;
The occurrence of this particular form of fungiv
on every bulb examined suggested that it mighi
possibly he in some way associated with th
disease, and subsequent cultures and inoculation
proved this surmise to be correct. The fungu
grows^ readily as a saprophyte, the spores gei
minating and forming the characteristic supei
ficial white floccose mycelium, which within
week bears an abundance of fruit, on such variei
culture media as prune juice, sterilised jiotatc
decoction of bulb scales, &c. In one experimen
four spores were sown in a 5 per cent, solution c
cane-sugar in water in a Petri dish, and at th
end of six days the entire surface of the hquidwa
covered with the fungus in a fruiting conditior
When spores were sown in a hanging-drop alon
with a very thin section of Lilj' bulb-scale, it wa
observed that the germ-tubes could not enter th
tissue through the epidermis, but that they ei
tered readily at those points where the cells wei
not protected by the epidermis.

A set of experiments was also carried ou
using healthy Lily bulbs, some of which were fu
nished by Messrs. Tozer, for inoculation. For tl
purpose of destroying stray fungus spores tl
bulbs were immersed for a quarter of an hour in
1 per cent, solution of corrosive sublimate. Ti
bulbs .were afterwards placed in wide-moutht
flasks filled with sterilised tap-water containing
5 per cent, solution of cane-sugar, the base of tl
bulb being immersed in the liquid ; finally, tl
entire bulb was covered with a sheet of cottc
wool soaked in a 1 per cent, solution of corrosi\
sublimate, the cotton wool being tied round tl
neck of the flask. When the roots were abw
an inch long an attempt at inoculation was ma:
as follows : The numerous cultures of the fungi
furnished a large supply of spores, which wei
tested and found to germinate readily. Thesespof
were collected with a wet camel's-hair brush ai
washed off into a small amount of sterilised wati
in a flask until it became discoloured by tl
quantity of spores present ; this was the inocula
ing material. A quantity of this spore-carryii
water was added to the water in which two of tl
bulbs were growing, care being taken not I
injure the roots : the inoculating liquid was al.
depjosited freely between the scales of the tn
bulbs, which were then covered with sterihst
cotton wool as before. The water in which tw
other bulbs were growing was inoculated as aho\ i
but the roots of the bulbs were broken ol
Finally, 1 per cent, of salicylic acid was added t
the water in which two more bullis weregrowi",i
<a copious supply of the inoculating water addci
the roots of the bulbs broken oft', the bulbs i'
lilaced, and, as in the other instances, protectt
with cotton wool. At the end of six ^^•eeks tli
two bulbs whose roots were not destroyed a|
peared to be quite healthy ; they were the
planted in soil, and are still growing and show ii
indication of disease. The two bulbs with broke
roots showed signs of disease at the end of tine
weeks after inocul.'ition, and at the six week
period the disease bad extended nearly half wa
up the bulb from the base. After bein;
cut open the same kind of fungus sliowei
itself on the surface that has been described a
occurring on the bulbs received from Japan. Tli>
companion bullj was also diseased, and in aboii
three months was soft and rotten, and coveiei
witli the fungus in a fruiting condition. The twe
bulbs with broken roots that were growing ii
water containing 1 per cent, of salicj'lic acid le
mained quite healthy, made fresh roots, and ai'
still living. I

Numerous experiments were made with other
kinds of bulbs, and it was found that the fungus
refused to grow on Onions, however much muti
lated. On the other hand, Daftbdil bulbs art
\ ery susceptible to the disease ; if the roots an
broken, or a wound made in the bulb and aftei
\\'ards powdered with the spores, the disease
showed itself within a few days, and vi&n in due
course followed by the characteristic fruit of fclit

Sei'Tember 18, 1897

TITE GAPvDEN.

221

imgus. It was invariably found ttiat, however
niich l)ullis were nuitilateil and then inocuhitod

ith fundus spores, subnierji-ence for a few
ninutes in a 1 jier cent, solution of salicylic acid
ir corrosive suhliniiite prevented the disease ; in
ther words, all fun^ais spores coming' into contact
vith the above-named solutions are destroyed,
i'hereas the vitality of the bulbs thus treated is
lot at all affected. Ur. Halstead has desorilied*
, somewhat similar disease, called "soft rot,"
s attacking the sweet Potato in the United
itates. The fundus causing this disease (Rhi-
opus nigricans, Ehrli. ) is closely allied to the
pecies under notice (.'ausingtho Lily bulb disease.

In addition to the kind of fungus fruit already
lescribed, a second form, of .se.xiial origin, called

zygospore, is present in the genus Rhizopus;
everal large, s[)iny zygospores were found in the
latted mycelium present on b\dbs in the last
tage of decay, and presumaljly belong to our
ungus. .'<ygos|)ores differ from the minute spores
Iready desi-ribed in rec|uiring a somewhat
>ngthened period of rest before they germinate,
ly this means tiding the fungus over that
leriod of the year not suitable for its growth,
nd germinating when favourable conditions,
limatic and otherwise, return. During this
period of rest the zj-gospores remain in the
oil, or attached to the substance on which
hey wore produced. The minute spores
irevioush' described possess the capacity of ger-
lination the moment thej- are mature, and enable
he plant to extend its area of distribution; and
these spores are produced ver\' quicklj' and in
inmense lunnbers, it can readily be understood
ow rapidly the disease spreads when once intro-

uced into a given locality. The fungus causing
he Lily bulb disease, although allied to Rhizopus

iOTicans, is <|uite distinct from this and every

ther known species.

Sr.MM.VRY.

The Lily bulb disease is caused by a parasitic
mgus called Rhizopus necans. The fungus cannot
enctrate the unbroken tissues 'of the bulb, but
ainsan entrance through wounds, more especially
roken roots. The amount of evidence forthcom-
ig indicates that the bulbs are not diseased until
fter they are removed from the ground. The
pores of Rhizopus necans are killed bj' a short
nmersion in a 1 per cent, solution of corrosive
iblimate or of salicylic acid. Neither of these
ibstances has any injurious effect on living
ulbs, provided they do not remain in the liquid
)r more than fifteen minutes.

Preventive ME.isruES.
The fungus is by no means confined to Lily
ulbs for its food, but, as experiments have
roved, can live on a great variety of dead or de-
jmposed substances : it may also occur as a para-
te on other plants than Lilies in Japan, as it
iadily attacks and destroys Daffodil bulbs.
udging from the enormous amount of injury
lused, it would appear that the fields where the
ilies are grown must be saturated with the
ingus, growing indiscriminately on various sub-
ances, and attacking the Lily bulbs, along w^ith
;her things, as a matter of course. If prac-
cable, entirely new localities should be selecte<l
r the work Even if this were done, groat
ire would ha\e to be exercised, so as not to in-
oduce the fungus. The spores are readily con-
ived from one locality to another in the soil
1 tools, cart wheels, shoes, clothing, &c., in
Idition to being carried by wind or animals. An
S"'^""*' ''"'"'■ ^° remember is not to allow vege-
ble rubbish of any kind to accumulate, and all
seased bulbs should be burned and not
lowed to remain on the ground, otherwise the
gospores that form on such old decayin^r bulbs
raid .start the disease the following season. As
tie injury as jiossible should be done to the
ots of the liultis wlien thev are removed from
e ground, and the bulbs should be allowed to
sweat'' before they are packed for exportation.

If the fungus is known to bo present wlien the
bulbs arc being prepared for packing, they might
be placed in a solution of salicylic acid as
advised. The sterilised earth in which the bulbs
are packed appears very suitable for the work,
and cannot be in any waj' considered as a cause of
the disease. — (1. M.\ssek, in A'ljr Biillttin.

Kitchen Garden.

* New Jersey Agricultural College Experimental
ition, BuUetin No. 76.

POTATOES.

On the whole this cannot bo considered one of
the nu)st favourable .sea.sons for this crop, for
tlioso who pl.-uited early had thoni cut down by
the late spring frosts, while those who deferred
planting till Liter in the season had to contend
with the dry weather wliioli visito<l us in July
bef(U'e the tubers had made their full growth,
this causing a serious check. In this district
the soil is very heavy ; therefore, not suitable to
the growth of tine tubers. Still, where the
ground is properly tilled some very good crops
and tine roots are obtained, and even this season
there is little to complain of. The early
kiiuls were quite up to the average, while those
which arc considered midseason varied very
much, some being a full crop and others not so
good. There is, however, one great advantage,
as no disease has presented itself. Amongst
the new varieties grown the palm must certainly
be given to Carter's Snowball. The tubers in
appearance much resemble those of Satisfaction,
but they are much rounder tlian in that variety,
have a rough skin and shallow eyes. This is a
white Potato of great promise, being a good
cropper and free from disease. The haulm
is, iiowever, too strong for small gardens, for
with me it grew about 4 feet in height. Veitch's
Main-cro]) is a nice variety, having even tubers
of medium size ; with me there was no disease.
English Wonder was fair, but not so good as
either of tlie previous named. Reliance was
very fine indeed, the tuber.s being of fair size
and even in shape ; this promises to become
a favourite. The finest crop of any was [u-oduced
from tubers sent from New Zealand. These
were dug up in February in the antipodes and
sent by po.st. It was early in May when they
reached me, and after being exposed for a short
time were planted, the yield from one pound
being sixty-three. The tubers are even in
sliape, of fair size, with shallow eyes. The
account I had with them was they were the
best in the colony. Of the older kinds, Sy(m
House Prolific was very good, so were
Supreme, Triumph, Windsor Castle and
Flourball. The dry weather in July caused a
serious check to the last variety, many of
whicli, having set tlie skins prematurely, super-
tnberated owing to so much wet during tlie
latter part of August. Over 3J inches of rain
fell here during that month, which saturated
our heavy land to its fullest extent, particularly
in low-lying places. To grow tine tubers on
such ground is no easy task. Disease, however,
seldom follows rain, unless there is a close, hot
atmosphere, and as August, on the whole, can-
not by any means be said to be close and hot,
there is every ho])e of the disease passing bj'.
Crops, as a rule, will not be .so heavy this sea-
son as they ai'e sometimes, unless in districts
that were more favoured with showers than
this, and where the soil is in a better state of
cultivation. I never use any fresh manure for
Potatoes, and this I have no doubt is the
reason there is .so little disease, superphosiihate
of lime being the only artificial dressing the
ground has, and this is given at the time of
planting. H. C. P.

Buxted Park, Ucklield.

CABBAGE SPROUTS.

I no not agree with the views expressed by
•'S. M." (p. 1.^.5) as to the superiority of young
first crop Cabbages during autmnn over the
sprouts or second crop of hearts made by the
main spring crop. On the contrary, given good
treatment I fail to see any falling off in the
(luahty of the latter, for autumn rains and cooler
nights tentl to ])rnduce hearts which may be
somewhat smaller than those of the first cutting,
but which arc (piite tender and good eating. I
consider tliat a Cabbage bed once cut over has not
done half its work, and that the rooting up of the
stumps at that period is altogether wasteful, as
there are but few things, with the exception of
Celery, for which the ground thus (deared is suit-
able, as one would not expect good results from
an inunediate re-cropping with any of the Bras-
sicas. As regards the plea of exhaustion of the
soil, nearly all the Brassioas do this more or less,
but Cabbages at least will come oil' in good time
to allow of manuring and digging taking place dur
ing winter, when the ground maybe put in good
heart for almost any of next year's crops. We <lo not
destroy our Brus.sels S)irouts and tlie like until
they have finished up the whole of their sprouts,
although allowing them to do this drives digging
operations well into the spring months, and ) fail
to see why we should not get full value out of ciur
Cabbage beds in the same wa}-. 1 grant that a
young Cabbage bed looks Ijotter tlian a sprouting
old one, but this appears to be the only advan-
tage, and, on the other hand, economic reasons
for leaving the latter might be given in plenty.
First we have the question of labour ; the old
bed gives two crops as a result of one prepara-
tion ; again, there is no hesitation in commencing
to cut in spring as soon as hearts are at all tit, for
there is the knowledge that a second crop will
come as the result of this cutting. Then, too,
in a closely-cropped garden it is sometimes a little
difficult to find room for all the green stuff that
it is necessary to plant during summer, and hav-
ing to plant, perhaps, a large plot of Cabbages
especially for autumn use would only add to this
difficulty and leave le=s room for the hardier
Coleworts, Sa\oys, and Kales that do duty in
winter and spring. Given the right varieties, for
.all Cabbages do not form good-hearted sprouts,
I think that old Cabbage beds justify their exist-
ence until winter frosts i)Ut an end to them.

J. C. T.

Beets. — In a garden where there were growing

very fine rows of Beets, Dell's Crimson and Nut-
ting's Dwarf Red being singularly good and true,
even to colour and texture of roots, which I tested,
a stock that is termed selected was sadl}' marred
by having prominent in it numerous coarse red
Mangold Wurtzels. This mixture could not have
been due to bad selecting, as such things would
never have been found in any good Beet stock,
and the inference is that some Slangold Wurtzel
seed was either negligently mixed with the Beet
seed, or else some was left in the cleaning machine.
The fact serves to show how very careful seed
growers and seedsmen should be, as a little lack
of care may thus be productive of grave trouble to
the gardener, who, as a rule, has enough burdens
to bear that may seem to be unavoidable. — A. D.

Potato Syon House Prolific. — Having just
finished lifting late I'otatoes, I am much struck
with the heavy crop of liandsome tubers produced
by the above new variety, and if the (juality,
w'hich I have not yet tested, is right, there is no
doubt it is the finest introduction of late years.
From twenty-four cut sets |)Ianted with no extra
advantage of room or manure over the other main
crop varieties, there were lifted two bushels of
magnificent tubers, this being far and away the
best crop in the garden, and especially good for
such a dry season. I am pleased to note, too,
that it sustains its character as a disea.se resistor,
for the haulm remained green and growing later
than did that of those old and tried varieties
Magiuim Bonum, The Bruce, and The <Jentleman.
The tubers are above medium size, ijebble-shaped,

222

THE GAPDETs^.

[SEPTEMrER 18, 1897.

rough in the skin, characteristics that all tend to-
wards popularity. I should imagine that Syon
House Prolific will make a first-class main crop
field Potato, as the haulm is robust enough to
withstand ordinary field culture, and the tubers
will bear some toning down in size. — J. C.
Talla( 'K .

Potato Ashleaf Kidney. — How wonderfully
well this fine old Potato, literally the oldest in
commerce, holds its own against all comers. I
have in the past used pollen from it to intercross
with Puritan, Beauty of Hebron and others to
endeavour to obtain the fine Ashleaf earliness and
flavour with the American crop, but I never have
quite succeeded ; neither, so far as I know, has
anyone else. The Ashleaf has in tuber form, in
colour of flesh, and in undoubted fla\our, as well
as earliness, characters all its own. It serves to
show amongst Potatoes how closely 3'ellowness in
flesh is identified with flavour. Jlr. Crook has a
beautiful stock of the old Ashleaf at Forde Abbey.
He obtained it originally from Norfolk, where "it
has been grown for many years. The Chard soil
seems to suit it admirably. I could but sym-
pathise with a gardener in a large place who the
other day showed me a long border of Magnum
Bonum which he had purchased and planted last
spring as Ashleaf Kidney. — A. D.

Large Peas.— At page 1.5.5 " S. M." refers to
a note of mine on large Peas, and sees no reason
to find fault with them. I myself did not
condemn them, but my employer did, and I
have known several instances in which emplo3'ers
have done tlie same thing, apparently considering
very large Peas vulgar in the same way that they
would a large head of Cauliflower, large Broad
Beans and tlie like. For my own part, a Pea can-
not be too large, (irovided it is tender and of
good flavour and colour, but gardeners have to
study the fancies of their employers, and I have
more than once read and heard of the latter ob-
jecting to the very large types of Marrows.
Where this is the case the medium varieties
named in my notes will be found to give general
satisfaction, a thing all second-sized sorts will not
do in hot, dry summer weather, as the haulm is
generally less vigorous than that of larger jiodded
sorts. — T. C.

Cauliflower Eclipse. — I was pleased to read
Mr. Tallack's note (page 115) on this Cauliflower.
1 well remember it first being distributed by a
Manchester firm, and it being found, as Mr.
Tallack saj's, most useful for affording a supply in
late summer, or to fill the gap between secondar}'
batches of Walcheren and the earliest lots of
Autumn Giant, a most trying season for Cauli-
flowers. I was employed in a garden where some
seed of Eclipse was sent for trial previous to its
being sold to the public, and the vigorous habit
of the plant in a dry season, and the compact-
ness and whiteness of the heads were note-
worthy. It was much grow in Essex, being sown
in the open in March and April in preference to
Walcheren. Good as the latter variety is in fairly
moist seasons and on good deep soil, it soon
suffers in time of drought on poorer soils, much
sooner in fact than Eclipse. — C. C. H.

Parsley for winter. — A common reason of
gardeners having an insufficiency of good Parsley
for use in winter is either depending on spring
sowings to carry them through the summer and to
afford fronds for the winter months as well, or
sowing too late in summer for the winter supply,
matters in the latter case being sometimes made
worse by hot, parching weather. In cool, deep
soils the difficulty is not so great. A friend of
mine who needs a good supply of Parsley
all through the winter recently informed me
that he makes but one sowing, say in April, and
afterwards transplants, say, in June, when the
young plants are large enough for moving. The
undisturbed portion of the seed-bed affords
gatherings through the ordinary sunnner months,
while that transplanted is in good trim by
August, .and remains vigorous and profitable
right on to sowing time in April again. It is
transplanted into beds to suit frames, which are

placed o\er it «hen frost arrives. I saw the beds
in September and nothing could be more satisfac-
tory. My friend assured me the sj'stem ne\er
failed him.— Grower.

Soil for Onions. — It is surprising what fine
Onions are sometimes grown in gardens where the
soil is sandy antl not what is considered a good
Onion soil, this being done by altering its
character by the addition of various ingredients.
Some of the very finest specimens of Ailsa Craig,
The Wroxton, and other exhibition varieties I
have seen have been jiroduced by Mr. Atkinson
in the gardensatWroxham Hall, Norwich. The soil
naturally is sandy and somewhat shallow, and in
dry summers soon loses the moisture necessary to
support the thirsty roots of Onions. In Norfolk
is found a white marl which is much used in road-
making. This, with a liberal supply of well
decomposed farmjard manure, Mv. Atkinson had
wheeled on to a couple of plots and well worked in
with the staple. Since then he has had no diffi-
cult}' in growing fine bulbs and plenty of them.
Two ]ilots so treated allow of one being cropped
with Onions every alternate year. — J. C.

Onion Allan's Reliance.— This is a wonder-
fully fine tjpe of white Spanish Onion, having
been selected and saved for many j'Cars by
Mr. Allan, of Gunton. I have been a grower and
exhibitor of Onions for many years, and am
acquainted with most of the best strains in cul-
tivation. Allan's Reliance surpasses them all for
shape, colour, and mildness of flavour. Under
good cultivation it can be grown as large as any
variety. It has an exceptionall}- thin neck, much
resembling Nuneham Park in this respect. Reli-
ance was selected for twenty-six years by Jlr.
Allan before being sent out, and in looking
through a large quarter of bulbs recently I could
not detect the least difference between any of
them, so true were they. When better know n it
will be universally grown. It will keep as long
and as well as .Tames' Keeping. — J. C.

POTATO NOTES.

The remarks on page 156 in connection with
Spinach are applicable to nearly all vegetables.
Varieties, or rather names, are multiplied with
a constant and endless regularitj', and ".so-called"
new things are purchased at an increased rate, to
ju'ove on trial often only old friends under a new
name. This is certainly true of Potatoes, a vege-
table above all others, when a large supply is ex-
pected, of which one likes to have the very best
varieties to suit different conditions of soil, and of
which it may be said that when once well
suited one should be very chary shelving for
other names. One of the best finds of late years
for first early work has been Star of Reading, de-
cidedly the heaviest cropper with me of the first
earlies, and doing its work as rpiickl}' as any.
This was the name received witii it, but I have
met with jirecisely the same Potato at three shows
under as many different names. Well grown it is
a flat kidney, very even, and considerably larger
than the average first early, (iiven carefully
selected seed and the same conditions of soil and
general treatment, there is hardly a bit of dif-
ference between Duke of Albany, White Beauty
and Early Puritan, and mixed up together, it
would be difficult to separate them. Of the last-
named, a friend who grows it on a rather heavy
soil tells me it is apt to run coarse and watery,
but this would probably apply to all three : at
least. I remember that Duke of AUiany, on which
I have relied for many years as the main first
early, was not so satisfactory from a piece of
ground that was somewhat stiff, but was all right
the next year after working in a heavj' sinface
dressing, some 4 inches in thickness, of half-
deca3'ed leaves. I do not want a Vietter Potato to
follow the Duke than Windsor Castle. It is of
excellent quality, and invariably yields a heavy
crop of even-sized, shapely tubers. King of
Russets is a great favourite, especially for baking
or to be served when lioiled in tlie skin :

it is a great cropper, with a very small percentage
of seed size. A portion of the cro)! just lifted
has given me 32 bushels from 10 rods of ground.
The Bruce is the only Potato I grow that de-
generates from successive home -saved seed.
Others have been continually in stock for years,-!
and the produce is just as good as when first ab-f
quired ; but after some three or four years' saving!
The Bruce turns out like a rough Magnum, tbel
yield quite as bad as that of the last-named from!
iheavy soil. Writing above of synonyms reminds!
me of a question. Suppose good seed respectively I
of JIaanum and Bruce purchased from a firsfi-l
class firm and jilanted in thoroughly good PotatoJ
soil, would any ordinary grower guarantee tol
separate the two if they were mixed after lifting"
I think very highly of 'The Saxon as a late variet||
it is practically a disease-resister, a very hea^
cropper, and of good qualitj'. E. BuERELL,

Onion Golden Rocca. — This Onion is much
grown in the eastern counties and is frequently
exhibited in grand form, sometimes reaching twc
pounds m weight. It is of specially fine globulai
form, the skin a beautiful golden colour, which
adds to its value as an exhibition Onion. It ha-
a particularly mild flavour and keeps well. It
does better when sown in the spring than most of
the Rocca class. Those who grow this class of
Onion for exhibition should give Golden Rocca ;i
trial. They will, I am sure, be pleased with it.
— Growek.

The Carter Spinach. — At page 1.50 "A. D.'
asks in what way the Carter Spinach difl'ers fron-
the Flanders, large-leave<l Viroflay or Victoria
and Longstander. My reply is, in its havino
nuu-h larger and more succulent leaves, borne oi
long foot-stalks. There is no variety that car
touch it in vigour of growth and general excel
lence. A gardener of my acquaintance, who i-
expected to supply plenty of Spinach all the yeai
round, has now given up all other summer sorts
gr3wing onh' The Carter. It requires to be freeh
thinned out, and when grown on fairly goci
ground it is surprising how it will stand a hot
dry time. — Midland Grower.

For the information of " A. D. ," on p. l^li

this fine Spinach was sent for trial to the garden-
of the Royal Horticultural Society, and grantei
an award of merit at the committee meeting oi
June 11, 1895. — James Carter & Co.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1136.

IRI.S LEICHTLINI.

(with a coloured plate.*)

A:moxii the many lovely and beautiful Irises
from the Holy Land, Turkestiin, Ac, the re-
markable species aj^pearing in the culnureil
plate to-day must ever occupy a conspicuous
])lace by reason of the rare beauty of its fli iwers.
This is not so much due to the size of the
Ijlooms individually as to the colour, or rather
the combination of beautiful colours, so well de-
picted in tlie accompanying jilate. Visitors to
the Temple show in May last will doubtless call
to mind the many lovely and rare species that
were exhibited, notably by Messrs. Barr and
Sons, and likewise by Messrs. Wallace, of Col-
chester. The former, in addition to the beau-
tiful species in the plate, had cut flowers of such
striking forms as I. violacea, I. Korolkowi,
I. vaga, I. Itipina, ike, that made quite a unique
little group of these inimitable species. In the
Messrs. Wallace's lot were some equally clioice
gems of this race, I. iberica, I. Hartwegi, I.
lupina and I. Gatesi being especially note-

* Drawn for The Garden in the liryal Gardens,
Kew, by H. G. Moon. Lithographed and printed by
J. L. Goffart.

^ ID T O

SEPTEMBER 18, 1S97.1

TTTE CxARDEK

223

tliy. It is notewortliy in ii double sense, '.l)c-
leshowing that these usually >lifficult;in(lsc)iiie-
■s unuiiuiageable s]iecies are now far better
• vstodd than was formerly the case. The
. ster exhibit, because grown in pots, went
:Sj further, and showed that those who can-
tor many and various reasons cultivate these
i^fs in the open ijround may even yet at-
|Tt their culture in pots, for at least by the
■rmeans extremes of cultural details- iji..
ire at one time and great heat and drought
I her — may be indulged in at will. This
! may be done by removing the p<its bmlily
(U-y, airy slielf in the greenhouse, without
ressity of unnaturally exposing the naUed
le to external influences conseciuent u|ion
my. On such a shelf the drying and the
rciug wouM be .ibsolute, and with the return
'■ Mtumn the pots may be put out of dours
It is (piite pcssible, too, that some
es may submit to potting and flower all the
provided the plants are rammed in
rnily and the pots plunged to the rim on
suiuiy border. The amount of soil re-
1 liy these ]ilants is so very small, that three
~ may be well jilanted in an 8-inch pot,
iig the soil as hard as possible about
ili|ii.

lie whole group of Cushion Irises, with its

llics, is so greatly varied and remarkaljle

rct, and so unlike any other plant flower-

i the garden, that they are worth any

!.' to bloom them, and if this can be

|ilished more generally by some such

method as here described, a much larger

r will be cajiable of enjoying to the

K'se wondrously beautiful flowers. Some

chief [Hiints in the culture of the.se Irises

Iry and warm border, a good loamy soil,

Ji not deep or over-rich, and very tirni

iig : indeed this latter is most important,

itli the pot system suggested above can

lulged in to any extent. The best season

.mting is early in September, at which

'.;ood roots start into growth readily and

le root moi.sture in plenty. The majority

ir kinds, though (juite hardy, are best for

light protection in very severe weather,

I leather being one of the best things for

|iurpose. Things to avoid when giving

1 protection to such things are such as

hay, straw, or even Bracken, all of

once drenched witli wet remain so, and,

mg about the plants to be protected, do

rather than the good that was intended.

\ample froui wliich the drawing was made

rd in the hardy ])lant department at Kew

^■ar. The Howering specimen was abcmt

lies high, and, .so far, is regarded as a more

•u-s kind than some of its near allies.

; 'Vely Iris is scarcely a novelty, as it was

ilowered by Dr. Foster in the spring of

Notwithstanding, it is still among the

' of this beautiful race of hardy plants. —

ill reference to this Iris the following notes
ting it have been kindly sent us by Herr
beichtlin, Baden-Baden : —

- Leichtliiii was discovered by Albert von

i in the mountainous districts of Turkestan,

it is found in companv with I. Korolkowi,

ii, I. stolonifera, &c., and is described in

Ifort. Petrop, 1SS4. It was introduced to

ution in l.STO from a collection of unknown

sent to Baden-Baden by His Excellenc3'

• nant-Oeneral N. de Korolkow. It is a

ii;_' plant by the rainbowdike unusual colora-

•I its flowers, showing blue, white, rose, and

■ liar brown. It is perfectly hardy, wants

.soil and a dry situation, and is best left

JiojJ for severul years.

The Week's Work.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

IIkavv rains and rough winds, together with a low
night temperature, which have lieen jirevaleiit
during the past fortnight, have been unfavour-
able to mo>t crops, and the wet state of the
ground at the present time will for the time being
prevent such work iis moulding up Celery, liar\est-
ing spring-sown Onions, and the clearance of ex-
hausted crops. In some soils wireworms, grubs,
and even the common worm ])rove destructive to
the Celery crop, as they not only destroy the
outer leaves, but also cut into the centre of the
plants, causing them to become ([uitc unfit for
table use. Tlie iiieseiit wet weather is also
favourable to the small black slugs so common in
some gardens, and which do so much damage to
this and other crops. A good dusting of lime
about the plants just previous to moulding them
up will greatly assist in preserving them from
these pests. The lime should be in a powdered
state, so that it can ba worked well round each
plant after the outer foliage has been drawn to-
gether and tied loosely with a jiiece of matting.
The ridges of soil, too, which will be us;d for
mouldingup the crop, should also have a dressingso
as to make it repulsive to the vermin. Some go
to the trouble of placing strips of brown paper
round each plant to prevent the soil touching the
outer leaves. This greatly assists in the work of
blanching, and when ready for use each stick is
beautifully clean, and there is much less work in
preparing it for use. There are propsrly pre-
pared collars, which may be obtained from all
seedsmen for this purpose, but strong paper may
I be used and kept in position w-ith a strip of mat-
ting tied loosely round the top. The crop so far
' is, fortunatel}', free from disease, Ijut a close watch
should be kept and hand-picking resorted to
immediately any of the leaves appear to be
affected.

Onioxs. — Spring-sown crops have mostly been
harvested in the south, but in cooler districts the
tops are still green, and unless we have .a few
weeks of dry weather, some ditHeultj' will be ex-
perienced in ripening them properlj', without
which they will not keep in good condition for
any length of time. Advantage should be taken
of the first fine day to get them oft' the ground
when the tops show signs of ripening, and it
would be better to remove them at once to a
liglit, diy place under cover to assist in maturing
the bulbs, than allow them to remain on the
wet soil, as though there may be no rain for a
few days after they are jjulled up, the heavy dews
will ijrevent the tops drying up as tjuickly as
would be desired. It is not alwa3-s convenient to
s]iread them out on the stage in a vinery from
which the crop has been cleared, but this is one
of the best positions to finish them ofT properly.
Failing this, they may be placed thinlv in a dry
frame or pit, covering them with the lights when
rain is expected.

Jerus.\lem Artichokes. — These will have
reached a great height by now, and it will be neces-
sary to give them some protection against wind,
or they will probably get blown over and manj"
of the tul.iers will be turned out of the soil. In
this garden the tops are cjuite 8 feet in height,
and being planted 1 yard ajiart, they have
Ijranched out freely. A few stout stakes have
been driven into the soil round the plantation and
close to the outer rows, and from these strong
cord is fixed to pre\ ent the plants swaj'ing over.
Seeing that growth is about terminated now, the
central shoot will be shortened back to about
half its length, and by retaining the lower side
shoots there is less risk of any damage being rlone
by gales and heavy rains, and the size and cjualitj'
of trie tubers will in no way be impaired.

Asi'AR.vius. — This is likelj- to suffer just now
from the same cause, and though the season is
rapidly approaching when the tops will be sufh-
ciently ripened to be cut down, they should be pre-
vented from being twisted about, or the buds at the
base will be damaged, and next season's produce

will sutler in conseipienee. A fi;wof the most for-
ward seed-bearing shoots will have turned yellow,
and these sboulil be carefully removed before the
licrries fall to the ground, otherwise a number of
seedlings will spring up next spring, which if not
pulled up at once will Ijccome established in the
bed, and tend to rob the permanent roots of
moisture and nourishment. It is not too late to
sprinkle the beds with .salt where the soil is light
and poor, as the roots are practically active until
the ground becomes frost-bound, and feeding in
the autumn assists to plump up the buds or
crowns wliirli are to furnish next scasorrs siipph'.
Now th.it the ground is full of moisture, farmyard
lii|uid may alsobea|)plied freely. This will eilrich
the soil to a good tlepfli and benefit the gi-owth
next summer.

SEAPi.ii.E. — The time will soon arrive when it
will be necessary to resort to forcing this useful
winter vegetable, liiit the crowns must have be-
come thoroughly matured and all the foliage
ripened naturally before any attcm])t is made to
lift the roots or they will not jiroxe satisfactory
when placed in heat towards the end of October.
In the meantime the ground I.ietween the plants
should be kept free of weeds and rubbish, and all
decayed foliage removed, so that what sun we
may have will reach the centre of the plants and
promote early ripening.

Frem H Be.vns. — In the forcing department,
French Beans and Cucumbers will require careful
treatment, so that growth will be clean and
strong. A high temperature by artificial means
will prove harmful to French Beans, but closing
the house or pit early in the afternoon, so as to
run up the temjierature by sun-heat, will both
strengthen the plants and encourage growth. A
successional batch should be sown as soon as the
last lot has formed the first few rough leaves, as it
is not to be expected that they will continue to bear
for any length of time during the short and foggy-
days of autumn. It is only by making frecjuent
sowings and giving jilenty of house room that
anything like a regular supply can be kept up
after this. Rich.\i;d P.vkker.

FRUIT HOUSES.

L.\TE (;R.\rES. — Lady Downe's and other late
varieties, if vvell coloured, may be freely venti-
lated during the day when the weather is fine and
bright. With these late Grapes colour is no
indication of maturity, and it is not safe to
assume that the berries are filled with sutiicient
saccharine matter to ensure their keeping wel
into the spring, until the foliage itself begins to
give signs of ripening. Therefore, although the
colour may be ])erfect, it is just as well to con-
tinue subjecting them to a little mild fire-heat
some short time longer, combined with ample ven-
tilation, until the leaves assume their autumnal
tints, when it may be dispensed with. After this
it will only be oecasionafly required to keep the
house dry during foggy and wet weather, or to
prevent the temperature falling too low when frosty.
As Alnwick Seedling is rather impatient of too
much fire-heat after finishing as far as colour is
concerned, the pipes in the immediate neighbour-
hood of the Vine should be covered with boards or
mats, and if possible a little more air mil}' be
admitted just at that portion of the house. This
\ariety should always be planted at tlie coolest
end of the house, and as it is a (irapethat colours
grandly and without special treatment, the
further it is kept away from the hot -water pipes
the better. The new white (irape Lady Hutt has
done well this season, and it succeeds in the .same
liouse with Lady Downe's, the temperature and
treatment accorded the latter seeming to suit it
admirabl}'. As outside borders have ha<l a
thorough moistening, down to the drainage, they
should now be covered with corrugated zinc
sheets, old lights, or anything that will carrj- off
water. In ca.ses where the berries of these late
< irapes are not |]roperly coloured, regular lire-heat
is absolutely necessary, esjKJcially if the weather
should continue chilly and showery. The [jipes
should be kept sufficiently warm tj allow of air

224

THE GAKDEK

[September 18, 1897.

being admitted both at the front and apex of the
house. The internal atmosphere must also be
kept dry, and whatever watering is required
should be done early in the morning and on bright
days only. Again, in case the Grapes are in a
very backward condition, no effort should be
spared in forwarding them as much as possiljle Ijy
the application of plenty of fire-heat, also by
making the utmost use of solar heat to raise tlie
temperature up to 8.3° or thereabouts. On dull
days make use of enough artificial warmth so that
the mercury reaches to 75°, but 65° w-ill be ample
for the night, and continue this treatment until
the hen ies are well coloured. Attend to the water-
ing of inside borders, using stimulants until
colouring becomes general ; after this discontinue
their use and give pure water oidy, keeping the
surface well mulched, both to check loss by
evaporation and to prevent frequent waterings.
If the roots are in outside borders the Vines will
yet continue to make growth ; this must, however,
be kept pinched, so that the trellis may not
become crowded with foliage, as it is necessary
at this late season that the Grapes experience a
certain amount of sunlight as an aid towards
attaining good colour.

Late Muscits. — If these are well coloured and
thoroughly ripe the temperature may gradually
be lowered, but a dry atmosphere being indispens-
able for their good keeping, a little artificial
warmth will be needed now and again to dry up
any moisture that may arise in the house and to
keep the air in circulation. Tlie temperature
should never be allowed to fall below .50" for
Muscats when ripe. At this they will take
no harm, but a lower temperature with attendant
condensation of moisture will bring about spot on
the berries more quickly than any other cause,
and this soon leads to their speedy decay. If the
foliage on the Vines is thin, it may be necessary
to aflbrd a slight shade for a few hours during [
the morning w"hen the sun shines brightly, and
advantage should be taken of such weather to
thoroughly ventilate the house, which will be
sufficient to dispel all damp arising from ordinary
causes. In cases where the Grajjes have not yet
finished colouring the treatment recommended in
a former calendar should be adhered to until the
berries are perfectly finished both as regards
colour and ripeness.

Late Hamisurghs. — These having finished and
bemg perfectly ripe, the house should be kept
cool and dry, and to this end well ventilated
whenever the state of the weather will allow.
Close the ventilators on wet days, and if drip is
troublesome through the roof being faulty, throw
the ventilators wide open the first o|)portunity,
turn on a little fire-heat, and get all dried up
again as quickly as possible. The skins of the
berries being very thin, they are very susceptible
to injury from changes of temperature, and on
no account should they be subjected to a less
warmth than 45°. Look the bunches over at least
once a week, and remove any berries found to be
decaying. In some places spiders are apt to
pro\e troublesome by taking uji their abode in
the centre of the bunches, not only of Hamburghs,
but all other varieties, and they spin their webs
around and amongst the berries and footstalks.
When once they take possession it is a difficult
matter to dislodge them, and the best means of
keeping them under is to pass a hair broom into
all corners and crevices in the house at least once
a week, and if this is continued from the time
colouring commences, when a drier state of things
obtains, which is more congenial- to their tastes,
this will keep them under, they not liking the con-
stant disturbance.

Other vineries. — As the Vines are cleared of
fruit, partially prune back the laterals, and, if
found necessary, take steps to cleanse the foliage
if red spider and thrips have been rife. After
this proceed to do any lifting that may be re-
quired, also make additions to borders, and top-
dress if neither is necessary, and for the present
leave the surface unprotected, that the Vines may
receive the benefit of autumn rains. Advantage
should be taken of the spell of rest the Vines will

enjoy to get all necessary repairs and painting
done before the winter sets in. The hot-water
apparatus should also be o\'erhauled, defects
made good, or, if alterations are contemplated,
get them done before there is a possibility of the
house being required for use.

YouNii Vines. — Those planted last April or
May should be encouraged with artificial warmth
to ripen their wood at as early a date as possible,
but this must not be carried to the extreme, or
the object in view will be defeated. If the canes
have turned bi-own, the laterals may be pruned
away, and this will benefit the buds, particularly
those on the lowermost portion of the canes, pro-
vided always that the premier leaves are intact.
If any of these have been lost, the laterals emanat-
ing from those portions of the canes should be cut
back to one leaf, so that the latter will continue
to draw sap for the benefit of the main buds until
they are thoroughly mature. A little fire-heat
and ample ventilation will assist the ripening of
the wood in cases where the Vines are in an im-
mature condition. See that they get all the
water they require at the roots, and keep the
foliage clean and healthy until they have per-
formed their proper functions.

Pot Vines. — The canes should now be perfectly
ripe, and those intended for early forcing will
either have done so or will be shedding their
leaves. If all lateral growths were jjruned away
when they were turned outdoors, nothing remains
to be done now but to remove them under cover,
as the continuous rains we are now experiencing
will keep the roots on the move. If placed in a
perfectly cool house or shed and water withheld
until the soil becomes dry, the Vines will experi-
ence the needful season of rest they require before
starting. The soil should not be kept dust-dry or
too wet, a look round about once a ^^■eek being
sufficient, and the shortening liack of the canes
to the required length may be deferred until they
are quite at rest. A. W.

Fruit and Vegetable Crops.

WESTERN.

Hagley Hall, Stourbridge.— Ajjples are a
good crop, in some instances a heavy one. Pears,
Jargonelle, Bergamote d'Esperen, Uvedale's St.
Germain, Doyenn(3 du Comiee and one oi two
others are a "good cro(). Early Prolific Plum is a
good crop, most other kinds a failure. Apricots
a very light crop. Damsons are a failure. Nuts
are a very heavy crop.

Vegetables have been good and plentiful.
Runner Beans did not set well until the rain came,
but the dwarf Canadian Wonder kejjt us supplied
until the others were ready. The later crop of
Broad Beans did not set well owing to the black
fly. Globe Artichokes have thrown up very
freely ; I find they do better if removed to fresh
ground occasionally. Peas have done remarkably
well this year about this neighbourhood. — D. R.
Dixon.

Badminton Gardens, Gloucester. — The
fruit crops in this garden and neighbourhood are,
generally speaking, very much below the average.
The Apple crop is partial, and early kinds of the
Lord Suffield and Stirling Castle types are plenti-
ful, but mid-season and late varieties are very
scarce, except in a few sheltered and favoured
spots. Pears are very thin, and Plums almost a
total failure. The same may be said of Apricots.
Peaches and Nectarines outside are fairly abun-
dant and good, although somewhat late. Straw-
berries were extremely plentiful and very fine ; I
do not remember a better Strawberry season.
Raspberries were not so prolific here as usual,
owing, no doubt, to the poor canes grown during
the summer of 1896. Currants of all kinds, also
Gooseberries, were abundant and excellent. Nuts
(excei)ting Walnuts) are very plentiful.

The vegetable crops are quite the reverse of
the fruit, being extremely fine and good. Peas
are suti'ering from mildew, I think more than

usual, and late kinds do not promise well ; but
early and mid-season varieties were very go
Beans of all kinds are most abundant. 'J
Potato crop will not, I think, be aliove the averu
but if the disease does not set in too virulent!,
fancy there will not be much to complain of,
all kinds seem doingwelland the haulm ripenino
gradually. All the Brassica tribe looks «
Brussels Sprouts particularly so — Williasi Na

Cloverley and Shavington, Salop. — Ap|
are very partial, especially the better dessert
rieties, though others, chiefly cooking kinds, h^
a fair average crop. Pears on walls and espali
are an average crop ; fruit small, owing
drought, very scarce on pyramids. Plums
walls protected only with fish netting carry a c
of fine fruit ; away from walls a failure, l)am^
\ery scarce. Cherries are poor, especiallj- llorel
Apricots are an average crop of good fruit. I
Currants, Rasplierries and Gooseberries are
average crop. Nuts good. Strawberries an a^
age crop. — T. G. Cucknev.

Killerton, Exeter. — Apples are below
average. Among the best are Blenheim Gran
Hawthornden, Manks Codlin, Domino, Stirl
Castle, King of the Pipjjins, Mfere de M^rn
Schoolmaster and Tower of Glamis. Pears :
are under average ; BeurrS Clairgeau, Bei
Bosc, Comte de Laray, Victoria, Pitma-
Duchess, Durondeau and Passe Colraar are g
crops. Peaches and Nectarines are partial. Ha
Early, Royal George, Dymond and Crosse J
nonne have good crojjs. Many of the trees m
very much blistered in the spring, but have i
recovered. Ajjricots were very scarce througln
Cherries have been a moderate crop. More
are exceptionally fine ; early sorts were below
average. Plums are very scarce on the walls,
the standard trees in the orchard ha\'e fair cvc
the sorts being Green Gage, Victoria and Pri
Englebert. Figs are plentiful and fine, the si
being Brunswick, White Marseilles and Bn
Turkey. Cobs and Filberts are fine crops.

Vegetables have been throughout the year g
and aljundant. Potatoes in the field are very |
mising ; Beauty of Hebron is dying away and
the haulm spotted with disease, while Sch.
master, which I find the best for the general ci
and late kinds are looking very promising. 1 li
grown many other sorts side by side in the s;
field for twenty j'ears, but none equals Scli
master for cooking and keeping. — .John Gabl.\

Stoke Edith Park, Hereford.— The fi
crop in this neighbourhood as far as Apples, Plu
and Damsons are concerned is a disappointing,
notwithstanding the fact that the trees in
three instances w-ere covered with blossoms,
cause of this almost total failure in the Ciist
standard Plums and Damsons, both in orclia
and gardens, may be traced to bitter cold eastt
winds which blew with great persistency neai
the whole of the time the trees were in bloi
This, as might be expected, had a disastr
effect on the flowers, so that the delie
organs of fructification became seared :
slirivelled, and they eventually dropped ofl
shoals. In the walled-in garden the trees fa
better, and a good crop set on bushes and p}
raids, only, however, to be badly hit by ti
later on, when they all dropped. On tlie wi
many of the trees are carrying fairly good cro
these escaped owing to the protection affordeil
the broad, over-hanging copings. Among Pli"
Victoria stands out conspicuously as being '
heaviest cropper not only here, but in many otlj
places in the district, while Herefordshire Vn
is the best cropped variety of Damson here. It
satisfactory to note that the trees generally i
clean and have made good growth, a good augi
for another year. Turning to Apples, the reas
for the partial failure in this case is distinc,
tracealjle to two causes, the first of which was t
caterpillar and weevil maggot depredations, a
the second the rlisastrous effects of the inorni
frosts on May 9, 11, and 12, which alone did en)
damage. The majority of the trees in the orclia'
hereabout blossomed well, although traces of '•
year's insect attack were plainly visible by

Septembkr 18, 1897.]

THE GARDEN".

225

<|iilitaU'il a|)|)0:ii;inco of the trees in many in.

noes. Unfortunately, tln-ou<;h neglectinj^ to

preventive measures, tlie trees were again

lly attacked liy insect pests this spring, and

< alone would account for the loss of i|uitc half

crop on every tree. Then occui'rcd the frosts

ntitioned aliove, and these destroyed numbers of

blooms which had esca|3ed the insect foes,

h the result that the aggregate eroj) for the

drict can hardly be termed one-half of what it

aid be. In these gartlens, where wasbin""

he trees both in the winter and sjH'ing receives

greatest attention, insects put in an a|)pcar-

e, but not in snilicient numbers to do any

at. amount of barm, and they were (luicklv

(hied by spraying. We can never hope to

irely get rid of these pests so long as matters are

iwea to take their course in su-rounding

o hards, and shall always have to combat thein

in greater or lesser degree everj^ spring. Our

.h trees sullered from frost, but in spite of

we liave man.\- trees lieavily laden with

fit, foremost amongst which are Lord (irosveiior

a . Lord Sutlleld, Cellini, Worcester Pearmain,

P'ston, King of l'ii>pins, The Queen, Ecklinville,

" ling Castle, Co.x's I'omona, Annie Elizabeth,

ch. Lord Derby, Beauty of Kent, Kentish Fill-

'■' ■t, .Stir-ling Castle, Tyler's Kernel, Warner's

Washington, and Pott's Seedling. It is

Mctory to see that many of the late-flowering

viiage Apples are well croppeil, and their im-

njriity from frost and caterpillar attacks lies in

fact of their being so late before starting into

wth. Pears, through their having flowered in

mce of Apples, were set and out of harm's way

n the frosts previously noted occurred, and

s both in orchards and gardens are bearino-

1 crops, cordon trees especially. A few sorts

ing for special mention are Hacon's Incom-

ible, Marie Louise, iSIarie Louise d'Uccle,

khouse's Beurre, Chaumontel, Gratioli of

ey, Beurr,! Hardy, (.;iou Morceau, Bergamote

iwren. Prince Consort, Beurre d'Arembero-

Althorpe Crassane. Dessert Cherries on

hes and wall trees has been abundant and

1, while Morellos have been and still are plenti

and the trees in all eases have kept much

cllnerthan usual. The fine old standard Cherries,

'ich many are to be seen in the vicinity of

^'- gardens in the adjoining parish, have

irne so well as usual, they having doubt-

-iitfered from the effects of frost, as the

though apparently well set, dropped
'uls. Taking Apricots next, it is pleasant
-■ able to relate that, although the
are not so heavily laden as last year,
liave carried excellent crops of fine fruit,
iipened to perfection. The trees have the
I ion of coping boards and frigi domo
. and this seems to be the surest method
- iring a crop of this delicious fruit each

In consequence of the hot, dry weather
iig has been rather a heavy item, but the
- secured more than compensate for all the
and trouble involved. The trees are clean
^e made good growth, the wood being of a
1 character. Peaches and Nectarines taken
ively are a good eroj), the exceptions being
' 1 ees which made rather strong growth last
and these will be lifted this autumn.
'. which seems to have been prevalent in
rartsof the country, has been absent, and

given but little trouble. Red spider put
ppearance on a few trees, the attack being

through some Strawberry plants on the
I'econimg infested with tliem, but " Kilm-

and applications of cold water after-
noon sto()pcd their depredations. That fine

Alexander has become an established
le here, ai.d although not rijie quite so

in former seasons, the last of the fruits
-athered during the last week in July.
' 'eorge. Crimson Calande, Dymond, Mag-
nd Alexandra Noblesse are varieties well
I among Peaches, and Elruge is the best
-Noctarines. Currants of sorts and ( loose-
in variety have been very abundant and
■ill the sawfly caterpillar has been entirely

absent. Raspberries were a splendid crop, and
stools of Superlative, fed with suiierphosjihale of
lime and potash, yielded exceeding heavy crops of
extra fine fruit. This is a magnifient Raspberry,
and intending planters who wish for crop com-
bine<l with size and (piality should plant Supeila-
tive. Ill all cases tlie stools arc well furnished
with stout canes for next year's fruiting, and
these are ripening fast. Strawberries have pro-
duced heavy crops of fruit which were of line
size and excellent as regards flavour. Royal
Sovereign with me has estaljli,shed its superiority
over all others as a first early variety. As Straw-
berries have to be treated on in a "separate note,
I will say nothing fiirtlier about them here, and
will conclude by remarking that, taken altogether,
the fruit crops, with the exception of the falling
off' in .A])ples and Plums and a slight deficiency
in Peaches, are, when compared with rejjorts to
liand fnnn authentic sources, very .satisfactory,
when the disadvantages laboured under in the
slia()e of insect foes and frost efl'ects are taken
into consideration.

The vegetal.ile crops have been infinitely sujie-
rior in every way to those of last year, and give
occasion for congratulation wlien the heat and dry
weather are taken into account. By supplying
plenty of water to all crops that needed it,'and
with the help of the warm rains which have fallen
at intervals through the summer, they have been
kept going, and the produce has in consequence
been good. Early Peas were ready for gathering
a little later than last year, but the crop lasted
much longer and was of" much better quality. A
new early wrinkled Pea named Dickson's" Har-
Ijinger created a favourable im|:)ression, it being
ready for gathering with the first early round-
seeded kinds, and as regards flavour, it is far and
away beyond the latter. Successional crops have
been excellent. Early Cauliflovvers turned in with
the early Peas, and have been plentiful since then,
the variety being Walcberen. French Beans have
borne good crops, although the earliest were
soon over, aiid_ the pods have been, and are,
tender. The first gathering was made from
Earliest of All. Scarlet Runners are plentiful
and good, while Broad Beans of both sections
have been excellent. Celery is looking very
healthy and growing fast, the earliest having had
its first moulding up. Onions, Carrots, Parsnips,
Beetroot, and Turnips leave little to be desired.
Seakale, under the influence of heat and good
treatment, has done remarkably well and promises
fine crowns for forcing liy-and-by. Vegetable
Marrows present a dift'erent appearance from that
of last year, and both these and Ridge Cucumbers
have cropped well. \\'itli regard to green crops
such as Broccoli, Cabbages, and the various kinds
of winter vegetables, they are, with a few excep-
tions, making good growth and are in a satisfactory
condition. Lettuces, through being planted in
shady positions, have given little trouble all
through the season. Continuity has proved a
first-class Cabbage variety for a dry season.
Sharpe's Victor Potato was again the earliest
kind ready for use on a warm border, but I think
that English Beauty, which has been on trial
here, will run it close for earliness, if it does not
beat it, another season. Early Potatoes lost their
tops [irematurely in many cases through the ex-
treme heat and drought,"but the varieties men-
tioned, also Jlyatt's ProUfie, Early Hammersmith,
and Early Regent have, under th'e circumstances,
yielded very good crops indeed. Second earlies
are ready for lifting and promise a good yield,
and the rains of the past few days wifl do much
towards ensuring a good crop of midseason and
late varieties. The ground is now in fine condi-
tion for the sowing of the winter crops of Onions,
Lettuces and Spinach, and in a short time the
first lot of Cabbages for early sjiring cutting v\ill
be ])lanted. — A. \\'abd.

Trelissick, Truro.— The fruit crops in this
neighliourhood are the worst we have had for
many years. Plums, I'ears, and Cherries are a
total failure; Ajjples not more than a quarter of
a crop, and Peaches about the same. I never saw-
trees of the latter so badly blistered; some trees

were completely killed by it. This, I think, may
lie accounted for by the cold, blighting storms of
tlie spring. < looseberries antl Currants were a
fair average crop, but liaspberries a failure, from
i-cplanting after the severe drought of the pre-
vious season.

Vegetables have been pretty good. The Peas
sull'ered somewhat from tlicext'rcniely hot weather
in .lune and .Inly. Potatoes are a" fair average

Cl-iip. -W. S.VNi.VV IN.

Compton Basset, -Wilts.— The crops here in
this district generally are under a\ erage with one
or two exceiitions. "Of ( Joosebi-rries and Currants
we have enormous crops. Raspberries were bad.
Cherries are an average crop. Peaches and Nec-
tarines are fine and an average crop. Waterloo
Peach was very fine, as was Amsden June. There
are good cro])s of Dymond and (loshawk. Pears
ai-e under average ; I have had to thin in a few
cases. Apples are very poor, only a few in the
middle of the trees and under branches where
they escaped frost. Plums are very much under
average. Apricots were an a\-ei-ago crop. (Jobs
and Filberts are much abo\-e average. Straiv-
berries were an average crop, but frost destroyed
much of the early blossom. — W. A. Cook.

Gle-wston Gardens, Ross.— Apples here are
a very lieavy crop. Ecklinville Seedling, Stirling
Castle, (Jolden Spire, Keswick Codlin, and Tower
of Glamis are carrying the heaviest crops, and of
the dessert kinds Worcester Pearmain, King of
the Pippins, and Ribston Pippin are the best.
Pears and Plums are a failure. The trees were a
sheet of bloom, but the cold wind and frost, of
which we had 7° and 9°, killed most of it. Apri-
cots are under average. Cherries a failure.
Oooseberries, Currants, and Raspberries were an
average crop and good. Strawberries average
and good. Nuts over average. 'W^alnuts average.
— C. A. Bavford. "

Membland.— The fruit crop in this part is
varialjle. Small fruits were abundant and good.
Apples are doing much better than was to be
expected. There are fine crops of many of the
best sorts. Irish Peach, Lord Suflield, Lord
Grosvenor, Gloria Mundi, Cox's Pippin, Stirling
Castle, Bramley's, Melon Apple and a few others
are good. There are very few Pears, but we have
had heavy crops for three years, hence we looked
for a light crop. Peaches suft'ered from blister,
but are now clean and making good growth.
Plums and Cherries are scarce. Filberts and Cob
Nuts are good. There is a shorter supply of
Raspberries than usual. This and many other
places suffered from the dry season last year, and
the growth was short.

Vegetables did well up to July : since that
Peas have become more or less mildewed, although
a good supjily of water has been given to them.
Carrots and Parsnips are very fine : Onions also
good. I fear the Potato crop 'will be disappoint-
ing. The disease showed itself in the last week
of June, the w^eather being damp and warm at
the present time (August 14). The late planted
and late sorts are very small ; on the other liand,
early planted and early sorts are excellent. The
Ashleaf, Puritan, Sharpe's Victor, Snow-drop,
Windsor and Laxton's Victoria are amongst tlie
liest. Britannia is new- to me ; it is a heavy
cropper, of good flavour, very short in the haulm,
and not diseased. It shoufd be a good sort for
forcing. — Geo. Baker.

Oldo-wn House Gardens, Almondsbury.

— The fiuit crops in this district are rather under
the average, although of some kinds unusually
heavy ones can be reported. Apples are an aver-
age crop and the trees looking well. Blenheim
Orange, Tom Putt, Bess Pool, London Pijipin,
Winter Nonsuch, and Waltham Abbey Seedling,
among orchard trees, are heavily ladeii,"and among
trained trees. Cox's Orange Pippin, Annie Eliza-
Ijctli, Ribston I'ijjpin, and Claygate Pearmain are
carrying good a\-ei-agc crops. Pears on walls
are under average, but the quality ajipears
good and the fruit clean. Beurr^ Bosc. Jargonelle,
Easter Beurr6, Beurre d'Amanlis, Josephine de
Malines, Marie Louise, and Beurre Diel are the

226

THE GARDEK

[September 18, 1897,

best. Among cordon trees, Beurre d'Anjou,
Princess, and Marie Louise d'Uccle are good.
Pyramid trees a failure. Of Ajiricots and Plums
the crop is almost an entire failure. Cherries of
the sweet varieties are a very scanty crop.
Jlorellos good, the fruit large and trees clean.
All kinds of bush fruits have done well, especially
Red Currants and Gooseberries, fruit large and
bushes free from caterpillars this season. Rasp-
berries very scarce. Strawberries have been re-
markably good and abundant. Vicomtesse H. de
Thury, Sir Joseph Paxton, President, and Wizard
of the North ha\e been the best. Nuts, both Fil-
berts and Cobs, are very plentiful ; Walnuts aver-
age, some trees heavily laden.

Vegetable crops of all kinds have been
good. Early Potatoes, Ringleader, Sharpe"s Vic-
tor, and Myatt's Ashleaf are good, Ijoth as
regards quantity and i|uality. Of the later
sorts. Magnum Bonum, Schoolmaster, Wind-
sor Castle, and Snowdrop are good and no
disease has yet been seen. Early Peas did
well, especially Sutton's E.xcelsior, Chelsea
Gem, May (ilueen, and Exonian ; and for
midseason, Duke of Albany, Duchess of
Edinburgh, Veitch's Maincrop, and Prodigy
have done splendidly. Late sorts are almost
a failure, the flowers being infested with
yellow thrips and the foliage with mildew.
French and Scarlet Beans are abundant!
Carrots, Parsnips, and Beet are good. Tur-
nips are poor. Onions are an immense crop,
especially Veitch's Maincrop and Sutton's
Longkeeping. All the Brassica tribe are
doing well. — A. O. Hookincs.

Eastnor Gardens, Ledbury. — Small
fruits generally have been fairly good, con-
sidering the late spring frosts. Strawberries
extra good, (iooseberries very good. Cur-
rants and Raspberries both good. Plums
are almost a failure, also Cherries, as we
had 14" of frost while the trees were in flower.
Peaches are a fair average crop, but were
heavily protected. Apricots fair. Pears
good a\'erage. Apples a very disappointing
crop, for tlie trees generally were in splen-
did order before the flowers opened, but on
opening the flowers had a starved, stunted
look, which resulted in a very bad set.
Some few trees have a nice crop, but even on
those the fruit is undersized and deformed. —
Fkank Harris.

Abberley Hall, Stovirport.— The fruit
crojjs in this district this year are \'ery bad.
In the spring there was a great show of
bloom on all the fruit trees, especially the
stone fruit, but owing, T think, to the' very
bad weather, sharji frosts and snow late in
the spring, things went back very much.
Apples and Pears are very J500r. All the
stone fruits are a complete failure, with the
exception of Peaclies, Nectarines and Morello
Cherries on walls, and these seem to have
suffered veiy much from tlie severe weather
we experienced in the spring. Strawberries
have been a very good crop, also Gooseberries.
Raspberries and Currants.

Vegetables seemed to do fairly well at
the beginning of the season, and thei-e have
been some Hue crops of Peas in this district.
Potatoes, I think, will be a good crop. —

W. CiJNWAY.

The Gardens, Longford Castle, Salis-
bury.— Fruit is rather varied, an Apple tiee
occasionally being well crojjped, but on the whole
tha Apple crop is a light one, the late severe frosts
in May doing much harm. Pears are light, and
what fruit there is is of poor cpiality. Plums and
Apricots are light crops ; Peaches and Nectarines
a good medium cro|). The Nut crop is a very
heavy one. Bush fruit is very good ; the earliest
Strawberry blooms were damaged, but succeeding
ones produced a good crop of fruit.

Vegetable crops vary. The disease in Potatoes
seems rather prevalent, doubtless owing to heavy
night dews. Peas have suffered much from
drought and excessive heat. Root crops, except
Turnips, seem to be doing well. The Brassica

tribe all through the entire district seems to have
buttoned in very badlj', at least 75 per cent, being
blind. Onions suffered much from mildew and
have gone oft badly. — E. F. Hazelton.

'Wilton House. — Apples under average, bad
in <iuality. Pears under average. Plums a total
failure, except on walls and protected. Cherries
under average. Peaches and Nectarines over
average, where protected by glass coping quality
good. Apricots iiverage where protectetl, quality ■
excellent. Small fruits under average. Black
Currants very scarce. Strawberries average crop,
([uickly over in consequence of dry weather. Nuts
over average and of good quality. Walnuts
moderate crop.

Early varieties of Potatoes are a light crop ;
late varieties strong and healthy and there is

Lilinm 'jiganleion. From
Mr. C. J. Backhouse, St.
Darlington.

I photograph sent by
John's, Wolsinghain,

every prospect of a good crop. All vegetable
crops are looking well excejjt Cauliflowers and
Peas, the foimor ha\'ing sufl'ered from the dry, hot
weather, and the Pea crop has been much infested
with mildew. — T. Challis.

Tbe Gardens, Gai-nons, Hereford. — Apples
and Pears are only half a crop in this neighbour-
hood. Apricots and Plums are a complete failure ;
also Cherries, except in a few cases. I hax'c a
fair crop of Morellos on walls. Gooseberries bore
the trees to the ground in this garden. Red
Currants and Raspberries good, and Black Cur-
rants also good. Out not generally in the neigh-
bourhood. In addition to the bleak winds we

had in May, I consider the plague of thrips whit
has appeared in this neighbourhood for the 1;
two or three seasons is greatly responsible for t
light crops of Apples and Pears. They atto
the bloora-liuds before opening and destroy t
stamens of the flower, and on that account ;
hard to get rid of, as it is impossible to re;
them by spraying. — E. Fox.

Flower Garden.

LILIUM GIGANTEUM.

I SEND you photo of this beautiful Li
which has just flowered in my garden at
elevation of 940 feet above sea-level, in a iiK
bed of peat and loam. It grew to the heiglil
7 feet 8 inches : the flowers were each .o| inc
across and 7| inches long — thirty blcjonis in
on two spikes, white, with purple stripes
side. The stems were each 8| inches in
cumference. It has been increasing in size
several years, making young offshoots, but
not flowered till this year. Incarvillea D'
vayi also grows remarkably well here in
iipen, and has had three large spikes of tio«
this year, seeding freely.

C. J. Backhou.si
St. John's, Wolsmgham, Darlington.

Lobelia Gerardi. — This is an exceedir
tree-floH'ering plant, lasting in full beauty
many months. It commenced flowering earl
summer, and the main spikes still carry crow
heads of flower, wliile lateral spikes are
numerous. The colour has been describee
azure-blue and also as lavender-blue, but here
dowers are not self-coloured, and the gen
tone seen at a distance is purplish violet.
u]>per portion of thetulieand tlie two stam
petials are rosy purple, the lower part of the t
striped rosy purple and white, while the t
lower petals are pale violet, similar in shad
the common Dog Violet. .Judging from its ha
healthy appearance, I should say that it
prove the hardiest of all the herbaceous Ljlie
and not so susceptilile to injury from drougli
most of them are. The leaves are large f'
Lobelia and of a deep green colour, which i;
the plant a fresh and attractive appear,i,nce <
when not in bloom. It will undoubtedly pro
good plant for massing. — J. C. Tallack.

Eudbeckia laciniata Golden Glow.— J

disappointing but not surprising to read the i
(in this Rudbeckia on yiage 172. Last yearflm
sent from Ireland and elsewhere did not favour
impress me. The glowing terms w ith whicli
plant was placed before the public led one tu
pect prettier flow-ers than those which came u :
my notice. They were "lumpy" and lit
looking, and did not augur well for the popiila
of the plant on which they grew. It takes a
tinct and pretty flower to make itself welc
among the crowd of yellow Suntiower-like pi
now available for gardens, and in view of the
promising character of the blooms I did nottl
it worth while to trouble with this double T
beckia. A day or two ago I had, however,
pleasure of seeing it doing very well in thegai
of Mrs. Maxwell- Witham, of KirkconnelI,Dumfi
The plant was not a large one, but apparently m
best of health, and producing several well-fon
and attractive flowers. The colour was good,
the blooms more elegant than those of the doi
Sunflowers. Should it do as well in my ''
garden I shall consider it an acquisition i""
Possibly the climate may have something Ij
w-ith its success at Kirkconnell, and it nad
advantage of a well-prepared border and j:
soil. Possibly the wet autumn we have lia'
ihe district may have been acceptable to

Ibptembeb 18, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

22)

t, and have helped to make it do so well.
leii (!lo\v is distinct from aiiytliinc; else wr
■ in its way, and one can licartily juin in the
■ession of a hope that it may yet prove a
OSS in most fiai-dens.— H. AitNorr, ('ai:ic//wrii,
iiiiiifi'i' *. -V. li.

rimula obconica var. flmbriata. — .At the
ent time in No. 4 house at Kew a strain of
■ose bearing this name is tlowerinoj, aial at
iichos the eye lij- reason of its distinctive
. ristics. is'ot only is the timliriated
.r of the petals very |)ronounced — whicli
1 is a decided break in tliis ]ilant — and the
usually larjjer than in original 1'. obconica,
tube of the blossoms in many instances is
How hue, abnost amounting in a few in-
- to a mealy nature, so much so that at first
I was inclined to regard it as indicating
1 agency, possililj' i'. sinensis var. This
iwevcr, so far as Kew lias knowledge of
ijeet, was negatived a little later in con-
n with the curator, the seed having Ijeen
il from the Continent with the above
That the abo\'e strain is highly interesting
IS no doubt, and doubly so if, while all
IS to hybridise P. obconica with pollen of
I r sjiecies of the genus have proved futile
liands of leading experts, such a break as
which I now refer has resulted naturally.
are now several distinct varieties of this
-!■ in cultivation, particularly P. o. rosea
subject f f this note. These in the hands
in-fal hybridist should now provide a most
I and welcome variety of this almost per-
il llowering race of Primulas. — E. J.
tjaplialodes Lucilise is still one of the
II ist as it is also the rarest of beautiful alpines.
ivcently at Kew in the hardy plant depart-

I saw tliis really delightful plant still
_' its delicate pale blue flowers. It is, un-
ii'ly, rather diHicult to grow as well as in-
and not unfrequently becomes a victim to
lugs during the winter months. Indeed,

■ gardens, even in the summer when
pplics for these pests are abundant every-
ilie plant is often attacked, and, alas, once

I I it is rarely left alone while a green
[.■mains upon it. Slow in growth, the
an only be increased by division in early
and unless the specimen is at least three
■Id, it will not avail much to attempt to
1. A reference to the plant now maj' be

■ e if only to direct attention to the seeds
■'■n at this time. These should be watched
nd secured as soon as fully ripe, and when
gathered for the year they are best sown

In this way, if the seedlings are raised

■ w years in succession, (piite a nice stock
secured, as may be seen when it is stated

'^^ards of 1110 seeds have been secured from
~ized tuft in one year. It is true, how-
lat all the seedlings do not possess the
lear glaucous tint on the leaves, some
luite green, although varying little in the
.\ little peat mi.xed with loam and finely
■I brick ruliliish is the best material to grow
Ills in, and also for raising the seedlings. —

TO

ted Pansies in the rock garden in

s Park have been very beautiful during the

. anil (juite a new idea in their arrange-

■11 illustrated. For months past this par-

s|iot has Ijcen regarded bv many as an

lustration of the great value" of the" Tufted

IDF work of this kind. Mr. .Jordan has

■ d the right idea in massing the different

s by themseh es, and in this way has

some most striking effects. The rock

liere is somewhat serpentine in form, and

end is massed the |jretty little sweet-

X'ioletta, with its chaste white blossoms,

which is a m.ass of Bridegroom, a very

ve pale lavender flower with a caja'tal

I habit. Toward the centre, raised higher

■ other sorts, is the old variety Countess

re, with its somewhat tall-growing habit,

iienlly suited to the position given to it.

I; the old yellow sort, has been very

fine, esiiecially earl}' in the season. Blue (iown
and Rosea ])allida, the latter a very pale rosy
blush, are two grand sorts for nmssing together in
largo niunbers, their dense compact style of growth
suiting them admirably for the pm-pose. There
is a beautiful assortment of carpeting plants to
cover the rockwork and also to form a contrast to
the llowering plants. Lysimachia aurea, Sedums
and Saxifrages in variety render this corner of the
garden a welcome contrast to the glaring colours
seen in many of the recognised bedding plants. —
1). 15. C.

FLOWER GARDEN NOTES.

TcFTED P.vN'SiEs. — In response to a complaint
made as to non-success last year with Tufted
Pansies from cuttings — as a matter of fact nearly
!l() per cent, failed — a corrcs))ondent, I think Jlr.
Crane, stiggested that a better result might possi-
bly lie olitained if the insertion of cuttings were
held over for several weeks, and the operation
performed in the early jiart of September instead
of the end of July. I am extremely obliged for
the suggestion, because having followed it out the
result is a capital strike, everj' cutting coming
away at once without the least check. It is not
easy to understand why after a successful July
strike for many years the failure in 1896 should
ha\e been so complete, especially as it was by no
means the worst growing season I had experienced.
With, however, the knowledge of the conditions
most favourable to the free growth of the flowers
in question it seems only reasonable to infer that,
so far .as the outside insertion of cuttings is con-
cerned, the best results would be obtained when
the sun is beginning to lose its power, when the
ground is naturally moist, and nights are long and
cool. Having made it a rule to plant out in
autumn, I have resorted to early propagation with
the view to obtain early well-rooted plants, but
have no doubt the later struck cuttings M-ill pro-
duce e<|ually good results. Plants from cuttings
are by far the most satisfactory here. They come
earlier into flower, individual blooms are finer, and
there is a longer season than from old plants
either left intact or split iip into pieces. So far
indeed as the latter process is concerned, it is
emphatically the case when growing on a light
soil that there are many varieties still classed as
Tufted Pansies that are not amenable to this
treatment. In any preparations for autumn ])lant-
ing on the above soils I should recommend the
incorporation of a goodly dressing of cow manure ;
given this and a heavy surface mulching to follow
planting, there is little doubt but that a satisfac-
tory display will be obtained. Perhajis readers
who have tried some of the newer varieties will
say which are the best selfs among them — that is,
from a flower-garden standpoint.

Some useful annuals. — The present season
has again shown the value of some of the best
types of annuals, and proved that by their aid,
allied with jierennials, a splendid summer display
can be maintained. Although the many different
types and varieties of Pentstemons advertised can
if necessary be treated as annuals, that known as
gloxinioides is about the best for growing in this
way, from the fact that it comes into flower so
quickly and makes a grand disjjlay quite early in
the summer if the seed is sown in a little warmth
towards the end of Februarj', and the young
])lants are grown on without a check under shelter
until they can be transferred to the open.
Gaillardia Lorenziana may not be quite so
bright or attractive as the single types, but it
is a very serviceable annual and of a most endur-
ing character. The flowers are produced in great
profusion on fairly long stalks, and stand u)i
better than the majority of the singles. There is
also great \ariation in the shades, although the
brilliant colouring is somewhat lacking. Plenty
of flowers is available until the advent of frost
and they stand very well in water. To ensure an
early display, seed should be sown under cover
about the middle of March and the young plants
pricked out in frames or boxes. Calendida < )range
King is one of the best substitutes as a fairly tall

plant that can be found for ( adceolarias where the
latter are not satisfactory. ( 'oniplaints are some-
times made as to the non-enduring powers of this
very handsome Marigold, but the short season is
generally attributable either to growing in a poor
dry soil, to the non-removal of dying flowers, or
to both causes coml lined. I am aware that
this and other flowers are sometimes recommended
for poor soils, but there is a medium in all things ;
and although willing to admit that it does not re-
quire a rich compost, I have had the best results
from a fairly holding soil, and for that reason
generally fork in a heavy surface dressing of rather
stiff road-sidings to beds that are to be tenanted
with this Calendula. Tlie plants luxuriate in this
when the roots once lind it out. So far as the
prompt removal of dying flowers is concerned, it
is as much a necessity in this case as with Tufted
Pansies and Sweet Peas if a long-sustained season
is desired. The seed may be scattered broadcast
over the bed and the plants thinned to 1 foot
apart. If a mulch of spent Mushroom manure or
something of the kind can be put on while they
are yet in a young stage it will bo decidedly bene-
ficial. Among the newer introductions to summer
gardening, at any rate on an extensive scale, may
be mentioned Celosias. A splendid display is to
be found this year at Regent's Park, where Mr.
.Jordan has used them largely and in excellent
taste. Now that individual colours are fairl}'
well defined, it is advisible to purchase them
separately, and arrangements can then be made
for planting on a carpet that will best harmonise
with each colour. Ranking among the most
tender things that are utilised for summer work,
it is obvious that early sowing, quick growth up
to a certain stage, and a long hardening off are
absolutely essential.

Carnations. — We have had showery weather,
or, at any rate, occasional showers, right away
from starting Carnation layering, and artificial
watering has been unnecessary. The plants —
as is generally the case under such conditions —
have come away at once .and are looking remark-
ablywell. Is there something in soil and inatmo-
spheric influence, or in both combined, that is
responsible in a great measure for splitting ten-
dencies. I ask because the late flowers of .Mrs.
Reynolds-Hole have been remarkalily good, the
calyx holding intact to the end. This .seems to
indicate that the cool, showery weather has some-
thing to do with the improvement. What, however,
makes me think that a difterence of soil is also re-
sponsible was the remark made by a grower
from a south-midland county. I had directetl his
attention to The Pasha and Carolus Duran, and he
immediately said that he did not want a better in
that shade than Mrs. Reynolds-Hole, and to my
incpiiry as to whether that variety did not split
badly, added, not five per cent. It would be in-
teresting to know if others have had the same ex-
perience, and, if so, to what the}' attribute their
success. Of a few sorts comparatively new to
me I like Lady Nina Balfour, Miss Audrey Camp-
bell, Sadek and King Arthur, as in addition to
flowering freely they make strong grass, and the
layers have a robust, healthy look about them. It
remains to be seen if these and a few more new
sorts will come through the winter as well as the
old favourites. Where a considerable number are
required for indoor work, the sorts named .above,
together with Uriah I'ike and a good form of
White Clove, will be found useful for the jiin-jiose,
and a sutticient numlier should be poUed as soon as
the layers are well rooted. If any particular
shade in the named varieties is not looking well
it is advisable to layer some of the seedlings if the
desired colours can be obtained in them. I am
this year trying three that proved very free and
vigorous, and that were respectively in their
several shades almost the counterparts of Mi.ss
.Jolill'e, Kctton Rose and The Pasha, \\here
good seedlings exist and the ground is not re-
quired for other purposes they will make a gland
show another season if allowed to remain. The
griimid between the jilants can be gently ease<l up
with a fork and a bit of fresh soil, say .about
•1 inches in thickness, spread over the surface. All

228

THE GARDEN.

[September 18, 1£9;

thin weakly growth can then be removed and
sufficient of the strongest shoots from each plant
pegged down into the fresh soil to cover the bed
well. A splendid lot of flowers will be obtained
from such beds another season.

MicHAELM.is Daisies. — Among good kinds now
in flower are Aster acris, Amellus major, cordi-
folius, lievis, arcturus, Novi-Belgii, Purity, and
Shorti. The two first named being comparatively

instead of relieving it. The other four Starworts
are capital border plants and also very useful in
a cut state. E. Birrell.

Clanmont.

Montbretias.— The note of " E. J." (p. 191)
on MontbretiaTigridia reminds me of a tine group
of this showy flower I saw growing at Carrow

Orchard and Fruit Garde

PEACHES AND NECTARINES AT
EXETER.

The wall on which the Peaches and Nectar
are growing is our boundary wall, and beloii:
the gaol authorities. It is 24 feet high, and at

Feaches and Nectariius on a high u-est wall at Fleeter. From a photograph sent hy Messrs. Yeitch, Exeter.

dwarf and compact, and throwing dense heads of
flower, are suitable for massing in large beds only.
As they are somewhat stifl'and formal, it is advis-
able to 1 elieve them with other things. Perhaps
there would be nothing better than Dahlia Flam-
beau, a variety that throws its flowers well above
the foliage, and is unapproachable as a free
bloomer. Desgrange Chrysanthemum is some-
times used and is satisfactory so far as contrast of
colour isconcerned, only it intensifies the formahty

House. At a time when good flowers suitable for
vase decoration are becoming scarce the above
will be found invalualile, one good point in its
character being the long time it lasts when cut.
It looks exceedingly well arranged with Gypso-
phila paniculata. The best way to secure a
good annual supply of flowers is to keep working up
a young stock of plants and to plant in good soil.
To prolong the supply of spikes for cutting, plant
a batch of roots on a north border. — Grower.

special spot is built of limestone ; at other pi
it is built of brick. The aspect is due v
and owing to large buttresses and recesses
sun falls on the wall until between 11 and
o'clock at this time of the year. The Necta
tree i)hotographed is Lord Napier, and
about 12 feet high by 8 feet to 10 feet w
It has borne heavy crops of fruit witl
intermission for the past ten years. •■

Sjiptember 18, 1897.]

THE GATJDEN

229

ndard I'cach treu shown is Dr. Hogg, ami is

fuet liigli l)y I'i foet wiilo, ami has \weu

iwiil;,' thui'o for more than twenty yoars. The

irflVadiis Dymond. It is IL' feet hy iL' feel,

1 isof tlic same aj,'u as thoUr. Uo^;^. These t wn

Bs liavc l)oen exliibiteil liy us full of fruit

i;ularly for many years to our friends who

.'ud the horticultural show at Exeter, which

i jsually held on or about August 20. (»ther

BS on the wall are Hellegardu Peach, I'ine-

le Nectarine, W'alburton Admirable Peach,

ich is bearing a fair crop this season, and Late

vonian Peach, of which there are several

es, one hearing heavily. With reference to

atmont, we give the trees plenty of clean water

" li<iuid manure at the usual times, hut we

e them special treatment in the spring from

time the buds begin to swell to tlie time

y are in bloom by giving them copious

>4erings with clean water and now and then a

d)p of lii|uid. Wti root-prune them everj'

tird or fourth year, laying out the fibres near

surface in good loam and lime rubble. The

rult h.as been that we only occasionally get

1 in the leaf, none at all this year, and
ood croj). From our

mination of the soil under our wall.s for
iikiy years past, we are satisfied that it is often

;r thiin one would expect, and that many
ti;s .sufl'cr from dryness at the root, es])C-
c: ly during dry w^eather in March and April,
81 h as was experienced last year and this year.

Robert Veitch i<- Sox.

Tl

Tectarine Cardinal.— The exceeding earli

i of this new Nectarine, coupled with its extra

colour and pleasant flavour, is sure to make

favourite with those who require Nectarines

in the year. As grown in a pot this season

larrow House it was very prolific, and earlier

1 Early Rivers. It is a" significant fact that

Ithe early Nectarines are much freer settinj;

til the eaily .\meriean Peaches, Amsden .lu "

ei^ptcd, and Cardinal is no exception to the

Growkr.

ipanese Wine Berry.— It is surprising

fruit is not more generally grown, as it make"-

Mt delicious preser\e and is easily cultixated

'arrow House Mr. .Tones has it in a' very fruitful

volition, the clusters of Mulberry-like fruit

liajing in jn-eat profusion. It enjoys deeply

w^ied, rich ground, ami new beds should f
e every few years. The general t-eatment it

rehires is very similar to that of the Raspberry

fruit is Mulberry-shaped and produced
liters. It is necessary to net the fruit over to

prject It from birds, which are as partial to it as
aspherries,— (Jkowku

pple White Juneating.— One looks in vam

ruit catalogues for the above old-fashioned

Apple. Thirty years ago there were a good

msy- orchard standards of the White .luneatinc.

m ' -

th

I

wl

if

or

li

hii

ne|- fails to bei

inn

jui

SWc

foi
me

but they are such poor bearers that where profit
is aimed at they do not ()ay to grow. For exhi-
l)ition a few trees may well be grown, as fruit of
Duiniet's t'hampiou is often as large as small
Cherries. 1 find Lee's Prolific is being largely
planted in East Anglia, and market >;ardencrs
seem to be working up a stock. The fact of the
latter class of cultivators taking to anj' fruit or
vegetable is sutlicient proof of its value. Many
gardeners still piune Black Currants, so as to
encourage dense, stumpj' bushes, instead of open-
ing out the trees to let in air and sunshine and
encourage plenty of young wood. — (iRowEU.

bo dislodged while it is yet hard. In looking
along the Peach wall at Cowdray, I found that
Mr. (leeson had discarded the familiar bean stalks
in favour of (i-iucb lengths cut from the smaller
canes of Arumlo donax ; these answei'ed the pur-
pose admirably. Tlie inner surface is (juite smooth
and the lengths being jjerfectly straight, the
insects can bo blown out much moro easily.
Whi-ic lliore are facilities for planting a few
clcirnpM (if this stately plant in outlying parts of
the pleasure ground, the stems that are amuially
cut can be utilised for the above purpose.

E. BlKltKl.I..

Im

tha

ijex, but most of them were very old, and as

. have disappeared, young trees have not

planted m their place. A Norfolk gardener

markets his surplus fruit recently asked me

ould mform him where he could obtain trees

'''?''t°f it- He had never seen it since he

in Suffolk many years ago. I could not help

although I have a good espalier tree which

, ^ , •"■ a good crop of fruit, this riiien-

it the eiul of ,luly. The flavour is brisk,

. and refreshing, though it is not one of the

test. It must be eaten within ten days or a

"ght after g.athering, otherwise it becomes

and t;istele.ss. — T. Crawfoho.

%ck Currant Lee's Prolific. -Without

the hnest of all Black Currants, all points

I'jred, H Lee's Prolific. The old Black Naples

'lent, but the former, while beino- equally as

■ IS much larger in the berry and "the

v unsurpassed. There are several other

y-s in existence having larger berries even

we s-Dunnet's Champion, for instance-

OUTDOOR PEACHES.

This is unmistakably a Peach and Nectarine

year, and the fruit is all the moi'e appreciated

because of the scarcity of dessert Plums and early

Apples and Pears. I do not know how it comes

that we are a]jt to regard Peach blossom as ex-
ceptionally tender and make its covering the

first consideration, unless it is that the choice

nature of the fruit prompts attention. As a

matter of fact, it is not so tender and will bear

with impunity frost that would be fatal to Plums,

Cherries, and Pears, and the small-flowered \arie-

ties are a trifle hardier than the large. Waterloo

and Hale's Early are the two best early Peaches if

one looks to the combined projierties of size and

flavour. Others may be as good or better on other

soils, but these are my best and most reliable

sorts, and by planting one or two trees of the

latter on a west aspect, a succession of fruit

is secured until Early Grosse Mignonne and

Alexandra Noblesse come in. Both these are first

rate. Alexandra Noblesse has the reputation of

not cropping over-well on some soils, but I have

no fault to find with it in this respect. Early

Alfred is a capital indoor Peach, but is not a suc-
cess outside with me ; both fruit and foliage mil-
dew badly. Royal (George is the most unsatisfac-
tory of all, and, bearing in mind that Peaches, as

a rule, do w-ell, and that this particular variety in

some jjlaces is exceptionally fine, I have come to

the conclusion that there is a Peach in cultivation

sold under this name veiy difteient from the true

form. This particular tree is just about in the
centre of a mixed Peach and Plum wall about

lni» yards long, and whilst all other trees are
clean and healthy, this for the last three seasons
has been simply covered with mildew, both foliage
and fruit, the latter, it is almost needless to add,
under such circumstances being only third-rate
alike in size and quality. I have endeavoured to
alter this both in helping the tree at the root
with winter dressings .and early applications of
sulphur, but all to no purpose. My jiatience is at
last exhausted, and the tree will have to come out.
One of the Hnest outdoor trees of Royal ("Jeorwe I
have seen is on the Peach wall at Cowdray Park,
and Mr. Geeson speaks of this and Dymond as
about his most reliable mid-season Peaches. It
covers 400 square feet of wall, and there must
have been at the time of my visit nearly the same
number of large, highly-coloured fruits. I failed
to detect the slightest sign of mildew. A Peach
that every grower has a good word for cannot but
he one of the best, and this may be said of
Dymond. It has a splendid constitution, is a cer-
tain cropper, and the fruit is large and of excel-
lent (]uality. Where it does well one wants no
better Peach in its season than Noblesse, and I finrl
Violette Hative and Bellegarde very rehable sorts.
The three best varieties with me are Bai-ring-
ton. Princess of Wales, and Walburton .Vdmirable.
As in the majority of cases where Peach culture
is practised on a light sandy soil, red spider is one
of our worst enemies, and requires constant atten-
tion to keep it in check. A great )ioint is to
grapple early with the pest. A close watcdi must be
kept, and copious washings of clear water with
an occasional dose of quassia extract given as soon
as it makes its appearance. An eiiually dangerous
enemy is the earwig, and the remark in connection
with spider, i.e., waging an early warfare, is

apphcable. It is no use waiting until the fruit is extended over a circular area nearly .")0 feet in
approaching the ripening stage ; the colonies must I circumference, and under their shade "twenty-five

Open-air Figs. -The severe winter of 1894
crippled and in some instances killed to the
ground open-air Fig trees. Some, however, in
sheltered situations, were not so badly punished,
and it is pleasing to find these old specimens
again bearing good fruit. East Anglia has
always been noted for its outdoor Figs, the Bruns-
wick being met with even more fre(piently than
Brown Turkey. Near Cromer I saw some re-
markably fine Brunswick Figs the l.ast week in
August, these reminding me of the luscious
examples one used to see about Arundel, in
Sussex. Some gardeners seem to be opposed to
covering Fig trees in winter, but, after seeing so
many damaged and ruined trees caused by'^the
extreme frost of the above winter, I have no doubt
.as to the wisdom of giving protection. Allowing
a thicket of wood to form during summer is a
great evil, as this prevents perfect maturity of the
wood and gives frost a chance of injuring the
trees in winter. — .1. Cr.awford.

Apple Kentish Fillbasket. -This is an ex-
ceedingly free-cro)jping cooking variety, which
grows t.0 a large size and keeps in good condition
until the end of the year. It is somewhat like
Beauty of Kent in appearance at first glance, but
there is a slight ditt'erence in shape, Fillbasket
being the rounder fruit of the two, and it gener-
ally l>ecomes more highly coloured. In texture
of flesh and flavour there is not much to choose
between them, and if I were confined to growing
but one of the two kinds, I should give Fillbaske't.
the preference, as it is not so apt to spot as
Beauty of Kent. The tree is a good grower and
succeeds either as a standard or bush. Grown
as a low bush and kept summer-pinched, it would
prove suitable for growing in suburban and cot-
tage gardens where sj^ace is restricted. As a
standard it should not be planted near the out.
skirts of the orchard, on account of the loss of
fruit likely to result from autumnal gales of wind,
through its large size and weight. — A. W.

Peach growing at Carrow House.— A few
years since a Peach house was erected at Carrow
House, the form being a rather lofty lean-to with
high front lights. A trellis tolerably close to
the glass was fixed from the top a certain distance
down the roof, standard trained Peaches and
Nectarines being planted to furnish these, while
from near the front lights to where the above-
named trellis terminated were fixed, crossways of
the house, espalier-like trainers some .5 feet or
6 feet apart ; in the centre of e.aeh a Peach or
Nectarine was planted. Thus a great variety of
both Peaches and Nectarines was secured in the
one house, and the plan of training has answered
admirably. I remember seeing a good-sized house
planted on the crossways system near Birmingham,
and those who have only one house and wish for
variety would do well to give the system a trial.
I have heard it condemne<l on the score that
suthcient sun and light could not reach the trees,
but that this is more imaginary' than real is
evidenced by the fruitful state of the trees at
Carrow. — J. Crawfi ikd.

Sad end of a giant Apricot tree.— The
Hn-iie Iloiiicole (/< s- litiiirhis ilii-Hlioiit mentions
the tlisappearance of an .\pricot tree nearly a
hundred years old, which was the pride of an
orchard at Hyeres. The stem of this giant
measured 9 feet 2 inches in girth. Its branches

230

THE GARDEN.

[September 18,1897.

persons could shelter themselves from the sun.
It has borne nearly four tons weight of fruit in a
season, and the crop has often been sold, on the
tree, for 500 francs (£20). The tree, which was
of the variety named Abricot Royal, was a chance
seedling, and was planted out seventy years ago.
With advancing age part of the trunk had become
hollow, and a colony of hornets took up their
abode in the cavity. Lately, the owner, wishing
to get rid of these troublesome tenants, placed
some burning sulphur in the mouth of the cavity
in order to smother them, and having finished the
operation went away, thinking he had made a
good job of it. Unfortunately, however, during
the night the fire, which lay smouldering in the
interior of the tree, being fanned into activity by
the rising wind, totally consumed it, and next
morning where the tree had stood nothing was to
be seen but a hea]j of ashes. The owner is said
to have been quite stunned by the occurrence,
and he had good reason to be so. — Beriie Horti-
co'e.

Notes frora Monmoutli. — With me, and I
believe in iMonmouthshire generally, this has been
a somewhat peculiar year. Until the early part
of May there was every prospect of a remarkably
good season. Plums, Pears, Apples, Cherries,
&c. , were one mass of bloom, but frost suddenly
appeared after an extraordinarily mild winter and
destroyed our hopes. I escaped fairly well except
with Cherries, Plums, Gooseberries and tku-rants,
and wall fruit generally, which have Ijeen poor.
Pears are an indifferent crop. Apples are fairly
good, but they are falling oft', the maggot hav-
ing attacked them. Figs are abundant, especially
the Brown Turkey, but they are later than
last year ; the same with Filberts and Nuts.
Melons, thanks to the sun, have also done well,
though I fear the cold, wet weather we are now
having will injure the fruit which a week back
looked so promising. Strawberries were good,
but did not last long. I grew twelve sorts, but
next year shall, from experience, confine myself
and rest satisfied, I hope, for a while at all
events, with the following six for outdoor : Royal
Sovereign, Vicomtesse H. de Thury, Sir Joseph
Paxton, Veitch's Perfection, Latest of All, and
Waterloo ; and for indoor forcing. Royal Sove-
reign and McLean's Wonder, though the latter
was this year disappointing. Noble I have always
found \ery poor and have discarded it. To my
mind, the very best Strawberry I have or have
seen in this county is undoubtedly Royal Sove-
reign. Late Potatoes at present show no signs of
disease, though I fear the continuous rain we are
now having will aftect them. (Jlobe Artichokes,
which do so well generally with me, are not so
good as usual. As a rule vegetables generally,
especially Peas, ha\e been most abundant. —

— GwENT.

Fruit at Kimberley Park. — So far as shel-
ter and position are concerned, few gardens are
so favoured as the one at Kimberley Park. In
spite of this, however. Apples are this year as
scarce as in other gardens less sheltered. The
only \'ariety bearing a good crop is one called the
Lyon, a local name most likely, as I never remem-
ber hearing of it before — a medium-sized Apple, of
good appearance and coloiu', and useful for both
dessert and cooking. At Kimberley, the smaller
finely-flavoured varieties of Pears seem to find most
favour, such sorts as Doyenn^ du Comice, Jose-
phine de Malines and Glou Morceau receiving
every attention, and paying for it by the prolific
crops the trees are yielding. Pot Strawberries
are well done, Mr. Wainwright making a rule of
potting two plants into an 8-inch pot for succes-
sional work. I noticed a very healthy batch of
Gunton Park treated in this way, and the results
are most .satisfactory. I have often thought that
pot Strawberries intended for ripening their
crops in April and May are generally confined
in too small pots to give the plants the best
chance, and that by having more soil to root into
and being less pot-bound, better results would be
obtainable. Of course, with very early batches that
are introduced into heat say in November and De-
cember the case is different, as these are brought on

with less sun-heat, do not make so much top
growth, and are far more easily kept moist at the
roots. In the vineries at Kimberley, which are
planted mostl_y with Hamburghs and Muscats, I
noticed a remarkaljle Black flamburgh sixty-three
years old with an enormous stem and carrying a
magnificent crop of good-sized well -finished
bunches, as good, in fact, as those borne by young
Vines in adjoining houses. Filberts, as in most
other gardens where they are grown in Norfolk,
may be gathered by the bushel. — C. C. H.

SHORTJ<fOTES. —FB UIT.

Pears Beurre d'Aremberg and P. Sttrck-

maus. — Will some of your correspoudenti who have
grown the Pears named below kindly give their
opiuiou of them as to ci'oppiog, flavour, and if they
ripen satisfactorily ? 1, Beurre d'Aremberg (Pear
stock); 2, Beurre Sterokmans (Quince). — B. Addy,
Souiliiport.

Plague of wasps. — lu this neighbourhood we
are quite over-run with wasp?. To-day I staited five
men in search of cests, and within the space of two
hours they found no less than nineteen nests, all witliin
a quaiter of a mile of the fruit garden. To-day I was
examining a Pear Beurre d'Amanlis and I found no
lesd than twelve wasps inside of it. What can one do
to protect the fruit under these circumstaDces ?
The wasps start on the fruit long before it is ripe. —
John Butler, The Gardens, Normanton Park, Statu-
ford, Sepiemier 13.

Notes of the Week.

Begonia gigantea.— I send you one leaf, a
spike, and a bud of this raised by M. Nonin. It
is a most beautiful decorative plant, the truss of
flower I being double the size of that sent and
very singular. — 1). CiuiHENEUK, 48, Hiie St. Merri,
Pan's.

Heliopsis leevis. — For cutting, the well-
formed blossoms, of a decided orange-gold,
should prove even more useful than the larger
Sunflowers, as the flowers are borne on good
stems of a nice length, while the foliage is also
smaller and neater generally.

ruchsia simplicicaulis. — A large specimen
of this old species in one of the greenhouse.s at
Kew is at the present time loaded with trusses of
its long drooping flowers. The tube is very
small, of considerable length, and imparts a some-
what unusual appearance to the plant.

Aster spectabilis. — This is one of the North
American Starworts, flowering in company with
the Italian kinds. It is not quite 2 feet high,
with masses of blue-lilac flowers, the latter of
good size individually. It is a free grower and
good bloomer for early September work.

Lobelia splendens (Winchmore Hillvar.). —
This is certainly a handsome as well as telling
form, the colour of the blossoms a deep vermilion-
scarlet, and freely produced oh blackish purple
stems nearly 4 feet high. It produces a most
brilliant dis])lay when seen in quantity*.

Helenium nudiflorum is now in its fullest
beauty, and for the large border its fine panicles
of bloom are very showy. It is surprising what a
number of flower-heads is produced in one large
panicle on a single stem, while the distinct shade
of colour is \ery acceptable at any time.

Asclepias incarnata pulchra. — This pretty
form has been in good condition in Mr. Perry's
nursery at Winchmore Hill. In habit and
general aspect of the inflorescence it resembles
the species, while the much-branched heads of
flowers are of a purplish rose hue and very dis-
tinct.

Oolchicum speciosum. — This fine bulbous
plant is flowering splendidly in the rock garden
at Kew, the blooms of exceptional size and vigour,
as may be expected from established bulbs. Not
far away a bold group of C. byzantinum is also
very effective, but in point of size and fine colour

all pale when compared with the handsome kit
above named.

Aster acris, with its cloud of pale blue stanf
blossoms, is certainly one of the finest of th
race, the mass of blossom produced being real
marvellous. Its full height is about 2^ feet, ann
coming early in September, is particular!
valuable. In its flowering it is e\en before t!
Italian kinds.

Aster Amellus.— Apart from the intrini:
beauty and value of the flowers of this Starwo
we have also the very important addition of nes
attractive foliage — a plant, indeed, in all i
forms far removed from the weedy rubbish th
for years was regarded as representative of t
Starwort family. Tlie above species deserves 6
tensive culture and is effective for a long time.

Dendromecon rigidum. — This beautii
member of the Poppy family is in flower at Ke
where it is jilanted against the wall of a gret
house. The Ijlossoms are of a clear deep yelk
and very attractive. Its perfect hardiness, ho
ever, in this country is doubtful, and for the tin
being a slight covering at the root during sevf
weather may assist in bringing it through winti
of moderate severity.

Anemone japonica Whirlwind is a ve
distinct variety of the .lapanese Anemone, pc
sessing a sort of Hen-and-Chiekec-like arran^
ment in its flower-buds in the way these latt
surround the central flower, which is of the S!ii
colour as in the well-known white form of tl
plant. These smaller buds are, moreover, qu
numerous, while the complete head of blossomi
produced on ex('C|jtionalIy stout, vigorous sten
each about 1 foot in length.

Punica Granatum nana. — The Pomegn
ate in flower in this country is not conspicuc
either for its frequency or the number of
flowers. At the same time, the colour is exoeii|(
ingly brilliant and very showy if only a f j
flowers are open at a time. Just now the dw
form mentioned abo\ e is giving a few blossoms
Kew on the Orchid house walk Some years i
I remember seeing the taller form floweri
freely in the Oxford Botanic Garden. — E. J.

Flowers from a Surrey garden. — Mr. ^^

son sends us from his garden at Weybridge so
remarkably fine flowers of the Gentianella, s
the sweet-scented Linna-a borealis. The soil
Mr. Wilson's garden, as also the rains we hi
recently had, have no doubt helped these flowi
which, coming at the i)resent time, are vahui
in the open-air garden. Mr. \^'ilson also sends
some leaves of Shortia galacifolia, which
verj' highly coloured for so early in the season.

Rosacaninavar.dumetorum. — Thesplem
heps upon this variety are now very attractive
the collection of Rose species at Kew. I f
nothing among this numerous collection to
compared to the variety under notice for i
brilliancy of its seed-pods. I am not ac(juain:
with the flower, but I certainly think it is wo
growing if only for its beautiful fruit. The |i'
are of the clearest scarlet-crimson, oblong in slia
and each about 1 J inches in length. — Piiilomki

Agave vivipara var. nova. — A beautif"
marked jjlant of this scarce kind in the coUeel
at Kew cannot fail to attract attention by rea^
of the nearly milk-white shade of its rather nan
leaves. This peculiar shade in greater or 1,
degree is spread over the whole surface, thou
its greatest density is from the margin inwan
In most kinds the variegation is of a yellowish
golden hue, disposed either centrally or at t
margin, or both, in which case much green a
appears. In the above, however, the white shs
co\'ers a good portion of the leaves.

Berkheya (Stobsea) purpurea.— A very i
tinct Thistle-like plant of South African prig
that does not ajipear to gain much favour in g
dens in spite of its many attractions. It is
capital plant for a hot ancl dry soil. This spee
is now flowering at Kew, where the plant
nearly 4 feet high, much branched and lie
flowered. The ray florets are of a lilac-pur

Septemher 18, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

231

ihade. Tlie radical leaves are of large size, while
;he whole plant is very s|iiiiy. The species may
i)e readily raised from seed, and if t,'>'o"i' frefl,>-
vould ma'ke a caiiital plant for the wild ^'artlon.

Gazauia longiscapa. — This species ditlVrs
nateriallv iii the manner of prodnciiif; its rich
:ol<len blossoms from tlie oilier members of this
"howy race hy the exeeedinf,' length of tlie foot-
stalks. These are each more tlian a foot in
ength, and hear at the extremity one very large
ma handsome flower of rich orangcgold ahont
I inches across. The shade of eolonr is peenliarly
;;rikini' and brilliant, and with many blossoms
sxpand'ed \cry attractive. The flowers spring
roma tuft of long linear leaves, each about 1 foot
ong, green abo\e and silvery on the rever.sc side.
Physalis Franchetti. — Any gardeners who
,re in doubt eoneerning the value of this hand-
lome Japanese plant should, if ]iossible, pay a
■isit to Kew, where two beds in the herbaceous
;round are devoted to it. The species is of erect
;rowth and attains ',i feet to 4 feet high, flowering
.nd fruiting profusely. A day or two since, when
aspecting the plants, we noted that many of the
arliest of the huge bladder-like calyces were
Iready tinel_\ coloured, the rich orange-scarlet
hade being very showy. Some of the larger
alyces would be three times the size of those of
tie better-known kind.
Kniphofia Nelsoni. — In the whole of this
aried and extensive family of hardy plants it is
ery doubtful whether any species or variety can
arpass this in its brilliant colour, as also its
rcat freedom of flowering. In these respects the
lant appears almost unicjue. Less tall and
Dbust than the majority, the established plants
re not more than 3 feet to the tip of the tallest
like. The plant is quite large enough, how-
ver, to be extremely useful, the vermilion-scarlet
f its long tubular dowers being most effective.
I growth generally it may be compared « ith K.
lacowani, though slightly taller, while the colour
unique.

Coris monspeliensis. — .\ miniature rock
lant of procumbent ira'-rlt, that bears some re-
;mblance to the .Ethionemas in the habit of
rowth, though (juite distinct in flower. The
olet-coloured blossoms are borne in elongated
irminal heads, in which the orange anthers are
mspicuous. It is only suited to the warmest
id sunniest positions in the rock garden, re-
liring sand 3- [jeat and loam with ample diain;ige.
he proximity of a portion of rock would afford
iine protection to a |)retty, though not o\er-
bust nature. Hap])ily, it is readily raised
om fresh seeds, and such when obtainable should
! sown at once.

Ueadow Saffrons in grass. — That the
eadow Saffrons, as the Colchicums generally are
operly called, should find a congenial home in
e grass is not surprising ; indeed, they appear
content here as in the border. At the same
ne the grassy blades from which they spring in
me degree compensate for the absence of their
•n foliage at flowering time. Bolder in the
issesof their blossoms than the Crocus in sjiiing,
ese things give a welcome tone of colour in many
• ipotthat would otherwise now be empty and
re. The white and yiink forms of C. autumnnle
!i not only free-flowering, but may be had at a
' ry cheap rate also, which permits of planting
I ely.

Zephyi-anthes Atamasco.— A group of this
litty bulbous plant is now in flower near the
<■ chid house at Kew. The plant is used as an
f png to some rare bulbs and other things, and
t! pure white blossoms appearing so freeFy from
ti almost gr.issy bed of leaves make a very
I asmg display. The blossoms individually are
r, unlike those of the Crocus, only larger and
Singer, while the dark green roundish leaves
I- Hig away from the blossoms prevent these
bug besmeared with dirt. The plant is so
i> rly akin to evergreen, that it is worth using
n=h more freely in some such spots as this,
eiier in the woodland, on grass, or in the rock
g- len. In any such position where it may re-

main permanent for three or four years and its
lilossoms receive protection, the snowy flowers at
this time are always pleasing.

Abutilon megapotamicum (.syii., A. vexil-
larium). — This very distinct species is now in
flower at Kew, where a large plant is trained to
the wall of the economic hou.se. It is a singu-
larly graceful and beautiful species for a position
thus protected, though scarcely suflleiently hardy
to succeed generally in the neighbourhood of
London. In more favoured parts, as the Isle of
Wight and the .south of In-land, this species is
more content in the open, where it is invariably
admired. The blossoms are (juite distinct from
those of the better-known members of this race,
and inclined to a tubular or bell-shaped outline,
the sepals of a dark crimson, and petals of a
gi>i(len hue.

Polygonum orientale. — A very striking and
efi'ective species for planting in boUl groups, par-
ticularly in newly-made gardens or the like where
a (piick effect is desired. Though only of annual
growth, it is certainly one of the most showy of
this genus. In lieu of the usual creamy-white
flowers so common in the members of this family,
the blooms are deep rosy-pur|)le, and produced in
lono- drooping racemes both terminal and axil-
lary. The eflect of a handsome group is very
.striking, the giant plants reaching to 8 feet high
or more. A native of the East Indies, it has
been known to botanists well-nigh 20O years,
and is still a valuable plant for the mixed border.
A fine group may now be seen at Kew.

Eucomis punctata. — Three years ago I was
given a ]ilant of this. Until it flowered, neither the
giver nor my.self knew its name. Having been
told that it was a kind of Orchid, I put it into a
small stove house, where it grew vigorously
and at last threw up its bloom. I divided the
plant, and have now eight. This year it has
bloomed out of doors, each of the two plants
that I experimented on having flowered. I now
have in my room one bloom picked August 12 ;
it is a good 13 inches long, and still retains its
colour to a certain extent. I have grown these
out of doors against the wall of a conservatory
facing south and west ; the plants look perfectly
healthy, and I believe, given a warm situation,
they will do well out of doors. — M. , Ilaiitn.

Amaryllis Belladonna. — A grand display of
this hand.sorac bullions plant is now to be seen
in the Royal Gardens at Kew. Perhaps the
most conspicuous, though not the only lot is that
outside the Orchid house, where scmething like
a hundred or more spikes in all stages are to
be seen. Some of the strongest heads have close
upon two dozen buds and blossoms, which in itself
means a long season of flower. While some of the
flower-spikes are only just clear of the soil, others
are even passing out of bloom, while in intermediate
stages there are numerous examjiles. Not the
least pleasing and attractive feature is the infinite
variety botli of colour and size of blossom that is
to be seen. In the irregular grouping as here
seen the plants have a most lovely effect.
In such a beautiful display it would seem im-
)jossible to desire anything further, and, so far as
flowers go, nothing really is needed. At the same
time in such an arrangement a little foliage of
some kind at flowering time would be of great
help, and, thinlj' dis))Osed among the spikes, should
give additional charm to the whole.

REiNIOVINc; A BOILER.

Yof very courteously in your number (Augustus)
of The (;.\kI)EX answered my query about the
expediency of removing my boiler, subject, how-
ever, to my describing the" kind of boiler in use."
It is a plain saddle boiler, and the exact number
of feet of piping is 640 feet.— A. A. W., Hobnt

*«* A boiler of the .size you have fixed, this
being capable of heatin" several hundred feet
more of hot-water piping than are already attached
to it, cannot be ipiite so economically worked as
one four sizes smaller. Much in any case, how-

ever, depenils upon the stoking. There is no
necessity to fill the interior of a l)oiler with fuel
every night, thereby burning it to waste, over-
heating the houses, and doing more harm than
good. (lood stokers, or those who keep their
flues clean and their damners and ash-pit doors in
good working order, can by a judicious use of the
latter make 2 cwt. of fuel go as far as reckless
stokers can .'! cwt. .At the same time, I am of
opinion that phiin saddle boilers are not the best
that can be .selected, and if much larger than
needed for the amount of Jjiping attached, are
decidedly extravagant. If " A. A. W." decides
to have a smaller boiler in the place of the old one,
I should recommend a " Chatsworth ' or some
other .saddle boiler with a water-way back and
flue through toj). Size 10 w-ould be equal to heat-
ing about 680 feet of 4-inch japing. This size
would be 42 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 2.")
inches high, and could, therefore, be easily fixed
in the position occupied by the old one. It would
be found a somewhat expensive boiler, but the
saving in fuel would soon compensate for this
outlay. The amount of fuel it would burn in a
year cannot V('ry well be given. It is all a (|ues-
tion of local circumstances. For obvious rea.sons
no particular firm of hot-water engineers can be
recommended. Any of them could supply and
fix the boiler named. — W. I.

If "A. A. W." (p. lOH) will look up

his old numbers of The G.\ruen he will find the
question of boilers discussed in connection with
the relative merits of anthracite coal rfr->it.-i coke
in the autumn of LSild. If, however, these num-
bers are not to hand, it may meet the case to state
briefly that too large boilers are just as great a
mistake as when they are too small, and that even
when the heating power of two jiarticular types
is guaranteed at about the same figure, he would
find for the amount of piping stated that a
36-inch Chatsworth would answer his purjiose
better than a 48-inch plain saddle, although, if
the smaller boiler is used, I shouUl recommend
the substitution of anthracite for coke unless the
latter can be procured very cheaply. It is dith-
cult for the best stoker to work an over-sized
boiler economically, for the simple reason ttiat
suflieierit fuel has to be employed to get a good
heat all round, and a natural inference is, that the
"■reater the interior dimension, the more fuel will
be required. — E. Birrkli..

SOWINt! TULI1> SEED.
H.wixii saved a quantity of Tulip seed, I should
feel obliged if you will inform me if I should sow
it now or when. I should also be glad of full par-
ticulars as to treatment of seedlings.— W. M.,
Bogitor.

*„* Tulip seed may be sown at any time dur-
ing the month of October or early in November.
At the time when the bulbs are planted it is usual
on tlie part of raisers of seedlings from fine
rectified strains of the florist's late Tulips to sow
the seed in large pots, deep pans, or boxes well
drained, the compost a light and sandy one.
There must be good drainage so that water can
pass away. The seed should be only thinly
co\ered with soil. As the seeds are as hardy as
the bulbs, the pots or boxes in wliicli tliey are
sown may be placed in the oiien, but it is safer to
winter them in a cold frame. Very little growth
will appear the first year, only a thin thread re-
sembling that of the Onion. In the second year
one narrow blade-like leaf w ill appear, and in the
third year a rather broader one. and this will go
on for five or six years until a second leaf is pro-
duced, and then a flower may be expected. It is
usual to allow seedling Tuli[is to remain in the
pots in which the seeds arc sown two or three
years, and then when they have ripened their
leaves to lift them and replant. There is a
singular peculiarity about seedhng Tulijis which
is not generally known. In the second year, and
for two or three years after, the seedling plants do
not content theniselves with forming one bulb
only, but two or three or more perhaps, and these,
are" technically termed "droppers." They are to

232

THE GARDEN.

[September 18, 1897

be found not where the parent bulblet was planted,
but at the end of a kind of underground pipe, or
hollow stem, which the bulblet sends down below
its le\'el in the soil, and all that the raiser of
seedlings can do at this stage is to select the
longest of these "droppers," which is usually found
deepest down in the soil, and grow it on until it
ceases to send down "droppers"' and lias formed a
blooming bulb. Oneonly of the "droppei's" should
be selected ; it is enough to prove whether the
flower is of value when it opens. " W. M." gives
no information as to the section of Tulips from
which he has saved seeds. It is to be lioped the
seeds are from a strain worthy of the expenditure
on his part of time and attention. — R. 1).

direction mostly some point between north and
east. On three consecutive days during the week
the sun shone from seven to ten hours a day. —
E. M., Bfrlhamsted.

Grub on Pear foliage. —Would you kindly
tell me what the grub I send is and its origin ''. I
picked it from a Pear tree. — Constant Reader.

*«* Tlie grubs on your Pear trees are those of
t'lc Pear sawtly (Selandriacerasi). They will not
do much harm at this season. They make tlieir
chrysalides in the earth. Spreading quicklime
under the trees would kill any that happened to
fall on it. If the attack has been a bad one, it
would be worth while to remove about 2 inches of
the soil under the trees and burn or deep'y bury
it.-G. S. S.

Grubs in Cyclamen. — I send you herewith
some Cyclamen bulbs, and also some grubs which
eat the roots of the same. You will greatly oblige
me by throwing any light upon how they can
be eradicated and where the grubs originated. — A.

HrBEARD.

*»* The Cyclamen roots you sent were attacked
by the grubs of the black Vine weevil (Otiorrhyn-
chus sulcatus) or its near relative the clay-
coloured weevil (0. pecifus). The parent beetles
feed on the foliage of various plants, vines, wall
fruit trees, &c. They lay their eggs at the roots
of Primulas, Cyclamens, Ferns, Strawberries, and
other soft-wooded plants, on wliich the grubs
feed. \A'hen present in large numbers, as they
frequently are, they injure the plants very much.
From their position at the roots insecticides are use-
less. The only way is to pick out the grubs from
among the roots. Tlie weevils only feed at night,
and to catch them the best way is to spread a
sheet under the plants attacked during the day,
and after dark to enter the house with a liright
liglit. This will startle the beetles and they will
often fall ; if they do not, give tlie jilants a good
jarring sliake and search them well. Tie small
bundles of hay or mo?s round the stems : the
weevils will creep into them for shelter during the
day, and can be caught in them. — C S. S.

Public Gardens.

MUNICIPAL VANDALISM.

Lord Londesborough sends the following note
to the Times, and it reminds one of the good
things that are destroyed in so-called improve-
ments in towns now and then. For instance, the
fine view of the Thames at Richmond is much
marred by a kerbstone edge to tlie river. There
may have been some need for a fixed margin to
the river, but surely it was possible to liave
done it without making it like the edge of a
London kerbstone 1 The absence of the sense
of beauty in people responsible for the imjirove-
nients of our towns is deplorable, and it surely
should be possible in all large towns and cities
to have a committee of men of artistic training
or tastes to advise as to such changes.

I venture to ask permission to call public
attention through your columns to the vandalism
that is being committed on the Castle Hill at
Scarborough. Some time ago, much against the
wish of a large number of the inhabitants, it was
decided to make a road round the base of the
Castle Hill. These works have now been com-
menced, with the result that the north side is
irretrievably ruined. Instead of the grand
rugged rock to which one is accustomed, there is
now what appears a monstrous railway embank-
ment. The road will probably cost over £100,000,
but the ratepayerj are not, I believe, to lie allowed
to drive along it free, but are to pay a toll. Who
but lunatics would pay for the privilege of driving
by the side of a railway emliankment?

J. tamariscifolia should have remained almost
without growth for nearly five years. During the
last few weeks of heavy rainfall it has shown its
true character. — E. C. BrxTON.

The Ginger plant. — " Winchester " asks
what should be done to make a fine plant of
the scarlet variety of the Ginger flower, whicli
has been kept in a vinery in summer and in
the Cucumber house in winter. The true Ginger
plant is Zingiber officinale, which has a fleshy,
knotted root-stock, leafy stems about a yard higli,
the leaves 8 inches to 12 inches long, narrow,
spear-shaped, green and rigid. These leafy stems
never produce flowers, the flower-stem, which
springs direct from the root-stock, being leafless,
from 6 inches to 12 inches long, clothed with
sheathing bracts and bearing at the apex a small
cone-like head, formed of imbricating green
bracts, from which the comparatively small unat-
tractive flowers are pushed out two or three at a
time. They are greenish-yellow, with a purple
spotted labellum. This ]jlant is widely cultivated
in tropical Asia and is the source of commercial
ginger. Singularly enough, it very rarely flowers
even in the tropics. It has only been known to
flower once at Kew within the last twenty years.
Of course, it is easily cultivated if kept in a warm
greenhouse. If "Winchester" will kindly for-
ward to Kew a specimen of his " scarlet variety,
it may possibly be identified. Probably it is not
the true Ginger plant, but some other species of
Zingiber, of which some thirty are known. Z.
rubens has bright red bracts and flowers, hut is
not known to Ije in cultivation. There are sever
species cultivated at Kew, but none of them v
of any ^alue for decoration. — W. W.

The weather in "West Herts. — Since the
present month began there has not been a single
warm day with only two warm nights. Indeed,
tlie past week was the first cold one since the
middle of June. On the night preceding the 4th
the exposed thermometer fell to within 3' of the
freezing point. At both 1 foot and 2 feet deep
the soil is at the present time about a degree
colder than is seasonable. Rain has fallen nearly
every day, and to the total depth of over an inch.
Until the fith the wind remained high and came
entirely from some westerly point, Ijut since then
the weather has been much calmer, and on the 7th
the average rate of movement was less than a mile
an hour.— E. M., Berkhamded, Sipt. 9.

Since the beginning of the month there has

been only one day wliich was unseasonably warm,
with but tliree warm nights. During this cold
spell the exposed thermometer fell to within 4° of
the freezing point on five nights. The temperature
of the ground, both at 1 foot and 2 feet deep, is
now about seasonable, Init a few days ago the
reading at the former depth was 3° below the
September average. No rain at all has fallen
since the 8th. Throughout the last eight days the
weather has been very calm, the average rate of
movement of the air at 30 feet above the ground
being on an average less than two miles an hour —

Obituary.

St. Paul's Churchyard. — The most deplor-
able sight in the City for the i)ast fiveor six weeks
has lieen the once beautiful garden in St. Paul's
Churchyard. No one, we suppose, could ha\e
prevented the destruction of the grass while the
immense Jubilee stands were being put up, but it
has been a matter of consideralile surprise that no
steps have been taken to lay fresh turf.

New recreation ground for Richmond. —
We hear that the negotiations between the Town
Council and the Crown authorities for the pur-
chase of a large portion of the famous Old Deer
Park as a public recreation ground are almost
completed, and the hope is expressed that the
" new lung for (ireater London " will be ready for
public opening on the 10th October. Tlie Town
Council will acquire nearly ninety acres of the
park, and a deputation from the Council will this
week wait upon the Chief Commissioner of Works
in order to settle the final agreement. The new
ground will meet a long-felt want of the local
cricket and football cluV>s, in addition to aftbrding
one of the most ])ictures(:iue open spaces on the
banks of the Thames. During the week a meet-
ing of the representatives of the local athletic
clulw will be held for the purpose of forming a
ground committee to assist the Town Council in
regulating the park, and it is hoped it will be
possible to secure a member of the Royal Family
to perform the opening ceremony.

MR. JAMES COCKER.
The news will be received with general regret o
tlie death on A\'ednesday morning, September 1.5
at Sunnypark, Aberdeen, of Mr. James Cocker
senior partner of the firm of James Cocker am
Sons, nurserymen, seedsmen, and florists, Abei
deen. He had been ailing for the past two years
and latterly had been unable to attend to husi
ness. Deceased was borne at Corse, parish o
Forgue, in 1832. He entered the business of hi:
father— who was founder of the firm — at the nur
sery at Sunnypark, and afterwards went as ••
journeyman to Cloncaird Castle, Ayrshire. Hi
also spent several years in London studying the
various branches of the nursery business. H(
went into partnership with his fatlier and brotlif
about twenty-six years ago, a partnership whicl
continued until the death of his father sixteei
years ago. He then started business on his o«i
account, taking his three sons — James, WiUiani
and Alexander — into partnership with him. Hi
eldest son .lames predeceased him three yearsago
liut William and Alexander are still active);
engaged in the business. Mr. Cocker was a veri
enthusiastic and successful cultivator of Dahlia'
Pansies, Pinks, and Carnations, while latterl'
herbaceous plants and Roses claimed his cliie
attention .

Planting Carnations. — Can any reader in-
form me whetlier it is better to plant Carnations
from layers during September, or put them into
pots and plant in the spring'?— T. S.

Juniperus compressa, creeping form of. —
I sent you lately a note on a supposed creeping
form of Juniperus compressa. I now write to say
this is a mistake. By some means a slip of
.J. tamariscifolia must have been sent me w-ith a
number of slips of .1. compressa. It seems extra-
ordinary that such a strong-growing shrub as

Royal Horticultural Society. — On Septeni
lier 21 the next meeting of the Royal Horticul
tural Society will be held in the Drill Hall, Jame;i
Street, A'ictoria Street, Westminster, from 1 t't
5 p.m. Lecture at 3 o'clock by Mr. \\. Igguldei
on "Cultivation of Cyclamen."

Names of ■ola.nta.— Constant Reader.— Vlei^
spnd better f e iiuens, andnotsingle leaves, asinsomf

eases. Co!..„s and Oabriel. — 1, Clerodendron fceli

dum; 2, Vitii aconitif olia : 3, Berberis stenophjH^'

A. B — Miltonia Moreliana, a good form. T

Scott.— 1, too shrivelled to identify; 2, next week) 3,
Polygonum Biunonia.

Names of fruit.— R. W. Jf.— Pears : 1, Jers j
Grjtioli ; 2, Beurre d'Aremberg ; Apples : 3, LorOl
Suffiell; 4, not recognised; 5, Waltham Abbey Seed
ling ; <), Warrer's King. N. B. — Pear Diirondeao.

TJIEI a-JLK/3DE]3iT.

]). 1349— Vol. UI.]

[SEPTEMBER 25, 1897.

Itai laathemums :—

^iTithcmuuis, Imda on
tliemiim Calvafs

.li:m Gold

ilionuims, enrly-

I -..itlhemums, early-
iKvoring, at tho Aquarium

[It

len:—

\-

ntriisftt Gunt^m ,.

. 235

-lie, tho

. 234

):unner

. 234

M makili},' .. ..

. 234
. 235

ito

ins, magjitits in .

. 234

^ riluson Globe. .

. 234

:!(.• market

. 235

i::irlv Recent . .

. 23 1

r|..to-li;it«.. ..

. 234

Now Year .. ..

. 235

le Marrows, lute

. 234

Flower:—

Arnnthu.t molU.H 239

Acanthuses, the 230

Asters, annual 238

Canary Creeper, tho . . , . 23S I

Carnation The Burn Pink .. 23S |

Flower garden notes , . . . ■240

Gentiana acaulis 23S

Helenium autumnale super-
hum 238

Lilium auratum ruhro-vittji-

tum 230

Lilium lanuifoliuni 230

Marigolds, African 23S

Pansies, Tufted, a late dis-
play 237

Phloxes, height of perennial 237

Phloxes, perennial 239

Tropaiolum speciosum . , . . 238

Garden Flora:—

Fritlllaria iiiijiet'ialls .. .. 243

Frititlaria kariitsckatcensi.i .. 242

FritUlaria Mdcagris .. .. 243

ivrDEX.

(niiiatrntioyis in Italics.)

Fritiltaria Md^i/ris alba '.
FrltlUarias

242

242

Week's Work:—

Fruit liituscs, work in ..
Kitchen K''i''dcn, work in the

Orchard and Fruit :—

Appk- Adams' I'uiiriiKiin ..
Apple Col )betfs Fall .. ..
Apple Tyler's Kernel . . . .
Apple Worcester I'earmain

Apricot trees

Damsons, flavour in ..

Grape Mrs. Pince

Melon Gunton Orango.. ..
Melons, late frame
Poaoh Violette Hative . . . .
PoaoheB and Nectarines on

open walls

Peaches at Blickling Hall . .
Pear Dr. Jules Guyot . . . .
Pear Doyenn6 du Comioo,

scarcity of

Pear Marie Louise d'Uccle..

Pear CaiUlar, fruiting branch

of .. .. 246

Pear Jersey Gratioli . . . . 246

Pear Marguerite Marillat . . 24fi

Pears, stewing 240

Plum The Ciiar 247

Raspberries, feeding . . . . 246

Trees, old. grafting .. .. 24S

Vines, open-air 248

Societies :—

Xaticnal Chrj-santhemum 251

Royal Horticultm-al . . . . 249

Notes of the Week:—

Aconitum japonicuni .. .. 251

Agathaea coelestis 251

AstfirNovae.Anglifepulchellus 251

Baden-B;;den, notes from .. 252

Begonia Lafayette 251

Chrysanthemum Lady Fitz-

wygram 252

Clematis coccinea 251

Coris monspeliensis .. .. 261

Crassula Cooperi 251

Dahlia Miss Irene CannoU .. 251

Erodium HUjiracanum .. .. 201

Gypsophila lihanotica . . . . 251

Lilium longifloruni cximium 252

Lycoris radiata 251

Potentillafruticosa 251

Potcntill.i ni^palensis .. .. 251

Saintpiiuliu i-.nantha .. 251

Salvia splciidi;ns grandifloiu 2:-2

Sedum spectabile 251

Silone monachorum 252

Tropa?olum speciosum .. .. 251

Public Gardens:—

Highgate Woods, preserva-
tion of 252

Miscellaneous :—

Avigust in Sriuth Devon .. 241

Fruit and vegetable crops .. 2'5

Lily -bulb diaease I'^i

The Grange, Askrigg .. ., 237

The Gran>i.\ AnkrUiq .. .. 237

Weather in West Herts .. 252

lIio

Chrysanthemums.

eIrly-flowering chrysanthe-
mums.

Mo; than ordinary interest was felt in the
lis|iy of Chrysantlieinums at tlie Sejjtenil)ur
if the Naticmal Chrysantlienium Society
•IV ; at least, so far as the somewhat
number of admirers of the early sorts
irerned. This season a step in the
iirection was taken by the committee,
1 appealed to the best known cultivators
■arly flowering varieties for an expres-
I I ipiiiion as to the sorts which should l)e
'•'\ as "early flowering," and with which
■ a special section in the Jubilee edition
1 catalogue. As a result of this appeal
have been divided into two sets — (o)
Lse and ('/) Pompons. The selections
se thirty kinds of each type of the flower,
present [jretty well the best sorts nov.-
The exhibition, held on September 7
'■•> following days, was confined to the
s enumerated in the Jubilee catiUogue,
iisidering the lateness of .several of the
its. the committee have every reason to
i-<li_ed with their tir.st eftbrt in this direc-
With two exceptions, all the pompon
■s flower naturally during the latter part
list and the whole of September, and on
'ount there was plenty of material to
:iom. On the other hand, of the Japa-
■vts included in the list, half of them
during September — several of these
Ml the month, and the second half
g October. It will therefore be seen that
the list is supplemented with novelties at

(lur
imt

pre ut little known, the Japanese sorts will
not e represented in as interesting a variety of
coiT and form as the admirers of the flower
^< 111 wi.sh. Such varieties of recent introduc-
- Barbara Forbes, Queen of the Earlies,
liure white, the former distinctly the

better of the two ; Mme. Casimir Perier, white
prettily tinted pink ; Ambroise Thomas, crim-
son-red, tipped bright gold ; Francois Vuiller-
met, pale rosy blush, very free and branching ;
Gladys Roult, a pretty little white flower for
( )ctober ; Mons. Leveque Pere, a large bright
l.n-onze flower ; Notaire Groz, a lovely lilac-
mauve, very free, really an early James Salter ;
Rose Queen, beautiful shade of rose, free and
dwarf ; Ivy Sfcirk, nearest approach to an early
Source d'Or, though smaller, very dwarf ;
Mme. Armand Groz, pale primrose-yellow,
flushed blush-pink, very pretty indeed, and
exceedingly free ; M. Regnault de Molmain,
creamy-white shaded rose with a darker centre ;
and De la Guille, rich orange, jiassing to yellow,
dwarf and bushy, may be considered desirable
additii.ins to the early blooming section, their
period of flowering extending over a term of
fully si.x weeks, commencing early in September
and continuing well into October.

The early-flowerinir Chrysanthemum is essen-
tially a hardy border plant, and is never seen
to greater advantage than when freely used in
large beds and borders, where it makes a bold
and handsome display. In such positions little
or no disbudding is necessary, and then useful
sprays of handsome blossoms, although small
or of medium size, may be had for quite a long
time. Far better results may be achieved by
planting out as suggested, as with very little
attention a wealth of blossoms may be had when
the majority of the late sunnuer and early
autumn flowers are past their best or have been
crippled by a few degrees of frost.

Growers of high-class blooms are sometimes
disposed to underrate the value of the early
kinds, considering them unworthy of attention,
because of the small size of their flowers, but
to those who have to keep up a continuous sup-
ply of bloom these pretty little blossoms, if cut
in sprays, are invaluable. It is a pity, there-
fore, that a really good exhibition of these sorts
cannot be made. The first week in Sejitcmberis
cjuite a fortnight too early, and although this is
better than no display at all, there is no deny-

ing the fact that gardens would be far richer
if facilities were given to bring the real merits
of the early-flowering Chrysanthemums into pio-

D. B. Crane.

nnnence.

EARLY-FLOWERING CHRYSANTHEMUMS

AT THE AQUARIUM.

The display of these was as usual somewhat
scanty. Whites, of course, are valuable at any
time for the supply of cut bloom, because of the
lasting quality of Chrj'santhemums. These, how-
ever, must have the protection of glass to oj-yen
them irare in colour and clean in petal. Kinds
with bright tints are conspicuously rare ; the lilacs
seem dingy, the reds washed out. Mme. Def-
grange and the yellow sports G. Wermig and
Mrs. Hawkins are especially beautiful. These
lend themselves to the production of blooms of a
good size. Those named were well shown at the
Aquarium. A board composed of six bunches of
the yellow sorts cut with long stems had a rich
effect. Queen of the Earlies, exhibited in medium
sized blossoms, appeared most chaste. This w; s
probably opened under glass. Barbara Forbes is
another' white with a faint primrose tinge, well
worth cultivating. Emily Silsbury, yet another
white, may be had good in September, but must
be opened under glass. Lady Fitzwygram is
perhaps the purest white of sorts that will flower
in the open border, and is a most useful kind as a
pot plant. The habit is dwarf and bushy, the
blooms shapely. Mme. Marie Masse (rose-pink)
was seen bright in colour ; so, too, was Harve; t
Home (red and gold). Ambroise Thomas (bronzy-
tinted red) seems a pretty sort, of recent intrc-
duction.

Two sports from the variety M. G. Grunerwa!d
were exhibited, the one a bronze, the o'her a yel-
low. They were not, however, in a condition good
enough to judge of their merits. It was pleasing
to note that the National Chry.santhemum Society
awarded the prizes to really early kinds. Moio
than one exhibit was disqujilified because it con-
tained naturally late kinds made to open their
blossoms early by manipulating ihe flowcr-budr.
Nothing could be more misleading to those who
expected early flowers from suoh forls in the
I ordinary way. W. IJ. Lincoln, for instance, is a

234

THE GARDEN.

[September 25, 1897.

"variety that may be forced into flower in August
as well as be retarded up to January. H. S.

SHOUT NOTES.— CHR YSANTHEMUMS.

Buds on Chrysanthemums (Penlhi-yn).— By
the term ' ' taking a bud on the third run " is meant
retaining the third bud appearing on the shoot
after the break is made. This latter break may have
either been made naturally by the formation of the
bud causing the new growths to break away from
around it, or it may liave been caused by pinch-
ing out the points of the shoots to efi'ect tlie same
purpose. A bud on the third run may be either
a second or third crown bud, and it may also be a
terminal bud. Varieties differ so much in this
particular that no general rule can be laid down.

Chrysanthemum Calvat's Australian Gold.
— I have noticed something wrong with this
variety in several places this season. The tender
tips of the growth appear as if scorched by the
sun just as they are forming flower-buds. So
much so has this been the case in one instance
that the embryo blooms are C[uite destroyed.
When first seen it looked like a case of over-
feeding, but when noted in otlier gardens there
seems something characteristic of the variety.
Although this sort was not exhibited in good form
last year, I fancy it will be this, and I still think
it a magnificent Chrysanthemum — one that is
easily grown. ^H.

Kitchen Garden.

RUNNER BEANS.

When I compare the thick, old, liard, and too
often dirty and stale Runner Beans Londonei's
have to purchase from greengrocers with the
beautiful clean, fresh, tender Beans seen in
such abundance in good gardens, I wonder
naturally whether town consumers do ever par-
take of these Beans in a condition lit for food.
That our market sample is, as a rule, the very
worst of any form of vegetable put on
to the market there can be no doubt. Veiy
few market growers stake their Beans, and
even if they do, only for very limited heights.
Most of these Beans are dwarfed by pinch-
ing close to the ground, where the pods
become crooked, hard, and dirty vei'y quickly ;
and because the plants liave no supports on
which to climb the crop is far from being a con-
tinuous one. Then little or nc.) care is exercised
in the gathering. This is usually done by
women who are paid per bushel, and who pull
off young and old indiscriminately, clearing so
many rows at one time and so many at anotlier.
Thus there is no sorting, and the market
gardener makes no complaint. It is under
such conditions as these town consumers have
to take their Beans or leave them. No wtinder
if when sliced up, as tliey needs must be to get
them edible when boiled, they show as much
of flavour as boiled sticks, some being soft,
some hard. Whenever I see, as I have of
late, many grand rows of Runner Beans,
especially of the newer selections, having tall
stakes to support them, and in consequence
running up to a height of from 10 feet
to 12 feet, dense in growth, though the
seeds were thinly sown, and full of hand-
some straight tender pods from top to
bottom, I ment;dly ask whether growing run-
ners on this method for market could not be
made to pay. I believe it could, for the pro-
duce obtained from such rows as I have described
is really marvellous, extending continuously for
nearly three months. I have been into many
good gardens lately, and in all have noticed the
splendid Runner Bean crops. At Forde Abbey

Mr. Crook has splendid rows of the Best of All
or Prize-winner type, tine selections from Ne
Plus Ultra, and Mr. Bowerman has much longer
ones of the same stock at Hackwood, carrying
the longest and handsomest Beans I have seen,
deliciously tender and crisp, really surprising
crops. These are the product of the finest
stocks, of thin sowing, 0 inches to 12 inches
apart, deeply worked soU, well manured and tall
well-secured supports. Would it not pay any-
one engaged in market gardening to prepare .say
an acre of ground by deep trenching and heavy
manuring, to get seed of the finest stocks, sow
thinly in rows, not less than 6 feet apart, and
furnish to the plants tall supports well secured
against wind storms ? The higher the Beans can
run the longer will they bear pods. A liberal
mulching of long manure should be laid between
the rows, and a copious supply of water or sew-
age furnished in hot weather if needed.

A. D.

Crimson Globe Onion.— This very handsome
variety is so great an advance on the old Blood
Red that those who have a strong preference
for colour in Onions will highly appreciate it.
This Onion, whilst always showing high flavour,
is also a good keeper. Even when the plants are
raised under glass and later dibbled out thinly
into rich .soil, the bulbj do not come to an inor-
dinate size, but they are very richly coloured,
solid and distinct. In shape, tliough termed
Globe, it is rather round than spherical ; indeed,
gives very perfect deep form. — A. D.

Potato Early Regent.— I was glad to see
such a favourable notice of this Potato by "A. D."
in The Garden (p. 175). I have grown it for
several years as a second early, and can cor-
roborate all your correspondent says about it.
I have counted upwards of thirty usable tubers
from a single root, and the quality was all that
could be desired. Potatoes on diff'erent soils vary
in cooking qualities to such an extent that it is
not possible to satisfactorily recommend any one
variety, but by growing a few sorts for trial, one
will soon hit upon the variety suitable to his soil,
and by changing the seed occasionally there need
be no fear of any deterioration in productiveness
or quality. — J. Easter, Xoxfell Priory Gardeiix.

Potato Up to Date.— I lifted a few days
since the whole of the rows of twenty-six diverse
varieties of Potatoes grown by me for trial on an
allotment plot at Surbiton. Up to Date from
seed tubers kindly given me for the purpose by
Mr. Sydenham, of Birmingham, ga\e much the
heaviest crop, one that so attracted the attention
of the allotment holders that there was much
anxiety shown to secure stock. Next in cropping
ordercame Syon House Prolific — seed being kindly
given by Mr. Wythes— Chancellor, Prime Minister,
Satisfaction, Windsor Castle, The Bruce and
Renown. The tubers of Up to Date ha\-e some-
thing of the old Lapstone form and are of good
general table size. So far it is the heaviest
cropper I have seen this season. — A. D.

The Bean beetle or weevil. — Those who are
engaged in the seed trade are familiar with dry
seeds of Broad Beans, both Long-pod and Wind-
sor, riddled by the Bean beetle. Sometimes a
crop of English-grown Beans is much injured by
it, and it is often found that seeds of imported
Beans are badly affected. When at Messrs.
Hurst and Sons' seed grounds at Kelveden a
short time since, my attention was called to two
rows of Seville Long-pod Beans, taken from a
sample of imported seed returned from a customer,
on the ground that they would not grow, beino'
so much punctured by the beetle. Enough Beans
were picked out from the bulk to sow two some-
what long lines : one lot consisted of the worst
samples — those which appeared to be riddled
through and through ; and one of Beans only
slightly so. Not a seed appears to ha\-e failed,
and, though the rows were side by side, the worst
Beans had actually produced the strongest plants.

This might have been simply a coincidence, i
there was no mistaking the fact. The lesh
drawn from the experiment is that the operatifi
of the beetle do not destroy the vital germ in p
Beans, and that to suppose their vitality is !.
paired is a misconception. — R. D.

MAGGOTS IN MUSHROOMS.

My Mushrooms grown in beds under cover in
usual way — without being heated — are. br
infested with maggots. I have frequently fo I
them in large ones, so I thought I would try '■
smaller ones, and they are equally as l
Can any dressing be used to pre\ent the disi
without injuring the crop? — J. H.

*,* Beds so afl'ected are useless, and not wi i
any further trouble. It is strange that we
grow the Mushroom to perfection from,
October to May, jjossibly June, in an ordir
Mushroom house heated or otherwise, w i
in the same structure during the summer, ^ i
as much care as possible and grown c ,.
it is almost impossible to get clean M ,.
rooms. The maggot asserts itself, and once ■■
in evidence the crop is useless. ".I. H." saj>
beds are under cover. This is the evil ; they
deficient in atmospheric moisture. No matter
much damped down and syringed, if the hou;
above the ground level it is fatal. There 1 :
been cases of successful culture in such ho 'i
during cold, wet summers ; but in a dry sea'
with great heat like this year, Mu,shroom cul.'i
in the ordinary Mushroom house is out of '■■
question. Very good crops are obtained in
cellars where a regular temperature ismaintai
You do not tell us the kind of house where ;
beds are, but I conclude it is an ordinary buili
with the roof exposed. This is the evil, as
impossible to prevent dry air entering the he
I have for years discontinued the culture of M
rooms in the ordinary Mushroom house from
to October. There will be no difficulty no«
atmosjjhere is charged with moisture. Next
you may succeed by having a ridge-shaped bt
the open under a nortli wall. A bed made thi .
May will give you a good supply free of mag;
but even then you will need to use plenty of 1
over the surface to keep the bed cool and m
If you have a cool cellar, an old, deep, dis
stoke-hole, or any place where air and wat
cannot enter freely, you could make beds tl
and you would not be troubled with the pest
cannot give you a remedy to jjrevent the ma
without injuring your crop ; it is best to pre
the evil by adopting the advice given above. Pi
ngs of any kind are out of the question — in I
useless. — G. W.

Ketchup-making. — It is to me astonisl
that many ]ieople are not poisoned liy ea
ketchup purchased from common hawkers
country towns. Perhaps the reason why
majority escape is because so little of it is
taken of at each meal. In this neighbourh.
men and women scour the country', and notli ■
in the shape of a Mushroom escapes them. T
go home laden with a mixed lot. I recei
saw an unscrupulous gatherer enter a meai
near my residence, top up his basket with c |
mon Toadstools, and go on his way. No dc['
many who buy bottles of ketchup at the doc j
totally ignorant of its constituent parts, an.
think" they ought to be warned against these
scrupulous vendors. — J. Crawford, XoIIs.

liate Vegetable Marrows.— In many garO'
where these are ajipreciated, as long a suppljj'
possible is aimed at ; a liatch of plants he '
brought on for producing Marrows during
last half of August, September, and Octol
These being specially valuable, it behoves t"
in charge to aflbrd some temporary means
shelter from early frosts, as few things are m
susceptible to injury from such as Marrows. " li
pits are plentiful and one can be spared for t
late batch, it is a good plan to give the plants
benefit of it. If fairly wide it will generally co

SPTEMBHR 25, 1897.]

THE OAT^OEN.

235

nil 18 gro« til iniule by these late plants, anil the

li."~ can lie diawn over them in case of cold

I'^ailing pits, a ron<;h framework of

- can lie easily formed, this beinj; covered as

ooilus the cooler niyhts necessitate it with mats

cirUnvas. Any sliort-jointed, small fniitiiii^'

uc liettcr for {jrowin^ for late supplies than

10 rampant larije fruitinj; varieties, and a

.. -:c free soil is best. — .1. (.'.

;lte market Peas.— Many will agree wi(h

( iH-er's" note at jia<>;e 13(i on the short season

iket is provided with Peas. .\ lari;e };rowcr

ii the demand after the r.,ondon season is

„n, was insufiicient to w^irrant having largo

iiuUities of late I'eas. I'ossibly the growers

iii'it ]iaid siitticicnt attention to variety. I

' <■ some of the kinds sold in .June and .Ivd^'

wortli cooking, and they get old soiniiekly.

\rT" names a few good kinds. I could

V eral more to his list, and these are Alarrows

vl ist-rate quality. On the other hand, the seed

is l)fc cheap, and in quantity would be costl3',

iiiyono could .^oon get over the difficult}' by

lT for seed a year in advance. There has

jieat improvement in Peas of late years,

tlly in the dwarf section. I noticed this

a grower who had a few late rows for sale

verwhelmeil with orders. I think there

I be a demand. In the north there would

• ' dilHculty in getting a late supply. — B. M.

sparagus at Gunton.— Mr. Allan always

- his OH ti plants, and now never plants berry-
!!.: ones, having proved from continued ob-

ui that the non-berr}' bearers produce not

iL-r grass, but much more of it. Mr. .-Vllan

lie to see his beds and pointed this out to

Ml through the large beds I did not see a

c.\eeption to the rule. Plants raised from

lie summer produce seed the next if seed-

-, and when the berries appear the plants

le over and marked, so that the right ones

l-i-n up for ]ilanting in sjiring, the others

discarded. Careful lifting, keeping the

J. tender, filirous rootlets moist while out of

jiiiund, planting in shallow trenches, muleh-

iii» staking when sufficiently high, and watering

se ral times in dry summers are the chief cul-

tul details by which Mr. Allan lays the first

seon the foundation from which springs grass

thiieoond summer .5 feet and G feet high and as

thi: as walking-sticks. — J. C.

livoy New Year. — Last year this new Savoy
dicio well that I planted it again, and, from the
sparanceof the plants, I think it will be one
of le best introductions of late years. As most
pr 'ers are aware. Savoys early in the year are
of greater value than in the autumn, as the
llalur is superior, and the new one named above
i" mild in flavour that it is worth special cul-
I'n ion. It is smaller than the Drumhead, and
I pposc this latter point will not make it a
nucet variety where size is the chief considera-
tic On the other hand, it will commend itself
to rivate growers. Its value is greater on ac-
co-lt of its lateness. With me it does not sijlit
'•t seasons like tlie older Drumhead. The

- are very close and of a deep green colour.
- '■ i; are few outside coarse lea\es, therefore
hit waste. From its comjiact growth I should
M'it is one of the hardiest Savoys grown. I
Jill t on an east border to get late supphes, and
1 ited how well this variety stood the wet last
seon. It ajjpears to be a cross between Late
IJr ahead and De Vertus, a late, good kind much

n on the Continent. — G. Wythks.
ite Leeks.— Few vegetables of late years
come into such favour as the Leek. In my

eaisr days I was in gardens where the Leek was
olerated, but why I do not know, as it is one
ur best late spring vegetables, and nicely
ed few can object to its flavour. Doubtless
severe winters we ha\e had now and again
in a measure shown us the value of the Leek.
e winters ago it was one of the few things
m our gardens, and green vegetables were
highly prized. Another point in its favour
lateness. The Leek is the last vegetable to

run to seed in the spring, and if lifted and heeled
in in a cool north border under a wall, it will be
giHid well into May if the soil is kept moist and
shaded. Having to supply vegetables in great
i|uantities in the spring, I have i>lanted Leeks
largely. I do not attempt to grow the (jhuits
after the niainicr of exhibition roots, but in deep
drills 2 feet apart. In the early Jiart of the
year, in suitable weather soil is drawn up to
the stems to assist in blanching. For late sup-
plies none can ct|ual the Musselburgh. It is not
so thick as earlier kinds, but the (|nality is good
and it is one of the hardiest and latest.— S. H. -M.

Fruit ancIVegetableICrops.

WESTERN.

Sundorne Castle, Shrewsbury.— Apples are
: moderate crop, Keswick Codlin, Stirling Castle,
Lane's Prince Albert, Cellini, Warner's King, and
Hibston Pip|iin being the best. Of Pears there is
an a\erage crop, botli on walls and bush trained
trees. Beurre Diel, Winter Nelis, (ilou Mor-
ceau, .Jai'gonelle, Beurri? Ranee, and Pitraaston
Duchess are best on the wall. Damsons and
Plums in this neighbourhood are quite a failure.
Peaches and Nectarines outside are a splendid
crop in this garden. .Strawberries have been very
good, but the season very short. Gooseberries
and Currants have been good ; also Cherries and
Nuts.— G. Phillips.

Toddington,"Winchcoinbe, Glos. — The fruit
crops in this district are much below the average
with the exception of Strawberries, which were
about an average. Plums are a very poor crop,
and the same may be said of Apples, though in
jilaces fair crops may be seen. Against walls
Peaches and Nectarines are fair crops, though the
trees were badly aft'ected with blister. Pears
rather under average; Cherries much under. Of
bush fruits, Red Currants were the best. Black
Curi-ants and Raspberries being much under.
Aphis has been less in evidence than is usual, but
a good many Plum trees in the neighbourhood
have been attacked by the shot bore beetle
(Xyleborus dispar), and are dead in consequence.
— j. Cleare.

Bowood Park, Calne, 'Wilts. — Fruit crops
are much liclow the average. Apples and Pears
in particular, while Plums are a complete failure.
Apricots are a fair crop, likewise Peaches and
Nectarines, and there has been a fairly good crop
of Strawberries and small fruits.

Vegetables on the whole are good. Potatoes
up to recently were looking well, but I regret to
saj- the disease has made its appearance all
through this district. — (iEoituE Bkown.

Tregothnan, Cornwall. — Apples are under
average ; Pears and Plums very scarce : Peaches
only half a crop, as the trees blistered badly and
the" fruit dropped. Cherries (Morello) are almost a
failure ; Strawberries better than for several
seasons and the fruit good, but the crop was soon
over. All liush fruit is good.

Vegetables, considering the dry season, are very
fair. Early I'otatoes and early Peas good ; mid-
season varieties were badly infested with mildew.
Early Cauliflowers were bad, many of the plants
buttoning. Both autumn and spring - sown
Onions and Shallots are good. — W.M. A.sdrews.

Forde Abbey, Cbard. In early spring there
was a promise of an abundant fruit crop. Pears
set a heavy crop and swelled up to a good size.
On some bush trees the fruit attained to a good
size. About the time the Ajiples were on the
point of setting we had a .severe frost, which
destroyed the greater part of the bloom and froze
the Pears right through. This happened in some
instances where they had double fish-netting over
them. Plums are almost a failure: Magnum Bonum
and Orleans on a north wall are the best ; Jeffer-
son's and Kirke's have a few. Morello Cherries
are a splendid crop, and very fine from north
walls. Our best cropping Apples are Lord Suf-
tield, Domino, Boyal Somerset, Lane's, Cox's,

and Manniiigton Pearmain. Of Pears, Winter
Nelis, Durondeau, Beurre dcCapiaumont, Old Cras-
sane, Passe Colmar, and (irosse Calebassc are the
best. Strawberries not half a crop, bloom killed
by frost. Royal Sovereign and President the best.
Gooseberries an enormous eroii. Black Currants
grand. Red poor. — .1. CitiiiiK.

Haverholme Priory, Sleaford. — Apples are
a good average eroji, especially Lord Sutlield, Lord
Grosvenor, Potts' SectUing, New Hawthornden,
Beauty of Kent, Warner's King, Ecklinville
Pip]iiii, Keswick Codlin, Stirling Castle and
Northern Greening; fruit fine and clean. Pears
are very uneven ; still wc have nice crojis of
Louise Bonne of Jersey, .Targonelle, Beurrfe Bosc,
Marie Louise, Brown Beurre, Marie Louise
d'Uccle, Hacon's Incomparable, (Jlon Morceau,
Beurrfi Diel and British (,lueen. Peaches, Plums,
Cherries and Apricots are very poor ; in fact, the
worst crop for ten years. Strawberries were a
good average crop, rather small, but flavour ex-
cellent. Gooseberries very good and plentiful.
Currants (Red and Black) under average.

Vegetables good and plentiful. We have a
good lieavy subsoil, so the drought does notafl'ect

us. — .1. CoWAKIi.

Stourton Court, Stourbridge.— Stone fruit
here is (juite a failure, with the exception of Vic-
toria Plums, which have a grand crop. Apiiles
are a fair crop, especially Warner's King, Em-
peror Alexander, Lord Sutlield, and Keswick Cod-
lin. Beurre Diel, .Jargonelle, Williams' Bon Chre-
tien, and ilarie Louise Pears on an old wall facing
south have splendid crops. Red Currants and Rasp-
berries were above the average. Black Currants
were not so good, with the exception of Carter's
Champion, which bore well. — T. SiMrsON.

Cirencester House. — Apples are abundant,
but injured by a terriflc hailstorm, which occurred
on July 20. Pears a fair crop ; the fruit is clean
and the trees healthy, also free from insects.
Plums a failure. Apricots heavy crop and good.
Peaches very good. Cherries half a crop. Straw-
berries excellent in every way. Bush fruit also
excellent and abundant.

Vegetables good. Although I have not found
any disease in Potatoes, I hear complaints and I
notice the haulm of some varieties is attacked. —
T. Arnold.

MIDLAND.
Bostock Hall, Middlewich, Cheshire.— In

this district a few varieties of Apples are carrying
good crops, including such sorts as Lord Sutlield,
Keswick Codlin, Manks Codlin, Ribston Pi|ipin,
Yorkshire Greening, Beauty of Kent, and Pott's
Seedling. Other varieties are thin. Pears are
generally very poor. We have a few nice Jar-
gonelle, Aston Town, and Swan's Egg. Morello
Cherries are very line and plentiful; other sorts
very scarce; Damsons, Plums, and Apricots are
(|uite a failure ; Strawberries and Raspberries
good crops ; Black Currants poor ; Red Currants
very good ; Gooseberries plentiful.

In spite of the dry sejisoii, vegetables are very
good. Peas, Scarlet Runners, French Beans,
Celery, Cauliflowers, Onions, and Carrots are ex-
cellent crops ; Potatoes also capital crops and of
good flavour. — A. .Stathan.

CoddingtonHall, Newark.— The fruit crop
in our garden and this district generally arc the
poorest known for many years. The s|)ring
brought great promises in the way of abundance
of bloom, but the bitter, almost unprecedented
cold winds of April and May — not frost— shattered
all hopes. Gooseberries, Black Currants and
Raspberries were only half a crop; Red Currants
average. La Versaillaise exceeding all other sorts.
Were I planting for market purjioses this is the
variety I should choose. Superlative Raspberry
seems to stand a cold spring better than the older
varieties, and should be planted in exposed gar-
dens. Strawberries were a light crop, many of
the plants in rows of old well-tried sorts not
showing a single truss of bloom. Of Ajiplcs we
have but a poor crop. In young orchards where
the wind had free access none but a few hardy

236

THE GARDEN"

[September 25, 189'

sorts, such as Duchess of Oldenburg, King of
Pippins and Stunner Pippin, have any fruit on.
Old trees that are a complete thicket of wood are
carrying half a crop. This is, I think, instruc-
tive, as proving the folly in our uncertain seasons
of thinning out young Apple trees too much. On
espaliers, Fearn's Pippin, a never-failing Apple
here, has a capital crop, also Cox's Pomona and
Stirling Castle. Other sorts area failure. Pears,
both on walls and espaliers, are half a crop,
Pitmaston Duchess, Doyennfi du Cornice, Louise
Bonne, Glou Morceau and Beurr^ d'Aremberg
bearing the heaviest crops. Plums and Damsons
are next to a failure, even the old Victoria in
market gardens failing to yield. Peaches on
open walls are the choicest I have had for years,
Dymond, a splendid hardy outdoor Peach, of ex-
cellent (luality, carrying the most fruit. Morello
Cherry trees, which had liorne well for the past ten
years, ha\e not a single fruit on them. Nuts are
plentiful.

Vegetables have done well, except Peas, which
were hurried on by the extreme heat and lack of
moisture. Potatoes have yielded good crops,
Ringleader, Snowdrop, C'ai'ter's Snowball being
excellent under garden culture ; late sorts in field
promise a good return. I still keep to the Mag-
num Bonum as a main winter Potato, as it does
well on the light soil. I change the stock of
S3ed every few years. — J. Cr,4\\kord.

Thoresby. — The fruit crops are very erratic.
Early in spring there was a promise of a plentiful
crop of everything. Cold east winds, however, set
in and continued all through the flowering and
setting time. These caused most of the flowers to
drop, and now Apples are but a light crop, also
Pears, Plu.r^s, and Morello Cherries. Sweet
Cherries are i.ilf a crop. Small fruits are good, ex-
cept Black Currants.

Vegetables were late owing to such a spring,
and since the end of June we had little rain, and
required to water all the crops in the kitchen gar-
den.— A. HuNnnKsoN.

Alton Towers, Staffordshire The ma-
jority of hardy fruit trees blossomed well, but
owing to the continued cold east winds and sharp
frosts in May which killed the blossom, and even
caused some of the fruit which was set to fall off,
there is scarcelj' an average crop of anything ex-
cept Apples, which are very heavy in some cases,
especially those of the Codlin type. Pears are very
thin ; a mere sprinkling on some trees, on others
none at all. Stone fruits are a total failure. Of
Plums there are none. The Cherries set well, but
dropped off wholesale at the stoning period.
Currants and Gooseberries are fair. Strawberries
small and soon over, owing to the dry weather.

Vegetables on the whole are fairly good here,
but light crops are the rule in most cases in this
district. Root crops are small and below the
average standard, scarcity of moisture being tlie
prevaihng cause. — E. Gn,M.\N.

Impney, Droitwioh. — The fruit prospects
here are not so satisfactory as they promised to be
at the flowering season, particularlj* in the case of
Apples. The cold east winds and late frosts
crippled the bloom. The Apples bearing best
with me are Keswick Codlin, Stirling Castle, and
Lane's Prince Albert ; Worcester Pearmain, Cox's
Orange, and Fearn's Pippin are also carrying fair
crops. Pears are a good average crop, "both on
walls and bushes. Plums are a thin crop ; Earl}'
Orleans, Jefferson's and Kirke's are the best.
Peaches outside. Apricots, Cherries, and Damsons
are a failure. Gooseberries, Currants, and Rasp-
berries have carried good crops, the fruit of good
quality.

Early Potatoes are small ; late Potatoes promise
to be good. Vegetable crops generally have
suffered owing to the long-continued drought. —
F. Jordan.

Teddesley Park, Penkridge, Staffs.— In

this district in the spring there was a great \\ealth
of bloom on all hardy fruit trees, but the continual
cold from the north-east, coupled with late frosts
in May and June, seriously damaged the prospect
of good crops. Apples were very much below the |

average, although some trees are carrying good
crops, while others are a failure. Pears set well,
but have dropped badly, lea\ing very few on some
trees, while others have a fair crop. Peaches and
Nectarines are a failure. The trees were badly
blistered in the spring, but are now making good
growth. Apricots are poor. Plums are a medium
crop, Victoria and Jefferson's being the best.
Morello Cherries are very good and fruit fine in
(lualit}'. The Strawberry crop was a heavy one
and the fruit large, the finest being President.
Raspberries are good and of fair quality. Goose-
berries a heavy crop ; Red Currants medium ;
Black the worst we have haa for the past nine
years; Dam.sons very poor; Walnuts bad.

A'egetables have been very good this season,
with the exception of Cauliflowers, a great many
having gone blind. Peas have been very good.
Chelsea Gem, William Hurst, and English
Wonder grown on south borders for the earliest
supply have been very good. The last-named I
consider a grand dwarf Pea. Midseason Peas
were soon o\er, owing to the spell of hot weather
we had. Autocrat is a good dry-weather Pea.
Ne Plus Ultra and Sturdy grown for a late
supply are coming in earlier than usual this
season. Runner Beans and the climbing French
Bean are giving good results. Winter greens of
every description are looking remarkably well,
so are root crops. Early Potatoes have turned
out very good. Late Potatoes are looking well
and promise to be heavy crops. At present there
are no signs of disease. — F. Clakkk.

Chats-worth.— The fruit crops in this district
are under the average with the exception of
Strawberries, which have been over the average
and of good quality. Apples, Pears, and Plums
are a poor crop. Cherries average crop. Bush
fruits moderate.

Vegetables of all kinds are growing freely.
Potatoes are a good crop and free from disease.—
W. Chester.

Aldenham Park, Bridgnorth.— Apples,

Plums, Peaches, and Apricots in these gardens
and immediate district are much below the
average, and Damsons, I might say, are a com-
plete failure, though it is very seldom these fail
here ; you will find them growing in almost every
hedgerow, and they seem to thrive better in this
position than when planted in either garden or
orchard. Cherries of every description are much
below the average. Gooseberries, Currants, and
Strawberries were very plentiful.

Vegetables are ^■ery good in general, and from
what I have seen at local shows the quality is an
advance on late years. — Thos. Cannini;.

^ Hardwicke Grang'e, near Shrewsbury.—

Fruit cro]3s, on the whole, are below the average,
Apples particularly so. Nine-tenths of the trees
have no fruit. I notice a tree here and there
carrying a crop. These are more or less early
varieties. The cause of this, I fear, is a good deal
owing to the maggot. Not only did it take the
blooms and young fruit, but the foliage as well,
and this has been going on for some years. Pears
are somewhat better, still not good by any
means ; and what seems strange, with the abund-
ance of fine hot weather, is that much of the
fruit is scabbed. Worse still is the crop of Plums
and Damsons. In the gardens here we ha\e only
a few Green Gages on walls, no others to speak of.
No one can remember when fewer Apricots have
been gathered in this neighbourhood. JIany
cottagers will be reminded of this when rent-day
comes. Cherries have also been poor. I should
be glad to hear if the Morello trees are noticed to
be dying oft' badly the last few years. It is so
with me. What can be the cause of it ? I cin
write much more hopefully of the Peach crop.
There is enough and to spare. The foliage at first
was blistered very badly. I pull all such leaves
oft', apply the garden engine every evening with
warm water, which soon alters matters, and if
mildew puts in an appearance, we have now that
excellent remedy, XL All. I gathered a fine lot of
Early Alexander outdoors in July. I think, not-
withstanding the long spell of hot, dry weather.

Peaches generally are later than usual. Tl I
think, may partly be accounted for by the c ±
the trees received early in the season bybliji I
&c. Of Figs we have a good crop. Treee re
looking healthy after being killed to the groi :,
few years since. Cob Nuts are plentiful, it
Filberts are scarce and Walnuts but few. ;c|
Currants are a failure. Black Currants or a
little better, and Gooseberries few and far betv n.
Raspberries have been somewhat better, only :,h
the extra labour of heavy watering. Strawbt >«
ha\e been a good crop, but of short duratii ^
J. Taylor.

NORTHERN.

liOwther, Penrith, "Westmoreland. —A) a
are a very [loor crop indeed, in many places ( c
a failure. Pears average crop. Cherries 1
Plums below average. No Peaches, Nectar ..
nor Nuts grown outside. Raspberries, (!■
berries, and Red Currants average. St
berries very good, fruit very fine, particu j
James Veitch, Countess, Auguste Nicaise, B J
Sovereign, and Empress of India. The abDvi e
the best varieties I grow, and for travelli I
find Countess to be far the best, as it is not oi t
fine fruit, of good flavour and appearance, b i
has the seed well on the surface, which is a f t
thing in the saving of the fruit from crushii -
F. Clark.

Abney Hall, Cheadle.— As regards i,
crops, this year is the most unsatisfaci .
Ajjples are the best. They are barely an ave ■>
crop, though after these late rains they are s
ing up well, and we shall have some good kit
Apples. The dessert kinds do not produce
satisfactory results in our district, and thei'
are not much grown. Pears are a failure, si
Plums. Cherries have been poor also. A-
gards bush fruit, tiooseberries were far li
average ; Black Currants a failure ; Red Cun ■
fair ; Raspberries moderate.

The Pea crop looks well, having abundam
pods. After William I. for early use I groii
Plus Ultra mainly, and I find nothing better,
course it reciuires long stakes, but it is cert:
worth an effort to provide these. The only s
factory way to do Onions in this part is to i ■
the young plants in boxes under glass in £
spring, and then plant them out so that they 1
a good early start ; then they give a j
return. Crops of autumn Cauliflowers, Brui i
Sprouts, Celery, &c., are looking well. — R. i\

'ELLAR.

Elm Hall Gardens, Liverpool. — Apple
this district are up to average. Warner's K
Eckbnville, Lord Suftield, Bismarck, Dumeli
Seedling, Peasgood's Nonsuch, Cox's Orange 1
pin, Blenheim Orange, Ribston Pippin, and I
Peach are carrying heavy crops. Pears are f
The best are .Jargonelle, Louise Bonne of Jen
Marie Louise, and Clapp's Favourite. Plums ;
Cherries are very thin ; Peaches, Nectarii
Apricots, and Figs excellent. Strawberries li
yielded fine crops. Bush fruit has been plent
with the exception of Black Currants.

Spring and summer vegetables have done i
are doing remarkably well, while those in tl
winter quarters are just as promising. — Jaj
Braceiiiiidle.

Allerton Priory, Liverpool.— Strawberi
have liecn fair. Bush fruits good on the wh(
but Currants thinner than usual. Cherries po
Plums and Damsons are a failure, the weatl
having been very unfavourable during the ti
the}' «-ere in flower. Pears are moderate, the b
being Jargonelle, a full crop, B. d'Amanlis, Dun
deau, and Thompson's. Apples as standat
are the best, and include \\\arner's King, Lc
Derby, Ecklinville Seedling, King of Pippiti
Lemon Pippin, Keswick Codlin, and the c
Pomeroy, which I consider one of the very b(
of cooking Apples, although pushed into t
background by its more showy rivals. Bn
trees carrying good crops are Worcester Pet
main, Ribston Pippin, Lane's Prince Albert, ai
Potts' Seedling.— J. J. Craven.

Sbptemder 2"), 1897.]

THE GARDEN".

237

THE OllANGE, [ASKRTCG.
1^ Grax.ie, near Askrigg, Ym-kshiiv, i.f whii'h
to-ilivy

YC nil ilhistratiun, sumetuiiL'S calleil

by Half and now used as a fanidmuse, i
I to Imve l)fLMi built on part of tlio " Abbe;
Fors," founded by Petev do (^)uincey. It is
tuly situated near a waterfall on one of the
iiitain streams in Uredale. the garden, as
bo seen from the illustration, occupying
front of the house.

[eights of perennial 'Phloxes.— While it

isferfectly coi-rcot to say of tlu- oUl or ordinary
^3 of hardy I'blox that growths increase in
lii-ht US the plants liecome older, it should be
o\ lent that such heightening is due not to in-
cased vigour, but to greater density of growth.

Flower Garden.

TUFTED PANSIES— A LATK DISPLAY.

It is some years since the Tufted Pansies were
in such tine" condition as they are just now. In
the neighbourhood of London, in the middle of
8optoml)er, blossoms of phenomenal size and
exceedingly ricli colour may now be seen. This
is ample coin]iensatiim for a display of a less
interesting character experienced early in tlie
year, when in the first place, chiefly owing to
cold and cutting winds, followed by drought,
the (ilants suti'ered very considerably, and the
display was not ([uite so fine as one would have
wished for. Tlie value of a good mulching was
never more apparent. Especially during the

were treated to a compost made up of ec[ual
parts of sifted loam and rotten manure, with
the aildition of a siirinkling of guano, and these
plants have attained <|uite large propoitions, and
are making an exceedingly free display. The
i|uality of the llower.; regarding .size, colour
and substance has been of a high standard of
excellence. The i)lantsare now simply bristling
with numerous young growths, which will serve
to jierjietuate the dili'erent sorts, and these are
easily detached with roots appended, or, totho.se
who ju'efer the .system, of a suitable size to
make tir.st-chi.ss cuttings.

With the introduction of so many tine novelties
during recent years, there has been a constant
inquiry for those sorts which commence to
flower very early in the season, and those, too,

**^

flit

Ss^l, ^

thi
lis?

T/ie G-range, near Aakrin'j, Yurlis. From, a photugrapii hij Mr. G. F. Junes, ilalton, Turks.

largely excluding from the leaves and stems |

and air, and causing the growths, in fighting

for le possession of these elements, to go higher

arch of them than would otherwise be the

It is but a rejietition of what is always

in vegetation when plant growths are

led. But with reference to the heightening

e growths of the really dwarf varieties, that

h age but infinitesimal, because habit is as

t a force as tendency. Thus at Chiswick,

! a fine collection of Phloxes of several years'

ing may be seen, and also as seen at Long

n, true dwjirfs remain dwarfs relatively

s. There is plenty of varieties, none of

lighest excellence, whose regular height

:3 from 12 inches to 18 inches.— A. D. I

ens

aee

cro

of

is \

pat

wh

8ta

I it

th
' ran

spells of very hot weather was this fact more
noticeable ; those plants which had been
generously treated in this way grew away
vigorously and blossomed profusely, although,
owing to the great heat, the blossoms shrivelled
long before they had attained their full size.
The cooler and moister weather of the greater
part of August, and also during the first half of
the [iresent month, has just suited these plants,
and while other suljjects in the harily flower
garden are looking anything but hapj)\' and
comfortable, the Tufted Pansies have simply
revelled in it. The rotten manure with which
the beds had been mulched has been very
valuable to the plants just lately. Some beds

which are seen at their best during the latter
part of the season. At the present time the
following sorts with me are in the pink of con-
dition : each of the members of the Duchess of
Fife family, which includes that already men-
tioned ; Goldfinchand White Duchess ; together
with the original of this ty|)e of plant and form,
Ardwell Gem, are as good as I have seen them
for a long time. Devonshire Cream, the
new creamy white flower ; Ethel Hancock,
purest white ; Nellie, white ; .and Christiana,
the last with a rich orange sutt'usion on the
lower petal, are each literally covered with
blossoms. Of the yellow sorts, Pembroke, one
of the very best ; A. J. Kowberry, Molly Pope,

238

THE GARDEN.

[September 25, 1897.

rich butter yellow ; Princess Louise, one of the
finest bedding sorts ; Mary Gilbert, and Lord
Elcho, are a blaze of rich colour, and alongside
the white varieties are making a most beautiful
contrast. The delicate colouring of pale rosy
blush as seen in Rosea pallida, one of the freest
and best of the tufted sorts, a|3peals to almost
everyone, and this in conjunction with the large
oval rayless flowers of Florizel, a lilush-lilac colour,
forms a very welcome feature in the garden. 8ir
Robert Peel, a new variety distributed for tlie
first time this year, is in excellent form, with
its large oval blossoms, deep primrose with a
very effective orange eye and a most delightful
creeping form of growth, and those fond of
very large flowers, with well-detined rays and
strong growth, yet compact, will find in Lord
Salisbury a typical flower. Bartholdi, a rich
crimson-purple with neat yellow eye, has
flowered in a wonderfully free manner, the
brilliancy of its colouring standing out
conspicuously. Of the blue shades of colour,
Britannia, a deep violet-blue, stands pre-
eminent. Blue Gown, Magnificent, and a
charming little seedling named Symphony are
three beautifully compact types of growth,
while the profuse character of their flowering
renders them almost indispensable at this
season. The colour of the first two sorts may
be described as mauve-blue, that of the latter
sort being a pretty violet-lavendei'. Of the
fancy type of flower succeeding well just at pre-
sent is Isa Ferguson, with large purple-black
flowers, paling off to light lavender on top
petals. Stobhill Gem, a somewhat similar kind
of flower, but not so dark and with more sub-
stance ; Cottage Maid, alternately marked purple-
violet and pale lavender; Sunset, ji.ale yellow,
with a broad crimson band on the u|iper ])etals,
and very sweet scented ; and Butterfly, very
large white flower, with heavy margin of deep
rose, form a very desirable and interesting
quartette. One very fine sort named Lucy
Franklin is free in its growth, and white,
with sulphur-yellow suffusion of the lower petal.
This has succeeded wonderfully during the last
three weeks, and should be largely used where
something uni(]ue may be wanted.

The foregoing sorts are well worthy of the
attention of all wanting a striking and pretty
display during the latter part of the season.

Higkgate. D. B. Cra^'e.

Tropseolum speciosum. — For years I failed
to grow this, Ijut now it is an absolute weed with
me. The great secret, I find, is uniform moisture
for the roots to run in and the soil must be deep,
sandy, and free. Where the Trop;eolum now
grows so freely was a corner of strong blue clay,
absolutely useless. I cleared the space and
carted on a mixture of soil collected in
our woods. I made it about 4 feet dee]i, and
the natural slope gave the required drainage.
Various shrubs are planted Iiere, up which the
Tropivolum climbs. This year I trained some up
spikes of Yucca recurva, which had a splendid
effect on the north slope of this made soil.
Montbretia Pottsi and M. crocosm;ef3ora make a
•complete hedge, and flower splendidly. The
Troi)a'olum has been planted about six years. —
J. R. H.ALL, Fo.c Warren- Gardens, Cohhain,
Surrey.

It is to be hoped that few will

venture to plant tliis beautiful creeper in
their rock gardens, as, one would infer from
a recent note, some are doing. It is difficult
to establish at first, but once it gets a foothold,
Tropitolum s|)eciosum is only kept in bounds or
eradicated with tlitticulty. In a rock garden it
becomes a lovelj' object, but runs so rampantly
as to be a pest. Like some of the Convolvnli, it
requires to be jilanted where its naturally
rambling and encroaching wavs will do no harm.

Any readers of The GARnES who may wish to trj'
T. speciosum will find March or Ai)ril a suitable
time for planting. The soil should be well
trodden before and after planting. If snails or
slugs are plentiful they are very troidjlesome until
the creeper gets a good hold, which may be in
two or three years. — S. Arsott, ('arsethorn, jV.B.

In a recent issue " E. J." made some

interesting remarks on this " when at home''
gorgeous climbing plant. I have tried to grow
it in this garden, but it only does moderately,
and that behind a north wall where the growth
takes possession of a Plum tree. It did very
well in an old garden a mile from here in
the stitfish loamy soil of the Raspberry bed,
the growth each season climbing amongst
the canes in all directions — an undesirable
position some may say — but I think the gar-
dener had tried it in almost every other part of
the garden and failed. The success he had with
it leads me to think that my soil is too light for
one thing, and does not retain sufficient moisture
for its wants. " E. J." mentions its doing well
further north, and as a proof that a cool, moist
climate suits it, I may mention that in my em-
ployer's garden near Loch Awe, in Argyleshire,
it grows and flowers quite freely. — J. Crawford,
Cofhlinfjtfju Hitll^ \eirarK\

Carnation The Burn Pink (p. 190) was
raised at The Burn, near Brerliin, many years ago
by the late Wm. Lawie, gardener, who named it
Annie Lawie. Many plants of it were given away,
and some of the recipients who may have for-
gotten the name called it The Burn Pink. Years
afterwards, when the Duke of Fife was married, a
too enterprising nurseryman dubbed it Duchess of
Fife and sent it out as a new variety. It will thus
be seen that it has no claim whate\er to be called
liy the latter name, and I think it should be known
by its original name of Annie Lawie, if onlj-
as a sou\-enir of a very cajjable gardener who
during a long service did much to enhance the
manj- natural beauties of The Burn.— M.

Helenium autumnale superbum. — This is
now in liower, and I think it will prove a useful
pot plant for autumn use. (Jrown ia tlie ground it
runs up very tall before it comes into bloom, but
as a pot plant it may be had in bloom with a
large head at from 2^ feet to 3 feet high, and
younger plants will flower when about 18 inches
high. It does not appear to throw up young
shoots from the base so freely as most herbaceous
plants, but cuttings root freely. The tops may
be taken eai-Iy in the spring. If they are taken
after the plants have made a good growth, the old
plants will branch out and a number of cuttings
may be had from side shoots. Cuttings should be
putin a hotbed or an intermediate propagating pit,
a little bottom heat and sufficient moisture to
keep the fleshy cuttings from flagging being all
that are necessary. The tops produce the largest
heads of bloom and come into flower earlier, but
the side shoots will make nice plants and keep up
a succession of bloom. — A.

Gentiana acaulis.— For its bright display of
blossoms in the early spring and svunmer, the old
garden (ientianella is among the most prized of
all hardy carpet plants, and on some soils is by no
means difficult to please. In other districts, how-
ever, the plants are invariably unhappy, and
while growing freely, or rather forming patches of
rather diminutive growth, fail to give anything
like an adequate flowering. This may be, of
course, due to neglect rather than anything else,
or, again, some deficiency in the soil may, in a
measure, account for the poor growth. Too fre-
quently the large patches are left too long with-
out disturbance, wliich in this species is an error.
It is equally wrong, inasmuch as only inferior re-
sults ensue \ihen the plants are pulled to pieces
and planted, as they are quite frequently, in spring
at fiowering time. During the latter period
many hundreds of plants are sold because attrac-
tive, though the future of the majority of such
plants would not prove very encouraging if
followed u|j. Where the plant thrives it should
be made much of, and no season in the whole year

is .so well suited to dividing and reijlanting as tb
present. Planted firmly in good ground at any tin!
during September or October, the losses are r
duced to a minimum, the plants take readily i
the soil, and continue making stoloniferousuTowt
nearly all the winter, a fact that may be verifiti
in the ensuing spi-ing when the young shoots a)'
pear above ground. Over-dense patches oftt
fail to flower freely, but with room for develo
ment they produce one of the brightest displays
spring. — E. J.

ANNUAL ASTERS.
Anyone interested in the annual Asters will fii
a large and complete collection in the gardens
the Royal Horticultural Society at Chiswick ju
now. But they are bewildering, as one sees t
same thing under different names, and the matt
is rendered more mystifying by reason of mui
re-naming in this country of tyjjes which ha
originated in France, Germany and elsewhei
The trial at Chiswick may be said to furnish fo
types : the Quilled German, which has a ta
branching and somewhat loose habit of growt
but produces highly symmetrical and full/doul
flowers borne on long, stiflf flower-stems ;
admirable type to grow for cutting, because t
flowers are produced freely and continuously, ai
they last much longer in a cut state than dp t
softer flat-petalled varieties. Next the Con
type, with its large, spreading florets,
curving, and with a small centre of quilled Sore
Of this type there are now several varieti
ranging from blue to white. They are early
bloom, and when well grown produce very li
flowers for exhibition ; indeed, they are drivi
all the other types of flat-petalled Asters from t
exhibition tables. They, when well grown, reo
a height of IS inches or so, and the blooms ;
large, full and very handsome, and therefore
is not to be wondered at they are becoming
creasingly popular. The third type is that ge
rally included under the head of Chrysanthemu
flowered, embracing the tall Victoria and a
the dwarf Bouquet and Mignon types, all of wh
have compact, flat-petalled blossoms varying
size, all reflexing, but well filled in the centre a
singular-ly symmetrical. These are all very \a
able garden \-arieties, most of them compact
growth, and at the same time ^■ery free bloc
ing. Until the Comet type came to the fore t
was the favourite Aster for exhibition, and tli
who made a iioint of growing the Victoria Ast
for show produced wonderfully fine blooms
thinning out the buds and mulching and wat
ing the plants as needed.

The fourtli type is that known as the Frei
Aster, a fine form of which is known as Truffiii
Pa?ony-flowered Perfection. This is a type
Aster requiring high culture to bring it to p j
fection ; the petals incurve, and when fully ((
veloped form a compact half ball. But it isali '
one to flower, and that is perhaps why it is not
much grown as it should be. In the various i
hibitions where French Asters are this should
the only one exhibited as such, but aU fl
petalled \arieties are now regarded as Frer
Asters. The range of colour in the Pseoi
flowered French Asters is greater than that (
served in any other type, and this, added to th
great beauty, makes them a desirable section
cultivate. R. Dean.

African Marig^olds.— Some plants of both tj
orange and lemon varieties of these very efiecti'
autumn-blooming plants, grown by me in a v(
exposed field at Surbiton in small clumps and i
thinned, are blooming sujierbly and evoke t
warmest admiration from all who see them. T
seeds were sown on May 3 last, quite early enou
for such tender things, especially as so sd
the plants bloom profusely and finely all throii;
the autumn, when some such bright coloars a
very welcome. — A. D.

Canary Creeper.— In the kitchen gaiilen
Forde Alilje.\-, Cliard, Mr. Crook biicks 1
kitchen garden flower borders with tall roi

)f S«-eut reus. Tliese, lioweref, witli tl e reuson is tlilit these I'liloxes always show their

September 25, 1897.]

W

HE GARDEN.

239

)est of tioatmeiit soon become exhausted, and
lien a seed or two put in hero and there
n'side the rows of (Janary Creeper earlv in
Tune produces sturdy phuits tliat, fjettinj; hold
)f the Sweet I'ea supports, run up them ipiieUlv,
imv as tho flowers of tlie Peas i;ivo out they an-

finest form the tir»t year when raised from cut-
tinjis. The second year they give several heads
of bloom, but less fine. Does not that show that
when it is so easy by i)ropagation in the spring
to have plants in plenty showing their lines!
form, it is undesirable to jjrow .--toek tin in bordeis

Acanthus mollis. Frum ,i 'pjiotvjrapk by Mr. F. Ma.-i„u-Guu,l, Wiitchjield.

I ;ceedcd by the long growths and pretty yellow
livers of the Tropit-olum, and tluis a pleasing

play, almost more beautiful than before, is fui^

Ilea several weeks longer. — A. D.

Perennial Phloxes.— lam asked to explain
i J j" ^^^^'^ '""■''•^' ''Order plants should be
1 ed and either divided and replanted or thrown
<!|ay after the second year's blooming. My

a third year, as every additional year only sliows
the plants in inferior form ? Not only do "f'hloxes
severely eat uji plant food and absorli moisture,
but it is only the outer roots of the stool that can
find an\', whilst the crowded base and inner roots
linil none. — A. U.

Lilium auratum rubro-vittatum. — This
new form of the well-known Lilium auratum is

now in great beauty in Messrs. Daniels' nursery,
Norwich. The individual blooms are simiUir in
size to those of auratum, but have a wide red
band running throughout the entire length. It
is pleasing to find Lilies receiving more
attention, as when well grown they always pay
for the lalioiir and cannot fail to be admired. A
large, round, elevated bed lilleil with L. lanci-
folium ruhrum in the pleasure grounds at Hlick-
ling is now (the lirst week in September) a pleasing
sight. The plants and llowers are much improved
by giving a good mulch during the summer
months. If the soil is allowed to become i^ery
dry, growth soon becomes we ik and stunted.
Unless in very sheltered positions, it is necessary
to place neat sticks to the vlants to prevent
damage from high winds.— J. C;

ACANTHI SK.-v

The genu.s Acanthu.s occuijies a prominent
position among the best of tlie hardy fine-
foliaged perennials, and for this reason, wlien
well grown is worthy of special jiositions
where the plants may remain and become a
feature. W'ithtjut previous knowledge of the
Iilant.s it would scarcely be thought that the
ordinary examples of these things obtainable in
the hardy plant nurseries would in a few years
develop into the giant proportions possible.
Being of ratlier slow growth naturally, often
three or four years elapse bef(jre the flowering
stage is reached, even in the more robust
kinds. One species, after a twenty-five years'
experience among hardy plants, I have not yet
seen in flower. 1 refer to the very distinct form
known as A. spinosissimus, a plant by no means
frequent in collections to-day. But while of
slow growth generally, the Acanthuses are by
no means uninteresting until the flowering
stage is reached, for the handsome and pic-
turesque leaves that are each year put
forth are sufficiently attractive in themselves
to merit attention. Nearly all the sjtecios
are very robust, and for this reason require a
rather strong loam orevtn clay soil occasionally,
in w'hich they find ample means of suj port. In
proof of this I may state in passing an experi-
ence of some large examples that grew quite
near the Crystal Palace many years ago.
Much of the soil in the garden referred to was
the output of the Penge tunnel, a soil of soft
greasy clay, which, incorporated with the loamy
soil of the garden, made an unusually deep-root-
ing medium for many plants. It may possibly
have been more due t<> the increased depth of
soil than to anything else that one of the most
vigorous kinds (A. mollis latifolius) each year
produced sucJi a tine display of foliage and blos-
som. Phmted in the foreground of a shrubbery
having a belt of trees behind and a deep slope
to a railway cutting near, the position was at
once sheltered and well drained, the result
being some of the grandest specimens I have
seen, the fine leaves several feet in length, and
the singular and striking flowering spike tower-
ing above all. It is in such positions and with
a good depth of soil that the Acanthus or Bear's
Breech, as it iscalled, invariabl}- succeeds. As few
plants provide such striking leafage, they are
worth a little extra trouble. It is not that
the plants are in any way fastidious as to
soil or even situation ; on the contrary, tlioy
grow quite freely in almost any good garden
soil. But to make .speeimens of them, an extra
depth of soil is needful, and the handsdmest
examples I have seen have not resulted either
in a retentive clay soil or in one very hot and
dry. ^^'here a tlejith of 2 feet or .'5 feet can be
given, these plants will (juiekly make them.selvcs
at home, and in course of time hands mie tufts
4 feet or 5 feet across, surpassing many of the

240

THE GABDEK

[September 25, 1897.

so - called sub - tropical subjects in stately
grandeur. Where space permits in the rock
garden, one or two of these sliould be so planted
that the deeply-cut and s,dossy leaves slmuld
cover portions of the rock. On the lawn, too,
or a sunny slope a yroup of these would be
effective ; indeed, in almost any position where
a good <leptli of soil is assured there need be
little fear of success, and, jjrovided they are
well planted at the start, the plants may remain
undisturbed for many years. Once they are
well established they increase annually in
beauty, and a few isolated examples six or
eight years planted will constitute a feature in
the garden. The majority of the species are
quite hardy, or at least sufficiently so to pass
througli an ordinary winter with impunity. At
the same time, in the case of fine specimens it will
be best to give some slight protection in severe
winters, as such thingsare not easily replaced. All
the kinds may be increased bydivision, preferal)ly
in spring with returning growth ; by seeds, if
sown any time during the winter after being
gathered ; and thirdly, by cuttings of the roots.
Of all these methods of reproduction, seeds
when obtainable must take the first place
alway.t, as the root cuttings, while constituting a
most prolific source of supjjly, and tlierefore
great helj) in trade collections, considerably
weaken any established plant. Young jilants
raised m private gardens for tlie further emljel-
lishing of the grounds should be planted in
nursery beds for a year, or perhaps two, prior
to placing them in permanent positions. Some
of the best known and most worthy kinds ai-e

A. MOLLIS, an idea of wliich may be gathered
from the accompanying illustration. Not only is
this one of the most showy and distinct, but it is
also, when fully grown, a free-flowering species,
the lofty spikes producing rose and w-liite blos-
.soras, very striking in the entire inflorescence.
Native of Italy.

A. JUiLLis LATiFoLU's is (jerliaps the best
known of all. This is rather more dense and
generally compact than the type, the flowers more
closely arranged on the spike, and tlie foliage
handsome in appearance. It is a vigorous and
robust kind, and certaiidy the most imposing for
purposes of sub-tropical gardening. This uni^iue
form should find a home in almost every garden.
It is frequently grown under the name of A.
lusitanicus, which is regarded as synonymous
with the above.

A. LONiiiFOLius — as may be inferred by the spe-
cific name — is very distinct, the lea\es from 2 feet
to 3 feet long, decided!}' narrow in comparison,
and when seen in the established clumps the
whole tuft of leaves gracefull}' arching. This is
especially valual^le for the rock garden by reason
of its cliaracteristic habit of growth The flowers
are of a purplish rose in long spikes nearly 2 feet
in length. Native of Dalmatia.

A. Hisr.iN'icrs. — This Spanish kind has large,
shining, deeply-cut leaves and spil^es of white
flowers, and though an old species long known to
botanists, is not well known in gardens at the
present time.

A. SPixosus is a South European kind with
purplish blossoms and deeply cut leaves, the
divisions of which are terminated by a short, sharp
spine.

A. spiyosissiMUs. — A very old, though still
uncommon species in cultivation. It is perhaps
the most distinct, as it is also the most spiny
of the genus. It blooms in autumn, the
beautiful rose-coloured blossoms being densely
set on a long spike. The radical leaves are of a
silvery hue, and the spines with which the deeply
laciniated and pinnatifid leaves are clothed a ery
acute and recurved. It is a handsome and striking
species from South Europe — E. J.

They have long been grown in English

gardens, but it is now rare to find the
plants well placed as regards effect — a point so
little thought of by gardeners generally. Spending

many nights over wretched diagrams in which
colour is treated as ignoble, flat colour only, the
way the decorator has to look at it mostly, how
few turn their thoughts to the far higher and
more interesting question of how to place well,
things that have l)eauty of form as well as colour.
There are many instances in our gardens of
|)lants of great beauty of form never being noticed
owing to the thoughtless way in which they are
ci'owded among other things or seen in single
starved specimens. Among these plants we find
the Acanthus, often starved and ill-placed and even
flowerless, though well placed and in handsome
bloom it is often striking for its beauty of
flower. Indeed, we cannot get the best of it
unless by putting it in conditions in which
it flowers well, tliat is to say, sunny places
and warm soils if we have any, although
this it does not always exact, and we have
it growing \ery freely on coldish soil. There
are several kinds of Acanthus, but really not
much distinction from the ])oint of view of effect,
and the best way is to take the boldest forms,
liarticularly the one called latifolius, making,
from the gardening point of view, always far
more of their effect than of any botanical dis-
tinctions. As to where to place Acanthuses, they
will do with the least care and give no trouble in
cultivation round fountain basins, at the foot of
stone walls or piers, or in sunny corners in court-
yards. These are among the places in which the
fine foliage will strike people most, and the plant
will be sii.ill more interesting if it flowers finely.
But wherever we place it it cannot fail to
be noticed if the plants have room and good soil
to thrive in, and, above all, are grouped together in
visible quantity.

Lilium lancifolium. — The varied forms of this
old-fashioned Lily are still hard to beat either for
pot cultiu'e or for planting in open sheltered
liorders of nice, light, well-drained compost. The
rubrum and album forms are now making a brave
show in the Castle Gardens, Norwich. They are
planted down the centres of narrow beds on well-
kept grass, being margined on either side b}- Rud-
beckia Newmani and other similar height her-
baceous plants. For placing in windows in front
halls or at the foot of staircases in large mansions
and grouping with other plants in autumn, these
Lilies, grown into large specimens by placing some
half-dozen bulbs in a 10-ineh or 12-inch pot, are
most useful. Two bulbs in a 6-inch pot produce
just the right sized plant for dotting in con\enient
places in artistic groups at exhibitions, suriounded
by graceful greenery to hide the somewhat rugged
stems. Well drained pots, a good loam and a
little decaved manure free from worms suit them
well.-C. C. H.

FLOWER GARDEN NOTES.
Here.iceous Phloxes. — I quite agree with Mr.
Jenkins in his remarks as to the advisability of re-
taining herbaceous Phlo.xes in the same quarters
for something like three or four seasons, and if
the practice leads to good results alike at Hamji-
ton and here, where the soil is dry and light, there
must be something to be said in its favour.
Annual renewal is certainly not satisfactory if big
masses of colour are required ; individual pips are
very fine, but the trusses are neither so large
nor the growth made nearly so vigorous. Where
plenty of time and labour is available to plant
very carefully, mulch heavily and give occasional
soaicings of li(|uid manure should the weather
prove hot and dry, I say nothing against annual
planting, but if the plants have in a great measure
to shift for themselves, it is certaiidy advisable to
lea\e them in the ground. Naturally, a shift
should always be given as soon as the clumps
show signs of deteriorating. I find it advisable
wlien planting to work in a little stuft' a bit stiller
than the natural soil and mulch hea\-ily.

Statice latii'olia. — I noted a week or two ago
how seedling ])lants of this Sea Lavender vary in
time of flowering, and have ))icked out several
distinct- things in a batch of seedlings so far as
their season is concerned, and also in the size and

depth of colour of the tiny individual flowers. I
A decided boon in connection with flowers of this i
type is a batch of Gypsophila under a north wall
which comes in much later than plants in tlie
open, and is just now (the second week in Sep-
tember) at its best.

HvDR.vxoEA PAN icuL.iTA. — Have any correspon-
dents experienced a difficulty with this plant in
the way of a sudden and mysterious collapse?
My plants have kept all right as yet, but one or
two friends chronicle disaster, and the worst p.art
of it is the collapse seems unaccountable. Cer-
tainly it could not have been owing to any severe
visitation of frost, as the winter was by no means
hard. Where a number of large plants go off in
prominent positions, a gap not easily filled late
in the year is made. I wonder if the jiractice
of very severe pruning, i.e., taking out every bit
of small, weakly growth and heading back the
strongest shoots to one or, at most, two buds, has
anything to do with the failure. We know that
plants of vigorous habit are sometimes apt to
resent such hard cutting in, and it struck me if
such treatment was continued for many seasons, it
might possiblj' be answerable for the collapse of
the Hydrangeas.

CiiRYSANTHEMrM Flora. — This is one of the
most useful of the early-flowering pompons foi
outdoor work and gives a bright mass of coloui
from the middle of July right away until nearh
the end of tlie season, ,a speciality being tlit
number of buds produced and the maimer ir
which they are all developed. In its special coloui
it recommends itself to the notice of those wh(
are sujiposed to keep the garden gay until thi,
approach of frost, the other best things from this I
standpoint being yellow Marguerites and Mrs '
(Jlibran Trop.X'olum.

MARiiUERiTEs.— Large plants of these wiU h
found extremely useful for standing about occa
sionally in glass porches, corridors, or in lai'tji
greenhouses anil conservatories, .and, givei
care in watering and enough warmth to kee|
away frost, they will give a fair display the greatt-
part of the winter. Plants in the open both ■
the white and yellow varieties that were put ou
early in fairly good soil will now be over 3 feet i
height and as much in diameter, and if they ar
cut round at twice, say, a fortnight, and a wee
before lifting, taken up and put into small tuli^
pans, or large pots, they will be found ver
serviceable. It is advisable to place them i
partial shade for a week or two after lifting ani ,
when housed a sharp look-out must be kept fo
maggots. Touching this pest, the same car
should be taken in propagating, any shoots sho«
ing a sign of the excrescence indicating tli
presence of the insect being cast on one side.

Pinks. — I never remember a better strike e
Pinks than we have this season. Older sort
alwa3's root well, but some of the newer kinds lu
not always so free, and it has sometimes bee
found advisable to layer in preference to propagat
ing from cuttings, or rather to ado|)t the forme
method in case the latter was a partial failure
With Her Majesty, Ernest Ladhams and Snowdoii
plenty of good stock for another season is therehj
secured. Albino, a new kind on trial this yea|
for the first time, is very distinct, pure white ii'
colour, petals smooth edged, habit free am
vigorous. It is a grand white button-hole flowei
the blooms very shapely and the calyx remain
intact with no sign of bursting. Pinks of what
ever shade are very acceptable border flowers, ani|
may be introduced into the foinial garden witl|
the best results if something is planted to giv |
a contrast with flower or foliage or with both, i
know of nothing lietter for the purpose thai|
Lobelia carelinalis.

UsEFi'L i-iNE-FOLi.AGED PLANT.S. — The mentioii
aliove of Gypsophila and the Sea Lavenders, an(,
the knowledge of the many uses to which thej[ar
]iut in connection with cut-flower work, remind,
one of several fine-foliaged things that pi'ovi
very useful. The lemon-scented Eucalyptus emit?
I think, even a more powerful odour of this pm
ticular nature than the Aloysia, and side shoot
of fair length mix well with many differen

SEPTEMIiER 25, 1897.1

THE GARDEN.

241

lowci'M. It is ail\ isalilr tii sow tliis early and j^'niw
t alonir (|iiicl;ly ln'turr ]ilaTitiiij,'. so tliat these
lime side slioots slioidd Ije <|uiekly developed. It
rould <loul)tless, like tlie Aloysia, come tliroiij;li
II ordinai-y wiiitei- safely with a little ])roteetioii.
'he e.\|)eriincnt mij;lit be tried liy planting; close
p to the aiiftle of a wall, not that the jilaiit should
e conlincil at all to this thronuh the siinimer, l>ul
■ the branehesare loosely tied up at the approarh
f winter they eould he sluii'^ to the wall and pro-
sction more readily atl'ordcd. Thaliotrum .acpiilei'i
)lium i.s not so linely cut as the .smaller varitty,
lit it is much more vigorous, and good long sprays
f the foliage are very aoce|)talile. It will do very
ell in partial shade. Tamari.x gallica dofs not
row so vigorously as in closer proNimity to the
•u, but I Hiul an occasional plant in the shrulilicry
oi-ders very useful. Of the scented Pelargoniums
"th finely-cut fol'age, perhaps the best for the
urposo under notice is Klicifolium. Fine long
laf-stalks, the better adapted for utilising with
owers, can be obtained 1)V pinching back and
ccasioniiUy removing side breaks.

E. BrRitEi.L.

AUGUST IN SOUTH DEVON.

I'RIKC. tlie month ruin has fallen to the extent
' 3"31 inches on "21) days, against 103 inches on
I days in August, ISItCi, the average fall for the
lonth being -J'T.") inches. For the first 8 months
: the year the rainfall has amounted to •23'84
iches, the average fall for the period being
)'81 inches, while in the corresponding S months
■ 1896 but<.)-17 inches fell.

Of sunshine there have been 217 hours 3.5minutes,
hich is considerably in excess of the a\erage of
)0 hours, and slight ly above the amount registered
August, 1891J — namely, 20!) hours 2.5 minutes,
or the past 8 months 1 3.'?0 hours of sunshine have
:en registered, against 13li4 hours 2.5 minutes for
le same period of 181 Id, and an average of
120 hours 55 minutes. The mean temperature
IS been about normal, being (ir2-' against G1'0°

\iigust, ISltO, and an average for the month of

' '. The highest screen reading was 721^' on
jc lith, and the lowest 49 •.5° on the 27tb. The
west grass reading was 47 4" on the same date,
id the highest sun temperature 120'4° on the !lth.
he total horizontal movement of the wind has
sen 7977 miles, which shows the month to have
ien considerably more boisterous than the
irresponding month during the last 2 years, but
)t quite so rough as August, 18'.I4. The windiest
ly was August 21, when 518 miles' run was re-
•rded in the 24 hours, the highest hourly rate
ing reached between 2 and .'! ]i.m. on the same
ly, when a speed of 20 miles was reached.
in the wild garden the tall blue Monkshood
.conitum Napellus) has been blooming in com-
iriy with the Golden Rod (Solidago ambigua),
lile the great Acanthuses, with which are asso-
ited Gunneras, Funkias and Canna Ehmanni,
.ve throMii up tall blossom-spires of white and
ack. Anemone japonica Honorine .Jobert, in
•ge clumps over 5 feet high, is covered with its
lite golden-centred blossoms, dozens of which
e cut daily for indoor decoration, their pure
louring and simple form rendering them
linently suitalile for artistic floral arrangements.
shillea ptarmica fl.-pl. The Pearl continued in
pom well into August, and the white Antir-
inum is still in flower, while the pale blue of
jathsea ctelestis gives a pleasing note of colour

the border. Alstnemeria aurantiaca was in
II bloom at the commencement of the month,

which time the hybrid varieties were ilower-

■8. The tuberous Begonias have done well, and

1 arge bed of erect-growing scarlets has been a

I7.e of colour, the fre(|uent rains having ke|it

■3 plants growing, whilst not diminishing their

ie flowering. Marguerite Carnations have been

roming well, and those that are to be potted up

■IS month, from which the flower-buds have

en picked oti as they formed, are healthy, bushy

mts that HJll furnish a good supplj- of welcome

l>om during the coming dark davs. In potting

l;se care should be taken not to use too large

pots, one of the secrets of success being that the
roots should I horonghly permeate the soil before
growth is linished for the year. The large-
flowered Cannas are still beautiful, and show-
to the best advantage when associated with the
dark-foliagcd l\icinus Gibsoni. The flne-leaved
Canna Khma'ini ir-idiflora is an object of beauty,
but has not bloomed with such freedom
as was the case in the ])r('ecding year. The
tall ilower-spikes of Chelone barbata, with theii-
pendent scarlet blossoms, create a charming ett'ect
when a breadth a yard or so in diameter is grown.
Campanula jiyramidalis, with its tall spikes of
white, purple and French-grey flowers, some
0 feet in height, has been a tine sight at the back
of the herbaceous Ijortler, some of the plants that
have been two j'ears in the ground having thrown
up as many as twenty flower-spikes. This Cam-
])anula is often seen growing well as a pot plant in
cottage windows, the tall flowering stem being
btnt o\er till it arches from side to side of the
lattice in a floral wreath. Campanula turbinata
and C. t. alba have also been in flow-er. The
strong-growing Chrysanthemum maximum has
borne its white Daisy-like flowers in profusion,
but is a ]ilant that reiiuires earlj' and intelligent
support, failing which it assumes an untidy appear-
ance, that staking at a later date merely intensities.
This may also be said of the more valuable Pj're-
thrum uliginosum and of the taller of the perennial
Asters, of which A. Novi-Belgii Harpur-t'rewe
is now in bloom, as are the clwarf-growing A.
dumosus and the large-flowered A. Amellus bess-
arabicus. When tall-growing lierbaceous plants
are staked whilst making their growth, by several
green-painted Bamboo canes being thrust into
the clump and lightly looped together with tarred
twine, the shoots growing naturally amongst them
soon render them inconspicuous whilst receiving
the necessary support. Coreopsis grandiflora has
continued its displaj- throughout the month,
though giving signs that a limit will soon be set
to its continued floMering. A bed of Crinum
capense in the neighbourhood is now a striking
sight, a dozen great flower-scapes rising above the
wide curving leafage. Cypella Herberti, alluded
to in my July notes, flowered continuously through
the month, and is still expanding blooms. The
rosy purple of the autumn Crocuses (Colchicum
autumnale) is evident here and there, and on
grassy banks the colour is Sc t off to the best advan-
tage, contrasting prettily with the vivid green.

Cactus Dahlias are now at the zenith of their
beauty, and new and valuable varieties being
added each year, there is now a lengthy list to
choose from. It must be admitted that as regards
form and colour. .Juarezi, the originator of the
race, has never been excelled, but in habit this
plant leaves much to be desired, being a sparse
bloomer and usually having its short-stalked
flowers hidden by foliage. Good scarlets are
(iloriosa, Professor Baldwin and Startish, while in
Mrs. A. Beck the scarlet possesses a tone of
orange. Mayor Haskins, crimson, and Harry
St rudwick, dark crimson, are also good varieties.
Nothing has yet been produced to beat the \ elvet-
maroon Matchless, but Bridesmaid, sulphur and
pink, appears to be an improvement on Deli-
cata, the flowers of which latter are often hidden
by its leafage, and occasionally revert in shape
to the decorative tyjie. Of yellows. Lady Pen-
zance and Blanche Keith are excellent in form and
colour, whilst .John H. Roach, rathei- lighter in
tint, is akso good. Beauty of Arundel is a glow-
ing hike in colour, but is surpassed in shape by
the new Cycle, which is much similar in hue.
Less progress has been made in whites than in
any other colour. F. C. Smale belongs rather to
the decorative than (Cactus type. Mrs. A. Peart
almost invariably cimics with an open eye, and
Jlrs. F. Fell, though at its best a pleasing ivory-
white of good shape, is often unsiitisfactorv. A
few blooms of Doronicum plantagineum Harpur-
Crewc have been forthcoming from time to time,
and Erigeron speciosus in shady spots continued
its flowering well into August, while the Mexican
Daisy (Erigeron mueronatus) has been in full
bloom throughout the month. (Jalega otticinalis

alba produceil its pea-shapud blossoms in profu-
sion, associating well with late-flowering (ilants
of Lychnis chalcedonica, while the stately
beauty of the white Capg Hyacinths ((lal-
tonia candicans) was cnhanci^d by the glow-
ing scarlet of (iladiolus brenchleyensis, and in
another situation bj' the blue of Salvia patens.
Tlie orange and black of Gazania splendens and
the crimson and gold of the < Jaillardias formed
blight brisadths of colour in the border, while the
fcarlet (ieum coecineum gave a high note of
colour. Gyp-sophihi paniculata, a fairy-like sight
at the commencement of the month, with its
myriad minute blossoms and delicate tracer}' of
its thread-like flower stems, was soon past its
best, to be succeeded by the Ijeautiful Sea Laven-
der (.Statice latifolia), who.se inflorescence, though
perhaps kicking the ex(|uisite retinement of the
Ilower-lace of the (<ypsophila, is very lovely and
well adapted for decoration when cut. The
Hydrangeas have throughout the month been
flowering grandly, liillows of pale blue bloam
around the Elm tree boles, massive blooms vary-
ing in colour on ditt'erent plants, ranging from
bright pink to white, from grey to Forget-me-not
blue, while on some large Inishes flowers of \ arious
tints were to be seen. The perennial Sunflowers
give the garden a golden glow, Holiantluis miil-
tiflorus and H. m. .Soleil d'Or, H. hetiflorus ;ind
H. rigidus being in full bloom, while H. rigidus
Miss Mellisli has commenced to expand its fine
blossoms, and H. giganteus has its tall line
fringed with pale saffron. The glowing spikes of
the Torch Lilies (Kniphofia) gi\e fine colour to
the garden, and appear to best advantage when
seen afar against a background of evergreens.
Of the Lilies, L. pardalinum, L. canadense, and
L. superbum were in flower at the commencement
of August, the former being especially fine, some
of the stems reaching a height of 7 feet and bear-
ing as many as forty blooms. The handsome
scarlet Turk"s-cap (L. chalcedonicum), with its
vivid vermilion blossoms, has also flowered well,
and, its blooms having the desirable (juality of
lasting well, remained an object of beauty through
the greater part of the month. L. Humboldti,
with its orange-purple spotted flowers, grew to a
height of (j feet and blossomed well, as did L.
auratum from a batch of cheap imported bulbs
planted in 1892. These from the first have done
fairly well, though planted in ordinary garden
soil with little care ; whereas some fine home-
grown bulbs procured at the same time, which
were planted in a specially prepared bed, each
bulb being surrounded with silver sand, dis-
appeared entirelj' after the first jear. L. specio-
[ sum has been flowering well, as has L. tigrinum
! splendens, while L. tigrinum Fortune!, the best
of the Tiger Lilies w itb me, has just commenced its
display. Lobelia fulgens is now the most brilliant
sight in the garden, many dozens of tall vermilion
flower-spikes rising out of a bed of Sahia patens.
Lobelia rosea is also flowering well, but the soft
jiink has a washed-out look after the eyes have
been dazzled by the vivid tint of its more showy
sister. The old crimson Bergamot (Monarda
didyma) concluded its flowering in the first week
of the month, but its white variety and M. hirta
were in liloom until its close, while the orange-
scarlet Montbretias brightened the garden with
their handsome flower-scapes during the greater
[lart of August, and Oxalis floribunda rosea was
still a treacith of bright ]jiiik. Phygelius capen-
sis has produced its showy crimson flower ra-
cemes, and the dwarf Polygonum capitatum has
carpeted a bank with its modest blossoms, while
the calyces of the \\'inter Cherry (Pliysalis .\lke-
kengi) are already showing an orange stain.
Plumbago Larpent;e has covered a portion of the
rockery with its deep blue, and Plumbago capen-
sis has shown ott' its charming light blue flower-
clusters to the liest advantage against a red clifl'
facing the south-west (ICnothera Lamarckiana
has, after being relieved of its first flower-spike,
liloomed freely from side shoots, anfl the single
and double forms of Iceland Poppy (P. nudicaule),
though not as showy as in th(^ past month,
have expanded a fair amount of blooms, while a

242

THE GAEDET^.

[September 2j, 1897

few fragile blossoms have appeared now and again
on the clumps of Papaver pilosum, and the Welsh
Poppj" (Meconopsis camlirica) has borne occa-
sional pendent yellow flowers. The Tufted Pansies
are still blooming in shady nooks, while the her-
baceous Phloxes, crimson, salmon, and white, have
been fine masses of colour, and the yellow Paris
Daisies, now large bushes, have been thickly
studded with their clear saffron stars. The Sweet-
scented Tobacco (Nicotiana affinis) still renders
the ^fast-shortening evenings odorous with its

FritiUaria kamtschatcensis.

sweet perfume, mingling its essence with that of
the second bloom of the old double Rocket. Rud-
beckia Newmani, in masses a yard in diameter,
has been covered with its orange, black-centred
flowers, and the delicate blue of Scabiosa caucasica
has acted as a foil to the gorgeous colouring of the
Tigridias. Sedum Sieboldi is now coming into
bloom, and Tradescantia virginica has produced
a second crop of deep violet-purple blossoms.
whileZauschneriacalifornica, which growsstrongly
here, is bearing a good crop of scarlet flowers.
The Plume Poppy (Bocconia cordata) has
flourished amazingly this year, some of its shoots
being 8 feet in height. Associated with Bamboos
and tine-foliaged plants it is most efteetive, its
glaucous leaves, with their white undersides, and
the ivory and brown of its large flower-panicles
being in marked contrast to its surroundings.
Erythrina Crista-galli has grown over 5 feet high,
and has produced a quantity of handsome crimson
flower-spikes, some of them over 2 feet in length.
This plant is very showy in the garden, and liere
passes the winter in the open air with impunity.
The spikes, cut at their full length, make a telling
arrangement for a tall vase. The Tea Roses have
been rather spoilt by the rain storms and bluster-

ing winds, but sufficient have alwaj's been fortli-
coming for indoor decoration. The single white
Macartney Rose is blooming freely, no day passing
without some chaste blossoms expanding. The
Salpiglossis still holds its place as the handsomest
annual in the borders, but the scarlet Zinnias are
at this season of the year most showy, and the Ivy-
leaved Pelargonium Souvenir de Charles Turner
has a delightful distant effect when hanging, a
mass of cherry-pink flower-trusses, over grey
stone. Solanum jasminoides has increased in
beauty for the last three months, and now from
eave to Ijasement is studded with white flower-
clusters swaying loosely from its (jendent shoots.
Tlie scarlet Tropieolum Lobljianum has had a
brilliant effect, as has a late-flowering shoot of T.
speciosum, while T. tuberosum is bright with its
orange and scarlet blossoms, standing out on long
stems from the blue-green leaves, and T. canari-
ense threads a golden trail through a dark-leaved
Berberis. Eccremocarpus seaber, though less
striking than the climbers mentioned, is not un-
pleasing in colour, and is here a hardy perennial.
The Everlasting Pea (Lathyrus latifolius) has
covered an old outhouse with its white blooms,
through which here and there the red and yellow
flowers of Mina lobata show. Physianthusalbens
flowers and fruits abundantly in the open, and is
now a mass of blossom on a perpendicular cliff
wall. Tall specimens of Aralia spinosa. Palm-
like in appearance, have been blooming freely,
and large bushes of Hibiscus syriacus have been
white withflower. The standard Magnolia grandi-
flora has generally eight to twelve creamy -white
cups open above its glossy leaves, and in the
neighbourhood Catalpa bignonioides has been in
blossom. S. W. F.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1137.

FRITILL ARIAS.

(with a COLOUKED plate of F. WALU.JEWI.*)

Among hardy spring-flowering bulbous plants,
few genera possess so large a number of lieauti

ful and interesting spe-

cies. Some few kinds are
well suited for naturalis-
ing in .semi-wild or wood-
land gardens, and in such
places, where the Bracken
grows several feet high
each year, various kinds
of Fritillarias will grow,
flower and increase ad-
mirably. For such pur-
poses the Snake's - head
Fritillary (F. Meleagris
and varieties), also the
Crown Imperial group
(P. imperialis), are well
suited. A mixed arrange-
ment of white and col-
oured kinds of F. Me-
leagris in the grass in
spring is very pleasing,
while there are still a few
that have an especial
value when grown in
pots. The group itself,
though extensive and
varied, even now affords
great scope for improve-
ment. The need for a
series of kinds having
brighter and even more

attractive colours for the garden i.s ajiparent
when one looks at the ince.ssant green or dingy

purple tints m the hope of catching a trace i
something whereby to identify a certain kin
hereafter, though generally in vain. And whe
purple and green, or possibly a sort of leade
hue, are combined, it is difficidt indeed t
describe that flower. Even in the Crow
Imperial section there is plenty of room f
improvement in the rather dull red shades (
some of the kinds, to which a pure white or
good scarlet would prove decided acquisition;
In respect to theii'

Cultivation, II

the laajority will grow quite freely in war
jiositions in sandy loam, and with soil of go'
depth also ; indeed, most garden soils, pp
vided these are not too cold and retei
five, will accommodate a fair number ■
the ordinary kinds, such as F. Meleagri
F. imjjerialis, and others. The latter are, as
group, somewhat partial to a rich as well .
deep soil, and in such not only build i
bulbs of great proportions, but produce vif!!
ous stems and hand.some heads of blossoi
Too frequently these are wrongly placed in tl
garden. Sonre attention should be paid
planting in a position where they are shade
from the mid-day sun. Frequently the
Crown Imperials may be seen [ilanted on
south border near a wall, and in such plaoe.s t"
flowers are not only small in proportion, )i
short-lived and generally disap]jointing.
the .spring garden these Crown Imperials ^
unique, and for this reason alone the bo!
vigorous heads of blossom are wortli considi
tion. Worthy of special mention here is thr
latifolia section. Its bold, vigorous habit aj
varied inclination should render it a go
parent, particularly so the variety known
nobilis, with its deep crimson-coloured hi
soms. Indeed, in this group alone there
material for improvement that should not
lost sight of, the flowers being bold in mii
instances and of good substance, together \vi
perfect hardiness. Only a few, and these t

* Drawu for The Garden iu Messrs. Barr and
Sons' nursery at Thame.s Ditton by H. G. Moon.
Lithograplied and printed hy J. L. Goffart.

FritiUana JilcU'ayris,

most precious, of the dwarf species appear
demand something more than ordinary car
that is if we would have them in perfection.
refer to such beautiful kinds as aurea, pudii
Moggridgei, recurva, and such like species ; '•

( . ^45; '"•'''

/

'^TT^ A.^f^IA WALUJEWir

September 25, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

243

ise are tUvarf, ami aiming tlio most beautiful

this guiuis for |)ot work or the rock garden ;

1 ; as some at least of these and others need

ro than ordinary care, it will be best referred

smaller-growing and rare speeies tliat they be
[ilanted in this or the following montli.

The following are some of the most
beautiful sjiecies and varieties, some at least of

P'

Fritillaria imperialis.

■fen detail later on. Among other things of

nary importance in their cultivation is that

of ilanthig. Some species and usually their

eties may be kept a long time in the dry

ate with impunity. Among these, imperialis

Vf eties and Meleagris also may constitute

filing illustrations. These kinds I have ke])t

■' '• dry till very late in the year, and in the

•f F. imperialis, which has been kept dry

- .lie express object of its flowering late for a

cej.iin spring exhiljition, the results have been

iisinstructive as they were surprising. Of

'■, such a finelj' formed bulb has an abund-

of st(jred-up energy that a week, more or

in the dry state would mean nothing at all,

this, indeed, has been on more than one

sion alnnidantly proved. Kept perfectly

and without emitting a single root in a

ceir uniformly cool and airy, and therefore

of the Soil for nearly two months after

majority of sucli things had been planted,

as hardly expected that less th;in a week

Id separate their time of flowering in both

lies. Yet this is exactly wliat happened,

not only with Fritillarias, but with most

us iilantsitisthu .same, there being no com-

'II wliatever between the time of retarding

'iat<)f .-ictual flowering. The most noticeable

re with such things is a shortened growth,

I is tlie least desired. It is very interesting,

;ver, to note that while increased warmth will

bo

lia;n flowering in sucli things, the cold ai

we

it ^11

he.

shi

as dryness at the root have not a retardin^
iiitjence in like degree. And very singular is
it the stjiture of the plant only, and not tlie
of bloom (jr the period of blooming,
. . fl have Ijeen changed. In other kinds
dit -ently constructed, as, e.g., F. recurva and
•s, prolonged delay in planting is not only
■ious, but almost fatal ; and while one may
reciimend September for planting generally
ood and safe time, it is essential with the

which should be found in every garden. Taking
them in alphabetical order —

Fritillaria alpina comes fir.st. This is a neat
antl pretty species, of dwarf growth, and
bearing drooping flowers that are chocolate
on the outside and yellow within, while its
margin of brighter yellow gives the flower
a ijretty effect. It blooms quite early in
spring and is of easy culture.

F. .\RMENA, from Asia ilinor, is also a
dwarf form, producing pretty freely its
soft yellow bell-shaped blossoms on frail
stems less than G inches high. This kind
is best suited for sunny spots in the rock
garden or for planting freely in pots or
pans tor very early flowering. A soil of
peat and loam suits this admirably. Next
in order is

F. AUREA, undoubtedly one of the gems
of the whole race and certainly the best of
the dwarf flowering species. As a pul
plant in the cool house quite early in th>'
year it will hold its own with any, whil.-
the lovely masses that have been grown at
Kew of late years stamp this as one of
the most exquisite of hardy si)ring bulbs.
Ecpially good and efl'ective is it in the
open, though from its naturally dwarf
habit of growth such beautiful plant -
a|i|)earto require a dwarf evergreen carp> i
through which they may spring and tliuL
would gi\-e protection to the lo\ely golden
flowers of this handsome s|)ecies. F.iit
such carpets must of necessity be plani-
of very dwarf crec|)ing growth, such a-
some of the smaller mossy Saxifrages or
Aubrietias, that do not mind frequent
disturbance and are easily replaced. Of
course, a neat grassy slojje, where Prim- '--
roses, Snow (ilory, and Snowdrops abound,
would be a veritable home for such a
])lant, though, failing this, a carpet of
Seduin acre (not the golden form to clash with the
lovely blooms of the plant in ipiestion), or, again,
Sedum hispanicum or its varietj- glaucum would

make the most perfect carpet possible, taking the
least from tlie .soil and giving the least possible
resistance to the jilants below. No member of
tliis genus is worth greater care than this one,
and !i free, rich soil of sandy peat and loam with
a little manure a<ided will be found tlie most
suitable. It is a native of Silesia, with largo
drooping golden blossoms faintly chequered with
lirown.

F. ciTKiN'A, as also its variety reticulata, have
prettily formed llowers, distitictly bell-sliaped,
the former citron-green, the latter yellowish and
striped with reddish-brown. It is about 9 inches
high and flowers in .Viiril.

F. IMPERIALIS and varieties constitute, for the
border at least, the showiest an<l boldest of this
useful race of plants. The value of their free and
quick growth in early spring cannot well be over-
estimated, the established plants or strong bulbs
rising to nearly 4 feet high, with handsome foliage
and stout, fresh green .stems, terminated by a
cluster of handsome drooping flowers, and above
all a feathered tuft of leaves at the summit of the
stem. The blossoms, which in all the varieties
are by far the largest of the genus, are of various
shades of colour, and either in mixture or alone
make quite an imjiosing display. Of considerable
worth are such things in semi-wild places or in
the shrubbery border where the bold spikes of
blossom will not fail to attract attention. Natur-
ally such vigorous-growing subjects do best in a
deep, well-enriched soil, and though somewhat
op|)osed to frequent removal, should be replanted
at least every three years. Rei>lanting may be
done in August and September, placing the bulbs
about 6 inches deep, while Iiullis in the dry state
may be planted for some weeks longer. The
shades of colour include yellow, sulphur, red,
orange-red, and so on, while a variety with red
blossoms and beautifully variegated foliage is well
worth growing.

Another group that promises to assume con-
siderable importance is

F. L.VTIFOLIA ; indeed, already it contains a
good varietv of different shades of colour. Bo-

I'l'itUlaria Mcleaijri.-^ alba,

tanically this is included under the Caucasian
species F. lutea, a somewhat variable plant,
while the variety latifolia has gi\ en many shades

244

THE GATJDEN".

[September 25, 1897.

of lilac, purple, yellow, and black flowers. Too
numerous for the purposes of this note are the
varieties that ha\e already received distincti\e
names. One handsome kind, however, F. latifolia
nobilis, has this year been honoured by the award
of merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
This has handsome blossoms, deep blood-red
in colour, beautifully tessellated internalh", and
quite hardy, as, indeed, are all the set, and about
9 inches high. This kind has been very notice-
able both at Kew and Ditton during the past
spring. Many varieties of this group attain to
nearly a foot high, and by their bold varied
blossoms are very attractive quite early in the
year.

F. Meleai:ris (Snake's-head Fritillaria), with
all its beautiful forms, is from an all-round point
of view perhaps the most useful for tlie garden,
and likewise for cutting. To the British gar-
dener this ])lant should prove doubly interesting
on account of its being a native of some parts,
though more particularly of the Oxford meadows
and pastures, a fact alone that should at once
indicate its value in semi-wild or grassy parts of
the garden. Though becoming more and more
scarce in the wild state in Britain, the important
fact of its being found fretjuently in moist
meadows should not be lost sight of when cul-
tivating the plant in all its forms ; while its fond-
ness for a certain degree of moisture, or even
shade in lieu of the latter, may frequently be
noted in any garden where opposite conditions
are afforded it. The wliole group is of the easiest
culture, growing and flowering freely in smy good
loamy soil, always bolder where shade and some
moisture are at hand. Graceful and elegant in
habit, and attaining to nearly 2 feet high when
established, the species may often be seen in
cottage gardens in spring-time, flourishing year
after year with little or no care. Particularly
good is the nearly pure white variety, which has
scarcely any other marking when freely grouped
in grassy spots in partial shade. In the garden
proper or for vases this may be also used to
advantage ; and, further, it is well worth isolating
and seeding freely in the hope of a still purer
and better white being secured. Of the inter-
mediate shades there are many, and these being
obtainable at a very cheap rate, may be freely
used in \arious parts of the garden. Planting at
4 inches deep may be done from August to end
of October.

F. Mo(:i:RiD(iKi is a beautiful kind fairly well
known in cultivation, with handsome drooping
blossoms of golden-yellow, prettily chetjuered
with chestnut-brown on the inner surface. It is a
dwarf and valuable kind, reiiuiring treatment
identical with F. aurea above noted. It is a
native of the Maritime Alps, and one of the
choicest of this family.

F. OKANENsis is a pretty Algerian species, grow-
ing 8 inches or 9 inches high and producing
rather small though pretty flowers of yellow and
purple-brown.

F. PALLIDIFLOEA is a distinct species from
Siberia. It grows about a foot high, and has pale
yellow blossoms prettily chequered internally.
The flowers of this are more widely extended at the
mouth and squarely shouldered, owing to the
keel-like prominence of tlie base of the segments
externally, the broad foliage being of a distinctly
glaucous shade.

F. PUDICA is a chaste and lovely species, (he
blossoms of a clear golden-yellow, about three-
quarters of an inch across and distinctly cam-
panulate in form. For its small size the blossoms
possess considerable substance, and when grown
in frames quite early in the year last a long time
in perfection. It is" in every respect a superior
plant to the greenish-yellow F. annena, the latter
also more frail, while the above has a stiff', erect
leafy stem about G inches high. Foi pot culture
or the choicest positions in the rock garden this
really delightful plant is well suited. During the
past two years this species has proved one of the
most attractive in the early spring exhibitions,
while in the present year Messrs. Wallace Virought
up handsome masses of it to show its permanent

value when thus grown. Not the least attractive
])art of the plant is the pleasing fragrance of its
golden bells which have a neat and pretty appear-
ance at the summit of the linear and somewhat
glaucous leaves and stems. The plant is a native
of the Rocky Mountains and portions of California,
where it forms a great attraction in the early
spring flora. It is q\iite hardy, and, grown in a
rather rich mixture of loam and leaf soil with plenty
of sand and a little manure, makes a charming
show of its blossoms, these appearing in profusion
for some time. The species, which has several
varieties little known in cultivation, is readily in-
creased by the small offsets that occasionally
spring up like seedlings about the base of the
larger bulbs.

F. PYRENAicA is a distinct species, with hand-
some plum-coloured flowers, beautifully reticu-
lated internally, which is also of a yellow shade.
The flowers are somewhat reflexed at tlie mouth.
It is an easily-grown kind, flowering in May and
early .June. Height, IJ feet. Southern France
and Sjiain.

F. RECURVA is one of the rarest to flower, and,
perhaps, also one of the most ditticult to manage.
The stronger bulbs should be planted 4 inches
deep in a perfectly drained position in the rock
garden, where the proximity of a large stone will
attbrd some shelter. The species is as distinct in
its somewhat flattened bulbs, which in this kind
is an aggregation of fleshy, roundish nodules,
as it is in the scarlet recurving flowers,
which are very beautiful when the plant
becomes quite strong and established. In Mr.
Barr's nursery at Ditton this year, in one of the
many shelters that obtain there, the plant was
growing nicely in a light peaty mixture, some of
the stems bearing as many as live of the beautiful
flowers. In its Californian home the plant is
said to produce stems 2 feet high and as many as
nine blossoms on a stem. The largest I have
seen, however, were less than half this height, but
doubtless in favoured parts of these islands where
the plant may also be treated specially^ in a sandy
peat and loam of good depth, with moisture
during the spring months, an improvement may
be noticed. Left alone for a year or two, the
plants may eventually flower more satisfactorily.
After flowering the bulbs incline to break up or
to give offsets more freely from the fleshy gjranules
which compose the root-stock in this species.

F. Sewerzowi. — Though distinct in flower, the
growth of this species is not unlike that of a
small F. inqierialis var., yet quite devoid of the
robust character of the latter. In the different
examples I have seen the flowers vary from
bronze-green to vinous purple and of a greenish
yellow shade within. The large drooping blos-
soms are disposed in a loose raceme and attain
2 feet high. It is a native of Turkestan.

F. Walujewi. — This, the beautiful and distinct
species to which prominence is given in the
coloured plate, belongs to the more recent addi-
tions to this group, though for some years known
to botanists. This beautiful species was exhibited
in Ajiril last before the Royal Horticultural
Society, when it obtained the award of merit.
It is worth a place in all collections. Exter-
nally the blossoms are whitish and shaded
with dove colour, internally prettily marked with
white on a crimson-brown ground. There are,
however, varying degrees of these shades in the
collected plants. The species is quite hardy,
succeeds well in loam and peat, attains 15 inches
high, and comes from Turkestan. The large,
solitary drooping blossoms are distinct and hand-
some in appearance, and, as seen in a large group
at Ditton in the past sjiring, produced a very
fine effect.

F. Whittalli, another modern introduction, is
got less beautiful than the last, from which, how-
ever, it is quite distinct, the blossoms, of a red-
brown on a yellow ground, being beautifully tes-
sellated on both surfaces. This very handsome
kind, which at present is not perhaps generally
known, received a first-class certificate from the
Royal Horticultural Society during the spring of

1896. The pilant is of easy culture and will foi
a good companion to the one abox-e-named.

In the abcive list will be found some of t
most worthy species, as also a few of the hki
recent novelties. A complete list has not bti
attempted, and of necessity many interestii
and beautiful things have been passed ovi
Those, however, who desire fuller infoniiati.
of these important spring flowers should i-
deavour to arrange a series of visits to Kew
Ditton early in the year, where very full colk
tioiis may be seen in bloom. At Kew GarcU'
such distinct kinds as tenella, jilurifolia, rut
eiiica, Thunliergi, conica with others have be
noted during the present year. In this way
will be easy to avoid the dull and useless kin
that possess little or no value for the flon
garden or even the woodland. E. J.

The Week's Work.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

General work. — Although we are now i
periencing a pleasant change in the weather, t
season is too far advanced to expect a long ci
tinuance of balmy days and the absence of fn
at night ; therefore it is well to be on the alert
having spare lights or other protecting matei t
ready for placing over tender crops, such
French Beans, Vegetable Marrows, and ev <
Cucumbers growing in frames. I..ate sowings
French Beans will pay well for having a fra
placed over them, as with this protection tl
will afford \ aluable gatherings for weeks to coi
and thus save to a great extent forcing them
houses for some time at least. On the appro; .
of frost, good gatherings of these as well j
Runner Beans should be made before they . i
injured, and if spread thinly in a cool, dry ce' j
will last in good condition for several da ,
Although the heavy rains of late have pro' j
beneficial to most established crops the s ]
face soil has run together, especially on s
beds, and such as Onions, Lettuce, Spina
Turnips, and the like, will be greatly assisted
having the Dutch hoe used between the ro\
which will not only destroy small weeds, 1
growth will be accelerated by loosening the s
face. Most autumn sowings have come up wi ,
but should there be any blanks in the rows
Tripoli Onions these should lie filled ap by lift'l
the plants carefully with a pointed stick wh
they have come up thickly. A showery da}
best for doing the work, and the plants shoi
not be buried too deeply.

Winter salads. — It is not wise to wait ui
we get frost before half-grown Lettuce and End
are lifted and transplanted into pits and fram
Such work can be done more satisfactorily wl
the ground is not too wet, and it also allows 1
plants to make some roots while the weather
favouraljle. The plants do not keep well wl
crowded together, as a spell of wet or se\"
weather causes many of them to decay. Ei
plant should be lifted with a good ball and ca
fully planted with a trowel, allowing 1 inch ,
2 inches space between each so that light and i
can reach the soil. One watering may be nee j
sary to settle the soil round the roots, but j
planting early the lights may be drawn off dun ^
showery weather, which gives the plants a sto,
As good salad is generally scarce during spr"
it is always worth the trouble and seed to me
another sowing in a warm cornei- or frame at t|
present time, as the seedlings will form nice av:
jjlants, and when they stand tlirough the win'j
they turn in more quickly and \yith far I'l
trouble than sowing early in spring in heat. ■
the Year Round and Lee's Immense are l*;
suitable xarieties, as they are very hardy. 1^"^'.
is not appreciated in the salad unless it w «|
blanched. The Moss Curled is very popular,
it becomes beautifully white and is less coarse
texture than the Broad-leaved Batavian, thou

tPTEMBKR 25, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

245

uires more protection duriiij;; hunl weather.

^ lire various ways of blancliiiifc Enilive, some

place a tile or" slate over eaeli i)Iant, wliieh

■rs wliiii there is an absence of fi'ost. In-

,1 tlovvcr-pots arc also used successfully so

IS li"'lit does not reach the plants, which is

iiteiT by puttiiij; pieces of slate over the

a^'e hole, but as it is desirable to lvee[> the

at an e\0M temperatvn-e, a jfood thickness

should be spread over tlie pots, whicli

1st in obscuiini:; lij^lit, prevent the sun

iinir unduly upon them, and at the same

id oil' frosts. Mustard and Cress are always

■ mil as they are <;rowri so easily, a sowing

mu or twice a week, accordinj; to recpiire-

n<>U, should be made durinj;- the winter. ■ It will

' . too late to i;row this in cold frames, as it

ill' quickly in a low temperature, therefore

, lioxes lilied with rich soil should be used,

in se stood in gentle beat. Fresh soil should

> il at each sowing or the results will not be

atiactory.

WTKRCUESS. — This is appreciated on most
ali, while it is often required in the kitchen
nriirnishing, &c. 1 liave also known gardens

I daily sup|:ily had to be maintained, and
■ re the nictbods employed to have it in
iiditiou throughout the winter. Here the
.ins of olitaining it is by making frequent
lulls at the base of a back wall in the fruit

loLfS. Cuttings are dibbled into sandy soil

iK(i an inch a])art and given abundance of

(irown thus, tlie foliage is delicate in

iiid flavour, and being tender is more

atetl than that found in watercourses, and

ilso be produced when none is to be found

• ipen.

iii.owEHs. — Plants from seed sown during
>.if Walchcren will now be ready for prick-
into their winter quarters. Nine plants

II rally set out under a handlight, and in
iig the four corner and centre plants are
I and the other four transplanted. A
irder should be selected where the ground

\ rich. Mark off the stations where the

_lits will be placed in lines so that there

not less than 2 feet of space between them.

iiing, lower the roots so that most of the

- buried, water the plants in and give the

soil lietween them a dusting of soot or

' keep off slugs. Where handlights are not

I", a shallow frame must be used to winter

lis in. It is not necessary to place this

I of manure, it being better to stand the

■n a hard surface in a sunny position and

about 6 inches of good soil; make this

rirm, then prick the plants out about

s apart. I am not in favour of very

ilants for this pur|)0se, as they become

liefore spring, and they do not prove so

tory as dwarf sturdy ones. It is not too

'v to make another sowing if one light of a

m be spared. This should produce nice

luts by the end of October. These, if care-

utilated during the winter, will make a

H-cession, and may be put out in March.

- Autumn (iiant will now be |ilentiful, and

' up a supply until the early Broccoli is

The plantation should be looked over

.1 lid the heads cut before they become too

It is a good jjlan to bend some of the

aves well over the heads while in a j'oung

^ this preserves the colour and also pro-

'■m from frost. If it is found tliat they

ling on too rapidly a sbght check can be

ly heeling them over, he.ads facing north,

inber may be dug up and stored in a cool

<.'.AiiB.\i:i; liKDS. — One is tempted some-
" destroy these as being unsightlj-, which
at mistake, as they may be made to supply
ible lot of sprouts most of the winter,
iwery weather of late has just suited them,
the decayed foliage is removed, and the
1 between them hoed, they will soon be
"d with young heads. Having stood so long,

uts are naturally somewhat exhausted,
■le produce will not be so tempting as

that produced on younger plants. This, how-
ever, can be met by feeding the plants, and
nothing suits tliem better than a good soaking of
farmyard li(|uiil. If Ihisisnot obtainable, adressing
of nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia will jirove
valuable. This, if hoed into the .surface, will be
washed down to the roots by the first rain, and a
prolonged supjily of a most valuable vegetable
will be the result. Kiciiard P.vkkkr.

FRUIT HOUSES.

Pi:.\cii iiorsKs. — The trees iu the early bouses
will be fast shedding their leaves, and although
they should not be forced from the trees, no harm
wili be done by smartly tapping the trellis two or
three times a day, which will dislodge all that are
rijie and ready to drop. Beyond tliis, all other
means should be discountenanced, and the leaves
should be left to mature and drop naturalh'.
After the leaves are all off, the trees should be
pruned and detached from the ti'ellis to undergo
whatever cleansing they may reipiire. After this
till up any gaps by lifting, if possible, suitable
trees from the outdoor walls, and, if the matter
has not already hatl attention, lift and lay out
afresh the roots of those trees demanding atten-
tion in this direction. If the house stands in need
of repairs or requires to be painted, this had best
be done before attempting to top-dress the
borders, and to prevent the borders oeing trod-
den into a solid mass place boards on the surface
for the workmen to walk upon. In successional
houses iJi'oceed with root-lifting, making additions
to borders, top - dressing, and plantine fresh
trees to make good deficiencies caused either by
death or the removal of unsuitable varieties.
Trees grown outdoors are the best for this purpose,
as they give by far the best results, while time is
saved when looking at the matter from a cropping
point of view. Where much Peach-forcing is
carried on it is an excellent plan to grow a
reserve stock of trees outdoors against a wall, so
that a full-sized tree is always ready to
hand when a gap occurs in the houses. For this
purpose I prefer to plant maidens, and if these
are well looked after and ])roperly trained, a fine
lot of trees can be obtained in from three to four
years from the time of planting. ' The initial outlay-
is small, and when compared with the expense in-
curredin the buying of a good-sized tree formaking
good a gap with there is a great saving. If but
ordinary-sized trees are purchased, a season or two
is lost before they commence to make adequate
returns in the shape of a crop of fruit, whereas a
full-sized home-grown tree will give a full crop of
fruit the first year if carefully lifted and properly
jilanted. This is also a good wa^' of furnishing
the trellises quickly in newly-erected houses, as a
' good crop of fruit results the first season.
When a new house or several houses are to be
erected, provision should be made the previous
autumn for growing the trees at home, if only for
one season, and if the houses and borders aie
ready, they can be lifted and planted early the
following autumn. In this case three or four-
year-old trees should be selected, and, in addi-
tion to planting them in heavy calcareous loam,
which will adhere well to the roots at lifting time,
pay them every attention during the growing
season in the way of keeping the young wood
thinly trained out and the foliage clean and clear
of insects. In late houses cut away all the use-
less wood from the trees as they become cleared
of fruit, and give them, if they need it, a good
hosing or a wash with the garden engine. Any
lifting or root-lifting may then be done, also
renovating and top-dressing of borders. Keep
tlic houses cool and well ventilatetl if the wood is
rijiening up well ; if not, a little tire-heat by day
will he a great help in conjunction with a free
circulation of air. See that the borders are kept
uniformly moist, and if the trees are in the habit
of liearing full crops of fruit annually, diluted
farmyard litpiid or diluted sewage may be gi\en
with beneficial results each time water is re-
quired. The remainder of the pot trees should
be attended to as soon as the fruits are gathered,

and should the uiifa\ourablc weather continue,
keep them undercover until their leaves fall and
all'ord them an abundance of air.

E.VHi.v vi.NKUv.— The leaves being off the
Vines, they may be pruned forthwith, after
which they should have a thorough cleaning.
The loose bark may be removed, but nothing
more than this unless that worst of all
Vine pests has gained a footing— the mealy bug.
A thorough scarv'h must then be made for these
insects lioth on the rods and spurs. They are
more likely to be found in greater numb-rs on the
latter, therefore particular attention should be
paid to the spurs on infested Vines. After clear-
ing away all loose bark, thoroughly scrub the
Vine with a warm solution of Killinright, mixed
at the rate of '2 ozs. to a gallon of warm water,
and work it well into every twist and crevice Ijoth
on rods and spurs. When dry, paint them with
a composition made of soft soap, clay, soot, and
sulphur in equal parts. Mix the ingredients
together with warm water until they assume the
consistency of paint, and ajifily with a sash tool.
The old mulch and all loose particles of soil on
the surface of the border should be cleared oil',
whether bug is present or not, and after the
house has lieen cleaned and ]iainted, if found
necessary, pick off with a fork as mu(^h of the
surface soil as can be done with safety and then
top-dress. Use good fibrous loam, with wood
ashes, bone-meal, and a little lime rubble added, and
make all firm by treading and beating it down
with the back of a five-tined fork. On very heavy
soils a little sand spread over the roots before
applying the top-dressing works wonders by in-
ducing them to send out a regular network of new
roots into the sand, after which they quickly
avail themselves of the fresh rich compost placed
immediately abo\'e it. Should the weather con-
.tinue wet, the border, if outside, had better be
j covered, as the continual rains will have the
ett'eet not only of saturating the soil, but will also
I lower the temperature of the same consider-
' ably. If fine weather should again set in, leave
the border uncovered in order that the sun may
' again warm the surface. Indoor borders, after being
top-dressed, should be mulched with horse drop-
pings, and if there is much traffic over them,
place boards for the attendants to walk ui)on, to
save the surface being trodden into an impervious
mass, through which water cannot percolate
properly when the time again arrives to commence
watering.

Border - .■vi.^kini:. -The rainj- weather has
caused a sus[)ension of this operation, but it
should be resumed again the first favourable
opportunit}- with a view to bring it to a speedy-
completion, as this kind of work is always best
done in autumn when circumstances w-ill allow.
Lifting where the roots have got into a bad state,
with the consequent making of new or partly new
borders', also adfling to existing borders, also
come under the same heading, and the sooner they
are done so much the better. The soil when
thrown together in the border starts fermenting
to a certain extent, and the slight heat generated
gives the roots a quick start. Proceed with the top-
dressing of older borders after removing as much
of theold, inert soil as isconsistent with .safety, and
make good all defects in turf walls at the outer
edges of the borders when such are used in lieu
of retaining walls of brick.

PiXKS. — A final potting up of suckers .should
take place, the nuinlier varying according to the
stock at command, also future reciuirements. If
a good stock is potted up now there will be no
further need for ()utting more in until the spring-
time. The finding of room for plunging these
will necessitate a rearrangement of the jjit or
lions'^ in which they are to lie grown, ami advan-
tage should be taken of this to give all present
inmates that are still in 4inch and .")-inch pots a
sliift into pots two and three sizes larger. They
will then take no harm until the time for spring
potting arrives, when they will re(piire the final
shift. The plants in succession pits or houses
intended for starting early in the year should be
got to rest at the end of the present month or not

246

THE GARUEK.

[September 25, 1897.

later than the beginning of the next. The batch
that will succeed these should also be treated in
like manner, allowing a further period of two or
three weeks before growth finally ceases for the
season. All shading can now be dispensed with.
In the fruiting house a warm atmosphere will
be necessary for the proper ripening of all
fruits. Smooth Cayenne and other winter-fruit-
ing kinds swelling their fruits must have liberal
treatment both in the way of feeding at the roots
and in the maintenance of a nice humid growmg
atmosphere, and to this end take every advantage
of sun-heat. A. W.

Orchard and Fruit Garden,

STEWING PEAES.

Stewing Pears are not so much cultivated as

they deserve. They keep without difficulty

well into the spring, and are not fastidious as

to storage, whilst there

is a great scarcity of fruit

from February to May

for cooking, a time when

these Pears are accejit-

able. In my earlier days

there was no difficulty in

finding a ready sale for

the best fruits, and the

smaller ones were kept

for home consumption.

The variety mostly grown

was the
Black Wokcestek. I

have seen it stated that

this variety is inferior to

Catillac, but I have not

found it so — at least, in

the fruit gardens and

orchards in Worcester-
shire and Herefordshire

it is much esteemed for its

good keeping and cool:-

ing qualities ; indeed, tlli^

fruit is rejiresented on the

City coat-of-arms, so that

it must be of ancient

origin. The fruits were

cooked as follows : A

quantity of fruit was

peeled, cut in half, and

put into large jars and

baked in the oven. When

cold they were delicious,

no colouring matter being

necessary. Pear pies were

also a great feature.

Black Worcester is also

grown under the name of

Verulam. I have never

grown a better fruiting

kind, as it rarely fails to

give a heavy crop. I now

come to a kind in favour in most gardens —

namely,

Uvedale's St. Germain. — I have the Worcester

and this on an east wall some 15 feet high, and

the crops are always fine. The Uvedale is a larger

fruit than the Worcester and a grand keeper, but
with me a shyer cropper. It is in season at much

the same time as the Worcester, and is a very

large, firm fruit, of good quality when cooked,

and may be termed a perfect stewing variety.

Catillac (see illustration) is also another Pear
of great merit, and being a large fruit well re-
pays growing on a wall. A wall, however, is
not necessary, as when grown in bush form or in
a dwarf state it gives a good return, and is a
late fruit, keeping good well into the spring. It
bears well when young. There is a much wider
selection of earlier fruits or those in use from
OctoVier to Christmas. Many of the tliird-rate
dessert kinds are only tit for stewing, but they
ack the quality of these later kinds, and are

more difficult to get of a good colour when cooked.
For early use

Grosse Calebasse is a valuable stewing variety,
that sells readily in the market if gathered before
it is ripe. It does well in bush or standard form.

GiLOOiL is much grown on the Continent.
This, I think, is the best stewing Pear grown, the
colour and flavour when cooked being first-rate.

Vicar of Winkfield is also a good, sound,
winter fruit, very large and of splendid quality
when cooked. For pies this variety is superior to
many, and makes a nice change when well served ;
besides, it is a heavy cropper, and a very fine
fruit when grown on a wall and grafted on the
Quince stock. The little-known

Directeur Alphand is a valuable baking Pear,
but with me it is neither so free as those named
nor so large.

Beurre Clairgeau well repays for growing in
quantity and is a sure cropper. It is a good
baking Pear for early use and always saleable,
being in season from October to January.

duction. It is of continental origin. I saw gia
specimens of this variety fruiting in pots a
determined to give it a trial. This autumn
hope to plant some trees in bush form, as it i>
splendid \ariety to follow Williams' Bon Chrctii
— G. Wytiies.

Pear Jersey Gratioli. — Many growers
not place the above Pear in the front rank
flavour, but with me it is so good and free
grittiness, which is not always the case, that ii
light poor soil I think it one of the most rehal
of our early autumn Pears. It alwaj's bear?
fair crop even in adverse seasons, and the frii
mature quickly after gathering. They are abc
medium size, melting and very sweet. It ha^
greenish-yellow, richly-ttavoured flesh, the'skii
rough russet. I prefer this variety grown in bush
pyramid form. Grown thus the fruits are super
in flavour and less gritty. On walls they n
come larger. It bears freely in the open on (
Quince stock, while on the Pear it grows
freely and is not so well flavoured. I have s^
this variety good grown as a standard in favo

Fruiting brunch of steu-ing Pear Catillac.

The above varieties may be planted with no
fear of failure, and are far more profitable than
many of the very small inferior dessert kinds.

W. S.

Pear Marguerite Marillat. — The above va-
riety was figuretl in these jiages last year and a
brief account of it given. The fruit is so hand-
some that it is well worth adding to Pear collec-
tions in favourable localities. In size it is not
unlike a well-grown Pitmaston, but the colour is
different. With me it more nearly resembles a well-
finished Louise Bonne of .Jersey, the spots being
bright, the skin a rich golden-yellow Hushed with
red, the flesh sugary with a rich aromatic flavour.
It is a grand addition to our early September
Pears. With me cordon trees only planted last
year have borne splendid fruits. It appears to be
a free grower on the Quince stock, and if it does
well in bush form it will prove a valuable intro-

able localities. In many catalogues its seasoi
given as October, but with me it is ripe i
(September 11). In heavier soils it is late
S. H. M.

Feeding Kaspberries. — These plantssuff(
much during ,June and July from drought
made but slow progress during August, out i
they are making up for lost time and grow
freely, especially where the canes which fru
have been cleared away as soon as the fruit
gathered. Now is a good time to arrest the i
growth, at the same time restricting the shoots
limited number, only leaving those intended
fruitingne.xt year. Raspberries are often allowe
remain so long in one place, that feeding is ne
sary to get the best results. Many can f
liquid manure at this date and the plants
take liberal supplies. Failing this, a good mi
of stable manure will do good in pushing
the new wood, as with cooler weather the pii
will grow freely forsome time. I ha^eseq

September 25, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

247

ited that excess of food now, means a soft, pithy
■owtli, but if the onnes are well thinned out I
iver saw late growtlis injured. There is amjile
ne to finish such canes, as I find tlio more
orous the canes the heavier the crop next
ison. — S. H.

Peach Violetts Hative. — As atjood all-round
rietv for general use this should lie freely
lilted. In tlic south of ICni^land in warm aspects
is ripe the second week in ,Se|)tember, but here
is not fit until the end of the month from out-
le. In an unheated house it is just ready.
le tree is hardy and fairly vigorous, and the
lit always sets freely either outside or under
iss. It is not one of the lari;est, but (luitc bi^-
i ough, takes on a tine dark refl colour on the sunny
;le, and the quality is excellent.— R., SiijI'o/l:.

:j;aches and nectarines on open

WALLS.
■feEEE are man}' \arictics of the.se that do nut
icceed well on o[)en walls in this district.
'ley live for a few years anil then die oH' alto-
jtlier. The springs have nuieli to do with this,
r the sap is excited early in the season by tlie
;nial weather we often get in February and
:OWth commences. Sharjj frost.s and cold
nds follow, so that in ,-i short time the young
liage is covered with blister. In some seasons
is is much worse than others, though it is
ildom we are free from it altogether. Some
Irieties are also much more subject to blister
'iin others, but none are altogether free. The

Irst are Early Rivers, Alexander, Royai
orge. Earl}' Silver, Sea Eagle and Prince of
lies ; while Nectarines Darwin, Pitmas-
I Orange, Spenser, Prince of Wales, Vic-
ia, Pine-apple, and several other.s suffer
erely. There is always some difficulty in
ting the wood to ripen thorc )Ughly on cold
Ihvj' soils and in exposed situations, a.s growth
iiio late before being arrestetl, and when the
wes are badly blistered it is often the end of
♦p summer before they receiver from the serious
<Bck received earlier in the season. When the
<pinuis are cold and wet, like that of last
4r, there is little wonder at the wood imt
iiening in such places, but this has notliing
iiatever to do with blister, for trees that are
hlthy and bloom freely are frequently
lacked in cold springs. Blister, liowever, is
It the only enemy the gardener has to contend
^;li, for often mildc«' makes its ajjpearance,
1 1 this is almost as serious as the other. There
i however, more chance of coping with mildew
tin with blister, for so long as the cold winds
IJvail blister will continue, while suljihur
tited over the foliage, or other known
riiedie.s applied in time, will keep mildew in
c;ck. To show that cold winds are responsible
f blister, if the same varieties be planted in a
cil house and on a south wall close together, we
s 11 find that while those on the outside are
Uly infested, the others will be quite free.

I some gardens that are sheltered blister sel-
du makes its appearance, while in others that
a not hv distant, though more expo.sed, the
t ;s are nearly killed. I have often noticed

I I young trees in a nursery are seldom
a icked by l)listcr. How is this ? In the first
p:^e, such are usually pruned Ijack and made j
t< ireak from lower eyes, the cousecpience being '
tV do not push so early in the sea.son : then

m. it is seldom they have the protection of i
Is to hasten the ffow of sap in spring. |

'eaches, Nectarines and Apricots .ire far
n -e difficult to grow in the south than in the '
lands and further north, and many are '
zled to miderstand how this is. The only
iination I can give is the one before men-
■ed, as on gravelly soil, chalk and stiff' loam

the trees die off' alike. Neitlier lifting, close
summer pruning nor early pinching seems to
.save them. I have freipiently seen the trees
killed by the cold when the Apricots have been
the size of l*eas. Many advocate wiring the
walls that a current of air may ]iass between
them and the trees : otlu.'rs reconnueiid leaving
the trees away from the walls as huigas possible
in spring ; but neither of these |ilansb;is the de-
sired effect, thougli tlie hist is beneficial in some
se.'isonswhenwe have no late, .severe spring frosts.
Wired walls have their dis.advantages as well as
their advantages, jjarticularly if the wires are
too far away, for then the walls are not of that
.service in protecting the flowers or maturing
the wood as they are when the shoots are close
to them. Before glass was so cheap good
.stone fruit was grown on walls — in fact, from
accounts, far better than at the present time ;
then there was not so much extra work in
summer to prevent jiroper attention being jiaid
to the training of the trees. In tho.se days
young men took their turn.s on the walls ; now
all is changed. The rage for cut ffowers neces-
sitates far more labour in the gla.ss department,
even tliough there is no more gl.-iss. I am not
complaining of this, for it shows what progress
has been made in the cultivation of ffowers
during the last generation ; but what in many
places is most annoying is that so much is re-
quired from the limited means at disposal, and
where so much time has to be spent on cul-
tivating plants, trees on walls get neglected.
It is not that seasons have so much changed,
or that gardeners are not so well versed
in the management of hardy fruits now
as formerly, but, owing to the multifarious
duties they have to perform, something
must get neglected. If Peach trees could be
protected from the cold winds in spring
and the shoots regulated and nailed in during
the summer, the foliage kept free from insects
and other pests, and watering and syringing
attended to, there is little doubt, with the im-
proved varieties, that as good Peaches could be
grown now on the open walls as in years gone
by. Cheap glass, however, has altered our gar-
dens, and those 'who in former days were con-
tent with a vinery or greenhouse have whcjle
ranges of glass for different plants, amongst
which are Peach houses to produce early fruit.
All this has a tendency to cause trees on the
walls to be neglected, as the finest flavoured
late varieties may be had in midseasoii, but if
late fruits are to be had, it is still necessary to
jiay special attention to trees on the open walls,
for though I'rincess of Wales, Sea Eagle, and
some other highly-flavoured varieties are excel-
lent in cold luiuses, tlie fruit will not hang till
October, wlien it is often appreciated, so that
trees on the open walls are necessary to prolong
the supply. Disbudding is one of those opera-
tions that get neglected ; the young shoots are
.so crowded together that they lose .some of their
lower leaves, and when thinned (>ut, many of
those left make laterals, and as these are not
cheeked in time, they s])oil the chances of a
crop the next season, for instead of the growths
being studded with flower-buds they are nothing
but bare shoots. The aim should be to disbud
as early as possible and jirotect the trees from
cold winds, to encourage growth by keeping the
foliage clean, to lay in no more wood than is
required for the next season, to remove any
lati^nils as they appear, and during the .summer
til keep the shoots fastened to the wails that the
wood may be thoroughly ri]iened. All this re-
quires time, and where so much extra work has
to be attended to it is often ilitficult to do things
just when they need it : hence the re.-ison that
I'each trees in many places do not thrive so '

satisfactorily as one would wish. Protection in
spring is often out of the question, and when
only half done it is as well left alone. Blister,
.'ipliis, and mildew follow, the trees fail to grow
satisfactorily, and in time die off'. Gardeners
are not to blame for this, for where there is not
sufficient labour the most pressing work must
receive attention first. Peach cases were recom-
mended, but in many instances they were worse
than useless, for the tops were fixtures, and,
where the foliage got near the glass, red spider
.'ind thrips soon made their ajipearance, so that
the remedy was as bad as the disease. In many
places water is so scarce and time is required
for other tilings, that .syringing is impossible.
In many of the new gardens coping the walls
properly has been neglected, and as the water
runs down them the mortar soon perishes. A
good stone coping that projects at least 4 inches
on either side is the best possible kind. As the
most frequent rains are from a southerly direc-
tion, the slope should be made on that side,
that the trees may have the benefit of the water
from the coping ; by this means fruit hanging
on the oppo.site .side of the wall will be kept
dry, for late Plums and Cherries are frequently
grown on the opposite side] of the wall from
that on which Peaches are. With due care and
attention gciod fruit may be grown in the open,
but where labour is limited this is almost impos-
sible. H. C. P.
Buxtril Pari;, Uckfield.

Plum The Czar.— This is not, I believe,
usually classed as a de.ssert Plum, but in a season
like the present, when Plums are scarce, it comes
in very useful. I hiive been sending it to table
since August 10, and it has been apjireciated.
Though smaller than Victoria, it is mueli superior
in point of flavour, and it is e(|ually hardy, con-
stant in bearing and earlier. Three years ago I
had occasion to move some trained cordon trees
of it, and liaving no wall to put them on, cut
away all the lateral shoots except a few at the top,
and ])laiited them in the open as standards.
Tliey have made capital heads and have fruited
well this season and last. Although a good deal
of rain fell after the fruits had finished swelling,
I have not found one cracked. — R.

Peaches at Blickling Hall. — Fruit gene-
rally is well grown at Blickling, and during the
first week in September I Faw some remarkably
fine samples of Sea Eagle and Princess of Wales
Peaches. The former, Mr. Oclee considers should
be fit for gathering not 1 iter than the last week in
August. Fruit that ripens later is, as a rule,
much inferior in flavour to August ripened fruit
and lacks juice. It is doubtless one of the most
prolific and profitable Peaches to grow for market,
and fruits on the upper side of the trellis take on a
very delicate and attractive colour. I have heard
Princess of Wales spoken against as being second-
rate in flavour, but Mr. Oclee thinks well of it in
this respect. Desse Tardive, a fine showy late
Peach, does exceptionally well on a back wall.
This Peach is n.aturally a strong grower, and, if
allowed a free root run, often refuses to bear in a
young state, but the tree at Blickling is restricted
in root space, ■which no doubt has much to do
with its fertility. For a late Peach the flavour of
Desse Tardive is e>:eelleut. — J. C.

Melon Gunton Orange. — A correspondent
recently noted that he had not been successful in
fruiting this delicious scarlet-fleshed Melon, and
■aske<l if any reader could help him in inducing it
to fruit. My experience is that it does by far the
best when its roots are somewhat confined. A
shallow restricted bortler will do, but the best
results are obtainable from pot culture. Tlie
growth is then tolerably firm, more bloom-pro-
ducing laterals are formed, and most of the flowers
set well if artificially fertilised. Fertilisation is
important with (iunton Orange, and if this is
neglected most of the blooms will fall. It, how-

248

^HE GARDEN".

[September 25,1897.

ever, re]iays a little extra trouble, as it is
without doubt one of the very best scarlet-fleshed
Melons ever sent out. Unless a few fruits only
are taken from each plant and much feeding
resorted to, the fruits grow only to a medium
size, just the size in fact for table, but they are
very solid, deep-fleshed, and deliciously flavoured.
-C. C. J.

I^ate frame Melons. — Not unfrequently
where frame Melons are grown in ([uantit}',
cold, ungenial weather overtakes the latest crop
when about half grown, with the result, unless
remedial measures are taken, that the foliage
turns yellow and the fruits never swell to their
normal size or ripen properly. The old linings to
the hotbeds on which the frames stand will most
likely by this time be trodden down and incapable
of supplying any warmth to the interior. These
linings should be entirely removed, being re-
placed with others made of fresh material and
built well up to the tops of the frame to allow for
a slight settling. Further, the glass should be
covered each night with mats, and a minimum
amount only of air given, this being removed
directly after dinner. Root moisture must hence-
forth be given on fine sunny days only and in a
tepid state. • 0\'erhead syringings must be slight
and given only in sunny weather, as wet foliage
during the night is injurious so late in the season.

Grape Mrs. Pince. — In spite of all the cul-
tural notes that have been written on this ( irajie,
pei'fectly coloured bunches are very seldom met
with. This is a great pity, as without doubt the
flavour of well-finished bunches is unsurpassed by
that of any other black Grape. Mr. Oclee grows
this Grape well at Blickling, and it may interest
readers to know that he employs very little fire-
heat as conipared with most gardeners ; in fact,
early closing with jilenty of sun-heat is his jirac-
tice until the berries are somewhat advanced in
colouring, from which date until colouring is com-
plete a circulation of air is kejit up day and night,
the pipes being warmed in dull sunless weather.
There is no doubt that many growers give this
Grape too much fire-heat, which it resents, the
berries often shrivelling by December. Rather
narrow, shallow, sweet borders, rendered very
porous by the addition of abundance of lime
rubbish, are the root run of Mrs. Pince, and indeed
of all the Grapes at Blickling. There is no fear of
over-moistening such borders, and the roots being
in a small compass are easily reached by manurial
waterings. — J. Cr.\wfohd.

Apple Worcester Pearmain. — I have tried
for many years to grow Worcester Pearmain as
an espalier, but cannot get it to make any cjuan-
tity of wood or to bear more than about half a
dozen fruits in one season. It forms very few
fruit-bucis when spurred back, and what few
fruits I have secured have been borne on the ex-
tremities of short growtlis about 0 inches long,
which were let alone when the trees were summer
pruned. This showy early Apple is often strongly
recommended for market, but my experience is
that, unless the soil is light and warm and the
situation extra good, the trees generally make very
poor headway and frequently collapse altogether
from canker. I should not advise planting it ex-
cept on a \'ery limited scale in cold midland and
northern districts. One sees very few Worcester
Pearmains exposed for sale in midland markets.
— C. H.

Grafting old trees. — The remarks by " A. D."
(p. 195) are interesting and instructive. Years
ago I assisted in a good deal of grafting in an
Essex garden, and the plan advised by " A. I)."
of putting a few strong grafts into strong stems
was generally followed. The trees were headed
well back, the smaller side branchlets being en-
tirely removed, and, as a rule, a stronger and
larger tree resulted in a given time than when
numerous small scions were inserted in many-
forked branchlets. Several years ago Mr. Allan
served an old unprofitable specimen in the
pleasure grounds at Gunton in the same way, the
sort employed being Blenheim Orange. This

year when I saw it the new portion was carrying
a good quantity of nicely sized fruit. Grafting
in this manner is just what is wanted with the
Blenheim Orange, as when one plants trees of it
there is no telling when they will fruit. — J.

Apple Adams' Pearmain. — This is one of
the very best of the Pearmain section, but one
seldom meets with it. Its season is from Decem-
ber to the end of February. The fruit is conical,
the colour pale yellow, flushed and streaked with
red on the exposed side. It does well trained in
espalier form or as an upright cordon on a wall
worked on the Paradise stock. It may be safely
planted in standard form where the soil is fairly
warm, but in cold, heavy loam it cankers. The
flavour is brisk, juicy, and refreshing. Some of
the finest fruits I have seen were growing on an
upright cordon on a wall at Blickling Hall. Mr.
Oclee is very fond of it and it never disappoints
him in cropping. — J. C.

Apple Cobbett's Fall. — This Apple was, I
believe, rai.sed in Suffolk, and is a fine, juicy,
well-flavoured cooking variety. It is sometimes
catalogued as synonymous with Warner's King,
but I belie\'e it to be quite distinct and a better
bearer. The fruit, moreover, on young trees fully
exposed to the sun colours up much more highly
than Warner's King, and, as a rule, is of better
shape. I have it both in standard form and as
an espalier, and this year the former is loaded
with good normal-sized fruit, the es[)alier tree
having a fair crop. Warner's King, even in our
light soil, grows strongly and refuses to bear
for some years even if root-pruned, while Cobljett's
Fall generally yields in a year or two after jjlant-
ing, and makes only moderate wood. An old
Suffolk gardener assured me that the two Apples
were distinct. — C. N.

Apple Tyler's Kernel. — This tine cooking
Apple was known to Herefordshire growers for
many years before it received a certificate from
the Royal Horticultural Society. With me it
proves equally prolific grown as a bush as it is
when grown as a standard, and such being the
case, it is a great acquisition, as in form and keep-
ing qualities it takes rank before many varieties,
such as Lady Henniker for instance. Wliat
little falling off' there may be in point of size is
more than compensated for by the regular outlineof
the fruits of Tyler's Kernel, which means less waste
when being prepared for use, and also by a con-
siderable gain in weight. It is a fine mai'ket
Apple, the fruits being clean looking, with a hand-
some flush on the sunny side, while they are large
and conical in shape, and evenly formed. Its
season is from October to the end of the year.
—A. W.

Open-air 'Vines. — In spite of a wet and cold
August, Grapes in the open are ripening nicely,
especially the white variety Chasselas Vibert and
the old Sweetwater, the latter being verj' good
this season on an east wall. Chasselas Vibert is a
very good Grape and well worth more notice, as it
is very sweet, of fair size, berries round, and of a
fine golden amber when ripe. So far it has never
failed to jiroduce a crop every season if the
growths are kept stopped back to allow sun and
light to reach the fruit. It is a strong grower,
ripens ten days earlier than the Muscadine ; flesh
juicy, rich, and very refreshing. The black
varieties with me are a little later, and I fear will
crack badly if the autumn is not favourable.
On a south wall Black Cluster and Miller's Bur-
gundy do well. The Claret Vine (Vitis purpurea)
and the Parsley-leaved ire pretty for covering, and
beautifully coloured in the autumn. — G. W. S.

Pear Dr. Jules Guyot. — I recently staged
this Pear and was told 1 had two kinds — viz,
Williams' Bon Chretien and the newer variety.
In appearance they are much alike, the quality
varies on different aspects, but there is a distinct
flavour to the one named abo\ e. It is a William's
without the musky flavour. Another point one
may distinguish Dr. Jules Guyot by is that the
fruits are more tapering at the stalk end than
Williams', but this is not always the case. Some
growers class it equal in cropping with the older

kind. With me in cordon form it has neverfailed
My trees are on the Quince stock and make a fail
growth. It is in season at much the same time as
the Williams'. On a wall it is the earlier of tht
two, and being a handsome fruit it will become s
favourite for market. I should class it as ar
August fruit, and in bush or pyramid form it wil
be worth room in most gardens where early Pearil
are needed. — G. Wythes.

Scarcity of Doyenne du Cornice Pear.-
This is a bad Pear year ; only a few kinds are bear
ing an average crop, and it is strange that some
of the shy fruiters this year are better than tbosi
which usually crop freely. I notice some of thi
newer varieties of Pears this season are bearin;
much better than one could expect, seeinj
there are so scanty crops on older kinds
Doyenne du Comice in this part is only a poo
crop, and this is a misfortune. On two walls
south and east, I have none, whilst on a nort:
aspect I have only a very few fruits out of a goodl
number of trees. The worst of trees on th
aspect named is that the fruits lack the clea
skin those on a more fa\'ourable positio
have. I think by growing Pears on differen
aspects there is a great gain in such seasons a
the present. In my case bush and pyramid tree
of this variety this year are barren, and the?
trees in my opinion give the best flavoured Pean
Cordons are somewhat better. — G. Wythes.

Flavour in Damsons.— I do not know
many growers of these useful fruits have notice
the difference in the flavour of the round an
some of the larger fruits compared with that i
the oval kinds. I have this season tried sever.-
kinds to test flavour, and I must gi I'e the first pla(
to the long-fruited oval kinds, those known :
the Cheshire Prune in the north and a simiL
variety as regards its rich, piquant flavour, tl
Shropshire Prune. These fruits are oval in shap
and the growth is quite distinct from that of tl
larger kinds. These latter in some cases have
small stone, and doubtless from a gi'ower's poi
of view would be more saleable than the o^
kinds. Preserve made of the Hereford Prune ha
I think, no equal. The trees have small leav
and make a slender growth in comparison wi
that of the larger kinds. It is to be hoped th
our large fruit tree raisers will not omit these ri<
varieties from their lists in favour of newer
larger kinds. I am aware in the counties nami
there is no fear of the stock being worked out,
many cottagers grow them largely, but in garde
they are not so often seen. — S. B. M.

Apricot trees. — As there seems to be u
thing new under the sun, I presume it would
regarded as absurd to ask whether anyone li
ever tried the effect of budding or grafting sta
dard varieties, and notably Moorpark, upon see
ling Apricot stocks. No doubt some one has, e
now, and it would be interesting to learn t
result. That there can be very good Apricc
raised from seed there can be no doubt, but :
the same very few care to take the trouble. It
awonder that someenterprisingnurserymanhasn
striven to produce good varieties in this way, b
presumably it is regarded as too great a lottei
Only a few years ago there was a huge tree, i
puted to have been 100 years old, in the garde
of Malshanger Park, but it died at last frc
sheer old age. But two or three years sinci
saw growing on the old stone walls that surroii
a portion of the gardens at Farnham Castle t'
very old trees, or remains of old trees, that li
strange stems, one having been some 12 inches
more broad, yet almost flat, yet from such sv
port there were numerous branches cropping w
annually. These trees were, doubtless, 150 yes
old. They had really no border, only 12 incll
of soil, then 12 inches of turf edging, then'
gravel path r> feet wide, then grass again. T
longest-lived Apricot trees seem to be thtj
having no borders, but a gravel path or road om
the roots. — A. I). '

Pear Marie Louise d'Uccle.— Although, i
"C. C. H." remarks on p. 194, the title of I:
proved Marie Louise is not by any means ap[jl

Sbptember 25, 1897.]

THE GARDEN

249

ble to this Pear, it may witli ii<lvaiitafre l>e grown
or prolonjiiiig the season of the type. Acconlinjj
0 my experience it is hardier than Mario Louise
nd a more certain cropper, anil though the
ftvour is not so "ood, yet it is by no means to be
espised, especially «hen fruit is scarce. I niiu'h
egretted lia\iii>r to cut down an old tree here
gainst the liouse, tlie station licin;^' reipiired for
fectarines. This bore freely every year, and (lie
ther day I saw a tine youn<; tree at .Melford
,tall growing on a soutli-west aspect and loaded
jith fruits with the characteristic russety skin.
»n heavy soils the tree should be planted very
hallow and well mulched, the jiroduction o'f
lenty of young roots near the surface lieing of
ireat importance. Here they have the advantage
f air and sun, and the difference between the
fuit from young trees so treated and that from
Id ones the roots of which have got down to an
fisuitable soil is very marked. Most soils aie
arm enough and good enough to grow good
luit if the roots are running in a firm but well-
ivided surface medium, but on a cold, hungry

fbsoil it is quite different, this causing cankered
168 and cracked, imdersized fruit.— R.
I am pleased to see " C. C. H.'s"' note

. 194) on the above, as I think its qualities
iich over-rated in fruit catalogues. In some
lils— my own included— it is not worth much
lace. Mr. Barron, in his useful report on Pears,
j85, gives a very good account of its (piality,
laving pasty flesh and inferior in quality,
ough a great cropper." Doulitless this last
■iality may make it valuable to many, but a poor
jar is not worth room in any garden. For m,
\^ :t ;., ^f^^ i^.i" 1,1

I — _ — .......^ . „vj..» .,, f '.1 ^niy^^tt. A' ui iiiai -

-t it is often recommended, but buyers are he-
lming to know the qualities of a few kinds, and
pr flavoured ones will not command so good a
te. When [ilaced by the side of the older Maiie
luise it is not worth eating, as "C. C. H." re-
ilrks. The tree is a vigorous grower, and on
t: east coast I have seen some remarkably tine
fits on cordon trees. Doubtless soils may in-
f,;Dce flavour, but so far I have never tasted a
rjUy good fruit of this variety. For exhibition
ijS a favourite on account of its size. The ques-
In of size is too favourably considered in the
ekibitions. Anotlier line Pear much over-rated
u^l""^ Bachelier. This with me is anything
b|. firat-class, though a certain cropper.— S." H. B.

Jdcieties and Exhibitions.

l:OYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

' Sei'tembkr 21.

Tt decision of the council to hold two meetin.'s
ufie present month has been amply justified, and
iljustbe very satisfactory to the governing body
tokno\v that this, the second gathering in the
mlth, has met with so much favour andsup,,ort
UVould hardly have been possible, were the
obf dependent ujion competitive classes with
•su tantial money prizes, to have drawn toc^ether
'» >ier or more representative exhibition of
au mnal produce than that staged on the present
"C'sion. Such an exhibition reflects the greatest
eriit both upon the trade and private growers
wf from time to time, as occasion favours them'
OT"? together their various exhibits for the
M vation of those who attend these fortniu-htlv
Jh'.lf^-, Ji^D^'S^^ safely said that neve? was

1^; i,7l,u!^!'!!:^i":'^L.^^:°?'^ty. , "-:« . p°i™i--

pre
tha
tin:

nev

aut

Ale:

iindlt
less

»gi

ifo" p 11 1 -j^^icKj^ iiiuic popular

IW bellows and supporters than it is at the

?^ r™S- ,-^'° ''''"'^'' P™°f °f this is needed
that afforded in the -xtensive displays from
to time at the Drill L,dl.
Itihas at this meeting were excellent, and
before has such a display of this popular
anal flower been made in the Drill Hall
ot these exhibits were put up by the trade
t was gratifying to note that fresh obiert
s in staging Dahlias were to be seen. It is

metd nf f''''''^'^?* ^^'^ old and antiquated
■netkl of staging is being broken away from.

There is certainly a hope that florists will amend
their ways and lean more to the informal and
iiatuial in the future. For notes on the various
exhibits reference must be made to the detaileil
report which follows. There was also an admir-
able exhibit of autumnal Roses from the well-
known Waltham Cross firm. This in itself was
worth a journey to see as a lesson of what to
plant for a late display. Hardy liorder flowers
too were shown in goodly numbers, notably
Mi(^haelmas Daisies and various allies of the
.Sunflower family. A few good and well-known
jilants, flowering and otherwise, were also staged.
These added to the attractiveness of the nieet-
ng. Tlie best of these were Salvia splendens
grand iflora and the early-flowering Chrysanthe-
mums. Orchids were not numerous, but those
shown were of excellent quality, Vanda cierulea
standing out conspicuous. Fruit was not numer-
ous on the whole The competition for the
flavour prizes was distinctly good, but no new
\ariet>- of either the Apple or the Pear supplanted
the older kinds.

Orchid Committee.

A first-class certificate was awarded to
L.BLi.v PR.KST.VNS (Gatton Park variety).— This
IS very much in the way of a variety previously
certificated as L. Dayana delioata. The nearly
white sepals and petals are slightly suffused with
mauve. The front lobe of the lip has a deep blue
tint instead of the usual red, the side lobes similar
to the petals, shading to yellow at the base. The
plant carried four flowers and buds. From Mr.
J. Colman, Reigate.

Awards of merit were giv'en to the following :—
C.\TTLEY.\ H.iRDV.ixA Lowi.i:.— One of the finest
forms of this lovely natural hybrid we have seen.
The sepals and petals are deep rose mottled witli
white in the centre, the lip deep crimson -purple
margined with rose, veined in the centre with
white, and having very prominent yellow blotches
in front of the throat. The sides lobes are rich
purple, longitudinally lined with rich golden-
yellow. The plant carried a raceme of four flowers.
From Jlessrs. H. Low and Co., Clapton.

Vand.4 ajio:n.-i.— A distinct and lovely addition
to this famil}-. It is supposed to be a natural
hybrid between V. Roxburghi and V. c.erulea
The ground colour ot the sejials and petals is of a
silvery-grey, thickly covered with small blue-
tinted spots, the lip bright blue thickly lined and
spotted with a darker shade of Wue ; the side
lobes nearly white, thickly covered with deei5
blue spots. The column is white with numerous
dark blue spots. The plant bore a raceme of three
flowers. From MM. Linden, Brussels.

MiLTO.viA Peetersiana.— Supposed to be a cross
Ijetween M. iMoreliana and M. Regnelli. The
seiMils and petals are similar in colour to those of
M. Morehana. The lip is light rose in front, veined
with a darker shade ; it has the rich purple disc
and crest as seen in M. Regnelli. From Mr.
R. 'T. Measures.

Lvr .vsTE Denninosiana.— A distinct variety :
sepals and petals each about 3 inches in length
pale greenish white, the lip about U inches in
length, of a dee|3 orange-red shade. "From Mr
F. \^ . Moore, Royal Botanic Oardens, (Jlasnevin
OsriDirM Papilio.— A good form of this well-
known species of (the Butterfly Orchid, which had
not previously been certificated. The sepals
petals, and lip are bright yellow, with prominent
hrightbrown markings. From Mr. D. M. (Jrims-
dale, Kent Lodge, Uxbrido-e.

Messrs Hugh Low unS Co., Clapton, sent a
large and interesting group, jirominent in this
being some remarkably fine forms of Vanda
c.erulea, several finely-flowered plants of Cypripe-
dium Charlesworthi, and a dark form with three
flowers of C. Alfred Hollington. C. orphanum
and (.. Arthurianum were also well rejiresented.
Amongst the Odontoglossums were good forms of
O. cnspum, 0. sceptrum, and O. triumphans. O.
grande and O. Harryanum were also conspicuous.
A distinct form of Dendrobium Leeanum the
I sepals and petals bright rose-pink, sh,adin<T

to white at the base, the lip deeper purple in
front, shading to a light shade of rose in
the throat, was also shown. Prominent amongst
tlic Cattleyas was a good bright form of C. Lud-
demanniana witli two flowers. Several dark
forms of C. Harrison.-e, C. (Jaskelliana delicatis-
sima, sepals and petals pure white, lip white,
with a delicate rose blotch in the centre shailing
to bright yellow in the throat, La-lio-Cattleya
Aurora with two flowers and its near ally L.-C.
Novelty were also noteworthy. A silver Flora
medal was awarded. Messrs. F. Sander and Co.,
.St. Albans, sent a small group, in the centre
of which was a large plant of Odontoglossum
grande with eight spikes of flowe*-. Dendrobium
iarmeri, L;elia Dayana with ten flowers, L:elio-
Cattleya ^'edasti, in the way of L.-C. Aurora, a
dark form of Miltonia Morcliana, M. Lubbers-
lana, M. Laraarckiana, a natural hybrid be-
tween M. Clowesi and M. Candida, a grand
flower of Cypripedium bellatulum album and C.
H. Ballantine were also included. Dendrobium
(iratrixianum, shown for the tirst time, is a dis-
tinct species with pure white sepals, the petals
white with rose tip, the lip white with a slight
tip of rose in front, having a distinct rose-purple
disc at the base. Messrs. Collins and Collins,
Willesden, sent Odontoglossum Pescatorei in
variety and a form of Odontoglossum excellens.
^ Mr. \V. S. McMillan sent a plant of the lovely
Cattleya Dowiana aurea Mrs. F. Hardy var. that
had previously been certificated ; the sepa*s
white, petals white, with a slight trace of pink at
the apex, the lip having the deep crimson and
yellow markings characteristic of the species.
Mr. (irimsdale sent a finely flowered nlant of Cat -
tleya Harrisons, and Sir' F. Wigari sent a cut
spike of HouUetia Brocklehuvstiana with six ex-
panded flowers.

Floral Committee.

First-class certificates were given to the follow-
ing :—

Retin-ospora obthsa sitlpiiukea.— A distinct
form of the type and of elegant and free growth.
A pale green pervades the older portions, whilst
the young shoots are tipped with sulphur-yellow
throughout. From Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons,
Chelsea.

Apera ARUNDiNACE.i.— a remarkably distinct
grass. The leaf growth is erect, about 2 feet or so in
height, the leaf being of a pale green, whilst the
st;ms are of a pale golden shade, the growth from
the base being dense. Its attractiveness, how-
ever, centres in the di'ooping, extremely light and
graceful plumes of (piite 4 feet in length, these
arching over and extending far below the soil line
and cjuite self-supporting. From Messrs. .J. Veitch
and Sons.

Awards of merit were x'Oted to the followin"-
plants : — ^

Chrysanthemtm Mvtciiett White (Japanese,
early flowering).— A pure white variety, of good
form and of medium size. It partakes "of the re-
flexed character in the petals, which are ot nudium
width also and fluted at the base. It is a distinctly
useful variety and one to which three marks were
accorded at the last meeting of the committee at
Chiswick. From .Mr. .M. Russell, Mytchett,
Farnborough.

Pkimtla (lEfiiNirA FiMP.RiATA.— A very distinct
form of this Primrose with larger flowers than in
the type, and which in addition are prettily
fringed. A rosy tint pervades the flowers, whilst
the e3'e, which is of a greenish j-el'ow, is consider-
ably enlarged. The growth resembles that of
the type, but the flowers lean towards the Chinese
\-arieties. Jlr. T. Lowton, Faversham.

Phlox Miss Pemberton. A variety of decided
merit, with flowers of unusual size and good also
in the truss, the colour a combination of shades
of salmon and ro.se. Messrs. Paul and Son, Ches-
hunt.

Crassula Cooperi.— An extremely dwarf spe-
cies, of dense habit and growth, and completely
covered with minute blossoms of a vinous crimson,
the leaves quite fleshy. A useful plant for dwarf
edgings and rockwork, but not hardy during the

250

THE GARDET^T.

[September 25, 1897.

winter outside. C. Cooperi, as described in
" Dictionary of Gardening," has white flowers.
From Messrs. Paul and Son.

I)K.\c.ENA (CoKDYLiNE) Rtoselli. — A narrow-
leaved form of D. australis and of similar liabit to
D. Doucetti, to which it will in all probability be
a fitting companion ; the colour is of a clear cop-
pery shade. From Mr. J. Russell, Richmond,
Surrej'.

Dahlia H.4Rbinger (show). — This is a pale
lilac-coloured variety of beautiful form, having a
close, compact centre. From Mr. Harris, Orping-
ton.

Dahlia Green's Gem (Cactus).— A very small
flower of fairly good quality, but having a rather
loose centre, 'file colour is a dull salmon. ^

J.

Green, Dereham.

Dahlia Mitriel Hobbs (show).— A clear golden
yellow of good form, the centre good, and slightly
tinged with chocolate. Mr. Hobbs, Bristol.

Dahlia Minnie Riciiard.s (pompon).— A pretty
1 lash-white variety, but inclined to be coarse and
to open in the centre. The shape is good and
very even. Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham.

Dahlia Nellie Broomiiead (pompon) —A very
gold exhibition bloom of excellent form, with a
J erfect centre, very even in the petal, and of a
very pleasing lilac colour. Mr. J. T. West, Brent-
wood.

Dahlia Island Queen (Cactus).— A very pretty
and compact flower of good Cactus form, rosy
lilac'in colour. Mr. J. T. West, Brentwood.

Dahlia Mary Service (Cactus).— A bloom of
perfect form, the petals finely pointed and
twisted, the colour a dull bronzy pink, more
c irious than pleasing. Messrs. Keynes, Williams
and Co. , Salisbury.

Dahlia LAVERSTOCKBEAUTY(Cactus).— Another
flower of good form ; petals much twisted, colour
pinkish terra-cotta. Messrs. Keynes, Williams
and Co., Salisbury.

Dahlia Keynes' White (Cactus).— The purest
white Cactus Dahlia yet raised, of good form and
apparently very reliable. Messrs. Keynes,
Williams and Co.

Dahlia Arachne (Cactus).— A striking scarlet
and white-striped flower of perfect Cactus form,
but rather small. Messrs. Keynes, Williams and

Co.

Dahlia Maluma (pompon).— A fairly goorl
yellow, but inclined to have a weak centre. The
colour is pleasing and the shape and the petals
efen. Mr. C. Turner, Slough.

Dahlia Miss Finch (Cactus). — A beautifully
shaped variety with finely pointed petals and ex-
cellent centre, the colour a rich purplish crim-
son. Messrs. Cheal and Sons, Crawley.

Dahlia Mrs. T. Goddard (Cactus).— A beauti-
ful crimson, perfect in shape and petal, one of the
best of this season. Messrs. Cheal and Sons,
Crawley .

Dahlia Salmon Queen (Cactus).— A very strik-
ing flower, of good size and form, but with a ten-
dency to flatness in the centre petals. The colour
is a deep apricot, shading to salmon in tlie outer
petals. j\Iessrs. J. Burrell and Co. , Cambridge.

Dahlia C.asilda (Cactus).— A fine primrose-
yellow of good form. Messrs. J. Burrell and Co.
Dahlia Falk A (Cactus).— A very good flower,
narrow in the petal, and of a rich ruddy magenta
colour, ilessrs. Burrell and Co., Cambridge.

Dahlias were greatly in evidence at this meet-
ing, and a very gorgeous show they made, a large
nimiber of really excellent flowers being staged.
A silver-gilt Flora medal was awarded to Mr. T.
S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, for a
large exhibit of Cactus Dahlias, among which
were good bunches of Mrs. F. Fell, Harmony,
Fusilier, Lady Penzance, and Chas. Woodbridge.
The blooms were throughout of fine form and
size. Mr. West, Tower Hill, Brentwood, staged
a collection of Dahlias, comprising Cactus, pom-
pon, and show varieties. In the first-named
section many of the blooms were inclined to be
coarse, this being particularly the case with
Harmony and Earl of Pembroke. The best
bunches here were those of Island Queen, the
charming new mauve-coloured variety. Among

the shows were Duchess of York, Arthur Raw-
lings, JIaud Fellowes, Virginale, T. W. Girdle-
stone, and Nellie Cramond. The pompons in-
cluded good bunches of Gipsy, Nellie Broomhead,
Nerissa, Mary Kirk, and Madge. A silver Bank-
sian medal was awarded. A similar exhibit, but
smaller, came from Mr. G. Humphries, Ivington
Langley, and included tome splendid show and
fancy blooms, notably Ducliess of Albany, Cold-
smitli, Mrs. Saunders, James Cocker, Ethel
Britton, and Duchess of York (bronze Banksian
medal). A few splendid Cactus Dahlias, chiefly
new varieties, were shown by Messrs. Keynes,
Williams and Co., Salisbury. The best were
Mary Service, Firebrand, a new crimson of good
form ; Arachne, the new scarlet-andwhite striped
flower; and Keynes' White, the best white yet certi-
ficated. A very extensive exhibit of CactusDahlias
and tJladioli came from Messrs. J. Burrell and
Co., Cambridge. The best of the Dahlias were
Regulus, Mrs. F. Fell, Beatrice, Cinderella, Fan-
tasy, and Mrs. Kingsley Foster. The Gladioli
were throughout magnificent, well flowered, and
the blooms of great size. A few of the best were
At'as, Mikado, Raj on d'Or, Jeannette, Grand
Rouge, Carmen, Enchantress, and Horace Vernet.
A sih-er-gilt Flora medal was awarded. A par-
ticularly fine exhibit of Dahlias came from Messrs.
Cheal and Sons, Crawley, every bunch being re-
markably fresh and perfect in condition. The
best of the pompons were Fabio, Whisper, Lilian,
Nerissa, Sunny Daybreak, Emily Hopper, and
Ganymede. The Cactus varieties were \evy
beautiful and constituted the chief feature of the
exhibit. The best were Cinderella, Mrs. Kingsley
Foster, King of Siam, Starfish, Harry Stredwick,
Harmony, Cycle, Chas. Woodbridge (a superb
bunch), and Mrs. Beck. The singles included
some very beautiful things, especially Naomi
Tio-he, Miss Zulema, Donna Casilda, Mrs. Wythes,
Victoria, Little Nell, and Phyllis. A silver Flora
medal was awarded. Mr. Chas. Turner, of
Slough, had a prettj collection of Dahlias, the
flowers being shown in baskets. The best
varieties were Starfish, Mrs. Barnes, Countess of
Gosford, Chas. Woodbridge, Mayor Haskins, Har-
mony, and Fusilier. The pompon Hypatia, a new
variety of good form and unique colour, was also
shown (silver Flora medal). Mr. G. Mortimer,
Farnham, Surrey, also staged Dahlias— Cactus,
pompon, show, and fancy varieties. In this
case the shows and fancies were particularly
good, notable kinds being Joseph B. Service,
Duchess of York, Perfection, R. T. Rawlings,
Diadem, Richard Dean, Majestic, Shirley Hib-
herd, James Cocker and James Stephens. A
silver Flora medal was awarded. Messrs. Jones
and Sons, Shrewsbury, had a large exhibit of
Dahlias, comjirising arrangements in baskets,
vases, &c. , and also boutjuets. A few of the best
thino-s were a charming bouquet of Harmony,
tastefully arranged with grass and tinted
foliage, a graceful basket of small blooms of
Fusilier, another of Fantasy, and a huge trophy of
Mayor Haskins and Lady Penzance. The whole
group was of high quality and well staged, and
fully deserved the silver Flora medal. Mr. J.
Hudson, of Gunnersbury House, Acton, exhibited
a large and interesting collection of Cactus, single,
pompon and single Cactus forms of Dahlias. The
single Cactus varieties were in good form, es-
pecially interesting as being the only ones in the
show. The collection gained a siher Flora
medal. Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons, Swanley,
Kent, also staged Cactus and pompon Dahlias in
o-ood style, gaining a silver Banksian medal.

A very excellent and striking exhibit was a
large collection of Asters and Sunflowers from
Messrs. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea. A great num-
ber of varieties of Asters was shown, some of
the most beautiful being F. W. Burbidge,
Apollo, Candidus, Shorti, Acris, Mrs. John Wood,
and Aurora (silver Flora medal). A collection of
very lovely varieties of early Chrysanthemums
was shown by Mr. E. F. Such, Maidenhead, and
gained a bronze Banksian medal. A few of the
best things were Harvest Home, Dorcas, Blushing
Bride, Miss M. Massey, and Bronze Bride. A

silver Flora medal was given to Mr. J. H. Withy
for a good and tastefully arranged group of Chry.
santheraums, including some very fine Japanese
varieties. Very attractive was a collection of
autumn Roses from Messrs. Wm. Paul and Son,
Waltham Cross, which was awarded a silver-gill
Banksian medal. A few of the best things were
a new Tea, Souvenir de C. Guillot, a good colour
deep rosy apricot ; Camoens, George Nabonnand
Mme. Pierre Cochet, Marie van Houtte, En
chantress, and Queen Mab. A silver Banksiai
medal went to Messrs. John Laing and Sons for ;
group of very handsome stove plants, chiefly
well-grown Dracsenas and Crotons. A simila'
group from Messrs. Peed and Sons was awarded
bronze Banksian medal.

Messrs. Paul and Son, Cheshunt, staged a n
markably fine group of hardy herbaceous flower;
containing Aster Novai-Angliie pulchellus (
very dark form), Funkia subcordata grandiflor?
some charming hardy Cyclamens, Sanguisorl)
canadensis, Crassula Cooperi (a rich cnmso
flower for carpet bedding), Colchicum speciosun
and Rosa viridiflora (silver Banksian medal),
charming group of early white Chrysanthemui
Lady Fitzwygram and Liliums came from Mr. (
Wythes, Syon House Gardens. A silver Floi
medal was deservedly awarded. A collection .
huge blooms of Japanese Chrysanthemums can
from Mr. W. J. Godfrey, Exmouth, Devon, ai
contained a box of lovely flowers of W. R. Princ
a large, handsome yellow. Messrs. Cutbush at
Son showed branches of Phytolacca decandr
heavily fruited. A brilliant patch -of colour w
formed by a group of the dazzling scarlet Salv
splendens grandiflora, shown by Mr. J. Hudson

Fruit Committee.

There were fewer exhiliits before this committ
than might have been expected. Hardy fru
were not numerous, but the Apples and PeE|.
staged for flavour made a good display. T
minutes of a committee meeting held at Chiswi
on the Sth inst. were confirmed. Potatoes w
dealt with, between seventy and eighty kii
being examined. Several were noted for tt
cropping qualities, but only a few stood the t
of cooking. Tomatoes were gone through, but
awards were given. It was decided to exam
them later. Runner Beans were also examin
One variety was thought excellent for use a
haricot, but the others were passed over.

Awards of merit were given to :—

Potato Ivo.— This, obtained from the Can:
Islands, is a white-fleshed kidney, a good crop|
and of first class flavour. From Major Curtis.

Potato Cardinal.- A very heavy crapi
white round, inclined to be somewhat pelil
shaped. It is of excellent flavour, flesh fio
and dry. It is a good late variety.

PoT.\TO Horsford's SEEDLiNCi .— A very prol

white, pebVile-shaped variety, of fine qu"

and a heavy cropper. From Messrs. Horsti

New York.

PoT.mi W I N DSOR Castle was given three mill

thus confirming the previous award given. 1
variety proved to be one of the best for crop :
quahty. Messrs. Sutton & Sons.

Mr. Empson, gardener to Mrs. «ingh'.
AmpthiU House, Beds, staged a large quantit; i
Onions, taking up much table space. ThCTev
some very fine specimens of Carters Keci
Excelsior, Ailsa Craig, Holborn, Banbury, ^ ;
Magnum Bonum, with smaller specimens ot oi
varieties arranged in groups and large rno"
(silver Knightian medal). Some twelve Meh
mostly large specimens, Ijut ,-*'"'^;"g ""J?"
shape and colour, were staged by Jlr. W. ive
Barnes. The variety was said to be t
Favourite, but there were doubtless several vi
ties. Mr. Woodward, Barham Court Gard |.
Maidstone, showed a fine dish of Beiirre i|
tillet Pears, receiving a cultural award. A
seedling Apple named Sweet William
shown by Mr. Williamson, Daisy Bank ton
ton. A Very fine bunch ot Grapes, stated to
seedling, and not unlike a Sweetwater, bi

September 25, 1897.]

THE CxARDEK

25]

uch firmei' berry, mimed Bloxlium Seedlinj;,
me from Mr. Bloxliam, Hiickhill Manor, lirds.
ow Sleloii.s were shown liy Mr. Hislioji in tliiue
rieties, Init none were tlioughtiiiiy im]iroveincnt
older kinds. A tine dish of the new Late l)c-
iiiian I'caeh was staged by Messrs. Veitch, Ltd. ,
aelsea.

iThe Veitch prizes for fliivoiir Ijroiinrht forth a
(irite<l competition, tliere bcini;' ch.'ven vari<'tios
Apples, tlio first prize goinj; to Mr. Wytlics,
•on Hou.se, Brentford, for an excellent disli of
baton Pippin, grown on a bush on a south
rder, Mr. t'oleman, (iatton I'ark, Heigate,
ing second with Worcester Pearmain. Gravcn-
?in, Maltster and I'ibston Pipinii were the other
iiids staged. Pears were rei)resented by eleven
phes, tlie premier award going to Mr.Hcrriti,
ropmore, for Souvenir du Coiigres, a very line
lib. The second prize was taken by Mr. \\'ythes
th excellent Autumn Nelis ; smaller fruits than
|a first, but we think of better quality. The
■per varieties staged were Beurr<; d'Amiiidis by
:ar _ exhibitors, Williams' Bon Chretien, .Jersey
ifatioli, Marie Louise, Louise Bonne of Jersey,
Jd Fondante d'Automne.

There was a very good attendance to hear Mr-
:t;utden's lecture on "Cyclamens." He treated
IB subject in a very practical manner. The lec-
(jrer gave the flowering season as October to
Jirch. Of late years there ha\e been some grand
iflitions both in colour, shape, and size of
hvers. Only in a limited number of gardens are
liclamens giow n well, and this is to be regretted,
lifew plants are more useful during the winter
Vnths. They re(iuire much attention to keep
Ipm clear of insect pests, and if at all neglected,
f- Iggulden's advice was not to grow them,
j|uiiless done well it was best to leave them
ine. Seed was often sown early in the year, Ijut
Ij^re was not sufficient time for the plants to
<|v-elop. Autumn sowing was much better,
»|i^ details were given as to sowing, also
l|) importance of sowing new- seed, the latter hav-
if more vigour and germinating freely. Young
[,nts must not be checked in any way from the
art, but be kept growing and perfectly clean.
lie temperature the lecturer recommended was
flni 60" to Td" for the seed. It should be sown
I pans covered over witli sheets of glass, and
s.ded to prevent drying of the soil. As soon as
l!je enough to handle, the seedlings should be
cefuUj; lifted out of the pans and I'otted up
no 2J-inch pots. Here more care was needed
t n was at times given, as if the tender rootlets
broken in the ojieration, the plants receive
ha cheek that thev rarely grow out of it.
I "^ 'If u'"'" "''' ""^ l'i:iiits are best stood on a
ejl-ash bottom on a stage in low houses or |)its,
s«ling from sun. A small house is advised, as
lie more moisture is retained. At the second
81 1 the compost should consist of two parts
l_<n one of leaf soil and one of coarse sand, and
o|ch pots are best, firm potting and ample
"mage being necessary. Place again in the
s Uctures advised till the roots reach the sides of
"I pots, and take care to spray the plants over
O'd twice daily, morning and afternoon, well
("•pping the foliage. In summer the plants are
O"' grown in low cool frames on an ash
O'-oin, housing in September not far from
W glass. These plants are best grown in a
tKie by themsehes. It is best to water at
side of the pots. During the flowerin.r
M he advised a lower temperature— 4.5° Ijy
It and .)0 by day. Another point he stroiudy
liasised was thoroughly ripening the crowns
rUowenng, asbysodoingWter growth fob
a. Iwo-year-old plants he found flowered
^. ..'''" one-year-old ones. He briefly
•rea to the great strides Cyclamens had madl-
ce years. lew plants had shown greater im-
ement. ^^ e now had such good varieties that

I\iin"5 1 T "'""^"'^ '^'"^ «'"-e in culture,
r « mgand other points of culture were also

P>

niit

en

af

lo

m

re

of

pr

th

l>lants were su])erior to seedlings if they were well
ripened previous to being repotted. He gave old
plants a thorough soaking after drying ofl' before
repotting and carefully removed old soil, not
breaking the roots in so doing. Mr. Sydenham
stated tliat witli improved fumigators there was
less difliculty in culture. He al.so pointed out the
value of Cyclamen flowers when cut. ,

National Chrysanthemum Society. — On

.Monday evening last the general committee of
this .society held a meeting at Anderton's Hotel,
Fleet Street, Mr. T. W. Sanders presiding. The
minutes and correspondence having been iformally
disposed of, the secretary read out a list of the
society's medals awarded at the recent early-
flowering show. The tpiestion as to time and
place of the annual dinner occupied some atten-
tion, a small sub-eommittce being appointed to
c irry out the details. A financial statement up
to the llth inst. was presented by the secretary,
wliich appeared to be satisfactory when compared
with that for the same period last year. Several
new memliers were elected and the North Canter-
bury (X.Z. ) Chrysanthemum Club was admitted
in affiliation. Mr. Gordon drew the attention of
members interested in the earlj' varieties to the
collection at present growing in the Royal Horti-
cultural Society's gardens at Chiswick, and
thought it would well repay a visit by anj' of
those who paid special regard to varieties of that
type. Jlr. Harraan-Payne announced that the
French National Chrysanthemum Society in-
tended to hold a conference and show at Orleans
next November, and would be glad to welcome a
deputation from the English Society. If it were
considered feasible to organise such a deputation
he would be pleased to give every information as
the time drew nearer to hand.

Notes of the Week.

I gone

•• Iggulden,

- -5f;"'ueo, in reply to questions by
prs. Douglas and Sydenham, stated that old

Dahlia Miss Irene Cannell. — This is perhaps
one of the most beautiful of the Cactus forms of
this flower, and likewise a most pleasing kind in
the rather unusual apricot shade that renders it
such a useful addition to this fa\'Ourite class.

Potentilla fruticosa. — This shruliby species
after flowering freely for a long season is still gay
with many of its golden blossoms, and a worthy sub-
ject for the higher parts of the rock garden or the
shrubbery. Its neat foliage, too, is by no means
common.

Aster^ Novas -Angliae pulchellus.— This is
perhaps one of the finest of this section of Star-
worts, the flowers large and of a useful shade of
colour in the garden at this time ; tha plant
is also robust and can care for itself for years when
once planted.

Aconitum japonicum is welcome for its mass
of deep violet-blue in the border at this time, and
being dwarf-growing and of eas}' culture, should
find fa\our on this account. One or two other
late-flowering species have deep-coloured flowers,
but the above is perhaps among the best.

Lycoris radiata or Nerine japonica. —

Bulbs of this plant are now flowering in tfieopen air
in my garden. They were planted there some
two years ago and left undisturbed. Has this
plant flowered anywhere in the open ground in
England ': — Ai,E-\.\nder W.ill.^ck, ColchfMer.

Clematis coccinea. — Flowering sprays of
this remarkable and interesting species were
included in an exhibit from Messrs. Paul and
Son, Cheshunt, on Tuesday at the Drill Hall.
Tlnnigh of great interest, it has scarcely proved
so useful as \\'as expected when first introduced.

Corismonspeliensis. — Thisisadainty relation
of our garden and wild Primulas, and I should be
most grateful to the writer of the note in The
(Jakden (p. 231) if he would kindly tell me where
or whence fresh plants or seeds of it may be
obtained. It is said to be wild in South Europe

and North Africa, but I ha\e asked for seeds from
Montpollicr in vain. — F. W. BuiiitiDc:E.

Saintpaulia ionantha. — This jtretty little
plant is now flowering freely in (piito small pots,
and by its many liuds |)romise< a long ilisplay of
its richly-coloured blossoms. Of easy culture and
free-flowering, it is worth attontioii where mar-
ginal jilants are re({uired for the conservatory and
such places.

Agathaea ccelestis.— Tliough usually grown
in pots for winter flowering, this plant is very
useful in the flower garden. From cuttings that
are rooted (|uite early in the year and grown on
iiuickly good plants result, anil these, if pinched
once or twice before planting out, will make
capital bushes and flower freely during the
greater part of the year.

Gypsophila libanotica.— For its very dis-
tinct and pleasing growth as well as the dainty
truss of pure white blo.ssoms, this should prove a
welcome plant for late summer flowering in the
rock garden. The habit is compact and generally
neat in appearance, the leaves of a distinct
glaucous shade and each about 1. 1 inches long. The
flowers are rather numerous, in a compact terminal
truss.

Crassula Cooperi. — A species bearing this
name obtained an award of merit at the Royal
Horticultural Society's meeting on Tuesday
last. The example in question was a mass
of reddish crimson blossoms, though the species
is recorded in the " Dictionary of Gardening" as
" white " flowered. In the masses of its flowers
and colour the plant bears some resemblance to C.
rubicunda, though somewhat more dense than we
remember the latter species.

Begonia Lafayette.— This remarkable kind
promises, both by the fine colour and the
great quantities of its blossoms, to surpass what
are known as the bedding kinds. The in-
tense crimson-scarlet hue is very telling, the more
so when it is remembered that the season for
such things is drawing to a close. The plants
exhibited by Me-ssrs. Veitch on Tuesday at the
Drill Hall were lifted from the open ground the
day previous, and were apparently little the
worse.

Sedum spectabile. — Freely planted either
in beds or groujjs in the rock garden this is
very ertective at this season, and cannot fail to
be duly appreciated. There are times, how-
ever, when such a plant can be misplaced, and
quite recently an instance came under my notice.
Attracted by a large group of the Sedum, I found
on the opposite side a fine clump of Colcliicum in
flower — a rather unfortunate as well as unusual
association. In the Sedum we have a colour safe
almost anywhere in early autumn. — E. J.

Potentilla nepalensis. — This brilliantly -
flowered species, which is not unfrequently re-
ferred to under P. formosa, is certainly in point
of colour one of the most telling plants in the rock
garden. The shade of colour is by no means com-
mon amon^ hardy plants, and may be Ijcst de-
scribed perhaps as brilliant reddish carmine. But
though only medium-sized blossoms, the trailing
stems produce a profusion of flowers that makes
their presence felt. Where the rock garden is
large enough to allow this i)lant to trail at will,
it will jiroduce a very unusual and brilliant array
of its richly coloured flowers.

Tropeeolum speciosum (Flame Flower).—
This very brilliant climber is still producing its
vivid bla.ssom.s. In some instances wlicre the
long trails have ascended into the adjacent shrubs
and the lower branches of the trees, a very pretty
effect has resulted. Usually in the s"outhern
counties at least a difficult or a slow plant to
establish, it well repays all efforts in this direc-
tion, when at lengtli success is assured. Where
Rhododendrons aliound it is a capital plant to
grow among them, and when established and
flowering away far into the autumn months above
the plants named tlie effect is unique.

Erodium supracanum.— It is surprising what
a [)rofusion of flowers even quite small plants of

252

THE GARDEN.

[September 25, 1897.

this will produce. Some nice plants of it in
the rock garden have been pleasing for three
months at least, yet never atanj' one time making
a great show. Depending on the size of the tuft
the number of flowers will be in proportion to the
number of spikes of blossom, as only very few
flowers on each spray expand at one time. In
this way a long succession of bloom is kept up,
and as the sprays are produced in great profusion
the plants appear to be always in flower. For the
rock garden the Erodiums are very useful, the
blossoms prettily marked or veined, and the foli-
age pleasing in the extreme.

Ohrysanthemum Lady Fitzwygram. — The

good qualities of this plant are becoming better
appreciated. The blossoms are of the purest
white, and on this account are more highly valued
than those of Mme. C. Desgrange \»ith their
yellowish shade of colouring in the centre. To
see the variety under notice at its best it should
be freely disbudded, and from eight to ten
flowers allowed to develop. These attain to a
good size, and are useful where a bold effect in
vase decoration may be wanted. Plants in the
open are just now looking at their best, the
diameter of each being quite 2A feet, and, owing
to a slight disbudding, freely covered with
blossoms of a useful size. This is one of the
dwarfest of the early Japanese sorts, rarely ex-
ceeding 2 feet in height.

This useful dwarf -grow ing kind, which in

some districts is X'erj' dithcult to grow, was shown
in superb condition at the Drill Hall this week by
Earl Percy, Syon House (gardener, Mr. Oeo.
Wythes). The plants, without an atom of train-
ing and no disbudding, were little more than

2 feet high, pots and all, and about the same
in diameter, the comjiact little bushes being
simply loaded with fully-developed, pure white
blossoms, and almost endless buds that will carry
on the .display and yield material for cutting for
weeks to come. There were about a score of
plants from Syon, so much alike all round that
they may have been grown in a mould, so per-
fectly uniform were they in every respect. In-
deed, it would be difhcult to surpass the standard
of excellence attained in these plants, which, with
buds and blossoms complete, constituted one of
the best examples of natural growth and freedom
of flowering I ha\'e seen. Many of the most
useful and freest flowering of decorative Chry-
santhemums are irretrievably ruined year by year
by an over-rigid system of disbudding, but which,
I am glad to find, does not find universal favour
in all gardens. — E. J.

Silene monachorum. — Where a thin carpet
is required either in the rock garden or elsewhere
that would be speciallj' suited to clothe the sur-
face where small bulbous plants are grown, this
plant should meet almost every want. Not in the
slightest degree rampant, over-dense, or deep-
rooting, it is nevertheless a perfect carpet plant,
covering the earth with its small leafage and in
summer clothed with a profusion of pure white
flowers. Frecpiently carpet plants are too dense
and, for the plants below them, take too much from
the soil. A dense carpet should only be tolerated
for deep-rooting subjects and strong growth, and
it cannot be supposed that what is a good carpet
for a bed of Roses Mould be equally suited for
Snowdrops and other such things.

Salvia splendens grandiflora. — On Tuesday
last there were two exhiliits of this splendid
plant at the Drill Hall, and of its great value
there can be no doubt. Much the finest examples
were those from Slessrs. de Rothschild (gardener,
Mr. Jas. Hudson). The plants in this instance,
notwithstanding they were merely cuttings of the
present year, were \eritable specimens between

3 feet and 4 feet high, and completely loaded with
long spikes of vermilion flowers. A more brilliant
flowering plant in the open garden in September
could not possibly be conceived, the spikes of
flowers alone being upwards of a foot in length
in numerous instances. These handsome bushes
were grown in the open till about three weeks

ago. A year or so ago cut spikes came from the
garden of Sir Trevor Lawrence, and these, foliage
and all complete, were between 2 feet and 3 feet
n length, thus showing their great value in a cut
state. Such a plant as this will prove of the
greatest service for filling large beds in the sum-
mer or in pots with a slightly altered method of
culture for autumn and winter flowering.

Lilium longiflorum eximium. — Though
somewhat late in the year, a very handsome group
of this beautiful Lily may now be seen flowering
in No. 4 greenhouse at Kew. Of its value there
need be no two opinions, for in many respects it
is ([uite unique. Large and handsome indi-
\ idually, and singularly pure and chaste in the
snowy whiteness of the glistening flowers, it is
[lerhaps one of the most valuable members of a
genus replete with many of the choicest gems
that are to be found among bulbous plants.
Treated as at Kew, with three or more bulbs
planted in a 9-inch pot, a very fine display is the
result, several stems, each rather under 3 feet
high, being crowned with some half-dozen of the
spotless, trumpet-shaped blossoms. Such grown
plants are eminently fitted for conservatory
decoration, while the profusion of blossoms and
pleasing and delicate fragrance are items that are
always appreciated . Not least of its many claims
to notice is the abundance of fresh green and
shining leaves, the latter so very persistent as
well as beautiful in this justly popular Lily. It
is a kind, moreover, that by various methods of
treatment may be had in flower for many weeks
in succession.

Notes from Baden-Baden. — Notwithstand-
ing cool and very rainy weather, Colehicum gigan-
teum is in full flower just now. The flower is
larger and the colour much deeper than in C.
speciosum. Linaria Pancici is a showy perennial,
the flowers large, yellow and orange, set off to
advantage by the broad, massive glaucous green
foliage and the elegant habit of the plant. It is
a native of Southern Servia and quite hardy,
(ierbera .Jamesoni is very fine this year, throwing
up flowers since May and likely to continue so
until frost sets in. Every visitor admii-es the
vivid scarlet of the Aster-like flowers. It is
easily lifted now and replanted in March or
April. Delphinium caucasicum is also showy
with lax spikes of large sky-blue and bright blue
flowers. Delphinium speciosum var. glaljratiun is
a very showy jjlant from the north of Kashmir.
It flowers in a panicle about 3 feet high, and the
blooms very much resemble those of D. cashmeri-
anum. It is a robust and distinct species. Since
June Incarvillea variabilis has been flowering
freely. It is a Central Asiatic species and has a
half-shrubby habit like I. Olga?. The flowers do
not last long, but there is a constant succession.
They are not so large as those of I. Delavayi, but
of the same colour, and their constant succession
in combination with the finely. cut bright foliage
gives the plant a peculiar charm. It comes close
to Amphicome Emodi, but is more shrub-hke, about
3 feet in height. Kniphofia Tysoni is also flower-
ing now ; it much resembles K. caulescens, but the
foUage is more massive, broader, and of a glaucous
bluish tinge. The flowers, not gaudy, yet striking,
are brick-red, changing to white with a slight
tinge of green. All in all, it is a stately plant. —
M.\x Leichtlix, Baden-Baden.

The weather in West Herts. - -A week of
verj' changeable weather as regards temjierature.
For instance, on the 18th the reading in shade at
no time exceeded 54° ; whereas tliree days after-
wards the shade temperature rose to 66°. On
the night preceding the 19th the exposed thermo-
meter fell 1" below the freezing-point, making
this the first frost, although a very slight one, of
the present autumn. The ground at 2 feet deeji
is now about 2° colder, and at 1 foot deep about
3" colder, than is seasonable. Rain fell on three
days during the week, but to the aggregate depth
of less than half an inch. No rain-water at all
has come through the heavy soil percolation

gauge for four days, showing that the soil is no-
in good working order and free from superfluov
moisture. — E. il., Berkhamxted.

Lily bulb disease.— I have read Mr. Massey
paper (pp. 220-1) on Lily bulb disease with gres,
interest, all the more because it corroborates til
opinion I have always held, that, given a sount
unbroken skin, plants and animals may hi
defiance to external fungoid germs. He writes
" Germ tubes could not enter the tissue througl
the epidermis," and again, "The fungus canm
penetrate the unbroken tissue of the bulb, hi
gains an entrance through wounds, more especial!
broken roots." The same holds good with tl
Potato disease, and I have just now been observ'ir
how, in a moist patch in mj' garden, Potatoi
which had been bored into by worms or slugs, i
had cracks in their skins, showed signs of disea;
commencing about the edge of the wounds, tl
sound -skinned Potatoes mostly escaping. (
course the disease may enter through the epide
mis of the leaf or stem after it has been attaoki
by the little insects which breed there, as I ha'
shown many years ago, but till this year I nev
got the evidence of disease commencing in tl
tuber where the epidermis of the tuber had hei
destroyed. — Dk. Alex. Wallace, Cohhesttr,

Public Gardens.

The preservation of Highgate Woods.

In spite of the strong protests of the inhabitui
of the neighbourhood and others interested in t
preservation of the natural beauty of Higbg;
Woods, the Charity Commissioners some time a
sanctioned a scheme put forward by the Horns
Charity Trustees for the demolition of the i
almshouses in Muswell Hill Road, Highgate, a
the purchase of a piece of the Churchyard Botti
Wood, the whole of the land to be converted ii
sites for villa residences. It now appears tl
there is still an opportunity for preserving I
wood intact, for, though the almshouses hi
been demolished, the Hornsey Charity Trust
have not yet been able to let the land on buildi
leases. If the movement which has been set
foot for purchasing the wood from the Ecc
siastical Commissioners for £25,(100 could
carried out speedily, before the land above-m
tioned has been disposed of, it might also he [i
sible to secure this laud which forms the front;
of the wood to Muswell Hill Road. The Gra
Pit Wood, secured to the public some years a
has a frontage to the other side of the road,
that at present the two woods form a large stre
of open country. If a row of villa residence;
erected on the trustees" land, this continuity \
unfortunately be broken.

List of Roses (Smith and Jones).— We eho
think "The Rose Garden," by Wm. Paul, Walth
Cross, London, X., would answer your purpose.

Names of plants.— T. Scoff.— 2, OialisOrtgi

A. C. Barfholomeu:— hooks like a Cassia, bat

far gone to be quite sure. Co. Cork.—l, Grata!;

Pvracantha. J. F. H.—A Bromeliad, probably

^chmea, but cannot name without flowers. i

Clark.— 1. Lifium Krastzeri ; 2, Helianthus decape
lua ; 3, Veronica spicata ; 4, we_ cannot undert
to name Asters; 5, Pjrethrum uliginosum; 6, Cf]
pedium Spicerianum.— Tl'. C— 1, Ceanothus azure
2, Escalloniamacrantba; 3, Ampelopsis sempemro

4, Rose China Cramoisi Superieur ; 5, Elojagnns p
gens variegatus ; 6, Weigela aurea ; 7, Diplopap

chrysophyllus. G. A. M.—lt is possiljle that t

tage Maid or Rosa Mundi is the Tulip to wbiclJ

refer. Southampton.— 1, Virginian Poke (fli;

lacca decandra). W. Richardson. — Dipladt ;

Brearleyana. J. 8. Stirling.— 1, probably A'

'""Names of fruit.-J. E. D.-Apples : 1, Bp.^':;
2, Carlisle Codlin ; 3, Blenheim Orange ; 4, AUrist,.

5, King of the Pippins. Pear : 6, Autumn Bergao;

Rev. J. C. Rofs.—l, Old Keswick Codbn ,

Hormead's Fearmain ; 3, Improved Keswick tea,
4, King of the Pippins; 5, Cellini Pippm.

io. 1350— Vol. LII ]

TSIE C3rJL:RlD:Ei2>T,

[OCTOBER 2, 1897.

0 hid I :—

irliRgtoilia L-iindida . . . . 253

tiuwtuin triilentatum .. 'Jiti

tdeya L»(iih-m:inninn:i .. 25 1

nibidiuin II(,>nkt'i'uuium . 253

iiidrobiuiu Icuoiloi'hotum 254

■ndrobimiis, iii-fiui-hirsuto 253

nlrobiuin supcrbiens . . 254

liilendruni iiivcrsmu .. 254

iloaudri Bmieri 254

,'ltamonoiiliylla 2oi

icidltim Kmnicrianum

iiiireum 254

.'tdiuin itjscuni 261

Biohen:—

'mu, FreiK'h, Carter's

Iitriagloss 255

l)I)age, phuitiiix, in uutunin 255

rrote, autimin-sowu.. .. 255

ttticcs fjiilin^ 255

lizo as rt Vf^'ctalilo . . . . 256

:irsley -growing' for sale . . 255

uw and green tly 256

jjis, autumn 255

his, tall *•. dwarf 255

,'inach, The Carter .. ., 256

•inach, winter, tliiiiui"^ .. 2'i')

F wer:-

mondsbury, notes from . . 257

idrosace lanuginosji . . 267
td rotate Ian tti/inom at Tot-

te^ HtUt, Sh,^^dd .. .. 267

:lepias tulwrosa . . . . 26ii

Carnations, border .. .. 25S
l»affodils and earwigs .. . . 258
Dahlia, singlo, Scarlet Defi-
ance 20(5

Dahlias, new 258

Lily, the Madonna .. .. 257

Lobelias, herbaueuus . . . . 258

Lobelias, seedling scarlet . . 2C7

Muhlenbeckia coniplcxa .. 257

Phloxes, herbaceous . . ,. 256

Physalis Franchetti .. .. 258

Plants, hardy, note^i on .. 2:6

Tropa?olum spcciosuni,. .. 258

Violets . . 267

Zauschneria californica . . 268

Orchard and Fruit :—

Apple Golden Ilussct .. .. 201
Apple Waltham Abbey Seed-
ling 261

Blackberry, tfte, on a trdlU 25H

Blackberries 259

Figs 259

Fruit tree in plant house . . 259

Pear Bergamote d'Esperen 259

Pear Souvenir du Congrfes . . 261

Pear Triompho de Vienne . . 261

Planting, preparations for . . 260

Plum Stint 2til

Plums, cordon 261

Phuus, growing, for market 259
Strawberry Loxford Hall

Seedling 259

Vine leaves, cutting off .. 261

(Illustrations in Italict.)

Wasps' nctits 260

Winebcrry, Japaneso .. .. 260

Chrysanthemums :—

Chry.-anthcniiiui n.-tcs .. 262
Chrysautlienuini j'lants, tliQ
growth uf 262

Garden Flora:—

Crowfoots, the 262

Week's "Work : -

P'niit, lianly, work among.. 264

Kitchen garden, work in the 265

Trees and Shrubs:—

ClcnMlcndn.M f.»-tiduui .. 266
Hawthorn, au old, at St.

Columba's College .. .. 266
Jlairthoi-ii, oliJ, at St. Columba's

CoU'VC 266

Heaths, hardy 266

Hydrangea hortensis, colour

in 266 i

Stove and Greenhouse:—

^Eschynantbuses 269

Anthuriums 2'>7

Boronia serrulata .. .. 269
Carnations, winter - bloom-
ing, after flowering .. .. 268

Conservat^try, leaky ,, .. 2i.7

Fuchsia Ballet Girl .. .. 268

Fuchsias with whito corollas 270

Gardeniius . . 269

(iloxiitia, a nctdlimj, tritk

spottitl jloirti-g 268

Gloxinias, the spotted . . . . 26S

Lilium Harrisi 270

Lilium Kra!t/,eri in pot-s .. 267

Lily of the Valley 270

Myi-osma cannaifolia . . . . 267
Pelargonium, variegated,

Mrs. Parker . . .... 2ii*>

Rif'hardia albo-maculata . . 260

Hichardia Pentlandi . . . . 270

Tropii/olma tricolor . . . . 267

Notes of the Week:—

Araujia gi'andiflora .. .. 273
Artemisia Abrotanuni in

bloom .. 273

Aster linearifolius 273

Ast«r Linosyris 273

Apple Duck's-bill 273

Begonia Veitchi 273

Cassia corymbosa 273

Cereus rostratus 273

Chrysanthemum Mme. Ar-

mand Groz 273

Chrysantliemum Mons.

George Menier 274

Clethra aluifolia var. tomen-

tosa 274

Cyclamen hedenefolium .. 274

Dichorisandra thyrsiflora .. 273

Fruit growing and land

values 273

Fuchsia fulgens 273

Heath, the Cornish .. .. 274
Hclianthus midtitlorus

grandi :! orus 273

Hibiscus califomicus .. . . 273

Hydrangea paniculata .. ,. 274

Iris Lcichtlini 274

Pansy, Tufted, Marie Gillxji-t 278

I'hysjilis Alkekengi . . . . 273

Phytcilacca doeandra .. .. 273

I'yrethrum uliginosum . . 273

Rosa indica 273

Rose Grace Darling .. .. 273

Rose Queen Mab 273

Solan um jasminoidcs in

Surrey 273

Solanum Wendlandi . . . . 273

Sternbergia lutea 274

V rueolina pendula 273

Urginea maritima 273

Societies :—

United Horticultural Bene-
fit and Provident Society 274

Miscellaneous :—

Carnation The Burn .. .. 271

Coris munspelieusis .. .. 274

Fruit and vegetable crops . . 270

Gunton, notes from .. .. 265

Pampas Grass, drying . , . . 274

Sparrows and buds . . . . 274

Weather, the, in West Htrts ii74

Orchids.

NIGRO-HIRSUTE DENDROBIUMS.

IS section i>f the genus is c|uite ndistinct one,

altliough the various siiecies contained

t'l-ein require somewhat different treatment,

■re is a certain affinity amongst them that

'■y are easily recognised bj'. One and all are

Ituiiful pUnts when well done, but it must be

ajnitted at the outset that they are more diffi-

dt to cultivate than the majority in the genus,

It. from any weakness of constitution exactly,

f such as D. formosum are really strong

Bwers, Init l)eeause of a habit they have of

uiig back after a few years' growth in this

cfntr)'. The reason of this lies entirely in the

spheric treatment ; there can be no doubt

< this, for it is easy enough to provide a suit-

e root-run. A few years ago I had several

l]iutif\il specimens of D. Draconis established

rough pieces of Ajiple wood. Hardly an

h i)f the block ccjuld be .seen ; it was simply

I ;rrun with hint

c, and had it

dium then these jilants were safe as long as
wood lasted. The first sign of a failure
a few of the young leads damping off
m no ap])arent cau.se; the consequence was
on the back breaks appeared the season
too far advanced for these to ripen
iperly, and after that their decline was
id. To entirely prevent this kind of thing
nipossible, and the most that cultivators can
is to study closely the habit and manner
growth of the individual species, shaping
n- treatment to meet this as far as practic-
e. Indeed, the plants themselves vary, even
the same kind, as anyone who has a large
liber of one species may see for himself, and
tts shows how little use it is giving stated times
such cultural operations as are necessary,
t a few of the more salient of the.se may be
t died on with advantage. A\'atering at the
■t is an important point, as on it depends the

white healthy roots in each
dejiendetl upon the rooting

health of the plant in a great measure. Many
of the species included in this group are in a
state of Nature deciduous, or nearly so, but
cultivators have long since found that in this
respect, at least, it is unwise to follow natui-al
conditions exactly. If V\C dried these plants
at the roots sufficiently for the foliage to fall off'
every autumn, or whenever the bulbs ripened,
in all [irobaljility there would be no foliage to
fall the next season, or at all events the plants
would bo so weakened that they would cease to
have any value. On the other hand, if we water
the roots too heavily during the time growth is
inactive we run the risk first of killing the
roots, and also, if much heat is afforded, ( f
starting the plants into a weakly, unseasonable |
growth ; but by just giving enough moisture to |
the roots to keep the leaves fresh into the
second season, it is possible to keep the basal
eyes dormant without unduly wasting the
energies of the plant.

This leads to the consideration of the com-
post, for if the roots are in an unsuitable class
of material it is quite impossible to maintain
the health of the plant. Tliey are damaged by
contact with soddened and soured material, the
green feeding tips decay, and, in consequence,
the root tirst fails to perform its functions of
carrying moisture for the need of the plant, and
ends by dying outright. Whatever is used,
then, must be of such a character that it
rapidly parts with water. Peat and Sphagnum
Moss are both excellent material in themseh'es ;
in fact, indisiiensable to the Orchid grower :
but too much of them, without division of the
bulk by adding crocks, charcoal or some similar
material, leads just to that condition we are
trying to avoid. Better by far for any epi-
jihytivl Orchid to be grown in a mixture that
runs dry two or three times a day than for the
progress of the roots to be hiiidei'ed by a close '
and water-logged compost. Take the beautiful
D. infundil)ulum as an instance ; place it in
a narrow ]ian, the dejith <pf which only allows of '
about an inch of compost. In the growing
season this will want watering daily at least, i

but the roots will take hold of every particle of
compost and every inch of the inside of the jian.
This is the way to get healthy growth. Put the
same ])lant in a large pot where the roots have
several inches of material before they reach the
sides, and tliey never get there, the jdant always
being unhappy. Temiierature is another im-
portant iKiint, and depends largely on the
habitat of the species. Such as D. formosum
and D. Draconis are found low down in Burmah
and Moulmein — in some of the hottest parts of
the wdrld, in fact. To grow these in company
with D. infiindibulum or D. Jamesianum that
occur at an altitude of several thousand feet in
the same country is obviously wrong. This then
must be the grower's care with this beautiful
section of plants — not to treat them all alike
because they are all Dendrobiums and some-
what .similar in habit and inflorescence, but take
them individually and study the wants of each.
They are all subject to the attacks of thrips and
red spider if the atmo.sphere is kejit too dry in
the growing season. This must be avoided,
and as soon as the first signs of insects are
observed at once take means of ridding the
plants of them, for with them they cannot be
healthy for any length of time. R.

Burlingtonia Candida. — A basketful of this
pretty species with a dozen of its spikes of pure
white blossoms has a nice effect just now-, the
little yellow stain on the lip being just enough to
enhance the beauty of the snow white on the
outer segments. It is a native of Demerara, and
an Orchid that anyone might grow with a little
care. Tlie most frequent mistake in its manage-
ment is allow ing the rhizomes to extend and carry
the roots out of the reach of the compost. It does
well in the Cattleya house in a light position, a
moist atmosphere and plenty of water at the
roots being riipiired while growing.

Cymbidium Hookerianum. — This 1 noted
last week in good order, the large yellowish
flowers with crimson markings having a very fine
effert against the tine foliage. It is a good deal
like C. Lowiamim iti haliit. and like it does much
better and tlowcrs more profusely in a house kept

254

THE GARDEN.

[October 2, 1897.

cool, airy unci moist than in a very high temjiera-
ture. It is rather a gross feeding plant for an
Orchid, and likes abundant moisture during the
growing season. Even when at rest the roots must
not be dried, or the pseudo-bulbs soon shrivel
badly. It is very subject to the attacks of a small
brown scale insect, and this must be kept in cheek
by sponging. It is a native of the Himalayas,
whence it was introduced in 1866.

Dendrobium leucolophotum.— This is not a
showy species or one tliat produces more than an
average quantity of flowers, but these are chaste
and pretty, and occur when not manj' others of
the genus are flowering. It is not often seen in
cultivation, and is an erect-growing plant upwards
of a foot in height, the flowers occurring on ra-
cemes from the upper part of the pseudo-bulbs.
They are small, almost pure white, with a greenish
tinge at the base of the segments. Plenty of
heat and a moist house are needed to grow it well,
as it is a native of the islands about the Malay
Peninsula, whence it was introduced in 1881.

Oncidium roseum.— The flowers of this plant
are extremely useful for cutting, as they may be
had almost any length and last a long" time in
good condition. It is one of the prettiest of the
non-bulbous kinds, and not difficult to cultivate.
It grows fairly strong, so may have pots of good
size and an open com|)Ost, consisting of peat and
Sphagnum, over abundant drainage. It does best
in the C'attleya house in a light, almost unshaded
position. During the time growth is active a very
liberal suppty of moisture is necessary, but during
the winter months a good deal less sutfices.

Catasetxim tridtntatum.— I recently noticed
a fine spike of this singular Orchid in bloom at
Melford Hall. It is one of the strongest growers
and one of the most easily cultivated, the spikes
containing a great many flowers, each about
4 inches across. The segments are all stitt" and
ungainly looking, and the singularly formed lip
has the jjower of ejecting the pollen when the
horn-like processes on the column are touched
with a pencil. It requires plenty of heat and
moisture while growing and to be potted in peat
and Moss. After the pseudo-bulbs are fully
matured it must ha\-e a long dry rest.— R.

Galeandra Baueri.— This is a very pretty
species when well grown, the colour of the blos-
soms being an eflective combination of greenish-
brown, purple, and white. The lip i^ funnel-
shaped, open in front, the white portion being
outside. The flowers, each upwards of 2 inches
across, are produced on drooping racemes from the
top of the stem-like pseudo-bulbs. It is best grown
in a warm moist house with plenty of water at the
root from the time the growths start at the base
until the flowers are over. Afterwards the jjlants
may be gradually inured to cooler and drier treat-
ment, the roots also being kept on the dry side.
It likes a fairly substantial compost and to be
grown in pots on the stage.

Dendrobium superbiens. — This beautiful
Dendrobe I have just noted in good condition.
Few kinds vary more than this in quality, the
rich, warm crimson-purple tint on the sepals and
petals of the l.iest varieties being showy and fine
in the c.xtreme. The racemes occur at the upper
part of the stems and bear each about a dozen
flowers. It is not a ditticult plant to grow, and
the stems flower profusely if well ripened by ex-
posure to sun and air. Although a strong-grow-
ing plant, \ery large pots are not necessary, the
roots apparently preferring rather to ooil about in
a small area than push far away. It is a native
of the islands in the Torres Straits, whence it was
introduced in 187li.— H.

Epidendrum inversum.— This comes from a
correspondent for a name, and it is an old, almost
forgotten species. In habit and general charac-
teristics it is not unlike the better-known E. fra-
grans, but larger. The peduncle rises from the
apex of the club-shaped bulb and bears a dozen
or more flowers, each being about 2 inches across
and closely crowded together. The sepals, petals

and lip are all pale creamy yellow, the latter be-
ing freely marked with purple. It does «ell
in the Cattleya house and is very inconstant in its
time of growing, resting and flowering ; con-
sequently, it is not easy to recommend how it
should l)e treated as to moisture, but when growth
is active it of course ref|uires more than when at
rest. It is a native of Minas Geraes, in Brazil, and
was introduced in 1839.

CATTLEYA LUDDEMANNIANA.

This species forms a useful connectinglink between
C. (iaskelhana and C. labiata autumnalis, but
cannot be said to be a rival in any way of either.
It is not so free-blooming, as a rule, as Gaskell's
Cattleya or the older species, but, nevertheless,
should be grown. Like all this section of plants,
cultivation alters their habit to a marked extent,
and it is often ditticult to detect any difference
between many of them when out of flower. The
foliage of C. Luddemanniana is, however, often
much thinner in texture than that of the species
mentioned above, the stems, too, being straighter
and smoother, and of a pale green tint. It is a
very free grower, this fact, in some instances,
accounting for its paucity of flowering, and it
must be said of some plants of it that it seems
almost impossible to get them to bloom. The
most likely means of bringing the plants into
flowering condition is growing them from first to
last in an airy, light house where the atmosphere
and temperature keep steady and tlie plant can
be arranged far enough from the roof to do away
with much shading. It should also be kept dormant
after the flowers are past, or if the plants ha\ e
not bloomed after the season's growth is com-
plete. It is no use allowing sudden drops in the
temperature and withholding water all at once, as
some cultivators still persist in doing with re-
fractory subjects. In one case out of a dozen it
may be successful, but in nearly every one it pre-
disposes the plants to the unsightly spot, to wOiich
they are subject, and weakens them materially in
other ways. Let them have the change by all
means, and keep the plant quiet if possible, but
bring this about in a more natural and gradual
manner, and it will be far more efi'ective. The
habit of the species is to bloom upon the young
growths like C. labiata, not to rest in sheath, like
C. Triana' or C. Mossi:c. The blossoms are of
medium size, the sepals much broader than the
petals, of a delicate purplish rose, with a white
sutlusion. The lip has a deejj purple front lobe,
the base lighter in colour, with radiating lines of
purple and a paler area on eacli side, like some
forms of C. Mendeli. It needs a fairly large pot
or basket, as the roots like to ramljle freely over
larwe rough lumps of charcoal or similar material,
and otherwise it maybe treated simdarly to its
relative mentioned. It is named after a French
gardener, with whom it first flowered under cul-
tivation, and presumably it was imported with
a consignment of C. Mossiie or some other kind
from the same locality. It first flowered in Britain
in 1863 in the Meadowbank collection.

Oncidium Kramerianum aureum. — In this
pretty variety, which I noticed in flower at Mr.
Bull's recently, the greater part of the lip was of
the clearest lemon-3'ellow, and the margin of
chestnut-red, although well defined, is not so
broad as usual. The pretty twist in the sepals
adds \ery much to the beauty of the flower, and
it is far sujjcrior, in my estimation, to O. Papilio.
Both do well in plenty of heat and moisture and a
light, sunny position. — H. R.

Lselia mouophylla. — This is quite distinct
from all the other Lrelias, and a bright eflective
little plant. It consists of upright stems each
about 6 inches high. The flowers, borne singly,
are each less than 2 inches across and orange-
scarlet in colour. It does not require much heat,
as, though it comes from Jamaica, its habitat is
high up in the momitains. The most convenient
way of growing it is to plant it in baskets or

shallow pans of peat fibre and Moss, hanjri
these up in the lightest position at command
the Odontoglossum house. The stage istoomii
shaded in this house, as a rule, for this kind to
satisfactorj', nor is too damp a condition of t
atmosphere any advantage to it, especially
winter. Moisture it delights in while making
growth, l)Ut shade, moisture, and a Aery o
atmosphere combined are too much for it. I
cently saw some nice plants in a house devot
principally to Masdevallias of the Chimwra gro
where the temperature in winter never fell beli
oO°, and these appeared hajjpy under the circu
stances. It is not a novelty, having been si
home from Jamaica to Kew in 18S1, where
flowered the j'ear after. — R.

Kitchen Garden.

PLANTING CABBAGE IN AUTUMN.

This is a simple matter in certain soils, 1
the reverse in light land deeply dug and w
manured. I think the Cabbage much iiu
tender if jjlanted in light, over-rich soil,
the spring the plants bolt badly. "J. C
few seasons ago advised a firm soil for spri
Cabbage, and I quite agree with him, as thou
the autumn growth is less strong, the phi
being more sturdy are in better condition
battle against our variable winter.s. I do i
even dig and manure my land for the spr
crop, and I need a good quantity. C'ahli:
follows spring-.sown Onions. The land is w
manured for tlic <.)nions, and is then mer
hoed and raked and drills drawn. Many i
not agree with me, and think sucli a gi''
feeder will need food at the roots to pronioti
strong growth. I do not foster a strong grow
as though I am aware it is necessary for
plants to get a good roothokl before the sli
days, a gross growth now means a severe chi
should hard weatlier follow. Of course,
heavy clay soils my note may not be applical
I am dealing with a light, old garden soil, j
the kind where one fails on accoinit of riclni
and loss of roots in severe seasons. For ye
in sucli a soil I was troubled with spr:
Cabbage running, but with a hard root-run :i
less food at planting there is no difliculty, as i
five plants in a thousand run. Tlie Cahha;
put out early in September are nice comii
plants by the end of October. Previous to dni
ing soil well up to the lower leaves to protect I
stem, each plant is well trodden round to iin
it as firm as posssible. It is an easy matter
feed young plants, say in February or Man
accoi'ding to season, if growth is forward, as
that date by using liquid manure, guano
other fertilisers, tlie plant gets the food just
the time new vigour is needed. I have u.^
nitrate of soda in March to great ad\ant;i
with strong plants and in soil none too ricli.
I vary the Onit)n quarters as much as po.ssilj
with the result that in some years the land
much poorer. Nitrate of soda applied
showery weatlier as a fertiliser is a power
manure, liut I [ireferto give two dressings ton
strong one, and at the rate of 2 cwt. to 3 ci
per acre. I plant rather closely, only 15 inclii
between the rows and 1 foot between the plan
A later lot is given 18 inches and 15 inches, h'
the varieties are small. Ellam's cannot
beaten, and Mein's No. 1 for succession
e([ually good. It may be thought Cabbai;
planted at distance named are too close. I
not allow the spring Cabbage to grow laVL
Cutting begins early, and it is an easy matt
to thin iHit. The reason the later lot is giv
more space is to allow of hoeing freely betive'

0 rows, as Vioiiit,' later there is more diftioulty
th weeds. G. Wytiies.

OCTOBHB -2, 1897.]

THE CATJDEN.

255

Lettuces failing. — Will any of your readers
II nie liow to f^et rid uf a (larasite that has
fosteil the roots of my Lettuoe plants for the
,i two seasons? On |iulliiig up a plant the root
ipears eoveied witli white inould, anionf; whieli
e numerous yellowish insects, .somewhat lar<rrr
all cheese mites. The phuit does not wither,
t the crt'eet is to completely ]iaralyse its further
iwth and prevent its hcartin;^. — \V. L. A.

Maize as a vegetable. — This is not often
;own for use as a \ef;etalile, but it is well worth
pin in any garden where variety is valued, and
any persons who at first object to its taste in a
;'ort time appreciate it. This has been a grand
nsoin if the plants were given an early start.

)■ starting early I mean sowing the seeds
der glass, and potting oft' singly, or pricking
•t into bo.ves. I am aware seeds may be sown in
IB open, as the plant is a <|uiek grower, but
lougli it makes a fair growth, in our variable
iimate it fails to produce good fruits, hence the
i||)ortance of sowing inidcr glass in March for a
il crop. Well-cooked, it is a nice vegetable,
lid by some thought to be nutritious. There are
^ eral good varieties to select from. — (!. Wythes,

Carter's stringless French Bean.— I think
!|cave seen this Bean mentioned in The GAEnEN
Ifore by Mr. Wythes, of Sion House. At any
lie, it is an acquisition in mere ways than one.
!|ave grown it this summer, and just when it
' - in full growth the weather was very hot and
Vet in spite of tliis the haulm showed no
- of distress, \ias not affected by red siiider,
111 set a grand crop of pods. Tliese, as its name
i [ilies, have no strings running uji the sides of
tl! pods, as all others ba\e, more or less, even
ijen not old. Consequently, they can be pre-
iped in a very short time. Another good trait
il its character is tlie long time the pods remain
iia nsable condition. The flavour is tirst-rate.
l|-haps it is scarcely hardy enough for first early
cpn-air sowings, but for mid-season and later

-J. Cr.vw -

.heringa it is certainly unsurpassed.

KD.

\.utumn-sown Carrots.— Small, tender, sw eet
(-rots seem now to be indispensable in all huge
g'dens, as cooks are constantly asking for them.
Iiwarm sheltered gardens where the soil is light,
o'door sowings do fairly well, but the best
rults are olHained when a frame is given them.

II cold, wet autunnis the young roots do not
a|ays go away so freely as wished for, and are
tin liable to be attacked by grubs. These pests
ci tea certain extent be guarded against by the
{& use of wood ashes when getting the bed ready,
ojl these arc also a good stimulant. \\'hen sown
ilia frame, coddling need not be practised, the
lilts being draw-n off in fine weather and tilted
ubver the young roots during heavy rain, snow,
0 rest. A little more thinning out of the young
pnts is needed from autumn sowings than from
9) ng and summer ones, growth being less
V irous and the days darker and colder.
K-'ket Favourite is one of the best varieties for
8( iiig at this time of year.— C. C. H.

.utumn Peas.— Those who have got a good
aiply of late Teas are to be congratulated, as in
li|t soils on gravel it is very ditticult to get a
fi: crop in a hot, dry summer such as we have
j« passed through. In a good loam and in
C( er localities there is no lack of good autumn
P'i. When I lived in the north and midland
ccities I had fair crops well into October, but in

III south, with more than ordinary attention,
the is little return for one's labour. We cer-
t«ly have an advantage in the earliest supjilies,
""1 such soil we can grow the best type of

-ow Pea, which would decay in colder dis-
s. We have thus some advantages. On the
r hand, our lot is now made easier, as some
le dwarfei- types, such as Sutton's Latest of
-Dwarf Mammoth and Michaelmas Peas are
80 jbust, that these, if sown late, will give a good

return if a little care is taken in getting the seeds
to germinate (|uiekly. Many growers in poor
soils do not think the e.\tra trouble to procure
autumn supplies worth taking, but I think the
more variety of vegetables anyone can give the
better, so that I am in fasciiir of autumn varie-
ties.—(!. W.

Tall /■. Dwarf Peas. — Many people wonder
wli}' market gardeners flo not grow tall .Marrow-
Peas in the same way as one finds them in the
gardens of the wealthy landowners. The reason
is simple enough. To buy stakes tall enough for
I'.ritisli Queen or any other tall Marrow would
entail a cost of several pounds per acre. Consc-
cpiently, it is only dwarf kinds that are in demand
for fiehl-culture. This is no reason why goo<l
Peas should not be forthcoming much longer than
they usually arc. This season I have grown
English Wonder for both the earliest and the
latest crops, and during September Peas have been
et|ual to any of the year. As the soil was dust
dry in July when the last crop was sown I took
out shallow trenches about a foot -wide and
(i inches deep, and spread a good layer of cjuite
rotten manure in the bottom, with just enough
soil to make it when finished ready for seed, .about
2 inches lielow the level. The seed was then
scattered thinly all over the surface and covered,
and one good soaking of water given. The Peas
grew away rapidly and (juickly came into flower,
and have yielded excellent gatherings for a long
time, although the haulm was verj' short. In this
locality English Wonder has, to a great extent,
supplanted American Wonder and William Hurst,
and as Pea-sticks in suburban districts cost about
as much as the Pea crop would realise, I need
hardly say that the demand for tall Peas gets less
every season. I think it is only a question of
time, \\-hen tall Peas will d is appear from the neigh-
bourliood of large towns altogether.— .J. G., 6'o.<-
poi-l.

THE CARTER SPINACH.

No doubt readers of The G.\ki)EN have come to
the conclusion that the declaration of Messrs.
.James Carter & Co. re the above .Spinach (p. 'i'i-i) is
correct, and settles the matter. The note at

page 222 says

' that an award of merit was

ranted to the variety by the fruit committee on
.luly 1 1, 1S95." I thank the firm greatly for furnish-
ing me with these data, because I am enabled to
turn to the Royal Horticultural Society's .Journal,
which it would be well if all gardeners could
have ; and in the issue of August, 1895, in the
report of the proceedings of the fruit committee
on .June 11, ]). .36, I find this : "Award of merit
to Spinach Longstander (or Lent h Mooter of
Vilmorin), votes unanimous, from Messrs. Carter
and Co. A very fine variety grown at Chiswick ;
the leaves large, pale green, very late in run-
ning to seed." How the firm can claim that
the award was made to a variety named The
Carter, I, .as also ever}- reader, fail to see. Turn-
ing now to the meeting of the same committee,
held .Tune 25 (p. 39), that is, two weeks later,
I find this r "Messrs. Carter and Co., High
Holhorn, submitted examples of Longstander
Spinach and of a variety named The Carter.
These seemed to closely resemble each other. It
was recommended that a trial of Spinaches be
made at Chiswick next year." Here, as is seen.
The Carter as a new variety comes first on the
scene, and the fruit committee —for I remember
the circumstance well — at once resolved to ask
the council to have a Spinach trial the following
year. Now we will see what came out of that
trial, which took place in 1,S9(!, and which was,
too, as good a trial as could have been furnished
anywhere in the kingdom. Here is the prelude
to the result of that trial, as determined by the
fruit committee when examining the varieties on
.M.ay 2S. 1896: "Thirty-three stocks of Spinach
were received for tri.al, and all w-ere sown on
April 4. In spite of the dry weather, the seed
germinated freely and the jilants grew well.
The result of the trial jiroved that there are
really only a very small number of varie-

ties, and also that the round, dark - leav ed
sorts are the true Longstanding, and the light
green arc not." The varied nomenclature
was astonishing, and showed great confusion.
The so-called varieties were divided into round-
seeded and jirickly-seeded, but it cannot be
too widely known that mere presence or absence
of spines on the seed does not constitute a variety,
for the Longstander, for instance, with its thick,
round, dark green leaves, is just the same plant
whether from round or prickly seed. So also
with the Flanders and the Viioflay. The trial is
repoited in the August number of the .Journal for
IS96, commencing at p. 69, and shows in detail
exactly tlie true .section or variety to which each
so-called one belongs. Thus I find No. 29, The
Carter, is the same as No. 12, Longstanding
Round I.Sutton and .Sons), this being similar to
No. 20, which is Heinemann's stock of Nongstand-
ing, the best stock of the variety grown ; so also are
Lent it Mooter (Vilmorin) and many others. Thus
it is seen that after all in asking how far The Carter
.Spinach was distinct from others in commerce and
was amply justified, I leave to others to draw their
own conclusions. As a memlier of the fruit and
vegetable committee who knows thoroughly the
value of trials at Chiswick, I feel it to be my
duty to hold loyally to the results of those trials.
If the work done at Chiswick is to be entirely
ignored, then the gardens might as well be closed.

Winter Spinacli thinning. — The thinning
of winter Spinach is at times overlooked, owing
to late sowing or press of work, but it is an
important matter, as the plants when at all
crowded do not make a firm growth, with the
result that with sharp weather or cutting w-inds
the leafage is much injured. In thinning, each
plant should be given ample space, so that the
leaves do not touch each other. The Victoria
and Long Standing require more space than the
older forms, the leaves being stouter, and, if
much crow-ded, the plant becomes naked at the
base and is damaged by winds, the leaves turn-
ing yellow and decaying. I find when Sjjinach is
given plenty of room there is less trouble with
slugs and a better return. Early thinning is
important to secure a good growth, and I think
the old theory that the non-thinning of winter
cops with the idea that thickly-grow'n jilants
protect one another will not find much favour in
these days. When the best culture is given there
will be few-er losses. A sturdy plant can battle
against our variable climate, whereas a weak
plant goes to the wall. — L. H. B.

Peas and green fly. — My experience is quite
difi'erent from that of " S. F." (p. 175), who
says that dwarf Peas are more subject to the
attacks of green fly than tall ones. Much
depends upon the soil and cultivation, and I
think the 3 feet to -t feet Peas sutt'er more from
insect pests than the taller ones. I admit varii'-
ties with a stout haulm, such as Eureka, Main-
crop, Marrowfat, Peerless, and ilagnum Bonum
— all 3 feet Peas— are better able to resist mildew
than the G feet varieties, and my plants are free
from green fly. On the other hand, the old Ne
Plus Ultra and Criterion, taller varieties, were
badly infested. A mistake often made with
Maincrop Peas, especially these robust 3 feet to
4 feet varieties, is thick sowing, as, if at all
thick, they are soon attacked by insects, and,
having more succulent leaves, are more liable
to attacks. At p. 155 Mr. Tallack gives us a
good note on the medium growers. He notes the
value of Autocrat, one of the 4 feet kinds, and
also others of a dwai'fer type. 1 think we have a
splendid selection in these kinds, and .so far I
have not found them so subject to mildew as the
tall ones. Of late I notice there have been
several interesting notes mostly on this class of
Pea in these pages, show ing how well they have
done in an adverse season. — L. M.

Parsley growing for sale. — I have always
thought Parsley a good ] laying ]iroduct. Every-
body uses Parsley, and in gentlemen's kitchens it
is indispensable. .-\s to [irice, even in the summer

256

THE GARDEN.

[OfiroBER 2, 1897

months from 3s. to 4s. per dozen bunches whole-
sale are easil}' realised, the bunches, by the way,
nit being very large. It is, howe\er, in the
winter months that it pays best, the price per
bunch then usually rising to 4d. or 5d. Even if
t le weather is open and in times of severe frost a
f diulous charge is often made in large towns. I
m lintain that were market gardeners of the
s nailer type to grow more for a winter supply it
WJuld pay them well. If sown in long narrow
bsds and a rough wooden framework erected over
them, these being covered in severe weather with
home-made straw hurdles, exposing them again in
fine weather, the crop could be preserved in good
condition and the hearts of the plants saved from
ruin, so that an early and good start would be
made in February and good fronds produced dur-
ing April and May, a time when after a trying
winter Parsley is at a premium. The large
growers have, as a rule, no lack of this commodity,
but it is the smaller country growers who seem to
be behind in the matter, thus standing in their
own light. Then there is something in variety,
as Parsley is graded as well as other market pro-
ducts, a dwarf, dense, true strain always being
eagerly bought up for garnishing. Occasionally
one meets with a small gi'ower who disposes of
his Parsley jirivately to first-class greengrocers,
thus saving the fee of the middleman and pocket-
ing the whole of the profit himself.— J. C.

Flower Garden.

HERBACEOUS PHLOXES.

The statement by "A. D.," at page 239, that
" these Phloxes alway.s show theii' finest form
the first year when raised from cuttings," is
altogetlier wrong. A large number of tlie
plants are not distributed from the nurseries
till more than a year old, unless it be the most
recent novelties. And if the above statement
were true, the fir.st and, according to "A. C,"
therefore the "finest" flowering is for ever lost.
But it is not so. Equally wrong is the addi-
tional .statement made by "A. D." that "the
second year they give several heads of bloom,
but less fine." Anyone who has " intelligently
gro\ra " these Phloxes for only three years
would be able to refute such a statement, so
utterly opposed to facts. It is very true that
Phloxes do "severely eat up plant food and
absorb moisture " ; so does an Apple tree or an
Oak ; but this is not evidence that the time has
come for rooting them out and discarding them
as being of no further use. And if it be so im-
possible for the niino* roots of a three or even
four year old Plilox to find support, what may
be expected of many other perennials, to .say
nothing of numerous shrubs and evergreens,
that in tliese respects could easily outstrip
the plants in question ? What more voracious
things have we than Aster Nov;e-Angli;e vars.,
Helianthus orgyalis, or Plantain Lilies, while
the very aspect of some species of t!io last
tends to direct even the rainfall away from the
plant. Yet few things are mtire satisfactory,
even when six or ten years planted. Equally
true, only in a less degree, is this of Phloxes ;
indeed, I have taken some handsome heads
this season from a bed planted six years ago,
that would compare very favourably with tlie
finest I have seen at the Drill Hall this year.
Briefly as to height, as here also "A. D. "
appears to have gone astray. At page 189
Aurore and Syphilde, among others, are said
" to be very dwarf," and " blooming at 15 inches
in height. " Messrs. Barr's list gives the.se at
2| feet, and as the latter, which is a capital
white, has been even taller at Kew this year, it
will at once be seen it is not so " very dwarf "
after all. And if a like proportion be added to

those "A. D." describes as "20 inches to
30 inches," it will bring the herbaceous Phloxes
to much the same height as they have been for
some years. Twenty years ago Coccinea, Edith,
J. K. Lore, and Independence were reputedly
dwarf varieties, and were so, in fact, in the first
year. But if these were planted 4 feet apart
and left three years in good deep soil,
the first will be nearly 4 feet high and the
others upwards of 3 feet. I say at
4 feet apart because I note "A. D."
imagines height to be caused by overcrowding,
which is not likely to ensue at 4 feet apart. I
have occasionally seen the well-known Coccinea
at 18 inches high, though usually poor, puny,
and small-flowered, and, like all else where this
dwarfness is but the outcome of want of culture,
and not natural habit, quite unrepresentative
of th« beautiful class to which it belongs.
Recently divided plants after such a summer of
heat would be just of this class unless special cannot Ion
means had been taken to prevent it. In many
directions there is room for improving these
plants, which around London do not receive
tlie attenticjn they did twenty-five years ago,
when Mr. Robert Parker, Downie, Laird, and
Laing, Forest Hill, and Henderson's, Welling-
ton Road, grew theui nearer perfection than I
have seen for some time. The Phloxes in all
these places were a feature. Many of the best
then are the best now with very few exceptions.
Phloxes at 12 inches high are not wanted in
the garden, and as a fact, happily, do not exist.
For years past the tendency has been to elabo-
rate and embellish the beds on the lawn,
wliile the garden all around has been ignored.
For this latter jiurpose these Phloxes are most
valuable, and raising their heads aloft are best
suited for effective grouping as also for distant
eflect. For these purposes we do not want
them a blaze of colour level with the lawn ;
rather should they be sufficiently tall to be
fittingly associated with other things equally
desirable and capable of similarly beautiful and
varied effects in the landscape of any good
garden. E. Jenkins.

Hampton Hill.

it, or, better still, not aXicA

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.

Clintonia umbellata. — Those who have grown
this interesting herbaceous plant will just now be
reminded of the best aspect in which it presents
itself in British gardens, because it is now bear-
ing its umbels of large fruits of a bright and light
blue colour. Those who have not grown it may
be assured of its hardiness, and may perhaps
better realise what it is like when it is stated
that it is equally correct to call it a Smilacina as a
Clintonia. It does well in an open border if there
is a deep moist soil of a black or vegetable nat'ire.

Shortia galacifolia. — Charmed as we were in
spring by the lovely flowers of this humble, but
etfective jjlant, no one can be less so on seeing
the highly-coloured foliage at this season ; besides
yellow there is rich mahogany colour in more or
less pronounced shades, which, with the dividing
lines of the midribs and veins in paler yellows or
on green, is enough to content the most exact-
ing, and the fact that this oval foliage is arranged
HI pretty tufts, almost rosette-like in many cases,
further enhances the value of the plant for
autumn, especially where grown quite exposed,
as certainly it may be. Indeed, it is my fully
exposed group that tempted this note, the more
shaded plants being as yet comparatively green.

Arenaria gothica. — This is still in bloom,
and how lai'ge and striking the flowers are for
so small a plant ! They are pure white, star-
shaped, and of a glassy or glistening nature ;
indeed, the whole plant is notalile for its shining
character. It is quite a thing to put into chinks in
the rock garden, and it evidently can take care
of itself, provided rampant neighbours are kept

from reachin;
near it.
Primulas— the alpine species.— 1 ca

say that 1 know for a fact that the mealy root a
does much harm. 1 do not like to see it. i
someof the healthiest plants I have seen areinft
with it, and though 1 always wash the roo
plants I work at for propagation, I have seen
pest propagated with the plant without appa
harm. This uncertainty is not quite salisfaci
but there are points on which I do feel cei
First, that the aphis is not a pest of ga
origin or peculiar to the plants in a stat
captivity, because I have frequently seen i
roots newly collected in the Alps, and ju.st
I am importing my usual supplies, and the n'
pest is conspicuous on such species as min
carniolica, Wulfeniana, calycina, lenensis, vt
nensis, and Uumoulini. The more porous
rooting medium, the more liable the plants
to be infested. This brings me to another [i
also, 1 think, beyond doubt, that the a
exist if not near a circulatio
air. The porous soil just hinted at is
instance. Another is the fact that 3-ou ah
find the densest colonies at the collar of
plant, and if deeper it is pretty sui-e to be in
loose soil or dehrii as many of us have a fane-
setting the Primula species amongst. And a:
in the case of pot-cultivated specimens thisth
is emphasised by the fact that there may
colony at the collar and another at the bottoi
and near the hole of the pot. In stiff, adht
soils j'ou rarely find this pest, but, of course,
soils are not practicable for all the spe
tiiven, however, the correctness of the air tht
if one wishes to destroy the pest, we have
obvious advantage in knowing such simple fai
Muhlenbeckia complexa. — Properly pla
this is capaljle of growing to a most attrac
specimen. On the outside of a greenhouse fa
south it has grown into a wide mass and h
delicate and Fern-like effect. It acts as a foi
some Tritomas, and as such its distinct effect
be better imagined than descril^ed. It mak
striking hillock of sombre foliage when grow
a border or on rocks, or it may be employed
climber of considerable vigour. Of course,
position named is an exceptional one, and ma
said to indicate the want of hardiness which n
have found to be the case. My experience is
in severe winters it suffers in the open, but is
killed. Anyhow, it is one of those good and e
tive things that are worth some care in winter,
often a small armful of dry Bracken will ans
for protection in winter. I notice a crop of
beautiful fruits seting on twigs that I
rambled into the greenhouse. J. Wooi

WoodvUk, Kirtifall.

0-

Single Dahlia Scarlet Defiance.— I f
grown this Daldia this season, and find it to 1
very vigorous, free-flowering variety, pirodui.
blooms of a most intense scarlet colour and
extra large size. These are borne on very !■
stems and are just the thing for cutting. 0
as all the types of Dahlias are for the flo
garden, none are so useful for cutting as the sin
varieties. One mistake which is often madt
placing too many in a single vase or bowl,
space of a few inches between each flower sho
always be given, this allowing for the spare i
tribution of some suitably coloured autumn folia
-.1. C.

Asclepias tuberosa.— This fine plant, wn
was inti'oduced from North America some th
hundred years ago, has come before the flo
committee of the Royal Horticultural Society t
or three times this season in the hope it woi
obtain an award ; but, good and valuable as it
the limit of age was very properly applied in
case. It is a grand old plant, and the sea:
appears to have suited it. The dry, warm sumo,
brought it to a high state of perfection. It "lef
a light warm soil to come to perfection, and tli|
it is found to do well in a mixture of peat and loa
It is seldom met with, and that, perhaps, becai
conditions of soil and climate may affect it.— K-

October 2, 1897.]

THE GAKDEN".

257

ANDROSACE LANUGINOSA.

the wliolc, this may be considered tlie best

its race. Left alone it is rather straj^'i^linj; in

^iwth, but this may be eonsiderably iiiodilinl

rc'iilating the slioots with a few wooden

;s, thus forming; it into more coni|iact masses.

e "majority of tlie species in tliis beautiful

lus liave a Ciesjiitose habit of growth, this

tiding to make them rather shtu't-lived in our

I i^vcii climate. The plant under notice is an

eption, being easily grown anil readily pro-

;ated. The stems reach a length (jf about

iiKitand are furnished with silky white leaves,

t^ Bowers rose-coloured with a yellow centre.

'Jere should be no dilliculty in fornung large

dies, as in the illustration, [ircferably in

iitions where the trailing stems could fall

r a ledge of rock. It will also do well on

level, but to be successful grown thus the

jiund should be carpeted with small stones

f the growths to rest on. A soil composed of

years to |)erfectioii in heavy damp .soil and in a
shaded situation. In sun or shade, in light or
heavy soil, cottagers seem I'arely to fail with this
i>\i|iiisite Lil}', and one is large-hearted enough to
lie gl.ail of their success evi'o if such does not at-
tcMil one's own ell'orts. After reading tlie exhaus-
tive and interesting article (p. 2Jil) on the disea.se
which has lately .attacked the Japanese Lilies, one
feels a strong desire that those who have worked
so ably to elucidate that question would turn
their attention to the disease, that so often works
havoc in the ranks of Lilium candidum, which is
imr i.i-ri//i lire our Lily, and yields the ])alm to
none in pure beauty. Many reasons ha\e been
assigned for this visitation and many remedies
liave been recomiiieiided, but, as far as I know, all
are more tentative than autlioritative. — S. W. F.
Seedling scarlet Lobelias. — I send you a
few side sjiikes of Lobelia seedlings having for
parentage L. syphilitica and the forms of L.
tulgens. The result of such hybridising is to
give greater hardiness to the race, and it also
tends to make them bushy. My large bed of

200 feet in length, which have lately been filled
with double Violets. The plants were looking
partieulaily strong and healthy, and on not one
could a trace of red spider be seen, the foliage
being of a uniform dark green thruugliout. These
Violets were grown in the full sun, and no water-
ing was re(|uired from tin- time they were planted
out in the spring, while the heavy rains that fell
immediately after they were moved to the pits
settled them well in their new quarters and pre-
vented them flagging even for an hour. — S. W. F. ,
Siiiilli IJi i-uii.

Muhlenbeckia complexa. — A note from Mr-
Wood on the charming i-ilect of the above assc
eiatedwith Rlie.xia \ irginiea ajipeared on p. 159.
It is, indeed, valuable for clotiiing blank or un-
sightly places ; here hanging like a curtain before
a bare rock ; here tilling the interstices of a worn-
out hedge with its wiry stems and minute leaves,
and here again acting as a foil to some brilliant
flower. In ray garden it has this year over-
grown the corner of a bed where Lobelia fulgens
lives, and a few brilliant spikes have shot up

Andi-osace lanuginosa at Totley Hull, Sheffield. From a pliotograph sent by Mr. W. A. Milner.

dy loam with either peat or leaf soil added,
also some burnt clay, answers well for it.
'he illustration was fnjin a photograph taken
Mr. Milner, Totley Hall, Shetlield, in his

g.len on July 'Jll of the present year. Mr.
ner says that the jilant was given to him
ut three years ago, and that it seems to in-

cihse and lie thoroughly at home. He also
< us he has never pinched it back, and that
,TOws it in a mixture of light soil and lime-

stie chippings.

he Madonna Lily. — On page 159 reference
lade to the healthy conditions of the above
in cottage gardens. The writer of the note
is clined to attribute this success to the sandy
so in which these bulbs were grown and to the
Ji and sunny situation of the bed. The fact
ofliese Lilies thriving nowhere as they do in
ccage gardens has often been alluded to in
the columns, but it is not alone in dry positions
th they flourish in such gardens, for I know of
"lift than one place where they have grown for

these has been quite a sight, being a mass of
bloom. The plants were [)ut out as miniature
seedlings in the middle of a large field, with no
protection whatever, in the early sjiring. I ha\e
other crosses, and for next year I hope to get a
greater range of colour. The Gaillardias also are
the result of careful hybridising in order to get a
distinctiveness to the strain. — B. L.\dh.\ms,
.s7( //■'((/, Southampton.

*,* They are very interesting and such experi-
ments m.ay lead to some useful varieties, but we
think that all crossing of L. sy|)hilitica and the
splendid scarlet kinds is a step the wrong way.
\\'hat we ought to seek are tine varieties of the
scarlet kinds, than which there are no better. —
En.

Violets.— I see that on p. 190 ".I. C.'' sjieaks

of the present season as having been trying for

I the doulile Violets on account of the encourage-

i ment given bv the drought to the red s|)ider.

Fortunately for us in the south-west, we have

j had a fairly moist summer, only one of the sum-

' mer months being below the average as regards

rainfall. I have just seen a range of pits, over

through its dark green maze. It must, I think,
be judged |ierfeetly hardy in the south-west, as
one plant, which grows here at the lip of a small
cascade and hangs down towards the water be-
neath, was in the severe winter of 1895 a solid
sheet of ice for many weeks, from root to furthest
leaflet, with the ince-ssant sprinkling of the quickly
freezing water. After the departure of the frost
it looked very miserable for a time, but with the
return of spring threw out fresh shoots and leaves.
— S. W. F.

Notes from Almondsbury. — It is wonderful
and delightful to notice the growth of the love of
gardening and the rapid sjiread of flowers into
small and out-of-the-way places. On Monday I
was at Aust, one of the m.any places connected
by tradition with the meeting betiween St. Augus-
tine and the Welsh bishops. Just opposite the
fine old church is a farmhouse, and the garden is
full of white Anemone jajjonica. Vet it seems to
me only a few years since the gardening world
was rejoicing over the possession of this treasure.
One day hist week a lady, who had spent many
hours in the study of gardening books, came

258

PHE GARDEN.

[October 2,1897.

to me, and, though knowing very little as y^ti
was enthusiastic on the subject. Down in the
village little greenhouses are madl}' springing up,
and wild purchases at ruinous prices are made of
bulbs that will never grow to perfection. One
can often give here a helping hand. Physalis
Franchetti is looking very fine. My advice is,
give it a good place in the ^'egetable garden
and grow it freely ; it is a most excellent fruit.
I think it superior to the ordinary Cape
Gooseberry in flavour, and a dish full of these
gorgeous monsters would delight the eye as well
as the palate. Sun and rich soil are all it needs,
and once planted, never think to be free of it.
Rudbeckia Golden (ilow is a fine thing, but mine
went u]5 to 9 feet high and then bloomed profusely.
Put it with a Silphium and see which will beat.
My hardy Cyclamens are over — how charming
these are ! A race of Streptocarpus from Messrs.
Sanders is good, to my mind, but rather difficult
to bloom. These things want heat, but not a
stove. In the stove they come out washy and
lanky. Everyone should grow the tall Tyda=a
fragrans — pure white, long tube — most useful just
now, yet I seldom see it. — C. 0. Miles.

Tropseolum speciosum. — This brilliant
climber, a note on which ajapeared on page 189,
is dithcult to establish in the south-west. I liave
tried to introduce it into my garden for five years,
and only succeeded in acclimatising it last
year after four unsuccessful attempts. It is
now growing in leaf-mould and loam in a bed
which the sun's rays rarely touch, though, after
the plant has reached a height of "> feet it gets
plenty of sunshine. It has flowered abundantly
this year and has also seeded freely, j'et in the
summer great lengths died off suddenl}' without
an_y apparent cause. As " E. J." pointed out, its
vigour in Scotland is marvellous. No careful
selection of site and exposure is needful there. It
is almost sufficient to (h'op a [liece of the root on
a bed for it to occupy the whole of the surround-
ing soil in a year's time. I have seen Ijarrowfuls
of the roots dug up and thrown away in the north,
with which we in the south would have been only
too glad to experiment. — S., Tarqimi/.

BORDER CARNATIONS.

Permit me to make a few additions to what I
said the other day, as I seem not to have made
myself understood. No one has a greater appre-
ciation of the excellent work Mr. Martin Smith
has done in raising and giving us his beautiful
and \igorous modern Carnations. What I did
say, and say again, is that " no flower has been
more killed by kindness," because the florists, in
their search for smoothness of petal and sj'mmetry
of form, overlooked the cardinal points of vigour
and hardiness. To me — and I venture to think to
most "picture-loving" gardeners — a bed of Car-
nations from last year's autumn layers is an un-
sightly thing, with its single-stemmed plants,
probably stittly tied up, and with a ring of crop-
eared layers around the central stick. What I
must have is a fine hold mass, full of growth and
flower, as little tied up as possible : for jjrefer-
ence, not on the flat, but hanging down over a
bank or a wall and covering it perhaps for 4 feet
or even 5 feet with a curtain of flower. Will any-
one contend such an effect is possible with one-
year-old plants ''. It certainly is not in the north,
and therefore I only call such Carnations as will
endure and thrive for three years at least true
border Carnations, because they only can give the
rich efiect of luxuriance and flower that I desire.
Those who have not seen the beauty of Carnations
grown in this way liave a treat before them if
they will try it. I shall never forget a striking
instance I saw years ago in a stable yard at
Tarifa, in the south of Sjiain. Hung on the walls
of the inn yard where the diligence stopped
were large pockets of cork bark, filled with soil
and planted with Carnations whicli hung down in
a blaze of beauty. Such artistic stables do not, I
think, reach as far north as England, but we cer-
tainly may diversify the usual Carnation bed of

an Englisli garden by a raised bed of Carnations
hanging down over Lai-ch poles where the soil is
sufficiently holding to grow Carnations really
w-ell. One of the many merits of Mr. M. Smith's
Carnations is that their flowers are so bold and so
large, that they are improved by being slightly
smaller and so perhaps refined, while the gain in
the mass and quantity is enormous. I mentioned
one florist's Carnation as a type of what is un.suit-
able from my [loint of \'iew ; let me add anotlier —
Mrs. Eiic Ham'oro, which is so formal that it is to
me positively ugly, and I have discarded it. No
doubt it maj' be a first-rate florist's flower, but
then I am not a florist.

Enw.^r.n H. Wood.4ll.

Zauschneria californica. — In my garden in
South Devon this plant grows very freely in heavy-
loam, even in a spot wdiich is not well drained.
It is now bearing its brilliant vermilion blossoms,
and is a pretty sight. It is quite hardy here and
is given no protection during the winter, having
borne the long cold of 1S95 with impunity. A
small root soon makes a large plant, and as it
spreads abroad considerably, it is well not to
plant any weak - growing subjects in close
proximity. In some gardens it refuses altogether
to th rive, although evervthing is done to humour
it.-S. W. F.

Dahlias and earwigs. — The note on the
above subject (p. 147) reminds me of a time,
many years ago, when I jflanted out a new- Dahlia
in sunny weather and propped up an old sack
over it by way of protection. The next morning
I found, to my horror, that the leaves had been
all but demolished, and on removing the sack, the
better to examine the work of destruction, found
it teeming with earwigs. At that time I was
growing a few- hundred Chrysanthemum plants
for exhibition blooms, and had already lost many
a promising shoot owing to the same pests. 1
tra]Dped largely with inverted '21-inch pots filled
with hay, sections of hollow cane and crumpled
up pieces of larown paper, but felt that the tale of
the slain was too inconsiderable to cause any
appreciable diminution in their numbers. The
sack episode, how-ever, seemed to point a method
by which the enemy might be annihilated whole-
sale, and a search being made for every availaljle
piece of old sacking, some thirty or more were
found. These were lightly folded and placed on
the grass and around the Clirj^santhemums and
Dahlias l:tefore nightfall, and on examination the
next morning were generally found to contain
from a dozen to a hundred earwigs ; on some
occasions an even larger number than the last-
named w-as trapped in a single sack. Towards
the end of the summer the captives were fewer,
and the following year the earwigs ajipeared in
diminished numbers. A few weeks ago I w-as in
a garden where a white ensign had inadvertently
been left at the truck of a tlagstafi' through the
night. As the proprietor wished to sulistitute
another flag, I hauled down the ensign, and as it
touched the ground I noticed that some fifty or
more earwigs were running about over the
bunting. Tlie night having been absolutely calm
they had taken advantage of the hanging folds of
the flag for .shelter.— S. W. F.

Herbaceous Lobelias. — I was glad to read on
page 124 that a correspondent found herbaceous
Lobelias perfectlj- hardy with him. That this
is not the general experience may be inferred from
the numerous letters that have appeared in The
G.4KDEX during the last few years, dealing with
various methods of preserving these jjlants through
the winter months. In my present garden, the
soil of which is a heasy loam, both tlie dark and
green-leaved -i-arieties are so hardy that, though
I often divide the clumps in the autumn, I never
have, as in " B. G.'s" case, to place a mulch over
the divided plants. The chief group of these
Lobelias is situated close to water, and in the
severe frost of 1895 the freshl}' divided clumps
were frozen solid for months, this garden, with its
low-lying and water-surrounded ]iosition, being
some degrees colder than any other in the neigh-

bourhood, yet not a single plant perished. T
brilliantly coloured flower-spikes, some exceed]
4 feet in height, are thrown up in great p,
fusion, and the other day I cut four dozen wi i
out their loss l.ieing noticeable. This year til
are associated with Salvia patens, and very he:
tiful is the eft'ect of the vermilion spires shooti
up from the deep gentian-blue of the Salvi
Loljelia rosea also does well, and has pro\
hardy under the same conditions during the I
two winters : l.iut whether it would withstam
prolonged frost such as that of 1895, with i
punity, remains to be proved. When I resic
in a warmer and far more sheltered spot on i
banks of the river Dart, where the soil was ]i>
and shady, I could never keep these Lobel
healthy in the open through the winter, and 1
the greatest difficulty, though I wintered somt
frames and others potted up in gentle heat,
jireserving sufficient for a yearly display,
would seem that, in a damp and holding soil tl
gain a hardiness to withstand disease and the
clemency of wintrj' weather, that in a lighter s
and more genial .surroundings they fail to acou-
-S. W. F. ^

NEW DAHLIAS.

At the two exhibitions — the Crystal Palace ;
Aquarium — lately held, fresh \'arieties of Dah'
were numerous. This was more especially
case among the Cactus flowers. They were
many cases improvements, too, both in shape :
colour. There appeared to me, howe\er, rathf
tendency to aw-ard certificates to sorts of so
what similar tint. Thus, shades of ruliy-red w
so honoured in Falka and Ruby. Now Cycle
last year is perhaps better than either, i
Regulus is not so fine a crimson as is Chai
Woodbridge. To multiply varieties indefinit
is certainly not a gain unless distinct advan(
and I fear the cry will soon be with Cactus Dah
as with Chrysanthemums, that we are gett
too man3'.

One could wish for some means of judgin
new flower in other respects besides the blos^
itself. Thus, Fantasy, which struck one last j
as aljsolutely new and out of the common
shajie, is a complete failure as a plant,
blooms without severe disbudding are tiny ; t
have footstalks so short that the leaves hide tl
entirely. Now one has to pay a considerii
price for these novelties, and the many faili
are disappointing. As seen at the shows.

Daffodil is quite ahead of any of its colour. '
shape is most perfect. It is of medium size and
petals are narrow, these staudingr i.ut qudl-like
graceful. The shade of yeUow is also very pleasint

Night, as the name implies, is very dark, alui
black. In shape it is an improvement on the
variety called ilatcbloss.

TiLLIE is a charming shade of salmon-'.ose;
shape is of the approved type.

Island Qveen has a distinct shade of colo'
heliotro]3e-pink will describe it-. It is free bloomi
has long stems, and is sure to become esteemed.

Alfred Vasey, salmnn-rose, is a charming flo\i
c[uite one of the best of the year. The tint is fr
and rich, and the shape most desirable.

MAity Service is another exquisite flower in ti
of salmon and pink. Its petals are narrow i
pointed.

Araciine will be grown because of its disti
colouring— white and red. Its petals are very :i
row and bave a most pleasiu,g curl.

E. J. Deal has bright scarlet crimson flowc
These are forked or pointed and lignt iu appe;iraiic^

Annie Tiibnek has a charming Cactus-like for
and the ?liadirg of cerise is most distinct.

TiiUE FiiiEND is a darli-colonred taking bloom. 1
petals are spiky and narrow. It is a distinct advaii

The above-named are all Cactus Dahli.
They appeared to me the best among otln
which gained certificates- of merit. Hypal
terra-cotta-yellow, and Nellie Broomhead, lil
are two pompons of very pretty form and colon

Physalis Franchetti.— " F. W. B." (p. 1|
notes how easilj- this is grown, though he adra|

October 2, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

259

ere are fiiilurcs. Last j'ear I failed, not gettini;
If a dozen pei'fect fruits. This year, without
y attention, i liave a larjjc {|uantity and of
■ge size. 1 think hist season tlie culture was at
■lit. I raised the plants in strong heat, finally
intiiiffout at the end of May or early in .June.
le plants soon beeanie infested with red spider,
iking hut poor progress. Being on a Vine
rder I expected better things. This year the
lilts came U|i again very strongly, and instead

a few wealily plants I have grand bu.slies
vered with fruit. This I'hysalis may be raised
a cold frame, and, given ample moisture, will
ow freely. Treated thus there is no cheek. 1

e this season raised it by sowing in the open
pund.— (J. Wytiiks.

(RCHARD AND FRUIT GARDEN.

BL.VCKBERRIES.

'.;.E accompanying illustration (from a phuto-
f'lph by Messrs. .Scott and Son.s, of Exeter)
t^iws the value of the ]51aekberry for covering
fijustic garden .-irch. Not only is it etiective in
fpiishing shade for a garden seat, but it
liaks the monotcuiy of a long wall-enclosed

■den, and furnishes a consideniljle quantity of
it of superior iiuality. The variety i.s
Ison, Jun. The garden, belonging to Mr.
Sargent, Prosjiect I'ark, Exeter, has a
derately favourable situation.

A. Hoi-E.

UNFRUITFUL PEACHES.

Iii.vvK a lean-to Peacli house having :i west

aect, the front is 4\ feet high, liack wall 10 feet,

with 9 feet. The south gable is of stone, and the

lijise on that end is shaded by Beech and Ash

t >s which grow to within 1(1 yards or 1^ yards

"t. The rafter.s are 1 1 inches apart and 3i inches

u|. under the glass. During the summer the

Sj does not begin to shine through till about

llclock p.m. The trees grow in an inside border

aie in splendid health. For the past two

- tliey were covered with bloom in spring,

itli the exception of four trees at the north

il the house they have quitefailed tosetaerop.

I .V are not forced, there being no artificial heat.

Uld you suggest the possible cause of failure ?—

U IDENER.

L* The cause of failure is evident enough —
ujiature wood. The house was badly designed
»i the wrong position for it chosen in the first
irance. If a Peach house must fiice the south,
»' I often visit a garden where Peaches and
N tarines are successfully grown in a lean-to
h'se facing the west, the least that could have
h"i done would have been to construct a glazed
9(th gable, to have light sash bars, these also
s* ing thejiurpose of rafters, arranging them 1.")
imes to 18 inches apart, and to provide artificial
ft .■^^*" '*^'''li these improvements it is doubt-
10 f the shade of the Beech and Ash trees would
n<still have an injurious efl'ect upon the Peach

■ d the south end of the house. Neither

■ Elm, nor Ash trees are desirable adjuncts
■•■garden, and if "Gardener" can get

'"P'ssion, he ought to destroy those .shading the

r<bh house under his charge. If he could

•ufier turn on fire-heat, that would partially

'•nljiensate for the insufficiency of sunshine tha't

- his trees. Seeing tliat they flower freely,

ttmg is not necessary, but he ought to do

• nc thinning out needed directly what fruit

ii»is IS gathered. Freely thinning out, in par-

UiJar removincr much of" the wood that has re-

<jelly produced fruit, or which ought to have

1 L ^°l ^'^'^*^ ^^'^ reserved young growths a

I Uv t "'^^ '" harden, as thev then get the full

t'll t ^ ^'"''^ sunshine penetrates through

"iroof. Immature wood may flower freely, but

re imperfect in form and feeble, few

would do better under the conditions that pro-
vail in " (ianlener's" Peach house, as the.sc after
the first season rarely foi-m soft growth, adiUrd to
which they could be shifted to a suiuiy, open spot
directly the crops are cleared 'oil'. Well-
managed pot trees produce surprisingly hea\'y

W. I

crojis.

Fruit tree in plant house.— I have a small
span-roofed ()laut In. use, used in winter for Ciner-
arias, &(■., one end being a brick wall. In spr.ng
and summer there are Pelargoniums and Begonias.
Would a Nectarine or a Fig do on the wall .satis-
factorily '! What is the best practical book on
fruit culture under glass and outside? — .\. Y. Z.

*,» In all i>robability the house runs from north
to .south and the wall is at the north end. This
being so, either a Fig or Nectarine tree ought to
succeed well against the wall. If a Fig tree is pre-
ferred. Brown Turkey is the variet"y to plant.
Confine the roots in a border about (i feet wifle,

"oof.
• hjlowers

The Blackberry on a trellis in Mr. Sargent's garden at Prospect Park,
Exeter. From a photograph sent by Mr. A. Hope.

narrower if the wall is not more than 10 feet high
at its highest point, and a mixture of fresh loam,
garden soil and old mortar rubbish in equal parts
would answer well. If an early Nectarine is de-
sired, Rivers' Early can be recommended. Hum-
boldt is a fine midseason Nectarine. For Necta-
rines use less mortar rubbish. " Fruit Culture
for Amateurs," by Mr. S. T. Wright, would prove
of good service to you. — Ed.

Pear Bergamote d'Esperen.— This, one of

the freest bearers of the Hcrgamot section, is
worthy of more extended cultivation, as quite
young trees worked on the (>luince fruit freely.
In this district it does well, and in fairly sunny
seasons is juicy and refreshing, being apt to show
a slight grittiness near the core after a wet, sun-
less summer and autumn. I have it in upright
cordon form both on an east and west aspect, and

or'n fr„;* i/- / .,-,.uic, .cr> ..v^iuui, lu.iij ij.im I. II ill! eaBtauu west aspect, ana

'0 irmts resulting from them. Trees in pots 'it does well, the fruit being about the size

of a normal - sized Winter Nelis, but less
russetty in the skin than that variety. How
seldom one meets with (iansel's Bergamot now-a-
<lays : this, no doubt, being accounted for by the
fai;t that it re(|uires a good climate and warm soil
to do it justice. It used to grow freclv and fruit
well at Kendlesham, in Suffolk, and I remember a
capital tree on a south wall in Essex, worked on
the Pear, as it is not naturally a robust "rower —
.1. C, A'o^.v. "

Figs.— Fig3, especially the Brown Turkey, are
abundant with me, and, though somewhat late,
are now (the middle of September) ripening well ;.
other sorts, though equally prolific, are not ripen-
ing at all well. The Fig is a very gross feeder ;
I teed mine (some two dozen trees, half of tliem
standard, the other half trained on walls) with
blood and fish manure, cow manure, and lime
rubble from old buildings. The trees are cut
round late in the autumn so as to keep the root:*-
within bounds; manure is put into the trench,
and then a good coating of
farmyard rotten manure as a
mulching, on top of which a
layer of sifted coal ashes
is placed to exclude the
frost during the winter. In
the spring the coal ashes are
removed, but the manure mulch-
ing is left and well saturated
with strong lic|uid m.anure. No
amount of frost seems to affect
them. I never lose a tree from
the effects of frost and have
almost invariably good crops,
especially wiih the Brown Tur-
key, which rarely or ever fails,
and keeps me well provided
with delicious fruit from August
till November. I have given
u[) growing the Brown Turkey
under glass. True, it ripens
earlier, but it is not nearly so
|jrolific or the flavour, to my
palate, so good as the outdoor
grown fruit. Several of my
trees are thirty years old. I
prune the wall trees, but not
the standards. — Gwknt.

Strawberry Loxford Hall
Seedling. — This, when well
grown, excellent late Straw-
berry appears to be very popu-
lar in the eastern counties,
judging from the large stock
of runners I saw this autumn
in the Norwich nurseries. Al-
though, perhaps, not sufficiently
piiililic for planting in large
breadths for market, it is when
at home a grand variety for
private use, and, when well
ripened, of good fla\our for a
late Strawberry. It is of no
use trying to grow it in gardens
w^here the soil is light and hot,
as red spider, which is particu-
larly partial to it, is sure to
infest the foliage badly. It re-
quires a cool moist loam and liberal mulching.
I have had no experience with it on a north
border where such sorts as Elton Pine, Fro"-
more Late Pine, and Helena Gloede do well, but
on ordinary beds exposed to the sun I have had
very large fruits, these ripening after all other
sorts were past. The fruit is cockscomb-shaped,
dark crimson, with prominent seeds. — Gkowek.

Growing Plums for market.— As with most
other things in the fruit and vegetable line, too
many midseason varieties are grown and too few
early and late kinds ; consequently in most
seasons there is a glut of such sorts as Victoria,
which everybody grows on account of its produc-
tive character, as low as a penny a pound and two
pounds for three-halfpence being sometimes ac-
cepted. Of early and late Plums, however, there
is in most market towns a scarcity. Were
growers to turn their attention to tlie production

260

THE GAKDEK.

[October 2, 1897.

ofj'August and October ripening varieties they
would doubtless find it remunerative, particularly
in seasons when Plums are (jlentiful. Early Pro-
lific, Prince of Wales and Orleans would be good
Plums to grow for early supplies. The Sultan, an
improved Prince of Wales and a very free bearer,
might also be included, also OulUn's Golden, a
large, oval, rich yellow Plum, ripening in August.
July Green Gage, Early Transparent Gage,
INlitchelson's, iVIonarch, two fine dark very prolific
Plums ; Grand Duke, ripening in October ; Belle
de Septembre and Winesour, the latest of all
Plums, would be a good selection for producing
late market supplies. — J. C.

PREPARATIONS FOR PLANTING.

ALTHOUun it is too soon for planting, when the
trees have to be procured from a distance, yet
much may be done in the interval to forward
matters. The foremost and most laborious work
is the opening of the holes and getting them ready
for the trees, particularly when a great deal of
planting is contemplated. There is a great
advantage gained by getting this done early, as
not only does it save time when the actual plant-
ing has to be performed, but the excavated soil
will become warmed by the sun's rays, and the
mass antl the sides of the holes will also become
sweetened in the meantime. The soil thrown out
in the process of digging becomes disintegrated
on the outside, if not throughout the whole mass,
and, as every planter knows, these finer particles
are of the greatest value for placing directly over
the roots, as they fill up all the interstices
between them and leave no hollow spaces, as is
the case when freshly-dug soils of an axlhesive
nature have to be dealt with. In some gardens it
is necessary to concrete the bottoms of the holes
where the subsoil is cold and wet, or where it is
apt to be charged with water at certain seasons of
the year, and when this has to be done it is
almost superfluous to add that it should be done
in good time. In this case short drains must be
pro^■ided for carrying the moisture away from
these concreted holes to the nearest existing
drain, but if there are many holes- and they
should he contiguous to one another — the quickest
way would be to lay a drain purposely, and in
such a manner that it will collect all the moisture
rom each hole. This drain should have a good
.all, and be laid just below the level of the con-
crete floor to ensure the latter always keeping
dry, and if placed just at the outer edge of the
concreting with some rubble jjlaced on top, the
necessity for short drains will be ob^■iated. In
cases where the soil is merely cold and damp
through the situation being low, the difficulty,
and likewise expense, of concreting may be got
over by putting a good laj'er of brickbats or
stones at the bottoms of the holes, with a thin
layer of broken metal on the top. This will
ensure the roots of the trees lying much warmer,
and often leads to their succeeding when they
would otherwise be quite a failure. When this
method is adopted, the precaution should always
be taken to place either a layer of turves over the
drainage or a sufficient quantity of long litter to
keep the soil from getting amongst it and choking
it up. For orchard planting tlie site shoukl be
thoroughly and systematically drained if the
situation is a low-lying one and the subsoil cold
and apt to become water-logged, for to plant fruit
trees in such a soil without draining it is simply-
courting failure. Draining is of course best done,
when convenient, early in the season, so that the
disturbed portions of "the field or pasture, as the
case may be, have time to settle down before
planting' is done. But matters of this description
cannot always be performed just at the right
moment, and if undertaken at once a great deal
of this kind of work could be done between now
and the time that nurserymen would be in a posi-
tion to commence lifting their trees. Another
method of overcoming the difficulty of dealing
with heavy retentive soils is to plant on mounds or
stations. This is of course less expensive than
draining, but the latter is the more lasting and

eflectual remedy, and should alw'ays if possible be
adopted. Of course there are numerous cases
where no drainage of any description is needed,
the subtoil being so porous that all superabundant
moisture passes away readily, and all that is
necessary in dealing with these is simply to open
out holes of sufficient diameter and depth. Where
a considerable sized tract of land is to be con-
verted into a mixed orchard or fruit farm, the
soil should either be trenched two spits deep or
otherwise deeply ploughed after the draining is
completed. Unless this can be done early in the
autumn it is best to defer planting until the
following season, taking a crop of Potatoes from
the land" in the meantime, after which the soil
would be in good working condition. The dia-
meter of the holes will vary according to the class
of tree to be planted, but, as a rule, they should
not be less than 4 feet, but in orchards (j feet is none
too much, and every particle of old roots should be
picked out of the soil if the new tree has to occupy
the same site that the old or dead one did. In
forming an orchard the soil for which has been
trenched, holes 4 feet in diameter and from
18 inches to 2 feet in depth will suffice, but if the
trees are to be planted on grass or arable land
which has received no pre\ious preparation what-
ever, the diameter of the holes should certainly
not be less than (i feet, 2 feet in dejith, and the
bottom well broken up in addition. If this little
extra trouble were only taken instead of merely
digging a hole just large enough to hold the
roots, and sometimes barely that, so many
stunted, half-starved-looking young trees would
not so frecjuently be seen in orchards. The next
question is that of

Soil,

of which a little should be spared for placing over
the roots when the staple is of a poor description.
In gai-dens the soil in which Melons or Cucumbers
have been grown answers well if maiden loam is
too precious, an article to use first hand. With
this may be mixed turf parings from walks and
drives, trimmings from the sides of roads, road
scrapings, -wood ashes, and burnt soil, and when
the whole is mixed together it will form a com-
)iost congenial to the wants of any kind of fi'uit
tree. The same kind of compost, even if minus
the loam, answers remarkably well for placing
about the roots when planting orchards, and
when much jilanting is contemplated, a good heap
should be got together and turned once or twice
some time pre\ ious to its being required. Road
scrapings, ditch cleanings, and trimmings from
the edges of roads can generally be had for the
hauling in country districts, and when thrown
together and a little lime added at the time of
turnino-, to sweeten the mass, a valuable compost
is soon formed. Hedge trimmings, if collected
and taken to where the compost heap is being
formed and burnt on the spot, will supply a crude
form of potash, and this should be intimately
mixed with the other ingredients. By exercising
a little care and forethought in this way a valu-
able heap of compost is soon formed, and the
labour and expense entailed thereby are amply
compensated for in the fact that the trees become
the more quickly established, and as a result
commence bearing sooner, ^\'hether required in
the garden or orchard, this soil should be either
wheeled or carted and a sufficient cjuantity of it
placed ready for use by the side of each hole.
This should be done as early in the autumn as
convenient, for, generally speaking, the ground is
then firmer and the wheeling or carting can be
done with greater facility than after it becomes
saturated by autumn rains.

In addition to preparing the holes and placing
a fair modicum of compost when required by the
side of each, there is the question of

St.\kix(i,
as each tree, particularly standards, after being
])lantedmust be kept firmly in place by being tied
to a stout stake. Staking should be well done at
the outset, for if the tree once gets loose at the
surface of the ground and a funnel-shaped cavity is
formed, in consequence of the stem waving back-

wards and forwards through the action of thewiri'
it will never do much good afterwards. In statii
planting extra care is needed in staking, for U
reason that the roots being on a level with tl
surface, or only a little below it, they have not .
firm a hold as when planted in the ordinary wa>
consequently, winds ha\o a greater power ov
them. The stakes in all instances should be drivi
firmly into the subsoil, and this is best done befu
the trees are planted, and then no mutilation
roots will take place, as is likely to occur wh
staking is done after planting. The requisi
number of stakes had therefore better be prepare
and to render them more durable the butt enc
after being sharpened, should be charred and th
dipped in gas tar, or otherwise be boiled for a f(
hours in creosote. As a protection against grou
game, galvanised wire mesh netting forms a che
and eflective guard for the trees. For this, thi
light stakes are needed to tie the wire to, a
these should be placed triangular fa.shion rou
and at some little distance from the stems. T
wire netting should be let into the ground ti
depth of 2 inches or 3 inches. This same netti
makes a good cattle guard if stout and Ion;
stakes are used, reaching well up to the hea^s
the trees. The end corner of the netting should
let into the ground and then wind it round i
stakes in spiral fashion until the toji of the stal
is reached. It should then be cut across, wh
will lea%e the netting in the right form for letti
into the ground and winding round the sta
placed about the next tree. The netting sho
be held in place with a single strand of bar!
wire fastened to one of the stakes near
ground, which should take the same course t
the netting does, and fasten it at the top to
of the stakes with a staple. After finding 1
much wire and netting are reciuired for one ti
the necessary number of lengths of both can
cut and had in readiness for use. This is
most inexpensive form of guard for fruit ti
that I am acquainted with, and it has the ai
tional merit of being \ery durable. A. \\

Japanese Wineberry. — I was glad to rea
note from "Grower" (]). 22'.l) in praise of Rii
phtenicolasius. Here it has fruited alnmdai
this season. As "Grower " saj'S, it makes a \
palatable preserve. It is also useful for t;i
and -nhen fully ripe is a pleasant dessert fi'
In 18!I0, owing to the abundantly dry spring
summer, the berries were s:nall and comparati'
tasteless, but this year they plumped up well
were more than double the size of those borne
preceding season. If this Wineberry were va
less from an economical point of view, it wi
still be worthy of a place in the garden foi
ornamental qualities. — S. W. F., Torquay.

Wasps' nests. — The hoi)es of gardeners
this locality in early summer that was])3 vt
give them no trouble this season have not I
fully realised. Up to the middle of August
half-a-dozen wasps had been seen in this disti
and one would have thought that the copi
cold rains we have had since that date would li
done away with them. For the last fortnii
however, the pests have come in upon us in gi
numbers, attacking not only Grapes, but li
Pears and Apples also. The fact is, the i
weather of May ke]rt the nests backward, as
small size of the wasps proves. Another p
that climatic influences have much to do with
forwardness and numbers of wasps is found in
fact that in Norfolk and Sufiblk the pests v
this season fairly numerous by the midcllt
August. Fixing tiffany over ventilators in
old-fashioned way incurs much lal:iour, but the >
tents of a bottle of Davis's wasp destroyer poi
over some damaged fruit — this being kept on
the reach of anyone — seems to clear them off
short time.— C. C. H., Notts.

Pears Beurre d'Aremberg and B. Star
mans.— In answer to Mr. B. Addy's query resp
ing these two Pears, Beurre d'Aremberg isq'
a success on the Pear stock, either as a buslj
the open or as a cordon on a west wall. With

October 2, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

2fl 1

e fruit ripens satisfactorily, the ttiivour is cxcel-

it, closely approiicliinj; tliut of Winter Nelis,

lile its ci'oppini; leaves notliing to be desireil.

onsider it an excellent Winter Pear, and slionkl

it like to be without it, as it comes in so use-

1 after (ilou Moreeau. Moreover, it is a Pear

[ich remains in i;ood <'iindition for some days

;er having; ariiveil at maturity, and it does not

eay at the core. The indix idual fruits are lar^t.'

ough for table or ordinary use. The same

iety is (|uite as satisfactory when worked on

! Quince stock. I wish I could give Mr. Addy

good an account of B. Sterckmans. This 1

iisider to be but a second-rate I'car, and do not

nk it worth jirowini;, and have discarded it

;iie time since. It is a >;uod cropper, but 1

er knew it to ripen properly ; in fact, it was

( ly fit for stewing. I ha\e seen it classed among

iirs possessing a melting flesh, but my ex-

irience of it is quite the contrary. On some

! U it may be a success, but I have never yet

nt with it in first-rate condition. — A. W., Jfo-i-

,r/.

CUTTING OFF VINE LEAVES.

injurious to the Vine to cut off part of the

with the Grapes? Is it ba<l for the future

ir Vine to pull oft" for the table some six or

li.i leaves daily during the period that the

tlapes are being cut down ? — Inquirer.

',* An early and excessive removal of the tirst-

rmed leaves must, to a certain extent, prove

i urious to the Vines. All the while the leaves

:iiain healthy they are performing their

liiiral functions. After the wood is matured,

Ills formed, and crops rijiened, the storing u|j of

! I is still going on, while the roots are particu-

lly active just before the fall of the leaf. It

Hows that a wholesale loss or destruction of

iiage must paralyse the action of the roots and

I bad for the future of the Vine. When this
flestion cropjied up some six years ago, I closely

I ' ed the behaviour of Vines that had been

I hardly used in the direction of early and

> ire removal of leaves. The crop was nearly

n| marketed, and for sever.al reasons liunches of

':ines that are sent to the market must be cut

wood attached, this meaning shortening

iiimch-bearing laterals to near the third or
fath joint. All the laterals were at the winter
fining shortened back to either the first, second,
o;hira bud from the old wood. Only a few long
siraorwith three buds showing were left, and
t se by way of experiment, and any laterals that
li I not been allowed to bear a bunch, also a few

I I had not been shortened when the bunches
ty bore were cut were with the majority rather
h d pruned, one, or at the most two, buds show-
i on the spurs formed. The results were some-
V It strange. We will take the spurs where the
li ;i-ab had been early shortened when the bunches
wecut. Where only a single, plainly discernible
hi was left the break was weak, and the
liTals gave either a small bunch or none at all.
" ! spur with two buds on it broke more strongly,
a none of the laterals failed to give serviceable-
aid bunches, while those shortened to the third
a more plump buds broke the most satisfac-
tily, and would each have produced two
h ches if permitted. In the case of laterals
tl; had produced bunches, and w^hich were not
slrtened when these were cut, these, when hard
pned, all broke moderately strongly or better
til their neighbours which had been less

ently dealt with when the bunches were
oved, and each gave a bunch weighing afiuut
JJOund. Those .shortened to the second and
« d buds, as might lie expected, did even better,
the greater number of finer bunches resulted
1 the growths springing from the spurs left
n pruning the laterals that carried no bunches
■he previous year. This i»ints rather con-
i^el.V, I think, to the fact that premature and
re shortening of the laterals should be avoided
Jssible, though it does not follow that the
s are irreparably injured by this early

Last season I once more took note of the consc-
(luences of early shortening of laterals, and also
of pruning in relation to over-cro|iping. The
variety was (iros Colman, and a bunch had been
produced by nearly every lateral. Many of the
iiunches were cut with wood attached late in
.September, or while yet the foliage was compara-
tively green, and if at the w inter pruning these
(|uito young vines had bciin hard pruned, or the
spurs shortened to the first or even second bud,
tlic crops this season would have been thin and
the bunches small. Luckily many of the laterals
were shortened to the third bud from the old
wood, and these tui'ned wliat might have been
a failure into a creditable success. The moial of
this is : Never resort to hanl [jruning in the case
of vines very heavilj- cropped during the pievious
season ; the same rule holding good, though in a
less degree, in the case of vines that had much of
their best foliage removed with the biniches.

Personally, 1 would rather not gather many
leaves from my Vines, but then I do not leave so
many on them as do some growers. In my case
the greatest value is attached to the primary
leaves, and of these, two, or at the most three,
beyond the bunches are considered ample, all
lateral growths not carryiilg bunches being
stopiied at about the same length. The &ub-
laterals are usually strong and are kept stopjietl
at the first leaf. But for their acting as so many
safety valves they would be dispensed with
altogether. As it is, they are jjreserx'ed because
they serve as outlets for superfluous vigour, and
if thej- were removed early, the new buds on the
laterals would burst into growth. I never hesi-
tate about gatheiing these secondary leaves, but
should not tihink of pulling off the primary ones.
"In(|uirer"' maj- safely gather leaves freely from
all superfluous or sub-lateral growths, the value
of which so man}' gardeners over-rate, but if Vine
leaves must be forthcoming for the dessert, why
not grow a hardy Vine against a wall or shed
for supplying them? W, Iggi'lden.

Pear Triomphe de Vienne. — This handsome
richly-flavoured Pear is becoming very po[)ular,
and will no doubt be planted by many in pUice of
Williams' Bon Chretien, as the musky fla\our so
characteristic of this is objected to by many
people. Not only is the fruit of Triomjihe de
Vienne handsome and of excellent flavour for an
autumn Pear, but the tree is an early and very
free bearer, the fruit keeping some time in good
condition if stood in a cool place. It appears to
be at home in the midlands, as at the Derby show
last year it turned up in several collections of
fruit, and in the class for a single dish of Pears
was awarded the first prize, the fruit in each
exhibit being large, tapering and very handsome.
It is in season during September. — C. C. H.

Pear Souvenir du Congres.— I am surprised,
in walking round gardens noted for fine Pears,
that in many of them the above kind has not
yet a place. Too many of that bad-keeping va-
riety, Williams' Bon Chretien are ])lanted.
Souvenir du Congres is a seedling from the fore-
going variety. The fruit is larger, sometimes
enormous, from wall or espalier, and does not
decay .so quickly after gathering. Fruit of
Williams' Bon Chretien grown in midland gar-
dens, is poor in quality as compared with those
fruit trees in the south of England. Souvenir
du Congres has much more juice in it, and the
tree is hardy and usually sets a good crojj of fruit
even in unfavourable springs. During the past
few vears a great many trees of it have been
planted in Kent and Sussex for market. — .1. C.

Plum Stint.— At p. 1.S.5, in an interesting note
on Plums, " E. B. C."' asks what is the dillerence
between Stint and River's Early Favourite.
Stint is a small fruit reddish in colour : indeed,
my fruit may be termed marbled with red on a
greenish-yellow ground, whereas Early Favourite
is romuler, of a purple colour, a freestone, and
with me ten days earlier than Stint. Both are
excellent early varieties. Of Early Favourite
there is a grand tree in the Royal Horticultural

Society's (iardens, Chiswick, which I notice al-
ways crops freely. Stint is equally prolific, as
e\en in ailvcr.se seasons it fruits freely. Some
growers may object to Stint on account of its
being a small fruit, but its carliness is a gain, and
it is of good quality for an early Plum. This
variety will fruit freely on a light soil where
others fail. My soil is very similar to that of
" E. B. C. "' I get my Ijest crojis from cordon
trees given a little freedom in side shoots. — (i. W.

Cordon Plums. — I was specially interested
in "A. W.'s" |)ractical not.eon the above (p. 19.3),
as a few years ago I adopted this mode of culture.
Having a very light soil I made a narrow border,
giving 2 feet of heavier soil, planting cordon
ti'ees. From these 1 get the best fruits and regular
crops. I am obliged to vary my treatment in the
case of certain vaiieties, and here, I fear, it cannot
strictly be termed cordon growth, as I allow the
trees to make a few inches of side growth. By
this means more young wood is secured and a
certain amount of older wood may be cut out
annually. I found by ado])ting a rigid cordon
growth some kinds failed to crop, and liy giving
a little more free<lom at the sides 1 get a good
return. I do not encourage Ijreast wood. In such
soil as mine certain varieties when young make
far too much growth trained as fan-shaped trees,
and are poor croppers. Here, I think, the cordon
system is of great advantage. In many cases the
Plum is so gross that it needs different culture.
In my opinion the wood should be trained nearly
horizontally when the trees are young. — G.
Wytiies.

Apple Waltham Abbey Seedling. — This
Apple betrays its i)areritage by its colour, which,
if a trifle jialer, is yet sufficiently golden to at
once suggest that it must have originated from
(iolden Noble, which is really the case. It has
not quite such a clear skin as the parent, the
small pale russetty dots with which the surface is
marked showing out rather conspicuously, and in
exposed situations the fruits sometimes become
marked with patches of russet. As a garden
tree the fruits are clean-looking and quite free
from blemishes, and then the fruit cipials Golden
Noble in its handsome appearance. The fruits are
very evenly formed, and the stalk, which is rather
short for so large a fruit, is inserted in a rather
deep basin. When cut open the flesh is found to
have a yellowish tint, much resembling a well-
ripened specimen of Wormsley Grange Pippin,
while it is tender, juicy, sugary, and pleasantly
flavoured. It is a capital cooking Apple, and
one that requires but a small amount of sugar.
Its season is from September until the end of the
year. The tree makes a capital bush or pyramid
and is very prolific. Both growth and foliage are
([uite distinct, the former being of medium
strength while the leaves are small. Altogether
it is a very desirable Apple, and intending ))lanters
would do well to make a note of it. — A. W.

Apple Golden Russet. — This fine old-
fashioned English Apple is seldom met with now
unless it is in old orchards. This is a pit}-, for
when well grown and thoroughly ripened it is hard
to beat for flavour. I came across a fine old
standard tree a few years ago, growing in the
dividing hedge between two orchards, and the
fruits were the finest, best coloured and the
highest flavoured ever seen or tasted. On mak-
ing in(|uiry I found the tree to be of great age, it
having been planted in all probability early in the
present century. It was noted for its bearing
continuous and heavy crops of fruit. When last
])assing that way I found the old tree was gone,
whether it had blown down or not I cannot say,
but most likely this was the cause of its disappear-
ance, as many other fine old trees in the adjoin-
ing orchard seemed to have met with the same fate.
Golden Russet is not a large Apple, the skin
yellow, thick, and irregularly coated with russet,
the more shaded the fruits the more dense is the
russet. Where the fruits exjierience full sun-
shine the skin is much clearer, and they then
take on a beautiful colour. The flesh is yellowish,
firm, sugary and highly flavoured. It is a fine
keeper and can be had in good condition as late

262

THE GARDEN.

[October 2, 1897.

as April : in fact, should not be sent to table until
after Christmas. The tree is a healthy, vigorous
grower and suitable either for garden or orchard
culture. — A. W.

Chrysanthemums.

splendid habited plant, and others of M. Calvat's
later sorts, notably one called N.C.S. Jubilee,
Mile. Laurence Zede and Mile. Lucie Faure, leave
little to be desired in respect of growth.

H. S.

THE C4R0WTH OF CHRYSANTHEMUM
PLANTS.

The sole object of the exhibitor is to obtain fine
well-develo]ied blooms, and the habit of growth of
any particular kind, if its flowers can be produced
to win prizes, is of secondary importance, but to
the general grower, and especially to the amateur,
the height a sort will grow to i.s a consideration.
A. H. Fewkes is a variety of model growth ; it is
dwarf, that is about a yard in height if cultivated
for large blooms, and has plenty of well-shaped
and closely-grown foliage. Australian Gold is a
capital grower ; so, too, is the old variety Ava-
lanche. Col. W. B. Smith, Commandant Blussett,
and Dorothy Seward are all of sturdy habit, but
the last-named must be topped in the spring if
more than one large flower on a plant is desired.
G. C. Schwabe, Geo. Seward, Golden Ciate, John
Neville, Kentish White, Lady E. Saunders,
L'Emindra, Louise, Mme. Ad. Chatin, Mme. E.
Capitant, Mme. (iustave Henry, and Mile. Marie
Hoste are all tirst-rate in the matter of growth.
So is Jllle. Th^ri-se Rey, but this has of late years
exhibited a tendency to produce bloom-buds that
will not swell, a haVjit which will soon cause it to
be discarded, for, however fine the bloom, un-
certainty is disappointing. Miss Elsie Teich-
mann is a sort not unlike the above, and may be
grown in place of it. Mr. A. G. Hubbuck has a
capital habit combined with good flowers. Mrs.
H. Weeks, too, has growth of the right kind if
the plant be topped in spring, as it must be to
give more than a single large bloom to a plant.
Mrs. J. Lewis is a new white variety that will be
prized for its growth as well as its flowers. Mrs.
J. ShrimiJton. treated as advised in the case of
Mrs. H. Weeks, has a most desirable dwarf
and well-foliaged growth. M. Edouard Andre
is a particularly sturdy grower ; so, too, is
Modesto, one of the best of Chrysanthe
mums. Mutual Friend produces splendid blos-
soms on plants about 3 feet high. Nyanza
bears fine crimson blooms and has the best of
growth. It would be difficult to find habit and
flower combined finer than the ne«er variety
Oceana gives, and Phtebus is perfect in every
respect. Pride of Madford, Pride of Exmouth
and Pride of Swanley are all excellent growers of
a dwarf nature. Nor must I forget M. Chenon
de Lt'ch^, perhaps the dwarfest of all, which pro-
duces large blooms. Surprise is a newer kind with
nice growth. Souvenir de Petite Amie is well
known as a variety with an excellent habit. Vi viand
Morel and its sport, Charles Davis, are also first-
rate. Wm. Triekerand W. H. Lincoln are also of
capital growth, but not so highly esteemed as
formerly for show. They must, however, still be
grown for other purposes, the last-named being
one of the very best yellow sorts for a late supply
of bloom.

That splendid white Chrysanthemum Mme.
Carnot as a plant is not pleasing. It is tall, and
few can cultivate it throughout a season without
its foliage becoming spotted and yellow. Aus-
tralie grows to a great height. I ha\e this year
cut down the plants of this, and the buds look
promising on specimens 4 feet high. Edith Tabor,
grandest of yellows, has an ungainly habit ; the
lea\es are far apart and the blooms come in
an irregular manner. Eva Knowles, Graphic,
Mme. Marlus Ricoud, Mile. A. de Galbert, Miss
D. Shea, and Mrs. W. H. Lees are fine kinds
that run up too tall to make comely jilants.
Western King, among newer kinds, has first-rate
growth, sturdy and strong. This is likely to
become a most popular x-ariety, probalily surpass-
ing the fine white Niveum. Mme. E. Roger, a
rare novelty, with green-tinted blooms, is a

CHRYSANTHEMUM NOTES.
Treatment wuex Under CJlass.
Failures often occur just before flowering
through faulty management of the greenhouses in
which the Chrysanthemums are placed. If, for
example, air be not admitted in abundance, the
tops of the plants will run up spindly and soft
and the flowers resulting will be wanting in sub-
stance. A like growth follows when the buds
are a long distance from the glass. It is wise,
therefore, to raise the plants to get them up to
the light when the flowers are expanding. When
first housed, doors and top and front ventilators
should be kept wide open night and day. During
bright sunshine, when evaporation is so rapid, I
find that good results are obtained by damping
the floors, and even syringing among the foliage,
if the position of the house, such as a lean-to, is
particularly hot. This damping is done in pre-
ference to -giving much water at the roots, at
least for a few days. It is well also to withhold
manure for a week or so, the object being to keep
the plants quiet, as it were, until they have
recovered through the changed conditions from
the moist and cool open air. Fumigating the
houses once or twice is advisable, whether or
not green-fly is seen. If this is not done at first
this ]5est is almost sure to come in great
numbers later on, when fire-heat must be applied.
A safe and effectual method of fumigating is to
use the XL All Vaporiser. It does not hurt the
most tender leaves and is easily managed.
The old practice of employing tobacco, or tobacco
rag or paper, is decidedly clumsj' compared with
this later invention. I think the blooms of
Chrysanthemums are the better for a slight
shade. This should be put on at the first
opening of the florets. Blinds which roll
up and down at will are much better than
fixed shadings, such as painting the glass,
because light apart from bright sunshine is desir-
able. A temporary shade may be pro\ided for
the few blooms that always open before the bulk,
so that the latter may have the advantage of full
light whilst the buds are yet swelling. Less air
may reach the blooms as they open. The florets
are easily cramped and spoiled by cold draughts ;
ventilation at this stage should therefore be
guided by the front lights. A little top air
should always be allowed, and as the danger from
frost and damp becomes apparent, fire-heat may
be applied in such quantitj' as to keep a dry and
pleasant atmosphere. For example, I do not like
to notice the pots damp or the leaves moist the
first thing in the morning. This tells me that
not enoug'li heat has been given at night to dry
up conden.sed moisture. This latter is sure to
settle on the blooms and cause decay. A tem-
perature much over 50° is not beneficial to the
Chrysanthemum. Some of the Japanese kinds —
especially when early buds have been retained—
require more heat perhaps to open them properly,
but this heat is given at the expense of substance
and colour. Incurved kinds open much more
satisfactorily in a temperature just warm enough
to expel damp. Fire-heat tends to make the
florets so thin that they reflex instead of turn
inwards, thus failing in the more important
quality.

Some little may be done in assisting the open-
ing blooms. The curling and curiously arranged
florets of many of the .Japanese cling together :
if parted when opening there is a gain in form.
As they are developing, again, the incur\ ing va-
rieties may be assisted. A short or damaged
petal can be pulled out, which would otherwise
block the way for a perfect one. This, in
fact, is the best time to "dress" the blooms,
as it is called. Attention in this direction
must, however, be constant. I would go over
the blooms every day or two. The labour

is necessary and repaid if exhibiting be an objet
All decaying foliage should lie removed. Yellc
bottom leaves do not add to the beauty of
plant. Side shoots usually come in all direotio
after the plants aie under glass. These may
removed ; they must rob the blossoms if lei
Stimulants, which were withheld at first, shou
be given until the flowers are nearly open. Wh
in good health, roots are seen running over t
surface of the soil in the pots. Encourage the
by every means. \\'eak doses of liquid manure
small quantities of fertilisers in the concentrat
state will do this, but strong quantities will k
them. (finite recently I have seen a striki
instance of this. A lot of exceptionally we

frown Chrjsanthemums has been almost ruin
}■ one application of nitrate of soda. It «
sprinkled over the surface of the soil duri
shower}' weather. The leaves, which were o)
healthy green, gradually assumed a sickly yell'
hue, and the flower buds remained stationa-
All the small roots were burnt. The lati
strength of these plants will enable them
recover slightly, but with far dift'erent results
the shape of blossoms that would have been S(
had all gone well. Nitrate of soda and sulph,
of ammonia require most careful handling. Tl
are eftective in pushing growth and giving 1)
liancy of colour to the flowers, but I never
either abo\e the strength of an ounce to t
gallons of water. Damping of the blossoms gi
trouble to man}'. Some sorts, notably Sll
Marie Hoste, Mutual Friend, Col. W. B. Smi
and the \ery dark-coloured varieties are liable
such decay as they open. Very bad cases, I
certain, are caused by the plants being o\
grown. The stems, which may look |)leas
to the e}'e, become stout, are often hollow in
centre, and the promising buds fail when t
have arrived at a certain point. W'e rarely noi
damping when Chrysanthemums are grown ot
than for huge blooms.

If the precautions noted in this article be
lowed, a satisf.actory finish should be the rew
of a year's labour, but gross unripened wood
ne\er yet produced handsome blooms. H. f

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1138.

THE CROWFOOTS.

(with a COLODRED plate of EANUNCl"LU.'<
CAKPATICUS.*)

The Ranunculus, or Crowfoot, family is
important one in the hardy jilant gam
Large and extensive as the genus undoubti
is, the number i>f really good species that
worthy of being included in a selection is c
paratively few. Tliese, happily, are in m
instances not only of ea.sy culture, but in
are beautiful wdien seen in good condition
the richer soils of our lowland gardens, '
whatever the altitude at which many of
choicest of the alpine forms grow — those i '
struggle for existence on the veiy vergi i
perpetual snows, scarcely any that I can cal
mind have Ijeen in any way ditticult to i; •
either in pots or in tlie rock garden where s
able positions and soil can be attbrded th
I will refer to their culture in the enuiuerai
of the species themselves. In place of
usual alphabetical arrangement of the kirn
have roughly grouped them as follows :
alpine farms, (2) herbaceous, (3) moisti
loving, and (4) florists' kinds. For the : -
dener the first group here given is not on '
numerous, but a very beautiful one, man}
them worthy of every care as being among
most lovely of mountain plants, and formin; '

» Drawn for The Uaeden iu the K jal GarJ ;
Kew, by H. G. Moon. Lithographed and prrnte )
J. L. Uoffart.

RANUNCULUS CARPATICUS

October 2, 1897.1

THE CARDEK

263

leir native liauiits a veritable carjiet i<i ^'listen-
ig white and yellow cups, so abunilaully <!"
leir tiiiwers appear. If less nunieimis, the
!Concl group yet contains several really i,'n(Kl
id first-class liimls ; while the tliird, also
nail nnnierieally, yet contains sulticient j,'ood
inds to render the nioister s]>ots of our ijardens,
i also the inarj;in of lake and ]iond aliUe
iterestinj,'. The last i,'roup, thougli not so much
rown as fcu-Mierly, is well worth attention from
le great variety therein containetl.

Al.rlNE Sl'ECIES.

I have arranged under this head in alpha-
jtical order the best of the true alpine species,
large number of which, by their dwai-f stature
ji well as freedom of flowering, are especially
lited for tlie rock garden. It i.s, however,
jorthy of remark that, notwithstanding so
.rge a number of the true alpine s]iecies are in
'leir native mountain homes very dwarf, given
heral culture and deeper soils, not a few
■.nds grow to a much larger size and produce
rger blossoms in many instances. This is,
liwever, oidy achieved when planted out.
have grown manj' of the true alpine species
i rich soils similar to those used for Chrysan-
iemums, and with only sutticient grit to keep
le whole open. If freely grouped in good
-cp soil, light, gritty, and rich for the most
t . it is surprising what beautiful results can

.litained. Many of the kinds are essentially
:lauted for grouping in this way, and being
Vsily divided in some cases, and in others

ly raised from seeds, advantage should be

a of this fact.

.siwcrn's ALPESTRls is a true alpine of from
lies to 6 inches high. In its nati\e mountain
line this species is usually found in a calcareous
\i\, though this is not an absolute necessity
ider cultivation. Indeed, manj* of these dwarfer
|uiie forms maj' be grown and flowered well in
■' ou-nut tilire rather tightly placed in bo,\es or
'i -, a fact alone that at once removes the notion
I It. for years prevailed, that the soils of their
1 1 ve mountain regions should be closely imitated.

'\v , however, the notion is fairly well exploded,
ace scores of the choicest alpines may be grow n
lith as much success in a border of well-ijrcpared
»il as in the most elaborate combination. The
^^^e white flowers of this species are large, and
^th a conspicuous cluster of yellow stamens in
centre. Usually the flowers are produced

^ly. With a fair amount of moisture in the
,.5on of growth, and planted in loam, peat, and
jaf-soil with grit, this species is a success. The
!ck garden is the best place for it, where it
'vvers in the early part of .June. It is a native

the Pyrenees and other parts.

'.. .AMPLExiCifMs.— This may be regarded as
"f the best of the whole genus, and happily
io of the easiest to eultivai;e. In soil that is
jiep and rich the plant will attain to nearly a
;ot high. A prevailing idea with many is that
1 mountain plants the merest scrap of eartli

-ulticieut, the cultivator too frequently ignor-

- the fact that these alpine gems often send

' 11' root tihres to great depths in rocky crevices
iiere drought is <|uite unknown. Planted in the
Her jjarts of the rock garden, the plant is never
fen at its best. The pure white glisten-
E blossoms, each an inch or more across, are
pely borne on the branching stems, and these in

mpany with the greyish tint of the leaves are
[ry pleasing. Moisture, or a good de))th of
*1, must be assured fortius plant, which is freely
^tributed through the Alps of Euroije, Provence,
oennines, Iceland, the moutitains of Leon,

>;pain, always in high, moist, rocky situations.

l:. ANEMoxoiUEs.— Another true^ alpine, fre-
if"-^ not more than 3 inches high, though
■pasionally w-hen well grown it may be seen
•^nble this height. This species is of "more deli-
■''■ and frail growth than many, and for this

I -on deserves to be treated somewhat specially.

Once established, it is one of the most charming
of all alpines. What it appears to loveliest is a
(U'cp fissure of gritty loam, leaf soil, and peat.
.Species such as this are a,ssisted by being placed
in contact with iiieccs of sandstone just bi-low the
surface. Anextjuisite mixture is the lovely white
and rose-pink blossoms, and when a nice tuft has
been formed it constitutes one of the choicest bits
of any rock garden flora.

H. ( AKCATiirs.— This is the beautiful and showy
species to which prominence isgi\en to-day in the
accompanying coloured plate. This mountain
Buttercup is a free-growing kind with large blos-
soms li inches across that are borne singly on
rather leafy stems about 12 inches or 1.5 inches
high. The species is, I believe, by no means
common or even frequent in cultivation, though
it is likely to pro\e a mo.st desiralile kind and a
free and easy grower withal. In the nearly pedate
and deeply notched radical leaves it is C|uite dis-
tinct, as it is again in the short rhi/.omatous or
creeping rootstock. The plant succeeds perfectly
well in a rather rich and moist loamy soil, and
begins to flower (juite early in April.

H. CREN.ATt's. — A very pretty and charming kind
with pure white blossoms not unlike those of R.
alpestris, liut diflering from that species in the
eremite petals and also the scape, which is always
one-flowered It is a native of moist positions in
the mountains of Hungary, flowering from .June to
the end of July, and grows about 0 inches high.

R. fJi.ACiALis. — This is about 4 inches high,
having fleshy, dark green leaves, the upper ones
covered w^th soft hairs, while the calyx is exceed-
ingly hairy. The flowers are of a reddish hue and
suti'used w ith purple. This siiecies does best in the
higher parts of the rock garden in loamy soil, but
rejoices in plenty of moisture during summer ;
but while inhabiting the highest mountain ranges
it is quite possible that under cultivation in the
lowlands quite moist spots would suit it best.

R. (tRAMiNEi's. — Though scarcely an alpine in
the truest sense, this species is included here by
reason of its dwarf habit. It is usually 1 foot
high, the stems surmounted by two or three
bright yellow blossoms. This species is better
suited for the woodland or grassy spots, where
it may be naturalised. It is sometimes found in
Wales, though alwaj-s in dry pastures, and occurs
frequently in the mountain pastures of Southern
Europe.

R. MILLEFOLIATFS. — A distinct and pretty kind
with blossoms of a clear yellow. It is about 1 foot
high, with erect, hairy, almost leafless stems
and solitary blossoms. In some respects it
is not unlike R. clu-erophyllus, though quite
distinct in its roots and other essential details.
This is not a true alpine, but is jilaced in this
grouji by reason of its stature. The treatment
recommended for such as R. amplexicaulis will
in all probability make it even more vigorous
than here given. If planted in the rock garden,
the soil should be deep and fairly good.

R. MONTA.NTS. — This is easily grown in sandy
loam and in spots somewhat shaded and cool. It
is about () inches high, with bright yellow
blossoms, each three-quarters of an inch across.
The solitary blossoms are produced on somewhat
downy stems, but near the giound this pubescent
character is wanting. This species may be freely
increased by di'vision.

R. I'ARNAssiFoi.irs. — The siiecific name of this
kind alone .shows features quite distinct that
will prevent its being confounded with any other.
The thick, entire, rather heart-shaped leaves are
very distinct. The plant inhabits high elevations
in the Alps and Pyrenees, and is usually found in
granitic or calcaieous soils in the fissures of rocks
contiguous to perpetual snow. The flowers are
snow-white and about the size of those of R.
amplexicaulis, and produced several on a stem
(1 inches high. This species may be successfully
grown in quite moist loamy soil in much the same
way as recommended for P.. anemonoidcs.

R. PVREN.Er.s. — Another ei|ually distinct kind
growing about 1 foot high. R. planta^'ineus, from
the Piedraontese Alps, and R. bu]ileurifolius,
usually found in moist valleys at a much lower

level, are varieties of this species. All have white
flowers that appear in .M;iy and continue to July.

K. riviiATis. A 3ellow-floweretl species nearly
a foot high and rather abundantly ilistributed in
))arts of Hungary, Tartary, and about the river
Volga, in Silieria. The lea\es are smooth, the
radical ones stalked, flower-stem erect, with from
three to li\"e flowers.

R. RtT.KFor. us.— Another species from the
higher Alps w ith unmistakable foliage character-
istics. In common with other species from these
high elevations, this one is only 4 inches or
(i inches high. In the plants I have seen the blooms
are white, but I notii-e thi-y are described as
yellow in the " Dictionary of f Jardening." In
".Alpine Flowers'' they are also descrihed as
pretty white flowers with oiange centres, which
(juite agrees with the plants I have grown from
time to time.

R. sciT.^Tr.s. — A distinct species, with large
yellow flowers and very smooth kidney-shaped,
crenate leaves. It is a native of the mountain
woods of Hungary, an<l grows, when established,
nearly a foot high. Tliis latter is perhaps rare and
only obtained by the best culture.

R. Seiicieki. — This distinct species grows about
6 inches high, having three-parted leaves and is
more nearly allied to glacialis and alpestris, though
very distinct from either. The flower-stem is
erect and the (lowers usually solitarj'. The blos-
soms arc pure white, with distinctly rounded
petals.

R. Thora. — A yellow-flowered species, closely
related to R. seutatus, but differing in its always
long-st;alked and very smooth radical leaves.
Both kinds require plenty of root-room to allow of
full development, and with deep and good soil
give little trouble once well planted. The more
vigorous character of this kind renders a deep soil
rather more needful.

The above selection will be found to contain
most of those worthy of cultivation, while such
as coi'tusrefolius, isopyrioides, bilobu.s, Trauns-
fellneri and uniflorus are others worthy of note
in this extensive genus. Many of these dwarfer
alpine kinds are very pretty when grown in
ptms of rich soil by those who do not possess
a rock garden, and in this way a large number
of the choicest gems may be fidl}' enjoyed.
Thus grown, too, the protection of a cold house
or frame ;it flowering time may \>e given, and
in those gardens where nuiny of the best kinds
already exist seedlings should be raised. Some
readers of The Gakden, too, may have oppor-
tunities of receiving collected plants or seeds
from friends abroad, in which case seeds may
be sown at once in fine sandy loam, and just
covei'ed with the same, placing a sheet of glass
over all. Collected plants are often a source of
much trouble and loss, and after many attempts
— varying considerably in degree so far as success
is concerned — I know of no better method than
thtit of planting the roots in coco;i-nut tibre
instead of soil. Give one good watering and
place in a sheltered place in the open. Once
the new roots push forth, there is some hope of
success, and the plants are quite safe in this
material till the following sjiring. Shallow pans
or boxes are the best for this pur])(.isc, tmd not
only for these, but for a large number of choice
alpines that sutt'cr considerably in transit.

Border Species or Varieties.

RAxrxcrns .vcoxiTrroLius. — While I have
placed this plant among the border sorts, it
may be well to state that it is etpially at home in
quite wet or boggy spots, and in such yields a
great mass of its dainty white flowers. The plant
is well known, and grows (luitc 2 feet high when
given moisture. A better known form is the
ilouble white kind called the Fair Maids of
France (R. aconitifolius fl.-pl. ). Though not in
any way dillicult to grow, it certainly prefers, like
the type, a (pnte moist position, or, failing this,
good and deep soil.

264

THE GARDEK

[October 2, 1897.

R. AMIS FL.-PL. (Bachelor's Buttons).— This,
though pleasing in colour and free flower-
ing, does not possess the charming- grace of the
last-named.

R. MON-si'ELTENSis.— Though a fairly good and
distinct border kind, this is not common. A
native of the -Mediterranean region, it is apt to
start into early growth, only to be cut down by
spring frosts when these are severe, for which
reason a northern or western position may retard
its growtli. It bears yellow blossoms cin erect
stems nearly 2 feet high in April and May.

R. sPEciusus. — This is a first-class border peren-
nial of dwarf habit, and by no means so common
as its merits justify. Individually, the blossoms
are nearly the size of those of the Marsh Marigold.
The plant delights in a deep and moist as w ell as
ricli soil, and gives freely of its handsome double
flowers. Little more than 1 foot high and of
tufted or semi-procumbent habit, the jjlant is
well suited for grouping in or near the front of
the border, or the drier margins of the bog
garden, or even the lake.

Moisture-loving Kisd.s.

Though by no means a numerous class, tliese
strictly moisture-loving kinds are not only a
very beautiful class, but are also decidedly
ornamental when given suitable positions.

R.^NUNCULUS AQUATiLis is abundant in many
parts of Britain, particularly in ponds or wet and
marshy ground. The plant flowers for many
weeks in profusion, and, growing and spreading
rajiidly, should be kept within desired limits.

R. LiNOTA is likewise a British kind, and,
while not so abundant as the last, is much
more valuable. Indeed, it is not too much to
say it is among the handsomest of waterside
plants. In water a foot deep or less it revels.
Attaining 2 feet or sometimes nearly 3 feet liigh,
it is easy to understand what may be accomplished
with such a plant yielding so great a profusion of
golden blossoms, each about 2 inches across. '
Many buds also appear in company with the '
erect golden cups, so that a brave show results '
when a group of several feet across exists. It '
may be readily obtained and increased, and once [
planted gives little trouble after.

R. Lyalli (Rockwood Lily) is one of the '
noblest of this race. Hapjiily, too, in several
districts the plants have sur\ived the winter un-
harmed, a circumstance in some degree due to
the quality as well as the temperature of the
water in which it is grown. The large waxy-
white blossoms, each often 4 inches across, and
the cluster of yellow stamens render it a most '
conspicuous object. The handsome broad and
leathery foliage, too, is produced on stout petioles,
the branching stems reaching sometimes 3 feet or
4 feet high. lo requires more care than the usual
run of water-loving species, as so far success is
not always ensured even when seeds are forth-
coming. No plant is worth greater care, however,
to make it a success.

Florists' Varieties.

Ranunculus asiaticus has given rise to the
various sections of garden Ranunculi, .so much
esteemed by the old florists. It is only in the
more favoured pai ts of these islands that the roots
or claws, as they are termed, can with safety be
left in the soil all the year round. Wliere the
soil is well drained, light and warm, this may be
done ; in all others it is necessary to lift them each
year in the month of July and give a thorough
drying before planting again in October or
November. In heavy soils it may be best to defer
planting till February or even March, the ground
having been roughly prepared during the previous
autumn. A perfectly drained as well as light
soil ig important, the same being deeply w^orked
and well enriched with manure. On soils that are
very hot and sandy, cow manure six months old
will be best, by reason of its cool, moisture
hold-

Where grown in (juantity, shallows drills will be
found the best, pressing the claws into position,
making the soil above fairly firm. The French
kinds are the strongest growers and very free-
flowering. The Pe"rsian kinds are somewhat
dwarfer and with smaller flowers, though contain-
ing man}- fine varieties, while the Turban forms
include some of the most highly coloured of this
race. The position best suited to these is a
somewhat shady and sheltered one. The whole
of this tribe possesses the additional advantage of
being remarkably cheap, so that a large number
may be planted at small cost. E. J.

The Week's Work.

HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

RooT-PRUNixci. — This operation is best under-
taken at the same season as that of root-lifting,
and the earlier it is performed within reason the
better, as the wounds on the roots then heal over
before winter sets in. Root-pruning is, how-
ever, a drastic remedy, and should be resorted to
only in extreme cases and where the more rational
method of root-lifting is found to be impractic-
able. Generally speaking, root-pruning would
become imnecessary if gross-habited trees were to
receive the needful check at the roots to induce
fruifulness while in a young state. The neglect
of this, coupled with the annual close pruning
practised in gardens, tends to keep such trees un-
fruitful, and the only way out of the ditticulty in
the end is to root-prune them. The operation of
root-pruning differs from root-lifting, inasmuch
as when opening out the trench all the larger
roots found are severed, but although this is so, I
always advise that roots from the size of a lead
pencil downwards should be saved and laid out
again when refilling the trench. The trench it-
self should be taken out 2 feet in width, and the
distance from the tree will vary according to its
size and age ; but, as a rule, 6 feet is quite near
enough, and in some cases it may be necessary to
go quite !) feet away from the stem. The trench
should also be taken out deep enough to find all
the roots, and the larger of these should be
severed, and the smaller roots, as indicated above,
saved and fastened back with pegs out of the way
until the excavating is comiJeted. All the muti-
lated portions of the roots should then be trimmed
with a sharp knife, after which the trench can be
filled in again. In some cases a little fresh soil
may with advantage be placed about the more
fibrous of the roots as the fiUing-in proceeds, as
these are the kind of roots the trees should be
encouraged to make and multiply. Root-pruning
is best spread over two or three seasons, doing
one side of the tree now and the other in two
years' time, otherwise the trees would receive too
great a check, if it did not cause actual death.
Wall trees may be operated on in the same
manner, and in their case a modicum of fresh soil
should always be placed in the trench near the
top when filling in again to encourage the roots
to feed upwards.

Assisting old trees. — It often happens that
old and favourite trees get into a weak, debili-
tated state and cease to bear either altogether or
only very inferior fruit. When such is the case
and it is desiralile to keep such trees, they may
often, with a little care and attention, be brought
back to a healthy condition if some new compost
is placed about the roots. The surface soil should
therefore be removed until plenty of roots is
found, and then replace it with a compost of
loam, burnt soil, wood-ashes, with a fair propor-
tion of thoroughly rotted farm3'ard manure added,
or plenty of bone-meal may be used instead. This
compost should be trodden firmly and evenly over
the roots, mulching afterwards with litter. If
the soil about the roots is found to be dry,
give a good soaking of water before applying
Jing propensity. The addition of .soot and the compost. The new soil will stimulate 'and
hme in winter and a dressing of bone-meal broad- incite the roots to renewed action, and growth,
cast in the drills at planting will be of great value, though weak the first year, will be stronger the

next, and by the third season a wonderful ir
provement will be perceptible, with the ultima
result that the trees will eventually become r
estabUshed in health. The same method may i
pursued with regard to orchard trees, and
grass orchards the turf on the surface mav '
chopped up and utilised for mixing with the cot
post, as the surface can soon be made green aga
by raking it down and sowing some grass see'
thereon. Old, but valuable trees can also
kept in good health for many years simjjly wi
repeated applications of li(iuitl manure, whii
should be jioured on the surface under each tr
and as far as their branches spread. This is be
applied during the autumn and winter montl
as liquid can be the better spared then, while
also prevents waste taking place, as is general
the case when cesspools and pits get filled durii
the autumn and winter months.

Planting. — Where a reser\e stock of Uoot
berries, Currants, and Raspberries is grown
home and it has become necessary to make nt
plantations of either or all of them, the work m;
be undertaken at once, as both bu-hes and stc(
maj' be moved and trans])lanted without t
slightest fear as to the result if carried out wi
all due despatch. It may be necessary in soi
localities to water the soil home about the roo
before finally filling in the holes when plantin
but after the rainfall of the latter jiart of Augv
this will be the exception rather than the ru
Do not omit placing a little gooil compost of soi
description about the roots of the bushes if t
staple is poor, if only gaps are being made gd
in existing plantations. When forming ni
I plantations plenty of manure should be trench
in when pre])aring the site, and too much ei
j phasis cannot be laid on this point when preparii
, a plot for Rasplicrries, as not only are they gro
feeders, but they generally occupy the same si
for a good many years, hence the necessity i
paying extra attention to this matter. T
ground for these should be bastard-trencht
working in old rubbish-heap material in t
bottom spit if sufficient manure cannot be span
for both layers of soil, breaking up the ha
bottom and leaving it there. Home-grown Appli
Pears, Plums, Peaches, Nectarines and Apricc
may also be lifted and transplanted during tl
month, provided the_y are kept out of the groin
as sliort a time as jiossible. All of these shou
be well watered home when the holes have be
partlj' filled in with soil. Leave them an hour
two to drain before finishing oft", and then mul'
the surface with Utter, as this will both conser
warmth and keep out cold and frost. Wall tre
should be tacked or tied back to the walls rath
loosely, and both these and other transplanti
trees should be syringed once a day. On vc
bright days a mat hung on the walls, or su
]iended on two stakes in front of trees oat in tl
open, will prevent the foliage flagging to ai
great extent. When the trees have to be pu
chased, planting will of course be out of the que
tion for some time to come, but holes and coi
post for placing about the roots can both be ch
and prepared. When convenient to do so, a vi^
should also be paid a nursery where the growii
of fruit trees is made a speciality, and then tl
purchaser can select the trees on the spot.

Distances for planting. — For the informatii
of intending amateur planters the few followii
rules with regard to distances at which to plai
the various kinds of fi'uit trees may be usefu
Bush Apples, Pears, Plums, and Morello Cherri'
may be planted G feet apart and 3 feet from tl
edge of the walk. The first three mentioned ni:i
require to be lifted the second year after plantin;
but after this if due regard be paid to close pinci
ing, this and the fact of their bearing fruit wi
keep them within bounds. This advice is give
under the assumption that space is restricted, a"
that there is a desire to plant as many trees ;
can conveniently be accommodated. Where moi
space can be allowed, the trees may stand 8 fei
apart, and this distance will also suit bushes i
sweet and Kentish Cherries. If pyramid trees i
the above-mentioned fruits are wished for, the

October 2, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

2G5

low a (li.stiUiOL' i)f frcim S feet to 1(1 feet betweeti
em, viuyiiii; tlie same uecordint; to the lieiijht
,ey are to 1)9 iillowed to attiiiii. Peaehes,
ectarines, Apiieots, I'liims, and Morello t.'herries
walls should he jilaiited from 14 feet to Hi feet
«irt, and on hi^h Malls a standai'd trained tree
lould also he planted midway between each two
the lattii- to furnish the upper portions- Pears,
ums, and Cherries as cordons may stand from
1 inches to l2 feet apart: fan trained Pears on
le Quince 12 feet apart, on the Pear stock IS feet,
lowing 2 feet more for diagonal trained trees.
veet Cherries as fan-trained trees may stand 14
et apart, hut allow 4 feet more for diagonals-
jpaliers for the sides of walks may be planted
om 15 feet to 2(1 feet apart, and low cordons for
esame ])Osition (i feet if single trained, if double
with two stems 12 feet apart. Upright cordon-
iiined Plums or Pears may be planted between
ery two trees of either Peaches, Nectarines,
pricots. Plums, Cherries or Pears, to remain as a
rmanency. Bush Apples should be on the
jradise stock and Pears on the t^Uiince, as tar as
practicable for small gardens on account of
leir occupying less room. Gooseberries and
arrants may lie planted 4 feet apart and (i feet
itween the rows. A. W.

KITCHEN GARDEN.
rsilRoo.Ms. — It is found in many gardens that
lese can be more freely produced and of better
lality during the summer and autumn months
om outside beds than from che Mushroom house
oper. Under the most skilful treatment the
kIs will not always do well, the house being often

ill-adapted for producing them at the season
imed. A drj- atmosphere, together with too
gh a tem]ieratm-e, is more often the cause of
ilure than the spawn or the way in which the
rmenting material has been prepared and tlie
!ds made up. Where any ditticultj' was found
St winter in maintaining a continuous supply, it
ould be well to studj' what disadvantages the
■ower laboured under with a view to rectify such
atters before the winter beds are made up. It
a common occurrence to find that the Mush-
lom house is in close proximity to tliat in which
le boilers are fixed, and, further, tliat several of
le hot-water mains are brought through this
ider the jiathway and merely covered with flag-
ones. The heat arising from this would be
•eatly in excess of what is required for the well-
)ing of the crop, while it is almost impossible to
aintain any humidity in the atmosphere ; and,
rther, if evaporating pans are used to supply
lis, the steam condenses, causing the "buttons"

damp oft' before they attain a serviceable size.
II evil of this kind is best overcome by placing
inches of gravel over the pathway, which will
It only prevent the heat rising, but will assist

conserve moisture in the house. Failing suit-
ile gravel, tine ashes or even ordinary soil could
! used,. covering this with a plank to walk upon,
le end wall abutting on the boiler house should
iO be treated in a w^ay to prevent heat passing
rough. The best plan would be to build up
lother wall 4^ inches thick, but several inches
3m the permanent one. A pipe should be car-
;d througli the highest point in the roof imme-
atelyover the hollow space to allow the lieat to
as oft. Treated in this way a house which has
eviously proved unsuited for JIushroom culture
:iy be found all that could be desired. I have
io known houses in «hich, though Mushrooms
ve been produced plentifully up to a certain
ige, they dam)) oil' wholesale before they become
!idy for use. This shows that there is not suth-
;nt ventilation, and it is not a good sign to see
e wall running with moisture when the door is
ened in the morning. A few hole.s, if onlv an
ah m diameter, made at the top of the "door
)uld allow nmch of the steam to pass off with-

■ t creating a cold current of air, while, should it be
• emed necessary, further means should be afforded

■ ventilation from the roof, alwavs placing per-
^•atedzmc over the apertures. Such details as
•pse if carried out may save much disappointment.

PitEi'AKiNi. TMK M A'rioiti AL. — It is always better
to have several cartloails of suitable drop-
pings in hanil at one time than to try and prepare
them in driblets, though this has often to be done
during wot weather. Ky having a good body of
manure it is more easily brought into a suitable
condition both as regards heat and moisture for
forming the beds. Where a shed is not availalde
to prepare a large (piantity the manure should be
carted to a sheltered jMsition, such as against a
wall, where it can be turned oier as required and
protected with shutters or thatched hurdles during
rain. 1 strongly recommend mixing a good por-
tion of leaves with the manure, as this not only
increases the bulk, Init the heat pro<luce<l is less
violent and more; lasting, while by the addition of
say one cartload of rich line loam to si.x of manure
the beds can be made much firmer and it encour-
ages the spawn to spread, the JIushrooms being
more fleshy and of better flavour than those pro-
duced in manure alone.

WiN'rKH Tomatoes. — The warm weather of late,
with an absence of frost at night, has proved
favourable for plants under glass, as, being able
to admit plenty of air, the gro%vth made has been
sturdy, while (lowers Viave been produced freely
and ii good set of fruit obtained. Under these
favouralile conditions the plants, too, have kept
free of disease. It is surprising what a small
t|uantity of soil is required to establish really
strong plants, so long as they I'eceive careful
attention in the way of watering. The most of
our winter fruiters are in 9-inch pots. The
))lants are about .a yard high, with eight to ten
trusses of fruit sot on each, and yet the jjots are
liarely half filled with soil. Had they received
more root-run, no doubt the plants would have
been much taller, but I doubt it they would have
set a corresponding amount of fi'uit. Top-dress-
ing will now ha\e to be resorted to, as the strain
of fruiting will prevent undue foliage being made.
Not more than an inch of material will beaftbrded
at one dressing, and this will be made quite firm
to further induce the formation of short-jointed
growth. The compost will consist of fresh turfy
loam, to which will be added a sprinkling of
bone-meal. I prefer the latter in the meal state,
as it is more cjuickly assimilated by the roots
than when used in a coarser condition. The
plants should have plenty of room and be
arranged near the roof, so that they will receive
all the light possible when the short days come.
It is best to devote a house to these plants, so
that they can receive suitable treatment. Where
other plants of a tender nature are grown with
them, the treatment afforded seldom suits both,
and more than jjrobably the humid atmosphere
maintained for the latter will soon weaken the
constitution of the Tomatoes and disease will
quickly appear. Even when wet or frosty-
weather overtakes us, a certain amount of
ventilation will be necessary, together with
a gentle warmth in the pipes to prevent
a sluggish atmosphere in the house, and
as a further means of warding off fungoid
disease the pipes should be frequently painted
over with sulphur mixed to the consistency of
paint with the aid of milk. Strong doses of
manure should be withheld, as the plants if
grown in good loam will swell the fruit ofl' quite
large enough for winter supplies. Soot water is
beneficial to the plants, but during sunless
weather it is apt to give the fruit a bitter taste.
If the plants are well cared for, they should con-
tinue to produce flower-tru.ssesmostof the winter,
and though, of course, they will not be numerous,
they will provide some late dishes towards spring
before the summer-fruiters turn in. It will be
neces,sary, however, to assist the fruit to set by
going over the bloom with a soft brush or rabbit's
tail, at the same time exposing the flowers by
removing or tying back the foliage immediately
over them.

SrccKssiox PLANTS.— As it is always desirable
to turn out winter-fruiters the following sjiring
rlirectly they cease to \ield, a good batch of
strong plants should be ready to succeed them.
These are best obtained Ijy sowing in the autumn,

and if not already done a ))inch of seed should lie
I)ut in at once. .-Vs ii rule, the seed germinates
very freely. A great mistake is made in sow-
ing too thickly, causing the seedlings to become
drawn before they are barely ready for pricking
off into pans or boxes. This should be particu-
larly guarded against at the present sowing, or
the plants may remain in a weak state all the
winter. Keep them near the glass, and better
allow two dozen plants plenty of room than en-
deavour to raise a larger quantity in a crowded
state.

Oi-xnooR ToMATOKS. — It is seldom these do well
after October comes in, as the cold nights and
heavy dews cau.sc the fruit to crack when the sun
reaches them the following day. Where the
plants are growing against a fence or wall and
are still laden with fruit a])proaching maturity, a
few odd lights jilaced over them will assist their
ripening, or the fruit may be cut and placed in a
warm, dry position. Richard Parker.

NOTES FROM GUNTON.

Any gardener happening to be in Norfolk would
find (iunton well worth a visit just now. The
hot, dry summer has of course left its mark, but
the crops generally, both of fruit and vegetables,
are looking well. In common with most gardens.
Apples are the scarcest crop that has been known
for many years, but Pears are plentiful and pro-
mise to swell to a good size. Almost eveiy gar-
dener has heard of the Gunton Pears, and while
such second-rate flavoured sorts as ilarie Louise
d'Uccle, Beurre Clairgeau, and Beurre Diel are
found room for, the smaller sized, first-rate quality
varieties receive every attention. Marie Louise,
Thompson's, and Glou Morceau all do well at
(iunton, and the new President Barabe is bearing
a heavy crop of medium-sized, russety-looking
fruit. This Pear is sure to make a mark, as few-
late varieties possess such excellent flavour. Mr.
Allan is working it on to old trees of inferior
varieties. His enthusiasm in Strawberry culture
is as great as ever, his latest achievement in the
way of new varieties being Lady Suffield, of
which " D. T. F." recently wrote in terms of high
praise. Latest of .AH is thought well of by Mr. Allan,
but Monarch he regards as a coarse, rather washy-
variety. Gunton has long been noted for its good
Grapes, and the crops this year are no exception
to the rule. Muscat Hamburgh has large bunches
without a single shanked berry, and the Duke of
Buccleuch worked on Alnwick Seedling has given
such satisfaction, that Mr. Allan is extending it
yearly, intending to fill the whole house with it.
The bunches are of good size and the berries
beautifully clear, with an entire absence of the
spot which so often mars this otherwise fine white
(irape. One thing that particularly struck me in
these vineries was the fine lot of Lady Downe's on
Vines trainetl up the back walls. The finest lot
was in the Muscat house, the temperature of
which Ml-. Allan considers it requires. Not a
damage<l berry v\ as to be seen, which can seldom
be said when the Vines are trained in the ordinary
w-ay beneath the roof glass. In the early I'each
house is a magnificent tree of Dymond, which is
in great favour at (iunton, as it possesses every
good qualification, the fruit, which sets very
freely, being extra large, beautifully coloured,
and most deliciously flavoured. In the same
house is a fine young tree of Early Rivers
Nectarine. Mr. Allan is delighted with this
variety, as in his opinion it supersedes all others
of the early section. I was much interested in a
new Tomato growing in several houses side by side
with Frogmore Prolific and Ham Green. The
tw-o latter w-cre much affected by disease, w-hile
the new variety, named Powley's Up to Date,
and raised by a market gardener near Norwich, is
cjuite free from it. The fruit is of medium size,
very symmetrical, and is produced in great num-
bers. It will no doubt make a fine market
\aricty. .\mongst the numerous sorts of Figs
grown uniler glass, that deliciously flavoured, deep
coloured fleshed variety Bourjassote (Iris is re-

266

THE GARDEK

[October 2, 1897.

presented by a fine healthj' bush now loaded with
fruit. This Fig is not so well known as it should
be. As seen at Gunton the tree is a strong, short-
jointed grower, and where variety is wished for in
early forced Figs, it should be associated with
Brown Turkey and St. John's, as it does capitally
in pots. As a rule, late Peas are in strong force
at Gunton, an autumn supply being important.
This year, however, mildew is very troublesome
amongst late rows. Autocrat withstanding it
better than any other variety. This is accounted
for by its exceptionally robust growth, which
stands it in good stead in times of drought. A
good dry weather vegetable proving itself very use-
ful just now is the New Zealand Spinach. If kept
well picked down it continues to yield large i
quantities of its fine succulent leaves over a very
long period without running to seed. Amongst
Beet, Veitch's Selected Redfindsmost favour, being
just the Beet for a gentleman's table. The roots
under ordinary cultivation are of medium size, the
colour a delicate red, with an entire absence of
woolly rings so prominent in many of
the much advertised varieties, while
the flavour is excellent. The Chrysan-
themums grown for large blooms are
looking well this season, the wood
being stout without grossness and
apparently well ripened. The Bella-
donna Lily does wonderfully well at
Gunton, growing in a narrow border
of loam}- compost close to the wall of a
plant stove, the hot-water jjipes run-
ning along close inside the wall. In a
length of 0 feet of border I counted
thirty- eight fine flower-stems, each
bearing several extra large flowers.
Evidently it requires a well-drained,
warm root-run similar to the one de
scribed, as for years it failed at Gunton
in an ordinary sunny border.

J. C.

tection is necessary during severe winters. Un-
like the commonly cultivated members of the
genus, the stems of this species are only of annual
duration, but of a stout, sturdy nature, and will
reach a height of 4 feet to 5 feet. The large
heart-shaped leaves are decidedly ornamental,
while the flowers are of a bright rosy red tint, and
deeper coloured in the bud state than they are
after expansion. When the conditions are favour-
able to its well-doing this Clerodendron will
(|uiokly spread underground. It is also known
by the sijecific name of Bungei, that of fietidum
being derived from the fact that it gives ofl' a very
unpleasant smell if bruised in any way. At the
close of a hot summer it, as a rule, flowers with
greater freedom than at any other period. The
Japanese C. trichotomum is also now in full
flower, and is decidedly ornamental and quite
distinct from anything else in flower, or in
fact from any other hardy shrub, irrespective
of the flowering season. This is a free-growing
species, quite hardy, and can be readily increased

Abbotsbury, Dorsetshire, and remarks upon tli
amount of iron in the soil. Yet of the many H\
drangeas grown there, only, I think, in two c,i-i
have the plants blue flowers. These blue-flowen
plants are growing in the shade, but blooms frui
cuttings from them have reverted to the pin
shade. This fact would seem to point to shai
being the prime factor in producing the bli
colour, but I know of many cases where plan
growing in shade bear ]iink or flesh-colouie
flowers, and the brightest blue Hydrangea bloon
that I ever saw were borne by plants growing i
the full sun on the edge of a clitF overlookin
Start Bay, where there was no particle of shad
Many of these blossoms were of almost a Forge
me-not blue. — S. W. F.

HARDY HEATHS.

I WA.s pleased to see the note in The Garde
on page 191 respecting the Erica vulgaris Har

¥ 'f^^..

Trees and Shrubs.

OLD HAWTHORN AT ST. COL-

UMBA'S COLLEGE.
A SHORT distance from Dublin, on
the slope.s of Kilmashogue Moun-
tain, lies St. Columba's College,
an ideal spot for a boy's school, and
commanding superb views over Dub-
lin Bay. In the grounds are many
line old trees, especially Beeches and
Hollies ; of the latter, many were
evidently growing there long before
the hand of man had touched tlic
place. Amongst other ancient deni-
zens is the Hawthorn shown in the
annexed illustration, which in May
last, when the photograph was taken,
was a charming siglit with its gnarled
trunk and mass of snow-white blos-
soms. The Hawtliorn — we do not call it
"May" in Ireland— flourishes in abundance
about Dublin, and many fine old specimens are
to be seen in the Phoenix Park and elsewhere.
Greenwood Pim.

An old Hawthorn at St. Columba's College, DxMin. From a photograph by Mr. Qreenwood Pim.

Clerodendron foetidum.— This Clerodendron
is, from a flowering point of view, widely removed
from the Japanese C. trichotomum, for the Ijlos-
soms of this last are white, and protrude from
large red calyces after the manner of the indoor
kinds, while they are disposed in an open panicle.
Those of C. fci'tidum, on the other hand, are
packed closely together in a terminal head after
the manner of an Ixora, but the blossoms are
much more crowded. 0. ftetidum— of which I
have lately seen some good examples — is one of
Fortune's introductions from Northern China.
In the milder districts of the country it is quite
hardy, but elsewhere a certain amount of pro-

to almost any extent from cuttings of the roots.
— T.

Colour in Hydrang'ea hortensis. — The

blue shade so often seen on the massive flower-
heads that cover the great Hydrangea bushes in
the south-west is, when it is clear in tone, very
beautiful. On many {ilants the blossoms are of
one uniform light blue tint, on others a portion
may be blue and the remainder pink, while some
blooms exhibit a not very pleasing shade, in which
both colours are mingled. At present the reason
of this blue colouring seems but indefinitely un-
derstood. By some it is attributed to the pre-
sence of iron in the soil, by others to the plants
being grown in the shade. It is true tliat many
jilants growing in soil heavily impregnated witli
iron bear blue flowers, but, on the other hand,
many plants in the same soil have pink blossoms.
In Canon EUacombe's paper on " The Great
Drought of 1896," a reprint of which appeared on
page 204, he makes mention of the gardens at

mondi. It is one of the best white Heaths, an
to see it at its best it should be planted i
masses. One reason why we do not see nioi
of these beautiful hardy plants is due to th
treatment they receive at the hands of th
planter. Another reason is that the best ai
often overlooked or left out through not knoM
ing what t<j plant for effect. Where the Rliod.
dendron and Azalea grow well there need be ii
difficulty in growing varieties of the hard
Heath. I would advise all wlio are so situate'
and real lovers of hardy flowers to add these t
their list, for there is nothing more efiectiv
and beautiful than a bed of Heaths in bloom,
am well acquainted with them, and send you
list of eighteen of the best for massing aw
making a good show. There should be no les
than fifty or more plants of each sort. Tlie va
rieties of E. cinerea should be put 9 iiwln^
from plant to plant, and the vulgaris sort

Ogtobrk 2, 1897.]

THE GARDEN".

267

inches ;i|iart. I also add time of l)loiiiiuiij;.

icaciirnea, red ... - .... March and Atnil-

„ alba ,, ,,

ciiierea alba Aug. and Sept.

„ minor luly and Aug.

,, nwea ,, ,,

,, jiiu-purea ,, ,,

vagans alba Aug. to Oct.

,, grandifloia ,, ,,

., rubra ,,

vulgaris alba minor Aug. and Sept.

„ pilosa „ „

„ „ rigida , ,,

,, ,, Serlei ... . Sept. and 0(-t.
„ ,, Hanimondi. Aug. and Sept.
„ tenuis (.scarlet)... „ ,,

,, Alporti (crimson) ,, ,,

„ aurea, golden foliage, for winter

and summer effect.
„ cuprea, similar to aurea, but more
upright and quite distinct.

IE. Alporti and E. Hammondi would look well
Ijether, their growth being eipial, also time of
Ipoining. E. rigida and tenuis would also
ik well mixed, their growth and time of
K>ming being the same. liy nuiking a care-
selection it is po.s.sible to have Ericas in
loui for (piite six months. To show the
ours to the best advantage I select a
itle .slope. There is no need to be particular
to the aspect si> long as it is fully exposed to
) sun. What hardy Heaths require is a suit-
e soil for the roots and free from shade. If
soil is likely to become too dry, a mulch of
nt Hops or rotten manure would help them,
1 the ground should be trenched 12 inches
,'p, some leaf-mould or rotten manure being
rked into it, and all made firm before plant-
When once they are established they will
t for years. If they become too large or
iiggling, cut tliem off close to the ground at
latter end of Blay or beginning of June.
,'e them a nndch of rotten manure, and they
1 soon grow and become vigorous again. E.
nea requires to be divided every three or
fr years, as the ]ilants become .straggling.
d to the soil some leaf-mould or rotten
niiure, also mulch them with the same
a ;r planting. The best time to move Heaths
1! September or the first week in October.
''wo Dales, Matlock. C. Reeves.

5T0VE AND Greenhouse.

ANTHL'RIUMS.

1 3SE bright and effective plants are deservedl}'

pjul.ir, both the tine-foliaged species as A.

cifitallinum, and those with showy spathes as

A^ndreanum finding plenty of admirers. The

ly hybrid forms, too, raised from the latter

other S]iccies are a good deal grown, but it

ni ;t be admitted that there are many of these

: are sent out with fancy names that are not

th the trouble of growing. Dull, shity-

iig purples and wasjisd-out tints of pink

•scare certainly not an improvement on

Id form, but tlie highly-tinted large spathed

hji'ids should be grown by all who have room

f'>fhera. It is a fact worth noting in connec-

with these, that they will, if planted out or

d well so th.at the roots have a fair run, do

w:i a good deal le.ss heat than when grown in

■ Their .additional .strength h.is apjiarently

fffect of making them more hardy, .-ind only

•• weeks since I .saw in a very moderately

i conservatory a large nundjer of healthy

lens growing on the walls. The leaves

"road, of tliat doeji shining green that be-

' robust health, and the sj)athes were very

large. Wherever a place suitable for these ))l;ints
exists they should be planted. ( )n rockwoik it is
very important that water easily drain aw.ay
from the base of the i)lants, for though they all
like a liberal su|)i)ly of moisture, it is detri-
mental when lying stagnant about the roots.
They should be plantecl in rough peat, broken
up into lumps as large as a hen's egg, half the
(piantity of Sphagnum Moss and plenty of
rough iiottory ballast, charcoal or similar mate-
rial. Their position in the house has a good
deal to do with their successful treatnu^nt. In
shady corners they are not .satisfactory, nor
will they stand the full glare of the sun ; but if,
by the interposition (jf climbers on the roof or
the leaves of large ])lants ;i nice broken light
is produced, they will bo well suited in this
respect. In such structures there is usually a
nice genial tem|)erature kept uj), and the slight
rise and fall in summer and winter are easily
arranged. Anyone planting them and giving a
little care is sure to be successful w'ith them,
and they make a welcome change from the
ubi(|uitous Begonias, Tradescantias and otiiers.
To grow Anthuriuras in pots is not difficult,
]irovided a warm temperature is maintained all
the year round, and plenty of atmos])heric
moisture. Cleanliness is an important point,
both the pots and compost needing careful atten-
tion in this respect. Young plants are usually
more sati.sfactory than large old specimens, the
latter, owing to the almost climbing habit of
some of the species often getting leggy and bare
of foliage below. Some of the kinds may be
cut back with safety, but it is not always an im-
l)rovement, as the side breaks form smaller
leaves and spathes than the leading growths.
Some of the varieties of A. Scherzerianum are
neat, compact growers, and these make tine
well-balanced specimens that for many months
in the year are indeed bright and effective. A
compost similar to that mentioned above suits
pot plants, but the material will not of course
be used in quite so rough a condition. When
well rooted they may with advantage be allowed
occasional waterings with well diluted guano or
soot water, either of these hel])ing the foliage
considerably. In potting, keep the com]iost a
little higher in the centre of the pot, this help-
ing to throw the moisture away from the stem.
No old sour peat should be allowed to remain
about the roots, but otherwise disturb them as
little as possible when renewing the comjiost.
In a suitable atmo.sphere, and with clean plants
for a start, insects are not usually very trouble-
some, but a small brown scale sometimes affects
them. This should be at once removed when
seen and kept in check by frequent sponging.

R.

Leaky conservatory. — I have charge of a
.sniall conservatory facing south and overhung
with trees on the north, which leaks all over,
carrying with it on to 'the roof more or less of the
green matter which falls from the trees as well as
possibly some portion of the white lead used in
the paint. Can plants under such circumstances be
kept in health ? — Coxservatorv.

',* Drip, whether owing to defective glazing
or the fact that the roof is too flat for the moisture
that collects on the vmderside of the glass to i)ass
away into the gutters, is most injurious to plants
of all kinds. The heavy shade and dri|) from
overhanging trees would bo particularly detri-
mental to flowering jjlants and not to the liking
of Palms, Ferns, and other plants grown for the
beauty of their foliage. Conservatories are too
often designed by architects who study only
external a|)pearances, and gardeners take "charge
of tlicm only to find that they are so many
"slaughter-houses." It is bad when the roofs
are high enough for tall Palms to hixiiriate
under, but if added to these ilrawbacks a leaky '

roof has to be contended witli, nothing .short of a
range of plant-houses and |)lenty of labour can
keep them pi-0|)erly "fed." I)ri|), with its accom-
paniments, a damp hou.se and a moisture-laden
atmosphere, is the very reverse of what we
expect to find in a conservatory and where pos-
sible ought always to be remedied. — En.

TROP.KOLUAI TRICOLOR.

SKi'TEMiiER is a good time to pot up bulbs of
this elegant and useful greenhouse Tropa-olum.
I have grown it trained both on rustic pieces of
Larch and wire balloon and oval trellises |)ainted
green, and it is very cli'eetivc in both ways. Old
gardeners used to turn the bulbs out of the soil
after the growth had matnred in spring, and
store them in a cool, dry place in silver .sand,
examining them occasionally towards autumn,
so that potting could be performed immediately
new growth commenced. A (i-inch pot .suits
them well, although I have known, say, three
bulbs ))laced in an 8-inch or 9-inch pot for
growing on into large specimens. A light loamy
compost and plenty of leaf-mould and silver sand
are the best rooting medium, and little water
must be given till a foot or so of new growth is
made. A soddened soil rots the base of the bulb
before it has a chance to emit new rootlets.
Some little trouble is needed to secure an evenly
furnished trellis, as if the twining growths are
left to themselves they soon get entangled, and
no amount of patience will separate them. The
best way is to insert one, two, or three small
Hazel sticks, according to the number of growths
that are emitted from the parent bulb, taking the
leading points of these to the base of the sticks
and letting them twine round these until the top
is reached, when the3' may be gently unwound,
tied to the trellis, and the ])oints again taken to
the sticks. T. tricolor and T. Jarratti used to
be considered distinct, but are now catalogued,
and rightly, so I think, as one and the same.
The flowers, scarlet-yellow and black in colour,
are produced in great abundance, and last a
long time in perfection. When the bulbs arc
kept in the pots until repottcfl in autumn, they
should be stowed awaj' in a perfectly cool
position, otherwise they are liable to shrivel and
soften. The new growths must be watched, for
slugs and small snails are very partial to them.

•J. Cr.vwfokd.

Lilium Krsetzeri in pots. — Reference was
recently made to the value of this chaste Lily for
open air. 1 can also speak in its favour as a
grand pot Lily. Few, in fact, do better in pots
than this variety, the [jlants when grown in, say,
lU-inch or 12-inch pots coming in most useful at
the end of August, and, if brought on behind a
north wall in September, for standing in front
halls, corridors, and conservatories. The flowers
also, if cut with long stems, which the growth
more than that of any other sort allows, look
chaste and beautiful arranged in tall glasses in
the drawing-room. Used sparingly with delicate
Fern fronds or flimsy-coloured foliage, the\' are
very welcome on the dinner-table, their frag-
rance, too, being of moderate strength only,
giving no oll'ence, as is the case with some Lilies
when confined in living-rooms. One great secret
in pot culture is reimtting the bulbs directly the
foliage dies down in autuum instead of waiting
till spring, as formerly.— .1. Crawford.

Myrosma cannsefolia. — Would some of your
correspondents kindly inform me the treatment of
the above ))lant '! I have three plants in a con-
servatory wliich have ma<lc strong growth, but
have never flowered. — W. .1. R.

*,* This, like many other tiingerworts, is not
very fi'ee-flowering, uidess it is treated in a par-
ticularly liberal manner, such as planted out in a
good open compost in a warm structure. If in
pots the compost should consist of good turfy
loam, leaf-mould, peat and sand, plenty of water
being given during the growing season. Then,
on the approach of autumn, the water supply

268

THE GARDEN.

[October 2, 1897.

should be lessened, and throughout the winter the
soil must be kept moderately dry so as to give it
a period of rest. With the return of spring more
water should be given and the plant then en-
couraged to grow away freely. It is essentially a
stove plant, though it may be wintered in an in-
termediate temperature. Being grown altogether
in a conservatory may have something to do with
the non-flowering of the plant in question, and I
should advise that after a winter's rest it lie grown
in a structure kept at a higher temperature than
a conservatory. It is now generally known as
Phrynium Myrosma. — H. P.

WINTER-BLOOMING CARNATIONS
AFTER FLOWERING.
The following treatment I find successful. As soon
as the plants have done blooming, say in February
or later, the old stems should be
out back to a healthy shoot as
near the base as possilile. Shake
off carefully about half of the old
soil and repot into a larger pot,
using good sound loam with
a portion of sand, well-rotted
manure, and leaf-mould. Stake
out and gi\e the plants an occa-
sional S3'ringing. With many
of the newer varieties a good
crop of blooms will follow in
June, especially if the plants are
kept in a slightly heated house.
The plants after blooming may
have the shoots shortened, giving
the plants a little fresh soil and
standing the plants in the open.
These will give another crop
during November and onwards.

If no summer blooms are re-
quired the plants should be kept
well topped to the end of June
and the shoots tied out. After
the second year Carnation plants
are, generally speaking, not worth
house room. — W. J. Godfrey,
Exmonth.

— — At page 218 "R. D." com-
plains that so very little informa-
tion has been forthcoming as to
the best treatment of winter-
blooming Carnations after flow'cr-
ing, and thinks that a few re-
marks occasionally on the sub-
ject would be of much service to
amateurs, who frequently keep
their plants for two or more years.
Probably why so little has been
written on the treatment of old
plants is because so few gardeners
care to keep them, preferring to
propagate a fresh batch annually,
and certainly, so far as my ex-
perience goes, this is, except in
the case of a few sorts, the most
satisfactory plan. I have, how-
ever, grown Miss Joliffe the se-
cond year into large bushes, which
have borne plenty of blooms, and
I have thought the colour of the
. flowers, as a rule, brighter than in
those from yearling plants. My
treatment is as follows : As soon
as blooming is over, or, say in
March, the plants are placed in a small house
and fmnigated once or twice to rid them of any
greenfly ihat may be lurking about the tips
of the shoots. The growths are then carefully
thinned out, those on thick bushy ])lants reduced
to one half — this is important — as if left un-
thinned they get crowded before the end
of the ne.xt summer, and spoil one another.
One-year-old plants, generally being in(i-inch pots,
are then potted into others one or two sizes larger,
according to their individual vigour, and placed
in a perfeclly cool, light house, which is
freely aired by day and night. A pit is a very
gcocl place for them, as then they can be placed

close to the glass. A light fibrous loam contain-
ing abundance of natural grit with a sixth part
leaf-mould grows them well. All manures are
best excluded from the soil. In May, if the
weather has become settled, the plants should be
stood out of doors in a sheltered spot, on a bed of
rough coal ashes — fine ashes are an evil, as the
pots in course of time sink into them, and a water-
logged condition is likely to ensue. Careful
watering, eradicating by means of tobacco powder
any greenfly which may appear, and laying the
pots on their sides for a time, if heavy rains pre-
vail, comprise the chief summer treatment. I
never give manure water. About the first week
in October remove the plants to a light, airy house,
elevating them near to the roof glass, fumigate
lightly occasionally, and water carefully, keeping
a uniform night temperature of 45" in mild
weather and o-' lower when the pipes have to be

THE SPOTTED GLOXINIAS.

Since this form of the Gloxinia was first intr
duced, now several years ago, there has bei
a decided improvement in form, in habit, and
colour. In form the flowers have advanced
breadth of petal, and also in the more expand
tube ; in habit the advance is quite marked
the more compact growth and in the great
freedom of flowering, for which the best strai
of the sjfotted form are now most remavkab
Tlie leaf growth, too, has shown a distir
advance, being more vigorous, with the folia
not so pointed as formerly. In colour the i:
provement has been chiefly in the brighter a
more varied spotting, and in the clear margii
lines of pure white now so apparent in the bi
kinds or strains. The spotted Gloxinias a

I

A seedling Gloxinia ivith spotted Hoxcers.

warmed to exclude frost. More heat than this
weakens growth, encourages aphis, and is a sure
forerunner of poor cuttings in spring. — J. Craw-
ford, Coddinijtoii Hall.

Fuchsia Ballet Girl. — This is one of the finest
of the doulile varieties with white corolla. The
flowers are large and full and the plant of good habit.
It is becoming a great favourite nith market growers,
as it makes a capital plant in a o-inch pot and blooms
freely. Messrs. Veitch and Sons obtained an award
of merit fo- the ab3V3 in July, 18UI. — A. H.

specially adapted for small pot culture. It is qu
needless to exceed in size of pots those (i incl
in diameter, while plants tit almost for any p'
pose may be grown in one size less. Tliey n
also be flowered in still smaller pots. The si
.stance of this form was at tirst quite flini.sy, n
it is all that one could wish. Altogether tli.
Gloxinias are most beautiful subjects for t
stove. — H.

The majority of these will now hs

finished flowering, and gradual drying off of t
bulbs must take place. Withholding water
at once, as is sometimes done, will cai

OOTOBEK 2, 1897.]

T[IE GARDEN

209

corms to imrtly .shrivel, a weak ojrowtli
xt year l>ciiifj tlio result. When tlie foliajje
rns yellow just eiuui>;li water shoukl lie j^iveri
keep the soil from becoming dust-drj-. In
ivomber the pot.s are be.st stood in a dry place
a temperature of about .")0°, earo being taken to
9p them a« a>- from hot-water pipes. I saw a
0 lot of bnlbs last spring wliich liail lieen nineh
ured by being stood on a shelf immediately o\ er
)i|>e. (Uo.xinias are often lost in winter by being
peed in tooeold a hoii.se elose to the glass, ami,
the other hand, the bullis are often excited

0 growth and their vitality greatly weakened
■ough too much heat and moisture diiniig the

rjting season. — C.V. H.

By many it is considered absolutely neces'

y for (!lo.\iiiias to be grown in heat,"that is

tsay, treated generally as intermediate house

I nts, and while it must be done in order to

liver them early, yet for late blooming very

derent treatment will yield highly satisfactory

rults. From the end of May onwards they may

grown without any heat whatever, and under

h treatment will not begin to flower till the

( ly |)art of August or thereabouts, when for six

M'ks or so they will yield a tine display in the

enliouse. and that." too, at a time when many

o:he summer-blooming plants are on tlle\^anc,

wm the fresh, brightly-coloured flowers of the

xinia are all the more valuable. In raisin"-

xinias from seeds it is necessary to sow thein

lieat early in the year ; hence for this cool

itment one-year-old tubers are required. I

•er a considerable number in this way and find

•n particularly vahmble for maintaining a dis-

(• at the end of the summer. In the autumn

tubers are laid in bo.xes of sand and wintered

temperature of 4,")' to 50°. During that period

occasional sprinkle is gi\en to prevent the

1 becoming too dry, and under such conditions
young shoots will commence to jnish up about
end of March. This j-ear, owing to stress of
k, our plants were not potted till a month
r than that, and were then kept in the green-
he ie till nearly the end of May, after which they
w ; removed to an ordinary garden frame with-

any heat whatever. There thev made slow,
sturdy progress, with a perfect immunity
1 insect pests, and bv the latter part of .June
w.) ready for a shift from 'i^-inch into 5 inch and
t)-;h pots. The plants were shaded duriiK^
hrht sunshine, and the frame shut rather early
rder to husband the tire-heat, while as the
became tilled with roots, occasional doses of
d manure were given. Grown in this way
foliage IS healthy and well coloured, thus
ng to show otr the bright-tinted blossoms to
lest advantage. A mixture of loam and leaf-
Id, with a dash of rough sand, will just suit
gloxinia, as it needs a good porous compost.
10 flowers are cut when just expanding they
1 eipn fresh ami bright for some days — h" P

may be taken as a good representative couple,
while a third species is well worth a place in any
garden where facilities exist for its culture. This
is .Iv Hildebrandi, a native of the Shan States,
This was introduced to Kew in 1S!)4, and up to
the present I have not seen it anywhere else,
though it is a charming little kind and (piite the
pigmy of the genus, for it only reaches a height of
about 4 inches. The comparatively hirgc scarlet
llowcrs are borne in terminal clusters as in the
others. This will succeed in .a greenhouse tem-
perature, but needs a fairly moist atmosphere
such as a cool Orchid house. The other members
of the genus are essentially stove ])lants. They
are all more or less epiphytes, and do well treated
as basket plants, particularly the slender yet
free growing .K. Lobbiaiuis. A mixture of [leat,
S|)hagniim, charcoal, and leaf-mould will suit
them well, as they retiuire a porous compost such
as this. They need a liljcral amount of water, of
course more during the growing season than in
the winter, but at no time should they be allowed
to become dry. Throughout the summer fre-
(|uent syringing is also very beneficial. Propa-
gating is eti'ected by means of cuttings which
should be jnit into a light peaty compost with
plenty of sand, and in a close propagating cas3
will soon root. — H. I'.

ischynanthuses. -The ditlerent species of

lynanthus ^lre all very beautiful when in

r, and in the case of most of them their usual

•n of blooming is during the autumn months.

I)eciosus 13 one of the showiest members of

■ nils, the curved scarlet flowers marked with

•'t the mouth being borne in large terminal

-■ One of the commonest, .E. Lobbianus,

'leral particulars widely removed from the

••"S, but in Its way it is, I think, e(iually

"1. In this the stems are slender and

in colour, while the ovate Iea\es are small

' >re than an inch long), and of a deep,

green, while the thimble-shaped calyx,

- quite 1 inch in length, is hairy and of a

'rple tint. Protruding therefrom we have

'^bt scarlet corolla, curved as in the others,

fs .I 1 ^'^°"P'e of inches In-.g. As the calyx

'Iveloped some little time before the corolla

"It, then presents the appearance of beino-

I with dull-coloured thimble-.shaped blos-

uuii I'H 1 il-" ''■"■•°"'is develop they impart

& L ''^^''"°;»1, f-^ature to the specimen.

^n- are several other species, but the above

GARDENIAS.
I sii.ii.i, be much obliged if you will let me know-
in your columns what compost suits Gardenias
best, al.so a little information upon their treat-
ment. I shall also be [jleased if you could tell nie
the be.st manner to pack the cut "flowers to under-
go a journey from twenty-four to thirty hours, and
the composition used by florists to steep the

flowers in when cut to ensure their Iastin<>-

G. G.

*,* The compost suitable for (Jardenias will of
course, to a certain extent, depend on the size of the
plants, as when potting into large jrots it must be
much rougher than for small ones. In o-rowintr
(Jardenias many culti\-ators prefer to propao-ate
their own plants, and this is generally doniT by
cuttings of the half-ripened shoots put singly into
small well-drained pots of sandy soil and kejit in
a close proiiagating oase till rooted, which will be
in about three weeks or so. When roo'tetl they
must be hardened oti", by being inured to the air
of an ordinary sto\e, when they can soon be
shifted into larger pots. The points of the shoots
must be pinched out from time to time in order
to ensure a bushy haliit of growth, and the
structure in which the plants are kept should
during the summer hax-e a night temperature of
70' with a corresponding rise during the day.
The plants .should be so situated as to get as much
light as possible, but at the same time they must
be shaded from bright sunshine. By the "end of
.June the plants will if thej- have 'done well be
ready for their final shift, wliich may be into pots
(i inches or 7 inches in diameter. After this, if
they are kept well syringed and the structure
in which they are growing is shut up early
in the afternoon in order to husband th"e
sun-heat, they w-ill make rapid progress. By
the end of August they must have more air
in order to harden them oB', and very little, if
any, shading will then be needed. During the
winter a minimum night temiierature ofo.'/with
a rise of 10° or so during the day is very suitable
for them. As the spring adxances the floners will
(juickly open in the higher temperature. Through-
out all stages of growth, except during the
w-inter, Gardenias are greatly Ijenetited by a
liberal syringing, as it tends to keep the foliage
green and healthy, added to which the plants are
often attacked by insect pests, and a liberal use
of the syringe will help to keeii them under. If
bug or scale eftect a lodgment on the plants,
they must be laid on their sides and .syiiiiged
with one of the many insecticides which "are
etl'ectual in destroying these pests. After flower-
ing any straggling shoots may be shortened, and

larger than the others. They must again be en-
couraged to grow fieely during the summer, and
be biirdcned off towards autumn. The flowering
sea.son in the spring may be regulatetl by the
temperature maintained at that time, and it is
generally the custom to bring them on in batches
in order to en.sure a succession of bloom.

The flowers should be packed in shallow boxes,
as they travel much better in this way than wholi
in layers. To send liy rail several of these shal-
low boxes may be put into a deeper one for con-
venience. If a little fiesli Mo.ss nearly dry or
the finest wood wool is put over the bottom of the
box in a thin layer and covered with tissue paper,
which must akso extend around the sides, the
flowers must be arranged thereon as closely as
possible, and the box finished ofl' with a few- layers
of tissue paper on the top. In packing fiowers
m.-ui}' make the mistake of lieing too cautious,
that is to say, they put them too loosely together,
the consetjuence being that they move about and
become bruised beyond recognition. A firm hand
is necessary in packing flowers, and practice is
most essential. Flowers that are intended for
traxelling should be cut a few hours before they
are packed and placetl in jars of water, and they
will then be well charged with moisture ,ind
better able to bear the jouinej' than if cut and
|)acked at once. I know of no comjiosition to
steep the flowers in in order to ensure their last-
ing.—H. P.

Variegated Pelargonium Mrs. Parker. —
This Pelargonium is on page I'.i.S referred to by
" R. D.," who states that he is not sure if it is in
commerce. It has been grown for years, and liy
some is much appreciated, not only asa pot plant,
but also for the flower garden. It is a sjiort from
a one time popular variety, Leamington Lassie,
which is of especial interest to the readers of TiiK
G-VRDEX, as it is the only semi-double zonal Pelar-
gonium of which a coloured plate h;vs been
issued, and that was as long ago as April 28, 1877.
The flowers of Leamington Lassie are a kind of
lilac-pink, and the variety Mrs. Parker does not
differ therefrom in any respect, except that the
leaves are deeply margined with white. There is a
second variet3' of thissection, that iswith variegated
leaves and double or semi-double blossoms, which
is often confounded with the variety in question.
This is Chelsea Gem, whose leaves are not so flat
as those of the other, and though the variegation
is of a purer white it is not so broad. The colour
of the flowers, too, is different, that of Chelsea
(iem being a clear deep pink. Both are free-
branching, loiv-growing kinds, the variety Chelsea
Gem being the more vigorous of the two. — H. P.

Boronia serrulata. — The recent note regard-
ing this beautiful New Holland plant reminds one
how difficult it has been to olitain it for some
time, till a few years ago it was taken in hand by
Messrs. Balchin, of Hassocks, who may be said
to have rescued from oblivion the charming blue-
floH-erei Leschenaultia biloba. They ha-.e besn
eejually successful in the culture of the Boronia,
and as recently as the last Temple show numer-
ous flowering examples were exhibited by them.
The colour both of the Boronia and the Leschen-
aultia is decidedly richer on the jilants grown at
Hassocks than it is in most places. This is
presumably owing to proximity to the sea, com-
bined with the clear, pure air of the Southdowns,
for tliis feature is by no menis confined to the
two [)lants in cpicstion. Crotons, Dracienas,
Acalyjihas, and various indoor plants grown for
the beauty of the foliage are all unusually bright
throughout the district in (juestion, w-hile out of
doors the variegated forms of Euonymus, Hollies,
and Privet, as well as the tricolor and bronze-
leaved Pelargoniums all attract particular atten-
tion from the richness of their colouring. The
flowers, too, of the different zonal Pelargoniums
are from the same circumstance very noticeable.
-H. C.

Kichiardia albo-maculata.— This cannot for
one moment be compared w ith the large showy

the plants shifted on into pots about .3 inches species of Kichardia such as R. a-thiSpica, H.

270

THE GARDEN

[OCTOBEB 2, 1897.

Elliottiana, and R. Pentlandi, yet for all this it is
very pretty and particularly free flowering. It
is a small growing yilant, as if keiit out of doors
it is little more tlian a foot liigh, but under
glass it of course grows somewhat taller. The
leaves are narrower in proportion to their length
than those of the common Calla, while they are
blotched with white on a green ground. The
flowers are creamy white, with a reddish blotch
at the base of the interior. This species often
produces a double spathe, while occasionally the
inflorescence is particularly curious, consisting as
it does of a half spathe, half leaf. This Richardia
grows with gi'eat freedom, and towards the end
of the summer a plentiful crop of blossoms is
pushed up. It differs from the common Lily of
the Nile in being totally deciduous during the
winter : indeed, it forms a solid tuber which needs
to be kept almost dry throughout that season.
This latter remark m ill applj' to all the Richardias
except the universally grown Lily of the Nile,
R. (ethiopica. — H. P.

FUCHSIAS WITH WHITE COROLLAS.

In the early sixties the varieties of Fuchsia with
white corollas were but few, and \-ery few of
that limited number are now in cultivation. Still,
a cou|:ile of them may be occasionally met with,
viz., Madame Cornelissen, which is still a very
desirable form for flowering out of doors during
the summer, the growth being compact and
sturdy and the plant free flowering. The second.
Princess of Prussia, is somewhat in the same way,
for in both of them the corolla is single. The
variety Princess of Prussia occurs in a catalogue
of Messrs. Rollisson for the spring of 1858, wlien
it was described as a novelty, having received a
first class certificate at Regent's Park during
the preceding summer. Of \-arieties with double
white corollas. Avalanche held its own for a very
long time, and it is still grown to a certain
extent. There was a second \'ariety of the same
name the flowers of which were dark, and both
being ]io|)ular at the same period often led to a
good deal of confusion. At the present time
quite a long list of varieties, both single and
double, is to be met with ; indeed, they
are so numerous that it is difficult to make a
selection therefrom. One of the very best is
Ballet Girl, which was given an award of merit
by the RoyalHorticultural Society in the summerof
1894. This variety is of good free growth, very free-
flowering, with a hirge double white corolla veined
with red at the base. The bright coral-red sepals
are longer than in several others and reflex grace-
fully, a feature which is fre(|uently wanting in
man}- of the newer large-flowered varieties. Be-
sides this a couple of new varieties from M.
Lemoine, of Nancy, have pleased me \ery much,
and they are certainly worth a place among the
most select of this section. The varieties in ques-
tion are Due d'Aumale, with a large globular-
shaped white corolla, marked with red on the
lower part of the petals. The sejials are short
and broad, the flowers reminding one to a con-
siderable extent of those of tlie once univer-
sally grown Miss Lucy Finnis, which, however, is
a weak grower, while in this newer kind the style
of growth and habit altogether leaves nothing' to
be desired. The second to be mentioned is l)e (ion-
court, in which the corolla is single and of an
exceedingly pure white : the sepals, too, which
reflex IjcaiitifuUy, are long and of a bright coral-
red tint. The edges of the petals are somewhat
wavy, hence the corolla is less formal in outline
than in many of the others. The habit of the
plant is good, and the flowers, which are suji-
ported by long stout stalks, display themselves to
the \'ery best advantage. Another of M. Le-
moine's varieties. Madame Carnot, will commend
itself to the lover of huge blooms, for, in addition
to this, it is free-flowering. The leaves of this
are rather small and roundish, and the haliit of
the plant more upright than in most of them,
but the weight of the flowers causes the branches
to partially droop, for the massive blooms are
thickly clustered near the points. Other good

varieties are Molesworth, Flocon de Neige,
Duchess of Edinburgh, Colonel Domini*, and Mrs.
Hill. As an illustration of the prominent posi-
tion that the Fuchsia occupied for a time may be
mentioned the fact that out of the seventy varie-
ties acknowledged by the Royal Horticultural
Society from 18j9 to the present time fifty of
them obtained their awards between the years
1865 and 1875. Growkr.

LILY OF THE VALLEY.

Referring to the article on the Lily of the
Valley (page 18^), though it has not, as far as I
am aware, ever received a first-class certificate,
yet the particular variety, of w'hich a coloured
plate accomjianied the article in cjuestion, was
given an award of merit on March '2."), 1890.
Fontin's var. is undoubtedly a very superior form,
the large open bells being characteristic of the
(ierman type, from which it has doubtless
sprung. Of the immense numbers of the Lily of
Valley which are sent to this country during the
winter months, the greater portion of tlie single
crowns or eyes is obtained from the Berlin dis-
trict, while, on the other hand, most of the clumps
come here from Holland. The flowers of these
last are totally different from the (Jerman ones,
being very much more contracted at the mouth :
hence they ajipear a good deal smaller. For early
forcing the Berlin crowns are preferred, as they
respond to heat more readily than the others,
but for the embellishment of the greenhouse as
spring advances the Dutch clumps are by many
regarded as superior, for, being taken up with the
ball of earth adhering to them, their roots receive
but little mutilation, and therefore when the
bright s[)ring weather sets in they do not flag so
readily as the German crowns, whose roots are
shaken entirely clear of soil before they are sent
here, and the flower-stem is pushed up previous
to the roots establishing themselves in the new
soil. Despite the fact that w'e get nearly all our
supplies of tlie Lily of the Valley from abroad,
Mr. Jannoch has shown us that with care and
attention its culture in this country can be
made remunerative. Such being the case, the
(luestion is suggested whether a good deal of tlio
money that we pay to the foreigner for Spira?as,
Dielytras, and different bulbs might not be kept
in the country, for we have many wide districts
well suited for their culture. The use of the
refrigerator has given a great impetus to the cul-
ture of the Lily of the Valley, and beautiful
flowers of it may now be seen in the florists' shops
of London at all seasons of the j'ear. About
twenty-five years ago I was connected with a
market nursery where the Lily of the Vallev
was made a special feature. In those days a few
spikes of the \ cry earliest blooms were ready for
market by the first or second week in December,
and it was considered particularly good culture
to have an ample supply by Christmas, and those
that were fortun.ate enough to obtain flowers by
that time founil the Lily of the Valley a very
remunerative crop. -In those da.ys its culture
was \ery limited comjjared with what it is at
the present time. H. P.

Richardia Pentlandi. — Though the early
|iart of the summer is the usual flowering season
of this Richardia, yet several plants in full bloom
have come under my notice of late, and at this
time of the year the bright golden-coloured
spathes are particularly welcome. The plants,
which are thus blo-ssoming out of their season,
were imported from South Africa in a dormant
state late last spiing, and having been potted
and placed under conditions favourable to growth,
in due time some of tliem flowered. This and
R. Elliottiana are certainly two beautiful golden
flowered Richardias. They are both a good deal
in the same way, the principal points of diff'erence
being that the flowers of R. Pentlandi have a
blotch of crimson at the bottom of the tube, and
this is wanting in R. Elliottiana. Besides that
the leaves of this latter are marked with irregular

translucent spots, while those of R. Pentlandi
of a uniform deep green. The blade of the 1(
too, is rounder in R. Elliottiana than in theotl
and this character alone is sufficiently pronoun
to distinguish between them. Among the la
impoi'tations of these golden-flowered Richarc
that now reach this country two forms are re|
sented — firstly, R. Pentlandi itself, and secoii
a variety of the same, in which the leaves
marked as in R. Elliottiana. It is, howe-
quite distinct therefrom, being, in fact, a coun
part of Pentlandi exce))t that the leaves
spotted. I have met with it under the nami
Richardia Pentlandi maculata, which has
advantage of expressing its prominent chai
teristics. — H. P.

liilium Harrisi. — When this was first sen
this country in quantity, about a dozen years :
a good deal of interest was aroused as to whet
it was really a particularly early flowering fi
or owed this feature only to the conditions un
which the bulbs had been grown. This lal
theory is now proved to be the correct one, fo
the open ground, at all events in the secondsear
it will flower at the same time as the rest
the longiflorum section ; indeed, L. Harrisi fi
Bermuda cannot under such conditions be
tinguished from L. longiflorum from Jaj
Planted in the open ground it makes stu
growth and flowers profusely, so that a mass of
Ijily with its countless trumpets of dazzling wl
ness forms a very attractive feature. I have
with numerous examples of it this season in
ticularly good condition both b}' itself and a
ciated with other subjects. A mass of this
interspersed with the scarlet spikes of Gladi'
brenchleyensis was particularly showy when
its best. As L. Harrisi is often brought oi
considerable heat for early flowering, the idea i
it is a tender Lily is very widespread, but sui
not the case, as our average winters do not 1
an}' effect upon it. It succeeds best in a f;
open loam, fairly sand}', and where the draii
is good, though not in a spot dried up during
summer. — Grower.

Fruit and Vegetable Crof

NORTHERN.

Lambton Castle, Durham. — The Apple
Pear crop in our county, I am soi'ry to siij
very poor. During the time the trees wer(
bloom we had strong winds and frosts that seei
to cut the blossoms all to pieces : conseqiiei
very few set their fruit except in slielti
places and on the walls, where a fair crop cxi
Bush fruit is fairly good, although not a he
crop. Gooseberries are clean and a good mcd
crop. Currants are a fair crop; Raspberrit
medium crop and clean.

Vegetables are good upon the whole. Gn
of all sorts are clean and healthy, and look
finishing satisfactorily. Onions are small, o«
to the want of rain during their 'growing sea>
Potatoes are good and free from disease, anil
the varieties have done well here. Peas .
Beans are doing well and free from milde«
J. Hunter.

Castle Howard.— Apples, on the whole,
rarlier a thin crop. In situations well shelte
from north winds there is nothing to complain
and such varieties as Keswick Codlin, Cock
Lord Suffield, Domino, Lane's Prince Albert, :
Duchess of Oldenburg are well loaded with fi
even in rather exposed positions. Pro\ ided i
comes soon, the yield will not be so bad as ^
anticipated a short time ago. Pears on %yalls
a good average croj), so also are some varieties
the open where well sheltered. Those expo
are almost a failure. Plums may be regarded
a total failure ; even Victoria and Rivers' E"
Prolific, varieties which are among our sui
croppers, are bairen. Apricots are also almcj
failure, and the few fruits have suffered from I
drought, some falling, and the remainder bu

October 2, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

271

ill. Cherries, both sweet urul .Morello, :ire
ler the uvcnifjo luul smaller than usual,
iseberries and Blaek Ctirrants have bconaliout
11 crop, whilst Keil Currants and Raspberries
0 been an averaj;e crop. Outdoor Teaches
Xectui ines may be refjardod as a failure, and
iwberrics ha\'0 been both small and feu in
iher. The poor erops of fiuit in this neigh-
rhood are attributed to the late frosts and

cl, cutting winds which prevailed in spring and
y sunnner, and the long spell of drought and
issive heat from which we are now (August 7)

Hii;ring.— .1. Kidiiki.i..

Cirklevicgton Hall, Yarm. — The fruit

cilis in this district are not heavy, but on the

W(ilo there is not much to complain of. The

tris in spring were not .so thickly covered with

l)l»m as they were last year, and although we

111, no May frosts to destroy it, yet the cold, tliy

n-ds we had <luring May and .June did great

Ji^age. Apples are a thin crop. Pears a fair

^Oj-iige crop, es|)ccially on old trees. I'lums are

uiio the average on old ti'ee<, but on stamlardsa

Morello Cherries are a good crop, but

^niall. .Straw) lerries ha\e also done well,

ii- fruit is small. Raspberries have been

-<'arce. Currants, Red and Black, and

■ lierries have been very plentiful and good.

ijtatoes ai-e turning out well. Peas have been

(5t|l ; in fact, all vegetable crops are good where

th|- have been watered and properly attended to.

— ii.E.X. ClINNIN<!lI.UI.

;idd Hall, Ripley.— In this district Straw-

lielies, Cuirants,. and (iooseberries have been

falaverage crops, but the fruit has been rather

snJI. Raspberries, Pears, and .apples are below

li average, and Plums are a total failure. The

■s that bore the best crops are, .Apples :

i'rince Alliert, New Hawthornden, Cellini.

I; Codlin, Lor<I Suttield, Potts' Seedling,

■r Pippin, Scarlet Nonpareil, Golden

Eeklinville ; of Pears, Louise Bonne of

.Uarie Louise, Durondeau, Doyenne d'Et^,

I iirtard, Bergamote d'Es[)eien, and Winter

.^Ijricots are verj- scarce.

11',' Onions are small. The vegetables that

-uti'ered most are the Brassicas and Peas

i " :nis. The principal cause is the cold winds

■vailed in the early part of this year and

i^ence of rain for so long a period. — W.

Imet Hall, Leeds.— Owing to severe frost

■■ ''■ night of May U, with cold winds and

ilie following day, fruit trees suffered

y, as the majority were in full bloom.

ii'ge Horse Chestnuts breaking into growth

'iiipletely blackened and have not yet re-

1. Then the gale on .June 10 shattered

everything to atoms. Some Oak trees and

iljeain hedge adjoining the kitchen garden

as if they had been scorched with fire.

■ ecs in some cases were stripiied of their

nd foliage, and Aegetables, such as Peas,

I Beans, Scarlet Runners, Potatoes, Let-

and .Jerusalem Artichokes were torn to

This year will long be remembered for

-traction wrought liy wind at York gala.

complete wreck of tents and produce I

witnessed, and a worse season, I think, I

xperienced. Nearly everything here ap-

^I'out a fortrn'ght later than usual. Apples,

ind Plums are below average: Cherries,

";rries. Currants, and Raspberries poor ;

■^' r.ben-ies very good.

Ip kitchen garden here is veiy much exposed

■'■north-west and rests on a strong clay, so

"st vegetables have wonderfully improved

!i'- recent hot weather, and do not sutler

liought so much as in some gardens,

-h we had only I -(14 inches of rain during

' eight days, two of which measured ll-.sl

- ' that the remainder was only like dew.

"[' to date of writing (August "l2) we have

-'istered (l-l(» inch for the jjresent month,

"Mtinuous hot weather. Peas are verv

■ -pecially Ne Plus Ultra. Early Potatoes

ill, but late ones appear very promising.

Beet , Onions, Turnips, Carrots, and I.,ettuce have
not been so good for years, butCaulillowers are
small. Brus.seU Sjirouts anil Savoys are looking
very well, but Broccoli and autumn ('aulillowers
are suflering from continued drought and water
here is very scarce. I heard some farmers remark
that they never saw Turnips in the holds looking
lietter than at present. — Tnos. Hons.m.i,.

Grimston Park, Tadcaster. — Fruit erops
generally are very light in this district, stone
fruits particularly .so. It is some years since 1
had such thin crops of Apricots and Plums as
there are thi< year. On an A])ricot wall nearly
llKI j-ards in length in these gardens there is only
oni! tree that has even a fairly good crop upon it.
I have tried to account for this. Up to now I
have come to no logical conclusion on the point.
Tlicie are other trees of the same \aricty on tlie
wail (.juite fruitless ; it is Hcmskirk. The tree ha *
not been lifted in recent j'ears, nor yet root-
pruned, nor in any way treated diU'erently from the
rest. There has been no branch-dying on A[)rieots
this summer, as is too often the ease. To m}' mind
the sunstroke theory of the cause of branch-dying
lireaks down completely now, as it is some years
since our trees had so much hot sun shining upon
them, as during the past two months. The trees
generally are very healthy, foliage being good and
free from insects. Even if ive do get some sharp
frosts at blooming time next year I venture to
say, with the protection of a double herring net,
there will be some .\pricots. Peaches are very
thin, but the trees in this case are healthy and
fairly free from insects; Plums the same. Even
that free fruiting variety Victoria is all but fruit-
less this year. Apples are partial. There is a
nice crop on some kinds, but as a whole the crop
is not more than a third of a go d average one.
Keswick Codlin, Lord Sutb-ld, Improved Cock-
pit, Irish Peach, Warner's King, Yorkshire
(Ireeningand Rose Hill are the only kinds that
have anything like a crop of fruit on them. In
this case also the trees generally are healthy and
fairly clean. Pears, too, are a thin crop ; Doyenn4
d'Et.?, Citron des Carmes, Beurr? d'Amanlis,
Urbaniste and Jargonelle ha\ e good crops. The
same remark applies to some old trees of that
well-known excellent Pear Marie Louise. In this
case they are ]_ilanted on the north side of a wall.
Some twenty-five j-ears ago I trained branches
over to the south side of the wall, which they now
co\'er for some G feet of its u])per surface. I
generally get some good fruit from this ]jort on of
the trees ; this year there is a very good croiJ.
Cherries are a thin crop. For some cause not
known to me I never get good crops of dessert
Cherries here. I have tried fresh soil, &c., but
have not yet succeeded as I could wish. Some
two miles otf as the crow flies there are some fine
fruitful trees of Bigarreau. I do not even get
the trees to grow well against w-alls. The soil is
a stiff holding one, about 3 feet in depth, overlying
magnesian limestone. Can anyone throw light on
the sul)ject '! Morello Cherries grow and fruit \ery
well. Ihavehad goodcropsof bush fruits, though
not quite so abundant as in some j-ears. (loose-
berries were fine in size and flavour, but owing
to the very drv July soon past their best. Red
and White Currants were a good crop, but not so
large in berr}- as usual from tlie same cause.
The same remarks apjjy to Blaek Cunants.
Raspberries were but a thin crop, except that
vei-j- excellent variety Superlative, the bs;! croj)-
ping variety I have, and the fruit of a good
size. It has one drawback as to increasing the
stock, viz., it throws suckers up very scantily. I
hardly dare put into figures the amount of fruit
an acre of land wouUl produce if covered with
this Raspberrj' in rows 4 feet apart, judging
by what the one row "20 yards long gave me this
year. There are good crops of Walnuts and
Hazel Nuts hereabouts. I had excellent crojis
of Strawberries, but owing to the drought they
were soon over.

.Speaking generally, vegetable crops have been
under the average hereabouts this season. Even
the most self-satisfied and up-to-date cultivators
arc more or less under the influence of the weather

in this part of gardening. With the exception of
lS7!t, this season has been the worst I have had to
deal with in my twenty-five .seasons liere. We
had a wet winter, a cold, uiigenial spring; then
in .June came a s|iell of hot sunshine, which some-
what baked the surface of our stitl', cool soil. All
through tliat month and also .July we had con-
tinued drought with ]>lenty of sunshine. The
good ellecis i>f I lie luttiM' were much counteractiil
by two or three sudden lowerings of the tempera-
ture with cutting winds of some duration. All
newly-plante-J-out stufl', such as bedding phmts,
\egetables of kinds, &c., .started very Jjadly.
Early I'eas were good, but a week later than last
year in coming in. I still grow a few rows on a
south bcrder of what our kitchen garden man
calls bullet Peas, viz., .such kinds as liingleailer,
First and Best. They come into use .sooner than
I'^xonian and William I., which are two good
early kinds both fur crojiping and table use.
( iladiator giown on the same border succeeds the
latter kinds well. I follow on -with Advancer,
Premier, and Dr. Maclean. It may here be men-
tioned that after growing the Maclean family of
Peas for thirty years I have nothing but good to
say of them. Veitch's Perfection is an old, well-
proved friend formidseason use. Then comes oic
row eacli of Criterion, Champion of England, and
Ne Plus Ultra, Ebor, a very excellent selection
from Ne Plus Ultra, and last, but not least either
in height or usefulness, the good old Briti.sh
Queen. It is only fair to add that only those who
can command tall Pea sticks should grow tlic
kinds named above. Hawfinches have troubled
us a lot this year. It is surprising what harm a
few of them can soon make in a row of Peas just
coming into use. Nothing but shooting them
early in tlie morning or late in the evening is
effectual. Early Potatoes have been a good ciO|i
as to quantit}', but owing to the drought mucli
smaller than usual. I have seen no sign of
disease in the garden as yet. Veitch's Ashleaf,
Saudringham Kidney, and Racehorse are my
standard kinds for early crops. I have grown the
two latter kinds over twenty years in these gar-
dens without changing the seed. A new kind of
Potato named English Beauty promises well. I
have tried another so-called new kind called Fore-
runner, but think it is our old friend the Walnut
Leaf under a new name. Anyhow I shall be
pleased to have a stock of that good old kind once
again under any name. For early forcing in pots
some thirty j-ears ago it was considered indis-
pensable. I do not grow any late kinds in the
garden. French Beans have been very good in
crop, but.short-lived, causing more successionalsow-
ings than in more moist seasons. Osborn's Forc-
ing, Ne Plus Ultra, Fulmer's Forcing, and Negro
Longpod are the varieties I grow. Scarlet
Runners are very late coming into use this year.
Veitch's Mammoth Scarlet and Scarlet Champion
.serve me well for abundant long-continued crops.
Onions are not so good as usual owing to the dry
season ; they are healthy, and bulbs are firm but
small. I generally sow about 31)0 scjuare yards
of land with this useful crop. The treatment
from first to last has been the same for over
twenty-five years. In some seasons I have
taken over KiU stones of Onions from the area
named ; this year there will not be more than a
thirdof that (luantity, if so many. Otlier tuberous
and bulbous-rooted vegetables promise to be fairly
good. Green vegetables, such as Cauliflowers,
Cabbages, &c., are now growing away well after
the grand rains we have had. They are more or
less riddled by the larva- of the white butterfly,
which were \ cry numerous in .July. Celery is now
growing away \ery well. Whenever able! give a
good watering of diluted house sewage to this. At
|)resent there is no sign of damage done by the
Celery fly. Last year it injuretl the crop very
much. — Hknkv .J. C'l.-XVToN.

Hurworth. Grange, Darlington. Fruit
trees generally were full of bloom, but owing to
the cold east winds we had in spring tlie crops
vary very much. Strawlierries \»ere a fair crop
and of average size and quality, but soon over.
Gooseberries, Blaelc, While and Red Currants

272

THE GARDEIT.

[October 2, 1897.

are a good crop. Raspberries poor. t!herries
dropped three parts of their fruit in stoning
and are thin. Pears vary. Jargonelle, Beurre
d'Amanlis, Clapp's Favourite, Bergamots, and
one or two others have good crops ; the rest are
thin. A]jples are thin generally, as also are
Apricots. Peaches in case a good crop. Plums
are the worst crop I have ever had.

Potatoes are a good crop, but a great many small
ones. Peas, Beans, and Cauliflowers havetakenalot
of water and go off very (piickl}'. Carrots, Turnips,
and Onions are small. Winter greens have re-
quired a lot of attention both in watering and
tilling up. Our land here is strong loam on strong
clay, and cracks and biikes very much in dry
weather. — .Jo.s. Simpson.

Wigganthorpe, York. — This is one of the
wo!'st seasons 1 have had for some time l.ioth for
fiuit and most kinds of vegetables. There was
every prospect of a good crop of Pears and Plums
as far as the show of bloom was concerned.
Apple trees Mere not so full of bloom. Plums are
almost a failure, Victoria being the only kind
carrying a crop. The better kinds on walls are a
total failure. Though there was a good show of Pear
blossom only a few kinds are a good crop on walls,
Ja-gonelle, Marie Louise, Beurre' Clairgeau, and
Passe Colmar bearing ))est. Bu.sh trees have
hardly a fruit upon them. Apjiles are a light
crop ; only a few kinds are bearing fruit, these
being Keswick Codlin, Cellini, Manks Codlin,
Burr Knot, New Hawtbornden, Stirling Castle,
Lane's Prince Albert, and Cockpit, the last named
the only one carrying a heavy crop. With the
exception of Royal Sovereign, Strawberries have
done badly. Gooseberries and Currants have been
jJentiful, but the former did not ripen properly,
which I attributed to the very dry season. Rasp-
berries are very few and small ; Morello Cherries
an average crop. We had a very dry time as
well as strong, cold winds when the trees were in
bloom. Whether the failure of the fruit crops is
due to this cause or to the wet autumn it is diih-
cult to say.

The greatest sufferers, owing to the prolonged
drought, amongst vegetables are Peas and Celery.
Early Potatoes are good and quite free from
disease ; later sorts will be small. Owing doubt-
less to the cold spring, all crops came into use
later than usual. — J. S. Ui'EX.

Eden Hall, Langwathby.— Apples in this
part are a fair average crop, whilst Pears are
heavy, most trees carrying line crops. Cherries
are an average crop, buti Plums considerably
under axerage. Apricots are very poor. Straw-
berries, Currants, Gooseberries, and Raspberries
have all been very heaxy crops.

Vegetables have done well, French and Runner
Beans exceptionally good. Peas suffered con-
siderably from the long spell of drought experi-
enced here, so ha\e not been of long duration.
All winter crops look very promising after the
rains we have had during the last fortnight. —
Arthur Smith.

Seaham Hall Gardens, Seaham Harbour.
— Apples are under the average, although tlie
sorts that flowered late are better crops. Such as
Lord Suffield on walls and in sheltered places that
escaped the sea-fogs have a fair crop. Wellington
and an old sort called Pine-apple have fair crops.
Pears are under the average owing to the cold
weather when in flower. Plums are a failure from
the same cause. Cherries are under the average.
Gooseberries and Currants ha\'e about a (juarter
of a crop, excejit on tho.se trees that I do not
prune. The close branches protect the lilossom
and fruit just after it has set. Raspberries have
fair crops, 1 n'; suffered from the dry weather.

Potatoes look well both in gardens and fields
and there is no disease. Peas did wonderfully
well, considering the dry weather. — R. Dr.vper.

SCOTLAND.

Dalkeith Palace.— The fruit crojis in this
district vary considerably in different jilaces.
Where the garden or orchard is favourably situ-
ated and the fruit trees and bushes receive due

attention, the crops, as may be expected, com-
pare to advantage with those grown under less
favourable circumstances. On the whole, where
the trees are well-sheltered and properly culti-
vated the crops are a fair average. Ajjples are a
fair crop ; Pears abundant : Plums irregular ;
Cherries light ; Peaches and Nectarines on walls
very good ; Apricots light ; Gooseberries fair ;
Currants good ; Raspberries and Nuts \evy
good ; and Strawberries abundant, but late.
AH kinds of fruit are better in size and (|uality
than usual, owing probably to the warm and
genial weather experienced since the middle of
June, and the absence of insect and fungoid pests
in the early part of the season. Fruit trees have
made a fine, free, and clean growth, and with
good ripening weather in autumn they promise
well for a good crop next season. — M. Dunn.

Dunrobin Castle Gardens, Sutherland. —

Fruit crops here are decidedly under the average,
w'ith the exception perhaps of late Strawberries,
which were a good croj) and of good quality.
Standard Apples inside the walls bear a very thin
crop — many trees none at all. On a south wall
facing the sea Keswick Codlins are a medium
crop. Plums and Pears are scarcely half an
average crop. Raspberries under average. Bush
fruits are about half a crop; (ioaseberries very
thin — the poorest crop for many years.

Vegetables are good. Carrots and Onions have
stood the drought well, and have not been so good
for several years. French Beans were very back-
ward for some time, but the warm weather of
July has brought them round. Peas have been
plentiful and good, but the drought of July has
caused them to come in too much together.
Potatoes were later than usual in getting to be of
good iiuality. They are a good crop, and at the
jiresent date free from disease. — D. Melville.

Tyninghame Castle, East Lothian. —

Apricots aie [iractically a failure. Plums and
Pears, on the other hand, are so heavy as to require
severe hand-thinning. Both are much later than
usual, and the latter are not swelling to an aver-
age size. Apples are a fair crop with me, but in
some gardens they hax'e failed. The fruit of the
Codlins is spotted, and late kinds much smaller
than usual. Figs are a fair ci'op, but fruit small.
Peaches none. Small fruits have been good,
though Strawberries did not turn out so well as
expected on light soils. On heavy land the crop
was a good one, though of short duration. Bram-
bles are an extraordinary crop, so also is the
Japanese Wineberry, both small fruits that are
valuable late in the season.

The most remarkalile feature in the vegetable
department has been the erratic behaviour of
many of the kinds. This began with early win-
ter and spring Broccoli, and ever since, perhaps
largely owing to the lateness of the season, one
has been unable to depend on crops turning
regularly in. All crops, howe\er, are very good,
though Onions will not be so large as usual, and
Celery is also Ijackward. No doubt the last-
named will make up. All winter crojjs are doing
well. I'otatoes have been \ery good and up to
date no disease, but the humid weather we have
experienced for some time has destroyed the
foliage, and it will not be surprising if lattr
sorts suffer from disease. — R. P. Broth krston.

Balcarres, Fife. — The fruit cro}) suffered
much from late frosts and cold east winds during
the month of May. Apples are only a moderate
crop. Pears very good where sheltered. Plums,
Peaches, and Cherries much below the average.
All small fruits are good, j larticularly (ioose-
berries. The early Strawberries were very light,
but late varieties and Elton Pine very good, the
best we ha\-e had for years.

Vegetables are three weeks later, but very good.
Potatoes small and late and now attacked with
disease. — Edw.\rd T.\tk.

Blackadder, Edroni.— The fruit crop in this
district, although most promising in the early
spring, ]iroves now, taking it all over, to be
rather below the average. Apples are \ cry much
under, owing chiefly to the great destiuction

wrought on the buds Viy bulltinches in sprii
the small percentage of buds remaining •
further reduced when in flower by a hard frost
the first week of June. Pears, Plums, i
Cherries are an axerage crop. Some varieties
the two former are considerably over, notably
Jargonelle Pear and Victoria Plum. Buds of
latter seem to be less palatable to birds t
other sorts of Plums, as this was the only vari
thtit escaped their ravages. Green Gages v
completely stripped and only show a few fr
per tree. Had the repeated attempts to kee[
birds in spring been successful, I venture to
that the Plum crop here would have been
enormous one. Peaches .and Nectarines are m
under the axerage. Apricots slightly under,
of very good quality. Small fruits mostly
average, Currants being riither under, but Ri
berries greatly over, all of good quahty. Sti
berries promised well, but were, unfortunat
just in flower at the time of the frost aire
mentioned and were all blackened ; small
flowers which opened later gave a few small fr
of poor quality.

Vegetables made little progress in the e
part of the season, but with cooler nights
plenty of moisture a rush has taken place,
to a great extent made up for the time
earlier in the season. Peas at several places 1
been exceptionally good, and all other vegetal
to my knoxvledge, are a fair crop. Potatoes
now suffering badly from disease. — J. Ironsid

Brechin Castle, Forfar. — The fruit ore
the gardens here I consider a fair average,
the case of A[)ples, the majority carry a fi
good (juantity, which promises well, and, ha
got plenty of rain lately, should swell to a ui
size. Stirling Castle, Ecklinville, Beautj
Moray, Lane's Prince Albert, Lord Grosvi
King of Pippins, and Warner's King are an
our best cro|)pers this season. Pears seem
more plentiful than last season, but not more
an ax erage crop. Both Ajjples and Pears are (
and healthy. Plums are under, while Che
are a good average. Peaches I do not grov
of doors. Small fruits have been plentiful. I
Strawberries, although late in ripening, -hi
good crop and of fine ([uality ; late sorts i:
thin. Everything is much later this season.

Vegetables, although very slow to start ii
earlier part of the summer, are now doing
but there was little genial xveather befort
month of July ; indeed, on July 8 the tht
meter was down to freezing point. Peas hax
done well with shorter straw than xve gene
have. French Beans are good. Early-pla
Caulifloxver made little ]jrogress or else butt
soon after planting, but later batches are tui
in splendidly. Potatoes are a fine crop of
size and quality, and there is no appearam
disease. — Wii.li.xji MiD(ixv.\ll.

TuUoch Castle, N.B.— In regard to fni
beg to state that small fruit is very plent
grand crop all over. Cherries and Plums an
only excejjtions. Apples are a fair crop. I
abundant.

Vegetables (all kinds) were never better,
weather this season suits our soil, consequs
vegetables have done extra xxell. — D.wid Huk

Lennox Castle, Lennoxtown. — In

neighbourhood Ajiples and Pears are e
Plums verj' fine. Cherries of all kinds f
good. Bush fruits, such as Gooseberries, B
berries, and Red, White and Black Currants
(juite up to the average. Straxxberries in the (
part of the season were very good, but Bufl
badly from the wet xxeather at the end of
season.
Vegetables are a good average crop. — J. Tiss

The Gardens, The Glen, N.B.— Small f
are an abundant crop, except Gooseberries, w
are a light crop in most places owing to frost v
the}' were in tloxver. Apples on walls are a |
crop ; bushes and standards are thin. Che
and Plums are very light. Victoria Plum on i
' is good. Raspberries have been good and the
fine. Strawberries, although late, are a h

"-L'ii JtU C3"J^IE^X3IB3j^,

0. 1351 —Vol. LTI.]

[OCTOBER 9, 1897.

Orildt :-

Citleya bu'i.lur liTo

dtleya Jlendcli and C.

kossitt) 27(3

(tleya Schoficldiam.. .. 270

([■liopotalums 276

( )ripodium Lowi . . . . 275

Kdoudrum cuspidatum .. 27(i

Ikiendnim vitelliimm .. 275
(linmatophylJum spccio-

im 275

( hntoglo&ium tripudians.. 270

(lidium Gardncri .. .. 2V0

1 iono lagenuria 275

1 -hosma suuvis 27C

Niea of the Week :—

•mono Whirlwind . . . . 277 i

irosftcc lanngiiiusa .. .. 277 :

eniUJa arboi-esceng.. .. 277

cr Xovi-Belgii densus . . 277 |

{ I'hicum ftutiimnale album

lenum 277

Coreopsis graudi-ora . . .. 277

Crocua speciusus 277

Dahlia Corhiiical .. .. 277

Ga/ania iiivca latifolia .. .. 277

Hil'iscus musrheutx>s .. .. 277

Hieraiiuiii auraiitiacuin . , 277

Hipi'L'astrimi auliciira .. .. 277

Linuui iiarbtninouse .. .. 277

Phlox amwna 277

Poterium sitchonse . . .. 277

Primula Poissoui 277

Tagetos sigiiata pumihi ., 277

Flower :—

Begonia seniporflurens. . .. 279

Acanthuses, the 279

Amaryllis BeUadonnaut Kew 27"^

Carnatiu-i The Burn Pink . 278
Dahlia roots, taking up and I

storing 280 I

Dalilias, Cactus, exhibiting 280

Eccrcmocarpus scaber . . . . 279 '
Iris Gatesi at Bc(chjidi-I, Wal- \

ton-on-Thaiiies 279 '

(Illustrations in Italics.)

Iris Gatesi in Surrey . .

Myrtles in tubs

Nart'issus calathinus . .
Plants, hardy, notes on

Snapdragon, the

Violet Marie Louise diseased
Violets, double, for cutting. .

Trees and Shrubs :—

Crat;vguH I'yracantlia ..

Eucryphia pinnatifolia . .

Hydrangea Hortensia in a 12-
inch pot at Jlolmdalc,
Leicester

Hydrangeas

282
2S2

Stove and Greenhouse:—

Cuiiressus torulosa an a pot
plant 284

Gladioli in pots 284

283

281
284
284

Gloriosae and their culture . .
Nicotiana affinis poisonous .
Primulas, rooting double . .
Solanum jasminoides ..
Tuberose, the, in the open

air

Kitchen :—

Beet seed

Cabbage sprouts . . . . ". .
Cauliflowers, summer ..

Kales, disease in

Potato Syon House Prolific

2^1 , Garden Flora;—

281 ,

I Rhudodondiuu kcwonse
vars

Ferns :—

Fernery, the hardy . . . • 289

Gymuogranina schizophylla 289

7'odca 2)eU ucida 288

Orchard and Fruit :—

Apple Lurd Derby

Apptc Lord Derby .. ..

Apple trcos on mounds

Damsons

Fruits, propagating bush .,
Pear Comte de Flandre

290
2ff0
290
290
290
290

284

283
283
282
282
282

ISTeek's "Work:—

lYuits under glass, work

among 285

Kitchen garden, work in the 285

Societies :—

Crystal Palace, fruit show at 2'.U
Royal Horticultural . . - . 294

Miscellaneous :—

Abbotsliury, Dorsetshire,

notes fron» 281

Fruit and vegetable crops . . 280

Orchids.

i;ammatophyllum speciosum.

I'lf Howering of this remarkable sjjecies in tlie
witction of Sir T. Lawrence has been an event
iif (insiderable interest to Orchid growers in
til country. A cut spike of tliis jjlant was
liNfbited at the Drill Hall meeting on August
-■Ijon which occasion it was awarded a gold
iiibd. It is truly a giant of its race. The
plit has been grown for a number of years in
tlijBurford collection, and has been a subject :
yfpecial care to Mr. W. H. White, who has
bti rewarded for his pains in successfully

d(

ering one of the rarest Orchids in cultivi

ti< . The growth of the plant varies from 7 feet

till feet long. There is no doubt that it is

'■'■ I'.' to its gigantic size this species does not get

"ontion it deserves. It is a n.-itive of the

V Archipelago, and to illustrate its dimen-
"Ms it is interesting to note particulars re-
ci ed by Mr. J. H. "\ eitch in "A Traveller's
N es " of a plant under Mr. Curtis's charge at
Pang which was, with careful measurements,
4l feet in circumference, the stems from C feet to
7 let long, the capsules with their stiilks 7i
111 e.s long, without them 5 inches, and 2
ii^es in diameter. One of the previous year's

lies, of which there were thirty, measured

r long. The same writer also gives jiarticu-

•• "{ a still larger specimen in tlie Botanic

'ijdens, Java. This plant had forty-six

mes, some with twenty-four flowers open
many more buds to expand. The jiiant
15 feet through, with stems !l feet long

tn it is considered that the individual

ers of Sir T. Lawrence's plant measured
TI ° inches across, one cannot but agree with

Veitch's remark that it must have been a

ndid sight.

here are verj- few collections in this country

; can afford accommodation for such plants,
plant in the r>urford collection is accom-

lated at one end of a large span-roofed stove.

re IB also another large specimen in the

south-west corner of the Victoria tank at Kew,
where it is thriving well, and should not be
long, judging from its dimensions, before it
tlowers. This jjlant was imjiorted by Messrs.

F. Sander and Co., of St. Albans, in 18i«, and
was afterwards presented by them to the Royal
Gardens. A ]iarticular characteristic of this |
species may be noted in the habit it has of
producing numerous erect branching roots round
the base. There was recently a smaller plant
in Messrs. Charlesworth and Co. 's nurseries at
Bradford which was developing the same charac-
teristics. There does not appear to be any
great difficulty in the cultivation of this species
beyond the question of room. It recjuires '
hothouse treatment with a liberal supply of
moisture during the growing season, with only
sufficient shade to prevent the sun scorching it.
It was introduced by Messrs. Loddiges, and
flowered for the first time iinpeifectly in their
Hackney nurseries in 1852. In 1859, in the |
collection of Mr. W. G. Farmer, Ewell, Surrey, i
it flowered well. Later it bloomed with Mr.

G. Staunton at Leigh Park .'ind in the collec-
tion of the late Mr. J. Day. Stelis.

Cypripedium Lowi. — This very distinct plant
I noticed in flower this week, the bloom-spikes
being over 2 feet in length, and bearing each four
and five flowers. The dorsal sepal is yellowish
lined below with purple, and has often a greenish
area at the base, the light green petals being
spotted with pale rosy-])ur|ile. It is a vigorous
gi'ower, liking a fairly laige pot and plenty of
heat and moisture. — R.

Epidendrum vitellinuni. — This is now
flowering in many collections, and is a useful Or-
chid for keeping up a display over a long season.
It may be grown by anyone having a cool, moist
houre, and should be planted in pots, these being
well drained, and a compost of good peat fibre
and Sphagnum Moss used. Although possibly
most of the plants now sold in this country are
E. V. majus, there is no doubt that a much larger
form than the majority of these exists. This
shovdd be looked out for among imported plants,
for it is one of the very best red-flowering Orchids

in cultivation. It is a native of Mexico, and first
flowered in England in 1839.

Cattleya bicolor.— Flowers of this Cattleya
come from " S. M " for a name. It is an old
species, not so showy as some, but very distinct.
The growth is erect and the spikes contain a
dozen or more flowers varying in size, the largest
being about 4J inches across. The sepals and
petals are olive-brown, the lip crimson on the
front and side lobes. It is a free-growing, easily-
cultivated species requiring the usual Cattleya
treatment, and flowers abundantly every season .
The compost may consist of rough peat. Moss,
and charcoal over good drainage, and medium -
sized pots should be chosen. It is a native of
Minas Geraes, in Brazil, whence it was introduced
in 1838.

Pleione lagenaria. — This is one of the
earliest of the genus to bloom, and one of the
most useful. The flowers are each 3 inches
across, the sepals and petals rosy lilac, the lip
similar in ground colour, with many bright purple
stripes, and a pretty wavy margin. It grows
freely in an intermediate temperature, the young
pseudo-bulbs being repotted early in sjjring in a
compost consisting of fibrous loam, peat, and
chopped Moss, the drainage coming in for
especial attention. When the growth gets ^vell
away and the young roots are running freely in
the new compo'st ))lenty of water is required at
the roots, but during the early winter, after the
leaves have fallen and the flowers are past, keep
them quite dry. A light sunny house and a tem-
perature that' does not fall below 50° suit the
plants well at this stage. P. lagenaria is one of
the introductions of the late Mr. T. Lobb, who
sent it to Messrs. Veitch in 1849.

Trichosma suavis.— A nice form of this
pretty Orchid comes from a correspondent, the
flowers ha\ ing been a|jparently cut from a spike
thrown well up, as they ore not all crowded to-
gether in the way often seen. T. suavis is for
this reason rither a disappointing Orchid, but
when the growths are strong and healthy, and the
compost well filled with roots, there is not much
to complain of as a rule. It does well in a rough
compost, with plenty of Sphagnum Moss and
charcoal mixed with "the best ()eat fibre. Owifig
to the fleshy nature of the roots, they cannot

276

THE GARDEN"

[October 9, 189

thrive if the material is at all close. It is better
not to let newly-imported plants flower during
the first season or tv\o, and until they have
formed one set of growths, keej) them in an in-
termediate house. After this they will thrive well
in company with Odontnglossiims. T. suavis is a
native of the Khasia Hills, and was sent to Chats-
worth in 1836.

Cattleya Mendeli and C. Mossise.—I have
plants of Cattleya JVIendeli and C. Mossi* showing-
flower-sheaths at top of new bulb. .Should they
be kept dry now till spring, or will they be better
kept growing longer ? None of my Orchid books
tell me what to do in this case. The plants seem
quite strong and healthy. — A. R. W.

*,* Keep the plants growing in the Cattleya
house until the young pseudo-bulbs aie quite
made up, when a slight reduction in the water
supply may be made. C. Mendeli should bj' now
be finished, but C. Wossife, flowering rather later,
usually requires a little more time. They have
both the same habit, viz., resting in sheath during
the winter and making up the young growths
after the flowers are past. In this way they
differ from C. labiata autumnalis and C. Gaskell-
iana, which bloom on the current year's ]weudo-
bulbs. A good deal depends on how all these
Cattlej'as are watered during the winter. If well
ripened by exposure to light during the autumn
they will do with much less water than if green
and succulent, but in no ease must they be kept
dry too long, this causing the bulbs to shrivel
and the buds in consequence to start weakly in
spring. — R.

CIRRHOPETALUM.S.

This genus is rather a large one, but at lea.st
two-thirds of the species known to botanists are
not in cultivation, or at all events are so little
known, that few Orchid growers trouble about
them. The structure of the blo.ssoms is remaik-
able and beautiful, quite as much .so as that of
the nearly-related Bulbophyllums, and they are
more useful than these from a garden point of
view. They are all dwarf-growing plants, of a
pseudo-bulbous habit, the bulbs springing from
a scaly rhizome at various distances apart, and
each bearing a single leaf. Anyone who has a
house suiting Dendrobes well, should, with a
little care, manage Cirrhopetalums. None of
them like a great amount of compost, and I
have seen excellent examples grown on blocks
of Tree Fern stem suspended not far from the
roof in a hot, moist house. The growths were
large and healthy, and roots had been freely
produced, almost entirely covering the blocks
referred to. But this material is not always at
hand, and tine plants may be grown in the
small hanging pans so often recommended for
dwarf Orchids. These may be almost filled
with clean crocks, and, a suitable size having
been chosen, the plants firmly fixed in position
by dibbling in peat and Moss with a few bits
of charcoal. Keep the plant high in the centre
and the leads as far from the edge of the pan as
possilile. Plenty of light and air, an atmosjihere
saturated with m(.)istureandabundance of heat are
necessary while growth is active, and the strcmg
buoyant atmosphere, ci-eated by shutting the
house early on bright days and allowing the
sun to .shine full on the plants, is also much to
their taste. The blinds of course would not be
taken up before every ]iart of the house had
been thoroughly damped, as this causes a film of
moisture on the glass that prevents any possi-
bility of the foliage being burned. This nuist
be continued as long as growth lasts, but when
the pseudo-bulbs are well filled out, increase the
ventilation and lessen the moisture both in the
atmosphere and at the roots. I have likened
their treatment to that for Dendrobiums, but
during the winter they will not stand so much
drying at the ro'ot as the long-bulbed deciduous

section of that favourite genus. The treatment
they like is more that given to D. aggregatum
or D. Jenkinsi, viz., just water enough to keep
the foliage fresh and the pseudo-bulbs from
shrivelling. Then many Dendrobes stand a
very low temperature, but it is not safe to keep
Cirrhopetalums much below 5.5° at night even
when quite at rest. Tlie species mentioned
below aie the most generally known, but several
recently introduced kinds are not included.

C. CuMiNGi is a dwarf-growing plant. The
flower-spikes are very thin and wiry, and each
bears on the top a circular umbel of about a dozen
flowers. These have the outer segments of a
reddish-purple, the lip similar in colour, and so
lightly hinged that the least movement in the air
sets it in motion. It is a native of the Philippine
Islands, and was sent by Cuming to Messrs.
Loddiges about 184(1.

C. Medus.*; is a native of Singa))ore. In habit
it is not imlike the last named, but the blossoms
are very singular, the sepals being much elongated,
and, owing to the large ninnber of flowers, the
umbel appears like a head with long, dishevelled
hair. The colour is creamy white, with pinkish
spots upon the segments. This was also intro-
duced by the Messrs. Loddiges about the same
time as tlie last-named.

C. oRN.iTi.ssiMUM, although a small grower, is a
bright and efiective plant when in flower. The
spikes are each aliout G inches high and the
flowers are brownish yellow, spotted and striped
with |)urple. The lower segments are long and
tail-like, the upper ones shorter, with a fringe of
hair-like processes on each. This species is a
native of the Himalayas, and was introduced in
1879.

C. PICTURATUM is perhaps as popular as any in
the genus and a distinct kind, bearing m.any-
flowered umbels upon a tall wiry scape. These
are each about 2 inches in diameter, varying in
colour, but usually some tint of greenish yel-
low, spotted with bright red. It was introduced
many jears ago from Moulmein, and again lately
by collectors in Burmah.

C. Tnor.iRSi produces small, smooth pseudo-
bulbs atsODce distance apart on the rhizome, and
one-sided racemes of flowers of a tawny orange
colour, spotted with bright red. It comes from
various parts of the Philippine Islands, and also as
far west as Madagascar. It is named after a French
botanist, who discovered it about 183fj. R.

Epidendrum cuspidatum. — A fine plant of
this useful and jiretty old species was recently in
flower at Melford Hall. It is one of the oldest
kinds in this extensive and variable genus, having,
it is said, been introduced late in the last century
from the West Indies. In habit it very closely
resembles a Cattleya of one of the dwarfer labiata
kinds ; in fact, it has often been imported with
them. Tlie spikes bear about half a dozen flowers,
the sepals and petals of wliich are nankeen-yellow
with a bronzy reverse, the lip usually pure white
and deeply fringed. Its culture is not difficult,
the plants requiring a medium sized pot with a
nice open comijost of good texture. The drainage
must be well attended to, and tlie plants elevated
only slightly above the rims. Place the plants in
a light, almost unshaded, part of the Cattleya
house where they can obtain abundance of fresh
air. During the time growtli is active, and until
the flowers are past, keep tlie roots nicely moist,
but as soon as possible afterwards reduce the
water su])ply and place the plants in a cooler and
very airy house, where they will be entirely at
rest until the spring. So treated, it flowers
annuallj- and freely, but if allowed to grow during
the wintvr months it is more shy.

Odontog-lossum tripudians. — There are few-
more variable Odontoglossums than this, some of
the best of tliem ranking almost as high as the
better-known O. triumphans so far as beauty and
usefulness go. In habit it resembles the crispum
set, and the flowers are similarly produced, viz.,
on long arching scapes from the base of the

pseudo-bulbs. In colour the typical fornuaj
yellow segments, more or less blotched jith
chestnut-brown, the lip being sometimes j o\r
(xanthoglossum)or white (leucogl-ssum), varisly
blotched with crimson or brown. It comesoij
the centre of the Odontoglossum region in'ev
Grenada at a considerable elevation, and its
ment does not dirt'er materially from that
crispum and Pcscatorei forms with whicl
associated in a wild state. Grow it as stroi
possible in a cool, moist, and shady house si.
all these plants delight in. During win (it
must be kept as near the light as possible nd
never allowed to remain dry at the root fi
length of time. The pots useil should bi
large enough to show a narrow mai-gin all m
the plant, and an inch of compost is sutticie for
medium-sized plants. It was discovered b .he
late M. Waiscewicz in 1849, and has sincMen
been imported liy many ofjthe principal ( liil
growers in this country and on the Continer

ONCIDIUM GARDNERI.

The flowers of this Oncidium are handsoii
lasting, and I noted it this week thriving ^
a house with the coolest section of Odont<
I have found it to succeed better witii ratlui
warmth, such as O. Forbesi and one or two
of the crispum set like, but the instance
above shows it is not a very fastidious si
In habit it is strong, the pseudo-bulbs, each
3 inches high, dark bronzy green, ^yith fine
dark green leaves, occurring at interval-
creeping rhizome. The spikes are loiii
branching ; the flowers, each about 2
across, liave chestnut-brown sepals and
margined w ith bright yellow. The lip is '
yellow, the brown spots being principall
posed around the margin. A mistake often
in its culture is growing it on a low stage :
way from the light, and in a deep, jwh^
badly-ilrained, pot and a thick comjiost.
much more satisfactory in shallow baskets
filled with drainage or on teak rafts, eit
which should be suspended as close as p
to the roof-glass in a position where it c
ample light without being exactly expo
the full glare of the sun. This, with the
dant circulation of air that usually gi
in such a position, causes a hard, solid g
In fixing the plants on the rafts i
thin strips of cork may be cut and laid >
rhizomes, a wire being passed o\er thes
brought between the rods, where it can ea
fastened. If the plants are newly impor
only iiartly estalilished, no compost need be
for the first year, but a little Sphagnum an
must be worked in for established plants,
roots are strong and fairly large, and (li
close medium, but if plenty of air reaclif
through the rods of the basket or raft th.
be healthy and long-lived. For baskets ab
inch of compost suffices, the remainder
depth being filled with crocks. Even moi
is necessary here in fixing, for the roots can
get a hold "if the plant is so loosely fixed t
rocks about when the basket is moved. J5
oljservation of the roots is the best guide as
quantity of water needed, these being freq
very active while the spikes are foi
Syringing overhead is not desirable as a rii
most likely time for it to do good being at
ting-up time on hot, dry days in summer,
that are growing freely must be watered
but when at rest keep the roots well on t
side, only watering sufficiently to keep the I
and bulbs in good order. O. Gardneri
naturally at great elevations on the Organ
tains, and was introduced in 1843.

Cattleya Schofieldiana.— In its bes'j*
this is one of the most striking of Cattlel'^^^
the section to which it belongs, the
yellow sepals, prettily spotted with cr
purple, having a very fine efl'ect when an
with suitable greenerj'. Botanically it

ICTOBER 9, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

277

nei'St C. granulosa: indeed, some botiiiiists

cla it us a variety nf tliis species, but it is far

. rable to some of tlie older varieties of tlie

It is an erect-^'rowini); kind, eacli pseudo-

.,,1 , bcarini^ a jiair of dark green leaves, from

betten whieli sjiring the Howerspikes, the indi-

(ftl blooms being about 4 inches across. ('.

• Iiliana may be grown in the usual t'attleya

• miiorature, a light and airy ]>osition being

for it, where it is only sha<lcd from the

rays of the siMi. During the early part of

s.iii it sliould be liberall}' treateil and grown

kly as possilile, and after the flowers a-e

. |it a little on the dry side to cause it to

Very little trouble will be found in keeping

IS annual perio<ls of growth and rest. It

rough open material and not too much pot

the young growths being kept as near tlie

I ,i c as possible. It first Howered in 1SS2 witli

i. W. L. Schotield, of Manchester.

Mr|-

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

(ocus speciosus is now very beautiful in the

Lrra, where the dark-coloured blossoms are very

uleiug, though ap|)earing to greater advantage

nei'ips when mingling with the pure white form

of 'le Meadow Saffron (Colehicum autumnale

ilhn).

Jimula Poissoni is an interesting as well as a

' 'uering species with blossoms of a lilac

and growing ([uite a foot high. Indi-

i, however, the tlijwers are not large, and

- reason the j)lants should be set rather

[ogether and in groups of about a score.

^.hlia Cochineal. — A very tine and showy

kir of a crimson-scarlet hue, the blossoms being

lifted up and supported on stout footstalks.

i Inr excellent kind, e(|uall_v free and striking,

I al tiordon, of a most brilliant shade of ver-

-carlet. Both are planted at Kew with

,. ..ect on the grass.

-iter Novi-Belgii densus. — Despite the

fuQlhat this is one of the most free-flowering, as

alsi among the tinest of the blue kinds, it is,

-e-rtheless, rather formal, the great mass of

•II appearing all on one level at about

liigh. A dillerent aspect maj' be obtained

iitingsuch on a somewhat rugged or uneven

remisiaarborescens. — Even with a wealth

-om in the rock garden this is a showy
y reason of its distinct appearance. At the
I time, however, it is perhaps more con-
is than it ajjpeared a short time since. A
1 Ijush some "2 feet or 3 feet high is very
iiig when the silvery hue of the leaves is at

' ^,upt.

rpterium sitchense. — This tall and ex-

"■■ -Iv elegant North American plant is now

lie in my garden. It is very striking at

lok of a lierbaceous border, its curious

white spikes of flowers being uncommon

luerous. The plant is of strong habit and

hardy perennial.— E. E. St. Paul, Tht

■. Hijjoit.

lichicum autumnale album plenum - It

is }ry curious to note hoiv slowly some of the liest

'■n y plants appear to increase." The above is a

111 point, a plant above the average in merit,

■I -till, as it was thirty years ago, very scarce.

•^pod clump of this on a grassy slope where

thisoil has been prepared for it is not easily

fojotten if once seen in good flower.

lieracium aurantiacum.— Tliough (piite a"

j-rown plant in almost any position, there is

I'-r value in this species when planted on

.. ^unny banks or similar places, especially

re the plants get the early morning sun. lii

sun the plant blooms profusely for a long

on, and the colour also is distinct. The

ers quickly close when the warmth of the sun

agetes signata pumila.— As an edging or
a irpet to taller things this is a very useful

lilant, that flowers profusely for a long time.
Shorn of its pretty blossoms, the plant has been
largely used in carpet bedding in the past because
of the neat and pleasing habit. There is a much
wider tielil open for such useful things when
allowed to grow and flower naturally-, as they cer-
tainlj- should.

Hibiscus moscheutos. — A very distinct
species from North .\meriea bearing this name is
now flowering near the entrance to the Orchid
house at Kew. The plant is (piite erect and
between i> feet and (1 feet high, freely branched
from the base, and producing its creamy-yellow
lilossoms profusely on the several branches. The
blossoms are large and bell-sha)ied, and in this
instance quite self-coloured, which is not usual.

Anemone Whirlwind. — The earliest flowers
of this were not particularly good, but during the
past three weeks the plant has been quite a
feature in Messrs. Barr's Ditton Nurseries. Es-
sentially an autumn flower, its blossoms are now-
very flne, rejoicing in the cooler nights and days
and lasting a long time in capital condition.
Quite near, a large group of the pink variety A. j.
elegans is also charming, the blossoms ver}- large
and hand.some.

Linum narbonnense. — This is still laden w ith
its lovely blue flowers, and though somewhat frail
and delicate-looking when only a single plant is
seen, it makes a most delightful object when freely
grouped either in the border or the rock garden.
In whatever position it is |ilanted, the best results
are secured when the plant is allowed to grow
natur.ally. In this way half a dozen plants make
a really charming and graceful group, and the
bright sky-blue blossoms a fair picture.

Hippeastrum aulicum. — If lacking some of
the fine form, massive a|.i,>earance, and rich colour
of the newer hybrids of this race, this species is
at least striking and ett'ective. More than this, it
possesses an additional value by reason of its
usually flowering in the autumn at a time when
not many species are in bloom. The scape is
fully "2 feet high and the finely colourerl flowers
somewhat numerous from large bulbs. Some
plants of this Brazilian kind are now flowering at
Kew.

Gazania nivea latiflora. — This is a very dis-
tinct and beautiful plant, still flowering profusely
at Kew. The flowers are whitish in colour, per-
haps more cream coloured even tlian this, while
the florets are broad and imbricated. The plant
is regarded as fairly hard}', and, judging by the
many buds still appearing, would make a fine ad-
dition to autumn flowers for the warmer positions
in the rock garden. A good sized patch of its
handsome flowers would make a ([uite unique
display at this season.

Coreopsis grandiflora.— .Judging by the fine
disjilay of its blossoms, and also their size indi-
vidually, as seen in Messrs. Barr's nursery
recentl}', one would imagine that seedlings were
flowering for the first time. But in place of this
the plants have been blooming continuous!}' for
fully three months past and are still giving
splendid blossoms. The thin wiry stems of this
plant are of great service when the flowers are
used for cutting, while in the border it is one of
tlie most showy of plants still in bloom.

Phlox amoena.— Among the dwarf Phloxes,
that is the true altjine forms and other allied
kintls, this pretty species should always be freely
grown if only for its value in spring and autumn.
Naturally enough, the finest display is in spring,
but where the plants are divided and replanted
after this flowering it frequently happens that
quite a rich display is secured in the early
autumn. At the latter named date the rock gar-
den is by no means gay, and this easil}' grown
plant should in no wise be lost sight of. Its
free growth and abundant flowering at all
times render it a desirable species for the rock
garden. In any position deep and fairly rich soil
is .always appreciated.

Androsace lanuginosa.— Both the type and
the variety known as oculata still give many

heads of beautiful and pleasing blossoms. In the
rock garden the plant is usually most happy,
though in many gardens the inclination is to give
far too little .soil for the sujiport of these dwarfer
al[iincs, and in this instance the plants never
appear to break freely into growth. What may
be accomplished with such lovely alpines as this
may be gathered from an illustration in TiiK
(iAltiiKN at page '257. Rarely indeed docs this
species without pinching or pruning form so dense
a covering of its soft silken leaves and numerous
heads of blossom Evidently soil and position
have suited it, and I would like to know the exact
position occupied by so fine a tuft. — E. J,

Flower Garden.

NARCISSUS CALATHINUS.

Mien lias been written about tlii.s pretty little
plant, although great confusion jirevails still on
the sul)ject, so nuich so, that, according to the
"Index Kewensis," Narcissus calathinus does
not e.xist at all, whilst there are several mem-
bers of the genus bearing such a name. Even
Linnfi (spec, plant, ed. 2, vol. i., p. 'M7) says
Narcissus calathinus is f(jund in Soutliern
Europe and in Orient, but we know that at
that time Linn6 was not very particular about
the true liabitat of the plants, aTul th.at in
several instances he assigned them the locality
of the correspondent who sent them to him.
Delarbre in 1800 (Flor. Auver., vol. ii., p. uOl)
writes: " Narcissus calanthinus is tlie same as
N. heminalis (Schult. ), which is plentiful at
Orci\aI,in the mountainous districts of Auvergne,
and at the Montd'Ur." Loiseleur Delongchamps
(" Recherches Botaniques sur les Narcisses In-
digenes," p. ;3.3, Paris, 1810) writes: " Narcis-
sus calathinus (Linne) is found in the neighbour-
hood of Montpellier and Avignon, and is .sy-
nonymous witli Narcissus dubius (Gouan) " ;
whilst at page 42 he says, " Narcissus reflexus
(Nob.) is native in the Glenans," and there he
gives jirobably the first accurate desci'iiition of
the plant, from sample received from M.
B(uniemaison at Quimjier ; but in "Flora
Gallica," p. 723, he says, " Narcissus calathinus
(Linne) is native of the Glenans," which is in
ccuitradiction with the first assertion. However,
on his authority the name N. reflexus was
accepted. Loureiro (" Flora Lusibmica," vol. i.,
p. 551) writes : "Narcissus reflexus (Loiseleur)
is nearly the same as N. odorus (Linne) and is
found in mountainous districts at Gerez, near
Amaranth. According to "Index Kewensis,"
this is .synonymous with N. triandrus (Linne).
Narcisus calathinus, described by Loureiro, is
very uncommon ; he says it is cultivated in gar-
dens and found in a wild sbite in mountjunous
localities of Unhaes and Loriza, and is very simi-
lar to N. odorus and N. Tazetta. Wilkomm and
Lang ("Prodromus Flora Hispanica," \ol. i ,
p. 15.S) .say: "Narcissus calathinus (Linn6),
synonym Narcissus reflexus (Loisel. non Bro-
tero), is much like N. juncifolius (Lag ), and is
found wild at (ioditano, a Spani.sli town " : but
they add, "The true species is found in Gallia
ariiioi'acia " According to "Index Kewensis,"
this S]iaiiish ]ilant is Narcissus triandrus (Linn').
Redoute, who was a celebrated ]iainter and
]ilant lover, gave two coloured jilates of this
Narcissus. His paintings are generally con-
sidered strictly made from Nature, but either
these figures were drawn from memory or from
wrong specimens, they are not accurate, and
do not represent the true Narcissus calathinus.
In his "Liliaefees," vol. iii.. t. 177, the figure
shows a bulb too large, wrongly sha[)ed, the
leaves erect and lorate, the flower citron yellow,

278

THE GARDEN.

[October 9, 1897.

and the corona too short. He adds, the draw-
ing was made from a plant collected in the
Glenans, and given to him by M. Bonne-
maison, of Quimper ; but this must be an error,
as I am sure that such a plant has never
existed in the Glenans. The second figure
(vol. vii. , t. 410), given as a variety of the
former, is more natural and almost correct,
excepting the colour of the flowers and the
erect leaves.

Above particulars show the great confusion
which has always existed respecting this plant,
and I believe that the plant has been seen
growing in its wild state by the three late
botanists only, viz., Messrs. Bonnemaison, of
Quimper, Blanchard, of Brest, and Lloyd, of
Nantes.

In conclusion, the following names and
synonyms — Narcissus calathinus, Delarbre ;
N. c. , Lin. ex. Wilkomm and Lang : N. c. ,
Lin. ex. Redoute, t. 177 ; N. c, Lin. ex.
Redoute, t. 410; N. c, Loureiro ; N. c,
Loiseleur, all which have been attributed to the
true N. calathinus — are wrong or erroneous
as regards either description, figure or habitat,
and consequently ought to be discarded, as well
as Narcissus calathinus odorus and N. c. albus
of catalogues, which can only lead to confusion,
and the plant known under the name of Nar-
cissus calathinus, Lin. — synonyms, N. reflexus
(Loisel.), N. triandrus calathinus (Hort.),
Ganymedex reflexus (Herb.).

The true Narcissus calathinus (Lin.) has some
affinity with the Spanish N. triandrus (Lin.),
■which is often mistaken or sold for it, but the
specific characters are so distinct that no mis-
take is possible. Theformer has the cuji orcorona
always as long as the reflexed perianth seg-
ments, therefore belongs to the group Magni-
coronati, whilst the latter has the corona always
shorter than the perianth, and consequently is of
the Medii-coronati group ; besides, the foliage is
more erect and broader in the Spanish plant.
The true Narcissus calathinus (Lin.) is indi-
genous in the Islands of the Glenans, about
thirty miles ofl' the coast of Finisterre. It grows
there on a small granitic island about 100
yards across amongst grasses, and in the inter-
stices of the rocks at an altitude of 6 yards to 10
yards above the sea level, in a sloping spot,
protected from the north and cast winds ; the
soil is a mixture of half very light peat and half
very fine sea-sand ; it has never been found
elsewhere. It seems strange, and no one can
account for such a small plant being localised
on a similar wild sjjot, but it must be observed
that on the west coast of France, a large area
of the sea, from Cape Finisterre to the Lsle of
Noirmoutiers, on a width of about forty miles, is
only a few yards deep, and full of rocks emerg-
ing above water, which indicates that in remote
times this portion of the sea was above water
and attached to the French continent, and
probably at that time N. calathinus was more
plentiful and widely spread, unless bulbs of
N. triandrus might have been accidentally im-
ported into the Glenans in the same manner as
the Guernsey Lily, and that the plant, owing
to the special soil and climate, has assumed its
distinct specific characters ; but now, in spite of
all controversy, the jjlant must be considered as
a distinct species. Narcissus calathinus has a
very small round or pear-shaped bulb of the
size of a large Snowdrop, w'ith a short neck and
brown tunics ; the leaves, three or four in
number, are dark shining green, very narrow,
channelled with two nerves above, erect when
appearing, then spreading on the ground, 10
inches to 16 inches long ; the stem is erect,
terete, slender, 8 inches to 15 inches long,
bearing one or two. rarely three, nodding

flowers of self ivory-white colour, produced
from an erect spathe ; the i)erianth is formed of
six lanceolate, perfectly reflexed segments, the
three outer a little larger ; the cup or corona is
nearly cylindrical, faintly six-lobeil on the edge,
always as long as the perianth segments (hardly
1 inch) ; the stamens shorter than the corona,
but the style protruding ; the flowers are pro-
duced about April 20, and last two or three
weeks. It is one of the prettiest members of
the genus, and may be considered a perfect
gem owing to its scarcity ; but one must be
very careful when buying such a rare plant to
get the true species, as bulbs of spurious plants
are often sold for it, which has caused many
disappointments.

ClITURE.

Although this plant has been considered
somewhat ditticult to grow, it is very easily
managed and increased under proper treatment.

1 have always found that after one or two
years' cultivation my collected bulbs greatly
inqiroved both in size and vigour. It dis-
likes moisture more than cold, as a teni-
jierature of 10° Fahr. will not destroy it if
slightly protected. The best time to plant
is September. The best soil to u.se is a mixture
of one part of sandy peat, one part of well
decayed leaf mould, and two parts of fine sand.
Select a warm, sunny spot, at the foot of a
south wall if jjo.ssible, protected from north and
east winds, drain thoroughly, and plant the
l)ulbs2J inches deep and4inchesor5inchesapart.
In winter protect with dry leaves, cocoa fibre,
or other material, or cover with a frame until
sharp frosts are over ; never give any water.
If necessary, the bulbs may be lifted at the end
of June, but it is safer to leave them undis-
turbed for years, allowing them to get as dry as
possible in summer. In pots plant from four
to six bulbs in a well-drained 5-inch pot

2 inches deep, using the same mixture as above.
Winter under frame, keeping almost di-y until
theleavesappear, and nevergiveany artificial heat.
When the flowers are over plunge the pots in a
sunny border until the soil is quite dry, and do
not give any water. This plant likes perfect
drainage, sandy soil, and dryness, although I
have grown it for several years in pure granitic
light soil with perfect success. Sometimes
it is grown as a hardy alpine. This plant is
easily increased by division of the bulbs and
by seeds, which must be sown as soon as ripe
in pans, using the same mixture as above. They
germinate in two or three weeks. Winter the
seedlings in a frost-free frame. The following
summer these seedlings may be transplanted or
left alone. The strongest will flower the third
year. It hyliridises well with other sorts.

Unfortunately, the plant is di.sappearing fast
from its native habitat owing to the depredations
of fishermen, who lift these plants when they
are in bloom with a ball of earth, thus destroy-
ing a quantity of small ones. Last winter,
during disastrous tempests, the sea ran several
times over the island ; the soil got thoroughly
impregnated with sea water, and a quantity of
bulbs was destroyed.

A few years ago I planted some of these
bulbs in another part of the Glenans. They
have succeeded admirably. This season I have
rented the small island where they originally
grew-, and landing or collecting being strictly
forbidden, I trust, in leaving them alone for a
few years, the stock will increase sufficiently
to satisfy every amateur. D. Guiheneuf.

48, Rue St. Merri, Paris.

Lawie about twenty-five years ago. So far " .\
is correct : the rest of his story is erroneoi
The Carnation was never named Maggie (i
Annie) Lawie until long after WiUiam Lawi
death, and the name was never approved by th
chiefly concerned, including the present gartiet
at The Burn, a son of William Lawie. The oi
legitimate name for this Carnation is The Bi
Pink, and this has been acknowledged by I
Carnation Society, whilst most growers liave b;
very ci\il on the mistake being brought to tli
notice, the only exception being the party
ferre<l to by " M." as an "enterprising nurse
man,'' who procured the cuttings unauthorised
and advertised the variety as "Duches.s of F
quite new, 2s. 6d. per plant."— C.

Carnation The Burn Pink (pp, 190 and
'2SS|. — This Carnation Has raised bj' William

VIOLET MARIE LOUISE DISEASED.

To THE Editor of The Garden.

Sir,— In the issue of The G.^rdex of May
note of mine appeared respecting the al
'Violet, which had been a failure here dm
the previous winter owing to what I presui
was a disease, and soliciting advice and
formation respecting it, also a remedy, .
whether I could safely rely on increasing st
from what remained of the affected plai
Several of your correspondents kindly respon
to my inquiries, to whom my sincere thanks
tendered. I am very pleased to learn the disf
is unknown to most of them. Mr. Crawford
May 15 writes to the effect that the culti
treatment may be at fault, or some unsuiti
ingredient in the soil may be accountable
their deplorable state, and strongly advised
obtaining runners from a fresh source. In
following week's issue " W. S.," Wilts, kir
sympathises with me, as he had a visitatioi
apparently the same malady some years ago,
remedy also being a fresh stock. On the s:
page " D. T. F." attributes it to the presenct
gas in the frame from over-fermentation, a c
atmosphere, &c., and agrees with the precet
correspondents as to the desirability of an en
change of stock. Before most of the notes allu
to appeared I had planted out my stock. Probi
my cultural treatment may be faulty in some
tails, thus causing failure, but I followed on si
lar lines to those 1 had practised here for eight
years, aniuially resulting in abundant bloom
tending over a long season. 1 do not winter tl
on any heating material, but in low pits 1
above the level of the soil, having ample drain ,
and the foliage almost touching the glass. T
get no coddling or artificial ;heat, the lights c
being placed over them in wet or frosty weatl
and protected w hen necessary with Bracken i
mats. My stock has been but partly replenist"
A generous friend kindly supplied me with 1
rooted runners and old plants. As this num
is not quite half my stock (4000), I made up
remainder with the best available of my c
stock, which now, however, I believe to be a D
take. Both lots have received exactly the sa
summer treatment, but anyone can see a dif
ence at a glance between the fresh and the c
for the latter lacks the luxuriance and deep gr'
foliage of the former. As regards bloom, li
are iUJout equal in this respect — abundant—;
commenced flowering the latter part of July,
whole are now being put into pits, but 1 full.v
pect the collapse of the diseased lot this wml
and ha\ e prepared for next year's stock from
new-comers, as I trust they will be free from
dreadful malady. The blooms and pale le:i
sent you are from the old stock.— J. Robei
Tan-y-bwkh.

*^* As far as the flowers are concerned, we i
see very little ditt'erence between the two li
both being excellent, but in the case of the folu
the disease is quite visible, the leaves being jJ
and flimsy. We should be glad to know h
these pale-leaved plants come through thewmt«
—Ed.

October 9, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

279

IRIS GATKSI IN SURREY.

|:XCLt)SB;i plidtograijli of Ii'is (iatosi wlii
[ik may interest V"i'- I''''-' I'''"'t "'■'^ 5^''

II i-iiisocl bed of \mre matt scrapings, tliu rci:

0 beini; of a sandy gravel. Iris Susiana ih
. 1 in the same position. I have .-dm
, ctly carried ont Mr. Ewl)ank's suggesti.

to tlie cultivation of these plants in T

KKEN, vol. .\liii., p. •'!!••").

NoiniAN KrMi«Mi;rn

'Seechtield, Wttllon-on-Thamrs.

iegonia semperflorens. — All soils an<l situa-
l IS are not siiitalile to the outdoor cultivation

cient room to develop, tliey grow into nice bushy
plants some I'i iuches to 1") in<'he.s in height, the
ditl'ereul shades of Uowers showing to great ad-
vantage against the highly ■(•oloured foliage. They
are seen at their best on a dwarf eari)et of .\Icscm.
Iiryaiithemum, Manglesi (ieranium pegged and
kept close, or dwarf Ageratuiu. They ai-e very
easily propagated from cuttings, by division
and from seed, an<l can be lecoinniiinded for all
gardens where there is a <|uantity of small beds.
-E. H.

Eccremocarpus scaber. — The hardiness of
this jjlant, judging from some recent notes, is not
generally recognised. As a proof that it is
thoroughly hai'dy, I may say that it came safely
through the very severe weather of the first

uberous Begonias ; the plants seem to barely

t, instead of making the free, vigorous growth

> is indispen.sable towards a good display, and

this reason the semperflorens tj'pe is very

:ptablo, as being invariably thorougldy at

e and helping to make bright and attractive

'. !. Some years ago the small-flowered tuberous

B Worthiaiia was a first-rate outdoor summer

pi it. It was, however, one of the first to succumb

le Begonia disease, and for the last si.\ or seven

3 I have been unable to do anything with it.

ainly the different forms of semperflorens do

attain to the dimensions of the more vigorous

le tuberous section, and are consequently more

acsted for araaller beds. Given, however, sutti-

garden at Beechfield, Walton-on-Thames.

months of ISO.T when the thermometer fell ~°
below zero. It has been in the same position for
about seven years now, and has never ha<l the
slightest protection in any form. Seedlings come
up by the hundred every spring : indeed, one of
the greatest faults the plant has is its freedom in
seeding, which makes it necessary to remove the
pods every few days during the late summer
months. I find the plant a thoroughly vigorous
and showy climber. — J. C. T.

Amaryllis Belladonna at Kew. — A week or
two ago there was a note in Tnic (lAKnEN (--ailing
attention to the grand display of this beautifvd
bulbous plant to be seen at Kew. In the note
just alluded to no mention is made of a form of

the Belladoinia Lily which is flowering at Kew,
and which far eoIiiiM/s any variety I have pre-
iously seen. It ditl'ers from the ordinary kind in
the llower-spike being nearly double the height
and a great deal stouter, the blooms much riclier
in colour and far more numerous, as from twenty
to thirty blo.ssoms are borne in one lieail or umbij.
It is certaird^' a reidly magnificent variety, but as
far as I know it cannot be obtained from nursery-
men, and it will doubtless be years before a stock
can be worked up. Still, it is one of tho.se good
things that will be appreciated by everyone. —
H. P.

THE AC.WTHUSES.

I « AS very much interested in the excellent
article on these handsome fine-foliaged and
flowering plants in TiiK (iAimiiN, page AS!).
Nothing can be liner tiian these when well placed.
We generally find far too much bare stonework,
bases of vases or cohnnns, or formal terrace walls
and buttresses that would be all the better if
garnished by tlie glossy foliage of the Acanthuses.
Near rocks or stones or sunny walls they seem
l^eculiarly at home, and they all have a pecvdiar
knack of fitting themselves to their formal sur-
roundings. Ill the College Park at IJublin
I liave planted all the kinds, and they are
thriving even in dry places under overhead
balconies and in gravel walks near to walls and
buildings, but in such extensive places one can
never, as it seems to me, have enough of them.
Apart altogether from their own peculiar grace
and lieauty, the Acanthus forms a foil for lighter
and brighter flowers, and being evergreen in
sheltered sunny nooks and corners, the noble
leafage is most suitable for flower vases at
a season when foliage is not too abundant.
Their propagation is of the easist kind. Large
clumps arc readily divided, and I prefer to do this
in May or June and during wet weather, when
scarcely any check is experienced by the plants
themselves. In dividing great masses the thick,
carroty or thong-like roots are all collected sepa-
rately and laid or jilanted (i inches deep or so in
a broad trench under a warm wall. So treated
every bit soon grows and forms a plant before the
winter.

In thanking " E. J.'' for his appreciative notice
of these noble garden ]jlants, I send you specimens
in flower of the rare anil lieautiful A. spinosissi-
mus, which is much admired here, as it grows on
a cinder walk at the foot of a big Ash tree, where
it flowers every year. I see Mr. Nicholson gives
nine or ten species or varieties and synonyms, but
those mentioned by " E. J."' are, so far as now
known, the best for garden uses. If one kind only
be grown, then let it be A. mollis latifolius, which
has leaves ."> feet high and spikes over (i feet high
when well grown, as at St. Anne's, C'lontarf, Co.
Dulilin, a place that may fairl}' boast of the
finest herbaceous borders in Ireland, even if
not in Europe as well. In "Index Kewensis"
sixty species and synonyms are given under
Acanthus. The probabilities are that as
in the gigantic Gunneras, so also in this
genus Acanthus there are at least some, if
not many, fine species or wild foi-ms woi-th}' of
introduction to our gardens. But the epoch of
hardy plant collecting has never been fulfilled,
and even in the 19th century hardy plants are
collected in a desultory and amateurish kind of
waj'.

\\'ill no lover and cultivator of hardy flowers
send a good collector to the highlands of the
Caucasus, to the higher mountains of New
Zealand, to the great snow-capped ranges of N.
India, or to the cloud-capped Andes and Cordil-
leras of Chili and I'eru ? Eor the species and wild
forms of Acanthus at least this would not be
necessary, since with one oi' two exceptions they
are S. European or W. Asian kinds. As "doctors
are said to differ,'' so also do authorities as to the
colour of the flowers of the rare old A. sjjinosis-
sinuis I send you today. But as we all know,
authorities are often like the proverbial sheep :
. they follow each other, as can be proven by tnc
copying not only of the truth, but even of clerical

280

THE GABDEK

[October 9, 1897.

or printers' errors. Nearly all the books state that
the flowers of A. spinosissimus or Hedgehop
Acanthus are rosy in colour. Those sent to you
are sometimes nearly pure white; indeed, I know
of no other Acantlius having white flowers.

F. W. Bl'REIDCiE.

DOUBLE VIOLETS FROM CUTTINGS.

Ai.THOUGH a few growers annually raise their
stock of such douVile Violets as Marie Louise,
■Neapolitan, and Comte de Brazza from cuttings,
the majority of gardeners still continue the old
practice of planting out ordinary runners which
the parent plants produce while yefc in their
winter quarters in frames and pits. The latter
plan I still believe to be the best from a quantity
point of view, plants raised from cuttings and
kept to a single crown producing fewer, though
finer blooms. About the superior size and quality
of blooms grown on the latter class of plants I
have not the slightest doubt, some of the \ery
best I have seen being at Blickling Hall. Mr.
Sawyer at Elston Hall, near Newark, also grows
magnificent Violets, and I fancy this method of
culture suits the old Neapolitan even better than
Marie Louise. The plan at Elston is to take ott'
the cuttings in March, pricking them into light,
gritty compost in a frame standing on a mild
hotbed, and as soon as rooting takes place air
is increased and the plants gradually e.xposed
to the atmosphere. By the beginning of May
they are in good condition for removal to their
summer quarters, and when growth commences
in earnest, a good stout crown is selected, all
others Ijeing removed and all runners closely cut off.
The foliage under this treatment is large, dark
coloured and leather}', provided of course that
watering is properly attended to to keej) down
spider. Violets are often, through press of work,
left out in borders later in autumn than they
should be, consequently do not get established in
their new quarters early enough. This makes all
the difference to the supply of bloom during
winter. As a rule, particularly in midland and
northern districts, the end of September, or at the
latest first week in October, is late enough for
placing the plants in frames.

J. Crawford.

Myrtles in tubs. — In reference to Mr. Easter's
remarks in a recent issue about Myrtles in tubs,
we have here four growing in square tubs, their
height being 12 feet from the bottom of the tubs,
and the plants are 10 feet through. Two of them
have been in full bloom for the past three weeks,
and being covered with their lovely white flowers,
have been much admired by all who have seen
them ; the other two are just coming into flower
at time of writing. They are put to the same use
as Mr. Easter's during the summer months, being
stood by the side of a path with Orange trees in
the same sort of tubs, and have large vases of
Geraniums between them. The greatest draw-
back to such plants is the housing of them during
the winter months, as they take more room than
many can find for them. — H. Bean, Betfesham/ir
Pari.; Don r.

The Snapdragon. — Plants of Antirrhinums
raised from seeds sown at the end of last summer
and planted out in the spring quickly grew into
size, and gave an abundance of bloom from the
main shoots. Then came the summer spell of
drj' weather, when the drought so affected them
that they ceased to flower for a short time, but
with the rain came an abundance of side shoots,
and they are now producing spikes of bloom most
abundant!}'. I have bushes which are .3 feet
through and bearing dozens of spikes of bright
flowers. They supply plenty of cut bloom just
as summer is gliding into autumn and when we
most need it. I do not expect to keep the plants
through the winter, and do not desire to do so, as
I have young ones to take their j)lace. The early
spring-sown Antirrhinums are now getting into
fine flower. The great majority of these will pass

through the winter in safety, unless the weather
is unusually severe. — R. D.

Scarlet Lobelias. — It is unfortunate, so far as
these beautiful hardy flowers are concerned, that
they do not produce seed in this country. There
are the flowers and organs of fertility, but appa-
rently pollen is lacking. Were they seed-]iro-
ducers, how rapidlj' might even the beautiful va-
rieties that we have now be improved and varied in
colour, whilst how much more easily might plants
be increased. I have just been admiring that
lovely variety Carmine Gem, and although there
are already evidences of new growths from the
roots, the hoped-for seed produce is not found. It
is interesting to find that these plants are again so
popular in gardens. The Victoria variety I saw
in several gardens recentlj', though perhaps no-
where in finer form than at Bicton, De\onshire,
where Mr. Mayne uses it largely, especially for
dotting in beds of silvery Pelargoniums. He has
plants that carry half a dozen flower-stems, and
.so grown it is very effective. Once a good stock
is obtained, of course propagation may go on
rapidly by division of root growths. In cold or
wet soils it is wise to lift the roots and get them
into boxes of soil or large pots singly, just keep-
ing them cool and moist, without unduly exciting
growth or over-watering. So far down as Devon-
shire doubtless the plants are perfectly safe
during the winter, and even may stand ver}' well
higher up, but ordinarily it is best to have them
under cover of some sort for the winter. Seed
can be produced on the Continent, but it is rather
dear. Still, good seed sown properly should always
well repay the outlay, as some diversity in colour-
ing may be hoped for. — A. D.

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.

Viola obliqua. — Why is not this species much
more used where good flowers (practically true
Violets) are wanted. Nothing as a plant could
be hardier, and it can take care of itself for half
a dozen years or more without any cultural atten-
tions. This is soon explained, as its root habit is
(juite distinct. The roots are a sort of half fleshy
rhizome and half tuberous or knobby. Thus the
plant can be found after many years exactly at
the same place where it was originally planted,
i.e., there are no bounding stolons and no smother-
ing of neighbouring flowers. The leaves are each
.3 inches to 6 inches across, with stalks over a foot
long.

Polygonatum verticillatum. — Now that the
tops of this tall and distinct Solomon's Seal are
turning a bright yellow, with the leaves still held
at right angles with the almost erect stout stems,
the bright scarlet berries (also just at their best
colour) are best displayed for autumn effect. It
may be stated that the leaves are in more or less
distant whorls, as in the case of the Panther Lilies,
and not in pairs, wing-fashion, as on most of the
genus, and the berries being in whorls, too, im-
mediately at the junction of leaves with stem,
their effect just now is that of a string or ring of
coral beads loosely hung round the stem at every
set or whorl of foliage ; stature 3 feet ; a splendid
waterside plant.

The Skunk Cabbage. — It appears this is not
much known, and this name is not likely to lead
to a correct conception of what the plant is really
like. As the plant is now being more employed in
company with other bog subjects a note may be
of use. It is really as beautiful as it is singular,
but it is no Cabbage as we know Cabbages, but
an Aroid, called Symplocarpus fietidus. It has
big leaders of 1 foot to 2 feet, and a robust habit
when near water. Culturally, it may be termed
a bog plant, and prefers peat. It is perfectly
hardy and attractive to look upon when seen in a
mass and doing well, but it should not be placed
too near a patli owing to the fictid odour implied
by its comm(in and scientific names.

Primula Forbesi. — This charming species
has been flowering all summer in a moist position,
but never have its flowers been so large or so deep
in colour as now. Plants stood several degrees of

frost without harm in very sandy soil, but I hai
not yet tried it in the open all winter. Anyho\
it flourishes and flowers outside all summer andi
nearly the end of the year plunged in damp coco,
fibre or short rotten peat.

Dianthus Knappii. — I venture a further no
on this, as it seems to be quite a late bloome
The flowers are larger and of a richer yellow tho
earlier in the season. Its hardiness is beyot
doubt, and what is equally a good feature, it
robust without being coarse.

Pheasant Grass (Opera arundinaria). — This
mo.st beautiful outof-doors now. It is, howevE
one of those things to be seen to be know
Scarcely can one do justice in words to the eras:
part of the plant even by the aid of the nan
which so justly hints at the rich colours, but
is impossible to convey an idea of the loveline
of the sprays of liloom, so long and elegant. Tl
grass should be noted by all who are fond of choi
material for vase decoration. I ha\'e tried it
the open, it stood last winter without the loss
a single plant, which is more than I can say for
batch kept in a cool greenhouse. I could imagi
nothing more seasonable and decorative as a tal
plant. J. Wood.

iVoodi'ille, KirkstaU.

TAKING UP AND STORINCi DAHLIA
ROOTS.
Since the mild weather during the two last wee
in September set in, Dahlia plants of all typ
have made a free growth and bloomed finel
There is no knowing how soon a frost may eon
Last year the plants stood unharmed until abo
the middle of October, the weather being mi
and open, as at present. The Dahlia is a tend
plant and very susceptible to frost. As soon
the young growths become blackened by the fro;
rapid decay sets in, and in two or three days
most the main stalk should be cut away to wit!
9 inches or so of the ground. If the weatl
keeps fairly open, the roots may remain in t
ground for a time longer, and then advanta
should be taken of a sunny, drying day to c
the roots up. Bj' using a pointed stick, get i
of a good deal of the soil adhering to the roo
and then turn them upside down on a gard
mat, so that any moisture can drain from t
hollow part of the stem, and also drj' out of t
soil remaining on the tubers. If left in the op
for a night or two, they should be covered
securely from harm by frost.

Another point worth attention is to see tli
every variety is securely named. It is usual wi
many growers to tie to the top of the stake su
porting the main stem of the plant a wood
label with the name of the variety upon it. Tl
label should be securely fastened to the root
using flexible wire, as the loss of a name is son
times annoying. When the roots are sufficient
dry to be housed they can be [ilaced in a dry shi
or outhouse, uncovered on fine days, until ai
external moisture is got rid of, and when winteri
should be out of the reach of frost.

There are various ways of preserving Dahl
roots during the winter. Some dry them th
roughly and stand them on cool, airy shelves fr
from the inroads of frost, but here rot will alie
them, some sorts being much more difficult
keep than others. On the other hand, some pla'
them on the floor of a warm house under tl
plant stages, and though drip falls upon tliei
they yet come through the winter in comparati'
safety. Some place their roots on shelves ai
cover them with dry sand, others hang them i
in a cellar, they are also put into boxes wil
sand, sawdust or cocoa-fibre. Let them be ke|
from frost and damp, and then there need I
little fear as to their wintering in safety. Buf ■
whatever wa}' the roots may be stored for winti
let them be thoroughly dry when put away :
put away damp there is always danger from rot.

Exhibiting- Cactus Dahlias.— At a recei
exhibition of the Midland Counties Dahlia sbo

October 9, 1897.1

THE GARDEK

28 r

\VelIiiigb(iroii<;li, CacUis Dalilias were sliown
boards ill the .same iiKiiiiiei- as the larij:o show
,1 faiK'V vaiieties. As large, Wfll-iUn-elopoil
wins wei-e staged, they were really very at-
ictive, and they appeared much less formal
m dill the lar{,'eV flowers of the show type, and
;y were altogether more varied in eolour, as
11 as showing eonsideralile range of variety in
m. Such a method of exhibiting is desirable
the part of those who grow only limite<l eol-

l(tions and wlio might tind it diltieiilt to get six
three blooms of a variety. That the culture of
3 Cactus Dahlia is rapidly extending there can

1 no doubt. The present season has witnessed
production of more new varieties than any

Ipnous one, and now imiirovements in the haliit

c growth, in freedom of blooming, and strung.

Eucalyptus gloluilus had flowered during the
summer, which is, I believe, an unusual oceur-
renee in England. The hue and symmetrical
specimen of I'aulownia ini))erialis,.'!() feet in height,
had lilossonie<l in the spring, and a cutting taken
from the same tree is now I 'J fei-t liigh. Tlic
small sheet of artificial water, whi(;h in my first
notes on this garden (p. .'{S;i, vol. xlix.) 1 mentioned
as being in course of construction close to the
Bamboo |)lantation, is now finished, and is already
a further attraction to the lieaiitiful garden,
its niaro'in a colony of Bulrushes was flowering.

Trees and Shrubs.

liVUU.\N(j!KA!S.
Tin; striking |ianicles of Hydrangea paniculafci
and its variety liortensis have during the pa.st
month or six weeks been tlie mo.st prominent
features among hardy shrub.s. In the liome
counties this is the most valuable of the
At I Hydrangeas, but in the suuth-wcstcrn couiitie.?
in Irel nd, and in iilaees witli a similar climate,

Hydrangea EortenMa hearing nineteen flowers

the Rev. W.

■*tj flower-stems thrown
necessitj-. — R. I).

lES FROM ABBOT.SBURY,
SBIRE.

the foliage

DORSET-

HlTESixo to be at Weymouth during the last
w* [ in August I took the opportunity of renewing
""equaintance with the attractive sub-tropical
ens of Abbotsbury Castle. The large bush,
ither tree, of Clurodendron tricliotomum. a
•sentation of which appeared on page S'JIl,
i., w-as in full flower and scented the air for
I around, and Oxydendron arboreum was
in blossom. A fine specimen of C'atalpa
anioides, some »J feet high, at rhe side of
h stood an Evergreen Beech, was in good
n, and large bushes, S feet in height, of
<cu9 syriacus, both the white and "purple
ty, were smothered in bloom, as were the
le Myrtles, of which tliere was a goodly

or
rei
vo
va
als
hi<
vV
blc
Hi
vai
(loi

ftlT

Gunneras, Euhdias,'Arnndos, and Dracarias adding ' t'lo ')ld II. Horteusia is the most beautiful,
their beauty of form to the picture, while large 'tHiite recently I have seen it very finely in
clum])s of the vivid-hued Tigridia grandiflora and tlower in various parts of Ireland, and a few
of the orange-.scarlet Montbretia I'ottsi brightened years ago I noted it as one <jf the most effective
the scene with their high notes of colour. I ! of autumn-Howining slirubs in t'ornwall. In

our less favoured districts
fiirtlier north it is chiefly
known as a cool green-
house jilaiit, .and it is only
iircasioiially that it Hower.s
witli anything like its
natural freedom. There
are, however, .several fither
species wliieli are well
worth growing and which
arc perfectly hardy, al-
tlunigh none of them can
be said to equal either of
the species justmentioiied.
The greater proportion
of our Iiardy .species comes
from Japan, but they are
found also in China, the
Himalayas, and in North
America. The most note-
worthy characteristic of
the flowers is that they
.are of two kinds — the one
large .and showy but sterile,
the other fertile and seed-
jjrodueing, but small and
c imparativcly incon.spicu-
ous. In the wild .speci-
mens the sliowy, sterile
llowei'sare, as a rule, con-
fined to the margin of the
inflorescence, but under
cultivation there is a
tendency towards their
increasing at the expense
of the others, and in some
varieties the whole in-
florescence consists of
these showy abortive blos-
soms.

< >f their cultural reipiire-
iiients little need be said.
Their chief wants are a
free open soil of good
ipiality and plenty of
moisture. The plants bear
sever.il of the .species, when
md the young

in a X'l'ini'h pot at Hohndile, Leicester.
Bell, Knighton Rectory, Leicester.

From a photograph sent hy

shouUl hardly have thought the margin of a pond
a situation best suited to the needs of these two
flowers, but never have I seen such vigorous
examples of either as I did here. The lowest-
planted clump of Tigridias was nearly .3 feet high
and bore enormous flowers, while some of the
Montbretias, whose corras were almost at the
water-le\el, had thrown up great leaves almost as
wide as those of (Jladiolus brenchleyensis and
correspondingly long, and were flowering grandly.
I had always been of opinion that Tigridias and
Montbretias did best in a dry soil, but at Abbots-

at the sides of the wide grass walks.

[jruning well, anc

cut back pretty hard in .sprin

shoots subsequently thinned, produce mucli

finer racemes and foliage. The Hortensia group,

however, breaks freely from the base, and all

it requires is an occasional clearing out of old

steins.

H. HoRTKNSi.i. — The specific name of this shrub,
which so frequently is transformed into " liorten-
sis " even in works of authority, is really an old
generic name given to some of the Hydrangeas by
bury their abnormal vigour is apparently due to Jussieu in honour, 1 believe, of t^hieen Hortense.
the exact opposite. Montbretia erocosma-flora is The species has never been found in an un-
also grown, and, in the neighbourhood of the doubtedly wild state, but is one of the plants the
water, Cyperus natalensis, the Tree Tomato ■ Chinese and .Japane.se have cultivated from time
(Cyphomandra betacea), and the .Japanese Wine- immemorial, and it was from China that it was
berry were to be found, with many fine Hydrangea originally introduced to the King's garden at
bushes in full bloom. Pampas llrasses, Bocconias, Kew towards the end of the last century by Sir
and flowering Clematises, while on the trunk of a Joseph Banks (according to Loudon). The ac-
tall I'alm the climbing Rhodochiton volubile was companying illustration shows admirably how
blooming. S. \V. F. beautiful and striking a plant it is. The flowers

282

THE GARDEN.

[OcTOBEB 9, 1897.

are usually of a pale pink colour, but under
certain conditions and in certain soils they are
blue. The exact cause of the change has not
been clearly ascertained, and has been variously
ascribed to'the presence of iron, potash, or alum
in the soil. Although usually killed to the ground
each winter near London, it is never destroyed
outright. After unusually mild winters it will
sometimes flower. The following are the more
noteworthy of its numerous varieties : Otaksa has
sterile flowers at the margin of the corymb only :
it probably aiiproaches the true wild type of the
species more nearly than any. Var. nigra has
very handsome purplish brown stems. Var.
Thomas Hogg is a very valuable plant for indoor
cultivation, having pure white flowers. Var.
Lindleyi (figured in The Garden for December 1,
1894) has only the marginal flowers of the corymb
sterile ; they are j^ale rose. Var. japonica rosea
(coloured plate, O.iKDEN, August 15, 1896) has
also pale rose flowers, but the whole of them are
sterile. Var. stellata has the segments of its
sterile flowers frequently toothed.

H. PAN icuL.\TA is a Japanese species of robust
growth and perfect liardiness. Its leaves are
ovate, each from 3 inches to 6 inches long, and
they are frequently borne in threes at each
joint, instead of the usual pair. Tlie flowers are
produced on huge erect panicles, and in the
typical plant the great proportion of them are
fertile, but in the variety hortensis (or grandiflora)
the whole of them have become sterile, and each
flower consists of four petal-like segments—
really a development of the calyx— and nothing
more. These panicles are naturally about
8 inches long and of pyramidal outline, but under
high cultivation, when grown in rich soil and the
shoots reduced considerably in number, they may
be obtained as much as 1 1 feet long and of pro-
portionate width. The flowers are white at first,
afterwards pink, and lastly pale brown. It was
introduced in 1874.

H. I'ETioLARis (scandens) is a climber and a
native of Japan. It is perfectly hardy, and at
Kew is grown on a large tree stump, which it has
completely covered. Its habit makes it interest-
ing, and its luxuriant growth renders it hand.some,
although it does not flower very freely out of
doors. The corymbs are large, but with only a
few flowers of the sterile kind, and these of a
dull white. In Japan this Hydrangea climbs the
trunks of trees much as the Ivy does in this
country, covering them up to a height of GO feet
or more. It may also be grown on a sunny wall,
where it will flower more freely. Two other
Asiatic species that may be briefly mentioned are
H. PUBESCENS, a very strong-growing sln-ub
with narrow, ]3ointed, finely -toothed leaves each
3 inches to o inches long, and large flat corymbs
produced at midsummer, the flowers of which are
white at first, afterwards rosy ; and

H. THUNBEKiii, a rare plant of dwarf stature,
with small leaves and corymbs 3 inches in
diameter, whose flowers are sometimes pink and
sometimes blue, the species evidently being sub-
ject to the same influences as H. Hoi-tensia. The
North American species are not such valuable
slirubs for the garden as the Asiatic ones. The
most ornamental of them is

H. QUEROiFOLiA, a native of the Southern United
States, and, unfortunately, not so hardy as could
be wished. In hard winters it is always cut back
more or less. The foliage is very distinct and
handsome, the large leaves being deeply lobed
and unlike those of any other species. The flowers
are borne in large erect panicles, the Ijarren
ones being white. It should be given a well-
sheltered position, and the soil should be deep,
rich, and moist, so that the leaves may be de-
veloped to their fullest size.

H. KADIATA is of 110 ])articular merit as a flower-
ing shrub, producing dull white flowers : but its
leaves, on the other hand, differ from those of any
other Hydrangea, being of a beautiful bluish-
white colour underneath. The species is often
grown under the name " nivea," which refers to
the snowy whiteness of the leaves.

H. ARPORESCENS is a strong grower with large
coarsely - toothed leaves of quite a brilliant
green, but it has no value as a flowering
plant. The flowers, of which only a few are
sterile, are of a dull white. It is a variable plant,
and between it and H. radiata there are several
intermediate forms, some showing a whiteness
beneath the leaves, but never of the purity of the
true radiata or nivea. W. J. B.

SHORT NOTES.— TREES AND SHRUBS.

Eueryphia pinnatifolia. — This has been
flowering finely here the last six weeks. It lias been
growing on a sheltered hank for eight years, and
is still dohig well.— J. Tavlor, Hardiricl-e Grunge.

Crataegus Pyracantha. — In the Fulham
recreation ground, where the conditions are none
too favourable, there are numerous bushes of the
Pyracantha from 4 feet to 6 feet high and as much
through which are profusely laden with their
brightly coloured berries. They are disposed at
regular distances along a belt of shrubs, and in
this way they form brilliant patches of colour.
The Pyracantha is so generally seen and so uni-
versally admired as a wall plant, that its merits
when grown in bush form are apt to be over-
looked. It should, however, be more often
planted in this way, as it is of a neat, yet free
habit of growth, while the little flattened clusters
of white blossoms are earlier in the year decidedly
pretty. — T.

Kitchen Garden.

and superior for summer. It is larger tlwi
Eclip,se and one of the best for affording a sup|i!
from June to October. It is a broad-leavei
^■ariety, but the head is well protected by thi
lea\es. 1 do not know of any variety which keep
so long after being fit for table. This variety i
very sturdy and is equally good in tropicii
weather as in more favourable seasons. I do no
advise it for first crop, but as a summer varietj
especiallj' in soils where Cauliflower does nt
always thrive. In my light soil it never fail;
In heavy soils it is well to pay attention to tli
.selection of summer Cauliflowers, and I h;i\
found Eclipse and Magnum Bonum the best. 0
the other hand, in poor land, it is necessary t
grow \-igorous kinds in hot, dry seasons, as tl
first earlies button at times and a crop is los
Even this last season, with every attention I
keep up a good sujiply, I was obliged to muk
freely. I found it an excellent plan to give tl
surface-soil a good covering of spent Mushroo
manure. This I obtained from a large grower ;
a small cost, and it was a great saving, .
a thorough watering once a week kept tl
plants growing freely. Few vegetables ft
drought sooner than Cauliflower, and if the plan
are checked they soon become a prey to caU
pillar, and take on a bad colour. I do not ui
at getting large heads, but those with a clc
compact white curd. The four varieties nam^
are all good grown to form a succession. Uoul
less other growers may have found others qui
as reliable in diverse soils, and some may li
larger kinds. G. Wythes.

SUMMER CAULIFLOWERS.

Mr. Tallack points out the value of Cauliflower
Eclipse and I am sure those who need this vege-
table during the summer months will do well to
adopt the advice given. It is an excellent variety
and the heads are of just the size for home con-
sumption. Market growers may not think it
good enough. The value of Eclipse is its good
ciualities in dry weather at a season it is ditticult
to get Cauliflowers worth cutting. In many
gardens summer Cauliflowers are not needed, liut
in others they are in constant demand, and though
there is a "wealth of Peas, Beans, and other
choice vegetables I find good Cauliflowers are
much liked and daily required. For years I grew
the true Walcheren to give a summer supply, and
it rarely failed. As Mr. Tallack observed. Eclipse
is more compact than Walcheren for summer
sujiplies ; I mean during July and August or for
earlier use. To follow the Broccoli in May and
June I still rely on Walcheren. The \alue of
Eclipse grown in summer is its mild flavour I
am aware Autumn Giant may be had at the sea-
son named, but with me the heads are strongly
flax oured if cut before the middle of September.
There are other excellent varieties for early
summer use. I find the Pearl a good variety to
follow the late Broccoli. Pearl is earlier than
Eclipse and Ijy sowing these I get a succession ;
indeed, I make two or three sowings of Pearl, one
in frames in February to give heads early in June,
another in the open early in March to form a

Potato Syon House Prolific— I thi

" H. C. P." (p. 221) mu.st have made a mista
when he classes Syon House Prolific as an i
variety. I am pleased to see the writer's co
ments on the same. I note on the same pa
Mr. Tallack writes favourably of this variety a
its free-cropping qualities. This Potato was
troduced last year. I am more pleased with
this year than last, as I regret to say my Pot;
crop is a poor one in the case of some varieti
Windsor Castle was grand and Satisfaction exi
lent, but not so even as usual, some of the tuli
being very large. My best cropper is the om
question, and though in this case there are coa
tubers, the general (piality is good and quite f
of disease. Though a late Potato, it boils floi
as soon as lifted. My ^Magnum Bonum this y
is poor. This I much regret, as it is a gr
favourite and the seed was new and plan
early. A few other older kinds are light cro
The new Engli.sh Beauty, a very early ki:
came in just in advance of ^^'indsor Castle,
the whole I do not think the I'otato croi) will
a heavy one. Drought crippled the plants
their early stages, and with so much rain dise
will be prevalent in clay soils. — Grower.

Disease in Kales. — At a recent meeting
the fruit and vegetable committee at the Ro
Horticultural Society's gardens, Chiswick, I x
grieved to see some Kales much diseased. Th
plants some two months ago were much admi
for their splendid leafage. Many at first si'.
would think that the roots were attacked by cl
but this is not the case, and I am penning t

IS sown in March it will gi\ e a July, August, and
September supply liy making two or three jilant-
ings. A few years ago I paid great attention to
summer Cauliflowers, having some half dozen
varieties from the Cape and Italy, but
none were equal to our own kinds. A
few were early, but lacked the pure white
curd and com])act habit of Pearl and Eclipse.
Snowball is one of our most useful kinds on
account of its quick growth, but I class it as a
late spring Cauliflower, as sown in heat in the
early part of the year it will mature early in May.
It is one of the best to take the place of the Broc-
coli should the latter fail or run short, as it may
be had in three months fit for table. A summer
Cauliflower which never fails is Magnum Bonum.
This appears to me to be distinct from Walcheren

succession, and a later one if needed. If Eclipse note hoping that some readers niay give us so

information how to combat the disease. At Sjl
the Kales, though not quite so bad as at Chiswi
are suft'ering from the same disease. I have tr
\arious remedies all to no purpose. The vo
are strong and clean, but the leafage is ha'
attacked by a kind of mildew or fungus, :
curls up and withers. The plants lose tli
centres, smell badly, and present a misera
apiiearance. They first showed the pest in J"
and I hoped with "a good rainfall later they wo
grow- out of it, but the reverse is the case. Til
are much worse ; in fact, a few rows have bi|
destroyed, as the plants looked so unsiglil.
Another curious point is that the disease or fuii'
only affects the very latest kinds, such as
Bude or Asparagus, the Cottager's Kale, Rag^
Jack, Chou de Milan and similar kinds. '

October 9, 1897.]

THE GARDEK

283

otch Kales ailjiiiiiiny aie quite fixe. At
liswiek the laud was new (or the cro]), at least
d not had a similar erop for years, arul I think
ric.us renu'ilies have been tried in the way of
Iphatcs and dressings. A late sown and planteil
, appears to have escaped, and .some may say,
ly not rely on sueh ))lantsV but they are loo
lall to giye large supplies. 1 think the evil is
iiig to drouirht in the lirst phu'C. It is a loss,
these late Kales are so \'aluable during March
il April, and produce so freely. — G. Wytiiks.

Beet seed.— "A. 1)." (p. -i-il) may easily be
ong us to his surmise that the mixed seed he
tea was due to negligence or want of care after
rve«ting. For many years I ha\e been in the
Ihit of saving seed from a selected stock, and
13 result is not always what it should be in spite
every care being taken in isolating the seed -
lirine roots. In some years the plants come
irfectly true; in others a small percentage of
angolds comes with them, and it is curious to
ite that the latter are of a red or yellow type
cording to the kind of Mangold grown for seed
ithe neighbourhood the same year, though none
f grown within a (|uarter of a mile of the gar-
( 1. Of course, this is due to cross-fertilisation
I i not to the seed Ijeing mixed after harvesting
» to wrong roots being saved for planting. Last
' ir the percentage of Mangolds was higher than
lad ever known it, while this year the case is
c irely dirt'erent. When one comes to think of
i here is no cause for wonder at this being so,
f 1 the farmer who is saving Mangold seed may
I.'e just as good reason to complain of the gar-
tier's Beet as the gardener has of the Mangold.
'e one thing I do not understand in the case
red is why the Mangolds were not pulled out at
tnning time. They can easily be seen, and will
I much advanced in growth beyond the garden
lit at that time, so the only excuse for their
higleft would lie too thin sowing. Beets are
s easily transplanted that there is no excuse for
siixed lot being grown on through the season if
cy a fair cpiantity of seed was sown, so that
ints would be available for tilling gaps by
dtwingout the bastard plants. The stock itself
iunaffected by these rogue plants, the percent-
ae of which is never large. — .J. C. Tall.^ck.

CABBAdE SPROUTS.

lotiGH "J. C. T." (p. -221) thinks Cabbage

8 outs superior to young Cabbage, his note does

n convince me of their superiority, (rrowing

o. Cabbage stems to produce sprouts is not an

a ance in the right direction. We have now such

c ellent quick-growing varieties that it is not

V -th while to keep an untidy bed of old stumps

tcut from. I may be told they can be kejit

t y. They rarely are in many gardens, and in

she cases the old stumps remain well into the

si Md year, being cut over and over again. This

15 ot gardening. I would ask ".J. C. T.'' if such

pduce IS worth sending to table? I do not

t'lk much of it would be apjn-eciated in the din-

11 room, and my contention is, that by growing

y ng Cabbage the ground is better occupied and

tl quality of the Cabbage is superior. I admit

It s a practice generally followed, and old cus-

t< IS die hard. I think we may with advantat^e

tow a regular system of cropping and clear the

g und, as when good autumn Cabbage can be

gvvnm a few weeks there is no need to leave

11 plants to produce a second crop, when the

"^'S taken into account the plants have occu-

P 1 the soil. My plan is to give the soil a chancre

a--oon as possible. Vegetaljles, like individuals,

H' 1 change of food. Summer Cabbages after heat

1 ''°VS,' '^'■'^ "°t free fiom insect pests, and if

b i " "^ ^^^^ ^^''^'' °^ ''"^joining crops being

if -li^^'*'' '■"' iii'iple supply of Coleworts

I tail to see the need of old Cabbage sprouts.

) not think the comparison made between

ssels Sprouts and Cabbage a happy one, no

would think of destroying Brussels Siirouts

"ley had matured the crop. When Cabba-o

^ matured one crop, why demand a second and

o>ftU3t the sou ■: 1 have for some years taken

special measures to prevent grub aii<l destroy in-
sects. To this end I find it advantageous to clear
crops as soon as possible, and, in the long run, I
am the gainer both in <|uality and, 1 may add,
(piantity, with freedom in a great measure from
insects. Another strong point is neatness, and I
think we cannot overlook this latter, as it is an
important one. I do not think ".I. C. T.'s"
point with regard to labour needs much com-
ment. Cabbages are jilanted .so (|uickly witli
certain success, even in dry seasons, that there
will be less cost in tlio end. The young plants
in clean ground will give little trouble after
planting unless in very dry weather watering may
be neces.sarv. S. .\1.

Stove and Greenhouse.

GLORIOSAS AND THEIR CULTURE.
The genus Gloriosa (so named by Linnneus from

the superb colouring of the flowers) consists of
two species of annual, tuberous-rooted, climb-
ing liliaceous plants, natives of the tropical
parts of Asia and Africa, and named Gloriosa
.superba and G. simplex. These, although intro-
duced into cultivation many years since, are not
often found in gardens, possibly because they
are old-fashioned plants, but being neither
costly in price nor very difficult to grow, they
deserve the attention of all amateurs who are
seeking for handsome flowers.

Glorios.v sri'KRB.i (L.). — A native of Malabar,
Ceylon and Nepaul ; introduced in the year llillU.
Stem from about 7 feet to nearly 10 feet long.
Flowers pendent, of a tine orange or yellowish red
colour, golden yellow at the base, with six reflexed
divisions which are very much crimped and undu-
lated at the margins, blooming from .July to
October, and reniaiiiing persistent on the flower-
stalk after they have withered. Each flower con-
tinues a long time in good condition and presents
different shades of colour as it advances in age.

(i. SIMPLEX (L.).—A native of Mozambique ;
introduced in 1823. Similar to the preceding
species in habit of growth, but with longer stems.
Flowers of a greenish-yellow colour, with a yellow
claw ; the margin and extremity of the divisions
of the corolla are also yellow and are not crimped,
but are slightly undulated. The variety (I. sim-
plex Planti (Loud.) has reddish-yellow flowers,
and G. grandiflora (Methonica grandiflora) is a
form of it which has \'ery much larger floviers.
Miller, in his "Gardeners" Dictionary," mentions
a species named G. ccerulea with blue flowers,
l)ut he adds that no one of his accjuaintance
had seen it in flower. Is anything now known
about this species ? Up to the present G. superba
is the finest known species.

(iloriosas are tuberous-rooted plants with an
annual growth, which require to be replanted
after a certain period of rest. At thecomiuence-
iiient of the new growth the repotting and mul-
tiplication of the plants are carried on simulta-
neously. At the end of the growing period tlie
tuber that was planted will be found to have
produced two other tubers, having disap[)eared
itself by absoriition into the new tubers. These
two tubers are then to be divided and planted
with the lower end uiipermost, a peculiarity of
the Glorio.sas being that the new growth is
made from the lower end or bottom of the
tuber. When dividing the tuber.s, the cuts
should be sprinkled with fine-powdered char-
coal. It occasionally ha|)pens that the old
tuber will produce only one in>tead of two
fresh tubers, and, contrary to what is stated in
books which treat of the culture of Gloriosas, I
have never found any bulbils at the base of
these plants. As regards the

ClLTlKE.

Ill Febru.ary the roots are [lotted in low-sidod
pots (pr ]ians (such as are used for Caladiums)
of suitable size or, ]ireferably, in flat seed-pans,
in which the roots are ]ilacc<l horizontally, one
root in each ])an ; the potting .soil should con-
sist of fre.sli he.-ith soil alone, or else leaf-soil
and the ]ians should bo well drained. The
roots should be placed so that the jiart from
which the stem will issue may be at the surface
of the soil or very .slightly covered liy it. A
slight watering is given, after which the surface
of the soil is covered about half an inch deep
with live .Sphagnum, which is to be kejit in a,
moist condition by occasional slight waterings.
The pans ,-ire then removed U> the prfipagating
liimse where they are given bottom-lieat by
plunging tlieiu in the tan or ashes of the frame
over the hot-water pipes. The only attention
they require is to keep the soil moist, and the
layer of Sphagnum is almost always sufticient to
do this until the growth cominences. This is
rather capricious in making itsaiipearance sooner
or later. The stem as it issues from the soil
is leafless for a considerable portion of its length
and grows more rapidly in proportion to the
higher temperature of the house. It should
have the support of a stake when this becomes
necessary, and the plant should be more fre-
quently watered as the growth progresses. The
pans in which the roots were planted cannot
long supply sufticient food to the plants, which
should be repotted as soon as the rootlets be-
come abundant. In repotting it is necessary to
be careful, as the roots are very sensitive and
sutt'er much when they are disturbed. It is
best to use pans from 10 inches to Ki inches in
diameter and from (i inches to 10 inches deep,
according to the strength of the plants, placing
the roots in a slanting direction in a compost
formed of one-h.alf fresh heath-soil or leaf-soil,
one-fourth well-decompo.sed hotbed material,
and one-fourth vegetable mould, all well mixed
together and prepared beforehand. It is ad-
visable to mix a little sand with the compost.
In removing the plants from the pots great care
should be taken, and this operation will be more
easily ett'ected when the roots have been started
into growth in small-sized pans.

The plants when repotted are watered and
then removed to the warm house where they
are to complete their growth, and for some time
after they have been repotted moderjite water-
ing is advisable, and this is to be increa.sed
gradually. The stem, growing rapidly, must be
sujiported by a stake, and cords running paralle
to the glass of the house must be arranged so
that the tendrils of the plants may take hold of
them and so help to support the stem. These
cords should be placed at a distance of from
a inches to 8 inches from the glass. The plants
may also be grown on trellises or other supports.
If it is desired to grow these plants in a cool
house in summer, this may be transformed into
a warm house by admitting as much solar heat
into it as possible, and, if necessary, gi^'ing a
little tire at night to prevent too great a lower-
ing of the tenijierature.

Further attentions consist in kcejiing the .soil
in a proper condition of moisture, and giving
once a week a watering of licpiid manure, com-
posed of night soil and cow manure in a 10 per
cent, solution. The training of the stems .should
also be attended to, tying them here and there
with .strips of rattia. Flowering commences in
July anil continues until October. I have re-
marked that the jilants bloom much better in
houses where there is a free circulation of air
than they do in hou.ses where the atmosphere is
moist. The reek or steam from fermenting ma-
terials should be avoided, and also syring-

'284

THE GAKDEI^.

[October 9, 1897.

ing, wliicli spots and spoils the flowers. Two in-
teresting particulars should be noted : the flowers
being niarcescent, it is a good plan to pick ofl
the faded corollas, which otherwise would de-
tract from the appearance of the plants, and
unless it is intended to gather the seeds, it is
best to remove the flowers entirely as they
wither. In well ventilated houses imjjregna-
tion of the flowers sometimes takes place natur-
ally, but they can be easily impregnated
artificially on a flne day. The seed takes a
rather long time to ripen, and should not lie
gathered until the seed-vessel (ipens of itself
and the seeds are oi a deep red colour. Once
the plants have perfected their growth and are
in full bloom, they should only be moderately
watered. As the flowering approaches its
termination watering is still further diminished,
and should cease entirely about the first week
in October. The stems of the plants are then
to be cut down to 3 inches or 4 inches from the
soil, and the pans are to be placed on the hot-
water pipes in a warm or a temperate house,
. where they are kept dry until the following
February, when growth recommences and re-
potting takes place. Raising plants

Fko.m Seed

is easy enough, but is ttdious in its results, as
it takes five or six years before a seedling plant
comes into flower. The method, however, is as
follows ; The seeds, which are jiretty large,
should be sown from Januaiy to March in a
iiothouse or on a hotbed in good-sized pots or
pans (6 inches or 7 inches in diameter) and
about half an inch deep in the soil, with a dis-
tance of nearly an inch at least from seed to
seed. They germinate pretty ([uickly and
regularly," but the young plants cannot be
pricked out during the first year. Pots of seed-
lings are kept undisturbed through the winter,
and in the following spring each root is potted
oft'_, into a small pot of a size suitable to the
strength of the root, which is afterwards re-
potted like a grown plant. The stems of young
seedling plants do not begin to climb before
they are two or three years old. — Jules
Rudolph, in Revue Horticole.

Cupressvis torulosa as a pot plant. — This
elegant little conifer is wonderfully well adapted
for growing in pots for room and conservatory
decoration. For mixing with flowering plants in
ornamental baskets it is also most Udeful. Of
easy culture, and, of course, very hardy, it suc-
ceeds well in a good stiff' loamy compost, given
a firm root run and well-drained pots. Small
plants will, if assisted with manure water occa-
sionally, remain in good condition in 42-inch and
G-inch pots for several years. — C. C. H.

Rooting double Primulas. — It is not always
so difficult to induce double Primulas to send out
tiny rootlets into the com|xist with which they
are earthed up in spring as to get them to take a
free hold of the new soil when detached and
potted off. If the weather is bad a cold frame
does not always suit them, the weather even in
.June sometimes being anything but warm and
genial, and an airy greenhouse not just the right
medium. A friend of mine who succeeds with
double Primulas always makes up a small hot-bed
of leaves, and gives the newly-potted double
Primulas the benefit of it. He does not plunge
the pots, but merely stands them on the surface
of the bed, taking care to admit a little air almost
continually in order to allow of the escape of
superfluous steam. In this way he usually
manages to root 90 \>er cent, of the plants. —
C. C. H.

Solanum jasminoides.-The flowers of this
charming creeper are freely produced, and very
useful at this time of year. In general it is grown

as a greenhouse creeper, and has a pretty efl'ect
trained across the principal rafters of span-roofed
houses, the flowers being allowed to hang down in
a natural way. In favoured localities of course it
may be grown outside. I saw several fine plants
of it at Kings Weston in August, where possibly
the proximity of the Severn has something to do
with its thriving condition. There are also plenty
of conservatories with high and bare back walls
that this plant would cover rapidly and be very
useful. I once had a fine plant on a conservatory
roof, and the border for this was about 2 feet deep
to the drainage, which was carefully laid. Three
parts of loam, one of decayed horse manure, one
of leaf mould, and plenty of charcoal and rough
sand were the compost used. After the plant had
covered the space the shoots iised to hang down
a couple of feet or more, anil these after flowering
were either laid in in vacant places or cut back,
and the efl'ect of the large clusters of pure white
blossoms was remarkably telling. \A'here\ er such
positions as those noted exist, then I would
strongly advise the planting of this Solanum, for
the effect of the plant is certainly not to be judged
by the miserable, starved sjjecimens one often sees
in hot, drj' greenhouses. It must be fed, and it
delights in moisture both in the atmosphere and
at the roots, and the more freely it is allowed to
ramble the better will be the efl'ect when in
flower. — R.

Gladioli in pots. — Although not generally
grown in pots, (41adioli are most useful for con-
servatory and general decoration during Septem-
ber. All the varieties of the large-flowering t>pe
are good for the purpose, but none surpass in
brilliancy the good old brenchleyensis. One bulb
in a G-inch pot, this being well drained and filled
with good yellow loam, a little well-decomposed
manure, and a good sprinkling of rough sand or
road-grit, is the most useful way of growing them,
April being the best month for starting the first
batch, a second lot being potted up in May. A
cool frame is a good place for them until the
new growths are a few inches high, air being
admitted freely in fine weather, and the lights
entirely removed during the daj' in May, little
water being given till new roots commence to
work freely in the soil. In .June the plants are
best plunged in ashes in a sheltered sunny posi-
tion, and when growing freely, weak liquid
manure given, say, twice weekly will assist in
building up strong flower-stems and spikes.
When high enough to take harm from winds, neat
sticks painted jiale green should be inserted in
the pots and the stems carefully tied to them,
leaving plenty of room for expansion. If desir-
able, a few jiiants can be removed from the plung-
ing material to a cool glasshouse, where the
flowers will quickly open. I have seen them used
to great ad\antage in artistic groups at exhibi-
tions, the great thing being to use them sparingly.
Some might, perhaps, think pot culture unneces-
sary, supposing that the plants could be lifted
from the open ground and potted when required,
but, apart from tlie early date at which they may
be had in flower in pots, they never do satisfac-
torilj' when lifted and potted u]i.— J. Cr.wvkord.

Garden Flora.

SHORT NOTES.— STOVE <t- GREENHOUSE.

The TuberoBe in the open air.— Tliis is so
generally seen brought on uiiiler glass, that a bed of it
in full tlower in the open ground !it Kew ut once
attracts atteution, owing to its being so seldom met
witii trfated in this wny. The plants are iiowering
profusely. When in the open groiiDd and fully ex-
posed to the sun, the flowers, which under glass are of
the purist white, become slightlv suflused ou the
exterior with a reddish tmge. — H. P.

Nicotiana affinis poisonous. — Probably
many of j'our readers are not aware that the
leaves of this sting the flesh severely. Irately
when carrying a few plants in ;; pot the lea\es
came into contact with my bare arms, and I felt
a sharp, stinging pain. The marks spread out
into large patches of red, and now, after six
weeks, thej' are still quite red. — .J. CJ. , Oo^poii.

PLATE 1139.

RHODODENDRON KEWENSE VARS.

(with a coloured plate.*)

Among hardy evergreen Rhododendrons thei

may be noticed two distinct types of inflore

cence. In the commoner and hardier grmi

the trusses are composed of numerous close!

[lacked, bell-shaped flowers, arranged in a moi

or less cone-shaped mass. In the other gnn

the flowers are flatter and more saucer-shapei

fewer in number, but individually larger ai

arranged loosely. To the latter group beloi

R. Thomsoni, R. Fortune!, R. campy locarpiu

R. ijiriflithianum (Aucklandi) and R. Hooker

and belonging to the same set also are t

hybrids figured in the accompanying plal

R. kewense was raised in the temperate hoii

at Kew in 1875 by the late Mr. Binder fron

cross between R. Oriflithianum and R. Hooke

Of the numerous plants raised, none flower

until the spring of 1888, since which time tli

ha\ e flowered every year, and, as a rule, wi

great freedom. At first grown in the temper;

house, they were afterwards planteei outside

a peat bed, where they could be protected b;

canvas covering during hard weather. For t

last two years they have at Kew been growi

in the Rhododendron dell, with no other ]v

tection than a naturally sheltered position si

as this aft'ords. Never during the ten ye

that the hybrids have flowered have they ht

so beautiful as during last May, when J

Moon made his drawing. Most of the bush

some of which are now 8 feet across, w

literally covered with trusses of the type h

figured, although as a rule much larger. M:

of the fiowers measured between 4 inches ;

5 inches across. Although the whole of

plants came from a single pod of seed, tl

vary a good deal in the colour of the flowi

Some on first opening are white, with

pale rose tinge, becoming almost pure wl

after a few days ; others are of a m

decided rose ; whilst the richest colon

of all is the smaller truss here figured, wh

buds are of a rich rosy crimson and the flow

of a deep soft rose, which never loses its i

warm tint. But all the forms are beautil

and the dift'erent hue of the one only serves

bring out more \ ividly the loveliness of its nei,

bour.

.When its parentage is considered, the hai
ness of Rhododendron kewense is reniarkal
Little appears to be known of R. Hookeri, ;'
I have not heard of its being grown out of do
in the London district. R. Griffithiaimni, t
can only be grown here as a cool greenho
plant, yet there are plants of R. kewense (
the bulk of them) that have been grown withi
any artificial protection in the dell at Kew
five or six years, and have withstood, con
quently, amongst others, the winter of W'
without any injury. This hybrid proves s
that the genus Rhododendron, although it 1
so long been a field where many noted work
have successfully laboured, has not yet had
beauties all revealed. For the hyhridiser v
has the time and opportunity, and who i
leave the beaten track, there are many clian
of creating new varieties which shall not oi
be distinct from those we already jiossess, i
quite as beautiful. ^^- •'■

» Drawn for The Garden in the Kryal Gariii .
Kew, by H. G. Moon. Lithographed and pnntei
J. L. Goffart.

f

^

,<*?*'''

October 9, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

285

The Week's Work.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

KTRODT. — It often hiippens that there is more
tentioii (iM-r tlie (|iuiHtios of tliis cmj) hetwciMi
crrower and those wlio have to ]n-e|jaie it than
. h any other vegetable sent into the kitclien.
'l'^ usual complaint is that the roots either lark a
p rich colour, or that they are too larije and
rse and toui^h in texture. These are tnatteis
v|ich it behoves the grower to nuard against as
as possible, though even when the roots are
V 1 grown in every respect, a great deal depends
how thev are prepared after they ha\-e left his
tids. A\iiere the seed was sown too early on
tip rieh land the evil of so doing will now be
v too apparent, as inste.ad of mediura-si/.eil
_ "pely roots with corres|)onding foliage, they
\^1 have become far too large for general use, and
will increase in size for some weeks to come,
rown roots are not only coarse in texture,
(hey seldom possess that deej) rich colour
viich is appreciated so much when sent to talile.
J ch as this may be regretted, nothing can be
die to cheek growth, as early lifting would
rult in the roots shrivelling prematurely, and
t y would become useless. It is not mitil
I vemhcr in some se,asons that growth is checked
i finst sufficiently to necessitate lifting and
r^. However carefully this may be done,
lilts never cook so well afterwards as wdien
J direct from the ground. For this reason it
good plan to leave a portion of the crop undug
1 protect it with straw}- litter on the approach
lard frost. It can often be preserved in tliis
into the new year and later, when by sowing
Iv in frames the season of stored roots is consider-
shortened. Beet re(|uires most careful treat-
I lit in getting it out of the ground, the least bruise
ireakageof roots leading to loss of colour. A fork
idd be used to assist in drawing the roots out of
ground, and in removing the foliage twist it oft',
: quite an inch or so away from the crown, or
ilwill prove as harmful as breaking the main
r|t. Of the several ways of keeping Beet as
mp as possible during the winter, I prefer to
jk the roots up in cone-shaped heaps in a cool,
cellar. They should be arranged so that the
c wns all point outwards, and no covering is
:es.sary. As a rule it is the crowns which com-
nce to decay first, and when the roots are
■own together into one large heap rot quickly
eads and many of them are spoilt. By being
aanged in the way described a certain amomit
c leaf growth takes place, and by having sand
- lot too dry — packed between them, small
ite fibres are formefl, which prevent shrivel-
l ;, and tliey last for months in the best con-
(ion. Of the several varieties I have grown
1 3 season, Dell's Crimson is still the liest, being
V form in size and of excellent (juality and
cour.

-'arrots. — What roots may remain from early
Slings of the small varieties should now be
1 ed and stored away for winter use. Instead of
tng these up at once I find it better to place
tm in a bin by themselves, and the}' invariably
k;pmuch better than larger roots which form
timain crop, and they come in most useful in
sing wlien Carrots are scarce. I am not in
fi our of leaving Carrots in the ground until late
i vutumn, as the heavy rains cause many of them
t iplit, while after a time they lose their colour,
alpalering.s form in the centre. If they can
t lifted befoi'e the ground becomes soddened
y h wet the roots come out much cleaner, and
ven large ([uantities have to be stored they
s uld be well dried previously. Only the perfect
r ts should be placed together, as a few bruised
o cracked ones soon decay. Imperfect roots
8 uld be used up first, as they answer the same
F pose as sound ones. It is only where there is
n other convenience in the way of a suitable
ri t store that Carrots should be buried in the
o n, and though they may keep well thus, it
IS lot so convenient to get them if required

during se\ere weather. A large quantity may be
stored in a small compass if made up in heajis as
described above for Beet. In this way they can
be easily e.vamined at short intervals, and they
keep in good condition when carefully placed in
sand.

(ii.or.K Aktii'Uokes. — I advised raising a batch
of plants from seed early last spring, and where
this was done a good siqiply of heads will now be
obtained, and the plants will continue to produce
them until cut olT by frost. It is certainly Jire-
ferablc to have beds well furnished with young,
vigorous plants than to see the plantation, as one
often does, iri-egular and patchy, owing to the
plants being killed by frost or too much wet.
This year's plants will be protected with long
litter as the season advances, which will give a
supply earlier next season, and by raising another
batch in February a long succession is maintained.
A few dishes of these for the next few weeks prove
very acceptalile, as they make a variety when
Scarlet Runners are cut oft'.

O'nmlirooil. RifH.ARI) P.IRKKH.

FRUIT UNDER GLASS.

Fii;s. — The season for these is fast drawing to a
close, and never do I remember Figs having been
more plentiful and in finer condition than they
hax'e been this year. Some March-started trees
are still caixying a good second crop, but these
will be over in a week or ten days ; and with this
exception, all trees are now bare of fruit and
taking a well-earned rest. All late-fruiting trees
should get plenty of air as soon as the crops are
cleared. Much less moisture will also be required
at the roots, and this, with a free circulation of
air, combined with the ripening influence of
autumn sunshine, should lead to the wood becom-
ing thoroughly consolidated and in the best pos-
sible condition for fruiting next season. If any
of these trees ha\'e been allowed to de\'elop fruits
within the past six weeks, they should be jnilled
oft' at once, as there is not the remotest chance of
their attaining maturity this year, while to allow
them to remain will only distress the trees. Such
work as root-pruning, and curtailing the root-run
of unfruitful trees should be pushed on with while
the dry weather allows of carting and wheeling
being done. Although Figs are now grown much
more extensively than was formerly the case, it
is astonishing the number of inquiries that are
made as to tlieir culture, more particularly with
regard to borders. There seems to be an im-
pression with many people that extensive borders
are necessary, and that the soil must be rich,
whereas the opposite is the case. Figs fruit best
when their roots are restricted, and when planted
in loam, to which lime rubble or some such cal-
careous matter has been freely added, (irowth
made under such conditions is always firm, of
medium strength, and an embryo fruit will be
found at the base of each leaf on every shoot
by the time autumn arrives. The roots may be
confined by brick walls, but if they are below ground
the joints should be pointed with cement to prevent
the roots escaping. Even when this precaution
is taken, it is always wise to throw out the sur-
rounding soil every autumn, in case any roots
should have made their way through a faulty
joint. The plan I favour most is to build a [lit of
brickwork from 3 feet to 4 feet long, 3 feet wide
and the same in depth, on the ground level, using
as a base paving stones, which are laid in cement
so that the roots cannot penetrate through the
joints. Six inches of drainage are placed in the
bottom of the bins, and the water escapes through
small apertures between the bricks in the lower-
most course. Trees planted in these pits or bins
will cover a large area of trellising and carry
heavy crops of fruit annually. Feeding is done
from the surface, and the mulching and a certain
amount of the surface soil are removed every
autumn to allow of a to|) dressing being applied.
Another method is to grow them in .scjuare beds of
soil enclosed with turf walls, built upon brick
floors or paving stones : but of the two I prefer
the brick pit, and give the above details for what

they may be worth. In the early house the per-
manently jilanted trees will have shed their leaves.
Whatever pruning is necessary can therefore be
done at once, and then the necessary steps for
cleaning the trees and the house, should insects
ha\'c gained a footing, can lie undertaken during
wet weather or when a suitable opportunity oU'ers.
Karly pot trees, if they were moved outdoors a few
weeks ago to undergo a thorough rest, should be
taken uiuler cover again. Before doing so the
house they are to occupy had better be cleansed,
and the trees taken to a shed to undergo a
thorough cleaning, if needed, before taking them
indoors. Scale is the principal insect pe.st which
attacks Figs, and no pains should be spared to
rid the trees of it. After cleansing both house
and trees and putting all in order, keep the house
|ierfectly cool until the time arrives for starting,
either in November or December.

Cherries. — Pot trees outdoors will be shedding
their leaves if they have not already done so.
They should now be looked over, when if any
pruning should be found necessary get it done at
once, in order that the wounds may lieal up before
there is a likebhood of a severe frost occurring.
Strictly speaking, pruning should be unnecessary
if due regard was paid to the stopping with the
finger and thumb of all young shoots during the
growing .se.ason. A free use of the knife on Cherry
trees, either in the autumn or winter months,
leads to gumming, and should therefore be
avoided. After this general look-over, get all
necessary potting and top-dressing done, if these
have not already had attention, after which stand
the trees in one block, with a sufficient space
between each to allow of Bracken or such like ma-
terial being packed between the pots or tubs in a
few weeks' time, as a protection against frost.
Planted-out trees will be going to rest, but addi-
tions to borders, lifting, transplanting and top-
dressing should be completed as early as circum-
stances will allow. Borders in newly-erected
houses should be made, and the planting done
forthwith, if trees have been grown at home for
one season with that end in view. If the trees
have to be purchased, a delay of a few weeks will
occur in the planting, but this need not prevent
having everything in readiness for their reception.
Plums.— As soon as the fruits are gathered
from the late varieties, such as (Jolden Drop and
.Jefferson's, look to the trees, potting or top-dressing
them as may be necessary. Then turn them out-
doors, and if the foliage has become infested with
insects take steps to eradicate them before placing
the trees with the others turned out a few weeks
ago. This mo\ing of the trees outdoors will leave
the houses at liberty for the housing of Chrysan-
themums where large numbers of these are grown,
an arrangement which generally works well,
while the Plums will be all the better for a few
months .sojourn in the outer air. These, like the
Cherries, should be so arranged that some non-
conducting material can be placed between the
pots later on.

Pe.vrs. — .As the fruits are gathered from these
take them to the potting shed and treat them as
advised for Plums, after which place them out-
doors in the full sun, on a hard foundation, .so
that worms cannot gain an entrance through the
crock holes. As winter approaches these must be
protected in the same way as advised for Cherries
and Plums. Trees on which the fruits are ripen-
ing must be carefully watered, as too much mois-
ture will lead to the "flavour being flat and insipid,
while the contrary treatment will cause the fruit,
to drop prematurely. A happy meilium must,
therefore, be hit oil which will keep the roots
supplied with just a suthcient amount of moisture
to enable the trees to iiirfect their fruits. Con-
tinue to feed trees of later varieties until the
fruits are full grown or on the point of ripening,
and then gi\e pure water only, observing the
foregoing conditions.

Ai'KicciT noisE. — This house cannot possibly be
kept too cool; therefore ven'ilators and doors
should be opened to their fullest extent. This
free volume of air continually passing through the
house and circulating among the trees, together

286

THE GARDEK

[October 9, 1897.

with the sunshine we may reasonably expect for
another four weeks, will assist the trees to plump
up their buds and lead to the thorough ripenincr
of the wood, without which it is useless to look
for good crops of fruit. Although the trees must
have free exposure as far as possible, the roots, or
rather the borders, must not in any way lie
neglected, and they must be kept in a properly
moist condition right through the winter months.
Inattention to this matter will lead to tlie buds
dropping in a wholesale manner next spring, and
this is more often than not the stumbling-lilock
in Apricot culture under glass. A. \\'.

Fruit and Vegetable Crops.

SCOTLAND.

Caprington Castle, Kilmarnock.— All the
fruit trees in the early spring looked promising,
but owing to the cold cutting winds and frost in
May, wall trees especially were badly crippled.
Peaches with four ply of netting on them are all
but a failure, the first miss I have had for a
number of years. Plums, with the exception
of Victoria and Magnum Bonum, are all blank.
Pears shared the same fate with the exception
of Marie Louise, Uuchesse d'Angoulume, Winter
Nelis and Hessel, which are all hea\-ily cropped.
Standard Apjiles were late in flowering and
escaped the cold winds. Some are laden to the
ground, especially Keswick C'odlin, StirlingCastle,
and Irish Codlin. Hawthornden has splendicl
crops, and there is a fair sprinkling on the others.
Raspberries are an abundant crop. White, Black,
and Red Currants are very heavy, also Goose-
berries. Cherries light.

Vegetables, though late in the early part of the
year, rnade rapid progress when good weather set
in. Midseason Peas are very poor owing to the
drought we had some time ago. Early Peas were
a splendid crop, and the late ones are looking
well. Potatoes are fine crops and clean, but the
disease has started amongst them. — Walter
Vons'c!.

Gattonside House, Melrose.— The Apples
and Plums here are much below the average.
Pears and Cherries average. Apricots none.
(Gooseberries are above average in quantity and of
splendid quality. Currants average : Black Cur-
rants in some places poor crop. Strawberries
splendid crop and of good quality. Raspberries
above the average.

Vegetables are aliove average. Peas have done
well. Cauliflower has been very good with me,
but I hear complaints from dift'erent parts as to
its doing badly. Potatoes are very good, both in
quantity and quality ; Sutton's Satisfaction is the
best second early that I have tried. — Robert
Weddell.

Hopetoun Gardens, Q,ueensferry, N.B.—

The autumn of ISOG being cold and wet, as a
rule fruit trees in this locality did not ripen their
wood very satisfactorily. Ne\-ertheless, an abund-
ance of flower-buds was formed. They, however,
looked small and not so plump as in former years,
consequently when the flowering season came
round the flowers were weak, and the cold, raw,
wet snap we experienced during that period
checked the natural flow of sap ; this, coupled with
occasional gales of east wind (prevalent here) and
an absence of sunshine, I have no doubt caused the
damage. The only varieties with anything like
a crop are the various Codlins. The bright warm
genial sunshine of the past month has improved
the trees, and I have no doubt the fruit will swell
to a nice size, the trees being in good health and
now free from insect pests. The Pear crop on
walls is certainly better than the Apple one, but

the same may be said of Pears as of the Ajiples

weak buds and weak flowers, the result lieino-
about half a crop, and with the lateness of the
season they may not swell to size as in former
years. Apricots not plentiful, but good. Sweet
Cherries are barely an average crop, and the

Morello Cherries are not so good. I do not
grow many Peaches on the open walls, but those
I have are good. Plums all but a failure, both
on walls and standards, (xooseberries are plentiful,
but small. Currants abundant. Strawberries
very good and abundant.

Vegetables are strong and vigorous, and I have
no doubt the sujiply will be quite equal to the
demand. — J. Smith.

Culzean Castle, Maybole.— The fruit crop
in this neighbourhood has been ^ery jjoor. Goose-
berries, Pears, Plums, and sweet Cherries, also
Black Currants in some gardens, have been ([uite
a failure. Ajiples in some gardens are very good,
but late ; I have a heavy crop in the gardens here.
Morello Cherries are also good.

All the earl}' vegetables were very poor, es-
pecially Cauliflower and French Beans ; the later
crops are looking more promising. Onions are
very bad with maggot. — David Mi-rray.

The Gardens, Orchardton, Castle Douglas,
N. B. — Although we had abundance of bloom,
Ajiricots, Pears, Plums, Cherries, and Damsons
are almost a failure. Cherries fell wholesale at
the stoning period, late spring frosts being the
cause. Apj)les are rather under average. All
small fruits are a good a\erage crop. Raspberries,
Red and Black Currants extra good both in quan-
tity and quantity.

All \egetable crops have done well. Peas are
extra good, although mildew has been trouble-
some. I am growing Autocrat this year for the
first time. It apiiears to be a good mildew-re-
sister and a good all-round Pea. Early and second
early Potatoes did very well indeed, no disease,
but later kinds are showing disease badly. — P.
Wilson.

Carron Lodge, Stirling. — Fruit crops which
are most abuntlant in this locality are Apples and
all small fruits. Of Apples, all the Codlin class,
especially Loril Suttield, Keswick Codlin, Lord
Grosvenor, Potts' Seedling, and Golden Spire are
the best. Stirling Castle, Cellini, Northern
Greening, Yorkshire Greening, Seaton House,
Sandringham, Wellington, King of Pippins,
Worcestershire Pearmain, Irish I'each, Reel
Astrachan, Golden Pippin, and Kerry Pippin are
loaded with fruit and have had the crops thinned.
The trees are mostly younrj and kept dwarf. They
are resting on a bed of broken bricks and lime
rubbish, the roots kept on a level with the
surrounding soil. The situation being low and
damp, it is necessary to keep the roots well up to
receive the benefit of the sun.

Vegetable crops never were started under
greater climatic difficulty, and made slow pro-
gress till July ; then they grew rapidly, and are
now, without exception, all one could wish.
Potatoes have been good, but disease has been in
evidence. Earliest sorts were very good. Sharpens
Victor (the yellow variety) was first and best.
Snowdrop is a favourite. Its small haulm allows
sun and air to reach the soil freely, which is
much in its favour on our damp soil. Onions are
late, but of capital quality. The most useful
Peas have been Chelsea Gem, Dr. McLean, Tele-
phone, Veitch's Perfection, Autocrat, and Ne Plus
Ultra as latest. — M. Temtle.

Galloway House, Garlieston.— The fruit
crops in this county are considerably below the
average of the last few years, but with the ex-
ception of Pears, which are very poor both against
walls and in the open, there is not very much to
complain of, for what is lacking in quantity
promises to be recom])ensed to a great extent in
the size and quality of the fruit. This applies
esjjecially to Apiples, which are veiy clean, large
and well shaped. Of these, the Codlins and
other early sorts are bearing full crops, while
later sorts, as Ecklinville, W^arner's King, Lane's
Prince Albert, Loddington and a few others, are
very satisfactory. Plums are below average, the
best being Rivers' Prolific, Czar, Kirke's, Victoria,
Lawsons Golden Gage and Pond's Seedling, which
are growing against walls with various aspects.
Standard trees are very thinly cropped, and
Damsons are a complete failure. Figs are heavily

cropiied. The sorts grown are Castle Kenned I
and Brown Turkey. The former has ripened J
quantity of very fine fruit, but owing to the late'
ness of the season, it depends upon the weatlit
during the next few weeks as to the success c
tlie latter. Peaches and Nectarines are a lighl
crop and the fruit much smaller than usuaj
Apricots were a light crop, but of very goo
quality. Cherries of dessert sorts were fairl
good, but Morellos both in quantity and qualit
are much below the average. Strawlierries wer'
very good, and the dry weather that prevailei
when the fruit was ripiening enabled the crop t
be secured in excellent condition. Gooseberries
Currants and Raspberries were good crops an
the fruit very fine. Pears, with the exception c
.Jargonelle, Beurre Ranee, Williimis' Bon Chrt
tien, Beurre d'Amanlis and Ne Pius Meuri:
which are against walls, are almost a failure.-
Jahes Dav.

IRELAND.

Charleville Forest, Tullamore I hav

never known the hardy fruit crops here so poo
The long, severe spring, which lasted almot
to the end of May, was simply ruinous to then
Apricots, Morello Cherries, Damsons, and I migl
almost add Plums, are a failure. Sweet Cherrii
a few. Apples and Pears about a quarter cro]
Strawberries good. Currants and Raspberries fai

The Potato crop has got a very early touch i
blight, which will give late sorts not much cham
for a return. The leaves are almost all c
Champion, just at the season when the tubi
ought to be swelling. The half of early kidnei
and second varieties is now rotten. Peas we'j
never better. Tlie same applies to all other veg
tables except Onions, which would ha\-e bet
benefited by more sunshine. — Roet. McKenna.

Castle Upton, Templepatrick.— The fru
crops here are much under average, with tl
exception of Raspberries, which were very hea\
and fine. Strawberries are very poor. 0th
bush fruit is a fair average. A few Apples, su(
as Warner's King, Keswick Codlin, Small's Admi
able, Irish Peach, Duchess of Oldenburg ai
Ribston Pippin, are a fair crop ; others poo
Pears, Plums and Cherries are poor.

Midseason Peas have been good. Early Pot
toes clean, but small. — E. Tapping.

Stradbally Hall, ftueen's Co.— After tl
wet, sunless weather we experienced here las
autumn, fruit trees, especially Pears and Plum
made a good show- of bloom. Consequently, w
anticipated a grand fruit year, but the ilay fro;
blighted the bloom. This garden being low an
late escaped better than most in the district, son
of which have scarcely an Apple, Pear, or Plui
on the ti'ees. Here we have very few Pears (
Plums, but a vei-y fair crop of Apples. Of dessei
sorts, Devonshire Quarrenden and King of tt
Pippins are fairly cropped. Of kitchen sort:
Tower of ({lamis, Fillbasket, Oat's-head, Warner
King, and a local sort named The George ai
the most plentiful. The last-named Apple is b
far the heaviest cropper we have this season. 1
is a beautiful fruit and a good cooker. Of sma
fruits. Red Currants were good ; Black poor
(iooseberries medium. Raspberries showed plei
tifullj', but many of the fruits failed to swel
Strawberries, Noble and Vicomtesse H. de Thiirj
were heavily cropped and good : Sir Joseph Pa-^
ton and Latest of All were poor in crop, but c
good quality.

Vegetables, although late, are quite up to th
average in iiuality ; Onions are especially god
with me, but I sowed the main crop on a hot-bei
in February, and planted out between youn;
Strawberries in April. On our cold, wet soil
have never been able to get really good Onion
by the ordinary system of sowing, and wouli
strongly advise anyone in a similar position t
try the frame system. There is no loss of time
as there is no after-thinning to do. — .T. Twendali

Headfort Gardens, Kells, Co. Meath.-
We had a fine show of bloom, but owing to tn
wet and cold season we have very little fruit

OCTOBKR 9, 1897.]

Till'] (JAUHRK

287

iile-s ai-f under averajco ; Pears the sanu> : bush
itsscari'i'. StniwlR'rries promised well, luitthe
iifall here for tlie moiitli of June was (i "ili in.,

1! result, bciu^ that all the best fruit rotted.

'o kinds 1 favour ai'o Royal Sovereii;n, Noble,
HoflKi luiil Latest of All. I grow others.

It the above-mentioned do best with us. — Ias.

■ IfNSLOW.

Elastic Macgarrett. Claremorris.— The fruit
lips in the 'jardius liere are mui'h below the
lerftge. -Apples and Tears very light. Plums
:cl Cherries on walls fair. Filberts good. Small
jiitswere plentiful, (iooseberries and Currants
< all kinds very good ; also Strawbeiries.

^'egetables of all kinds satisfactory. The fol-
Iving Peas have done well this season : Tele-
jiph, Fillbasket,.\lpha, Prizetaker, and Champion

I England. We have beautiful green Peas now
(ctober). Telegraph is a splendid Pea and does
■■11 here. Potatoes not so heavy as last season ;
(ulity poor. I'otatoes planted early in March
13 much better than late-planted ones : the latter
jt diseased before they are fully grown and ma-
ired.— J. Qi'A.

Straffan House, Straffan Station, Co. Kil-
,1-e.— The fiuit crops in this neighbourhood are
uch under average, brought about by the severe
■)sts of March .'id (14°) and April '2 (IP), each of

II hours' duration. Peaches, Apricots and Plums
; i failures, and the Peach trees nearly all killed
.triglit. Of Apples, we have good crops of Lord

rtieid, Blenheim, Northern (Jreening, Fearn's
ppin, Loddiugton, Cellini, Bess Pool and Bram-
,■'3 Seedling, and in each ease these kinds bore
ry heavy crops in ISilo and ISflli. Pears are
arly an average crop. Marie Louise, Winter
?li8. Passe Colmar, Knight's Monarch, Ne Plus
euris, Beurre Ranee and Alexandre L.ambrehave

good crops. Strawberries were an extra heavy
op, Royal Soverign, Mcomtesse Hericart de
lury, Waterloo and President being the best.
loseberries. Raspberries and Currants of all
nds were e.^Jcellent, but much damaged by wet.
Vegetables, on the whole, have not been a suc-
S3. Runner Beans good and Veitch's Criterion
ias extra good, but other kinds poor as regards
op. — FitEUEiticK Bedford.
Fota, Coi-k.— Fruit crops in the south of Tre-
nd are nuu-h below the average. February was
warm and dry month, which unduly excited the
p of fruit trees. In March and April there
;re heavy gales of wind and rain. The Plum
ossom opened first, only to be cut off by the wind

fast as every bud expanded. Pears followed,

be treated the same ; Cherries also. The mean
mperature of the three months was the same,
cept that of February, which was about half
degree warmer th.an the two following months.
nail fruits were very partial ; in one garden, as
re, (iooseberries were a full crop, in others in
e neighbourhood none ; other small fruits
ider average ; Strawberry season short. Apples
e an average crop and fruit clean, but not so
;11 coloured as last year. The following are
aring heavy crops : King of Pippins, Blenheim
•ange. Cox's Orange Pippin, Worcester Pear-
lin, Kerry Pippin, Ashmead's Kernel, Queen,
)wer of (Jlamis, Lord ( Jrosvenor, Lane's Prince

bert. Small's .\dmirable, Sandringham, Stone's,

arner's King, Tom I'utt, Winter Hawthornden,
idy Henniker, ( !ascoigne's .Seedling, Alfriston,
ilden Noble, and Bramley's Seedling, a con-
int and heavy bearer. I mention this because
liny may be deterred from planting it, in consc-
ience of the few unfavourable rejiorts we read
)m time to time as to its bad growth and shy
aring ; here it commences to bear after two
ars. It is a splendid grower, and bears heavy
•jps of tine clean fruit every year. The old
rourite, Wellington or Dumelow's Seedling, is
cless here, so the heads ha\e been cut off and
afted with Bramley's, branches of this lieing

w bent to the ground by the weight of fruit.

neution this to sliow that there cannot be any

rd and fast line drawn as to the best varieties

• fruit for every garden ; other fruitsare in Suenced

like manner uy soil and locality. Pears are

■ irce, and these cracked and malformed ; Peaches

a very heavy crop under glass copings and well
coloured, but lacking sugar in con.sequenccof the
sunless August. Figs and Mulberries are line
crops, but destroyed l>y birds and wasps. —
W. OsnoKNE.

SUPPLEMENTARY.

Adding'ton, 'Winslcw. — The fruit crop is dis-
appointing. ,\pplcs may be said to be a (;om-
plete failure, the very heavy crop carried last year
may partly account for this. Pears are also a tliin
crop with the exception of Bon Chretien, .Marie
Louise d'Uccle, and Ci'assane. I'liim trees sliowed
a great deal of blossom, but during the time they
were in flower we had a long spell of dry, east
wind, which did much damage. Some young
es])aliers are, however, bearing a fine crop, par-
ticularly one named The Czar, also Prince Engle-
bert and .Monarch. Small fruits of all sorts are
abundant and good.

Vegetables of almost all kinds have done well
this year, the exception being the Pea crop, which
was soon o\er. All the Brassicas are now look-
ing strong and liealthy, so the prospect for
autumn and winter is good. Of early Potatoes I
find Sharp's Victor a really good kind, both for
produce and ipiality, .and it has been perfectly
free from disease. Among later kinds 1 have a
suspicion that disease exists, but I have not
proved it yet. I may say a word in favour of
Veitch's Climbing Bean, it is most productive and
of excellent quality. — A. Mathie.son'.

Ash-wellthorpe Hall, Norfolk. — Fruit crops
in this gartlen are far lielow the average. Apples
being a total failure. Pears are a very poor crop.
Plums are very thin on the walls and on the
standard trees. Damsons are almost a failure.
Ajiricots are the best crop we ha\e. Peaches
and Nectarines on unprotected walls are a fair
crop. Gooseberries, Currants, and Raspberries
were a very thin crop. In this neighbourhood
Raspberries are grown largely for market, and
the crop was only about a third of what it usually
is.

Vegetables of all kinds have done fairly well.
Peas better than usual. The Potato crops are
very good indeed, and Onions in this garden have
never been better. — T. B. Field.

Osterley Park, Isleworth. — The fruit crop
is much below the a\'erage. Apples are very
scarce with the exception of the early and soft
varieties, such as Keswick and Lord Suffield,
which ha\ e carried fair crops. Pears and Plums
are a failure. Bush fruits are much below the
average, while Peaches on the open walls are
carrying heavy crops. I gathered the first dish
of Hale's Early on July 'itl, ten days later than
last year. The trees suffered badly from blister
early in the ye.ar, owing to cold winds and late
frosts. Strawberries have Ijeen excellent with me
this season. Walnuts are a failure and Cob Nuts
a good crop.

Early Potatoes have been a good crop and free
from disease, but I find it spreading in the later
crops. Peas did well in the early part of the
season, but after the heat and drought they were
badly attacked with mildew and thrips. .Such
sorts as Daisy, May Queen, Veitch's Perfection,
and .4utocrat bore the best crops. Beans have
done well. Root crops look remarkably well since
the recent heavy rains. — .J.\s. H.vwkes.

Ted-worth, Marlborough.— Fruit crops in

this neighbourhood are very disappointing, espe-
cially stone fruits. Plums and Apricots are
almost a failure. Cherries a light crop. Apples
jiartial, early varieties being much better than
late ones. Lord (Jrosvenor, Lord Sutheld, Cox's
Pomona, King of Pippins, Yellow Ingestre,
Worcester Peaimain, Beauty of Bath, Irish Peach,
Stirling Castle, Eeklinville .Seedling and Lane's
Prince Albert are carrying good cro[)s. Some
later varieties are carrying half crops, although
all blossomed well. We certainly had some late
frosts, but I think the cold winds did the mis-
chief. Pears in some places are satisfactory, but
in others light. Our best varieties are Clapp's

Favourite, Seckle, Thompson's, Brown Beurrfi,
Beurre Ranee, Clou .Moreeau and Josephine de
iMalines, with a fair crop of Doyenne du Comice.
Peaches and Nectarines inside have been very
good, but are \'ery iinsatisfacttjry on outside walls,
sud'ering more than usual from blister. Straw-
berries have been very satisfactory, both forced
and in the open. Ras|jberrie3 were also a good
crop, Ijiit suffered somewhat fiom drought.
.Superlative is a line fruit. Black Currants were
a heavy cro]) of line fruit. Red and White
Curiants very scarce. Gooseberries were also a
good crop and trouliled little with caterpillar.
Nuts of all kinds are jilentiful ; in fact, I never
recollect such a heavy cro[) of Hazel Nuts.

Vegetable crojis are good. There are heavy
crops of Potatoes and very little disease at pre-
sent. Peas have done better in than the jjast two
seasons. Sutton's {'limbing French Bean E|)icure
is very good, being a heavy cropper and the flesh
delicate. — ( i. 1 .s 1 : i,i:ki eed.

Tring Park, Tring.— Fruit crops here and
in the neighbourhood are generally unsatisfactory.
Apples are very light, having borne heavy cro[)s
for two years previously. There are a few kinds
I might mention carrying fair crops; the.se are
Eeklinville, Duchess of Oldenburg, Lady Sudeley,
Lane's Prince -■Albert, Winter Hawthornden, King
of Pippins, Dumelow's Seedling, Hanwell Souring,
and Court Pendu Plat. Pears are a good crop
and above average, quality very good. Plums on
standards and bush trees are quite a failure.
Some kinds on walls are carrying fair crops.
Cherries quite a failure, including Morellos.
Bush fruits have been very good. Strawberries,
Nuts, and Filberts are carrying very heavy crops.

Vegetable crops have required much watering,
the season being a very dry one. Mid-season
Peas were badly affected with mildew. Early
Potatoes are small in consequence of the drought,
and late ones were a long time coming through the
ground from some cause. As yet I have not
found any di.sease. — Enwix Hill.

Ottersha-w Park, Chertsey. — Pears on walls
have a fair crop, and a few sorts in the o|)en have
a few fruits. The following Apples are bearing
the most fruit: (Jrenadier, Lady Henniker, Kes-
wick Codlin, Lane's Prince Albert, Lord Sutlield,
-•\nnie Elizabeth, Red .luneating, Stirling Castle,
(41oria Muiidi and Fletcher's Prolific. Apples,
Pears, Plums and Cherries are poor. Peaches and
Nectarines average and good.

Early vegetables ha^ e been very good, but late
ones have sull'ered in places from want of water.
Early Potatoes ^\■ere very good. The second
earlies are yielding good sound tubers and the
late ones are looking very well. — T. OsM.vs.

Crowsley Park, Henley-on-Thames. — The

fruit crop in this neighbourhood is very poor in-
deed. Ap])les here .are very indifferent. On many
of the trees there is no fruit whatever, while just
a few are carrying a small ([uantity. In most of
the orchards round here Apples are a complete
failure. Peaches and Nectarines are excellent.
The fruit required a good deal of thinning out.
The trees are healthy and clean, although they
«ere much injured by lilister in the early part of
the season. Pears thin. Plums and dessert
Cherries almost a failure ; .Morellos thin. Cur-
rants, Gooseberries and Raspberries a fair crop.
Strawberries good. Filberts and the common
Hazel Nuts \ery abundant; Walnuts poor.

The vegetable crop was very satisfactory in the
early part of the season, but a great falling off'
took ijlace after the drought had well set in. — W.

( ; E.VSSE Y.

Ripley Castle. — There was a splendid show
of blossom on all fruit trees, but a long
spell of cold north-easterly winds followed by
severe drought has materially altered the pro-
mise of spring. Apples are erratic, some trees
carrying gootl crops, others \ery thin indeed. Of
kitchen sorts, the best cropped are Lord Sutfield,
Eeklinville Seedling, Alfriston, Norfolk Dump-
ling, Councillor, --Xrinie Elizabeth, Mere de Menage,
Nelson and Keswick Codlins ; of dessert kinds,
Irish Peach, Early Harvest, King of the Pippins

288

THE GARDEX.

[October 9, 1897,

and Devonshire Quarrenden are bearing most
freely. Pears also are erratic ; those bearing most
freely are Citron des Carmes, Jargonelle, Louise
Bonne of Jersey, Pitmaston, Glou Morceau,
Althorp Crasstne and Moorfowl's Egg-. More
rain is badly needed in this district, otherwise
Apples and Pears will not attain much size.
Plums are a failure throughout. Apricots are
very thin and many branches are dj'ing off.
Cherries, both sweet and Morello, are thin crops
and gumming is more prevalent than usual.
Strawberries were a heavy crop, but suffered
through drought. Gooseberries, Red and Black

ful and over average. Strawberries ]5romised
well before the disastrous frost in the early part
of May, which blackened all the first and strongest
flowers, which alone can be reckoned on to pro-
duce a heavy crop. The later flowers, though
they came on and did fairly well, the season
being in every way favourable for their develop-
ment, did not yield more than an under average
crop. A])])les are generally scarce : here and
there a fair sprinkling may be seen on some trees,
our best being Duchess of Oldenburg and Blen-
heim. Irish Peach and Lord Sufiield are fairly
good. Plums are a light crop, Victoria and

Ferns.

FILMY FERNS.

(todeas.)
Filmy Ferxs form two distinct groups, om
having large and bold coriaceous fronds, thi!
other having fronds thin and pellucid in texture
T. africana is the plant upon which the genu;'
was established. It was introduced into thii
country from tlie Cape of Good Hope about tin
year 1805. The well-known Australian e.\

Todea poUncida. From a photograph ly Miss Willmott, Warley Place, Essex.

Currants are hea\y crops. Raspberries average,
but soon over. Filberts good.

The \egetable crops ha\ e suffered from the dry
summer. Early and midseason Cauliflowers were
very unsatisfactory. Peas are bearing good crops
of excellent quality, but each sowing ([uickly
failed. Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli and other winter
greens look well. Root crops are good. Potatoes
are good and perfectly free from disease.— J.

TUNNINOTON.

Clarendon Park.— The whole of the fruit
crops here in South Wilts must be regarded as
under average except Nuts, which are very plenti-

Rivers' Early Prolific being the best bearers.
Apricots were thin, as also Cherries, except May
Duke, which liore a light crop. Currants and
• iooseberries were about an average with me,
but in some gardens near Gooseberries fell from
the trees after the frosts in JIay. Nuts over
average.

Vegetables of all kinds have done well, early
and mid-season Peas especially so, but late sorts
were checked by the dry weather. Potatoes are
good and promise well almost everywhere here
about, and up to middle of August but little dis-
ease.was to be seen. — C. W.\rdex.

phjrer, Allan Cunningliam, sent home fruin
that country a similar plant under tlie name "f
T. australasica, also known as T. rivularis, but
the Australian and African iilants are now con-
sidered to be identical. Notwithstanding this
decision, however, under cultivation the African
plant doe.s not attain to anytliing near the pri'
portions that the Australian plant assumes, nor
is it such a vigorous grower ; its fronds ^rc
more triangular in outline, and the plant altn-
getlier is more spreading in habit. The Austra-
lian plant produces fronds from 3 feet to C feet

OcTOBEii 0, 1897.]

Till'] GARDEN.

289

L'ligtli, or more. In (liunp ravines in Vic-
n it iittiiins gigantic ijroportions, inas.scs of
loasuving .some C feet in height, more than

llllV

t)|t in diameter, and over a ton in weight.

. (LW'TOITERIS) UVMKNOrMYU.OM)K.S, also

wn by the name of pelhicida (.see cut), pro-

es fronds ti'inngiUar ill oiithiie from 12 inches

S inches long, and from (i iiiclies to 9 inches

e in tlie liioadest jiait ; tliey are, however,

■efreinii'iitly of smaller dimeii.sions : the fronds,

eh are twice divided, have elegantly-cut scg-

irits, whilst the texture of the pinna' is thin

ai' membranous, and the colour deep green. It

ciles from mountain ranges in New Zealand.

SCI'KRH.v is also a New Zealand plant, popu-

known as the Ostrich-feather Fern, from the

■mblance of its fronds to the curled plumes of

til bird. In outline it is vasiform ; the fronds

aiisome l.S iiu'lies to 24 inches in length, taper-

inat each end. The point of the segments curls

ujards, giving the fronds a peculiarly beautiful

cri«vte appearance ; they are bright green when

yctug, but become dark green when old.

'. iNTEKMi'.ni.v is a magnificent Fern, partaking

does of the characters of both the two pre-

■ly named kinds, but it does not possess the

like form of superba, although its fronds are

rwhat recurved.

Fkaskri resembles the last in general outline ;

una- are alternate, the segments more dis-

, and the lip finely divided. It comes from

South Wales.

\VlLKKsi.\N.\ is a veiy beautiful plant. It

illy grows from 3 feet to ") feet in height ; the

St I is very slender, not larger than an ordinary

Wiving-cane, but occasionally stouter. The

frids are some 2 feet in length.

ideas are not difficult to cultivate ; they

thve in moist spots in a tropical fernery, and

qually at home in a cool house ; we liave

them growing vigorously in an unheated

with the protection of a matin sharii, frosty

wiJher ; whilst as ornaments in a Wardian case

in iwelling-rooms the filmy-fronded kinds are

uinualled. Wherever grown, however, tlie

^uls rays should never reach them, but do not

sh|e them with green glass, or the beauty of

'■■• I'legant fronds will be de.stroyed. Tiiese

'■njoy moist air ; their fronds like to be

iitly liedewed with the syringe, whilst the

iiust be kept wet, but water must never

about them. The soil should be good,

> peat, a little loam, and some sharp river

being that the roots perish before they ha\ e a
chance to get out. Very pretty baskets may lie
made by phieing a strong plant in the centre,
and, as the young crowns appear on tlie tips of
the fronds, pegging these down to the sides of
the basket. In about three years they will be at
their best, and another set shouhl be planted to
take their place when they become too thick, for
the beauty of this Fern lies in its lightness and
airy character, and this is to some extent lost in
a thick mass of fronds.

The best viiiy to propagate O. schizophylla is
by means of the young crowns referred to, these
being laid on small pots of compost near the
parent ]5lant until rooted. They come away with
more freedom than divided portions of an old
plant, as these cannot be separated without losing
inanv of the best roots. If only the latter are at

lirominent, the eluiiips of the heavier-foliaged
kinds serving to show uji those of the lighter
and more graceful kinds. The colour also, or
the shades of green, should be considered, and
thus another feature of interest utilised in the
arrangement to produce improved eilect.

TiMK I'oii Planting.
Autumn is the best time of the year for the
planting of Ferns out of doors, as, their .sea.son's
growth having been made, they will bear re-
moval tlien better than when in gr<iwing condi-
tion, and tliere i.s little risk of injury )irovided
reasonable care is exercised. When replanted
in September or October tiie plants have an
opportunity to make roots and become established
by the spring. They may, indeed, be .safely re-

imaiid, place them in as small pots as passible [ moved any time before growth commences, but
in a moist house, so that they may be kept fresh the longer the interval between their removal
without very much root moisture. Once let the i and their commencing to grow, the better it
■oots get hold of the soil they are all right, but | will be for them. All Ferns should be removed

the latter soon becomes sour and unsuitalile for
them when the moisture is not taken up. This
fine species is a native of .lamaica and was intro-
duced in 1880. There is a garden form called
gloriosa which is stronger in growth, but the type
is as often as not sold for it. R.

GYMNOORAMMA SCHIZOPHYLLA.

Th is one of the most beautiful Ferns in cul-

ii'ii, and very pretty in a young state. In a

house it is of the easiest culture and

■< either in pots or baskets, its habit fitting

II for the latter. It should, if iiossible, be

■ ifled where the fronds cannot be touchtil or
d. as when grown on a stage with other

■ they are apt to be. The fronds on well-
I specimens grow from IS inches to 2 feet in
', and the pinme are deeply cut, the dark,

-lems showing plainly through them. It is

■i-'ood jiractice to syringe this Fern much

■ "-ad ; a light dewing may do no harm on

li'iljdrying days. If required for table decora-

tioilt may easily be kept in small pots ; in fact,

■ iiiich safer under than over-potted in any

lut; when a plant becomes very much pot-
I it is wise to give the roots a chance to get
tiom the old ball before repotting. This
done by tuniintr it out of its pot and lay-
liir a time in a little loose Fern compost.
ny rootlets .soon begin to run out into this,
'he plant may safely be potted, with a
't the new material clinging to the roots. If

■ Hi a fresh pot without this precaution
1 liall often gets dried up, while the
il around it is moist, the consequence

THE HARDY FERNERY.

Now that autumn has come, with its fine days
and cool nights, the best time of the year has
arrived for the formation of new ferneries out-
doors or the re-arrangement of old ones. This,
therefore, is an approjiriate time to bring for-
ward the

Mode of Planting.
The planting of Ferns is often done without
any .system, in a sort of haphazard style, and
thus the effect is considerably minimised.
^Vhile sy.stem however is nece.ssary for the
production of the best results and efl'ects, it
must not be supposed that a symmetrical and
artificial style is advocated. < )ne thing which
is perhaps more noticeable than any other in
the natural habitats of the Fern family is the
manner in which they grow. As a rule, where
Ferns are abundant they are found growing in
masses or clumjis of each individual kind, and
although stragglers are found outside of these
elnm])s, they are as it were colonisers, which
have by some means become isolated, but which
will proceed to gather around them a progeny
by oti'shoots or spores, which will in course of
time form equally effective masses as those
exi.sting in their immediate neighbourhood.
For instance, on the mountain sides are seen
square yards covered with nothing but the
Parsley Fern (Allosorus crispus) ; in other
places dense masses of the Lady Fern (Athy-
rium filix-fiemina) ; elsewhere even larger
masses of the Male Fern (Lastrea iilix-mas).
In some places the mountain Buckler Fern
(Lastrea montana) abounds, forming long,
irregular masses ; and the same remarks may
be made in reference to most of the British
species. When these things are considered
they serve to guide Fern cultivators in the
style they should adopt in the planting of
Ferns in their gardens, whether in rock wi irk or
otherwise. Far t( lo frequently Ferns are di itted
about and intermingled one with another, so
that there is nothing definite in the effect, all
individuality of species being lo.st. To prevent
this, and at the .same time to come as near as
possible to Nature's ways. Ferns should be
planted in clumps, say half a dozen or so of a
kind together. By this means each kind will
be kept distinct, and an effect produced at once
pleasing and natural. By a judicious arrange-
ment of the different genera and species or
varieties, the peculiarities of e.ach may be made

and re]ilanted with as many roots as possible ; if
the whole of the living fibrous roots they have
made are left intact there is far more certainty
of their making vigorous and .satisfactory growth
the following season than if a number of these
feeders are broken ott' and the plants deprived
of their a.ssistance. At this season also division
of the crowns and rhizomes may be most safely
accomplished, and thus an increased number of
plants be secured for extension of the fernery.

Many people have a clearing up when the
leaves have fallen from the trees and the Fern
foliage becomes brown, but in the interest of the
Ferns this should be jiostponed until spring.
The fronds of the Ferns and the fallen leaves
when left on and about the plants serve
materially to protect the crowns and slender
creeping rhizomes of such as the Oak Fern, the
Beech Fern, and similar kinds from the frosts
and cold winds. They also serve to retain
moisture about the plants, which is very bene-
ficial during even the dormant season. In
spring, when tlie new fronds begin to start and
growth is on the point of becoming vigorous, it
is advisable to remove the old fronds, as they
are not then of much further use to the plants,
and they can be dispensed with and the fernery
cleared uji ready for the new season.

An im]iortant matter in the making of
a new or in the reconstruction of an old
fernery is the supply of proper compost for the
Ferns to grow in. When possible some good
fibrous turfy loam should be procured, and
after the removal of any growing material, the
fibrous portion should be chopped up so as to
form a nice rough mass. To this should be
added an equal proportion of good partially
decayed leaf-mould, another equal ijuantity of
good fibrous peat, and about an erjual propor-
tion of sharp sand. These mixed together will
form a compost in which almost any Fern wiU
grow luxuri.antly. Of coni.se, some of the kinds
require a little variation. For instjince, the
Polypodies will be better with a double (|uantity
of leaf-mould, the Osmundas a double quantity
of peat, the Scolopendriums will al.so be bene-
fited by a free admixture of lime in the form of
old mortar, broken oyster shells, or tufa dust.
Blechnums, however, cannot do with lime .at all,
hence it is a good jihui to mix up the general
compo.st first, and then, taking this ;is the foun-
dation, provide the various kinds with anything
special which they may require. There are
many very beautiful varieties among the hardy
Ferns which, unfortunately, are far from being
as well known and .as extensively cultivated as
they deserve. Some of the North American
species are exceedingly hardy and their style of
foliage quite distinct from anything among
British Ferns, while, on the other hand, .some
of the varieties of our native Lady Fern, Poly-

290

THE GARDEN.

[October 9, 1897.

pody and Shield Fern are exquisite in their
tinely divided fronds and delicate shades of
sreen. B.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

APPLE LORD DERBY.

This variety is well known and worth a jironii-
nent position in tlie garden. I well remember
at the National Apple Conference at the Royal
Horticultuial Society's Gardens at C'hiswick in
1883 this variety was shown in no less than
forty-three collections from all parts of the
country, and a dish from Messrs. Lane and
Sons, Berkliamsted, was specially fine. Mr.
Barron describes it as a large, oblong, angular,
greenish-yellow, mid-season fruit of first quality
for cooking, a fine handsome Apple and a great
bearer. These, remarks eveiyone will admit,
are very apj)ropriate. It appears to have had
no synonyms at the congress noted above, and
this is strange, as many of our most popular
Apples have numerous synonyms. The congress
alluded to is now bearing excellent fruit, as we
have at the ]5resent day evidence of better
cultivation, and growers now grow the better
fruits which were less known at the time noted.

This variety is often mistaken for Gloria
Mundi and Belle Dubois, but if the fruits are
placed side by side it is .soon distingui.shed, as
Gloria Mundi is the less angular of the two,
much jjaler green, and in my opinion not nearlj'
so good as Lord Derby. In the north tlic Apple
illustrated is one of the most popular kinds
grown, and in cooking Apples size is not de-
spised. Though a midseason fruit, it may be
kept well into spring in a cool store. The
flesh of this Apple is greener than is often seen
in many of the large cooking varieties, and to
this may be attributed its good keeping, as
the dark green skin is haid and very bright at
the time of gathering. Few Apples are better
for exhibition than Lord Derby. This season I
had fruits nearly o inches in height, and I
noticed at the Royal Horticultural Society's
show at the Crystal Palace on Sept. .'50 some
grand specimens of this variety exceeding the
dimensions given above. No less than twelve
lots were staged in the single dish class, and the
fruits were very tine indeed also in the collec-
tions of dishes of cooking varieties.

As regards soil it does not appear fastidious,
as I have it in very poor soil resting on gravel,
and even thu.s the trees make a strong growth,
indeed too strong, unless the roots are curbed.
If on the Paradise stock there is less rank
growth, and the trees rarely fail to crop freely.
In suitjible soils the fruit colours up well if not
gathered too early, assuming a golden colour.
It is at times used for dessert, and anyone who
likes an acid flavour will find this to his
liking, as at the season named the flavour is
brisk and pleasant. It makes a grand orcliard
tree, as in this way the tree is given more
liberty, making an erect gi-owth, and is most
valuable for market work. In all selections of
Apples for cooking, keeping, and jjrotit, I
would give this a place if only a dozen of the
best were selected, on account of its free-crop-
ping ijualities and absence of small useless
fruits. For cordon culture I do not advise it, as
it grows too strong, and if not frequently rcjot-
pruned the wood is gross. Lord Grosvenor, one
of the Codlins, is far better as a cordon.

G. Wythes.

Pear Comte de Flandre. — I have only met
with this Pear on one or two occasions, yet when
gathered just at the right time and stored in a

cool room the fruit ripens up well and the flavour
is very good. The fruit, moreover, keeps some
time in good condition. One thing I have always
noticed in connection with this Pear is that if
grown in a shallow, light soil, or not supplied
with water in a dry season, the fruits are almost
sure to fall. Where it does well, gathering should
be postponed till as late as possible, or tlie fruit
will shrivel. In cool, moisture-retaining soil
it does best, the foliage being large and of a very
dark shining green colour. I have a healthy tree
in upright cordon form on a west wall. This bears
well in five seasons out of six. The only fault I
have to find with this Pear is that it casts a por-
tion of its fruit if allowed to get too dry at the
roots. — J. Crawford, Coddimjioii Hall.

Apple trees on mounds. — Having a rough
grassy bottom with a hard chalkstone base near
to his kitchen garden at Lockinge, on which it
was desired to plant Apple trees, Mr. Fyfe, having
broken up roughly the bottom where each tree
was to stand, carted in a load of rough soil to
each one, put it down as a mound, then planted
the tree on to it. The trees did remarkably well,
and since then their root area has been added to

with advantage, as in finally transplanting t
where to remain and fruit, there need be littl
exposure of the roots, and the work can be don
early in the autumn. In transplanting it is wis
to prune back the roots of yearlings somewhat a
the result is for the second transplanting clum)
of nice fibrous roots close home. Toward.? tli
spring the heads should be hard pruned aU<
unless it be done when the roots are pruned ei
planting. — A. 1).

DAMSONS.

The notes on Damsons by " S. B. M." (page 24>
are well worth reading. He prefers the Ion;
fruited, oval-shaped varieties from a flavour poii
of view. On this point I am at one with bin
and think that no variety equals the well-know
Shropshire or iMichaelmas Plum, us it is sometime
called. Tliere is a peculiar richness about th
sort that one finds in no other. My opinion
that there is more deception attending the sale ■
Damsons than any other of the Plum tribe, and i
this neighbourhood and the midland countii
generally a small blue Plum almost as large ;

Apple Lord Derby.

by carting or wheeling to the mound all sorts of
garden refuse or soil, which, decomposing, forms
material into which the roots run. None can
strike downwards, as the base is too hard and im-
pervious. For that reason, no doubt, there is no
evidence of canker. There are many trees of
good varieties, and there was for the season on
them recently very fine fruit. On the south-west
side a dense Yew hedge ottered needful shelter
from occasional fierce winds that come from off'
the Berkshire downs. — --V. D.

Propagating' bush fruits.— The earlier in
October good stout, straight slioots can be taken
from the bushes of Gooseberries and Currants for
the making of cuttings, and the more quickly
planted, the better prospect of a good take and
the forming of strong young bushes next year.
The market grower^, in putting down breadths by
thousands, prefer yearlings, as cheaper and more
likely to root quickly. In private gardens where
a few dozen only may be grown in this way
yearly, to keep the fruit garden or orchard well
furnished, transjilanting yearlings into a fresh
nursery bed, gi\ing moie room and growing on
into larger bushes a second year, may be done

the Early Violet, and known to growers as t
Damsene is often ijalmed ott' as a real Damn
The flavour is inferior to that of any of t
Damsons, the fruit generally eating dry. I I
lieve, however, thai; the flavour is much i
fluenced by the soil in which the trees are gro«
and although I suppose no good reason could
given, it is a fact that the trees are in more garde
than not planted in shaded positions near lar
trees. Perhajis the hardy character of this fni
tempts people to jilant thus, reserving the moi
open sunny positions for the larger sorts of Plum;
Perhaps the most profitable Damson for marke
because the freest bearer, is the Farleigh Prolih'
Kent Cluster or Crittenden. It is well th:
planters should be made aware of these varioij
aliases, as no doubt this Damson lias in nioj
than one instance been planted undtr all thr'
names with the idea that they were distin
varieties. From a sale point of view this won
not so much matter, but where diflerence
character and flavour is looked for it is ai
appointing. To pros'e that new Damsons ;i
taking a much larger form, I may mention tlij
a small Plum sent out by a leading firm has I

October 9, 1897.]

THE OAT^DEN.

291

lers been diiblied a Diimsoii, as it partakrs, as

jythink, more of t lie character of tlio latter tliari

former. This is lunv known l)v llie irinie of

je Prolific I )amsun. It bears wonderfully fre(?ly,

■ries a lieaiitifiil bloom, hangs a long time on

I) trees, being ready for use in August, and is of

)d tlavom-. 1 do not care for a sweet Damson,

ferriTig ttiat pleasant bitterness so prominent

the old Sluo|ishire, but for those who would

j)reciate 0[ie as sweet as the choicest dessert

Ijin, Frogmore Damson, an early variety and

(bd yielder, is such. One great characteristic

Ifturo of Damsons of all sorts is their exceptional

Irdiness, this no doubt being the reason why so

ny advocate planting in hc<lgerows and similar

|,ce8. The thing is ri^-ht enough in purely rural

tricts, but in tlie vicinity of towns it only leads

tjise so inclined to lueak ilie law of trespass, de-

»Dy the hedges, and steal the fruit.

Jdcieties and Exhibitions.

J. CR.\WKORn.

I(UIT SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE.

SkI'TEMBKR .so .\ND OcTOBKR 1 AND 2.

1e general consensus of opinion with respect to
1 5 exhibition was that it fully maintained the
h|h degree of excellence att-iined in previous
rs. There may not have been anything very
srtling as compared with previous shows, but
t average quality throughout was remarkably
g|id. Those exhibitors who a few years back
dd not hesitate to stage second-rate produce
r find it quite useless to do so, hence there is
lecided absence of second-rate fruit of any
kd. With respect to tlie Apples, the general
i5)ression was that the size was rather" under
_ t of last year, but in compensation for this the
hph as regards colour and firm, weighty fruit
4 all that one could desire. The same applies
g erally to the Pears, but there was an absence
spot, whilst they gave e\ery indication of
tlli-ough good ripening. Peaches and Nectarines
i fully up to the average in quantity and
il[lity. Plums were present in good numbers
ti) Evidenth- most of the dishes were from walls,
ai, takmg into consideration the lateness of
season, remarkably good. (Irapes as a whole
e no better, if so good as at previous shows.
l>re were no bunches of abnormal dimensions,
there was a decided tendency to relinciuish
Mibiting the more inferior kinds. It was a treat
Uiee the highly-Hnished bunches of Mrs. Pince's
BiOk Muscat. These were beyond any <,uestion
ttithree best bunches in the show, the trio of
fCi '^""''"■■ghs from the same source were also
otpiendid quality and finish. The three bunches
0],tiasselas Napoleon were lieautiful examples
tt clear pellucid appearance of the berries beincr
mt attractive ; this is a tine (irape when in good
l«p.s. Of Madresfield Court there were two
■•earkable bunches, higlily coloured and fine
,erry. fhe winning three bunches of Muscat
or|Vlexandria were modeb of good culture in
y respect. The competition in the clas.ses for
;ctions of fruit was very much better than
year in all instances except in the nursery-
s classes. The two chief classes for general
jctions brought out some most commendable
luce, and greatly in advance of last season,
e taste also was evinced in the stacrino- than
lous y shown. The same remarks also'apply
to )llections of hardy fruits grown entirely in the
I and those grown partially under glass ; in
fliese classes some excellent produce was

stisd.

18 a pity the competition in the classes set
t lor nurserymen is not more keen than it is
!, in one class there were three competitors,
in aU the rest it was more of a walk over. It

^n;," J^V"^'"'"'^'' ''y '''''*' ''"^t the exhibits in

^h iT. 1 "°' '"'""' "P ^^ tfie high standard of

"1' best-known --•-■' ■

spl ■■ ■

th

-■ exhibitors,
Mid quality in each case.

for they were of
k„„- .. , , -- Taken as a whole,

majority of the prices for Apples and Pears

still continue to go to Kentish growers, but ex-
hibitors from Sussex, Surrey, and other southern
counties now bring up .some lirstclass examples ;
hence the contrast between Kent and other <lis-
tricts is not, on the whole, so much in evidence as
it has been. Special note sliould be made hero of
the magniticent exhiliit of Apples from Mon-
mouthshire. These betokened high-class {juality
and cultural skill to a rcmarkaljle degree. The
miscellaneous exhibits were numerous and
quite representative of our Briti.sh-grown fruit.
.Most of this, of course, comes from small trees,
but it indicates what may be done in the
earlier stages of fruit trees. As regards the ex-
tent of the exhibition, it should be noted that
there were in use nearly 1(1110 more plates than at
the last show. This will attbrd some idea of the
increase on the present occasion. This increase
was not perhaps to many so apparent as it really
was by reason of the more scattered character of
the show this year in consequence of the, for a
time, permanent exhibition of other industries.
This resulted in different arrangements being
made, which in nearly every case met with the
approval of exhibitors. Those who staged in
divisions 1, .3, and 4 had better positions most
decidedly, more light and more con\enience in
every way. Mr. Wright and his assistants
worked hard to make tlie arrangements as com-
plete as possible, and it is gratifying to note that
the results met with general approval by the
exhibitors.

On each day of the show a lecture was delivered
on various branches of horticultural industries.
These will receive comments later on ^vhen more
detailed reports are at hand.

Division 1. — Collection of Fruit.

In the first class for twelve dishes of ripe des.sert
fruit there were three competitors, the premier
award being rightly made in favour of Mr. Harris,
gardener to Lady Henry Somerset, Eastnor Castle,
Ledbury, who had a remarkably even exhiliit aiicl
of excellent (piality, whilst the arrangement was
well balanced. These dishes consisted of line
Muscat Crapes and Cros Maroc, also good ; the
Pine-apple was Smooth Cayenne, an excellent
fruit ; Prince of Wales and Sea Eagle Peaches,
both well finished, the former being specially well
coloured. Apples Ribston Pippin and King of
the Pippins were both represented in good con-
dition. Pitma.ston Duchess Pears and a seedling
ilelon added to the effect. Of Nectarines there
was a good dish of Albert Victor, and others of
Coe's (iolden Drop Plums and Brunswick Fio-s.
Mr. Goodacre (gardener to the Earl of Harring-
ton, Elvaston Castle) came in a good second, he
having as his finest dishes a well-ripened Queen
Pine and excellent Aluscat and Black Hamburgh
Grapes, fine Pitmaston and Souvenir du Cono-res
Pears, and capital well-coloured fruits of Araerfcan
Mother Ajiple, with a good example of Hero of
Lockinge Melon, Sea Eagle Peaches and Brown
Turkey Figs. Mr. Mclndoe (gardener to Sir
Joseph Pea.se, Hutton Hall, 'S'orks) had on this
occasion to be contented with third place. In the
smaller class for eight dishes of ripe fruit, Mr.
Reynolds (gardener to Messrs. de Rothschild,
Ounnersbury Park, Acton) came well to the
front, there being in all some six competitors.
His dishes were, of Grapes, Muscats, well
coloured, and large clusters of Gros Maroc, a
fine-looking seedling Melon, (iladstone and Prin-
cess of Wales Peaches, capital fruits of Kibston
Pippin Apple, with Coe's (iolden Drop Plum and
Pine-apjile Nectarine. Mr. Empson (gardener to
Mrs. Wingtield, Ampthill House, Beds) was
second.

Gr.vpks.

For six distinct varieties, two bunches of each,
Mr. Reynolds was first, .staging three white and
three black varieties. Of the former, the Muscats
were well coloured and of good size. The Chas-
selas Napoleon formed a striking dish, very fine
in berry and clear in colour, and Buckland (Sweet-
water in its best condition ; and of the latter.
Black Hamburgh, kept well and good in berry ;
Gros Maroc, large bunches and berries : and Ma-

dresfield Court, slightly over-rips. Mr. Taylor,
gardener to Mr. C. Bayer, Tewke.sbury Lodtje,
Forest Hill, was a good .second, having a splendid
bunch of Madreslield Court and another of Mus-
cat, with (iros Guillaume well finished ; a weak
pair of Trebbiano, however, detracted from this
exhibit. For three varieties, in pairs, Mr. <_;ole,
gardener to Sir George Russell, Swallowliald
Park, Reading, won with comparative ease, having
very superior Muscats, with colour and form of
bunch at their best; Foster's Seeiling, fresh
arid clear, and Alicante for a black. Mr. .lones,
Ridgway Vineries, Cradley, Malvern, was very
fortunate in being placed .second with (iros Maroc,
(iros Colman, and .-Vlicante, all of good average
merit, against fine Muscats, finer Gros Colman,
and (;ros .Maroc from Mr. Harris. For Black
Hamburgh (three bunches) Mr. Mitchell, gardener
to Mr. .1. W. Fleming, Chilworth Manor, Romsey,
was easily tirst with ideal bunches, finely coloured,
Mr. Taylor in this case being second with
bunches not so well coloured. For Abadresfield
Court, Mr. Taylor won the first prize in a most
creditable manner, the bunches of medium size,
but large in berry. Mr. Tidy, gardener to Mr.
W. K. D'Arcy, Stanmore Hall, came in a good
second. His bunches slightly lacked colour. For
tiros Colman or Gros Maroc, Mr. .lones won with
the former variety, both bunches and colour being
first-class and the berries of extra size. Mr. Rey
nolds was second with good bunches of Gros Maroc.
For Black Alicante the competition was very
keen, there being but little to choose between all
three prize-winners. Mr. F. Cole was placed first
with handsome bunche?, well coloured, Mr.
J. Bury, Petersham Vineries, Byfleet, second, and
Mr. Tate, gardener to Mr. Henry Tate, Park
Hill, a very close third. For Lady Downe's Seed-
ling Jlr. Tidy was first with neat bunches of
medium size but fine in berry, and Mr. Empson
second with bunches a trifle deficient in colour.
For any other black variety .Mr. Mitchell was
first with noble bunches of "Mrs. Pince's Black
Muscat, remarkably well coloured, and Mr.
Smith, gardener to Mr. R. Ovey, Badgeniore
House, Henley-on-Thames, second with good
clusters of Alnwick Seedling. For Muscat of
Alexandria the competition was again very keen,
but Mr. Cole won the first prize with ideal
bunches of large size, long and tapering, with the
beautiful clear amber finish so much desired but
not always to be had ; Mr. Goodacre was a good
second, showing fine clusters, but with a slightly
perceptible ditterence in colour. Mr. Reynolds
followed closely for third prize. For any other
white variety Mr. Reynolds was first with "Chasse-
las Napoleon, fine in bunch and berry, Mr.
Taylor taking second place with Buckland Sweet-
water.

The competition in the one class provided for
Figs was much better than last year, whilst none
of the fruits was any too ripe, a most essential
point in showing the Fig. Mr. Messenger, gar-
dener to i\Ir. C. H. Berners, Wooiverstone Park,
Ipswich, was first with very fine Brown Turkey,
of the ideal colour and of full size. Mr. H.
Folkes, gardener to Mr. C. E. Strachan, Gaddesden
Place, Hemel Hempstead, was second, again with
Brown Turkey, whilst the third prize went to the
same variety j-et again, and that against larger
and fine fruits of Brunswick. Quality with the
judges had its proper weight. For a collection
of hardy fruit grown entirely in the open, and to
consist of not more than fifty dishes, Mr. G.
Wythes, gardener to Earl Percy, Syon House,
Brentford, showed a remarkably fine even lot of
fruit, which in addition was tastefully arranged with
suitable foliage and other useful adjuncts to attrac-
tiveness. This exhibit comprised of Apples, fine
dishes of Cox's Orange Pippin, Wealthy, Warner's
King, Alfriston, Ribston Pippin and Cellini, and
of I'ears there were very good examples of Beurr,S
Bachelier, Beurr^ Baltet pere, Beurr,> Sterckmans,
Doyenn(^ Bous.soch, Louise Bonne of .Jersey, Beurrc
Diel and Brown Beurn', with Pitmaston Duchess.
The Peaches comprised .Sea Eagle, Golden
Eagle, Nectarine, Barrington, and Late Admir-
able, with Walburton Admirable. Other dishe."

292

THE GARDEN.

[OcTOB'iR 9, 1897.

comprised Coe's Golden Drop, Pond's Seedling,
and Washington Plums, with the Shropshire
Prune, Morello Cherries, Walnuts, and Nuts, as
well as Sweetwater Grapes, making in all a well-
varied exhibit. Mr. Powell, gardener to Colonel
Brymer, M.P., Ilsino:ton House, followed closely,
but not with so varied a collection. The finest
dishes were those of Apples and Pears ; of tlie
former the best were noted as being of the well-
known and approved varieties.

For a collection of -not more than thirty-six
dishes of hardy fruits grown partly or entirely
under glass to illustrate orchard-house culture,
Mr. R. Potter, gardener to Sir Mark Collet, Bt.,
St. Clere, Kemsing, Sevenoaks, was placed first,
he having several remarkably tine dishes, notably
Rond Noir and Brown Turkey Figs, Lady Palmer-
ston, ( lolden Eagle, and Princess of Wales Peaches,
Coe's Golden Drop Plums, and of Apijles, Ribston
Pippin, King of Tompkins County, Baldwin, Lady
Henniker, and Emperor Alexander, with grand
Pears, of which Marguerite Marillat, Pitmaston
Duchess, Doyenne Boussoch, Doyenne du Cornice,
and Dnchesse d'Angouleme were the finest ; the

Grajies did not, however, add to the quality
this exhibit. Mr. Mclndoe also showed well.

-NnRSERYMEN.

Division IL

In the collection of fruit trees bearing fruit,
though there was less competition than might he
expected, the trees shown by the Messrs. Rivers
and Bunyard were splendid, and illustrated what
may be done by pot culture. In tliis class baskets
of fruit were admissible, and here was seen the
cream of the fruit staged in the building. Much
of this was grown under glass, and was of splendid
colour and finish. In the cases of these large col-
lections medals were the aw^ards given. The
judges gave a gold medal as first prize to Messrs.
Rivers and Son , Sawbridgeworth, for a magnificent
displa.-s . The centre was a large pyramid tree of
Cox's Pomona, with a number of trees dotted at
the base of the collection. Of the less known and
newer kinds. Bijou was laden with fruit, brilliant
crimson in colour ; Bramley's Seedling was very
fine, and Bismarck appears to be a favourite pot
tree. There were some superb Cox's Orange in
baskets, also Peasgood's Nonsuch of great size.
This Apple was well shown by most exhibitors.
Of Pears, Pitmaston Duchess was shown 2 Ibs.^ in
weight, but we preferred the smaller Princess. Con-
ference, Doyenne du Cornice, Lebruu, Durondeau,
Souvenir du Congrf's, Duchesse de Mouchy, and
Louise Bonne of Jersey were siiecially good.
Peaches were less numerous, but Lord Palmerston
and Golden Eagle were very fine. Plums were also
excellent, Coe's (iolden Drop, Primate, Grand Duke,
JelTerson's and Decaisne being the best. ^ There
were some interesting fruiting trees of Crabs in
variety and excellent fruiting Vines in |)ots, the
varieties being Gros Maroc, Black Alicante, Mus-
cat of Alexandria, (iolden Queen and Hamburgh—
truly a superb collection. For a collection of
hardy fruits grown partly or etitirely under glass
to illustrate orchard-house culture Messrs. Bun-
yard and Co., Maidstone, had no rival, but rarely
has the firm made a grander display, the f(uality
and variety being much admired. This collection
occupied a large space, and was noted for tlie
splendid fruiting trees of Aijples in pots. Duke
of York, a new Apple of 1895, was sjjecially good,
also the new Wagener, an American variety.
Cornish Aromatic was fruiting freely. Of Pears,
Le Lectier, a new late Pear of great merit, Beurre
Fouqueray, Conference, Vicar of Winkfield,
Durondeau, Marguerite Marillat, Pitmaston
Duchess, Doyenn§ du Cornice and General
Tcdtleben were excellent. The groundwork
was composed of grand baskets of The t.hieen.
Twenty Ounce, Emperor Alexander, the new Al-
lington Pippin, Wealthy, and Washington Apples.
Pot Vines were well represented, Gros Colman,
Foster's Seedling, and Black Hamburgh being
staged, with Lord Palmerston Peaches, the little
known Reculver Figs in pots, and baskets

In the next class for 100 baskets or dishes of fruit
there was more competition, and here Messrs.
Bunyard and Co. received the coveted gold medal.
Some of the finest fruits were staged here. A
jn-ramid o.f Apples formed the centre, and the
table was dotted here and there with light, fine-
foliaged plants, the base being mounds of fruit.
Some excellent Sweetwater Cirapes reiiiesented
fruit grown in the open. The fruits of Bismarck,
Gascoigne's Scarlet, .James Grieve, Stone's, Castle
Major, Twenty Ounce, Rivers' Codlin, Royal
.Jubilee and Ribston were excellent. Pears were
equally good, the best being BeurrS Hardy, Nou-
velle Poiteau, Conference, Doyenne du Comice,
.Jean Van Geert and- Marie Louise. Mr. H.
Berwick, The Nurseries, Sidmouth, Devon, came
second with mostly baskets of fruit. This exhibit
w^as noticeable for the high colour of the Apples.
The fruits most prominent were the varieties
named ahove, but Tyler's Kernel, Beauty of Kent,
Bismarck, Annie Elizabeth and Cox's Pomona de-
serve special mention for their size and colour.
The Pears were smaller. Some tine Dutch Med-
lars, Brown Turkey Figs and a few Plums were
staged. The third jjlace was taken by Messrs.
Hartland, Louth Nurseries, Cork, and this firm is
to be congratulated on their excellent exhibit,
some of the kinds being rarely seen at .shows.
For not more than fifty \arieties, Mr. J. Colvill,
Sidmouth, was awarded the silver-gilt medal with
excellent fruits, and tastefully arranged witli
fine-foliaged plants. There was more variety in
this exhibit than usually seen, the large stpiare
baskets of fruit and small round ones making a
nice display. There were very nice Pitmaston
Duchess, Beurre Clairgeau, Brockworth Park,
Marie Ijouise, GrosseCalebasseand Catillac Pears,
very fine Lane's Prince Albert, Mere de Menage,
Cox's Pomona, The Queen, and Newton Wonder
Apples, and good Plums, Medlars and Peaches.
Mr. A. Wyatt, Hatton, Middlesex, was second
with smaller fruits, but of good quality. For a
collection of not more than fifty varieties of Pears
there was only one competitor, and here Jlr.
Berwick, Sidmouth, secured the silver-gilt medal.
Tlie fruits lacked the size of those of last year's
collections. We think this is a class which might
with advantage be altered if made into two, one
for gardeners. It would be well contested, as
the largest class for gardeners is for twelve \-arie-
ties only. One of the best exhibits was that of
jSIr. John Barbara, Fairoak Nurseries, Bassaleg,
Newport, Monmouth, for not more than fifty
dishes of Apples. Here there was no attempt to
decorate, Ijut the fruits showed special culture,
and that Wales can produce fruit little inferior
The colour was equally good ;

Cox's Orange, and Stunner Pippins. Mr. W
Miller, gardener to Mr. T. W. Startup, West Fai
leigh, Maidstone, was second, some of the cook
ing fruits being very fine. For nine dishes, si:
cooking, three dessert, there was a poor show-
only two lots being staged. The first prize kj
was excellent, there being grand Warner's Kini^
Peasgood's, Sandringham, and Stone's, with Cox
Orange, Worcester Pearmain, and Washington
These came from Mr. Slogrove, gardener t
Mrs. Crawford, Gatton, Reigate. Mr. Hei
bert, Nuffield Court, Redhill, was second wit
smaller fruit. For six dishes, cooking, there wei
six competitors. Here Mr. Woodward was firs
with highly-coloured Mere de Menage, very fin
Peasgood's" Nonsuch, Warner's King, Stone's, an
Lord Derby. Mr. W. Lewis, gardener to Mr. I
OUverson," East Sutton Park, Maidstone, wi
second. For three dishes of Apples, cooking
seven entered the list. Here Mr. Goldsmith we
an easy first with grand fruits of Lord Derb;
Peasgood's Nonsuch, and Warner's King, M
Powell being second with fine fruits, the wea
dish being Lord Derby. For six dishes of Bran
ley's Seedling Apple, Mr. W. King was fir;
with fair fruits, well coloured ; Mr. Turton, Maick
Erleigh, Reading, second. For six dishes
dessert Apples there were nine exhibitors. U
fortunately, one was disqualified, for showir
Peasgood'.s Nonsuch as a dessert \ariety. M
Woodward was a good first, having very fii
Baumann's Reinette, Gascoigne's Scarlet, Was
ington, Ribston, Cox's Orange, and Mother Appl^
Mr. Miller second, having a splendid dish
Worcester Pearmain. For three dislies the
were eleven lots, all good, Mr. Bayford seci
ing premier honours, Mr. Kemp, gardener
Mr. C. R. Scrase-Dickens, being a close secon
In the class for twelve dishes of Pears six go.
lots were staged, and Mr. "Woodward secured t!
premier award with splendid fruits of Duronde
(well coloured), Pitmaston Duchess (very larg.
Beurre Superfin, Baltet Pere, Emile d'Hep
Duchesse d'Angouleme, Doyenm? du_ Conn.
Doyenne de Merode, Princess, Beurre Har(
Gansel's Bergamot, and Marie Benoist. Mr. (iu
smith was a close second, his best being Souvei
du Congres and Pitmaston Duchess. Mr. Pow
had excellent Doyenne du Comice in tlie third 1
For nine dishes there were five lots, and all got
The piremier award was well deserved, Mr. C
terill, gardener to Sir W. Geary, Tonbrid!
havinw tine fruits, very clear in skin, and of the b(
possible varieties. Pitmaston Duchess was ve >
tine, as were Beurre Hardy, B. Superfin, B. Bo-
and B. Ranee. Mr. Jones, Wallington Bndi
Carshalton, was second, but we failed to see «

to tliat of Kent. . . ,_ ,

indeed some kinds were even brighter (silver-gilt others failed in this class if quality, not iii'
medal). Messrs. Hartland, Cork, took the silver Ig^e, was considered. For six dishes there w;

medal with a very excellent collection, the fruits
smaller. Munster Pippin (a very showy fruit).
Stone Peach, White Square, Bank's Exhibition,
Scarlet Tifiin and Kilderskin were very tine.

Division III.— Gardeners .\nd AM.iTEURs Only.

Here there was no lack of exhibitors, and, as is
usually the case, the Kent growers had the lion's
share of the awards. The strong competition
from all parts of the country showed that culti-
vators are alive to the importance of good fruit j
culture, and this in a measure is due to the :
splendid conferences held at Chiswick a few
j'ears ago. For twenty-four dishes, sixteen cook-
ing and eiglit dessert, Mr. Woodvv-ard, Barham
Court Gardens, Maidstone, was tirst, Mr. A.
Bayford, gardener to Mr. Lee-Campbell, being
second with smaller fruits. Mr. G. Goldsmith,
gardener to Sir E. Loder, Bart., was an ex-
cellent third, there being six competitore. In
the class for twelve di.shes, eight cooking, four
dessert, six lots were staged. An excellent lot
from the Bishop of Bath and Wells was disquali-
fied, Baumann's Red Reinette being shown as a
kitchen Apple. Mr. Pragnell, gardener to Mr.
J. R. Wingfield Digby, Sherborne Castle, Dorset,

six competitors, and Mr. Messenger \\as h

with good Beurr^ Baltet, Doyenne du Coroi

and Louise Bonne. Mr. Slogrove was a gf

second with similar varieties. For three disl

eight entered, and the first prize went to J

G. N. Field, gardener to Mr. R. Edw.^r

Sevenoaks, he having very large fruits of U

enn^ du Comice, Mme. Treyve, and Pitmast.

this collection being noticeable for the clear sk

and good colour. The second award went to i

G. Fennell, Fairlawn, Tonbridge, he having

excellent dish of Marguerite JIarillat. For thi

dishes of cooking Pears only four staged. !

Woodward was first, Mr. (ioldsmith being act

' second. For one dish there were seven lots, [

I Harris, East Grinstead, being first with Utm

Mr. Barnes, Rutland Lodge Gardens, Peterslia

second with Uvedale's St. (.iermain, v-ery lai

I fruits. For Peaches, Nectarines, and Plums

competition was much stronger than last year.T

the fruits very good. No less than ten sUi}

for three di.shes of Peaches, and Mr. "W"'

again led, having very fine Sea Eagle, Wine

of Wales, and Nectarine Peaches ; Mr. Harris, w

nor Castle, second, with Gladstone and ^5^* ^^^J

both excellent, but a poor dish of Lord ram

ston. For one dish there were thirteen exbibm

of Grapes, well meriting the silver-gilt medal I was first having very heavy Lord "erby, »l-u. x ..^....^^^^^^^ j_ j,j i

awarded. Indeed,agoldonewouldhavebeenmore Warner's King, Peasgood's Nonsuch, Alfriston, | Mr. W. Mijtcneii, garaene^ . ^^^

in keeping for the excellent culture and variety. ' and Annie Elizabeth, with fine Ribston, King,

Mr. vv. iviiicneii, garucuci i.u i.^.. "• - , ji
' Chilworth, Romsey,- being first with a grano

October 9, 1897.]

THE GATJDEN

293

' Sea Kafrle, and Mr. Lunc, En^'lofield (ireoii,
close seciind with excellent Stirlini^ (lastle. In
lis class Ml-. Wallis, Keelo Hall, Stall's, lia<l a
rand disli, Imt proliably by accident the fruit
lis not named, or it would have been t;ivcn an
vard. Nectarines were a weak class, the season
jing ton advanced for these. Mr. Harris, Kast-
ir, was Jirst for three dishes, sbowini^ medium-
zed fruit of Elruj;e, .Albert Victor, and I'ine-
jple. The other prizes were not awarded. .For
le dish five entered, but they were wantinjr in
)lour and finish, the best beinij Victoria, from
;r. Str»i,'nell, garilcner to the Right Hon. W.
ong, Kood Ashton, Trowl nidge, Mr. Hill, Habia-
im, second. The ilass for I'hims brought forth
.ore entries than one could ha\e ex|ieote<l owing
I the shoit supph' this .season. -Mr. H. Koikes,
irdener to .Mr. ('. Strachan, Hemel Hempstead,
lia first with four dishes of dessert varieties,
ivinpgood (iolden Drop, Heine Claude de Bavay,
ite Transparent tiage, and Cloth of (iold, .\lr.

Vert, gardener to Lord Braybrook, Audlp\-
nd, Sali'ron Waldun, being a good .second, lie
iWng a grand dish of Coe's Violet. For a single
sh Mr. Vert was tirst with excellent (iolden
rop, Mr. Turton being second. Twenty-two
ts were staged in this class. Five competitors
itered for the four dishes of cooking Plums,
r. Goodacre being first with Pond's Seedling,
:>liatli, Archduke, and Monarch, Mr. Sims,
irdener to Mi-. Gouch, Hemel Hempstead, being
cond. There were eleven competitors in the
igle dish class for cooking Plums, the Rev. C
dmer (gardener, Mr. Osborn] being tirst with
grand dish of Le Molt Lang, anrl Mr. Sims
eond with Monarch. For Cages, one dish, ilr.
essenger was tirst with excellent Reine Claude

Bavay, Mi-. Herrin being second with Biahy's
ite Gage. For Damsons or BuUaces there w"as
ly one entry, Mr. C. Fennell, Tonbridge, taking
st with the Prune Damson, Crittenden and
dlaces.

SlNOI.K DlSllKS.

Ari'LEs.
The single dish classes produced as usual some
ry keen competition and the i]uality generally
IS high. A few of the classes failed to induce
5re than one or two exhibitors to come forward,
is being simply a repetition of last year's
iults, and the reason for including in a limited
t varieties which never are shown in an}- (pian-

; y, to the exclusion of others that would make a
tter dis|)lay, is not quite a|jixirent. Dessert
jples come tirst in the schedule, commencing

nh Adams' Pearmain. The tirst-prize dish i-ame
<m ill-. W. (_'amm, gardener to the Duchess of
iveland, Battle Abbey; second, Mr. (!. (iold-
lith, gardener to Sir E. C. Loder, Leonardslee,
iraham. Seven dishes in all were .shown, and
first three were all excellent. Aliens Ever-
iting was a weak class, only three lots being

■bwn. The tirst prize dish, a very good lot,

(pe from .\Ir. .J. Powell, gardener" to Col.

IK-mer, M.P., llsington House, Dorchester.
umann's Red Winter Reinette was finely

1

)w-n, all the fruits being -ivell coloured and even
■• J. McKenzie, gardener to Mr. F. S. W. Corn-
Ui8, Linton Park, sent the first prize dish ;
ptain A. ,J. Carstairs, Welford Park, NeHbui-\-
rdener, Mr. C. Ross), -was second, and Vis-
^intess Portman, Buxted Park (gardener, ilr.

fi^""'"*"^'''' ^'"'''^- ^" three prize dishes were

■y fine. Ten dishes in all were shown. Blen-

m Orange was not (juite so good as usual.

•enteen dishes were shown, but only one or two

hes were as well coloured as \\-e are accustomed

see them at this show. The best dish came

^ Mr. W. H. (Jodden, gardener to the Hon.

W. Buxton, Herts, and Mr. (J. Chambers,

orcoeks Farm, Mereworth, Kent, came second

ha nicely coloured dish of smaller fruits.

tiwnlce's Russet was shown in good form by

Sen exhibitors, Mr. Woodward bein"- tirst with

a CO dish, followed by Mr. H. C. Prinsep. Clay-

ee Pearmain produced five dishes, the tirst and

?J)nd prizes going to Mr. Woodward and Mr.

r wep in the order given. Court Pendu Plat was

w^ shown, fifteen dishes being staged. The first

prize w-ent to Mr. J. C. Tallack, gardener to Mr. E.
Dresden, Livermere Park, Bury St. Edmunds;
second, Mr. C. Ross. Cox's Orange Pippin was, as
usual, largely shown, twenty dishes being staged,
and of these a dozen were really good, the bc'st dish
croming from Mr. W. Messenger, gardener to Mr.
C. II. Berners, Woolverstone Park, Ipswich.
This was an excellent dish of large, shapely, and
well-coloured fruit; iecond, Mr. W . King,
(iafton Park, Reigate. Only tw-o exhibitors
showed Egi-emont Russet, the tirst |)ri-ze going to
Mr. B. .Miller, gardener to Mr. T. W. Startup,
West Farleigh, Maiilstone, and sccon<l, Mr. G.
fioldsmith, whose fruits were a little sni.-dler than
the first prize lot, but very shapely and attrac-
tively coloured. Fearn's Piiipin was a good class,
fifteen lots being shown, the first prize going
to Mr. Tallack, Livermere Park, for a good dish ;
second, Mr. McKenzie, Linton Park. This was a
very even class, and most of the dishes highly
coloured. Gascoigne's Scarlet was shown by
se\en exhibitors, and the highly-coloured fruits
made a very attractive exhibit. Mr. McKenzie,
Linton Park, came first with a handsome dish ;
second, -Mr. J. Hudson, gardener to Mr. Leopold
de Rothschild, Gunnersbury House, Acton. King
of the Pippins was largely shown, nineteen dishes
being staged and mostly good fruits. The tirst
prize went to Mr. Tallack, Livermere Park, for a
grand dish of large, w-ell-tinished fruits ; second,
Mr. .J. Powell, llsington House. King of
Tomkins County was not largeh shown, only five
dishes being staged, ilr. T. Turton, gardener to
Mr. J. Hargreaves, Maiden Erleigh, came tirst
with a highly-co'oured dish ; Mr. Tallack followed
with large fruits not yet coloured. .Mabbot's
Pearmain was shown only by Messrs. McKenzie
and Prinsep, who took the prizesin the or<Ier here
given: both dishes were very good. Manning-
ton's Pe;irmain w-as rather poorly shown, though
the prize dishes were good, that shown by Mr.
Woodward especially. Mr. McKenzie came
second. Margil was shown by ten competitors,
the fruits being rather larger than usual, but
except in one or two cases not well coloured.
Mr. Woodw-ard w-as tirst, Mr McKenzie second.
Of American Mother only six dishes were shown.
Of these the first was ver}- good indeed, and was
staged by Mr. C. A. Bayford. Mr. McKenzie's
second prize dish was .also good. Of Ribston
Pippin twenty-two dishes w-ere staged, and a very
even lot they were with one or two exceptions
only. The first prize went to Mr. Woodward for
highly coloured and shapely fruit ; Mr. McKenzie
second, with larger fruits, but not so ripe. Scarlet
Nonpareil w-as not largely shown. Mr. Hudson,
(iunnersbury House, was first w-ith a very nice
dish, Mr. C. Ross second. Stunner Pippin was
represented by nine dishes, and the tirst prize
went to Mr. W. G. Pragnell, gardener to Mr.
J. K. D. Wingfield Digby, Sherborne Castle,
Dorset; R. Chamberlain second. Williams' Fa-
\ourite was only shown by one exhibitor, Mr. J.
Powell, who had a nice dish of fruit. \\'orcester
Pearmain was largely and well shown, nineteen
dishes being staged, Mr. W. King, Gatton Park,
being tirst, Mr. (J. Woodward second. In the
any other variety class twenty-one dishes w-ere
staged and numerous varieties shown. This class
is more or less of a scramble, such a large variety
being brought in. The tirst prize went to a nice
dish of St. Edmund's Pippin shown by Mr.
McKenzie, second to Mr. G. (Joldsmith forGraven-
stein, and third to Mr. Woodward for a beautiful
dish of Washington.

Kitchen Apples commence w-ith Alfriston, Mr.
McKenzie, who was very strong throughout these
classes, came first with splendid fruits, Mr. Wood-
ward second. Se^-en dishes were shown. With
Beauty of Kent, Mr. R. Chamberlain came tirst
with a fine dish, Mr. Woodward second. Nine
dishes were shown. Eleven good dishes of Bis-
marck were shown, Mr. JIcKenzie being well in
front w-ith a tine dish ; Messrs. Woodward and
Ross followed. Bramley's .Seedling was not
strongly shown, only four lots being staged. Mr.
C. A. Bayford was first with a fine dish ; second,
Mr. W. Lyon, gardener to Mr. J. H. Salmon,

Holly Bank, Rowton. Thirteen dishes of Cellini,
a very even lot, were shown, Mr. G. Goldsmith
coming first, Mr. Bayford second. Cox's Pomona
was also finely shown ; seventeen dishes of large
and highly coloured fruits w-ere staged. Mr.
McKenzie w.as first with a heavy dish. Duchess
of Ohlenburgh was not very well shown, the first
prize going to Mr. (,'ulton, Dildawn (Jardens,
Castle Douglas, N.B., who was w-ell ahead of the
other competitors. Dumelow's Seedling was w-ell
shown ; sixteen dishes were staged, and none
w-ere weak. Mr. McKenzie was (ilaced first for a
nice dish ; Mr. I'ragnell second. Ecklinville Seed-
ling made a good class of fifteen dishes, Mr.
McKenzie being first ; Mr. .T.Sjiottiswood, Queen's
Park, Brighton, second. The first prize dish -n-as
a very good one, clear-skinned, and fine. Em-
peror Alexander was not cjuite so largely shown or
so well coloured as on former occasions, but ten
dishes were staged, and ;ill \-ery good fruits. Mr.
McKenzie was first with a very tine dish, and Mr.
Woodward second. Mr. McKenzie was again
placed first for Frogmore Prolific, and Mr. Bay-
ford second. Six dishes w-ere staged. Golden
Noble made a very attractive exhibit, and the
fruits have seldom been seen in better form. The
first prize dish, from Mr. G. Chambers, Moor-
cocks Farm, Mereworth, was a very handsome
one. Mr. Woodward came second with heavitr
fruits. Golden Spire brought out six exhibitois,
and the first prize went to Mr. G. Woodward for
a very fine dish. Only three exhibits of Grenadur
were made. Lady Louisa Fortescue, Dropmore,
Maidenhead (gardener, Mr. C. Herrin), was
first for a good dish. Hawthornden (New) only
brought out four exhibitors, and among t-hese Mr.
Woodward was first for a very good dish ; Mr.
A. Brooks, of Latter's Farm, Mereworth, was
second. Mr. McKenzie was first of two exhibi-
tors only for Hormead's Pearmain, and staged an
excelleirt dish. Lane's Prince Albert brought
out a fine exhibit of fourteen dishes, the best
comino- from Mr. C. Ross, of Newbury, followed
by Mr. Bayford and Mr. Woodward. Lord Derbv
was another good class in which Mr. G. I"enne 1,
gardener t5 Mr. W. M. Ca'.alet, Fairlawn, Tol-
bridge, was placed first. Lord Grosvenor was a
weak class, only four dishes being shown, but
that from Mr. Woodwatd, t;king first prize, wis
fine indeed. Lord Suffield brought out fifteen
competitors, and most of the dishes were very
good, Mr. McKenzie's, which w-as placed first,
being excellent. The second pri'ze fell to Mr.
Woodward for a fine dish. Mere de Menage wa,i
shown in fine condition and colour by seven exhi-
bitors, and of these Mr. McKenzie was placed
first. Smaller samples, but of the deeijest colour,
from Mr. C. Ross, Newbury, w-ere placetl second.
Of New Northern (Jreening an excellent di.sh was
shown by Mr. C. Ro.ss and placed first ; only three
competitors came out for this class, and no third
prize was given. Two classes were made for
Newton Wonder to prevent clashing between
northern and southern growers. The best dish in
either class came from Mr. .T. Hill, of Babraharo,
who, under the conditions, was placed among
northern growers. Mr. R. Edwards w-as first in
the southern section. Only six dishes were show n
in all. Peasgood's Nonsuch was as usual finely-
shown, Mr. McKenzie being placed first out of
nine competitors, the Lord Bishop of Bath and
Wells (gardener, Mr. A. W. Mackenzie) being
second. For Pott's Seedling Mr. Turton _ was
[jlaced first, eleven dishes being staged ; Mr. Wood-
w-ard was second, and Mr. Hudson, (Tunnersbury
House, third, for the heaviest di.sh shown. Only
one dish of Royal .Jubilee was shown. Tliis came
from Mr. C. Ross, and fully merited the first prize
it obtained. Eight dishes of Sandringham were
put up, and were mostly good, but varied con-
siderably in form and colour, only one or two
dishes showing the characteristic mottling. Mr.
McKenzie was placed first. Earl Percy, Syon
House (gardener, Mr. G. Wythes), coming
second with smaller fruits, but in excellent char-
acter. Four good dishes of Spencer's Favourite
were shown, the first coming from Mr. Wood-
ward ; second, Mr. W. Jones, gardener to Mr. G.

294

THE GARDEN.

[October 9, 1897.

R. Brougham, Wallington Bridge, Carshalton.
Stirling Castle brought out ten dishes, Mr.
McKenzie being placed first with a very good
dish; second, Mr. W. Strugnell, gardener to the
Right Hon. W. H. Long, Rood Ashton, Trow-
bridge. Of Stone's, six dishes were shown, Mr.
McKenzie coming first with fine fruit, and Mr.
Woodward second. In the class for The (^lueen
the same exhibitors took first and second prizes in
similar order. Tower of (ilaniis, of which eight
dishes were shown, was not a very strong class,
except for the first prize dish from Mr. KcKenzie.
The same exhibitor was fir-t for Tyler's Kernel,
a first-rate dish, only three lots being staged.
Warner's King was a strong class of twenty-three
dishes, and here again Mr. McKenzie led with a
splendid lot, being followed by Mr. G. Chambers.
A well-filled class was that for ' ' any other variety "
of kitchen Apples, and the prizes went to good
dishes of Dutch Codlin, Lady Henniker, and The
Major, respectively shown by 5Ir. McKenzie, Mr.
W. Camm, of Battle Abbey, and Mr. (4. Fennell,
the Dutch Codlins from Linton being grand fruits.
Seventeen dishes were -shown in this class.
Pear.s.
These generally were good, but the classes were
not so well filled as were those for Apples. Eight
dishes of Bergamot d'Esperen were shown, and
the prizes fell to Mr. J. Powell, Ilsington House,
Mr. C. Ross, and Mr. Wood\\ard in the order
given. BeurnS Bosc was fine, four dishes es-
pecially so ; one exhibitor sho^^■ed in this class a
nice dish of Doyenne Boussoch ; the first prize
dish came from Mr. G. Goldsmith : second, -Mr.
W. Cotterell, gardener to Sir W. N. M. Geary,
Bart., Oxon Heath Park, Tonbridge. Mr. Wood-
ward showed the only dish of Beurry d'Anjou —
very good fruits. Thirteen dishes of Beurre Diel
were staged, and here there seemed to be some
error of judgment, as Mr. Wythes's dish, ])laced
second, should have been first, the fruits being
finer and clearer than those of Mr. Woodwaid
placed first. The best dish of Beurri.'' I)u-
mont was staged by Mr. Woodward, only two
lots being shown. Beurrc Hardy was repre-
sented Ijy seven dishes of very clean fruits, Mr.
"Woodward being first with a grand dish, and
Mr. Prinsep second, only a little behind. Eleven
good dishes of Beurre Su)3erfin were shou n, Mr.
Woodward and Mr. Goldsmith being first and
second. Only one good dish of Williams' Bon
Chretien was shown, th's coming from the Earl
of Galloway, Galloway House, Garlieston, N.B.
(gardener, ilr. J. Day). Mr. Turton was first in a
weak competition for Comte de Lamy. Confer-
ence was staged by rive exhibitors, the first, very
good, coming from Mr. Woodward, who was fol-
lowed by Mr. W. Slogrove, gardener to Jlrs.
Crawford, Gatton Cottage, Reigate. Six dishes
of Consoiller de la Cour were shown, that from
Mr. Tallack being a fine lot and well ahead of
the others. A grand dish of Doyenne du Comice
secured for Mr. Powell the first prize out of ten
exhibits. Mr. (Joldsmith had the best dish of
Duchesse de Bordeaux, two dishes only being
shown. Eight good dishes of Durondeau were
shown, Mr. Woodward taking first |jlace and Air.
Pragnell second. For Easter Beurr^, first place
was taken by Mr. B. Calvert. Emile d'Heyst was
a weak class of three dishes onlj', Mr. \\'oodward
securing first place. Fondante d'Automne se-
cured four entries of very fair fruits, a good dish
from Mr. A. Basile, gardener to Rev. (i. L.
Powells, \\'oburn Park, Weybridge, taking first
place. The first and second prize di.shes of
Fondante de Thirriot, which came res])ectively
from Mr. Woodward and Mr. Messenger, were
excellent examples of a very fine Pear. Nine
good dishes of Glou Morceau were shown, the
first prize going to Mr. Powell for excellent fruits :
Mr. Woodward was second and Mr. Calveit third.
Mr. Powell was again first for .Josephine de Ma-
lines, Mr. J. W. Herbert second, and Mr. Calvert
third. There were thirteen dishes staged in all.
The class for Louise Bonne of Jersey was a very
attractive one, as all the fruits shown were very
clean and highly coloured. The first prize went
to Mr. .J. Coles (gardener to Mr. H. F. Walker,

Highley, Balcombe, Sussex) ; Mr. Messenger was
second. Ten dishes in all were shown Only
three dishes of Marie Benoist were staged. Mr.
Woodward came first with a fine lot, Mr.
Messenger second. Marie Louise was a good
class of ten dishes. As was the case last year,
colour securerl the principal awards. Air. B.
Osborn was first and Air. Woodward second.
For that ver_y poor Pear Marie Louise d'Uccle,
Mr. Cotterell was placed first out of seven ex-
hibits with a very fine dish. Marguerite Alarillat
was finely shown by Mr. G. Goltlsmith and Mr.
Edwards, of Beechy Lees, and the prizes were
awarded in the above order. Three out of the
five dishes of Nouvelle Fulvie were \ery good,
and these were shown by Air. Woodward, Mr.
Goldsmith and Mr. Wythes. A weak entry only
was secured for Olivier de Serres. Air. G. Gold-
smith showed a nice dish, which secured first
prize from three other exhibits. Twelve fine
dishes of Pitmaston Duchess were shown. Mr.
Cotterell was first for an excellent lot, Mr. \\'ood-
ward second with rather smaller and riper fruit.
Three nice dishes of Seckle were exhibited, the
best a very good lot from Mr. C. Ross ; second.
Air. Turton. Alessrs. G. Goldsmith andG. Fennell
were the only exhibitors of Souvenir du Congres
and were placed in the above order, the first
prize dish an excellent one. Five dishes of
Thompson's showed no very great merit, except
the one from Mr. Pow-ell, placed first. Of
Winter Nelis there were twelve dishes. Air. Wood-
ward being first and Air. Goldsmith second. The
" any other variety " class brought out nice dishes
of various Pears, Mr. Woodward being placed first
for a grand dish of Gansel's Bergamot, Air. Spottis-
wood coming second with Doyennfi Boussoch,
and Air. Goldsmith third with Princess. Other
excellent dishes among the nineteen exhibited \vere
Alme. Trey\e, Chaumontel and Brockworth Park.

For the Veitch prizes for flavour over forty
dishes of Apples were staged, the majority being
Ribston and Cox's Orange Pippins. Many varie-
ties were included that stood very little chance of
winning under present rules, and the necessity
for eliminating varieties that have won a certain
number of times becomes more apparent at each
meeting. Air. H. C. Prinsep repeated his success of
last year, again showing Ribston Pippin in prime
condition ; and Mr. Herrin was second with
Cox's Orange. In the corresponding class for
Pears, Air. B. Osborn was first for Louise Bonne
of Jersey, and Air. Cotterell second with Fon-
dante d'Automne. Over thirty dishes were
shown, and the judges' palates must have been
much tried in testing for flavour so many Apples
and Pears at one time.

Miscellaneous Exhibits.

A much greater space was filled this year with
miscellaneous exhibits, and some were most at-
tractive, the plants and flowei's giving a bright
finish to the lines of fruit. First in the order of
merit must be placed the collection from Mr.
Thomas, The Royal Gardens, Frogmore. Here
were grand Pine-apples, excellent Muscat of
Alexandria Grapes in baskets. Peaches, Alelons,
Black Hamburgh Grapes, Plums in variety, hardy
fruits, and Tomatoes. From the Royal Horticul-
tural Society's Gardens were sent forty-four
varieties of Pears and some twenty kinds of
Grapes, including a bunch of Gros Guillaume
weicfhing 8 llis. , Black Hamburgh, Muscat Ham-
burgh, Mrs. Pince, Alicante, and Alnwick Seed-
ling. Pears were staged in quantity, the best
being Princess, Thompson's, Beurre Bosc, Doy-
enn§ du Comice, Flemish Beauty, Emile d'Heyst,
Napoleon, and Uvedale's St. (Jermain. Messrs.
Veitch, Lim., Chelsea, staged a large quantity of
fruit, l(j(l dishes in all. The Apples were excel-
lent and the Pears good, the bright Physalis
Franchetti being largely used in decoration, also
Rosa rugosa, the fruit being nicely arranged.
The same firm had a charming group of Nerine
Fothergilli major nicely arranged with Ferns.
The plants w'cre the finest we have seen of late ;
many of the small pots had bulbs carrying three
or four trusses. Alessrs. Cheal and Son, Crawlej-,
Sussex, had large groups of Dahlias and a good

collection of fruit, 180 dishes of Apples and Pears,'
the centre of the table being fruit trees in potsj
laden with fruit, the base filled in with baskets of*
Apples some twenty in number, and comprisirt"
the liest varieties in commerce. This formed a'
pleasing exhibit. Alessrs. Laing and Sons, Forest
Hill, staged ninety dishes of Apples and Fears in
variety', the centre of the table being filled with
Orange trees bearing fruits freely. This firm alst
exhibited a fine collection of herbaceous plants,
Dahlias, Chrysanthemums, Begonias, Strep
tocarpi, and Nepenthes Mastersiana. Mr.,
T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham
had a splendid exhibit of hardy flowers in greai
variety, and Dahlias well arranged with Begonii
seedlings lifted from the open air. Messrs
Paul and Son, Cheshunt, had Roses in grea'
variety, both in pots and as cut flowers. Then
were baskets of hardy Cyclamens and other herba
ceous plants in variety. Fruit w-as likewise stagec
largely, including Apples, Pears, and Plums
Alessrs. W. Paul and Son, Waltham Cross, had .■
splendid collection of cut Roses arranged ii
baskets and boxes. The new China Rose Queei
Alab, Enchantress, Cramoisi Superieur, Marc
chal Niel, Sylph, Aledea, and Alarie van Houtte
with numerous hybrids, and twelve varieties o i
Koses raised at Waltham Cross were in good con
dition. Alessrs. Harkness and Sons, Bedale, sen
a large collection of herbaceous plants, Roses i:
variety and of excellent quality, Liliums, Chrysar
themums, and Carnations, the chief feature (
the collection being some fine seedling Gladiol
From Alessrs. Williams, HoUoway, came a nic
group of fine-foliaged plants, including grandl
coloured Crotons, Draca'nas, Palms, and Fern;
The beautiful Croton Emperor Alexander was i
fine form. From Reading, Messrs. Sutton sent
fine display of Tomatoes arranged in basket;
jjerfect fruits of the best varieties. Perfeetioi
(iolden Queen, Eclipse, Sunbeam, The Suttoi
A 1, Peachblow and Pomegranate were the kin(
staged, and, being shown in (juantity, were mur
admired. Alessrs. Fisher, Son, and Sibray, Hand
worth, Shertield, sent a good collection of Appl'
and a few Pears. The former were excellent, ai
the whole well set up. Air. W. Home, Pen
Hill, Rochester, had good Apples and Pea
in groups. Messrs. Spooner, Hounslow, had
large collection of Apples and Pears, includii
twenty baskets and about sixty dishes of tl.e be
varieties of Apples and Pears. Air. B. Well
Crawley Fruit Nursery, had a small collection ■
Apples and Pears in variety. Air. W. Well
Earlswood, sent cut Chrysanthemums arrang(
in glasses. The Horticultural College, Swank
arranged a table consisting of preserved fruits
bottles, with Grapes in variety, Alelons, Apple
Pears, and Tomatoes. Alessrs. W. Gaymer, Attl
borough, had fine Apples of a few \arieties (
a stand erected on a table. Alessrs. Peed ar
Sons, Streatham, had 120 dishes of Apples ai
Pears, Grapes Gros Maroc, Aladresfield, and AI
cante, and excellent hardy fruits in great variet
Messrs. Cannell and Sons, Swanley, had .sever
groups, one composed of Cannas in pots, also ci
of Physalis Franchetti nicely arranged. M
A. W. Young, Stevenage, sent Dahlias, Aster
Liliums, and hardy herbaceous flowers, with
collection of <;ourds and Tomatoes.

Boyal Horticultural Society.— The nc:
fruit and floral meeting of the Royal Horticultur
Society will be held on Tuesdaj-, October 12,
the Drill Hall, James Street, Victoria Stree
Westminster, 1 to 5p.m. A lecture on "Son
Curiosities of Orchid Breeding ' will be given 1
Mr. C. C. Hurst at .3 p.m.

Names of plants. — CoimtaTices. — Virg'iii:

Poke (Phytolacca decandra). E. Cecil.— I ami

probably t'oims of DeDdr..biura Wardianum; 3, f^
droliium priniulinum ; 4, Epidendrum vitellinum.---
W. L. — Cannot undertake to name Crotons.— H. B'
1 and 2, forms of Impatiers glandulifera ; 3, Cl»wi|
obliqua. IK C.—l, Aster puniceus ; 2, A. tevis va)

Karnes of fruit.— J. W. Bunis.—?e&T, pr

bably Beurre Ranee. W. i.— Conical fruit

Adams' Pearmain, the flat fruit Fearn's Pippin.

THE GARDEN.

0. 1352.— Vol. LII.]

[OCTOBER 16, 1897.

santhemums :—

^-sMiitlK-miini A. 11.

•wkos ,.

Crsaiitlieinum Ivy Stark
/sftiithcmmn AInie. Des-
iXHge imd it.s sports
.•anuthonium \V. (J.

iwitt

■santhomum Mrs. II.

;ek8

sjiuthomuin Myt-hctt

Into

C i-santheimmi Pien-yH

edlin^

■■sautliominiis, cdlours in

Ro a :—

H I rugosji Blanche de

>iil)ort

.nien, in the
; iiCL-hal Xiol .. ..
w Til. Allen Ricliardson

IVs, death of

B;s, mildew on

Orjilda :—

leya guttata

11 ilrobium chrysantlium
IJfn Dornianiana

iiuni zebrinum . .

ids for amateurs . .
PJimbinum candidvnn

V ia eujrulea

7. nwtalnm Mackayi..

2i)S
297
298
29S
297
297

Flovrer : —

Agcratnni, a good dwarf blno 303

Anenumu japonica all)a . . 303

Aster St. Brigid 303

Aster trials at Mortlake .. 302

Aster viniincvis 303

Bouvardias in the open . . 303

Campanida isophylla . . .. 301

Cai-nation Uriah Piko .. .. 300

Carnations, American .. .. 800

Carnations, planting . . ., 301

Culchicunis 300

Cosmos bipinnatiis .. ,. 303

Crocu.s .''peciosus 300

Dahlia, a fine single . . . . 303

Dahlia Mont Blanc . . . . 303

Dahlias, new 302

Delphinium nudicaulo.. ,, 303

Erigeron speciosus superbus 303

Flower garden notes . . . . 300
Flowers, some native, iu the

autumn garden 302

Gladiohis tristis 301

Hollyhock, the 302

Irisis, Jiip(int.-(t, mode of pro-

Uctintj from irater rats .. 301
Irises, protecting, from

water rats 301

Lobelia cardinalis 299

Nymphteas, tropieal, in the

open air 802

Physalis Franchetti . . . . 303

Plants, two old 303

Polygonum Baldschuanicum 303

(Illustrations in Italics.)

ryrctliruin ulit^iiidsuin .. S02
Sweet WilliuniH wliieli have

tlovvoruil 300

Garden Flora:—

CloinatiriCS, hyl'i-id ('(HTilioa 304

Week's Work :—

Fruit ^Mnlcii, work iu the .. 30.^)

Kitclun garden, work in tlie 305

Orchard and Fruit :—

Apple Eve SOS

Fruit trees, pruning . . . . 309
Grape Black liainhurtjli ia i

pranhousc 308

Gi"apes, keeping 308

Gnijies. late, thinning.. .. 309

Peaeli Mar<|uis of Downshire .W7

Pear liackhousos DeniT6 .. 80!)
Pear Doyenn6 du Cornice,

scarcity of 300

Pe.ir Bmile d'Heyst .. .. 307

Pear Magnate 300

Pear Marie Louise d'Uccle . . 308

Pe.ar Triomphe de Vienue . . 309

Plum trees, gross 308

Strawlterries for market . . 308
Strawberries, novel method

of forcing 307

Strawberries, notes on . . . . 306

Vine borders, mulching late 308

Vinery, an aniatevn-'a .. .. 308
Yellows in Poaches, boiling

water for 309

Trees and Shrubs:—

CratH'gus Crus-galli .. .. 310

Hamamclis virginiea .. .. 310

Hydrangea paniculata.. .. 310

Hydrangeas, blue 310

O.ak, the .scarlet 310

Rhus cotinoides 310

Wistaria sinensis in a Glourcs-

lershire village 310

Wistarias, the 310

Societies :—

Koyal Horticulti-U-al .. .. 311
United Horticultural Benefit

and Provident Society .. 313

Notes of the Week:—

Antirrhinum Hendersoni .. 313

Aster ericoides 313

Aster Amellus Riverslea .. 313
Aster punieeus gr,andiHorus 313
Begonia Gloire do Loiraine 3U
Chrysanthemum Etoile d'Or S13
Chrysanthemum Klondyke 313
Chrysanthemum Mrs. Wing-
field 313

Chrysanthemum W. H.

Fowler 313

Gladiolus Raphael CoUin .. 313

Jaeobinta mngni6ca .. .. 313

Kniphofia Nelsoni 314

Kniphofia Woodi 314

Lilium spcciosuni cruontum 313

Ncrine pudica 313

Passiflora raccmosu . . . . 313

Pelargonium Duke of Fife . . 313

Schizostylis coccinea .. .. 814

Hedum Rorderi 313

Violet The Czar 313

Wales, outdoor Grapes froni 314

Public Gardens:—

Association, Metropolitan

Pubhc Gardens 314

Barnes Common 314

Parks, London, surplus bed-
ding plants in 314

Obituary :—

Siott, William 314

Miscellaneous :—

Fruit and vc^:etablo crops .. 3C4
Grass iraU-, a, m fairii'ld

Gardens SOQ

Gra-ss walks *299

Solanum jasminoides . . , . 309

Wasps 30a

Campanula patula 314

Todea superba 314

Wales, Irish-grown wood for 314

Weather, the, in West Herts 314

Chrysanthemums.

OLOURS IN CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

NcfviTHSTAXiilxii the miiuber of new varieties

arc being introduced each year, I think it

be said we are advancing Ijut slowly in the

niaerof rich, highly-coloured kinds. Whites

(uw^'ellows are fairly jjlentiful, and it hardly

see s possible to improve them. They may be

in various and beautiful types of fdrm,

1 ;ood reds w<iuld be most welcfimc. It was

»b<t ten years back that the variety E. Moly-

nei startled the Chrysanthemum world by the

graleur of the blossoms then exhibited, and

I VI now there is nothing to approach it. This

. however, appears to have had its con-

I'iU impaired by the higli culture necessary

to ptain large blooms, and is rarely seen in

"Triing like good form. Time after time one

with plants of E. Molyneux having small

A foliage where it should be well deve-

: and leathery, and the flowers refuse to

■ut on long peduncles away from the

a sure sign in the case of this sort that

nt blossoms will follow. Several growers

m I know have from various sources changed

tbt stock v\ith the hope of a return to former

vigjir, but this has iKjt as.sisted them.

late years Mr. Seward's seedlings have
lis more of the needed colour than have
"f other raisers. One can imagine he
-'■d Mrs. Falconer .lameson as a jjarent
;aetty freely, as many of his varieties par-
I that kind in habit of growth. Many of
tni>, have a similar tendency to produce
liloom-bud.i late in the year, hence a
1 mniiber of failures with them. Dorothy
'1, Mrs. John Shrimpton, of last year's no-
yl ts, and John Neville, of this, must be topped
p'ly spring to obtain buds soon enough
velop into large flowers. To return to
Jjig y-coloured Chrysanthemums. William

Sev
isr
its

rd was a splendid gain, but this somehow
. seen in good form very often . It loses
;h crimson tint very quickly, and as large

blooms take a considerable time to open, the
lower portion becomes dingy before the top
florets are out. Apart, hf)wever, from large
blooms, there is no other variety to equal the
sort named in its rich dark crimson tint.
Jeanne Delaux, which was known before
William Seward, appears to be quite gone out
of cultivation, but if well grown there would
yet be room for it. The growth is not of the
robust order ; this, no doubt, caused many to
discard it. William Holmes, Cullingfordi and
.lohn Shrimpton are all flowers of extra good
colour for medium-sized blocmis, but they cannot
be produced large enough for exhibition. I
thought by the blooms which M. Calvat first
exhibited of C. H. Payne that a rich vivid
crimson sort of surpassing beauty was obtained.
This, again, has been a failure in the hands of
British growers. Mr. A. G. Hubbuck gives us
a nice shade of crimson-brown, and the habit of
the plant is very sturdy. I am, afraid, how-
ever, that the sort will not take the place of
E. Molj'neux. M. Geo. Biron has flowers of a
good crimson hue. The fault of this, however,
is that it loses its lea\es in most cases, and is
therefore an ungainly plant. Dorothy Seward
is a richly-tinted sort ; terra-cottared. It keeps
the colour well, and is in form and size most
desirable. .lohn Neville promises well. The
colour, light crimson with buff reverse, is
bright and taking. This is a handsomely-
formed blo.ssom, with long, trailing florets.
.Joseph Brooks is not yet open. This sort was
one of the richest coloured of last year's new
ones. That old variety Miss Dorothea Shea
supplies a very nice deep terra-cottji shade
when well grown, and is most attractive iu a
collection.

Pride of Madford is by far the best variety
of a violet-crimson tint ; but, like others of
that colour, it sometimes exhibits too mucli of
the lilac shade on the back of its petals. This
is an Australian variety. I believe a crim.son-
coloured sport from it exists. This will be wel-
come when introduced generally. Nyanza has
Ijlossoms of the deepest possible crim.son shade,

and is a magnificent sort when seen at its best.
It is rather uncertain, but I fancy it will he
esteemed for the supply of late blooms when
better known. That dwarf-growing kind M.
Chenon de L6che has most distinct colouring,
and Col. W. B. Smith is a variety by itself with
its lovely shade of bronzy yellow. INIme. Marius
Ricoud has rose-coloured flowers of a brighter
tint than is to be found in any other sort, and
Viviand Morel is distinct in its mauve shade.
G(jlden Gate must be grown for its shade of
tawny-yellow colour ; it is a splendid variety.
Thomas Wilkins has blooms of a somewhat
similar shade, and is an excellent kind. Mrs.
John Shrimpton gives us a most distinct shade
of bronze, but there is a dead look about it that
does not please me.

Yellow Chrysanthemums are \ery charming.
I know of none so perfect in finish as is Edith
Tabor. We have a deeper yellow in Modesto.
The petals of this, too, have first-rate substance,
and it is certain to become popular. Phcebus
and Oceana are also two very tine yellows. The
former reflexes its petals ; the other is an in-
curving kind. They are models of ditt'erent
types. I am looking forward to seeing fine
blooms this year of Calvat's .Australian (lold ;
it is now most promising. Being widely dis-
tributed, the variety will have a better chance
this year than it did l.tst. It seems to gi-ow
well under any conditions. The variety Mnie.
Carnot will not be easily surpassed as a show
flower among whites. This and Mme. Ad.
Chatenay are grand types, tlie one drooping in
form, the other incurving. They will have
lilenty of rivals this year in such as Mrs. .).
Lewis, Baronne A. de Rotlischdd, Simplicity,
Western King, and Mme. Gustave Henry.
Then Mutual Friend, Mile. A. de Galbert,
Souvenir de Petite Amie, and other older kinds
are too tine to be discarded. H. S.

Chrysantliemum W. G. Newitt is a first-
rate white kind. It is of American origin, and is
a failure if the plants be grown in the natural
way. The points of the shoots must be tojiped

29G

TPIE GARDEN.

[October 16, 1897.

in March, this causing the formation of early
flower-buds. From plants so treated blooms are
each 6 inches across and of similar depth. The
florets droop gracefully, making a fine show on
stems not 3 feet high from the pots. — H.

Chrysanthemiim A. H. Fewkes. — This
Japane.se variety not being one of the huge-sized
ones has caused many to discard it, but it is an
exceedingly fine sort for general culture. It is
yellow, of a rich dark shade, and the flowers are
of capital incurving form. Its growth is dwarf
and sturdy, the foliage being retained to the last.
The flowers are borne close to the lea\'es, a point
of some importance when they ai-e used for cut-
ting.— H.

Chrysanthemum Mychett White.— This is
a new variety which is sure to be in demand.
Plants which were freely disbudded have de-
veloped a goodly number of large and handsome
flowers, and others grown with very little or no
disbudding are covered with charming little
blossoms. They may be cut in sprays or indi-
vidually, and each flower has a footstalk of a
useful length. The blossoms are of the purest
white, witb fairly long fluted petals, and under
glass are beautifully pure. I am growing this
new sort in the open border, and here it is doing
well, being a mass of bloom. — D. B. C.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. H. Weeks. — I am
afraid tliere will again this year be no end of
failures with this variety, because many growers
did not top the plants in the spring. In early
October I noted instances where the flower-buds
were not showing, and certainly in such cases
there will not be time for blooms to develop into
large ones. This is essentially a show flower, and
a very handsome one, its pearly white blooms
having been grown to enormous proportions.
Probably the best way to cultivate it is to strike
the cuttings rather late, say February, and allow
it to grow on with one stem in a pot not more
than 8 inches across, selecting the fii'st flower-
bud.— H. S.

Chrysanthemum Ivy Stark. — The blos-
soms of this sort should be welcomed by those \\ ho
complain of want of brightness in the early-
flowering varieties. .Just now it is coming into
bloom, the colour being a very bright shade of
golden orange ; in fact, when freely disbudded it
is not unlike a bright flower of the well-known
mid-season variety. Source d'Or. In the border
it is succeeding very well, each of the plants,
owing to its tine branching habit, being of large
size and blossoming most profusely. Each flower
has a good footstalk, so that individual ones may
be cut, or, if preferred, handsome sprays of four
or five pretty flowers make an efl'ective display
for a small vase. The constitution is robust and
the height from 2.^ feet to 3 feet. This variety
should be in demand for market work. — IX B. C.

Chrysanthemum Piercys Seedling. — I saw
this most useful autnmn-flowering Chrysanthe-
mum in tine form at Kelham Hall a week ago.
The colour (a bronzy yellow) is \'ery popular just
now, and trusses sell w-ell. The plant is of e.\-
ceptionally dwarf habit and a most prolific
bloomer. Mr. W'ebb (the gardener at Kelham)
considers it one of the very best for market dur-
ing September. The flowers stand damp weather
and rain nuich better than those of some of the
autumn-blooming varieties — Mme. Desgrange,
for instance, which soon decays if damp settles
on the petals. In various lists of autumn varie-
ties I have looked through, no mention is made of
Piercy's Seedling, so that I do not think it is as
yet very generally known. The private gardener
will find it as useful as the grower for market. —
J. C.

Chrysanthemum Mme. Desgrange and its
sports. — I was not aware until reading the remarks
in The G.vkden on the display of autumn- flowering
Chrysanthemums at the Aquarium of the existence
of Mrs. Hawkins, described as a yellow sport from
the origiiud straw-coloured Desgrange, but I
am acquainted with Mrs. G. Wermig, also a golden
sport from the same variety. As seen at Kelham
Hall just now it appears to be quite as free as

its parent, and is much appreciated, as good
yellows always sell well, particularly in autumn,
when few sorts of that colour are obtainable. I
particularl}' noticed the eSect housing the old
Mme. Desgrange as soon as the buds began to
o))en had on the colour of the expanded blooms.
The large batch at Kelham was arranged in a
long span-roofed house and beneath the partial
shade of Tomatoes. The few blooms that were
open at the time of my visit were white enough
for wreath-making, and Mr. Webb informed me
than in an ordinary house, even when no shade was
given, the blooms came of a good white shade.
The original Desgrange is still a favourite with
market growers. At the beginning of September
I saw near Norwich 3 acres or 4 acres of this
variety in the pink of condition. Care is taken
not to plant too thickly so as to encourage
milflew, and towards the end of the month the
greater part of the blooms is cut and sold in
bunches in Norwich market, this extending over
several weeks, while a small proportion of the
plants is lifted and sold cheajily for window
plants. In this particular neighbourhood land is
very high priced, yet I was informed on good
authority Chrysanthemum growing paid far
better than anv corn crop that could be grown. —
J. C.

Rose Garden.

ROSE MARECHAL NIEL.

Although not always reliable in the open, who
of us cannot recall more than one grand plant
upon a house or wall, especially when the
position was partly sheltered ? I have seen it
in magnificent form in all aspects, even facing
due north, but the safest and best position is
one due south and provided with partial shelter
against strong south-west winds. This season
I have se\ eral maiden standards that have given
a really good autunm crop of bloom, and very
welcome the flowers are ; indeed, Marechal Niel
is never out of place. Occasionally we get a few
good floweis late in the summer, but as a rule
this grand old favourite only gives one good crop,
and that upon wood made the previous summer.
This fact is partly my reason for giving a few
notes at such an a]]parently unsuitable date.

Surely such valuable wood is worth a little
care and protection ; and if we .should be visited
by severe fro.st, especially if bright sunny days
accompany the frost, I would warn against the
serious harm accruing to wood that is alter-
nately frcizen and thawed. At night everything
is frozen hard, while when the sun rises a
warmly-situated front of a house is often several
degrees abox'e freezing point. I am convinced
that many a good crop of blossom has been lost
through these extremes following one another
so closely and being repeated so many times
during a .spell of severe weather. I would meet
it by fixing a mat over the wood as the sun sets,
removing this again directly the air has felt the
influence of sun warmth once mure. It is Hot
so much that Marechal Niel is tender as the
fact that it does not seem able to withstand
severe fluctua,tions. If tender, how is it we so
often find a grand old specimen upon a north
wall ? Here we frequently get some of the
grandest flowers, they coming a little later and
escaping the sudden changes of temperature
experienced by those in the front of the house.

Unfortunately, thisRtse is more subject to
canker than others. It is a puzzling disease.
Among plants that ha^-e been treated exactly
the same and are of similar age we may find
canker on one, while the others will continue to
grow aw.ay healthily for many more seasons.
Then, if wc put in a second specimen in place
of the affected plant, it is quite as likely to
grow away in a healthy and vigorous manner as

it is to develop canker similar to its pred
cessor. I feel sure that all observant Ih,
growers will be in accord with me when I s,
there is much to be learnt before we c;
successfully liattle with this terril)le diseas
We may be convinced of several facts th
a[)parently conduce towards this disease, h
when we are so frequently confronted wi
specimens under the same conditions, and j
absolutely free, it would be rather bold to sta
with any degree of certainty what is the cau
of, or remedy for, canker. My advice is to re
out the plant immediately after its next crop
bloom has been secured and plant afresh. Tl
variety will soon cover a large space, and t
blank is not of long duration. On the otli
hand, we sometimes find an old plant bcari
many cankered joints, and yet annually jn
ducing good wood and blossom. But this is t
exception rather than the rule, and I believe
wiser to replant at once. Give it good S(
frequent and thorough soakings while in f
growth and bloom, also when making its L
snnuner shoots. Do not prune awaj' more th
can be helped of last season's wood, and taki
little trouble as regards protection from such]
extremes of temperature.

When we come to the cool conservatory
slightly heated greenhouse, what more genu
favourite for the back wall or roof can
possibly have ? Here it may be depended iq
to give a good crop of l)loom, and such l)luii
as we very seldom see in the open. Do i
restrict the root-run, treat it generously, kt
free from insect pests from the first, and alii
all do not start it into fresh growth too eai
Many start a plant early in the year, perli:
during a spell of brighter and milder weatli
and are not aljle to keep up a suitable tempt
ture during the end of Feljruary and throi
March, a time when new growth is abund
and we are often experiencing most try
weather Retard the plant as far as possil
and when it will grow in spite of tliis c
treatment, give it every assistance. You will
surprised at the rapidity with which such a pi
will overtake one that was started some wC'
earlier, but which received a slight check ai
it had made growths of ■'-! inches or 4 inches,
would ahvays severely summer-prune thi.s R'
under glass, cutting out the wi>od as soon a:
has flowered. This severe pruning also adn
more liglit for other subjects at a time ivl
such is indispensable. If a plant is growing
the border near an c;>utside wall, cover over I
outside soil with short litter or light st;i
manure, as many of the roots are certiviu
penetrate below the foundation of the wall a
get into the outside soil. R

Mildew on Roses.— At page 21(i " Amatei
asks for a remedj' for mildew on Roses. I '
confidently recommend the following, which 1 1
from Mr. Tallack, Livermere Park : Three poui
of unslacked lime, 4 pounds of sulphur, andj
gallon of water. Boil all together for forty miniit |
leave standing till clear, then bottle only the cI-
liquid. Dilute when wanted from J to J pint
3 gallons of soft water, and use through a spra>
Do not bring the solution into contact v
painted surfaces. It is advisable to make seve
gallons at a time.— .J. Ckawfokd.

Rose William Allen Richardson.— I 1|;
seldom seen this pretty Rose Ijloom so contiM'
ously and well as it has done this season. .DuriJ
the great heat in the middle of the summer it Vj
almost the only one here I could cut even far,
good buds and flowers from, and although sii'
the weather has been cooler many other kind.-- ■
in better order, this is still full of flower, the
dividual blooms having the deep orange tint «
developed. It is one of those Roses that will i

TOBEB If), 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

297

if the shoots are out hard bnck every yoiu- ;
t, tlie more it is left iilono in reason tlio
.-H. H.

B larugosa Blanche de Coiibert. — A ^noMp

Ml Kost';it \\r\v is particularly ploasinj^. Tin'

is- CMiually as liandsotni; as tliat of the

;')sa ni^'osa, \\liile tlie l.)loonis are of tfiat

iiiiV wliito common to 1\. riigosa allia.

iistdof liein^ sinj;lf, they arc, however, senii-

iiill', lifrht in outline, and really eharminn;.

,. r osa and its varieties are very ornamental,

ml pwerinjr as they do throughout the season,

''\ brij,'htlyeoloured fruits may be found on

's at the same time as the later blooms.

iiietimcs ditlieult to get the varieties of

. rfosa on their own roots, in which ease it is

:rf plan to layer the shoots as soon as they are

illy long, when they will push out roots of

nil, and in time form (uiite a mass or

.1 -T.

D'.th of Roses.— Will you kindly tell me

.\ Roses retjuire such frequent renewal?

dener says many of the kinds must be

..^ d every year. My soil is heavy, and such

1 isldled a good Rose soil. — S. H.

It is simply a vicious sy.stem that is to
liat is, grafting all sorts of beautiful and
■i tender Roses on standards of the Dog

I :iuse it gives the nurseryman a better
1 short time. Some kinds are so nearly
nature to the Dog Rose that they take oil
I stock, while others do not. You are

from «hat thousands of gardens in Eng-
-utlering from, blind faith in what the
i.in iloes for you. The remedy is a dif-
-tern. Try and get Roses— anyRoses you
on their own roots ; and as the nursery-

I I .m su pply strong Roses in this way , a good
to get all the Roses " worked" quite low

that the union of the stock and the graft

'he ground level, and is so protected, and

-at may even strike root. If you have to

3 vih delicate Roses, like some Teas, which

"y nt in all cases on our cool country's cold
•»■ well on their own roots, then you may
r chase them on the Dog Rose ; but the
rween the graft and the scion should be
t it may be covered by the earth, and in a
I ilete sense protected against our ordinary
In light soils, in which the Dog Rose
I lu-i\-e, Rose troubles will be often greater
-e you describe, as on these we compel
-e, houever vigorous, to grow on a stock
"ly thrives on heavy soils. One evil re-
I le .system in vogue is that all who have

,-.t-oils suppose they cannot grow Roses and

i»e[i the struggle.— Ed.

IN THE ROSE GARDEN.

■iisT.iNnix,! a lot of wet and rather rough

the Rose garden is still one of the most

•■"I outdoor features. I recently saw
Itndid beds of Teas and Hybrid Teas that

iie mass of blossom. The best were ().

' ind, Papa Oontier, Safrano, Mrs. W. J.
Mane van Houtte, Souvenir de la Mal-
"id Manpns of Salisbury. As a matter
'do not get a quantity of good autumnal
- trom full and double-Howered varieties ;
such as those named abo\-e are perfect
tlie season when hot suns do not cause
"d even jiremature expansion. A few

'•"ses that are doing exceptionallv well
mm are Marjorie, Mrs. \V. C. Whitney,
I'arles, Maman Cochet. Edith (iiiibrd,
'■lardin.s (Jeneral Jaccjueminot, Princesse
1. and Mrs. Rumsey. The last-named is
'ts best m the autumn, being mildew-
>ery free bloomer, bright, but not so full
■'s is desired by the exhibitor. It is a
-se for decoration. The new Tea Empress

tia ot Russia is also very good with me.

"• tirst week in July until the present time

' my Koses have been in bloom. There

i^,U.!' "'■"^ ■"'''"'P "P''" °f "-"l rust, which
'sai iared almost as rapidly as it invariably

attacks during the seasons it appears. Insects
and mildew were not quite so troublesome as
usual, and the Rose season of 18117 has been one
of more than average pleasure, although fewer
grand flowers than is sometimes the case lia\e
lieeii olitained.

The budde<l stocks look well, and 1 find fewer
failures than usual. The growtli of both Rose
and .stock has been vigorous without being coarse
and rampant, and there is every appearance of
the wood ripening well. Much work must be
done soon. Summer pruning needs linishing,
vigorous shoots .secured, bnds loosened, and the
ground cleared and mulched. Wo must al.so
decide soon if protection shall be allbrded or not,
and get the necessary material to hand, so avoid-
ing any delay at the rush which always accom-
panies severe frost. Then we have Rose cuttings
of partially ripened wood to insert, also those of
such dwarf stocks as the Manetti, De la Grifi'eraie
and Brier. These must be seen to at once if the
best results are to be obtained. Pot Roses must
be overhauled and some means taken to keep
away superfluous wet. Plants may be lifted from
the open and potted as soon as they exhibit signs
of ripening ; such will get a partial start before
frost arrives, and this is a great help in the future,
especially as a safeguard against the drying and
.shrivelling of wood from keen winds. The ground
intended for new beds should be dug and manured
now, so as to get a little settled before planting.

R.

Orchids.

ZYGUPETALUM MACKAYI.

Theke is a good deal of confusion respecting
this .species and Zygopetaluni intermedium,
but so little difference that one is often grown
for the other. Z. Mackayi as.knownin gardens
is a fine species, free blooming, easily culti-
vated, the blossoms long-lasting, sweetly
scented and very handsome. It is always
more satisfactory in large titan small plants, as
when tlie pseudo-bulbs attain their full size
they produce immense spikes of flower. The
delicate colouring on the lip contrasts well with
the more neutral tints of Ijrown and green ujjon
the sepals and petals. The plants are usually
most satisfactory in an intermediate tempera-
ture, but in this respect they are not fastidiiius.
Bright sunlight is very injurious to the foliage,
so the hou.se in which they are grown must be
somewhat closely shaded during the suniiiier.
Some very tine old plants ia a neighbouring
garden have been for many years grown in quite
a dark old-fashioned house, principally occu-
pied by Maiden-hair and other greenhouse
Ferns — not an ideal place for either perhaps ;
still both get along well, the (Jrchids flowering
freely every season. Wherever a nice growing
temperature is kept up during the spring
and summer and a winter temperature of
about 50' maintained, this species will, if
well treated in other ways, be generally satis-
factory. The I'oots are large and fleshy, of a
far more brittle nature than those oi most ( )r-
chids ; consequently a rough compost is needed,
and one that will not tiio often requiie renewal.
Being rather gross-feeding, the staple must be
good, and there must be thickness enough to
ensure a thorough roothold. There is no doubt
that good loam tibre lasts a good deal longer in
good condition in the moist heat of the Orchid
house than does peat. It is al.so more holding,
and though some species of Orchids will not
thrive init, this Zygopetalum will. JMixitin equal
proportions with Sphagnum Moss and peat and
.add plenty of rough opening material, such as
pc.ittery ballast, crocks, or charcoal, and it will
form an ideal compo.st for this Orcliid. Large
plants such as would HIl pots each a foot or 18

inches across would require at least C inches of
compost to grow them well, but smaller or
badly rooted bits must have much less. A
good deal of care is required in pulling about
old plants, as, for reasons above nientinned, Iho
roots are very easily damaged ; yet somo
at least of the ohl material will be found
to have got sour and close, and this must
be got out. Sometimes they get bare of Icad.s,
and naturally of foliage in the centre, and
tlie best thing to do in this case is to divide
them into two or three, either remassiiig them
or setting them going separately on their own
account. Some of the older leafless p.scudo-
biilbs may be cut right awaj-, but the less of
this the better, always provided .a well-furni.sheJ
specimen is the result. Plants that have the
conipo.st silted away from about the roots may,
if in good order below, have a little new mate-
rial ])acked around the bases of the bulbs and
made firm. The line of compost may finish a
little above the rim in a ccmvex mound. The
young growth usually starts away some time
during the summer months, the tips of the
tl(jwer-spikes appearing in the young growths
when a few inches high. From this time until
the pseudo-bulbs are well made up an almndant
supply of moisture will be necessary ; in fact,
few epiphytal kinds re(iuire a more regular
supply the wlicjle year through, and any slack-
ness is usually followed by shrivelled bullis and
puny flower-spikes. The long, strap-shaped
leaves of this plant have a very tine apjiear-
ance when they are kept ((uite clean and free
of insects. The worst trouble comes frcjm red
spider and scale, but neither of these need occa-
sion any mischief if reasonable care is taken in
sponging and the atmospheric conditions of the
house kept right.

Oncidium zebrinum. — This I recently noted
in good condition, the long branching spikes bear-
ing a large number of the singularly striped
flowers. It is not a ditlieult plant to cultivate,
and thrives well on trellised blocks or in baskets
suspended in a light, moderately cool house.
During the time that growth is active a free sup-
ply of moisture to the roots is necessary, and this
is as often as not for the greater part of the year.
Even when at rest, enough moisture to keep the
pseudo-bulbs plump should be given, any shri\ el-
ling being assuredly followed by weak, puny
growths and flower-spikes. The compost may be
of the usual description for this class of Orchid,
and as it dislikes being pulled about, only a little
of this should be allowed, a little fresh lieing
added yearly about the time the spikes show just
Ijefore the young bulbs begin to emit roots. The
present is its usual flowering season, and it is a
native of Venezuela. — R.

Vanda coerulea. — Very beautiful just now
are the blossoms of this favourite species, esjie-
cially the deeply-tinted, broad-petalled forms.
When really well grown this is one of the very
best in the genus. It does not thrive in every
place, but this is more often than not owing to
the unnatural and needless amount of heat to
which it is subjected. As a matter of fact, it is
often exposed to frost in its native habitat, but,
of course, no one would think of doing so un ler
cultivation. In the lightest part of a house kept
at an intermediate tem])erature, and especially if
placed near a ventilator, it is usually satisfactory
during the growing season, and w'hile the plants
are at rest a minimum of ."id" is ample. Watering
requires care, as the roots are easily damaged by
too much moisture. Plants only semi-established
are especiallj- liable to injury from this. It does
not require a great amount of root spare, nice
ittle sjiecimens being grown in pots or baskets
about 6 int'hcs in diameter. Single-stemmed
plants do well in the 4-inch size, with a little
Sjihagnuin Moss and charcoal about the roots.
V, cierulea is a native of the Khasia Hills, where

298

THE GARDEK

[October 16, 1897

it grows on the bare bark of the trees at an eleva-
tion of about 4000 feet.

Lselia Dormaniana. — This pretty species
sometimes throws a second lot of flowers at this
season, and their briglit tints make them very
acceptable just now. Usually about tliree blos-
soms occur on the spike, which rises from the top
of the slender bulb. They are each .3^ inches
across, the outer segments varying in colour, the
brightest being almost entirely rose-purple, the
lip Drighter in colour with deep port-wine coloured
veins. L. Dormaniana presents no especial diffi-
culty to the cultivator, yet in only a very few
places is it usually well grown. It is often placed
in too large pots, and, because the roots fail to get
a good hold of the compost, they are surfeited
and yet star\'ed. Some very fine examples I noted
in the spring of this year were growing in small
wooden baskets, these being suspended from the
roof of a warm house, and the roots not kept un-
duly moist. The plants might be sa'd to be
squeezed into them, for there was hardly any
space between the bases of the bulbs and the rods
of the basket. The usual Cattleya house tem-
perature and general treatment suit it well, and
it flowers very freely in spring.

Cattleya guttata. — Several forms of this
species are now blooming, better known than the
type, perhaps, being the variety Leopoldi. This
sends up a stout flower-spike with a dozen or
more blossoms, and when these are of a good form
they make a tine display. C. guttata is not a
dithcult plant to grow, requiring to be potted in
fairly large pots in a rough open compost of peat
and Moss. The growths start in eaily spring
with the advancing light and rest during the
winter months, and all such plants are much more
easily kept in condition than those that grow while
the days are shortanddark. The variety mentioned
above is apt to damp off when the young bulbs are
about half formed, the mischief commencing in a
discoloration of the sheath and spreading to the
underlying tissues. Doubtless it is more due to
external conditions than to constitution, and it is
wise to be on the look-out that a low night tem-
perature does not occur at the same time as
undue moisture. The roots are strong and vigor-
ous and are usually emitted when the young
bulbs are forming, this being a good time to
attend to repotting. Water must be very care-
fully applied afterwards and until the roots have
regained their hold on the new compost. The
plant is widely distributed in Brazil, the tj-pe
having been introduced as far back as 1827.

DENDROBIUM CHRYSANTHUM.

Few Orchids in bloom just now are prettier than
this species, provided it has been allowed to grow
naturally over and around its basket or block.
From a mistaken idea of smartness too many
growers are in the habit of tying tlie stems up to
stakes placed erect in the compost. This is bad
enough if the stems are tied up as they grow, as
it makes a stiff-looking plant of what may be a
very beautiful one ; but when the flowers are
allowed to open and the stems tied up afterwards
it is infinitely worse, as the lilossoms lose all
natural carriage and grace. Although D. chry-
santhum is deciduous, it requires a rather dif-
ferent mode of treatment from that given to the
usual deciduous species. It is not exactly con-
stant in its flowering season, and, as a rule,
begins to grow at the base soon after the flowers
are past. As often as not this is in early winter,
so to dry the plants off just then is obviously
wrong. They should be kept as warm as possible
and grown not far from the roof glass. The
atmosphere must be kept moist, as if allowed to
get dry the plants are perhaps checked when
only half grown, the stems begin to harden,
and a healthy, free growth is out of the ques-
tion. If grown on strongly without any check
the flowers usually appear while the leaves
are still green and fresh, and naturally this adds
to their appearance. The young shoots grow
several inches in length before they commence to

root, and just when a thickening roundish pro-
cess appears at the base is by far the safest time
to repot or rebasket. Then the older roots have
to a great extent fulfilled their functions and
tlie plant is pushing out fresh ones to keep it
going. Let these have nice clean new compost to
run in and the plants will thrive the better
for it. For this use peat and Sphagnum Moss in as
rough a condition as possible, and mix these with
plenty of broken charcoal and crocks to ensure
aeration. Being a very vigorous rooting plant,
the pots or baskets used may be fairly large.
They must be well drained and clean, and over the
crocks spread a layer of rough Moss. Finish the
line of compost well above the rim and trim off
neatly.

The only resting season D. chrysanthum takes
seems to be just befoi-e the flower buds show at
the nodes along the young growth. It seems to be
one of those plants one can hardly grow too
strongly, provided the growth is made in a good
light and is in consequence ripened to a certain
extent as it is produced. The stems vary from
"2 feet to as many j-ards in length, the longer ones
having a zigzag appearance when fully developed.
The pretty golden yellow blossoms, with deep
maroon eye-like blotches on the lip, are delicately
scented and are produced in racemes of three or
four all along the growths. Unfortunately, they
last but a short time in good condition, seldom
more than a fortnight. It is a native of Burmah
and the lower Himalayan regions, whence it was
sent home by Dr. Wallieh in 1828, and it first
flowered in England soon after at Chiswick.

ORCHIDS FOR AMATEURS.

I WKITE as an amateur, without any of the ordi-
nary appliances for Orchid growing. I have no
Orchid house — not even hot- water pipes — where I
grow them, but an old-fashioned flue, which is no
doubt a great hindrance in many ways to the
proper supply of heat. Nevertheless, I grow
Orchids and flower them with very great satisfac-
tion to myself and to those to whom I am able to
send flowers. There are certain Orchids which
seem to adapt themselves especially to circum-
stances and surroundings altogether unusual for
Orchids. My house is a good-sized vinery, with
a pit in the middle, originally constructed for
Pines. This pit is used for Chrysanthemums in
autumn and during the Christmas season, so
during that time the house is kept tiuite cool and
airy, with only frost excluded during the months
of October, November, and December ; therefore
the Orchids have to be removed into very close
quarters in a small greenhouse, where they share
their space with Primulas and Geraniums, and
such other plants as are usually to be found in a
house of that kind. This is the trying time, and
I almost gave up in despair pulling Cattleyas and
Litlias through such an ordeal. Of late years,
howe\ er, I liave been quite successful with this,
and a foreman from a large Orchid nursery who
has lately inspected my Orchids noticed what fine
large sheaths were at the present time growing on
the plants of Cattleya Trianie.

I have an idea that many Orchids are still
nursed too much as a general rule. They do not
get air enough, and the coddling does not suit
them. A gardener who grows Orchids largely
told me that it was quite useless to attempt keeping
Cattleya citrina for any length of time, because
it invariably went back with him from year to
year. My experience is the exact reverse of this.
The bulbs of this Cattleya, instead of growing
smaller, actually increase in size, and they are
always plump and healthy-looking. I attribute
this to the tied of peat and moss to which I
always fasten the bulbs when they arrive or want
a new board. This is, I am sure, of the greatest
importance. I often see Cattleya citrina growing
on a naked board, but I have never seen it
healthy under such conditions. It requires an
immense amount of moisture, so that I consider
the second necessity for the healthy cultivation
of this beautiful Orchid is constant watering with
tepid water all the year round. I never spare the

syringe with these plants. Then I never
them much fire-heat. They are kept as coc
possible all through the winter, and in spi
when the}' flower, it is specially neces
to keep the plants cool, or the buds quickly
yellow and go off. I believe if these three thing;
attended to there are few plants more e£
grown than C. citrina, and certainly there
few things more deliciously fragrant when at
the flowers are in perfection. I have hear

C. citrina being grown in a frame, and I
easily imagine that it would adapt itself to :
treatment, and perhaps flourish even better I
in a house. With me it has to hang anyw
out of the sun, while Ferns and Palms and
matoes and a great variety of other plants occ
the house.

Another Orchid with which I have been
successful in the same house is Zygopetf
Gautieri. I have had this for some years, ai
usually flowers twice in the year. It is groi
on the stem of a Tree Fern. At first I nut
up in order that it should take less room ; b
found it haid to give sufficient moisture to
plant when growing in that way, so I stuck
end of the Fern stem into a pot of soil and
the earth very moist. This, of course, helpe
promote moisture throughout the whole y
and my Zygopetalum immediately began to ;
that it approved of the treatment. One difEc
in flowering this plant on the Fern stem is th
speedily arrives at the top, and then the root
in tlie air. I proposed to an Orchid grower
was looking at the plant to turn it upside (
and so let the Zygopetalum creep up the
again. But he would not hear of it. He
" The jjlant is a wonderful success ; you havf
it so long. I would not meddle with it." 1
strongly inclined to turn it upside down, m
theless, for otherwise I do not see how it
grow on well from lack of moisture.

Odontoglossum Harryanum is now in
flower, and truly beautiful it is. This plant]
no more trouble than other Odontoglots
mixed house. The trial is with Cattleyas
La;lias, which have to be very carefully wat
to see that they do not suffer from cold. 1 1
they like a rapid advance of heat in .January '
the vinery is started. Dendrobes flourish ren
abl}' well. I put them out of doors in July
August, and that seems to strengthen thera
give them great vigour. Dendrobium th
florum seems to depend on such thorough ri
ing in an autumnal sun for maturing its bloss
This is a fine Orchid when it is covered witl
Horse Chestnut-like flowers, but it lasts a
short time — a defect unusual in the Orchid t

D. infundibulum and D. suavissimum also do
under this rough treatment, but I have not
ceeded so well with D. Jamesianum ; it seems t
more crotchety. Vandaccerulea grows vigoro
and seems to enjoy its treatment, putting f
its large fleshy roots as the plant gets gradii
higher. I give it nothing to grow in ex
Moss. In this it seems to thrive.

If Orchids can be grown successfully in
way— and I have not, of course, mentioned all
varieties in my house— who that has a greenhi
need fear attempting to grow this beautiful
interesting tribe of plants ? It seems to me I
no conditions could be more unlike the ordii
surroundings of Orchids than those in which
plants are grown.

A Gloucestershire Pakso:

Palumbinum candidum.— This is a delic
and pretty little plant not so often .seen as it
serves, the habit is tufted and the flower-siii
occur in the centre of the young growths,
individual flowers are about I4 inches acri
nearly pure white, only a slight tinge of pm
being present. It does well in the cool hoi
and from the time growth starts in the spr
until the flowers are past the roots must be k
very moist. During the winter less moist
suffices, but no dry rest is necessary.

October 16, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

299

CxRASS WALKS.
Ik grass walk in tlie illustmtion is diic o{
t most attnu'tive features in tlie ])ietures(iue
:len <if wliii'li it forms a part. There is a
v,y small purtidii of the year in which it is
11 more or less gay with tlower.s, mostly oUl
fi lurites, though some newer and rarer Uinds
:K from time to time added. In the s|iring it
is brilliant sight with Oriental Popi)ies, large
S rioas, white and colom-ed Pinks, great
claps of Irises of all colours, perennial
Liins, Tufted Pansie.s, A'c, soon to be
wed by Delphiniums, Daisies of various
kils, Pyrethrums, .an<l other things too
nuerous to name. One great feature is the
Irli Yews and ornamental Hollies, which are
(lifted at intervals and make a pleasing
"■ist to the flowering plants. Just at
diluent while Dahlias, A.sters, itc. , make
.. ...ilk gay, the fruit trees are heavy with

spaces ; to it.s .shady retreats, where the Ferns
grow high ; to the ^'ine-covered pergolas,
whose leafy covering scarcely sutHces, thus
early in the sunnner, to exclude altogether the
sunbeams, which daily hud the interstices
of the canopy becoming less in size and
fewer in number, and to the green grass walks
with their charnung vistas, their flowering
jilants, some tall, .some lowly, on either side,
and the sense of the nearness of Nature that
encompasses them. In tlie accompanying illus-
tration we have a happy representation of one
of the latter. At the back of the border the
tiill, light blue Del[ihiiiiums stand with the
Madonna Lilies, who.se lirst pure chalices are as
yet unopened. Spinua Aruncus has perfected
its feathery inliorescence, the Campanula liells
show white, clearly delined, against a dark
evergreen background, and the Pansies bloom
above the grassy verge, while cluster l\oses

preferable, with its lireadths of hardy flowers,
that from spring to autumn .succeed each other
in brightening the conlines of the green way, to
tlie level brilliancies of the liedding plants that
ostentatiously displ.-iy their ma.ssed colours from
(piaint ph.ts in the full sunshine that falls upon
the shaileless lawn. — S. W. F.

Flower Garden.

A rjrass walk in Fairfield Qardens. Ffom a photograpli sent hxj Mrx. Deane.

Tm s

and Pears. There is nothing in a

more satisfactory than a good herba-

" irder, but, like everything else, a good

ludgment is reiiuired to ensure a succes-

I'l properly supporting ramnant growers

■lurt ill itself.— D.

—I- Fortunate are those whose gardens,

-uiooth drives and well-kept gravel paths,

grass walks, for these, edged with

il groups of hardy flowers, are a delight

■irtistic eye. The green sward has on

liner days a pleasant feeling of elasticity

the foot wliich gravel lacks. True it is

wet weather the latter forms the best

! for walking upon, but during the long

vs, ere the year has reached its meridian,

iresistibly drawn to the garden ; to its

lud corners rather than its more open

hang from the trellised arch. On either side
foliage of many-tinted green rises aloft, fit har-
bour for the feathered songsters that make the
morns and eves of early summer musical with
their notes, and beyond the tree bole, that
stands out at the end of the «alk, a glimpse of
the level lawn appears. Varied are the plants
that add by their colours t<.) the beauty of these
grass walks ; here Irises, juirple, white, safi'ron,
and lavender, interspersed with the apricot of
Papaver pilosum ; here the gorgeous Oriental
Poppy, with its fiaming vermilion ; here pale
pink and white Pieonics ; and here, again. Lilies,
white, scarlet, and orange.

Year by year, with but a little attention in
cutting away an encroaching bough or adding a
few plants here and there, the grass walk re-
mains a delight, and to the lover of Katuiv, far

LOBELIA CAUDINALIS.
This bright red Lobelia and its many varieties
arc among the most beautiful of herbaceous
l>eiennials now in fiowei. The bright blo.ssoms
on the long erect stems are fine at midday when
the .sun shines on them, while the morning dews
give it an even greater beauty, the bhissoms
looking as though they were crystal li.sed. The
plant is not supposed to be strictly hardy, but
it has stood the past three winters here in
various positions, and also in neighbouring
gardens, without the least protection of any
sort. It requires good cultivation, and few
repay it better. The site chosen for a group of
plants ought to be tixken out to the depth of a
foot or more, according to its staple, and plenty
of half-decayed manure laid in the bottom and
mixed with the upper spit. If planting is done
in spring the soil should be made very tirin, the
jilants well watered home, and covered with a
mulch of short material. Bei:ig kept moist by
tliese means the growth will be vigorous the
first season, and the plants will get thoroughly
established before winter, and such plants
rarely take much harm from frost. There
are certain positions, jierhaps, where L. car-
dinalis will not stand the winter, but they
,ire fewer than is generally supposed, badly
rooted and weak plants often succumbing
where well established clumps would come
through all right. It is w^orth while to give it
a little extra care the first season and see what
effect this has upon its hardiness. The usual
method of pro[)agation is by division of the
roots, but, as is well known, the roots often die
liack considerably even without being cut when
the plant is lifted for the winter. Seedlings of
most of the varieties, or at lea.st 90 per cent, of
them, may be depended upon to come true.
The seeds should be sown in fine, well-prepared
soil in boxes or pans, these being placed in a
gentle moist heat until the plants are well up.
They may then be kept slightly cooler for a
time, and as soon as large enough pricked out
singly about 4 inches apart into cold frames.
If the seed is .sown about mid.summer, the plants
will be large enough to jiartly sIkj'v their her-
liaceous character the first wintei , and they
shiiuld be left in the frame until spring and then
])l.uited as described. Plants raised earlier
in the year may, of cour.se, be pl.anted out dur-
ing the summer, and a large percentage of these
will flower the first season, but f(jr reasons
indicated above I prefer the later-raised
plants. The fine-foliaged variety (Jueeii Vic-
toria nearly always comes true from seed, but
the [laler-leaved forms usually show more varia-
tion. Cuttings of the young shoots may also
be taken, and will form flowering plants the
first year, either of these methods being more
satisfactory than division of the roots. For
late summer and autumn decoration L. car-
dinalis is very beautiful. Single plants may be
grown in (i-iiich pots, or larger ones inaj- be
usetl forgi-oujiing several plants in. They come
in very useful at a time when the summer-
flowering Begonias and others ai-e getting jiast
their best, and look exceedingly well grouped
in company with double white Petunias or

300

THE GARDEN.

[October 16, 1897.

similarly habited plants. They are little trouble
to grow, the crowns being potted up in spring,
plunged outside in plant protectors in ashes or
similar material until the stems are lengthen-
ing for flower, when they may go inside. Good
ridi soil must be allowed, and after the plants
take on their second growth occasional soak-
ings of liquid manure are beneficial. R.

Crocus speciosus.— This beautiful species, to
my mind the very finest of the autumn-flowering
Crocuses, is already in bloom from bulbs which
have remained in" the ground undisturbed for
several vears past, and the blossoms appear to be
finer than ever. I ha\-e patches next to the Box
edging of a border, and also under a west wall.
Th'e former, by reason of being in a wann and
sunny position facing south, are always the first to
bloom ; in a north border, which the sun does not
reach, the flowers come much later. The pecu-
liarity of flowering successionally is a good one :
and the blooms ' are so beautiful that one
can wish for them to be preserved as long
as possible. Beautiful as this Crocus is, it is
rarely seen, and yet if once seen its beauty must
of necessity create a desire to possess and grow
it.— R. D.

Carnation Uriah Pike.— In a recent issue of
TuK Cakkicn one writer stated that Uriah Pike
Carnation «as of little value in tlie outdoor gar-
den. When I was at the Canuition show at
Birmingham my attention was called to a mass of
Uriah Pike by the side of one of the main walks.
Here it had giown vigorously and was blooming
profusely, throwing large, full, and rich dark
blossoms of fine quality, and if anything more free
in producing its flowers than in the case of plants
grown in pots. The plants were about 3.j feet in
height, and the numerous flowers were admirably
displayed. It was a model Carnation bed, and all
the lovers of the flower present at tlie Midland
Carnation show were in\ited to see it and were
greatly delighted. Uriah Pike was quite at
home liere. Mr. Latham, the curator of the
Botanic Gardens, grows Carnations largely for
house decoration, and especially Uriah Pike and
Germania, and no doubt he jiuts out in the open
strong, vigorous plants, and they made the \ery
tine and effective display to which allusion has
been made. — R. IX

Colchicums.— In the short note on these on
page 190, through some error I appear to say that
the blooms of C. autumnale and those of some of
the other Meadow Saffrons look magnificent in
size beside those of C. Bornmulleri and a few
others referred to by name. Tlie word m igiiificent
should have been insignificant. C. Burn nuUeri is

understand, unless he infers lack of substance, in
which case his remark is not just, for in form,
fulness, and substance the flowers will stand com-
parison with the best. But the "saw-edged"
petal, I know, is the bugbear and the ground of
offence to Mr. Weguelin and others. Why should
Vie be forced to accejit the florist's flower as
the only true type while there is another form
more natural, aiid withal jiossessed of rich frag-
rance ? Mr. Weguelin talks about a winter Car-
nation show. If he will walk along the principal
streets of any large American city on any day
from early October till .lune he will see more Car-
nations every day than ever were on exhibition at
one time at an English show, flowers of bright
self colours, perfect in calyx, with strong self-
supporting stems up to 2 feet in length. The
Carnation here is a winter flower of the masses,

the number

Pkoi"Ai:.\tiox of ihrdv rL.\NTS. — Besides pr
pagation by division, commencing with Pyr
thrums, and continued right down through tl
various subjects until the flow ers of the last St:i
worts are over and one is able to deal with thes
a considerable amount of stock can be secun
from cuttings, that is, unless an equally good i
suit is obtainable from early spring sowings, whc
it hardly seems desirable to resort to the cutting:
The best strains of Phlox, Pentstemou and Anti
rhinum can, however, be perpetuated in the latt
way. Witli the decline of flower and foliage ^
forms of herbaceous Lobelias can be divided ai
replanted ; that is it it has been decided wh
sites they are to occupy in the coming year. ]
hard-and-fast line can Vie laid tlown as to t
division and replanting of the many forms of Sii
flowers and Starworts. Some varieties may
main in the same position for j'ears retaini
splendid \igour, whilst others are seen to the h
annual, or, at most, hienn

but the extent of its culture and

daily disposed of must be seen to be believed. The „

best American Carnations are certainly up to the | advantage witli

standard of the best English varieties in every division. ^ , , , ,.,

respect their sole difference being in that form of Daffodils.— I should like to remind reail

petal which relieves the flower of formality and who are commencing the culture of Dartodils

adds to it more beauty. If they are unacceptable one or two important jioints essential alike fo

to a limited few, it can only be because they are ' good and a long-sustained display the first s

" saw-edced," as there is no other real or reason- I son, and for after results. Firstly, that Septe

able caus'e for " discarding" them, whilst one can ' her or, at latest, the early part of October, is I

but smile at the verdict of such judges as would ' time to plant, and that, given a ratlier light s.

pass them over, all other points being etiual, i the bulbs should be inserted deeply. Second

l>ecause they happen to possess a characteristic that a careful selection is necessary to ensuiT ■

trait of their orit^inal parent.— A. Herringtos, long displaj- with no intermediate break. T

Madkoii X.J- clot's not, as a rule, receive the consideratioi

' " ' ' deserves, but is a very important point when

remember that the season extends from the em
January until the middle of May. Thirdly,
planter should make sure where he wants his
ferent varieties, for once planted the Ijulbs sho
not be di.sturbed, that is, unless he is prepared

FLOWER GARDEN NOTES.
Pyrethrums. — If an early display as well as an
increased stock of Pyrethrums is reciuired autumn
division is desirable, especially if the coming

spring as in several past season.s prove hot and , ^ ^j ^^^, ^^,^,^^,^j ^-^^^^ ^^1^^^,
rl..,. The r.lnmns tipeH not be siilit uD anv more ». , , „ , , ■' , ■ i n.

of best bulbs, close planting, and tlie neces^
preparation of soil. The ordinary pri\ ate grow
whose chief aim is a big display of flower rat
than the increase of stock, will find the un
turbed bulljs increase in strength with each r
ceedinsj year until the solitary bull) beeonn

dry. The clumps need not be split up any more
than is absolutely necessary, a safe rule Ijeing to
practise division, so as to avoid mutilation as
much as possible. A deep, fairly holding soil is
the best for Pyrethrums. If naturally on the
lio-ht side, a liberal dressing of cow manure should

he worked in. The plants are very sensitive to a ^°f;:;;;^^f ^f^^ yielding from twelve to eight
prolonged spell of dry weather, and, so far as my J^,^^,^^ t J s

soil is concerned, I find autumn planting, liberal
treatment, and heavy surface mulching indispens-
able to successful culture. Given the two last-
named points, the plants may remain in the same
position for three seasons, but at the expiration
of that time the crowns are pushed up a consider-
able way above the surface, and when these con-
ditions are apparent they should be lifted and
replanted. They are among the hardy perennials
afelv be recommended for

that may safely be recommended tor penna
nent beds, for only for a very brief season are they

.. . .without a fair display of foliage, and any rusty

the largest of all the Colchicums with which I am ^^^^ about them, sometimes in evidence after the
acquainted, and a clump of it at the base of the , gj,gj^ flowering, can be quickly remedied Ijy a bit
rock garden here is very effective at the present ^f o-ood manure on the surface and a thorough

"'' ''*'" ""''soaking, preferably with liquid manure. Per-
haps some reader who grows largely w ill advise
as to the best and most economical way of stak-
ing. It is one of the most awkward plants we
have from this point of view, that is, to stake so

time. On their first appearance above the soil
the flowers are ivory-white. The outside of the
outer segm-'ts is afterwards flushed with rosy
purple, wh h extends in a few days until the
outside of ine flower is entirely coloured

The

nterior is of the same rosy-purple hue, but has a ^^^^^ j.j,g blooms shall be well seen and the flower-
very broad white zone at the has -. According to
the Kew Hand-List of Herbaceous Plants, C.
Bornmulleri comes from Asia Minor, Hauss-
knecht being the authority for the specific name.
It is not included in Mr. J. G. Baker's Synojisis
of Colchicace:e in the Journal of the Linnean
Society, vol. xvii., No. 103.— S. Arnott, C'((/-«-
thorne, Diimfrie-'i, N.B.

American Carnations.— In Thk Garden of
August -21 (p. 147) Mr. H. W. Weguelin remarks

stems fairly straight without undue formaUty,and
with due regard to the amount of time expended
in the operation. I mean, of course, where
there is a mass of flowers together, small
sino-le plants throwing some two or three
flowers each are easily dealt with. I notice

blooms.

Violets. — We are getting nice outdoor p
ino-s now from Amiral Avellan and ^\'ellsiana,
former one of the big types, a large flower wit
stalk from 10 inches to 12 inches in length,
yielding only a faint perfume, for which rea;
despite its size, I shall have no more to do v
it after the present season. Unless the unnei
sarily long stalks are deemed essential, it
doubtful if one can have a better single Vi
than Wellsiana, flowers of a good colour, fn
produced, and very strongly scented. The
irg of Marie Louise for transfer to pits has 1
pe'rformed this week, and I do not lemenil-H
better lot of stuff", the plants large and vigorc
bristling with buds, and, best of all, free from
spider. " Few plantings ha\ e been made in for
years without the preliminary dipjiiiig.

Claremont. _E. BiitRKi.i

Sweet 'Williams which have flowerec

Any particuhulv fine varieties of these « '
bloomed in the' summer, and were marked i
account of their fine properties, may during |!
present month be hfted, divided, and replanlt
In dividing it will be found that most of
shoots which are thrown out from the rootsat

a rather sharply defined liking as to the ,,...-.v, '-,:;",, ' , , ,„,*„.;,), .^nm,-

and double types. Personally, I think both are them, and if they are i,lanted ojit witli soiiu

beautiful, and there is hardly any ditt'erence in

their duration either on the border or in vases,
concernino- American Carnations, "They all have , Good singles noted last year were Beatrice Kel-
nanerv petals with the roughest possible edges." j way, LornaDoone, Mr. bantley, Mrs. Bruce Find -
Asadass for winter blooming, American Carna- I lay. Princess Charlotte and Empress of India;
tions are a lono- way ahead of the similar class the two last-named, respectively hrst-dass in the
erown in Europe, and I have often thought that , crimsons and whites, being exceptionally good
thev mi"-ht be profitably grown in England some- , for cutting. Among the older kinds, Tempet^ is

•ii-liat- on^tlie American plan by selec ing a locality wdcome for its very finely-cut foliage. Halt a • », t ' n tu„ „.iniHr

^hat enjoys mTretharthe "average amount o^f dozen good doubles in different shades are Aphro- , the boxes in the frame all the wuitei
winter siinshine-Torquay, for instance. What dite, Solfaterre, Florentine, Celia, Ormonde, '
Mr. Wen-uelin means by " papery " petals I fail to Mebon and Pericles.

simple soil level will ha\e small root fibres attachc
them, and if they are jilanted out with soir ■
sandy soil at their bases they will soon root,
tins care is only necessary in the case of very
and extra marked varieties, as seedlings froi
tine strain, such as the marked plants alludec
above, are certain to produce the best for^
Seeds may be sow^n as soon as ripe, which isaf |
in the matter of time, or in the spring. I pr; ;
to sow thinly in shallow boxes, placing them i
cold frame, where they soon gcrmiirite, keep

[■ when

seeds are sown in the autumn, in the s]ii
placing them in the open as soon a-

oting |)Iants have formed their second leaves, and
liking eai'e they do not suffer from want of « ater.
'hey can Ije phmted out to Hower as opportunity
Iters. — li. Dkan.

October 10, 1897.]

THE GARDEi^.

^ni

GLADIOLUS TJUSTIS.
'hk (iladiolus figured is a quaint and winie-
hiit inicomnion species, sent to me two years
,'0 as the Niglit Scented (^.ladiohis, Tlio name

ijiadioiits Iristis. from a photoijraph .se»i(
Mr. Greemvood Pim, Dublin.

by

very suitable, as towards evening it exhales a
h perfume souiewliat resembling that of
(3 Night Scented Stock (Mattliiola), while by
<y it has scarcely any smell. The colour is
iculiar— a kind of lemon-bufi', with dottings
ul pencillings of black ; not strikingly pretty.
It pleasing to such as like quiet colours. As
ited in The Gakdex (vol. xlix., p. 410), it has
<|;eedingly curious leaves. These are for the
'•■at«r part of their length apparently S(|uare,
'■curs in L-is tuberosa, itc, but on cutting
■icross the section is seen to be an almost
irfect Maltese cross— a form of leaf met with
ipu) other plant with which I am acciuainted.
Ijrows freely in ordinary garden .soil, and in
^leral style resembles G. Colvillei rather than
1 1 autumn-flowering section.

Greenwood Pm.

1 i*"^^?""^^ isophylla.-Is this species to be
111.' The white variety is abundant, for almost
eryone who grows plants owns it. But the
t e, does it e.xist ? I ha\e had two blue forms
* t me as C. isophylla, but thev are not like the
« te variety in the shape and size of the leaf.
■•■•"■ leaves are broader and more rounded, more
s-'ated, dark green, as opposed to the grey-
esn of the white, and on much longer foot-
si ks. I take one to l)e C. fragilis and the other
t JarreUeri, which is probably l)ut a varietv of
tl other. Neither of the biue-flowered types
e<ies near the white one for freedom and density
01 rowth or profusion of bloom. I shall be glad
" nyonc can inform me if the true C. isophylla
O'ts, and if it is obtainable. What comes
"•pest to th9 white is the green-leaved hvbrid

fragilis and C. isophylla alba, and from wliicli the
beautiful variegated form known as C. Haleliiniaiia
sprang. This is a free grower, singularly |)rofuso
of bloom, tlie pendulous shoots furnishing (juite
a cataract of blossom, as in tlie case of C.
isojihylhi alba. My plant of the cross came
Ijcautifully variegated at the points in early
summer, but not altogether variegated, as in the
case of the new C. Balchiniana. — K. 1).

obtai^ned, it is sakl,^ from a cross between ('. j appointment in the end. Had tlie plants abo^t

' ' '" "" o, _ii 1 c 1 1 ., i.^.|V.,.red to been not even potted, but merely

planted closely together in frames, they would
have stood the winter well, have increased the
number of their roots, and have, after removal to
open <iuarters in April, made good headway and
liloomiil fairly well. In cold gardens, a spit of
the border or bed shoukl be Uiken out and re-
placed with a light loamy compost ; this gives the
roots a chance. —.J. Crawkokd.

;- "T. S." in(|uires (p. 'iS'2) as to the wisdom of

planting these now in the open or jjotting them.
Had your (uirrespondent given particulars of
locality and the kiii<l of soil he has to deal with,
a more definite answer could have been given. In
the absence of these important details, perhaps
the following may be helpful. I would unhesi-
tatingly plant out freshly- -rooted layers in any
fairly light, well-drained .soil, and provided also
the locality is not troubled with rabbits in winter.
Where there is a danger from rabbits, or again,,
where the soil is retentive or cold and badly-
drained, the Carnations will be best in (|uite cold
and well aired frames till early in March. If
possible at planting time, use a good handful or
two of fresh loam and bone-meal about the roots,
plant firmly, without burying any of the side

PLANTING CARNATIONS.

I.v answer to the query (Garden, September 18,
|i. '2'.i'2), Carnations may be planted in Septem-
ber or early in October, always provided the
layers are well rooteil. If this is not the case
they should remain on the jiarent )>laiits until the
spring. Under no circumstances «ould I advise
" T. S." to pot up his layers and keep them under
cover during the winter. The 0[)eration is quite
needless. It seems a pity the idea still prevails
that winter protection is necessary for Carnations.
As a matter of fact they are among the hardiest of
plants, and in the exceptionally severe winter
some two or three seasons back,- when the glass

dropped to zero and the frost was \'ery jirotracted

as well as severe, the loss was very triHing. As [ shoots and avoid too much gross manure in the

mentioned above, it is emphatically a question of soil. If planted in autumn the plants should lie

well-rooted plants, and this being so, an im|)or-
tant factor in Carnation culture is earlj' and care-
ful layering, and close attention to the layers to
see they do not suffer from want of w-ater.
(iranted, however, all this, there are some varie-
ties that root much more slowly than others, and
with, for instance. Countess of Paris and Ketton
Rose I have always had the best results from
deferring the planting until the spring. The
(|ucstion of careful consideration as to the proper
time for planting is applicable to many hardy
things besides Carnations, and will dei)end, as
with them, on the time of striking and the
amount of roots made. Early struck Pinks,
for instance, can be planted at any time, but
tufted Pansies, if not inserted until September,
will be just as well on the propagating border
until earl_v in spring. So, too, with any seedlings
of hardy plants that have been obtained'by autumn
sowing. Although there may be no jiossible ques-
tion as to their hardiness, it is hardly advisable
to put them out as very small stuff' on the open
border. The better way is to prick them ofT in
some enclosed space where they are likely to be
under fairly constant supervision, and' where
measures can be taken to accelerate growth and
to keep off any enemies. — E. Burrell.

A reader has lately asked whether he

might safely plant layered Carnations in Septem-
ber, or had better put them into small pots and
jilant them out in spring. More Carnations are
planted during September than at any other
time, but the sooner in the month the work is
done the better. JIuch, however, depends upon
circumstances — how the layers are rooted, what
kind of soil they are to be planted in, and what
the situation is. Layering is often postponed till
too late in the season for fear of spoiling the
beauty of the plants ; conset|uently should a wet,
cold time follow the operation, roots are formed
but slowly and transplanting cannot be done till
October. I have seen plants do very well trans-
planted the first week in that month where the
soil was warm and well drained, and fine weather
followed till the end of the month, but, as a rule,
those who have a strong retentive soil to deal
with run a great risk by planting in October.
The young plants, if not too numerous, had far
better be put into as small pots as will hold them
and be placed in coUl frames or pits, being all the
better if jjlunged in ashes and transplanted to
the open border in April. Last autumn I saw a
number of Carnations being planted in a priv.ate
garden in October, the young plants being small
and indilFerently rooted, and the soil, moreover,
cold and stifl'. I am sure that if I could liave
seen the plants this summer the_\- were a poor lot,
but many are slow to learn that "a little extra care

gone o\er after severe frost is jiast, and see that
all are firm in their respective positions, ilany
things besides Carnations are lost or injured
through neglect of this very simple matter. If
the Carnations are potted for the winter, give pots
of fair size, at least ih inches in diameter, or,
better still, where a shallow frame is at hand,
plant all layers in this till March in a good
mixture of soil, at which time they may be given
their permanent positions in the garden. Lifted
in this way with good balls of earth and the roots
virtuall3' intact, a good bloom may be expected.
Autumn-planted Carnations are benefited by fre-
quently stirring the soil during winter. — E. J.

PROTECTING IRISES FROM WATER
RATS.

As I know many people find great difficulty in
protecting their Japanese Irises from water rats,
I send a photo of how I have here completely

Mode of protecting Japanese Irises. From a
photograph sent by Mr. Qeo. Dixon, Astle
Hall, Chelford, Cheshire.

defeated them. Last year all my beautiful
blooms were nipped oft" just as the buds were
bursting, and I coidd not .stop the rats, trap
.and shoot them as much as I would.

The accoin|)anying illustration will describe
better than words how the rats are kept out.
I grew the Irises in clumjis in the water at the
edge of my lake, where they do very well, better
than on land, although in a wet place. Al-

and trouble at the outset often save loss and dis- 1 though there is a little expense attached to this

302

THE GARDEN.

[October 16, 1897.

method, the flowers are so beautiful tliat I con-
sider one is well rewarded for the expense.

Geouce Dixox.
Astle Halt, Chelford, Cheshire.

THE HOLLYHOCK.

There appears to be the ])romise of a resival in
the Hollyhock. It does appear that the di-ead
disease which caused such havoc among the
Hollyhocks for a long time is less hurtful tlian it
was a few years ago, and perhaps it may yet de-
part as mysteriously as it came. Very few of the
remedies recommended to cure the disease w^ere
of much avail ; there were times when its viru-
lence appeared to defy, and that successfully, any
eftbrts to stay its progress.

Those who contemplate planting, especially
in cold and damj.) localities, will do well to obtain
plants in pots at this time of the year and on-
wards and winter them in a cold frame previous
to planting out in the spring. There is scarcely
any soil and situation in which the Hollyhock
will not grow. I have seen it doing finely in the
midst of somewhat thickly planted shrubs and at
the backs of flower borders, in odd corners in the
semi-wild garden, in the sun or in the shade.

To do well, the plants should be in a good
garden soil trenched to the depth of U feet, and
into which has been worked some well-rotted
manure. Then planting can be done early in
November if it be done in the autumn, placing
the plants a yard apart, so that they may have
room in which to develop. A plantation of
Hollyhocks with dvvarfer things fringing it, such
!is Phloxes, Pentstemons, Gladioli, Hyacinthus
candicans, the dwarf growing forms of Chrysanthe-
mum maximum, and such like, would all be
appropriate. Spring jilanting out of pots may be
done at any time up to the middle of JMay. The
Hollyhock is often slow to start into growth, but
once" it becomes vigorous it rapidly makes head-
way.

Mulching with good manure, watering when
necessary, and then copiously, and staking as the
plants gain in height, are all necessary summer
details having much to do with the well-being of
the plants. Staking is very important, as rough
winds may sna|i oH' an ascending shoot, and then
it is of no" value for decoration. Good culture is
the best antidote to the disease, and by such
means a good deal of its virulence may be pre-
vented. R- 1^-

Pyrethrum (or Chrysanthemum) uligi-

nosum. — I ha\e found it ipiite easy to propagate
this hne autumn-dowering Daisy by taking off
tops 6 inches long just as the crowns of terminal
shoots are forming, rooting them under glass, and
thus have pretty and free-flowering plants to
bloom in pots at some '20 inches in height in the
autumn. Even by layering I have obtained the
same results, as, although the stems are pipy, yet
when layered and notched slightly roots are soon
emitted! That plan, howe\er, is much more
troublesome than is the rooting of tops as cuttings.
This plant, like so many more of the herbaceous
hardy flowers, increases in height each year if left
in the same ground undivided, because of tlie
struggle of the shoots or stems to obtain as mucli
light and air as possible. — A. D.

Tropical Nymphseas in the open air.—
In the garden at Sandhurst Lodge, near Woking-
ham, adjoining one of the warm houses, a tank
was made some two years ago. It is against a
south wall, and so placed that a small pipe is
taken from the pipes in the house through the
wall into the tank to warm the water. In this
are growing plants of NymphiL'a cyanea, Nympha-a
Devoniensis, and Nymph;ea scutifolia. They are
thriving grandly. There were as many as eight
to thirteen blooms open in one day on N. De\ oni-
ensis. This is sufficient to show that it will

the first trial, it has been decided to enlarge the
tank and plant out other tropical kinds.— J.
Crook.

Some native flowers in the autumn gar-
den.— If our Se].)tember weather were always fair,
garden flowers would be very happy ; but with
the sudden rains and storms that often come to
us iit this time of the year, bedding and other
tender plants, and even hardy exotics, are
saddened very soon by it. Then it is i)leasant to
see how some native plants are refreshed rather
than disheartened liy the rains and come into
welcome bloom. In "many country places where
there is room enough these take care of them-
selves ; for instance, the Harebell and the purple
Vetch (V. Cracca) add much to the beauty of the
autumn and late summer, and are often seen. So,
too, the Heather is common in places and very
pretty, but in others it is worth while taking a
little care to get the less common kinds. For in-
stance, although the Heather may be very com-
mon, and its fine varieties may be planted, the
less known Heaths, such as the Cornish Heath
(E. vagans) and Dorset Heath (E. ciliata), may
be planted in rough places, and no plants are more
deserving of it. The little Fuize, too, which is so
abundant in many upland wastes, is, we find, a
very pretty plant," if not in the garden, not very
far from it", helping to form foregrounds to drives,
and in low coverts just at this time blooming very
cheerfully and freely while other things are be-
ginning to fade. As we write it is quite full of
beautiful fresh blooms. It is easily raised from
seed like the common Furze. Forget-me-not is
still very fine by water, and where the soil is rich
and deep the effect in broad fringes is very
pretty, though its best time is the summer. The
berries of the wild Roses begin to colour, and the
various Blacklierries also add to the beauty of the
coverts and hedgerows. By the waterside, one of
the handsomest bushes we have, the Water Elder,
begins at this time to show the fine colour of its
friut, and the Orpine on banks and the Golden
Rods in the coverts also make a show. — Field.

judicious thinning of the branches and buds
necessary for the Cactus varieties generally, it
can be made an efl'ective garden plant : in habit
of growth it is equal to at least four-fifths of
the varieties classed as true Cactus Dahlias.

I fear too many people who plant Cactus
Dahlias neglect the little necessary thinning
out of the branches requisite to make them
effective garden plants. Out of about three
dozen varieties grown here. Matchless, Beatrice,
and Regulus throw their flowers above the foli-
age best, the stems of these being both long
and stiff ; but this is not always an advantage,
as after a storm of wind and rain these cut a
sorry appearance conqiared with a variety
like Bertha Mawley, which throws its flowers
close to, but just above the foliage. Many
others have stems equally as hing as those named,
but are not so erect, causing the flowers ti
hang more or less among the foliage, but varie
ties of this description with a little thinning o)
the top laterals become most effective gardei
plants, as instance the variety Starfish, per
haps the most beautiful Dahlia ever sent out.

Camhndgc. J. Burbell.

NEV/ DAHLIAS.

Writing on new Dahlias in last week's Garden,
"S." remarks that the tendency is to grant
certificates to varieties of too much the same
tint of colour, and singles out the varieties
Falka and Regulus as being too much like
Cycle and C. Woodbridge. As grown and seen
liere in the open air, all four are very distinct
from each other, and I forward you i)looms of
each for inspection. At the two exhibitions
" S." refers to the new seedlings are carefully
examined by a connnittee of Dahlia experts,
men having a thorough knowledge of their work
and of existing varieties, and when an award is
made to a new seedling by such a body of men,
it may, I think, be taken as correct that the
variety has some merit of distinctness or shape
beyond varieties already in commerce.

The .same writer, connnenting on the variety
Fantasy sent out last spring, says it is a com-
plete failure as a plant, that its flowers are
tiny, and that the footstalks are so short that
the flowers are hidden in the leaves. I send
you half a dozen blooms of this, cut from a
plant carrying at the present moment about
four dozen blooms. You will see from the
blooms sent that they have an average length
of about 0 inches of clear stem from the bloom
to where the two side flower-buds have been
nipped off, and a length of about 11 inches to
the point where they have been cut, just above
where the topmost laterals are formed. This
variety was sent out not so nuich as an exhibi-
tion or garden variety but as one specially
suited for supplying abundance of small or
medium-sized flowers for cutting of an elegant

thrive satisfactorily in the open air if the water is ■ i-^ i ,• i " i t i u ,„

kept warm. The plants also stood in the open all and new shape m Dahlias, and as such I believe
last winter. From the success that has attended it has "" "

veil much satisfaction. With a little

ASTER TRIALS AT MORTLAKE.

In the 310 varieties of Asters now being grown fo
trial by Messrs. Carter and Co. in their grounds a
Mortlake there must of necessity be some dupli
cates and others too closely akin to be distinct
yet on the whole the trial is a remarkable oik
the varieties ranging from 3 inches high to nearl
or quite 2 feet in the tallest kinds. No effort
made in these trials to produce prize flowers
Init with good culture all round to test th
natural habit and relative value of each kin
side by side. No excessive manuring or rigi
disbudding to produce flowers of special (|ualit
is indulged in, with the result that these tria
become a standard of reference and aflbi
the most reliable information it is possible
obtain.

There are some dozen or eighteen ty)ies

Asters here besides others not yet sufficient

fixed, but which will prove acquisitions w!i(

deemed reliable. In one instance some half-doze

years had been spent in growing, selecting and

forth with a fixed ideal in view, but which is ve:

slow in being realised. Particularly attracti

is the Porcupine strain, with pointed ciuill-hli

])etals, that resolve into a more or less Thistl|

like head. Here, as in other classes, there '

much variety, while the more brilliant shades a

very charming. The Cockade or Crown Ast

is very distinct and usually of two coloui

an outer whorl of a deep hue with a centi

crown of white ; these attain 1 A feet high. T

strains of the Pieony-flowered, as also tl-.e Chr

santhemumand Victoria, arealike meritorious.

similar remark applies to the Comet Aster, whii

all in all is perh^ips the most elegant of the famil

Other noteworthy types are Queen of the Marki

Dwarf Bedding and Dwarf Bouquet. The Ei

peror type is readily distinguished by its pi

ducing one magnificent flower of fine proportio

at the summit of a s urdy stem lo inches high

a grand exhibition kind, or for growing sin>;

in pots. Some Swiss novelties were very strikin

and in addition to the primary features of ti

Comet group these possess a whorl of lea|

liractsthat materially adds to their beauty wh

cut. The Giant Branching is all the name i

plies — a sti-ain at once remarkable for its vigoi

as also its great abundance of large handsoi

blossoms on branches nearly 12 inches long. 1|

new yellow Aster is a light tone of yellow, pleasi,

in its shade and very distinct, and while as )|

in its infancy, will doubtless prove the foreruni

of deep shades of vellow and improved foni

White Plume is the finest of all tlie pure whit

the flowers of remarkable jiurity and finely bin

and one that by special culture might easily lie ni

taken for a pure white .Japanese Chrysantherou

so exactly do the overlapping petals convey tl.

OcTOUEK IG, 1897.1

THE CARDEK

303

dea. Tlio |)l.iiit is vij;orous and iciiclies aboiic
,") inches in liuiglit. Tiioondloss sliades of colour
t is iiii|io,ssil>le to depii't in words, lint tlic loso
ind pink shades ;u'e lovuly in nm'ny instaiii't-s, and
ostful, too, aniiil the lierv shades of scarlet and
he richest of pnrpio and hUie, the more so when
10 Iarg<^ a sjiaee is devoted to the Hower, as here
ibtains. 1^. •'.

I physalis Franchetti. — Some hods of this are
rery strikinir aiid eonspieuons at Kew jnst now.
The plants have made good growth and are earry-
ng plenty of healthy leaves, also a full crop of
ruit. The growths have been tied np to light
takes, which are well hidden, and the immense
alyces are thus better exposed to view than they
jould be if the plants were allowed to assume
heir natural habit. The calyces are well
oloured and imi)art (luite an uinisual glow to the
leds when seen from a distance. The plant will
irarcely do for beds "whieh are retpiired to lool;
right during summer, but it is well suited for
rowing in less prominent positions or in corners
here it can get ani|ile sunlight and a rich
Ml.— T.

. Reference has been made to this several

limes lately, and certainly, where dried flowers
nd grasses are ajipreciated in winter for drawing-
lom decoration, they come in most useful.
'here are one or t«'o points in its culture that
leed special attention if well-furnished stems and
lold, fully developed, and highly coloured pods
Ire to be had. To grow them crowded is to
jjurt failure, as not oidy do the growths become
Tawn and weakly, but the flowers are few and
iir between. .Moreover, if September and October
lould turn out wet, many of the calyces will rot.
.'hat is recjuired is to thin out the growths
eely in spring so that plenty of sun and air can
;acn them, and to sup])ort them, when some
inches or 12 inches high, with neat sprigs. The
I»p3 that are cut from Pea sticks are good for the
i.irpose. The orange-coloured calyces look well
ixed with Honesty, and placed in large vases or
'■namental bowls. — J. C.

Delphinium nudicaule. — This attractive and

iivarf-growing Delphinium is now flowering with

|e, the plants raiseil from seeds sown in April.

;< seems, therefoi'e, that this species of Deljjhi-

nm, in common with some other perennials, can

"ireful treatment be made into an annual if it

i-arly and proper treatment as soon as the

iillings are large enough to handle ; saj', potting

ich singly as soon as large enough, and growing

' into size in a cold frame pre\ ious to planting

in prepared ground. It should be a raised

on which this Delphinium is planted, and

I it becomes perennial, a little care being
■ssary to keep the roots well covered with soil

iring the summer. When planted in dam[),
w ground the roots are apt to perish. It is well
serving of culture on account of its colour. —
.D.

Bouvardias in the open. — A really good way
• inploying the large, ungainly plants is to plant
in in the mixed Ijorder in spring and allow

II to grow and flower at will. That large-
• red variety, B. corymbiflora Humbohlti, is

liecially good for this work, as by placing three

jants in a group and allowing them to flower at

ill, quite a beautiful lot of blossoms will result.

lilts a year old that flowered in pots the

liter previous are the best for this purpose,

ese being cut back or pruned in March and

mted out at the end of May. By starting the

»nts in frames in good soil, such may be dul,\-

rdened and transferred to the border with good

'lis. No pinching will be needed after the

lilts are pruned in March, the object being to

lire as much bloom as possible during summer

id early autumn. A warm border and good soil

11 not be given in vain.

Cosmos bipinnatus.— If only on account of

B lovely [lyramid of its unique foliage, this

'iild prove invalualjle in many jiarts of the

'len, more particuhirly where it is possible to

m large groups here and there. Indeed, so

far as its flowering is concerned, even in hot
summers one has to be satislied with foliage
alone, uidess special precautions are taken,
or a special mode of culture is indulged in.
-Above the abundance of its beautiful leaves
the elegant rose, maavc-shaded flowers are very
showy, and in sumiy or favoured localities it
would repay for prompt and early attention. In
other districts — and these perha|is the more
numerous -it would be well to treat it more in
the way of a biemiial. By .sowing the seed at
the end of .Inly and glowing the phints on, a
start would be made that would lind its reward
the following year, not only in larger bushes, but
in a free and prolonged flowering also. It should
always be planted in the hottest situations quite
removed from shade, and in good condition is a
tine plant imieed. Though strictly an annual,
its rather late flowering minimises its value,
though this may lie altered by starting the plants
in the previous j-ear.

Show Dahlia Mont Blanc. — This is a
magnificent pure white show Dahlia, and when
well grow n takes a lot of beating. Unlike some
of its class, it usually opens its centre before
the outer petals begin to decline, especially if
shading is practised. I recently saw some grand
blooms of it in the garden of an old Dahlia grower,
«ho, by the way, does not believe in growing
from old roots. Not only does he find that growth
is more vigorous and free-flowering from cuttings,
but also that tubers of many varieties kept through
the second winter often die right out. I have
heard people say they would try their hand at
Dahlias, but should have to grow them on the
same pLt of ground every year, which they think
would not answer. I know several entliusiastic
amateurs so situated who grow excellent Dahlias
of all kinds, not by heavy manuring altogether,
but by biennial incorporation of a little fresh loamy
compost and the use of a little approved fertiliser
wdien the buds commence to form. — J. C.

POLYGONUM BALDSCHUANICUM.

V.vuious foreign horticultural journals have lately
published laudatory notices of this fine plant,
which, two years ago, I described and recom-
mended in Lr Jnnliit, and which was then figured
in that journal from a fine specimen in flower
amongst the collections at the Museum. The
plant has well fulfilled all tliat it then promised.
Since it was figured in 1895 it has increased
greatly in size, and in the present year its long
twining stems are not less than 2(3 feet in length.
About the middle of June it commenced to ex-
pand its large and elegant clusters of white
flowers tinted .slightly with pink, and has con-
tinued in bloom ever since. At the present date
it is still covered with bloom, and at the same
time displays its handsome seeds, which are
tinged with red and are as ornamental as the
flowers.

This original specimen is not the only one at
the JIuseum. There is another very fine and
pretty strong one (18 feet or 111 feet high) on the
slope of the Labyrinth, and a third, about the
same size and in full bloom, in the nurseries of
that establishment, not to mention the young
plants which have been propagated from the
larger specimens.

Polygonum Baldschuanicum was introduced
from Turkestan in the year 1882 by Dr. Regel
(who was then director of the Botanic Garden at
St. Petersburg), and was described and figured
by him in the eighth volume of the " Actes du
.Tardin Botanique de Saint Peter.sbourg " (p. 684,
jil. KM. It was also figured in the " Gartenflora"
for 1888 (p. 400, pi. 1278). From Dr. Regel the
Jlus-um received the first specimen about the
year 1S8."), and a second one in 1802, and this
establishment first invited public attention to
this remarkable species by exhibiting a specimen
in bloom at a meeting of the Societi? Nationale
d'Hortieulture de France on September IH, 1804,
and again on September 2(i, 180.'i. On the occa-
sion of this last exhibition Professor Max C'ortui

gave the history of the |ilant, and dwelt strongly
on its ornamental value. In 180:i the Museum
was in a position to distribute seeil of it, and in
May, 180.S, sent a growing specimen to the Royal
Gardens at Kew, an<l this is very jiroliably the
same plant whieh is now so much admired by
lOnglisii amateurs. This vary handsome Polygo-
num is (piite hardy in our climate. The stems, it
is true, sull'ir more or less from frost, accor<ling
to its intensity, and may even be cut down close
to the ground (as they were last winter), but they
eome up again vigorously in the following spring.
In any case, the root will pass the winter in
safety under a mulching of dead leaves.

The plant appears to lind itself especially at
home in well-drained, and even dry, .soils, and
shows no dislike to soil of a calcareous nature.
It .seeds abundantly, but many of the seeds are
sterile. It can be multi|ilied by hiyering, but is
tedious in taking root. .Multiplication from cut-
tings succeeds well only when done in a propa-
gating house and under special conditions. — L.
Henry, in Lt Janlin.

SHOUT NOTES.— FLOWER.

A good dwrarf blue Agera turn.— This will
be found in a very dwarf, compact, frei>-bloomiiig
v.iriety, ;<rown at ihe CliiswicK Gardens, the llowera
ailvery blue and preduced in a dense head. Some
would probably teim the colour a bright violet-blue,
but much depends upon whether the flowers are .seen
in the sun nr in the tkade. A large number of plants
were in blonm, and they were siui^ularly uniform in
character. It is Lamed The Z >o. — R. D.

Erigeron speciosus superbus. — This well-
known border plant is still yielding a large num-
ber of its showy blossoms, much larger than the
largest of the ilichaelraas Daisies now flowering
in such numbers. Few plants are more easily
grown than the above, and fewer still provide
such a profusion of lilossoms from June to October.

Aster St. Brigid. — This variety belongs to
the Novi-Belgii group, and promises to be among
the most useful of this beautiful family. The
name will not be familiar to many at the present
time, as it is a new variety of the present year.
But we were struck with its distinctness and
beauty in Messrs. Barr's collection the other day.
The flowers are produced in an erect, freely
Iiranched panicle, and pure white save for a flush
of delicate pink near the tips.

Aster vimineus. — It is impossible to describe
the beauty of this kind, which is undoubtedly one
of the gems of this large genus. The plant is
about 3i feet in height, of a singularly neat habit
of growth throughout, while its numerous pure
white blossoms possess a perfectly natural spraj--
like arrangement on the slender branches and
twigs. In the open border when left alone the
plant inclines outwardly with a singularly pretty
and graceful effect when in flower.

Anemone japonica alba. — As seen at Kew
this is one of the best of autumn flowering
plants. The growth made this year is dwarf
in comparison with that of other years, but
the freedom with which it is flowering
leaves nothing to be desired. The |)lan of
massing the plants in beils by themselves is
good, as they reipiire only the settin</ of grass
to make them ettective. The ohl single white
form is still as good as any and better than most
of the newer ones.

Two old plants. — I allude to that fine old
Calceolaria, C. amplexicaulis, than which no Cal-
ceolaria ever raised is more beautiful, and to
Verbena venosa, full of flower and hardier than
most bedding plants. Beds of the latter in the
distance gave the effect of large patches of
Heather. The Calceolaria was mostly seen dotted
about among other things, and would look better
in a mass, its clusters of soft jellow flowers,
borne on tall stems, recpiiring no better setting
than its own foliage. — J. C. T.

A fine single Dahlia. — A very brilliant
single Dahlia is one grown largely at Kew and
appropriately named Huntsman. It is particu-

304

THE GARDEN.

[October 1G, 1897.

larly free flowering, and the flowers are Ijorne on
long straight stems; they are also shapely enough ,
to please the most exacting florist. This stands
out \-ery conspicuously from all the others,
the shade of scarlet being so telling. One wants
to see Dahlias growing, and not set up as at ]
shows, to judge of their value, as habit has so
much to do with their efl'ectiveness.

Fruit and Vegetable Crops.

SUPPLE .\IENTARY.

The Duffryn, Mountain Ash, S. Wales.—

On the night of May 13 we experienced severe
frost, completely blackening all expanded Straw-
berry blossoms ; even hardy Ferns that grow wild
in the woods and mountains were burnt black.
This night, no doubt, proved destructive to all
fruit blossoms. Apples are an average crop,
Keswick Codlin, Blenheim Orange, and \Vorcester
Pearmain being the best. Pears light ; Passe
Colmar, .Jargonelle, Bergamote d'Esperen the
best. Peaches scai-ce, a light crop on Barrington,
though covered over with greenhouse blinds.
Plums a failure. Raspberries a heavy crop of
line fruit. These are tied to wires stretched from
post to post. I head them back to the height of
G feet. A thick mulching in the autumn of good
manure seems to answer their requirements.
Gooseberries fair crop. Currants under the
average.

Potatoes small, but clean. Up to Date and
Chancellor proved the heaviest croppers ; Satisfac-
tion pro\"ed rather unsatisfactory. Peas ex-
cellent, early and fine, especially Gradus, Duke of
Alljany, and old Fillbasket ; May Queen cropped
well. Runner Beans have cropped heavily, and
will continue if the weather keeps favourable. —
J. E. D.wiES.

Munches, Dalbeattie. — The fruit crop of
ISDT has not been quite a satisfactory one here.
Strawberries, considering the ground occupied,
were a poor crop, flavour better than in some pre-
vious seasons; sorts that cropped best. Garibaldi,
Noble, and President. To my taste. President had
the best flavour. Gooseberries very plentiful, but
the fruit generally small. The same may be said
of Red and White Currants. Raspberries were
abundant, but under the avei'age size. Black
Currants under the average crop. Cherries total
failure. Plums very few, with the exception of
Victoria (good crop), Kirke's fair, and a small
early one (not sure of variety) which bore an
a\'erage crop. The only Apple trees that have
borne a crop this year are some old espalier ones ;
Warner's King, Lord Suffield and another of the
Codlin tribe being the best. But in other gardens
in the district many trees have been heavily laden.
Pears (and on walls onlj') ha\'ebeen under a\erage
here. Damsons very scarce. — A. Murray.

Waddesdon Gardens, Aylesbury. — The
fruit crops in this localit}' may be said generally
to be very poor. Amongst Apples, the Codlins
have a half crop of small, imperfectlj'-set fruits,
while Ecklinville, Stirling Castle, and Cellini
have partial crops of good fruit, and the same
may be said of isolated trees of Cox's Orange
Pippin and Margil. The most of the standard
late kinds are a failure. Of Apricots, Pears,
Plums, and Damsons a total failure may be re-
corded. Of small fruits. Gooseberries had half a
crop of good fruit, and Raspberries, Strawberries,
and Currants had full crops of very good quality,
but which, in consequence of the intense heat,
ripened quickly.

Vegetables of all kinds have been abundant
and good. The weather during the early spring
was unfavourable and crops made but slow pro-
gress for some time. The earlier cuttings of C^ab-
bage and Cauliflowers were ,a week or more later
than usual ; the best results of these for early crops
were obtained from sowings made in gentle heat,
about the end of .January, of Veitch's Earliest of
All Cabbage and the Early Forcing Cauliflower.
Turnip Extra Early Milan and the Parisian

Forcing Carrot in sheltered positions arebothdoing
well. The earliest gatherings of Peas grown in
the open were a week or ten days later than the
average ; these were from sowings made in pots,
and planted when 2 inches or 3 inches high, of
Veitch's Extra Early Selected, a reliable variety
for first crop. All successional crops have done
well and stood the intense heat of .July ^^■ithout
causing a break. Asparagus was unusually plen-
tiful. Globe Artichokes, a vegetable much in
demand here, were more freely produced and of
better quality than ever before noticed. Salading
very good, the heat and drought of July were too
much for the Cauliflowers, all the kinds grown
suffering equall}'. Sharpe's Victor and Veitch's
Im])roved Ashleaf Potatoes are good crojis and
sound. Later [ilantings look well. — J. Jaijues.

Madresfield Court, Great Malvern. —
Apjjles are a good half crop, taken altogether,
but much of the fruit is unsound owing to the
depredations of the Codlin moth. There are
many promising young orchards of choice fruit
on this estate, especially on small holdings, the
result of supplying gratuitously a choice
selection of good trees. Pears on walls are
good and clean crops, slightly undersized, ])0S-
sibly owing to early drought followed liy the
absence of sun during August and September.
Stone fruit is under average. Plums especially
being very scarce, consequently prices rule high.
Bush fruits abundant and good in qualit}'.

Vegetables, with the exception of Peas, abun-
dant and good. The early and continued drought
caused the late Peas to mildew, which baffled the
Ijest efi'orts to check. Although I grew the late
\-arieties of Peas in trenches as for Celery, I
never had greater failures. Hitherto this system
of cultivation had given abundance of late Peas,
of that best of all late Peas, British Queen and
Ne Plus Ultra, the only fault being the tall sticks
required, but more than compensated for by the
perpetual or continuous bearing merits of such
excellent Marrowfat Peas. — W. Crump.

Coolhurst Park, Horsham.— The Apjile
cro]) is almost an entire failure in the orchard
here. In the two previous years there were ex-
ceptionally hea\'y crops, so that maj' have some-
thing to do with this season's failure. What
blossom came was soon over, never developing
into full form and had the appearance of being
insect-eaten, and latterly rolled up like wool balls.
In this quarter Apples are variable, as there are
places where the crop is fairly good, while in
other parts they are thin and, generally speaking,
small, owing no doubt to the great drought that
prevailed for the most part of the season. The
trees are clean and healthy generally, so that may
lead to a good crop next season. Pears are poor
generally, only a few with anything like a crop,
and these are Beurrs Superfin, Beurre Ranee,
BeurrS Clairgeau, Williams' Bon Chretien, and a
few others. Plums, with the exception of Blue
Gage, Belgian I'urple, .Jefferson's, and Pond's
Seedling, are a failure. There are no Cherries,
but in no season do tliey do well here, the soil and
situation do not seem to suit them. All about
this locality there is a great scarcity of these
fruits, and the failure in most cases is put down
to the severe frost in May, which varied from
0° to 8", and took clean oft' all blossom that
happened to be out at the time. Black and Red
Currants have been abimdant and fine in quality.
Gooseberries are excellent all through. The
trees ha\'e all been healthy and clean, having
been gone over with the engine early in the sea-
son to keep insects in check, then well washed
with clean water before the fruit liegan to colour,
so that all dust might be removed from it before
the nets were put on. Figs are excellent on the
open wall, but slightly under-sized owing to the
dry state of the ground. Mulberries plentiful
and fairly large. Cob Nuts a good average crop.
No \A'alnuts. Raspberries were small in berry
and under an average in croj). To have these
good they must have plenty of moisture at the
j roots and slight shade.

' Vegetables have been variable owing to the
drought. Peas were good up to the end of Jul}',

by that time those that were coming on were
attacked with mildew, which cut them down so
that a break in the sujjply occurred. Later crops
will now give a supply, as the rains lately and
still falling have been beneficial to these. Cauli-
flow ers have suffered equally as bad as they did
in 1893. Now we look hopefully for the autumr
and early winter sujiplj' being good from the pre
ser)t moisture giving them a new start. Cabbage!
were good in the early part of the season, now tnej
are totally eaten up with fly. Early summer:'
planted Coleworts are now in fine condition fo
use. Brussels Sprouts promise .an excellent crop
Carrots and Onions are clean and healthy, beinj
perfectly free from maggot. Potatoes are quit'^
free of blight and a plentiful crop. Earl;:
Puritan, Snowball, Beauty of Hebron and Red
skin Flourball have all been excellent in quality;
All Potatoes here are grown on ground that ha'
been well manured the previous j'ear, only a dress'
ing of burned ashes being given at planting tim(
Celery has made fine growth and promises we
for a full crop. It has been occasionally watere ■
at the roots and over the head with soapsudii
and immediately after being done the plants wei'
all dusted overhead with lime and soot mixei
which stuck on the wet leaves, and the result
that no fly has attacked the plants in any wa;
which is a common occurrence in hot, dry season
— A. Kemp.

Englefield, Reading'. — Gooseberries an e
cellent cro)i. Currants, red and white, goo(
black, not so good. Strawberries good. Ras
lierries poor. Apricots good. Peaches ai
Nectarines good. Apples very poor. Pea
fair. Plums half a crop. It has been a b:
season again for the gardens in general abo
here. The earlier part of the year was mo
favourable, as we had some very nice rains at t
end of April and the beginning of May, but sin
that time we have had a continued drougl
through which kitchen garden crops have h
great difficulty to exist.

Asparagus was very good indeed, and Brocc
and Early Cauliflower remarkably good. Eai
Peas were very good, but ripened oti' ear
Through drought, later crops poor. Early Vv
bages good. Potatoes are looking well, but wli
rain comes I am afraid they will make a seco
growth. Celery and winter vegetables are bat
in need of rain. — .Jame.-* Cuu.mbes.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1140.

HYBRID COCCINEA CLEMATISES.

(with a coloured plate.*)

The new hardy Clematises recently inti
duced by Messrs. George Jackman A: Son,
Woking, and figured in this number, are the nn
complete break-away from all existing gard
varieties wliich has come before our notice )
several years. They liave been obtained
hybridising the (jld herbaceous vaiiety C. c
cinea with some of the leading hardy cUnibi
varieties now seen in nearly every gardt
The three varieties figured are Countess of Cj
slow, Duchess of Yoi-k and Duchess of Albai|
all of which have been certificated by the Ro;
Horticultural Society, and were greatly admii
at the Temple show last May. They are (|u
distinct one from the other and are of campHi
late form, with four to six petals to each flowi,
the blooms are particularly thick in substai]
and stand out v, ell from the foliage, and hi)
one distinct advantage over the other cliniln
varieties in being suitable for cutting, l^
blooms lasting for several days in water. Tl
are strong grt)wers and flower freely from I

* Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon
Messrs Jaokman aud Sons" nursery at Wok'
Lithographed and printed by J. L. GolTart.

)ii. S

HYBRID clematis:
:TESS of ONSLOW- 2. duchess OF YORE^._ 3

h:ess

J^

OCTOBRR IG, 1897.]

TFTE CAilDRN-.

C05

iningwin)tl. Cimntess of Onslow is a liriglit
elvety puriile, with ii broad liand of scarlet
own tho CLMiti-e of each petal. Ducliess of
'ork is a delicate llesh-piiik, with a deeper
tripe down the centre, and Duchess of Alliany,
beautiful brittht ])ink, deeper down the
bntre, the edge of the petiils softening down
1) a lilac-pink. This new race is sure to be a
reat acipiisition to the already long list of hardy
hmbing varieties.

The Week's Work.

HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.
I vrii TKKKs. — With the exception of the very
itest kinds, such as Sahvay and Walburton Acl-
lirable, trees arc now clear of fruit, and hhould
t once be looked over, when every particle of
'■ood not recjuired for another season should bo
iut out to give the remainder every facility to
jecome thoroughly ripened. After this, root-lift-
ig and such like matters should have attention,

I the old suunuer mulch, if any still remains on
alleys, should be removed. \\'ith regard to
lu above-named Teaches, they will be valuable in
istricts where other hardy fruits are scarce, and
I ensure their better ripening a few sashes placed
|i against the wall in fi'ont of the trees will
img this about. A little protection in this
,ay works wonders, and 1 liave seen e<|ually as
lood results obtained from theemploj'ment of the
jps of handlights placed at intervals over the
jrees.

I Feuit (;.\THKRiN(i. — In districts where Apples
nd Pears are plentiful much time will now be
ccupied in the gathering and storing of the mid-
eaaon varieties. The latest keeping kinds will,
f course, not be read}' for some few weeks ; in
ict, they should be allowed to hang — weather
ermitting — until the second week in November.
Ireat care should be exercised in the gathering,
nd none should be pulled unless they part readily
t the stalk, particularly Pears. If this simple
ule is ignored, the fruits will neither keep nor
ipen properly, and with Pears premature gather-
ig generally results in the shrivelling of the
iins, which renders tlie fruits valueless. The
"uits in all cases should be carefully gathered by
and, not shaken down, and they should be placed
1 baskets padded with soft hay or moss to pre-
entthe wicker-work from marking or bruising
jiem, and conveyed at once tic the fruit
Mm. If possible, the Apples should be stored
1 a separate room from that in which the
'ears arc jilaced. Apples merely recjuire the
j'ost kept from tliem, and, failing .a fruit room
J-oper, they will keep well enough in cellars, pro-
'ided these are not too warm or too dry. Barrels
id boxes may be used in this case, and if care be
ken to see that none but sound fruits are stored
id that this is done by hand, placing each fruit
[irefully one on tlie other, there need be no fear
t that they will keep well. Avoid the use of
raw, hay, or such like material, as this imparts
bad flavour to the fruit ; and if the boxes and
rrels are perfectly clean and dry, nothing what-
er is required, and the fruits may be placed
rectly into them without further preparation.
hen storing Apples in a fruit room, they may
te placed several layers thick if the room is not
rge, but Pears are best kept in single
yers, as they c'an then be the more easily
spected. If Ap|)les and Pears ha^•e to be stored
>tn in the same room, keep the former at the
lolest end, and place the Pears in the warmest
)rtion. Even if there are two fruit rooms set
lart, one for each kind of fruit, it is an advantage
place some kinds of Pears in the Apple room
a time, as their season of use is then
ngthened considerably, and they can be remo\ed
I the warmer room for a few days to finisli ripen-
S- By placing part of the crop of Marie Louise

the cool atmosphere of the Apple room,
IS Pear may be had in good condition for a
^uch longer period than if placed altogether in

the Pear room at tho outset. There arc several
other kinds which can also be subjected to the
.same kind of treatniuit, such as Althorp Cras-
sane, Kin'ght's Monarch, .Seckle, Dana's llovcy,
&e. After the trees are cleared of fruit, get any
root-lifting or lifting and transplanting dori".
Other work which comes under this heacbng will
be the liarvcsting of Walnuts. The.se should be
thrashed or beaten from the trees, as the husks arc
now Inii-.sting open, (lather them \ip, lay them
out thinly in an open shed, and when the husks
part readily from tlie shells, clean and diy them,
and store away in a cool but not too dry a place.
If wet weather should set in, late Plums may be
gathered, and kept in good condition for some time
if laid out thiidy on a shelf near the window in the
fruit room. This will enable the netting, muslin, or
whatever kind of protection was used to secure
the fruits from insects and birds, to be taken
tlown, dried, and stored away for future use.

M.VM'RiNo. - -Once more attention must be
turned to this important matter in connection
with fruit culture, and those who are fortunate
enough to have plentiful supplies of manure
should take time by the forelock and get (Goose-
berry, Currant, and Raspberrj' plantations dressed
forthwith, unless early pruning of the two former
fruits is in contemplation, when it may then stand
over for a week or so. But where birds are
troublesome and the question of pruning cannot
be entertained until the turn of the year, then the
manuring should be done at once. The manuring
of Morcllo and Kentish Cherry tree borders is
best done now, and m here there is no prospect of
the pruning of Apples, Pears, and Plums being
done until the close of the year, all that stand in
need of food may have a surface dressing now,
when the autumn rains will carry its fertilising
properties down to the roots. In all cases clear
the surface from weeds before applying the manure,
and the latter should be spread evenly over the
surface and left so, as it can be pointed in after
the turn of the year, or when the trees have been
pruned and winter dressed.

Pri'Ninc. — Currants and Gooseberries are fast
shedding their leaves, and as soon as all are down,
the bushes may be pruned at once, provided they
are considered safe from liird attacks. Where
much fruit growing is carried on, an early com-
mencement goes a long way towards securing an
early finish in these matters, and the work can
also be got through with much greater expedition
now than when the weather becomes colder and
daylight is shorter. After being pruned, measures
should be taken for dealing with insect pest?,
particularly the chrysalides of the Gooseberry
and Currant sawfly, where the caterpillars of
the latter have been troublesome during the
past season. The soil under the bushes should
accordingly be removed to the depth of 3 inches
or 4 inches, and should either be taken away to
be burnt with other garden refuse, or be buried
deeply in some other part of the garden away
from the bushes. Then \mt a little fresh lime
under the buslies and make good the deticienc}'
with soil from between the rows, after which give
the plot a good dressing of manure.

Str.wvbkkries. — These should be gone through
once more both to relieve the plants of all late-
formed runners and to get rid of weeds before
winter sets in. Plants set out early in August
have made sjilendid crowns and good foliage, and
look like yielding excellent results next year.
Forced [)lants of Royal Sovereign set out earlier
in the season i^roduced an abundance of flower-
spikes during the latter ]jart of August, which,
had they been allowed to remain, would have pro-
duced a hue second crop of fruit, rivalling, if not
surpassing, in this respect V. H. de Thury. which
does so well in many places as an autumn fruiter.
Two and thi'ee-year-old [ilants have made good
growth during the p.-ist few weeks, and are now
amply provided with leaves for the protection of
the crowns during the winter months. If the
manuring of old plants in the shape of a top-
dre.ssing either of manure, old hotbed materials,
spent Mushroom manure, or soil from under the
potting-shed licnch has not been done, it sliould

be no longei deferred. This should be worked
close up to and around tho crovv'ns, which in the
case of olil plants stand considerably above tho
level of the soil in which they are growing. This
will give them a new lease of life7 Jiarticiilarly if
the soil has become impoverished tln-ough neglect-
ing to top-dress in previous years. A. VV.

KITCHEN GARDEN.
FoiiciNd VKOET.VBLES.— In most erardens choice
vegetables have to be produced thi-oughout the
winter, and very often undiT great tlisadvantages
as reg.ards convenience. The modern forcing pit
has been the means of reducing the labour re-
([uii-cd in forming fermenting l)eds made ujj with
leaves and litter, but there is still much to recom-
mend these when jiroperlj* jirepared, as the heat
produced is of a mild character and in every way
suited for bringing on such things as Asparagus
and Seakale. Where unheated pits or frames
have to be used, a good body of leaves should be
got together as soon as possible, so as to allow
time for them to become warm before they are
placed into the frame. If sufficient leaves can be
obtained, they will give a more lasting warmth
than when manure is added, but they must be
prepared by turning them over several times and
watering, if necessary, to encourage them to heat.
The greater the quantity of leaves, the longer they
will give warmth ; therefore in tilling up the pits
they should be trodden as tirmlj' as possible, and
by bringing them well up to the top, such things
as Asparagus and Radishes will be close to the
glass, which is very essential, especially during
the short, sunless days.

Stori.n'o roots. — The Potato crop is not a
heavj' one this year, and, what is worse, the
disease appears to have shown itself more or
less in most districts. It is therefore necessary
that extreme care be taken in storing the tubers,
as a few affected ones might lead to great loss
when they are placed in clamps, which probably
would not be opened for many weeks. The dry
weatlier has assisted in detecting unsound tubers,
as they have come out of the soil in a clean con-
dition. Unless large cjuantities have to be stored
it is more convenient to place them in a frost-
proof shed and cover with a good thickness of
straw. In this way they are easily examined,
and atibrd useful work duiing inclement weather.
In clamping Potatoes, it is a great mistake to
select a site under large trees, as the drip from
these keeps the covering in a wet condition. At
the same time they should not be exposed to
the north or east winds, as when frost accom-
panies these it soon penetrates to the tubers
unless a large amount of covering is used. The
soil should onlj- lie thrown out a few inches to
form the base, and if sloping ground is selected,
there is less danger of heavy rains reaching them.
A careful .selection of suitable tubers of the
different kinds should be made for seed. It is
better to do such work at once, and store them, if
possible, in single layers so that they can be
easily examined ; they keep better, and there is
less danger of them sprouting than is the case
when placed in heaps. The tubers of the early
\arieties especially should have immediate atten-
tion in this way, or they soon commence to grow.
A free amount of N-entilation is necessarv to kee|)
the tubers in a good condition, but it must be so
managed that frost does not reach them. Pro-
vision should be made for storing other roots,
such as Carrots and Beet. The latter may be
lifted at any time, it being, however, better to do
so early than allow the roots to renuiin in the soil
after the autumn rains have commenced, as it
not onl}' becomes more difficult to get them out of
the ground in a clean, dry st.ate, but many of
them may split and become practically useless.
RiciiAED Parker.

Wasps. — 1 used to be greatly infested with
wasps, especially in my vineries, until I purchased
two or three sixpenny butterfly nets, in which
about April and -May I caught all the wasps I

30G

THE GARDEN

[October 16, 1897.

could come across (females, I imagine), the result
being that I had not a tithe of these Grape and
Plum destroyers visit me. This spring I Ivilled
from thirty to forty taljen in this way, and
I have since scarcely seen a wasp in any of my
houses. No doulit this has been a bad year
generally for tlie wasp family ; wliy, 1 Ivnown "not,
for the winter was mild and the summer fairly
warm. At all events, 1 think this is about my eighth
year of the butterHy net process. — Gwknt.'

Orchard and Fruit Garden,

NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES.

We have to thank our readers all over tlie
country for so kindly replying to the following
questions, and we hope that the notes will
prove valuable : —

Will you kindly aid us in thnju-ing sume light
on Straicberries of best quality for tlie iise of
prirafe groivera, as market growers have a different
standard from thai which applies to the private
gardener, and farov.r those lands thnt lieur
carriage, rather than those that are remarJcahh for
flavour and quulitij? Fur those irho ase their own
fruit v;e think that a different standard shoidd he
in iise.

1. IVliat kinds do you consider the best for
flavour in i/our district, i.e., as gronm in gardens,

not taking into account those grown in the open
field for market ?

2. The best early and late hinds for the open air
in your district ?

3. Whieh of the nnver sorts do you find most
worthy of culiivution from a garden point of
view 'i

4. The bist time to plant so as to secure the best
and most regular crops '(

■ These were an exception.ally Ihie crop.

Sir Josepli Pa.\ton last year was very fine in point
of finish, but this season it was much larger and
the colour of berry finer, indeed more so than
I had ever seen it in former years. Vicomtesse
H^ricart de Thury came next in point of (jualit}'
and abundance of crop. President has borne out
in a high degree all its former character as a first-
class cropper with berries of excellent flavour, and,
like Paxton and Vicomtesse, travels well. Royal
Sovereign was grown in thesame brake in parallel
rows witli the above, and its weight of crop in all
respects was equal, if not a shade heavier, but in
point of flavour it is behind, and the berries
are softer and lighter in colour, and on that
account it is not so acceptable as a first-class
dessert fruit. There is always an uncertainty
about British Queen ; it seems fastidious as to
soil, for, although grown along with the otliers
here in well-cultivated land, the Queen is inieven
in its growth, some of tlie plants doing well, while
others in the same row ne\'er make free healthy
growth. Still, it is one of the best flavoured, and
can ill be dispensed with. Empress Eug-nie — or,
at any rate, one under that name — bears well, but
the flavour is only second-rate ; the berries are
large and mostly wedge-shapetl. It comes in
later than the foregoing, and is useful in that
respect to lengthen the supply. Many of the
varieties recommended in these pages have been
grown here with e^ery care to prove their fruiting
and flavour qualities along with the standard
kinds, and yet they are wanting in some impor-
tant points to be worth growing in a pri\ate place
for high-class dessert fruit. It must be very con-
flicting to many to decide which are the best for
general use, for there are too many kinds men-
tioned, and particularly tliese very large-ljenied
ones are all more or less deficient of flavour, how-
ever well tliey may look as individual fruits. The
three kinds named at the begimiing of this article
are unijuestionably in the front rank of all grown

at the present da}', either for the market or the
piivate gardener, as good all-round kinds that
can be thoroughly depended on in all soils and
situations. I have grown them on stiff' tenacious
clay on the north side of the Pentland Hills in
West Lothian, and in Forfarshire, where the soil
was light and thin, resting on gravelly rock ; in
Sussex on deep loam, with a dash of clay in it ;
and the crops in all these cases never failed to be
satisfactory. Keens' Seedling does not do well
here, and is now discarded after repeated trials.
There is no better plan to get at which is best
than growing many kinds together of the newer
sorts with every care ; and the same plan
should be followed in forcing, to get at which are
best. These large-l)erried kinds are not suitable
for preserving in private establishments. Roj'al
Sovereign is not suitable for preserves, always
being thin. The second and third gatherings of
Vicomtesse make splendid preserve, the berries
being small and firm, and parting freely from the
husks, and not so sweet. It makes a preserve
almost equal to what the old Grove End Scarlet
makes, and no kind grown equals it in that
respect.

To grow the Strawberry well, it wants deeply
cultivated soil well enriched with manure.
The cultivator at all times should aim at
vigorous, strong, healthy plants that will bear
freely fruit of fine quality ; and to get that there
is no better way than trenching and putting a
good supply of \egetable refuse of every kind
into the bottom of the Drench. This is of great
im|)0rtance when a dry season occurs such as the
past one has been here. The surface should be
made level and firm, and then the jilants put out
in rows 2i feet apart, and '2 feet from plant to
plant in the rows, and that distance apart each
way will gi\e ample room for three years, wliich
is long enough for the plants to stand under the
best cultivation. On thin, light soils, resting on
gravel, two years are long enough for the plants to
stand. The selection of the runners is a very
important part of the culture, for on tliis depends
much of the future success of the crop. When
the fruit is being gathered, I note all the plants
of each kind that possess special properties as to
vigour of constitution and fine, symmetrical, well-
coloured fruit. Off these the runners are taken
with the view to maintaining a similar constitu-
tion in the future plant, as heavy cropping and
much propagation have a deteriorating influence.
Layering into small ])Ots is much the best plan
for the private gardener, whether these may be
for forcidg or planting out in the open as soon as
rooted ; but in my case I only root enough for
forcing, as these are planted out as soon after
fruiting the following sijring, as they are well
hardened off' in a little shade, and ground can be
got ready. There is no better plan where it can
be adopted than that of sowing the Spring Onions
'Ih feet apart, and planting between the Straw-
berries does not in the least interfere with the
maturing of the Onion crop. In this way they
can be got out early in the season, so that
they can be well estaljlished before the autumn
sets in. No planting should be delayed longer
than the latter end of July if a full crop is
expected the following season. Small plants put
out in August have not the same chance of getting
established before the winter sets in, and may
sufter if it happens to be severe. To keep the
ground thoroughly clear of weeds at all times is
one of the cardinal points of success. There
should be no digging or deep hoeing of any kind
among the plants in case of cutting the surface
roots. Runners should ne^ er be allowed to gain
a footing, as they only exhaust the ])lants at a
time they shovdd be forming matured crowns for
the next year's crop, but to let these grow until
they form a thicket between the rows, as is to be
seen in some cases, means the crop will just be in
proportion to the strength that is left in the fruit-
ing plants. The earlier the plants are mulched after
the crop is gathered the better, as they derive
benefit from it, the rains wasliing the goodness of
it into the soil to feed the surface roots. The
material on the surface retains the moisture i n the

spring. Free growth of the foliage is of grea
advantage if late frosts and cutting cold wim
occur. This spring I had no loss of bloom frol
the full, healthy foliage that protected it.
year or two ago a similar late frost ha
pened, when much loss was the result in tl
neighbourhood, and thin crops of fruit foUowej
The full, hea\'y foliage here saved the bloo
and I had an excellent crop of fine fni
Watering becomes necessary if the weather .slitii
be dry alter planting to prevent the balls gettii
dry, which would check the growth and possil
lead to an attack of red spider. The plants u
very much benefited by a good soaking of manu
water after they come into bloom. — A. Kem
Coolhursl Park, Horsham.

I would say that Hericart de Tliui

Keens' Seedling, President and Royal Soverei'
are all good-flavoured kinds. I have a difficul
in getting any of the British Queen family
grow well on this soil, consequently they are n
fruitful. Dr. Hogg does the best and is of a ti
flavour. On a south border containing about t
kinds, La.xton's Noble and Royal Sovereign wt
the first to ripen, followed bj- Hericart de Thu
and Keens' Seedling, w'hich were only about t
days behind the first-named. Jubilee and Ne
ton Seedling do well with me for late crops or
north border. Frogmore Late Pine is the best 1:
one, but, as with the Queen fairrily, it gro
badly under good ordinarj' culture, hence I ha
great ditliculty in getting runners to keeii up t
stock. There are so nrany good kinds gro-
nowadays that it is best to find out what su
each soil and climate, and keep to tlieni for I
principal supply. Royal Sovereign is the best
the newer kinds. I had some splendid fiuits
it this year from plants put out of small ji
last August. I find it is somewhat moredispo;
to mildew and red sjjider than the thicker -leai
kinds. I am trying Monarch, Leader and i
or two others, and hope to report on them anoti
year. I generally plant at two ditt'erent seaso
Those for the earliest fruiting are gi-own or
south border in three ages thus — two ye
]jlairted, one-year planted, and this autum
runners. The last-named ahvays follow e;i
Peas. I give the border a dressing of good rot
horse niairure as soon as the I'eas are over i
cleared away, dig a good spade depth, and br<
up the soil well. I )jlant from small pots in re
2 feet (i iirches apart and 9 inches from plant to pi
in the row. I firm the soil well round each pl:i
give a good watering, and if the weather" is v
dry, mrdch tire sirrface with some old Musluo
marrure. I irrvariably get good crops of fruit
following season froirr plants thus treated. I i
up the oldest of the three lots each year. 1
main crops of Strawberries for preserving, &
are generally produced from old forced ]ilar
These generally follow second early Potatoes
airv' other crop which is cleared ofi' Ijy the end
.Jul}'. In this case I arrange to have the groi
double dug and well manured the previous wini
As soon as the Potatoes or other cro() are reraov
I give another slight manuring, and dig it in it
all dry, tread the ground well over to tirni it, :
plant in rows 2 feet G iirches apart and 1.") inci
from plant to jilant in the row. It «ill be noti(
that in planting the ones on south bon
it inches apart iir the rows was the distance giN
I ought to have added that after the first yet
fruiting I generally cut out each alternate pla
The old forced plants invariably give good en
of fruit the year after planting and the two foil
ing years, when I cut them up. It will be s'
that in lioth cases I clear a portion oft' each y
and make a new plantatiorr, thus ensuring that
plants are more tlrarr three years planted. Af
clearing away the old foliage and rvrnners fr
between the rows of the older plantations
August, I generally give a dressing of well rot
manure, with some wood ashes- or charred ref
mixed therewith. The manurial (jortions of t
dressing get washed into the soil during the ea
autumn months, which being taken uiJ by
r'oots, go to the formation of stout enib
fruit-trusses for the following season's crop.

OCTOBKR 10, 1897.]

THE r.ARDEK

307

sprinj;, before ]iiittiiig betwixt the rows of
its the necessary nuiU'iial for keepiiij; tlie fruit
n, I generally give a good sprinkling of some
lure rieh in potash. Some of the lish manures
•advertised answer this purpose well. — H. J. i
yro'Sy t't'titixfoti f.'fnv/'j/-v, TtH/i'tt-sti r.

I think the I'ine varieties the best flavoured, '

so far Hritisli (>'ueen cannot be beaten. Of

we have hail several good things in the way

L'edlings from the t>>ueen, and 1 may in time

ble to gi\e a h)nger note on the best llavoured

leties. Veiteh's Perfection promises well,

Mr. AUan's Empress of India is a grand

cured fruit of the t^'ueen family. Latest of

another of its ollspring, in my soil is j

rior to the Queen, more robust and equal in

<|dity, and the most valualjle late Strawlieri-y j

fctluvour. lioyal Sovi'reign is the most reliable

eiv fruit and this crops grandly. For j'ears 1

.f\v the much abused Noble, and with fruits at |

id of May one does not expect British Queen

\-. Few will deny that Koyal Sovereii;n

-row n is of good ([uality. I cla.ss it as the

iisetul early variety. Mid-season croppers

>t named so far, few kinds in this soil are

i.irtotheold President, and for jireserving

upon Vieomtesse II. de Thury. To follow

we have British (jtueen, and 1 have stated

are none better, but it is not a heavy

tajper and needs good cultivation. I grow

ijest of All largely, this is excellent from a north

b)cleran<l young plants. I find Royal Sovereign,

Ijd Sutiield, Empress of India, Uunton Park.

I ton's l.eailer, antl Latest of All the best for

II culture. On the other hand my soil is

I - and I give good culture, and with the

r«jiist growers rely upon young jjlants, only tak-

iil one crop. The best time to plant is as soon

'h' ruimers can be oI>tained, that is usually

1 he middle of duly to the middle of August.

u special plants for runner production, not

irig these to bear fruit, as it is impossible

r early runners from plants in full beaiing.

Illy upon 3'oung plants, and by so doing get

li r fruit earlier and plentj' of it. I layer all the

p|it« into pots and give deep culture, plenty of

njnu'e and firm soil. After the Strawberries are

■ ''-fl I use the land for a winter green crop,

-Tging, only cleaning the surface. By grow-

\nuug plants I find I get the best and most

radar crops. — G. Wytiies, Suoii Oardni", Brent-

fil.

Of this important fruit we have had an

I lit cro]), but its duration has not extended

-o long a time as usual in consefiuence of the

-I' anil long-continued heat of July. For the

.. .-upply out of doors I depend on Xoble, La

Wsse Sueree, and Royal Sovereign. I have

Swn all other known early sorts, such as Lax-

N'o. 1, Black Prince, J. Ruskin, and a few

-. These may turn in in a few days before

t'-e mentioned above, but thej' are so small, of

ii pid flavour, and poor in crop, that it is a waste

0 time and space to have anything to do with
tin. Lack of fiavour I know may justly be im-
ped to Noble, but its earliness, fine size, good
CI iping ijualities, and handsome appearance
«iltle it, in my o)iinion, to be grown to a limited

lit in every garden. La (irosse Sueive with

i> nearly as early as Noble, and for all pur-

I" -^ is one of the most satisfactorj' Strawberries.

1 s?ree with most of the good things said of
R al Sovereign, but for forcing its growth of
fcige is too ample, causing it to take uj) nearly
to^e as much valuable space on the forcing fhelf
a^es La Grosse Sueiv'e or the other dwarfer grow-

kinda. Out of doors Royal Sovereign is a few

later than La Grosse Sueree. \\'ithout

I't Countess is the best flavoured as well as one

he handsomest Strawberries known at the

p4ent time. British l^ieen does not succeed
here: therefore I do not include it in my list.
Dr. Hogg, one of the same breed, does.' The
mr of tins variety is very pleasant, and al-
igh the colour may be against it, still it is a
that should be grown for its good Ma\our by
yone. Vieomtesse H. de Thury is one of the

be flavoured, best coloured, and best croppers

we have, fine for preserving. La Grosse Suerfe
is, as mentioned before, indispensable, combining
good flavour wil h all the characteristics of a good
Strawberry. Sir Jo.seph Paxton should not be
omitted. Aromatic is another variety which
succeeds well here, and is of excellent flavour, Imt
us it is rather a soft fruit, it will not do to send
long distances by rail or post. There is no cpies-
tion as to the new variety certificated by the
Royal Horticultural Society last year, N'eitcli's
I'erfection, being of exijuisite and sweet ilavour,
and if it proves to be a good grower and bearer it
is sure to find its way into every garden in the
United Kingdom. The earliest of all here is Sir
Trevor, a new seedling, raised in the Royal Gar-
dens three years ago, Noble (monies next, then La
Gro.s.se Sueree and Royal Sovereign. The best
late varieties are Frogmore Late Pine, \. F.
Barron, Waterloo, and Latest of All. For
its cropping tiualities Laxton's Leader should
prove a splendid variety for cottagers, as
it is the surest and heaviest cropping sort
I know. The best time to |.)lant is as early
in August as possible to have strong-rooted
runners previously layered into small pots. If
tliese are planted on a well-prepared and manured
border at this time a splendid cro[) of fruit will
result the following season. — 0. Thomas, lioyitl
Oardeihi, Froijmore.

The system pursued here in the cultiva-
tion of the Strawberry is to ha\e the beds in
three divisions : one is destroyed and a new one
made each year, so that I never have a bed in
bearing more than three seasons. A piece of
ground that has been cropped with early Peas
or Potatoes is selected, heavily manured and
trenched. About the last week in July, strong
runners of the ditt'erent varieties are got and
])lanted 2 feet apart from row to row, and 1 foot
in the row, and from these in the following sea-
son I always succeed in getting my finest fruit.
I have not the labour to enable me to follow out
my inclination, otherwise I would treat them as
annuals. The varieties grown here are British
Queen, Dr. Hogg, James Veitch, La (Jrosse
Suerte, Lord Najiier, John Ruskin, Noble, Royal
Sovereign, Sir Charles Napier, and Vieomtesse
Hericart de Thury. British Queen docs well
here : the fruit is of large size. It is in my opinion
still one of our very best fla\ cured Strawberries,
but it is not a heavy cropper. Dr. Hogg is a
first-class sort, combining size and flavour, and is
fairly prolific — one of the sorts a private grower
should not be witliout. I must also include La
(irosse Sueree, Lord Napier, and Royal Sovereign.
My best early kinds are Noble, Royal Sovereign,
and La (irosse Sueree. For late use I like Lord
Napier. — G. Tavi^or, SJunhlaiid Gardens, Ijjxirirh.

Dr. Hogg and I'residcnt are the two best

flavoured Strawberries I have. British Queen is
not satisfactory, and I <lo not grow it, although
it is undoubtedly the finest tla\oured variety
grown. Vieomtesse Hi^ricart de Thury is much
liked here, also Keens' Seedling ; both are old
varieties, but still very good. La Grosse Sueree
is both early and good. John Ruskin is early and
the fruit good in colour and .size. Sir Jo-seph
Paxton is useful where quantity is wanted, and
Noble makes a fine dish, and on our gravelly soil,
in a hot and dry season like this last, the flavour
is fairly good. \\'aterloo ga\e some extra fine
fruits and was much appreciated, as it came in
when all the other Strawberries were over. .John
Ruskin, Noble, Vieomtesse H. de Thury, and La
(irosse Sueree all do well as early varieties here,
Waterloo being the best late one. As regards the
newer varieties I cannot speak from experience,
as I have none of them at present. Planting is
best done as early as the runners can be got and
the ground prejiared, the runners to be layered in
small pots as if for forcing. Plants that haxe been
forced and taken care of may be used, if thej*
have not been allowed to siiU'er from drought.
These will give good results the following season.
Where a particular or new variety has beea forced
and a bed of it is wanted, planting out the forced
plants answers well. — Gh:o. Ri.\i4Iiam, Wrolliam
Park Garde/i-n, Bamel.

NOVKL METHOD OF FORCING STRAW-

BERRIE.S.
PuiXATE gardeners are often surprised when visit-
ing market-growing establishments to see certain
plants or fruits, which in ordinary gardens reciuire
considerable time and labour to bring them to
perfection, giDwn well in a very simple way, and
ripened or bloomed in a minimum of time. A
somewhat novel yet very clleetive way of pro-
ducing good eaiiy StrawlxM-ries for sale was
recently brought under my notice. An East
Anglian grower owned several long, low, lean-to
houses, which in summer were occupied with
Tomatoes and Cui-uinbers, these being planted in
shallow beds of .soil, the pathway being along the
front of the hou.se. In .lune, runners from yearling
plants of free-cropping, good-travelling varieties
of Strawberries were pegged down into the soil
of the bed, five or six of the stoutest runners being
selected and the rest removed. I should mention
that the parent plants were planted some 3 feet
apart all ways, so as to give the pegged down
runners in ([uestion the benefit of a good amount
of light and air. After pegging, or rather laying a
heavy stoneon each, no more trouble was taken with
them with the exception of keeping down weeds.
At the end of September these young plants were
carefully lifted with a trowel, Just after rain if pos-
sible, and taken into the lean-to house for forcing.
The shallow bed of soil named was forked o\'er,
a little artificial manure worked in, and after
being made firm, the young Strawberries planted
fairly closely together, the most being made of the
space at command, A good soaking of water
was then given, and the lights, which were port-
able, as all fruit house lights should be, removed
till the second week in No\ember, the plants get-
ting a few frosts on them to perfect maturity of
foliage and crowns. With very little assistance
from fire-heat, the liloom trusses of such sorts as
Vieomtesse, La (irosse, and Keens' Seedling soon
made their appearance, a dry atmosphere being
maintained when in bloom, and the syringe used
but sparingly, and that on fine days only after tlie
fruit was set. The heat being raised as the
various stages of growth were reached, ripe fruit
was secured by the end of February and first week
in March, Tomatoes or Cucumbers being then
again planted. Grower.

Pear Etnile d'Heyst. — This is one of the
most regular croppers we have, as in any form it
bears freely. The fruits on the (^luiiice stock are
earlier and of a brighter colour. The season is
given as November, liut in my light soil the fruits
do not keep till that date, and on a warm wall
are ripe early in October. They are of a greenish
yellow, flushed with crimson on the sunny side,
flesh tender and very .juicy. I am aware Pear
lovers would not class this is as a first quality
fruit, but it is not bad by any means. For early
autumn supplies it is an excellent Pear and well
worth space in any collection. For regular crop
I would ad\ ise the Quince stock. Fruit from
trees on this stock colours grandly. The tree will
succeed in any form. As a cordon it is very fine
and the fruits are earlier. It is not a gross
grower in bush form, and is a good Pear for light

soils. — (i. WVTIIES.

Peach Marquis of Downshire. — I was not

aware until lately that this Pe.chwas one and
the same as Roval Ascot. On a back wall in one
of the Peach houses at Kelham Hall, Newark, a
tree of Royal Ascot has for many years produced
fine crops of large, richly-flavoured fruit, Mr.
Webb (the gardener) thinking very highly of it.
It shows much more red at the stone than most
Peaches. It used to be much grown in gardens
in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckingham, and
it was from seeing it do so well in the first-named
eounty that Mr. Webb was induced to [ilant it at
Kelham. I believe this Peach was raisefl at East
Hempsted Park, the seat of the Marquis of Down-
shire, in Berkshire, and was sent out by the late
Mr. Standish, of the Royal Ascot Nurseries,
which would account for its being called by both
names. However, it is a very profitable variety

308

THE GARDEN".

[October 16,1897

and has a good constitution. The house at Kel-
ham is unheated and in a somewhat damp situa-
tion, Royal (jeorge planted by the side of Royal
Ascot oJten becoming mildewed, while its com-
panion escapes.— J. C.

Gross Plum trees. — I was not fortunate
enough to hear Mr. A. H. Pearson's lecture on
Plums a few weeks ago at the Royal Horticultural
Society's meeting, but look forward to seeing the
same in the society's journ.al. My dilhculty here
in a poor, light soil is that young trees are un-
fruitful, and the difficulty is how to make them
bear. With young trees more growth must lie
allowed to form the leaders, and I find these,
again, in their turn produce gross shoots and
little fruit. This note refers to wall trees, those
grown as standaids being more prolific after a cer-
tain age. The note by " A. W." (p. 193) is oppor-
tune, as it shows what may be done to make wall
Plums more prolific in their earlier stages. I may
be told root-pruning or lifting is needed ; I agree
with the latter done carefully before the leaves fall,
but root-pruning in my case means gumming
later on, with canker, and finally death. I have
tried training these gross growers so that more
vigour or sap is sent to the lower branches by
growing the leaders more horizontally. This I
find advantageous with young trees inclined to
make much wood. — G. W. S.

AN AMATEUR'S VINERY.
The illustration is that of an amateur's green-
house rather than a vinery, which it appears to
be. The measurement is 10 feet by 4 feet
6 inches, and 7 feet liigh at the centre. In
winter, as Chrysanthenunns and other plants
are lioused in it, an oil lamp is used, but there
is no artificial heat all through tlie late spring,
summer, and autumn. The Vine was planted
six years ago, and has borne fruit these last two
years. This season there are fifty-nine bunches
on the Vine, all being of fair size, excellent
colour, and good quality. The situation of the
house is not a happy one, for it is almost north-
west. All goes to show, however, that, given
a suitable variety (and that lilack Hambin-gli
certainly is) and a little care and judgment, a
fair crop of Grapes can be had with but little
expense and meagre accommodation. Mr. Sar-
gent, whose house it is, resides in Prospect
Park, the higher suburb of the city of Exeter.

A. H.

—the mulching reduces the need for these, as
what moisture there is in the border is prevented
from evaporating. Various materials are used
for the jrarpose, some using very short litter or
old Mushroom manure, and others straw. The
two former are apt to cause mischief by the dust
rising from them when in a dry condition and
settling on the (Jrapes. Straw or dry Bracken is
as good as anything, and no dust can then reach
the Grapes, t think it is a good plan, -ivhen in-
side late vinery borders are found to be at all dry,
to give them a good moistening in October, while
as yet the days are fairly long and the sun strong
enough to warrant the admission of abundance of
air to dry the atmosphere again. This watering,
except in cases of very shallow borders, will carry
the Vines on till January.— Grow ek.

Strawberries for market. — Many writers
seem to think that market growers are very slow
in taking up new varieties and adopting new and
improved methods of culture. E\'eryone knows
Royal Sovereign to be a splendid Strawberry for

that they have somethirg superior in every
— James Okoom, (Joipnrt.

Pear Marie Louise d'TJccle.— As an :i
tion to the notes that have recently appear.
The G.\kden on the above-named Pear, I si
like to record a curious experience and inviti
attention of fruit growers to what is to me :ii
explicable part of Pear culture. When plai
cordons seven years ago I was strongly atlvis
give this Pear a trial as being of fair quality
a tremendous and consistent cropper. The
gave a few fruits the first year and from that i
capital crops have been taken from them,
until the present season the fruit from a <jii
standpoint was absolutely worthless, then-
an immediate transition from the green ti
mealy stage, and it was only useful for < l\
stewing. 'This year there is a remarkable chc e,
the fruit ripens gradually, keeps well, and of
very fair quality — not, of course, first class, A
close up to Louise Bonne form, quite equi to
such Pears as Passe Colmar or Napoleon, and iv

Apple Eve. — A small flattish red Apple, known
as Eve, ripening in October and remaining in
an eatable condition several weeks, is frequently
met with in the midland counties, especially in
Nottinghamshire. I do not think it is much
known in the south, as I have looked in trade
lists, but could find no mention of it. The Apple
is not sent out under any other name so far as I
am aware. Though small, it is a very great
favourite amongst lovers of sweet dessert -Apples ;
moreover, the tree is a constant and prodigious
bearer, and would pay as a market Apjale. In many
private gardens in this neighbourhood fine old
trees of it may be found. I should be glad to
learn if this Apple is really known in the south or
west of England, as I think it is a pity such a
good flavoured, fairly long-keeping October Apple
should not be generally grown. — j. C.

*,,' An Apple under this name was shown at
the Apiile Conference in 1SS3 by Messrs. I'earson
and Sons, of Cliilwell. This, no doubt, is the
variety referred toby " J. C" The committee con-
sidered it synonymous with Trumpington.— Ed.

Mulching late Vine borders.— Mulching
the surface of late inside Vine borders is often
neglected in autumn. If ajiplied in Septembei',
or e^ en earlier, it preserves the surface roots,
which are of great importance, in a moist, cool
condition, and later on — say in November and
December, when the days grow shorter and darker,
and border waterings have to be done cautiously

Grape Black Ramhiircih in a greejihouae. From a photograph sent by Mr. A. Hope.

private gardens. As a pot plant I do not know
any variety to equal it, and for the earliest out-
door cropsit is splendid, for it has a robust con-
stitution, makes fine plants that carry a good crop
the first year, and as to fltvour I have always
found it first-rate. I feel sure, however, that as
a Sti-awberry for market it will never supplant
Sir Joseph I'axton, for the simple reason that it is
too good to stand the rough-and-ready handling
that market Strawberries get. During the Jubilee
season Royal Sovereign realised a good price up
to the time when Sir .Joseph Paxton came in, but
as soon as it did, the superior travelling {[ualities
of Sir Josei^h Paxton made it the only sort asked
for, and my impression is that the variety is not
yet in commerce that is to supplant Sir J. Paxton.
At the same time there is plenty of room for
both, and my only object in writing is to warn
those who have good bearing beds of Sir .Joseph
not to root them up until they are fully convinced

fairly be described as very juicy, melting, ano'
fair flavour. Now I can understand one o he
combined conditions of improved cultivfl|iii
youth, vigour or situation being answerablj'pi
better quality in Pears, having noted the sai i"
connection with Beurre Diel, B. Bachjsr,
Triomphe de Jodoigne and Alexandre Laii'e.
but how the difference comes about with no ;
rent cause is, as I have said, to me one ol
mysteries of fruit culture. If any reader has a
a similar experience, perhaps he will kindly
an opinion on the matter. — E. Burkell.

Keeping Grapes (Geo. Kettt ).—Ch\om
calcium, as you were informed, is the san
chloride of lime. It is said to be extremely i
in attracting moisture from the atmospher
also are lumps of quicklime, though in a
degree, (irapes will be found to keep bfi^'j'J
darkened room where an eijuable temperaiSt! ™
40' to 45° can be maintained with the expenf u*

he

OcToliKH IG. 1897 J

THE GA1{I)I{:N.

309

ca minimum amount of fire-heat. A very dry

iiiosphere is umlesirable, this causing tlie

tries to shrivel, and damp is even nmre to bo

f -ed. The room ought to bo kept rigorously

cicd during very cold and also foggy weather,

a I ventilated freely whenever the weather is

rdandtiiie. Tlie most critical periods are the

■ Mges from very cold to mild weather. If the

ihitors are suddenly opened while yet the

1,'S are very cold, the warm, moist air ad-

il will collect on them in much the same way

I does oil the cold walls of clnirclies and

Ills tliat have had no tires in them for several

past. Inniiu iiatcly after frosty weather is

1 the want of a little fire-heat is most felt in

shift (irape rooms. If the pipes could bo

Iv heated and a top ventilator or outlet for

l>, one of which ought to be found in every

If room, set open, a good circulation of warm,

lir woidd he promoted, this cH'cctually dis-

!ig damp. (ira[ies keep best in rooms with

u walls and thatched roofs. The most

\- thinned bunches ought to be reserved for

rig, and all gone over two or three times a

M k in search of any odd berries commencing to

. ay. The fungoid growth complained of is the

I nit of and not the cause of decay. — I.

PRINING FRUIT TREES.

1]¥. pruning uf fruit trees in its manifold form.s

LI lot even in this fruit-growing age so well

t;lerstood as it should be, nor are those who

rlaise the pruning knife confined to amateurs,

jl'fessional gardeners often erring in that

0 .ction, and nurserymen who jircpare the trees

ii lay the foundation of future evils by an

lieious use of the prunirig knife. How

\ IVacli, Plum, and Aiiricot trees do we .still

il.intcd in ]n-ivate gai'dcns which while in

nu'scry plantations had been subjected again

[gain to h.-ird cutting back, the result being

' with more than half of them gumming and

I c'lker set in in a year or two, and if they live

' tv are never what they should be. It was

rlitliculty which made many even of the old

il bud their own Peaches and Apricots or

niaiden trees, being then able to prune as

, liked in laying the foundation for the

I t ure tree. Ko doubt a desire to economise

1 sice is the main reason why trade growers cut

'■: their unsold trees so hard, but in reality

■ ■ is no gain, but rather the reverse, in

!>,irteinng young fruit trees beyond the point
\1ere the wood is well ripened. Peach, Plum,
• ' .Vpricot trees generally break well back
: when li-ng growths are left, but should
I be i'.ny fear on that point in the case of
I vigorous young trees, these can be gently
' in a downward direction when the trees are
t 1 or nailed, raising them to their proiierposi-
' I when the shoots ha\'e grown an inch or two.
i-our.se would only be necessary for the first
i n-rhaps seci md season, and if it jiay s to di > this
1 young Vines, why not also with Peaches ?
I II, besides warding ott' canker by this longer
liug system, the wall or trellis space is
red in much less time — in fact, about one
wd. Sunnuer pruning is also often badly
mormed. In the case of weakly trees, the
' f way often is to let them alone the first
Hier, withholding the knife and allowing all
I iglit growtlis to advance to their full length,
'.^ives the tree a chance of making headway ;
1 L'as when pruned rigidly back in summer
rees often receive a check from which they
not soon, if ever, recover. With robust
- the case is very difterent. But .some may
what is tlie use of allowing even a weakly
to make in summer wood that is to be cut
> in winter ; Roots are formed in strict
"Ttion to top growth, and when the growths
;ie Weakly tree, which have been the means

of its establishing itself the first summer, are
removed after the leaves fall, the roots will be
there to induce a good and perhaps fruitful
crowtli the second year. Sunnuer prnidng or
shortening back is often done too soon. With
.some, neither locality, weather, nor soil is e(m-
sidered, a certain day in a certain month, often in
.June.beingtheoneon which tlu^y commence sum-
mer shortening their fruit trees. Kven in the south
of England it is not wise, as a rule, to jiroceed
with siuumer i)runing until .July oven in hot
summers, from the middle to the end of it
being (inite soon enough in wet, sunless ones.
1 saw only this season a lot of wall and espalier
Apples and Pears growing in a midland g.irden
in a strong, clayey loam that received their first
summer pruning in June, rapid growth necessi-
tating a second one in July and a third in
Aucu.st. Thus the trees were induced to grow
on too late in the seasijii, many of the lower
eyes starting, which, had the trees been let
alone till the beginning of August the fir.st time,
would never have moved at all. This treat-
ment is all against the formation of bloom-spurs
and tends to grossncss generally. The barren-
ness of espalier ami wall trees is fre(iuently
attributed to the soil or season, when a crowded
state of wood and foliage is the real cause.
Many who are careful to prune in the orthodox
fashion seldom think of limiting the number of
spurs so as to permit of the ingress of a niini-
I mum amount of sunshine and light. In re-
moving these, however, it should be done piece-
; meal, say half one year and the rest the next.
, The best plan is never to allow too many s]jurs
i to form from the outset. Root-pruning likc-
I wise is often done in a haphazard manner,
young trees beingallowed toforin strong taproots
several years in succession, the whole of these
being then severed at onetime, to the detriment
of tiie tree. Strong young trees should be
lifted and root-pruned the first autumn or
winter after being planted if growth is gross, the
remaining roots being laid in very near the sur-
face. It is not safe t(.) rigidly root-prune all
round in one year old I'ear or Apple trees
which have gone down into the subsoil, the
safest way being to do half the roots one year
and the remaining half the following. If, how-
ever, stations consisting of slates or tiles were
placed beneath trees at planting time, especially
in strong, cold soils, the necessity feu- root-
jiruning would be reduced to a minimum, and
would be more easily accomplished if necessary.
.lonN Crawfdro.

recently I found them to more closely resemble
those of the old stewing I'ear Vicar of Winkfield
than anj- olhci-. The wood is also very bright
and clean looking, and growth is suiliciently
robust without being gross. As a cordon on the
(jtuinco it is tii-.st-ratc, and crops heavily. Alto-
gether-, I look upon Backhouse's Beurr' as being
a fine additiorr to the list of September Pears, and
of those which have been added to the collection
in recent years none has given me gr-eatcr- satis-
faction.— A. W.

Thinning' late Grapes. — While summer

drapes are often thinned to sucli an extent that
the bunches sprawl aborrt when lairl on the table,
late winter varieties are often under-thinned,
with the result that many of the lai'gest and best
bunches are spoiled by tlie lierries decaying. In
modern-built, tightly -glazed vineries vei-y liberal
thinning is not so imperative, but whei-e there is
the least liability to drip, leaving the bunches the
least too thick is \'er'v risky, to .say the least.
Many gardeners— and 1 think rightly, too — like to
thin each bunch so that each berry stands clear
of the other, such being easily examined in bad
winter weather, any mouldy beriy being then
detached. It is astonishing how (piickly a bunch
becomes a mass of mould, the worst eases lieing
when an inside lierry decays first, gradually work-
ing outward thr-ough the rest. The mischief is
not then discovered till too late. In thinning late
drapes, all inside berries should be removed if
possible. Of course much depends on inside
management during the winter months, as where
careless treatment is given, loss through damp is
sure to occur even in the best constructed house.
— Grower.

SHORT NOTES.— FRCIT.

Pear Magnate. — If this Pear proves to be as
good in Havour as it is handsome, it will indeed be
a grand addition to the list of October ripening
varieties. Were it not known that it is a seedling
from Louise Bonne, its parentage would at once be
stated to be so, as the fruits carry tlie markings
peculiar to that vai-iety, although in not (piite
such a pronounced form, also in the crimson flush
on the exposed side of the fruits. I planted
seviM'al ti'ees two years ago which are carrying a
few fine fruits this season. As a cordon on the
(jiuince stock it is a healthy, vigorous grower, and
if the flavour should prove to be good I shall cer-
tainly give it a trial as a bush tree in the open
garden. — A. W.

Pear Backhouse's Beurre. — A further ac-
i|uaintance with this variety has led to its
being placed in the front rank of September
Pears, so exceptionally good has it proved this
season. The fruits have been cxtia large and
of fii'st-r.ate quality, the fii'sh being melting,
juicy, and richly flavoured. In appearance the
fruit resembles that grand Pear- B. d'Amanlis,
but it grows to a larger size, and of the two I
pr-efcr the flavour of Backhouse's Beurrf^. The
tree has very distinct foliage, anil when compar--
ing the leaves with those of other- varieties

Scarcity of Doyenne du C-imici Fear.—

]\[y sympathy is with Mr. Wythes in the Inps of his
crop of this most excellent Pear. I havp a good crop
on trees on south and west aspecfci. 1 do not expect
Pears to bear every year, and this variety is no excep-
tion. The tree on the west aspect, however, bore a
good crop last year. I can do little with it in the open.
— J. Taylor, Hardwicke Orange.

Pear Triomphe de Vienna. — I am much sur-
prised by '' C. C. IP's'" encomimus on this variety
(p. .361), for with me it is not merolv tlavonr'esa, but
downright nasty. The tree is p'l-fe.jtly healthy, grow-
ing and bearing well. This year, however, it has failed
to crop, which is rather a reliet, as I do n^t know -what
use to m:ike of such detestable fruit, i-'crlinjis if
Triomphe de Vieiiue does so well in tlie miilhiiuls, it
m:iy require a cnol cli iiate to develop its good quali-
ties (!-). I have it planted in a very warm and sunny
corner. — South Oxo.v.

Boiling water for yello-ws in Peaches. —
An Early Crawford Peach tree in the western pirt
of P„ochester, N.V., says the Democrat ami
('/iroiiirlt_, has borne three bushels of fine fruit.
Two years ago the tree was smitten with the
3'ellows, and the owner thought it was doomed,
but, following the advice of a friend who had tried
the remed}', he poured boiling water on the trunk
and branches and threw it on the uppci- limbs, re-
peating the operation four or five times at inter-
vals of five or six days. New gi'owth soon st;irted,
and the tree was shortly covered with green and
healthy foliage.

Solanum jasminoides. — I saw when recently
at Bictoii, Devonshire, this lieautiful climber doing
well outdoors, thi a smith aspect it is quite
hardy. That is too much too expect of it in
Suriey, but -were plants grown on in pots and
then planted out against warm positions in June,
it is possible that success might attend upon that
eff'ort. It is .a most gr'aceful and beautiful plant.
The finest one I have seen any wliere was at Ci icket
St. Thomas, Lord Bridport's place at Chard,
where it grows with wonderful luxuriance on the
back wall and roof of a glass cori-idoi-. This plant
was put there six years ago, and now it covers an
area of 40 feet long by several wide. It was in-
deed a beautiful specimen and showed how finely it
does in a cool house. — A. D.

310

THE GARDEK

[October 16, 1837,

Trees and Shrubs.

THE WISTARIAS.

No Wistaria is more beautiful than the familiar
W. sinensis, which flowered so splendidly last
spring. There are others, as W. niultijuija and
the white W. sinensis alba, but the former,
wliilst liaving longer racemes of tlie same pleas-
ing colour as W. sinensis, is not very free
blooming. Tlie white variety of W. sinensis
is very pleasing, the flowers being pure white,
but it is unfortunately too tender for general
planting. We have received the accompanying
note about the Wistaria shown in the illustra-
tion : —

I send you a photograph (taken on the ISth of
May) of a very fine Wistaria in full bloom, grow-
ing on the house of a market gardener in this
village. The tree covers a space of wall 63 feet
by 14 feet, and being on the side of a high road,
has attracted much attention and admiration
this year. — R. C. LvNfii Blosse, •'^iiiuiironihe
Vicarage, Dtirxley.

Crataegus Crus-galli.— A fine tree of the
oval-leaved form of this covered with clusters of
bright scarlet fruits and with leaves that were
changing to all kinds of autumn tints, from yel-
low to scarlet and bronze, is very effective at Kew
just now, and, taken from all points of view, it
appears to be one of the best of trees for
effective planting. Another very effective tree is
Pyrus baccata, of which there is a large healthy
specimen not far from the Palm house. This has
a full crop of brilliant red crabs, each about the
size of an ordinary Cherry. — J. C. T.

Hydrangea paniculata. — Reference was re-
cently made in Tjik (l.iRDEN to the fine display
this plant was making at Kew. This reminded
me of another brave show I saw in the pleasure
grounds at Gunton. Some of the trusses would
compare for dimensions with those mentioned by
the writer in question. Had the flower-stems
been supported by sticks, the effect would to a
great extent have been spoiled, a too stiff and
formal appearance being the result, but as seen
at Gunton the trusses were allowed to fall about
naturally, yet the stems supporting them were
sufficiently stout to keep them from bending near
enough to the ground to get splashed in wet
weather. On a well-kept lawn the group had a
very fine effect. — C. C. H.

Hamamelis virg'inica. — The bright weather
we have e.\]jerienced of late seems to have been
particularly favourable to the flowering of this
North American Witch Hazel, as in some places
it has been almost as showy as its Japanese rela-
tives, H. arborea and H. japonica, are early in
the year. The species under notice, H. virginica,
forms an irregularly-sha]ied bush, clothed rather
densely with deep green leaves, which hide man}'
of the curious, yet pretty blossoms. Thej' are of
a singular starry shape, with narrow twisted
petals of a bright yellow colour. Generally the
flowers open in an irregular manner, but such is
not the case this year, and the plant is certainly-
far more conspicuous in this way than when a
succession is kept up, as the blossoms are not
sufficiently showy to give much of a display un-
less they are freely produced. — T.

Rhus cotinoides. — During a recent visit to
Kew the brightest l)it of autumn leafage that was
observed among the hardy trees and shrubs was
furnished by a few plants of this Rhus, which
were conspicuous for a A'ery long distance owing
to the decaying leaves being of a vivid yellowish
scarlet tint. The foliage was not of one uniform
colour, as in some leaves the yellow predominated
and others were quite scarlet. From its great
beauty at this time of the year one might reason-
ably have expected this Rhus to be pretty gene-
rally met with, instead of which it is very raiely
seen, and good plants of it are difficult to obtain.
It is a native of North America, having been first

disco\'ered by Nuttall as a large shrub on the
banks of the (irand River, a branch of the Ar-
kansas, in the Indian Territory, in 1819. It is said
in America to attain to the dimensions of a tree,
with a trunk S inches to a foot in diameter and a
height of 30 feet. The leaves are in shape a good
deal like those of the Venetian Sumach (Rhus
Cotinus), but larger, while the plant is less
spreading than in the better-known kind. Beside
the abo\e two many other species of Rhus are
remarkable for the bright tints of their decaying
foliage, notably Rhus glabra, whose pinnate

rich blue colour in dark, peaty soil, but only son
30 yards distant, where the soil is stiff and has i
it strong loam, the flowers keep of the typici
pink colour. All the plants are in the sun. M
Miller mentioned that the longer the plants r
mained untouched the more the blue developei
Some planted twelve years were but just becon
ing blue in colour. There is no attempt to intn
duce artificial aid. At Basing Park I saw la;
year numerous small plants in pots from sprir
cuttings carrying fine heads of blue flowers th
the gardener informed me were produced by usir

II islana^ .^ineaais iii a tiluiicester:<}iire vilkuje.

leaves are at times much flushed with scarlet and
yellow, and R. Toxicodendron (the Poison Ivy of the
United States), which is of a vigorous climbino-
habit of growth. This species also occurs in
■Japan, and is often met with under the name of
Ampelopsis japonica. The sturdy-growing R.
Osbecki is another bright-tinted kind, and so are
Rhus venenata, from the United States, and R.
succedanea, a native of China and Japan. — H. P.

Blue Hydrangeas.— At Ruxley Lodge,
Esher, Hydrangea Hortensia produces blooms of a

dissolved alum in watering ; that may have bee
the case or not. Evidently, whether the bir
colour is due to iron or other constituents in tl
soil, it seems to be furnished naturally in man
places, and is usually found in boggy or blue
soils. — A. D.

The Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccmea).— Th
autumn tint of the foliage of this tree is vor
rich. The leaves are more deeply cut than thos
of the common Oak, and they take on this riv^
colour early in autumn some weeks before the

October 16, 1897.]

THE GARDEN^

311

ill. They are each from (i inches to S inclies loiii;,
!id easily distingiiishi'il from those of most other
lecies liy their deep shiiiiiif; green in sinnmor.
laiiy lieautiful arranf;ements of foliaije of tliis
(iss may now be made in tlie house, tliat of the
umachs in variety, Ampelopsis and Berbcris
sing especially beautiful in the combinations
'rich brown, green and scarlet.

)OCIETIES AND EXHIBITIONS.
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

OCTOIIKR 12.

HERE was a full disjilay again on the above
it«, better even than one could have expected
jhen it is taken into consideration that another
.traction was afforded at the National Chrysun-
lemum Society's October show. The Drill' Hall
jDuld possibly have contained more Chrysanthe-
ums had there not have been any "counter
traction, but, as it was, there was a highly
editable exhibit of tirst-class blooms from Syon,
lich were set up in a very tasteful manner by
r. Wythes, who does not evidently believe in
'■ orthodox methods of staging. Michaelmas
lilies made a brave show from Chelsea and from
denham, the former being staged in pots and
jouped as growing plants, by which means the
ect was greatly enhanced, the latter consisted
the finest kinds in the best possible condition,
■ arrangement being likewise good. Late
'^es, still fresh and bright, were to be seen,
I Dahlias were absent, as we might ex[)ect
■ er the rather se\-ere frosts. Of other plants,
■3 most noteworthy exhibits were a finely -grown
illection of Begonia Gloire de Lorraine, models
I good culture and free-flowering, and a choice
I ection of small, well-coloured Crotons. Orchids
•|'re not numerous, but fruit was fully repre-
!;it€d by Pears and Apples from Barhani Court
id elsewhere. There was also very good com-
l|tition for the flavour prizes for Apples and
-ars, but no new kind was able to beat the
( )icest of the best older varieties.

Orchid Committee.

\wards of merit were gi\en to —

*'axi).\ ciERixEA RocHFORDi.i.vA. — A distinct
■■ 1 lovely variety with nearly white sepals and
I uls, the lip rosy purple, the upper portion of
1 raised ridges of the lip pure white. The plant
tried a raceme of four flowers. From Mr T
Ifchford, Turnford Hall Nurseries, Herts.
y.KSD.K MooREi.— A suppased natural hvbrid
tjween V. c.erulea and V, Kimballiana. ' The
sWils and petals are nearly white, the lin a, deep
vjlet-blue, with a white line running 'through
t| centre towards the base. The habit of growth
n, intermediate characters, and there can be
liile doubt of its origin. From Mr. J. \V. Moore,
ilon Place, Bradford.

•doxtoolosscm liRANDE (Pitt's variety). —
okils and petals bright yellow, the usual brown
Ob being entirely suppressed by deep orange-
ylow. The lip is nearly white, with vellow
8|M and bars in the centre. The plant carried
t;l spikes of four flowers each. From Mr. T
I . Stamford Hill.
"^OPETAUM .JoRi.siANUM. — A pretty form
' pale green sepals and petals, barred with
■Jiji brown, the lip white, heavily fringefl at the
Mpn, the upper lobes canarj -yellow. It has
wral large reddish-brown lines at the base.
*in Mr. W. Cobb, Tnnbridge Wells.

KUA I'R.ESTANK (Low's varictv).— This form
» upenor to the variety certificated as L.
{«r?J*i!"°" ^''"".'^ variety). The sepals and
a];
on

CO

Is are larger, but similar in colour ;' the lip
much larger and with a broader band of blue
ne Iront lobe, which is also much deeper in
IT. irom Messrs. Hugh Low and Co.
^itenical certificates were awarded to Dendro-
'J tacirinuin var. amboinense, a distinct form,
. .\eHowish brown sepals and petals, the lip

brown, with j-ellow lines at the base (from
Messrs. J. Voitch and Sons, King's Road, Chel-
sea) ; and Cryptoiihoranthus Dayaiuis, repre-
sented by a largo finely-nowered plant of this
well-known Orchid. From Sir T. Lawrence, Bur-
ford Lodge, Dorking.

Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons sent a large and in-
teresting group, prominent in which were some
remarkable forms, finely flowered, of Cattleya
labiata autumnalis, good forms of C, Bowring-
iaiia and a fine form of C. bicolor with five spikes
of flowers. Among the hybrid Cattlej-as, ('.
(Jhloris, C. Eros and C. Minucia (C. Loddigesi X
C. ^Varscewic?.i), intermediate in character be-
tween the two species, were noteworthy. Amongst
the La-lio-Cattleyas were a fine L. -C. Pallas, good
forms of L.-C. Nysa and L.-C. Eudora superba, a
dark form, with larger flowers than the type.
Among the numerous forms of Cypripediums was
a good form of C. insigne Sandera>. In C. Arete
(C. Spicerianum X C. concolor) the dorsal
sepal is white, shading to greenish yellow
at the base, spotted with purple, and hav-
ing the characteristic purple band down the
centre, the lip and petals yellow, spotted and
surt'used with j^urple. Oncidium tigrinum and
0. phj'inatochilum were represented by large,
well-flowered specimens. A silver-gilt Flora
medal was awarded. Messrs. H. Low and Co.
sent a neat and interesting group. Prominent
among these were fine forms of Vanda cierulea,
Cattleya labiata, finely-flowered plants of (J. Lod-
digesi and C. Harrisona? violacea, a good form of
C. Dowiana aurea, and a grand plant of Oncidium
ornithorrhynchum album with !l spikes of flower.
Amongst the numerous Cypripediums were a very
dark form of C. William Lloyd (C. bellatuluiii
X C. Swanianum), C. insigne Laura Kimball, a
yellow form with a bronze tint over the petals and
lip, and C. i. Millie Dow, another yellow form
with promient spottings on the dorsal sepal.
Numerous fine forms of Odontoglossum crispum
were also inclutled (silver Flora medal). Messrs.

B. S. Williams and Son were awarded a silver
Banksian medal for a neat group consisting of fine
forms of Cattleya labiata, several forms of Cypri-
pedium Pitcherianum (\Villiams' variety), good
forms of C. (enanthum, and a new hybrid between

C. Harrisianum superbum and C. Sallieri aureum,
the dorsal sepal pale green, suti'used and heavily
spotted with brown. A good form of Pescatorea
Lehmanni was also included. Messrs. F. Sander
and Co. sent a small group consisting principally
of finely-flowered Cattleya labiata, the most dis-
tinct one amongst them being a variety with
nearly white sepals and petals, the lip white with
a crimson blotch in the centre, the side lobes
white suffused with rose, lined with crim.son and
3'ellow at the base, (iood forms of Cattleya Bow-
ringiana and Cj'pripedium Leeanum were also
included.

Mr. R. J. Aleaaures, Cambridge Lodge, Camber-
well, was awarded a silver Flora medal for an
interesting group consisting principally of forms
of Cattleya labiata, the best oeing Cattleya labiata
(R. J. Measures' variety), which received a first-
class certificate last year. The .sepals and petals
are white, lip white, with numerou.s lilac veins
down the centre. C. labiata superba is one of the
darkest forms we have seen, the sepals and petals
large and dark in colour, the lip of fine form and
substance, heavily fringed, and deep crimson-
jjurple on the front lobe. L;elio-Cattleya Sallieri
has the sepals and ])etals delicate rose, lip rose-
purple in front, shading to a lighter colour and
j-ellow in the throat. The plant carried a raceme
of five flowers. A grand form of L.vlia elegans
Schilleriana (the crimson-purple of the lip being
very prominent) and a good plant (finely flowered)
of Dendrobium aureum were also shown. Amongst
numerous forms of Cypripediums were the
original plant of C. Chapmani, C. tessellatum jior-
phyreum with two flowers on the spike, and a new
hybrid named C. calloso-Mastersianum, raised
from the two species indicated in the name. Mr.
C. .1. Ingram sent Cattleya Eclipse (C. maxima x

Mr. J. \V. Temple, Leyawood, Tnnbridge Wells,
sent Lielio-Cattleya (temple's var.), the sejials
and petals pale rose, lip rose, shading to white at
the base, the centre lined and sulfused with rose.
Mr. Bradshaw, The (h-ange, Southgate, sent
Cattleya Mantini nobilior, one of the best forms
we have seen.

Floral Committee.

Awards of merit were made to —

Veronk'a Silver Star. — A very distinct and
attractive variety, and one which bids fair to be
\-aluable as a decorative plant, especially for mar-
ginal lines or groujjs. The growth is exceedingly
dwarf and compact, whilst the foliage, by reason
of its distinct v.-iriegation, makes it a showy
plant. The predominating coloui-s are silvery
white and creamy yellow, the silvery suffusion
appearing upon .a pale green ground. From
Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea, S.W.

Nan'Dina iidmestica.- Not a new plant, having
been introduced as far back as 1S()4, but one none
the less worthy of the recognition it received.
The examples shown were quite dwarf and com-
jiact, but it grows to a fairly good height. The
prevailing colour in its autumnal tints was a
bright red, which makes it a verj' showy subject.
The leaflets possess a deal of consistency and
should remain for a considerable time ere they
fall. Of its hardiness we are not certain. From
Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons.

Maran'ta picta. — A dwarf -growing variety in
the way of M. Warscewiczi lo a certain extent,
and one which possibly throws up its flowers in
the same attractive manner. The foliage is some-
what narrow and pointed, the ground colour a
dark green with pale olive-green featherings, and
the reverse of a pale chocolate hue. From Mr.
Wm. Bull, King's Road, Chelsea.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. WiN<:FiELn. — Of this
several very well-grown plants were shown, dwarf
in habit of growth and with flowers of medium
size, which in colour were a blush-pink, shading to
white with age. From Mrs. Wingfield, Ampthill
(gardener, Mr. Empson).

Chry.san'themum Mme. G. Bruant (large-
flowered .Tap.), in which the jietals are of con-
siderable length, drooping gracefully, thus giving
the blooms a pretty effect. The colour is a lilac-
rose towards the tips and white (or nearly so) at
the base. From Messrs. Pearson and Son, Chil-
well Nurseries, Nottingham.

Begonia (Ti'isERors) (for strain).— In this the
distinctive feature is the cresting on each petal,
thus making a singular, but very pretty con-
trast to the ordinary type of singles ; this cresting
is most pronounced and the variation of colour
good. From Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bt. (gardener,
Mr. Bain).

A surprisingly large number of exhibits was
brought together on this occasion, the chief things
being Michaelmas Daisies and Chrysanthemums.
A very fine collection of Asters came from Mr. E.
Beckett, gardener to Lord Aldenham, Elstree,
Herts, contiaining ujjwards of eighty bunches of
really well-grown material. A few of the finest
varieties represented were A. cordifolius major,
A. Novi-Belgii Proserpine, A. huvigatus, A. Amellus
bessarabicus, A. ericoides elegans, A. N. - B.
Nancy, A. versicolor Themis, A. N.-B. Harpur-
Crewe, A. puniceus pulcherrimus, A. vimineus, A.
Madonna, A. Amellus, A. Nova=-.A.ngli:e roseus, A.
Linos3'ris, the curious but ver}' effective yellow
variet}-, and A. N.-B. Top Sawyer, a large and
very beautiful mauve flower (silver-gilt Banksian
medal). A small but very excellent collection of
Asters was staged by Mr. Wm. Potten, Camden
Nur.series, Cranbiook, Kent. The best bunches
were A. N. -A. pulchellus, A. la-vis Ariadne, A.
cordifolius Diana, A. N. -.A,, ruber, and A. Ia3vis
formosi-ssimus. Mr. H. Deverill,of Banbury, also
put up a collection of Asters, comprising good
bunches of A. N.-B. ruber, A. Amellus, A. .\mellus
Riverslea, A. acris, A. Robert Parker, and
Boltonia asteroides (silver Banksian medal). A
magnificent group of Asters in pots, shown by

C. Skinneri), La'lio-Cattleya odorata (C. Eldorado Messrs. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea, contained
X L. xanthina), L.-C. Firefly and L.-C. Epicasta. I good examples of Aster polyphyllus, a pretty and

312

THE GARDEN.

[October 16, 1897.

free -flowering white; A. N.-B. Pluto, A. erie-
oldes, A. N. • B. Arcturus, A. formosissimus,
A. horizontalis, A. vimineus, A. Amellus bess-
arabicus, and A. Shorti (silver-gilt Banksian
medal). Excellent Asters and Sunflowers were
also shown by Jlessrs. Paul and Son, Clies-
hunt. The chief feature of their exhibit was,
howe\er, tlie charming collection of Roses, which
included Caroline Testout, Gustave Regis, ilar-
quise de Salisbury, Bridesmaid, and Souvenir
d'un Ami. Some handsonfcly berried Pernettyas
were also shown (silver-gilt Banksian medal). A
very beautiful group of cut Roses, most artistic-
ally staged and consisting chiefly of button-hole
varieties, was shown by Mr. (i. Pi'ince, Oxford.
The colours were very rich and admirably dis-
posed, and nearly e\ery bloom was in good con-
dition (silver Banksian medal). Messrs. Cutbush
and Son were represented by a pretty group of
Pyracantha Lielandi, freely fruited Orange trees,
and thickly berried plants of Skimmia japonica.

Mr. G. Wythes, gardener to Earl Percy, Syon
House, Brentford, staged a \ery pretty group of
cut Chrysanthemums, the blooms large, well
developed, and in fine condition, and very taste-
fully staged in a groundwork of Maiden-hair Fern.
Some of the best varieties were Mile. Therese
Rey, Louise, M. Ch. Molin, W. H. Fowler, John
Lightfoot, Comte de Germiny, Louis Boehmer,
Lady Selborne, Lady Randolph, William Seward,
Elaine, .and W. H. Lincoln (silver Flora medal).
A very delightful exhibit was that of Mr. H. B.
Maj', of. Edmonton,' consisting of some thirt}-
plants of the lov-ely pink Begonia Gloire de
Lorraine, one of the most useful and beautiful
of the winter-flowering Begonias. E\'ery plant
was finely grown and flowering profusely. They
were very symmetrical in growth, and all
remarkably e^ en in (|uality. The eHect of this
ma.ss of lirilliant colour was very striking, and
called forth great admiration (silver Flora medal).
A small collection of cut Chrysanthemums came
from Mr. Robert Owen, Maidenhead. Messrs.
Veiteh and Sons had examples of Caryopteris
mastacanthus, brilliantly tinted plants of Vitis
Coignetia', Vitis vinifera purpurea, and well-ber-
ried lioughs of Crat;egus orientalis. Messrs. Haw-
kins and Bennett had plants of a new double
scarlet Geranium Duke of Fife, and Mr. Godfrey,
of Exmouth, bo.xes of very fine cut Chrysanthe-
mums. Sixteen fine bunches of Violet The Czar
came from Mr. Harris, of Chippenham, and a
group of plants of Begonia tiloire de Lorraine
from Messrs. Peed and Sons. A group of very
good Crotons, well grown and finely finished, was
staged by Messrs. B. S. Williams .and Son, Upper
Holloway (silver Banksian medal).

Fruit Committee.

Fruit on this occasion filled a goodly portion of
the building and was shown in sijlendid condition,
notably the gold medal collection from Barham
Court. Seedling Apples and Pears were numer-
ous and above the usual quality.

Awards of merit were given to —

Melon Croxti:th .Jubilee.— A medium-sized,
deepl}- ribbed and slightly netted fruit ; flesh
bright scarlet, of good depth and fine flavour for
so late in the season. From Mr. B. Barkham,
Croxteth Hall Gardens, Liverpool.

Pe.\r l)iRE(TEfR H.\KDV. — A Very handsome
medium-sized fruit ; skin yellow, bronz}' red on
the sunny side. It is of first-rate flavour and a
valuable addition to the October Pears. From
Messrs. Bunyard and Co., The Royal Nurseries,
Maidstone.

Apple J.\s. Gkieve. — A medium-sized fruit,
not unlike a large Cox's Orange ; skin yellow,
flushed with bright crimson. It is of splendid
quality, and a valuable addition to the dessert at
this season. From Messrs. Bunyard and Co.

Probably the finest 100 dishes of Apples and
Pears ever staged in the Drill Hall were put up
by Mr. Woodwai'd, gardener to Mr. Roger Leigh,
Barham Court, near Maidstone, on this occasion,
as it consisted of tlie cream of the Crystal Palace
fruits which had taken prizes in their several
plasses. The fruits were now staged in long rows

on a wide table; Apples were about half of the
exhibit. Such kinds as Yorkshire Beauty, Peas-
good's Nonsuch, Stone's, Lane's Prince Albert,
Potts' Seedling, and Warner's King were enor-
mous fruits, and few people have ever seen
Tyler's Kernel, The Queen, Alexander, Lady
Henjiiker, Washington, Mei-e de Menage, and
Cox's Pomona so large and highly coloured.
Of dessert kinds only a few can be noted, such as
Ribston, immense — in fact, too large for dessert ;
Margil, Cox's Orange, Wealthy, Mother, AUing-
ton Pippin, a new fruit of great merit of the Golden
Reinette type, and Adams' Pearmain. Pears
«ere equally good. Princess, Magnate, Confer-
ence, Marie Benoist, Beurre Baltet, B. Superfin,
B. Diel, and B. Hardy being the best. There
was a grand dish of President d'Osmonville.
Doyenne du Comice was also fine, the collection
well meriting the gold Banksian medal awarded.
With such a collection as the one named as a
standpoint to judge from other collections ap-
peared poor, but exception must be made in the
case of that sent by Mr. Ofl'er, gardener to Mr.
Jolin Warren, Handcross Park, Sussex. Here
was remarkably good fruit, some of the dessert
Apples being superior in colour and equal in
size to Mr. Woodward's. Some sixty dishes were
staged, Pears predominating. There were very
fine examples of Doyenne dn Comice, Pitmaston,
Beurrj Diel, Beurre Hardy, Beurrt! Bose, and
Doyenni; Boussoch, fine Marie Louise and the
largest Gansel's Bergamot we have seen, with
Princess, Magnate and Nouvelle Fulvie. Apples
were notable for their grand colour. Cellini was
very rich, also Cox's Pomona and Peasgood's Non-
such. Dessert varieties, such as Cox's Orange,
Fearn's Pippin, Duchess' Favourite, Duchess of
Gloucester, Cidvilles in \ ariety, and Russets, made
a splendid collection (silver Knightian medal).
Seventy dishes of fruit were staged by Mr.
Riekwood, gardener to Lady Freake, Fulvvell
Park, Twickenham. Of the Pears, Beurrfe Diel,
Beurr^ Superfin, Beurrfe Bachelier, Beurr^ Hardy,
Beurr(5 Bose, Durondeau and Pitmaston were good.
Apples, both dessert and cooking, were .also good
(silver Banksian medal). Many of the visitors
would be surprised to see a small collection of
fifteen varieties from Mr. .J. Easter, gardener to
Lord St. Oswald, receive a similar award. The
fruits were not large, ha\-ing been grown in the
smoke-begrimed district of Wakefield. This was
considered. The dishes of Lane's Prince Albert,
Warner's King, Ecklinville, with Blenheim, King
of the Pippins, and Cox's Orange were gooi.

Messrs. .Tas. Carter and Co., High Holborn,
sent a collection of thirty varieties of Cabbage.
Some kinds were specially good. Mein's No. 1
was noteworthy for its compact habit. EUam's
Early is not so good in autumn as for spring use.
The older Enfield Market, Little Pixie, and Non-
pareil still hold their own as summer varieties.
Rainham was a fine type, and Dwarf Nonpareil
was very good (silver Knightian medal). The
Messrs. Young, Stevenage, Herts, staged a (juan-
tity of Gourds of various shapes and colours, l.iut
none named. An exhibition of this kind is use-
less without names (bronze medal). Smaller ex-
hibits were very numerous. Mr. Ross, Welford
Park, Newbury, staged several new seedling
Apples and Pears, but most of these were re-
ser\ed for the next meeting, not being suffieientl}'
ripe. The Horticultural College, Swanlej', staged
bottled fruits of 1S96 growth. Cherries, Plums,
(Jooseberries, Currants, and Raspberries. The
fruits were of good quality and colour. A seed-
ling Grape named Edward Lord was sent by Mr.
Lord (gardener, Mr. J. Wright), Belmont, Raw-
tenstall, Lancashire. The berries are large, oval,
and not unlike those of Black Morocco in shape,
but of distinct flavour. Unfortunately, the colour
is bad, skin verj' thick. E\eii if distinct the
colour is a drawliack. Messrs. Wells, Crawley,
sent a new Apple not unlike Lane's Prince Albert
in shape and colour, but different in qualitj'. It
is a very late cooking fruit and good. This the
committee asked to see next spring.

The flavour competition for the Veiteh prizes
brought forth a spirited competition and proved

that a good dish of Thomson's Pear can hold it:
own with Comice. Mr. Powell, Ilsington House, j
Dorset, was a good first with the variety named
second, the Rev. H. (4olding Palmer, Holmsi
Park, Berks, with good Marie Louise. There
were nine dishes staged, the varieties beim
Beurre Bose, B. Superfin, Seckle, and Doyenni di
Comice. There was the same number of Apples
and of course Cox's Orange will be difficult to beal
for the next tew meetings. Some excellent dishe:
were staged, Mr. Woodward being first with thi>
variety, and Mr. Powell second with Eibstoi
Pippin. The other varieties staged were (Jraveii
stein, American Mother, and Charlestown Pippin

The members of the floral committee oi
Monday, the 4th iiist., examined for the seconi
time the early-flowering Chrysanthemums grow
ing at Chiswick. The trial is certainly a mo^
satisfactory one, many excellent sorts hithert
little known being brought into prominence. Th
majority of the pompon varieties were past thei
best, the bulk of the display being made by
very interesting lot of Japanese sorts, showing
pleasing diversity both in colour and form. Tb
plants have been grown quite natural!}', no di:
Ijudding or stopping having taken place, and onl
just a stout stake used for the purpose (
supporting the taller growing sorts and an
others of abnormal size needing some support (
the kind. The trial should make known tl
excellent ([ualities of the early and semi-ear'
flowering Chrysanthemums for making a brigl
display in the open border, when many othi
autumn-flowering plants have succumbed to tl
first severe frost. The plants vary in height fro
about 2 feet to o feet, the majority of the sor
being about 3 feet in height. Three marks we
accorded to each of the following varieties : —

Edie Wriciit. — This is a .Japanese varie
with incurving florets of good width. Colo
rosy-pink, free-flowering, and of strong constit
tion ; height from 2J feet to ,3 feet. From Messi
Dobbie and Co., Rothesay, N.B., and Mr. H.
Jones, Lewisham, S.E.

La Vieroe — Compact habit of growth, rart
exceeding IS inches in height. Flowers whil
slightly tinted blush, of Japanese form ai
freely produced. This sort would have be
better developed a week later. From Mess
Dobbie and Co.

Alice Butchek. — This, one of the prettiest
the pomjjon flowers, is a reddish orange spi
from Lyon, a rosy purple flower. It attains
height of aliout ih feet. From Messrs. Dobl
and Co. and Messrs. Ban- and Sons.

OR-\Nt:E Child. — A Japanese variety raised
the late Mr. W. Piercy, and very useful as a de
yellow flower for the open at this season. Soi
of the flowers are tinted orange. It is a stroi
growing plant from '2A feet to 3 feet high. Fri
Messrs. Dobbie and Co.

Mme. Edouard Lefort. — In this the flon
are neatly notched at the ends, giving the How<
cjuite a fimbriated appearance. Colour bron
gold, slightlv veined crimson ; height ahc
IS inches'. From Mr. W. H. Divers, Belv.
C'astle Gardens, and Messrs. Barr and Sons.

I^^ADY Fit/.wy(;ram. — This was in capital con'
tion and profusely flowered. The blooms ;
pure white, of Japanese form. It grows fi<
IS inches to 2 feet high. From Messrs.
Cannell and Sons, Swanley, and Jlr. 'W. i
Divers.

Ivy Stark.— This, one of the \ery best sorts
recent introduction, is a Japanese \ ariety, raif|
from seed saved in this country. The noW'|
very much resemble those of the popular mi
season variety Source d'Or. The earliest br
were developing flowers of an orange-yelH
colour, while the later flowers were of a riclj
shade of the same colour. Height about 3 Je
From Mr. H. J. Jones.

Bronze Prince.— Another English seedling
Japanese form, with florets of medium widi'
colour a pleasing shade of bronzy salmon, Wi
flowers being very rich in colour. Height aiV'
2i feet.- From M"r. H. J. Jones.

October IC, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

313

iIlle. OrixiUTHKAi-. — Anothor Japanese llower,
( 3ur dcoi) jiirik, paliiiu' witli age. It is fi'cc
t reriiig anil ilistinet. Fnnn .Mr. i\. .T. .Tones.

'iBEKT.v. — This is a l)riglit little pompon llower

I I golden yellow colour, and borne freely on long
ftstalk,s. Height about '2 feet. From Mr.
1 H. I)ivcrs and Messrs. Barr and Sons.

il.\RTiNMAS. — This was s])eeially noticeable for
i nice bushy habit of growtli. The colour nuiy
1 described as [)ale pink, the centre llorets edged
\lite. The llower bcUmgs to the pompon sec-
tki. From Messrs. Barr and Sons.

pAKVE-sT HoMK.— This popular market variety
\(s past its best. It is the earliest of the crimson

III golden yellow flowers and blossoms somewhat
flely. It is of .Jajianese form, with a spare habit
c^rowth, and in height from "ii feet to .'i feet.
l)m Messrs. Barr and .Sons.

iJl...\NciiK Coi.OMii. — This, of stifT Ja)mnese
fpii, lias creamy white blossoms ; height from
linches to 2 feet. From Messrs. Barr and Sons.

ZoSM, Plii.AKGONIUMS.

iVt the same meeting the following zonal Pelar-
^liums received a similar recognition : —

jlEV. H. H. B'OMiutAiN. — A plant bearing
sfiiidid trusses of rich salmon colour, with well-
fined individual jiips.

H'LES Lkmaitiu:. — A huge truss of rich crimson-
slrlet, with large pips of good form and substance.
Ijim Mons. Lemoine, Nancy, France.

IDOLi'iiK Bkisson. — A pretty Hower and a dis-
t^t advance upon the fancy types of the zonal
lai^nium. Colour rich carmine-pink, having
ahite blotch at the base of the two upijer llorets.
I'ln Mons. Lemoine.

I ITEl) HOKTICULTURAL BENEFIT AND

PROVIDENT SOCIETY.
I The Axxi'.iL Dinxek.

Te annual dinner of this benefit society, re-

Bicted entirely to gardeners, was held at the

Hborn Restaurant on Tuesday last. Although

tire were several horticultural engagements

fijd for. the same evening, the Venetian room

w. crowded, about 120 guests being present. We

h|e never been present at a dinner of this society

iivhich the proceedings passed oil' with greater

z<l.

'he chair was taken by Mr. H. B. May, who

-npported by Mr. Nutting, Mr. G. Bunyard,

lames H. Veitch, Mr. Harry Laing, Mr. (i.

liram, Mr. H. Williams, Mr. Peter Kay, Mr.

Sf. Wright, Mr. Walker, Mr. Wythes and many

j'-rs.

Uer the usual loyal toasts, the chairman pro-

I "Success to tiie United Horticultural Bene-

iid Provident Society." In the course of his

li he said : "This society has for its motto

ly is strength,' but its pioneers, mindful

stability is not obtained by numbers alone,

•■ ; raised it ujion an enduring basis of self-help.

r^ society is conducted by gardeners for the

Ware of gardeners, and so great is my admira-

for its objects, aii<l particuUrly its methods,

I venture to think it is unsurpassed, if

"'.ed it is ecpialleil, by any similar institution in

tn kingdom. The advantages it offers its mem-

0' , especially those advanced in age, are eer-

t«lly most liberal. The society is indeed a hajipy

codiination of a benefit society'and savings bank.''

"lay be useful to point out the following in-

'ition recorded by the chairman, as likely to

pnote increxsed membership. He said : "The

111 ibcre are of two grades, those on the higher

I paying !ld. and the lower 6d. per week to

sick and deposit fund; 3s. and 2s. a year to

benevolent fund, and 2s. 6d. a year by each

to the management fund. Slembers are

led to ISs. and 12s. a week sick (lay respec-

y for a period of twenty-six weeks, and 9s.

3s. for a further period of twenty-six weeks,

may then be transferred to the" benevolent

"■«, receiving such weekly payment as the eoiii-

ni'fe deem advisable. The balance to the credit

of the sick fund, after deducting payments to
members, is annually divided juo in/n and placed
to the credit of each member. This sum, with
comnound interest, is carried forward until he
reaenes the age of seventy, when he is entitled to
withdraw the amount standing to his credit. A
member, too, who h.as allowed his subscription
to lapse docs not forfeit the amount, but is
entitled, on reaching the age of sixty, to with-
draw the sum standing to his credit at tlie time
of bis default."

Mr. May said that the society bad made decided
progress, sixty-three new mem^jcrs having joined
since the last annual dinner, the total number on
the books being 08-1.

Mr. Hudson (the treasurer of the society) re-
siionded, and urged its claims strongly upon gar-
deners who had not joined. He mentioned that
only the previous evening a sum of ,30s. was voted
from the convalescent fund to enable the member
to stay a week or two at the seaside.

Tlie" toast of " The Honorary and Life Members
and Visitors " was proposed by Mr. Nathan Cole,
who gave a short history of the early days of the
society. This was responded to in an excellent
speecfi by Mr. George Bunyard. The health of
"The Chairman" was [iroposed by Mr. Peter Kay.
The toast of "Kindred Institutions" was proposed
by Mr. W. .1. Nutting, and Mr. (J. Ingram
(secretary of the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent
Institution) responded. Mr. G. W. Cummins also
spoke to this toast.

The remaining toast was "The Press," proposed
by Mr. .lames H. Veitch, and responded to by Mr.
Curtis. Mr. W. Collins (secretary of the United
Horticultural Benefit Society) proposed thanks to
donors of fruits and flowers, Messrs. H. Williams,
.1. Laing, H. Cannell and a few well-known gar-
deners having kindly given libeially to make the
tables gay. Miss Hudson decorated the tables.

We can add little more about this society. It
should appeal to e%ery gardener in the land, in
whate%'er circumstances, and the wish expressed
by the treasurer, that the roll of members should
soon reach 1000, we hope will soon be realised.

8C

th
th
cU
en
ti\
an
•n

National Chrysanthemum Society.— Ow-
ing to want of space, we have Ijeen compelled to
hold over the report of the sViow held on the I2tli
inst. and two following days till next week.

Notes of the Week.

Aster ericoides. — As implied in the specific
name, this is the Heath-like Starwort, and cer-
tainly it deserves such distinction. The small
pure white blossoms are produced in the most
elegant s]>rays.

Aster Amellus Riverslea. — Apparently a
selected seedling form, and differing from the
majority of the Amellus varieties in the violet
self tone of the ray florets, this being of a more
decided shade than is usually seen.

Jacobinia magniflca. — Where a good dis-
])lay is required to be maintained in the warm
greenhouse lliis jilant should not be overlooked,
for its showy heads of jiink are most serviceable.
By adopting a variety of methods, plants may be
had in llower for a long period.

Violet The Czar. — When one sees this very
handsome Violet in fine condition, it is doubtful
whether the much-lauded ul-w kinds are really
actjuisitions after all. On Tuesday at the Drill
Hall some sixteen bunches of this old favourite
were .shown in splendid condition.

Chrysanthemum W. H. Fowler. — This pro-
mises to be one of the best yellow kinds, a fact
amply illustrated by several splendid blooms at
the Drill Hall on Tuesday last from Earl Percy,
Syon House (Mr. Wythes, gardener). The
flowers are very full to the centre and rich
golden yellow.

Passiflora racemosa. — This very showy
Brazilian species is among the most attractive of

the genus now in flower. The rich scarlet blos-
soms are produced with great freedom in an
intermediate temperature, and, trained loosely to
the rafters, the plant is an object of great beauty
for weeks in succession.

Sedum Borderi. — While there are many in-
ferior species catalogued from year to year, this
striking jilant rarely finds a place. It is a native
of the Pyrenees, flowering ciuite late in summer
and into the autumn months, at which time the
heads of crimson-coloured flowers are most ell'ec-
tive. It is a capital plant for the ro(^k garden.

Nerine pudica.— This is a neat and chaste
species, easy of culture and free flowering. The
slender spikes bear some eight or more blos-
soms nearly ]iure white, with a faint rose streak
on the midrib externally. Associated with the
more striking sjieeies of this genus an<l where
the plants are freely flowered the eft'eet is dis-
tinctly pleasing.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. Wingfield.^.'\ seed-
ling variety of very dwarf growth, the plants as
shown at the Royal Horticultural meeting being
under 2 feet high from the pot. Indeed, as a pot
plant from a decorative point of view, the variety
would appear well suited. The flowers are of
medium size, some almost pure white, and others
flushed with pink.

Aster puniceus g-randiflorus. — While the
flowers of this are large and iium(;rous and showy
for the border or in groups, they are not so useful
in a cut state as many, as they are produced in
a somewhat cylindrical form, at least on the
main spike. In colour the flowers are of a lilac-
blush tint. It is a strong and vigorous grower,
and does well in deep soil.

Lilium speciosum cruentum. — Even after
the se\ere frost this \ igorous-growing Lily still
expands its richly-coloured flowers. It is a hand-
some form that should be abundantly grown in
gardens, and a great improvement upon the
ordinary forms of roseum and rubrum. It is
equally good as a pot plant, and where late flowers
are desired this .should always be found.

Chrysanthemum Klondyke. — This promis-
ing variety, with deep golden yellow flowers and
petals slightly drooping, was exhibited by- Mr.
Davis at the Aquarium show this week. The
flowers are not large, but ^^hen seen in suffi-
cient quantity very striking. Of its habit we
know nothing, as for some rea.son the stems were
divested of alt leafage, and in this way the beauty
of the blossoms was lost.

Gladiolus Raphael Collin. — This is perhaps
one of the finest varieties of the Lemoinei section
of these beautiful flowers. In greater part the
flowers are of a deep salmon-pink, scarlet-crimson
on the lower petal. The spike is large and the
flowers numerous. Another very handsome form,
also of the Lemoinei type, is Goliath, the flowers
slightly hooded and of a purple-wine shade,
lightened by a faint white central band.

Pelargonium Duke of Fife. — Whether this
is any advance on the best double scarlets now in
cultivation or not matters but little. It is
undoubtedly a most vivid colour, the rather semi-
double flowers large and in well disposed heads,
and produced on stout stems nearly In inches in
length. Some fine baskets of it were (|uite a mass
of colour at the Drill Hall this week, when it was
shown liy Messrs. Hawkins and Bennett.

Chrysanthemum Etoile d'Or. — At the pre-
sent time, when frost has blackened all Dahlias
and other tender short-lived things, it is refreshing
to see broad patches of this several feet across
quite fresh and unharmed. The abundance of
its foliage and the number of its soft yellow
blossoms render it a most useful jilant for the
open garden in summer, (iroups of old jilants
yield a .surprising amount of flower, and are
attracti\e over a long season.

Antirrhinum Hendersoni. — Snapdragons
arc now largely used in the llower garden, and
this is one of the types which is most desirable
among the spotted and variegated kinds. All
these spotted, \ariegated and dwarf forms, how-

314

THE GARDElSr

[October 16, 1897.

ever, make us long to see more of the pure dis-
tinct self colours which are now found in this
family. The beauty of the Snapdragon is lost in
the dwarf kinds which are now being largely
planted. Mr. John Forbes, of Hawick, has just
sent us some spikes of this.

Begonia Gloire de Lorraine.— This singu-
larly beautiful and free flowering kind was exhi-
bited in the most perfect form on Tuesday last by
Mr. May, of Edmonton, the plants being as re-
markable for their good culture as for their abun-
dant flowering. Though growing in pots only
5 inches in diameter, the plants were about
18 inches high and 15 inches through. These
perfect little bushes were most attracti\'e, the
two dozen or more plants making a good display
amid a setting of various beautiful Ferns.

Kniphofia Nelsoni.— In the kind under
notice the rare beauty and worth are not in its
giant inflorescence or even the vigour of the
plant, for in K. Nelsoni the growth is less
vigorous than in most kinds ; at the same time it
is so perfectly hardy and so free flowering as to
make it well-nigh unique. It is a slender, grace-
ful kind, the long tubular fclossoms almost ver-
milion-orange in tone. Of all the tribe, this
slender kind is the most suitable in a cut state,
and for brilliancy is not surpassed by any of the
more massive and robust forms.

Kniphofia Woodi. — This is a very distinct
and interesting species from Natal now flowering
in the Koyal Gardens, Kew. The species is of
rather tall and meagre growth, the attenuated in-
florescence rising to 6 feet high and freely fur-
nished with blossoms, each some three-quarters of
an inch long. In the bud stage these are yellow,
but expanded, of a creamy shade, and therefore
quite distinct from all else. Unfortunately, its
native habitat precludes the idea of its perfect
hardiness — a fact that minimises its value con-
siderably so far as British gardens are concerned.
In the Cape house it will doubtless prove an
acquisition.

Schizostylis coccinea. — In those gardens
where some attention is paid to this plant in
spring and summer the reward will now be
forthcoming in the profusion of its vivid scarlet
spikes. It is somewhat difficult to fully under-
stand why so useful a subject is so generally
either neglected or ignored altogether, as few
plants gi\e such a return for the little trouble
expended. Planted out in good ground in early
spring at a few inches apart, it is surprising what
a number can be grown on a few yards, and
in rich light soil e\en the small growths fur-
nish flowering stems by the autumn. At this
season it is best to lift and pot them for flowering.
In a cut state the spikes are most attractive.

Outdoor Grapes from Wales. — I have sent
you a box containing three bunches of drapes cut
from the vineyard at Swanbridge. They are
typical of the whole crop in that vineyard. The
fruit is well coloured, but not so sweet and palat-
able as usual, which of course is accounted for
by cold, wet weather experienced in August and
early part of September. The (Jrapesare juicy and
in good condition for wine making. I anticipate
making from that vineyard alone about thirty
hogsheads of wine that wjU, I think, not be inferior
to that of some of the best seasons. "La vendange"
was commenced October 7, and will probably
last for four or five days. The Castell Coch
vinej'ard, on account of mildew, is nearly a failure
again this year. Despite frequent applications of
the Bordeaux mixture and the employment of all
the latest continental methods for combating mil-
dew, it still remains unchecked at Castell Coch.
The Vines at Swanbridge are entirely free from it.
— A. Pettigrew.

this low reading, neither the petals nor the foliage
of any single Dahlias were in any way injured.
At 2 feet deep the temperature of the soil is at
the present time about seasonable, liut at 1 foot
deep it is about 2° below the average. On the
■20th ult. about half an inch of rain fell during a
thunderstorm. Previous to this thunderstorm no
measurable C|uantity of rain water had come
through either percolation gauge for more than a
week, but since then small measurements have
each da3' been made. There has been a good
record of sunshine during the week, and on the
third the sun was shining brightly for nine hours.
During the past nine days the wind has been
mostly very light, the average rate of movement
for this period amounting to less than two miles
an hour. — E. M. , Berkhamsted, October 7.

During the past ten days there has not

been a single unseasonably warm day and only
three moderately warm nights. On the night
preceding the 6th the exposed thermometer
showed 5" of frost, but my Dahlias were in no
way injured, not a leaf or petal being touched.
But with 8* of frost on the following night the
u]5per half of the plants was killed and their
flowering ruined for the year. Both nights were
ec|ually calm and bright, but on the second there
were ^^ more frost and the temperature remained
at its lowest point for a considerably longer time.
The ground at 2 feet deep is now aliout season-
able in tem|)erature, while at 1 foot deep the
reading is only about 1° below the October aver-
age for that depth. No rain worth mentioning
has fallen since the 2nd, and then the amount
registered fell short of a quarter of an inch. The
sun shone an an average during the week for four
hours a day, and on two days the record exceeded
seven hours. — E. M., lii rl-hmnxtKl.

The weather in West Herts. — The weather
remained warm until the 4th inst. , but since then
colder conditions have prevailed. During the
night |ireceding the 6th the thermometer exposed
on the lawn showed 5° of frost. Notwithstanding

Public Gardens.

Surplus bedding plants in the London

parks. — Arrangements have been made for the
distribution to the public, on the days named, of
any surplus bedding plants that may be at the
following places : Brockwell Park and Maryon
Park, October 16 ; Myatt's Fields, Peckham Rye
Park and W'aterlow Park, October 1!) ; Finsbury
Park, Heath Gardens, Bethnal Green, Royal
Victoria Gardens, North Woolwich and Victoria
Park, October 20; Kennington Park, October 21 ;
Battersea Park and Dulwich Park, October 22.

Barnes Common. — A new scheme has been
pre[iared by the Board of Agriculture, under the
Metropolitan Commons Acts, for placing the
future regulation and management of Barnes
Common in the hands of the District Council, wlio
are to maintain the area free from encroachments
and to frame bye-laws for the prevention of nuis-
ances, the preservation of order, the regulation
of sports and games, the exclusion and removal of
gipsies, &c. The council will also be empowered
to execute drainage and improvements, to repair
footpaths, to cleanse Beverley Brook and the pond
on Barnes (ireen, to preserve tlie turf and grass,
and to plant or otherwise make the common more
pleasant for exercise and recreation, but nothing
is to be done that will otherwise alter the natural
features of tlie common.

The Metropolitan Public Gardens Asso-
ciation.— At the first monthly meeting after the
vacation of the Metropolitan Public Ciardens Asso-
ciation, S3, Lancaster Gate, the Earl of Meath,
chairman, presiding, the opening in July of the
gardens of St. Matthew, Bethnal Green, and St.
James's, Pentonville, was announced, and pro-
gress was reported in the laying out by the asso-
ciation of Guy's Hospital disused burial-ground in
Bermondsey and of a site iii East Street, Wal-
worth. Resolutions were passed agreeing to lay
out, if funds permitted, Christ Church disused
burial-ground, Blackfriars Road, and a similar
ground in York Street, Walworth, subject to
proper provision being made in each case for their
permanent up-keep. It was stated that the asso-

ciation, through the generosity of some of iti
members, was about to erect drinking fountainl
in Homerton and on an open space in Brooke i
Market, Holborn, and had made grants of seati
for certain public thoroughfares in Wandswortl
Paddington, and other places ; that the Act i
Parliament authorising contributions from varioi
public authorities for the purchase of Churchyar
Bottom Wood, Highgate, had received the Royi
Assent, and that £31, .500 required for the purcha;
of a riverside ground of 20 acres in Wandsword
had practically been secured by means of gran
from the London Count}' Council, the local auth
rity, and private subscriptions, including one
£5000 from Dr. Longstaff. The secretary report i
the steps that were being taken with a view ■ I
the acquisition of a portion of Golder's Hill Estat
formerly owned by the late Sir Spencer Wells,
an addition to Hampstead Heath.

Obituary.

WILLIAM SCOTT.

Wp: regret to announce the death, at the age of .'
of Mr. W. Scott, Director of the Royal Gardens a
Forests, Mauritius, at Stirling on the 3rd ins
after a short illness. He was home on leave aft
an unbroken residence in the tropics extendi
to sixteen years. After serving as a gardener
several estates in Scotland, he came to the Ro;
Gardens at Kew. After six months' residei
there he was appointed in 1881 to be assistant
the Mauritius gardens and forests at Pami:
mousses, being appointed director nine ye
later.

Campanula patula. — Can any of your read
kindly inform me where, if anywhere, I can
tain .seeds of Campanula patula (annual) ? It
in my opinion, the most beautiful of a beaut
famil}'. I have never seen it offered in any c^
logue, and I have never been able to gather se
of it abroad. — A. D. G.

Todea superba. — I am sure you will exc
my pointing out that the illustration on p. 28!
last week's Garden represents Todea superba, :
not T. pellucida. The latter is a very differ
plant. Of less consequence, but still wo
noting, is the name Ostrich Feather Fern, wh
on the following page (289) is said to be appliec
the Fern, Todea superba. This name, howevei
usually applied to Struthiopteris gerraanica, :
to S. "pennsylvanica. According to Field, in
"New Zealand Ferns" the common name?
Todea superba are Prince of Wales's Feather Fi
Chenille Fern, and Crape Fern.— J. Birkenhk

Irish- grown wood for Wales. — A new

veloijment of the Irish export trade is, accord '
to the Pall Mdll Gazc/le, in evidence in Cc
During the earlier months of the year, occasif '
consignments of Irish-grown timber were can >
to Welsh ports by the coaling boats, to he utili
as pitwood in the mines of the Princijjality. 1'
to this, the coasters, when their coals had 1 i
discharged in Cork, made the return trip with -
cargo of any kind. But within the last
months almost every boat has been freightedji
its homeward voyage with this wood, as the^-
suits obtained from its use were such as to ind '
the colliery proprietors to continue the tra
One contract just entered into is for 2000 ton,' t
wood, which will be taken from the timber gi;
ing in the neighbourhood of Glanmire, and tlii '
only one of many. The work of preparing '
much timber and putting it alongside thesteaii -
aff'ords employment to many hands, and the
wood industry is one that should prosper.

Names of plants.— Hpnri/ P. Goodbody. ■
Vanua cierulea, very good form. j

Names of fruit. — A. J. Williamson.— 1, La.s
Prince Alberi ; 2, Rvmer ; 3, not recognised; 4, ^ ■
folk Beaufin ; 5, Maiiks Codliii ; 6, Hawthoriiden.- ■
Country Gardener. — Plum not recognised.

THE GARDEN.

13^3— V.L. LII]

[OCTOBER 23. 1897.

Ora^ and Fruit —

Aijo Jas. Grieve

Aju Louioii riiii'iu .. ..
Gt e Alnwick Seedling as a
, ck fur Grus Maroc

MJns, Iftte

p^ Bourr^ Buchelicr . . . .
IV Doycun^ (i\i Cornice on

rth walls

P( S cordon, root managc-

ntof

Pi -apple PriuL-e Albert . .
~ berry, a spidtr-rcsisv

in-rry bfJ^, yuung
: irrios. nutes on .
. meiUy Inig on ..

SI5

310

315
Slip
317

31ii

Floor:—

u>T L'ut tlowers . .
Rin layers rooted
rii'n Maggie Lawie ..
I ions, American ..

Fire King

I roots, stwriug . .

IJh''^

DiitJS, Michaelmas, at Trent

rk

E lias in Sun-ey

Fi iKham Castle, Lincoln,
tea from

Floirtr liordtv, a niij"! ..
Flower borders, mixed . .

LUiiim Wallacei

Lily of the Vallej* in fruit .,
LUy of the Vulhi/ in fruit ..
Marigolds, single garden ..
Narcissus ciilathiims .. ..
Plants, nutfsun hardy
Troi.i:voluni siicciusiun on the

Pentland Hills

Tuberose, the, in the open air

Viola pedata

Violet*, double, in autumn..
Violets, winter

Trees and Shrubs :—

rho larce-

ny ar;i UK' t

flowered
Maiden-hair tree, the
Tamaris chinen.sis..

Garden Flora :—

Paeony, a single-flowered tree
Pffony, a singlt-^tioin'rat Tm:
Pttont/, a Uaub/f-ilotnrii/ Tny
Pttonies, a botrl or'sinrjd: Tret:
Fajoniep, tree

323
324
324

IHTeek's Work :—

Fruit houses, work in . .
31S 1 Kitehen garden, work in the

327
326

{lllustrationa in Italics.)
Kitchen :—

Brussels Sprouts, early . . . . 328

Cabbage Drumhead . . . . 32S

Celery growing for market . 32S

Cucumbers, market .. .. 327

Lettuces failing 828

Vegetiblc Marrow as a

climber 328

Roses:—

Brier and Rose seed, sowing 329

Briers, Hybrid tweet .. .. 329

Rose Bladud 329

Rose Cannes la Coquette .. 329

Rose Ceeile Brunner .. .. 328

Rose Ella Gordon 328

Rose Fortune's Yellow.. .. 328

Rose Irene Watts 328

Rose Mme. Gabriel Lnizet .. 328

Rose Mini:. Gabriel Luiz>t .. 328

Rose Mme Pierre Cochet .. 329

Rose Medea 329

Rose Mrs. Sharman Crawford 329

Rose Muriel Grahame .. ., 329

Rose Pauls Single Scarlet .. 329

Rose Paul's Single Mhite .. 329

Rose I'crle de Feu 328

Rose Queen Slab 329

Rose Rev. Alan Cheales . . 329

Rose Safrano a fleur rouge.. 329

Rose Sunset 329

Roses, autumnal 329

Roses, mildew on 828

Orchids :—

Angra:!cuni fastuosum .. .. 330

Barkeria Lindleyana . . . . 331

Calanthe veratrifolia .. .. 330

Cattleya aurea 330

Cattlcya Gaskelliana .. .. 33!
Cattleya throwing a flower-
spike 330

Cypripedium Spieerianum , . 331

Ucndrobium chrysanthum . . 331
Dendrobium formosum gi-

giinteum 331

Litlia pumila 331

Maxillaria grandiSora ., .. 331

Oncidium Jonesianiun . . 330

Orchids, the durability of .. 331

Pleione humilis 331

Sophronitis vlolacea . . . . 331

Chrysanthemums :—

Clirvsiiutlieinum Calvat's

Iji.ule dOr 3.S2

Chrysanthemum Edith Tabor 332

Chrysanthemum Emily Sils-

bury 332

Chrysanthemum Frangois

Vuillermet 332

Chrysanthemum Klondyko 332

Chrysanthemums and frost 332
Chrysanthemums, early •
flowering, at Chiswick .. 332

Societies:—

Koval ib.rtii'ultural .. .. 834
N;itinn;d (.hrysantliemum .. 333

Notes of the Week:—

Aster Ariadne 334

Campaiuila Uendersoni Ty-

monsi 334

Chrysanthemum Mme. M .

Masse 834

Chrysanthemum Ryecroft

Glory 334

Chrysanthemums, early -

flowering 33i

Hollyhocks 334

Pansy, Tufted, BuUion .. 334

Plants, hardy, naming . . 334

PjTCthrum uliginosum . . 334

Pyrus arbutifolia 33-1

Rudbeckia subtomentosa . . 334

Obituary:—

W. A. Stiles 331

Miscellaneous :—

Narrow water Park, near

Ncwry, Co. Down .. .. 326
September in South Devon . . 322

OCHARD AND FRUIT GARDEN.

I

I (OT MANAGEMENT OF CORDON

PEARS.

nit tree that I am aciiuainted witli gets

' liealth sooner tlian clues the Pear when

:i.s a cordon if the rtiots are neglected and

s allowed to take their course. The trees

ily resent such neglect by failing to pro-

I'ldtitable crops of fruit, and in some cases

it all, but they (|uickly give .signs of it in

uihealthy appearance ; also by making

r no growth, and once they get into this

i'>n it takes two or three seasons to get

I'lund into health again. As a rule, bor-

'■r growing cordon Pears in are seldom

iicted more than 3 feet wide, and often

wide as this, while the dejjth varies from

to 2 feet tj inches. Veiy often no special

Mtion is made for them, and the trees are

'1 in the existing soil with the addition,

I IS, of a little fresh compost to cover the

iiitli to give them a start. A border of

l"ive-named dimensions provides a suffi-

luantity of soil for the requirements of

IS for some time after being jjlanted, but

■ majority of them are worked on the

'' stock, whidi emits a multitude <jf

y feeding roots, it fcillows that the soil in

'on becomes exhausted. When the trees

inted in the staple with little (jr no pre-

"H beyond a mndicum of fresh soil placed

I the roots, they soon get into a sorry

I'll, t unless the natural soil should be of good

<|nity and suitable for Pear culture. A little

att tion will avert this if the roots are aflbrded a

toi ressing of rich compost every two or three

yeii, and if this is regularly attended to cor-

uo-.pears may be maintained in a healthy bear-

'nt:onditiou for a number of years. I h.ave

801 trees of this description that were planted

tw ty-nine years ago, and which are in tine

h&h and bear regular crops of fine fruit.

*»4l"nay object to devoting so much time to

these cordon Pears, but as the fruits produced
by them are invariably of large size and of
exceptionally good (juality, they amply compen-
sate the owner for any little extra trouble he
may be put to. Unless anyone contemplating
planting cordon Pears is prepared to aflbrd them
this amount of attention when the trees become
established and in full bearing, I would advise
him to abandon the idea. Of course there are
a few varieties of Pears which will not succeed
do what one may, but they are the e.xception,
and this is more often owing to physical
defects than to faulty culture, and does not,
therefore, come within the scope of this note.
Cordon Pears are as equally deserving of extra
attention in the way of root management as
are Peaches and Apricots f(.)r instance, and they
always give excellent returns when it is accorded
them.

The proper method to pursue in Cordon Pear
culture is not to wait until the roots have ex-
hausted the soil in which they are planted, and
for the trees to assume an unhealthy appear-
\ ance, but to examine the border annually and
i so ascertain when the roots are in need of aid
I in the shape of fresh compost. With a pro-
perly constructed border this would not be
necessai-y until the trees were well esbiblishcd
and l)earing annual crops of fruit, but after
this a top-dre.ssing every second or third year
will maintain them in a state of efficiency. In
the absence of a proper border a stricter sur-
veillance would be necessary, and, as before
mentioned, unless the staple is of good (|uality,
the trees will need assistance the third year
after planting. My method of dealing with
tliese trees is to remove as much surface soil as
can be done with safety, or until plenty of roots
is found, much in the same way as when
preparing a Vine border for top-dressing,
and then replace it with a compost consisting of
good fibrous loam, with which liave been mixed
a little lime rubble, wood ashes, and a plentiful
addition of bone-meal. The conq)ost is jilaced
evenly all over the roots, trodden firmly and
i afterwards mulched. If virgin loam cannot lie

spared, a compost such as was recommended in
these pages in the issue of The G.^khen for
October 2 for jjlanting fruit trees in wOl answer
admirably if the bone-meal be added to the
other ingredients. In the seasons when top-
dressing is omitted the border receives a winter
mulch of half-decayed manure spread over the
surface about 3 inches thick. During the sum-
mer months two applications of superphosphate
of lime and muriate of potash are given. This
is mixed in equal quantities and sprinkled on
the surface at the rate of 2 ozs. per sijuare
yard. This should be ajjplied just before rain
or immediately before watering the border, as,
like all other chemical manures, it is useless if
left lying on the surface. Other good manures
are ^uano, dried blood and bone-meal mixed
together, but I have abandoned their use in
favour of the above, as this combination I find
supplies constituents more suitable for the Pear.
Trees which have got into a bad condition
should be partially or wholly lifted and replanted
in fresh compost, and then top-dressed after-
wards to keep them in a healthy state when they
have recovered. This will keep the roots in an
active condition. A. W.

A spider-resisting Strawberry. — Amongst
a good many varieties of Strawberries grown here
(Notts) in a light warm soil, which quickly suffers
from drought, not one has stood the indift'erent
summer so well as the new Wonareli. I tliiuk
this will [jrovc to be a capital Strawberry for
amateurs, and, indeed, all who have a shallow
hot soil to deal with. While more or less spider
is visible on other sorts, not an infested leaf
can be found on Monarch. Moreover, it is a pro-
digious yielder, although i)crhaps the flavour is
not first-rate. Many of tlie sorts, however, hav-
ing in them the Queen blood, will not do at all
satisfactorily where the soil is either shallow or
light, but Monarch will, and I recommend it to
all who have such gardens to deal with. —
Grower.

Pear Beurre Bachelier. — I think it was Mr.
Wytlies who this season referred to Bcunv Hachc-
lier as a sure cropping, handsome, fairly fla\oured

316

TRK GAT^DEK

[October 23, 1897.

Pear, which did well in most seasons On his light
soil. With me in upright cordon form it never
fails, and is this year carrying a hea\'y crop of
handsome looking fruit. It will hang on the trees
later than most sorts, and when placed in the
fruit room comes on slowly, ripening here about
the end of November. If this Pear would succeed
in open market gardens and orchards as a
standard, pyramid or bush, it would make a
capital mxrket fruit, as its bright and handsome
skin is very firm and not easily damaged by pres-
sure. It perhaps is grown largely in some districts,
but I have never, so far as I remember, seen it
quoted in lists of market sorts. — J. C.

MEALY BUG ON VINES.

Will any reader of The Gakdek kindly give me
a remedy for this troublesome pest on Vines ''. I
have it here in a very acute form. Is sul[)hur of
any use if the house be tilled with the fumes
after the leaves are off? I have tried going over
the rods weeklj' with paraffin and other insecti-
cides, but have only succeeded in keeiiing the pest
out of the bunches. The house is to be painted
this autumn. — C. Edwards.

*jj* C. Edwards will have a good opportunity
of reducing, if not entirely exterminating, the
mealy bug in his vinery during the autumn
and coming winter, and no time should be lost
after the lea\'es fall in commencing operations.
Sulphur fumes, if arising from burnt sulphur,
are too dangerous to be recommended for use
in a house where there is any plant life, dormant
or active, and simplj" painting the hot- water pipes
with a mixture of flowers of sulphur and water or
milk mixed together will have no etl'ect wh .tever
on the bug. A cheap and very effective remedy
is easily obtained by mixing 0 ozs. of paraffin
(petroleum) with 3 ozs. of soft soap and adding to
this .3 gallons of soft water, which should be used
at a temperature of about VMf Fahr. This mix-
ture should be forcibly applied to every jjart of
the interior of the house by the aid of the syringe
or garden engine, keeping it well stirred while
using. The best way of iliixing is to stir the
p.iratfin into the soft soap before adding any
water, as it then becomes more soluble and
the danger of injury to any Vine buds
touched by the solution is lessened. This mix
ture will form a sohent that will penetrate the
woolly covering with which the female insects
protect their eggs, and will destroy both the
latter and any live insects with which it may come
into contact. I need hardly say that it is abso
lutely necessary to penetrate with the mixture all
crevices and holes in the woodwork and walls.
The next step should be to strip off from the
Vines all the bark which can be remo\ed easily
with the thumb and finger-nails, and it will be
found that this can best be done when the Vines
are wet. It will be found convenient to carry
out the work immediately after the syringing
above recommended has taken place. No scrajiing
with a knife or any other forcible means of re-
moving the bark should be allowed. I never use
the clogging mixtures of clay and gas-tar and the
like which are sometimes recominended for smear-
ing the rods, but jirefer washing them with a
solution of Gishurst compound mixed in accord
ance with the directions, and in the case under
notice I should recommend this being done two
or thi-ee times between the times of pruning and
starting the Vines.

In addition to the painting of woodwork which
is to be carried out, and which should follow the
cleansing operations, an application of hot lime-
wash should be given to the walls and all available
surfaces not painted. Two or three inches of soil
from the top of inside borders should also be re-
moved and some new soil put in its place, after
which the floors and all surfaces which ha\e not
been already dealt with should be scalded down
with very hot water. Strict attention to the
above directions must be given and nothing over-
looked. Cases are frequent in which remedies are
rightly applied up to a certain point, only to over-

look some odd corner or space underneath the
pipes or some other spot not easily reached, and
which may be teeming with insects in all stages,
only waiting for the genial warmth of a vinery at
work to bring them again into \'igorous action.
When the Vines again get into growth they should
be closely and frequently looked over for stray
insects, which are then easily killed, for it may be
that in spite of care a small colony here and there
will escape under the protection of an old snag on
the rod, and in this case a touch of a small brush
which has been lightly dipped in spirits of wine
will kill a whole colony, as the spirits will spread
to some distance round the spot touched with the
brush. It must be understood that such a remedy
must only be applied to the old wood on the Vines
and must not come near the buds or new growth.
Of course no infested plant should be admitted to
the hou.se after the cleansing is over, it being im-
possible to keep clean Vines if any fresh stock is
admitted to the house. — Cobnubian.

Liate Melons. — Melons ripened during Octo-
ber, unless that month is exceptionally sunny,
and the beginning of November, are, as a rule,
deficient in flavour. For this reason many gar-
deners do not agree with certificates for new
\arieties being awarded during October. Much
may be done, however, towards improving the
quality of these late crops of Melons by general
management. Very little air will now be needed,
a chink being sufficient even on the sunniest days,
this being removed at 2 p.m. Overhead syring-
ing also had now better be entirely discontinued,
and even damping down confined to the fore-
noons of tine days. Root moisture, too, in the
case of fruit now turning should only be of such
a nature as will prevent actual flagging. Ordi
nary treatment now not only causes indifferent
fla\our but wholesale cracking of some varieties,
— U. H.

Pine-apple Prince Albert.— Although Pine
growing in private gardens has dwindled very
much during the last twenty years, one occasion-
ally meets with healthy batches of plants, and to
mc they are always interesting. There is no
variety that can equal for flavour the Ripley or
Moscow t^hieen, but these are. strictly speaking,
summer fruiting varieties, hardier varieties bein
necessary where fruit is wanted in the winter
months. The Smooth Caj'enne is very suitable
for the purpose, but the variety I wish to draw
special attention to is Prince Albert. Both foli-
age and fruit are ^■ery distinct, the former being
of a very dark purplish hue, carrying a dense
bloom, the fruit being long and conical in shape,
good fruits often being as many as twelve and
thirteen pips deep. Thei)lant does well grown in
rather small pots, and enjoys a strong bottom
heat when swelling off. The flavour is not unlike
that of that other good winter Pine Black Ja-
maica.— ,T. C'.

Alnwick Seedling Grape as a stock for
Gros Maroc. — With many gardeners, myself in
eluded, (Jros Maroc on its own roots is anything
but satisfactory from a productive {joint of \ iew,
neither are the bunches of any length. Ijike many
other Grapes it seems to do better when grafted
on to some other stock. A striking proof of the
good eft'ects of this operation may be .seen at Hill-
side, Newark, where Gros Maroc was several
years ago inarched on to Alnwick Seedling. One
rod on its own roots still remains, but the inarched
rod produces bunches nearly twice the size, the
berries also being much larger. The narrowness
also of the border is worth a passing remirk, this
which is inside of the house— a span-roofed one-
being only .some 3 feet or 31 feet wide. Beside
the Gros Maroc referred to, Alicante, Muscats,
and Hambnrghs occupy the border, and have done
so for at least half a dozen years. The vigour
and productiveness of all these Vines are all that
could be desired, feeding, it is true, being prac-
tised rather liberally when the Grapes are swell-
ing, good top-dressings being given annuallv.
The above is a proof of what can be accomplished
in both narrow and shallow borders, and, although

this is perhaps an extreme case, deep wide V
borders will soon be a thing of the past.— 1>''. N
Young Strawberry beds. — Strawben
jilanted in .July or August are, as a rule, look'
less vigorous this autumn than usual. Thisi^
to be wondered at, especially in gardens t
suS'er from drought, as runners were hard to t
last .Tune for layering. I notice that on f
ground, as, for instance, where the plants ^v
put out between rows of spring sown Onions, i
have made more progress than where growing
quarter that had been loosened by digging
previously. .Tuly in most parts being very i
loose, open ground, no matter how freely trod
down after being d\ig, lost the moisture m
sooner than thesolid root-nm of the former posit
and roots were made more quickly, to say notl
of the freedom from spider the plants enjoy,
any case where the slightest loostness is
ceptible, the best way is to now go over the 1
and firmly tread round each plant in the s
manner as Carnation growers treat their plant
spring, removing all runners, passing the Dt
hoe through the surface once more, and refraii ;
from putting on any mulching for the presen
that not only top growth but roots also may
the fullest benefit of every ray of sunshine bet\
now and the end of November. Ceitain varii
have even this season seemed to defy the droi
and attacks of spider, on account of their vigo
character. Amongst these is Monarch. Its
constitution and the fact that any quantit
runners may be had from the parent plan)
.June, and that in unfavourable Strawberry sea;
are sure to make Monarch a favourite with ms
growers, as it is also a prodigious cropper.—.

PEAR DOYENNE DU COMICE ON

NORTH WALLS.

It would not do to advise everyone to «'
Doyenne du Comice on north walls in every r-
den. I have this year obtained my only i is
from trees on this aspect, trees in the open h; 2
failed to bear fruit. My trees on the aspect ni (1
are well sheltered from rough winds, a bf M
tall trees protecting them. There is a grea 1-
vantage in having fruit trees in different i-
tions as the season is prolonged, and as ther .n
be no (|uestion as "-.o the good qualities ol is
variety, it is well to have as long a supply as s-
sible. ' I find the best fruits are those grow !iil
cordons. Trees on north walls are incline M
produce fruits covered with russet ; this doe Dt
detract from the flavour. I am aware a ir
skin is much the best and more presentable »
with so good quality this is overlooked, w
chief point with north wall trees is to hav( le
roots in well-drained soil. In heavy land year ,;o
I grew this variety in raised borders, and, sti 1^
to say, the .best fruits were secured from aieo
that had its roots under a hard walk, where t.
ing and heavy traffic were constantly goin; n.
The trees produced grand fruit, and I attr te
the success to the trees not getting an exc( "1
moisture in the heavy clay soil, as the water »
drained away from the surface. The trees i«
a sturdy, fruitful growth and no rank wood la
were on an east wall on the Quince stocl
think it a pi-ofitable plan to plant a tree or
of the best-known fruits in out-of-the-way pl|.
as it often happens such trees thrive, and pJJ
are most serviceable. I recently saw a W0|jn
fence covered with cordon trees of this va '7
and a few others, the fence being used to [M
some stables, and it was most ornamental, aljM
same time profitable, as it was the only pa|»j
a large garden that had trees cropping aii"
well. More interest is secured by what msjDe
termed haphazard planting— a tree here and tir
v\-hore there is room. By growing trees in ' •
ferent aspects a crop may often be secured. [

G. WvTii

rbe

Apple James Grieve.— This promises t,"J
a valuable addition to the dessert Apples]"
was given an award of merit on the 12th irs| l

)CTOBER 2;^, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

.'517

(li Ivoyul lliii-tifultunil Society, but us several of

til members hud no knowledge of its cropping

i|iities, the higher award, a first-class certiti-

o« was withhold. Its season is October, but 1

:.h Id say it would keep nuicli longer, as the

in s were finn, the tla\ our liiisU and refreshing.

In ipearaneo it resembles a large Co.x's Orange,

ipuis of a brighter colour and with the good

■> ■",' (jualities of the older variety. It comes

Scotland and is said ■ to bear there w hen

Orange fails. This will be a gain, and

iliiigh we have no lack of Apples, a good fruit

3U1 as James Orieve is always welcomed. — (!. \V.

-jple Lemon Pippin.— In a season when

•joJ <les.sert Apjiles are scarce, it is pleasing to

I lie free-cropping qualities of this old variety.

Hilly arc the trees bearing freely, but the

in most eases are finer than usual. For the

« years 1 have never failed to secure a fair

im bush trees of this variety. I have seen

I lias a standard tree, but do not advise it as
- there is too great a percentage of small

The fruit of this variety is readily dis-
-hed, the knob at the stalk end being peeu-

It is of first i|uality and in season from
.^l>er to .\piil. Being a hite fruit it should

■11 a cool store and gathered late. It is less
Lan formerly, the larger show}- Apples being

II faMiur, but it is well worth including in
•IS where good late dessert kinds are needed

re are none too many good ones early in the

-.„g.-s. ir. •^

I

NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES.

i> Jiave to thank our readers all over the
coi try for .so kindly replying to the following
qu Lions, and we hope that the n(i*;s will
pnp valuable : —

lill yoM kiiullij aid vs in tlu-<itcing some Vujlit

m'Hrawherries of bed qiudHy for the vse of

' ^rowern, as market growei-s have, a different

III from that irhich aj)plies to the prirnte

■T, and favour those kinds thit lieur

■le, rather than those that are remarhdile for

■ andqwdilj/? For l/iose who use their mm

■'• think that a different standard should tie

II hat kinds do ijon consider the lest for
r in ijour district, i.e., as gruim in gardens,
dng into account th"se qroa-n in the open
!'-:ij\ir marht '!

The best early and late kinds fur the open, air
ur diitrict 'I

Wkifh of the nia-cr sorts do you find most
'I of cultivation from a garden point of

\ The best time to plant so as to secure the best
iin-iiosl regular crops '!

- The really e.xcellent fla\oured varieties of

I'erries are, as far as my e.xperience goes,

w indeed, and in discarding all others from

iHites one must perforce throw over both the

•:irly and \ ery late varieties, for none of

come up to the requirements. British

V'ln has been for many years the standard

>'aity when judgeil by Haxour, but neither it

"0. few other good varieties which claim it for

on<>f the parents are suited for a variety of s. 's,

■•'lie soil here is too light to suit them. The

! I voured varieties I grow, taken in rotation

y ripen, are Royal Sovereign, Keen's Seed-

i'li Vicomtesse H;ricart de Thury, Auguste

»o elot, President, and Latest of All. Though

J tie mcluded Royal Sovereign in this list, I

cai 3t say that I have been quite satisfied with it

"11 i-ear on flat beds, for though the season has

^e« propitious, I found that very many of the

""'' ''""s turned mouldy before thoroughly

"P and this, too, on one-year-old plants set well

a|>' . Un raised sloping borders it was all that

<»^ be desired, as it has been in former years.

but I shall hesitate to advise planting it largely
until lifter another year's trial. Among newer
xarieties which I have so far tried there are none
that I can conscientiously recommend for thi-ir
flavour, but as my trials have only included eight
or ten varieties, they have not been exhaustive by
any means, and others may have been more for-
tunate. One thing is certain, there are many
varieties .sent out on the strength of their hand-
some appearance which never shouhl have left
the raisers' hands. The best time to ])lant is as
early as it is possible to obtain well-rooted run-
ners, as this ensures a good start, and most varie-
ties will give a good crop of their best fruits in
the following j'car. Later-planteil runners do
not get x\ ell anchored before winter and fail to
make good crowns, while those kept o\er in
nursery rows until spring give no fruit the first
year. — J. C. Tall.ick, Lin r nitre Park, Suffolk.

The best flavoured kinds I have grown are

Keens' Seedling, President, Empress of India,
Latest of All, Dr. Hogg, British Queen, Oxonian,
and Waterloo. The early kinds, as far as I have
grown them, have not much to recommend them
as regards flavour. Royal Sovereign is an im-
mense cro[)jier, the fruit of tine aj>pearance but
soft. Noble, much as it has been decried, is fairly
good if well ripened in a sunny spot, and quite as
good as, though earlier than, Sir J. Paxton. Dr.
Hogg and Latest of All are my best late kinds,
the former requiiiiig the same treatment as
British l^Uieen. Ro3'al Sovereign is, I find, the
best kind from a garden point of view, as it com-
bines with fair quality a good con.stitution and
freedom of fruiting. The better flavoured new
kinds I have tried are poor growers in this garden.
As soon as it is possiiile to get well-rooted layers
is thebest time to plant, always provided the ground
has been well prepared and the plants are we'l
attended to. If these are ready by the middle of
July they should be planted before the roots have
time to coil themselves thickly in the pots, and if
well watered both at planting time and d'uing
dry weather afterwards there is no fear of their
flowering prematurely, as starved plants some-
times will. Such plants fruit freely the season
after planting, and go on improving for two or
three seasons according to the variety. — H. R.
Richards, Coldhani J/a//, Bury St. Edmunds.

The Strawberry crop in this part of Devon

has been heavy. I find the best for general use
are Keens' Seedling, Noble, Vicomtesse Hf ricart
de Thury, Auguste Nicaise, Sir .1. Paxton, .Sir C
Napier, Imperatrice, and Waterloo, ilany of the
newer kinds have British Queen blood in them and
do not grow well on the light soils of the shaly
water stone of South Devon. I have grown
Royal Sovereign one year. The fruits are fine,
but the leaf stalk is too long, ret]uiring so much
space under glass. The above eight kinds are hardy
and with one exception are of good flavour. I
find deep cultivation is not necessary : 12 inches to
1.") inches, with a liberal supply of cow and horse
manure not too much rotted, the plants grow-
satisfactorily. Before planting the ground is well
trodden. The last week in .July is a good time to
plant, and two years is long enough for them to
remain. At the end of February of the second year
a good top-dressing of stable manure is given them.
— <t. Bakkh, Mendi/and, Diroii.

The best flavoured Strawberries in this

district are Sir Jo.seph Paxton, which is handsome
in berry, very solid and richly flavoured, also
forces well. Keens' Seedling is one of the liest
in every way. President is one of the best for
general use, highly flavoured and splendid in
colour. Royal .Sovereign is, I think, a Straw-
berry that may displace Sir .Joseph Paxton in
time. It is free-growing, fine in berry, and of a
rich vinous flavour. British Queen is an extra
highlj'-fiavoured kind ; however, the plant is
tender and requires the best cultivation. Vicom-
tesse Hericart de Thury has the one good jioint
of thriving in most soils and situations. It is
very hardy, an abundant cropper, richly flavoured,
and one of the best for forcing in hirge quantities.
Dr. Hogg is a first-class Strawberry in evci-y re

spect, and should be grown where British Queen
does not succeed, owing to its hardier f|ualities.
Waterloo is a most distinct and lirstclass sort,
of excellent flavour. I.axton's Latest of .\11 is a
sort worthy of cultivation ; fruit extra large and
of good flavour. A useful sort is Lord Napier,
handsome and of good flavour. The best early and
late kinds are — First earlies. Keens' Seedling, King
of the Earlies, Noble, Vicomtesse H. de Thury,
La Grosse Sucrfic, Sir J. Paxton. Second earlies :
Royal Sovereign, James Veitch, Lucas, British
(,>ueen. Dr. Hogg, (iunton Park. Late .sorts:
Waterloo, Latest of All, Lord Na[)ier, Frogmore
Late Pine, Elton Pine, Helene (Jloede. Leader
is of splendid colour and flavour. Veitch's Per-
fection is a Hrst-class flavoured fruit; in fact, I
think it as fine as British (,)ueen. Monarch is
rich-coloured, firm in the flesh, and of good
flavour. I cannot too strongly recommend layer-
ing into small pots as early as runnerscaii be
procured, say by middle of .Inly, and planting at
the end of .July in well-prepared beds. A capital
crop of Strawberries will be procured the follow-
ing June. I treat several sorts as annuals, with
the best results as to size and flavour. —.T. W.
McHattie, Strallijicld.^aye.

■ On the black cla}- subsoil of this locality

some of the finer flavoured Strawberries are diffi-
cult to cultivate, and must be grown as biennials
to obtain good fruit. The kinds which stand best
are La (Jro-sse Sucr^e, Royal Sovereign, President,
Elton Pine, and Bicton Pine. The newer variety,
Stevens' Wonder, also promises well. The best
flavoured kinds are British Queen, La Grosse
Sucre'e, President, and Royal Sovereign ; the best
early kinds. Royal .Sovereign, La Grosse Sucrt'e,
and Noble ; the best late kinds. Jubilee, Laxton's
Latest of All, and Waterloo. Of the newer kinds
Royal Sovereign and Leader are the best. The
best time to plant is the second and third weeks
in August. With me the indispensable kind is
President, which crops well, forces well, and bears
carriage better than any other kind.— .J. .jA(;rEs,
Waddc-sdon, Bucks.

On the rather retentive soil in this locality

Strawberries of all kinds do well. After trying
various sorts I still cling to President as the best
all-round kind ; it is a general favourite, and un-
surpassed for flavour. British Queen, Dr. Hogg,
Vicomtesse H(5ricart de Thury, and Keens' Seed-
ling are also of excellent (|uality, and do well
withgenerouscultivation. Viscountess, LatJrosse
Sucrfe, and Royal Sovereign are the best early
kinds here, either for forcing or the open air ; and
Oxonian, Frogmore Late Pine, and Elton Pine the
best late kinds. Of the newer kinds of Straw-
berries, none have " caught on " so well as Royal
Sovereign, either for market or private garden :
Lord Sutfield and Gunton Park are both good
sorts for the garden, the latter rather too dark in
colour to be attractive. No plan can beat layer-
ing early runners into small pots and planting
them out the first week in August on well-pre-
pared ground so as to ensure a good root-hold
before winter sets in. Forced plants, cared for
when turned out from under glass, and planted
out in rows 3 feet apart and 2 feet a[)art in the
rows, give splendid crops the following season,
but they must be copiously watered to induce
cpiick root action. — William N.4sh, Badmiuiou
durdfus.

The best flavoured Strawberries grow n here

are Vicomtesse Hericart de Thurj' and Due de
Malakofl'. Scarlet Queen is also excellent, but
although of brilliant colour, I understand it does
not maintain it when preserved. La (Irosse
Sucree is still one of the best, this and Royal
Sovereign making x handsome pair. The best
early varieties are Vicomtcs.se H. de Thury and
Royal Sovereign, the best late being Waterloo,
which is first-class in this district. Royal
Sovereign is the liest of the newer ones I have
tried. Monarch and Leader were not in good
form and no opinion could be had. I always
endeavour to plant early, a good time being the
end of July or early in August ; in fact, earlier rf
the ground can be cleared and prepared for their
reception, as then the plants get well established

318

THE GARDEN.

[October 23, 1897.

before the winter, the soil being warm and condi-
tions favourable to rapid growth. — J. J. Graven,
All^rlQil Priory Gardens, near Liverpool.

Flower Garden.

NOTES FEOM FILLINGHAM CASTLE.

LINCOLN.
It would be scarcely possible to exaggerate
the brilliancy of the autumn flowers on this
lovely October morning. The garden suffered
much in August from the long drciUght, and
even the deluge that began about August 21
and lasted a fortnight failed to save the
Phloxes, which simply never bloomed. They
■were, however, almost the only real victims,
and now the late autumn flowers have
come successfully through these climatic
ordeals, and the long borders devoted en-
tirely to plants llowering from July to
November are a blaze of colour. The
very tall late single Helianthus rigidus
elegans towers 10 feet high at the back, with
themuchdwarferll. rigidus semi-plenus below.
At least fifteen different sorts of Starworts
give varying shades of jmrple and pale lilac,
from the tall waving branches of Aster Novi-
Belgii Robert Parker to the brilliant Aniellus
(over which the lovely butterflies hover) and
the very free-flowering A. acris and A.
vimineus. The early Chrysanthemums are
gorgeous, masses of different colours, and
never so good as this year. The Pentstemons
are quite at their best, and better this year
from seed than cuttings. Kudbeckia New-
mani is very gay, and so are Gaillardias
and Jlontbretiip, these last flowering very
late this year. The graceful form and crim-
son colouring of leaf and seed of the Moun-
tain Spinach come in lovely contrast to
the lower tones of the Etatices, and show
well near the snowy white of the Japanese
Anemones. The starry flowers of the
Nicotiana affinis, grown for the sweetness
of its evening perfume, now look up as
if to welcome the autumn sun, instead of
hanging a? if dead under the summer rays.
A lovely effect is produced by a mass of
Golden Eod and the blue grey of the tallest
Starwort, all forming a background fur the
brilliint crimson and yellow spikes of the
Tritoma'. Turning down a side border de-
vo'.ed to rarer plants, which are therefore less
massed and stand more out in detail, I can
show you a beau'iful picture. In the fore-
ground is a large plant of Funkia grandiflora
or F. japonica, undisturbed for several years
and throwing up tall spikes of lovely
pure white scented flowers above its pale
tender green leaves. Just under it the
bright blue flowers of the Plumbago Lar-
penta3 contrast well with their foliage of
dark green, changing to metallic - red ;
at the bick, Helenium grandicephalum
striatum grows I feet high (and never more
gay than atthe present moment with its red and
yellow striped fljwers); whilst a little further
on a new note of colour is struck by the
glowing pirk of Sedum speotabile s'de by

side with a plant of white-leaved variegated
Mint, a late spike or two of Veronica sub-
sessilis, the whole carpeted by some of
the lovely Tufted Pansies, which, after suffer-
ing severely by the summer drought, are now
flowering freely, and none better than Border
Witch, A. J. Rowberry, Duchess of Fife,
Christiana, W. Neil, and Sheba, which I can
only describe as a rayless Son of the Rock.

In other parts of the garden the Ivy-
leaved Geranium Charles Turner and the dark
blue Lobelia still show in lovely contrast,
the bushes of scented Geraniums gi'ow 2 feet
high in places, and the Begonias blaze under
the October sun. Salvia patens is flower-
ing most profusely, and its brilliant blue
was never more effective than, as now,
backed by the greenhouse Tropjieolum Fire-
ball, with its sea-green leaves and crimson
flowers. I may mention that Tropfeolum
speciosum is thoroughly at home here and
grows in wreaths of scarlet and green 20 feet
high up grey stone pillars carefully faced with
coarse wire netting for it to cling to, and it
also throws its lovely wreaths over the hardy
Fuchsias growing under the north wall. The
Dahlias also deserve notice this October morn-
ing, being just now at the very height of their
glory. Amongst the best here are Aphrodite,
Gloriosa, Matchless, Bertha Mawley, Mrs.
Peart, Ernest Cheal, Purple Prince, Countess
of Pembroke, Miss Irene Cannell, Delicata,
and King of the Cactus (now most splendid),
and the gay little old favourite, Glare of the
Garden. I again make a note of the su-
periority of cuttings over old roots, the cut-
tings flowering most profusely, whilst the old
roots have produced an immense growth of
leaves.

The Roses seem to have stood well both
drought and deluge, and many are the lovely
blooms to be found do^vn the Rose border,
both on the dwarfs and also on the climbers
up the rustic 7-feet trellis at the back. Pass-
ing to this border under an archway covered
with Gloira de Dijon Roses and purple Jack-
mani Clematis, I find nothing b3tter at this
moment than Marie d'Orleans, Mme. Hoste,
Souvenir de S. A. Prince, Catherine Merniet,
Beante Inconstante, Due A. de Luxembourg,
Comtesse Riza du Pare, Marie van Houtte,
Camoens, Distinction, Anna Olivier, Mme.
de Watteville, and Mar(|uise de Salisbury.
Amongst the climbers at the back, (_)phirie has
never flowered so well or continuously as this
year. Alike in sunshine and rain it has been
a ma.ss of bloom. Celine Foreslier has also
been very good, and a few late flowers are still
to be found on Mme. Alfred Carriere, Bouquet
d'Or, Cheshunt Hybrid and No. 1 and No. 3
(sweetest of Roses) Waltham Climbers.
1 must not conclude these few notes on a
Lincolnshire garden without naming the
Limber Clove Carnation. A few of its
lovely crimson flowers are jtill to be found,
and will continue in all their beauty tdl
killed by the frost.

Ocioher 15. Mrs. PoRTMA^f■DALTON.

Tropaeolum speciosum on the Pentland

Hills. — Tliis Tropieolum, which so many people

try to grow, but fail, I saw growing freely .
other day at one of the shooting lodges belons; »
to Mr Charles W. Cowan, of Valleyfield, M.
lothian. The lodge stands on one of the bea .
ful green slopes of the Pentland Hills in the s:
county, at about 1000 feet above sea-level. '
Trop;eolum is trained on sheets of wire nett.'
fully 5 feet wide and over 15 feet long, attacil
to a portion of the south front of the buildi
making in all a sheet over 25 feet wide and f ,'
15 feet in height. The border in which it o-r ,
is only about a foot wide, and contains, lamt
small stones to which the roots love to cUng. t
has been watered at times with sheep mar a
water, which it seems to enjoy. Besides s
wonderful Flame Flower, with its thousand f
bright scarlet flowers, I observed well-trai i
plants of Gloire de Dijon Rose and Clem «
Jackmani in fine bloom. — W. L. M.

Storing Dahlia roots.— Many people wi I
have more success with their Dahlias had th i
more suitable place for storing the roots du j
the winter months. The plan adopted by mi ,'
of suspending from the roof of a dry, airy 8h& 8
not a good one, as shrivelling, more or less, i
weak growth in spring are sure to follow. 3
long as actual frost is kept from them, the C( r
the storing place the better. I have foum 0
l)lace better than a cool underground ce ',
where shutters could be put to the window n
case of severe frost. Here the temperature 1
uniform one, and the roots remain in a pi p
and sound condition. In places that fluctuai s
regards temperature, dry rot often sets in. e
best display of Dahlias I ever had was on pi s
that were not lifted from the border in auti (,
but merely covered with mounds of fine ci v
ashes ; but the position was a dry, well-dni rl
one and the winter not severe. The fact,
ever, goes to prove that the roots are far hii 1
than many su])pose them to be.

Michaelmas Daisies at Trent Par! -
These useful autumn flowers are well caret T
here. None of the sorts could be considere 11
the least dowdy in appearance, the selection 1 g
confined to the best of each type. The plant .'o
growing in a long border with a northern a; ;t
and seem to do extremely well. By a ca il
arrangement when planting, the tall-gro {;
sorts form a splendid background, foUowin n
with those of intermediate growth and finis ' g
off in front with dwarf varieties. One fe;
specially noted was the easy way in whicl
plants were staked and tied, so that the gract
beauty of the plants were prominently set f
The varieties in the pink of condition were 2
Amellus bessarabicus, Aster Novi-Belgii de
with grand heads of blossoms, on compact gr
not exceeding 3 feet in height ; magnificent p
of A. N.-B. Robert Parker, the lavender-colo
blossoms making an effective contrast with :
of the white and darker shades of colou
the background. A. N.-B. Mrs. John Wood
one of the best white flowers with a yellow
and was very free, branching and distinct. J
cordifolius elegans was much admired witl
long graceful sprays of soft lilac flowers,
best of the collection was Aster N.-B. l»vigi
in some gardens labelled A. formosissimus.
bore grand heads of rosy-lilac flowers,
height of the plants was about 2.| feet. A. 1
Arcturus was very distinct, its long indivi,
footstalks giving it increased value as a cut flc
Aster multiflorus with close heads of pure v
flowers was developing fast, and appeare
better condition than in past years. Single s
men plants of A. Coombefishacre, with
medium-sized flesh-coloured blossoms wereunij
A. vimineus nanus with its beautiful gra(
sprays of tiny white flowers was just past itsl
but A. vimineus was developing lovely gro
to follow on. Other good kinds were A. polyphy
pure white, yellow disc ; A. puniceus pulcherrii
blush white, yellow centre; A. Lindleyanus na
rosy-lilac ; and A. N. -B. Maia, jjossessing 1:
full, rosy-lilac flowers with golden centri
D. B. C'

October 23, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

319

LILY OF THE VALLEY IN FliriT.

Lily of the Valley is so well known as one

,t lieaiitiful native wild flowers, and

«) extensively eiiltivated for its spikes of

rly bells, that one rarely, if ever, even

t iks of it as soiuetiuies producing very hnnd-

10 racemes of fruit in autumn as well as the

tirers of spring. I'onvallaria majalis is a

anotypicgeiuisof the Lily family (Liliaee;e), and

o nir in

ii

F

pogon, &c. In colour there is some variati<iii,
though most are red, as in Smilax, Asparagus,
and Convallaria, but now and then [lurple, or a
lovely blue, as ill the Turcpioise Uerry, ( Iphio-
pogoii japonieus, and (). .Jaburaii. Some t)f
the I'olygonatums have red fruits, but the
common Solomon's Seal (]'. luultifiorum) has
blue-black lustrous fruits not unlike black
pearls. The berries of Uuscus aculeatus, or

through the gnarled old steins and branches of
Lentiseus and other shrubs or small trees.

Although the Lily of the Valley in several of
its best f(jrins fruits year after year at Strafl'aii,
whore it is very beautiful, I rarely see it else-
where, nor do I remember ever seeing any
record of its fruiting as growing wild in the
woods of Westmorel.and and t'umberl.md. though
of course, it must often do so. The fact that
several of the Itest varie-
ties or forms of Lily of
tlie Valley are growing
.side by side in beds at
Straflaii may account for
its fruiting there so luxu-
riantly, but ]]erhaps if
artificial ])olliiiation were
resorted to the ])rettyred
berries might be obtained
with tolerable certainty,
as is the case with the
(!X(iuisite blue Turquoi.se
Berry when growninpots
in a dry cofil greenhouse
or frame. All the kinds
of Lily of the Valley are
so lovely that one can
never have too much or
too many of them, but
when the spires of snow-
white cups (jr bells are
succeeded by clusters of
olive-green, orange, and
crimson berries, an ad-
ditional advantage is ob-
tained.

F. W. TilRBIDOE.

Lily of the Valley in fruit. From specimens sent ly Mr. F. Bedford, the Gardens, Straffan Souse, Co. Kildare.

luces comparatively large terra-cotta red or

uilion coloured fruits about the size of large

s, on spikes <) inclies to ili inches in length.

^ ulustration, from specimens kindly sent from

^Sm by Mr. Bedford, gives a good idea of

size, form, general contour and jiose of the

;. The burry-like fruits of Lily of the Valley

a,;;haracteristic(if many of the Liliace:e, such as

firagus, Smilax, Ruscus, Polygon-itum,(.)phii)-

Butcher's Broom, are rarely seen in England

though common in S. Europe. They are of a

briglit erimson-red when ripe and contrast very

ed'cctively with the dark olive-green of the

flattened branches. One but rarely .sees the

Smilax fruiting in our open-air gardens, but

at Antilles and elsewhere in S. France and

Italy it is wreathed with bright red fruit clusters, 1

as it scrauibles along with tlie prickly Asparagus freely mixed with short leaf-soil to the extent of

Carnation Maggie
Lawie or the Burn. —
"C.'s'' note to the con-
trary notwithstanding, I
maintain that my last
communication was cor-
reet in every particular.
I was quite aware that
one who, perhaps, had
some right to give . it a
name called it The Burn
Pink, but tlie fact remains
that it was called .Maggie
Lawie by the raiser, and
that it was distributed bj'
that name at his request.
It is a matter of small
con.sequence. My note
was a protest against the
too common practice of
intere.sted parties giving
high-sounding new names
to old subjects. — M.

Viola pedata. — This
unique little species in
the more sheltei'ed parts
of the rock garden still
flowers more or less pro-
fusely, and is of value on
that account alone. Where
the plants are given a fair
depth of ))eat and loam,
with plenty of grit and a
small quantity of \ er^- old
manure, it is surprising
how long even small examples will continue in
flower. This is not the case when a position
either too sunny or too dry is given. So pretty
a plant is worth some care to make it a complete
success, and where small groups can be formed in
the rock garden it is well to give a mulching of
small stones about the plants to retain a uniform
condition of moisture. Heavy soils should be

320

THE GARDEK

[October 23, 1897.

one-half, ixiul in such a mixture the phints usually
thrive and flower abundantly.

Double Violets in autumn. — What lately
surjiri.sed me was to fnid not only the well-known
double A'iolet Marie Louise blooming profuselj' in
the open border at Fulbeck Hall, Lincolnshire,
but also that too little known paler variety Lady
Anne Campbell just as full of flower, the blooms
being large and the stems long. I have grown
this excellent Violet for a number of years, but
have never gathered a bloom from the plants,
however well grown and healthy, until February,
when it eclipses all others as a profuse bloomer.
The plants at Fulbeck prove that soil and situa-
tion have a great influence on even the date at
which Violets flower, and I may mention that at
Gunton I have more than once seen the white
Comte de Brazza Ijlooming freely in Se))tember
in open borders, a thing it would never do with
me here in Notts till spring, even in frames. I
have now (beginning of October) plenty of blooms
of Marie Louise. — J. Crawford.

NARCISSUS CALATHINUS.

The writer of the notes on Narcissus calathinus
which ajipear on page 277 of The Garden ha.s
earned the goodwill of all lovers of wild flowers
by trying to save from extinction in its only
native liabitat — He Dr^nec, oft' the coast of
Brittany — that interesting variety of Narcissu.s
triandrus which he describes as N. calathinu.s
(Lin.). He truly says that writers about Nar-
cissus, both English and French, are inconsis-
tent not only with one another but with them-
selves in the names they give to the varieties of
N. triandrus ; but one thing is certain, that
Linnieus, in enumerating N. calathinus as a
species, had not present, either to his eyes or
to his mind, any variety of N. triandrus, still
less the variety found in the He Drenec. Lin-
nieus published his " Enumeration of Species "
about the middle of last century, and the trian-
drus of the Glenans was discovered by Bonne-
maison of Quim2)er in the beginning of this cen-
tury ; it was communicated by him to Loiseleur,
who described it in eri'or as N. calathinus (Lin.)
in his "History of DafJbdils Indigenous to
France," published about .\.i). 1810, and the
error was adopted by De Candolle in the letter-
press of Redoute's "Liliacew," published about
the same time. Linnajus in enumerating N.
calathinus refers t!ie specie.s to Clusius' " Kari-
orum Plantarum Historia " (a.d. 1001), p. 158,
"Narcissu.s juncifolius amplo calice," No. 9.
Those who will turn to that delightful book will
find that Clusius there figures and describes a
foiin of N. odorus which he saw flowering in the
Botanic Garden at Leiden in a.d. 1595. More-
over, it is certain that in the Linnean Her-
barium the .specimen of N. calathinus is a form
of N. odorus. These facts were recognised by
botanists in England at the beginning of the
century. In the volume of the Botanintl Maga-
zine for A.D. 1806 (t. 9.S4), Sims, the editor, fully
points out, in figuring N. calathinus as a form of
N. odorus, that it is the N. calatliinus of Linn.-eus
emnnerated in his "Species Plantarum," ed. 2.
The same editor, in vol. xxxii., tab. l.SOO, pub-
lished in A.D. 1810, in figuring N. triandrus,
warns his readers against the error of De Can-
dolle in "Redoute,"in making N. calathinus of
LinnKus a form of N. triandrus. Nevertheless,
in spite of these correct pcjrtraits and warnings,
Engli.sh writers — Haworth and others — sidise-
quently adopted the error of Loiseleur and De
Candolle. The writer of the notes in Thk
Garden rightly says that the variety found in
the He Drfinec is unique. Many years ago I
received more than once from M. Blanchard, of
the Brest Botanic Gardens, bulbs which I cul-
tivated in my greenhouse and compared with

the tyjiical form of N. triandrus from < ))joito
and other varieties collected in other ]iarts ijf
the Spanish peninsula. Some collected by Mr.
George Maw near Gijon, in the Asturias, were
given to me by him as N. calathinus. These, as
well as occasional individuals amongst tho.se
sent from Oporto, had the crown as long or
longer than the perianth when turned down ;
.still, I could easily distinguish them by other
characters from the Drenec variety.

The writcrin The Garden says that Willkonnn
and Lange in their Spanish Flora claim a place in
Spain for this variety , which they call N. calathinus
(Lin.), alleging that it is found near the town
of Goditano, in S])ain. I have referred to the
passage, " Flora Hispanica,'' vol. i., jiage 1.^2.
The authority cited is Boutelou, a Spanish
botanist, who compiled a famous herbarium,
still preserved, about the beginning of this cen-
tury. A .specimen in it is labelled N. cala-
thinus (Lin.), " in agro Gaditano," that
is, "in the neighbourhood of Cadiz" — a
very unlikely place for any of the N. tri-
andrus tribe, of which none is known to
have been found within .300 miles of Cadiz ; but
the authors add " perhaps the specimen belongs
to N. juncifolius." This is likely enough, as
that species is common near Cadiz. They con-
clude by saying that N. calathinus (Lin.) be-
longs properly to Gallia Armoracea(? Armorica),
the Roman name for that ])art of France which
includes Brittany and tlie adjacent islands.

I would suggest in consideration of the above
facts, which anyone may verify for himself, that
the variety ought to be called N. triandrus
(Lin.) var. calathinus (Loiseleur).

Fd/fc IFall. MaJpas.

C. WOLLEY-DOD.

Eulalias in Surrey. — I think it is to be re-
gretted that one does not oftener meet wiih these
in gardens, considering they are not tjuite so
tender as some people think. Just now they are
conspicuous ornaments in the pleasure ground.
The variety zebriua is very telling just now with
its many crimiied plumes. I have this variety in
three positions, viz., on the lawn and in the lier-
baceous border, also in a dell in deep, open .soil in
i-ather a shady position. It flowers in all the
positions named, but it flourishes the best in
the same position as Tropivolum S])eciosum does so
well in. Here it throws up its grass and plumes
S feet or !) feet high by the dozen. I protect my
plants in winter by placing round them some
short sticks about a foot out of the ground and
stufling inside these some Fern. — J. R. Hall,
Foxirarri n G((r(kn-s, Cohhaut.

Bulbs for cut flowers. — If not already done
no time should be lost in getting bulbs planted.
During the past few years the demand tor fresh
cut flowers has increased enormously, and in spite
of the enormous importations and the low i-ates at
which they are sold, there is still room for growers
in the neighbourhood of towns. No position I
have j'et tried for the beds suits them so well as
the spaces between rows of bush and pyramid
fruit trees, for when these are set out at from
12 feet to 18 feet apart there is ample room for a
good bed of bulbs. The trees form an excel-
lent wind-break, and the bulbs grow up, flower,
and go to rest before there is much need to tread
on the beds, while by the time fruit-iiieking comes
on they have mostly gone quite to rest. I find
Dafibdils of all kinds the best of all bulbs for cut-
ting, and they do not require lifting exery year.
Hyacinths and Tulips, Irises, Lilies of many
kinds all do well on the permanent bed plan,
and Gladiolus The Bride is very beautiful in tlie
south of Kngland, but as it pushes up its growth
before the sevei'e weather comes on we have to
cover the beds with litter during frost. I need
hardly say that Lily of the Valley is indispens-
alile where cut flowers are grown, and the beds
should occupy both sunny and fully shaded spots,

so as to ]jrolong the season as much as possilil
for a very late sujjply is in many oases fully :
profitable as a very early one. — J. Groom, (j:>
port.

American Carnations. — In reply to M
Herrington's remarks in your issue of October li
dated from Madison, N.j., I beg to say that whi
I wrote on this subject was intended for Englis
and not American readers of your journal. Thei
is no doubt w'hatever that these Carnation
specially treated for the purpose, are excellei
winter bloomers, but having imported a numh
of the best, or what are considered the bei-
American Carnations direct, I find that they wi
not please in this country. What I meant 1
" papery petals" was that they had an absence
quality, were thin, and had not that substam
tliat is here considered essential in a good Carn
tion. The saw-edged petal which is present
nearly all American Carnations is fatal to i
being any matter of consideration over here,
is no "ground of oS'ence" to me whatever,
look at the question simply as a matter of bus
ness. As an exhibition variety a .saw-edged Carn
tion is absolutely valueless. The American Ca
nations, from the fact that the two countrif
England and America, look at the flower from i\
different points of view, are, commercially spea
ing, of no use whatever in England. — H. ^
\\'eguelin, .Si. Mary Church, Torquay.

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.

Aster spectabilis. — I have only just had
practical ex|ilanation respecting the gard
qualities of this distinct species. For instant
I have in these columns said repeatedly tliat t
flowers are true to the name of Michaeln-
Daisies by coming into bloom at the latter e
of September, and further, that the flowers an
fine blue, or rather a fine blue-purple, and
my eye the nearest to a true dark or Oxfc
blue of any of the Michaelmas Daisies. I ha
heard from various correspondents that in bt
these respects — timely flowering and deep bl
colour — their experience of the plant was qu
opposed to my statements, and I felt either son
one's material must be wrong or someone must
colour-blind, and I tried to get over the ditiicul
by procuring plants from several sources wht
they seemed to contradict mj' plant. Looki
round at the first real show of the Starw"orts
September 27, I saw a medley of foi-m and colo
in one group, where I at once recognised i
favourite form of spectabilis. It would set
from this that at least three vars. under t
same name, from three sources, flowered
Michaelmas, but the colours were as difl'erent
could be, and the deep blue I have always know
and which I procured from the Edinburgh g:
dens at least ten years ago, was not only vast
superior, but the only variety worth a place in
garden. From these facts I do not wonder ii
correspondents had such a poor opinion of
spectabilis ; to say the least, if their plants a
true to name, they must be inferior varieties
the species.

Alpine Strawberries fruiting in October ai
to near the end of the year are among the mi'
pleasing of all rock garden plants. This loil
season of fruiting is due to a ])eculiarly persi
tent habit and also to the great variety of kind
including European and Himalayan s(iecies.
its turn the \'ariety, as regards the fruits, tin
size, colour and shape, is one of the most chari
ing features where the varieties are grown ai
kept separate. The deep, rich, fresh colours of tl|
fruits are refreshing to sight as well as taste. \
find these to fruit nowhere so well as on a part
the sunny rock garden, and though it may set-
(juestionable whether such a position is not i'
costly quarters for such rampant growers, v
may come to present facts, and ask, \\ hat
[prettier in the autumn? j

Euphorbia pilosa is equally attractive in t!|
autumn as in early summer. The young grow^
is of a rich and conspicuous yellow, practical

October 23, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

321

whole i)lant, so tluit the yuUuw flowers can
cybe distiiijruislicd close to. Later the plant
1 omes more like other plants, but to ehaiijio
0 .ill in the autumn. Now the leaf tints are rich
he extreme— yellow, brown and Inonzy scarlet,
hat a jjronp of half a dozen plants IJ feet hij^h
11 1 4 feet or .'> feet throui;li makes an ett'cctive
w. 1 lia\e lately met with a variety called
p. grandill'ira. This is a name one never likes
use without ifood authority, but in this case
re is certainly a larger and nobler type of
nt to warrant the name, and, what is better, I
I it more vigorous luuler eidture.
>yrathrum uliginosum. — The uncertainty
othis doing well year liy yeiir is pretty well
k)wn. There is a way of dealing with it on
^ichyou may depend for a crop of tine flowers
ry autun\n. It is to divide a luimber of the
;klv matted roots every year in April. At the
8 ond year these are at their best, but generally
first autumn there will be a good show of the
white heads if the summer luis been favour-
ale. By this plan you get a succession of strong
pints and a longer season of bloom.
Vootlrille, Kirkitnll. ■!. Wood.

tii's showing much diversity : they are useful ft)r
cutting, and last in a cut state. If anyone will
take the trouble to save a little seed from oiu^ or
two of the best types, and sow it, the result is
sure to be (|uite satisfactory. — K. D.

MIXED FLOWER BORDERS.'

1 1: .iccompanying illustration shows the pleas-

i; ett'eot i>riuluccd by the informal introduction

oHne-foli.'iged plants into the flower

l::der. In this wide, wall - backed

llder tliere is no attemjit at niono-

"•>iis regularity; the Yuccas stand

lioldly, at different heights, from

ilnwcrs, while, further down, the

> foliage of an evergreen, spreading

to the Rnx-edged verge of the path,

lilkes an artistic break in the con-

t'liity of the view, ternjiorarily shut-

' nut the arrangement of the border,

' li becomes visible again in the

iiee.

]:OOTEI) CARNATION LAYERS.

TnESK should be potted olT without delay, espe-
cially from plants layered in the open air, because
they are exposed to the danger of having the
soil washed away from their shallow roots by
the heavy autumn rains. Some growers who oui-
tivate only in the open grouu<l uuiy contemplate
planting out in beds at once, in which case the
soil should be deeply dug and made as fine as
possible, and, unless there is rea,son to think it is
])Oor, there is no need to add manure, especially
any of a rank character, as it may lead to
canker and other evils. With care the rooted
layers can be lifted with some soil adhering to
their roots, and if some fine compost, made up
of good loam finely sifted, leaf-mould, and I'ougli
sanfl, be placed about the roots, they will get to
work nuich more quickly. Any fresh loam which
may be employed should be carefully looked over
for wireworm, and in digging the ground any
found in the soil should be at once destroyed. A
light soil can be made hea\ier by the addition of
some strong loam of a clayey character to give it
substance, as Carnations do better in a fairly

part of the spring they were planted out rather
hiter than is desirable. The recent rains and cold
nights were marring tlie purity of the flowers,
and this fact makes early jilanting out all the
more desirable. — R. 1).

Cactus Dahlia Fire King. —This is one of
the mo.st useful scarlet Cactus Dahlias I know.
The plant is a very vigorous grower, and has
done well with me in this not one of the best
of seasons and in liglit, warm soil. Many of
the otherwise good Cactus Dahlias have their
blooms partially hidden by the foliage, which is a
great drawbac^k, at any i-ate where they are
allowed to remain on the plants. Fire King is
one which shows its flowers off' to advantage, and
so is good for either pin-pose. It is x'ery easy
to over- water Dahlias, this having the eflect of
nuiking them nui up tall and show few blooms.
Mulching is most useful, and the neglect of it in-
curs more laboui- with the watering-pot, with in
the end less satisfactory results. Old Mushroom
numure, leafy refuse, or even lawn mowings
answer the purpose, the two first being prefer-
able.-C. C. H.

liilium Wallacei. — Some Lilies increase
rapidly by division of the bulbs, while others make
but very slow progress in this way. One of the
most prolific of all in this respect is Lilium-
Wallacei, a small-growing Lily, bearing a great
general resemblance to some members of the
elegans section. The bulbs, however, divide

lis mingling of flowers with fine-

^(■d jilants, and here and there

shrubs, is often most efi'ective, the

irs of the former being set ofl' tu

liest advantage by the noble or

- 1 ful forms of the latter, while they.

leir turn, derive additional charm

I a such environment, their contour

a \ striking outlines being most clearly

dined when rising from a floral base.

.■':lump uv two of the Giant Reed

( undodonax), a hardy Palm, or a few

prits of one of the Yuccas or Dra-

c las at once give a character to an

iDrmal flower border, which may,

'm\ good eflect, l)e broken at intervals

' 1 '.inipas Gra.ss(( iynerium). New Zealand Reed

undo conspicua), clumps of the Plume Poppy

(.»cconia cordat,-i), which grows to a height of

0 r 7 feet, some of the larger shrubby Spirteas,

B h as S. Lindleyana and S. ariiefolia, the

^iietian Sumach (Rhus cotinus), or .some of

t' more graceful of the Bamboos. These sub-

J<s, when given ample space, such as is avail-

» ; in a border similar to that seen in the

e raving, assume their characteristic forms in

a anner impo.ssible to them when relegated, as

*so often see them, to the crowded shrubliery,

« le with their varied heights they imi)rove the

irance of the border, as a whole, by jjre-

'uig any idea of .stiffness and f(jrm an

lirable foil fur the flowenng plants with

ch they are associated. " 8. W. F.

A mixed Jio^rer border.

t\,

mgle garden Marigolds. -A bed of these
ow a pleasant sight. The double and single
I --s both are delightful autumn flowers, because
' bloom freely all through the late summer and
imn months. I have some pretty single varie-

heavy soil than in a light one. If the soil is of an
adhesive, clayey character, then it is well to
lighten it. Old mortar rubbish, wood ashes and
finely-sifted cinder ashes, long straw manure,
cocoa-fibre refuse, half -decayed leaves and such-
like will all help to lighten it, and to some extent
act as fertilisers. When a bed is formed in the
open at this season of the year it is well to raise
it 6 inches or so above the level of the surrounding
land, as water from autumn and winter rains will
not so readily gather about the roots. The plants
should be from Li inches to IS inches ajiart,
aocor'ling to their vigoiu', and if any of them —
and this applies more to old plants than to young
rooted layers — have long, loose shoots, they should
be i>egged down to prevent injury from rough
wind.s. " K. D.

The Tuberose in the open air. — I saw a

few days ago quite a largo patch of Tuberoses
which had grown freely ancl flowered finely in
most cases: it was in the flower garden atFanham
Hall, Ware. They were in the open, but sheltered
all round and at no great tlistance. The gardener
said that owing to the dry weather in the early

naturally with great freedom, being quite unlike
those of L. elegans or any of its varieties, but
L. concolor behaves much in the same way. L.
Wallacei is a very prettj- Lily with orange-red
flowers, borne about the end of .July. It is not at
all a common Lily, and is not sufficiently vigorous
to hold its own with some of the more robust
members of the genus. A coloured plate was
given in The Garden for .January 30 of the
Ijresent year, but the flowers are not drooping as
therein depicted. The general appearance of a
flower is, however, well shown. L Wallacei is a
native of .Japan, and has Ijcen known in this
country for about twenty years. — H. V.

Dahlias.— The fact that a frost of S-' was ex-
perienced on the morning of October 7, and com-
pletely settled all Dahlias in the open ground it
was not possible to (jrotect, just at a time when
they are in great request, leads to the suggestion
that another season a certain number should be
planted in a position where they may be easily
and efl'ectually protected at any sign of frost, and
so prolong for two or three weeks the season of
flowers that cannot be replaced by hardier things.
Good forms of the Cactus and decorative types,

322

THE GAEDEN.

[October 23, 1897.

always the most acceptable for cutting, cannot ] in sharp weather ; a little air both at back and
well be i^rotected on the open border. They throw j front is, however, always necessary. It no special
the flowers well above the foliage, and grow under ; sorts are required in size or colour, the two be.st
good culture to a very considerable height, so that ', and most reliable Violets respectively as double
anything raised iihove them in the shape of tiffany t and single are Marie Louise and Wellsiana. If
is very lialile, should the weather change suddenly | there are any better I shall be glad to hear of
in the night, to lie found at a distance from the them. E. Bukbell.

plants in a rather mutilated condition. I have C/arcmoiit.
decided to reserve for some of them in future sea-
sons a portion of a south-east border under a wall
in a sheltered slip garden. A few upright poles
will be placed along the outside of the border
nearest the walk, and cross pieces nailed respec-
tively to these and to the wall, so that any shelter
afforded can be secured to the same and rolled up
during the day under the wall ; plenty of head
room will be allowed, as the majority of varieties
under consideration go up with good cultivation
quite a foot higher than the height given against
their names. — E. Bureell.

WINTER VIOLETS.
I DO not remember a finer lot of plants than those
lifted this year for winter work, alike in size, in
flower already developed and yet to come, and in
immunity from red spider. This is in a great
measure owing to the fact that we have liad a
summer with a rainfall rather over the average,
and especially that the plants had the benefit of
one or two thorougli natural soakings soon after
they were placed in summer ()uarters. So far as
the preparation is concerned, I find with our
light, dry soil that two things are indispensable —
viz., good plants to start with, and a west or
north-west border for planting. For several
seasons the runners, with ihe tiny rootlets just
showing, were dibbled into the open border
where they were to remain, but the lietter plan
is to insert them in a frame for a few weeks, and
then to transfer to the summer border. Here
they are jjlanted 1 foot apart each way, the only
preparation being to fork in a fairly good dress-
ing of well-decomposed manure. A mulching of
peat Moss or spent Mushroom manure is put on
at once, and an occasional soaking gi\en if the
weather is hot and dry for a time after planting.
Summer culture is simply to keep the bed clean,
to nip off runners and to keep a sharp look-out for
red spider. This [test lias not been troublesome
this year, but in hot, dry summers it is strongly
in evidence, and with plants close to the surface
of the ground remedial measures in the shape of
insecticides are hardlj- practicable. The best
preventive of future attacks is to mulch well
with fresh horse droppings, breaking them
small and packing well under the foliage, follow-
ing the same with (in the evening) a thorough
soaking of water. Why the fumes of ammonia
that rise with the moisture that settles on tlie
foliage should be so objectionable to the insect I
cannot say, but I can recommend the remedy to
all who are similarly troubled. The agency of
the ammonia fumes being answerable for the
clearance is testified by the fact that soakings of
water without the mulching are not effective.
When a considerable number of flowers is open,
and buds in an adAanced stage are plentiful,
great care is necessary in the lifting. Cutting
round should be practised at a fortnight and a
week previous, and the jjlants taken u|) \\ith
a good ball. I house the winter Violets in pits
where Primulas and similar plants have been
standing through the summer months, and the
soil from which has not been removed for
years. Trenches are taken out slightly wider and
deeper than the plants retiuire, and they are
placed in these at a sutKcient distance to allow a
very little space between the outside leaves.
For a fiUing-in compost I mix three parts stiff
roadsidings and one of horse droppings, and this
is tightly packed both at the base and sides ; a
heav}' watering follows, and the plants are shaded
with a bit of tiffany for a few days if a spell of
sunshine follows tlie planting. Plenty of air and
the exclusion of frost are the secrets of successful
winter treatment. If the pits are not heated,
mats or dressed covers should be placed over them

SEPTEMBER IN SOUTH DEVON.

During the past month 3-09 inches of rain fell on
15 days against 5 •4.') inches on '28 days in Septem-
ber, 1890, the average for the month being 2 -39
inches. Three years ago we had a phenomenally
dry September, for in that year the rainfall
amounted to only O'dl of an inch. The total fall
for the nine months of the year amounts to 26'93
inches. During the same period of 1896 not much
over half this i|uantity fell, the record being 14-(i2
inches. At the present, indeed, we are over
4 inches above the average for the first three
quarters of the year, which stands at 22 'OS inches,
the total rainfall up to the present having been

one of the best. This variety is not such a rai
pant grower as many of the others, which .■
with ditficLilty kept within bounds, and is, tin
fore, well adapted for situations where a kind tl
increases rapidly from the root-stock would
out of place. Three good whites, A. Novi-Bel
Harpur - Crewe, niveus, and jiolyphylhis, h:i
been in bloom, the first-named variety beinij
trifle the earliest, but all three will be far p;
their best before the later, darker - coloui
kinds are in full beauty. Of these, A. K.
Archer-Hind, with purple-blue flowers, is but j
expanding its blooms, while Pluto and Flora, t
good dark-flowered varieties, ha\e but just ec
menced to flower. The handsome Robert Park
also one of the Novi-Belgii section, is in I
flower and very beautiful it is, growing as
does to a height of 6 feet and more, its grace
shoots studded with large pale lilac blossoi
The well-known variety A. difl'usus horizonta
so common of old in cottage gardens, is also
bloom, but, ill comparison with the more atti
tive sorts now in commerce, is of little value fi
a decorative point of view. Another variety of

2ti-93 inches." The month has been toferably P^^t with in the gardens of the poor A. hnos.v

bright, the sun having shone for 1.56 hours .3.5
minutes, against an average of 1.57 hours 50
I minutes, while in rainy September, 1896, only 105
sunny hours occurred. For the nine months
already elapsed the sun has shone for 1495 hours
35 minutes, the average being 1478 hours 45
minutes, and the record for the preceding year
1469 hours 25 minutes. The year, up to the
present, has therefore been rather above the
average in sunshine, while 1896 was below the
average. The mean temperature for the month
(.56'r) is nearly 2" below that for September, 1896,
viz., 57'9°, and the average for the month, 58'0°.
The highest sun reading tor the month was 11 5 '2°,
and the highest screen reading 66'5°, while the
lowest reading in the screen was 42'0°, and the
thermometer on the grass never fell below 3r0°,
which it registered on the lilth. The total hori-
zontal movement of the wind was 6291 miles com-
pared with a record of 8689 miles in September,
1 890, wliioh was a particularly boisterous month and
\-ery different from September, 1895, the calmest
month for two years, when the wind movement
only amounted to 3175 miles. The greatest daily
movement in thepast month was553iuilesonthe5th,
while the highest hourly speed occurred between
4 and 5 p.m. on the same date, when a rate of 33
miles per hour was registered. In September,
1896, the speeds were as high as 784 miles in 24
hours and 46 in the hour.

We have been fortunate this year in escaping
the gale which wrought such havoc in the gardens
on September 25, 1896, when almost all of the tall
herbaceous jilants were levelled to the ground.
Now the garden is bright with perennial Sun-
flowers, Michaelmas Daisies, Dahlias, Japanese
Anemones, and scarlet Lobelias, while the Vir-
ginian Creeper is fast assuming a crimson tint, and
here and there the topmost boughs of the tall
Elms show a tinge of yellow. With the latter
days of August the swifts left us, the swallows
following suit in mid-September, while by the end
of the month most of the house martins had taken
flight, bearing with them the last reminder of
summer hours. An autumnal air perxades gar-
den, field and hedgerow. The Old Jlaii's Beard
hangs in grey festoons from the branch and gar-
lands the red rock, and on every side are indica-
tions that the year is settling to its rest. In

The Wild Garden

the Acanthi have produced their lofty spires of
bloom, the strongest grower lieing A. mollis,
some of whose flower-stems lia\e attained a
height of 8 feet, while the spikes of A. spinosus,
with its deeply-cut leave?, rarelj- exceed a height
of 3 feet. Achillea ptarmica fl.-)il. The Pearl is
still in flower, and its long-enduring blossoms
will last in beauty through a portion of October,
while the light blue of Agathtea ccclestis is still in
evidence. Of the perennial Asters or Starworts,
a number are now beautiful, of which A. Amellus
bessarabicus, with its large lilac-purple blooms, is

sometimes known as Chrysocoma linosyris,
still more generally as (Joldilocks, is a .Septem
bloomer, its flower-heads forming a mass of bri
yellow during that month. The dwarf A. dm
sus has been in profuse bloom during the mo
and has considerably exceeded its usual stati
This variety is seemingly more appreciated
the lepidoptera than are others of the Starv
family, as often many butterfly, red adiiii
peacock, and tortoise-^hell, as well as a goi
quantity of the lirown gamma moths may
seen settled on its blooms, when but few are ti
found on other varieties. With the honey-lx
is also an especial favourite. The charming li
A. ericoides, with its numberless minute w
stars, is fast approacliing the zenith of its bea
as is A. cordifolius elegans, which is much siii
in habit of growth, though varying in the en
of its blossoms. A. puniceus pulcherrimus i
very handsome Michaelmas Daisy, growing >

5 feet high and being of vigorous habit,
flowers when first produced are of a faint
tint, but soon assume a white colour. Thv}
borne in the greatest profusion, the shoots li
literally smothered in blossom. Aster Nov;e-Aii
ruber and Melpomene, the former a dark red
the latter deep purple, have also commenced 1
display, and the late-flowering Aster grandill -
has already expanded some of its large piu
golden-centred blooms. This is a superb vari ,
but is usually so late in blooming that it runs ij-
siderable risk of being cut by the frost be 5
reaching perfection. In warm, sheltered si ■
tions in the south-west, however, unless e-x- -
tionally cold weather occurs in October, it usu -
matures its flower-crop unharmed.

The white Anemone japonica Honorine Jo it
has been beautiful throughout the month (i
grows very strongly, reaching a height of ne;

6 feet in moist situations. The flesh-ooloi
\-ariety is also pretty and much ]ireferabk
the rlarker-tiuted magenta-red. Belladonna L
do well in the south-west, and many a long \h
to be seen in full bloom in front of theglasshoi
on a September day, their light pink tiuwer-sc:
rising aloft on the dark chocolate stems— a pnj
colour contrast. The tuberous Begonias are n
lo\ely than ever, and leave not an inch of gro
visible between tlieu- leaves, their vivid coli
and those of the new race of Caiinas rendei
the autumn garden brilliant on sunny d:
Although recognising to the full the beaut}
these large-flowered Cannas, one has a str 'i
bking for an old favourite, Canna Ehmi'i
iridiflora, whose drooping rose-pink flower-sc «
is now very charming, and whose liroad, M'--
like leaves are most etiective in sub- tropical j'-
dening. Campanula carpatica and C. turbii s
have both been blooming sparsely, while Cyf. ^
Herberti blossomed well into the month. '
Dahlias have made a great show, there big
many new Cactus varieties of fine form '
colour, in some of which, however, the flo«' ■

October 23, 1897.]

THE GAi^DEK

323

lOUTh lieautiful wlion cut, fail to slimv aliovo tin-
liivewlicn in <;ro\vlli, a liad fault, wliicli rciuU'rs
lem useless for f^anleu deciiratioii. The seeonil
oomiii.u' iif tlie lij;lit l>lue l)el|iliiiiiums has pro-
led a wcleome tint , and ilowers are still to lie
t from Krijieron speciosus, which has heen in
com since early June. The little Mexican Daisj-
rigeron mucronatus) is as lonjj-suU'erinf; as the
rmer and is still producing its simple Ilowers.
lie Marguerite t'aruation.s are pretty at this sea-
nof the year, the tone of their ahundani lcafai,'c
intrastinj;' well with the i^reen of the fjrass and
ith the pinks, scarlets, and whites of their own
ossonis. A few brijflit crinisoii blossoms mark a
id of Dianthus Najioleon III., as do some large
plden stars, the spot where Doronicum ]ilan-
giiieum exeelsum was a sheet of brii^ht yellow
rly in the year. These Doronicums, if lifted
id placed under ulass, are very useful for the
[eduction of bloom in the earl3' spring'. The
'lillardias still make a brave show in their scarlet
.1 j;old, and (ieum coccineum has here and there
r\v open blooms, M'hile a near relati\e, the \\'ater
Vens, is producintr quite a quantity of autumnal
jwers. The Cape Hyacinth (Galtonia candicans)
s been a charming sight through the early (jart
I hemonth, but is, unfortunately, not so lasting as
eould wish, its white bells, though opening
succession, fading rapidly. The grey-white
iiiiii-spikes of Fuukia ovata possess a suave
arm of their own, in striking contrast to the
liUiuiit great tlowei'-heads of Erythrina erista-
'li, some almost 2 feet in length, and reaching a
J lit of over 5 feet from the ground. These are
Isome when arranged in a tall jar, but care
:-t be taken in handling them, as they are
lel with sharp, sickle-shaped thorns that are
lable of intlicting a deep score, especially u]>on
Hide hands. Hedychium Gardnerianum has
M in bloom in the garden, but a sunnj- position
quisite to ensure its flowering. It is gene-
\ stored under glass dui'ing the winter, and
uitod out in well-prejiared soil in the month of
ly. The perennial Sunflowers have been, as
I ial, among the brightest of September flowers,
hetiflorus and H. rigidus Miss Mellish being
■ most ett'ective ; whilst a line of H. giganteus
tops a fence at the garden end is, wdth its
! fringe of light yellow, a striking sight. H.
Mltiflorus and its varieties, as well as H. rigidus
( e type), were at their best in August, when the
i allows loved to hawk over the broad bank on
1 ich they grew, for the golden glow was ever
iirmurous with insect life. The Hydrangeas
l)ve been masses of liloom, Ijut the tints are now
' lidly becoming sere, and only the remembrance
lins of the heyday of their beauty. The
phofias, however, are still brilliant here and
• ■, while the last of the Lilies, L. tigrinum
upei, while preserving its character as a
i ember bloomer, shed its last blossom ere the
nd week of the month. Lobelia fulgens,
igh having been in flower since the end of
V. is still briUiant, and will continue to make
"Jt of vivid colour in the garden for some time
■me. L. rosea is also still in bloom, as is the
'tinted L. syphilitica. A few Montbretia
ins show out at long intervals in the borders,
r bri<;ht orange-scarlet serving as a reminder
■f he brilliant display the thick sheaves of flovver-
etoes made not many weeks since. The Fennel-
Ived Matricarias are still in bloom, and self-sown
llingsof Nicotiana atiinis have taken the place
i-arlier matured plants, and, with the ever-
sjrtening daylight, open their blos.soms as soon
afthe sun is off the border. A bed of Oxalis
"lihunda rosea remains bright, and the Paris
-les, yellow and white, now grown to huge
lies, are studded with their star-like flowers.

lumbago Larpentse has covered a large ex-

-e of rock and has invaded much of the

ounding ground, but, seeing its beauty in the

'<-• of the year, one is loth to disturb it.

fw Poppies have perfected infrequent blos-

s notjibly the Iceland and Welsh Poppies,

'Y' now and again a pale apricot bloom of I'a-

I ,'-r pilosum, whilst one splendid blossom of P.

";teatum, a relic of the lost summer, has ex-

|ian<led perfect petals of vermilion. The Ivy-
leave<l Pelargoniums .Mine. Croussc and .Souvcnii-
dc Charles Turner still mask the rough stone
edgings with salmon and ceiise, and the
spikes of Phygelius capensis bear at wide
intervals their crimson blooms, while Polygo-
num capitatum has not j'et ceasetl its flower-
ing anil the Pentstenions are still gay. Of
the St. John's Worts, Hyjjericum Moserianum
and H. nepalense are in bloom, and a .scarlet
lleliantliemum li.as a fair amomit of blossoms.
The Everlasting Flowers (Helichrysnm), though
stirt'in form, are bright in colour, and appear to
advantage when the autumnal days have oblite-
rated so much that is beautiful in the garilen.
llCnothera Lamarckianahaslieen in flower through
a great (lortion of the month, while the herba-
ceous Phloxes, thougli not cinulat ing their summer
display, have perfected many heads of bloom.
The Winter Cherry (Physalis Alkekengi) is now
approaching the zenith of its beautj', and its
vivid orange calyces glow brightly among its
leafage. This is very useful for indoor decora-
tion, the calyces remaining in perfection for many
months. The graceful Pyrethrum uliginosum is
now in full flower, its wide-rayed white stars,
borne on tall, slender branching stems, being
most acceptable for arranging with the darker col-
oured Starworts, for by the time this Pyrethrum is
in bloom the majority of the white Asters are past
their best. Rudbeckia Newmani is a breadth of
gold, and is at its best early in September, by
which time R. purpurea is declining in eft'ective-
ness. The scarlet Salvia and Salvia patens have
both been lovely during the month. The former
usually endures the winters here without harm,
and I have known S. patens to pass two winters
in the open w-ithout protection. The latter is,
however, so valuable for its coloui, that it is
always well to lift and store it rather than risk
its loss. Scabiosa caucasica has produced a few
of its beautiful light blue flowers, and Sedum
Sieboldi is fast approaching perfection. At the
commencement of the month the Golden Rod
(Solidago ambigua) was in bloom, and Stokesia
cyanea has now unfolded its large purple blos-
soms, while Tradescantia virginica and Zausch-
neria californica are both in flower.

The Te.\ Roses

have been very lovely throughout the month, and
many a charming bou(]uet of these fair floviers
has been gathered. Two especially beautiful
new introductions are Queen Mab and Souvenir
de L. Guillot. Both are much similar to Irene
^^'atts, of which I made mention in an earlier
note, and have in their petals salmon, apricot,
orange, yellow and rose delicately blended. Like
the beautiful .Ma Capucine, they are only valuable
in the bud or half-opened Ijud form, as when fully
expanded they are too single to appear at their
best. The single white Macartney Rose has been
in bloom since the end of June, and will continue
until the weather becomes too cold for the chaste
white blossoms to ex|iand.

Of shrubs, Choisya ternata and Cytisus fra-
grans have come into .second bloom, while in the
early part of the mouth Esuullonia raontevidensis
had its blossoms thronged with butterflies. Hibis-
cus syriacus has been covered with multitudinous
flowers, and the shrubby Veronicas are in bloom.
The Sea Buckthorn, with its grey-green foliage
and orange lierries, has been verj' ornamental,
and the Pamjias Grass has reared its tall ))lumes
aloft on slender shafts, while Aralia spino-^a has
flowered well. The large standard Magnolia still
bears its fresh, ivory-whi'e chalices daily, and,
from the number of buds still swelling, will bloom
throughout October if not checked by frost.

Of climbers, I saw lately a large plant of Abu-
tilon \'exillarium in good bloom, and a fine Plum-
bago capen-sis growing against a cliff in a sunny,
sheltered position is a mass of light blue flower-
heads. Near to the latter is a large expanse of
Physianthus albens, whose flowers are now fading,
but « hich has produced a (piantity of great seed-
pods. Solanum jasminoides has been more lovely
of late than earlier in the year, as the Ampelopsis

VeiU^hi, which surrounds and intermingles with
it, has turned ;i dei'p crimson, which colour con-
trasts witli the white llowerclustcrs, creating a
most charming ell'cct. Of Tropieolums, tihe
Canary Creeper (Trop;coluin canariense) has
siireail a golden trail over old walls and amongst
the Ivy and evergreens, and the scarlet Tropieolum
Lobbianum has ]ja;ntcd rock and tiellis with vivid
coloui-, while T. tiibcnisuni is just commencing to
flower, fully a month later tlian in IJorsetsliire.
I find it impossible to get early blooms from this
Tropa'olum in my garden, even when the tubers
are started in heat and planted out after good
growth has been made.

Many annuals have added to the brightness of
the garden during the month, the chief being
blue Cornflowers, Coreopsis lanceolata and C.
sanguineu, Eschscholtzias, Marigolds, Prince's
Feather, Sal])iglos.sis, Scabious, scarlet Zinnias
and Sweet Sultans. S. W. F.

Trees and Shrubs.

THE VERV LARGE-FLOWERED

HYDRANGEAS.

It is more particularly concerning Hydrangea
Otaksa var. monstrosa that T wish to say a few
words. Hydrangea f Itaksa was introduced from
Japan by Siebold about the year 18(J8, and was
considered remarkable fur the size of its clusters of
flowers, but the variety H. O. monstrosa, which
was put into commerce a few years since by M.
Lemoine, of Nancy, is much superior to it, its
large pink flowers, produced in terminal globular
cymes, sometimes forming clusters of huge
dimensions. The leaves are opposite, broad,
and deeply serrated.

Like the common Hortensias, this plant can-
not exist permanently in the open air without
shelter, in the climate of Paris, at least during
severe winters, but in the west of France the
finest Hortensias are grown entirely unprotected
in the open air. I have had the opportunity of
seeing in the garden of an amateur at Viry, near
Paris, a dozen clumps of Hydrangea ( )taksa mon-
strosa which were most remarkable for size and
general vigc lur of growtli, and be ire flower-clusters
of extraordinary size, some of theiu which I
measured being more than a foot in diameter,
on branches which were over 3 feet high and
nearly an inch in diameter. Some of these
clumps, each of which was composed of two
plants, were showing at tlie same time from five
to eight flower-clusters of the .same dimensions,
while on other branches they bore clusters in a
less forward stage of development.

These Hydrangeas were growing in tubs
2 feet in diameter and IJ feet high, formed of
barrels cut in two and placed on an open ter-
race in the full sunshine. Each tub contained
two plants in a clump set in good heath soil.
The bottoms of the tubs, being pierced with
holes and well drained, permitted water to escape
easily. These plants are stood in the Orange
hou.se at the approach of winter. In s])ring
(May or June) they are put out of doors in the
full sunshine and are then watered regularly
and co]iiously, each tub receiving on an average
about two galliuis daily. No manure is used in
the .soil. When growth is commencing the
liranchcs which have borne flowers are cutback to
one or two .strong buds next the base, and not
more than five or six branches should lie re-
tained (m each plant, so that the clump of two
may have ten or twelve branches which will
bear flowers at their extremities. .\11 other
branches are to be supiircssed, and all lateral
.shoot.s that may push are to be pinched out as
they make their appearance. Every two or
three years it is ncces.sary to re-tub the plants

324

THE GARDEN.

[October 23, 1897.

in order t(> renew the soil, and at the same time
to divide the clumps and trim up the individual
plants to improve their appearance if needful.
From the foregoing it is evident that, contrary to
what is generally supposed. Hydrangeas can be
grown in a condition of vigorous health in the full
sunshine, and thattheir tiower-clusters may attahi
unusually large dimensions without the applica-
tion of any special manures. All that they
require is suitable soil, a sufficient supply of
water, and judicious attention in the matters of
pruning and disbudding. Hydrangea Otaksa
monstrosa is easily increased from cuttings
taken from the Hovvering branches ; these
cuttings will produce low-sized or dwarf plants
which at blooming-time will be ci-owned with
flowers, presenting the appearance of an
immense roundish cyme.

Another species of Hydrangea (H. paniculata
grandiflora) introduced from Japan in 1864, and
also put into commerce by M. Lemo'ne, pro-
duces very large flower-clusters which might lie
tei-med jirodigious, as they take the form of
great, elongated panicles at the extremities of
vigorous-growing branches. This variety of H.
paniculata has, like the typical species, the
advantage of being very hardy in the open air,
and forms a shrub which may attain a height of
4 feet 10 inches or more. Its leaves are oppo-
site or, more frequently, ai-ranged in whorls
of tliree. It is one of the most noteworthy
subjects, and yet up to the present it is but
little grown. The flower-panicles which it pro-
duces are large in proportion to the vigour of
the plant and the favourable conditions under
which it is grown. It requires a soil that is free
from lime, light, moist, and largely composed
of vegetable mould. It is also necessary that,
by jn'uning and pinching, according to the
strength and vigour of a plant, not more than
from two to six (lowering branches should be
allowed to grow upon it. These will then pro
duce panicles of flowers 1 foot 8 inches long or
more and 10 inches or more in diameter at the
base.

The regular flowering time of these Hydrangeas
in the open air is from July to the end of Sep-
tember. They are, therefore, especially to be
recommended for the autumnal floral display in
gardens. They are also very easily forced in
liotliouses, so as to flower through the winter
and early in spring. What is commonly called
the flower in Hydrangeas is in reality the
calyx, the sepals of which assume a petaloid
character, growing to a great size at the expense
of the other floral fjrgans, the corolla and
stamens, which sometimes even disappear
entirely. — A. Chargueraud, in Rerue Hortkutf.

drought would indicate that it has long in-
habited some region witli a severe continental
climate, and if it exists now at all outside of
cardens it is probably in some of the elevated
districts of Western China or of Mongolia, or
on the still unexplored mountains of Northern
Corea.

In old .Japanese temple gardens the Ginkgo
is frequently 120 feet high, with a tall massive
trunk 6 feet or 7 feet in diameter and large
drooping limbs sweeping out in wide-spreading
graceful curves. Such trees are impressive
objects, especially in autumn, when the leaves
which flutter on their long stems assume the
colour of gold. Ginkgo biloba, which is also
sometimes called Salisburia, and by English-
speaking people the Maiden-hair Tree, was intro-
duced into the Botanic Garden at Utrecht about
1730. A male tree flowered in England as early
as 179.5, but it was nearly twenty years later
before female flowers were seen, De Candolle
discovering tliem in 1814 on a tree at Bour-
digny, near (Jeneva. Scions from this tree
grafted on a staminate plant produced in 1835
perfect fruits in the Botanic Garden at Mont-

in height from 2 feet to 3 feet in a year. Nui;
serymen propagate a variety with leaves whici
are larger and more deeply divided than in th'
type, and others with slightly pendulous branchei
and with leaves striped or blotched with yello?
but none of these varieties have much to recon
mend them.

The yellow flesh of the Ginkgo fruit ha.s
most disagreeable, rancid flavour, but the neei
kernel, which resembles the kernel of tl
Almond, is sweet and palatable. In China tl
trees are cultivated for the fruit, wliich is so
in great quantities in all markets, but in .Japai
wliere the fruit is also gathered and sold, tl
trees are cultivated for ornament only, ai
usually only in temple gardens. The wood
bright yellow with a close compact grain, ai
is capable of taking a beautiful polish ; it i
however, soft and easily broken, and is n
considered particularly v.alu;ible. — Garden a:
Forest.

Tamarix chinensis. — This is admitted to
the besu of the geiuis, and is found in some li'
as T. japonica and also T. plumosa ; the latl

THE MAIDEN-HAIR TREE.

The Ginkgo was first made known by the
German botanist Kiempfer, who discovered it
in .Japan in l(:i!M), and in 1712 published a de-
scription, with an excellent figure of the foliage
and fruit, in his work on that enquire. He had
found the tree in temple gardens, and believed
that it was .Japanese, for early European
botanists in Japan had to do most of their
botanising in gardens, and did not realise that
many of the most popular Japanese garden
plants had been brought from China with the
Buddhist religion. Among these introductions
was the Ginkgo, which grows nowhere in-
digenously in Japan, .although it is now found
in most temple gardens both in China and
Japan, and it is possible that this once widely-
distributed type has only been preserved l)y
cultivation : for if we are not mistaken, the
Ginkgo is nowhere known in a wild state. The
unusual power of this tree to bear cold and

A howl of single-Howered Tree P<^onies.

])clier, and fruit-bearing trees are now common
in Europe ; in the United States they exist in
Central Park, New York, in Germantown,
Pennsylvania, near Louisville, Kentucky, and
jn-obably in many other localities. In the
United States the Ginkgo is perfectly hardy .as
far north as Massachusetts, and thrives as well
in the south as it does in the north. There are
not, however, any very large or fine speci-
mens in this country, although the tree planted
nearly a century ago in the garden at Hyde
Park, on the Hudson River, has begun to
assume mature habit and shows that later gene-
rations may hoiie to see Eastern America rival
Eastern Asia in its Ginkgo trees.

The Ginkgo is very easily raised from seeds,
which can now often be purchased from dealers
and which retain their vitality for several
months, and female jilants, which are less com-
mon than males, may be obtained by grafting ;
it is easily transplanted and thrives in deep,
rich drained soil, in which it will often increase

name is suggested by the dense, plume-like h;i
of growth and panicles of flowers, which
bright pink in the buds and turn to paler pink
expanding. I have found this genus extrem
easy of propagation. It is an easy matter
pruning time to cut the smaller twiggy grow
into lengths of a foot and put them into the o)
border the greater part of their length. MosI
these will grow if the season is favourable. 1
gi-eenhouse is a\ailable the cuttings may be
serted in pots earlier in spring, and the pla ;
thus started will be much stronger at the en'
the first season and should flower the second y
In the year 1S!I;? M. Lemoine sent out a i
species called Tamarix kaschgarica, whicb
raised from seeds collected in Central A
This flowers in September and has proved tu
a good and distinct plant. It was afterwa ■
found to be but a form of T. hispida, w uch ■
a very wide range geographically. 1"''^^°', ,
genus has a very wide distribution. T. gall
is found all along the Atlantic shore of i nu •
T. indica is a native of the East Inrt'^^'V
tetrandra comes from the Crimea, and X- !r

A SIN

NY

J

October 23, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

325

nica is distrilmted over a fri'cat iKjition o:
rope, ainoiif; tlio mountains and along the river
iks. — K. 0. Oki'ET, in Ourdi n and Forest.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1141.

TREE P.KONIES.

ITH A COLOURED J'l.ATB OF A SINOLF TREE
P.KONY.*)

i? ONO the beautiful flowers of early spring are

t Tree Pa'onios, as the sub-shrubby P. Moutan

h its host of yorgeous and inimitable varic-

i ■■ is Killed. Ueautiful as these Tree Pieonies

back in this direction, a good dejith of loam
answering all their rei|uirenients. Perhaps the
most important item in their successful cultiva-
tion in the open garden in Britain is that of

Position,

which is even more important in southern coun-
ties than in the north. This is due to the occa-
sionally severe as also late frosts in spring,
which injure the yoinig growths and distigure the
flowers. The position for these plants should
be decided upon with care for two reasons, viz,
on account of the sjjring frost ni])ping the
young shoots, and, .secondly, because of their
impatience at being disturbed when once
planted. To attempt to grow Tree Pa'onies

afl'ecting the ]ilauts. As the plants were nicely
estal)lishcd, each year saw a beautiful display.
In much the same way may choice shrubs be
utilised in private gardens where tlie.se Moubm
I'.-eonies are gnjvvn. The gentle slope suggested
above is not in any degree essential to success,
yet it is in such a position, provided also a good
depth of prepared soil is given, that the plants
are generally more ipiickly established. In the
more favoured parts of tlie British Isles these
Pieonies may be planted in almo.st any position
where a good depth of soil is obtainable, and in
the.se places it is not easy to predict the size to
which the ))lants will attain in the course of
years. Coining into fl(jwer so early in the year,
it is impossible to over-e.stimate their value, for

II

vloubtedly are, it is only rarely we see a col-
;ion or even a selection of them in any gar-

<li. There are no other flowers in the early
ing that can in any degree compare with
m. Nor can it be urged that they are un-
iwn, seeing that (piite large collections have
n grown in some of the leading nurseries
ing the last twenty years. Flowering, too,
'>re all else in this noble family of hardy

puts, a few grou])s would make a goodly show

iiiny garden in tlie early spring-time. These
:its, morecjver, in common witli the group to
ch they belong, present but few difliculties
he cultivator, none of which are in.surraount-
'- Being jierfectly hardy, there is no draw-

, Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon at
• jivetye Manor. Lithographed and printed by J. L.
wart.

A double-flowered Tree Fceony.

in positions where much shelter exists naturally
is a step in the wrong direction, and should be
avoided, as it is fraught with as much danger as
is any attem|it to cover fiu- protection. The too
sheltered i)osition is not that in which the best
matured growth is secured, while covering the
plants in ease of frost is liable to render the
growths tender, and therefore more susceptible
to injury. Where such exists there is no better
positi(jii in the garden than a gentle slope with
a western or even a north-western aspect. In
the latter the growth and bloom are somewhat
later, and if only a few days, lateness is imi)ortant
when these trying seasons occur. Many years
ago I planted the whole of a very large find
clioice collection in tliis way, and with a bank of
Rhododendrons on tlie sunny side ]irotection of
a suitable kind was ati'ordetl without in any way

even in the year or two of the growth and before
their flowering is a cei-tainty year by year, there
is iiKire than a i)assing beauty in the many and
varied tints of the young and beautiful leaves.

In the matter of soil these shrubby kinds
ditt'er in no wise from the herbaceous section ;
indeed, the whole race of PaMmies may be put
down not only as gross-feeding jilants, but as
plants reipiiring a gre.-iter depth of rich soil for
their successful cultivation than perhaps any
other group of h.arily perenni.ds. At the same
time it should be remembered that, once
planted, they are s.ife for a dozen or even a
score of years, with no other care than an
••iniuial mulching of rich material. In common
with the herbaceous kinds, the Moutan P;oonies
prefer a rather strong loamy .soil, though not
retentive or too heavy. In the positioas

326

TBE GARDEN

[October 23, 1897,

selected, wlietlier for Ijeds or irregular groujis
or masses, the original soil sIkjuUI be excavated
to fully 3 feet deep, and if the top spit is of good
material, this sliould be set aside and returned.
In most gardens there is a heap of old potting
soil, together with jieat sittings and the like,
and this, incorporated with some good fibrous
loam and plenty of manure, would make an ex-
cellent mixture. Very sandy soils should have
a proportion of clay or heavy loam added.

The plants usually obtained in nurseries are
about two years old, and grafted on the roots
of the herbaceous kinds. Such plants should |
always be planted with great care, and be
buried at least 2 inches or 3 inches below the
union. It is also a good plan to thrust a stout
piece of wire througli the ball of the plant to
extend (i inches above ground, and bound some-
what firmly to tlie stem to prevent snap] ling oft'.
A good season for planting is tlie early autumn,
September and October ])referred, unless the
plants are establislied in pots, when they may
be i)lanted in spring when tlie flowering is jiast.
In this case a thorough soaking of water will be
needed at planting time. But whether planted
in spring or autumn, the young plants during
the first two years will be greatly benefited by
occa.sional waterings in dry weather, liberal
soakings of licpiid manure in tlie heat of sum-
mer or twice or thrice during winter not being
thrown away. Such a course of treatment may
appear elaborate, and to some unnecessai-y,
thougli it is scarcely possilile to err on the side
of supplying the richest of soils to these gro.ss-
feeding plants. Those who have not space in
the garden, or from other reasons cannot grow
them in this way, may attempt their culture in
pots or even tubs : indeed, as pot jjlants for the
conservatory they are not unknown, though it is
to be feared that too often metliods foreign to their
well-being are adopted to bring the plants into
flower, with little or no regard for their future. .
Where these plants are grown in this way, large
pots will be necessary and strong plants to
make a successful start, as also tlie most liberal
culture. Artificial heat beyond what is needed
for keeping away frost only should be given,
taking care that tlie plants are removed as soon
as flowering is past into quarters congenial to
tlie proper maturing of the growth, whicli is the
most important item so far as another season's
bloom is concerned. Frequent, that is annual,
repotting should not be indulged in, as tlie
plants are impatient of disturbance. That these
lovely Pteonies are amenable to a generous
treatment when grown in ]5ots may be gathered
from the fact that in my experience three-year-
old plants in pots 14 inches across have pro-
duced splendid blossoms nearly 12 inches across
in some instances, others of 8 inches and 10
inches diameter lieing quite usual in the more
recent novelties. E(iuaUy remarkable with
size is the range of colour to be found among
these plants ; every conceivable shade of colour
and many exquisite combinations, together with
double, semi-double, and single varieties. These
single kinds, one of which appears in tlie accom-
panying plate, as well as the semi-double
varieties, are largely of Japanese origin. Many
of the kinds, while exceedingly beautiful, are
also delightfully fragrant.

The propagation of this unique race is largely
carried out by grafting on the roots of the her-
baceous kinds, usually P. edulis, an operation
best done during August, and in a cold frame
where a close atmosphere may be maintained.

E. J.

with the view of Warrenpoint and Carlingford by
the fleeting light and sliade on the mountains and
by the glints of liglit on the .sunUt sea. The
crimson Agaricus muscari jewels the grass under
the trees, and a fine group of Lobelia cardinalis
Firefly near one of the largest known examples of
Gunnera manicata is most brilliant and dazzling
in its effect. Trop:eolum speciosum is rampant
liere witli its vivid crimson- scarlet flowers and
turquoise-blue berries draping bushes and dang-
ling from the Lily stems. One special feature at
Narrowwater near the gay flower garden is an
Oak tree, up which a plant of common Tra\eller"s
Joy has scrambled like a tropical lUane, and its
glossy fruits now shine like burnished silver in
the sun. Tliere is a very large specimen of the
richly coloured Vitis Coignetia'on the garden wall
just now most effective, as its leafage is chang-
ing from rich olixe-green to yellow, orange, and
crimson, or russet and brown. — F. W. B.

The Week's Work.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Asp.iK.40US BEDS. — The tops ha\ ing become quite

Narrowwater Park, near Newi-y, co.
Down. — This domain is just now very beautiful,
rich in autumn colour, and the visitor "is chai-med I to start growth, while the top-heat need not ex

matured nothing would be gained by allowing
them to remain uncut after this ; indeed, their
early removal would prove an advantage to allow
what sun we may yet have to reach the crowns.
The stems sliould not be cut down close to the
surface of the bed, as by leaving them a few
inches high they mark the position of the crowns
and prevent them being injured by treading or
wheeling over them. Having removed the stems,
hand weeding is better than hoeing if the beds
have become foul, as this does not disturb the sur-
face roots. The ([uestion of mulching depends in
a great measure on the nature of the soil and the
position of the beds. On light and well-drained
land, or that of a sandy nature, a dressing of sea-
weed or well decayed manure may be given W'ith
advantage, as there is no danger of the soil becom-
ing waterlogged before spring. A cold and badly
drained soil is more often the cause of tlie roots
Ijerisliing during the winter than severe frost,
therefore it is only increasing the evil on such
ground to add a thickness of manure on the sur-
face, as this prevents both wind and sun acting
freely on the ground, and excess of moisture can-
not pass off. It is usual witli sucli soil to form
raised beds to ensure drainage, anil where these
are a foot or more above the natural level a slight
dressing of seaweed or manure may be given, and
if some is packed round the sides of the beds it
prevents to a great extent severe frost striking to
any great depth into the ground. For heavy
land, compost of a light and porous nature, such
as the edgings from roads wliich contain plenty of
grit, burnt wood and otlier vegetable ashes are
also beneficial.

Forced Asp.\RAGrs.— With a good plantation
of roots to draw upon, this delicious vegetable is
obtained far more easily and at less cost than
French Beans during the winter it only a warm
greenhouse or pit is available. A certain portion
of the oldest beds should be marked off now for
lifting, but it is better to allow the crowns to re-
main in the ground as long as possible before they
are taken up, to ensure a season of rest, when
they will force all the more readily. Not less than
three-year-old crowns should be lifted, or the pro-
duce will be light. In many large gardens it is
Christmas before forced Asparagus is put on the
table, though it can be obtained much earlier it
necessary. The great thing to guard against,
however, is not to unduly hasten it by aflbrding a
liigh temperature either by top or bottom heat.
The more slowly it is grown the stronger will
be the grass ; therefore those who are anxious to
produce a few early dishes, say liy the beginning
of December, should place the crowns in the
forcing pit cpiite a month or five weeks before
that time. A good bed of leaves which will o-ive
I bottom-heat of from Uo to 70° will be sutticient

ceed 00°. It is when this is allowed to exceed ;
during the short, sunless days that the gr.'
comes weak and is unfit for use. It is bet
even to allow the night temperature to fall
55° than to raise it much above 60°. If t
pits are not furnished with hot-water pii
covering must be employed at night, while
may be necessary, as the season advances and i
nights become colder, to afford a good th
lining round the pit of long stable litt
Blanched Asparagus, which is easily obtained
obscuring light, finds fa\our in some establi
ments. Before placing the roots in the frame,
that the leaves below are aflbrding a stea
warmth. These should be made quite firm
treading, adding more if necessary, so that wl
ready to receive the crowns they w-ill not be m
than a foot from the glass. A few inches of It
soil or spent Mushroom manure should be plai
over the leaves on which to arrange the rof
In lifting these, trim the longest roots off :
place the crowns quite close together, afterwa
covering them with fine soil or sand. The ste
arising from the leaves will afford plenty of m.
ture, and ^vatering by any other means will
unnecessary. If a succession has to be ma
tained, other frames must be prepared in
same way, in readiness to receive another ha
in the course of a fortnight or three weeks.

Se..vk.-\le. — This probably is the most comn

of all forced vegetables, liut its quality and

pearance greatly depend on the treatment

forded, and it is appreciated accordingly. Unl

it is tender and well blanched it finds little favc

and when not sent to table in a fresh conditioi

becomes bitter and almost offensive. The ea

batch of plants which has occupied a sunny j*

tion during tlie summer will be found mi

further advanced as regards shedding the foil

than that grown on cool, moist borders. As

outside supply of Beans is cut off by frost, t

kale is about the first thing we turn to to as

in aflbrding variety, but it is a mistake to lift

roots directly the leaves part from the crow

These with weeds, &c., should be removed so t

the plants are fully exposed to a few frosts, wli

cause an enforced rest, w-hich, though it ii

be for less than a fortnight's duration, is sutfici

to make growth start more tiuickly when s

jected to artificial heat. There are vari

methods employed for forcing this vegetal

which \ary according to the quantity requi

and the convenience at disposal. Small quai

ties, such as a few tlozen crowns, may be piicl

rather closely in a deep box, such as bulbs ge

rally arrive in, standing this beneath the stagt

a warm greenhouse. Every particle of li;

must be carefully obscured, and if the outside

the box can be packed round with damp leaves

Moss so much the better, as this maintains

even temperature and prevents the escape

moisture. Some co\ er the crowns with 6 inc

or more of sifted leaf-mould. Growth pus

through this and the shoots come beautifi:

white and crisp, and may be cut as soon as tl

push through the surface. Larger quaritit

should have a corner in the Mushroom ho

devoted to them, as in this )30sition it i

be easily examined and cut as requir

Growth is rather too slow at this season j

good results to come from crowns placed j

an ordinary cellar without some artificial warm ^

though such a position is most suitable later

when groMth is more easily excited. It is vi,

important that sutticient crowns be put in [

regular intervals to meet the reijuirenients, as(|

quality is quickly impaired if kept for sevej

days after it is cut before being used. Seakalil

alwa3'S of better ciuality when brought [

gradually under a good body of leaves, heij

there is much to recommend the old-fasbionj

plan of covering the crowns with pots or boxo

but as this plan is hardly suitable for the earlii

supplies, lifting the roots is the only alterniitij

until the turn of the year, when the permantj

stools may be covered as described above.

(;exer.\l work. — The autumn so far has 1 '
most genial, and the growth of winter crops 1

October 23, 1897.1

THE CARDEK

327

1 eived no olieck. Tin; coiidiLion of tliu soil,
i , has (':mso(l the seed of weeds to terminate
i Ay, and if luh antajje is only taken to (jet those
l;d down (hiring: dry weather, it would tefid
i«tly towards securinj; a clean i;ardeii next
tin". Exhausted croi)s, espoeially Peas and

I nnev Beans, should lie eleaied olf the fironnd
( once, ns the treadinj;- eansed liy their removal

I I do heavy soil a lot of liarni later on w hen
t united with moisture. Continue to s|iriiiklc
( t, lime or wood-ashes between the rows of
> iter Siiinach if slufrs prove troublesome.
1 dishes, too, which have been sown at the foot
(I soutii wall, sliould also be dusted over, and
6110 clean, dry straw should be shaken over
timat the aiiproaeh of frost. In warm localities
a)ther .<owinj.' of Black Spanish and China Rose
J dishes may be made in a sheltered corner, and if
tiy have the protection of a temporary frame,
isful gatheriii<;s may be obtained most of the
Mter. Dig "1> and remove to a cool shed or
<lar Autumn (iiant Cauliflowers when they have
jaincd a servicealile size, as they would last in a
I ter condition under cover than when exjiosed
t rain followed by frost. Also remove the stems
rl decayed leaves of those that have been cut

' . as they not only look untidy, but also give
II unpleasant odour wdicn deca\'ing.

Ru'iiAisD Parkeu.

FRUIT HOUSES.
Ikly vinery. — The time for starting will of
<irse vary according to the time ripe Grapes are
r uired in the ensuing year, but should thc\- be
\ated in April next, the Vines should be started
I later than November. This will allow none
t much time if the forcing is conducted, as it
siuld be, in a gradual manner, and it is always
It to err on the safe side and to allow a margin
i :he shape of an extra week or two than to have
t hurry the ^'ines, particularly at the outset,
\en they are naturally slow in starting into
fiiwth. If the necessary heat is to be obtained
Im a fermenting bed of leaves and manure for
t first few weeks, the materials should be ed-
ited and thrown together to ferment. After
Vug turned once or twice to liberate rank steam
al gases, it ma}' be taken in and made up into
aing ridge-shaped bed in the body of the house.
Ilhe border occupies the body of the house,
ect a temporary stage of boards laid upon
l:ksto keep the materials oti' the soil, as tliey
vulddo more harm than good if placed directly
tin the latter. This heap should be added to
a often as reipiired, for which a heap should
a ays be held in reser\e outside. When re-
I'lishment is needed, take the opportunity for
og the whole mass, and if much va[iour is
-, 11 otf, slightly open the top ventilators to allow
ijlo pass away. The genial heat given oil' by
V fermenting bed answers all requirements for
lii-st few weeks, and is to be preferred to fire-
■ while it economises the latter. However, it
ly those living in country districts who can

il themseh-es of this method, and those less

luiately situated must perforce make use of

ticial heat from start to finish. At starting, the

dly routine will be to syringe the rods once or

t ce a day with tepid water, according to the

Wither, but always ha\e the wood dry by night -

«. The temperature should be 5.3° by day, with

SG of 10'^ more with sun-heat, and whenair has

)e admitted, shut it otl' not later than 1 p.m.

ip the vapour troughs filled with water and do

let the night temperature exceed .50°. Until

Vines break regularly the rods should be

b|t round, or otherwise lowered from the trellis,

hat the points or extremities should be below

level of the wall plate, which will ensure a

•c regular break by equalising the flow of sap.

*'''■ Vines. — These are used in many places in

of the above, and when skilfully cultivated

most excellent results. Should rijie fruit be

cted from them by April, they had best be

*^ted early in November, and prepare the house

if

"Itheir reception forthwith. This should,

possible, occupy a south or south-eastern posi-
tion, and the roof should have a fairly steep pitch
in order that every ray of sun may be utilised.
With regard to tlie interior, a good bed should
exist or lie constructed to hold a bed of leaves if
the plunging system is favoured, not liut that
equally as good results can be obtained if the pots
are merely stood on a stage erected over the hot-
water pipes running round the sides or front of
the house. Plunging is the most economical if
plenty of tree leaves can be obtained, as this
both economises fire-heat and means less labour
in the .shape of watering when the pots arc sur-
rounded with the moi.st materials forming tlie
bed. When the pots are to be plunged they must
be stood on a good firm base, and for this pur-
po.se use either inverted flower-pots or build piers
of loose bricks to the recjuired height. Enlarge
the crock holes before placing the plants in posi-
tion, and a mound of rich compost, largely con-
sisting of fibrous loam, may be built up round
these piers and level with the base of the jiots
for the roots to work in. The bed may then be
tilled with Beech or Oak leaves, which have lain
in a heap outside sufficiently long enough to have
fermented, but do not comjjact them too much at
the outset or until it has been found, by means
of the dipping thermometer, the amount of heat
that is being given off. The bottom-heat must
not exceed 75", and if the mercury indicates a
higher figure than this, the leaves must be
loosened and partially pulled i.way from round
the pots until it is found that the heat is sub-
siding, when they may be replaced. The canes
should be bent down to ensure their breaking
properly, and in all other matters of detail as
regards temperature, &c., observe the directions
given above for permanent Vine-forcing. With
regard to watering, the soil, after being moistened
at the start, should be kejit neither wet nor dry
until the roots become active. When the Vines
break freely, more water will be required,
which, it is hardly necessary to state, must
always be apjilied in a tepid state. If the pots
are to be stood on side stages it is a good plan
to stand each pot in another two or three sizes
larger, wherein may be placed compost for the
roots to feed in after a time. If this is objected
to on the score of expense in purchasing pots for
the purpose, should there be none available, com-
post may be placed under and round the pots,
only the precaution should be taken to leax'e a
clear sjjace immediately under the crock hole at
the bottom for water to |jass away ipiickly. The
roots, in search of food and moisture, will (]uickly
find this compost, and it w ill prove of the utmost
service in enabling the Vines to perfect the crop.

Pot Figs.— If ripe fruits are likely to be in
demand at the same time as the Grapes, a house
of bush trees should be started early next month.
The trees as well as the bouse should be in a per-
fectly clean state, and the former should have
been undergoing a thorough rest for some time
past. Much, if not all, that has been said about
the preparations for the forcing of pot Vines ap-
plies to pot Figs, and whichever method is ap-
pro\ed of, steps for carrying out tlie same should
be adopted. To|j-dressing may be ajiplied now,
or it may stand over until the trees start growing,
but in any case the balls of soil should be
thoi-oughly soaked with tepid water as soon as
the bouse isclcsed for starting. The tenqieratures
given above for Vines will suit Figs admirably at
the starting.

Early Peach iiou.se.— \'ery often ripe Peaches
and Nectarines are reipiired in the months of
April and May in addition to the other fruits
named, and when this is the case it is im]ieiati\e
that the trees should be started not later than the
middle of November. This will just give them
suHicient time without having to resort to hard
forcing, of which the subjects under consideration
are very impatient. The necessary jiruning,
cleaning, and training of the trees should there-
fore be taken in hand at once, not neglecting to
give the structure a thorough cleansing at the
same time, and top-dress borders if this matter
has not already had attention.

Pot Strawhekkies. — Those intended for early
forcing should be moved into cold pitsand frames,
where they should have free exposure, wet weather
excepted, when the lights .should be put on and
tilted. Keep the soil in a medium state of
moisture, neither too wet nor too dry, so that
the crowns may experience a season of rest before
being started. Successional batches of plants
may be moved under cover as opportunity oilers,
placing them in orchard or I'cacli bouses if pits
and frames are not available. Plants for late
forcing may be kept outdoors a short time longer.
Keep all runners suppressed, and if more crowns
than one have develo]ied, leduee them to one,
leaving, as a matter of course, that which is the
strongest. Where plunging or stacking of these
late pot plants is practised, the same should be
done about the middle of November or a little
earlier, according to locality. A. W.

Kitchen Garden.

MARKET CUCUMBERS.
In the course of the very comprehensive and
admirable paper on " Progress in Vegetables
and their Culture during the (juoen's Reign,"
reatl by Mr. Arthur H. Sutton at the recent
Crystal Palace fruit show, lie said with respect
to Cucumbers : —

Notwithstanding the almost endless varieties
now procurable, it is generally admitted that
none of them supply the ideal type ret|uired for
cultivation on a large scale. For productiveness
no sort equals the best strain of Telegraph, but
the somewhat pale colour, esjiecially wlieii the
plants are bearing a heavy croji, lessens its value
for market. If the council of the Ro3'al Horticul-
tural Society should see their way to undertake a
series of trials at Chiswick I would gladly offer a
prize of £5 5s. for the seedling Cucumber, raised
since 1S96, wdiich shall combine the productiveness
and excellent form of Telegraph with the dark
colour of Bochford's Cucumber.

Douljtiess many persons will read these re-
marks, coming from the source they do, with
surprise, for during the past ten years there
have been put into couimerce numerous
varieties of Cucumbers generally regarded as
of high merit ; yet it seems as if not one
were so good a cropper as the old and
excellent Telegraph. But, as is remarked, that
variety is not usually of good colour, dark and
pale or yellowish green fruits alternating, and
the outline is somewhat fluted. Probably one
of the best coloured of modern Cucumbers is
Lockie's Perfection, and it is remarkably smooth
and hand.some, yet it .seems not to have as a
market variety in any way displaced Tele-
gi-apli. Rochford's Cucumber, a dark green
form, is somewhat spiny, and here is presented
an element in Cucumbers that would, in award-
ing such a prize as Mr. Sutton offers, have to
be taken into consideration, because market
growers generally agree that a spiny fruit, if
of good length and colour and handsome, is
more in demand than is a smooth one. Of
course, such a point would have to be deter-
mined. Any trial of Cucumbers conducted at
Chiswick would, to be eliicieiit, have to be on
a comprehensive scale. Po.ssibly fifty diverse
varieties might be sent in, and it would be use-
less to trust to any trial that comprised one
plant only. Certainly not less than three should
be grown, and the best results would be found
ill a long, low, bmad span house, the .soil being
in wooden troughs aliout l(i inches wide and
(i inches to S inches deep. This is a far better
method of growing the plants than in pots or
on mounds of .soil. Of course a large
house would be needed, and there is none
such at Chiswick. The money spent in buUd-

328

THE CtARDEIn".

[October 23, 1897

ing the useless entrance glasshcjuse might have
been tmned to far Ijetter account in erecting
houses for the trial of such as Cucumbers,
Melons, &c. Grower.

Drumhead Cabbage. — Drumhead Cabbage
is a capital variety for present cutting where
there is a large demand. An impression prevails
that it is strong and coarse, and certainly firm
solid heads some 15 inches or Ig inches in diameter
would tend to convej' that idea ; but, as a matter
of fact, it is as mild as the best type of Savoy. —
E. B. C.

Vegetable Marrow as a climber. — I have
been in the habit of growing this delicious vege-
table for many years in the usual way by planting
it in a sunny spot, and allowing it to grow along
the ground, but have invariably lost many fruits
by damp and moulding off. This year I got a
hint that such would be entirely avoided by plant-
ing it under a bare tree or any old trunk, and
training the marrow up the stem — which hint I
followed with entire success, not losing a single
fruit ; besides, the effect was most picturesque,
the foliage of the marrow being most vigorous and
of a beautiful deep green. I can thoroughly recom-
mend this plan ; besides, it saves much ground
space. — A. G., in Fif/d.

Early Brussels Sprouts. — I do not think
that any vegetable crop refiays extra care in the
matter of getting the plants started early in the
season, so as to give them a long season of growth,
better than Brussels Sprouts. For several seasons
past I have made it a rule to sow seed in a cold
frame in February. The seedlings will lie fit for
pricking out on a sheltered border in April, and
by the middle of May will be fine sturdy plants
ready to go out in the open ground, and, once
established, it must be a very exceptional season
if they do not grow away vigorously, and make
not only large stems but good hard ones, crowned
with a head of foliage enough to ward off a sharp
frost. When severe winters cut up the outdoor
vegetable crop, it will be found that the early-
sown and earlj-planted Brussels Sprouts put out
on soil that has had no fresh manure applied will
survive the ordeal far better than later planted
crops put out on richer soil. — J. (4., Goyjort.

Lettuces failing. — A correspondent asks for
a remedy against mould attacking Lettuce plants.
I have frecjuently met with the same thing, the
evil being more common with tlie Bath or Brown
Cos than other sorts. Moreover, it is more often
met with in gardens where Lettuce and other
small green vegetables and salads have been raised
for many years, the ground ha\ ing become as it
were Lettuce-sick. This fact points to the neces-
sity of occasionally changing the ground for such
things. This is sometimes difficult in gardens of
small size, and in such cases the best way to pre-
vent such attacks is to incorporate with the staple
soil of the border a good dressing of gas-lime and
wood ashes, and if a little fresh loamy compost
can be procured as well, so much the better, mix-
ing them all previous to digging the ground, this
benig best done in winter. Sometimes the fault
lies in sowing old or poor seed improperly ripened,
the evil being further encouraged by allowing the
young plants to remain in the seed-beds too long
in a crowded state. — C. C. H.

Celery growing for market. — Celery, it
would a)jpear, is, like other things, affected in
various ways by different soils and localities, some
varieties succeeding so much better in one dis-
trict than another. Almost every Celery grower
has his own favourite variety. At (iainsborough,
in Lincolnshire, for instance, where scores of acres
of Celery are grown for market, Clayworth Prize
Pink is the favourite strain, and right well it
grows too ; while at Retford, some twenty miles
distant, and where also \'ery large acres are
planted with Celery, Grove White and Grove Red
are the favourite sorts. In market gardens in
Norfolk and East Anglia generally, much is
thought of that good old variety Ivery's Non-
such. This in good ground grows taller than the

majority of Celeries, but it comes very firm and
eats crisp. In many districts preference is given
to Leicester Red, and my experience is, after
having tried man}' varieties, that, while being all
that can be wished for from a quality point of
view, it has no equal for standing a wet winter.
— J. Crawford.

Rose Garden.

ROSE MME. GABRIEL LUIZET.

This splendid Rose was introduced as far back
as 1877, and since that time in.any excellent
Hybrid Perpetuals have appeared, but yet for
exhibitors it still retains the |iroud ptisition of
being the second best pink Rose in this class,
the premier place being generally accorded to
Mrs. John Laing. The colour of Mme. G.
Luizet is a clear and delicate silvery pink witlr
white edged petals, globular in form, and
jiointed centre. It is also sweet-scented, a
([uality that enables this Rose to take prece-
dence over the lovely Baroness Rothschild,
whilst its extra vigorous growth is all that one
Could desire. Perhaps some growers may com-

N^^^"fe,«li^mia

Hose Mme. Gabriel Luizet.

plain that they cannot obtain any autumnal
flowers. Although I grant that it is anything
but a free autunnial flowering Rose, it may,
nevertheless, by careful pruning be induced to
yield a fair supply. But with the wealth of
Hybrid Teas and Teas that we now have we are
far less dependent at the present day upon the
so-called Perpetuals for our autumnal display
than we were hitherto, and we may well rest
content if such a Rose as Mme. Gabriel Luizet
provide us with a glorious feast of blossom in
June and July. Philomel.

Rose Ella Gordon. — To say that this Rose is
vigorous conveys but a slight idea of its luxuriant
growth. It is not at all an uncommon occurrence
for it to produce shoots .5 feet to 6 feet long in a
season. This fact should be remembered by all who
desire Roses of this nature, for tlieir uses are mani-
fold, be it to form hedges, training on pillars, or
growing as single specimens on lawns. I know of no
better crimson Hybrid Perpetual Rose for au-
tumnal blooming than this. The globular-shaped
flowers are large, but not coarse. They generally
come good and have beautifully smooth petals
of a brilliant cherry-crimson colour. I should take
it to be a seedling from Mme. Victor Verdier.

We find just the same peculiar purplish wood
the end of the shoots, but it is far more vigorn
even than this grand Rose. I can commend
also for pot culture. LTnder cool treatment it i-
formidable rival to Ulrich Brunner. — P.

Rose Cecile Brunner. — The popularity
this pretty Rose is increasing. The flowers ;i
exceedingly tiny, and yet so perfect in form as
give one the impression that they are mould
in porcelain. The comely little buds, of a wa
carmine and flesh tint, would be found very use
by florists. It is one of the most vigorous vai
ties of the dwarf section of these beautiful Po
antha Roses, and an excellent kind to pi;
where a low hedge is wanted. Although not
decorative as Gloire des Poly antha on account
its more branching habit, it is, neverthele
highly attractive when grown in a mass.

Fortune's Yellow Rose. — No one seems
grow this superb climber more successfully tli
does Mr. Fyfe at Lockinge Park. It is there
several houses, so as to have early and latehlooi
No sooner are the flowers over in the spring tl
the flowering shoots are hard cut back to i
main stems, and new growths breaking from '
base are carried up. These run in the season
great length, and being shortened back in
winter to the hard wood, carry clusters of flow
from every leaf-lnul. Th
are of a rich apricot-yel'
and of exquisite beauty,
grown in a large way
variety should make a cap
market Rose. — .\. 1).

Rose Perle de Feu i

I'enrukaldy coloured vari
of the Tea-scented secti
It may perhaps be best
scribed as reddish orar
heavily shaded with gol
russet. It really is more ti
in hue than Beaute Im:
stante. But having said
much in its favour, I n
point out that the flowe
very poor in size. The c
u-!e I can see for it is u
ba^is for hybridists to w
upon. I feel sure some
cellent results would fol
if this Rose were used :
]iollen parent in hybridi^
some of our free-seeding 1
with orange shadings, s
as Beaute Inconstante,
(bill, Mme. Chauvry, ^
\enir de Mme. Sabhiyrol
&c. One peculiar featun
some of these very rich i
dish-orange Roses is the lilac shading seen i
some of the petals. Perle de Feu is a very g '
grower, the wood and foliage being of a rich rui '
bronze. — P.

Rose Irene Watts.— This Rose must sijeei
become popular, and perhaps in time entii
eclipse its parent, j\Ime. Laurette Messimy.
flowers are quite different in form from thos !
Laurette Messimy. As is well known, Mme.j.
Messimy has very loose, informal blossoil;
whereas those of Irene Watts are quite conjl
and certainly more double. It is difficult to ■
tinguish the difference between some of tl
so-called Chinas and Tea-scented. I do not ki
that it matters much so long as we obtain f
flowering Roses. Irene Watts has almost the
quisite formation of a medium-sized C'athei
Mermet, but of course not nearly so full,
colour is a clear China rose, merging to si
pink, the base of petals canary-yellow. Itsbt|-
tiful bronze foliage serves to accentuate the cr
fresh colour of the flowers. It will make a gi'
contrast to Mme. Eugene Resal. — E. I

Mildew on Roses.— The advice given in D >
Hole's book, and cjuoted by "An Amateur','
p. 216, is quite sound, for soot is one of the v-
best preventives of mildew there is. But it ivt"
not b3 used in a fresh state, or the result will*

)CTOBER 23, 1897.]

THE GAiiDEN.

329

An Amateur " describes. For years 1 have

it f(ir Chrysantheinuiiis, and imver liad a

t leaf until two years ayo, when 1 used some

from the tluc of a vinery that had been pulled

Tlie Hue had not been used for several years,

iiou'^lit 1 was safe in using the soot, but I

1 few days after that all the tips of the

uere buriit. This led to an examination of

■. and 1 found that the smoke from a boiler

d been fixed in the jilaee of the old Hue

. for heatin<; other houses had been leaUin;,'

h into it. If •■ An Amateur" will save his

1 a eouple of seasons and then use it, ho

d he has a most valuable fertiliser and a

i fnn};iei<lo as w^cU. If well diluted arid

Kar it is excellent for syringing Chrysau-

iis, I'elargoniums, and other plants on

r evenings, wliile dusted over the foliage

iv plants while this is damp it forms an

I't stimulant, and makes the leaves dis-

1 to insects of all kinds. — R.

.•ing Brier and Rose seed. — All hej)s of

and Roses stiovdd be gathered as soon as

i' now, or the birds will pick out the best

iumpest seeds. Store the heps in sand for

. taking eare they are safe from iniee.

np tlio he]is and thoroughly mix sand and

rly iu Feliruary. Then sow very thinly in

', drills upon a warm border and protect

irds and mice. The advantage of drills

ioadcast sowing is in being able to use the

rween. Rose lieps may be sow-n in pans or

or in a cold frame, and where one has a

linice heps only, this may be the safest plan.

' lut the spring following, giving the seedlings

d loam, and placing them a foot apart each

Do not be too hasty in discarding any that

it flower or which seem inferior, as the first

i- are not a fair test. — R.

a thorough rest, we should, as it were, produce
the same conditions that the Rose growers of
tlie Kiviera obtain naturally, and thu.s secure a
good autnnin.al aiul even early winter display
in this tickle climate of our.s. At any rate, it
wouUl be worth a trial, esjiecially by market
growers and gardeners who ha\ e large demands
for autumnal Roses. I*.

AUTUMNAL ROSES.

: ich feast of Roses that has delighted the

!s to the recent Drill Hall and Crystal

exhibitions must have l.)een a matter for

' ion to many who had the pleasure of in-

iig them. Although for many autumns

'c had the Bourbons, Chinas and Teas to

ty our gardens at this period of the j'ear,

uly during the last eight or ten years that

'lief varieties recently sliown have been

iito commerce, and a comparison of the

now to be had with those available ten oi-

\ years ago must call forth our gratitude

■ers who have been instrumental in pro-

- us with these delightful novelties.

ise these varieties are .so good in autumn,

t not be inferred that they are only good

^ season ; on the contrary, many of them

le first to expand tlieir blossoms in the

month of June, and they continue to

more or less the whole of the

iiT. Possibly the rather unusual dis-

of Roses that has brightened our

US this autumn is attributable to the

lilt we experienced in the summer niontlis,

I. as it were, stopped vegetation for a

iiud then the copious autumnal rains that

^e had started the plants into new growth,

lug in the glorious display that we have

witnessed. But, granted that this

•» •, we are, nevertheless, mainly indebted

for Ills display to the recent introductions.

ik it is a matter well worth considering

ler .some means could not be taken in a

-inimier to ensure a gorgeous autunnial

Mich a.s we have had this year. The main

l'""! to consider would be to take some

niein-es after the first flowering to give the

plan a rest by keeping the rain ofJ', and this

V)e secured, T think, by placing over the

of Teas and Hybrid Teas temporary

■ures with glass coverings. If this were

iior tlu-ee or four weeks to give the plants

Rose Q,vieen Mab. — Tliis is a charming
dwarf Hose, being one of a section to which a
good deal of attention is now being paid. It is a
China or Bengal, and the colour is apricot, shaded
with orange and rose. Frequenters of the Drill
Hall nmst have noticed it, as it has been admir-
ably exliibited as a pot Rose, ajul it struck every-
boclv who has seen it by its distinctness and free-
flow'ering character. We have already had Laur-
ette Messimy and Duke of York, both of whicli
are highly "thought of. There has ajjpearcd,
too, a climbing variety of that very beautiful
old China, Cramoisi Superieur, which for bril-
liancy of colour is hardly surpassed by any Rose
in this or any other section. It has lieen a grand
season for autumn blooming. Hvdjrid I'erpetuals,
Hybrid Teas, and more especially pure Teas have
given us many beautiful flowers, and, should the
liresent weather continue, will do so for some
weeks to come. — I).

Hybrid Sweet Briers. — My plants, each 10
feet to 12 feet high, exceedingly bushj' and
strong, had been fastened to stout stakes ; but
the growth was so heavy, that the recent gale
snapped the stakes and completely mixed up
the wood. I may say they are planted in the
form of a serai-circle, intended to be brought
over at top and thus make a pleasant arl)0ur.
.111 who have handled these Sweet Briers are
aware of the immense strength and fierceness of
their prickles, and will sympathise with me in
the task of disentangling such a mass as these
formed. It was simply impossible under ortlinary
conditions, so I jirocured several hop poles, sawed
some off to a length of 1"2 feet and dro\ e them
into the ground ui)on the outside of the arliour,
fixing two rows of the poles lengthwise from these
uprights. A second upright was fastened as far
inside as possible, and another pole used to lever
the growth up to the cross pieces first fixed. As I
got the growths up they were fastened with rope
yarn and the cross pole secured to the ujirights on
the outside with some strong wire taken from bales
[ of peat moss litter. By following this plan riglit
' round the arbour I eventually got them into
place, and so firmly secured that no gale will move
them again. To have cut away some of the
growth would have been a great sacrifice of
bloom ; besides, I could not have drawn out
the severed wood without entangling the re-
mainder even more tlian it was. As a hedge
I do not think any plant can be more effec-
tual in keeping out trespassers than the .Sweet
Briers. They are simply impregnable after the
first year's growth. Nor could we have a more
pleasing hedge. They root remarkably well as
ripened cuttings and make capital stocks for
strong-growing Teas or Hybrid Perpetuals. My
own are now perfectly scarlet with heps, and if
these are gathered and sown, a large number may
be raised for next autumn's planting. How very
easy it would be to beautify our hedgerows and
borders of woods with seedlings of these. — R.

I t

whiii

ClPU

bed
str"!

SHOUT NOTES— ROSES.

Rose Rev. Alan Cheales.— By those who
are toiul ef large Roses, this nmv varioty of Jlessrs.
P.iul and .Son, . f Cheshunt, will be uiiioh v/ducd. It
is somewhat of the Olricli Brmuier typo of tlouer.
The colour is very peculia--, being almost a pure lake.
It is vii;orou8 aud fiee-H jweriug.

Rose Bladud.— This I believe to have been rue
of the late Mr. Beimett's seeJlinf;s. which passed into
the bands of Messr.-*. CooUi'g and Sons, Hath. It is a
very large Ro:e, full, outside petals silverj--»hite, with

pule i)lnsli <-entro. Tt promises to be a good garden
lio.se, but will .also be found in many an exhibitioQ
stand.— I).

Rose Paul's Single Scsrlet.— This promises
to be a valuable addition to our single Itoses. The
i'<dnur is very brilliant, almost pure scarlet. As it is
stated to be a II. P., we miy fully evnect that it will
follow the oiamiile of Paul's Single White and give us
a crop of itsbrilMiint tluwers in autumn as well as in
summer ; it is very vigorous in habit.

Rose Cannes la Coquette.— This is one of
N'abonnand's raiding, and, altliongh twenty years old,
is not nearly so nuicb appreuiateil as I think" it ought
to he. It is very vigorous, and the llowers are of a
pleasing shade of very delicate fawn, marked with
llesh, ('specially towards the edges of the petals, some-
times milking it appear like llomeie, and borne well
into the autumn. — li. II, 1).

Rose Paul'a Single "White.- Most of the
single Koses are only summer bloomers, but as far as
my experience of this Hopc goes it has the advantage of
t;iving a double croi) of tlovvers. For the last two
years 1 have had my plant of it quite as full in Sep-
tember as it was in June. The vaiiety is well known
and is very similar to macrautha ; the stamens, how-
ever, do not retain their biilliant jellow colour so
long as iu that flower. — D.

Rose Mme. Pierre Coohet. — This is one of
those charming Hoses whose colour is most ditlicult to
describe, in which, however, orange-yellow nio5t pre-
dominates. The buds are long and pointed; intact,
it is iu this stite alone that it is valuable, for when it
expands, the flower is loose and its brilliancy has de-
parted. It is a profuse and continuous bloomer, and
tiowers may always be relied upon in the autumn
months. It was laised by Cochet in 1892.

Rose Mrs. Sbarman CraiArford. — This beau-
tiful pink Rose, which was sent out by Messrs. Dick-
son and Sons, Newtownards, in lbiJ4, has now become
est.iblisbed as a general favourite owing to its beau-
tiful colour, good habit, and freedom of flowering,
and to these recommendations must lie added, I think,
that it is one of the freest of autumnal bloomei-s, as
the few plants that I have of it have afforded a plenti-
ful supply of good flowers this autumn. — D.

Rose Safrano a fleur rouge. — As with many
of the semi-double Roses, this variety is most lovely
iu autumn. It has flue deep petals, reflexed at the
edges, the outer ones of a clear rosv red colour, and
the centre a beautiful blending of salmon, orange and
pink. I have generally found the petals to be a little
firmer in texture than those of the old Safrano, but
with this exception and iu the colour it is identical
with this popular variety. Just now it is one of the
showiest in the collection.

Rose Medea. — This beautiful Rose, which was
sei.t out by Wm Paul and Son in ISill, has been the
subject of a good deal of controversy, owing to some-
one having compared it to Marcchal Niel and given it
the preferi-nce — clearly a mistake. In the first place,
Medea is a Tea and Marochal Niel a Noisette, while in
growth and habit they are both distinct. In colour,
too, Marochal Niel has not been approached by any
other Rose. Medea is a very beautiful Rose, of a
lemon shade of yellow, of good form and substance,
while the growth is vigorous.

Rose Sunset. — It is surprising that miiny Rose
sports do better outdoors than the varieties from
which they emanated. This Rose has been grand with
me this autumn, but 1 cannot say the same of Perle
des Jardins. The flowers of this appear to open rather
hard, but this is not so with Sunset. The colour of
the blossoms is rich tawny saffron or apricot. This
variety is far superior to Mme. Falcot in substance,
but, of course, it will not surpass this old variety as a
button-hole flower. Sunset is a sujierb variety under
glass, and I can highly commend it.— PiilLo.MKL.

Rose Muriel Grahame. — There is a general
consensus of opinion that this is a most valuable addi-
tion to our Tea Roses. It is a sport, not from The
Bride, but from Catherine Jlermct, and was obtained
by Mr. Browne, of Reigate, gardener to Mrs. Water-
low, at (heat Doods. It passed from him intothe
bauds of Messrs. Alex. Dicks' n and Sons, of New-
townards, by whom it h.as been distributed. No
greater testimony to its value can be given than the
fact that it has olitained the silver medal of the
-National Rose Society for the bei-t Tea in the ama-
teuis' division both at the nietropoli'iin show at the
Crystal Palace and also at the northern provincial
show at Norwich.

330

THE GARDEN".

[October 23, 1837,

Orchids.

ONCIDIUM JONESIANUM.
This is a very distinct and beautiful OnciJium.
The pseudo-bulbs are so small as to he liardly
noticed, and at a first glance one would say the
plant consisted only of the leaves and roots.
The foliage is often 1 foot and upwards in
length, and its natural habit appears to be to
grow with the points downward. Tlie gi'owths
are very closely clustered together, and the
spike appears at the base of those last formed.
1 hese grow erect at first, their weight gradually
bringing them to an arching position, tliat shows
off the blossoms very prettily. Individually
these are about 2 inches across, and on strong
spikes nearly a score of these are produced,
making a tine and showy inflorescence. The

noticed on several occasions beginners in Or-
chid growing find a difficulty iu firming phmts
of tliis description. If there are no roots or
but very few, it is safest to wire the plants to
small blocks of wood, placing these in the pans
and wedging a few bits of crocks aroinid
them to hold them firm. Then as little com-
post as may be needed can be easily pointed in
over them with the dibber. Rafts, as hinted
above, are suitable, and on these the plants
may easily be fixed with a little Moss under the
roots in the usual manner. I am not much in
favour of dressed blocks of any kind, but in
wiring plants of this class on to small pieces of ,
wood a little Moss may be placed underneath
witli advantage. The compost and receptacle for
these strictly epipliytal kinds are in fact more in
the nature of a mechanical support than a ma-
nui'ial one, fi>r they derive nearly all the susten-

A single-flowered Tree Pceony. {See p. 325.)

sepals and petals are wavy on the edges, pale
yelhjvv, with deep reddish brown blotches in the
type, though varieties exist witli orange spots.
The Up is lai-ge and showy, liidney-shaped, with
a wavy edge, the crest being dotted with red.
The flowers are very lasting, but unless the
plants are strong and well established tliey must
not be left on until they fade. Bare block
treatment is often recommended for this spe-
cies, and it does well grown thus if well attended
to as regards moisture, but if I can get a
plant to take hokl of a little compost, if
only on a raft, I usually treat it so. The roots
of this species cannot, liowever, take hold of
much material, especially if this is in the least
degree close or ajjt to decay. Small pans nearly
tilled with crocks and a mere surfacing of
Sphagnum Moss will grow it well, but I have

ance tliey need from a properly mois ened atmo-
spliere. Tiie best po.sition to grow ( ). Jonesianum
in is an almost unshaded one in the warmest
house at command, and, if convenient, the
plants may with advant;ige be suspended over
a water tank or in any jiart of the liouse wliere
moisture is most abundant. On bright summer
afternoons tlie syringe may be somewhat freely
plied about the leaves, a gentle, fine spray
being very helpful in keeping down insects.
Growth is raiiid when once the leaves emerge
from the sheatlis, and with the stimulating tem-
perature caused by tlie smi and moisture, the
little pseudo-bulbs soon swell up. Witli regard
to its seasons of rest and growth, but Httle can
be said, for the plant is very inconstant in this
way. Eude.ivour in all cases where possible
to bring the crrowths along rapidly, and ripen

them well ))y exposure to sunlight when full
grown. Then it is possible to keep them
rest for a time without drying the roots sul
ciently to cause the least shrivelhng. Plai
that liave been for a sea.son or two inured
this treatment are always more free bloomi
than tliose that make, perhaps, two distil
sets of growtli in one season. Propagati
is best effected in early spring by cuttina wj
a sharp knife between the bulbs, allowi
several leads, if possible, to each diviil
portion and setting each going on its o-
account. R,

Cattleya throwing up a flovcer-spike
I have a piece of Cattleya which I do not kn
the name of. It made three growths t
summer, two with sheaths and one withoui
sheath. The growth without a sheath is throw:
up a flower-spike,
not this very unusual
W. D.

*„* This is not a v
common occun'ence,
it happens occasion:
witli Cattleyas, and :
Epidendrums with
Cattlej'a-like habit.
En.

Calanthe vera
folia. — The jjure v]
blossoms of this ea
grown and useful
Orchid are always i
come, and large heal
specimens have a
appearance just n
The flowers last •
pro\ided they are 1
dry, but the least ( i
of water spots and
figures them. The
tare of this ]ilant ' ■
sists simply in pot
in a good substai
compost in well-drai il
pots, giving abund; 'l
of water while growt,^
active and a little lit |l
manure occasionally. '

AngrsEcum fast

sum. — This is no I
think, the usual flu'
ing season of this pr -
plant, but I noted i i
bloom a day or ^
since. The flowers
pure white with a 1
curving spur. Tlie |i
is dwarf, the leaves ill <
.'5 inches long, deeps ,
ing green, the spike.'l-
curring near the u]Jr
[lart of the plant. *
a native of Madagas ,
and thrives well in si I
suspended baskets

pans well drained, and in a thin compost of J
and charcoal. Plenty of heat and a brisk, m
atmosphere are required, the roots liking pk
of moisture as long as it drains away freely,
was introduced by Messrs. Sander and Co,
1881.— H.

Cattleya aurea. — Among several plants
this lovely Cattleya now in flower there is i
sideralile variety, one having a very deeply tir
lip of that beautiful velvety appearance so m
admired by everyone who sees it, especially
the first time. The outer segments are of a c
nankeen-yellow, nicely undulated and broe
than usual. Cattleyas of all kinds appear to h
done remarkably well this season, and I ni
saw the autumn blooming kinds so free and
of promise. C. aurea is not a wliit behind,®
rest, and owing to its attractiveness and the sBV
character of the blossoms, seems to lead the y

3CT0BBR 2.'?, 1897.]

THE GARDEK

331

ing the labiate kinds. It deliglits in am])le
ligtt and a full Cattleya temperature, and I
it better in baskets or pans suspended from
roof than in |)ots upon tne stage. After the
A-ths are fully developed and the flowers
;, the plants must be kept a little on the
side at the roots, as they are apt to start
of season. When they get over the lirst
iths of wniter there is not so mucli danger, for
» 1 if they do start the young shoots «ill by the
ti 3 they need it get abundaneo of light. C.
ia is a native of ('olombia and wa.s disc^overed
one of M. Linden's collectors, who first sent
itsme in isti8.— R.

Isudllaria grandiflora. — A plant or two of
til l)eautiful old species should be in every col-
le'ion if only for the .sake of its delicious fra-
Ijilice, which tills the house wliere it is llowerintr.
T' outer segments of the blooms are pure white
ai have a glistening, frosted appearance, the
care of the li;) being yellow. Few Orchid,^ are
lef trouble to gi'ow than M. grandiflora, jirovided
tq plants are kept clear of insects, and this is
1x1 done by growing them in a cool, shady and
mj-it house all the year round, a minimum tem-
piiitureofoO^ suiting them well. E(iual parts of
(Xj:, loam fibre and Sphagnum Moss suit it well,
at; it must be planted in medium-sized, well-
ihned po'.s. It is a native of Peru, and was
injjduced in IS.'id.

'arkeria Lindleyana. — The long many-
flciCred spikes produced by this species are
aiingthe most striking of any at this time of
yik The plant grows erect, the stems being
V(j- slender and about a foot high, the spikes
aipiring at the apex of these just as growth is
fii, hing for the season. The flowers vary a good
dil both in colour and width of the segments,
til' usually recognised as the tjpical form being
m- yet bright purple with a white centre to the
li; B. Lin<lleyana thrives best in a light and
ai part of the (Cattleya hou.se during the summer
ar autumn, in fact until the growth is fini.shed
ai|the flowers |iast, and during the whole of the
til; it must not be allowed to get dry. Owing to
tbipecuUar nature of the roots these will not
tbjve in a large l>ody of compost, and for this
reion more freciuent moistenings are necessary.
T'i syringe, too, may with advantage be freely
Ufjl aDout the groN\'ths. During the winter anil
ealy spring months the plants do with much less
mature and in a cooler house. Small shallow
bKets or rafts kept flat suit the plants well, and
th plants may be replanted after the growths
his made considerable headway and are begin-
ni; to emit young roots from the base.

CYPRIPEDIUM SPICERIANUM.

I ^ distinct and handsome Cypripedium is now
■iiower, and popular as it has Vjecome, there is
litfe fear of getting overstocked with it. In
holt it is not unlike C. insigne, but the fobage is
u^lly shorter, of a deeper green and spotted on
thunder-side with dark jjurple. It commences
U>!oom the first week in October, and one often
se it as late as the end of January, so that its
vne in keeping u|i a display is obvious. In a
gel typical form the flowers are each about
4 ches across, the distinct whit;e dorsal sepal
hang a line of deep blackish-purple running
thugh it. The wavy sefials are light green, the
poh shining brown. It is not a difficult plant
to -ow when the ri^ht position is found for it, a
go, deal depending upon the atmosnheric condi-
tici of the house. I have seen it thriving well in
an uitermediate house and again some \erv
sn sssful growers give it quite tropical treaf-
ra<; during the growing season, but in anv case
» isk moist heat and a broken light rather
th. a very heavy shade suit it well. The
coiwst for it may consist of go d peat fibre,
'0! with most of the finer soil shaken out
»n clean Sphagnum Mess. If this compost is
"fly placed about the roots C. Spicerianum
wi rrow in it well. During the growing season
n«hy plants with their roots running freely

in the compost rciiuire plenty of water ; indeed,
the roots ought never to lie dry. Badly-rooted
specimens should be shaken clear of the old mate-
rial if this is in bad condition, well washed, and
repotted into small pots in a very light (l(!scrip-
tion of compost over good diainage. They soon
recover if not too far gone, and make nice bealtbv
little plants if carefully treated. Old plants with
their roots much entwined about the pots rc(piirc
careful treatment when repotting becomes neces-
sary. They are as easily tided o\'er a bad check
as most plants, but that is no reason for damaging
them more than is necessary. The safest time to
repot is the spring, as the plants maj' tlien be
placed at once in a (juick, moist temperature and
soon get over the cheek to the roots. The flower-
buds appear in late summer and autumn, when,
if a large number of plants are grown, some
should be taken to a cooler house to retard them
an<l keep up a succession. The flowers last a long
time in good condition if kept ([uite dry. R.

l.4;lia pumila.

The pretty brightly-tinted blossoms of this species
are very welcome just now, well flowered plants
having a very fine appearance. The habit is
dwarf, seldom exceeding li inches in height, and
the blossoms are produced singly u])on the scapes.
Each one is abouti 4 inches across, the outer seg-
ments bright purplish-rose, the front of the lip
having a fine broad purple blotch with a wavy
margin. L. pumila cannot be diseribed as a dith-
cult plant to cultix ate, yet many growers fail to
do it well, and this as often as not is the result of
using too much compost. To treat it the same in
this respect as a vigorous rooting Cattleya or
L:elia is to court disaster, for the plant has not
the power to take hold of a large body of material.
The roots issue from the growths and push out
freely enough for an inch or so into the compost,
but beyond this they cannot go, unless indeed it
is an extra strong or vigorous one. The conse-
quence IS they decay at the tips and soon become
of no further use to the plant. Had the same
one been planted in a small and shallow pan,
so that the roots could ha\e reached the
drainage or the sides, they would have been
healthy and carried out their projier functions.
Anyone ha\ing plants of this species, then,
or L. Davana, L. pnestans, and other nearly
related kinds in a close compost or one too
thick for their needs, would do well to get them
out of it and repot into the class of receptacle
mentioned. About an inch of peat and Moss is
ample for small and medium-sized plants, and
even this will be better for the addition of a few
crocks or pieces of charcoal. Air enters freely
into a compost of this description, ami in conse-
quence it soon dries, needing water almost daily
when the (ilants are growing freel}'. At this time
they should be hung in a very light, sunny posi-
tion not far from the roof-glass, and it will seldom
be necessary to shade except for an hour or two
in the middle of the day. A full Cattleya tem-
perature may be maintained as long as growth is
active, reducing this and the root moisture while
at rest. The atmosphere should be kept fairly
moist the whole year round, and the minimum
temperature at night in the winter must not be
less than .50°. L. pumila has long been known,
but Messrs. Loddiges, of Hackney, appear to
have been the first English firm to have im-
ported it in quantity. This the}' did in IS-tS, and
it has often been sent home by collectors since
then. It is a native of Southern Brazil, wherein
the neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro it is a fairly
common Orchid, growing at various ele\ations oil
the si<les of the mountains. It first flowered under
cultivation in a French collection.

Dendrobium chrysanthum. — One of the
finest Orchids 1 ha\"e seen for a long time was a
grand old plant of this growing in a basket, this
being placed in the pocket of a Fern-lined wall.
The beautiful deep yellow of the blossoms with
dense maroon eye showed up grandly against the

deep green of the Ferns, and as the flowers had
o|)ened more than usual the plant was all the
more attractive. The longest bulbs were 4 feefc
li inches and clothed with blossoms from end to
end. When well grown the foliage of this Orchid
is fre.sh at the .same time as the flowers. — H. R.

Pleione humilis. — I noted this pretty jilant
ill bloom this week, though it has usually flowereil
with me in early spring. It is a variatile kind,
the typical form having nearly pure white sepals
and petals, a slight tinge of rose sometimes
appearing on them. The lip is pale rosy
lihie, with orange-yellow and brown in a pretty
combination ; in fact, there arc few more beautiful
things in the whole Orchid family than the lip of
P. humilis. Its culture does not differ materially
from that of P. lagenaria and others, exce|)t that
as it usually flowers later repotting takes place
also later. It is a native of Nepaul and was intro-
duced in l,S,")n.— R.

Cattleya Gaskelliana.— One of the prettiest
forms I have .seen of this species is now in flower
with me. The plant is only a small one, the
spike bearing three flowers of medium size. The
sepals and petals are almost white when first
open, a .slight tinge of rose suffusing them when
the blossoms are fully expanded. This paleness
of the outer segments helps to show oft' the colour
on the front of the lip, which is a deep crimson-
purple, occurring in a narrow band down the
centre. The side lobes are light crimson and
prettily crisped, radiating lines of yellow taking
the place of the usual orange tint seen in the
throat.— H.

The durability of Orchids.— Of late there
has been considerable discussion on this subject
in the garden press. Very few instances are re-
lated where the examples mentioned are in as
vigorous a condition as when they were originally
introduced, and where an exception occurs it is
worthy of notice. An instance of this may be
seen at (iunnersbury House. In 1862 Mr.
Hudson's father purchased a plant of La4ia pur-
ijurata, which has been in his son's charge ever
since. Last season it bore thirtj'-five flowers. It
has at the present time ten new growths, and fills
an 18-inch pan. There are also two fine examples
of Vanda tricolor that were procured on the same
day. These are from 0 feet to 7 feet in height,
and are clothed with foliage to the pots, truly
remarkable instances of the longevity of plants.
There are also several plants of Cypripedium
villosum that were purchased at the same time.
The whole three species do credit to Mr. Hudson's
care. — H. J. Cii.\r.M,\x.

Sophronitis violacea. — Many people have
found it difficult to get this species to succeed
for many j'ears together, but really it is not a
difficult plant if reasonable care be bestowed upon
it. Like all small-growinir kinds, rapid changes
in the atmosphere are very injurious to it. A dry
or draughty house, let the temperature be as suit-
able as it may, will never do for it. Fresh air in
abundance is good for it, and so is atmospheric
moisture, but the elements require proper
balancing, and the air should, if possible, be kept
moving without opening the \entilators too wide.
It likes a temiierature rather higher than that of
the Odontoglossum house, but the Cattleya house
is too warm. The foliage is tender aiul easily
damaged by direct sunlight. At the same time a
verj- heavy, dense shade must be avoided, even in
summer. It is the weakest grower in the genus,
the pseudo-bulbs only about 1 inch in length, the
narrow lea\ es being a little longer. The flowers
are soft rosy magenta in colour. It grows most
freely on soft jiieces of Tree Fern stems, or, fail-
ing these, rafts lightly dressed with Sphagnum
Moss or in very small pans. No resting season is
needed, the roots being kept gently moving as
long as possible and just moist when the growing
season is over. It is a native of the Organ Moun-
tains and Wivs introduced in 1838.

Dendrobium formosum giganteum. — This

is one of the finest of the white Dendroliiums and
flowers during the present season. A recent visit
to the gardens of Gunnersbury House revealed a

532

THE GARDEN.

[October 23, 1897,

remarkable example of the successful cultivation
of this lovely species. There were some fourteen
plants in all. One was grown in a 1'2-inch
basket. The longest bulb measured •2'2 inches and
carried ten fully expanded flowers, each measuring
44 inches across the petals by 2k inches broad.
There were some half-dozen other leading growths
on the plant, with equally fine flowers, making
altogether the total of thirty-five flowers. The
flowers on this particular plant varied consider-
ably from those of the other plants in the house,
in that the yellow down the centre of the li]i was
of a deep bright orange, instead of the usual
light lemon colour characteristic of this species.
Another plant had a bulb 2i) inches long and carried
ten flowers. The plants were imported early last
spring and placed in the baskets ; they were
then taken to the Fig house, where they were
suspended close to the glass, and where they were
fidly exposed to the full power of the sun.
Naturally under these conditions a highly humid
state of the atmosphere had been maintained
throughout their growing season, with plenty of
moisture at the roots. They are certainly the
finest examples of this Orchid it has been my
lot to see. — Hv. J. Cii.\i-man.

Chrysanthemums.

EAKLY-FLOWERING CHR YSAN THE-
MUMS AT CHISWIOK.

The trial of early-flowering Chrysanthemums
which is this year being conducted in the gar-
dens of the Koyal Horticultural Society at Chis-
wick will in all probability pi'ove one of the
most valuable of recent years. It is, indeed, not
possible to fully estimate its worth, for even
now, though the plants have been flowering for
weeks in succession, tlie interest they are
creating is <(uite remarkalile. All the plants
have been grown naturally, having no regard
to the fact that some are pompons or hybiids
of this set, and others — and these happily in a
large majority — of the Japanese decorative class.
Those having a special fondness for the late
summer flowers will welcome the news that,
even with the collapse of Dahlias and other
tender subjects from the eft'ects of the first
frosts, there is still some hope of keeping the
garden gay and beautiful for some weeks
longer. For, after all, their greatest use and
greatest value in the future must ever be as
garden plants, and such of these as are perfectly
hardy, vigorous, and fiee-tiowering will not be
wanting admirers. It is worthy of remark that
Mme. Castex Desgrange and its several sports
are not beaten to-day either for early flowering,
freedom, or vigour. During the last two decades
progress has been made, though somewhat
slowly. During the last five years some good
things have been brought to light, varieties,
moreover, that will be valued ffir their effective
colouring in the garden at this time. At page
312 of The Gakpen the varieties considered
worthy of the "three marks" are enumerated.
This, however, is by no means an inclusive list
of all that is good or useful for the embellish-
ment of the garden generally, and, in fact, some
striking things have in reality been passed over
— so far, at least, as this trial is concerned.

Having made several visits to the col-
lection at Chiswick, both before and after
the recent severe frosts, it is possible the
notes made on the spot may be of service to
those having less oppoitunity for in.specting
them, and while passing (jver without counnent
the ever-indisjiensable Mme. ('. Desgrange, G.
Wermig, and Sirs. Hawkins, I will briefly refer
to what appeared the most worthy, at the time
of my visit, from a garden or decorative stand-

point. The first visit of which I have note was
in the last days of September, when the plants
were extremely bright with the rich masses of
colour, in many instances huge sheaves of blos-
som appearing in perfection and as the result
of one short season's growth. In the white-
flowered kinds, Lady Fitzwygram, 2 feet high
and as much through, and Mrs. CuUingford,
nearly 2h feet, were excellent. Mytchett AVhite
is also a tine addition to the very eai-ly and
dwarf sorts, tliough its rusty leaves do not im-
prove its apjjearance. In yellow and orange
shades, very tine masses of colour are Orange
t'liild and Ivy Stark ; both, however, are
not wanted in one garden, so near do they
approach each other in effect. The two kinds
are about equal in height, i.e., 2A feet, and pro-
duce a mass of blossom at one time. The
former I regard as the finer of these two ex-
cellent kinds. Bronze Prince, asalmony bronze,
and Mme, Zephir Lionntt, a gold-bronze, are
both grand and free at 3 feet high, Vice-Presi-
dent Hardy and Ambi'oise Thomas, shades of
bronze, each distinct in itself, being excellent
and of similar heiglit. In shades of pink,
Mme. Louis Lionnet, Mile. Guindudeau, and
Baronne de Brialles are very tine, Strath-
meath, a lilac-pink, being very early, 20 inches
high, and of the hybrid pompon class. Mme.
Marie Masse, rose-mauve shade, is perhaps <jne
of the most exquisite and charming in the whole
of this lovely collection.

When the second visit was made, some days
after the severe frost, I was surprised to find a
large number little or none the worse, jirobably
Ijecause of the dryness existing at the time,
though the very earliest had passed their best,
while on < )ctober l(i the following were in
capital condition — indeed, making the only floral
display in the open garden worthy the name.
Gf these, (Grange Child and Mme. M. Masse,
which have been in bloom for at least three weeks,
were still good, and of course durability at such
a time is a great point. Of others, Chevalier
Ange de Bandcera, 2 feet, rose-magenta, was
charming ; Mme. F. de Cariel, a bronze-yellow,
2J feet high, was at its best, flower of medium
size and free : Ryecroft Glory, 3 feet high, was
only just ojjening, but a mass of buds ; Edith
( )wen, 3 feet high, has yellow flowers ; Mme.
(iajac, a rosy-lilac, 2j feet high, was a tine mass
of telling colour, and Mile. Guindudeau was
still in excellent conditicm. Crim.son (^'ueen and
Ruby Iving aii])ear identical, though only ju.st
opening ; the coloui' is very tine, the plants less
than 2 feet high, but it will need fine weather
to the end of ( )ctober to get even in southern
gardens the beauty of this, the richest kind I saw.
The free, compact habit is perfect.

These are the best to my mind from a free-
flowering standpoint, and such as would, care-
fully disposed, make a lasting and beautiful
display of warm, eflective C(4ouring in the gar-
den as late as this is possible each year, with
li'-tle or no staking or undue trouble. Many of
the kinds noted here, if hardy enough to winter
in the open garden — an all-important point —
should flower earlier another year. This would
bring some of the now later kinds into jierfec-
tion in the first week in October. E. J.

Chrysanthemum Klondyke, referred to in
last week's (Jarhex, is destined to become a very
popular market variety. Rlr. Norman Da\'is, the
raiser, says the habit and foliage ,<)re very similar
to those of Elaine, well known to all growers as a
tirst-class market sort. The flowers of the \'ai-iety
under notice are rich golden-yellow in colour with
neat recurving florets, and build up a b'ossom
of a useful size. For the decoration of large
vases this variety would be valuable, especially

if autumn tinted foliage be used in associatii
with the blooms. A good yellow of refined a
[leaianceis badly wanted during October.— C.

Chrysanthemum Edith Tabor.— The oii

fault of this lovely variety is its ungainly habi
this quite unfitting it for growing into a nicel
.shaped plant. I have tried several plants in
pot and cut them back hard, also single plants, ai
pinched them, but the result in both cases is tl
same— long shoots with leaves a long distaiK
apart. It appears to belong to the same race ;
the old Thunberg and one or two other yello\
with graceful flowers but bad habit. What
needed is a really prettily shaped and coloun
yellow with the habit and constitution of W. 1
Lincoln. — R.

Chrysanthemum Calvat's Boule d'Or.

This must not be confoiuided with the old kind
the same name. In the first place it is a mm
better grower, judging by plants I noted
flower to-day (October 8), and it is also earlii
The blooms" are large and handsome, of goi
build, and very distinct in colour. The lo«
florets droop a little ; the inner ones are nici
and not too stiffly incurved, and although tli
are pointed, are yet of good substance,
appears to be a fairly dwarf kind, as plants ve
little over a yard high were carrying fuU-siz
flowers. — H.

Chrysanthemum Francois Vuillermet.
This variety, introduoed in 1895, after a seco
season's trial in my own garden, I have every ci
fidence in recommending as a valuable sort 1
the hardy border. The natural break is usua
made when the plant attains a height of alic
10 inches and a regular sequence of branclii
continues until the terminal buds form. VI
mately the plant measures quite 3 feet throu;
and carries a profusion of blossoms each fn
2 inches to 3 inches in diameter. The fion
reflex prettily in the early stages of opening, tl
causing the rain to run off— a distinct advantu
with early sorts in the open. The height rar
exceeds i.j feet, and the colour of the flower n
be described as deep rose-pink. — D.

Chrysanthemums and frost.— We have ht

visited by several rather severe early frosts in t
neighbourhood, and I am told that one rati
large Chrysanthemum grower has liad ma
bloom buds frozen right through, and, of com
spoilt. In midland localities 1 find it unsafe
leave the jilants out unprotected after Octohei
but when the bloom is wanted for cutting and
late as possible it is not necessary, except wli
exti a large, numbers of plants are grown, to t:
them under glass to be drawn u|) beneath, |>
haps. Peach trees with green foliage on them,
rougli framework erected over and around I
plants, these being stood fairly close togetli
and a few coarse Hessian covers rolled over '
top, ordinary garden mats being hung up rou
the ends and sides, will keep 9-' or 10° of fn
away and preserve the plants, removing them
doors at the end of the month.— Notts.

Chrysanthemum Emily Silsbury.— T
is a very beautiful white variety, and one that
worthy of extended culture. In habit it is
that can be desired, and I have large, \yell-(Ii-'
loped blooms on plants less than a yard high. I
several seasons 1 ha\-e been trying to maki
selection of varieties that keep their foliage w
and that one m.ay pinch once or twice and yet;
good blooms. Treated in this wav, they ni:
plants useful in a variety of ways, but especiii
when, as in my case, there are large entrai
halls or reception rooms to furnish. The ki
mentioned is an excellent one for the purpose,
only fault being its earliness. The flowers liavi
tinge of rose at first, but this they lose \^
age, becoming pure white. The petals are ^
prettily twisted in the centre, broad, and of g'
substance. The build of the flower is gn
Many varieties fail to do well the second y< >
but this does finely. Last scas'in my plants «
small and stock rather short, so they were clivu
and potted up, and though the flowers are.

October 23, 1897.T

THE GARDEN

3:'.:^

te 80 good oil tliese as fiom the youiifj plants,
y aro ileciiledly useful for cuttinjj just now.

DCIETIES AND EXHIBITIONS.
MIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.

OlTollKK 12, 13, AM) 14.

E early autumn exhibition held at the I\oyaI

O'f,

.^uarium on October 12 and two following days
be regarded as in every way a sueeess.
OUgh there were only sixteen elasses, an excel-
exliibition was got together. With the
«;eption of a small portion of the ground floor
Bice, the whole of this large area was utilised
the display of the eut flowers and miseel-
leous exhiliits, the greater portion of the south-
^st gallery being used for the table decorations.
^e competition in the leading classes was in
tTyway satisfactory. In the principal classes

I cut flowers were in most instances of a high
cler of merit, the quality in the leading stands

ng generally characterised as distinctly good
1 ;h as regards form and size, while the colour in
sneof the flowers was quite remarkable so early
i the sejison. Hardy bonier Chrysanthemums
vrewell shown, in no small measure contribut-
i; to the success of the exhibition. Novelties
^re staged in goodly numbers, several promising
(ivers Deing among them, and of which more
\ 1 probablj' be heard later. Some excellent
I rket varieties were seen in the exhibits of the
sicialists, good colour, pretty form, and free-
fvering properties genei'ally distinguishing
t'm. Hardy fruits were freely staged, vege-
t)les, too, oeing well shown. Hardy flowers
ire also represented in fairly good condition,
tis assisting to make a very interesting and
jijising display.

Plants.

,:"or a group of Chrysanthemums and Mne-
fiaged plants arranged for effect there were
tree competitors, the leading position being
aured by Mr. Norman Davis, The Vineries,
hmfield, Sussex, witli a nicely-arranged group
qjold and handsome flowers on plants, retaining
tsir foliage very v\ell. The blooms gave e\idence
<Jhigh culture, and included several of the best
c the leading novelties. Conspicuous among
tim were George Seward, Emily Silsbury, John
Iville, Simplicity (pure w'hite) and Elthorne
liuty (a large deeji flower of bright rose, with a
Ei'cry reverse |. The group was edged with
t art plants of pompon and decorative sorts, re-
l.'ed Dya margin of Maiden-hair Ferns, a few
le plants of Cocos W'eddelliana, Crotons and
'icienas being efJ'eetivelj- used. The second
I ze was secured by Mr. \V. Howe (gardener to
1. Henry Tate, Park Hill, Streatham Common)
i;h a very handsome group, with which some
f;-foliaged plants were pleasingly associated.
'iis group was backed by some useful pieces of
1 mboos.

Ci'T Flowi-;ks.

The principal class for cut flowers was for
tmty-four blooms of Japanese in not less than
e hteen varieties and not more than two blooms
ca variety. This was well contested, no less
t n seven entries being forthcoming. The lead-
i position was ultimately given to Mr. C. Pen-
ti (gardener to SirF. Fitzwygram, Leigh Park,
I vant), whose front and back rows were
'■'ly even, the middle row of flowers rather
viK. The best blooms in this exhibit were
Iiuty of Teignmouth (a variety synonymous
V h Pride of Madford), Ph.ebus, Mrs. C. H. Payne
(I ge and coarse), Modesto, Edith Tabor, Surprise,
r ne d'Angleterre, rather coarse ; Mme. (nistave
I" iry, a useful October white sort : Emily Sils-
by. Mutual Friend, and M. Chtnon de Lfche.
li second prize was won by Mr. .James Agate,
nseryman, Havant, for a much more even lot of
fl 'era, the quality being generally considered
bier than that in the premier stand. Mrs. J.
J*is, large white : Milano, rich bronze and

cherry carmine ; Australie, Dorothy Seward, M
Chenon de Lteh^, E. Molyncux, and I'hilipne
Ri\oire, a grand new ])uru white llowcr, were the
best. There were six comprtitoi-s in the class for
twelve blooms .Japanese ilislinel, the tirst prize
l>eing won by Mr. F. U. Foster, Brockhani|iton
Nurseries, Hants, the quality in this instance
being rather poor. His liest flowers were Eilith
Tabor, Iv Molyneux and I'hubus, the latter one
of the most useful October yellows. Second
honours fell to Mr. 1\. .lones, gardener to Mr.
C. A. Smith-Rylands, Harford Hill, W'aiwick,
with a s|ilendid lot of flowers, .John Aplin, long
pointe<l florets, colour creamy-white, with a
yellow i.sh centre, Mme. Edoiiard Rey and Mutual
'Friend calling for special notice. Pompons were
very poorly represented, Mr. Eric F. Such,
nurseryman. Maidenhead, securing first prize in
each instance for twelve bunches, not less than
six \ arieties, and three in a bunch, and six bunches
distinct with the same number of flowers in each
bunch. A far prettier exhibit of these pompons
would he obtained if larger bunches were asked for,
the |jresent number appearing somewhat insigni-
lieant. In the amateurs" A di\ ision for twelve
blooms Japanese distinct there were only two
entries, the first place being taken with an in-
teresting lot of flowers from Mr. R. (Jladwell,
gardener to Mr. Sydney Smith, The (Jardens,
Wernden Hill, South Norwood. Oceana, Mile.
Theiese Rey, Mutual Friend, and Perle Dauphin-
oi.se, a golden-yellow, previously shown as an in-
curved varietj-, were among his best blooms. Mr.
.J. Knapp, gardener to Mr. F. W. Amsden, 22
Chichester Road, Croy<lon, was second. Mr
Gladwell was again first for six Japanese distinct
with exceptionally fine ilowers of E. Molyneux,
Phiebus, and a fairly good flower of G. C- Scliv^'abe.
Second prize went to Mr. \\'. Perrin, gardener to
Jlr. C. W. Richardson, Sawbridgeworth, Herts,
Boule d"Or (Calvat) and M. Pankoucke deserving
recognition. For similar elasses in amateui's' H
division, Mr. Martin Silsbury, Providence, Shank-
lin. Isle of Wight, and Mr. H. Love, 1, Melville
Terrace, Sandown, Isle of Wight, were placed fii'St
and second respectively, the latter exhibitor show-
ing a rich reddish-bronze flower cut from the
variety Matthew Hodgson, and which looks very
much like a sport from that excellent sort.
Table DEf'OK.\TioNs, &c.
The chief class in this section was one for a
table of bouquets, wreaths, sprays, button-holes,
&c., to illustrate the decorative value of the
Chrysanthemum. There were two competitors,
the'highest honours falling to Miss Nellie Erie-
bach, " Chards," the Florist, Stoke Newington.
Numerous devices were well illustrated, including
four handsome bouquets, a grand lyre, anchor,
and an enormous vase in the centre of the table,
finishing ofl' with sprays, button-holes, and hand-
baskets. Yellow, orange, and crimson flowers
were mostly used. Mr. E. F. Such was a some-
what poor second. There was a sjilendid compe-
tition in the open class for three epergnes suitable
for table decoration. The premier jirize was \\on
by Mr. D. B. Crane, 4, Woodview Terrace, Arch-
way Road, Highgate, N. , who had three elegant
arrangements. The centre epcrgne, a new de-
sign of his own, and a portable one, was very
light and pleasing, flowers of bright crimson,
bronze, orange, and yellow colours being asso-
ciated with Ampelopsis Veitchi, Scarlet Oak,
Bracken, and other foliage having autumnal
tints, and Maiden-hair Fern, Croton foUage, an<l
Asparagus. Second prize was awarded to iliss
C. B. Cole, The Vineyard, Feltham, Middlesex,
also with a [iretty trio of epergnes, each lightly
arranged with fresh and clean blooms of good
colour and daintily finished. For two large vases,
each to contain twelve blooms of large flowering
\ arieties, there were five competitors. Each ex-
hibitor used Japanese blooms exclusively, and the\'
mafle a bold and noble display. Foliage, &c., was
allowed for their embellishment. First prize was
secured by Mr. J. Brookes, gardener to Mr. W. T.
Newman," Totteridge Park, Tolteridge, with a
pair of even vases carefully and tastefully set up.
The blooms were of high ((uality and foliage was

pleasingly associated. Mr. Norman Davis was a
good second, and had he spent more time in set-
ting up his flowers, the chances arc the result
wciulil have been reversed. This is a class that
might with advantage be extended. The remain-
ing class was one for a vase of Chrysanthemums
suitable for table deeoialion, vase not to exceed
IS inches in height. There were five competitors
in this. First ))lace was given to Mr. T. TuUett,
gardener to ilr. G. Alexander, Warley Lodge,
Brentwood. This was rather a formal arrange-
nient, with a gieat mi.ving of the colours and con-
secpient lack of Ijcauty. Mr. (^rane was second,
using white and bright crim.son Ilowers, with su
able foliage and grasses.

MiSrELLANEOrs ExilMlITS.

These at the early shows usually make a fine
display, and on this occasion were no exception
to the rule. The gold meilal of the society was
awarded to Mr. W. \\'clls, Earlswood Nurseries,
I-iedhill, for a very good disjilay of Ilowers.
The exhibit was arranged in the form of a
large circular group, with a twelve-board of
exhibition Japanese blooms arranged at four
points, equidistant. The colours of the blossoms
and their finish were all that could be wished for.
The flowers of M. Hoste, Pride of Madford, M.
Chenon de L^cht^, and other novelties were excel-
lent. Mr. W. J. Godfre}', Exmouth, Devon, had^
his flowers arranged on t\\"elve boards liesides two
dozen bunches of Carnations. The Chrysanthe-'
mums were very good for so early in the season.
Vicomtesse Roger de Chezelles, Baronne A. de'
Rothschild, Mme. Philippe Rivoire, W. Prince,
Mrs. Laycock, C. B. Haywood, and other new and
]iromising sorts were good. This exhibit Well
deserved the silver-gilt medal awarded to it. Mr. '
If. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham, S.E.,
had a very large table of Chrysanthemums in
huge oriental vases, with fifty bunches hardy
border sorts and seventy-two bunches zonal
Pelargoniums, all set oft' with Ferns and other
fine-foliaged plants. A silver medal seemed a
scant recognition of this display, ilv. Norman
Davis staged a nice collection of Chrysanthe-
mums, including a grand market variety named
Klondyke, a rich golden-yellow Japanese of good
form with recurving florets. The growth is very'
similar to that of die well-known Elaine. Mr.
E. F. Such also had a nice table of hardy border
Chry.santhemums, including capital bunches of
Roi des Precoces, Mme. Ze])liir Lionnet, and
Coral Queen. Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons jmt
up a nice group of Caniuis, including most of the
best sorts, and in addition a fine lot of their nevi'
yellow Chrysanthemum Soleil d'Oetolire, Milano,
and others. A pretty little limljriated pompon,
(lolden (iem, was much admired. For these to-
gether with'a very line collection of vegetables, a
silver-gilt medal v\as awarded. Messrs. J. I^aing
and Sons received a similar award for a collection
of hardy plants and a grand collection of Ajiples-
and Pears. The Icthemic (iuano Comjiany again
decorated the southern fountain and received a
similar award. Messrs. Spooner and Sons, Houns-
low, and Mr. H. Berwick, Sidmouth Nurseries,.
Sidmouth, Devon, for Ap|)les and Pears, &c.,
each received an award of a silver-gilt medal r
silver medals falling to the lot of Messrs. John
Peed and Sons, West Norwood, for Apples and
Pears, and Mr. T. \\'are. Hale Farm Nurseries,
Tottenham, for Asters and other hardy flowers.

In other years the Dahlias have very materially
assisted to make a bright displaj', l)Ut probalily,
owing to recent severe fiosts, these were not in
evidence, but this misfortune was amply com-
pensated for by the interesting and fine display^
the miscellaneous exhibits maile.

A meeting of the floral committee of this society
was held on Tuesday last at the Ro3al .Aquarium,
Mr. T. Bevan in the chair. Some very good
flowers were staged, and first-class certificates
were awarded to the following : —

Chkvsa.nthemim M. Geo. Bur.iNT.- .\n im-
mense Japanese with great length of floret, colour
pale rosy purple, darker towards the tips, centre
white. Shown by Messrs. Pearson and Sons.

334

THE GARBED

[October 23, 1897.

CuRYSANTIIEMrM ViCOMTE ROGEK DE ChE-

ZELLES. — Very large Japanese; centre florets in-
curving at the tips, golden yellow, shaded bronze,
reverse silvery yellow. From Mr. W. J. (Jodfrey.

CiiRvs.iSTHEMUM A.MBROisE Thomas. — A deco-
rative Japanese ; deep reddish crimson, pointed
thin florets. From Mr. W. Wells.

A variety called Soleil d'Octobre, a compact,
large Japanese of a pretty shade of pale yellow,
was commended. Mrae. Philippe Rivoire and
Mrs. Barcla}' were also promising.

Royal Horticultural Society. — We learn
that Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to
confer the Diamond Jubile medal upon Sir
Trevor Lawrence, Bart., President of the Royal
Horticultui-al Society, Her Majesty being
herself patron of the Society. The next meet-
ing of the committees will be held on Tues-
day, October 2(i, at the Drill Hall. At 1.30
punctually the president and council entertain a*
luncheon the si.xty recipients of the Victoria
Medal of Honour. The lecture announced for the
■26th will be postponed, and instead tliereof, at
3 o'clock the sixty medals will be distributed to
the recipients by the jjresident in the Drill Hall.

The dates fixed for next yeai'"s meetings

are as follows: 1898, January 11, February 8,
March 8 and 22, April 12 and 26, May 10 ; Temple
show. May 2.5, 20, 27, June 14 and 28, .July 12
and 26, August 0 and 23, September 0 and 20 ;
Fruit show, Crystal Palace, September 29, .30, and
October 1,11 and 25, November 8 and 22, Decem-
ber 13. Any gentleman willing to deliver a lec-
ture on any of these dates would greatl}' oblige
by communicating at once with tlie Secretary,
117. Victoria Street, S.W.

Notes of the Week.

Hollyhocks.— It is pleasing to rote the tall
spikes of these showy plants quite uninjured by the
severe frost recently, and tliougli tlie tlovve".s are hy
no means so numerous as in the heyday of their
beauty, yet the few that remain are welcome for
their hrightaes^ now so many of the showy plants
are cut down.

Tufted Pansy Bullion.— Among the many
Tufted Pansies that we have, this one may he said to
be always in flower. Week after week and month
after month the p'ants continue to giro an ever-
increasing sup jly of golden-yellow flowers, and even
now the glossy little tufts are rich in colour and still
contain as many buds as do many kinds in the height
of their flowering seasi n.

Chrysanthemum Eyecroft Glory.— Though
one of the most free among yellow-floivered kinds, the
above is not early enough for outside use, which, from
this point of view, lessens its value. Could it be
induced to open its flowers so as to be at its best at
the end of September, it would prove of considerable
value in the open. A day or two since, however, this
variety was only opening the earliest flowers.

Chryeanthemum Mm'. M. Masse. For
producing masse3 of ^tiluur from the middle of Sep-
tember to the present time thi.s lovely kind surpasses
all else. Apirt from the rich store of blossom, the
vaiiety a^so possesses great lasting properties, which,
as a garden floBcr at this timo, cannot well be over-
estimated. The flowers a-e of a rcse-mauvc .-jhade
with silvery nnrgin, the h^ad, of blossoms being
borne on well-dispn,si d branchei", which are not more
than 21 feet hi^h at the most.

The Choke Berry (Pjtus arbutifolia). — I send
a few s[)rays of this to show how fine it is, large
breadths of it in damp sMl, in which it runs
about freely, are most brilliant. It is most at
home near the waterside. — T. Smith, Xeirri/.

*j,* The leaves on the shoots of this are of an
intense scarlet hue. It is one of the most valu-
able of the many shrubs that take on a rich
colour in autumn, and like many of these, it is a
native of North America.— Ed.

Rudbeckia subtomentosa.— Late as is the
season now, it is pleasant to see how bright is
this pretty Coneflower. It is known I believe as
the " Hay-scented Coneflower," and the plant
appears to possess in some degree the odour of

new-mown hay. It grows about 3 feet high in the
light soil here, and is usually much admired, the
dull grey-green of its leaves looking well among
other plants when surmounted by its yellow
flowers with dark centres. Like the others of the
genus it is a native of North America. — S.
Arnott, Cn>-iilhr»-)i, DiimJ'rien, ]f./l.

Aster Ariadne is pi-obably one of the finest
of the Novi-Belgii group. It is for small borders
perhaps a trifle tall, as in good soil it attains to
oh feet or thereabouts. But the pleasing and
graceful habit, which is not at all dense, is suffi-
ciently strong that no staking is needed, and the
result, when planted with a free hand, is charm-
ing. The flowers are large and of a pleasing dark
blue shade. It is among the finest in the Royal
Gardens at Kew, where a lovely group 10 feet
across may be seen in perfection.

Campanula Hendersoni Tymonsi.— In the
flowers individually there is a good deal of C.
Hendersoni, apparently one of its parents. In other
respects the plant differs considerably, being taller
and producing an almost pyramidal panicle of
blossoms. The woolly and distinct foliage par-
takes somewhat of the downy character of that
of C. sarmatica, though the leaf character is
distinct even from this. But whatever its paren-
tage it is certainly a most useful and beautiful
plant, and after producing its cjuota of summer
flowers on stems some 18 inches high or more, the
plant is now bearing quite a number of flower
spikes at this season, when most Campanulas are
practically at rest. The plant is evidently a
better grower than Hendersoni in many instances.

— E. j:

Early-flowering Chrysanthemums Now

that the dull October days are with us and the
beauty of the garden is on the wane, it is pleasing
to turn to the early-flowering Chrysanthemums
now in their full beauty in the open. After the
severe frosts of the past few days which have
cut down all the Dahlias, the early-flowering Chry-
santhemums are still uninjured and continue to
open freely. In order to see these at their best, let
them grow naturally with no disbudding. In this
way huge bunches containing five and six lilooms
may be had for the decoration of the house.
Another valuable characteristic of these earlj'-
flowering varieties is their lasting properties when
cut. Messrs. Dobbie send us from their seed
grounds at Rothesaj' a great number of varieties
in splendid condition.

Naming hardy plants. — Much as this is to
be desired when rightly applied, it is, on the
other hand, to be deplored when names are given
to varieties that do not possess as much merit as
the species from which they came. There is this
tendency at the present time in multiplying an
already numerous family, viz., the Starworts,
and in more than one direction. Last week we
noted it at the Drill Hall, where a variety, to all
intents and purposes identical with A. N.-B.
la?vigatus, had received a distinct name. Singu-
larly enough, the attempts appear more generally
with the Novi-Belgii section, or the Italian kind,
A. Amellus ; the former very numerous and the
latter difficult to equal, much less surpass. But
bearing seed freely is a possible temptation to
some, and the true Aster Amellus and A. A.
bessarabicus are so good in themselves that it
seems a pit}' to attempt to circulate more or less
inferior forms, while the best may be had in etiual
quantity from cuttings or division. — E. J.

Pyrethrum uliginosum. — This plant has
been more than usually gay this year, tlie great
masses of pure white bloom at 6 feet high being
seen at a great distance. It is occasionallj' re-
ferred to as being too tall, and stopping the
shoots is recommended. Those who want to
make a dwarf plant of this should let it grow
naturally till early in June, and then cut it down
to within 9 inches of the soil. When this is done
the jflant flowers at less than 3 feet high, and
with perhaps only three days' difl'erence in the
opening of the blooms. Too frequently, in place
of this cutting down, the points of the shoots are

ever, only producing a greater number Oi smallti-
flowers. By cutting the plants down, severa'
shoots quickly appear on each stem, ani if halt
of these are removed at once, the result will be a
fine mass of pure white at nearly 3 feet high. In
this way the plant may be usei evtn in quiff
small gardens, from which it is new excludel
owing to its great height.

Obituary.

I\IR. W. A. STILES.

We have to record with much regret the deatl
of Mr. W. A. Stiles, the editor of Garden an.
Forest. The esteem of his fellows is fully showi
in the notices of his death in the New Yorli
papers, among them the following in the Evenini,
Post:—

The death of Mr. William A. Stiles, the Pari
Commissioner, is a distinct loss to the city. Hi
was one of those rare men in official life upoi
whom you could always depend for wise and jus
action. During the brief time that he was in tli'
Park Board he made his influence felt in al
directions of park control and development. H
was an enthusiastic student of the work which li
had in charge, and, in spite of constant ill-healtl
he was untiring in his efforts to bring about goo
results and thwart all others. Nobody who h.'
not kept close track of park matters in this cif
knows how incessant and insidious are the eflbri
of the vicious and the ignorant to despoil and di
face the parks in one way or another. A par
commissioner who has both the expert knowledi
and the disposition to fight these attempt
successfully is a very rare possession, and his lo:
leaves a vacancy which it is difficult to fill.

He was selected as editor of Garden ai
Forest when it started, and very ably occupic
the post. He was a graduate of Yale Colley
and the Rev. J. H. Twitchell writes of li
classmate : —

During all the years since his graduation t!
presence of no man at Yale gatherings has bei
more desired or more welcome. To the friends
his youth, his classmates in particular, his memo
is dear, and he was distinguished among them f
his shining and various talents. He was at tl
same time a sprightly, merry soul, overflowii
with wit and humour, the very genius of goo
fellowship. He was sensitive, sympathetic, at
true-hearted, and drew to himself a rare quali
of affection, which more intimate acquaintan
with him never failed to deepen. Woreovt
e\ eryone who knew him well soon discovered tli
underneath his vivacity were a thoughtful rail
and temper of moral earnestness, by which respe
was added to aflfection. Tlie world held no mo
delightsome, choice, and beloved spirit ; noi
that leaves a sweeter memory.

When wanting a rest through illness two yea
ago he made a very short visit to England-
flying visit it was, but sufficient to impress
with his sympathethic and bright nature,
was in the time of wild Rose bloom, and as \
rambled among them together his pleasure
being among our English wild Roses wasgi"
to see. He will be mucli mi.s.sed.

Names of fruit.— J. B.— Apple Colonel Vaugln

syn., Kentish Pippin.- •Dmiffr.— Apples ;1, '

recognised; 2. Tyler's Kernel; 3, Warner's King;
Tom Putt. Pears : 5, Brown Beurre ; 6, Beu
Eance.

Names of plants.— -4. Killey.—\, specimen t
poor ; may be Aster hvvis floribniidus; 2, A. aiilu.-,
hoiizontabs; 3, A. acris ; .*, A. mulliflorus.
M. S. P.— 1, Osmantbus aciuifolium ; 2, Ilex opa;

3, Carvopteris mastacontlius. TT. C.—l, '''

orientaiis; 2, Thuja occldentalis ; 3, Phillyrfii (
moriniana ; 4, Cupressus Ijawsoiiiana ; 5, Retinosiw

pisifera ; C, Andromeda floribunda. SheillteM.

Aster ericoides. Eustace F. Clarke.— I, AlOD/

ncisifoUa ; 2, Alonzoa albiflora ; 3, Achillea ptarnin

ol tnis cutting aown, tne points ui uiie mjouls aio jncisiroua ; ^,.:viouauit aiuiiiuia.;_ ■
removed as in the Chrysanthemum, this, how- U, Cypripedium insigne Chantini.

THE GARDEN.

1354— Vol. LII ]

[OCTOBER 30, 1897.

O-cMs:—

I li»l>mt;l .. ..
'ilinin :ilii;iti(liiin
!<itnn :il)>iiiii
hiiiin l)JKil>l>niu
iniiii i>iirmu ..
Ill atri'imriiurcji. .
.tiiJitim nunt^uiii
unJitim clivaritiitinii
' 'II limn Ki>rbesi ..

riopsitis, lliitcs nil

I t;iliiiii O.'iutieri ..
and Greenhouse:

- iir.iUc'l on lilio.Ui-

oiia

rarly jiut

■ i;i iTiicnta

- i^Tieus

i u.i;i Dr. Shaw

i*\i ia siibcordata grandi-

fk

Ga iiias, propapiting
Lit'|-naUas in uutnmn and

^ tor

Mcadowhanksi ..
■iiini e;ui;iriense
iliiiii sptcivKsiim

lislluulleti

I'Icuiiens grandiflora

r :—

Liift aniploxicaulis ..

imlft isophylla and

L \ olviilus Siibatius

Caitmula jxitula

335
330
330
330
330
835
335
330
335
33G

836
337
337
337
337

33S
333

337
338
33S
337
3a8
337

Ciuina Paul Bert 341

Carnations, liarUincss of .. 841

Craze, the mixing 339

Crocus siKJt'iosus 841

Dahlia Mont Blan; .. .. 3^1

Dahlias, new 339

Daisies, Al iehuelnias, some

liito 33S

Flower garden notes .. .. 810

Gynerium argcutuum .. ,. 3-11

HemerociiUis minor . . . . 33S

Knipholia nobilis SU

Ligiilaria macrophylla . . . 339
Ligularia macrophijUa at

Exeter 339

Liliiun candiduni varlegutuni 330

PfBony, the yellow-rtowered 340

Snowflakc, the autumn . . 839

Kitchen :—

Broccoli Michaelmas Wliito . 342

Cabbage sprouts 311

Cucumber The Rochford for

market 342

Tomatoes, open-air ., ,. 842

TomatoeSj outdoor .. .. 341

Tomatois, outdoor 34s

Garden Flora:-

r>abtfcia polifolia 344

Ucath, the Irish 344

Week's Work :—

Frviit houses, work in .. .. 345

Kitchen garden, -work in the 345

{Illustrations in Italics.)
Chrysanthemums :—

Clirysalilhcimim Buff Glube 317

CliryMiutht'liuiin Lady Han-
ham 317

Chrvsanthuminn Liidy Hur-
ley 347

Chrysanthemum Leocadic
Gentil8 347

Chrysanthemum Mme. Ed.
Roger .. .. .. ..347

Clirysanthemiim Mme. I^a
Cnnitcsso Fuuchier do
Cariel .. 3)7

Chrys.inthcmum Mrs. Geo,
HUl 347

Chrysanthemum Mrs. Haw-
kins 3(7

Chrysanthemum Notairo
Groz 30

Chrysanthemum Philippe
Rivoire 317

Chrysanthemum Soleil d'Oc-
tobre 347

Chrj'santhemum White Swan 347

Chrysanthemum Yellow Gem 347

Chrysanthemum leaves, fmi-
gus on 347

( lu-ysanthcmunis at Chelsea 346

Chrysanthemums, October . 346

Orchard and Fruit :—

Apple Allington Pippin .. 340

Apple Autumn Peanuain .. 349

Apple Gravensteln . . . . 349

Apple Lemon Pippin .. .. 348

Jliji/f Umon Pippin .. ., Sis

Ajiple Red Hawthornden ,, 349

Apple White Nonpareil .. 349

Ai)ple3 on iron soils .. ,. 349

Ajirieot trees, lifting roots of 3)7

Pear Duchessc de IJordeaux 349

Pear Durondeau 349

P'Mi' roiuhinti il'Autoianc .. 84S

Pear Cinscl's llergamot .. 349

Pear Magnate 318

Pear Thompson's ... .. ,. :!49

Pe.ai's, good autunui .. .. 8 IS

Plums, Japanese 349

Ferns :—

^\phroti:pis exaltatti, as a

ltask\t plant 3D0

Ncphrolepiscs 850

Societies :—

Royal Horticultural .

Notes of the UTeek:—

Anicltia echiiiides

Begonia (iloire de Lorraine
Begonia gracilis Martiana . .
Carnation 5Ime. d'Allwrtina
Chrysanthemum Amos Perry
Chrj'santhemvun Crimson

Queen

Chrysanthemiim Modesto ..
Chr.vsanthemuiu Nellie

Brown

S.M

Chrysanthemum Queen of

the Earlies 3 j3

Crinums, hardy 3.58

Delphiniums in autumn .. 8.')3

Dublin, a note from ., .. 3.' 3

Helcnium nudiflorum .. ., 3.^3

Helianthus orgyalis . . . . 3.' 3

Hcterocentron roseum . . . . 3.' 3

Ixora macrothyrsa .. .. S.'J3

Lithospermum tinctorium . 153

Nerine crisi>a .. .. .. 3f8

Nerine flexuosa excellens .. S.^

Serines, hybrid £5

Phyllocaetus anguligcr .. ;'•'>'

Hose Enchantress 3.' 3

Rose La France £0a

Rose Souvenir do la Mal-

maison .... . . 3.'iS

Violet Princess of Wales . . S-OS

Weybridge, flowers from .. S^jI

Obituary :—

Baillie, Mr. E. J .^',4

Da vies, Mr. Isaac £54

Public Gardens:—

Cliiirchvaril Bottom Wood,
Higligate

Hlscellaneous :—

Baden-Baden, notes from ..
Foliage, the use of autumn-
tinted

Str.awberries, notes on -

354

346
342

353 ' Weather, the, in West Herts 354

Orchids.

I NOTES ON PHAL.ENOPSIDS.

FEwOrcliicls liiive puzzled cultivators more iii

'" instances, while in others their culture

\ery simple. In the same place and

I'j same grower one plant grows well and

I fails to do so, while in some houses
iitly well suited to them and where other

- from the same country thrive the Moth
^ refuse to grow. The reason is not far

. but it is very difhcult to give any

ns that will enalile amateurs to grow

atisfactorily. So little stands between

• and failure, that everyone must to a

extent experiment for liimself, and

ho most suitable place for the plant is

leave it there, and endeavour by careful

■n to small cultural details to keep it in

Phala'no[)sids are naturally very freo-

- |ilaiits, as seen by the disposition of the
" run in long straight lines rather than
' about the side of a basket, and this

' ss accounts for a great many fail-

It needs no great stretch of imagination
ire a plant ii4 its native home pushing
I'T yards in length u]) or down a tree
11(1 the foraging capabilities of such roots
■•' very greatly in excess of any that can
V be produced under cultivation. Some
,v, fasten tlie plants to long poles, and
- been tried, but the diflerence between
tree and a pole is much the same as

II the climate of the habitat and that of
' liid houses. This being the case, it is
-ly impos.sible to follow Nature with re-
' the rooting medium, and although it
ii first sight bad practice, I am of opinion
■ eh better, instead of using long cylindri-

fts, and so encouraging the long roots,
"■e them, on the other hand, to ramify
li as possible by presenting a rough,

surface to them. This is most easily
il by using pots or baskets of ordinary
ilniost tilling the.se with rough crocks and

charcoal and allowing a thin layer only of clean
Sphagnum Moss. The size of these receptacles
will, of course, vary with that of the individual
[dants and also the diH'erent species, for no one
would think of treating the vigorous P. Schiller-
iana or P. amabilis on similar lines to P.
Lowi. Atmospheric moisture is very neces-
sary to the cultivation of Phahenopsids ;
not only must it be plentiful during the grow-
ing season, but it must be used to soften the
dry atmosphere in winter caused by the sharp
application of tire-heat required to keep up the
temperature. Ventilation, fire-heat and mois-
ture must, in fact, go hand in hand, so to speak.
A house kept close and moist is quite as unsuit-
able to these Orchids as one kept draughty and
cold. When it becomes necessary to use fire-
heat, keep a little air on as well and damp
freely so as to cause a nice evenly-balanced
temperature. In late jiutumn, especially when
every bright day is anxiously looked for by
careful cultivator.s, the sunlight may be made
the most of by these means, not l)y shutting the
house up close, as some advise. A few- degrees of
warmth are of course saved by the latter proceed-
ing, but it is at the expense tjf the consolidating
influence of the sun's rays, and this is a very im-
portant consideration. The leaves by this time
will be getting fairly hard, and no shading will
be required if this has been systematically
reduced. From the end of August onwards a
gradual diminution is required, while after the
first bright days in March it will not be safe to
leave the blinds up entirely. When growth re-
commences the conditif)n of the foliage is soft
and tender, and it is just then that the most
shading is required. During the heat of sum-
mer the blinds mu.st be kei>t olf the roof as long
as pos.sible in the morning, tlie foliage meanwhile
having been kept cool and dry by early morn-
ing ventilation ; then by taking oft' a certain
amount of the air and lowering tlie blinds, a calm,
moist state of the atmosphere is easily main-
tained without an approach to .stuftine.ss. Vi'ater-
ing at the root needs care and judgment. Few
Orchids like more moisture when root action is

really brisk, but they are easily injured by
over-watering when at rest. All the year round
a certain amount must be given, but with a cold
wind perhaps blowing out.side and a rather
lower temperature in early morning than is de-
sirable, one always feels easier if the roots are a
little i:)n the dry side. The details must, as
mentioned above, be lai'gely left to the indi-
vidual grower, and will vary according to cir-
cumstances, such as the position of the house and
its aspect, but it is well to keep in mind the few
more cardinal points above noted. R.

Oncidium divaricatum. — This is a pretty
species when well grown, the long branching
scapes having a light, elegant appearance, al-
though the blossoms arc small individually. It
has clear j-ellow flowers, these being spotted
about the base of each segment ■with bright
crimson. It requires a good long season of
growth, and after this a decided period of rest,
and during the latter the roots may with advan-
tage be kept well on the dry side. During sum
mer a full sujiply of moisture is necessary, and for
this reason a rough open compost must he allowed.

Oncidium aurosum. — Flowers of this species
come from a corresjiondent for a name. It is one
of the long-branching flowei'ed kinds having
pseudo-bulbs about 4 inches high, bright green
Iea\'es, and blossoms of a bright golden ye'low',
lightl}' spotted with reddish brown. It is a
native of Peru and (iuatemala. It is not a dith-
cult plant to grow, and thrives in a cool, light
house. The compost may consist chiefly of peat
and Moss, with plenty of crocks and charcoal
added. Pot in medium-sized pots, and give
plenty of water at the roots during the growing
season and abundance of air all the year round.

Cypripedium amandum. — This is a pretty
hybi'id of the easiest culture, and c]uite as hardy
and free as the good old I', insigne or C. venus-
tum, from which it was raised. Plants here have
been growing in a greenhouse all the season with
the usual occupants of such structures and no
special care, and tbey are now flowering finely.
The foliage is more like that of C. insigne, but
with a few dark mai'kings. The flowers are of
medium size, the dorsal sepal light green, with

336

THE GARDEK

[October 30, 189''

deeper stripes and large spots, the pouch prettily
venated, not unlike that of C. venustum. It first
flowered with and \ias raised by Mr. Bowring, of
Windsor.

Epidendrum purum. — Although not a
showy plant, this has many good points, not the
least of these being its delicious fran;rance and
long-lasting qualities. The habit of the plant is
tufted, the stems rising about a foot high, and
from the top of these occur the branching racemes
of pale yellow blossoms. The plant is not difficult
to grow, thriving and flowering freely at the cool
end of the Cattlej'a house. It should lie potted in
rough peat and Moss over good drainage, and
requires plenty of moisture. It is a native of
Colombia, and was first introduced in 1844.

Dendrobium album. — The blossoms of this
species are not exactly pure white, but some of
them have very little colour in them. They are
usually of a creamy tinge, the centre of the lip
being yellow and produced towards the end of
the growths in racemes of "two or three. The
stems grow horizontally or pendent, not unlike
those of D. chrysanthum in appearance, and, like
this species, it may be grown in a warm, moist
house not far from the roof-glass. Fairly large
wooden baskets and a rough open compost suit it
well. 1). album is a native of the Nilghiri Hills.

Zygopetalum Gautieri. — This handsome
species is now blooming freely, the fine showy
blossoms showing well upon the dee)) green
foliage. In habit it differs from Z. maxillare and
similar kinds, being almost intermediate between
these and Z. jlackayi, but the lilossomsare among
the showiest in the genus. The sepals and
petals are }»ellowish-green with heavy chocolate
markings, the lip varjdng in colour, but usually
of a bluish-[)urple, fading to white. Like the
species noted above, Z. (iautieri likes a piece of
Tree Fern stem, and, failing this, a basket made
wide rather than deep, and a thin compost. It
does well in the Cattleya house and is a native of
Brazil, wlience it was introduced in IStiS.

CATTLEYA LABIATA.

The earlier blossoms of this species are now in
perfection, ar.d each season its splendid constitu-
tion and free-flowering characteristics are more
apparent. As is well known, the flowers are
among the best, both for size and colour, and this,
combined with the fact of their filling up a break
of a couple of months at least, which before its
re-introduction were not remarkable for wealth of
bloom on Cattleyas, makes it a favourite plant
everywhere. The latter point is in fact a great
recommendation, for though there are kinds
blooming between C. Gaskelliana and the earliest
forms of C. Trianaj and C. Percivaliana, these are
by no means remarkable for their free-flowering
((ualities. It comes nearest the former useful
kind in habit and general characteristics, but a
noticeable point is the double sheath, though this
is not always present. In colour the flowers range
o\-er a great variety of tints, from the lovely
albino form to others of a very deep rose on the
outer segments. Its culture presents no special
difficulty, and anyone who is successful with the
C. Mossia? or C. Mendeli groups may with
every confidence take up its culture. It is
a fairly vigorous rooting plant, and well-
established specimens should be given fairly large
pots, though for the first year or two the rooting
medium need only be thin. Good peat and Moss
in equal proportions and plenty of rough nodules
of charcoal will grow it perfectly provided the
drainage is in good order and the plants are care-
fully watered. During the time growth is most
active a light sprinkling with tepid water from
the syringe does good on very hot days, but dur-
ing dull weather and while the leaf is issuing it
must be discontinued, otherwise it is apt to
collect in the cup that is formed thereby and to
damage the plant by damping. C. labiata is a
species that keeps well to its annual routine of
growth and rest, and possibly this in a measure
accounts for itssatisfactory condition in collections.

The plants like plenty of water at the root as long
as the compost is in good order, but naturally
much less is needed during the winter than in the
growing season. Its culture, in short, is of the
simplest possible description, and it will doubtless
long continue to be a popular Orchid. It has
been known since ISIS, in which j'ear Mr. Swainson
sent it home from Brazil, but until very recently
it was very rare, dozens of collectors having
searched in vain for its habitat.

Gongora atropurpurea. — This Orchid seems
nearly always in flower, one spike being hardly
over before another appears. The flowers
are not large individuallj', but very interesting
in structure, and their deep reddish or port-wine
colour is rather unusual. The pseudo-bulbs are
large, pale green, very deeply ribbed, and each
bears a pair of leaNes of hard texture, about
4 inches wide. The roots are very freely pro-
duced in a suitable compost, often pushing in an
upright direction like those of a Grammatophyl-
lum. I like it best in teak baskets suspended
not far from the roof glass in the Cattleya house,
as here the pendent or arching spikes show
nicely. The compost may be of a fairly sound
description, a little loam fibre doing no harm if
mixed with twice its bulk of peat and Moss for
strong plants. Crocks or charcoal must be freely
mixed with these materials, and drainage is a
very im|.iortant item. Few Orchids require more
water than this during the growing season, and
in a warm, moist house the plants may with ad-
vantage be somewhat heavily syringed overheixd.
In the genial temjjerature thus [iroduced growth
is very rapid, and red spider, thrips, and otlier
insects sometimes affecting the plants are by
this means easily kept away. — R.

Oncidium Forbesi. — This beautiful jilant is
now in good condition, the fine branching spikes
carrying a large number of flowers. These are
large individually, bright shining brown, with a
golden yellow margin, prettily undulated. It is
one of the most beautiful of Oncidiums, and a
plant well worthy of the utmost care. But this,
unfortunatel}', will not make O. Forbesi a success
under cultivation. I have tried it in various
temperatures and under diflerent modes of pot-
ting and basketing, liut the result is not satis-
factory over many j'ears. It is true that this Or-
chid is more often than not killed by the thought-
less plan of leaving the flower-spikes on until
they fade, this weakening the strongest jilants
and often killing weaker ones outright. Still,
with the best of care it is a diflncult plant to
grow, and I have known plants that one season
plumped up immense bulbs the next year refuse
to grow at all. The likeliest place for it is a
light, airy position not far from the roof glass
and near a ventilator in the Cattleya house. It
must ha%e a diminished sup[)ly of water at the
roots during winter, but must not be entirely
dried oft'. It dislikes much material about the
roots or frequent disturbance ; conse(|uently
when repotting is done the drainage should have
especial attention and only lasting material
used.— R.

Dendrobium big'ibbum. — Although this fine
Dendrobe has been in cultivation since 1824, when
it is said to have flowered at Kew, it was not
much known until 1S5.5, when it was discovered
by Dr. Thomson in one of the islands in the
Torres Straits. It is one of the finest of the
Australasian kinds, the S[)ikes of rich magenta
blossoms appearing during this month from the
apex of the young pseudo-bulbs and occasionally
from the older ones as well. D. bigibbum, like
man}' others of the same section, often begins to
grow in late autumn, and for this reason should
be kept fairly warm during the winter months.
Keep the plants on the mo\'e when once they
ha\ e started, but endeavour, by allowing plenty
of light and air, to consolidate the growth a little
as it is produced. A short resting season is of
great advantage in summer if it can be arranged,
not by drying the roots, but by taking the plants
out of the warmest house to one a few degrees

cooler during the time growth is inactive. In;
plants should be allowed a light, sunny poiion
not far from the roof glass, and are best is-
pended in small baskets or pans. The rooldo
not care for a great thickness of material :.iut
them, and about an inch is ample for all out
large specimens. The best time to repot ' in
early spring, when the young bulb is abouitalt
formed and is commencing to root freely (,itj
own account.

Stove and Greenhous

AZALEAS GRAFTED ON RHODC
DENDRONS.
In the year 1884 M. Seidel, senior, first ug.
gested to his son (M. Rudolph Seidel) thf lea
of grafting the Indian Azalea on a Rhod m-
dron stock, and, as an experiment, thes wo
gentlemen, with the assistance of their fore in,
M. Lauterbacli, made a dozen grafts of tl le-
scription. At that time MM. Seidel had .tie
doubt that this operation was the first ste na
thorough revolution in the culture of Ai as,
and that it would come mto general practi It
was certain that it would not be adopted ' ry-
where ; t once, and the greatest ditticuli vas
that of securing for it a favourable gener, re-
ception in the horticultural world. Soo in-
deed, it had to encounter criticism, when, the
year 1894, MM. Seidel showed for thi Krst
time, at the exhibition at Gand, tlie spec ens
wliich had been grafted in 1884. For vig • of
growth, fine appearance, and unusuallj ,ood
flowering qualities these received a cerJiato
of merit for advancement in the cult of
Indian Azaleas. Notwithstanding this, M,
Seidel returned home to Saxony under ; ni
of adverse criticisms. The Belgians, ant 'any
other people as well— nearly everyone in :t-
asserted that these plants could not live -ng,
that many varieties of Azaleas would unil iily
imperfectly with the Rhododendron stoc and
that they would be easily bri>ken ofl' in p ing
and in transit. Numbers of objections, i me,
were made which had no foundation, the
matter was merely in the initial stage of ( en-
ment, and criticism could only sugge.' Jre-
sumed po.ssibilities. In spite, however, all
the liostile criticisms. Azaleas grafted oi Ao-
dodendrons made their way into favour, the
year 1894 MM. Seidel ottered some spe lens
for sale, which, on account of their vi 'ous
habit of growth and the fineness of their om.
which surpassed that of the ordinary ^ w
in beauty and regularity, were so muc pre-
ferred by purchasers, that every yearincc
MM. Seidel have received more orde| »t
plants than they have been able to suppl.Md
to meet these daily increasing orders thejiave
this year grafted 40,000 plants. ^ .

I do not know whether the critics still iimk
that Azaleas grafted on Rhododeudronfi'eol
no value, but in any case I think they wi iH"
well to lay down their arms and join witl^wsj
who have adopted this system, considerir that
last autumn plants grafted in this manne wfl'
their way into the forcing houses at rm"
(where Azaleas grown in the ordinary w|hau
iireviously held the field without a nva ana
gave great satisfaction there. Of cours|tm»
does not imply that no other knid of .■['»
will be forced there, but the numerous |Je"
which will be given this year by tliest aW
Berlin forcers will show at least the aQvajVi
if not the superiority, which is attached tijUesn
plants. . ! ji Is

The objections which were made ''g*!"s"j
system have heen proved entirely ""^'V'" fj^
for up to the present Azaleas grafted

>',

October 30, 1897.]

THE OAPiDEN.

337

liaveddiie i|uite as well as those grafted im
(t Aavlea stuck, ami always grow more vigor-
1 ily. One eaniiot, of course, be certain tliat
t y will live as long as theold-fasliioncil kinds,
me of wliicli are now sixty years of age, wliile
1 10 of the jilants gvafteel on tlie Rhododen-
cm stock are as yet more tlian thirteen years
c . But even if they should not live for more
tn twenty years, the higli reputation which
t y are gaining will sufl'cr nothing in conse-
qmce, since Azaleas of that age arc of very little
Olio use in a commercial point of view. It is
<] to true tliat certain kinds which, like Sou-
viirdu Prince Albert, unite very badly when
gfted on Azalea eoneinna or other Azalea
sjcks nmy not take well when grafted on the
I|o(lodendroii stock, but the number of such
lis is so small, that no ditticulty will be there-
raised in carrying out this system of graft-
i\, and the circumstance cannot be considered
rawback. We may then come to the con-
cf*ion that this new method of grafting has a
|at future before it, and it would not be sur-
ing if, in the course of time, it entirely
'^ "M-seded the other methods which are at
lit in use. Up to the present no attempt,

:ist so far as I am awaiv, at this method of
. wing Azaleas has been made in France, but
t tlorists of Paris may take heart, for uii-
dibtedly they will soon be able to furnish
t'irshops with these superb plants. M. Duval,

well-known nurseryman at Versailles, wa:.

year to have commenced his first essays in
1 » method of culture, which, with such a skil-
t operator will no doubt be crowned with

■- ri-.ss.

will now describe the means wliicli are em-

I yi'd ill MM. Seidel's nursery for obtaining

1 ' plants as sjieedily as possible by this

iJthod. Tlie only variety of Rhododendron

■vich is thus used as a stock is R. Cunningham's

'^lite, because, rooting well and growing

\orou.sly, it yields excellent stocks on which

1 ^t Azaleas take very well. The Rhododeii-

' 'ii cuttings are taken in November and

Iceiiiber, and, as far as possible, from wood a

jjir old and in a good healthy condition. If

I tings are plentiful, the upper part of the

•«A only is used, fm- tliis jiart jjroduces the

t,i st stocks, growing more rapidly and regu-

1 ly than those obtained from any other jiart

< the shoot. The cuttings are planted in a

1 nil house on shelves covered with a layer of

I id 4 inches deep, topped with about aquarter of

I inch deep of peat very finely crushed. These

fplves are naturally closed in, and are warmed

liTneath by pipes or otherwise, so as to have

ttoin-heat of from ()!)° to 76° Fahr. The

Muispheric heat of the hou.se .should be kept

liter 69° as much as possible. It is necessary

t shade when the sun is .shining, even in

Ibruary and March, in order to keep the tem-

jrature down to this, as a high temperature

i luces thrips. The cuttings take root in about

b)_ months, l)ut usually they are not potted ofi'

1 til the following Aju'il, when they are potted in

! iicli or ;U-incli pots. The newdy-potted plants

i^then ])laced in a house with some bottoni-

Ut under them to exi)edite their taking root.

■ ter on they m.iy lie placed close together in

l|mes, where they will be able to increase in

i','tli as they grow, as they must be grafted in

■ winter following, when they should have a

111 as slender as possible and at least G inches

^ inches long. Grafting may be done from

"iiary to April. For this purpose the

its are placed in a house with a temperature

'''■\ Fahr., wdierc in a few days they will be

'Wing vigorously, with an abundance of sap

,"ing in their tissues. This is the right

"le to graft so as to ensure that the Azalea

scion will speedily unite with the Rhododendroii
stock. The mode of grafting eniiiloyed is jilaiii
wliip-grafting, such as is ]uactised, in July and
August, when A. eoneinna and A. Hexe are
used as stocks. The treat nieiit after the graft
has tiiken is [U'ecisely the.s;ime as that described
at ]). 47 of Le Jutdin for bSitti, except that
these small ]ilants are planted out in the ojieii
ground in M.-iy or .lune, and instead of being
jiotted in the autumn before they are sold, they
are not potted until spring, so that they will
have been only six months in ]>ot instead of a
year. Another ditlerence worth mentioning is
tliat these plants sell for nearly double the
price of plants of the same age grafted on A.
eoneinna or other .stocks, because they are more
vigorous growing and of larger size, and exhibit
a regular and roliust ajipearance wdiich recoui-
melids them to all good judges of plants. — f].
Treillaud, in Le Jardin.

lilts i

Cineraria cruenta. — Though hybridising has
done great things in improving the flowers of this
plant, none of tlie present-day kinds have the
))retty elegant habit of the old species. I saw it a
day or two since flowering very freely, and I think
that even now its beauty and continuous flower-
ing should ensure it a greater amount of care.
The foliage is roughly heart-shaped, pale green
above, purple beneath, the flowers occurring on
loose heads nearly the whole year round. It is
very easilj' grown, as it thrives in a cool green-
house, if not starved at the roots, and kept free
of insects. — H.

Fuchsia Dr. Shaw. — This is a very fine
\ariety raised at the Clifton Zoological Gardens,
Bristol, by Mr. C. Harris, the superintendent of
the gardens. The tube and sepals are blush, with
a pink re\erse to them ; the corolla, which is
large, well expanded and of the finest form, is of
a pale purple colour, with a distinct carmine
beading. It is an excellent grower and blooms
very freely. I was much struck with it when I
recently saw it in one of the plant houses in the
gardens. Mr. Harris has other seedlings, good
growers and very free blooming, and of decided
value for his purpose. The gardens form a de-
lightful lounge, and there is a large, varied and
valuable collection of hardy Ferns to interest such
as are attracted by them. — R. 1).

Salvia splendens grandiflora. — The bril-
liantly coloured Salvia splendens and its varieties
flower at a time when the}' are particuUrly valu-
able, that is just before the bulli of the Chrj'san-
theraums come in, and w hen many subjects that
have bloomed throughout the summer are on the
wane. The ^ariety grandiflora was shown in
grand condition at the meeting of the Roj-al
Horticultural Society on September 21. It is
altogether superior to the ordinary form, as not
only are the flowers larger, but the calyces as well,
and also the spikes of blos-soms. In the case of
these Salvias the flowers are not of long duration,
but the calyces, which are of the same colour,
remain fresh and bright for a long time. They
are all of easy culture, and by some are planted
out during the summer months, and potted just
before the flowering season. — H. P.

Lachenalias in autumn and winter. —

Many gardeners w ho grow Lachenalias well stand
their plants in the open for a time after repotting
the bulbs in September. This is a good plan, but
they should be removed to frames early in
October, as cold and wet together do not suit the
roots. When in frames, however, full exposure
by day should be given in line weather, drawing
the lights on at night. The less coddling Lache-
nalias have the better, and wlien put into the
greenhouse at the end of October, they should
have a very light position near the roofglass. I
have seen them subjected to slight heat in spring
to induce an earlier expansion of the bloom-
spikes, but to have them in the best form and the
foliage stout and dark coloured, a cool atmo-
sphere from first to last is necessary. Lachenalia

Nelsoni is a beautiful variety for pot culture, its
tall well-furnished ihiwer-stems of pure yellow
having a fine eHeet in spring. The old tricolor,
however, is still one of the best for growing in
pots, also for growing in baskets for the conserva-
tory. -.1. Cit.vwroiai.

Costus igneus.— It is really surprising that
tliis luautifiil Ciiigcrwort is not more often met
with in garileiis, as it is of the easiest culture and
tiiaintains a succession of blossoms for a lengthened
period, while the colour — a rich orange — is pleas-
ing and decidedly uncommon. For some years
iiovi it has been grovin at Kew, where in one of
the stoves it was recently flowering very freely.
It is a native of Bahia and was introduced by M.
Linden in ISSJ. This Costus forms a stout root-
stock from whence sturdy steins are pushed up.
When confined in pots it will flower freely when
not more tliaii IS inches high, but (ilanted out in
a warm house it will attain a considerably greater
height. Like many of its allies, the blooms of this
Costus, wdiich are each about 2 inches a'cross, are
thin and do not last long, but a succession is kept
up from one head for a considerable period. It
grows freely in a light open compost and requires
copious supplies of water during the summer
months. — H. P.

Early pot bulbs. — In many gardens both
Roman Hyacinths and Paper-white Narcissi are
brought forward as soon as possible, the lilooms
being wanted to take the place of the general run
of outdoor flowers. Both these subjects where
I^otted early in September will now have grown
considerably, and will need removing from the
covering of leaf-mould or ashes. It is a mistake
to take them straight from such quarters into
light and much heat. My plan is to stand the
pots on a brick kerb in a cool house, and to cover
them with another pot inverted. A little light
can then penetrate through the hole of the pot,
and ill about ten days the plants may be fully
exposed. A fortnight in this temperature, pre-
vious to placing in the forcing house, will secure
stout, well-de\eloped blooms with few blind
growths. Some place the pots in a frame on an
ash bottom, fastening a couple of garden nets over
the liglit to secure partial darkness. This plan
answers very well. — Geo web.

PANCRATIUM SPECTOSUM.
Will you please say what treatment I should
give Pancratium speciosum to get it to flower
about the end of .luly next j'ear? It has just
now finished growth. There are twehe bulbs in
a 12-iiich pot and well established. —W. Davis.

*** To get your planis to flower next .luly will
be an easy matter if the growth made this year
is well ripened. By the term well ripened, we
mean this new growth must be well developed
before you attempt to rest or keep the plants
(|uiet. On the other hand, twelve bulbs in a
12-ineh pot are too many, as the bulbs must be
small for that sized pot to contain them. You
give us no idea as to size of bulbs or age, and we
can only surmise that they are young. The usual
plan is one bulb in an S-ineh pot, or three in a
12-ineh. This is the size of flowering bullis, but
it does not follow your ))lants will fail to flower in .
the i)ot named, as they often bloom much better
if the roots are restricted. On the other hand,
there must be a fair-sized bulb before the flower-
ing stage is reached. You say your ]jlants are
well established, but in a young state they grow-
freely, and by this we fancy the pot is quite full,
and under the circumstances named you will be
unable to get very good bulbs in so restricted
a space. There is not room for the bulbs,
and there w-ill be too much crowding. We
^iiould be inclined to make at least three pots of
tlie plants another sea.-ion, repotting just before
new growth begins. Failing this you may shift
on into a larger pot, but we fear unless you
thoroughly understand their culture you will not
find it so successful as three or four bulbs in a.
smaller jiot. You see it is impossible for the
bulbs to attain size with .so many in a pot, and
vou cannot get fine spikes till they are of a good

338

THE GARDEN.

[0CT0BE3 30, 1897.

size. On the oilier luind, tlie pots must be full of
roots, and your plants will have exhausted all the
goodness from the soil. The bulbs, we tear, are
not now able to get more sustenance, and in such
a condition are not likely to improve. You must
get strength before you can get flowers. You
may possibly get a weak flower or two from such
bulbs, but we fear even this chance is remote, and
in the end you will find it best to give moie room.
It is not necessary to rest young plants that are
not strong enough to flower. We liave seen them
kept growing quietly all the winter. By this
means a larger bulb is obtained. Of course
you could not do tliis now, neither is it
wise to repot or divide your plants now
growth is nearly finished. If your plants do
not show flower in the spring we would cer-
tainly divide, not wait till July, as tlien you will
get a longer season of growth for the plants ne.xt
year. After the plants are in the pots named the
less shifting or repotting the better. You can
then feed freely to keep the plants vigorous. You
must get a strong plant to begin with, and we
fear yours are not. When strong there is no
difficulty in flowering at a certain season, and
with several jiots you may have a succession of
bloom from June, or earlier. You may say.
Why not feed the [ilants in the pot named ?
Certainly ; but you cannot get a fine bulb growth
under such conditions. The jilants are not at
all free-flowering unless a good growth is made
yearly. The winter treatment for flowering
plants is to keep them in a temperature of 55"
or 00° during winter, giving just enough water to
keep the leaves green, giving more warmth in
spring, and then thoroughly damping the plants
twice daily. Red spider is troublesome in dry
houses or if the plants are grown near hot-water
pil)es. After flowering, feed freely to build up
new growth and give ample supplies of water till
growth is finished.— Ed.

about 2 feet high with flattish pendulous branches,
the latter deeply serrated. The curious part is
that the small yellowish blossoms are produced
in considerable quantity along the sides of the
toothed divisions. Though not showy, the plant is
interesting for the reason noted. The plant may
be grown in the same way as Epiphyllums and
the like.

SHORT NOTES.— STOVE <£• GREENHOUSE.

Nerine Meadowbanki. — It not the most
striking of this lje;iutiful ijenus, this is indeed a very
attractive one for the brilliant colour. A most bril-
liaut shade of scarlet is quite laiique even araorg the
many good things in this family. In a setting of
Maiden-hair Fern a mass of its flowers may be tole-
rated, otherwise when alone it is too dazzling.

Pancratium canariense. — This ver}' neat
and elegant species is now in flower at Kew, and
is represented by a scape IJ feet high, with the
leaves just issuing from the bulb. The blossoms
are very compact, the segments scarcely more than
2 inches in width, these with the short, well-
expanded cup, which is about IJ inches across,
being pure white. The umbel contained some six
or eight buds, which will keep up a succession of
blossoms for some time.

Propag'ating- Gardenias. — The following plan
of propagating Gardenias I have found to answer:
I take some twenty cuttings of half-ripened .shoots
and put them into a large pickle bottle filled with
water, and stand them in the stove house. In
about a fortnight they begin to make roots. When
the bottle is filled by the small roots I then pot
them up and repot as necessary. I find that I get
better and stronger blooming plants than by mak-
ing cuttings and putting them into a propagating
cise. — M.

Funkia subcordata grandifiora. — It is not
in the open-air garden alone that this is useful or
even desirable. Indeed, as a pot plant it has
many claims, though more especially where fra-
grant flowers are admired and where little heat is
at command. A fine tuft in a 10-inch pot that
has become established will jwoduce several
flower-stems and a Large numlier of blossoms.
These latter are pure white, fragrant and of con-
siderable length. In quite a cool greenhouse the
jilant will remain in flower for weeks in succes-
Bion.

Rhipsalis HouUeti. — This distinct and
curious Brazilian species is now flowering in the
large succulent house at Jvew. The plants are

Flower Garden.

SOME LATE MICHAELMAS DAISIES.

Some Michaelmas Daisies are habitually so late
that they hardly reach flowering here in ordi-
nary seasons, and others are destroyed by wet
and severe frost alternating before they are
half over. I heard to-day that there have been
10° of frost in the Lowlands of Scotland, and
that the varieties of Aster cordifulius have been
destroyed past hope before a flower had opened.
\\'e are not so badly off as that, for A. turbi-
nellus is in flower, and this is my test plant of
a Michaelmas Daisy season, being the latest to
which I give a place in my borders with any
liope of its becoming ornamental. Many other
specie.? of Aster have early flowering and late
flowering varieties, as well as good and bad ;
for example, the type of Aster puniceus is not
only coarse and unmeritaljle, but very early,
being over by the end of August, but it has a
variety of less spreading and taller habit, which,
I think, was called pulcherrimus at the Chiswick
conference, and seems to be the same as that
described on page 313 as A. p. grandiflorus — a
better name for it, as these superlative sur-
names leave no room for improvement, a quality
which ought to be the object of all gardeners.
It is, however, distinct and showy and worth
its room, but it seldom begins to flower here
tUl the middle of September.

There are few classes of hardy plants which
depend more on the conditions under which
they are grown than Michaelmas Daisies. In
favourable soils and surroundings a second or
third-rate kind w'ill attract more admiration
than the best, if badly managed, and there are
two common causes of mismanagement : either
the stalks are tied together in a close bundle,
or the roots have become so unhealthy by the
collection of a woody mass of dead stalks at the
base of the plants that tliey wither up pi'c-
maturely from starvation. Some kinds are es-
pecially liable to this failure. Arcturus,
Archer-Hind, cordifolius all grow from a small
base without spreading their shoots, and if left
alone for more tlian two or three years become
shabby. But ruiniing kinds of Aster are hate-
ful. I had one (an early kind) with white
flowers, commonly known as niveus, but I be-
lieve it belonged to Tradescanti, which ran
about so wildly that it has given me some trouble
to get rid of. Perhaps the best habit is to
spread closely and moderately, so that the stems
have room to ascend without great crowding,
and that the clumps can be conveniently
lessened. A. Novfe-Angliie is one of tliis kind,
so is Robert Parker, and varieties Icnown as
Ariadne and Purity.

The colour of Asters should be judged in full
daylight, or by candle-light if wanted for candle-
light ornament. I say this because nearly all of
them look so beautiful on a clear evening for
about half an hour before sunset that we aie
apt to be misled with regard to their merits.
Arcturus and densus and two or tliree unnamed
seedlings which I have look tolerably blue by
dayliglit, but towards dusk, on a fine evening,
Archer-Hind, which is by no moans the bluest
in sunshine, sliows quite a brilliant sky-blue.

Whites are most of them early. There
few better than Harpur - Crewe and J
Wood, thougli I have some twenty seedh
which have been under probation for three
four years. Some of these have the versic-
habit of turning purple when they have 1
out for a few days, and others keep their wl
iiess to the last. Preference in selecting
be given to those which flower after Micl:
mas ; two or three old kinds, one, I think,
type of A. paniculatus, another the typ
ericoides, and a very late dwarf, versic
nanus, are all worth keeping. I have a '
choice late seedling called May Crum, w
comes out pure white and pa.sses into palep
somewhat in the same manner as the 1
Mexican Dai.sy ; it is of excellent habit, a'
consider it one of the best seedlings I 1
raised, and as I have distributed it for tw
three years it is probably in commerce, b
am afraid it will not do for Scotland,
other late seedlings, both to be found in <
logues and l)otli raised here, are Ella, an
proveraent in flower on its parent, Ro
Parker, and Edith, a very free, semi-doi
large-disked form, with flowers of a pearly
lilac. One from a Devonshire garden know
Coombefishacre has great merits from its
cellent habit ; it has white flowers with a pu
centre, double the size of those of horizont
which itsomewhatresembles, keeping it com]
in its season of flowering. The cordifolius set
is now well known ; it seeds about very fri
and now and then an improvement comef
have one of the purest white. The c
|)lume-like racemes of .some of the bestforii
this .species are mo.st beautiful, and as it '
shade where it may escape frost, and has a
blooming season, it supplies flowers ofte
the end of November. C. Wolley-Do

Edge Hall, Malpas.

Campanula patula. — If " A. D. G." has y
friend in Shrop^ihire he ought to be able to i-
tain seeds of this beautiful annual. I have fi (1
it abundantly near Haughmond Abbey d
Albrighton, in the neighbourhood of Shrews! i',
and unless, like many other choice flowers, it 3
fallen a victim to the pernicious system of gi ?
]}rizes to children " for the best bouquet of d
flowers" (meaning in effect the extirpatior'i
annuals), it is probably still to be found in t e
and other parts of Shropshire, a county pro J!-
ing, I believe, a greater variety of wild flo]ia
than any other county in England. .8
"A. D. G.," I have never met with any offe 't
seed, but any nurseryman in Shrewsbury or 1 •
low could have little difticulty in procuring i j-
T. H. Akcher-Hind, South Deron. \

Hemerocallis minor. — The introductioi f
the beautiful Hemerocallis aurantiaca major s
led to a good deal of attention being direi.i
towards the Day Lilies of late, and various n s
thereon have at one time or other appearet p
The Garden. Very little, howe\-er, has b i
said concerning H. minor, and I have not E
any reference to its most iirominent charac
istic, ^^z., the late season of blooming compaji
with the other members of the genus, for at I*j'
a clump of it was bearing a number of blossiji
on October -I, and I also saw it about the s:,'
time in a similar state in other gardens,
general appearance of the flower is very like J
of H. flava, which is, howe\er, about the earl
member of the genus to unfold its blossoms, wl '
H. minor is much the latest. This last form,
tuft of narrow grass-like leaves, and the bran
ing flower-stem, which reaches a height of ab<
18 inches, bears several of its comparatively la
blossoms of a beautiful clear yellow, tinf
slightly on the exterior with green. H. minoi
also known by the specific name of gramin
which well expresses the general appearance oiy
foliage.— H. P.

October oO, 1897.]

THJi GARDEN.

339

LIGILARIA MACROPHYLLA.

lus is a ^eiy bold lianly perennial, well suited
r a position in the Inirder or in the wild i,'ar-
m, where plants with large leaves and of
rikini; ajipearanee may he desirahle. The
ant here illustrated was photc>j,'raiilK-d in tlie
irseries of Messrs. J\. Veiteh and Son, Kxeter,
here it is Hourishini; in an ordinary border,
en from a distance the plant looks as if it
liiii<;ed to the C'ruciferte, l)ut closer inspection
\cais tlie fact tliat it is a very ([uaint mcmlier
the composite family.

'I'lic plant represented in t\ic iUustr.itiun
.■i flower -spikes each -Ih feet in heiglit,
ruling an elongated panicle of golden yellow
iwers. The a|ipearance of the individnal
■Wei's is most peculiar and unlike that of most
iiiposites, as in this case there are only twn or
live ray-tlorets with narrow, lignlatc iietals,
i.h (juite three-quarters of an inch to 1 inch
length and of a bright golden yellow. The
sc florets are carapanulate and also liright yel-
w. The leaves which spring from the base
V very large, oval in shape, and (|uite 18 inches
1^ and lit inches to 12 inches broad, with a
i^;htly undulated, dentate margin. They are
iicioth and glaucous, with a very broad midrib,
most reseud)ling a Cabbage leaf.
Altogether, Lignlaria macrophylla is a .striking
int and well worth a place in the garden.

Elmside, Exeici: F. W. INIkvkk.

THE AUTUMN SNOWFLAKE.
\K of the most exquisite of ourautinnn-flowering
illious plants is the autumn Snowflake. <;row-
j in the rock garden it excites almost universal
iiirntion, and elicits manj' expressions of ]>raise
I i*,s beauty. But few seem well acquainted
itk it, and'many who see it appear to think
- beauty too fragile to be possessed by a
irdy flower. It has been called a fairy like
'wer, and few can qiiestion the use of such a
la, so ethereal seem its little satin-like droop-
liells dejjending from sueh slender and unsub-
aiitial-looking stems. Very delicate looking it
. hut its hardiness in many gardens has been
nply proved, and one can only hope that a few
ids in its favour may draw some attention to
■ haste a little flower. Although grow-n also in
|ie border, it is in the roek garden, among the
loicest al))ine flowers, that Leucojum autumnale
lould find a home. With a carpet of some dwarf
eepiug )ikint above its roots it will sjiear
irough, its flowers being all the purer from the
•otection against the splashes caused by heavy
ins afforded by the carpeting plant. On an ele-
ited spot among these choice flowers the autumn
lowflake is in perfect keeping with its surround-
gs. It has no showy colon! s to recommend it to
osewho love the garish colouring of many flowers,
s beauty con.sists in its elegance and in the
larms of its white flowers, prettily fringed and
ith a lustrous interior, their beauty heightened
the rosy tinge at the base of the segments and
the chocolate-coloured stems, about (i inches
ng, which elevate the flowers above the soil.
le of the merits of L. autumnale is its lengtliened
:riod of bloom. Here this year it came into
iwer in the beginning of August, and now (past
e middle nf October), although some of its seeds
e nearly ripe, there are yet open flowers on the
me clump. It is grown here in sandy soil with
good proportion of peat, and thrives well in
ch a compost, although not increasing rapidi}'
' means of offsets. - It ripens seed annually, and
■ sowing this as soon as ripe, flowering bulbs
e soon [iroduced. Self-sown plants are some-
nes seen, and one hopes that some day a dis-
ict break may be found which may originate
me well-marked varieties. L. autumnale is
■^is autuumalis of Salisbury, and is found from
,)rtugal and Morocco to the Ionian Islands.
\ was introduced in lli29. I prefer planting in
ly, but with care it may be removed when in

flower. It is usually after the flowering period
that the slender i;rassy leaves are produced.
The variety pulchcllum, mentioned by Mr. J. (i.
Baker in the " Handbook of the Amaryllidacea\''
I have never seen. The flowers of this are larger
and the leaves are produced with the flowers.
Carsilhnni , Dinnj'riix. S. AnNOTT.

Lilium candidum (rariegatutn. — Varie-
gated varieties of numy plants are by no means
improvements on tlic typical forms in any way,
l)Ut the leaf markings in this case are verj' pretty
during the autumn and winter. The fohage is of
the same shape as that of L. candidum, the mar-
gin of the leaves having a broad liand of yellow
running tlie entire length. At Hrst sight it looks
a good deal like the yellow variegated Funkia.
The flowers are not (juite so good as those of the
type, liut are produced abundantly enough to
make it worth growing on this .iceount, while the
foliage serves to brighten up the border in winter.

in the spring, and obtaining free growth again
and then [ilunging the plants in be<ls outdoors in
the summer, where, standing individually and
flowering profusely at from .3 feet to 4 feet in
height, they are very attractive. It is one of the
admirable properties of this excellent variety that
old plants bloom \ery freely. — A. 1).

NEW DAHLIAS.

The note in The (i.MtOEM (p. 302) by .1. Burrell
does not |3ro\e to me that my comments as to
awarding certificates were wrong. Last year nine
varieties gained the coveted stamp of merit, but
out of that number I h.-ive failed to observe five in
the exhibition stands of this season. I should
not, perhaps, say failed, because here and there I
observed three of them exhibited. This on one
occasion, however, is not enough. Improved
sorts are noted generally— to wit, Charles \\'ood-
bridge and Starfish. Having grown at least
The mixing craze is carried to great lengths eight of last year's certificated varieties, I fail to
and often witli very bad effect in present-day see in what way, for instance, Mrs. Leopold

Seymour is an im|)rove-
ment upon an older kind
named Mrs. Barnes, and
what there is in lona and
Mrs. Kingsley Foster to
prefer to sorts of similar
tints, Frances Humphries
and Harmony. ^Irs. Gor-
don Sloane, again, is voted
bj- most peojile a dull and
poor class (lower. Now
this season the number of
certificated kinds in the
Cactus type has reached
nineteen ; there may have
been more, but these I have •
seen. Whilst admitting
that wonderful strides have
been made with this popu-
lar class of Dahlia, it is a
little too much for one to
think that these are all
improvements, considering
the excellent sorts we
already have. If the num-
ber of certificates is doubled
every year, where shall we
stop ?

One could .also desire a
better system of granting
certificates than that which
obtains at present. The
blossoms are judged, but
there is no means of know-
ing the habit of the plant ;
whether it throws up its
flowers well, a matter quite
as important to most people
as the flower itself, because,
after all, it is but a limited
number who cultivate Cac-
tus Dahlias for exhibition.
I know, in the ease of
several varieties which will
not throw out their blooms
from the leaves, that they
made to do so liy manipulating the
The general cultivator, however, does
to bother about sucli a matter, and

Lignlaria macrophylla in Messrs. Veitch^s nursery at Exeter.
a photograph sent !<y Mr. F. W. Meyer,

From

bedding. A charming collection of the old-
fashioned scented-leaved Geraniums to be seen
recently in one of the beds in Hyde Park had,
planted among it, a few weetly Gaillardias and
Celosias that were anything l)ut helpful. Cer-
tuiidy there were no flowers to speak of on the
(ieraniums, and neither were .any wanted, as the
variety of form and colour in the leafage was
sufficiently attractive in itself, and would have
been restful to the eye liad there been no attempt
to brighten it by mixing with it flowers of garish
colours and incongruous forms. — J. C. T.

Calceolaria amplexicaulis. — This fine Cal-
ceolaria is so commonly grown as an annual from
cuttings and em[)loyetl in masses or mixed with
other plants, that its capacity to bloom freely
when grown as a bush is hardly understood.
Mr. Price, of Egham, grows it as such in pots,
wintering the plants in a cool house, cutting back

may be

growths.

not want

those (by far the greater number) who esteem the

Dahlia in the garden rightly consider such sorts

worthless.

The trials of varieties of [)opular flow-ers like
that lately carried out at Chiswick with early
Chrysanthemums are most useful and instructive.
If Cactus Dahlias could be included in the list,
much good would follow and a number of dis-
appointments prevented. S.

Campanula isophylla and Convolvulus

Sabatius are two jilants pecnliar to tlie Capo ili
Noli (the \'ada Sabatia of the Itomans) and its
immediate neighbourhood. I remember observ-
ing plants of the Camiianula when collecting the

340

THE GARDEI^.

[October 30, 1897.

Convolvulus at the end of April. The Campanula,
of course, does not flower till much later in the
summer. In its wild state the lilac-coloured form
is, I believe, much the commoner. A correspon-
dent also asks about Campanula patula. I have
found this growing- wild on the banks of the Wj'e,
between ilonmouth and Chepstow, and ])resum-
ably it seeds there. — Siiebhokxe.

This handsome trailing plant is in(|uired

about in the last issue of The (i.4RDEX. The true
plant, though existing, is certainly extremel}'
rare. Many hardy plant growers say they have
the true plant, but I find invariably that the most
they have is the name. What appear to be in
circulation are Ijut seedling forms of this fine
species, that vary considerably and are generally
greatly inferior to the original jilant. I have
during die present year twice seen the true C.
isophj'lla, which I thought I possessed myself,
only to find my mistake as the plant developed
its leaves and flowers. Frequently C. fragilis is
substituted for it, but this is not a trailing Cam-
panula in the same sense as C. isophylla, and, in-
deed, from a decorative point of view it is muoli
inferior. The plant does exist no doubt in many
old gardens, and it is possible that inquiries con-
cerning it may bring it more generally into cul-
tivation.— E. J.

THE YELLOW-FLOWERED P.EOXY.

The genus Pieonia, rich in herbaceous species,
did not until lately exhibit either in gardens or
in herl^ariuins a single woody species except the
Moutan P;eony, a remarkably lino kind, it is
true, and better known under its obviously
exaggerated specific title of P. arborea, or Tree
• PjBony. Ten years ago a second woody species
was introduced by the Museum of Natural
Histoi-y at Paris, to which seeds of it had been
sent by M. I'Abbe Delavay, missionary at Yun-
nan, well known for the great number of tine
plants which he has contributed to horticulture
in France. The seed-packet was labelled " .Seed
of an alpine plant gathered on the (_'lu-T6-
Hotze above Ta-pin-tz6, October 1."), 18'-=(>." It
contained twenty-six seeds of mediocre appear-
ance, which were sown immediately after they
arrived, in the early part of the year 1887, and
produced only three plants, which made their
appearance on May 28, 1888. These plants
cf>minenced to flower in the beginning of June,
181tl, which, it is needless to say, iHterested us
very much. In the following year they flowered
again, and on thi.s occasion the plant was exhi-
bited by Professor j\Iax Cornu at the meeting
of the Society Nationale d'Horticulture, held on
June 9, 18112, and it was again exhibited at the
meeting of the same society held on May 25,
18!>3. At that time the plants jiroduced only
very few flowers, and continued to do so up to
the present year, when a specimen which had
been grafted and grown in a pot bore eleven
flowers all at tlie same time. This specimen
was very handsome, and its abundant lilooin
appeared to us to lie the result of the gi'afting,
as the other plants on their own roots, although
vigorous in growth and of fine appearance, pro-
duced only one or two flower-buds each this
year, and even these did not come into bloom.
This new species has been named P;eonia lutea
by Franchet. and is not to be confounded with
the Caucasian species (P. Wittinanniana), which
also has (pale) yellow flowers, but is an herba-
ceous kind.

The prominent characteristics which at first
sight clearly distinguish P. lutea from P.
Moutan are (besides the yellow colour of the
flowers of the first-named species) an appreciably
dwarfer habit of growth, leaves light green
instead of dark green, larger, and with more
numerous and much more pointed lobes ;
secondai-y petioles winged instead of being

channelled, and the plants come into bloom
from ten tf) fifteen days later, at the same
time as P. albiflora commences to flower. The
]jlant, which we had under notice this year,
showed its first flower on May 28. It was in
full bloom on June 1 and had gone out of
flower on June 1 2.

We have not yet sufficiently ascertained the
constitution of this plant so as to enable us to
state whether it is hardy or not in the climate
of Paris. L'p to the present, on account of the
small number of specimens which we possess
and the doubt which we entertain of its hardi-
ness, we have not ventured to risk any of them
unprotected in the open air in winter. One
plant which we put out in the open ground last
year passed the winter in safety under a bell-
glass, and has sent up several suckers.

This question of hardiness, however, seems
to us rather of secondary importance. How-
ever interesting and handsome the typical plant
may be, it is especially valuable (as Piofessor
Cornu jiointed out when exhibiting it) for the
sake of the hybrid varieties which maybe raised
from it. As it flowers later than P. Moutan, it
will be necessary, in order to obtain pollen at
the proper time, to force the flowers into bloom
a fortnight earlier, and our skilful hybridisers
will have no difficulty in doing this.

The few shoots of P. lutea ■which, up to the
IH'esent, we have been able to utilise for graft-
ing have done well on P. corallina (Retz) as a
stock, and it does not appear doubtful that
other stocks which are commonly employed in
the propagation of P;eonies will answer equally
well. We are convinced that grafted speci-
mens of this plant flower far more freely than
those raised directly from seed. A siliceous
soil appears to suit this plant especially well. —
L. Henky, in Le Jardln.

FLOWER GARDEN NOTES.

This is a busy time in all those gardens where the
dual system of bedding is still carried out. The
frosts in the early part of the week commencing
October 3 made a clean sweep of all tender
plants entailing the work of removal, prejiaration
of beds and replanting as soon as possible. Be-
sides plants raised from seed, as Wallflowers,
Myosotis, Silene, &c.. Daffodils, Tufted Pansies,
and Polyanthuses are largely included in what is
commonly known as spring bedding, a jilanting of
Daflbdil Ijulbs in beds previously filled with
dwarfer things being an arrangement held in con-
siderable favour and somewhat largely adopted.
I think it is rather a jiatchj' style of gardening, al-
though there can be no doubt as to the fine
display of colour secured or the pleasing contrast
aftbrded. Personally, in all cases, where additions
are made to the stock of Daftbdils, they are planted
on grass in the pleasure grounds as a foreground
to clumps of evergreens by the .sides of walks, or
places of a similar nature. They may, however, be
also utilised to great advantage for tilling in large
beds that are mainly planted with herbaceous
things of large size. This is specially applicable
in the case of Pieonies, especially those varieties
whose foliage in a young state is very brilliant.
The contrast between this and the yellow Daffodils
is very fine. Beds too, that are made up for the
benefit of Pajonies will grow Daffodils to perfec-
tion. The above is alike a contrast that is effec-
tive and a combination that is natural. It is
something that might be employed in any part of
the garden, or that would look quite at home in the
centre of a wood. The note on this association
leads to the suggestion that planting at this
season of the year might well take a more perma-
nent form than the insertion of things that have
to be uprooted in spring. The flower gardener of
to-daj' is likely to have a stock of hardy plants on
hand that would co\et the beds through the
winter, come into flower in succession, and last, in

the ma]orit\- of cases, well through the summe
In cases where the plants are not already (
hand provision can be made to furnish them li
another spring, by the various means of pro]iaga
ing most calculated to give the best results,
have just finished planting up beds with Carn:
tions. Pinks, Tufted Pansies and Pyrethrums. Tl
herbaceous Lobelias will be divided as soon •■
they are ready, and later. Phloxes, Pentstemoi
and Antirrhinums, that have been obtained fro
cuttings or seed, will go into positions reserved fi
them. Reverting back to the Pa>onies, I shou
be glad to know if the young foliage c;
claim immunity from the attack of rabbits. JI
Barr tells me the occasional rabbits that get i
to tlie Long Ditton nurseries ha\'e not been knov
to touch it. An occasional visitor, however,
different from where they are to be found
quantity, and I should like to be fairly certain i
the point before attempting to naturalise. The
are few things rabbits will not touch. I can
across a batch of seedling Foxgloves the oth
day that had been closely nibbled. I have nev
known them touch Daffodils.

St.\ew-orts. — Two of the older Starworts, ju
now about at their best and holding their ov
well among the newer sorts as %'ery charming in
cut state, are Robert Parker and TradescanI
It is almost impossible to find anything bett
than the former in the matter of colour— a bea
tiful soft la\ender-blue — that shows to great a
vantage against dark or gilded vases. I notici
a mass of it the other day inside a window in
large vase ; the sun was shining brightl}' ujion i
and the colour struck me as exceptionally fir
The individual flowers of Tradescauti are ve
small, but the manner and profusion in -nhich th'
are pi'oduced make the ^'ariety very useful. 8hoo
cut the entire length and tastefully arrano;ed
pots of damp sand last a long time in the lioue
and are very nice for church decoration arrang
with feathery Palms, Bamboos, or things
similar nature. The value of the Starworts, (
at any rate, the majority of them in a cut sta
is considerably enhanced, from the fact that th'
retiuire no foliage. A stem or two of Asparag
well loaded with berries is veiy «'ell as a chan]
occasionally with the different shades of blue ai
lavender, but they look equalh' well alon
Naturallj' the varieties of dense habit — of whii
A. Amellus and its forms, A. acris and A. duiuos
may be taken as tj'pes — are not so acceptable
a cut state.

C.\RX.\TioNs. — I have decided to defer the plan

ing of these until early spring. They are ;

going out on the same border, which means th

[ the work once commenced should be carrii

I through, and an examination of the layers h;

shown that whilst some are sjilendidly rootf

I others are not so good, and would lie all tl

I better if allowed to remain longer on the parei

I plant. The border destined for their receptic

will get a heavy dressing of peat moss manu

and be turned up deeply, leaving it in the rougl

so that given a visitation of frost it will be i

grand trim for planting in February, or early

March, as the weather will permit. I have pickt

out some of the strongest looking layers th

[ week, and potted up batches of Haye's Scarle

Ketton Rose, Lady Nina Balfour, \^'hite Clov'

The Pasha, Miss Audrey Campbell, and Uria

I Pike. These all do well in pots, and are suH

ciently varied in colour alike to give a display i

the greenhouse and to cut for button-hole

Lady Nina Balfour takes the place of Countess >

Paris ; the latter for the last three seasons seen

I to have lost its vigour, it roots slowly and ii

differently, and will not come away kindly.

I Carpet pl.\>;ts. — Plants of very dwarf hah

enter largely into many flo-n er garden arrrangi

raents, and no one can deny that things of tallt

growth show to the best advantage when there i

1 a little space between the clumps, and that spac

! is clothed with greenery instead of showing onl

the bare earth. It is always advisable, howevei

before carpeting in this way, to make sure tliij

the necessary time can be spared for keeping tt-

same clean and tidy. Such things as the alpin

October 30, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

341

oxes, Sednms in \ariety, Camomilo, Ajufja

tuns, Aulirictias, and the like, arc plaiiteil to

ul for several seasons ratlier tliari to be treated

annuals, and such nndistiirlied {rround will

duce weeds in consideralile profusion in posi-

IS where it is not possible to use the hoe, but

d-wccdinp is the only means to be employed

secure eradication. (liven, however, the

pessary amount of labour the above ean be used

hh in"lari;o herbaceous lieds and borders, and

a) on beds sparingly planted with liulbs, and

present is a good time to set about the work ;

it^ much better than letting it stay over until

spring, wlien, as a rule, there is little time to

more than is alisolutely necessai-y. Tufted

isies can also be largely used, and may be

rtod now if well rooted ; if not they are belter
until spring. E. Burrell.

'larenwiil.

hardiness of Carnations. — Mr. Burrell
rs undoubtedly in good faith when he as.serts
the hardiness of Carnations is but a matter
, I, well-rooted plants. It may surprise your
drespondent to kno«' that, although I live
V hin ten miles of Claremont, I cannot keep
(•nations in health through the year in the open
gund, no matter how much care I may take in
f paring the ground and planting strong, well-
rted layers early in autumn. Carnations are
hdy or otherwise according to local conditions,
al every would-be grower of them must ado|)t a
ctural system that will assure him against the
e:ct3 of damp and disease. Left in the open
f lund all the winter. Carnations with me in sex en
j.rs out of ten fall victims to the fog demon,
lose who have hitherto failed shoidd follow the
Its given by ilr. Crawford and "E..J. ,".and
ty may rely on securing satisfactory results.
1 it season I was late in layering and many of
t plants were indifl'erently rooted. At the end
c October I planted them all in frames in light,
rher sandy soil, giving one good watering to
atle the soil round the roots, but not adropafter-
vrds. The lights were put on to keep oil' rain
si snow; in foggy weather they were tilted at
'• sides to allow of a current of air jiassing
Migh, and were kept off in a time of shar|)
■I. During the winter they made a quantity
ijivhite I'oots, were planted out in March, and I
rersaw Carnations make finer giowth. — .I.C.B.

Jood bedding Fuchsias. — The use of
Ichsias for Howcr garden decoration continues
t increase, and few plants give more pleasure
\ en well placed. All varieties do not succeed

< lally well for the purpose, and though there are.
s le notable exceptions, the majority of those
' ich do best belong to the section with red
sialsaud plum coloured corollas, these bein^

I 'dier generally than most of the lighter coloured
fms. 1 iiotecl a week or two back in Hyde
Irk some excellent varieties, old .and new, mostly
i the form of liig pyramid-shaped plants, and
t vering freely. Une of the most noteworthy was

I I old Tower of London, which was planted in
c nbination with Coreopsis lanceolata, this being
so in good condition, tall, and finely Howercd.
1 Scarcity was blooming freely, the flowers being

< globular form, suggesting the old and very

I "dy F. Kiccartoni as one of its parents.
.other goo<l \ariety of globular shape was F.
i^rinka, the colour of this being almost self red.
iMrs. Rundell is a very distinct and charming
I chsia with flesh-coloured sepals and vermilion-

I I corolla, the flowers long, and much like
')se of the better-known Mrs. Marshall in
Im and si-/.e. F. Mme. Cornelissen was also
<!eptionally goo<l, and it remains still the best
( all Fuchsias with white corollas. The tine
I nti of this were badly carpeted with mixed
-Iters, the various colours of which spoiled the

I't of W'hat should have been an attractive
I- A green carpet would have been far more
'L-etive tlian this indiscriminate mixture of Asters
1 many colours and shades, some of them \ery
(3r indeed, To the above good outdoor varieties
,, y he added the tine old F. fulgens, a bed of
' ich seen at Kew was uncommon.— J. C. T.

SHORT XOTES.—FLOWEIi.

Gynerium argenteum. — The greenish tinsre of
youth as seen m the lofty plumes of the Pamp-as (Irass
is now being replaced by tlie silvery hue from wlu'cli
tbe plant derives its spocitic name. The largest tufts
are very pleasing wliero both sliaticg are to be seen at
the fame time. Ou the grass in the Royal Garden.s,
Kew, are many line tufts in full beauty at the present
time.

Canna Paul Bert.— This fine deep scarlet-
flowered Cainia has stood out prominently among
others at Kiiv this autumn. It is handsome alike in
foliage and flower, the leaves being large and of a
deep bronze colour. Well-grown Cannas are a great
boon in the flower garden if only from their imposing
habit of growth, and when to this is added a profusiou
of handsome flowers the effect is very fine. — J. C. T.

Knipliofia nobilis.— This handsome Torch Lily
is siill pushing forth its fine heads of bloom, so large
indeed aud so massive in general appearance as to be
almost su.^'gfstive of its distinctive tame. But the
tine character of such plants does not appear uutil '

disbudding are required to produce largo, symmetrical,
deep blooms with perfect centres. Were this not done
all the flowers would come open-eyed. If 1 wanted a
crocd supply of white Dahlias in my garden, 1 should
depend upon pompou tieorge Brinckmann, a variety
which is rather large as a pompou, f>ut produces
charming flowers in great abundance. — It. D.

Kitchen Garden.

Tomatoes in the open air at Ampthill House,
a photograph fent ly Mr. W. J. Emp.

they are some three or four years old, when the tower-
ing spikes will reach 8 feet high. For this reason it
is well to anticipate its maximum height when plant-
ing it.

Crocus speeioSUB.— The flowers of this lovely
species have b^en more than usually abundant this
year, partii.'ularly when growing in the more grassy
spots on banks and the Hl;e. Very often the flowers of
this and allied subjects that appear in advance of the
foliage suffer greatly from pelting rains. The flowers
tira more durable in the gniss than in plices fully
exposed. Few thing's are more beautiful iu the grass
than those, pirticularly oa banks or slopes.

Dahlia Mont Blanc— The proper name of this
variety is Gloire de Lyuu, under which it was sent out
from Frarce some yetirs ago. ;ind by which also it is
known in Dahlia catalogues and exhibited at Dahlia
shows. When caught iu its best character it is a fine
white self, but net eo constant or so fine in quality for
exhibition as .John Wtilker. Those who grow Gloire
de Lyon for exhibition allow the plants to carryall the
buds until they get otu^ or two or more which are likely
to produce tine blossoms, and then thinning out and

OUTUUOK TOMATOES.
To grow Tomatoes successfully out of doors the
seed must bo sown by the middle of January
and placed in a nice warm iirnpagating pit or
frame. As .soon as the |ilaiits ;u-u lit to handle
they should be potted oil' singly into U-inch pots
!ind put into a close frame for a few days. The
c >mpo.st slujuld not be rich, but consist of good
fresh leaf-mould one part, fibrous loam two
parts, and a little sharp .sand.
I find the plants grow much
better when planted out and
potted in this way than when
a richer compost is used. The
chief thing to aim tit is to keep
the plants as sturdy tts possible,
short - jointed jjhoits fruiting
much ([uicker when jilanted
out than those that haye been
allowed to become drawn. By
the first week in April they
should be nice pltints and need
more air on bright days, as
this will assist very much in
hardening them ready for plant-
ing outside, which should be
done about the end of April
or the first week in May, tak-
ing ctire to cover them at night
till they are safe from frosts.
The sorts which I find do best
out of doors are Cliiswick Red,
Polegate, Carter's Early, Vice-
roy, and a seedling the result
of a cross between the < )ld Red
and Polegate. Chiswick Red
is a .splendid cropjier outside.

There is still one more fea-
ture in outside culture, and
that is getting the fruit to ripen
after it is grown. How often
do we hear people say they can
grow plenty of Tomatoes out-
side, but they cainiot get them
to ripen. If they will cover
the fruit at night from about
the middle of September and
keep oft' the rain and dews,
they will find that tlie greater
part of the fruit will ripen well
outside. Not only is the fruit
much better when ripened on the phmts, but a
good iiorticm of the crop is often lost through
being picked green.

The enclosed photogrtiph was taken on Sep-
tember 27, and most of the fruit has now
(October 1'2) ripened well outside. — W. .1.
Emi-son, 7'lie Gardens, Ampthill House, Beds.

This has been one of the best years

for outdoor Tomatoes that I remember, and
if it had not been marred by cold, wet,
stormy weather during August and the early
imrt of September, I should have ri|)ened the
largest jjercentage of a heavy crop. Owing to the
latter |)art of September and the early days of
October proving fine and dry, a deal of fruit has
been forwarded sufliciently to get it into ;i con-
dition when a few days under ghiss will ripen
it off, and certainly good wall-grown Tomatoes
are far su|)erior to anything in the w;iy of im-
ported fruit. Anyone growing this crop in the

Beds
'■on.

From

3il

THE GARDEN.

[October 30, 1897.

open air must, even on tlie south coast, get the
plants as far advanced as possible under glass,
and plant out as early in iMay as possible. I
generally plant at the end of A]5ril, and cover the
plants when frost threatens, for even lialf the
area of early plants will finish off more ripe fruit
than double the quantity put out at tlie end of
May. and that they repay good deep culture and
rich soil I am <iuite convinced by the crop. In
deeply trenched borders the plants have gone to
the top of a 10-feet wall, and are loaded with green
fruit to the tips. As regards varieties suited for
outdoor culture, I think a sort called Brookes'
Freedom has surpassed all others in freedom of
cropping, and the fruit is of about the size and
shape that tintl most favour with purchasers. A
bright red, round Tomato weighing a quarter of a
pound is far more saleable than one double the
size. — J. G., Goaport.

Cabbage sprouts.—" S. M." (p. 283) is hardly
fair to me in saying that I think Cabbage sprouts
aui^erior to young Cabbage, as in my note on this
subject I simjjly said that I saw no falling off in
the quality of these sprouting hearts. I have not
the least hesitation in sending such to table, and,
more than that, I get no complaints for so doing ;
neither are they necessary. Of course, this would
not be the case if the land was not well prepared
and in good heart to withstand the strain of jjro-
longed cropping, but, given this and a good
variety for the purpose, i see no ad\antage in the
destruction of useful beds before their time, and,
from the point of garden economy. I consider the
ad\ice to do so is wrong. At the same time I
have nothing whatever to say against the prac-
tice of planting a few rows of spring-sown plants
as a supplementary measure or from motives of
tidiness.— J. C. T.

Broccoli Michaelmas White. — Wherever
grown this variety is sure to please owing to its
size, colour, and flavour, and coming in nicelj'
between ordinary sowings of Veitch's Autumn
<;iant and Self-protect n ; Broccoli. Even if it
be soM n at the same time as the September batch
of the former, it being a somewhat slower grower,
will follow it, and as the weather is then cooler it
comes on gradually and lasts over a considerable
time. One of its characteristics is the jjure white
heads, in this respect surpassing all other autumn
sorts. Market growers would do well to turn
their attention to this Broccoli. Hundreds of
acres of Autumn Giant and Self-protecting are
grown, but good though these be the fine delicate
ajipearance of JSIichaelmas White would catch the
eye of liuj'ers, and secure for it a ready sale. — C.

The Bochford as a market Cucumber.—

Many Cucumbers will do well enough gro\\n in
the summer months, but are useless for producing
profitable crojjs during the trying period of
I)ecember and Januarj*. The good old Syon
House is still one of the best, its somewhat short
fruit being produced on healthy plants e\'en more
freolj' than the mueh-grown-for-winter sort
Telegraph. Lord Kenyon's Favourite is another
good winter Cucumber if it can be obtained true,
but few nurserymen now catalogue it. A variety,
however, that when well grown by gardeners for
winter fruiting will be always valued is the Roch-
ford. This is a selection made by the great
fruit-growers of that name ; it cannot be beaten
where profit is a consideration. I was recently
talking to a grower for market, who informed me
that he grew the Rochford exclusively. He also
said many failures in winter Cucumber-growing
occur from the plants having too much soil to
grow in. Deep beds, or even bulky hillocks of soil
get sour before the roots can permeate them, and
the plants at once go back. His opinion was
fully justified by the grand crops he grew last
winter in vei-y small mounds of manure-free
soil, half an inch more being added when the roots
appeared on the surface. — J. Crawfoiid.

raised. It is a beautiful plant, but lacks robust-
ness, being of rather delicate constitution and
also particular as to soil and situation. We have,
moreover, a variety of the type which is called
elegans or connata, which is a very robust grower,
■nith larger flowers and more imbricated ray
petals. This variety I have used for many years
in order to obtain new varieties. This 3'ear I have
been so far successful, and have obtained different
forms and a break in colour. A bright deep ultra-
marine form and a snow-white variety have been
raised, the latter a far superior plant to the now
common S. caucasica alba. Liatris graminifolia
alba is finite a little gem, the pure white flowers
look ver\- cheerful. After great trouble I have
succeeded in getting a small supply of Ramondia
Nathali;¥, now nearly extinct in its wild habitat.
It has larger and deeper coloured flowers than R.
serbica. Crocus Cartwrightianus albus and C.
marathoniseus are very showy pure white au-
tumnal blossoms. Another Crocus is very beau-
tiful just now. It is a species new to cultivation,
flowers snow-white, with a few faint black stripes,
the leaves are glaucous grey, and have no points,
but angles. — Max Leichtlin, Bodin- Baden.

Notes from Baden-Baden. — Of the typical
Scabiosa caucasica a ^liiite \ariet}' has lieen

NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES.

ViE have to thank our readers all over the
country for so kindly replying to the following
questions, and we hope that tlie notes will
jn'ove valuable : —

Will yoii kindly aid vs in thfoii-ing some li<jht
on Strawberries of best qualify for tlie iise of
prirdte growers, as market grotrers have a different
staiiitard from that v:hich applies to the private
garilener, and faronr those Idnds that hear
carriage, rather than those that are remarkable for
flii.vour and quiditii'^ FortAose uho use their own
fruit v:e think that a different standard should be
in use.

1. iriieU kinds do yoxi consider the best for
flaronr in yonr district, i.e., as rjrown in garden.^,
not taHncfinto account these grown in the open
field for market '(

2. The best early and late ki mis for the open air
in your district '/

3. Whieh of the ntirer sorts do you find most
n:orthy of cullircdion from a garden point of
view '1

4. The lust time to plant so as to secure the best
and inost regular crops?

Royal Sovereign, Vicomtesse Hi?ricart de

Thury and President I consider the best either for
forcing, cropping or flavour. These are hardy,
free bearing and of good qualitj'. Auguste
Nicaise and La Grosse SucrSe are both early kinds,
of good flavour, good for forcing and free bearing,
but they sufler very much in severe winters, not
being so hardy as the first-mentioned. A ^■ariety
called Louis (.iauthier gave a few fruits, but the
colour I should imagine will be ver}' detrimental
to it ever becoming very popular in England.
Louis (iauthier with me is a kind of cream and
pink, or magenta, as a person once remarked to
me. At the time of writing (August 17) I have
plenty of the alpine varietj', which is most pro-
lific, good in colour and of robust constitution.
Though small, it is well worth growing for mixing
witii other fruits for tarts or jam, or even dessert
where variety is required ; another advantage is
that birds do not trouble it much. There are
some kinds I cannot succeed with. They make
plenty of growth, but fail to fruit, so haxe been
discarded. Among these are ICeens' Seedling,
Dr. Hogg, Sir J. Paxton, British Queen and
Elton Pine. Several have been discarded owing
to poor flavour — Noble, for instance. I give
Royal Sovereign the premier place for all purposes
as a Strawberry of recent introduction, while
older kinds, as President and Vicomtesse Huricart
de Thury, still retain their position. The ground

is a strong clay and with deep cultivation suit
the Strawberry well. As a rule I plant o
ground that has been cropped with early Peas c
Potatoes, and gi\e a dressing of burnt ashes an
decomposed soil from the rubbish heap, with a
addition of lime if they follow Peas. The groun
is dug over, but not after Potatoes. I then plai
in rows '2 feet a|)art and 1 foot 9 inches fromplai
to plant, except alpine varieties, these are a fo(
each way. They usually stand three and somi
times four years if they remain in good conditio!
I plant on permanent ground as soon as I c;i
obtain good runners, and generally get a nii
crop of fine fruit the first season. In thefoUowii
spring — April or ilay — according to weather,
give them a good mulching of half rotten manur
which keeps the moisture in the ground and ali
keeps the fruit clean when ripe, as most of tl
substance is washed out of the manure by th;
time. \\'hen the fruit is gathered, I clear off o
runners except those required for planting,
never dig or fork between the plants, only usetl
Dutch hoe occasionally to loosen the surface,
have had heavy crojis for years with this trea
ment. This is a cold, late district, the atm
sphere charged with sulphur, which is mo
disastrous at times to vegetation. — T. Bossal
Lhnii Hall, Lced.-s.

The best Strawberries for flavour in tl

garden are Lord SuffieUl and Gunton Park. T
best early kinds are Royal Sovereign and Vicoi
tesse H. de Thury: the best late sorts. Latest
All and Elton Pine. The newer sorts mt
worthy of cultivation in this garden are Gunt'
Park, Monarch, and Latest of All. The best til
to plant so as to secure the best results is eai
in August from early layered runners from plai
grown especially for producing them, these n
being allowed to bear fruit. — John Crawfoi;
CoddingtO}i Hall, 2\eirark.

The best flavoured Strawberry grown b(

is Sir Joseph Paxton. It is one of the best to bt
carriage. Noble is the best early \-ariety I gro
Some of my friends say it is wanting in flavoi
I agree with them it is not one of the best, b
when grown 'A feet from row to row, -well expos
to the sun and gathered before it is too ripe
never have any complaints. .lames Veitch a
Waterloo succeed well here as later varieties. T
best time to plant Strawberries is as early
August as possible, so as to get the plants w
established before winter sets in. At tlie fii
signs of frost I give a good dressing of manui
but see that the crowns of the plants are n
coAered. This annual mulching should be giv
each year as long as the plants are required
bear. I think close planting and digging betwe
the plants are the greatest errors in Strawher
culture. I never plant nearer than 3 f'jet frc
row to row and IS inches in the row. I ne\er (1
the ground from the time of planting until t
plantation is done away with, which is always
soon as the third crop has been gathered. I hn
adopted the above system now for over twen
years, and, wet and dry seasons alike, never fail'
to have a crop. — Tuos. Caxnisg, Aldenham J'ai
Bridgnorth, Salop.

The best flavoured Strawberries here a

Keens' Seedling, Sir .Joseph Paxton, Royal Son
reign. President, Laxton's Commander, T
Countess, and Latest of All. The best early soi
are Keens' Seedling, La Grosse Sucree, Ro)'
Sovereign, Sir Joseph Paxton ; the best Int
Latest of All and Elton Pine. Of the newer soi
that have done well are Royal Sovereign, Laxtoi
Commander, and (Junton Park. For planting
consider the best time about the first or secoi
week in August if you have good rooted plan
ready and the ground has been well sweetened ai
manured. ^T. "Randall, Holme Lacy, Hinfonl.

The Strawberries that are most in favoi

here are Royal So\ereign, Sir Joseph Paxton, ai
Sir Charles Napier. For an early variety I lil
Royal Sovereign. Grown side liy side w'ith Nob
it was quite as early and much better in evci
way. Latest of All is preferred for a late cro
Of newer varieties tried Royal Sovereign i-;
Latest of All are the best. Competitor cro]

October oO, 1897.]

THE r; All DEN.

34.3

11, but the fruit is too soft. I tike to plant as
as stroiii; plants can lie jjot at the end of
Iv or he^'inniny of Anjjnst. Plants layered on
ill wpiares of turf are liUed much better than
ibso in small pots. I make a new plantation
iriually, and do not keei) tlie beds more than
■ee years. — Wm. Anukkws, Tmiothnan, Coni-
II.

- The foUowini; Strawberries succeed well

4e, viz., Royal Sovereign, President, Sir Jos.

\ton, .James Veitch,Sir Chas. Napier, Waterloo,

. Hoifg, Oxonian, P.lton Pine, and Latest of

.1. The following three varieties I have dis-

cded, British tj'ueen. La Grosse Sucn^e and

!ible. They were not satishictory. The kinds

l»'ing the liost flavour are Dr. Hogg, President,

i'Jos. Paxton, Koyal Sovereign, and Latest of

.1. Waterloo by some is greatly admired. The

1 jt early kind I grow is Royal Sovereign ; by the

I lie its latest fruits are i-ipe the earliest fruits

I President and Sir .Jos. Paxton are ready for

1;, followed by others. The best late kinds I

jDwarc Latest of All, Oxonian, and Elton Pine.

' ,e only new kindsgrownhereare Royal Sovereign,

'. test of All, and Waterloo, which are very satis-

I'tory. The best time to plant for secui'ing a

) od crop the following season is the latter end of

. ly or as early in August as ])0ssible, but in such

I isons as the present it was \'ery difficult to secure

1 ong plants for .July planting. To prolong the

Irawberry supply 1 tind it a good plan to plant

I a south border for the earliest. The second

■.<\ principal lots are planted in the open. The

-t are planted on a north border. From such

iting as 1 have named the results have been

-t satisf-ictory. — W. Glassey, Thi Uriidaii,

■4tij Pail.', Henhyoa-Thames.

The \arieties I consider the best for

lur are Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, Royal

reign, President, < iunton Park, and I)r. Hogg,

only other kinds I grow arc Laxton's Xo. 1,

juste Nicaise, and O.xonian. The best early

Ills are Laxton's No. 1, Vicomtesse Herieart de

iry, and Royal .Sovereign, which ri|5en in the

■iier named. The best late kinds are Gunton

Irk and O.xonian, the latter continuing the

aiply so long as I have found it possible to

ither Strawlierries of good flavour out of doors.

' the newer kinds the only ones I have found

■ouglily satisfactory on this soil are Laxton's

I, Royal Sovereign, and Gunton Park. Lord

. itield and Waterloo I found to be of excellent

I ality, but they ditl not crop sufficiently well to

retained. 1 plant the layers about the middle

I August, in well-manured and deeply trenched

1 3und. P;ut of the annual plantings is composed

' forced plants. These are put out in .June and

vays afford heavy crops the following season.

i-ed plants of Vicomtesse planted out in May

in most seasons afford a late autumn crop,

my ex[)erience is that outdoor Strawberries

■ no flavour after August, in the north at any

'•.—J. TiN.NiNi/ruN, I!ij,!,,/ CasK,: (lardtux,

I The Strawberries I tind to do best with

on this soil, which is a stiff" clay, are Vicom-

-!-■ HA-icart de Thury, Sir Joseph Paxton,

'inton Park, Jioyal Sovereign, Sir Charles

■ ipier, and Lord Napier. The best early kinds

: s Vicomtesse Herieart de Thury and Sir Joseph

xton; the best late. Sir Charles and Lord

ipier. Of the new kinds. Royal Sovereign is

B best. Noble lacking fl.avour. The best time

plant greatly depends on the condition of plant

in soil. If the plants have been layered early

'o pots, and the soil well prepared and iii

|oa condition, planting mav be done in August

■th very good results. I {,veier to delay plant-

r till March. 1 take the layers off in August

id plant them thickly on a good piece of ground,

• ming a kind of nursery bed. Then in March I

: :k out the strongest and best and transplant to

;5 permanent bed. I agree with destroving the

'H after three years' fruiting.— A. C.v.n'XOx,

onliiir.il, Eilinhriilijt.
^^T~ ^'°'' earliest kinds I find Vicomtesse
.^ricart de Thury still good. Although not a
ge kind, it is reliable in every way. Royal

Sovereign is a most useful Strawberry, of large
size, good flavour, an abundant bearer, and of
good colour when well exposed to the sun. It is
rather soft for travelling long distances, but for
home consumption first rate. This is the best of
the new kinds I have grown. Of the .second
earlies. Sir .1. Paxton is a reliable kind and will
travel well. .John Ruskin is a most abund.uit
bearer and of fair ([uality. Of late kinds. Frog-
more Late Pine is well known. Jubilee is a first-
rate kind, most abuiulant cropper, and of good
tpiality. It is a valuable kind and everyone
should give it a trial. Latest ot All is a good
variety. Countess is the finest flavoured Straw-
berry I know ; the fruit, handsome, of cockscomb
shape, and splendid colour, is freely produced.
The following 1 have found wanting in various
respects, although some of them I still retain for
further trial : King of the Earlies is richly
flavoured, but too small ; Pauline worthless ;
Noble large, but of poor flavour and soft ; La
(Jrosso Sucrre of ])0or flavour; Auguste Nicai.se
large, poor ila\our and \ery soft; Lord Suffield
and Gunton Park have very large, soft fruit of
poor flavour ; Sensation very large fruit of the
poorest quality : Waterloo too delicate in con-
stitution ; Loxford Hall Seedhng is of first-rate
flavour, but too uncertain for general use. The
best of the newer kinds grown here are Royal
Sovereign, I>atest of All, and .Jubilee. The best
time for forming new plantations is, in my
opinion, August, providefl the weather is suit-
able. — Tno.M.\s Ar.xoi.d, Ciniicc.xicr JIoiisi ,
Gfoiirealtr.

No hard and fast rule can be laid down, so

far as my soil is concerned, on the best way
of growing Strawberries. It is simply a matter
of so treating each variety that it is grown
in such a manner as will lead to the best re-
sults, for whilst one will do M-ell as an annual
and degenerates after the first year, another gives
altogether better crops, greater in bulk "and
equally good in quality, in the second and third
years. I am rather chary of trying new varieties,
several that were strongly recommended ha\ing
signally failed. The following are very reliable :
Of Black I'rince, a few grown on a south border
connect the season between indoor and outdoor
fruit ; trusses are thinned andj Ijloora receives
protection ; annual treatment from early runners
layered in turf. Vicomtesse H. de Thurj' is my
heaviest cropper. It is grown on the three
years' system, trusses and bloom are thinned for
dessert ; for general kitchen use, Iiowe\ er, and
preserving, for which latter purpose it is one
of the best, no thinning is required. La (irosse
Sucrfie is still one of the most reliable varieties, of
close and compact habit, and may be planted
thickly. Annual treatment being indispensable,
the plant is worthless after the first year. Royal
Sovereign grows very strongly and throws good
fruit, but there is a tendency to mildew. I'resi-
dent is the best mid-season \ariet}', and is grown
on the three years' system either from rooted
layers or old forced stuft', the latter preferably ;
the same latter cultural note should have been
made of V. H. de Thury. Of late sorts I have tried
Unser Fritz, Frogmore and Filliert Pines, Hfdenc
Gloede, Loxford Hall, and Waterloo, and the last-
named is decidedly the best ; annual treatment
giving the l)est results. Filbert Pine is a good
late ■( ariety, requiring good soil and liberal treat-
ment. Noble and Sir J. Paxton were formerly
grown and proved exceptionally heavy croppers,
doing well luider the three years" treatment, but
I have discarded them, the first-named being use-
less for des.scrt, and Paxton not so good as Presi-
dent, that is if one gets the latter true. There
are two Presidents in the field, the one a higli-elass
Strawberry, the other very poor indeed. Neither
British t^hieen nor Dr. Hogg are at all satisfactory.
— E. BruKKi.i., C/anmoiif, Jishtr, .Siirny.

The best flavoured early Strawberry is willi-

out douljt Hi'ricart de Thury, and besides giving
good crops the fruits are usually of nice table size.
This is hard run for earliness Ipy Royal Sovereign,
a variety that has liecome very ))o)ndar anil is
now universally grown. Following this come The

Countess and Edouard Lefort, both giving high
flavour and neat, excellent fruits. Gunton Park
and Lord Suflield are both Hue flavoured mid-
season varieties, and for late use the best are
Latest of All and \'eitch's Perfection, a variety
that furnishes the flavour of British (,)ueen with
the deep colour and lateness of Waterloo. Here
arc eight varieties that apart from other qualities
give flavour in the highest degree as found in
Strawberries, and all are on lihe average goutl
gi'owers. Too many persons associate acidity
with flavour ; that is a mistake. British Queen,
the best flavoured of all the old varieties, is but
slijfhtly acid, whilst its aromatic flavour is pre-
eminent. All who would test flavour in any new
variety slundil have I*.riti.sh (jHieen as a test fruit.
So far are .-inswered the three fiist queries found in
the circular issued from the ottice. I'ossibly from
other (juarters will come other results, but the
conditions imposed on replies to these ([ueries
necessarily limit the range of selection of varie-
ties, and so far that is a good thing, as by exclud-
ing the large, soft, or flavourless varieties more
than two-thirds of the commonly known ones are
avoided. With respect to question four, there
can be no doubt whatever that .Strawberry plants
cannot be put out where to fruit too soon after
they have become well-rooted runners. If that
work can be done in August, either from pots or
hand-layered plants, lifted with balls of soil, and
replanted in deeph'-worked and well-manured
ground at once, then not only does rooting follow:
rapidly and the soil be widely gripped, but strong
crowns also are produced : as only from stout,
firm crowns can such bloom be produced in the
s]iring as shall evolve fine and abundant fruits.
Where ground cannot be spared in August, the
plants lifted from the old beds should be put into
a nursery ground for a month and be transplanted
where to fruit later, but the sooner thus planted
the more stout and firm is the leafage, the earlier
does it mature, and the more solid the crowns.
For first early uses the plan of putting out the
young plants on to warm borders in August at
12 inches ,ipart is a good one, as double the crop
on a given area is thus obtained the first year, and
then some other crop may follow so soon as the
plants are cleared off. In that waj- the border
can produce two ero]js in the year instead of one
only if Strawberries stand for three years. — A.
Dean, Kiiujston-on-Thainit.i.

The crop this season has been very poor

with me. My favourite sorts for flavour and crop-
ping are .John Ruskin, Noble, Royal Sovereign,
President, Sir Charles Napier and Latest of AIL
Noble is a grand fruit, but rather deficient in
flavour. Napier is my favourite, both for general
crop and forcing, it also being one of the best for
travelling. I have not tried many of the new
\arieties, but Royal .Sovereign and Latest of All
are my favourites amongst those I have tried. In
making new plantations, I like to get the runners
rooted in small pots for planting in their per-
manent <iuarters as early as possible to insure
good returns the following season. After fruiting
three years I destroy the plants. — Wm. S.vn'i:\vin,
Tn/Uwl.; Ti-iti-o.

The varieties I consider best in flavour

are British Queen, Royal Sovereign, King of the
Earlies, Gunton Park, President, and Vicomtesse
Herieart de Thury. I find the following varieties
best for early use : King of the Earlies, Noble,
President and Vicomtesse H(?ricart de Thury ;
and for late use : Latest of All, \"eitch's Perfec-
tion and Elton Pine. I find the following new va-
rieties best worth growing : Royal Sovereign,
Gunton Park, Sensation and Monarch. The best
time to jilant Strawberries here is from September
■2(1 to ;iO— 1 mean runners that were taken oil' and
potted in .August, and put close together in a
shady phice till rooted. — W>i. Mookk, AIIi rion
Hall, Lmls.

I find the best kinds here are Vicomtesse

and Keens' Seedling for early work and preserv-
ing, while for dessert I find Royal Sovereign, Sir
.loseph Paxton, Dr. Hogg, and British Queen the
best, coming in the order named, with O.xonian
for verj' late. \'icomtesse, Keens' Seedling, La

344

THE GARDEN.

[October 30, 1897.

Grosse Sucree, and Royal Sox'ereign are the best
early kinds, with Dr. Hogg, British Queen,
Oxonian, and Latest of All for late use. Royal
Sovereign is the best new variety. I plant good
strong rooted plants at the end of August and
get a fair crop of extra-sized fruit the following
season.— F. Harris, Ka-stnor Castle.

The Strawberries grown here are princi-
pally old kinds, and I have never known them
fail to ])i-oduce a good crop. The kinds I find
bear carriage best are Noble, James Veitch, Presi-
dent, (Junton Park, Royal Sovereign, and Dr.
Hogg. The following are the kinds I consider
best for flavour in this district : Royal Sovereign,
Scarlet (^>ueen, Ounton Park, Vicomtesse H. de
Thury, and Dr. Hogg. The best early and late
kinds that I find do best here are Royal So\ereign,
Scarlet Queen, Noble, Vicomtesse H. de Thurj',
.lames Veitch, Auguste Nicaise, La Grosse Sucree,
President, Sir J. Paxton, and Dr. Hogg. Of the
few new kinds I have grown I find Royal
Sovereign is one of the best. Scarlet Queen and
Gunton Paik also do well liere. The best time to
plant so as to secure the best and most regular
crops is, I consider, as early as possible. I always
get the runners into the pots as soon as they are
large enough, and as soon as they are well rooted
I have them planted out into well-manured
ground. By planting early the plants ha\e time
to make good crowns before the cold weather sets
in, and in the spring are ready to make a good
strong start. I only allow a bed to remain two
years, as 1 find the plants do no good after that
time. — William Conway, Thv GankiLi, Ahlicrley
Hall, iSlovrport.

The Strawberries I find do best in this

garden are Royal Sovereign, Waterloo, Vicom-
tesse Hericart de Thur}', James Veitch and
Latest of All. Royal Soverign is by far the best
Strawberry grown for all purposes ; it is splendid
for forcing and does well in the open. James
Veitch is a capital Strawberry as a second earlj',
and it M'ithstands the drought well. Vicomtesse
is a grand old sort always to be depended on,
and where StrawVjerries are in demand for ])re-
serving there is nothing better. I always layer
my Strawberries into small pots, get them on
earlj' and |jlant out after early Peas or Potatoes ;
I thus get a good crop the following j'ear.
Another good plan which I have adopted for
years, and which never fails to give good results, is
to put out the best of the plants tliat have been
forced. Stand the plants in a cool frame after they
leave the forcing-house and look after them well,
and when the ground is cleared of other crops plant
them out and well water. The result will be a
full crop the next year. — T. B. Field, Axhwell-
thorpe Hall, Norfolk.

I have been trying Royal Sovereign this

year, and am very well satijfied with it. It is a
good bearer, fruit of good colour, large, and earlier
than President. I am jihinting a larger bed of
it this year. I have thrown away Noble, the
flavour not being good enough. President I still
find the best Strawberry for all requirements
when in season, and follow up with Elton Pine
when there is only room for tbi'ce sorts. I con-
sider these the best. Dr. Hogg I like very much.
Bl.ack Prince, Helene Glocde, .James Veitch, Sir
Harry, Sir Jos. Paxton and Vicomtesse Hericart
de Thury I have discarded. — F. Oldh.\m, Broom-
field Hall, Dvrhy.

Of the many Strawberries that I grow I

prefer Royal Sovereign. I layered it into small
pots last autumn and planted it out in the sprino-
of the year, when it yielded a fine crop of laro-e,
fine-coloured fruit. Vicomtesse Hericart de
Thury is one of our best flavoured and alwaj'S
carries a good crop. Keens' Seedling does well
with me and is a great favourite. President also
does well and is much liked. I consider Roval
Sovereign the best early and the best new variety
on our soil. — J. Hunter, Laiahton VastU.

I am no believer in a number of kinds of

Sti awberries any more than I am in a number of
sorts of Potatoes. About three kinds of either
I find sufficient for all purposes. Without beino-
over hasty in putting Sir Joseph Paxton in the

background for general purposes, I think I
must give the place of honour to Royal Sovereign,
as it has done exceedingly well witli me the.se two
seasons and is in every way good. Sir .Joseph
Paxton I grow largely for main crop as the fruit
tra\els well and is of good sliape and colour, the
plant being ])rolific and of good constitution.
Vicomtesse H. de Thury I still grow largely, it
being a good early variety and very i)rolific.
Fiogmore late Pine is a good late kind, and where
tlie season needs extending will always repay the
attention bestowed upon it. — C Wakdkn, Claren-
don Park, Salisbury.

I regard Sir J. Paxton as one of the very

best flavoured Strawberries suitable for garden
culture. It is also a grand cropper, and for a[)-
pearance ^•ery hard to beat. Royal Sovereign,
La Grosse Sucrt'e, Countess, \\'aterloo, and Leader,
added to the first-named, are six varieties not
easily beaten when flavour, appearance, and crop-
ping qualities are taken into account. As a very
early variety we cannot yet do without Laxton's
No. 1, for, although the flavour is not quite first-
rate, gardeners must produce early Strawberries
in the open air. Royal Sovereign is a fine variety
to succeed it. Frogmore Pine, Latest of All, and
Waterloo are the best late kinds for this district.
The best of the newer sorts are \'eitch's Perfec-
tion and Laxton's Monarch. I consider that early
in August is the best time to jilant, so that the
plants may get thoroughly established before
severe weather sets in, and thus be able to pro-
duce a fair crop of fruit tlie following season. If
the soil is dry and the weather bright at planting
time it is, however, necessary to water and mulch.
Extra attention of this description is well repaid,
because it enaljles the cultivator to secure a crop
in less than a year from the time of planting,
when, without such attention, but little if any
fruit would be obtained till the second year. — H.
Ddnkin, Cas/le Garekns, Waririrk.

The best flavoured kinds of Strawberries

grown here I consider to be Vicomtesse H.
de Thury, President, Sir J. Paxton, and Royal
Sovereign, in order of names. The best early
kinds, as far as I have grown here, are Royal
Sovereign and Vicomtesse H. de Thury. Elton
Pine is relied upon for a late supply. Royal
Sovereign I consider a very useful variety both
for earliness and general cropping. For earliest
crop I always plant out rooted runners in August
at 1 foot apart each way on a south border, and
treat them as annuals, destroying them as soon as
fruiting is over. These produce ripe fruits from
a week to ten days earlier than old-established
beds. General planting is also done at this time
or earlier.— C. Herrix, Dropmorc.

■ ■ Up to the present time I have found none

to supersede Keens' Seedling in point of flavour,
but, unfortunately, the stock, unless frequently
changed, has a habit of growing out and becoming
valueless. In spite of this drawback, I retain it
on account of its high flavour, which is very rich
indeed, and it always meets with appreciation.
The next kind is Sir J. Paxton, which with me
is always richlj' flavoured, and it is a varietj'
eminently suited to this soil. It is now some
thirty years since this kind was first introduced
here, and the stock has never lieen changed ; in
fact, the necessity for doing so has ne\er arisen,
as it is as vigorous as ever, and exhibits not the
slightest sign of being worn out. Whether I
have a superior strain or not I am unable to say,
but certain it is that for size, colour, and, above
all, flavour I have not yet found anything to lieat
it. Next come Gunton Park and Lord Sutfietd,
both of which possess very high flavour. These
and the two varieties previouslj' mentioned form
a quartette of the best flavoured kinds most suited
to this soil. Roj'al Sovereign has proved to be
the best early Strawberiy yet introduced for this
district, and as such it will be largely grown for
many years to come. It is a vigorous and a
hardy grower, and produces veiy heavy crops of
fi'uit. The individual berries are large, and
well coloured, and the flavour is also \-ery good
indeed. So very satisfactory has Royal Sovereign
])roved to be here that several hundred more

]jlants have been set out just lately. Regardinjl
late kinds, I find nothing to et[ual Oxonian fc
late use, and this after repeated trials. Here tli
fruits attain a richness of flavour wliich is lack
ing in many places, and it will continue to li
grown until a better is found. Royal Sovereig
and Oxonian are the best earh' and late kinds i
tliis district. I am not in a position to give a
0])inion as to the merits of Leader and Monarcl
as I prefer to give them another season's trial befoi
doing so ; but with regard to other varieties my choic
falls upon ( Junton Park, Royal Sovereign, Lord Su
field, and Empress of India. The best time I fin
for planting is as early in August as circumstance
will allow, as an excellent crop of fruit, and tho
of a superior quality, is secured the first seasor
My method is to layer the requisite number (
runners as soon as enough have been secured f(
pots, and to plant these out as soon as they ai
well rooted and before they become pot-bouin
With one exception the plantations are broken u
after fruiting the third season, .so that one-thii
of the number of plants grown is replaced annual
with young stock. The exception mentioned is:
tlie case of Oxonian, which is best treated as
biennial, as the crop produced the third seasc
is very poor. This is the system tliat I fiu
answer best, and by its adoption heavy ai
continuous crops are secured. — A. Ward, Sto
Edith Gardens, Hereford.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1142.

THE IRISH HEATH.

(with a coloured plate op daboscia
polifolia.*)

The charm, both in habit and flower, whi
is characteristic of almost all the dwa
membeis of the Heath family, is well sliov
by the Irish Heath. ( )f neat and graccl
habit, flowering with great freedom and over
long season, of exquisite beauty of blossom,
is, besides, very hardy and of easier cultivati(
than many of its allies. It is a native of \\'e.ste
Europe and has been found in Ireland,
Western France, Northern Spain, and in tl
Azores. In Ireland it is most abundant
Connemara, but has also been gathered near t!
lakes of Killarney. On the mountains of Ma;
it has been collected at elevations of over 2(jl
feet abo\e sea level. The common name f
it in the west of Ireland is 8t. Dabeo(
Heath, from which the present generic nan
was derived. The genus is nearly allied
Menziesia, to which it belonged till 1)SM4, wlieii
was separated by David Don . It is a shrul) fro
1 font to 2 feet high and forms a dwarf evergrei
bush with erect branches. The droopii
flowers are borne in erect racemes, eacli 3 incli
to (i inches long. In the commonest form (ai
the one which may be regarded as tlie ty]i
the flowers are of a bright purple. The whi
variety was discovered in Connemara in 18-'
Tliese two forms are here figured, but there
also a third known as var. bicolor, which he;i
both purple and white flowers, both oolou
occasionally ap]iearing on even the same flowe
It blooms from early June to October.

The Irish Heath thrives under the conditio!
which suit the great bulk of the Ericaceie.
should have a peaty soil or, if that is not avai^
able, a good loam devoid of lime and with pleiil;
of leaf-soil. It riiiens seeds in jilenty, and li
their means can be raised in abundance. Tl
seeds should be sown at any time after they a
lipe in well-drained pans of peaty soil and stdi

* Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon
Gravetye Manor. Lithographed and printed by J.\!
Gotiart.

k

IRISH HEATH (DABOECIA POLIFOLIAJ

October 30, 1897.]

THE GAKDEi^.

345

I cool, moist pitor fr.uiio. When lars,'e enoui;h

hiimllc tho .seedling's should be prieked off

I) pans or boxes juid eventiuilly planted o\it

o tho nursery bonier, where they tiuwer the

ond season. When grown from seed the

uts show 11 tendency to vary. At Kew there

now .some ciirit)us specimens raised from

ti seed of the typical form which are as dwarf

aldose in li.ibit as .some of the Stonecrops.

1 onlinary sea.sons it is perfectly hardy, but,

le several other native .shrub.s, it suffered dur-

ijthe severe frt)sts of January anil February,

)5. t'ontrary to most of the shrubs that

re afl'ccted by that terrible spell of cold, it

\is the younn pl.ints tli.at were least injured;

Itli old and youni; were killed to the t;rouud,

• llie latter broke into growth again much the

ii' freely. But such a season may come only

I' in a generation. Of its value as an orna-

iit.d shrul) there can be no question. It may

1 grown as an edging to other taller ]ieat-lov-

i; sln-ulis, or as a sort of undergrowth where

1 y are not too thickly planted. It is also

( tty and effective when grown in groups. —

W. J. Be.vn.

• Among tlie reasons which we have given

i TiiK (iAunKX — and strong ones we think —
i English names to garden jilants there is one
■■ ich pei'haps has not had enough considera-
III. namely, the fart of tlie frequent altera-
in of Latin names inevitable perhaps owing to
!■ growtli of knowledge breaking down the
Irriers between the genera. Recently, for in-
■ lice, one may look in vain for the long-known

Tiie of the beautifid Irish Heath in the London
ilogue of British plants ; it has got a new Latin
le— Boretta. With a good English name these
'.uiges are of less consecpience.

The Week's Work.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

' I i;rv. — Nothing could be more favourable than

weather and soil for moulding up this crop ;

1 ■ only thing that one has to fear is that if the

11 k is pushed on too rajiidly on light and porous

I- the roots will lack sufficient moisture to en-

- the produce being of the highest (|uality.

I'od, I ha\e proved this already, as for the

■t week the Celery which I have been digging

^ been from soil almost dust-dry, and it is

iuewhat tough in conseijuence. As it is hardly

Ipected that there will be sufficient rain now to

iictrate to the roots of that which has been

"ilded up for some weeks, I shall lift M'hat is

piired (|uite a day in advance. A good portion

^iiilwill lie retained on the roots, the outer fob-

will lie tied round loosely with a strip of

iting, and the heads will be stood in a few

lies of water in a cool, dark cellar. I find this

|irove§ it greatly, and it is decidedh' more

' >p than when used direct from the dry soil. It

|iy ai)[>ear strange to water this crop in Oc-

her, but it would certainly be a wise plan on dry

:ils with later batches. By giving the trenches

-ood soaking advantage could be taken of the

weather to draw soil round the plants, as

■ a rain does come a favourable opportunity

. not occur. There is one advantage with the

vsent dry weather, viz., less danger of worms

ijd slugs eating into the centres, and the crops

■'ould turn out clean. It is later, however, in

ni; soils thai this has to be contended with, and,

I'cfore recommended, a good dusting of lime

'lid be given about tho plants before the .soil is

>i II round them. A sharp look out should be

! 'I for diseased leaves, which should be picked

at once and burnt. It is surprising how

i^kly this disease spreads when not checkeil.

biioceoLi.— Long before Autupin (4iant Cauli-

'vers will be over the earliest of the Broccoli

'11 be turning in. In my cage the varieties will

'Snow's Winter White and Veitch's Self-pro-

tecting Autumn. The absence of rain, together
with more than the usual amount of sun at this
.season, has caused the plants to remain much
dwarfer than we generally see them at this date.
This is a great advantage, as they are less liable
to bedamagcd by fro.st, owi ng to the leaves being of a
firmer lextiire, and they arc more easily retarded
by either lifting or removing them to a north
border, or by simply heeling them over than is
the case when they have made large .sappy gcowth.
The plantations should be looked over frec|uently,
and the jilants should be so regulated that not
more than what is re(|uircd to meet the demand
allowe<l to turn in. Where no attention is given
in this way the heads come on too i|uickly,
and many of them become too large before they
can be used, and as a result are wasted. This is
more to be regretted where there is not a large
(luantity of lafier varieties coniing on to succeed
them. Broccoli when they have attained the size
of a cricket ball are in the best condition for re-
tarding, as this is the most serviceable size for the
dininL'' room, and the check they receive by being
lifted and laid in a cool position preserves them in
this state over a much longer period than when
they are left undisturbed. Smaller quantities
may be lifted with a good ball of earth and stood
in a cool slie<l, but the foliage soon turns yello«',
and this ]ilan is not nearly so satisfactory as kee])-
ing them in the open. While on the subject of
Broccoli I may add that fewer kinds are really re-
quired to maintain a long supply than is supposed.
For instance, I have Snow's Winter White in
three stages of development by sowing in March,
April, and Maj'. Those sown first are now turn-
ing in, and the later batches promise to give a
long season from this one Aariety.

Cauliflowkrs. — Autumn-sown plants will
have become quite sturdy, and they should be still
fully exposed as long as possible. It only requires
the protection of glass for a very short period to
alter their aiipearance and cause them to draw up
weakly. It is almost better to run the risk of a
little frost at this season than commence to coddle
tliem, as the more hardy they can be made, the
better able are they to stand severe weather later
on. The surface soil should be slightly stirred
between the plants and a dusting of soot or lime
applied, but as a firm root-hold tends to the
formation of sturdy growth, it may jjrove an ad-
vantage, after treating the jjlants as described, to
make the soil firm about them by treading. Later
sowings made in frames for spring planting should
have the lights kept off them as long as possible.
See that the seedlings are not too crowded. A
one-light frame will protect a large number of
small (jlants during the winter, and W'hen it is not
desirable to prick these off now to allow them more
room, all the smallest should be drawn out to
allow each plant to stand clear of its neighbour.
Press the soil firmly round the roots of those
w-hich remain after thinning and work a little
fresh loam between them if they have become
rather leggy.

Lettvck and Endive which have Iieen planted
on old hot-beds will iirobably require watering
after the [ircscnt sfiell of dr3' weather. The leaves,
&c. , which were u.sed to make up the beds will
act as drainage, and the small dejith of soil above
them is apt to become dr\'. There should be no
lack of salad this winter, as it has been a most
favourable time for getting the plants forward.
In spite of this, however, accidents do happen,
and where there is likely to be a scarcity of
Lettuce later on I would recommend sowing seed
now in .shallow boxes. Veitch's ( nilden l^>uecn and
Early Paris Market are the best for this purpose,
as the}' luiturally turn in (piickly, and being of
\ery compact habit, they are more suitable for
box culture than the larger-Krowins kinds.
Boxes about .3 inches deep should be filled with
light rich soil and the seed sown rather thickly,
covering it afterwards with sandy soil. Water
through a fine rose, and stand the boxes on a shelf
near the glass in a warm greenhouse. If desir-
able, the seedlings may l)e allowed to grow
thickly and simjily out over like Cress when
about '.i inches or 4 inches high.

Fkench Bea.ss growing in unhealed pits should
have tho protection of double mats at night, as,
though there may be an absence of frost, a low
temperature checks the quick growth of the
pods. It would be better not to ventilate too
freely, and what air is allowed during mid-day
should be taken off again while the sun sti-ikes
the lights, so as to conserve as much solar warmth
as possiljle. Latei' batches in pots should be
placed near the glass in a nice growing tempera-
ture. A high night temperature is not desirable,
and great {;are should be used not to overheat
the pipes, this leading to weak growth as well aa
attacks from red spider.

RifiiAKD Paekeu.

FRUIT HOUSES.

Late vixeiiv. — Lady Downe's and other late
\arieties usually grown with them will now be
quite ripe, when a dry atmosphere and a free
circulation of air on every favourable occasion,
or when the temperature exceeds 50°, will be
needed. A little artificial warmth will be re-
ipiired to keep the air of the house dry. When
the weather clears up after a spell of foggy
weather, take advantage of the first fine day to
give the house a thorough airing, well heating
the pipes at the same time for a few hours, when
all moisture, should there be an}-, will be tjuickly
dispelled. All leaves should be gathered up
daily as they fall from the Vines, and the washing
of the floors should now cease, as occasional
sweeping with a soft hair-broom will sufliee to
keep them clean until the (Jrapes are bottled.
Should any of the inside borders retiuire water,
art'ord it on fine days only, and well cover the
surface afterwards with a good thickness of dry
litter to keep back damp. Outside borders, if
not covered as advised, should be done forthwith.
Look the Grapes over once or twice a week and
cut out any berries found to be decaying, and
with a camel's-hair brush carefully remove welis
if spiders have taken up their abode in the in-
terior of the bunches. All corners and any places
likely to afford these pests congenial quarters
should also lie brushed out weekly. Where these
late (Jrapes are not yet finished sufficient artificial
heat must be given to keep the temperature up
to the mark, and this must be persisted in until
exery berry is properly coloured and finished.
Air also must be admitted on every favourable
opportunity. See that inside borders do not
suffer from want of water, and continue to apply
it at a temperature of 85° until the Grapes are
ripe, well mulching the surface with some dry
non-conducting material to prexent moisture
rising and condensing on the beiries and roof
glass.

Muscats. — These, if occupying a house to them-
selves, may be treated a little differently, a few
degrees more warinlh being beneficial. On the
other hand they musi not be kept too warm,
otherwise the berries will shrivel. A safe rule is
to keep a night tenqierature of 50° with an addi-
tion of •)' more for the day. Abo\e these figures
air m?y be admitted on ex'ery tine day, but a\oid
cold cutting draughts, as these will soon rust the
berries, and shut" it off early in the day in low-
King, damp situations. If the above figures are
objected to as being too high, care must be taken
to see that the temperature does not get too low,
or so that moisture is deposited on the berries.
If there are any bunches still hanging on any of
the earlier started .Muscats they should be cut ard
bottled, which will enable the house to be freely
aired, borders attended to if necessary, and the
\'ines themselves subjected to a more perfect
season of rest.

L.VTE Hami'.ros. — These having such thin skins
will require careful treatment during the ensuing
month, when we are liable to so much foggy
weather, and when the Vines will be shedding
their leaves. The air must be kept in motion by
keeping the hot water pipes slightly warmed both
by day and night. If there is an inside border it
should not be watereil unless absolutely necessary,
because the roots will find sufficient moisture for

34G

THE GARDEN.

[October 30, 1897.

their needs in the outer border should the3' liave
the run of both. Look the grapes over frequently,
gather up the falling leaves every day, and spare
no effort towards keeping them in sound condition.
These Grapes, with care, can be kept until the end
of the year, when, as far as my experience goes,
they are highly a))preciated.

Other vineries. — If the remains of any of the
crops are still hanging in any of these houses they
will keep much better in bottles than on the
Vines. The Vines may then be partially pruned,
cutting away all sub-lateral growths antl shorten-
ing back the laterals themselves to a greater or
less extent, according to their age and condition.
Should the wood on any of the Vines be still un-
rijjened, shortening back must be deferred until,
by the application of a little fire-heat and jilentj
of air, the bark assumes a brown appearance.
This, however, is not likely to occur with healthy,
established Vines, and is a condition generally to
be found in young and extra strong rods, or in
those whose roots have found their way into the
cold suljsoil and have got bej'ond control. Pro-
ceed with the pruning of Vines in earlier houses
as soon as the leaves are oft' them, and after wash-
ing both them and the structures in a thorough
manner, dress them with an insecticide. The
rods after the cleaning is efi'ected should be slung
loosely from the trellis until starting time arrives.
All outside borders still unprotected may be
covered at once with Bracken or long dry stable
litter, which if so placed that it slopes from
the front of the house to the outer edge of border
will shed off a considerable amount of water and
snow, while it will tend to conserve the little
warmth still remaining in the soil.

L.\TE Melo.xs. — These will retpiire plenty of
top and bottom-heat to ensure good flavour.
Heat must not be lessened in any degree until the
fruits are ready for cutting. The plants as a rule
make but little growth at this late season, but the
roots require a good deal of water, especially if
the compost they are growing in is in proximity to
the hot- water pipes. Stimulants may be given,
but with caution, as an overdose, particularly
towards the finish, would spoil the lla\our.
Watering is best done early on bright moi-nings,
so that the superabundant moisture may pass
away while the ventilators are slightlj' open.
Closing should be done early, and wliut little
damping down is required should be done with a
fine rose-pot, syringing being entirely dispensed
with. ^\'hen the fruits begin to colour cease
watering and damping, and keep a chink of air
on the house night and day if well heated, if not,
by day only, to improve the flavour. Late Melons
will keep in a sound condition for ten days or a
fortnight. A. W.

is now the case. The National Chrysanthemum
Society has done much during recent years in
encouraging the display of floral arrangements of
all kinds, and there is still room for additional
classes. The large vases, each tilled with twehe
blooms showing cultural excellence, is the begin-
ning of leform in the methods of exhibiting this
popular autumn flower, and if classes of this kind
could be extended, using .autumn foliage certainly
at tlie September and October shows, an object
lesson would be given to the flower-loving public,
in arranging huge blooms in a different way from
that which is gener.ally considered the orthodox
one, viz., on boards. — C. A. H.

Chrysanthemums.

The use of autumn-tinted foliage. — The

recent exhibition of the National Chrysanthemum
Society at the Royal Aquarium was specially
noticeable for the large and varied character
which the decorative exhibits partook. Each
season it is noticed that a fine variety of foliage
with rich autumnal tints is used, and by its adop-
tion flowers of warm and rich colours in particular
are made to appear far more effective than they
otherwise would. On this occasion lovely growths
of the richly-coloured Ampelopsis Veitchi were
seen in most of the exhibits, and their association
with blooms of bronze, yellow, and crim.son, both
under artificial as well as during daylight, further
intensified the richness of the colouring. Other
subjects, such as the Beech with lovely tints of a
golden hue, the rich crimson of the Scarlet Oak,
and the long trailing sprays of the .Japanese
Honeysuckle, were largely used. Occasionally some
exceptionally clean and pretty species of Bracken
were brought into use, sometimes as the base of
an epergne, and at others in the embellishment
of a vase of large Japanese blooms, (irasses which
had been carefully picked in the early summer
and dried were invaluable in light artistic work.
Asparagus in long sprays was always seen, this in
most instances giving considerable grace and
finish to the picture. The use of foliage of a
hardy kind should be more frequently used than

CHRYSANTHEMUMS AT CHELSEA.
Altiiouch the Chrysanthemum is justly regarded
as pre-eminently a town flower, j'ct growers in the
vicinity of large towns labour under difficulties
and disadvantages that are little appreciated by
those whose good fortune it is to live in the
purer atmosphere of the countrj'. Outside the
London radius Chrj'santhemums are almost always
brighter in tone and richer in the shades of crim-
son, purple and bronze than within, but cultural
difficulties oan to a large extent be got over even
in tow"n, in proof of which the excellent collection
at Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons' Roj'al Exotic Nur-
sery is a striking object-lesson.

Entering the nursery from the Fulham Road, the
visitor passes through a glass structure, the central
path of which is lined on both sides with freel3'-
flowered bush plants bearing a multitude of
showy blossoms, not so much distinguished for
their being new as for their value for the purpose
for which they are intended, viz., decoration.
In a large greenhouse, containing about 1000
plants that make a brilliant and effective show of
colour, we find almost everything that is newest
and best in the various types. The collection is
not a miscellaneous one, but seems to have been
the result of careful selection, and the culture is
of a high order of merit. Almost every plant is a
proved Aariety and worthy of the fullest recom-
mendation, inilike some collections, where at
times the no\elties are a matter of speculation.

Continental varieties here, as elsewhere, show
themselves to be very formidable opponents to
American and homegrown novelties. Leocadie
Gentils, a pale lemon-j'cllow hairy sport from
Louis Boehmer, is large and effective. Louise, a
well-known seedhng of M. Ernest Calvat's, is, as
usual, massive and good. The sa,me raiser is also
represented by Reine d'Angleterre, Le ilouche-
rotte, Australian Gold (very large), M. Chenon de
Leche, Amiral Avellan, President Borel, M. G.
Montigny, Souvenir de Petite Amie, I'Emindra,
M. Geo. Biron, President Armand, Boule d'Or,
Commandant Blusset, all of which are too well
known to the average lover of Chrysanthemums
to need anything like verbal description. Good
yellow .Japanese of various types are to be found
in Phiebus, a well-known variety ; Lady
Oporto Tait, globular in build, and having long
grooved, intermingling florets ; A. H. Fewkes,
Charles Davis, Modesto, very rich, and Marjorie
Kinder, large and very fine in colour.

One of the most delicate shades of colour is
that found in Lady Hanham, whose creamy rose
and salmon tint will enable it to find a place with
Charles Davis and Viviand ilorel, with both of
which it is closely related. Elthorne Beauty is
large, but the colour is not pleasing to our taste,
being of an undecided rosy mauve. Eda Prass,
pale pink, is good in form and colour. Sun-
flower, Col. W. B. Smith and H. L. Sunder-
bruch need only be mentioned by name, and such
white varieties as Pride of Exmouth, C. B. Hay-
wood, Mrs. C. Blick, Simplicity, Mutual Friend,
and Miss Elsie Teichmann are no new-comers
this season.

Mrs. Hermaiui Kloss is very rich even for a
.Japanese : it is of a deep warm golden terra-
cotta, tipi^ed gold. Pride of Madford, deep vel-

vety jilura-coloured amaranth, with silvery
verse, is large and seems likely to remain. '1
crimson William Seward and John Shrimpi
still maintain their reputation for richness ;i
distinctness of colour, but close at hand is a vc
large rival called Octoroon, with incurving floi
of deep blood-ied and reverse of golden broii
Mrs. G. W. Palmer is a golden-bronze sport fr
Mrs. C. Harman-Payne. Lady Byron, lui
solid, and good, proves to be quite as fine
when first introduced.

The Chelsea collection does not count ann
its varieties a large proportion of the old incur
type, but Baron Hirseh was large and good :
of capital colour. Prince of ^^'ales, Got
Beverley, Mr. .J. Kearn, Mr. .James Murray,
R. Bahuant, and Mme. Darrier were the princi
representatives in their class.

Some Anemone-flowered A'arieties in good ft
are on view, Descartes being one of the lar^
and best ; and .Junon, very jjerfect in build ;
of a pretty soft lavender shade, is worthy of ii
tion. Mrs. Hugh Gardiner, of recent introt
tion, also appears in excellent condition, but i
section does not now-a-days seem to attract ii
thing like the attention it used some years n
and in the trade displays not many of the
standard sorts are now-a-days seen in any num

OCTOBER CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

There were some very fine blooms at the
Aquarium show. Many, however, exhibited si :
of ha\ing been grown in heat, and were not f •
open. Such flowers, therefore, gave no crite •
as to the merits of the sorts for blossomin;
October. Edith Tabor and Mutual Friend i
in good condition, and Phtcbus was represei i
by several excellent Ijlooms. Emily Silsl
could be seen in many instances in first-
form. This is a capital October variety, I
makes a nice pot |)lant not disbudded. It is f
and the habit dwarf. Louise, as a blush-wl
large incurving flower, was good thus early in
year, and M. Hoste comes full}' open at this 1
It is a large, flat-petalled bloom of a plea ;
blush-white shade. The flowers of Mme. Gus
Henry were barely open. They were \ery lai
the long florets slightly incurving at the poi
This kind is of easy culture and of short gro^
.John Neville and Geo. Seward, welcome
kinds, gave nice colour to one or two stands. •
Chenon de L^ch#, too, although so early in
season, was seen in very good condition. Its
tinct colouring is especially bright under
light. Pride of Madford stood out among
other blooms as one of the largest. This i
first-rate Chrysanthemum for any purpose t
was named in some instances Beauty of Te
mouth. In the fir.st-prize group Elthorne Be;
appeared most distinct and showy ; it is a >
variety of a pleasing pink colour and a bloorl*
nice form. Mme. G. Bruant is a fine additioi s
regards size, the flowers are very large, the f
being handsomely drooping. It is white >
rose-coloured points to the florets. These ar.f
unusual length. It should be noted as the b
novelty of the season likely to be of great v: »
for show. Although Aliss Elsie Teichni|B
was not seen at the Aquatium, it is a s|'"
did variety, at its best in October. It remind^ '-
of Mile. Thcrese F!ey, and has a similar ricli
in its petals. Being of ea.sy culture, it slioul'
place the latter, which disappoints one too o '
in its habit of forming flower-buds that refuM
develop. Lady Byron is another good white '
now at its best. It is a lovely blossom.

But, apart from exhibition flowers, there
excellent varieties to supply cut bloom earl
the autumn in quantity, which are of pretty si
and colour. Klondyke, a new yellow of a i
rich shade, should be noted as very fine. S'
d'Octobre (anotlier new yellow of a light shad
especially free and likely to become a most
ful kind. Yellow Lady Selborne and the I '
are \ery free and valuable. Ryecroft (ilory w ■
a good bush plant; it is very dwarf in §";,'■
the bronzy yellow flowers are of medium size, '

14.

October 30, 1897.]

THE (iAUDEK

347

ik- last well wlieii cut. Source d'Or I i late
;ober sort) is well Uiinwn : its shadoof lironzo
imost valualilo for all kiuds of tloral decora-
is. A tirstelass early white is liady Esther
ith ; the blooms ha\ e substance and a pearly
ture ; it is exceedingly free-Howcrinj; and
tiirf. Of somewhat similar shajie is Queen of
BJarlics. This, too is a tirstratc white. Sou-
>lir de Petite Amie is a white sort that reHe.xes
florets instead of being incurved in form, as
last named two arc. Tliis is a most useful
jber kind : the habit is particularly dwarf
all free. The old Elaine has white blooms of
ciital jiurity, hence it is freely jjrown, although
t babit is rather tall. Another tall grower —
Js. E. (I. Hill, bears pretty blush-white flowers
i October. .Margot is a free salmon-pink sort
rst useful for cutting; so is Sara Barlow. It
|. iduces flowers of that shade in great profusion
Bthis early season. L'lle des Plaisirs is a red
Wfl which lias been in cultivation some years ;
yet an excellent one. W'm. Holmes (crimson,
ii'd gold) has a flrst-rate habit and flowers
r>t. freely. 'I'his is a well-known sort which has
rt been sui-passed in its waj-. 0. .7. Quintus is
ijUy an October \ariety. This has pleasing
lilt pink blooms of medium size. Sunshine (a
^i\\, very bright yellow blossom) strikes one as
Ivto be goo<l for early flowering. H. 8.

HRVSAXTHEMUM MRS. HAWKINS.

golden sport to which "J. ('." (p. 290) refers

iiibtle-is the aliove, and has been eight or nine

- in eultixation. It originated in at least two

' -^ at about the same time, and gained a good

I of notoriety. The same sport occurred in

wn case, the flowers of a large plant of Mrs.

A ermig coming wholly- golden, and from which

I v stock of Mrs. Hawkins has been raised. I

the iirceautioti, Imwever, of verifying my

i. by comparing it with the certificated plants

'\erit (Jarden ilarket. In the varying stocks of

Hawkins in cultivation to-day some are much

• ■ free of growtli than others, and, apart from

the deepest coloured form I have seen has

r smaller blooms. In my own district thei-e

■iveral large growers \\ho have never bought

present stock of yellow or golden Des-

_e, this having sported either wdiolly or

ly from the then existing stock of white.

-took is a particularly free-branching \ariety

appears intermediate in tone. 1 believe

■ are in cultivation to-day several slightly

ing shades of yellow in this group that

quite distinct, when seen side by side,

the named varieties that are "mostly

11.^ These latter, four in number, are

'I in the order in which they originated.

■. Castex Desgrange (white, yellow centre),

0. W'ermig (clear canary -yellow), Mrs.

"11 (a very pale sulphur or straw-yellow), and

Hawkins (the deep, almost golden vellow,

liest of all the yellows, and still without a

'■ in the very early kinds). And then, apart

I the dillering shades of colour, those who

the pUuits natuiaUy and in quantity will not

'. to note the sportive character of the blooms.

J 0 years ago I selected a large sjiray of a very

I 'e white sport in which the flowers Were pure

fttirst, but though I layered the branch and

I" ted cuttings and grew the old plant again, I

' r saw any more of what I imagined promised

•■ an acquisition. My most recent sport was

d befoie the scientific committee of the

il Mortieultuial Society a year ago. In this

^ all the usual ray Uorets^ere suppres.sed,

atrtive greenish florets, scarcely 1 inch long,

aieanng instead. At first sight the incident

a fared to be want of good or proper nourish-

rtit, hut the sportive plant \vas one of two

" nig in the same pot, and, of course, receivino-

"•rt identical with another that developeS

-ual flowers. K. Jenkins.

'ii)j>lo}i Hill.

,uiigus on Chrysanthemum leaves.— I

■ I ^oine leaves of Chrysanthemums with fundus

on the underside. The disease was first noticed
on some ugw sorts of this year's gro>\'ing, but it
has spread on many more, and syringing with in-
secticides does not stop it. Since the plants have
been housed this disease has increa.sed. I should
be obliged if some reader could tell me what is the
cause of it and a probable cure. — M. S. P.

*,* The leaves are covered with a disease
known as leaf rust, most destructive, but not
often seen. Sulphide of jiotassium at the strengtli
of a quarter of an ounce to a gallon of water has
been efl'ectual in such cases. This should bo
.syringed on the undersides of the attected leaves.
1 would take ofl' the leaves anfl destroy them if
not within about bS inches of the blooms. They
would serve no useful purpose at this season in
developing the flowers. -H. S.

SHORT XOrES.—CURYSAXTHEMUMs.

ChrysantherDum Soleil d'Octobre.— As its

name implies, this is au early \arioty. but very jiretty
and of '^ooA size. The colour is a pure chaste pale
yellow.

Chrysanthemum White Swan.— Admirers
of tlie hairy section will liiid in this a large Japanese
variety in which the hairiness is very marked. The
petals nre long, tubular, very pure white, just faintly
tiated in the centre.

Chrysanthemum Lady Hanham. — Like
Charles Davis, this is a sport from the well-known
variety Viviand Jlorel, which it very closely resembles
in form. The ditt'erence, however, is chiefly in eolour,
a delicate shade of cream and salmon-rose.

Chrysanthemum Mr. Hurley. — A promis-
ing market variety of pretty Japanese form and rather
larger than these flowers usually are. The colour is
golden terra-eotta and should be very effective under
artificial light. Jlr. Godfrey says the plant is free
flowering.

Chryeanthemum Leoeadie Gentils is a
hairy variety, a sport ixfAn Enfant des deux Jlonde?.
It was shown last year in P.iris in very good form, but
under English cultivalion it seems far superior this
year. The colour is pale clear lemon-yellow, very pure
and effective.

Chrysanthemum Buif Glob?. — Good
Gracious, an American variety with curiously twisted
florets, is already known, as also is its white sport.
Buff Globe is another sport from the same parent, but
in colour of a very decided cinoamcn-butf. It is large
and of good substance.

Chrysanth'rmum Mme. Ed. Roger.— This
is one of the most curious and, at the same time, one
of the roost distinct novelties we have ever yet met
with. In build it is Japanese incurved with medium-
sized grooved florets. It is large, solid, and compact,
and the colour pure pale sea green. The raiser is M.
Ernest Calvat.

Chryeanthemum Yellovir Gem. — This is a
charniiiiKt little pinnpon flower, and invaluable for cut-
ting. Messrs. II. Cannell and .Sons had a capital bunch
of this variety in their stand at the recent show at the
Royal Aquarium. When grown in a free manner, the
blossoms, each about IJ inches in diameter, develop
pretty little full heads. The fimbriated flurets also
add to their attractiveness. The plant is dwarf and
the colour a bright citron-yellow. — B. C.

Chryf anthemum Mme. la Comtesse
Foucher de Cariel. — At the time of writing (Oct. IS)
this variety is at its best. It is of dwarf, branching
habit of growth, not exceeding 2^ feet in height, most
profuse blossoming, and in colour a bright orange-
terracotta. This variety does not take kindly to
disbudding, and is never seen better than when grown
in the freest manner possible. The sprays of blos-
soms are extremely useful for decoration at this season.
— C.

Chiyaanthemum Mrs. Geo. Hill.— This

pretty little deorative Japanese sort is said to be a
seedling from Lady isellirirne. .V plaut was recently
shown by Mr. M. Kussell at the National Chrysan-
themum Society's floral coinmittee meeting, and ap-
peared_ to possess a fair habit of growth, height not
exe?eding 3 feet. The blossoms ;iro each from
.'i inches to 4 inches in diameter, creamy white, the
centre being sulphur-yellow, deepening at the base- —
C. A. 11.

Chrysanthemum ITotaire Groz.— A few

plants of this variety in the border last year were so
pretty and free flowering that it was determined to

grow it more extensively this year. The wisdom o
doing S) i.< seen in tlie delightful display the plants
are now making. They ar^- rather taller than most of
the otliers, being quite 4 feet in height, yetmakingflne
liut-hes, witli elegant sprays of dainty little blossoms of
delicate lilac-mauve. For cutting, this pretty little
.lapanese ilowi'r should be largely grown. C.

Chrysanthemum Philippe Rivoire.— This
promising Japanese variety was exhibited before the
floral committee of the National Chrysanthemum
Society on October 12 by two different growers,
one set of blooms under the above name, and another
with the prefix Madame. The flower is very large,
with long and broad florets, possessing much sub-
stance. The florets are also slightly twisted and
curled. Some of the flowers, evidently tliose from
early buds, were somewhat coarse, but others, no
doubt from later buds, were very neat and promised
to be of considerable value for exhiljition.— (.'. A. H.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

LIFTING ROOTS OF APRICOT TREES.

( )ne of the most common causes of failure in
A]n'icot culture is planting tlie trees in a too
rich comiio.st at the outset, which iuist;iken
kindness leads to nothing but quantities of
gross, unfruitful wood being made. This growtli
is also continued late in the autumn, and the
natuial consequence is that the woiid, by reason
ipf its soft, sappy nature, cannot possibly ripen.
These gross-habited trees sooner or later fall a
prey to gumming, branch dying follows close in
its wake, and they ultimately die. Very often
in sucli cases the climate or soil is blamed as
being unsuitable, while in reality the fault lies
in the border having been constructed <jf far too
rich materials. Another cause of Apricot trees
making gross wood may be traced to the digging
in of heavy doses of manure when the borders
in front of the trees ha\'e to be utilised for vege-
table growing, particularly if they are cropped
up to witliin 'A feet of the wall. The remedy
for this is only too apparent, but when kitchen
gardens are small and the utmost use lias to be
made of e\ ery foot of ground, it cannot very
well be avoided. There i.s a remedy both in
this and the foregoing case as far as the Apricot
trees are concerned, :uid that consists in root
lifting now and again, or when necessary. When
the unfruitfulness of the trees arises from the
cause mentioned at the coinmencement of this
note, the jiroper course to pursue is not only to
lift partially or entirely, but also to remove the
rich compost which has been the cause of the
mischief and replace it with that of a poorer
and more calcareous nature. In the other case,
when close crojiping and manuring of the
borders cannot be obviated, the ti'ees should be
subjected to a jjeriodical root-lifting in jirecisely
the same manner as are Peach trees when well
managed. This will cause the trees to make
shoit-jointod wood of medium strength, which
w ill be clothed from base to tiji with fruit-buds.
No greater mistake can be made than giving
A]iricots a too rich rooting medium, and iiiy ex-
perience teaclies me that the less rich the soil
is within reason the better the results. I
gather my finest fruits of Moor Park, from trees
wliicli are planted in a comjiost consisting of
(piite one-third of broken bricks, lime rubble,
;ind a little wood a.shes, tlie remaining two-
thirds being the loam of the locality, which is
inclined to be heavy and contains a rather
high [icrcentiige of lime. In this the trees make
iiicdiuiu growth, arc extremely fruitful, and
enjoy almost comjilete immunity from sudden
loss of branches. Other trees planted in com-
post into which calcarecms matter does not
enter .so largely in its composition are quite as
fruitful, but they are more subject to branch

348

THE GARDEK

[October 30, 1897.

dying, and since discovering the beneficial
eifect of tlie employment of a larger percentage
of the materials named, they are freely used
wlien jjlanting new trees

Animal n)auure I avoid altogether, and always
employ it simply as a mulch, when it does
a deal of good by attracting and keeping the
roots near the surfacs. Should manure be
deemed necessary through the loam being con-
sidered at any time to be of poor quality, it is
supplied in the shape of half-inch bones and
bone-meal, both of which encourage the forma-
tion of wood of the right description. Although
the season is far advanced for lifting the roots,
it is not yet too late to undertake it, and I
would strongly urge those possessing trees
which make a great deal of growth and bear
but little or no fruit, to deal with them in the
manner indicated. Trees that are too far gone
should be grubbed out and fresh ones planted in
new compost, taking care at the same time to
mix plenty of calcareous matter with it. Those
having light sandy loam to deal with would tind
the addition of marl or clay beneficijil, and
half-inch bones or bone-meal should also be
added. The amount of lifting required will
depend entirely on the condition of the tree.
Partial lifting may suffice in some cases where
strong growth merely requires a check, but
when the trees are altogether unfruitful, it is
then necessary to lift, if not quite entii'ely, cer-
tainly to remove all tlie soil about the roots
with the exception of that immediately sur-
rounding the main roots close up to the stem.
This would leave a fair-.sized ball of old soil, and
the new soil can bo placed and made firm all
round it as the tilling in pi'oceeds. The new
soil should be made firm and watered home to

possible, so that the roots, particularly the
fibrous ones, do not become dry, and it may be
necessary in cases where the trees still have

form. From trees on a south wall grandly colon
fruits are obtained, but they mature too eai
This may not happen in a good holding soil oi

Many

green leaves upon them to syringe
few days to prevent them flagging.

APPLE LEMON PIPPIN.
growers favour the larger Apples, and
do not think such small kinds as
Lemon Pippin desirable. They lose
sight of the free-cropping character of
many tif the smaller or medium-sized
Apples and do not take qviality into
consideration, which is a great point.
This variety may be termed medium-
sized when well grown, the fruits
oval, the skin green, turning to a
yellow or lemon colour when ripe,
eye small and stalk short, with a pecu-
liar fleshy knob in which the stalk
is inserted. When gathered from
trees with full exposure the fruits
are streaked with russet on the sunny
side, and at the turn of the year much
resemble a medium-sized Lemon in
appearance. This variety does not
possess many synonyms, like many
other Apples, possibly owing to its
distinct appearance. It is pleasantly
acid, flesh firm, and when gathered
late and stored in a cool place it
does not shrivel like many late fruits,
retaining its good flavour till the
last. This variety on the Paradise
stock is one of the best Apples an
amateur can grow fur late use, as it
may be had as late as April.

Pear Magnate. — I have this seed-
ling Pear in cordon form, and have on
pre\ ious occasions referred to its good
orop]jing qualities. This year on a
soutli wall I had grand fruits and of
excellent quality. At p. 30!) " A. W."
writes of the cropping powers of tliis
variety and inquires as to its quality.
This shows that in his district the fruit
must be later. I endeavoured to keep
fruits for September 30, but failed,
settle it about the roots, applying a mulch to some of the largest going soft. It must be classed
the surface as soon as the work is completed, as a valuable addition to the early Pears, but in my
The work must be done as expeditiously as opinion it will be of better quality grown in bush

Apple Lemon Pippi

GOOD AUTUMN PEARS.
Of good autumn Pears there is no lack,
scarcity being felt later on. New kinds suo
Le Lectier, Baron Leroy, Beurre Dumont, I
Duchesse de Bordeaux will be most valuahll
they succeed in our climate, in lengtheningJ
Pear season. One of the best autunm frui|
Fondante d'Automne, here illustrated,
varieties are superior in ((uality when in sea
Unfortunately, it decays cjuickly, sothatiti"
care in storing. The fruits of this varief?
medium-sized, though on cordon trees I
with a light crop they have exceeded the \
named and have been of superior (juality, f|
white, melting, very juicy, and rich,
roundish fruits covered with brown rum
especially in heavy soils. Its season is g
as October, but this year some of my fruit -
ripe at the end of September. It is not see ■
collections so often as it deserves, as it is n^ '
showy fruit. On the other hand, its useful ■
should commend it to all Pear lovers,
growth of this variety is very distinct,
leaves rather small, and the growth vigor
It rarely fails to crop. I ha\e seen grand c
of this variety in the southern counties
standard trees, but I prefer it grown in bus
pyramid form on tlie Quince, as thus one
better flavour and it is an easy matter to
the fruits, also to feed the trees when cro]i
freely. In cordon form the fruits are la
and useful for special purposes. Grown tin '
is a sure fruiter if the roots are not too dee '
the wood allowed to get too gross. It is an
cellent varietj' grown as an espalier, as it ii '
so rjuickly in a young state, and in the nortl "
parts of the kingdom, grown in various « ••
it is much valued, as it gives later fruit,
rarely fails.

iCTOBEii 30, 1897.]

THE GAUDEN.

349

'hilst ivfon-iii!,' Ut the (lualitics of this

liiy iiiitc wmild not be comph'to witli-

iiifntiiJii of ThoMi]ison's, .■mother Viii-iuty

i.iwii so iiiucli as it deserves. • Wliere good

,..iy I'eai-s .-vre vahieil, Thoniii.son's is e.xcel-

Bto follow Foiuhuite d'Autonme. Of late
Doyenne dii Comiee has been more largely
II on account of its good (|u,ilities, and it
inly deser\es extended culture. We have
•ge nmnber of jmor Pears ; indeed, eata-
li)j;.s need nuich weeding out if quality is to
be considered. In the useful catalogue of
Pes shown at the t'liLswick conference in
1^ Mr. Uarron describes over (iOU varieties,
1 1 wish he would give us further informa-
tk) on the best kinds. He having had them
llB'r clo.se observation for man}' years, his long
Hcxrience would be a splendid guide. Of
I'oi autumn Pears, the newer Dr. Jules
1^1 >t will, I think, pro\-e a valuable addition
H- earlier kinds. Tlii.s precedes the one
1 above, and though inferior to it in
:y is useful as an early Pear. It closely
liles Williams' Bon Chretien without the
\ flavour, and ap|)ears to be a constivnt
.r. For (|ualit}', I think the new Direc-
llardy will prove a valualde October fruit.
;r I have only seen cordon trees fruiting,
li promises well. In a brief note on
!iii Pears I do not think it advisable to
older well-known kinds.

G. WVTHES.

. panese Plums. — Have any of your readers
trials in England of the \arious .Japanese
- which I see alluded to, and sometimes
d for their vigour, fertility, and hardiness,
lie ca.se of the Satsuma, Botan, and Masu.
ought to give a very good account of
(Ives in our country if what is said about
lardine.ss be true. — H. L.

iple Bed Hawthornden. — Among the
;i- dislies of Apples at the Crystal Palace
liat exhibited by Mr. Hartland under the
if Red Hawthornden. This was perfect in
y, the fruits solid, heavy, and clean, with
red cheeks and very shapelj". A clean
f the old Hawthornden is very rarely met
IS the fruits have a great tendency to be-
-potted, and a substitute of equal quality as
iiig A|)ple and as clean as that here noted
lie very acceptable. — J. C. T.

lie Autumn Pearmain.— This was one

most striking looking Apples among the

i.iiown varieties shown at the Crystal Palace.

Ime from the Sidinouth Nurseries and was

ented by a tine dish of large, deep russety

osy-cheeked fruits, of which one would have

to learn more as regards quality and keep-

■'^1 the section to wliich thej- belong. I do

nd it under the above name in any fruit list

i by me, and should be glad of any infoima-

Jihat can be given about it. It struck me as

Ig the anpenrance of a good and tairh' lunf-

■-^ Apple.-,!. C. T.

ar Duchesse de Bordeaux.— I noticed at

ent fruit sliow that the above variety was

btaged by two exhiliitors from Kent. I had

1 to show it, but m3' fruits dropped owing to

irht. It is a line variety and of excellent

The fruits are large, yellow, covered

■de russet flesh, juicy and melting. It is

-on at Christmas, and grown on a cool

may be kept till February. Last season

'iiety was also good. It is one of those

■ hicli are suitable for warm soils. I do not

It for wet soils or exposed positions, and

l-i ample supplies of food whilst perfecting

'It. My trees are on the (,luince stock- —

Gravenstein.— For use during the
utiimn this variety is much liked. Witli
u-ely fails to crop, my trees being mostly

in liiish form. Though grown in tliis way tlie
growth must not be crowded, as it is of spreading
habit in good soil. Cravenstein is so distinct as re-
gards flavour that it is worth room in all gardens.
1 notice the Royal Horticultural Society in their
cla.ssitication of dessert an.;! cooking Apples place
(h'avenstein in the dessert class, and rightly so.
I have been in places whore this variety was pre-
ferred to all others for ilessert, and was oliliged
to keep up as long a supply as possible. It is well
worth growing on account of its free cropjiing
qualities. — S. M.

Pear Gansel's Berg-amot. — "J. C." (page
ijli) notes ho\\' sekloin this handsome and good
Pear is seen. Probably the cause of this is that it
is a very slow grower, and not a Pear for every
soil and district. Be that as it ma}', a few mag-
nificent dishes were shown .at the recent fruit show
at the Crystal Palace, and as seen there it was
most attractive, highly coloured, and would jirove
very \aluable for dessert, though ripening at a i , , -,- .
season when there are many other good Pears to | ^^t.^-'^'scpm
be had. It reipiires a wall to finish the fruits
jiroperly in northern gardens. Some nurserymen
send this Pear out only in double grafted form,
and probably this is the better wa most so s

and positions. — .1. C. T.

Pear Durondeau.— It is unfortunate such a
splendid looking Pear as Durondeau is not of

better quality. I am aware in fruit catalogues | dency to spread rather than to grow upright. Of
it is classed as a large, handsome Pear with rich, ! the three forms of tree mentioned, I think this
delicious flavour, but I fear in a flavour competition I Apple is more iirolific when grown as a stan-
it would stand a poor chance. I am aware as an | dard, and it may safely be planted as such with-
exhibition fruit it has long been a favorite. I | out any fear as to the results. As regards its

catalogues Thompson's is recommended as a good
kind for standards. I eannot aih ise it .as it has
never done well with me. I admit it grows freely,
but the trees ilo much better in a sheltered posi-
tion : indeed, it is well worth a wall or grown as
a bush or pyramid in a sheltere<l garden. My
best trees are those on the Pear stock or double-
grafted, the fruit large, and the flesh melting.
it may be classed as a fair cropper grown as ad-
vised. In my light soil the fruits mature very
early, and cannot he kept. It cannot be called a
handsome fruit, and I notice only live lots were
staged at the Crystal Palace, ilr. Powell having
the best dish. I noticed when I lived in Devon-
shire this variety did well in dwarf bush form.
Of late years this Pear has not been seen so much
at exhibitions, larger fruits often taking its place.
I have had trees on various asf)ects, but the best
flavoured fruit I always get from trees in bush
form on a south border. — ( !. Wytiies.

Apple "White Nonpareil. This excellent

dessert Apple succeeds well when
grown ,as a standard, and it is also a most constant
cropper. I have a tree of this description which sel-
dom misses bearing heavy crops of fruit. The
tree is more than thirty years old, and it looks
likely to continue bearing for many years to
come. It also does well grown in bush form, but
its habit of growth is rather against it being culti-
vated as a pyramid, as the branches have a ten-

IIB.

would like to see classes at the next great fruit
show, under the auspices of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society, for Pears or Apjiles noted for their
fia\our. Of course at the season named several
varieties would not be in condition to test quality,
but the various kinds are so well known that com-
petent judges could with little difficulty give
awards when they had good sjiecimens of the
best kinds before them. For j'ears I have grown
Durondeau in various ways and have endeavoured
to get fruits of first quality, but have failed.
For size, appearance, and crop it «ell deserves
front rank. — S. M.

Apple Allington Pippin.— This new Apple
promises to l)e a standard dessert variety, and its
cropping is all one may desire. This year young
trees are laden and the fruits are of first-rate
quality. I thought highly of this variety when
it was certificated a few years ago under the name
of South Lincoln Beauty. One must expect great
things from such parents, as, if I mistake not.
Cox's Orange and King of the Pippins are the
parents. This variety more resembles Cox's
Orange in fiualit\-, Ijut the King in colour. It is
in season from November to February, a season
good dessert kinds are rather scarce. I saw ex-
cellent fruits in May of this variety from bush
trees. The tree is a vigorous grower and bears
very freely in a young state. I do not know if it
will succeed in standard form like King of the
Pippins. Its free cropping, in addition to its
first-class quality will make it a valuable addition
to the late dessert Apples. — G. Wythes.

Pear Thompson's. — This is usually classed
as a No\cmber Pear, and doubtless in the
northern pai-ts of the countiy its season M-oidd
be early November, but I have never been able to
keep it after the middle of October. This failing
is not only the case with Thompson's, as unfortu-
nately many of our best Pears are ripe weeks in
advance of the .season given in catalogues. Those
who -.alue good flavour in fruit cannot do better
than add Thonq)son's to their collection. It was
the best at the meeting of the Ro}-al Horticultural
Society on the 12th inst., although Doyemii' du
Comiee was pitted against it. I was pleased to
see Thompson's take so high a position at the meet-
ing alluded to, as it shows that this Pear, though
old, is worthy of first jjlace in any collection for
quality alone. This is a ])oint worth more con-
sideration in judging, as huge Pears often only
fit for cooking receive favourable notice. In fruit

habit of growth, it partakes more of the character
of Scarlet Nonpareil than of others of this useful
class of Apple, the young shoots being slender
and only of moderate growth. Like all the Non-
pareils, the tree when established produces a pro-
fusion of flower-buds, so mucli so, that growth is
then very slow. In shape the fruits resemble
these of Scarlet Nonpareil, but instead of being
red the skin is a pale straw colour, sometimes
strewn with a few russety patches. It is, there-
fore, not so handsome, l.iut it loses nothing when
comparisons are made as far as flavour is con-
cerned, as its greenish flesh is both crisp and
juicy and richly-flavoured. It comes into use in
.laimary, and when kept in a cool and rather
moist place to prevent the skin shri\'elling, it
may be had in excellent condition for quite three
months. — A. W.

Apples on iron soils.— When lately in the
lower part of Surrey, I was surprised to learn that
Apple trees could not be induced to thrive in that
district. That seemed odd, seeing that generally
these fruits grow well in the county. It was
stated that iron jiermeated the soil of the district
very largely. On the other hand, most descrip-
tions of trees seem to do well, there being a
great wealth of fine timber, and it is usually held
that where ordinary trees grow well Apple trees
do well also. I suggested trj'ing the plan I re-
cently mentioned as adopted by Mr. Fyfe, on the
ragstone at Loekinge, planting in mounds on the
surface and gradually furnishing root space by
means of decomposed vegetable matter and gar-
den refuse. Very proliably the surface soil of
se\ eral inches depth is not so highly impregnated
with iron as is the lower stratum. For that
reason trees may do very «ell for a few yeara
until the roots get into the iron stratmn. It is a
somewhat unusual (.'ase and may ha\e its parallels
elsewhere. If any reader of The Garden has ex-
perienced similar ditliculty, perhaps he will detiiil
his procedure to overcome such a trouble. The
locality in (luestion is high, and in every other
res]iect seems to be as fertile as the surroundings
arc lieautiful. Of course in this case very little
may have been done in a practical way to counter-
act the evil. At Loekinge, because of the presence
of chalk so largely in the soil, the Pear trees there
have leafage ahnost yellow, yet seem to be very
healthy. So far no application seems to have
been able to imjiart the ordinary green hue to the
leafage. This is again another instance of the
presence of something noxious in the soil. — A. D.

350

THE GARDEN.

[October 30, 1897,

Ferns.

NEPHROLEPISES.

FK<)>t a gardener's point of view, and on account
of their habit and of their mode of growth, the
Nephrolepises form a totally distinct group of
plants. AH the species known to the present
day, and with very few ex-
ceptions their varieties, have
their fronds simply pinnate,
that is to say, once only
divided to the midrib, and
their leaflets, instead of
being fastened to it, are
articulated at the base. This
character, which is most
conspicuously shown in
dried specimens, is also
very noticeable in living
plants when it so happens
tliat through want of suffi-
cient moisture at the roots
their leaflets drop oft' ; but
even when such is the case
the plants, after a few
weeks of attentive nursing,
soon recover and produce
another crop of fresh foli-
age, which usually takes
the place of the fronds pre-
viously destroyed. The
fronds, which in some kinds
attain 4 feet in length, are
in most, if not in all, cases
produced from crowns dis-
posed at various intervals
on long, thin, rapid-grow-
ing stolons or i-hizomes of
a wiry nature and of almost
indefinite length. In some
species the fronds them-
selves liave the power of
adding annually to their
length. This peculiarity
was first observed, or at
least was first made known,
by Mettericus, who, in his
" Filices Horti Botanici
Lipsiensis," published at
Leipzig in 1850, states
(p. 99) that there is no
necessary limit to the apical
development of the fronds
in mature plants. In that
interesting work on the sub-
ject he gives the result of
liis observations by saying
that " the fronds are charac-
terised by tlie perennial,
indefinite growth of the
rachis or leaf-stalk, and the
consequent unlimited perio-
dical production of the
pinnie of the uninjured apex
long after the older pinnie
have fruited or fallen oft'.
In N. exaltata the oldest
fronds continue to develop
at the apex, and the growth
of the frond is limited only
by some injury happening
to the apex ; the limit of
the yearly increase of the
frond being usually indi-
cated by the smaller size of the pinnre." The
production, just below the points where the
fronds are inserted on the rliizome, of the
slender stolons previously mentioned, is a fea-
ture peculiar to the plants contained in this
genus, and by this means most of them are

rapidly increased, especially the reputed barren
forms, such as N. Dutti, davallioides furcans
multiceps and plumosa, rufescens, tripinnatifida,
and also the fertile but very variable N. davalli-
oides furcans, the seedlings of which show their
crested character in a more or less marked
degree. On account of the naturally elegant
drooping character of most species, these are par-

ing baskets and growing all around them, t
making perfect balls of gracefully pendu
foliage, which, provided the plants are iJ
supplied with water at tlie loots all the jl"
round, remains a long time in excellent coi|
tion.

Most Nephrolepises are of an evergrl
nature, N. Bausei, pluma and undulata nfifl

Nephr"lci't^ aaitat:! as a basket plant.

ticularly well adapted for basket culture as also
for i^lanting on rock work, a position in which
they soon form ornamental masses of a striking
and very attractive nature. They also possess a
singular propen.sity for taking jiossession of the
outer surface of rock work boulders or of hang-

the only kinds known to be entirely decidm
These, as also several of the evergreen spw'
are provided at the end of their rhizomt"
stolons with small tubers of a succulent natii
which serve to reproduce the plants after t'^
period of rest ; but it frequently happens t

)CTOBER 30, 1897.1

THE oarde:n;

351

fr 1 want (jf kn(>wlo(li,'o these docidudus kinds
;\r lost during tlicir resting season, wlien tliey
lukept so dry th:it, long before tlie time conies
w.ii tliey sliould start into growth again, tliese
lu rs have ceased to live. Tlie soil wliicli
coains them must, all through the winter, he
kC'ina moderately moist condition, so as to
jir eiit them from shrivelling up and to secure
li althy strong growth in the s])ring. Whether
l^ri'uin pots, in baskets, or planted out, the
soliised fiU' them shoid<l he of an o]ien nature

..iiiposed of coarsely-broken [leat, cho|iped

jiiuui, and silver sand in abo\it ecpial jiarts.

iii.icha compost the i ts and also the stolons

ifilrun freely, and the latter will soon produce
.iH^' ]ilants, which, if required, may safely be

lied from the parent when they have {)ro-

I three or four fronds.

ophrolepises may also be used with great

lidintage for covering walls and pillars, as they

re ire hut very little soil and can almost be

'cp thriving on moisture alone. In such posi-

iiiany of them may also be found to pro-

■ ■ themselves fi'om spores, which germinate
. .iiid make nice young plants in a reniark-

-liort time. Although they have no ob-
iL to strong light, tliey succeed be.st when

■ mt of the action of the direct rays of
-iin, and, notwithstanding the i)ermanent

"{ moisture in which their roots require
, . -0 kept, it has been amply proved that
are better and that their foliage lasts
li longer when the latter is not frequently

th
mi
W( cd over.

S.

CIETIES AND EXHIBITIONS,

;OYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

October 20.

, lT|ould appear as if the exhibitors on this occa-

i' had determined to make the very best dis-

[lossible, for no finer meeting has ever been

it the end of October. All the table space

iiecupied, and even the floor as well for

1-^, so much so, in fact, that it would have

■(■■ a dilHcult matter to have found room for any

mcf exhibits.

"' every side there were objects of the greatest

■•t. Chrj'santliemums were, of course,

':,'ly in evidence both in groups ct plants and

t flowers. The Japanese forms were present

far the greater tjuantity, and of these there

several decided novelties. If the jiresent

lion may bs taken as any criterion of wliat

le produced at the coming November exhibi-

, the standard will be a remarkably high one

:d. The weather during the ]irescnt month

■ithout doubt had a most beneficial effect, in

coiinction with good culture, in developing

class flowers. The plants on this occasion

flowers of the best possible cpiality, colour,

ance, and size combined. The same good

3 were also apparent in the cut blooms,

1 were again staged in nearly every instance

long stems and plenty of foliage, which is

"ihjtely better than the old method, wherein

"liage whatever is to be seen, save upon

asional (lower in the front row. With small

and other plants of convenient size the

IS very greatly enhanced. A grand grou|)

i 'onia tjloirede Lorraine was again exhibited

I'l ibst marvellous condition and profusion of

rnvh, coming from the same source as at the

meeting. Roses, too, were staged in ex-

! condition, considering the lateness of the

'• Of Xeriues there was a most remarkable

It. several new and most uncommon varieties

' staged, the setting up being very commend-

"'; ttideed. A group of fine-foliaged plants like-

wistkided to the interest of the meeting.

l*ids on this occasion made a most distinct
»«v^e both in quantity and efl'ect. Cattleyas of

in
we
oc<
wi
tio
iiK
ha

h

Ijoi

sul

poi

wh

wit

the labiata section were present in c|uantity, and
Vanda cierulea was well ri>presented also. The
style of setting up the several groups of Orchids is
decidedly improving. KfVect is not enhanced l)y
overcrowding, but it is most certainly so by the
addition of a few small Ferns, &c.

j^^'uit was shown in considerable ([uantity again,
.some first-class examples of both Apples and I'ears
being st.aged. tirapes were represented by one
fine collection of autumn kinds in welllinished
bunches. Vcgetaliles were shown also, and ex-
ceedingly well, the selections being typical of the
best varieties in each class.

The attendance was remarkable, and the keenest
interest was evini-cd in the meeting.

Orchid Committee.

Awards of merit were adjudged to —

C.\TTLEVA Hakdyana Maonifica. — A lovely
form, with delicate rose sepals and petals mottled
with white, lip deep crimson-purple in front,
shading to bright yellow in the opening of the
throat. Tlie side lobes are purple, shading to
yellow, striped with brown at the base. From
Mr. F. Hardy.

C. BowRiNoiANA (Pallant's var. ). — A remark-
able form, the sepals, petals, and lit) being nearly
twice the size of those of the typical form, the
colour also being deeper. It carried a spike of
twenty flowers. The growth of the plant was
very distinct, and nearly 'i feet long. From
Mr. R. Pallant, Weybridge.

L.-KLIA Pr-estans Albens — A distinct form,
the sepals and petals white, slightly tinted with
rose, lip white, with a band of purple running
round the centre, and bright yellow in the throat.
From Mr. F. Hardy.

CVRKU'EDIUBI HaYNALDO - ClIAMBEULAINIANUM.

A distinct and pretty hybrid, raised from the
species from which the name is derived, the
dorsal sepal white, lined and suft'used with rose,
spotted with brown at the base. The jjetals have
the characters of those of C. Chamberlainianum,
green-spotted, and suffused with brown, the lip
deep rose, shading to pale green at the base,
margined with yellow at the opening of the pouch.
From Mr. E. Ashworth.

Cattleya OMvrA (C. Trianie x C. intermedia).
— A distinct and delicate form, with pale rose-
tinted sepals .and petals ; lip pale rose in front
shading to White, suffused with j-ellow at the
base ; the side lobes white, shaded with rose.
From Alessrs. J. Veitch and Sons.

Cattleva MELro:\iENE (C. Mendeli x C. Forbesi).
— A pretty form with deep rose sepals and petals,
the lip rose, heavily fringed at the margin,
shading to yellow at the base, the side lobes
rose, shading to white, and suffused with brown
at the base. From Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons.

OllONTOOEOSSrM CRISITJI Sl'XLKiHT. — A lovely
form with white sepals and petals, the sepals
su(ruse<l with rose in the centre and heavilj'
spotted with bright brown. The petals have
numerous small spots of the same colour, the lip
white, shading to yellow, and spotted with
brown in the centre. A cut spike of eleven
flowers came from Mr. R. B. White.

L.Ei.iA rrjui.A MAONiKEiA. — A remarkable form
with extra broad sepals and petals, dec]) rose in
colour, the lip deep crimson-purjile, sh.ading to
yellow in the throat. It has a ])rominent white
blotch in the centre. The plant carried two
flowers. From Messrs. W. L. Lewis and Co.

L.+:eia iTRi'fRAT.v (var. Mrs. R. 1. Measures).
— A lovely form, the sepals white, slightly suf-
fused with rose ; the petals white, heavily
veined and sufl'used with purple, the hfi crimson-
purple in front ; the side lobes also dec]) purple
shading to yellow, lined with purple at the base.
The plant carricil three racemes of flowers, two
with three and one with four flowers each. It is
one of the most distinct we liave seen. From .Mr.
R. I. Measures, Cambridge Lodge.

A liotauical certificate was awarded to L:vlia
longi[)es, a well-known species, with dee]! rose
sepals and jietals and bright yellow lip. From
Messrs. W. L. Lewis and Co.

Messrs. .1. Veitch and Sons sent a largo and in-
teresting group. In this were finelj'-flowered
Onc'idiums, Dendrobium stratiotes, and I), tauri-
Mum var. amboincnse. Amongst tho many forms
of Cypripediuins were large made-u|) specimens of
C. insigne in fine varieties, C. Lceanum, C.
.'\rthurianum, and ('. T. \i. Hayw'ood. Among the
Cattleyas were good forms of C. Mantirii (C.
Bowringiana X C. Dowiana), C. Wendlandiana
(C. Warseewiczi x C. Bowringiana) and L:elio-Cat-
tleya Tiresias (fj. olegans x C. Bowringiana), hav-
ing very dark .segments. A grand form of L. -C.
Pallas, good varieties of L. -C. Lady Rothschild
{L. Perrini x C. Warseewiczi) and L.-C. Deeia were
.also shown (silver-gilt medal). ?>Iessr3. H. Low
and Co. .sent a large group consisting principally
of finely-flowered Vanda curulea, good forms of
Cypripedium Arthurianum, C. Lceanum and the
rare C. Fascinator (C. Spiceriauummaguificum X
C. hirsutissimum), in which the dorsal sepal is
white, heavily suffused witli rose, shading to
green and spotted with brown at the base. The
petals and other segments show the intermediate
characters of the parents in a reinarkable degree.
Messrs. F. Sander and Co. sent a group consisting
principally of finely-flowered Cattleya labiatii,
varying from deep rose to white in the sepals and
petals, a good form of C. aurea, a fine [jlant of
the lovely Cypripedium insigne Sandene, and
other montanum forms of C. insigne. Miltonia
vexillaria superba and Habenaria carnea were
also well represented. Messrs. B. S. Williams
and Son sent a large group consisting of good
forms of Cattleya Bowringiana, C. labiata, L:eUa
Perrini, Dendrobium PhaUenopsis, Vanda tricolor,
Oncidium Phakcnopsis, and numerous Cypri-
pediuins, both species and hybrids. Messrs.
W. L. Lewis "and Co., Southgate, sent several
good forms of Ladia pumila.

Mr. R. I. Measures, Cambridge Lodge, Flod-
den Road, C'amberwell, was awarded a silver
Flora medal for a large group consisting princi-
pally of good forms of Cattleya labiata, the most
distinct being a 'variety named C. 1. lilacina, in
which the flowers wore wholly of a lilac colour.
A large specimen plant of Oncidium ornithor-
rhynchum album with se\'enteen sfiikes of flower,
several of the spikes being upwards of 2 feet in
length, was also noteworthy. Amongst the many
Cypripediums w-ere C. AUanianum superbum, C.
Arthurianum, and several forms of C. insigne,
including a yellow form. Vanda tricolor,
Oncidium ilarshallianum, Phahvnopsis violacea,
and Dendrobium auieum were also well repre-
sented. Mr. P. 0. Walker, Percy Loilge, Winch-
more Hill, sent a nice group consisting of finely-
flowered Oncidium Forbesi, Cattleya labiata in
great variety, C. Bowringiana, Dendrobium
PhaUenopsis, good forms of Odontoglossum
crispum, O. madrense, and a plant with two
flowers of Scutiearia Hadweni. A silver B.anksian
medal was awarded. Mrs. Winglield, Ampthill
House, Beds (Mr. Empson, gardener), sent a group
of finely-flowered Oncidiums, numerous forms of
Cattleya labiata, C. aurea, C. Bowringiana, very
fine in colour, Dendrobium formosum, and Cypri-
pediums in variety. A silver Banksian medal
was awarded. Mr. F. Hardy sent three fine forms
of Cattleya aurea and r.,.-C. Tydea (C. Trianie x
L. Dayana). Mr. T. Staffer' sent the original
jilant of Cattleya Hardyana with three flowers on
the spike, the most remarkable feature of the
plant being the roots, which had extended
tlirough the bottom of the cylinder to the length
of 4 feet. C. aurea Johnsoni, C. Wendlandiana,
and a fine spike of Dendrobium Phalanopsis
Sehro-dcrie were also sent. JMr. C. Law-Scliofield
sent Lalia purjnirata var. Annie Louise, a form
very much in the way of the variety Mrs. R. I.
.Measures. Mr. C. J. Ingram sent L;eIio-Cattlej'a
Hom^re (L. Perrini X C Pcrcivaliaiia), L.-C. Lady
Rothschild, L. Diarmid (L. Perrini X C. elegans
Turneri), and a good form of C. Bowringiana.
Mr. .1. Bradshaw, Southgate. sent a choice collec-
tion of Cattleya labiata. which included C. 1. R. I.
Measures, C. 1. glauca, with a .«late coloured lip ;
C. 1. Etona, sepals and petals white with a crim-
son-purple lip : a dark form named Ruby, and

352

THE GARDEN.

[October 30, 1897.

Cypripedium purpuratum. Mrs. Bripjgs, Bury
Bank House, Accrington, sent two distinct forms
of Cattleya g'ifras, Cypripedium Arthurianum
pulchellum and C. insigne Ballia;, a yellow form
in the way of but inferior to C. Ernesti. Mr.
Hockliff sent Cattleya Hardyana, a pretty form
with delicate rose sepals and petals ; and Rlr. E.
Ashworth sent Cyjiripedium Arthurianum pul-
chellum. Sir T. Lawrence sent a distinct form of
Lalia I'errini, the sepals and petals white, the
ground colour of the lip also white with a distinct
band of rose on the front lobe. The plant carried
thi-ee spikes of flower.

Floral Committee.

A first-class certificate was voted to : —

Mar.itti A BiRKEi. — A distinct species, and one,
too, which promises to be a decided acciuisition.
In its parts it is much smaller than most kinds,
the growth being compact and the much-divided
fronds well clothed with quite small pinnaj,
thereby giving the plant a most effective appear-
ance. From Slessrs. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea.

Awards of merit were awarded to —

CHRySANTHEMDH MmK. PhILLIPPE RiVOIRE

(Japanese large flowered). — A distinct white
variety with long drooping florets of unusual
breadth. From Mr. J. (Jodfrey, Exmouth.

Cheysantukmum Ella Cuktis (.Japanese large
flowered). — Of a pleasing shade of yellow, the
florets drooping and of considerable length.
From Mr. Godfrey.

Chrvsanthemum Ladv RinriEWAY (Japanese
incurved). — A variety with broad petals of a
bronzy shade, the reverse much lighter. From
Messrs. Cmnell and Sons, Swanley.

Chry.saxtiubiuji Simplicity (.Japanese large
flowered). — A pure white kind with gracefully
drooping florets, an acquisition and quite dis-
tinct. From Messrs. Cannell and Sons.

Chkysantiiemcm Modesto (Japanese refle.xed).
— A deep golden yellow, very full, of extra
quality and substance. From Messrs. Cannell
and Sons.

Chrys,\.\themum Lady Byrox (Japanese in-
curved).— Another white variety, but not remark-
ably pure. The petals are short and of consider-
able breadth. From Messrs. Cannell and Sons
and Mr. Wells, Earlswood, Redliill.

Chrysanthemum Suxstone (.Japanese large
flowered). — A lovely variety, in colour a pale
primrose-yellow, very full and of excellent form.
From Mr. Wells.

Chrysanthemum Robert Powell (.Japanese
large flowered). — A variety of pleasing shades of
colour, golden bronze and yellow predominating.
From Mr. Wells and Messrs. Cannell and Sons.

Chrysanthemum N.C.S. Jubilee (.Japanese in-
curved).— A ridiculous name, to say the least, to
give to a flower. In colour this is a distinct
shade of mauve, large and full. From Messrs.
Cxnnell and Sons and Mr. Wells.

Chry.santhemum Lady Hanham (.Japane.se
large flowered). — A pleasing variety in which the
prevailing tints are golden, with a suffusion of
rosy shades. From Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons
and Mr. Wells.

Chrysanthemum G. F. Warren (Japanese
large flowered). — A sport from Mme. Carnot of a
pleasing shade of jiale lemon-yellow. From Mr.
W. Wells.

Gesnera amabilis. — A profuse flowering
species, each plant bearing a dense head of
bloom, the colour, a pale lemon -yellow, contrast-
ing well with the dark bronzy-green leafage. (In
"Dictionary of (iardening" this plant will be
found under the name of Niegelia multiflora).
From the Duke of Sutherland, Trentham (gar-
dener, Mr. P. Blair).

Nerine Lady- Lawrence. — A charming variety,
which under the light at the committee table
appeared to be of a clear orange shade, but upon
closer inspection a salmon tint prevailed. It is a
very distinct colour in any case and a decided
acquisition (as are all those kinds which follow).
From Mr. Elwes, Colesborne, Andoversford,
Gloucester,

Nerine Lady Mary Shelley. — A clear flesh
colour, singularly handsome and distinct, the truss
large. From Mr. Elwes.

Nerine Lady Bromley, in which the colour is
carmine-rose, with a lilac-purple stripe up each
segment, a most remarkable and unique variety.
From Mr. Elwes.

Nekixe Lady- Llewellyn. — A dark carmine,
suffused with cerise, the truss large and the seg-
mtnts broad. From Mr. Elwes.

Nerine Lad\- Mary' Hicks-Beach. — A vinous-
crimson, rich in colour and the truss large. From
Mr. Elwes.

Nerine Donnincton. — ApaleJjlush, with a pale
pink and a deep pink line up each segment, a
charming mixture of soft colours. From Mr.
Elwes.

Nerine Countess Bathurst. — A pale blush-
pink, with soft rosy lines, very distinct and hand-
some. From Mr. Elwes.

Numerouslargegroups of Chrysanthemums were
staged, and collections of cut blooms were also
very plentiful. Of the groups, perhaps the finest
and largest came from Messrs. Veitch and Sons,
Chelsea. It consisted of remarkably sturdy
plants, with large, finely-developed flowers and
rich clean foliage. The colours, too, were ex-
ceedingly well marked and bright, considering
that the season is yet very young. The arrange-
ment was in the orthodox style, semi-circular in
form, and well calculated to display the blooms
to the greatest advantage. Many popular and
standard varieties were well represented, the
following being among the best: Vi viand Morel,
well coloured and of good form ; its lovely sport,
Chas. Ilavis, which is almost without a rival
among the bronze-yellows ; William Fyfe, large
and graceful blooms ; Pride of Madford, a lovely
combination of purple and mauve ; Mutual
Friend, a graceful white of excellent substance ;
and William Seward, the richest of dark reds.
This excellent group was awarded a silver Bank-
sian medal. A somewhat similar exhibit, and
containing specimens of the pompon and in-
curved sections, was staged by Mr. \A'. Wells,
Redhill, Surrey. The Japanese varieties were,
however, the most striking. Three magnificent
lilooms of Thomas Wilkins, the fine and shapely
dull yellow variety sent out by Mr. Owen three
years ago, attracted considerable attention
by reason of their size. Mrs. J. Lewis, one
of the grandest whites, was equally well
shown. Other notable things were Piedmont,
a well - formed variety of a charming shade
of pink, and raised by the King of Italy's
gardener ; Edith Tabor, a very bright clear
yellow, with thick curled petals ; Mrs. Ci. W.
Palmer, a curious and very striking flower of
great size, the colour shading from bronze to dull
red, the centre petals being almost straight and
the outer ones tightly curled. Lady Hanham, a
very pleasing creamy flesh-tinted bloom, and
Nellie Brown, an effective and free-blooming
Chrysanthemum, bronze-yellow in colour, a sport
from Ryecroft Glory, were also shown (silver-gilt
Banksian medal). A smaller group of Chrysan-
themums in pots was shown by Mr. T. S. Ware,
Tottenham. It was a pretty group, but the
blooms were imperfectly developed (silver Bank-
sian medal). A superb collection of cut Chrysan-
themum flowers came from Mr. W. J. Godfrey,
Exmouth, Devon, containing upwards of 1.50
huge Japanese blooms of remarkably even quality,
and equally striking for their excellence of form
and colour. A few of tlie best were Royal
Standard, brilliant crimson ; Simplicity, a grace-
ful and very pure white ; Mons. Delamotte, one of
the brightest of golden yellows : Lady Ridgway, a
very substantial bloom of a ruddy bronze hue ;
Maggie Shea, a pretty bright lemon-yellow, with
the°reverse of its petals of a lighter tint ; Pride of
Madford, Modesto, a dazzling yellow ; Ethel
Tabor and Ella Curtis. A pleasing and tastefully
an-anged collection of cut Chrysanthemum blooms
came from Mr. Wythes, gardener to Earl Percy,
Syon House, Brentford. The flowers were gener-
ally arranged in bunches of three, each variety
separate, the groundwork being Maiden-hair

Fern. Tlie following were among the bes
M. Ch. Molin, Amos Perry, G. C. Sehwalj
Reine d'Angleterre, Etoile de Lyon, Eck
Molyneux, W. H. Fowler, and Stanstead Whit
all varieties of good standing and too well knov
to need detailed description (silver Banksiai
Another good collection of cut Chrysanthemm
came from Messrs. Cannell and Sons, Swanlt
The best were William Seward, Lady Byron
particularly good form, M. C. Andre, well-colom
blooms of Mme. G. Bruant, Dorothy Seward,
shapely and handsome bronze ; charming flow(
of Chas. Davis, and exceptionally fine or
of Robert Powell and Lady Hanham. From t
same exhibitors came a collection of very deligl
ful single Chrysanthemums, containing good i
amples of Mrs. Glyn, a pretty deep rose ; Blanc
Chapman, a large light pink, and Rose Pink
very beautiful sort. These single forms canr
be too highly recommended for decoratic
Nothing could be more graceful for vases, wh
their lasting properties are admirable (sih
Banksian medal). Mr. W. Fyfe, gardener
Lord Wantage, Lockinge Park, exhibited a c
lection of seedling Sunflowers of good form a
substance, admirably arranged in large buncl
and making a fine show. An artistically arrang
group of miscellaneous plants was staged
Messrs. Cutbush and Son, Highgate. The flo
element was supplied by Begonia Gloire
Lorraine, Carnations and some very pretty Heat
with a few Japanese Chrysanthemums (sil
Banksian medal). Messrs. John Laing and S(
were represented by a group of decorative a
fine-foliaged plants, with a few Chrysant
mums. Dracaena Goldieana, a collection
richly-coloured Bertolonias, Saxifraga sarment
tricolor superba, and some brightly-coloured C
tons were notable (siher Flora medal). An
hibit of great beauty, consisting of Begonia Gk
de Lorraine and Adiantums, was staged by I
H. B. May, of Upper Edmonton. The Begor
were all superbly grown plants, bushy and sj
metrical, the contrast between their bright p
blossoms and the vivid green of their foli:
being del-ghtful. The softening effect of
Adiantums was most pleasing (silver Flora mecl
Of exceptional merit was a collection of chc
seedling Nerines from Mr. H. J. Elwes, Co
borne, Andoversford, Gloucestershire. Therai
of colour was remarkably varied, and the ti
were throughout of great brilliance and pari
The named varieties included five specimens
N. amabilis, N. excellens, N. rosea crispa, N.
dulata, N. Fothergilli, N. Novelty and N. flexu
(silver Flora medal). Messrs. J. Veitch and S^
had a collection of plants of their beauti
javanico-jasminiflorum hybrid Rhododendr
and a box of small plants of Begonia Gloire
Lorraine ; also a jilant of Begonia Mrs. Heali
garden hybrid of excellent liabit, and bearini
hirge quantity of pleasing flowers. Messrs. V,
Paul and Son, Waltliam Cross, staged an extent
exhibit of cut Roses admirable for the seas
Marie van Houtte, La France, Marciuise
Salisbury, Mrs. John Laing, Gloire de Dijon ;
Enchantress were among the best varieties sho
(silver-gilt Banksian). Busby and free-flo«
ing plants of a lovely creamy white Gesnera «"
shown by Mr. Blair, gardener to the Duke
Sutherland, Trentham, Staffordshire. A sil
Banksian medal went to Miss Emett for so
marvellously cle\'er models of flowers. Orcli
and Virginia Creeper leaves were among
specimens shown, and tliey could hardly be i
tinguished from natural examples.

Fruit Committee.
This was one of the best meetings of the y
Not only were the exhibits greater in number, I
the (piality was excellent. There were some \
fine collections of hardy fruit and excellent ve
tables.

Awards of merit were given to : —

Melon Excelsior, a very handsome medn

sized fruit, skin golden, much netted, with scai

flesh of great depth and richly flavoured. It '

seedling between Beauty of Syon and Syon Hof

October 30, 1897.1

TITE GARDEN".

353

l3m Mr. tl. Wythes, Syon House (iaidens,
J sntford.

!R.\rK Marchioness ok Downshibk a large white
cil berry, not unlike Muscat of Alexandria
1 en fori'ed, li«t when jjrown in a cool ho\i.se the
1 Tics and binich are much larger and of a duller
^ ite ; skin thick, flesh sweet and refreshing. It
i I seedling lictween Muscat of Alexandria and
'liite Oros Colman. From Mr. Thos. Bradsliaw,
(rdenertothe.Mar(|uisof Downshire.HillslioroiJgh
(stie, CO. Down, Ireland.

rPKSli' (ioi.UKN Hai.i., a beautifully shaped Tur-
I), with very small tap-root, colour light golden.
lis an excellent winter variety, the(|uality being
1 it-rate. From Mes.srs. Dobbie and C'o., Rothe-
C, and Orjiington, Kent.

ruRXii' WniTK MooKi., a white variety of a
1 lutiful sliape. From Messrs. Dobbie.

Dne of the best collections of (Jrapes seen of late
1 ira at tliese meetings was that sent by Mr. C. A.
Iyer, Forest Hill (gardener, Mr. W. Taylor).
' irteen \arieties were staged, and most of them
( first-rate finish. Muscat of Alexandria and
]'9. Pincc were exceptionally good ; Alicante was
1 ge and beautifully coloured; Lady l>owne"s,
(OS Maroc, (iros Colman, tiros (iuillaume and
(ler kinds were also excellent, well meriting the
!i'er-gilt Kniglitian medal awarded. Jlessrs. J.
] ing & Sons, Forest Hill, S.E., staged lOll dishes
(Apples and Pears. Of tlie Ap))les, Sandringham,
.exander, Loddington, Peasgood's Xonsuch,
!enheim, HoUandbury and Lane's Prince Albert
' re good. We have seen larger Pears, but the
tality was good. There were excellent Doyenne
( Cornice, Nouvelle Fulvie, Beurre Baltet pere,

ster Beurre and large stewing kinds, the whole

I lection being nicely arranged with small plants
liver-gilt Kniglitian medal). A collection equal
: quality to the last-named, also 100 di.shes, was
' it from Messrs. C'heal and Sons, Crawley. The
: lits were splendidly coloured. Mere de Mt-nage,

asgood's Nonsuch, Bismarck, Ale.xander, Cox's
imona, Lord Derby, Bess Pool, and Warner's
ng were noticeable for size. The best Pears

■ ire Ducliessc d'Angouleme, General Todtleben,
mvelle Fulvie, <.;lou Morceau, Pitmaston,
irondeau and Do3-enne' du Cornice (silver-

I I Kniglitian medal). Messrs. Cannell and
I ns sent a collection of vegetables, mostly
'lions. Most noticeable were The Reading,
.;celsior, Anglo-Spanish, Ailsa Craig, Wroxton

iproved, and Cannell's Mammoth. Leeks, Au-

'mn tiiant Cauliflowers, Carrots, Beetroots, and

tatoes were also sent (silver Kniglitian medal).

issrs. Carter and Co., High Holborn, sent

etroot in variety, both Turnip and long-

;)ted. The Crimson Ball Turnip-rooted was

'Cellent. A few of the others were a trifle

■ge. There were also verj- tine Carrots (bronze

lightian medal). Messrs. Dobbie and Co.,

itnesay, X. B , had some splendid stocks of

rsley, very large Turnips, and Kales in variety.

I Apple from Mr. (>. Dyke, Stubton Hall

' .rdens, Newark-on-Trent, was asked to be sent

: March to test its keeping properties. Mr. B.

right, Lyndon, Oakham, sent an Apple, a

iidUng from Wellington. These the commit-

'! reserved for a later meeting. Mr. Ross,

iwbury, sent a Pear named Pojiham. The

Ivour was good, Ijut at this season we have

liny Pears of equal merit. A seedling Apple,

i;onimended as a market fruit, came from Jfr.

• Beale, Shoreham, but it lacked quality. From

■ aars. tJarcia and Co., Covent Carden, W'.C,
me three cases of fruit, mostly Pears, from C'ali-
Inia; the fruits were in excellent condition and

• large size. The flavour of Doyenne- du Cornice,

■ urrt Clairgeau, Winter Nelis and others was
I it-rate : one or two varieties were not ripe. ilr.
<3ok, Forde Abbey (iardens, Chard, sent (Jolden
lop and Late Red Plums, also a dish of

matoes. Messrs. Barr, King Street, Covent
rden, sent the Persian Melon. Mr. Outram,
Iham, sent a fine dish of Medlars, and Mr.
rt, Audley End Gardens, Saffron Walden, ex-
iited Potato Diamond Juliilee. This has been

Hrial at Chiswick, and was an excellent cropper.

•>was decided to test its cooking properties.

The Veitch prizes for flavour brought forth
seven dishes of A])])les and eight of Pears, the
premier award for Pears going to Mr. Powell,
llsington (iardens, Dorchester, for a grand dish of
Duyi-nnc du Comice — Emile d'Hoyst, from Mr.
Woodward, Barham Court, Maidstone, being a
good second. Marie Louise and Beurr6 Superliii
were likewise staged. For Apples, Mr. Herrin
was first with Cox's Orange, nice fruits and just
ripe, Mr. Woodward being second with American
Motlier. Other kinds shown were Rihston and
King of the Pippins.

"Victoria Medals of Honour. — The Victoria
Medals of Honour granted liy the Royal Horti-
cultural Society in honour of the Queen's .Jubilee
reign were distributed by Sir Trover Lawrence
the afternoon of the meeting. Previous to the
distribution the recipients of the honour (whose
names will be found in our issue of July 10, p. .'S^) as
well as some friends were entertained at luncheon
in the Windsor Hotel, \'ictoria Street, West-
minster, Sir Tre\or Lawrence in the chair.

Notes of the Week.

Bose La Prance is still rery lice in some par-
dens, a fact amply illustrated at the Drill Hall this
week, when Messrs. W. Paul and Son, WaltLam Cross,
brought a lovely gathering of its handsome blossoms.

Helianthus orgyalis.— The tall slender plumrs
of this tiue perennial are among the most graceful
Ihir.gs in the border at the present moment, and on
tlie grass, where plants have stood for years, it is dio-
tiiict anil beautiful.

Chrysanthemum Crimson Queen. — Wo
have in this fine variety a medium or perhaps small
Japanese kind with flowers of a dark crimson hue and
very freely produced. It is a gem in its way, being
busby and scarcely 2 feet hiL.di.

Violet Princess of Wales is undoubtedly a
veiy line acciuisition to this family, the flowers being
of the largest s'zs, rich in colour, and delightfully
fragrant. The ample leafage and long stems that
obtain in this variety render it all the more valuable.

Helenium nudiflorum is still flowering with
some freedom. The wai in tone of colouring in this
plant and the free-branching character generally are
of especial value in the garden, while its long-enn-
tinued season of flowering cannot well be over-esti-
mated.

Nerine flexuosa excellens.— A very striking
and beautiful variety, with heads of blossoms of a
bright rrsy-pii'k shade aud a dark carmine rib in the
middle of the reflexing segments. It is rather dwarf
when compared with Eome kinds, and noteworthy for
its froe-flowering.

A note from Dublin. — Autumn tint3 are
lovely just now. Acer colehicum, A. japonicum,
Quercus coccinea, Liquidambar, Euonyraus europteua
and Berberis Thunbergi are amongst the most attrac-
tive at present. A'itis CoiguetiiB is lovely. — F. W.
Moore, Glamerin.

Chrysanthemum Modesto.— For richness of
ciilouiing, as well as for its size and tine petal, this
handsome kind is, perhaps, uniiiue. Many kinds have
flowers of a deep yellow shade, but in the intense rich
gold and glifctening petals there is a richness of tone
that is very rare.

Rose Enchantress.— This valuable and ever-
flowering Eose was shown at the Drill Hall on Tues-
day last by Messrs. W. Paul and Son. Judging by the
delicate and lovely shade of the blossoms and the num-
ber of prominent buds, it is an ideal Rose for decora-
tion or for cutting.

Carnation Mme. d'Albertina. — While pos-
sessing a tine constitution .ind the shade that is usually
so eagerly sougliv after among winter Carnations,
this kind appears to be wiinting in general beauty
and refinement. The pink shade, moreover, is Eome-
wliat cloudy in tone.

Arnebia eehioides — This interesting rock
plant is still producing its spikes )f yellow dark,
spotted flowers ; and in Eonie large clumps noted ipiito
recently this is the third crop of flower. spikes this
year, tlio first appearing quite early in spring, and the
last in the closing days of October.

Nerine crispa. — Among a large number of
beautiful and showy forms this frail kind is interest-

ing and pretty where several bulbs are grown in one
put. Lessshowy it may be than most, yet it is not with-
out its attractive side when the more highly-coloured
varieties arc not so much in evidence.

Chrysanthemum Amos Perry. — At the

Royal lloiticullural Socii-ly's meeting on Tuesday
last Mr. Geo. Wytlics, .Sjoii House (iardens, set up a
splendid lot of well. grown flowers of the above. It is
a line yellow flower, occupying a very conspicuous
place by reascn of the richness of the blossoms.

Chrysanthemum Kellie Brown.— This is

(aid to be a sport from the well-known liyocroft
Glory, and the flowers, which are of a bronze shade,
are very efl'ective. On Tuesday last Mr. Wells ex-
hibited its blooms cut from the open. It is of a
pleasing shade, each blossom about 3 inches across.

Phylloeactus anguliger. — A very distinct
Mexican species with satiny-white flowers and yel-
lowish sepals that expand in the daytime, wlieu the
blossoms emit a powerful fragrance. The de?ply-
iingled stems are very distinct, as are also the blunt
triangular divisions that form the lobes. This species
is now in flower at Kew.

Chrysanthemum Queen of the Earlies. —

A variety of cjiiiiderable promise among (Jetober-
flowering Chrysanthemums, though scarcely early
enough in au ordinary season. Quite recently at Long
Ditton, however, it was doing wellin the open ground,
and at the Drill Hall this weak it was also shown well.
The colour is creamy white, with pale green centre.

Delphiniums in autumn.— While we have
many shades of blue and lilac in the perennial Aster
family, the late spikes of these showy plants are still
welcome now flowers are scarce in the open borders.
Thes3 late spikes being but the product of a second
flowering are of course smaller, but where the large
clumps flowered in June a fair percentage has been
producing good spikes for some weeks, and still a few
remain.

Heterocentron roseum. — A pretty free-
flowering sub-shrubby plaat, well suited for the green-
house wh3n well grouu in pjts. The pretty rose-
coloured blossoms are produced in considerable num-
bers in large terminal panicles, that keep up a
succession of flowers for a long time. In the green-
house in autumn and winter it is very attractive.
Kiiually so are older bushes when planted in the open
ground for summer flowering.

Lithospermum tinctorium. — This rare, and
in some gardens fastidious, species was beauti-
fully in flower a daj- or two since at Winchmore
Hill, the intense lilue flowers attracting imme-
diate attention. The plant is growing here with
more than ordinary vigour, a fact we are pleased
to note, while the prolonged flowering of this
lovely species will assuredly arouse interest
among the lovers of hardy plants. We never
befoie remember this species flowering so long
and so profusely.

Rose Souvenir de la Malmaison.— Some old
bushes of this grand autumn favourite are pro-
viding splendid blossoms, and during the past
few weeks it has been one of the gayest of Roses
in the garden. Large, full, and handsome, as
well as free-flowering and beautiful in its shade
of colour, it is little wonder so fine a variety is
so generalh- appreciated. It is certainly not a
good summer Rose, but few Roses can compare
with this one so late in the year when the majority
are past and gone.

Ixora macrothyrsa. — This is, perhaps, one
of the most stately and \ivid of this lovely genus
of stove flowering shrubs. Some large examjdes
that are now flowering in the Victoria house at
Kew display the fine heads to advantage. The
(dants are naturally grown, and as a result pro-
duce immense beads of the richly-coloured blos-
soms. The flowers are brilliant reddish scarlet,
verging to crimson in the olilest flowers. The
foliage, too, is abundant and of large size, and,
all in all, it is one of the most valuable of the
Ixoras.

Hardy Crinums. — Mr. Moore, of the Roya
Botanic Gardens, (ilasnevin, writing to us regard-
ing the Crinums that he finds hardy, says: "I
have tried a gieat many Crinums witli varying
results, but in the end tho.se tiiat flower well each
year reduce themselves to C. capense, C. c. album,
C. Powelli, C. P. album, C. Moorei, C. M. album,

354

THE GARDEN.

[October 30, 1897.

C. scabrum, C. amabile, C. lineare, C. pratense,
and C. j-ennense. Witli these you )iave a first-
rate selection. Tlie last three I am delighted
witli. C. pratense was especially fine ; flowers
pure white, very numerous, and with great sub-
stance."

Flowers from Weybridge.— I bring you up
a few late flowers, half a dozen of Marliac's Water
Lilies, some Primroses and Gentians. These have
flowered well with me owing to the absence of
hard frosts. The Liciuidambar has coloured so
well this season, that I think it worth bringing
you a few sprigs. — Georue F. Wilson.

*,* A rich gathering of these beautiful flowers,
the shades of colour in the Primroses being very
varied and bright. The Liiiuidambar leaves were
exceedingly rich in colour, and a large specimen
with the sun shining full on the leaves is a beau-
tiful oliject in the landscape now that the flower-
ing plants are on the wane. The autumn tints
this year seem to be very bright. — Ed.

Hybrid Nerines. — From Andoversford Mr.
Elwcs lirought a remarkable series of these plants
to the Koyal Horticultural Society this week,
when seven out of eight \arieties sent up for cer-
tificate received this distinction. Brilliancy of
colour in the self kinds was remarkable, jiar-
ticularly the clear salmony orange of Lady
Lawrence and the intense carmine-scarlet hue of
Lady Llewellyn. Other noteworthy kinds are
Lady Dorrington (pale pink and white segments
somewhat widely separated, and with rich car-
mine rib), and Lady Mary Shelley (delicate pink,
tips of the sepals recurving). Countess of
Bathurst is white flushed pink, and having a line
of deep pink 1 inch long from the base of the seg-
ments. Lady Lucy Hicks- Beacli, a crimson -
scarlet, is very compact, and Lady Bromley a
curious mixture of carmine and purple.

Begonia gracilis Martiana. — This very dis-
tinct variety is very useful for autumn flowering.
1 lately saw some nice plants of it in the Oxford
Botanic Gardens, and most eft'ective they were
among other flowering plants in the conservatory.
The plants were in G-inch pots, and had se\cral
erect-growing shoots about 18 inches high, covered
with bright rosy-pink flowers. This variety may
be propagated from the small bulbils which are
formed in the axils of the leaves. These may be
keyit in a cool, dry place and started earlj' in
January, treating them in the same way as seeds.
They may be grown in a moderate stove tem-
perature, and should be fully exposed to the
light. During the summer they ma}' be grown
in the cool conservatory, and with good treatment
will keep uj) a bright display for a long time.
Young plants will be more effective if several are
grown together in the same pot or pan. A good
rich loamy compost should be used for potting,
and after the plants begin to flower liquid or arti-
ficial manure may be used freely.— A. H.

Begonia Gloire de Lorraine.— This was
introduced about eight years ago, and a
first-class certificate ^^■as awarded by the Royal
Horticultural Society five years ago. Yet it was
not until last autumn that it became generally
known. It was raised by V. Lemoine, of Nancy,
and is a hybrid between B. Martiana and B.
Dregei. A remarkable feature of this variety is
that it rarely produces seed vessels. Among some
thousands of plants I have found only three per-
fect female flowers, and I am afraid these will
prove abortive. The absence of these may account
for its free flowering. I know of no other variety
that will produce so much bloom and continue
flowering so long. Grown in a temperature of
60° to 70° F. with good treatment, the same plants
will continue to flower from now until February.
It is of dwarf habit and the soft pale green foliage
shows off the bright pink flowers to great advan-
tage. Few flowering plants are more suitable for
table decoration than this Begonia. It may be
grown under the same treatment as otlier
winter flowering varieties, but recjuires rather
more warmth. The greatest difficulty is to
procure good cuttings, the plants becoming
exhausted by continual flowering. By care-

ful treatment, however, it is possible to get
good cuttings aVjout February ; old plants
will usually break back from the base, and the
short jointed shoots must be taken before they
begin to show flower. These will root freely if
put into light santly soil and placed in the stove
propagating pi'. The plants recently exhibited
should fully prove its value as a plant for decora-
tion, yet, I understand, on the Continent where it
was raised growers have so far failed with it that
it is now almost out of cultivation. — A.

The weather in West Herts.— A very warm
period, in fact, what is termed a " St. Luke's
Summer." On the warmest day, the 17th, the
temperature in shade rose to 07'^, which is the
highest reading recorded here as late in October
during the thirteen years over which my observa-
tions extend. The previous night also proved
singularly warm ; indeed, the nights, as a rule,
have during the past week been e\en more un-
seasonably warm than the days. The tempera-
ture of the ground is at the |iresent time about 2°
higher than the October average at '2 feet deep,
and about 3*^ higher at 1 foot deep. Rain has
fallen on only one day as yet during the present
month, but on seven nights. The total measure-
ment, however, amounts to little more than half
an inch. For the time of year the ground is re-
markaljly dry : in fact, no measurable C|uantity of
rain-water has come through the heavy soil perco-
lation gauge for eight days. On the ISth, the
sun shone brightly for altogether seven hours. —
E. M. , Berkhamxted, October 22.

Another warm week, but not nearly so

warm as the previous one. On the 26th the
shade temperature rose to 61°, which is high for
the time of year. Both at 1 foot and 2 feet deep
the soil is now about a degree warmer than is
seasonable. Rain fell during the early morning
hours of the 2()th, l)ut to the depth of little more
than a tenth of an inch. The ground is still verj-
dry for October, no measurable quantity of rain-
water having come through either percolation
gauge for two days. The wind has been recently
very light, the average rate of movement at
30 feet above the ground during the last nine days
amounting only to about 3 miles an hour. The
record of clear sunshine has been very variable,
but taking the week as a whole the mean dura-
tion was rather more than three hours a day —
E. M., Bvrkhamstal.

Cut down in the prime of life and usefulnes
a blank has been created which it will be dif!
cult to fill. Every work having for its objei
the raising of the intellectual and social coi
dition of the jjeople found in Blr. Baillie a wan
supporter. The cause of temperance has loi
had in him a consistent advocate. He was
Fellow of the Linnean Society, and publisht
some j'ears ago a flora of the district. He wi
awai-ded the Kingsley Memorial Medal, and wi
one fif the prime movers in the formation of tl
Chester Paxton Society, and he initiated tl
Chester Guild of Arts and Crafts. The citizei
have him very largely to thank for the excellei
displays of pictures from time to time at tl
museum, and also for the exhibition opem
some months ago by the Duke of Westmiuste
A Fellow of the Royal Horticultural Societ
Mr. Baillie on several occasions lectured hefo
this body, while articles on fruit culture fr
quently appeared from his pen in varioi
publications, and he was an enthusiastic veji
tarian. Mr. Baillie was a clever artist, havii
a remarkable facility for transferring fac
and striking bits of scenery to paper, wlii
he was also a good shorthand writer. Articl
from his pen on subjects connected wi
agriculture and horticulture often appeare
In music he took a keen delight, and was
performer of no mean order. A willing ai
a liberal helper of every good cause, a tr
friend and a delightful companion, faithfulne
marked his walk and conversation, and won f
him the affection and respect of all with whi
he came into contact.

Obituary.

MR. E. J. BAILLIE.

We regret to announce the death, at the age of
forty six, of Mr. E. J. Baillie, F.L.S., at his
residence, A\'oodl)ine, Upton, shortly after ten
o'clock on Monday morning, C)ct. 38. Though
Mr. Baillie had been ailing for some time, his end
has come with tragic suddenness. From a notice
of his death in the Chediiie Courier we take the
following : Deceased was educated at Tarvin,
and on leaving school he spent a few years on his
father's fai-m. Rather more than thirty years
ago he entered the firm of Messrs. F. and A.
Dickson and Sons, seed merchants and nursery-
men, Eastgate Street, Chester. He commenced
as a junior in the corresjjondence department,
the charge of the department eventually falling
to his care and supervision. He was next
ap])ointed cashier and confidential ad\iser of the
firm, and afterwards became a partner, and
subse([uently managing ])artner of the business.
\Mien the two firms of Dicksons were amalga-
mated, Mr. Baillie became deputy chaii'man
and a managing director of Dicksons Limited.

By Mr. Baillie's death Chester is much the
poorer, and his labours on behalf of the
Grosvcnor Museum will not soon be forgotten.
For some years he had acted as honorary
secretary and treasurer of that institution.

MR. ISAAC DA VIES.
We regret to announce the death, at the age
8."), of Mr. Isaac Davies, which took place at t
Brook Lane Nursery, Ormskirk, on the 10th in
Up to within two months of his death he C(
ducted his business in every detail. Mr. Day
raised manj' good Pelargoniums and Calceolaria
as also Azaleas and Rhododendrons, RhoJodi
dron prajcox being one of his earliest attainmen
Azalea Ua\'iesi and A. Avalanche were also raif
by him. He also turned his attention to swe
scented Rliododendrons, and gave us Countess
Derby, Countess of Sefton, Lady Skelmersdu
Duchess of Sutherland, Miss Davies, and M
Jas. Shawe. The hardy Rhododendrons W(
also taken in hand, and to this class many li
varieties were added. He has no doubt left t
world richer by his enterprise, and has contribul
in no small degree to the pleasure of those who ta
an interest in their gardens.

The business, which was first started at Wav'
tree, near Liverpool, and removed to Ormsk
thirty-one years ago, nowcomes to anend,thesto
having been disposed of at a sale by auction
the end of September last.

Public Gardens.

The Churchyard Bottom Wood, Hig

gate. — At a recent meeting the Islington Vest
decided to subscribe ,£2000 towards the purcli:
of the Churchyard Bottom Wood, Highgate, pi
vided that the balance of the purchase-nionc.v
£23 (|(|(i_i,s otherwise subscribed. Itwasdccid
to apply to the London County Council for ci>
sent to the sum named being obtained on loan.

Names of plants.— F. TomZiji.— Eriobotr

jaoonica (the Loquat). Richard Butler.— 'Sot

all uncommou. -Arthur P. .Wir.— Cestruni auran

acuni.— ir. G.— 1, Wcodwardiaradicans; ."?, Asplen i
viiiparum ; 3, Paulinia sp. ; -1, Sedum sp. ; 5. SeJi
ianouicum ; 0, Tradescantia zebrina ; C, SolicJa

anibigua; 8, Veronica salicifolia. SpriV'j Wi'l

1, the colour you speak of is not unusual ; 2, Milti't
cuueata ; 3, impossible to name from such a scxap.

THE GARDEN.

No. IS.'iS.— Vol. LIL]

[NOVEMBER 6, 1897.

lohard and Fruit:—

ppte Cox's Onuigo .. .. 3J7
pplo Jaiuos tii-ievo .. S5.'i
pplo Killer of the Pipiuiis . . 3oi»
pple Uibstou Pippin . . . . 3C7
,ppIo Tower of (ilamis . . 357
ppleB, sci»rce, at tlio Crys-
tal Palace 355

mit'cTops, tliiiiniug .. .. 367

rape rouin, the 30r>

oar Beurre Hiu-huHer . . , . S'>0

ear Bourr^ Baltiit i»ero .. 35ti

ear Conitc de Lamy . . . . 355

oar Gaijsol's Bergamut . . 35ti

oar Passe Colniar 850

«ar Van Mons Leon Ijeelerc 350
lum Rcino Chiiidc de Ba-

vay 35fi

trawboiry Scarlet Queen . . 857

trawberrios, iiutes on.. ,. 357
eathcr, t>ctobcr, and fruit

trees Soil

|>Te and Greenhouse:—

umas in flower

imatiou Winter Cheer . .
fimations, American . .
amations, Midnmison, rust

on

elsia cretiea

rinum Moorei

■hsia triphylla

iT'ienias

ronia idustris rnbricauUs
■'' CfUffli irrllaii

elicouias

erine Fothergilli

crtera depressa

360
359 !
S*il i

300
300
300
359
301 ;

Pehirgoniuin Adoljihe Bris-

son 3r»0

Pelargonium Duke of Fife .. 351»

I'elargonium Llerniione .. ?6l

Roses, Christmas, in jiots .. 300

Salvia Bethelli 301

Flovrer :—

Androsacc lanuginosa .. .. SOS

BegoniiU", fihrous-n^oted .. 302

Cannas, winter trtaluient of 3(i2

Carnation The Burn Pink. . 3fi3

Carnations, artistically grown 362
Galaathiis Ikaviui at Graccti/c

Manor SOI

Lobelias, herbaceous .. ., 302

Pieonies, Tree 303

Snowdrops in Scotland . 801
Violets, early planting of

frame , . . 302

Garden Flora:— I

Irises and Iris gardens , .. 364
Jiis, Sjiiiiiish, in an JitKi'tcan

garden 305

Week's Work:—

Kruit garden, hardy, work in S05

Kitchen garden, work in ., 806

Orchids :—

359 I Catiisetiun Christyanum

359 ; Cattleya aurea

361 I Cattleya Miss WiUiams

300 Cycuoches maculatuni. .

307
307
867

(niustrations in Italica.)

Cymbidium clcgans .. 3it7
Cypripedium AUanianum

'(Clare Lawn variety) . . 368

Cypripedium Heginns .. .. 308

La-lia autumnalis venusta . . S07

I^ielia Pcrrini var. leucophsea 868

La-lia pumila alhons . . . . 368
Litlia jiurpurata var. Annio

Louise SiiS

Masdcvallia comicuhit.a . , 3i;7

Masdevallia Measuresiana .. 368

Masdcvallia niu8oo§a .. .. 367

Masdcvallia tuvarensis . .. 367
Masdcvallia Veitchiano-Es-

trada^ 307

Mesospinidium vulcanicum . 307

Miltonias 306

Orchids, notes on 307

Chrysanthemums :—

Clu ysaiitlieniuni Klla Curtis 370

Chrysanthemum (Jen. Cover 370

Chrysanthemum Lady Han-
ham 370

C/trffsanffiDiium Mute. Octavie
Mh-bmu ..868

Chrysanthem\im N.C.S. Jubi-
lee 360

Chrysanthemum Nellie

Brown 870

Chrj'santhemum Pride of

the Market 370

Chrysanthemum Kayo n-

nante 370

Chrysanthemum V i c o m t c

Roger de Chezelles . . . . 369

Chrysanthemum Werther .. 370

Chrysanthemums at Fawk-

ham 369

Chrysanthemums at Swan-
ley 309

Chry.*;untliemum8, standard
of quality in 869

Chry-santhemums, typos of
Japanese .. .... .. 368

Roses :—

Rose Albertino Borquet
Rose Baronno de Maynard . .

Jiojtf Purit;/

Roses, autumn pnuiing of..

Roses seeding

Roses, white Tea

Roses with extra vigorous
growth

Kitchen :—

Artichokes, Globe, in winter
Asparagus beds in winter ..
Caulitlower, Autumn Giant..
Kale, Sutton's Drumhead . .

Parsnip, a new

Parsnips, keeping

Pea Autocrat

Seakale, ftircing

TomatoEclip.se

Books :—

"Manual of Practical Gar-
dening" 372

Societies :—

National Chrysanthemum . . 372
Royal Gardeners" Orphan

Fund 373

Royal Horticultural . . . . 873

Notes of the Iffeek:^

Achillea 'I'ravitmanni . . . . 873

Aster diplostephir)ide8.. .. 874

Aster granditloruH 374

Calceolaria amiilcxicaulis ,. 874

Chrysanthemum Miss Rose.. 374

Chrysantliemum Source d'Or 873

Chrysanthemums, outdoor. . 374

Cosmos from Ireland . . . . 374
Oocus cancellatus var. cili-

eicuH 373

Erica eiliaris puri)urea . .. 373

I''lowers, November . . . . 374

Gazania splendens 373

Gentianella, the 373

Gesnera amabilis 874

l.sle I'f Man, flowers in.. .. 374

Leucojnm autumnale .. .. 874

Xight.shade, the Jasmine .. 374

Peas, good, in November . . 374

Polygonum atfine 374

Polygonum sphitrostuchyum 373

Pnlygouum vaccinifolium .. 374

Primula japonica 373

Rhodudendrou Princess

Alex.indra 373

Rose Marie van Houtte . . 374

Saxifraga Fortunei . . . . 374

Season, a mild 374

Sidalcea malvajflora atro*

purpurea 373

Stobfea purpurea -373

Tricyrtis pilosa 374

Miscellaneous :—

Aj'cra arundiniicca .. 370

Bug, mealy, clearing off .. 372

Aster serieeus 3ii5

Leaf-browning disease, the. . 363

Weather, the, in West Herts 373

mCHARD AND FRUIT GARDEN.

^CARCE APPLES AT THE CRYSTAL

■ PALACE SHOW.

IcAl'SE a few classes did not fill well it must
It be tjiken for granted that the A])ples ai-e
irthless kinds. I admit they may lack the
]|)ularity of some kind.s for exhibition, but I
tnk, in judging, more points may with advan-
t;e be given to ([uality. If we take that soft
fly Apple Lord Suttield, a fairly popular show
lid, it cannot be termed a good all-round
^ 'iety, as in some places it soon spots and is
liless for keejiing. Golden Spire, which iinds
1 3 favour as an exhibition fruit, is a better
1 iper, less tender, and a more regular cropper.
Im aware Lord Sutheld is a great favourite in
j ny gardens, liut in damji, heavy soil the tree
i «nder. It succeeds in light, warm soil, but
tlden Spire is not fastidious as to soil, bears
fely every year, and, though fit for use in
Siteinber, keeps good till December. I have
I'er known it to fail even in the worst of sea-
6 IS. The dish of this variety shown by Mr.
^)odward at the Palace sliow was very fine.
S ne object to its shajie. I do not think it so
I'ainly as Lord Derby and many others.
Mother Apple I was surprised to see only one
ch of was Royal Jubilee. Why this excellent
iple is not more gnjwn I cinnot imagine. I
i;iced it was jirominent in collections. It is
aery distinct fruit, large, and of a clear lemon
cnur. It always crops. What makes it more
vuable is its late fiowering. Seat on House,
aither kitchen variety, was none too plentiful.
I s a handsome fruit, late, and valuable for
s ill gardens. This crops so well in bush form,
t.t I was surprised to see it so poorly shown.
1 ave seen grand crops of this variety in the
B thern parts of the country, and in a few
fees it is used for dessert, though, of course,
■ M in the year. Another variety, Hormead's
iirmain, a vei-y handsome Apple, was only
R wn by two exhibitors. It is an e.xcellent

variety, and in the west of England was much
valued for its regular cropping and good keep-
ing. Spencer's P^ivcjurite, a pretty Apple of
the Golden Noble type, was poorly shown as
regards numbers. It is an Apple of great
merit on account of its close growth and crop-
ping so abundantly as an orchard tree. This is
well suited for small gardens. Braniley's Seed-
ling was only poorly staged as regards numbers,
four competing. This excellent cooking Apple
is a great favourite in the north on account of
its vigorous growth, late keeping, size, and free
bearing. I think Grenadier may with advan-
tage be left out, as though an early and free
bearer, this and Lord Grosvenor are so much
alike that one of the two would suffice. I
would like to see classes for Lady Henniker, an
excellent Apj)le ; Mrs. Barron, a fine variety
for autumn use and a coni])act grower, and
Waltham Abbey Seedling, a grand ci-opper on
old trees. There are others which could be
named as none too plentiful, but I will now
briefly refer to the

DE.SSERT Kinds.

First comes Allen's Everlasting, (^f this
only three dishes were staged. In the Thames
valley I have seen grand crops of this variety,
and I should regret seeing its place taken by
other kinds. Such kinds as this which keep
till May are of great value to the private
grower. I admit it is not a showy fruit, liut
the Royal Horticultural Society will tlo well to
include varieties which keep well. The (]Uality
of this is superior to that of many during the
spring months, and it is a good cropper in most
seasons. I notice this is not a good Russet
year. Though Egremont Ru.sset was only shown
by two exhibitors from the Maidstone district,
it is one of the best of its class, and I think any-
one who objects to it will not do so if he com-
pares its quality next December with that of
other Russets. It usually bears freely. Mabbot's
Pearniain appears to be scarce this year, but it
is a handsome Apple and a great bearer in many
parts of the countiy and of first quality. I was

surprised to see only two di.shes staged. This
is not a taking fruit, and unless its quality is
known its appearance does not tell when placed
along.side larger and more highly coloured
fruits. Much the same remarks may be made
concerning Mannington Pearniain in season with
Mabbot's. This was more plentiful certainlj',
but with me it is less reliaWe. The quality is
first-rate. Scarlet Nonpareil was fairly well
shown. It is a most useful dessert variety. I
am pleased to see these classes for late fruitS
recognised by the society, as though they may
not make much show they have their value for
dessert when softer and brighter-coloured fruits
are jjast. A variety less shown than any was
Williams' Favourite, an American variety, a
handsome conical fruit of a rich red colour and
a pleasant Havour. This is not so well known
as it deserves, and doubtless will become a
favourite. At the first show four years ago
several kinds like tlio.se named above were not
sliown, but they have now come to the front and
are largely staged. G. Wvthes.

Pear Comte de Lamy. — This dcliciously-
fluvouitd, though small Pear has been in per-
fection during the past ten days, the fruits
having been grown on upright cordon trees
on the (i)uince stock. The fruits produced by
such trees are perhaps a trifle smaller when
compared with those gathered from bush trees,
but in my opinion they are more liighly davourcd.
Pears of good quality being [ilentiful during
Octol}er and November, two or three cordon trees
of this variety would yield as many fruits as
would be recjuircd for ordinary private con-
sumption, or as many as could be consumed while
in good condition. If wanted in bulk the best
way would be to grow tlie trees cither as Inishes
or stanfhuds, as it is a vigorous-growing, hardy,
free-bearing variety. — A. W.

Apple James Grieve. — Those who are
an.xious to make a selection of the best desseit
Apples would not be disappointed if they added
this variety to their collection. "G. W. " drew
attention to it on page .316. I have recently
seen it fruiting very freely in the north of

356

THE GARDEN.

[XOVEMBER 6, 1897.

Scotland. The trees were small, but each was
carrying a heavy crop of large clean fruit, and
though tliere were many other varieties in the
same plantation, none ecjualled this one for
free cropping. I predict there is a good future
for this Apple, but good as its qualities are I can
hardly follow " G. W." in saying it resembles
Cox"s Orange Pippin either in appearance or
flavour. I should say it is at its best during
October, and fruit eaten direct from the trees was
most refreshing. — Richard Pakker.

Plxira Reine Claude de Bavay. — This ex-
cellent late Gage Plum deserves wall culture, when
the fruits produced amply repay the grower for
the extra trouble taken in the training by their
extra large size. In addition to this, as they will
hang late, they can then be the more easily pro-
tected from flies and wasps when grown against a
wall. The skins should be slightly shrivelled be-
fore the fruits are gathered, when they are per-
fect sweetmeats and highly prized for dessert.
It is also much valued for cooking and but little
sugar is required. In colour the fruits resemble
the ordinary Green Gage, but are much larger,
while the tree is also a more vigorous grower. Re-
garding its cropping qualities, it is about on a par
with the variety just cjuoted, and is a consistent
bearer. On account of its being inclined to be a
strong grower, a little root-lifting is necessary to
induce fruitfulness, but once it commences to
bear no further trouble need be apprehended. —
A. W.

Pear Beurre Baltet pere. — This useful Pear
is not grown so much as it deserves, as when
grown in various positions it will give good fruits
up to the end of the year. There are few Pears
of better quality, the flesh being melting, juicy,
and richly flavoured. I have this varietv in bush
form and as a cordon, and onlj' in the latter form
as fruiting trees. Anyone who does not know
this variet}' and sees it growing would at tirst
sight take it for a stewing Pear of the Bellissime
d'Hiver type. Though a large fruit, it is a free
bearer and its large turbinate fruits are hand-
some. They should be left as long on the trees
as possible. On the Quince this Pear does not
make a strong growth, and this is important in
gardens limited in size. It produces fruiting
spurs abundantly and promises to make a com-
pact pyramid. This, with its free bearing and
late keeping, should commend it to Pear growers.
I find it does well on an east wall. — G. Wvthes.

OCTOBER WEATHER AND FRUIT TREES.

If a fine autumn has anj'thing to do with the
ripening of the wood on fruit trees, after the pre-
sent one it should be thoroughly matured, as we
have an exceptional one this season. Often these
fine autumns are the forerunners of hard winters.
Let us look back to 1S7!I, which was the nearest
approacli to the present, that being the driest
October on record, there having during that
month fallen only '77 of an inch of rain. Most of
us remember the winter of l,S79-80 and the injury
that was done to trees and shrubs. The year
1879 was wet throughout, for up to tlie end of
October there had fallen 30'70 inches of rain,
while during this year there have only fallen
24 '04 inches, or a ditferenee of more than 4J inches.
Never do I remember the colouring of the Pear
leaves being so beautiful. It is not one variety
alone that has assumed these glorious tints, but
many of them, more especially those on south-
east walls. The foliage of Napoleon is almost a
vermilion-crimson, and that of Marie Louise and
Duchesse de Mouchy is almost as bright. Plums
on most walls have ripened well, the leaves being
of a beautiful golden colour, while Cherries have
assumed tints that I have never before seen,
some of the leaves being almost scarlet. This
no doubt is owing to there being no frost to
check the flow of sap and the bright sunshine
we have experienced during the greater part
of the month. So far — and we have reached
the 2.5th of October— there has only been '27
of an inch of rainfall, and were it not that we

had a very wet day at the end of September, there
would not have been half an inch for the last six
weeks. While there is time it will be well to
make some provision in case severe weather
should suddenly set in. There are many things
that, though fairly hardy, would be all the better
with a little protection. Those who contemplate
planting ought to get the work done as soon as
possible that the soil may settle round the roots.
Tlie ground should also be mulched to keep out
the frost, and so assist the trees to resist the cold.
Figs in the open are almost sure to suffer unless
removed from the walls and covered, and the same
applies to the more tender plants. H. C. P.

THE GRAPE ROOM.

A.s the time is near at hand when this most
useful adjunct to gardens, where Grape growing
is carried on to any extent, will be required,
steps should at once be taken to put it in order.
Washing of all woodwork and the lime-wliitiiig of
ceilings, when lath and plaster take the jilace
of inatch-boarding, will be the first to claim
attention. It by chance any rejjairs should be
necessary, these must be done, but these, wlien
possible, are best seen to during the suiiiraer
months, particularly if bricks and nioi'tar or
new plaster have to be made use of, as the ma-
terials tlien have several months in which to
dry. The cleaning and refilling of bottles should
be done while the room is being cleaned, and
after placing a few small pieces of charcoal in
each, they may be placed in position in the
racks. The (jutside of each bottle sliould be
wiped perfectly dry before taking it into the
room, and if tilled nearly full of water, which
will allow for a slight waste by evaporation, they
will then be in readiness when the Grapes are
cut and brought in later on to be bottled.
When all this has been done, the room should
be dried as thoroughly as possible by opening
the windows or ventilat(U's, as the case may be,
also liy drawing the valve, if heated by hot-
water pipes, so that a current of warm, dry air
may be continually passing through the build-
ing. It is essential that all moisture be dried
out beforehand, for the Grapes keep badly in a
damp, stagnant atmosphere, and if this is not
done and fire-heat be used to counteract
it after bottling the Grapes, there is a
danger of going to the extreme by the em-
ployment of too much heat, wliich causes
shrivelling of the berries. Once the bunches of
Grapes with the jiortions of laterals attached
are severed from the Vines and inserted in
the bottles, they keep best when subjected
to a cool, but dry atmosphere, or when
the temperature does not fall below 4o° nor
rise higher than .oO". By this it will be seen
that if all damp has been dispelled, and the
building is in a thoroughly dry state when the
Grapes are taken in, but little artificial warmth
is required, and then in a general way only
sufficient to keep the temperature from falling
to too low a point when the mercury is at or
below freezing point outdoors. Grapes, unlike
Apples and Pears, do not throw off moisture,
there is therefore no danger of the atmosphere
becoming charged with it ; consecpiently the
I'oom if in a dry condition at the outset will
I'emain so with the aid of but little artificial
warmth. Some gardeners fill up what little
space remains in the necks of tlie bottles after
the pieces of wood are inserted with plugs of
cotton wool or dry Moss, acting under the
assumption that this prevents evaporation and
the escape of moisture. After a trial spread over
several seasons, I found neither good nor harm
result from the practice, and have discontinued
it. In the cool, steady temperature mentioned
above the water wastes but very slowly. For

the refilling of the bottles with water, nothi
better can be used than a can with a lo
curved spout, such as is sold for tiUing jietr
leum lamps with. This holds about a quart
water, and the end of the spout being small,
can be easily inserted in the neck of tl
bottle, and the necessary ([uantity of wat
run in without a drop being spilt on the flou
(U- by having to withdraw tlie bunch. A fin
bright day should if pfissible be selected f
b(jttling, and it is best done in the foreno(
when the outside air is comparatively dr
The bunches should be cut with as much wo^
attached as can safely be spared. A. W.

Pear Beurre Bachelier. — I was interested
".I. C.'s" note upon this Pear on page 315.
friend had a large crop of this variety last ye
and gave me two to eat. One was very good ai
buttery, something like a (ilou Morceau ; but t
other, which ripened a week or so later, was lit!
better than a Turnip. I was so pleased with t
first one that I ordered two trees of it, but o
doubtful after eating the second fruit if it •«
wise to plant it. Can "J. C." explain this,
has he experienced the same difference? — B. Adi
Birhlrth, Soulhport.

Apple King of the Pippins.— This Api

is \ery variable, many seedling varieties bei
sent out from nurseries under tlie name of Kii
of the Pippins. Not only do they vary in si;
shape and colour, but also in flavour. Some a
really useless, while the true kind is a pleasant!
though not richly flavoured Apple. It has cropp
well in several gardens this year, and will
useful in this scarce season. Some very fine fri
of it I noted recently at Boxted Hall from es]
lier trees, under which system it thrives hett
than most kinds. — R.

Pear Gansel's Berg'amot. — This Pear is
very free bearer and of fair quality, the flavo
being much liked by some. It is usually a litl
gritty, but the flesh has a buttery, rich tast
and is \ery deep. In shape the fruits are shoi
much flattened, yellowish, rough brownish r
on the side nearest the sun. I recentlj' noted
nice lot of fruit of this variety at Ickworth, whe
it does well and crops so freely that it is necf
sary to thin somewhat heavily in order to g
good fruits. It seems to thrive under almost ai
description of training, and should be grafted i
the Quince. — R.

Pear Passe Colmar. — In most places tli
Pear is of good ciuality, liut the best fruit, as
rule, comes from a warm soil where the tree
grown on an east aspect. The fruits are ^
medium size, true Pear shape, green at firs
dotted with brown, changing afterwards to a du
lemon-yellow. Its season is from now onwuii
until the middle of December, and where thei
are trees on dift'erent aspects this succession mo
easily be kept up. The flesh is of a deep ye
lowish tint, very juicy and melting. On dwa
bushes or pyramids in the open it is a fine vi
riety, bearing very freely, and the tree is vei
vigorous.

Pear Van Mons Leon Leclerc— I ha\
been in several places where comijlaints of the sh
character of this fine Pear were common, an
possibly it can hardly be recommended to anyoii
having a very heavy cold soil. But on mediui
soils ff the roots are kept up and the brancht
properly thinned, it will usually be satis
factory. Where room can be found on a wa
for it the fruit will be of very fine quality, laig
and handsome, while if judiciously managed, i
will be abundantly produced. The flavour i
quite distinct from that of any other Pear, aii'
its handsome apjiearance is always noticed.-
B. S.

Apple Tower of Glamis.— There are fe^
more profltable Apples to grow than this when i
is obtained true to name and well cultivated
Unfortunately, it is not always supphed true
and some nice young trees I met with recenti;

November 6, 1897.1

THE GARDEK

357

tl had been supplied from a well-known muscrv
w) bearing a full crop of ii larf^o, flattisli rcil
A le, quite diflerent from Tower of (ilamis,
v/\ ;h at no time is very liifjbh' coloured. It is a
cecal, anfiularlooUini;- fruit, lii^litly streaked
wi red on a pale ^'reen skin, the lles^i as white
a« low, and of that lirm, juicy texture that is
(JO I in September, and yet will keep well into
tb lew year. — ( i row kh.

pple Cox's Orange.— The crop of this tine
deert kind is very thin in mo.st places this season,
bu this has had the ctt'ect of iiuprovini^- the size
of le fruit. In several fjardens recently visited
Ili'ebeen struck with the unusually tine colour
an appearance of the fruit, and in my own case
Ucs Orange «'as never better as legards size or
qUity. What a pity it is this fine Apple is so
ofti seen on starved espalier-tiained trees, every
bil»f young wood being spurred back amiually.
Tb result is usually a few fruits on the end of
thoranehes and in the centre a thicket ot un-
fnful wood. Free pyramids oi' bushes take
umo more room and are infinitely superior in
ev N way. — G ro w ek .

THINNING FRUIT CROPS.

Tl many advanfciges to be derived from a
ju cious thinning of most kinds of hardy fruits,
win they set too freelj', ought to be more gene-
ra • understood, for if this were so, and growers
prtised thinning in time, we should see fewer
in rior .samples on the market. It would seem
th in some places most kinds of fruit were
8C.:e this season, yet, owing to so many inferior
sa :iles prices have ranged rather low, unless
fo hose of superior quality. Black Currants
atne time were fetching from IGs. to 20s. per
bljiel, but many Apples have been sold in this
di|;ict at as low as 2s. the bushel. This was
fo small, badly -grown specimens, but for tirst-
clii samples as much as 12s. and 15s. have
\xi paid. Now which would be best, may I
as four bushels of small fruit at 2s., or one
bljiel of good fruit at 8s. or 10s. > All gar-
deprs pay special attention to thinning Grapes
an Peaches in the houses, while those crops
ouide are left to take their chance. Suppose,
fo jsample, all the bunches that showed them-
setes on a well-ripened Vine were allowed to
reain, and none of the berries were removed,
ttlljhe feeding and attention that could be given
thi would never produce tine (irapes. If this
hcs good with Grapes, why not with Apjjles,
Pi-s, Plums, Peaches, and Nectarines .' It is,
hcever, more to the first that I wish to draw
atition, because, if trees are allowed t.i be
ov -cropped one season they seldom produce
a op the next, as they are so exhausted as not
to B able to make fruit buds, and if formed they
d< ot become thoroughly developed, so that it is
iirwsible for the tlc^wers to produce anj' fruit.
It lay seem out of jjlace to write about thin-
lu^ fruit just now. but my object in doing so
IS I draw a comparison between the price ob-
tai^l for good samples and those of inferior
'|uity. We cannot expect, neither is it advis-
ab, to have extra large fruit for general use,
bu an even average specimen is of far more
va p than a lot of small ones, unless it be for
Wiing cider. If we look over the di.shes at
sh'Ts, it is astonishing how few varieties are
poilar, and many (if these are only grown for
»n ', and by thinning the fruit, together with
feting, these are made to grow to an enormous
siz Such fruit is not economical, as it will
nojceep for any length of time ; therefore the
pftice of over-thiiniing and undue feeding is
no » be recounnended. AVhat is retjuired for
ge ral use are even, fair-sized samples, and
su crops as do not weaken the trees. Most
?^iy neighbours in this district are complain-
»n,i)f a scarcity of fruit ; in fact, some of them

li.ne quite a failure and are astonished to find
th;it I have so much, but the ex]ilanation is not
ilidicult, as my trees h.-ive been duly thinne<l of
their crop each season, so that tlu-y are he.althy
and vigorous, having the tlowerluuls well de-
velojied, and at the time of llowering they are
able to withstand the extra strain i)ut upon
them. We are apt to forget that at this period
tliere are many things to contend with. If the
weather be too wet the pollen sehhjm dries, while
if dry and the flowers are defoi-med, the jietals
drop oli' before fertilisation has taken place, and
when this is so the fruit never swells. Badly
developed flowers, too, will not withstand the
frost So well as those that are well formed ;
therefore, if there are only a few flowers, and
these of the finest quality, there is far more
pros[)ect of having good fruit than when the
trees are <iver-laden. Thinning, too, is seldom
done early enough, as many are afraid to re-
move a portion of the crop, thinking that if
more were to drop ott' it would be a short one,
forgetting that though the number was less the
bulk would be t|uite as great. I am no advocate
of growing simply for exhibition, as such fruit
is of but little value for any other purpose ; but
if trees are healthy and the crop evenly dis-
tributed over them far finer results would be
obtained. Pears and Peaches on walls are
usually thinned to advantage, then why not
Apples and Plums ? If this were more generally
adopted I doubt if there would be a glut of fruit
one season, and little or none the next, as the
trees would be in a better condition to resist
the inclement weather experienced in spring at
the time they are in bloom. Fruit growing, if
for profit, should be thoroughly understood
before attempted, and the same applies when
grown for private consumptiim, otherwise
failures are sure to follow. Many gardeners
not only fail to thin sufficiently, but neglect to
do it in time, hence the reason the fruit is S(j
small. Some varieties we know are more pro-
ductive than others, and for this reason re(iuire
to be attended to before the fruit has grown
very large, otherwise much mischief vvill be
done to the trees. H. C. P.

rieties, these two would be my selection. Scarlet
(,)uetn is of a good colour, fair size, very fruit-
fid, sweet, and much superior to Royal Sovereign.
My three-year-old plants carried heavy crops this
year. The other varieties that have done well
here are President and Marshal McMahon. Latest
of AH is delicious, )iut I get very few fruits from
it. With the varieties named, grown in different
aspects, 1 had a good supply of fruit for ei[;ht
weeks this year and seven weiks last year. The
.soil is sandy, but good loam and rich manurial
dressings, hot-bed an<l artilieial, the latterapplied
in spring, have been added. Thcplantsare watered,
and about 2 feet below the surface what is called
here " ream-water " is always found, so they do
not dry up in summer. The runners are rooted
in pots and planted o\it as early as possible. —
15. AniiY, Birb/ak, Sonllipoii.

NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES.

\\'e have to thank our readers all over the
country for so kindly replying to the following
(ptestions, and we hii|ie that the notes will
prove valuable : —

Apple Ribston Pippin.— In a season when
good dessert Apples are none too plentiful, it is
a welcome surprise to many to have a good lot of
the old but valued Ribston Pippin. Some very
fine fruit was staged at the recent Crystal Palace
fruit show ; indeed, in a few eases the fruit was
equal in size to ordinary cooking Apples. With
a revived interest in fruit cultuie the Ribston has
had a full share of attention, and though formerly
many only grew this variety in standard form,
now by having it as a bush on the Paradise stock
there is less canker, which ruined so many fine
trees, and I notice the trees grown thus rarely
fail to crop. This variety delights in a warm
summer, and in good soils finishes a grand crop.
My fruit from cordons near the soil this year is very
fine, but it lacks the quality of that grown on
bush trees.— G. W.

In this season of scarcity of good Ajiples

it is pleasant to find a really fine lot of such a
good dessert kind as this, and this I did at
Ickworth recently. Not only was there a heavy
crop of fruit, but it was large and of excellent
(juality. The trees, too, on examination proved
to be full of likely-looking fruit spurs, and
therefore the promise for next season is good.
Mr. Coster says that these trees were rather
severely root-pruned some few years since, and
doubtless this has something to do with their
great fertility. — R.

Strawberry Scarlet ftueen.— In the numerous
answers of your correspondents I have onlj- noticed
one who mentions .Scarlet Queen. It ripens after
Royal Sovereign, and if I were limited to two va-

Will you kindly aid vs in throicing some litjht
on Straivherries of best i/iiaHtn far the iise of
private growers, as marhct rjrouers have a different
slaiidard from that irhich ajqihes to the private
(jiirdeiier, and favour those kinds thut bear
carriage, rather than those that are remarkaUe for
flnroiir and qualitij? Forthiise who uae their orrn
fruit we think that a different standard should be
in use.

1. What kinds do you consider the lest for
/laronr in your district, i.e., as groirn in garden.^,
not taking into account these grown in the open
field for market ?

2. The best early and late kinds for the (qjen air
ill your district ?

3. Which of the newer sorts do you find most
worthy of cultivation from a garden point of
view 1

4. The best time to plant so as to secure the best
and most regular crops ?

■ • I grow on a south border for earliest

sorts Black Prince and Laxton's Noble. The
former is the better flavoured, but Noble is early
and handsome, although soft for packing. It will
be supplanted here by Royal Sovereign, which
is almost or quite as earlj-, and verj- fine, also
better flavoured and firmer for packing. Black
Prince is an enormous bearer but small. Sir
Joseph Paxton is mj' best all-round .Strawberry.
I grow it in the open (piarters for general crop
and under a north wall for late supply ; the fruit
is large and handsome, firm, and well flavoured.
Newton's Seedling is a fine cropper and fairly
late, and good for ijreserving. 1 ;dso giow a
local sort — Colleton Pine — which is a strong
grower, good cropper, fruit well flavoured, and
firm. Sir Charles Napier with me is a great
cropper, but acid. 1 have lately tried .lohn
Ruskin, Sensation, and La France, but they have
not given me satisfaction when compared with
other sorts. I plant out in .luly the plants that
have been forced, into a piece of well-prepared
ground, which ensures a good crop the following
year. Other sorts for new lieds which I do not
force I layer into pots the same as those for forc-
ing, and jilant out in August. — Jonx (J.vui.ami,
Killtrto)!, Exeter.

Regarding flavour in Strawberries, I find

that soil, situation, and seasons have a wonderful
influence on varieties. One variety 1 glow, Mar-
shal McMahon, which has usually been fairly sweet
with me, has had a strong metallic flavour this
year, so much so that it was quite unfit for des-
sert. For flavour, I consider Sir Harry, British
Queen, President, and Royal Sovereign best, and
^'icomtei:se Herieart de Thury fairly good. Noble
is the earliest variety, earlier than Royal Sove-

358

THE GARDEK

[November 6, 1897.i

reign, and Latest of All and Jubilee the latest
sorts. Jubilee, however, although a firm Straw-
berry, is of rather inferior flavour, except in
sunny summers. To secure the best and most
regular crops, I like to jilant at the end of July,
l)utting three in a clump, ,3 inches apart, and
2 feet from centre of cluinj) to centre of clump,
with a space of 2i feet between the rows. Under
favourable conditions, such plants will yield a
good crop the four following years, at the end of
which time they may be destroyed. — J. Riddell,
Castle Howard.

Referring to Strawberries, they were about

our best crop this year, and had some of the early
flowers not been injured by the frost, we should
have had a fine crop. From the results of the
last few seasons, I do not think it wise to grow
very early Strawberries, as there is such great
risk of the early flowers being spoilt by frost ;
better a little later, and safe. The best flowers of
Royal Sovereign, Scarlet Queen, and Noble were
spoilt, as they were advanced enough to get a
touch of frost. In reference to late kinds, the
last I tried were Latest of All and Frogmore Late
Pine, but they have not proved satisfactory with
me. A neighbouring gardener grows very fine
fruit of Latest of All, which shows that the
adaptability of certain kinds to different places
(soils) is very apparent. After trying a lot of kinds,
I ha%e not yet found a better one than President
for its good qualities, that is, bearing pood crops
of fine fruit and of fair flavour. Royal Sovereign
is certainly a good varietj' of recent introduction,
John Raskin, where it will grow well, should
prove a very useful kind, but it will require to be
well established in good strong plants, as it is not
such a strong grower as many sorts. The best
time to plant is, no doubt, as soon as youn
strong plants can be obtained. I find they do
very well after early Potatoes, as the ground is in
good condition, requiring little preparation. After
the ground has been pointed over I place some
old Mushroom manure along where the plants are
to be, and this, when planting is done, gets
worked in round the roots, which helps them
greatly to get strong before winter, and the
almost certainty of a good crop of fruit the
succeeding year if frost keeps off when in bloom.
There is nothing like planting a young lot every
year about the first week in August, then a corre-
sponding old lot can be dug down every winter.
My batch for this year comprised President, Royal
Sovereign, Sir Harrj', and John Ruskin, and tliey
were planted on August 6. — R. Mi/Kellar, Ahney
Hall, Chemllt.

I find the best results are obtained by

making a fresh plantation each season, on well
prepared ground, as early in August as possible.
I prefer young plants in 3-inch pots, which can
easily be obtained by taking the best runners and
layering as early as possible in the season. I am
this season giving Royal Sovereign more space, as
it grows very vigorously with me. On the other
hand, such sorts as Gunton Park and Latest of
All may be planted considerably closer together.
I also find that by putting out strong, well-rooted
plants about the second or third week in August,
they will, if well cared for, carry a splendid crop
of fruit the ne.xt season ; it must also be noted
that these young plants ripen their fruits in ad-
vance of the older plants, which is of considerable
importance, and from results obtained I feel con-
vinced that the finest fruits are produced by these
yearling plants. A full and heavy crop is gene-
rally obtained the second season, after which I
find the plants begin to show signs of exhaustion
and are better destroyed. If kept and fruited the
third season, the fruit is considerably smaller, con-
sequently not so profitable. After a trial of a
number of varieties, those that find most favour
here are Royal Sovereign, Gunton Park, Leader,
Monarch, President, and Latest of All. The last
I consider a very valuable addition to the late
varieties, it crops well, and is of excellent
flavour. I shall grow more of it in future. I
gathered the first dish of Strawberries in the open
on June 14 (being ten days later than last year),
off Royal Sovereign ; the last being gathered off

Latest of All July 24, and this in spite of the
heat and drought. A constant supply was main-
tained for upwards of six weeks. Of the new va-
rieties of Strawberries here, Laxton's Monarch
and Leader have j^roduced the best fruits, they
are both fine mid-season varieties coming in after
Royal Sovereign. Of the two, I should give the
preference to Leader, the fruits are very large,
the flavour also is very good. For flavour, colour,
and size combined, the palm must certainly be
awarded to Gunton Park. This is a great
favourite here, and from young plants very fine
fruits are obtained. — J.\mes Hawke, OderUy
Park Oarchns, Ideirorlh.

The Strawberry crop suffered from the

JSIay frost, which destroyed the early blooms,
otherwise there was every prospect of a good full
crop, and then towards the finishing of the crop
the hot, dry weather prevented the proper ma-
turity of the fruit, which was, on the whole,
under the average. The varieties most favoured
here are Royal Sovereign, Sir Joseph Paxton,
Auguste Boisselot, Keens' Seedling, and Vicom-
tesse Hericart de Thury, the last lor preserving,
the fruit coming out whole after being cooked.
For forcing I like Stevens' Wonder, which has
done well with me, also Royal Sovereign, Keens'
Seedling, and Noble. Keens' Seedling is much
appreciated for its flavour, although of late years
there has been the cry for large fruit, and for this
reason Noble was, and is still, tolerated, although
lacking in flavour and firmness. Vicomtesse H.
de Thury by many is considered too small. I am
a strong advocate for yearly planting, making a
new plantation every autumn, layering into small
{lots, and planting on well-prepared ground as
early as possible in August ; by so doing a good
crop of first-class fruit is obtained the following
year. I hai-e of necessity planted in September
and the following sjiring, but have never obtained
such good results from the practice, and as far as
this neighbourhood goes, early planting is recom-
mended. I am no advocate for retaining the
plantations after the third year, when much better
results can be obtained from younger plants. —
J. Lee, Gopmll Hull, Waririck.

The best kinds for flavour in this district

are Vicomtesse HcricartdeThury jLaGrosse Sucr^e,
and British Queen. The best for early use are John
Ruskin, Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, Noble,
and La (irosse Sucrle ; for late use, Elton Pine
and British Queen. Of the newer sorts, Royal
Sovereign is the best. The best time to plant is
about the last week in August. — W. Chester,
Chalsii'ortli:

For flavour I must give preference to

Royal Sovereign, Latest of All. and British
Queen. The two former are the best I have tried.

1 have had perfect fruits of Royal Sovereign over

2 ozs. each. Keens' Seedling, closely followed by
i^oyal Sovereign, British Queen, and Latest of
All, which carry us well on to the latter end of
■luly, I consider the best for open air in this dis-
trict. The newer kinds I find do best here are
Royal Sovereign and Latest of All, and what I
have seen and heard of Veitch's Perfection I think
it will make a grand midseason variety. Strong
runners layered early in July into 3-inch pots
may be severed from the plant and placed on
ashes, and given plenty of room between each
plant so that they do not become drawn. In
about two weeks they will be fit to plant out in
ground that has been trenched and liberally
manured, taking care to well firm the soil round
the plants. I have three large plantations, and
do away with one each year and plant one ; by so
doing the plants are young and healthy. — H. W.
Blake, ClnniJua Parle, Guildford.

Noble is a wonderful cropper and as early

as any here. In hot seasons it is acceptable for
dessert, but in wet seasons it is only fit for jam.
Royal Sovereign is only four or five days later ; I
have grown it two seasons, but the crops so far
have not been heavy, hardly an average crop, and
flavour not first-rate. Monarch, about a week
later, is a very fine fruit, rather shy bearer so far,
fla\ our fairly good . Leader is very large, of good
flavour, but I will try it again before recommend- 1

ing it. President is by far the best Strawbel
here, a good heavy cropper, of the finest flav(
any season, and keeps a long while before
ing. Auguste Nicaise is a heavy cropper, au
a fine flavour, but wants gathering the same i
it ripens or it goes dead, and it does not sti
hot, dry weather. It forces well as a secc
early. Sir Joseph Paxton is not a good crof ■
here, the soil perhaps is too rich, as it runs v
much to leaf ; flavour good, but the fruit is ha
and not so nice as that of President. Latest
All I have only grown this year, but I thinl
will be the best late, fruit large, of good flavt
but rather woolly and hollow in centre.
Grosse Sucrt'e should have been placed be
President in the order of ripening. It is of v
fine flavour, nearly equal to President, but i
not a very heavy cropper. I always get the i
ners as early as possible, so as to plant by the
week in July on land that was trenched the
vious winter and cropped with early Peas. I ( (
two years, then destroy the plants. — J, Lansdi
Barkhy Hall, Leietiiitr.

The best for flavour are Vicomtesse I:

cart de Thury, President, Lord Suflield, fiui \
Park and British Queen. The best early and i
are those mentioned, with the addition of Ri
Sovereign. The best new variety is undoubti
Royal Sovereign. Monarch and Leader proi
well, but it is yet too early to give a dec
opinion. The best time to plant, I find, is e
in August, on deeply cultivated ground, with
ners taken from young plants layered into pot
J. Blackburne, Elimtead Oraiiye, Chinl eliur.il

Strawberries on the whole have yie I

abundantly. Both early and mid-season vari' ,
were good, but owing to the hot, dry weather ■
later varieties were prevented from maturing I ■
fruits. While dealing with Strawberries, ther^
several varieties which I would point out as b
most suitable for private use only, and in this
flavour is the first consideration ; secondly, the
longation of the season's fruiting. Bothherear ,
the surrounding district, Roj'al Sovereign ca |i
be equalled by any other variety of its set ',
either when forced or grown in the open boi .
Vicomtesse H. de Thury and Scarlet Queer
two excellent varieties, and either may be pla il
to come in quick succession to Royal Soven I,
followed by a selection of very choice mid-se li
kinds, namely : Sir Charles Napier, Sir Jo i
Paxton, President, Dr. Hogg, Gunton I ,
and British Queen, the richest-flavoured St
berry j'et introduced. It must have high
ture, otherwise the results will prove most •
satisfactory. Waterloo, a very distinct, i [
coloured variety is, I may say, one of the best i
most sought for late kinds. Laxton's Latef f
All is a grand Strawberry, and no collectic IS
complete without it. This season I have t)l
sevex'al varieties of recent introduction, but I I
my knowledge of their qiiality so far, I fear
will not be appreciated by the private growe
A. Metcalfe, The Gardens, Burghley Hi
Stamford.

Of Strawberries I only grow seven vi ■

ties — Royal Sovereign, Vicomtesse Ht'rioart.s
Thury, Sir Charles Napier, Sir Joseph Pax .
President, Waterloo, and Aromatic. I find 1
the above varieties of fairly good flavour ir
ordinary season. President is a favourite 1
and is the best of the lot for flavour. If plai
too close the fruit is rather inclined to be i,'
light colour. Roj-al Sovereign is the best ea
Noble, John Ruskin, and La Grosse Sucr^e 1
been discarded. Waterloo on a north horde *
the latest, and very much esteemed here for ' ■
sert. Royal Sovereign is the only new varv
that I have tried. I must say it is a cafjl
forcer, carrj'ing heavy crops of fine fruit. It,'
does well outside. I always layer runners as e: '
as possible, and plant out of pots when well ro(|'
as soon after July 20 as possible, and usually ''
a nice crop the first year. Vicomtesse H. de Th '
is grown chiefly for jam, but when not allowei '
stand over three years on the same ground itco >
of a good size and a nice flavour. — F. W. Beevi i
The Gardens, Stoke Coiirt, Slough.

NovfiMBBR 6, 1897.

Tlli'] GARDEN.

359

Stove and Greenhouse.

IIKLICONIAS.

, ME of tho Heliconias are very ornamental
uits for the stove l)y reason of tlieir Irinil-
lUO foliai;e. Thoy are nearly allieil to tho
iisiis, and some of tlieni bear a general re-
nblance to the lUvarfer-j^'rowing nieiiil)ers of
it genus. They are not nuich kiKJwn, and

1 3 but rarely mot with in gardens, by far tlie

and the entire plant is altogether more graceful
than II. anreo-.striata. H. illustris is in the
way of H. aureo-striiita, but tho eolouring is
altogether dillerent. In this tlie grcjund colour
of the leaf is green, witli the prominent mid-
rid of a beautiful shade of deep jiink, while the
veins are al.so marked in .a siuiilar maimer. The
leaf-st;Uks, too, are briglit pink. In the variety
II. illustris rubrieaulis(liere illustrated) tho leaf-
stalks are of a bright vermilion-rod, the leaf-
blades rosy red, the venation being a combina-

Ueliconia illustris ruhricaulis in the Wafer Lily house at Castlewellan.

h\i Lord Annesley,

From a pliotograpli

m t comiuoiily cultivated being Ileliconia

;o-striata, which was introduced about a

■n years ago. In this the leaves are of a

-I'een, the veins running from tlio mid-

ihe margin, marked out by yellow lines,

tiirmiiig when in good condition a really

!"'4 plant. A species, very distinct from

■ceiling, is H. metallica, which suggests ;i

•"Id, yet somewhat dwarf-growing form of

. The loaves arc of a bronzy-green tint

t with red. They are sliglitly drooping,

tion of crimson-lake, vermilion, rose and yellow
evenly distributed.

These Heliconias arc by no means difficult to
cultivate, succeeding best in a mixture of loam
and well-decayed loaf-mould, with a liberal
dash of sand. They dislike soil of too heavy
a nature, and though the quality of loam
varies a good deal, yet, generally speak-
ing, equal parts of loam and leaf-mould
will form a suitaV)lo compost. The pots
should be well drained, for the plants, while

imiiatient of stagnant moisture, yet need
|)lenty of water during the growing season.
In tho winter the soil should be kept
moderately moist, but nothing more. They
must be shaded from briglit sunshine tliroiigli-
out the summer months, otherwise the le.-ives
lose a good deal of tlu-ir l)right colouring. These
plants are readily inereased by division, and
when it is intended to pnjpagate them in this
w;iy, the early spring is ;i very suitable time for
tlie purpose. In carrying this out, as much of
the soil should be shaken ott'as is necessary for
tracing the cours(! of tlie suckers, which mu.st
bo separated with a sharp knife, with as many
roots as pos.sible attjiched to each. They must
then be potted into suitable sized pots, and if
jilunged into gentle bottom-heat in a close case
till i-oot action recommences, so much the
better. In.stead of shaking off the .soil, there
is less liability to injure the rocjts if it is re-
moved by liolding the ball of earth underneath
a tap, provided tho water is warm.

Mr. T. Ryan, Castlewellan Gardens, sends us
the following note : —

The plant grows rapidly in a moist stove tem-
perature, doing well in rich loamy soil. When
growing freely plenty of water should be given.
It requires to be shaded from bright sunshine and
is propagated freely by division of the root-stalk.
The illustration represents a sijecimen growing in
a i>ot 12 inches in diameter in the Water Lily
house in the Earl of Annesley's garden at Castle-
«ellan. The plant is .5 feet in height and has over
twenty leaves, each leaf being 9 inches across.

Fuchsia triphylla. — This is valuable for its
(Hstinct colour, and would donljtless, in the hands
of a careful hybridiser, be turned to good account.
But while possessing a very distinct and beautiful
colour, a shade by no means common, the species
is not usually seen in good condition in gardens.
This ma}' in some degree be due to the fact that
in a wild state the plane is founil in much warmer
legions than most species, and for this reason is
not likely to submit to the same treatment as the
hardier species or their varieties. F. triphylla is
found in the West Indies, and requires a warm
greenhouse to grow it well. The flowers are
glowing cinnabar red, and as grown Ijy Mr.
Latham, in the Birmingham Botanic (lardens,
it constitutes a most showy and attractive plant.

Carnation Winter Cheer. — This old kind is
still useful, and, where the old plants have been
taken care of, will produce good blooms for some
time to come. Possessing less of the tree charac-
ter than most perpetual flowering Carnations this
does not run away to growth as do many kinds,
and thus even two-year-old plants arc under 2 feet
high when grown in pots the whole time. As a
scarlet it is a more desirable plant than the old
A. Alegaticre, which appears to have lost raueli of
its early vigour as also its line colour. This is
so in certain districts near London, and, as a
result, the larger growers arc discarding it whole-
sale. During the past two years many flowers
have become streaked with white, and, wliile re-
ceiving the same culture as formerly, diminished
in size also. The variety seems to be neiirly
worn out. — J.

Pelargonium Duke of Fife. — This Pelar-
gonium (wliieh, by the way, is not the only variety
bearing the above name), belongs to the semi-
double zonal section, a class which, for cutting
at least, is very popular, owing to the fact that
the petals do not dro|) so readilj' as those of
the single kinds. It has been grown for some
time by Messrs. Hawkins and Bennett of Twicken-
ham, .so well known in connection with market
Pelargoniums, but as cut blooms only were dis-
posed of it was not cultivated elsewhere. It is,
however, now to be sent out, and in order to
show its freedom of flowering and the fine, bold
trusses of blossoms borne on long, stout stems,
numerous examples in bloom were shown both at

360

THE garde:n".

[November G, 1897.

the Royal Horticultur.al Society's meeting and at
the Aquarium on October 1'2. As a winter-flower-
ing variety for providing cut blooms in quantity
it promises to take high rank. — H. P.

Nertera depressa. — This is met with much
less frequently tlian it was a few years since,
but it is such a charming little plant that it is
matter for surprise that it does not increase in
popularity. It is of a dense cushion - like
growth, and is fresh and cheerful at all sea-
sons. Its beauty is considerably enhanced by its
brightlj'-coloured little berries, which, nestling
as they do on the green Moss-like cushion, have
a wonderfully ))retty effect. This Nertera is a
very shallow-rooting subject, and may, therefore,
be grown in pans if requited, while for carpeting
the surface of an indoor fernery it is extremely
useful. Where needed for edging groups or
for similar pur|»ses, it may be grown in pots
4 inches or 5 inches in diameter, in which case it
should be borne in mind that no great depth of
soil is re([uired ; hence the pots should be given
am|)le drainage. This Nertera is readily in-
creased l.)y division, which should, however, be
carried out quite early in the spring, as there is
then ample time for tlie plants to become esta-
blished before the flowering season. The blos-
soms are greenish, and play no part in the em-
bellishment of the plant. It succeeds well in
loam and leaf-mould, with a fair sprinkling of
sand and broken brick rubble. Do not pot too
deeply. Ample overhead watering is very essen-
tial during the growing season. This Nertera,
which is nearly hardy in this country, is a natiAe
of the southern )jart of South America, and it also
occurs in New Zealand. — H. P.

CANNAS IN FLOWER.

Apart from Chrysanthemums, one of the most
attractive exhibits at the Aquarium on October 12
was a fine group of Cannas in flower sent by Mr.
Cannell from Swanley. Such a collection well
illustrated the great strides that have been made
in this now popular class of plants within the last
few years, and it also showed the diverse forms
that are to be found amongst them. Particularlj-
noticeable in the group were Aurore, salmon-red ;
Aurea, bright clear yellow ; Incendie, orange-red,
edged gold : Progres, bright scarlet ; Doyen J.
Liabaud, light yellow, with large red spots ; Paul
Lorenz, rich crimson flowers, dark foliage, one of
the very best ; Duchess of York, yellow, thickly
spotted red, unsurpassed in its class ; Antoine
Crozy, rich crimson ; Alphonse Bouvier, deep
purplish crimson ; Martin Cahuzac, vermilion :
Queen Cliarlotte, bright red, with a broad margin
of gold ; Italia, scarlet and yellow ; and a very
beautiful vai'iety bearing the inordinately long
name of Reichskanzler Furst Hohenlohe. The
flower of this is large and well shaped, the colour
uniform bright yellow, except the small segments
in the centre, which are slightly marked red.
This class of Cannas is \-alual.ile for so many pur-
poses, and is now so generally grown that one
scarcel}' regards them as of such recent intro-
duction, for it was only in ISSS that the earliest
forms received certificates from the Royal Horti-
cultural Society. Since that time immense num-
bers have been propagated in this country, still
larger quantities sent here from some of tlie con-
tinental nurserymen— notably from M. Crozy,
with whom this section originated ; while at least
one dealer in Algiers disposes of large quantities,
apparently grown in theopen ground. Bermuda,
too, has taken the variety Mme. Crozy in hand.
Last spring several boxes of this Canna were
sold in the London auction rooms, but they were
cheaply disjiosed of. The raising of new ^ arieties
still continue^, though not much carried out in
this country. M. Crozy himself generally issues
a few novelties each year, while the two large-
growing forms (Austria and Italia), which
have attracted so much attention within the
last year or two, are of Italian origin. These
two are, however, for general purposes scarcely
so useful as the dwarfer forms known as Crozy

Cannas. All these are of very easy culture, and
many of them will continue to flower for a long
time. A proof of their varied season of blooming-
is shown in the fact that Cannas of this section
always form a particularly bright feature at the
Temple show in May, and now the same may be
said of them at the Aquarium in October.
Planted out in the summer, too, they are ^■ery
beautiful, but there is one disadvantage in treat-
ing them in this way, for at the cominencement
of autumn they push up far more flower-spikes
than at any other season, and the cold nights pre-
vent the blooms from opening properly. When
grown in pots a little heat can be given them
during this trying period, and the results then
are highly satisfactory. These Cannas are all
bberal feeders, and should be [jotted in a compost
consisting principally of good loam and well-
decayed manure with a dash of sand. If they
are oljtained during the winter in the shape of
dormant rhizomes tlicy should be potted as soon
as possible and placed in a greenhouse tempera-
ture, the soil being kept slightly moist. Just
about the time that the young leaves are pushed
up the roots are \ery active, when if required
they may be put into larger pots, using the same
compost as before. If the rhizomes are of suffi-
cient vigour, many of the plants will soon flower,
after which secondary shoots are pushed up,
which in their turn produce spikes of blossoms.
These (Jladiolus-flowered Cannas, as they are
sometimes called, are of little use for cutting,
otherwise they would be more grown than they
are now. There is a great deal of difference in
the hardiness and vigour of the several varieties,
and in a general way it will be found that those
with yellow blossoms, dotted more or less with
red, require more care than the scarlet or crimson-
coloured varieties. During the winter the soil
should lie kept slightly moist, as if too dry the
rhizomes, especially of the more delicate kinds,
will suffer. H. P.

Rust on Malmaison Carnations. — Every
late autumn I am much |jer|ilexed at the appear-
ance of rust on my Malmaison Carnations. I
have tried all ways and means to prevent its
appearance and subsequent spreading, Init all to
no purpose. Uriah Pike and Miss .lolitl'e grown
side by side never take it. What seems the most
singular thing is that it entirely disapjjears in
early spring, and the plants get quite vigorous
and healthy, though of course with loss of lower
leaves. When layers were potted up in August
scarcely a trace was visible. Now it spreads very
rapi<lly, the layers being nmch worse than two-
year-old plants. I notice a long spell of damp,
sunless weather favours the rapid spread of the
disease. The roots of all are in excellent condi-
tion. The plants are potted in the best yellow
fibrous loam, grit, and half-inch bones. They
were taken from the frames early in September to
a dry, airy house with a minimum temperature of
5fl°, and have had nothing but clear water witli
the exception of weak soot water a few times.
They have only been watered when quite dry.
Any enlightenment as to the cause and jjreven-
tion would, I am sure, be read with interest by
many of the readers of The O.iRDEX.— J. R.

Zonal Pelargonium Adolphe Brisson. —
This Pelargonium, which received the award of
three crosses at a meeting of the floral committee
of the Royal Horticultural Society, held at Chis-
wick on October 4, is one of j\L Lemoine's seed-
lings, and is a very distinct and beautiful variety.
It shows traces of Souvenir de Mirande, which
when first sent out attracted a good deal of
attention owing to its distinct character. This
proved to be the commencement of quite a new
race of zonal Pelargoniums, and several varieties
were in turn put into commerce by dift'erent nur-
serymen. One of the most richly coloured M'as
Mme. Jules Chretien, which soon became and is
still popular, but the above-named variety,
Adoljjhe Brisson, greatly surpasses it in tliis
respect. It is of medium vigour and good habit,
while it flowers profusely. The colour is extremely
difficult to describe, but it is a kind of carmine-

scarlet, lit up with \iolet towards the cent
while it has a light coloured eye. This vari-
was put into commerce liy M. Lemoine in IS
A second variety from the same raiser also
ceived an ecjual award — \iz. , Jules Lemaitre, w
very large, well-formed, crimson -scarlet flowi
This was sent out a j'car before the precedii
There are certainly many very distinct zo
Pelargoniums, especially from the Continent
late, as there are double forms of this Mme. Ji
Chretien section as well as single, while spot
flowers, perhaps more of a curiosity than anyth
else, but decidedly distinct, are among the lat
novelties. — H. P.

CRINUM MOOREI.

ALTiiouun such a handsome jilant and so us(
for conservatory decoration or cutting, thisCrin
is not often seen in good condition. In nine «
out of ten where this is grown the [jlants hav(
take their own way, and are left lying aboul
some odd corner while they should be mak
their growth. It is one of the \ery easiest plii
to grow, and possibly this is wliy it is so ot
ill-treated. The bulbs are quite safe in any li
shed during the winter if house room cannot
spared for them, jjroviiled only frost is exclud
They may be kept quite dry until February
March, when they may be taken to a viner
Peach house just starting. Thoroughly soak
soil once, then let it get fairly on the
side again before watering. After this
crease the supply as the leaves form ; gro'
will be very ra])id and the spikes appear
the sides of the bulbs. Large old plants 1:
have been in flower since June, and tliere are
several flowers to open. If the plants are in
least pot-bound, some artificial manure should
used as a top-dressing, as it is important, if
proper habit of tlie plants is to show, that they
not checked in any way. C. Moorei is a \
strong-rooting [ilant, and the roots, if confii
soon burst the strongest-made pots. For
reason they should be repotted when they 1
well-filled their pots with roots, and when t
get above a manageable size split them up
repot into smaller pots. The best time to di\
is in spring, and the most suitable compost
rough, o|ien one consisting of sandy loam, 1
mould and manure. The foliage has a ni
appearance when well grown. The leaves
not easily injured by sunlight, still, it is sa
not to expose them to the full sun in sumn
The plants are sometimes grown in a vinery u
the flower-spikes are nearly fully grown, and t
taken to the conservatory, where they miss
shade of the Vines and become sjiotted. 1
they been grown in the full light right throi
no liarm would have Ijeen done, as the leii
would luue become firmer and harder in texti
They may remain in the conservatory as lonj;
they are ornamental, but in most cases havt
come out to make room for Chrysantliemu
The lightest and sunniest position available sho
then be allowed until the leaves fall, when t
may go again into their winter quarters. 1^

Celsia cretica. — This plant is very pretty j
now, the spikes of yellow blossoms making
capital subject for grouping in the greenhousi:
conservatory. It is best grown as a bienn
sowing the seed in a cool house or frame al"
midsummer and keeping the seedlings gei
on the move through the autumn. During
winter they may be kept just secure from frosi
small [lots, allowing them the lightest posit
a^■ailable. Place them in their flowering [jot-
s|iring — early or late as the.v are rec|uireil
bloom — and keep them growing freely in a i
frame until the flower-spikes show, when tl
may be taken to the conservatory.

Christmas Roses in pots. — R. is now li
time, if not already done, that these should be
moved under glass, as growth having .some ti
practically ceased harm will occur if tlie li
ijecome repeatedly saturated by cold rains. ^

N0VEM3ER 6, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

30 1

rfectly cool liouso iiiid a light position suit

m best. Ill siicli the useful white blooms will

mlly bo ready for cuttinj; in .laiiuary. I have

eral times moved a few plants into a jrentlc

ht, say liO', in oidcr to secure earlier tlowers,

1 tliey fori'c fairly well, but the )ilaiits do not

■e for the ordeal, those forced bein;^' consider-

V weaker in growth tit the end of the following

fliimer. Since the cultivation of Christinas

aes in pots has become better uiulerstood many

oms are ])roduced, eiiual both in size and value

wreath-making to the Eueharis, tlic plants

ng grown without one half the trouble.

e largo white Bath variety is still the best as

urds size and wliiteness. — J. Ckawford.

imerican Carnations. — On page 320 Mr.

A;guelin informs your readers that the American

ieties of Cai'nations have saw-edged petals,

ich are papery and thin and have no substance.

uite .agree with the remark in respect to the

s rated edges, but the Americans prefer the

s rated edges to be regular. I am afraid in

viter-blooming Carnations it is difficult to lind,

en among the English productions, any other

t n rough-edged blooms. I do not assert that

are none, but the majority liave rough

s to the petals. I know of no American va-

whieh has such fringed edges as Mis.

Iricr Muir, certificated by the Royal Horti-

, liiral .Society some two years ago, thereby

plving that the saw-edged petal is not fatal to

iluonsiileration. I must take exception to Mr.

iielin's assertion th.at the American Carna-

- lack substance. It is a strong jioint in their

fijjurwhen |>roperh'gi'Own, this and along, strong

sin beingessentialw iththejudgesin thatcountry.

V, en we consider the great distance that many

o:the American-grown flowers travel, it will

b conceded that substance is a matter that

not be overlooked. — W. J. (Jiidfiiev.

loi

mil

|)0

du
art

li

order by using a little rough ])eat or similar
material before putting in the soil. I'ot very
lirmly, and use pots of medium size, so that the
roots .soon get a good hold. The}' always seem
more free fUnvering when the bulbs are crowding
each other and growing out over the sides of the
pots. Insects seldom trouble Ihem if kept cool
and with a good circulation of air all the y(;ar
round. H. R.

Gardenias. — .\t |iage i2()7 " H. I'." gives some
most useful hints on the cultivation of Cardenias.
He, however, deals with pot culture only, which,
of course, in many gardens is the only method
that can be followed. The best results that have
come under my notice have been achieved uiulcr
the planting-out system, heated pits being even
better than small ordinary span-roofed or lean-to
houses. In the former a uniform temperature
can be maintained and a moist atmosphere, which
(Jardenias delight in when making new growth.
Home time ago I saw a grand batch of jilants at
Ossington Hall, near Newark, these having been
plantetl out in a bed of loam, peat, leaf-mould
and sand when they had well tilled a 4.1-inch jiot
with roots. They maJe woiulerful progress.

NERIXE F0THERC4ILLI.

|ilants are more showy or beautiful than this

now, the strong spikes, each with an umbel of

iiiiant scarlet flowers, being very freely jiro-

ded when the plants are properly grown. Not

t\ least of the merits of this fine species is its

ereme hardiness, for specimens in flower will

stid in flraughty passages or conservatories

w lOUt taking any harm. The culture of this

Mine is not dilticult, yet in many places where

attempted the plants are not satisfactorj'. It

|iortant that the (ilants make a good growth

..,1 the flowers are ]iast, a good jiosition for

tfjii being a light sunny greenhouse or slightly

h( :cd frame. If old pot-bound specimens they

si lid be assisted by a little manure water, this

ling materially to swell up the bulbs, thus

ing the production of finer spikes of bloom.

ncwly-])otted plants should not be too highly

for it is not a gross feeding jjlant by any

mhs. The growths fully made up, the jilaiits

»hld be taken to a cool and rather dry house,

ing them on a shelf not far from the roof

i. The foliage having fallen no water should

iven, but the ]ilants lie kept quite cool and

until the flower s|>ikes appear when the}'

■■'■ ^ain be ^^atered. It is too often the

in to stand the ))lants about under greeii-

' stjiges after the flowers are past, the result

liis treatment being weak, badly-ripened

Ills that never bloom properly because they

I rest. Drip from the other plants upon the

^ gets into the centre of the growths and rots

■■"*. They would be far better outside during

thiiummer than in such positions, but the best

of 1 places is a dry, light house or frame. The

Pli ;s do not often require repotting unless it is

for he sake of propagation. In this case they

be divided frequently and kept in the same

for a couple of seasons only. But for pro-

ig a (luantity of flower old "pot-bound plants

est. The- lii-st compost for them is a rather

loam, if tliis can be procured, or, if not, the

"■iry loam mi.ved with leaf mould, a little pent, |

''■rushed charcoal. (Jood dnainage is abso- i

"iiv essential, and this should be kept in good

^4t

Galanthus Jkari'r nl (iraretyp ilannr. From
dra^vmr^ hij H. G. Moon.

growing into really dense bushes in one season,
the foliage being of a dark green hue, and the
flowers and buds when I saw them in October
numerous. A little clarified soot water and we.ak
li{]uid manure were given occasionally, and «lien
making their growth the foliage w.as sometimes
syringed, when the pit was closed, with water, into
which a little of the latter had been poured, this
aiiling to keep insects off. In summer the heat
was maintained by closing early and airing
judiciously, the temperature during winter by
fire-heat being kept as near 60" as possible. — .1. C.

SIIORT XOTES.— STOVE <l- GREENHOUSE.

Salvia BethelU is a very pleasing and useful
ffreenln.u-e pla'it, now well suited for effective ffroup-
iii?, wlier.1 tills is e.'?tensively adopled. by reason of tbe
bushy character of the plants and tlieir freedom uf
bloomiiii;.

Zo lal Pelirgonium Hermione.— Tliia semi-

double variety is a great advance both f<ir summer
and winter flowering. The blooms ojieii well and are
pure in colour. It ia very frec-tlowering, whilst the
habit is unusually dwarf. — H. S.

Flower Garden.

SNOWDROP.S IN SCOTLAND.
TiiK Snowdroii .-ippcals to all. It brings with
it the promise of .spring, and on its appearance
the flower lover rejoices. The Snowdrop is
never more beautiful than when seen in snowy
.sheets in the meadows or woodland glades or
scattered by the .streamlet, but even in the more
limited garden ipiarters it finds a welcome jilace.
There, indeed, should be grown the choicer
and rarer siieeies and varieties which are a.s yet
not plentiful enough to naturalise. Galanthus
Elwesi is now cheap enough to plant in quan-
tity, and is strikingly etlective in great masses,
but it is to (i. nivalis, our common Snowdrop,
that we have principally to look for giving
these sheets of snow wo delight to see in the
park and woodland. The lover of the Snow-
drop is not, however, content to limit himself
to these well-known species. He seeks variety
in form and in marking, and, besides, desires to
prolong his season of pleasure by growing Snow-
drojjs which come early into
flower or bloom long after the
others have lost their attrac-
tions. A good collection gives
much to interest, and in a
ttowerless time helps to make
the garden what it ought to be
— a place into which one may
go in any day of the year with
the certainty of finding some
gem to admire. In my garden
these rarer species and many
of Mr. Allen's choice seedlings
are well represented, and a
few notes of personal experi-
ence, supplemented by that
of others, in the south-west
of Scotland may appropiiately
accompany the engraving of
one of the finest and most dis-
tinct of our newer Snowdrops.
The mild and moist climate
of these almost sea-girt coun-
ties is not the most favourable
for the welfare of the Galan-
thus. Moisture it does not
object to, but when accom-
panied by a mild atmosphere,
the dreaded Snowdrop fungus,
once it gets a hold in the
garden, spreads with great
rapidity. To this pest I
have to attribute the loss of
a number of Snowdrops during the two last
winters, which were both exceedingly mild.
It has not as yet attacked the so-called
autumn-flowering Snowdrops, but G. Ikariie, a
good sturdy grower in most places, has not been
exeiiqit, though some distance from parts of the
garden where the fungus had previously made
its a])pearance. One finds that the more ele-
\'ate(l and airy the position, the less liable are
the Snowdrops to the attacks of this disease,
and that if it finds its way into a clump it is
better to lift the affected roots and burn them
with a little of the .soil, well dusting the earth
round about with sulphur.

Vakieties.
There are too many Snowdrop names, and
for jjractical garden jiurposes the autumn-
flowering forms of G. nivalis may be said not
to be recognisable under their names of corcy-
rensis, octobrensis, Regin;e Olgie, &c. Col-
lected roots of any of these do not flower to-
gether, and jilants received as G. corcyrensis
cannot be distinguished from those obtained as
G. octt)brensis. These varieties are mostly weak

original

362

THE GAEDET^.

[November 6, 1837.

growers, the best being G. Elsiu and sonic
received by way of Holland under the name of
"species, probably octobrensis." It may be
said thiit they are in this district not true
autumn bloomers, the earliest generally coming
into bloom in November. This year the tirst to
appear above the soil is G. Elsie, which to-day
(October 27) is only peeping through. This
species — or rather variety — is a good doer here,
and in this res])ect is a marked contrast to (i.
Racheke, a sister plant, which is a weak
grower.

With the first days of the year we have a
large number of Snowdrops either in flower or
on the way. For all of these deep planting
seems beneficial so far as producing stronger
growth and larger flowers. Galanthus Elwesi
in its several forms is among the tirst to come
into bloom after the new year begins, coming
occasionally, indeed, before it is entered upon.
It is very variable, as may be expected in a
species so widely distriljuted, and there are some
charming forms to be found among the varieties
of this Snowdrop. There is also a great differ-
ence in the blooming time, some varieties being
a month or more after others. These varieties
and selections from them would take up too
much space to detail at the present time, but
unsurpassed are G. E. ochrospeilus and G. E.
Cassaba, although tlicse vary much in them-
selves, the best being exceedingly line. G. E.
unguiculatus is a distinct variety, liettcr in some
seasons than in others, but valuable in most
years by reason of its brave and sturdy-looking
habit. Among the plants of G. Cas.saba there
will be found some which greatly surpass in
beauty the much-praised G. E. robustus, which
beside these best forms looks lumpy and un-
graceful.

The really fine G. plicatus is very unsatisfac-
tory from its liabit of dying oft' without apparent
cause and without showing any trace of the
fungus. I have several hybrids here which are
much more robust and have much finer flowers
than the ordinary idicatus. G. Irajierati from
imported Italian bulbs appears ditticult to
establish, and no flowers I have yet had have
nearly ei|ualled those of its variety Atkinsi, a
capital Snowdrop from every point of view, as
is G. Melvillei. G. latifolius is not a satisfac-
tory plant here. Frost injures its foliage, and it
never recovers from the damage done to this, and
eventually dwindles away. G. Ikari:e, the sub-
ject of the woodcut, is nnich hardier, and from
its superior flowers is more worthy of being
grown, possessing, as it does, even more distinct
leaves than those of latifolius. These long,
bright, yet deep green arching leaves are very
beautiful, and when grown in fairly good soil
the flowers are also large and beautifully pure
in colour. For most of the bulbs of this Snow-
drop in my garden I was indebted to Mr.
Edward Whittall, whose kindness has also
given me an opportunity of growing several of
the forms of G. Elwesi. The fungus, as already
mentioned, has made me lose some of the Icarian
Snowdrops. G. caucasicus does well in the
rock garden here, but its principal merit is its
broad, handsome leaves, the flowers being small
in proportion. G. Alleni is a much finer plant
in every way, but, like most of the strong-grow-
ing Snowdrops, it prefers a rather heavy soil.
Among plants of G. byzantinus — a hybrid be-
tween G. plicatus and G. Elwesi — there is much
variety, some being exceedingly jxior, while a
few are at least superior to G. jjlicatus. Gar-
den hybrids of similar jiarentage are finer still,
and a set of these gives many flowers of great
beauty. From Mr. James Allen some of very
superior excellence have come. On the light
soil of my garden G. Fosteri thrives and in-

creases well. Our common Snowdrop has
merits of its own which will make it hold its
place in popular favour. Its many varieties are
])lants for the connoisseur, and not for the ordi-
nary gardener. The so-called

Yellow Snowdrops,

which have the markings and ovaries yellow in-
stead of green, are really prettier than those
who have not seen them would imagine. G.
lutescens, which is the more delicate of the two
known varieties, did very well for several years,
but, to my disappointment, did not apjiear last
season. The more robust G. flave.scens, with
brighter markings, is, however, in existence and
receives many a look when in flower. G. Sharlocki
is a ])eculiar little Snowdrop, whose long divided
spathes and flowers, spotted with green out-
side, are always watched for on their appearing.
It is a good grower, and superior in this respect
to the delicately beautiful G. poculiformis,
whose inner segments are unmarked with the
green streaks so familiar to those who examine
the common Snowdrop. G. virescens does very
well, and tliough dull-looking through the
green wliich flushes its outer segments, grows
strangely en one's liking. There are a good
many of Mr. James Allen's seedlings here, and
one might say much about these, as well as
about selected plants from some wild Snow-
drops, were it not that this note is already too
long. I may be allowed, however, to remark
that no attempt has been made to write of them
from a botanist's, but from a gardener's point
of view. To him — amateur or professional —
the greater the interest taken in the "early
herald of the infant j'ear," the greater the
pleasure he will derive from the study of its
purity, its grace and its variety.

S. Arnott.
Carsethoni; by Dumfries, N.B.

Fibrous-rooted Begonias. — When looking
.it the splendid plants of Begonia Gloire de
Lorraine, shown at the recent Drill Hall meet-
ing by Mr. H. B. May, I could not help
wishing that raisers and cross-breeders would
endeavour to create just such a section for garden
decoration. How beautiful were the heads of
bloom, and how effective. For one bloom obtained
from a big and very often an ungainly plant
of the large-flowered tuberous section, now so
much grown in the flower garden, these plants had
twenty, though of course relatively small, but how
much more pleasing. We ha\'e some charming
things for summer work in the now varied sem-
perBorens section of fibrous-rooted kinds, but the
best of these are for decoiation still far behind
the beautiful heads of Gloire de Lorraine. The
field thus opened for hybridisation should tempt
experts to try and produce a new and, if possible,
(|uite an effective strain for the ilower garden.
Certainly the large-flowered forms are already
somewhat tiring tlicir admirers. — A. 1).

Artistically-grown Carnations. — In Mr-
E. H. Woodall's note on "Border Carnations''
(p. 258) allusion is made to the method of growing
Carnations in such a manner that the plants may
hang over a wall or bank anil cover its surface
witli foliage and flower. The Ijeauty of Carna-
tions grown in such a way cannot be surpassed,
and I can well imagine the appearance of tlie
great breadths he refers to as growing in the
stable-yard at Tarifa. I have often been delighted,
when passing through some little Spanish town,
at the sight of wrought-iron Iialconies of the
quaint houses literally ablaze with Carnations,
brilliant vermilion, bright rose, yellow, pink and
white. Large plants are these, growing, for the
most part, in deep boxes, from which the vigorous
foliage threading the ironwork forms a mat of
glaucous green, that spreads over a space of tlie
balcony and droops below thickly starred with
blossom. To the artistic eye the effect of these

freely-growing flower masses is charming, a
[jossesses a grace of form that is lacking when t
plants are grown in flat beds. — S. \V. F.

Early planting of frame Violets.— Mr.
Crawford on page 2S0 ih-aws attention to (
necessity of planting Violets, in tlie frames a
pits in which they are to flower through I
winter, not later than the last week in Septeml)
All Violet growers should follow this wise advi
for by so doing they will ensure their pla
getting a good hold of the soil before the ii
frost, which checks root-action and entails
putting on and closing of the lights. Some ail
cate delaying the planting till the middle or em
October, but even in the south-west such proci
tination in inadvisable, as a sharp frost at the i
of October or beginning of November is not
unheard-of occurrence in that most favou
region, while further north the hkelihood of fi
arriving before the plants are established is ^
greater. I was looking lately at a 2(Kl.feet bi
pit tliat was filled with well-grown Violet pla
towards the end of September. The clumps v,
taken up well studded with buds, and, he
rains falling immediately after their pianti
they were well settled into the soil and nej
flagged for an instant. By the commencemenJ
October they were in bloom, and since the firs'l
the month have produced about 1000 ls|
bunches of fragrant blossoms. — S. W. F.,
qua;/.

Herbaceous Lobelias. — I am glad to ,
from his note ( p. 209) that " R. " finds these be '
ful Lobelias hardy with him. Both the gul
leaved variety, whicli, I believe, is tlie propel
cardinalis, and those whose leaves hold mon
less red in them and are smoother in tex^
which belong to the L. fulgens strain, are :
with me. Since their first planting in ISSZ'?
have increased year by year, and although '
have had not the slightest protection in the I
of a mulch and are growing in damp ground <
to water, have ne\'er suffered from the fil
which in their low-lying situation has sentj
mercury down to 11°. Three times the cluf
have been divided during October, one occi
being in 1894, just prior to tlie prolonged frosi
1895, but not a plant succumbed. " A. D." ^1
ing on page 280 says that in cold or wet soila f
safer to lift the roots rather than let them rei
!)j .s/Zk during the winter. It, of course, apd
reasonable that the roots should winter
safely in a warm, dry soil tlian in a cold andd
one, but in practice I have found that juatl
opposite was the case. These Lobelias live thn
winter after winter without a glance beind
stowed upon them in this heavy loam ; whffl
some years ago I was unable to keep them alii
light, dry soil and in a remarkably sheltf
position, although I took every precaution toj
serve them unharmed. The finest spikesf
are fully 4 feet in height, and lasting as thej
throughalmosttwo months, a mass of these bri^
flowers is a most striking feature in the aut(
garden. — S. W. F. , Torquay.

"Winter treatment of Cannas. — I bave^
dwarf Cannas in the garden in bloom. Sn
they be potted now, and can they be kept thrcH
the winter in a cool greenhou.se? Any infoa
tioii as to their treatment will be accept!
— E. 0.

*^* The dwarf-flowering Cannas are leas i _
in constitution than the strong growing fell
and in order to winter tliose successfully that"
now in the open garden they should be takeiiP
as soon as jiossible and potted at once, usin'ir
the purpose pots just large enough to get|8
roots into without injury. They may be wintiO
safely in a cool greenliouse, that is to say, a st '■
ture from which frost is excluded, but they i ■
not be dried uji by placing them too near the,
water pipes. The soil throughout the wi '
must be kept slightly moist, that is, just >'■
cient to prevent it becoming dust-dry, |'
nothing further. These dwarf Cannas w"!
have been better if lifted and potted a w«, 'f
two ago. Instead of using pots the roots ^)
be safely stored during the winter in sha"

NovEMBEH G, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

363

;es, a few lioles bciii<; mndo in the bottom und a

ov of lirokcn crocks pUicoil tlieroon for (liuiniigo.

.'}• must ttieii be covered with soil exactlj' as in

if-.-, and the after treatment is just the same.

Hlvantaj;-e of notting these Caiinas instead of

I \n)i tliem in boxes is tluit in the sprinj; tliey

Ml into irrowtli witliout anj- check, and when

aj danjier from frost is over they can then be

. inti'il in tlie open garden ; wlioreas if wintered

\os they must be (lotted separately when

ih recommcnees in the spring. As a partial

ofcoir, however, may be mentioned the fact that

II umber of roots in a bo.x occupy less space

d ing tlie winter tlian when the}' arc all potted

81 irately.— H. P.

ANDROSACE LANUGINOSA.

I may be accomplished by doing things well
wn in TliK (iAKUKX at page 2.J7 by an illus-
n of the aliove plant. As a lover of al[iines,
■ implc ap|)ealcd to me as quite unique in a
h garden, and to my request for .some further
iilars concerning it, Mr. Milner has re-
■d freely and fully. This lovely jiatch of

the best alpines, it appears, is growing on a
Iv elevated roekwork some 3 feet above the
i;iy. The soil, which is about "2 feet deep,
If up of loam, leaf-mould, peat, yellow sand
lalf-ineh limestone chippings freely mixed
lii'r. The aspect in w'hicli the plant isgrow-

fuU south. I have very carefullj- counted
usses of bloom at the moment the picture
iken, and find at least 130. This was on
_", I of the present year. Writing on October
li'. Milner kindly informs me the plant is
ly well covered with its beautiful flowers now
■rgan to flower in the end of ilaj-." Such
nation is of the greatest value. Too often
ively species is seen with a dozen or so of
wer-heads and a few extended and somew-hat
-tems tliat do not bear evidence of much
1 . The unequalled success with this [nettj'
< at Totley Hall is obviously due to the deep
f iirepared soil in which the plant is grow-
This having ensued, the flowers come in pro-
• n. But because an alpine is dwarf of
e or of low trailing habit or small jiropor-
..'enerally, the merest handful only of soil is
at planting time ; hence many of the most
iful gems of the true alpine flora are but
lived and poorly flowered in our gardens.
\ndrosace in t]uestion is by no means note-
I y as a great rooter or even so dirticult to grow
lie species ; yet, with the illustration of its
-s at Totley Hall, none can gainsay the im-
irable benefits that accrue from giving
lance of soil, and this of good quality, so
the roots may descend and find moisture in
leat of summer. In these deep-rooting me-
iS alpines never feel the heat and drought.
were a much larger number of choice alpines
ed in a liberal depth of soil, we should see, as
itley, loxely patches of colour, bearing a far

ir profusion of blossoms than is fretpiently

leat present. E. J.

mation Tlie Burn Pink. —Referring to

|er note on above in your issue of 23rd ult.

il), I beg to say, once for all, that the above

tion was never distril)uted as Maggie Lawie

e raiser or by any authorised person, and I

rfectly certain that it never was known by

ame until after the raiser's death. If " M."

etter authority on the subject than ni}' gar-

' — a son of the raiser — let him give his name.

e same time I must say that Duchesj of Fife

iill more improper name for this variety, as

raised about fifteen years before there

» Duchess of Fife at all, and its advertise-

ae a new seedling under that name was

misleading. I therefore fully agree with

" protest.— Chas. McIxroy (Col.), Th'

Edzdl, X. n.

e Pseonies. — Among a number of Tree
imported from Japan I flowered one

exactly like that depicted on the coloured plate
in TiiK (i.utOK.v Octolier 23, and a charming
variety it was, the contrast lietwecn the diep-
coloured markings at the base of the petals and the
rest of the flower being very pronounced. There
was also from the same source a smallci- flower of
nuu-h the same colour, while the most admired of
any was a huge semi-double bloom of an intense
silvery whiteness, a variety which seems to crop
up pretty freijuently among these Japanese im-
portations, for I seldom llower a few without one
oi- more plants of this particului- form making
their appearance. A considerable number of Tree
I'a'onies sent direct from Japan are to be met with
iluring the winter months in the London auction
rooms, and, as far as my experience of them
extends, the selection of varieties is generally very
t'ood. It is (mly within the last few years that
they have been sent in quantity. Previousto this
I have seen tliem fetch comparatively high prices
when sold by auction ; thus I have a note of lots
consisting of .seven or eight plants realising as
much as twenty-eitrht shillings in the early part
of ISIIO. Now, however, they may at times be
liieked up much more cheaply. These Japanese
l':vonies are all grafted on to i-oots of the herba-
cious section, which push up suckers continuously,
so that constant attention is necessary, otherwise
the graft will soon be completely choked. The
thick, fleshy roots on which they are grafted no
doubt enable them to withstand the journey
better than they would on their own roots, which
are less stout than the others. In jiotting or
planting, however, especial care must be taken
to prevent the seion being broken oil', as the point
of union is generally a weak spot. — H. P.

THE LEAF-BROWNING DISEASE.

In a previous article I directed the attention of
the Horticultural Society of France to the leaf-
browning disease and the parasite which is the
real cause of it. I pointed out the Pseudocommis
Vitis (Debray), one of the gelatinous or slimy
fungi, as the source to which should be assigned
those premature mortifications of leaf-tissues
which were supposed to be the result of scorching
from sunstroke, while the brown colour of these
dead tissues, so disfiguring to ornamental plants,
was actually produced by the ravages of the para-
sitic Pseudocommis. Since then I have made
fresh observations, which appear to me to be
sufliciently interesting to warrant my laying
them before the society, and of which the par-
ticulars will be found in the following para-
graphs : —

(1) The cfel, a diskase of the Potato leak
coxnected with the leak-brow.nixc! dise.4se. —
In the course of my cultural experience I have
discovered the explanation of an old disease of the
Potato (the true cause of which was previously
unknown) in the fact that it is the work of this
same parasite. It may be rememberetl that I
stated that some Potatoes which were more or less
blackened by the Pseudocommis had produced in
spring rather short shoots, the blackened and
withered extremities of whicli contained plas-
modes of this slimy fungus. I planted several of
these tubers to see what they would come to.
Five of them produced no stems, and I thought
they had entirely decayed, Ijut on taking them up,
six weeks after they were planted, I fouiul that
the shoots, of which the ends only were dead, had
produced some stolons on which small tubers were
growing. Some Potatoes, however, with shoots
attacked in the same manner, which had been
kept in lioxes had also produced some of these
small tubers, but had no visible stolons. It is
usual, I think, for all Potatoes which, from some
cause or other, do not produce overground .stems
to act in this way, following the direction of their
vital force manifesting itself in an ofl'-hand pro-
duction of tubers which grow at the expense of
the other parts. Other tubers, however, the
shoots of which were not so seriously attacked,
did not fail to produce leafy stems, but in the
case of a certain number of these the stems were

shortand stunted and the leaves eurledand marked
with reddi.sh or blackish siiots. Others, again, had
more vigorousand almost normal stems and pretty
broad leaves, which, however, were mostly turn-
ing yellower were similarly spotted. The produce
of the.se tubers was almost nothing in some cases
and very trilling or inditierent in others. For a
long time this disease of the Potato, wdien it is
only slightly developed, has been termed "rouille"
or "rust," and when more fully developed it is
known I )y the name of " frisolte " or " curl." It
has been "noted in France, (iermany and England,
in whicli last-named country it is called " curl."
The description of its characteristics liy old
writers agrees in every respect with what I have
stated about it. At the present dtiy less attention
is given to it because people are apt to confound
it with the Potato disease, which is jiroduced by
Phytoiihthora infestans, and which it resembles
in its efl'eet of turning the leaves brown. In
reality this "curl" disease is only one of the
many forms of the leaf-browning disease. I think
that, in order to escape this form of disease in
kitchen gardens, the best way is to jilant only
sound Potato sets with an unbroken skin and
without any browMiish spots on either the skin or
the shoots. Sprouted Potato sets have been re-
commended as the best for planting. This, in my
opinion, is worthy of attention, as one can then,
I)}' examining the sprouts or shoots, ascertain
whether or not the tuber has been attacked bj' the
parasite. Another condition, liowever, will be
necessary, namely, not to have in these kitchen
gardens any fruit trees which usually liarbour
Pseudocommis, and of which the diseased leaves
might infest the Potato crop. I may add that the
Beetroot disease described liy Payen in 1853
appears to me to liave been also produced by this
same parasite choking up the sap vessels of the
root.

(2) Ornamental plants attacked by the
LEAF-BK0WNiN(! DiSE.vSE. — With M. Debray as my
authority, I have already mentioned a certain
number of garden plants which are more or less
liable to be affeeted with this disease. I have
myself observed some others suft'ering from it in
various degrees, and these it may be serviceable
to point out, as it must be remembered that the
diseased leaves of these plants, strewing the soil
as they fall, may be the means of spreading the
infection of the parasite. The jilants in ques-
tion are Hepatica triloba, Cynoglossum Ompha-
lodes, Pajiaver bracteatum, Tradeseantia virginiea,
the Holly, Mahonia, Ivy, Begonias, Cannas,
Petunias, Epimedium al])inum, Helianthuses,
Aueuba japonica (leaves and berries), Trop:eolum
niajus and T. canariense, the Lily of the Valley,
Stocks, Phytolacca decandra, Mirabilis longiflora,
(Enotheras, Spanish Sainfoin (Onobryehis), Fuch-
sias, Anemone Pulsatilla, Salvia Sclarea (stem
or leaves). Digitalis, Preony, perennial Lupin,
Lychnis chalcedoniea. Phloxes, Funkias, Asters,
Cydonia japonica, Deutzias, Astrantia major,
Malope trifida, Montliretia, and Gladioli. I have
also noticed the parasite on the leaves of the
Currant and some trees, such as the Oak, Beech,
Hornbeam, Horse Chestnut, Sycamore, Elm,
Acer Negundo variegata, and Faulownia, as well
as on various kitchen ganlen plants, as the Arti-
choke, Cardoon, Sorrel, Melons (in frames), and
Strawberries. Moreover, I have obseirod it on
the seeds of Kidney Beans (various kinds), Lupins,
Broad Beans, and Kicinus communis. These
spotted seeds often produced plants whii-h were
more or less att'eeted with tlie disease. La.stly,
the Vine, on which this leaf-browning disease was
first noticed in the .south of France, has not es-
caped its attacks in our own part of the country.
I have noticed it in the discoloured leaves o£
Vines which, however, were only slightly at-
tacked by it, and I cannot anticipate whether or
not the disease may reap]icar this summer and
with greater severity. Since the last sentence was
written I have seen young bunches of Grapes
which were sufl'ering from the attacks of the
Pseudocommis. In these, some of the berries
were covered « ith small brownish sjiecks, and the
stalk was either similarlv marked or else with

3G4

THE GARDEK

[November 6,1897.

short brownish Hnes. I intend to watch the
further action of the parasite on these bundles.
In general, this jiarasite appears to act in such a
restricted manner as not to completely destroy
the growth of the plant which it attacks. On cer-
tain plants it is often seen only on the lower leaves
which are in contact with the soil, the moisture
of which may have rendered them more suscep-
tible of being infected with the disease. It also
depends on the fact that the ascending movement
of the parasite is very slow either on the stems or
on the leaves, and that it requires favourable con-
ditions before it can keep pace with the growth
of the plant on which it is preying.

(3) Fruit teees. — All the stone fruit trees are
liable to be attacked by the Pseudocommis, and
Plums are so in a less degree than Almonds,
Peaches, Apricots, and especially less than
Cherries. This slimy fungus can live on the
branches of these trees, usually attacking the
extremities of the young Ijranches and causing
them to decay sooner or later. When the sap-
vessels of these branches are choked up by the
plasmodes of the parasite, gumming ensues, and
the upper part of the branch dries up and dies
away. When the leaves are attacked they first
show spots of a reddish or blackish brown colour.
These spots are surrounded by a narrow ring of a
darker colour, and as the diseased tissue shrinks
or contracts they become detached and fall out,
leaving holes in the leaves. These fragments of
plasmode-infected tissue, I am convinced, when
washed into the soil by rain, serve to spread the
infection of the Pseudocommis. The leaves of
Apricot and Cherry trees in our part of the
country were this year all more or less riddled
with holes in this way. Even the fruit of the
Cherry trees is attacked by the parasite, and
when the symptomatic spots are large, the fruit
makes little or no progress in growth, and the
spots become covered with mould fungi. When
the spots are small, the Cherry ripens, and the
only eH'ect of the spots is to leave very slight
blackish depressions in the skin of the fruit. The
fruit of Apricot trees attacked by the Pseudo-
commis suH'ers from it in another way. On such
trees the Apricots are, unhappily, few in number,
and fall froni the tree before their time, one after
another. Inquiring into the cause of the prema-
ture dropping and examining the lower part of
the vei-y short stalk which is detached from the
tree along with the fruit, one may observe the
orange-j'ellow or Ijrownish tinge of the tissue at
that part, and also that the ruptured sa]ivessels
there have the same tinge. Here I have detected
the presence of the Pseudocommis, which causes
the tissue to decay, so that the fruit cannot hold on
firmly to the branch and is easily blown ofl' by the
wind. Moreover, if one of tlie wind-fallen Apri-
cots is cut through, the stone or shell of the
kernel will be found to be diseased, and the
kernel itself to be usually wasted away. Pear
trees and Apple trees have their lea\es and
sometimes their fruit also attacked by this
Pseudocommis. In the case of the Pear tree the
symptomatic spots are of a lilackish colour, while
they are of an orange-j'ellow or brownish tinge on
diseased Apple trees. On the leaves of Apple
trees I have observed that the disease was con-
veyed in a deposit of fine dust impregnated with
plasmodes or microscopic cysts which had been
formed on the surface of the soil by plasmode-
infected fallen lea\'es, and thence disseminated by
the wind over neighbouring plants. The wood
also of the Ap]:ile tree may be attacked, for I
have seen the stem of a small tree the central
part and bark of which had been the jirey of the
parasite. I may add that the young Apples
which fall from the tree prematurely exhibit the
same morbid features as the Apricots, except that
in their case the entire fruit-stalk is attacked by
the brown discoloration, which also shows itself
on the bottom part of the young fi'uit, the flesh
of which, although remaining firm to the touch,
takes on a characteristic yellowish or reddish
colour. The leaves of the Walnut tree aie not
exempt from the attacks of the Pseudocommis,
and I have had an opportunity of verifying the

observations made by M. Debray on the leaves of
this tree in Algeria. In our part of the country
the disease exhibits the same effects in even dis-
figuring the leaflets sometimes. I have not seen
any instance of the fruit or nuts being attacked
by it. The Hazel nut tree is very liable to be
attacked Ijy the Pseudocommis, when the leaves
turn Ijrown at the margin or here and there on
the blade, where sometimes it shows itself in very
numerous and very small spots, and on other
occasions in fewer and larger ones. The leaf-
tissue thus attacked by the iilasmodes of the
parasite rapidly dries up, is broken away by the
contraction which accompanies the desiccation,
and falls to the ground, leaving behind it a hole
in the leaf. This condition of the leaves being, as
it were, ciuite riddled with holes, has been attri-
buted to very different causes. The Pseudo-
commis also shows itself in broad spots of an
orange-yellow colour on the involucre or liusk of
the nut, and the nut itself is finally attacked by
it. What should be especially noted, however,
is the dispersion and dissemination of the particles
of the plasmode-infected tissue of the spots which
are carried about by the wind and infect the
neighliouring vegetation. Cultivators, therefore,
should be careful about planting near certain
crops Hazel Hut, Cherry or Apricot trees, or in
general any kind of tree which is liable to be
attacked by this parasite and would help to pro-
pagate it.

(4) Cuttings and seedlings in frames. — From
my experience in raising seedlings under damp
bell-glasses, which has taught me that very few
germinating seeds are proof against the attacks of
the I'seudocommis. I was led to establish the fact
that culture under frames is very
the development of this parasite

face of the soil until it was suiBciently heatet
when the soil underneath could be turned up ai
exposed to heat in the same manner? I thro
out these suggestions as they occur to nie. In
someone, perhaps, may de\ ise other mo
eflicacious plans lor heating the soil in a frame
such a degree as will destroy all the infectio
germs that it may contain. This being accoi
plished, all that would then remain to be do
would be to prevent infection from being co
veyed through the air by placing the frames at
distance from any plant or tree attacked by t
leaf-browning desease and likely to disseminate
The foregoing are the fresh observations whi
I wished to lay before the society. The tr
cause of a disease being known, it may, perha]
be difficult, but not impossible, to discover
efl'ective remedy for it. What we want in t
present case is to make ourselves acquainted w
the conditions which are favourable to the acti
and propagation of the parasite, and then empl
the means which are necessary to minimise the
if not to get rid of them entirely. — M. E. Rozn
Joiiiiial dt la SoHeti Nntionale d'lIortkuUnn
France.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1143.

IRISES AND IRIS GARDENS.

(with a coloured plate or — 1, ikis geoj

THORBECK ; 2, I. VARIEGATA AUREA.*)

HEREare figuresof two blossoms from an Iris
favourable to ' der made about one year from the time of bloi
While visiting j ing, and although so short a time after the fori
theestaWishmentof M. Foucaid at Chatou, where tion of the border, the general result is vj
the ])ropagation of Pelargoniums or Geraniums pretty, but naturally one would expect a
is successfully carried on, I had an opportunity ■ ■ •

of ascertaining that the multiplication of these
plants from cuttings is no longer as satisfactory
as it used to be. Cuttings which at first apjjear
to be doing well soon show signs of suffering from
some malady. The leaves become spotted, the
sjiots become covered with mould fungus, and the
plants produce hardly any flowers. This is a
special disease, well known to cultivators, and
appears to be characterised by the presence of a
brownish filament in the stem of the cutting.

M. Foucard kindly permitted me to examine ' conditions, and often half buried in the nun
some of the diseased jilants, which I found to be ' rubbish of which all the London gardens
affected in the following manner. The tissue of | full, and which has only one cliarm, n»l
of the cuttings

better result in another year or two.;
border was planted — as it ought to be perhajj
soon after midsummer and tliroughout
early autunni, when Irises take pretty well.

The Iris is typical of various plants that I
most beautiful when grown in any good ■w^l
aiTanged, above all things, with some Idtew
harmony and emphasis of grouping. One' l||
anywhere about London see the poor Gr^a
Iris struggling with tree roots in all sorts of l|

the lower part of the stem of tlie cuttings was
entirely pervaded by the Pseudocommis, which
had found an entrance at the cut surface, and
which had also spread to several of the roots. I
likewise found the parasite in some of the sap-
vessels of the stem, and it is certainly from these
that it spreads to the leaves and the flowers, in
which I have also met with it. I did not come
across any plants so badly diseased as to show the
characteristic brownish filament in the stem, but
I think I am able to say that this must mean a
Ijundle of sap-vessels discoloured by the plas-
modes of the parasite. Free and fref|ueiit venti-
lation, being unfavourable to the growth of tlie
Pseudocommis, arrests the development of the
disease, but the plants will still remain in an
ailing condition and flower badly.

I will now mention some difficulties which
attend the process of raultii5lication. In raising
seedlings and striking cuttings under frames, it is
necessary to be careful that the soil is free from
contamination, for if the seed and cuttings are in
a sound condition, the fault, if any, must rest with
the soil. This amounts to saying that it should
be sterilised before it is used. Al. Opoix employed
boiling water for this purjiose, but cultivators
find that this is not a very practicable method
■\\ hen a large number of frames h.as to be gone
over. If the frames were made of iron or of wood
lined with sheet iron, could not wood be burnt on
the surface of the soil, and sutficient heat be
thereby obtained to destroy any jjarasites it might
contain ? Or, could not gratings covered with
burning charcoal be slowly moved over the sur-

\igour, many of the things used being th:
that never produce a flower or a fruit w«:
looking at, like the Privet. Notwithstam
this very bad treatment, one may often see
plant in beautiful bloom about London inm
little private gardens.

It is hardly necessary to say how m
better in a country place and in good soils ;
be done not only with the common Irises of
garden, but many varieties, or so-called hybi
raised between this and the allied species, W;|
are among the most beautiful hardy flo
known to us. One object of making an
border or garden is to get these together ani
able to treat them and enjoy them as a wll|
The Iris appeared to us to have unusual m\
for a border or garden of its own because olj
graceful and almost evergreen leaves and o
good colour. In making such a gards^
border, one, of course, escapes thecommoittfi
of letting things be choked by the coini
bushes we spoke of, as you are able to pay
more attention and they have a fair cliano
developing themselves.

Then comes the question of efl'ect. To n
people this may seem a matter of taste mer
but really there is much more in it, becaus
grouping or massing Irises the effect is i

» Drawn for The Garden by H. G. M'..-
Gravetye Manor. Lithographed and printed bf'
Goflart.

f

1

5fc'.

I

TWO

1 I GEORG

2 r VA^RIE

J

November G, 1897.]

THE CxARDEN.

365

iturftl : we Ii.uo to plan with somo tlulibora-
i>ii. We study tliu cdiKlitiiins tlwit suit tlicm
id we i;et .-v ]iicturc wliicli caiiiuit liugot liy tlio
iiuimm diittiui; way. It is untniert'ly a matter
tnstc, tlievofore, but a returning to more
tistic and natural ways, both of culture and
lect. The \ariety of Irises is very great and
nds itself very well to the making of a bed or
nder. The times of blooming vary. The
iriety of the hardy rhizomatous Iris in par-
jiUar is very great, whilst other and rarer dis-
iict species may be introduced among them.
I sandy, Jieaty, and warm .soil.stlio various dwarf
•Ises form pretty and good edgings, some
)weriiig very early.

No ono need fear monotony from such an
•rangenient, the variety and grace of the
ants exclude it, and we are not obliged to
infine the border or bed to Irises alone. Some
her hardy bulb.s, such as the Gladioli, maybe
isociated and grouped with the Iris, and the
suit will be good, open spaces being left for
is purjiose in case we wish to put any half-
irdy bulbs in in spring. It is needless here, as

The Week's Work.

HARDY FRUIT CARDEN.
RooT-i.UTiNo .\N]i xooT-1'iuMNo. — Work of thi.s
description should be in a forward condition
generally, but if through a scarcitj' of labour, or
through other jiressing matters, it has up to tlie
present time been neglected, advantage shoulil
be taken of the o])en weather to make a start
and press on with it. The advantages to bo
gained by the i)erfomianco of either of these
operations when necessarj', liaving been stated in
previous notes, it is unnec&s.sary to again repeat
them here. The great thing is to carry out the
work with all due desjiateh, and w-hile there is
still a certain amount of warmth remaining in
the soil, which will cause new rootlets to be made
all the more speedily, or before any severe
weather is likely to set in.

Pl.\ntini!. — For ]ilanting home-grown fruit
trees and bushes the weather of late has been all
that could be desired, as with one or two excep-
tions there has been an absence of dry, parching
winds, while there has not been any very great
amountof brightsunshineto cause the foliage either

^y

Si'imish Tri'.ses in en American ijardeit. Frum a plntn<irnph, sent hy
Mr. Hicks Ari'nld, 7, JUast Sord Street, tfew I'orli,

e have done it so often, to enumerate the
irious kuids of German Irises that are beau-
Eul ; they are mentioned in so many cata-
gues, and we have often dealt with the (pies-
3n before as a whole. The two kinds we
jure are, it need hardly be said, very pretty
tea.

Aster sericeus.— This distinct and beautiful

ecies is somewhat rare in cultivation, though

)in the singular beauty of its downy silken

ivea it is worth a place in all gardens. The

ther thin and wiry habit, as well as the leaves,

vered on both surfaces with a pronounced

very pubescence, render it uniciue. The blos-

ms, of a pale violet hue, are likewise very dis-

ict, and, being a late-flowering species, it should

' more encouraged. Hitherto the ])lant has

I somewhat rare. The plant sliould lie grow-n

1 warm position in a light, open mixture of

111 and leaf-mould. In some text-books this

'ies is descrilied as half - hardy, which is

"ely correct, the plant being (piite hardy in

majority of soils, though not a success on

-e of a clayey and retentive nature.— J.

to flag severely or to shrivel and drop prematurely,
Consetpiently both trees and bushes have been
but little distrs.ssed, and they will .shortly be
shedding their leaves, but not before these have
been of great service in assisting and promoting
the formation of fibre at the extremities of the
majority of the roots. Where, through force of
circumstances, a start has not yet been , made
with planting of home-grown trees, I would urge
that it be taken in hand at once, for although a
week or so of valuable time has already been lost
as far as the speedy re-establishment of the trees
is concerned, fruit trees planted during November
always succeed better than wIumi jilantcd either in
the dead of winterer in early s|)nng. As fast as the
trees are planted, stake and tie all that reipiire it,
and above all do not omit to mulch, as this both
conserves warmth and excludes cold in the
shape of frost. Judging by the ripening of the
foliage on fruit trees, nuiserymcn should be in a
position to commence lifting somewhat earlier
than usual this season, which will be an advan-
tage to both grower and purchaser. Have
stakes, haybands, tying material, and other
accessories to hand, in addition to having the
holes dug and a modicum of good soil placed in

readiness by the side of each if reipiisite, and
then no delay will occur when the trees arrive.
If the roots are found to be dry when they are
unpacked, immerse them in water long enough to
moisten e\ery jiortion, and in no ca.se should the
trees be planted with their roots in a dry state.
Should it not be convenient to plant them upon
their arrival, lay them in by the heels and well
cover the roots with Kne damp soil, putting some
long straw or the packing material on the surface,
should sharp frosts set in, as a further protection.
Trees whicli arrive during \cry severe weather
are best |)laced in a cellar or potting shed, and
the unpacking deferred until the weather breaks.

Pruninc. — I have in a previous calendar ad-
vised that fruit bu.shes be [iruned and steps
taken to clean the ground underneath, especially
(iooseberries, where caterpillars have been ram-
pant, and to do the manuring of the jilantations
afterwards. Some growers are- averse to pruning
thus early, but there can be no objection to its
being carried out now as the leaves are off the
trees, unless it should be in localities w here birds
disbud them very severely. Even in this case
the ditliculty is not insurmountable, as the bushes
may be netted over so soon as the jiruning
is completed and the birds set at dehance.
Where Gooseberry and Currant plantations
are protected or covered with a framework of
wire netting, or where birds give but little
trouble, the pruning may be done at once. In
))iuning Gooseberry bushes, those from which the
fruit will be gathered for preserving or cooking
may have the wood left somewhat thicker than in
those on which the berries will ritien and hang
for dessert. Cut away all wood having a tendency
to droop downwards, leave a young shoot here
and there to provide for future contingencies in
the shape of the loss of branches, and spur to two
or three buds all surplus wood. Tlie youn^ wood
at the extremities of the branches may be cut
close, or left one-third or two-thirds its length,
according to the age and size of the bushes.
Cordon trees should have all side growths pruned
in close, merely tipping the leader or cutting it
back to a sound bud if retjuired for future exten-
sion. Red and White Currants succeed best
spur-pruned, and the centre of the bushes should
be kept open for the free admission of light and
air. In their case leave young growths to supply
possible losses in the near future. Cut away all
pendant branches and encourage the bushes to
grow' more in an upright than in a s|)rcading
manner. Both <iooseberr\' and Red and W'hite
Currant bu.shes should be grown witli clean stems,
(piite a foot high before they are allovi cd to branch
out, and all growths emanating from the base in
the shape of suckers should either be pulled or
cut clean out. This should be borne in mind
when pruning young trees, and leave the shoots
for the formation of future branches at regular
intervals, giving those the preference w hich point
upwards, so that cup-shaped bushes will eventually
be the result. Cordon trees should be treated the
same as cordon (iooseberries. Black (.'urrants
must be thinned out instead of being spurred,
and the oldest of the wood cut out at tlie same
time. If this is done annually they will ke kept
in a fruitful state with but little trouble. Where
the Currant mite has been troublesome, and for
which the only remedy appears to be the rooting up
and burning of the bushes, new plantations should
be formed on a piece of ground as fur removed ;vs
possible from the infested plantation. New bushes
should be obtained from a clean source, and pains
taken to .see that nothing is likely to occur which
may convey the insects, either in the shape of soil
or portions of infested wood, to them. Asa further
precaution, the ground, after the old bushes are
grubbed up, may be dressed with gaslime, which,
if spread on the surface and allowed to remain
there all the winter, may lie dug in in the spring.
As the leaves are nearly all oil' .Morcllo Cherries,
with the sweet varieties. Pears, Plums, and Apri-
cots following suit, the pruning, dressing, and
training of these may be undertaken in the order
named. The few leaves there may be remaining
on the trees may be brushed otf without the

366

THE GARDET^.

[November G, 1897.

slightest harm resulting, and tlie performance of
the necessary operations named above can then
be done much more expeditiously, and with
greater comfort to all concerned than if deferred
until mid-winter.

OuTDOOK I'lcs. — In those parts of the country
where it is necessary to afford. the trees protec-
tion during the winter, the matter better have
attention as soon as the trees have shed their
leaves. The best material I have found for this
purpose is dry. Bracken, held in position with
mats. The branches should be unfastened and
tied into convenient-sized bundles, and the latter
lowered and brought to as near the ground-level
as possible, when the Bracken can be worked
between and around them, covering afterwards
with mats, wliich should be fastened to the wall.
This is an effective and economical method of
preserving both the embryo fruits and wood from
the frost.

Propag.^tixg. — After the Currant and Goose-
berry bushes are pruned, collect the desired
numljer of cuttings of each particular variety, tie
them in bundles and coi-rectlj' label them. On
a wet day these may be prepared, heeling them
in under a north wall afterwards, so that the
wood does not get dried, and plant them on a
piece of ground or a border prepared purposely
for them the first opportunity. Cuttings made
and planted during tlie present and succeeding
month root more quickly, and there is a smaller
percentage of losses than when ihe matter is left
over until the spring. A. W.

KITCHEN GARDEN.
Vacaxt GKorND. — The importance of getting
all vacant ground dug or trenched early in the
autumn is not always recognised. It is not in all
gardens, however, that ground required for most
of next summer's main crops can be allo^^■ed to
remain vacant during the winter, as the space
available may be barely sutheient to produce
enough vegetables to meet the demand, and close
cropping has to be resorted to. Tliere are two
good reasons why the soil, especially that of a
heavy nature, should have early attention in the
autumn, namely, not having Ijecome saturated
by heavy rains, it allows digging to be done with
a less amount of labour, while, being exposed for
a long season to the weather, it becomes
thoroughly [)ulverised and sweetened. To this
may be added the further advantage that less
labour is required in spring to bring it into a
suitable condition to recei\e seeds and plants
when many other matters claim attention. It too
often follows that the old rule of tillage is never
dei)arted from, such as an annual dressing of
light strawy manure, which is barely buried by
the shallow practice of digging. Under such
treatment it is little to be wondered at that
such crops as Peas quicklj' collapse after a short
spell of hot, dry weather. The manure employed
possesses little or no feeding properties, while
on light sandy soils it only causes them to become
more porous and facilitates the escape of moisture.
A change from shallow to deep cultivation often
proves of greater benefit to future crops than an
extra application of manure. The top spit may,
and often does, become manure-sick, and lacks
those holding jjroperties necessary to support
growth during a trying season. Double-digging
in such cases proves a great gain, especially when
the work is done in such a way that the soil from
the second spit becomes thoroughly incorporated
with the top. On some soils this is much prefer-
able to trenching, as in this case the subsoil
which is made to form the surface is of an un-
genial nature, becoming hard when exposed to
the sun and unworkable after rain. This shows
that the culti\ation must depend on the nature of
tlie subsoil. Light and porous soil requires deep
cultivation and more feeding than that of a heavier
nature, as tlie manurial properties are more
quickly exhausted. Those who have cold, re-
tentive soils to deal with know the value of liberal
dressings of road grit, burnt garden refuse, or
even fine ashes. These form a natural drainage,

and when porosity is once attained warmth follows.
Until such ground has been brought into this con-
dition it may prove a disadvantage, rather than the
opjjosite, to be heavily charged with rank manure.
Ridging is a practice strongly recommended,
especially with heavy land, as in no other way is
it exposed more to the influence of the weather.
Spits that are turned over roughly now, though
tliey may cling to the spade, Avill invariably
crumble to pieces when March winds follow
severe frost. Many have to resort to this method
when preparing for Potatoes. The ridges are
formed of sufficient width to allow of the sets
lieing placed between them in April. In this
way large breadths are soon planted, and the soil
having been brought into .a frialjle condition is
easily levelled, and growth pushes tlirough freel}'.
Dkessings for lasd. — Really well-decayed
farmyard manure is anything but plentiful in
many gardens, but there is generally to be found
a large lieap of weeds and rubbish, the accumula-
tion, probably, of twelve months. This, after
being turned over perhaps a few times, forms the
chief dressing available. Wlien projjerly pre-
pared it proves of great assistance to most crops,
but unless sufhcient time has elapsed to destroy
the seeds of innumerable weeds, it should be
strictly avoided, or a foul garden will be the
result. A cartload of lime to every six of refuse,
and the whole turned over several times for a
couple of years at least, will bring it into
a suitable condition for use, the finer portions
of which are invaluable for seed beds, &c.
Unless it can be treated in this way, the only
thing to be done is to burn it. This will reduce
the bulk considerably, but there are no evil
results likely to follow -Hhen used sjjaringly. The
same care should be exercised in preparing stable
manure before it is used in the garden. This does
not consist wholly of straw and droppings, but
waste haj' and the s-»"eepinos of lofts are generally
mixed with it, these ])roving a fruitful source
for the introduction of dock and other rank weeds,
which would take years to eradicate when the
seed is once allowed to germinate. Nothing but
fermentation will destroy these, which should be
brought about by turning the heap several times,
to prevent dry rot and cause the whole to decay
before lieing used. Now is the best time to ajjply
gas-lime where it is deemed desiraljle for tlie de-
struction of slugs, wirewonn and other vermin.
It is too powerful to be used just pre\ious to seed
sowing, hence ground that has to carry a crop of
Onions next year should be dressed with this now.
It should not be dug in for several weeks, full ex-
posure causing the lumpy portions to fall to
pieces. Used with care this is a great purifier of
the soil, but when emploj-cd too freely and just
before the ground is cropped it niaj' lead to loss
and disappointment. Richard Parkek.

Orchids.

MILTONIAS.

This genus consists of a large variety of plants,
some of the species liaving scores of named
varieties, though the number of actually dis-
tinct species i.s small. They are epi])hytal
plants, natives of South America, some of tliem
being of close tufted habit, others having the
pseudo-bulbs occurring at varying distances on
short creeping rhizomes. Their culture varies
a little in the different species, the Candida,
Clowesi, cuneata, and Regnelli varieties being,
perhaps, the easiest to grow and flower well.
These like a good sound description of comjiost,
consisting of peat fibre cleared of every bit of
sand and earth witli siihagnum in about equal
jiroportions. Mix with this plenty of very
finely broken crocks and chai'coal, liut not
large lumps. The roots are small, and though
liking a compost that air can enter freely, they
are not so .satisfactory if it is too loose. In
choosing the pots let them have a medium
margin of compost, and let this be pressed very

firmly, first filling the lower two-thirds at least
with drainage material. For a little while aftei
repotting it is not advisable to keep the com
post very moist, thougli it needs frequent water
ing, owing to its running dry so quickly, bui
after this the roots must be kept very moisi
until the young pseudo-bulbs are quite finished
Even in winter they must be kept moist, re
quiring eveix then as much moisture as som(
Orchids do in summer. The best position fo-
this class of Miltonia is a light one in the Cat
tieya house, but not where direct sunlight cai
reach the plants. The plants vary considerabb
in their time of flowering and resting, M
Clowesi, for instance, flowering sometimes ii
July and August, at others in December, ant
tliis will of course be kept in mind in all cul
tural operations.

Quite a distinct section is that comprised bj
M. spectabilis, M. Moreliana and M. anccps
The pseudo-bulbs occur on stout creeping rhi
zomes and the roots are small, though very per
sistent in most cases. One and all in this clas
abhor anything like clo.seness in the compost
and also dislike much material about the roots
On trellised rafts oi' in shallow baiskets they an
usually satisfactory, and tliey may with care hi
grown in well-drained pots. About an inch o
material is ample for small and mediuiii-size(
plants, and this may consist of a similar kindti
that mentioned for the Clowesi section. \\ her
roots are fairly plentiful they may easily h
fixed in pots or baskets, but badly-i-ooted one
are more easily accommodated on rafts, as :
wire may be used for fixing them. Very littl
difference is needed in the summer and winte
tem)ierature for these Orchids, and they tliriv
well in the cooler part of the Cattleya houst
Plenty of water is needed while growth i
active, and while at rest the compost must b
kept just moist. Nearly all the kinds mentionei
above have a pale yellow tint in the foliage, bu
this is quite natural to most of them and not
sign of ill-health. M. cuneata is greener — ii
fact, it should be of quite a deep green i
perfectly healthy — but the others, and e.spt
cially spectabilis, will always be poor in coluui
Jl. vexillaria, M. Roezli and M. Phahunopsi
used to be included in Odontoglossuiii b
botanists, but they are now usually called Mil
tonia. The first-named is one of the grandes
of Orchids, and so well known that no descrip
tion is needed, and its culture may be said ti
present no great difficulty. It does best ii
medium-sized pots, in a clean, well-dividei
medium, not heavy enough to get close or t.
hold moisture undul.y, yet fairly substantial. I
should be repotted some time after growth com
mences, just as the roots are forming, and unti
this occurs they may be kept well on the dry sidi
after blooming. When the young pseudo-bulb
are finishing and the bloom-spikes forniing, tli-
plants require plenty of moisture. An inter
mediate or Cattleya house temperature suit
it best, the growth and flower being much fine
than if grown in a cool house. Much the saiiu
treatment is needed Ijy the either two kind;
named in this class, but botli of these do witl
more heat all the year round than M. vexillaria.
A short description of the leading kinds r
given :—

M. ANCEi'S is a dwarf and pretty kind, th(
pseudo-bulbs a couple of inches in length an(
leaves of a pale yellowish green. It produces it
blossoms singly on the scapes, and these are olivi'
green and brown of varying shades, witli puvj"'
markings on the outer segments, the Ii]! bein;
white, spotted and barred with red. It comt"
fioiii Brazil, whence it w^as introduced in 1851
and is by no means a common species.

M. CANDIDA is a useful, free-tloweringand easu,
grown kind, and in its best forms one of the hand

NoVf.MliKR 0, 1897.]

THE GAUDEK

367

niest of luitiuiin-llciweiiiii;' Oruliids. IL licurs
n"- spikes of lilossoins, eij;ht or nine on eiirli,
lese being Iiu-j;e iiulividiuiUy. The sepals and
itals arc yellowish, barred with reddish brown,
le lip pure white in the typical form, liiit haviuj^
my variations. It is a native of Brazil, and was
■ t reduced in 183(1.

\1. t'j.owKsi is not unlike the last named in
iliit and general appeaiance, and thrives undci-
liiilur cultuial conditions. The blooms are large,
lO scape many-llowered, the outer segments
locolate-brown with spots of yellow. The lip is
imost heart-shaped, pure white in the front, the
Bse tt deep vinous juirple. This is not so variable
^ some othei' kinds, yet there are manj- which
ive receive<l varietal names. This also comes
iim Brazil, and was introduced in 1S43.

M. (iNK.M'A is one of the best known kinds
lun the same countiy. The spikes bear about
alfa dozen flowers, these being prettilj' undo-
,ted on the sepals and petals, brown and green in
ilour ; the lip white, sjwtted with rosy purple,
s pro|>er (lowering season is in early spring, l)ut

somelimes blooms again in autumn.

M. .McUiKi.iANA is a beautiful species, usually
i:issed as a variety of il. spectabilis, but there
re so many sub-varieties that it seems quite en-
iled to be kept apart. The spikes bear single

Cwers in late autumn, these being large, deep
Tple on the sepals and petals, the lip lighter,
ften with radiating lines of a deeper hue. The
uieties diHcr considerably in colour and size,
ir flowers of the best forms being each over
inches across.

.\I. PiiAL.ENOi'Sis is a charming Orchid, not
\aclly easy to grow, yet often seen in a thriv-
1^' condition where care is taken in its cul-
ure. It is a dwarf tufted plant, with pale green
|arrow leaves and pseudo-bulbs, the scapes rising
'■om these and carrying a few flowers on each.
1icse are white, with lines of purple in the centre
f the lip. It occurs naturally at consideraljle
Irvations in New Grenada, wlience it was intro-
iiced in IS.IO.

.\I. RoEZi.i AMI M. VKxn.LARiA are very nearly
■lated kiufls, both lovely in Ijloom and well worth
\ ery care to bring them to jjerfection. The former
ears pure white flowers with a purple centre,
ad there are several named varieties,
il. sPEcTAiiiLis, the tj-pe of the genus, was in-
roduced in 1S37 from Brazil, and is still one of
tie most useful Orchids grown. The single-
lowered scapes rise about 8 inches high, the
liter segments are white at first, afterwards be-
'Uiing a pale yellow, the lip varj'ing considerably
I the ditlerent varieties, but usually being of
line tint of purple.

Lselia autumnalis venusta. — This is a
I'-tty variety of tlie lirge-tlowered, pale-tinted
BCtion. The bloom-spikes are stronger and
touter than those of the typical form, producing
lore flowers on each, these being individually
irge and of great substance. The segments are
road, of a pretty rosy mauve, the base of each
eing nearly pure white. The lip is broad and
andsome, but not so deeply tinted as in the type,
t thrives well under the treatment usually recom-
lended for tlie type.

Masdevallia tovarensis. — The earlier flowers
t this Orchid are now open, and as it keeps uj) a

iccession of the snowy white blossoms for about

iree months it is of great value either as a pot
ilant or for cutting. It is not good policy to cut

le spikes entire unless they are wanted with

ng stems, but no great harm is done by taking

pa few in this case. It is quite as easily grown

any in the genus, though it undoubtedly likes

ther more warmth in winter than the M.

arryana varieties. It is a native of Caraccas, and
rst Howered in England in 18G4.

Masdevallia corniculata. — I have noted
j'is pretty species in bloom in several coUec-
i')ns around London during the week. It is

ee-Howering and very bright and effective, the
'ase of the Huwer consi.sting of the ovary, and

rt of the tube is enveloped in a green bract.

The base of tlie segments is brownish-crimson
suH'iised with yellow and some deeper-eoluurcd
spots; the tails of the sepals are narrow, clear
orange-yellow. There is considerable variety
among the flowers, some being much smaller and
paler in colon ]• than others. — H.

Masdevallia Veitchiano-EstradsB. — This
is [irobalily one of the most free-flowering Mas-
devallias in cultivation, small plants of it being
covered with bloom. The name signifies the
parentage, the latter being the seed-bearer, and
it was rai.sed in Captain Hinck's collection at
Richmond. In habit it most resembles M.
Estradie, but the intluence of the other parent
may be seen. The blossoms are larger than those
of Estrada", the perianth bright orange, sufi'uscd
with scarlet, the elongated tail bright orange-
yellow, the lip i)urple. This bright and pretty
hybrid first Ihnvcred in 1803.

Masdevallia muscosa. — This very singular
Masdevallia was first imported by Mr. Bull, one
of whose collectors found it in New (irenada, and
there are now several plants of it in flower in his
Chelsea nursery. It is the only known species
having a sensitive lip, and is ver}' interesting on
this account. Directly the lip is touched it begins
to move upward, and at la^t closes up under the
column. It is also [jcculiar in its very hairy
stems, these being covered with a soft white
down. The whole of the flower, with the excep-
tion of a chestnut-brown blotch on the lip, is
clouded white.

Mesospinidium vulcanicum.— This bright
and pretty plant is in flower at Mr. Bull's. It is
of dwarf habit, each [)seudo-bulb about 3 inches
high, and the spikes producing about a couple of
dozen of the charming little rosy-red blossoms.
These vary in size considerably, and to a certain
extent in colour and the number produced on a
spike. Coming as it does from Peru, it thrives
with the cool section of Odontoglossums in a
moist, shady, and well-ventilated house, kept as
cool as possible during the summer months and
at a minimum of about 50° in winter. Peat and
moss suit it well for compost, and small pots are
preferable to large ones.

Cymbidivim elegans.— The flowers of this
species occur on elegant racemes, and are indi-
vidually very prett}'. The plant is strong and
of vigorous haiiit, producing long sword-shaped
leaves that in themselves are very ornamental.
The flowers are rather crowded on the spike, and
seldom open ijuite fully. They vary from nearly
pure white to a tawnj' orange colour, and are
spotted al)0ut the lip with bright crimson. It
does well in ])ots in a good substantial compost,
and is liest suited in an intermediate temperature.
A fine plant of the giganteum variety I recently
noted in bloom. — R.

Cattleya aurea.— This does very well at
Camberwell, and Mr. Chapman considers it one
of the easiest of Cattleyas to grow. The speci-
mens are small, but the bulbs in every case are
improving in size, one nice growth carrying a three-
flowered spike, the blossoms large and fine in
colour. Few things are more beautiful than the
labellum of this species, the rich purple, with
golden overlying blotches and pencillings, being
remarkably handsome. Doubtle.ss the cardinal
points in its culture are a good light position and
comfortable quarters while growing, care being
taken that the basal buds do not start after flower-
ing, but remain dormant during the winter, when
they start and grow rapidly in spring.

Cycnoches maculatum. — This pretty spe-
cies, although known since 18."!), has always been
.somewhat scarce in cultivation. Mr. \V. Bull
has imported it, I believe, and a fine spike of it
was recently in flower at his nur.sery. The plant
has rather short pseudo-linlbs for a Cycnoches,
these tapering upwards. The plant had one spike
of eleven flowers, these being rather tliickly set
and making a full and prccty arching inflores-
cence. The sepals and petals, which reflex, are
narrow, buff-yellow witli crimson spots. The
labellum is very singular, being greenish, the

disc cut up into many small white filaments, each
having a distinct black dot on the top. It is a
native of Mexico, and recjuires the same treat-
ment as C. chloriicliilon.

Cattleya Miss Williams.— This is a distinct
and pretty hybrid raised in ,\Ir. Temple's garden
at Leyswood, Tunbridge Wells, where it has
recently been flowering. The petals are broad,
the colour being a distinct tint of rose. The
sepals also arc fine in substance, similar in colour
to the petals. The front lobe of the lip is rich
purple, shnding to white at the base ; the side
lobes white, slightly tinted with rose, with some
yellow at the base. The parentage is unknown,
but there is no doubt C. Loddigesi was the seed-
Ijcaring parent, the other, one of the C. labiata
group. It is a desirable variety, and when
stronger promises to be a useful addition to the
Cattleya hybrids. — H. J. Chai'Man.

NOTES ON ORCHIDS.
The dullest season for Orchids — thanks to the
fine weather, that lias brought many autumn
flowering kinds in very quickly — is now past,
and tlie flowering house is very gay. Of the
splendid Cattleya labiata little need be said, as
its characteristics are now so well known. Then
tlie earlier plants of Dendrobium I'liahenojisis
ai'e making a fine show, as well as D. aureuin,
D. clirysanthum, and one or two others. Cat-
tleya Gaskelliana has held out much longer
than usual, while C. bicolor and a few of tlie
C. Loddigesi section have this season joined
hands with C. Bowringiana and its varieties.
Several plants of Cypripedium Charlesworthi
are still in good order, also of course C. Spiceri-
anum, and the number of hybrids just now
flowering is very large. In the cooler houses
there is a wealtli of bloom, (Jncidiuni tigrinum
with its charming violet-scented blossoms being
i:>iie of the finest in the genus, and I have seen
several plants of O. Marshallianum already in
flower. Odontoglossums are not yet numerous,
but a few (_). crispuni are out, also the useful
O. tripudians, not a large, but a very showy
plant. Masdevallias of the Chiiii;era section
include the type, M. Wallisi, M. nycterina, and
one or two more, while the white M. tovarensis
and many (plaint botanical kinds help with the
alre.-idy numerous hybrids to form a pretty
liicture.

It is not perhaps the best time to be pulling
Cattleyas .-ibout at the roots ; still where it is
necessary that such as C. Mossife, C. Bowring-
iana, or even C. labiata are about producing a
fresh set of roots, they may with advantage be
seen to, especially in districts where fog is apt
to destroy the flowers. Dendrobiums are finish-
ing up this season in a manner very pleasing to
those growers who have had experience of dull,
sunless autumns. All the crassinode, War-
dianum, and similar varieties that have been
hanging in a cool, light house are rapidly lo.sing
their foliage, while D. nobile is quite finished
and the nodes swelling for flower. Small bits
of the latter and any fine forms that have
been propagated by being laid on IMoss or
similar material may still be potted up. A
recent visit to a \'ery skilful propagator was
instructive. Cocoa-nut fibre had liceii used in
place of Moss, and apparently almost every node
had produced a plant. As those operated on
were of such fine varieties as D. n. Jjallianuin,
U. n. nobiliu.s, and tlie like, tlie value of tliis
mode of propagation may be imagined. Later
Dcndrobes will need a little more time, and
must be kept in company with such of the
Australian kinds as are making their growth in a
warm, moist house. Thunias should by now have
lost their foliage, .and maj- be turned out of their
pots and pl.iced in .any out-of-the-way corner in
a warm house. All or nearly all the warm-

368

THE GARDEN.

[NOVIMBER 6, 1897,

house Cypiipediums are in active growtli and
must, be treated accordingly, giving plenty of
water at the roots and a genial, moist atmo-
sphere. CatasetuniK and Cycnoches as they go
out of flower should have the bulljs well
riijened up and lie kept dry for a time, but any
that are still in active growth must be pushed
along as quickly as possible. In the Cattleya
house many of tlie (incidiums are throwing up
their spikes, the useful (). Cavendishianuni
being among the number. A good light and a
fair quantity of moisture mu.st be allowed them, I
and whei'e tliere is an opportunity the plants
may be fumigated, as otherwise green fly is
almost sure to put in an appearance during the
winter season.

Shading may now be entirely dispensed with,
as it is imperative that all the light possible
enter the houses. For this reason the glass
should be frequently washed down outside,
especially after foggy weather, and the inside of all
the houses should be thoroughly sponged, both
woodwork and glass coming in for attenticm.
Whenevertimecan be .spared, sponging should be
followed up in the Cattleya house, as the small
white scale insectsoon.spreads at thistimeof year.
Esjjecial care is needed where newly-imported
plants are introduced among well-established
ones, as these are often covered with insects,
that increase directly they are brought into
heat. In the cool house, too, much more time
will need to be spent in cleaning both the
house and its occupants, a soft brownish scale
and also the black scale with a white marking
around the outside edge making a lot of jjro-
gress just now. It is, perhaps, not generally
known that fumigation will nearly exterminate
tliis latter jiest, greatly reducing its numbers, if
not actuaUy ridding the house of it. Keep the
growth moving on (Jdontoglossum crispum and
any similar kinds that have not yet finished up
their bulbs, and as Masdevallias and others
root out into the new material increase the
water supjjly. l{e])ot Plei(mes as they go out
of flower, keeping them absolutely dry at the
roots after the first soaking to settle the new
soil. Keep Sophronitis and other dwarf Or-
chids advancing for flower in a nice equable state
as regards root moisture, and while allowing as
mucli air as possible to this house keep it free
from draughts. The minimum night tempera-
ture will now be in the East India house 00 ,
in the Cattleya house 55°, and in the inter-
mediate, Mexican, and cool houses from 5(1
to 55°. R.

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Laslia pvmila albens. — In this the sepals and
petals are jiure wliite, of tine form and substance.
The lip has a rich band of purple around i he front
lobe, the side lobes white, shading to yellow at the
base. — H. J. C.

Lsella Perrinivar. leucophaea. — This is a dis-
tinct and pretty variety of tliis well-known species.
It differs principally in the colour of the flowers, the
sepals and petals being white, slightly tinted with
delicate blue ; the lip white with the exception of the
front lobe, which is of a diEtinct slate colour. It is
similar in colour to Cattleya Mossia; E. Ashworth
and L. pro'stans (Gatton Park variety). The above
plant was recently in flower in Sir 1^'. Wigan's col-
lection, Clare Lawn, East Sheen.— H. J. C.

Masdevallia Measuresiana.— This is in fine
condition just now at Camberwell in Mr. Measures'
collection. It is a hybrid between M. amabilis and
M. tovarensis, and while retaining the habit of pro-
ducing flowers successively like the latter, only one
is open at a time. In habit and general characteristic:!
it is about intermediate between its parents. The
blossoms are white at the base of the perianth tube,
the lower part of the sepals being suffused with lilac,
becoming much deeper towards the margin and in the
middle veins.

Catatetum Chrittyanum. — A small plant of
this exiraoidicary species tt Mr. Bull's is carrying

three of the largest fl^.wers I have seen. It would
appear that, like Cynoches, the Catasetums when
they produce a few flowers only on a spike have
them larger individually. The blossoms are mar-
vellous in their structure, the green sensitive horns to
the column having a curious likeness to a diminutive
pair of legs, one pr)inting forward, the other back, as
if in the act of walking. Both sepals and petals are
brown with darker spots, the lip being green shaded
with purple.

Cypripedium Eeginae. — This is an extremely
pretty hybrid, raised by crossing C. Leeanum and C.
Fairrieanum, and it combines in a marked degree the
good qualities of both parents. A very fine plant now
in flower at Cambridge I,odge has six growths. The
foliage is deep green with very light tes3enations.
The drooping totals are pale in ground colour, with
lines of an almost transparent brownish red. The
dorsal sepal is bright green at the base, white above,
and covered nearly to the apex with small sx^ots. The

broad purple band down the centre, which is a cha
acteristic of all the C. Spicerianum hybrids. Tl
ground colour of the petals is greenish yellow .'^ufEusi
with purple, heavily spotted and lined with brow
the lip green heavily suffused with chocoUte-brow
It is the result of crossing C. Spicerianum and (
Curtisi, and was raised in the collection of Sir 1
Wigan, Clare Lawn, East Sheen. — C.

Chrysanthemums.

Japanese Chrysanthemum Mine. Octavie Mirheau,

pouch, light yellowish brown, is like that of C. Lee-
anum in shape.
Lffilia purpurata var. Annie Louise. —

Tliis beautiful variety has recently flowered in the
collection cf Mr. G. W. Law-Scliotield, Newhall
Hey, Rawtenstall. The sepals are white in the centre,
becoming slightly sittfused with rose towards the edges.
The ground coh ur of the petals is white, suffused with
rose and heavily veined from the apes to two-thirds its
length with a deeper shade of rose. The large lip has
a liroad band of deep critnson purple from the front.
This colour i?" also extended well over the side lobes,
shading to bright yellow, lined with the purple of the
front lobe at the base and through the throat. It is a
distinct and desirable form. — II. J. C.

Cypripedium Allanianum (Ckre Lawn
variety). — This i.^ one of the most attractive forms of
this lovely hybrid I hrve seen. The dorsal sep d is
white, suti'used with deep rose at the top, and green
suffused with lirown at the base. It has an unusually ' and handsome Chrysanthemum

TYPES OF JAPANESE CHRYSAJ!f-
THEMUMS.

The varied shajres of this class, in addition t
the rich colouring, have been the means of inal
ing them so popular. In beauty as well as eaf
culture the Japanese ai
the finest of Chrysantli.
mums ; they appear, ii
deed, to be gradually ous
ing every other class ot
of cultivation. Among tl
predominating types, pe
haps the drooping or ta
selled form is that esteemt
more generally, and
think, too, sorts of th
type are the least ditticu
to grow. Mile. Lacroi
was, perhaps, the first i
this charming form. Te
years or so ago this variel
was exhibited in splend,
condition. New ones, hov
ever, eventually supe
seded it, being larger, ai
we now rarely note it in
first-class selection. The
Belle Paule became tl
liighest form of the type.
Beautiful blooms of th
white and rose-edged kin
were for several seasons 1
the fore. Triomphe i
la Rue des Chfdets wi
another extra fine type i
the drooping - petalle
bloom ; the colour of tlii;
a brick-red or terra-cott:
was most distinct. It is
pity such a kind has goii
out of cultivation. Bii
somehow, after a few sea
sons' culture for the pui
pose of obtaining hug
exhibition blooms, gram
varieties develop som
undesirable characteristic
and are therefore cast asid
for some new-comer tha
can be more easily grown
Mine. Carnot is the pre
sent-day ideal of the droop
ing type. This is undoubtedly a very hand
some Chrysanthemum. It may easOy be over
grown ; hence liy being too kind in th(
matter of manures many fail with it. Viviant
Morel and its sport, Charles Davis, are well
known examples of the tasselled form. Mmel
Octavie Mirbeau is after the style of the olc|
Belle Paule both in colour and form. This;
variety, too, is an excejitionally good one tt
last. It is charming with an edge of rose
colour to the florets on a wdiite ground. Edith
Tabor has a bloom of most distinct formation.
The long florets droop, only the tips jiointino
in an upward direction. This ch.iracteristic
with the clear yellow colour and substance, iiiaki,
it to my mind ai? a show flower the mcst fiuisheiSj

existence

NOVEMBKR G, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

3G9

cebus perfocts blooms nf a UrcHi|iiiiL; li:il)it,
it the florets ai-o shoi-tor than in iminy of tlio
|)U. Mine. Marius Uicoud is soiiiewliat similar

fiiriu. Siiiitlower is a |n>rfoct form in tlie

->i'lk'(l Howi-rs, but is a trillosmall fori^rowers

tti-day. Miss Dorothea Shea is anotlior

pital example ; so is W'ni. Seward. Simplieity

long the newer kinds will (dease lovers of

■ ooping-petalled ( 'hrysanthemums.

V form scarcely less beautiful is the liroad

readiui; bh)om. Mutual Fiiend and Golden

ito are first-rate types. Another is M. Chenon

Leche. ,\ustralie and Col. W. 1!. Smith

I vo a formation ([uite their own, and most
ndsome, too. They build up into a ball-

I iiped, loosely-formed mass of petals, l)ut the
ints, curiously, turn in a downward diri'etion.
lese appear to me perfect examples in the
y of .lapanese Chr3-.santliemums. The real in-

• iving type in this class is also a very beautiful

■ e. Take a good bloom of Mme. Ad. (."hatin ;
iis noble in formation. Oceana, although not

rlose in build, is grand ; it.s petals also

tliick and massive. Modesto is a grand

rurving Mower, apart from the richness of its

(jide of yellow. Pride of IMadf<]rd is a fine

)e, tlie petals being extra broad and rich.

ist liandsiime forms are M. Panckouke and

<lvat's Australian Gold, characteristic flowers

.•ing long florets which weave in an u])ward

ection, and finally jiroduce an irregular ball-

iped mass of soft, dainty colour. Thunberg

in old \ ariety not beaten in this form w hen

II grown.

The above are the more striking types.
< lors of intermediate shapes are not wanting —
t rellexed, in which one jietal is laid iqjon
«|)ther in a somewhat formal way. These, if
rhly coloured, are desirable. The hirsute or
hry-petalled kinds, again, are curious, and
liters are striving to obtain other forms as
qerse as those mentioned. Tliei-e is one type
the .Jajianese flower I cannot see any beauty
that is the quill-petalled bloom. The florets
ijsuch are closed, as it were, and exhibit
tl outward colour only, which is usually dull,
"bse long ])etals remind one of the porcupine or
:ehog, and haxe as much grace in forma-

H. S.

colour. The collection numbers between 2.50 and
SlKI plants, and contains a goodly number of the
most promising novelties of last season. Hand-
some blooms of Emily Silsbury, the beautiful
white .Japanese sonu'what resembling Mfie.
Tlii'Tt-se Key, and Ikm-c; distinetly superior to that
variety; Matthew Hodj^son, a liiilliant crimson-
red, not by any means large, but valuable for its
colour on the exhibition board ; Miss Klsie
Teichmann, pearly wdiite and very graceful in
form : Modesto, uudoulitedly one of the best deep
rich yellow sorts of recent introduction ; Mme.
L'arnot, and .\ustralio, the largest of the Japanese
incurved, rosy amar.antli, with white I'everse,
were good. (^)ueen of the Bull's was as fine as
we have seen it, the blooms being very deep, yet
distinctly fresh and clean. A. H. Wood, the
beautiful yellow sport from I'rirarose League, was
seen in all stages, some of the later flowers giving
promise of making blooms of exceptional grace
and beauty. I'ride of Kxmouth, on both late and
early buds, was striking, the later buds giving a
pretty tint of rosy pink on the long, broad petals.
Many of the older standard sorts were represented
in excellent condition. — C.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS AT SWANLEY.
Messrs. H. C.vnxkll and Sons have in their large

jhrysanthemum N.C.S. Jubilee. — This
is an especially pleasing new variety. The
bjms are full, deep and well formed. Its
t ; of colour may be described as heliotrope, soft
a charming. The florets are broad and long,
wli much substance. Add to these merits a
dirf, sturdy habit. It is one of M. Calvat's
wU of the present year, and will be highly prized
»pn better known.— H.

hrysantliemum Vicomte Roger de Che-
z<;s. — This recently certificated variety is an
B sually tall grower, and on that account will
bdisappointing to many. Nor are the flowers of
n:-rate merit. Probably the blooms, which
We exhibited in a ma.ss of a dozen, looked more
loosing than tluee would have done — the number
tl National Clnysanthemum Society rc(|uires :
ai hence the committee may have been eairied
a\y by bulk. But even as seen, we have many
beer yellows. This is not really the natural
«|\ir of the flowers of the variety. It is cjuite
zy, with a s[)reading form. When the early
k bud is secured, it clevelops tlie yellow shade
becomes somewhat incurving in s'haije. — H.

irysanthemums at Fawkham. — Mr.

y » atercr, wliose handsome \-use of twelve
msof Mile. Marie Hoste won the gold medal
ed by the National Chrysanthemum Societv
merica on the occasion o'f the National Chry-
liemum Society's jubilee show last year, h.as

loi

. nice lot of blooms almost fully developed
Uynajority of the blooms are of goofl size, even

, and in many instances bright and rich in I flowers this raiser has be

show-house, IfiO feet x 2") feet, an extensi\-e and
thoroughly representative collection from all
sources of the popular autumn flower. The
t|uality of the blooms is of a high order of merit.
The plants are airanged with consiclerable taste,
there being a group of low dwarf varieties round
the sides of the house, with a wide, sloping
central bank of plants having two faces. A large
proportion of the varieties are unnamed seedlings
on trial, then a number of quite recent introduc-
tions, with a fair sprinking of old-established,
well-proved \-arieties.

Continental novelties were strongly represented,
by far the best and finest in every sense of the
word being those sent out by M. Ernest Calvat,
whose numerous successes on the Continent last
year led us to hope, and not apparently in vain,
for many varieties wcn-thy of ujiholding his re])U-
tation. Very curious and distinct is the green
incurved .Japanese Mme. Ed. Roger, which has
florets of medium width, good foliage, and dwarf
habit. Wertlier, a large purple .Japanese, big and
solid, already shown in good form at the Oc'tobei-
show- of the National Chrysanthemum Society, is
worthy of note. Baronne Ad. Rothschild, a large,
white, spreading flower, is quite as good as last
year, and N.C.S. Jubilee, a capital globular in-
curving Japanese— colour pale silvery lavender,
reverse silvery pink— is e\-en better at Swanley
than it wa^ either at the (ihent or Paris shows
last autumn when first exhibited by M. Calvat.
M. B. Verlot, a Japanese incurved with narrow
grooved florets, colour rosy mauve, with silvery
pink reverse ; Capt. L. Chaure, of the same type,
but deep golden yellow, shaded bronze outside ;
M. G. Chabanne, a pretty golden bronze Japanese
incurved with curly tips ; and Souvenir de Mo-
lines, bright brick-red, reverse gold, are all among
recent novelties sent out by M. Calvat. So, too,
are M. ilassange de Louvrex, a fine canary-
yellow Japanese ; Mme. K. Grenier, very pure
white ; Secretaire Fierens, golden yelloW and
crimson-bronze ; Directeur Lic'bert, a long-
petalled Japanese, colour puriilerose ; Princesse
de Galles, a big bloom, colour jjale pink, tinted
purjjle ; Mme. Lawrence Z de, pale purple;
Soleil d'Oetobre, a fine new yellow ; Topaze
Onentale, yellow ; Mile. Lucie Faure, white ;
Iserette, golden bronze ; Souvenir de Mme. F.
Rosette, velvety purp'e : M. Ed. Andn'' ; Mme.
Ferlat, pure white, slif;litly tinted ; Con^ri^s de
Bourges, purple-amaranth, and Mme. X. Rey
Jouvin are all novelties of either this year or
last of M. Calvat's raising ; while most of tliose
already well known, such as -Mme. Carnot,
Australian Gold, Mme. Gustave Henry, Ma Per-
fection, Le Moucherotte, &c., show what a
Urge contributor to our present-day exhibition
come. It is worthy of

note that several of M. Calvat's newest flowers
show sijjns of hirsute origin. Whether this
peculiarity is accidental or de.'-igned we do not
know, but the chief characteristic of these is the
same as in his others, the large size and massive
liuild of the flowers being always the leading
feature.

.\moiig the .Japanese kinds from various sources,
Mrs. C. Proliin, pale silvery pink, incurving in
form and havini; pointed florets, is distinctly
jiromising, and Lady Hanham, a fine sport from
\'iviand iMorel, creamy rose and salmon, will soon
find a jilaee on the show boards. Robert Powell,
a big, soli<l .Japanese incurved, golden reverse
and inside reddi.sh bronze, was also in good form.
Some wellknown whites, such as Lady Byron,
Mutual Friend, C. B. Hay ward. Western King,
Mrs. C. Blick, Kentish White, of which there
was a very effective grouj), Mrs. H. Weeks, and
Kmily Silslmry, all found worthy representa-
tives. Yellows of known merit were well and
substantially shown in examples of Edith Tabor,
Modesto, Butr Globe, a distinct sport from (iood
Gracious; Lady Oporto Tait, Swanley Yellow,
&c. Here and there throut,rhout the collection it
was interesting to observe several first-class ad-
ditions from Great Britain over the sea. Australie,
Oceana, and Pride of Madford are well known,
but to these varieties of colonial origin must now
be added H. Cheeseman, a Japanese of reddish
carmine on a deep golden ground, with narrow
florets ; Miss Mary L'nderhav, a Japanese in-
curved with deeply grooved' florets of a very
I)retty shade of pale golden yellow ; Mrs. Ernest
Carter, a large .Japanese with medium-sized
florets, colour pale yellow, reverse silvery ; and a
fine sport from Pride of Madford called Mabel
Kerslake, which is similar in build to its parent,
but of a deep rich velvety bright red-erimson, the
reverse golden yellow.

In the incurved section no novelties of extra-
ordinary merit were noticeable, but standard
varieties such as Mrs. R. C. Kingston, Violet
Tomlin, Lord Wolseley, Lucy Kendal, Baron
Hirsph, Golden Empress, Prince Alfred, Princess
of Wales, Mrs. Heale, Globe d'Or, and many more
show that this old typo is not neglected. The
Anemone section is also represented at Swanley,
Init not to a large extent, and in the hairy tjpe
we noticed Hairy \\'onder, still one of the best ;
Mrs. C. B. Freeman, a dull purple and gold sport
from Louis Boehmer ; Belle des Gordes, a very
delicate pale pink, and large in size ; AA'hite
Swan, a fine addition, with long tuludar florets ;
Leocadie (Jentils, the new pale yellow French
variety, and a few others.

Standard of quality in Chrysanthemums.

— In the report of the council of the Royal Hor-
ticultural Society for the year ISIKi a wish was
expressed that the \arious committees would be
somewhat less generous in the reconnnendation of
aAvards during the ensuing year. In past years
Chrysanthemums with very little claim to distinc-
tion have been given awards of merit, but a
change for the better appears to have set in, and
oidy those sorts possessing high (|uality have so
far this season been recognised. For some years
the floral committees of the Royal Hi5rticul"tural
Society and the National Chry.santliemum .Society
have certilinated blooms pcssessing size only. It
seems to be an easy task to raise seedlings of
•Japanese sorts with coarse and irregular form and
pale washy colours. How-cver, there is evidence
that ideas are changing, and no better proof of
this can be obtained than that of an inspection of
tlie rejected varieties at the floral committees
of the two bodies previously alluded to. The
pulilic taste will not be satisfied with coarse and
dowdy flowers, and interest must necessarily be
lessened if no regard lie paid to colour and form.
Flowers of medium size, nut of bright an<l clear
colour, together with neat and pretty form, have
over and over again been passed because they
ha\e not come up to the standard as regards size.
Let flowers of medium size and proper form,
together with bright and lasting colours, be the

370

THE GARDEN".

[November 6, 1897.

basis of :i standard of quality. The dowd.v and
washy colours often seen in exhibition blooms
would not be tolerated in flowers erown for
decoration, and more attention should be paid to
raising sorts of the character advocated, as by
their use a better display might easily be made.
— Grower.

SHORT NOTES.— CHR YSANTHEMUMS.

ChrysantheiDum "Werther.— The colnur of
this may be ilescribed as deep purple-red. Growers
on the looli-out for novelty in colour would find tins
variety worth growing, as the blooms are of good size
with fairly long florets of medium width, slightly m-
curving at the tips, and showing the silvery reverse.

Chrysantliemum Geo. G-over. — A flower
somewhat after the style of Reine d'Angleterre, with
long, broad, and pointed petals slightly curling and
showing the reverse. The colour is mauve-piuk,
with a silvery reverse. The floral committee of the
National Cbrysantheninm Society wished to see the
variety again when placed before them at a recent
meeting. — H.

ChryFanthemum Rayonnante.— This is one
of the newest of the oontineutal sorts, and is after tlie
Lilian Bird type, but superior to that variety. Many
growers have little rejard f'.r flowers with tubular
florets, but although this variety possesses this cha-
racter tliey are suHiciently long and possess plenty of
substance. The colour is a lovely shade of ttesh-pink ;
the habit dwarf.— C.

Chrysanthemum Pride of the Market.—
As a market \ariety, this should be in demand. The
colour is a deep golden-yellow, freely sufl'used with
crimson. The plant attains a height of from 5 feet to
5i feet, and as it develops its flowers quite freely, and
these are also of a goodly size for cutting, it should be
very serviceable. Tliere is another variety of the same
name, but dilferent in colour. — C. A. H.

Chrysanthemum Nellie Brown.— This is
a sport from the well-known variety Ryecroft Glory,
and has been exhibited before the floral cnmmittees of
the Royal Horticultural Society and National Cbry-
santhemum Society quite recently. Itis best described
as crimson-bronze, and makes a pretty and bright
display when freely flowered. The flowers of the
parent variety on late buds often assume a crimson
colour, this being more noticeable in the case of plants
grown in the country. — C.

Chrysanth-mum Ella CuTtis. — Growers
familiar VI ith the character of the flowers of Boule
d'Or and the dirticnlty experienced in getting really
good blooms of it suitable for exhibition, should appre-
ciate the variety under notice. This is a very large
Japanese flower with long and broad florets, gracefully
curling and twisting. As recently exhibited it compares
favourab'y with the old sort alluded to, and if only a
little more substance can be had with the bloom it
should become a standard sort for exhibition. Evi-
dently it is a much easier sort to grow.— D.

Chrysanthemum Lady Hanham.— This is
the second sport that Vivland Morel has given us, and
judging from bluoms which have been exhibited it,
promises to exceed in beauty both Chas. Davis and the
parent variety. Tlie catalogues describe the colour as
golden ro=y cerise, but a more accurate description
would perhaps be a pleasing shade of rosy-fawn.
Flowers from early buds have yellowish centres with
an edging of rose, but the later buds are now develop-
ing blof Slims of a very lovely colour. A fine batch of
this variety, with flowers of a most desirable shade of
colour, is now fast opening at Ryecroft Nursery. The
plants were propagated quite late in the season.

Rose Garden.

Apera arundinacea. — This graceful and
beautiful plant, when brought before the floral
committee of the Royal Horticultural Society re-
eentlyiby the Messrs. Veitch, was granted a first-
class "certificate, which, judging by the admiration
the example called forth, was well merited. This
singularly beautiful plant should be of consider-
able use in the higher portions of the rock garden,
particularly in raised positions, so that its grace-
fully pendent plumes may be seen to advantage.
The rush-like habit of the plant is quite erect and
about 2 feet high, but the plumes issue there-
from, and, arching over, descend, when oppor-
tunity permits, to i feet in length. Given an ele-
vated jiosition, this elegant New Zealand (jrass
would produce unicjue results.

WHITE TEA ROSES.
Among white Roses, the old and well-tried
Niphetos must take front rank. Its name was
very aptly selected by Bougcre more than fifty
years ago, and up to the present time this
variety has had no'eciual . For outdoor culture,
especially as standards, I prefer the climbing
form, as it yields much larger blo.ssoms than the
dwarf form, but under glass the latter will
grow and flower most profusely if a nice
warm sunny spot be selected for it. In
The Bride the form and texture of the flower
are superb, a fact that has enabled it to
secure ahiiost the highest number of medals
of the National Rose Society of any Tea Rose
in existence. But the colour is not pure, and
florists prefer Niphetos for this reason . If we
could obtain a Rose as pure white as Niphetos

form. If planted under glass and treated sinii
lar to Marechal Kiel, by cutting back hard aftei
flowering, some grand shoots will be produced,
and, provided they are well ripened, a plentifu:
crop of flowers may be secured the following
spring. Mme. Brayy is one of the best formei:
Teas, and although old, it is still worth retam
ing in our collections. Etendard de Jeannt
d'Arc must not be despised. It is a veiy firn
flower and very hardy. In SombreuO we havi
a splendid late flowering kind of semi-cliinl)in£
habit. Of Hybrid Teas, mention should hi
made of Kaiserin Augusta Victoria. Why it i:
classed with these Hybrid Teas I canno
imagine. It is a magnificent Rose of a creami
white colour, and produced abundantly on gooc
stiff stems. White Lady is probably one of thi
fiiie.st large-flowered Hybrid Teas. Its iiii
mense flowers are really magnificent, and it is ;
better grower than Lady Blary Fitzvvilliani
The Noisette Lamarque is a beautiful Rose, bu
rather tender.

The fine new hybrid Rosi
Purity (here illustrated), raisei
by Messrs. Geo. Cooling am
Sims, Bath, has pure whit
flowers with a faintly fliishci
centre, the petals stifl' and i
great substance. When show
at the National Rose Society'
sluiw at Portsmoutli on July 1
( if the present year it was muc
admired. E.

Rose Purity. From a photograph sent hy Messrs.
Geo, Cooling and Sons, Bath.

and as exquisite in form as The Bride, we should
have a real gem. Hopes were raised that we
had secured this in the White INIarcchal Niel,
but I think we shall find this Rose to be of
very little value. Under certain conditions
the old form of Marechal Niel may be ob-
tained of this sickly yellow shade. Souvenir
de S. A. Prince is a very fine Rose, and perhaps
the best white Tea for outdoors. Some do not
care for the globular form, but it is neverthe-
less a very serviceable variety. The Hon.
Edith Giflbrd is also a splendid Rose, useful
alike at all seasons. It is creamy white with a
flesh-coloured shading. Tliis variety appears to
have partly eclipsed the old Devoniensis, but it
certainly has not its sweet perfume. The dwarf
form of Devoniensis is a very poor grower, other-
wise it is still one of the best whites. Where space
is no object, I would recommend the climbing

Rose Baronne de Maynarc

— With such a fine Rose as Boul
de Neige in the collection on
would imagine that another whit
variety was unnecessary ; but th
above Rose, not being so vigoror
ill growth as Boule de Neige, aj
pears more suitable for decoratioi
Its flowers, freely produced, ai
very pure in colour and wantin
in the rosy margined and ofte
imperfect blossoms of Boule c
Neige. It is true the flowers i
the Rose under notice are not s
perfect in form as those of tlie ol
favourite, but perhaps they a:
none the less valualile if the pcta.
are irregularandsometimes prettil
crumpled. In some seasons I hav
found Baronne de Maynard moi
serviceable for cutting than Boul
de Neige. — P.

Roses with extra vigorou
groA\th. — There is a widesprea
imprcbsion among amateur gai
lienors that the so-called climhin
Roses can only be properly cult
vated upon walls or fences or su]
ports of some kind. This is a mi;
take, and I would recommen
anyone this season to try a fc
of the climbing Teas and Noisettes as Imshe;
Let them be planted in a sheltered spot an
afforded plenty of room, say 4 feet to o feet apai
each way. If severe weather threatens, tie tlie Ion
shoots to a stake and protect with bracken or ha
bands : then when all danger from frost is pas
allow these shoots to spread out in their own waj
If the growths are well ripened we may expect
cpiantity of blossom to apjiear almost their entii
length. When they have borne their crop <
flowers some of these shoots may be removed s
as to encourage the younger growths which ai
so freely produced by this metliod of culti\atioi
and thus lay the foundation for next year's suppl;
-E.

SHORT XOTES^ROSES.

Rose Albertine Borquet — This is a vei

perfect shaped Rose that reminds one of the <
favourite M. Furtado, but the flowers are large

i

JTOVEMBER G, 1897.]

THE (;aki^en-.

371

I coloarisa Vi^autiful pile primrose, ami the pot-iils,
ilarly arranpc'l iti an ex'iuisits circular form, are
:-tiIy roflexoj at the ed^es. — I*.
LUtumn pruning of Rosea.— This is often
leoted, perhaps owint; to its importani-o boinj?
.or-estimated. Gocd Hoses can only be producd
n weli-riponod wood, and by removing at this sea-
soft lute ijrnwths, together with thin and weakly
8, the reinaininj?' shoots will be considerably beue-
tiii by the freer admission of tnnli^ht and air. Fimr
0 five well-ripened shoots upon each p'ant will jieM
r blossoms, and more of them, than can ever be
oiiiiiod from s.'veral weakly unripeiied ones.

loses seeding. — This year many of the Hy-
ti Teas, such as Belle Siebrecht, Jlqrquise Litta,
lie. Abel Chat.nay, La Fraioheur, Caroline Tes-
bt, Josephine Marot, Lady Mary Fitzwilliam, Whitt>
liy, Souvenir de Wootton, (lormaine Troohon, and
fiiie others are seeding very freely. I would advise
Eitears who have nice snug little gardens to eneour-
a the cross-fertilising of these varieties and to sow
t eeed in a cold frame as eoun as it is ripe. They
ny reasonably expect in a year or two some good
neltie3,Iexc?lling, perhaps, many existing kinds. — Ed.

Kitchen Garden.

ASPARAGUS BEDS IN WINTER.

l|aiNK the old, but still common plan of ma"
n'-ing Asparagus beds in Avinter will be less
ojerved as time goes on, as it is about the
Tirst system possible, and the loss of many
p;nts and want of vigour in others in a great
n isure may be attributed to the winter manur-
ii. I have seen it advised for light gravelly
B' s, but even on such I think it does more
h m than good, and certainly is a waste of
nterial. I am aware in some gardens there
ill. deficiency of labour to apply food during
tl growth of the plant, viz. , from May to the
e|l of August or even early September, as
tin the plant is building up the growth for
nft year's supply. Summer feeding does
ni take long if the weather is favourable. In
njiy weather a surface dressing of fish manure,
an, failing this, guano, soot, or other fertilisers
ijluickly applied. For summer feeding I have
fcpj no food equal to liquid manure from
ables, and if a system of irrigation can be
«-ied out, the plants delight in such treatment.
I > not advise salt as food, and certainly there
if no worse time to apply it than at tliis
Biion. Salt given say in Octoljer, when
tl tops are cleared, has killed many roots
a weakened others ; in fact, it has done
guter injury than hard cutting or years of
ndect. Salt applied to light .soils at the time
ni id above may be beneficial with other foods,
bj given now in large quantities (at any
soon) it destroys instead of feeds the plants.
MJn better results may be obtained by feed-
in in spring with nitrate of soda in the form of a
tc dressing ; not one heavy dressing, but, say,
t» or three during growth. I fail to see the
ul ty of making Asparagus beds 3 feet deep,
ging huge quantities of manure when forming
tl. beds, and heaping on large quantities in the
aumn. Plants treated thus cannot absorb
th food given. I have often examined root.s
IM such beds, and found most of the lower
on decayed or dying. A few new sur-
la^ roots are made annually, to be killed later
ony large quantities of manure, keeping the
10 in a wet state, and certainly not assisting
th 'ormation of new roots. The best Asparagus
I .'er had was grown in soil, given an
oriiary dressing of manure and double dug;
""Jng the seed in lines 3 feet apart, and thin-
nu the seedlings to half that disUnce in the
lui. This mode of culture was adopted to
Wl/ of forcing, but the plants grew so strongly
tn^they were retained for permanent use. I fail

to sec why young plants should have such large
quantities of manure. Far better feed from the
surf.-ice than sicken the plants before they are
suHiciently strong to absorb the food.

Another great mistake in winter dressing is
tliat it prevents the weather acting on the soil.
The manure sour.s tlie .soil and in many cases
jirevents surface roots .spreading freely. As-
p.ar.igus is not tender ; the roots are never
killed by fro.st if they have a covering of .soil,
no matter how severe the weather. If covered
with manure, growth is later and not so
vigorous. The beds may be made neat on the
surface and tidy at the edges. 15y the latter I
do not mean cutting down with tlie .spade a
portion of the tender roots. I am not in favour
of the cutting-down process at all. I find much
better results are obtained by merely having
the beds defined by a slight depression. In
light soils avoid deep alleys, as these cause the
beds to l)e drained, and the side roots suft'er.
Beds made on the Hat, or, what is better, rows
of plants with a wider space at certain distances
fur wheeling or working between, are the best.
A lot of expense is often incurred in making
beds. Many think their land not suitable for
the plant, but there is no difficulty in making
it so. A few cartloads of fine mortar rubble,
burnt garden refuse, road scrapings, or any
material which makes a heavy soil porous, and
for light soils a few loads of hea\ier material
will grow good plants. Asjiaragus will do in
most places if given sutticient depth of soil not
drained to excess. (J. Wythes.

Cauliflower Autumn Giant. — This fine
Cauliflower is often found fault with on the score
of coarseness, but this in nine cases out of ten is
the fault of the grower. Plants are raised early,
pricked out and planted in rich, loose soil, where
they grow very quickly and form lai-ge, unshapely
heads. I have been cutting it during the past
fortnight from a piece of ground cleared of early
Peas, but not dug or manured, and the qualitj- is
excellent, nice, firm white curds, about 6 inches
across, well |irotected by ample foliage from rain
or light frosts. — R.

Pea Autocrat. — Too much praise can hardly
be given this fine Pea. It has done splendidly
with me this season, and looking round the kitchen
garden at Ickworth, Bury St. Edmunds, to-day
(October 2.")) I found that it is still being gathered
almost daily, thougli tlie frost has destroyed
Runner Beans and the haulm of nearly every
other Pea is (juite dried off. Nor is it only as a
late variety that Autocrat may be recommended ;
the quality is good enough to pass muster in
July, while its deep colour and the handsome
appearance of the pods make it a fine kind for
late summer use. — R.

Sutton's Drumhead Kale.— I find this Kale
of great service just at f liis season, and although
the earl}' winter greens have not, owing to the
oi5en weather, been so much run on as usual, the
close heads are much appreciated in the kitchen.
It has a very distinct appearance, the leaf-stalks
broad and succulent and of a mild and agreeable
flavour when cooked. After the heads are cut a
plentiful sup[)ly of young shoots may be relied on
all through the winter, these being much pre-
ferred here to either the Asparagus Kales or the
curled varieties. If sown in March, and put out
early at a good distance apart on firm ground, it
is sure to lie satisfactory. — S.

A new Parsnip.— This year I have grown
Tender and True Parsnip for the first time. It is
well worth growing liy those who study quality.
Tender and True is ipiite difl'erent "from The
Student, and may not be so much liked Ijy those
who regard size, as the new variety is" much
smaller than the older kind. What I so much
value is the fine quality of the new kind. The
roots are perfect in shape, with a clear white
skin, free of irregularities, and being smaller

are very solid, and should keep well. The Pars-
nip has fewer varieties than most vegetables,
and there was ample room for the new introduc-
tion. Many do not like coarse vegetables, and in
Tender and True they will liiid a valuable addition
to the list of useful vegetables. — <i. WvrHK.s.

Tomato Eclipse.— This is a grand cropper,
and what pleased me was the uniformity of the
crop, there being an absence of very large, coarse
fruits and very few small ones. Having noticed
this variety in l,s;i4 when grown at Chiswick and
then gixun three marks, T determined to give it
a trial when in commerce. It has done grandly,
and in the open it produced excellent crops of
highly-coloured fruits. I have no knowledge of
its parentage, but I should think Conference was
one of the parents, owing to its fiee-rro[iping and
handsome medium-sized fruits ; doubtless it will
become a market favourite on this account. I
notice there is no cracking at the stalk with fruit
grown in cool houses. I have not for(-ed this
variety, but should say it would answer well
grown thus.— C W.

KEEPING PARSNIPS.
Most growers are aware that the quality of Pars-
nips lilted and stored in dry sheds cannot be com-
pared with that of those left in the soil and dug as
needed . The roots stored grow out badly, shrivel,
and lose flavour. Another point often lost sight
of in sowing for winter supjilies is that coarse
\'egetables keep badly ; in fact, they are not
worth keeping. Many, I am aware, make it a
rule to sow Parsnips as early in the spring as pos-
sible ; in fact, February is advised, and for ex-
hibition roots a yard long it may be advisable,
but these are not the best keepers. I usually
make two sowings, my last being made early in
May. These roots areleft in the soil till the fol-
lowing spring and lifted as required. Tlie roots
are not large, but they are large enough for any
purpose if quality is considered, and the flavour
of roots grown in a short time is so marked that
anyone who likes the Parsnip as a winter vege-
table will get superior quality by this mode of
culture. It is surprising what excellent roots may
be grown in the shorter period named. This year I
had a difficulty at the later date owing to the
drought. The roots made but slow jirogress till
August was well advanced, but now they are
excellent and (piite u)) to the usual standard.
Doubtless owing to their ipiick growth they will
be of first-rate quality. As regards keeping,
many object to leaving the roots in the soil on
account of the difficulty of lifting in frosty
weather. A few roots may be lifted and laid in ;
these covered with litter are always ready for use :
indeed, I have seen large breadths lifted, laid in
in a north border thickly, and the land turned up
roughly if needed for early crops. Plants left in
their growing (puirters till March can be kept
sound much later if lifted then, placed under
a norlh wall, and well covered to prevent shrivel-
ling. The lifting at the time named causes a
check and assists keeping. In severe winters
Parsnips are welcomed, as there is often a
scarcity of other vegetables, and frost does not
affect the flavour. For late spring su|iplies I
advise the smaller kinds. The Student and
Tender and True are specially good. These are
medium growers. S. H.

Globe Artichokes in winter. — .Many can
grow good Artichokes during the summer, but,
owing to .soil and locality, cannot with safety
winter their plants. If they have a good variety
it is well to take care of it, as in purcha-sing new
stock it is not always possible to get it good.
Now is a good time to pot up a few suckers for
next spring, detaching the suckers from the parent
plant with a small jiortiou of root, potting up
into 0-inch pots and using somewhat coarse,
gritty soil. These will make nice [ilants for next
spring, and should the old jjlants winter well the
above work is not lost, as the young jilants give
later supplies and a new plantation occasionally is

372

THE GAEDEK

[November 6, 1897.

advantageous. I lost all my stock a few years
ago, and was unable to get home-grown plants.
Man}' were introduced from the Continent, with
the result in my case they produced prickly heads
of inferior C|uality and were valueless. I am aware
stock is easily obtained from seed, but I fear there
is not sufficient care in saving seed, as many seed-
lings prove worthless. I find suckers treated as
advised winter well in cold frames if the pots are
plunged in ashes or at the foot of a south wall,
and covered in severe weather with Bracken or
light litter.— G. W .

Forcing Seakale. — In many gardens this
useful vegetable has to be grown for forcing, and
the first lot forces none too re.adily unless well-
ripened crowns are selected. Frost is of great
assistance in shedding the leafage, but it oftens
happens we do not get sufficient frost in time to
assist early maturing, and other measures ha\e to
be adopted. For very early supplies it is a good
plan at the end of October to take up sufficient
of the best crowns, those most exposed to
the light and sun being preferred. The lifting
causes the roots to cast any green foliage,
and the check given prepares the roots for
forcing. It is surprising how much more easily
plants treated thus force over those lifted and
placed direct into heat. For supplies, say, two
months hence this may not be necessary, but at
the time named I have seen strong unripened
roots given much heat at the start make a xery
poor growth. By lifting as advised there is no
waste, as the strong roots may be cut into lengths
for future planting. If these are plunged in soil
they will make the best material for early plant-
ing next spring. — G. W. S.

Leafage on Seakale is now rapidly ripen-
ing, and where tidiness specially prevails may
be cleared off and placed where it will decay.
The roots being ready for lifting, it is practicable
to get the whole, even if running into thou-
sands, carefully lifted, well preserving the side
roots in doing so ; indeed, the best method is to
open a good trench at one end of the breadth, and
thus trench it out thoroughly. The advantage of
that method is that not only are the roots so much
more completely removed, but the ground is left
well broken for a succeeding crop. When the
stems have been trimmed of their side roots
they may be laid in thickly in soil, where, should
hard weather come, some litter will exclude
frost, and they may be got up as needed at any
time. The loot-cuttings, when made, may be
either planted in fresh ground at once, or be laid
in thickly also. — A. D.

Books.

MANUAL OF PRACTICAL ROOM-
GARDENING.*
This most excellent German work has been
published only quite recently. The author,
Herr Max HesdorBer, who is also the editor
of several German horticultui'al journals, has
spared no trouble or expense to compile a most
useful guide and reference book for amateurs.
Though many professional gardeners might
profit by a perusal of its pages, tlie book is not
intended (as the author explains) for the pro-
fessional, but rather for the amateur who is
compelled to grow the flowers he loves in rooms,
on flower-stands, in window-boxes, or on a
balcony, and who may have no previous know-
ledge of gardening. This kind of gardening
the author describes most Ininutely and in full
detail in a book of some 500 pages, illustrated
by sixteen large plates and 328 original engrav-
ings of excellent cjuality.

The first 117 pages deal in a general way with
the various contrivances and tools required for

cultivating plants, the best arrangement of a
room garden, and the various modes of
propagation, watering, heating, giving air, and
general treatment of room plants. This part
of the book also contains directions for getting
rid of the various enemies to plant life,
tlie treatment of such jjlants as can be turned
out into the garden during summer, the storing
of plants in sheds or cellars during winter, and
some most artistic arrangements for balconies,
flower-stands, window boxes, glass cases, tables
for flowers, various forms of hanging baskets,
Arc. The various stands, itc, illustrated are
artistic in design, and above all intensely prac-
tical. The methods of potting, pruning, graft-
ing (as in the case of Cactus), Ac, are so clearly
illustrated by good engravings, that the merest
novice could not fail to grasp the meaning at a
glance. Directions are also given for restoring
to health plants that look sickly from some
cause or other.

In the second part of the book nearly 300
pages are devoted to the description and culti-
vation of such plants as can, in the author's
opinion, be safely recommended for cultivation
in rooms. The various temperatures required
by the plants are given, and will be an excellent
guide for the amateur. Elaborate directions
are also given for the artistic grouping of plants
re(|uiring the same kind of treatment. The
illustrations throughout are faithful reproduc-
tions of the plants they represent and whose
treatment is discussed in detail. Considerably
over 200 capital jjictures of such suit-
able jilants appear in this part alone.
Very handsomely illustrated is also the part
devoted to aquariums of all kinds and sizes,
most of the pictures being of a very high oi'der
of aitistic merit, showing the elegant forms of
plants that may be grown in a large or small
acpiarium in rooms. The chapters dealing with
the a(|uarium extend to nearly fifty pages, and
contain not only engravings of graceful water
plants, but also illustrations of very ingenious
contrivances for heating the water and methods
of working a small fountain from electric and
other motors. Another .sliorter chapter is de-
voted to the terrarium, showing how plants
may be grown in glass cases of ornamental
design. The author distinguishes between the
moist and the dry terrarium. The former is
intended for all kinds of Ferns, fine-foliaged
plants, Ac, while the latter is to be the home
of various Cacti and other plants of the succu-
lent type. Hints are also given — for those who
like such things — how the terrarium may be
further enlivened by lizards, small frogs, and
other reptiles.

The third and last part of the book is also
richly illustrated, and deals with the forcing of
all kinds (if flowers, and especially bulbous
plants and their treatment.

Altogether Herr Hesdiirfl'er's work deserves
to be fully appreciated, and if translated into
English would doubtless be a great boon to
those English amateurs who are not sufficiently
conversant with the German language to read
this valuable book in its original form.

Elvuide, Exder. F. W. Meyer.

three large stoves. About April I syringe tl
glass outside with a mixture of new milk ar
whiting, and add half water. About January 1
lime-white, mixed with plenty of methylatt
spirit and soft soap, all the walls, and also wat
all the glass and woodwork inside with hot wati
mixed with plenty of methylated spirit and so
soap ; then I take all the surface earth away fro
the borders and cover all roots with bone manur
and then over that spread some 3 inches of coco
nut fibre refuse. I then dress the Vines as usm
and just dab a small cameFs hair brush full
pure methylated spirit into all the joints whe
any mealy bug can be seen or expected. I ha
a jar of methylated spirit always in the hous
and at any time of year if any mealy bug is s&
I at once give it a dab of pure methylated spirit.
Amatkob.

Societies and Exhibition:

* " Haiidbuch tier Praktisrlien Zimmergiirtiierei."
Von Max Hesdorfl'er. Published by Robert Oppeu-
heim, Berlin.

Clearing off mealy bug. — C. Edwards can
at little exi)ense very easily keep mealy bug down
l.iy cleanliness and pure methylated spirit. My
N'inery is about 200 feet long and IG feet high. I
generally have about 1001) bunches of Grapes
yearly. The house has not been painted inside
since it was built — about twenty-five years since.
Therein are all sorts of Vines, Loc|uat, Acacia, &c.
I seldom syringe, perhaps once or twice yearly,
but give all roots i)lenty of water every week.
All roots are inside the house. It is warmed Ijy

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIET

A MEETiN(; of the general committee of t'
society was held on Monday evening, Oc
ber 25, at Anderton's Hotel, when Mr. T. '
Sanders occupied the chair. The reading of t
minutes and correspondence occupied some C(
siderable attention, and after these preliminar
had been disposed of, Mr. Harman-Payne cal
attention to a letter received from the jiresidi
of the French National Chrysanthemum Socie
M. Maxime de la Rochterie, offering an invitat
to the members of the English society to atte
the Orleans conference on November 6, s
expressing a wish to see some blooms there
English cultivation. No proposal, however, \
made, there being apparently nobody desirous
making the journey.

It was announced that the amiual dinner of
society was fixed for Wednesday, the 24th pre
at Anderton's Hotel, and that Mr. T. W. Sandi
the chairman of the general committee, wo
preside on that occasion. It was also announ
that the society's annual outing for 1808 hadb'
fixed, and arrangements made with the ti. E
Co. to undertake entire charge of the party. 1
event is fixed for July 18. Stewards for
November exhiljition were elected, the follow
gentlemen being chosen, viz., Messrs. Langd
Simpson, Taylor, Willis, Ingamels and Ret
Following an old-established precedent, the c(
mittee have invited members of the floral C(
mittee to dine together on the evening of thel
day on which they meet, namely, December 13
consideration of their services to the society.

The dates of the society's shows for 1898
proposed as follows : September ti, 7 and 8, 0(
ber 11, 12 and 13, November 8, 9 and 10, Deci
ber 0, 7 and 8. The secretary then presents
lOugh financial statement concerning the cost:
sale of the society's .Jubilee edition of the c;
logue, which was, considering everything, regar
as satisfactory ; the demand is steady, and ii
expected that there will be a good demand
this work during the present season. Mr. Be
called attention to the fact that at present tb
was no catalogue committee in existence, n
having been elected early in the year, and
thought this was a matter that should be setl
without delay.

Thirty-one new members were elected and
following societies were admitted in affiliation: i
Wolverhampton Chrysanthemum Society and
Romford Society.

A meeting of the floral committee of this soci '
was held on Monday afternoon, October 25,
T. Bevan in the chair. There was a good dis]
of novelties. First-class certificates were awar
to the following : —

CnRYSANxnEMrM Lady H.-^nham. — A Id '
rosy-fawn sport from Viviand Morel, and part
ing of all the excellent qualities of the pari'
The blooms from late buds were very pre .
and it promises to be the most interesting of' ^

OVEMBER Ti, 1897,1

THE GAEDEK

373

Kxhibitcd liy JUv-isrs. 11. Caiiiiell anil
Swaiiley.

UY-SANTIIKMIM Mks. I'liUliYN. — A pillo liesll-

Tjipanese incurved flower, with paler rexerse ;
- of great breadth and sulistance, pointed,
iiid evenly incnrvinp; to the centre. This is
111 of lovely form and chaste an<l delicate
iiig. From Mr. Norman Davis, Kiamlield.

uaS.VNTllKMlM I'ltlUE OF THE Al.VUKKT. —

Thj was exliibited as a market variety, and

- i. d lie valuable for that |)ur^)Ose. It is a

I of medium size with rather broad llorets.

ilour is golden-yellow, freely suffused with

I crimson at the base. Several vases, each

A ith about a dozen blossoms, made a most

iLive exhibit. Sliown l.)y Mr. N. Davis.

ClKVS.ANTnKMrM M M K. I'll ll.l 1'1'E HlVoIUK. —

-\ Ige pure white flower, with broad florets of

splidid substance, slightly twisted and curling,

II iiaking a promising bloom. Those from early

lie inclined to be coarse, later flowers being

A hat free from this only blemish. From Mr.

(Godfrey, Exmouth.

asANTiiKMi'M Ei.i,.\ Cl'KTis. — An immense
\cry much resembling in form the old
rOr, but a distinct improvement upon that
; florets broad and strapdike and intcr-
ng in a ])retty manner ; colour rich j'ellow,
iverse of a lighter shade. Exhibited by
, .1. Godfrey.

. -lANTHKMlM L.\l)Y

lower of Japanese
iiid massive florets
^lit bronze reverse

RiDGW.VY. — An enor
incurved form, with
colour rosy red inside.
Shown by Mr. \V. ,J.

'. S. Jubilee, a Japanese incurved, colour

pink with paler reverse ; (Hadj's Roult, a

white reflexed Japanese with narrow

: Geo. Gover, a large mauve-pink Japanese

long broad petals, in the way of Reine

li terre : King of Yellows, a deep rich yel-

' urved flower; Werther, a reddish ])urple

with florets of medium width ; Xellie

. a crimson and golden yellow sjiort from

It Glory ; Jlrs. <;. W. Palmer, a rosy

-port from Mrs. C. H. Payne, and distinctly

than the parent variety ; (i. J. Warren,

the pale yellow sports from the popular

I arnot, and Mme. Desblanc, a Japanese

I, with long narrow florets, colour pale

pink with a white reverse, were other

arieties shown.

1 floral committee of this society met at the
'■> Aijuarium, Westminster, S.W., on Novem-
I -Mr. Thos. Bevan in the chair.
Afreat many novelties were submitted, and
"^t^ass certificates were awarded to —

-ANTHKMiM (J. J. Warren. — This is a pale

-port from Mme. Cariiot, and late flowers

; in colour in the centre. The fiow-ers par-

' all the other characteristics of the parent

From Jlr. W. Wells, Earlswood.

■^ANTiiEMf.M Mrs. G. W. Palmer.— A rich

inze sport from Mrs. C. H. Payne, with

reverse to the broad florets. It is a dis-

iJvance upon the parent variet}', late

being very rich in colour. From Mr.

v-AXTiiEMi-M I^ADY IsAiiEL. — An immense
with broad florets of good substance ;
|iale blush, with white centre, late flowers
"f a beautiful pale flesh-pink. From Mr.

^A.STiiE.Mi-M Lenawee. — A distinct flower

"ling form, with long semi-fluted florets of

' iljstance and incurving at the tips : colour

''prettily edged with pale violet-rose. From

' ' rhead, gardener to Sir Henry Peek, Bart.,

Ion Common.

-ANTiiEiuM Mr.s. F. A. Bevax.— An in-
■Tapanese with long florets of medium
'irooping and incurving at the ends ;
pleasing shade of fle.sh-pink, with jialer
Sent by Mr. W. J. Godfrey, Exmouth.
■ vxTiiEJii-.M George Foster. — Massive in-
Japanese of pleasing form, with broad>

tiglitly incurved and twisted florets ; colour rich
yellow. From Mr. (iodfrey.

('iiiiVSANTiiEMiM Mrs. Chas. BiRcit. — Aiiotlier
deep, compact, incurved .laiianese, W'ith florets of
medium width and tightly incurving. The florets
also are hirsute ; colour white, slightly edged
pale rose. Mr. Godfrey.

CiiRvsANTiiEMr.M Mauv JIoeynkux. — A large
spreading flower, with long, broad, incurved and
cm led llurets of good substance ; colour inside
deep ro.sy pink with a pretty reverse of silvery
rose-piidi. From Mr. N. Molyiieux, Rookesbury
Park, Fareham.

GiiRVSAXTiiEMU.M Mus. N. Miu.VN Kix .— Massive
incurved flower, of globular liuild, with fairly
bi-oad florets, somewhat irregularly arranged ;
colour creamy white. Also from Mr. N. Molyneux.

The committee commended N.C.S. Jubilee, a
huge flower, with florets too short for the ((uan-
tity there are to develop ; colour silvery mauve.
From Mr. Wells. They wished to see again Mrs.
P. R. Dunn, a pretty Japanese Anemone, with
well formed disc, slightly tinted yellow, and ray
florets of the purest white, and Thos. Singleton,
an incurved of \ery fair form, colour pearly
white, edged rose-pink.

Other varieties deserving notice were Mrs.
C. S. Bates, a bright nankeen-yellow incurved ;
Mrs. Coombes, long florets, curling at tips, colour
pale flesh-pink, deep rose centre ; Admiral Ito,
a very large Japanese, colour straw-yellow, with
slightly twisted and curling florets, making a
bloom of much substance; ani Beaut}' of Ade-
laide, large spi-eading flower with long fluted
florets, incurving at the ends, colour pale rosy
pink.

Boyal Horticultural Society. —The next
fruit and floral meeting of the Royal Horticultural
Society will be held on Tuesda}', November !l, in
the Drill Hall, James Street, Westminster, 1 to
4 p.m. At 3 o'clock a lecture on "Roots "will
be given by Professor F. W. Oliver, D.Sc.

Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund. — At a
meeting of the committee of the Royal Gardeners'
Orphan Fund on the "iOth ult. , the secretary an-
nounced the receipt of a beciuest of £457 '2s. lid.
from J. W. Thomson, late nurseryman at Hay-
wards Heath ; also the following donations, for
which the special thanks of the committee were
accorded : Rev. A. Lowe, Rangemore. Burton-
on-Trent, proceeds of a collection at harvest
festival, £6 Is. (id. ; Sandringhani Estate Cottage
liarden Society, £5 os. ; Wimbledon Horticul-
tural Society (.sale of flowers), £.) ; L^ckfield Chry-
.santhemum Society (sale of flowers), £3 3s. ; J.
Selway, Betteshanger, f3 ; per F. Roberts, local
.secretary, Ramsgate, £2 Is. ; Forest Hill Horti-
cultural Society, £1 10s. : Hessle and District
Horticultural Society, £1 4s. 3d. ; Bradford Pax-
ton Societv', £1 2s. (id. ; C. Herrin, Maidenhead,
£1 ; G. Carpenter, Byfleet, Ids. ; J. Dunkin,
Warwick, 10s. ; M. Kneller, Basingstoke, Ss.
It was decided to hold the annual meeting at
Anderton's Hotel, Fleet Street, early in February,
when the election of childen to the benefits of the
fund will take place. The necessary nomination
forms may Ije had on application to the secretary.

The weather in West Herts.— The weather
remained warm until the 2nd inst. , but since then
the day temperatures have fallen considerabl\-.
On October 2fl and 30 the temperature in shade
rose to 63"', a very high reading for so late in the
month. The daily range in temperature has also
been very remarkable for the end of October, the
difl'erence between the highest and lowest tem-
peratures in the thermometer screen amounting on
two days to respectively 29° and 30". The tem-
perature of the soil both at I foot and 2 feet deep
remainsabouta degree warmer than is seasonable.
No rain fell during the week, but on several morn-
ings there was a measurable cpuintity of water in
the rain-gauge yielded by fog. On two days the
mean rate of movement of the air fell short of a
mile an hour. There has been latelj' a splendid
record of bright sunshine for the time of year, the

average duration for the last six <lays reaching
nearly five hours a day. October proved very
warm, particularly the latter half of it. Taking
the month as a whole, it was the warmest October
since I.S!).3. Tliat month is usually the wettest of
the twelve, but this year less rain fell than in any
October during the last forty-two years, with the
exception of IS7!), when the total rainfall was
very nearly the same. The sun shone on an
a\fragp for three and three-(|uarter hours a day,
which is the best record for the month since 1H!13.
During the twelve years over which my wind
observations extend there has not occurred any
other October so calm.— E. M., Ihrkham.ilcd.

Notes of the Week.

Erica ciliaris purpurea. — Bnxul patches of
this in the upper purtious of the rock garden at Kew
lire now very showy. It, in certainly a tine plant;
for 6uch posi ions, or again for a bolt to a bank of
Rhododendrons.

Stobsea purpurea. — This striking plant is still
giving its pictuieique blossoms, and though net
shi.wy when compared with many flowering plants,
piissesses an individuality of its own as much in the
floHor-heads as in the distinct Thistle like habit of
the whcle plant.

Sidalcea malvaeflora atro-purpurea.—
The hte spikes of blossom of this plant are now
very showy, and since so little of colour remanis m
the garden, the tall spikes 3 feet high are readily seen.
Likethe other members of this race, the above is free-
flowering and suitable for rock garden or border.

The Gentianella (Gentiana acaulis). — This
autnma in certain localities this \i making quite a
plea-ing display. The pist few days, however, in
the London district with its donse fOL's have not
assisted the flowers, but in more favoured spots the e
autumn buds open in a very charmii J manner and are
always welcome.

Polygonum sphserostaehyum. — One veiy
surprising .iKHMcteristic of this strilung plant :s the
groat length of time the spikes of flowers retain their
brilliant colouring. Even a few spikes make quite j^
display. This species, however, does not spread wita
the freedom of many kinds, so that it will not bJ a
common plant as yet.

Chrysanthemum Source d'Or. — Though
one of the oldest if Chrvsaiilhi'mums, this is still a
most beautiful ore, if not indeed unique, by reason of
its colour. Thi blossoms, of medium size, are pro-
duced in large spr.iya on stiff s'.em^ that render them
pari icnhrly useful for vases. It grows freely, and
amateurs will find this variety ttiU of sterling wor.h.

Gazania splendens.— Possessing a hardy con"
stitution, or at least in a greatar degree than most
summer flowers, some large pitches still in the open
have been crowded with their brilliant flowers during
the past few days. Particulirly lino is a large group
near the entrance to No. 7 house at Kew. The plants
had quantities cf fully expanded flowers on them a
few days since.

Ehododendron Princess Alexandra.—
Among the greenhouse spir es, particuliirly such as
flower during autumn and winter, very few can equal
this in point; of freedom, thice it begins to Sowf r it
is pretty sure to continue for at least three or four
months in succession. The blostoins are wdiite, flushed
with rose. pink, and are produced rather freely in ter-
minal bundle?.

Primula japonica, in several shades of colour,
and Primula capitata are s'ill flowering at Kew. The
latter spei-iis is by no means uncommon as an early
autumn flower, especially wheio the plants have not
grown freely during thj heat of the summer. Both
species are weU'onie at. any lime of the year, though
the Himalayan kind is not the most reliable of the
species in all soils or gardens.

Crocus caneellatos var. ciiicicus.— The
type here mentioned with its beautiful variety are
among the most charming of the autumn-H iwering
l,'roci. Tlie Cilician form is umv flowering in the rock
garden at Kew, and very elVcctive it is in the pretty
patches of colour here and there. The blosjoms are
large and of a pleading paU blue shade when fully
expauded, the orange anthers very conspicuous.

Achillea Trautmanni ii a neat and pretty
species, with deeply cut and loag linear leaves after

374:

THE GARDEN.

[November 6, \i

the manner of the taller A. serrata, whieli, however,
attains nearly or quite 3 feet high. The above species,
a native of Austria, is scarcely more than fi inches or
8 inches high, having umbels of pure white Howers
above the very dark green tuft of leaves. It is now
bearing a few welcome sprays of its pure white flowers.

A mild season. — At the Exmouth Chrysanthe-
niam show held list week (October 23 and 29) Nas-
tartiuius formed a portion of the flowers used in the
table decorations, whilst single and Cactus Dahlias
and Sweet Pfas were exhibited by Mr. W. J. God-
frey. French Beans and green Peas, as well as cut-
door Tomatoes, were exhibited in collections cf vege-
tables grown by cottagers.

Polygonum affine. — Though the actual flower-
ing of this attractive species is past, there is still an
equally good fffect from the well-coloured spikes of
flowers and the richly as well as variously coloured
leaves. Any plant serving a two-fold purpose in such
a way as this certainly merits general cultivation.
Those who trim the flower-spikes from this plant the
moment the blooms have lost their first beauty should
in future wait to see it3 effect in autumn.

November flowers. — We send you herewith a
few blooms of French Marigolds and single Cactus
Dahlias to show the extreme mildness of the season at
this date. These were all grown in an op-sn and
exposed situation, the Dahlias on a low and the Mari-
golds on a higher level. Of Marigolds we have
about 15,000 in full bkom still.— Dobbie & Co.,
Orpincffon, Kent.

*»* Very bright and pretty. — Ed.

Calceolaria amplexicaulis. — After thirty
years' experience of the value of Calceolaria amplexi-
caulis in a west of Ireland garden, where it flowers
freely, irrespective of weather, from the time of plant-
ing out — beginning of May— imtil now — beginning
of November — I can fully confirm all that "A. D."
(p. 316) fays. The bed is still a lovely mass of prim-
rose colour, as in early summer. No golden Calceolaria
can at all rival it in growth and beauty. — B. F. G.

Polygonum vaecinifolium. — Now that
November has c:)me, garden flowers become scarce.
I do not think Polygonum vaecinifolium is grown
enough. The pale pink flowers are very pretty in a
large bed, which the plant being so free a grower
soon covers. A group in our rootwork here, of
about 4 feet across, trailing down tu some large early
Hellebores in flower, with a background of large
HoUv Ferns as green, has a very good effect. — George
F. WiL.SO.V.

Aster diplostephioides. — Though one of the
very largest so far as the flower-heads are concerned,
this very desirable species does not appear to be gene-
rally cultivated. In the manner it springs from the
soil the plant more reseml.Ues some of the varieties fif
Erigeron spociosus, yet not producing the free tuft
of leaves. It is a native of the Himalayas and
attains 2.j feet high, the blossoms usually solitary,
each fully 3 inches across, the ray florets of a purplish-
blue shade, the disc purple.

Chrysanthemum Miss Hose.— Though little
more than 15 itche.'! high from the pot, this is among
the showiest of all its race. The blossoms, each
not more than 2 inches across, are of a lilac hue and
produced in great ncmbers, the little bushes being
completely hidden by the flowers. The shade of
colour is pleasing, and rendered more attractive by
the lighter centre that prevails in so large a number
of the blooms, A large number of plants is now in
bloom in the greenhouse at Kew.

Rose Marie van Houtte, — This lovely
variety is flowering abundantly this autumn, and
this in spite of the Octoljer frosts that were
Revere in some localities. Owing to a fine dry
time since as much as during the attack of frost,
a large array of beautiful flowers has resulted.
Good sorts such as this are most valuable for
carrying on the season and cannot be too well
known. The combined pale yellow and rosy-blush
tint at this season is charming.

Leucojum (Acis) autumnale. — All who
have grown this cliaste little autumn flower will
agree with what Mr. Arnott has said concerning
it recently in The Garden. At times the hardy
bulb specialist grows this pretty plant in pots.
With several bulbs together and established in
this way it is (|uite easy to transplant bodily.
Let it be so planted in good soil that it may
remain three or four years, and in the meantime,
by saving the seeds that are usually produced each

year, a nice stock will result. It is a charming
little plant and one scarcely known.

Gesnera amabilis. — The value of this beau-
tiful autumn and winter-flowering species was
amply illustrated at the DriU Hall quite recently
by some well-flowered examples from Trentham.
Though grown in moderately-sized pots, the plants
were freely flowered, the blossoms borne in a
large pyramidal panicle of a cream-yellow shade,
the tliroat of the drooping flowers almost golden.
Quite as attractive in this as in many others of
the genus is the beautiful and handsome foliage,
in this instance of a dark bronzy hue. Such well-
grown plants are valuable at this season and are
worth every attention.

Tricyrtis pilosa. — An appropriately named
species with large ovate acuminate leaves, de-
cidedly downy on both surfaces. Not only is this
species distinct in its rather woolly leaves, but
equally so in the prettily-marked blossoms, the
latter white and freely covered with blue-mauve
spots, a yellow blotch appearing at the base of
the segments. The species is, perhaps, the most
elegant of this small genus and one of the most
freely flowered, the blossoms appearing freely in
terminal heads and likewise in the upper axils of
the leaves. It comes from the Himalayas and is
now flowering in the Royal ( iardens, Kew.

Saxifraga Fortunei,— Though fairly hardy
in certain aspects, this valuable sj^ecies is not
suthciently so in all positions and soils to make it
a reliable plant. Very frequently the roots will
manage to survive a spell of cold weather, but as
a rule the plants are so weakened thereby that
their flowering is uncertain. It is better to face
the facts and not expose all the stock of a valu-
able and by no means common species in the open
garden. At Kew the |)lant is grown largely in
pots for the embellishment of the greenhouse, for
which it is well .suited. It is now in flower, the
large panicles of white blossoms being very attrac-
tive.

Good Peas in November, — I send you a
box of Sutton's Late t,lueen Pea to show its ex-
cellent quality as a late autumn Pea, I have at
the jiresent time (No\-ember 2) a good crop, and
the haulm is still in full bloom, which you will
see by the enclosed, I shall continue gathering if
the weather is favourable for another month. —
A. (4. HooKiNGS, The (Jardens, Olilown Houae,
Alinoii<l-il)iiry, GYos.

*„* Excellent Peas for any season, and very
welcome in November. Why we should not sow
more late Peas is a ipiestion should be asked in
every garden, as the best of the Pea season may
in some years be the autumn. Several sowings
should be made in July. — Ed.

Aster grandiflorus. — Only very rarely is it
that one sees this lovely perennial Aster in good
condition in the open garden. In certain warm
seasons a few blooms expand, suttieient indeed to
make one cra\-e for more of such beautiful late
flowers. It may be — and indeed is— grown in
pots in the greenhouse, as at Kew and elsewhere,
but under glass the flowers quickly lose the fine
depth and richness of colouring that are seen
when naturally grown. The plant has a singu-
larly neat, elegant habit, and when well flowered
is one of the finest of the late hardy plants to
bloom. Deep and good soil is needed for full
development, though more important still is a
warm position that will forward the growth in
summer.

Cosmos from Ireland. — We have had no
frost yet to cut down Dahlias ; hence the varieties
of Cosmos are very beautiful. Supposing the
Cosmos never flowered, the foliage is very beauti-
ful. For table decoration, blended with the leaves
of Prunus Pissardi, Liquidambar, Parrottia persica,
&c., the eft'ect is very unique. The single Cactus
Dahlias are equally useful in small glasses. I
also send a few blooms of Mary Andei-son Chry-
santhemum from two-year-old plants grown
naturally. — W. Baylor Hartland, Ardrairii,
Cork:

*^* Very pretty, graceful plants. Some buds
we cut and put into water a week ago have

opened, and now are as fresh as on the plan -■
Ed,

Flowers in the Isle of Man.— I send
with two Ijoxes of flowers cut this day fron ,i
open. The list includes Gladioli, Dal a,
Kniphofias (space permits small spikes only,'it
Leichtlin's Triumph is included). Fuchsias, O a-
tions, shrubby Veronicas, Lilies, Begonias, S d
Peas, Spinea Anthony Waterer, Entelea pain
Mignonette, Nasturtium, Hydrangea, Ceani
and Chrysanthemums. — R. Okeli..

I herewith send you a box of flowers c it

random from the ojjen on November 1, We ,e
a good disjjlay all round yet, which is some it
exceptional. The gathering includes Sweet 1 s,
Chrysanthemums, Na,sturtiums, Dahlias, a
Roses, Saljjiglossis, Pentstemons, Cornflc s,
CaflFre Lily, Anemones, Begonias, Leopard'a-1 e.
&c,— James Inglis, The Oardens, The if mi
hie of Man.

*,* Numerous and beautiful flowers in i«
state for November. — Ed.

The Jasmine Nightshade (Solanum
minoides). — I am glad to hear this plant so h
spoken of. It may not be generally known it
it does well and "flowers freely in a north h e.
One is often asked to recommend a plant sui le
for the roof or back wall of a north houi ir
fernery. Solanum jasminoides will be found it
useful for this purpose. Some time ago I ti cl
a house facing north into a cool fernery, plai .g
this Solanum against the back wall. Here it w
most luxuriantly. It very soon covered the I,
and I trained it down the rafters, and noi le
entire roof is covered with it, and at the pr it
time (November 1) it is carrying a large nn -
of pure white blossoms, which are useful i
for bouquets or for house decoration. I ti
does well in a mixture of leaf-mould and loan It
likes plenty of water in the growing season d
if kept rather dry in the winter will stand S£ il
degrees of frost with impunity. — T. B. F '.
AshinUlhorpi: Hall, Xorfoll:

1

Outdoor Chrysanthemums,— There

remnant left who will not fall down and wo
the giant Chrysanthemum— charming as a
mop upon its handle or as a Cauliflo\\er c
stalk. To these l.ielated lovers of Nature as op)
to the monstrosities of the growers the ou
Chrysanthemum appeals, and we have in
wonderful late autumn had an unusual char
admiring it. The outdoor trials at Chis
must be hailed with delight by all lovers of
door flowers, for the bedding rage of twent;
to thirty-five years ago drove the outdoor (
santhemum practically out of cultivation,
was when there was an outdoor show of it ii
Temple (Jardens, and bright and gay the poi
and the reflexecl shone among their sniokj
roundings. Happily, a taste for more na
things is again among us, and the Chis
trials are a sign of it. One thing is gr
wanted— a race of single outdoor Chrysantheii
to flower, in fairly good yeart, between say
tember 1.") and November 9, They would
our usual deluges of rain, interspersed wit!
fogs and frosts, much better than the d<
flowers. The colours, too, would form a del
ful contrast to the blues, whites and purpl
the Starworts, while single flowers would mi:
better with the latter than double ones. II
florists, as seems probable, are raising many
outdoor Chrysanthemums, let them refrain
throwing away early singles. They will assui
have their reward if they keep them,— J. I.

-Geo. Smith.-l, Ir"

Names of plants, v-^^. "■•. -> . i j

serrulataciistata; 2, Pteris lougifolia ; 3, Selagin ■■'
probably coesia if of a peacock blue colour, but ca )t
say for certain from such poor specimen ; 4, Elect D
occidentale ; 5, Lastrea dilatata ; 6, in the aljsen P'
fructification cannot identify. Send better speciDi
frond or portion of frond with spores or fruits on -
J. H. W. T/iO?«as.— The common Bryony. — ^■^•r
1, Pice.i Nordmann'ara; 2, AbiesMenziesi ; ".E'i"
androgynus; 10, Leycesteria formora. We cai",:')'
und'rtake to name four specimens in one i

THE GARDEN.

135G.— Vol. LII.]

[NOVEMBER 13, 1897.

\r^.i''.'tmi bili.)liiiiii

Shi

r-.tuni i-allaiiim

37ii

. V a UowrinK'iana I ilucina

37(i

\;i Inliiiitu ^fliivK'ii

376

{x'diiiin Alleniiinum

rlmin

37fi

I'l'dium Artlmnanum

37U

1 obinin aurLnini ..

S7()

Mhiuin rii:il:i'iioi)sis ..

S7li

imrpnnitii Mrs. It. I.

i-in-cs

.S7I1

vjillia i,'laiihvrantha ..

37(i

vallius

37.')

nios p.trdinuin . .

37li

mm i-rispum gnindU

17li

iiopais I.dwi

375

piil L;lIlsl>LTf,ri ,. ,.

37li

1 .•'ull.llTiilllU

370

o> and Greenhouse

_

atao/ at Jirottf/hton

. Yorl-", vieir in f/it ..

37!)

irditvs fur futtintf

380

riias rridc of Brooklyn

Pride of Rochester ..

asfl

!ions, MiUnmisoD, rust

asn

- .iitlieimmis for the con-

itorv

379

lemiim tuberculatum

.1^70

l.ilcata

879

"Uses, our, in flower

iLiis and on lawns

3f0

>eed, raising .. ..

3S0

'-08, double Chinese..

379

■sea in winter .. ..

379

ChFysanthemumB: —

Chrysiuithumiini Don rk-tro

liara^'iul;t ssj

Chrysantheiiiuni Dorothy

Seward '. Sj-3

Chrysantlit'iimm Ella Curtis 3S3
Clirysauthciiium Georgiana

PitdiL-r SS3

Chry.suntlieimim J. B. Tvon Bb'i
Chryeauthenmin I.ady Isabel 3S3
Chrysanthemum Lady Uidg-

way 383

Chrysanthemum Mme. Fer-

lat 8S3

Chri/santhciiium M. O'ustare

(rruiurirald 381

Chrysanthemum Mme.

Philippe Rivoiro 383

Chrysanthemum Maurice

Boissard 3S3

Chrysanthcnuim Mrs, Caterer 383
ChrysaiithLnnim Mrs. C.

Uaniiaiil'ayne .. .. 383

Chry.^anthciiium Mrs. S. C.

Probin 383

Chrysanthemum Pride of

Ryecroft 383

Chrysanthemum Souvenir

de Petite Amie £81

Chrysanthemum Trafalgar. . 883
Chrysanthemimis, Continen-
tal of 18fl7 382

Chrysanthemums in vases .. 881
Chrysanthemums, new ,. 382
Chrysanthemums, new iii-

eurved 382

Chrysanthemums outdooi-s . . 881

(niustratiom in Italics.)

Chrysanthemums, pompon 381
Chrysanthenuims, prospects

of the season 383

Chrysanthemums, some new 38*2
Chrysanthemums, white and

yellow £81

Trees and Shrubs :—

Cotoncastcr huri/oiitulis .. 884

Hydrangeas, blue 384

Leycosteria formosa . . . . 3s4

Tree life, notes on 383

Ulex nanus 384

Vitis CoignetifiB 384

Garden Flora:—

Roses, wilti 384

Week's Work :—

I'Vuit houses, work in .. .. 3Sii

Kitchen garden, work in . . 38j

Ferns :—

Ferns, hardy exotic, for

grouping 386

Ferns, rock and sun-loving 387

Roses:—

Rona yugosa 380

Hosa nitfosa catocarpa . . . , 384

Rose Gloire des Polyantha . 387

Rose Mme. Falcot, colour in 387

Rose stocks, standard . . . . 387

Roses at Kew 388

Eoses, Chinese, Bengal or

Monthly 387

Flowrer:—

Acantholiiiion 38'J

liulhs, small, planting.. .. 388

Carnations iiS9

Fairyland, a trip to .. .. S,s9

Linaria antirrhiuifolia. . .. 388
Linarid antirrfiinilolia a(

Exclcr 388

Panicum bulbosum . . . . 38it

Seeds lying dormant .- .. 388

Sempervivum arachnoideum 300

Violeta 300

Orchard and Fruit :—

Api)le Ross Nonpareil . . . . 391

Apple Sturmer Pippin . . . . 300

Fruit trees, the 391

Grape Lady Hutt 891

Pear Magnate 390

Pears, Californian 391

PlaiuCoe'-lGnUcnPrnp .. 890

Plums, late 390

Quince, the, as a decorative

tree 391

Raspberries, white .. ., 391

Strawberries, pot 391

Strawberry Waterloo . . . . 390

Societies ;—

Royal Horticultural . . . . 392

Notes of the Week:—

Anthiu-ium Andrcanum atro-

purpureuni 393

Aster tiu-binelUis 393

Begonia eoccinea 393

Carnation Matthews' Winter

Red 398

Chry.santhcnunn Robert

Owen 893

Chrysanthemum Silk Twist 893

Cosmos, the 894

Cypripedimu insigne .. .. 393

Devonshire, in South .. .. 893

Diplacus ruber 393

Heaths. Cc.nneinara .. .. f94

Heliophilii sianrlcns .. .. 393

Ornith.igalum thyrsoiilcs .. 803

Pentstciiions 393

Peristrophe speeiosa . . . , 394

Physalis Fr.inchetti .. .. 394

I'rimula PoisBoni .. ,, 393

Protea cynaroides elliptica 39?

Tiljouchina macrantha . . . 3ft

Trollius europieus '6'j'd

Vanda coirulea 303

Vitis heterophylla humuli.

folia .. 393

Wallflower Parisian Early . . 393

Public Gardens:—

Conniiissioiiers, the, of Woods

and Forests 394

t)pcn spaces 394

Hlscellaneous :—

Ameiii'au notes 376

Autuum tints 385

Pears under glass . . . . S94
Royal Horticultural Society's

awards 30 1

StrawbeiTies, notes on . . . 377

Weather, the, in West Herts 393

Orchids.

PHAL.ENOPSIS LOWI.

I ircliids have a worse character as garden

- tliaii this, and I was rather jjleasantly
-L'dtii conie across several tine plants of it

1111 recently. Doubtless this species is

strictly deciduous in a state of nature,

'liou^h I have always had an idea that

lilts were best kept slightly on the move,

I'cimens in question had been differently

i. No water was allowed after the last of

iissoms were past, which was usually in

irly [lart of December, but the plants were

II a warm, moist house during the winter.

f the plants lo.se the whole of the foliage,

I' or two would retain, ])erhai)s, a single

.VU \vere treated alike, however, and as

s tlie first signs of activity appeared in

iry, tlie temperature was increased and the

Acre given a thorough soaking of water.

i"re was given until the plants were getting

'u' dry side again, but as the season

(-■J and root action witli it, the moisture

ire freely applied. The majority of the

- put on al)out five leaves during the
I r numths, and all of them flowered at
I- times in October and September. This

is the routine that has led in this
'1 success, but one or two points
lie considered before one allows that
-■atiiient is correct, or should be followed,
plants have not, I believe, been very
miliar cultivation ; consequently they still
.1 good deal of the latent vigour of their
habitat. Tliis would enable them to
with impunity a check that plants long
-,itcd could not. The house, too, where
tiKjwere grown doubtless suited them well ;
it ( itained many choice Cy]jripediunis and a
'ion of .\ustralian and New (Juinea Den-
tins, and was, therefore, kept much
"b/tcr than the usual PhaL-enopsis house.
In would of course prevent the compost from

drying so rapidly or thoroughly as would be
the case under difterent circumstances, and all
these points need consideration. Certainly the
plants, after a decided resting period, come
away very vigorously. Tlie same thing is seen
in many other genera and species, and wherever
tlie rest is thorough, and spread over a season
of at least two months, I am quite sure the
plants are more likely to bloom fi-eely. But
the rest must not be so i)rolonged as to weaken
the plants, and if after trying it one season and
finding the plants start in spring with decreased
vigour, I should certainly not repeat the ex-
periment. The rooting medivim for P. Lowi
should be carefully arranged. I used to grow it
on wood blocks without a particle of Moss, these
being sunk into pots filled with water. Enough
moisture found its way up the blocks to keep
the foliage green during winter, and these
plants were the most satisfactory 1 ever had
under my care. I have lately seen it thriving
in small wooden baskets, about three or four
plants in each, and the.se when in flower were
very bright and efl'ective. But in any case the
tliinne.st possible compost should be given and
a few lumps of limestone used in plr.ce of the
crocks for drainage, and also mixed with the
Sphagnum Mo.ss, will be found of benefit.
While growing freely a very Ijrisk moist heat is
necessary, and althougli the ]ilants like a clear
light the rays of the sun must be well broken
up by the use of suitable blinds. Insects are
not usually troublesome, and are easily kept
under liy the usual means. P. Lowi is a very
dwarf species, almost stemless, with leaves
aliout 4 inches in length on strong plants. The
spikes of flower rise in autumn to the height of
15 inches or 18 inches, and tlie individual blos-
soms are about 2 inches across. The sepals are
veiy narrow, the petals nmch Ijroader, rosy
white, with a sufl'usion of ]uirple at the base.
The lip and column are purjJe, tlie latter much
elongated, and arching over the foi-mer. It is a
native of Moulmein, where it was discovered by
the Rev. C. S. Parish — recently deceased — and
sent by him to Messrs. Low in 18()2. R.

MASDEVALLIAS.
TiiEUE are few species of Orchids that make
a finer display or are more admired than Masde-
\allias. Yet how seldom do we meet with them
well grown. They are either found liuddled
together at one end of a house as if of no
consequence, or maybe they have become so
disfigured with the black spot, that they do not
present a respectable appearance. I am sorry to
say the latter cause is often put forward as an
excuse for failure. This is to be regretted, as
with a little forethought and attention, the spot,
if not totally destroyed, can be considerably di-
minished. My experience in this matter is, that
the spot is usually caused by the combination of
two things, viz., subjecting the plants to too low
a temperature and keeping them too wet at the
roots. I think the temperatures usually accepted
for Masdevallias during the dull and cold winter
months are far too low. The temperature I have

j found most suitable to their requirements is
about 30''. This is for M. Harryana, M. Veitchi,
and otliers, both species and hybrids belonging to
this section. If the temperature falls much below
this for any length of time, tlie dreaded spot
usually makes its a]>]iearanue. It is better to
maintain a few degrees over .W than under, as it
affords opportunities of bringing the ventilators
into use, thereby helping to nuiintain the desired
condition of the atmosphere. 1 usually pot the
plants in the month of September, as they at
that time commence growing. They soon get
hold of the new material and quickly become
established, which it is desirable they should do
before it becomes necessary to resort to the use
of fire-heat. If the plants are kept in a fairly
dry condition through the dull w'inter months, the
young growths do not make their appearance to
any large extent until there is a prospect of
brighter weather and the return of spring. The
plants, having then the benefit of poo.! material
in which they have become established, grow
away freely. I have only dealt with the cool and
most attractive section. There are many more
interesting species, such as M. tovarensis, M.
Schnuderiana, M. macrura, M. Ephi|)pium, M.
gargantua, M. Icontnglossa, M. Shutlleworthi,

I and the many members of theM. Chima-ra section,
that require an intermediate house temperature

• during the cold months of the year. These are

37G

THE GARDEN.

[November 13, 189'

always attractive when in flower. I usually leave
the potting of this section until the spring.

Hv. J. Chapman.

Vanda Sanderiana. — The remarkable plant
of this species which was exhibited at the Royal
Horticultural Society's meeting at the Drill Hall
on October 13 last year, on which occasion it was
awarded a gold medal, is now again flowering in
Mr. Gurney Fowler's collection at South Woodford.
It has at the present time nine spikes of bloom,
which are in fine condition. The colour, no doubt
owing to the bright season, is finer than last year.
The flowers, on tlie whole, are larger, and the
plant is in good condition. — H.

Cattleya labiata glauca. — This is a desir-
able variety, and was recently noted in flower in
the collection of Mr. J. Bradshaw, The Grange,
Southgate. The sepals and petals, of fine form
and substance, are delicate rose, the front lobe
of the lip of a distinct deep mauve shade of
colour. The side lobes are pale rose, shading to
yellow, lined with purine at the base. It is a
recently-imported plant, and one of the most
pleasing and beautiful varieties we ha\ e seen. —
H. J. C.

Mormodes pardinum. — This lovely and in-
teresting species is a native cf Mexico, and first
flowered in Mr. Bateman's collection in 1838. The
flowers have a faint perfume. Tlie ground colour
of the twisted flowers is light yellow, heavily
spotted with chocolate-red. They are produced
on dense spikes, each upwards of 1 foot in length.
A considerable number of this species and its
variety unicolor was recently in flower in the
nurseries of Messrs. W. L. Lewis and Co. , South-
gate. — C.

liSelia purpurata var. Mrs. R. I. Measures.
— This lovely form has flowered in the Cambridge
Lodge collection. Tlie se]ials are white, slightly
sufl'used with rose, the petals white, suffused with
deep rose and heavilj' reined from the tip to the
base with tlie deep crimson-purple of the lip,
the front lobe of the li|j being deep purple, hea\ily
veined with velvety crimson. The plant bore
three spikes, with an aggregate of ten flowers.
It is one of the most distinct and beautiful forms
we have seen.

Cattleya Bowring'iana lilacina. — Though
not so show}' as tlie typical form, this variety is
very delicate and pretty. A nice plant of it at
Camberwell is now in flower, the blossoms being
of medium size, the sepals, petals, and ground
colour of the lip being of a uniform lilac-rose
tint, the blotch on the front of the lip replaced
by a purplish suft'usion and the centre creamy
yellow. It is unfortunate for metropolitan
growers that this fine plant flower.s so late in
the season, as the blossoms are among the first
to show the evil effects of the fogs now so tireva-
lent.

Dendrobium Phalsenopsis. — Tliis pojiular
Orchid is flowering freely this season, and I have
noticed many fine forms of it in several collections
a-'ound London. Mr. W. Bull has a fine stock of
It in many charming varieties, these including
both the deeply tinted purple-lipjied forms and
the more delicate pale tinted ones, such as D. P.
bellum and D. P. delicatum. All are very useful
at this season when such a demand for choice cut
flowers for all purposes exists. It is no use
attempting to grow this plant without plenty of
heat and moisture, but given these and due atten-
tion its culture is not diflicult.

Angrascum bilobum. — A nice lot of plants of
this chaste and prettj' species was recently flower-
ing in Mr. Bull's nursery where it is well culti-
vated. The species seldom exceeds half a foot in
height, the leaves are short, deep green, and the
shapes droop prettily from between these. About
a dozen flowers occur on each, these being pure
white on the sepals and [jetals, the elongated spur
sometimes tinged with red. A. bilobum is a
native of Sierra Leone and other parts of Africa
and thrives well in strong heat while making its
growth. Small baskets or pans are the best re-

ceptacles for it, the compost consisting of clean
Spliagnum and charcoal.

Bestrepia Lansbergi. — This plant has be-
come rare in Oichid collections, not being a large
or very showy species. It is, however, very
beautiful, and, as I noted recently at Cambridge
Lodge, very free flowering. It is a dwarf grow-
ing plant, the flower-stems being thrown only a
little above the leaves, and the blossoms are
bright orange-crimson, spotted with a deeper
tint. The sepals are very delicate in texture, so
much so as to appear semi-transparent. It is a
native of Caracas, and delights in a mild and moist
climate the whole year round. It was discovered
and sent home by M. Wagoner in 1850. — R.

Cattleya labiata autumnalis var. lila-
cina.— This very distinct variety has recently
flowered in tlie Cambridge Lodge collection from
a batch of imported plants. The sepals and
petals are of the average size, but of a distinct
pale lilac colour. The lip is the most distinguish-
ing feature, the front lobe being of the same
colour as the sepals and petals, with two distinct
white blotches at the base. The rich purple of
the front lobe characteristic of the type is entirely-
dispensed with. The side lobes are a shade
darker at the top than the front lobe, becoming
suffused with j'ellow and brown at the base. — C.

Cypripedium Allenianum superbum. —

The best form of this rare hybrid I have ever seen
was recently in bloom at Cambridge Lodge, wliere
it w!is raised by Mr. Cliapman. It is far before
the typical C. Allenianum, the dorsal sepal being
nearly 3 inches wide, white at tlie apex with the
median line as in C. Spicerianum, and a ros}-
suffusion at the base. The petals are light
green, the pouch deeper, and all are heavily
suffused with brown. It makes a most beautiful
and refined flower, one of the finest of hybrids in
existence, and is the result of crossing C. Spiceri-
anum and C. Curtisi. — R.

DENDROBIUM AUREUM.

The presence of this pretty Sjiecies in flower is at
once apparent in a house, the delicate fragrance
lieing quite distinct from that of any other Den-
drolie. It is flowering now in many collections,
and where plenty of plants are grown will con-
tinue in bloom o\ er several months. D. aureum,
altliough not a very showy species, is noteworthy
from the fact of its being one of the parents of
several of the finest hybrid Dendrobes in exist-
ence. It is too well known to need any descrip-
tion, but a line on its culture might be interest-
ing to beginners. Not being a very large grower,
the receptacles used for the roots should be of me-
dium size only, and I have found nothing better
than the ordinary make of pot or small hang-
ing pans. The comjiost may consist of the usual
peat and Moss mixture, about an inch of this
over good drainage sufficing for ordinary sized
plants with two or three leading bulbs. Frequent
disturbance is unnecessary and harmful ; in fact,
the plants may be in the same pots for a dozen
years provided the old material could be got away
and new substituted. But in the ordinary course
once in three years is quite often enough to
renew the compost, and considerable care is
needed in removing the plants from the
old pots, the roots, if they have done well,
usually having a firm hold upon tliem. Remove
all dead roots and sour or decayed compost with-
out damaging those that are fresh and alive more
than can be helped. Bed the new material firmly
about these, and fix the plant with the base of
tlie last formed pseudo-bulb just resting on the
top of the compost, this lieing trimmed off neatly
in the form of a rather flat cone. The best time
to repot is after the flowers are over and the
young growth is forming, liut before this com-
mences to root independently. The young roots
then give tlie plants a good hold upon the new
material. After repotting, place the plants in a
warm, moist house and give only a very little
water until tlie roots are taking a good hold of
the soiL A light, sunny position and abundance

of atmospheric moisture is now required
supply to the roots being increased by de;
until the young pseudo-bulbs are fully devek
when the plants should be taken to a 1
sunny, and rather dry house, there to ripen
rest until the flower buds appear. D. purei
one of the most widely distributed of On
occurring over an immense area in Asia. I
been collected by scores of different 0
seekers, but first of all by Gib-son, who fou
growing in the Khasia Hills, and sent it hot
1837.

SHORT NOTES.—ORCHIDS.

MaBdevallia glaphyrantha. — This \

liyVirid was recently in tine flower at Caml
Lodge, where Mr. Chapman grows it well in
paiiy with tl:e M. Harryana and similar kinds,
tube of the flower is brownish-crimson, the
sepal yellowisli with a purple border, the lowei
purple beneath with golden-yellow tails.

Calasetum csUosum. — This species is S'
seen, but I noticed last week a fine spike bearin
teen flowers in Mr. Bull's nursery. The sepal
petals are a light sepia-brown, the lip broally 1
shaped at the base, the front lobe elongatei
narrow, briglit green — a very peculiar combinat'
colour. It is a native of La Guayra, whence it w
troduc«dinl840.— H.

Cypripedium Arthurianum. — In tliis|
hybrid we have a striking erample of the potei
the old C. iusigne as a parent. Thesepils, peta
pouch come very near in colour to some i'
insign evarieties, but the di-ooping recurved pet;
mind one of C. Fairrieanum, its pollen parent,
plant was raised in Messrs. Yeitch's nur=o
Chelsea, only one plaLt, it is said, resulting froi
first sowing.

Oncidium erispum grandiflorum.—
a plant of this with eighty-three fully expanded fi
on one spike. There would have been about I
more, but they got rubbed off. Is that good? Af
Dendrobium tormcsum giganteum has ten flow
a spike. — H. Kruse.

*,* Yes, veiy good indeed. Wo do not rem
ever having seen a larger number of flowers c
spike, and a note on your method of culture wo
interesting. The Dendrobium is good, but not 1
means unusual. — En.

I

AMERICAN NOTES.

[From Garden and Forest]

The Newtown Pippin Apple. — The fin uf
this season's fruit, from Virginia, were of [id
liere last week and sold mainly for expt ,at
from 5 dols. to 8 dols. a barrel. Owing t. r)f
weather during the past month there is re
second-grade fruit in this crop than was exjie d;
this means smaller Apples, lower prices, d,
according to experience in otlier years, n
keeping qualities.

FiLBEKTs.— Cultivated Cob Nuts, or Eniili
Filberts, have been imported within the 'st
week from Kent, England. These fresh [to
are sold in their husks, and fifty cents a pad
is willingly paid by those who esteem !"'
delicate meat. Chestnuts, from culti\ u
trees in New Jersey, sell for forty cents a q,*-
Eighteen of the.se immense Nuts weigh a p(|id
and two dozen till a quart measure. Som'''
the largest weigh 2 ozs. each.

LvcoRis SQfAMKiERA. — This noble l ;■
flowered Cliinese Amaryllis grows in Califi i>
with surprising luxuriance. It is freely US4 «
Golden Gate Park, at San Francisco, whei«
grows without irrigation, increasing rap'',
and produces in September abundant fio t-
stems 3 feet or 4 feet high. It is more vigo is
and beautiful, and apparently much morit
home there than in the Eastern States, wl 3.
however, it is perfectly hardy. [

The Canadian Yew (Taxus canadensiiis
a low shrub, with nearly prostrate, wide-sp< >■

I

lOV

EMBER 13, 1897.1

THE CxABDEK

377

ii-mches, aiul is n common inliabit.int of
urn woods, often covuring lariju areas of
(list soil in tlieir ilense shade, and is dis-
rd from Newfoundland to Lake Winni-
iiid southward to \'irginiaand Towa. This
rourse, a jierfeetly hardy ]ilunt, althoUi;h
:\ thrives in moist, shaded soil, and it
he used more frequently than it is to
ihe grounds in parks and gardens.
\rs ti'si'iiiATA inhabits Manchuria, Corca
the island of Ve/.o, where it is widely
led through the forests of dcciduous-
i trees, and where it often rises to the
: of 50 feet with a tall, straight stem frc-
Iv 'J feet in diameter. In Japan this Yew
i.ivourite garden ornament, being one of
lants most generally cut into fanciful
s. for, like the other species, it can bear
lears. It was introduced into the eastern
• \ States in 18(i2, and has proved to be
lly hardy as far north at least as Boston ;
\vs rapidly in cultivation and promises to
lie here a large, long-lived tree, and a
im])ortant aiul valuable addition to the
I evergreens which can be successfully
ited in the Northern States.
Pacific coast Ykw, which under favour-
Iconditions becomes a tree 80 feet in height,
1 a trunk occasionally 4 feet in diameter,
lot been fairly tested yet in the east. It
not only on the coast as far north as
|n Charlotte Islands, but it si)reads east-
to the western slojjes of the northern
ly Mountains in the United States and to
Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia,
I the winter cold is much more severe than
linNew England. The snowfall, however,
»ter, and small plants are protected all
kr and until late in the spring by a deeji
» of snow, while in summer the ground,
by the dense coniferous forest, ne\'er
Bes very dry in the situations which this
Iselects.

; Dean Holk. — A few specimens of this
■Rose have been on exhibition in the show
low of W. H. Brower, on Broadwaj', within
Bt week. These partly i>pened, firm buds
st flowers of large size when fully grown .
I Dean Hole Rose differs from the cream-
l President t'arnot, which pales under gas-
in that its rich shell-pink petals are par-
»rly beautiful in artificial light For this
|>n it is likely to be in special demand for
er decorations, and it is expected that the
lly will be large enough this winter to pro-
1 some of the smaller flowers for this use.
?tems are strong and the foliage is
Jt and pleasing. This Rose was tirst
two years ago at the dinner given in
Rblur of Dean Hole in this city.
IE c.er:mixation ok conifer seeds. — A
' difference exists in the germination of
I- seeds from ditt'erent localities. I have
1 seen this fact stated in print and give my
lence in the hope that others may clo like-
Tlie seeds of all the conifers hardy in the
'■onie up at the same time or nearly so.
■ly Spruce, White Spruce, Scotch, Aus-
and Mountain Pines, the Colorado coni-
I'icea ]]ungens and P. Engelmanni, Dou-
^pnice, Abies concolor, and other common
"■rscan all be unc(jvered at one time. But
leiseedlings come up ten days after the iirst
"1. appear, while conifer seeds from a warmer
I'e are very irregular in germinating. I
1 a large quantity ni California in 18811 and
' The kinds already named were sown in
iiJjacent to the more tender kinds, Pinus
•yi, I', ponderiisa, and P. tuberculata
•d from two to four weeks before the
'IS came up. Abies magnifica, A. grandis.

and A. aniabilis came at long intervals ; the
first of these a]ii)eared in April and the last in
September, and they reipiired careful attention.
The vari(ms kinds of Ciipressus varied as much
as those of the .\bies. Douglas Spruce, .\bies
concolor, and Pinus pondi'rosa, from Colorado,
came U]) much more regularly than the same
species from seed collected in Cilifornia, but
the seedlings from California seed made unich
larger plants at the end of two years. Most of
the seed from the Orient acted as those of our
native and European species do, being very
regular in germinating. The exceptions are
Picea Morinda and P. ajanensis, but as I had
very little seed of the latter, and that appar-
ently two or more years old, I may be mistaken
in this particular. The seeds of Sciadopitys
\erticillata, Cedrus Deodara, and C. Libani are
also irregular in time of germinating. Cedrus
atlantiea may also be added to the list, but it
conies up miu'e evenly than the seeds of other
Cedars. The seeds of our native White Pine
are the most uneven in germinating of those of
the hardy conifers ; but although they some-
times come irregularly, this tree can hardly be
classed with the species which are irregular in
germinating. Thuja gigantea and Liboeedrus
decurrens are irregular. — R. Doiglas.

The Swamp Magnolia (M. glauca) varies
from a deciduous shrub at its most northern
limit to an evergreen tree in the extreme south.
Its most counnon form is that of a shrub from
t) feet to 20 feet high, ha\ing extreme beauty of
foliage and flower iind delicious fragrance. The
growth is very rapid, ranging in one season
from () inches to 5 feet, and the flowering
branches develoj) normally three growing points,
of which one usually far outgrows the others.
The flowers, the smallest of our native Mag-
nolia blossoms, are of an exquisite ivory-white
from 2 inches to .'? inches in diameter ; they are
borne on short stalks with outspread leaves
that fall and flutter about the flowers, so that,
except for their ])erfume, one might easily pass
a blossoming shrub without seeing any of the
flowers. The small fruit-cones, about 2 inches
long, have scarlet seeds.

The written records of this Magnolia begin
with that tirst voyage to Virginia in 1.584, where
(.)n the islands of Pamlico Sound its beauty and
fragrance were noted by those keen-eyed old
sea-dogs, who.se concisene.ss of description is
unequalled. A century later that careful ob-
server and judicious collector, the Rev. John
Bannister, took plants of M. glauca from
Virginia to England, where they were planted
in the Episcopal garden, at Fulliam, by Henry
Compton, Bishop of London. Here the Mag-
nolia found an old swam]) friend in the fine
large tree of Red Maple, taken over some thirty
years earlier. About this time the Rev. Cotton
Mather, also busy with observations and collec-
tions of a less pacitie nature, as he was journey-
ing from Salem to Gloucester, paused in bis
pursuit of witches in order to discover the
source of an unknown fragrance, and made
known that farthest north colony of M. glauca
that has since given its name to the town of
Slagnolia. Exportati(jns of Magnolia to Eng-
land were continued early in the eighteenth
century, for Collinson in 1735 wrote to Bartram
"not to .send anymore cones of your Swamp
Laurel," but the demand must have increased,
for two years later he wrote for more cones,
saying "it is a fine jdant, and when the wind
turns up the .silken side of its leaves it has a
pretty eflect." It is figured and described in
Catesby's " Hortus Britanno-.Vmericanus '' as
JIagnolia laurifolia (edition of 17li3) and men-
tioned as one of the .\merican plants with
which "England should be inriehed."

NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES.

Wk have to thank our readers all over the
country for so kindly replying to the following
(piestions, and we hope that the notes will
prove valuable : -

Will you kindly aid tis in throwing some Hijlit
on .Strawberries of best quality fur the iise of
jirivtttc growers, as marl-i-t growerj have a different
standard from that irhich applies to the private
(/iirdener, and faronr those kinds Ihnt hear
carriage, rather than those that are remari-able for
flavour and quid it ji? Forthose who use their own
fruit we think that a different standard should be
in use.

1. What kinds do you consider ihe best for
ffavonr in your district, i.e., as grown in iiardens,
not lukinq into account those grown in the open
field for 'market ?

2. The best early and late kinds for the open air
ill your district '/

3. Which of the niiver sorts do you find most
vorlhy of ctdtivaiion from a yarden point of
view 'i

4. The best time to plant so as to secure the best
aiul most regular crops ?

Strawberries have been an excellent crc])

and the cpiality has been good all through the
season. The \arieties I find best here for private
use are Royal Sovereign (the best variety yet
raised), British Queen, Sir Joseph Paxton, (iunton
Park, Elton Pine, Latest of AH, Sir C. Napier,
and Monarch. The best fruits are obtained from
one year old runners, layered into pots and planted
out the first week in August. The ground is pre-
pared as follows : A very hea\'y dressing of
manure is dug in 2 feet deep and mixed with the
soil in digging. Then the ground is made firm,
a good dressing of old Mushroom dung is spread
on the surface, lightly forked in and trod down
again before planting. I ])lant at 3 feet between the
rows and 18 inches in the rows, pressing the soil
firmly round the plants. The result is a grand
crop of fruit the following year. — .1. S.mitii,
ill iitmorc, Bucks.

The kinds that are most in favour here are

Noble, La Grosse Sucre'e, Dr. Hogg, Keens' Seed-
ling, President, Royal Sovereign, and McMahon.
I consider Noljle the best for early use. Certainly
it lacks flavour, but it has an excellent constitu-
tion, is a heavy cropper, and comes in a week
before other kinds. To follow I find the other
kinds named do well. Royal Sovereign is a very
strong grower and crops freely, but the fruit is of
a very dull colour and has an acid taste. In my
opinion the best flavoured Strawberrj' is the old
Keens' Seedling, a kind that is fast being pushed
out of cultivation by the new-er kinds that are
constantly being introduced For late use I grow
McMahon, a fine fruit, plant robust, and good
doer, but unfortunately it does not colour well at
the point. For pots I grow three kinds, vi?.,
Noble, Keens' Seedling, and Royal Sovereigr.
I find Noble an excellent one to come in about the
middle of March. To fo'low about the middle of
April, I like the old Keens' Seedling on account
of its flavour, and Royal Sovereign for its heavy
cropping qualities. I consider the best time to
plant Strawberries is about the middle of July,
It is not advisable to allow the plants to remain
long in one place. The plan 1 adopt is to start on
one side of a plot of ground and de.stroy a portion
of the [ilaiits everj- year. From the ground that
1 intend to plant this year I take ofl' a crop of
e.arly Potatoes, then manure well, dig deep, plant
firm", and water well. By .'o doing 1 can secure a
moderate crop of very fine fruit the following
year.— B. Maiiks, JJardirick Gardens, Bury it.
Ell iiiiinds.

The best kinds of Strawberries in this

neighbourhood are President, Augustc Nieaise,
Wizard of the North, and Vicomtesse Hfricart de
Tliury. The best early Strawberries are Vicom-
tesse'H. de Thurv and La Grosse Sucree. I grow

378

THE GARDEN.

[\0VEMBER 13, 1897

a few Noble for the first gatherini;, but the (|uaUty
is not good. The best late kinds are Wizard of
the North and Loxford Hall Seedling. The only
new sort that I know of grown in this district is
Royal Sovereign, and all that grow it speak very
highly of it. The best time for planting is early
in August. I usually plant out as soon as the
forcing plants are potted up, which is from the
end of July to the first week in August. — A. G.
HooKINiiS, Oldown House, Almonrhhnn/.

Strawberries, taken on the whole, do very

well in this and immediate neighbourhood. I
find President, Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury,
Sir Joseph Paxton, and Noble do well here. The
above kinds I consider the best for this dis
trict. I find Noble the earliest of the above
sorts, and Sir Joseph Pa.xton the latest. Royal
Sovereign I find the most worthy of cultivation
of the newer varieties. The beginning of Sep-
tember is a very good time to plant out the
general crop of Strawberries, the ground having
previously been prepared for them, also the run-
ners layered into 3-inch pots. — W. Stanton, Cad-
dington Hall, Dnmtabli:.

The best kinds of Strawberries for flavour

I find are for early use. Royal Sovereign, Paxton,
and President. British t,)ueen I have failed with,
but I have seen some very good samples grown in
the district. The best early kind is Royal Sove-
reign. Oxonian is a gool late kind, but not
very sweet, so probably ^^■aterloo is the better
flavoured. Among the newer varieties I grow.
Royal Sovereign is the best for all purposes. The
best time to plant is early in August. These will
bear well the following year. Destroy after two
years if possible.— J. Hill, Bahraham (ktrdens,
Cajiibridge.

The site on which the Strawberries are

grown here seems well adapted for their require
ments. The ground, on a sharp slope towards
the south, is a heavy loam in which a quantity
of shale had been mixed during the forma-
tion of the gardens. The variety that finds most
favour here is British Queen, wliich I consider
the best for general use when it does well. Here
I gather fine-coloured fruit well ripened to the
point, not very large, Ijut of excellent flavour.
The best earlies are Royal Sovereign and John
Ruskin, and for late work I prefer Di-. Hogg. Of
the newer sorts tried in these gardens, Royal
Sovereign is by far the best, and as a forcing
variety is in great demand. The best time for
planting is as early in the season as plants are
procurable, which in this late district is in the
latter part of August or early in September. —
Pbederkik Harbron, EaMwood Graiii/e, A^hoixr,
Chesterfckl.

The best Strawberries grown here, on a

light warm loam highly manured, are John
Ruskin, Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury (better
known locally as Garibaldi) and James Veitch, in
their order of ripening. Nearly e\'ery popular
Strawberry has been tried within the past quarter
of a century, but the three named succeed the
best, and these I grow in ciuantity. John Ruskin
is best when treated as an annual. I have
abundance of forced jjlaiits, and these I plant out
in May or June and obtain a heavy ci-op from
them the following year. After bearing once
they may be trenched down, planting a fresh lot
every season. Garibaldi is easily grown under all
ordinary circumstances, and never fails to bear
except when cut off by late frost ; but after
the first picking it is apt to run small in warm
weather. James Veitch gives more than double
the bulk of a crop of any other Strawberry that is
•worth growing on the hot, dry soil, and in such a
soil it is firm, highly coloured and excellent in
flavour, not at all like the same variety when
grown under different conditions on a stiff, cool
soil, where the Elton and other Pine Strawberries
flourish so well. In this district, within a radius
say of ten miles, the soil, exposure and altitude
vary so greatly that no variety can be safely
trusted to do equally well all over it, either for
early, main or late crops. Generally speaking,
Garibaldi is the favourite in private and market
gardens for an early crop, but Royal Sovereign is

doing well generally, and as it is a fine showy
fruit and of tolerable flavour, it may come into
use as the earliest market Strawberry. Moffat's
Duke of Edinburgh and President are grown to
some extent on good Strawberry soils, where they
succeed well as the main crop ; and Elton Pine,
where it does well in high-lying and cool districts,
is by far the best late Strawberry, remaining in
fine condition in good seasons till the month of
October. Some very promising varieties of Straw-
berries have appeared in recent years, but none of
them have been sufficiently tested to warrant a
definite opinion as to their merits. — M. Dunn,
Th'> Gardens, Dalkeith, Midlolhiaii.

The undermentioned varieties of Straw-
berries I con.sider the best for this district, viz..
King of the Earlies, Royal Sovereign, Sir Joseph
Paxton, Keens' Seedling, Monarch, Eclipse,
Waterloo, and Latest of All. I find Royal
Sovereign and Monarch the most worthy of culti-
vation of the newer sorts in this district. I
always try to get strong plants in pots liy the
middle of August, and then I commence planting,
and at once mulch -with decayed manure. By so
doing I never fail to get good crops of fine fruit.
Some gardeners plant late in September and Octo-
ber, but I ha\e never seen good results from
late planting.— C. E. M.\RTix, The Hoo Gardens,
Wihryn, Jlerts.

Vicomtesse grows to a good size here, and

gives general satisfaction. Royal Sovereign,
President, and .Sir J. Paxton are the ones generally
relied upon. Vicomtesse, Royal Sovereign and
Leader are the best early kinds, with President,
Sir .J. Paxton, Latest of All, and Waterloo for
late work. Of the newer sorts. Royal Sovereign,
Laxton's Leader, Gunton Park, and Monarch arethe
best I have grown. The plan I adopt, and which
is very successful here, is, as soon as the second
crop of Peas can be cleared off the groimd, to
plant those that have been forced, which is
generally towards the middle of July, the ground
ha\ing been prepared for their ' reception in
the autumn. Here they fruit twice before being
destroyed. A new [Jantation is made each .year,
the plants are put out 2 feet (> inches from plant
to ]ilant, and 3 feet between the rows. — Geo. H.
Maycock, Ltiton Hoo Gardens, Beds.

The best kinds with me, taking flavour

and cropping qualities into account, are Royal
Sovereign, President, and Paxton ; the best early
sorts. Noble and Royal Sovereign ; the best late,
Waterloo. Of the newer sorts, Gunton Paik I
think a good useful sort. I find the best time to
plant is the last week in July or the first week in
August, so as to get the runners well established
before winter. — Ch.\s. De.4NE, Cassiohury Gan/i »<,
Watford, Herts.

Pauline, Royal Sovereign, La Grosse

Sucrge, Auguste Nicaise, Waterloo and Oxonian
are my favourites. I tried for several years to
grow President and Sir J. Paxton, both grand in
some places, but with me \ery subject to mildew,
so I have done away with them. I can send fruit
of good quality to table from early in June to the
last week in July from the above list, all of which
are good travellers. I have tried Frogmore Late
Pine, Elton and one or two other late varieties,
but nothing does so well with me as Oxonian.
Planted in open quarters it succeeds Waterloo,
and on a north border it is grand for several
weeks after all others are over. My practice here
for close on twenty years has been to let well
alone, not disturbing my permanent beds under
six or seven years, and scarcely ever digging be-
tween them. Hoeing and top-dressing lead up
to the greatest success in our light sand and
gravelly soil. When I do make new beds I like
spring planting from runners pricked into nursery
beds the previous autumn, giving them 2 feet
apart each way upon ground trenched two spits
deep, and a foot below that turned over, but not
brought to the surface, the whole very liberally
treated with good farmyard manure. — C. De.vvin,
Hareirood Lodi/e, Siiniiinr/hill, Bi i-ks.

, I only grow a very few sorts here which I

find to serve me best. The soil is very gravelly
and light, and therefore not very suitable to

Id

I

Strawberries. The best kinds for flavour [^e
Pauline, .John Ruskin, Royal Sovereign, Presid t,
Sir Jose]jh Paxton and British Queen. The
early and late kinds in this district are I\
Royal Sovereign, Sir Charles Napier and \\ :
loo. I find Royal Sovereign succeed wel :i
this district. The best time for planting I
sider about the middle or end of July, i
plants which were forced in the spring.-
CooMBEs, lini/li n'eld, Ileudinii.

I have found the following to be

best flavoured Strawberries after trying a f.i|,
number of varieties : Dr. Hogg, Veitch's Pe c.
tion, La France, Lord Suftield, Latest of All id
President. The best early varieties are Lax .'j
No. 1, Royal Sovereign, and La Grosse Su e.
The first two ripened their fruit at the le
time, growing under the same conditions uni a
south wall. The three best late varieties in ir
order of ripening are Frogmore Late Pine, W t-
loo and Loxford Hall Seedling. The Ijest tii to
plant is the end of July or the first wei in
August. — W. D.iViES, Xidd Halt Gardens, E q,
Yorks. ,

The best varieties for private use hei re

Royal Sovereign, Auguite Nicaise, Presiden ir.
Hogg, Frogmore Late Pine, Latest of All. he
three best varieties to depend on in our dr; ot
soil are Royal Sovereign, Auguste Nicaise id
President. For preserving I still grow (
End Scarlet in preference to any other varie
it retains its colour, shape and flavour after
boiled. I obtain the best results from plai
young plants in July every third year in d
dug or trenched, unmanured ground, madi »■
fectly firm and hard, mulching heavily ii he
spring just as the plants commence growth th
fresh liorse manure. By digging and prej ng
the ground some weeks before required for : it-
ing a distinct advantage is gained. — T. Cii '\
Wilton House, Scdishnry.

■ I should place Vicomtesse Ht'rica de

Thury first for flavour in this district ; indei 'or
any purpose it is hard to beat, the first t cr
three gatherings are usually of a good si for
table use, and the smaller fruits make ex< int
preserves. It has also the merit of being a od
grower and free cropper in almost any s )ii.
Sir J. Paxton, President, Aberileen Favc te,
&c. , are also of very good flavour here, he
best very early and late sorts, irrespect of
<iuality, are Noble and Myatt's Improvei ibe
former only satisfactory from one-year-old i t!.
The best time to plant is early in Septemt as
the plants get a good hold of the ground ire
winter, and may either be allowed to bear e*
fruits the following season, or by pinching all
flowers and runners they give a very heavj op
of fine fruit the second year. — J. Ironside, d'
adder, Edrorn.

The best flavoured Strawberries gro in

this neighbourhood are British Queen, Dr. !g,
Albert, King of the Earlies, Royal Sove la,
Filbert Pine, Gunton Park, Sir Harry, Vic ia,
and Vicomtesse H. de Tliury. The best earl «e
King of the Earlies, Royal So\'ereign, Nobl ■nd
Vicomtesse H. de Thury; the best late : E iior
and Waterloo (very late, ehy bearer). — F. i,B,
Boiii/hton House, KrtteriiKj.

The best for flavour as grown hei iie

Royal Sovereign, General MacMahon and !si'
dent. The best earlies are Royal Sovereig nJ
Noble; the best late, Elton Pine, Elton Pin m-
pro\ed, and Latest of All. Of the newer soiAe
most worthy of cultivation is Royal Sove ;"•
The best time to plant so as to secure the be;, nii
most regular crop is in August or Septembe 1'
set out then the plants are well rooted ai es-
tablished before the winter sets in. — D. IIiiiK,
Tullurh, X.B.

I find Royal So^•ereign a good alli oo

variety. It is the earliest I grow, very iiroli; of
good colour, size, and flavour, firm and I "'
will travel well for mid-season. Lord SuHieli™
Gunton Park are of good rta\'our and firm. "'
late work Latest of All is the best. British ( en
does wonderfully well on our light sand\' lo; -
G. R. Allis, Old Warelen Park, Bigghsimef.

i

lOVBMBKB 13, 1897.]

THI'] (JAi; DF.K

379

ITOVE AND Greenhouse.

CHKYSANTHEMrMS F( )K TllK

CONSEKVATORV.

linxUice ;i pk^ising and graceful ert'ect, and
t(i slimv up tlio relative merits i>f the Cliry-
Hiimm for inside decoration, diflerent ways
iiiwing the plants must be carried out.
Illy, in my case the objects are cut bloom
, c.uservatory decoration ; hence there can
riiwu bush plants, plants on single stems,
Jown jjlants and a good percentage for large
lis, which, as shown in the annexed en-
iig, tell well in the background amongst
\erhanging I'alms, Dracienas and the long
~. of Fuchsias drooping from the jiillars.
i\ed arrangement of this kind with an
I background of Palms and line-foliaged
s, and a judicious mixture of other plants
,1 very telling etl'ect. Poinsettias, Kuphor-
,ukI Calanthe Veitchi add wonderfully to

3 inches long and an inch wide. Though heart
shaped at the base, they taper ott' to a point. A
variegateddeaved variety of this was awarded a
first -cla-ss certitieate by the Koyul Horticultural
Society during the present year, and when sent
out will no doubt be a good deal sought after.
The curious maimer in which the upper portion
of F. stipulata will thicken out and produce large
leathery leaves and occasionally fruits is now
pretty well known, and doubtless these other
kinds will sooner or later show the same character.
— T.

Eranthemum tuberculatum.— Though dif

ft?ring widely fi'om each other in general appear-
ance, many of the F.ranthcMuunsare very beautiful
flowering (jlants, and, in nearly exery instance, of
easy culture. The various species llower at dif-
ferent times of the 3'ear, some of them being very
attractive during the autumn antl winter months.
One MOW in bloom is Eranthemum tuberculatum,
v\hich was introcbiced from New Caledonia in
1S()3. It forms quite a little bush, composed of
slender branches, clothed with small o\ate leaves.
The flowers, which are freely borne on the shoots,

"^

View in the conservatory at Broit jhton Hall, Yorks. From a photograph sent
hy Mr. J. lUiinboic,

tli'kind of decoi'ation, giving effect and bril-
liiij-y, and also varying the arrangement. I'n-
ilo])tedly such an arrangement is far superior
to le where large blooms only are used.
I J. U.

cus falcata.— Of the small creeping kinds
cus that we have now in our gardens, and

are particularly valuable for clothing dam|)
and for similar purposes, by far the best
n is F. stipulata, or repens as it is frequently
', and the still smaller variety of it — minima,

is exceedingly neat in growth. To these
e added F. falcata, which is well adapted
le same purposes as the others, the style of
th being similar : but the leaves are totally
ent in shape, being peculiarlv curved, hence
specific name of falcata. The leaves are
3; about an inoh in length, and of
green colour. It grows very freely under
table conditions when it is once established,
roots just as F. stipidata. Besides these
there is the larger and looser growing Ficus
ms, whose leaves are each from 2 inches to

are pure white, each nearly IJ inches across,
and in appearance somewduxt suggesting Bou-
vardia Humboldti corj'mbiHora. As it will flower
freely when little more than a foot high, and in a
pot only 5 inches in diameter, it is particularly
ada])ted for small structures. This Eranthemum,
in common with most other members of the genus,
requii'es the temperature of a stove. Another
species now in bloom is the upright-growing E.
Andersoni, whose white flowers, marked with
purplish lake, vie with some of the Orchids in
their colouring. E. albiflorum is a rather un-
common kind, whose upright panicles of blossoms
are very like sprays of white Lilac. Those grown
for the sake of their foliage— notably E. reticula-
turn, whose bright green leaves are heavily veined
with gold, E. albo-marginatum, E. tricolor, and
E. atropurpureum — are bright and attractive at
all seasons. — H. 1*.

Double Chinese Primroses. — The huge
plants of these which are now in quantity at
Woodside, Leatherhead, demonstrate in a foririble
w'a3' the ease with whi('h not only the finest
varieties may be grown, but tlieir exceeding value
for supplying beautiful double flow'ers during the

winter. The process of propagation, which
usually begins in .Jaimary, is tirst to remove some
of the outer leafage, then to notch slightly the
bases of the crowns in layer fashion, then to drop
the plants into pots a good size larger, and to
)ilace round the tops an inch of fine sandy soil.
If stood in gentle warmth, rooting .soon follows,
and when each plant is lifted from the pots and
the newly-rooted parts are severed from the old,
then got into small pots and returned to gentle
warmth, very ((uickly are sturdy ]>laMts obtained.
When shifted into 4J-iiich pots and warmer
weather has come, the best place is a cool span-
frame, where standing on a firm ash bed good
gi'owth is continued, and later they are got into
(j-iuch, or if very strong into 7-inch jiots, and in
the.se well established, soon begin to carry bloom.
When I saw these plants very recently there were
amongst them heads from I'i inches to lo inches
over of Marchioness of Exeter, White Lady,
Lucy Hillier, Mrs. Barron, and others. What a
(|uantity of pure white flowers such a variety as
White Lady produces, and how admiralile are
these to gather and wire for bouquets or button-
holes. The old double white may be free-
flowering, but the blooms are much smaller.
The layering seems not onlj- to ensure the pro-
duction of roots more readily, but also helps to
create finer plants. The work needs to be done
with care, but the results well repay the trouble
taken. — A. J).

TUBEROSES IN WINTER.

As the C'hry.santhemum season gets past, tb.e
Tuberose, though less showy, fills up a void,
and is grown so easily, that anyone with a tem-
perature of 55° may have blooms from October
to Christmas, or even later. In a note a few
seasons ago I advised growing the Tuberose
with less heat, thus getting stronger s|jikes,
but I did not touch upon its culture for mid-
winter supjilies of cut bloom. Since then I
lune seen Tuberoses planted out and lifted like
other autumn plants with great success. Of
course, planting out is not advised in any soil
or position, and even under the most favourable
coiii-litions a good season is essential to success.
Plants grown thus are reuuirkable for their
sturdy habit and strong spikes of bloom. I fol-
low a midway course, using pots, thus saving
the potting up. At the same time the plants
are grown as hardy as possible, never giving
any heat till October, or even Novendjer, just
as the blooms are opening. To get bulbs to
flower at this .season it is es.sential to pot
u]) later than is often practised, but there umst
be no forcing of any kind. I always secure tlie
best ripened bulbs. The Pearl is the best va-
riety for the purpose ; indeed, in my opinion,
African bulbs are so inferior that they are not
worth growing for the purpose named. The
bulbs when received are sjiread out thinly on
shelves in a cool, dry fruit-room and occasionally
moved about, any side growths which show be-
ing removed. The ])otting up is done during
April and May, one large bulb in a 4-inch pot
or three in a U inch or 7-inch ])ot will suffice.
Firm potting is essential. When potted the
bulbs are well watered, placed in a cokl frame,
covered with fine ashes and left till the roots
are running round the sides of the pot. It may
be a.sked, wdiy place in frames if the bulbs need
no protection? This is done to throw off heavy
rains, as excess of moisture at this stage is fatal.
The sashes are only used in rainy weather.
Failing cold frame room the plants may be
jdunged in the open and anything which throws
off tlie moisture placed over them. When top-
growth is a few inches long the plunging mate-
rial is removed and the plants arc fully exposed
all through the summer. Towards the end of
August they will be strongly rooted, very dwarf,
and take occasional supplies of lii|uid manure,
care being taken not to pour the latter into the

380

THE GARDEK

[November 13, 1897

hearts of the plants. Early in October or at
the end of September it will be necessary to
shelter them, as a few of the strongest will be
throwing up spikes, and these may if ref|uired
be given more warilith. The bulk of tlie plants,
however, is left in the frames, not being given
heat till November. Grown thus the plants
give a winter supjjly of bhiom and last a
long time. There is less fear of tlie bulbs fail-
ing to flower, and by this mode of culture tliey
may be had in bloom .all the year, as it is an
easy matter to pot up batches of i)lants from
November till June. G. Wythes.

BOUVARUIAS FOR CUTTING.

The great popularity of the Chrj-santhemum has,
doubtless, to a certain extent led to the neglect
of these beautiful plants. This is a pity, as the
flowers of no greenhouse plants are so valualile
for cutting. The section represented by Hogarth,
Priory Beauty, Razzler, and the double forms
like Alfred Neuner, President Garfield and
others is by far the most useful, and greatly to
be preferred for cutting to Humboldti corymbi-
flora or jasminoides. Flonsts are quite alive to
the value of these flowers, and, in con.sequence,
they are grown in very large quantities by the
market men, but private gardeners in nianj' cases
do not take up their culture with any spirit. The
cuttings should be taken as early in spring as
possible, and sliould consist of small, fresh gieen
points produced by cutting back an old plant or
two after resting and placing in a slightly warm
house. It is important that the cuttings be kept
quite fresh and moist from the first. As soon as
the cuttings are rooted lift them out of the plung-
ing material for a day or two, and then ])lace the
pots where they may be lightly shaded for a little
while and in a genial temperature. Top them
almost at once, and when growth recommences
pot them singly into the smallest-sized pots. By
the end of May these should be nice little bushy,
hard stuff ready for planting out either in a
frame or on prepared borders outside. In the
light sandy soil in the west of England I have
frequently (ilanted them in the ordinary soil and
had capital results, but in most soils and situa-
tions it is safest to plant in prepared frames in
light, peaty soil, made very firm by ramming both
before and after planting. In loose soil the plants
make a lot of growth, but give trouble later when
they are lifted ; but the fine balls of soil that come
up with the roots when made firm enable the
plants to get over their disturbance almost with-
out a check. After planting give one good water-
ing to settle the soil, but only close the frames on
cold nights. All through the summer let the plants
have thorough exposure to sun and air, keep them
moist at the roots, and anticipate the production
of flower-buds by topping frequently. Several
times daily the syringe may be lightly plied
about the plants, as the abundance of fresh air
and light does away with any possibility of soft-
ness in the growth. About the middle of Septem-
ber the plants may be lifted and potted into fairly
large pots, soaking every part of the soil well a
day or so previously. Pot firmly and stand the
plants in a sheltered shady spot for a few days
before housing. Any light sunny house or frame,
where a little fire-heat may be turned on at night
so as to allow of ventilation by night and day will
suit them. It is the greatest mistake to coddle
them by allowing fire-heat except as indicated.
Still keep the syringe going among them and
t.round the pots ; there need be no fear of soft
growth jjrovided plenty of air and an unbroken
light are afforded. The result of this treatment
will be plants absolutely covered with flowers, and
they keej) going for months. When the best of
the blossoms are past, they may be cut back and
kept slightly drier at the roots, the treatment tlie
second season being the same as for young plants
except that they will naturally require more room
in the frames and subsequently larger ))Ots. The
specimens, as a matter of fact, may be kept going
for an almost indefinite number of years, but it is

not advisable to keep them too long. Any old
ones not required again may he planted out in
the flower garden, for they are naturally summer-
blooming, and only induced to flower in winter
by the frequent pinching advised above. Bouvar-
dias differ from many greenhouse shrubby plants
in that they cannot be forced, but the retarding
system may be easily carried out, and of course
serves the same purpose. K.

Bouvardias Pride of Brooklyn and Pride

of Pvochester.— I have several times heard the
above varieties mentioned. By their names they
would appear to be of American origin, but I do
not know either of them. I shall be glad to know
if any of your readers have grown them, and if
they are distinct from other varieties now grown
in this country. I have already met with what I
first knew as Vreelandi under three other names,
viz.. The Bride, Alba elegantissima and Davisoni,
and it is probable that those referred to above are
old sorts re-christened. — A.

Raising Lotus seed. — Having had some
Lotus seeds sent me from India, I shall be glad if
you will tell me how to grow them. — Dora L.
Wadjum.

*j,* Seed of the Lotus should be sown in well-
drained pots filled with sand}' loam. The seeds
may be covered with about their own de]5th of
the same soil, when the pot or jjots should be
stood up to the rim in a tub of water. A stove
tempei-ature is necessary — that is, a structure
which in the winter does not go down below 611°.
V\'hen large enough the seedlings may be potted
off, using the same compost, but as they get older
a little well-decayed cow manure is of service.
The Lotus may be grown moderately well in a
large pot stood in a tank of water which is
heated by hot-water pipes passing through, but
it is seen at its best when planted out in a bed of
mud, under which conditions it succeeds remark-
ably well at Kew in a corner of the tropical Water
Lily house. — H. P.

RUST ON MALMAISON CARNATIONS.

If by "rust" on these plants "J. R." (see
p. 3(i0 of The G-4Riien) refers to that terrible
pest Helminthosporium eehinulatum, I can (jnly
say that so far no remedy is known to exist. I
take it by the way it afl'ects his plants that this
so-called rust is the same that troubles large
growers here, and which has in its day ruined
thousands of well-grown plants. Some years
ago I read in a contemporary that "picking
and burning " was the only cure, but, of course,
sucli a method if followed up would be just as
disastrous in its results as any disease jjossibly
could be. W^hat makes the above disease so
utterly beyond the reach of any remedial
measures is the fact that the fungus vegebites
within the cuticle of the leaf, and having
i-eached a certain stage of maturity eats its
way through the upper and under surfaces of
the leaves, and, bursting, casts its minute grains
in all directions. Indeed, so fatal is it to
the whole cif the Malmaison group in this dis-
trict, that large growers who hitherto had several
hiiuses 108 feet by 24 feet occupied by these
jilants have quite given ujj their cultivation.
For some years I tried to combat this disease
myself, and spent a lot of time in the endeavour
to rid the plants of such a pestilence. The
fungus appears to revel mostly in low districts,
particularly those in the vicinity of some large
river, and once the disease takes possession of a
large-leaved variety, like the Malmaison, it is
ahuost a hopeless case. A few at a time I
burned the worst of my plants, till at length
the wh(.)le of my stock, close u])on 3000, went
t(i the fire-heap. I have still traces of the
fungus remaining, and as .soon as I notice it upon
the plants I get a little sulphur ; mixed to
the consistency of thin mustard and paint

lightly over the place, taking care alway.^
leave a goodly amount of the sulphur whei I
think the mature fungus will cast its spo .
By this application I notice a distinct changei
the colour of the fungus, and a certain inabij|
to spread by reason of the added weight of
sulphur. The latter in no wise prevents
fungus vegetating at the time, yet I hope it [I
arrest its vital powers for the future. Of ooi;|
even this is tedious, and does not add to
beauty of the jilants, though it is better til
picking oil' the entire blade. The fungus (_
in low-lying distiicts would appear ever presl
and simply awaiting a resting-place for
spore. So long as a leaf remains perfect I
fear need be entertained, but the slighJ
abrasion of the skin is sufficient to accounq
its presence, and once located on any pan
the leaf is easily transmitted to other poit
of the same leaf, and in due time vegetates il
spreads again. Unfortunately, it is an unsJ
foe, and its presence is not felt till the funl
is about half developed, when it may bedetecJ
Vjy a slightly uplifted portion the size of a jj
head and of an ash-grey tint. To the large-leal
kinds it is deadly, while the smaller leal
sorts appear proof against its attacks. Vl
curious, too, is the fact that in certain localilJ
at higher altitudes these very plants can f
grown with perfect ease and immunity from I
attacks. E. JeniunsJ

Hamptiin Hill.

OUR GLASSHOUSES IN FLOWEI

GARDENS AND ON LAWNS.

To many, a good big glasshouse is a near
proach to an earthly ]jaradise, and to such, .1
to those who never take notice of the beauti
things about them in the home views oi|
country place, little need be said. No do
they will go on covering the land with gl
just as Guernsey has been covered of late yeJ
But to those who think of beauty in our hc|
landscapes, the position of the glasshouse in i
flower garden or pleasure ground is a seriij
matter, and some of the most interesting pla
in the country are defaced by glasshoul
out of place. In the various dividing li:|
about a country house there can be no d;l
culty in finding a site for the glasshoi
where it will be out of the way of doing hal
to the views. There is no reason for placing ■"
glasshouse in front of a beautiful old houjj
where its colour mars the prospect. Vil
often, in looking across the land towards an t
house, we see first the glare of an ugly gll
shed. If this only happened in the gardef
of people lately emerged from the towns (
the suburbs o{ our great cities, it would not |
so remarkable ; but when some of our fini
country places like Knole, W^est Dean, a|
Goodwood are disfigured in this way, it is till
to say something abtiut it. For, ajiart frti
fine old houses and the landscape being dcfaci
liy the hard lines and colour of the glasshou
there is the result on the garden itself, orl
our efiVirts to get any harmony or refinement]
colour in the flower garden. Our troubles I
tlie efl'ort to get plants into harmonious aM
beautiful relations we can testify from Ig
experience are very much increased if we I
a horror in the way of a glass shed stjirii"
us. It may be ; indeed, in two places?!
have lately seen it placed in the middle of i|
lawn, with the smoke from the early fires afl
ing, and perhaps a load of coal on its way |
the .stokehole I Is it any wonder in face of sul
things to find the artist driven from the gardej
though we may discover him near the ho
farm or the cottage ? — Field.

NovEMUER 13, 1897.J

THE GARDEN.

381

Chrysanthemums.

CHRYSANTIIKMUMS ( )rTI)( )< iRS.
iLTlloiiai Clirys.uitlienunus iire im|i<>rteil in
iimeiiso mimbers aniuially from tlio C'ontinciit
lid Aiiioricii, in ailiUtion to the luimlrcils of
omo-nused Koe(llinu;.s yoarly grown, witli a
iew to till! discovery of new and improved
inds, we d" imt make nuieli headway in rai.s-
]'X for the outdoor Ljarden varieties wliieli may
called really hardy sorts, such as will livi^
i!iriiugh the winter for some years, and iiialce
jieii" growth and develop a crop of blooms witli-
ut any protection. If we had such varieties

would meet the re(|uirenients named above,
liny otherwise dull gardens would be made
right during the winter months, but we must
dl back on the old-established kinds.

At the luvsent time a good selection of varic-
es can be had which in reastmable seasons

Plants wliich have been growing in the same
place for several years get worn out and
exhausted. They should be dug up and divided,
discarding the centre of the roots if plenty of
stock is obtjunable from the outer parts of the
clump, where suckerdike growths will be found
much more vigorous than those in the centre.
Pieces of roots ;i inches .scpiare make nice
bushes the first year if a little fresh soil is
placed about them, just digging over the ground
dee])ly, at the same time adding some half-
i-otten manure. If the ]dants are put out on a
new jiiece of the g.-irileii it will not be necessary
to add new soil, but where they are simply dug
up and replanted again, it will be essential to
give fresh soil to promote a free growth, with-
out which a full crop of blos.soms cannot be had.
Care must be taken that the soil is not made
too rich, or the growth will be immature. In
that condition the [ilants will sufl'er much more
from frost during the winter, very likely to the

Eaiiy Chrysanthemum M. Ci'"-s/.ite <-iiuneru:ald.

; nluce a good crop of blooms, although, of

n-.se, much depends upon the weather e.xpe-

ijiiced at the time they are in beauty. Where

lisuins are re([uired for cutting, some of the

it kinds might be planted in batches in the

ihen garden, choosing a warm border. In

ige gardens one often sees plants fully in

er of sorts that are hardly met with now-

■ys out of such gardens, as the old Emjieror

hina or Cotbige Pink. JIany are immpons,

iCtion well adapted for out-of-door culture.

petals, being retiexed and generally im-

ited, do not hold the water from heavy dews

rain, as in the case of incurved sorts, for

nee, which are really quite useless for out-

r use.

extent of losing the whole crop of flowers. The
soil about the roots should be made firm to
induce a stocky growth, which produces the
best blooms and withstands cold weather. The
foregoing note on the culture of hardy C'liry-
.santliemums ajiplies to established jilants only.
Directly the tlowering .season is past is a suit-
able time to replant any that rei|uire it. When
growtli starts in the spring, if the shoots pro-
mise to crowd each otlicr they .shouhl be
thinned, which induces stunliness — a desirable
point in the after success.

Those who now cimtemplate growing hardy
Chrysanthemums for the first time .should make
a jiroper selection of kinds and choose a suit-
able site, which is very important. Avoid an

aspect which faces either north or west and is
overshadowed by tall trees, the growth of the
plants in such a position as either of thcjse
named being immature. The best position that
can be olitained is a border facing south, backed
up at the north ;ind ea.st sides with shrubs or
other ]irotection. If the plants are carefully
cultivated during the summer season, it will
not be time ill-spent to provide some means of
protection from early or siidilen frosts.

The variety illustrated, M. dlustave Grunor-
wald, blooms well in the border in .September,
and must be clas.sed amongst the best sorts for
the open ground. 15oth in form and colour
the blooms are similar to those of Viviand
Morel, the colour bright ]iiiik-lihic, fading to
almost white with age. Tlie habit of growth i.s
good, an average of 2 feet being attained.

Chrysanthemums in vases. — A delightful
contrast to tlie orthodox way of showing the
Chrysanthemum has now become the rule at the
Highgate and District Chrysanthemum show.
Blooms showing high culture are exhibited both
on boards and in vases, and in the latter they have
made a most eflective display. In this exhibition,
by an extension this season of e.xbibits arranged
in vases, the whole aspect of the show has been
altered. Eacli exhibitor had studied his ow'u
particular fancy, with the result a most diverse
method of arrangement was tlie outcome. This
is the most forcible way of illustrating the prac-
tical uses to which large Chr3-santhemum blooms
can be put. — D. B. C.

Chrysanthemum Souvenir de Petite Amie.
— This is one of Calvat's varieties of ISii:), and is
well described as having graceful llowers, pure
white, first-rate haljit, very dwarf, and vigorous.
In height it is from 2h feet to .3 feet, the stems
stout and erect, bearing blooms of large size,
full, handsome in shape, and very pure in tint.
Mr. B. Dockerill, gardener to Mr. G. W. Walker,
Elmlield, Reading, grows this variety largely.
A tine development of bloom is one of the objects
sought by Mr. Dockerill, and he secures plants
with five or six stems on the a\'erage, each being
surmounted by a Bower of large size and highly
attractive. It is a peculiarity in the growtli of
this variety that it forms something in the way
of a broad Hat head, and the Howers being on a
level, it is of great value for forming a front line to
a batch of plants in a conservatory.— R. D.

Pompon Chrysanthemums. — These charm-
ing little flowers are very hue this season, the
display made in the competitive classes at the
Highgate show— always rioted for its pompons —
being excellent. The tlow'ers were set up in
threes, and these, with their deep rich green
foliage, called for special (iraise. The exhibits
gave evidence of high culture. The most striking
sorts among them were Mile. Elise Dordan, rose-
pink, of uiiir|ue form : Comte de Morny, bright
[lurple ; William \\'estlake, bright golden yellow ;
Black Douglas, dark crimson ; President, rosy
carmine, still one of the best when well grown ;
Pygmalion, deep rose ; Prince of Orange, light
orange-amber, a good bright tlower ; JIaid of
Kent, white; Rubrumperfectura,deeprieli crimson,
golden re\ erse, very hue ; La Vogue, bright
golden yellow ; Frcmy, light brickied, shaded
yellow, large, early, limbriated ; and ilagenta
King, bright magenta, ver\- fine. — D. B.

White and yellow Chrysanthemums. —

These the ]iast year or two ha\e been very fine
and also numerous. There are probably no other
colours that have received such substantial addi-
tions, and in good crimsons and purjiles it may
be said that the novelties of the ])ast two years
comprise none at all. For beautiful ]iure clear
whites of very recent introduction we have had
from America, Snowdon, Simplicity (a grand
tlower), Mrs. M. A. Kyerson, and Western King
(fine everywhere this season). Ernest Calvat
supplies Baronne Ad. Rothschild, Mme. Gustave
Henry (early), Princesse de Galles, Mrs. J. Lewis

382

THE GARDEX.

[November 13, 1897.

(an exceptionally fine one this season), Mme.
Deis, Mme. Ferlat, and the grand acquisition
Mile. Lucie Faure, while miscellaneous ones of
equal merit ma}' be found in Mrs. C. BlicU,
Mrs. H. Weeks, Mme. Ph. Rivoire, Emily Sils-
bury, Lady Byron, Mrs. Rd. .Jones, and many
more besides. Some of the new yellows are grand
in richness of tone, Modesto, Marjory Kinder,
Oceana, and Royal Sovereign being perhaps the
most noteworthy in this respect. Paler, but not
less beautiful, are G. J. Warren (the yellow sport
from Mme. Cariiot), Australian Gold, M. Jlas-
sange de Louvrex, Top.aze Orientale, and Mrs. C.
Orcnard. Others such as Edith Tabor, Sunstone,
Georgiana Pitcher, and Soleil d'Octobre leave
little to desire in their own shades. — C. H. P.

CONTINENTAL VARIETIES OF 1897.

Those who visited the leading shows on the
Continent last year must have been looking
f(jrward with some degree of interest to see how
tlie novelties shown abroad would behave when
.submitted to English cultivation. It was only
reasonable to expect to see some variati()n in
the seedlings that were exhibited for the first
time at the French shows last year, and the
same when grown here a year afterwards.
With very few exceptions almost everything
that was considered promising, either at Ghent
<jr at Paris, this time last year has been imported
into our own trade collections and in the course
of my usual autumn visits, I have naturally
looked out for the novelties that impressed me
and my fellow visitors the most during our visit
to Belgium and France this time last year.
Those that appeared to be the best there verify
the good ojjinion that was then formed of them
by being the best liere, and referring to the
original descriptions they seeni to be much
about the same, although it must be confessed
in several eases the colouring under our English
sky does not in a few instances appear to be
,so bright and pure.

From an exhibitor's standpoint, I should say
that the following .selection comprises all the
best of tlie French varieties that have been
distributed this year. Novelties from other
sources are lacking in substance and build,
although there are a few iu which fine colouring
is observable.

DiKECTEUR LiEBEKT (Calvat). — .Japanese ; of
very large size and compact build ; the florets are
of medium size, grooved and curly ; colour deep
lilac-mauve.

Lucille M.^tiiieu de la Dromk (Reydellet). —
This promises to be a useful addition to the old
florists' type of incurved varieties. It is large
and deeply built, the florets narrow and regularly
incurving ; colour p.ale golden yellow.

Mme. Ferlat (Calvat). — A grand massive
Japanese incurved ; the florets are heavily
grooved, the colour pure white.

Mme. Laurence Zede (Calvat). — Another big
globular Japanese incurved, with grooved, pointed
florets of medium width ; inside colour violet-
amaianth, reverse silvery pink.

Wertiier (Calvat). — Globular Japanese of
large size, having grooved incurving florets ;
colour rich deep rosy amaranth, reverse silvery.
A fine etlective novelty.

Vico.MTE Roger ue Ciiezelles (Calv.at). —
Wrongly described in most reports as Vicomtesse.
A very large Japanese, the centre florets incurv-
ing and clc^oly resembling Mr. Briscoe-Ironside's
seedling Arena ; colour golden yellow bronze,
reverse silvery j-ellow.

Mme. Ph. Rivoire. — This is a Japanese, also of
great size ; florets very broad and ribbed on the
reverse ; colour pure white.

Mlle. Lucie Fauue (Calvat). — A fine novelty of
the .Japanese incurved type, the florets of great
length, good substance, and deeply grooved ;
colour pure white. It will pr^b-ibly rank as one
of C-ilvat's best.

Princesse de Galles (Calvat). — Japanese, with
very long florets, which are grooved and of
medium width ; colour pale pink shaded yellow,
tiirted ]iurple.

TorAZE Orientale (Calvat). — A solid, compact
incmving Japanese, very globular and regular in
form ; florets grooved and broad ; colour pale
lemon yellow.

M. G. CiiAEANNE (Calvat). — A closely built
.Japanese incurved, with rather broad florets ;
colour rich golden yellow.

Souvenir de Molines (Calvat). — .Japanese,
close and compact in build ; golden carmine
bronze, reverse golden.

Leocadie Gentils (Quftier). — a sport from
Enfant des deux Mondes raised in France last
year ; it has narrow grooved florets, the blooms
are of large size, and the colour pale pure lemon
yellow. Very hairy.

Souvenir de Mme. F. Rosette (Calvat). — A big
solid Japanese incurved, with good florets pointed
at the tips ; colour plum coloured amaranth,
with silvery amaranth re^'erse.

M. Hui;uiER (Reydellet). — A very large .Japa-
nese, but rather flat in build ; florets incurving, of
good substance, and grooved ; colour pale rosy
mauve, reverse silvery pink.

Papa Villard (Nonin). — Japanese, of good
size, but not overlarge ; the florets are rather
broad, curling at the tips ; colour very deej] rosy
mauve with silver}' reverse

Mme. Desblanc (Reydellet). — An incurved
Japanese, with twisted intermingling grooved
florets of medium width. A pretty shade of
bright rosy pink.

Mlle. Louise Brossillon. — This, too, is a
Japanese incurved of very large size ; it has
medium-sized grooved florets that are twisted.
It is said to be a seedling from Mine. Carnot, and
its colour is a pure white, very slightly tinted.

Don Pietro Baraciola (Reydellet). — Japan-
ese, with narrow, flat, reflexing florets, not large,
but very striking and distinct ; the colour is
deep golden yellow, shaded rosy carmine.

Mme. G. Bruant (Calvat). — A monster .Japan-
ese, with very long, drooping florets ; colour pale
rose shaded purple towards the tips, centre
almost white.

8<iLEiL d'Octobre (Calvat). — A rather early
blooming Japanese, with medium-sized drooping
florets, curling at the tips ; colour a pretty shade
of pale lemon yellow, re\erse sih cry.

Mme. Ed. R'ooer (Calvat) — Japanese incurved ;
florets of medium width ,and grooved, large solid
globular-shaped blooms. This is a most distinct
novelty, being of a pale but decided sea-green
colour, which in its early stages is very effective.

N.C.S. Jubilee (Calvat). — Another very fine
globular .Japanese incurved variety ; the florets
are broad and grooved ; colour pale lavender
pink, with silvery. pink reverse. A noteworthy
acc|uisition in its section.

M. Massancede Louvrex (Calvat). — Also of the
.Japanese incurved type : florets of medium width ;
colour a very fine clear shade of pale yellow.

C. Harman-Pavne.

New incurved varieties. — The 1897 novel-
ties do not ap[)ear to contain a large percentage
of this old type, and, indeed, after recent decisions
it appears somewhat difficult to decide what an
incurved Chrysanthemum really is. But, follow-
ing the example set by the National Chrysanthe-
mum Society's classification committee and using
the term in its fullest possible sense, the fol-
lowing seem to me to be the most promising of
recent novelties in the incurved section : Rena
Dula, small in size, florets sharply pointed, colour
deep rose, tipped white; Chrysanthemiste Bruant,
\ery massive and compact, very regular florets,
colour deep golden bronze; M. Desblanc, deep
reddish rosy bi-onze, reverse golden bronze ;
(Jent'ral Mauric, small, but very regular, colour
deep yellow in the centre, outer florets pink ;
Emile Nonin, deep rich golden chestnut, very
regular ; Lady Isabel, a fine bold, deeply-built
flower of great promise, the floiets sul).s"tantial
I and the colour a charming shade of sihery blush ;

Triom])he d'E\e, narrow white florets ; Lady
Gormanston, white : and Lucille Mathieu de la
Dn'ime, large, globular, pale golden yellow, with
narrow florets.

New Clirysaiitlieinuins. — We are now get-
ting such an overwhelming number of new varie-
ties, all of which are supijosed to possess some
merit, that it is very difficult to make a selection
and keep within reasonable bounds with regard
to numbers. I find last season there were up-
wards of fifty varieties which received either first-
class certificates or awards of merit, and this
season already there are a number whicli have
received the same distinctions. Now, although
this has been going on for years, yet many of the
old varieties will still be found in the best stands
of exhibition blooms. I think Modesto is likely
to become a general favourite, being of free
growth, and the large, full, deep golden-yellow
blooms may be distinguished at a distance among
all other yellows. Western King is another whicl
will retpiire something good to beat it ; the largt
pure white flowers are of remarkable substance
and it appears to be one of the best to manage s
-H.

SOME NEW CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
Following the precedent of previous years,
append a list of the best of the novelties of tht
season seen up to the date of writing these notes!
with the exception of Continental novelties, whiclJ
form the subject of a separate jiaper. A larg|
proportion of novelties of somewhat older dat«
are in good form everywhere, and of these. Edit!
Tabor, Mrs. C. Blick, Australie, Pride of Mad'
ford, Oceana, Emily SiLsbury, Mutual Friend
Mrs. H. Weeks, and many others referred to il
former notes justify the good opinion that W8)|
then formed of them. The most interesting (J
the Englishand American varieties for the preseol
season from the exhibition standpoint appear 1]
be:^

Mrs. p. R. Dunn. — A very fine large Japaneij
Anemone variety with flat guard florets and
slightly tinted yellow.

Mabel Miller. — Of the same type as the pi
ceding, guard florets creamy white and flat '
form, blooms large, with large yellow disc.

Mrs. Caterer. — Also a Japanese Anemone will
long drooping guard florets ; colour pure white.

Ladv Haniiam. — A really fine and attracts
sport from Viviand Morel, which it resemblf
very closely in build. In colour it varies
may be described as of a pale creamy salmo«
shaded rosy bronze. A very fine addition.

Mrs. Hermann Kloss. — A large-sized Japan]
with long spreading florets ; colour a very rirj
shade of warm golden terra-cotta, tipped gold.

Mrs. G. W. Palmer. — A sport from the we
known exhibition variety Mrs. C. Harman-PayEi
and probably identical with the French novel
Mme. Eugl'ne Testout, which had the asC'
origin and closely resembles Mrs. G. W. Palmd
The colour is a deep rosy bronze, but in
respects it does not ditt'er from its jiarent.

White Sw.an. — A very large Japanese wij
long tubulated florets ; colour pure white, faint
tinted in the centre, \ery hairy.

Mabel Kerslake. — A fine sport from t
Australian novelty Pride of Madford The insi
colour is a deep rich velvety crimson, reveij
golden.

Mrs. S. C. Proein. — Japanese incurved; flort|
grooved and pointed ; colour pure white slii
ofl' to pale rose.

Lady Ridgway. — An immense Japanese
curved with deeply groo\ed florets of good widi
colour reddish-bronze, reverse salmon-buff tip]
gold.

Lady Is.vbel will probably be classed with f|
old type of incurved altliough its great size see'
to indicate Japanese parentage. It is deep
build, the florets very regularly arranged and
fine form ; colour silveiy blush.

Georgiana Pitcher. — Japanese incurved ; ^
large and globular, florets deeply grooved

I

November 13, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

383

1 V broad. A fine massive-looking variety ; colour
ire ])ale L'anary-yello\\', re\"erse silvery yellow.
Mauiuuv KiMiicu. — All incurving .Japanese of
I L^esi/eand o\"i(lcnt.ly a Londoner's variety, being
,liibite<l in line form at Sonthwark Park ; colour
rich dazzling golden-yellow, solid, compact
I Hims.

iPridk ok RvKt'RoiT. — Nivcum, from which this

I a sport, was justly held in bigli esteem. l*ride

I Ryecroft is pule sulphur-yellow, deepening

wards the centre. Inform and build it resem-

rs its jiarent.

.Mus. ('oTKswoRTii BoN'D. — .Japanese, with long
ooping florets, curly at the tips ; colour .a very
■licate shade of pale pink.

\Vksti:i;n ICinc. — This American novelty was
rn last year. It is a tine compact Japanese
rurved with a splendid grooved floret, and the
lour, a pure wa.xy white, is ver}' fine. This
ar the variety is good wherever it has lieen

rU,

(!. .7. W.MtiiKN. — A grand sport from the
nious Mme. Carnot and worthy of its parent,
liich it closely resembles in form, but varies in
ilour, whicli is a very pure pale shade of yellow,
ill be certain to become a favourite with the
liibitorg.

SrNsTONE. — A fine globular and incurving
[Kiiiese : colour a fine shade of apricot -j'cllow.
■^iMri.iciTV. — This, like the preceding one, is of
nerican origin. It belongs to the Japanese sec-
11, and has Ncry long drooping floi'ets ; colour
■autiful clear snuwy white.

C. H.\RMAN-P.\VNE.

PROSPECTS OF THE SEASON.

i far as the Chrysanthemura is concerned there
S not been much to grumble about in regard to
e weather during the past season, although in
it a few districts the frosts of late May did some
.mcge. The young plants, which were then
ing stood in the open air, were tender, and
DSequently the tips of the growths became
iokened, which, of course, gave so severe a
eck that in those cases the efi'ects are visible
w, at flowering time. The Chrysanthemum does
t require a forced growth, but progress must be
Bady and unchecked from the beginning to
tain the best results in the w.ay of blooms. I
1 sure that too man}- coddle the young plants
duly, and in that way lay a poor foundation to

growth. This coddling is perhaps a
jondary mistake to over-growing the popular
tninn flower. Among all collections I inspect,
letber an amateur's with a few dozen plants or
lere the champion blooms usually come from, it
curious to note the difference of treatment that
ists. In some instances feeding the plants
th strong liquid and other manures, it is easy

has been a leading feature, and when the
aired crop of sjileiidid, highly-developed flowers
raid be seasonable, such cultivators are disap-
iated to find they arc nol forthcoming. Several
iples of over-growth have been noted this
tomn. Securing early buds, again, is a fruitful
lirceof failure. Tliis mistalve, in the same way as
Brfeeding, only exhibits its bad eflfects in a col-
we at flowering time. The buds push out of
S foliage on long peduncles ; they appear to be
elling so kindly that the growers ma^' well
pect a rich harvest. All goes well until the
cets begin to show colour, then jjerhaps a row
two will run out at great length, but the buds
aolutely refuse to go further. There are many,
ear, who have been deliglited with their huge
ds of Mme. Carnot, Australian Gold, Reine
^ngleterre, to mention a few, who are not over-
iguine now. Early buds, too, produce in so
iny varieties blossoms of bad colour. The
viand Morel, Charles Davis, and such monster
■ers as Mrs. C. H. Payne, develop sh.ades of
shed-out tints, and are anything but pleasing,
e weather has been favourable to good results.
« !S especially so now, as the blooms are open-
;. E.xcopt for an occasional visit of fogs the
mcnts lia\-e for the past few weeks Ijcen fine.
J have had but little rain since the Chrysanthe-

mum plants were placed under glass, nor has tlio
air 1>ecn cold. It has, therefore, required i|uitc a
small amount of fire-Iicat to assist the opening
blooms, and, where growth of a medium strength
obtains, flowers are developing exceptional suli-
stance. 1 fully expect to find the exhibitions
quite up to the a\erage of other years. Of
course the finer displays are made with the
Japanese flowers. Incin'\fd C'hrysantiienmms dii
not .seem particularly fine. One rarely meets, for
instance, with nice blooms of the t^lueen type, which
a few years back were the ideal flowers in that
class. A new typo is springing up in such va-
rieties as Chas. H. Curtis, Jlrs. R. C. Kingston
■and Duchess of Fife. Tliese are, indeed, noble
examples \\ lien well grown, neither arc they dilli-
cult to grow. 1 should say the only way of kee|i-
ing the incurved class from falling out of cultiva-
tion is the introduction of sorts as good as those
named, in other colours.

The hairy-petalled kinds do not appear to gain
in favour, .as, with the exception of one called
Hairy \\'onder, they are not; frequently seen.
Single-flowered kinds are exceptionally pretty and
useful for cutting, but the stift'way of exhibiting
them, tied to wires, does not enhance their beauty.
The typo of which Framfield Beauty is an
example appears likely to be esteemed. This
produces long petals of a rich colour, that hang
down in an informal manner. New varieties of
Chrysanthemums are as numerous this j'car as
ever, but it is rather early to judge of them. So
far Ella Curtis and Robert Pow ell are very fine.
The}' both p.-irtake of a Iironzj* yellow character
and are of English origin. Tliose obtained from
a plant " sporting" are in two instances very fine.
I mean G. J. Warren (ii lemon-j'ellow fac-simile
of that grand white Mme. Carnot) and Lady
Hanham (a charming shade of salmon-rose, in
shape similar to Viviand Morel, the parent plant).
It is certain, too, that among tiie new kinds of
M. Calvat's noted strain several most beautiful
sorts will be seen before the season is past. At
present N.C.S. .Jubilee, Mile. Lucie Faure,
Mme. Edmond Roger and Mme. G. Bruant appear
to lie novelties of the first order. In a new
Australian variety called ilaster H. Tucker there
appears to be something exceptionally good as
regards colour — a dark crimson ; and as the
growth is also sturdy, I note this as one of the
best of the year. H. S.

SHORT XOTES.—CIIBYSAXTBEMUMS.

Ch?ysarthpmT;in M'S. Caterer is a Jara"-
GS3 Ateraot e variety uith pretty pure white flowers tf
gootl bu;ld, tile guard florets loug and drooping.

Chrysarthemnm Pr'de of Ryecroft.—

Those who know the very cliaste American variety
Niveum will welcome this novelty, whicli is a very pale
primrose or sulphur-yellow spoit from it.

Chrysanthemum Trafalgar.— A charming
little Japanese pompon, if tlie term is permissible.
For cutting it^vill be very useful where a deep rich
velvety crimson-maroou shade is required.

Chrysanthemum Georgiana Pitcher. —

This is a very large and compact Japanese, with deeply
grooved florets of good width. The colour is rather
pale canary -yellow, the reverse a silvery shining yellow.

Chrysanthemum J. B. Yvop. — A spnrt from
Viviand Morel and fixed iu France. Although duller
in tone and different from Lady Hanham, it sccnis
likely* when aged to be scarcely wise to stage it iu the
same collection.

Chrysanthemum Maurice Boissard.- A

fine han-y novelty of the Japanese incurved form. The
florets are medinin in width and deeply grooved,
poitted at the tips. The blooms are of good ti/,c, the
colour pale golden yellow.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. C. Hai man-Payne

has given several sports, but t vv(i of thcni appcjr to be
identical. .Airs. U. W. Palmer and Jlmc. Kugcne
Testoufc are both rosy bron/.c, but the third, called
Mme. L'luis Kciiiy, is a pure white counterpart.

Chrysanthemum Lady Kidg way. —This

sort bears very large blooms, which aie of incurving
fortn. The petals are of great substance. Its buff-tinteil
flowers are very distinct, and either for exhibition or

for conservatory decoration it can be recommended.
— 11.
Chrysanthemum Mrs. S. C. Probin is an

Amcriciin variety of very great beauty. I'he shade of
ticsli-pini,- is delicate find pleasing. It has large blooms
that are inclined to be round iu shape and of extra
siibslance. The habit of the plaut is dwarf and
sturdy.— S.

Chrysanthemum I ady Isabel.— This is a
charming variety belonging t" the olu incurved tvpe
altlniiigb fniiicwliat larg»'r and ('eepcr in build than
many of that section. The form is excellent. The
florets are rather broad and incuive very perfectly;
colour, pale silvery blush.

Chrypenthemum lilla Curtis. -Some fire
flowers of this new variety are opening. It is not un-
like the old IJoulo d'(-*r in its long and wide drooping
florets. It may be called an improvement on that un-
certain kind in every way. As an exhibition bloom
it is quite i ne of the bfst of the season. — H.

Chrysanthemum Don Pietro Baragiola.
— This novelty wiis raised liy JI. de Kcydellet. It is a
Japanese with narrow, flat, retiexing florets. The
colour is deep golden yellow, shaded rosy carmine.
Although not over-large, it is a very striking and
effective novelty, and quite free from coirstness.

Chrysanthemtm Mme. Terlat.— One of
Calvat's IS'.T novelties. It is a veiy large, globu'.ar
Japanese, solid and compact in build, florets grooved
and incurving, ]atre white in colour. It was staged
in good form at the Paris show last year, but appears
to even greater advantage in England this season.

Chrysanthemum Dorothy Ssw^ard. — I am
not at all pleased with this vanity. The colour, a
deep terra cutta i^hade, is nice, but the florets are
short, and this gives the bloom a chise appearance the
reverse of graceful. It is tincertain, too, and late-
formed buds are giving (ptite sirgle blos:Oms. — S.

Chrysanthemum Mme. Philippe Bivoire.

— This variety obtained a certificate recently, but, con-
sidering that it has been in cultivation several years,
that honour is somewhat late. It is, however, a very
go'id white flower and especially easy to grow. The
blooms are full and deep, the florets have first-rate
substance, atd it is altogether a desirable kind. — H.

Trees and Shrubs.

NOTES ON TREE LIFE.

The difference in the vitality of trees, e.speci"
ally in the characteristics in connection with
their decay, is very marked. This would seem
to be considerably influenced by difl'eront soils.
Any observations on such subjects are alw.ays
the more interesting when one can settle
within a few year.s the date of the planting of
such trees, and so form a tolerably correct esti-
mate as to their longevity under dirt'erent con-
ditions, or, in the case of healthy trees, doter-
niiuc tlie annual progress made both in matter
of height and bulk. The knowledge, for in-
stance, that the pleasure grounds here were
planted by Lord Clive in or about the year
ITfiO enables one to .say with certainty that the
limit of life of the Silver Fir on this soil is l.'jO
years. Not one of the trees is in good he.ilth,
and many have already been removed. They
ilic hard, grand old specimens nearly 120 feet
high, the majority of the branches dead or
dying, and yet the tree as a whole fine in its
decay. It seems almost a pity to anticipate
their fall, were it not that if allowed to come
down naturally they arc apt to smash into
and destroy yomig trees that have been
planted to replace them. Surrey is famous
for tlie number of its Beeches and the
lovely autumnal tints they assume. The tree
docs well here and assumes large projiortions ;
it grows quickly, but is not long-lived, and once
it begins to go the decay is very ra])id. The first
.symptoms of decay are an early leaf shedding,
some three weeks before the healthy trees.
The next .season's foliage is snuill and .scanty,
and liy tlie end of that season the tree is dead.
The Elder goes even more quickly ; after showing

384

THE GARDEI^.

[November 13, 1897.

a deterioration in the foliage early in the year,
it is bare and dead before that year is out.
Apropos of this tree, there is an instance of
reproduction in a colony of young trees pro-
auced from .seed that must have blown across
the lake. From the age standpoint, not the
least interesting is the contemplation of the
various clumps of Yews that are scattered here
and there, and a comparison between their size
after 140 years' growth and that of the monarchs
one meets with in old churchyards gives a better
idea as to the wonderful age of the last-named.
It is possibly the knowledge of the .slow growth
of the Yew, and that several generations must
come and go before the tree is seen at its best,
that are accoiuitable for the few that are planted.
It should, however, be remembered that in cer-
tain situations it is one of the iinest trees we
have, and where those situations exist and there
is a probability of their continuance, no one
should hesitate to plant, sparingly of course,
the sombre character of the tree not warranting
grouping on a largt; scale. I watch with eacli
succeeding year the appearance of our only
specimen of the Sugar Maple. It is a large tree
and well furnished, but Mistletoe has obtained
a firm and ever-increasing hold upon it, and if
the theory is true that the longevity of trees is
considerably shortened by the para.site, then
the days of the Maple are numbered. Starting
at the top with piece.s doubtless at first un-
noticed, but which have now attained large
dimensions, it is spreading all over the trees.
In connection with the destructive influence
of the Mistletoe it would seem that it aji-
plies to souie species and not to others. ( )f
• respectively Lombardy Poplars and Thorns, for
instance, th.-it were carrying fifteen years ago
quantities of Mistletoe, and all apparently in the
best of health, the Poplars are dead, but the
Tliorns none the worse. It may be the para-
site had nothing to do with the death of the
former, I simply give the result of observation.
Can any cause be assigned for early collapse of
the greater part of the foliage of the common
Plane ? The trees are apparently in the best
of health, they break well, and the leaves up to
the time of attaining their full size are fre.sh
and vigorous ; then there is a shrivelling of the
leaf-stalk, a premature browning of the leaf,
and down they come in shoals. This applies
solely to the large-leaved or common Plane ; I
have ne\'er noticed it in the cut-leaved variety.
Reverting again briefly to evergreen trees, I
noticed a paragrajjh lately on Taxodium semper-
virens, so far as its value as a timber tree is
concerned. Given sites and soil where it does
well, would it not be advisable to plant it rather
largely in this country 1 I am aware that in
some pinetums it is not at all ornamental, pre-
senting a ragged, rusty appearance, and as
though its leader had received one or two very
severe checks ; but on the other hand there are
places where it is close on 100 feet high, and
bearing in mmd the fact that the tree was intro-
duced so late as 184o, it is certain that these
last have done their work very quickly, and
would not in this respect sufler in comparison
with the most rapid growers of the coniferie.
Tlie comparatively new Abies brachyphylla is
another fast-growing tree ; one, some 4 feet in
height when planted here thirteen years ago,
is now 24 feet liigh. I think it is one of the
handsomest of its class. E. Burrell.

Claremont.

the large, handsome foliage, somewhat woolly in
character, being very showy. Of quite another
I character was the sujaller kind, V. viiiifera pur-
I purea, of which there were also several plants
with finely-coloured and beautiful, though much
smaller, leaves, and both are welcome if rightly
placed in the garden and quite distinct.

Leycesteria formosa. — This shrub does not
always flower so freely as desiralile, but when it
does the effect of the nearly pure white flowers,
the dark crimson bracts and seed vessels, and the
deep green foliage is very pretty. It usually pro-
duces a few flowers in any position, but to flower
it freely, a nice warm sunny position and fairly
good soil are necessary. It is an easily-propagated
plant, growing freely from cuttings in a hand-
light. The}' may be dibbled into pots or a bed
made up for them, and when they are rooted and
planted out in light, rich soil, progress is very
rapid.

TJlex nanus. — The dwarf Furze mu.st cer-
tainly have a place in any selection of autumn-
flowering shrubs, as its bright golden blossoms
are very freely borne at this season of the year.

Vitis Coignetiae. — At the recent meeting of
the Royal Horticultural Society at the Drill Hall
the Messrs. Veitch had some capital examples of
this distinct looking Vine. The jjlants were
grown to a single stem and nearly 10 feet high.

well .suited for covering a large piece of rock, an. ■
with a sunny aspect so niucli the bettor. A % \
depth of poil for its roots will not be without its.
ward in the season of growth. At the Drill 1|
recently Messrs. Paal and Son had some tine pii i
of this freely coveied with bright berries.

Garden Flora.

Rosa rugosa calocarpa.

PLATE 1144.

WILD ROSES.

(with a COLODRED plate of ROSA CALOCAll
AND R. HCMILIS RUGOSA.*)

Some of our Rose-growing nurserymen hi!
awakened to the fact that some wild Ro
are worth growing, and even at flower shcl
a number of them have been seen ; theyi
not, however, appear to advantage in shoi
But on cool grass in the hot summer dl
there is nothing that is more delightij
whether they be those of our own counti
like the Sweet Brier, Dog and field Rosf
or those of other countries, such as
teautiful Altai, the American swaH
Rose, gallica and many others. Soon i
hope to he able to get many of themd
easily in nurseries as any other Roa
and if our trade Rose growers woJ
only get out of their narrow way of ofl
ing plants singly at needlessly high pricj
we might yet see effective groups of w|
Roses. But they should be sold by '
dozen, and Sweet Brier and Dog Rd
which could be used as covert, shoJ
be ofl'ered by the thousand. As to grd
ing wild Roses, the best way is not to jl
them in the garden itself, but rather {
grass walks or rongli banks, or in new
made hedgerows. One of tlie prettil
ways we have sei n was a border of thi
in a grass orchard of young trees, wl
groups of wild Roses on either side
a grass walk between ; and beyond md
ing once or twice, no other care
given, as wild Roses are able to look afl
themselves. If their beautiful bloom df
not last long, the fruit is pretty,
f-^ though they are not of the things that ]
'~jg us well for garden cultivation, as the 11
!« girden Roses, the wild Roses may o£j
be used witli fine effect.

Among the wild Roses that give us i
pleasure there may be named the Needle Ra
of Japan (R. acicularis) ; the field Rose
the Dog Rose, which generally represd
themselves in our hedgerows pretty freel

and a group of it is just now particularly striking.
Later on the common Furze and its double-
flowered variety will commence to bloom, but at
present the field is held by the dwarf \ariety

alone. It is readily increased by cuttings, or _ _ .

shoots may be layered, which, from the habit of the and therefore generally need no plautiB
plant, is sn easy matter. When planted in a the Carolina Rose, charming for its distil
bed the branches may be layered and allowed to ^^ blooming and very late flowers, excl

reraam so, and the snoots then iiusned up will ■' ri. i j: i.l- •"

form quite a mass, and when in flower make a lent also for the house tor cutting ;
goodly show.— T. alpine Rose and its Pyrenean variety, exo

lent for rocky banks ; the Cherokee
the Indian Rose, tender away from prob
tion, as all single Roses should be hardy ;
glossy Rose (R. lucida), one of the md
excellent and free we have, blooming, like t|
Carolina, late in the year, and growing

SHORT XOTES.— TREES AND SHRUBS.

Blue Hydrangens. — In " A. D.'s" note on the
above (p. 31(1), bo remarks that the blue colour is
usually found in the flowers of plants ijrowini; in boggy
or black soils. This is not invariably the case, as the
hue is often present t.n plants growing in the red soil
of South Devon.— S. W. F.

Cotoneaster horizon talis. — This well-known
plant, with its neat, almost dense habit of growth, is

* Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon
Gravetye Manor. Lithographed and printed by J.^
GoUart,

i ROSA CAL0CARPA_2 R HUMILIS RUGOSA

NOVHMBER 13, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

385

arshy or almost any ground, pretty in
ilour too in winter ; the Austrian Brier, a
itive of Central Europe, and hardy even
(nong wild Roses, althoULjh wu are accus-
)mcd to treat it as a garden plant ; the Musk
,ose and its forms, all handsome Koses, and
I also the niany-tlowcred Rose (It. multi-
)ra), and, second to none, our own sweet
rier and the Japanese Roses (R. rugosa).
he Scotch Rose also is pretty, and has long

isn represented in many gardens by its
uble forms. One of the most beautiful of
single forms is the Altai Rose, a large,
)ft lemon-coloured flower. The creeping
ose of China and Japn.n (R. AVichuriana) is
iiite distinct fiom any, and excellent for
inning about rocky banks and as a climber.
tiese jirubalily are but a small number of the
OSes with which the northern and mountain

colours iii-o, we tl\ink, in a mass as beautiful as
any, as, for instaiu'C, tlie Oak woods of Sussex
and Beech in Surrey and lUicks. .\t ]H'esent
there is scarcely a lianly sunimer-lealing tree of
Europe or America that is not beautiful in colour,
thouijli that colour varies mueli according to the
soil and other conditions. For instance, the
Aspens, so pale in colour in Sussex and in Ireland,
on the limestone have souietimes the most brilliant
of line colours. One tree we have noticed lately
is very liiindsome — namely, the Tui)elo tree
(Nyssa), which is not a Eurojiean tree, however.
—En.

The Week's Work.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Pe.\.s. — In favoured localities and sheltered gar-
dens a sowing of some dwarf early I'ea may be
made during the present month with a view to
having a few fiatheriugs somewhat earlier than is
obtained by sowing at the latter end of January.

prld is clothed, and of which many have yet
come to our gardens.

Autumn tints. — I am constantly hoping to

s an article in your columns on autumn-tinted

jea and shrubs. Of course, if one lives near

3W the matter is simple. You can go there

■!ek after week and note the tints you like best.

it if you do not li\e near an arboretum vou have

t so good a chance. The trees in a nursery are

nerally too yountr to show their real effect. I

ve about jll acres available for planting. I

opose to use tliem principally with a view to

itumn tints. I am, unfortunately, on a hillside

'ing west, near the sea, so I shall not be able to

■; as well as the lucky people in the midlands:

t with adecjuate shelter belts something may be

'lie. I should, therefore, greatly appreciate an

;ticle by some specialist on hardy trees and

:rubs which take beautiful autumn tints.— K.

«* No doubt it is interesting to find out
'5 trees and shrubs that have brilliantly
"loured leaves in autumn, but it is to a lover of
'four almost an academical inquiry. Of late, in
Ip country around London the difficulty is to
'«1 a tree that lias not beauty of colour." Even
T common trees that are never noted for their

For this purpose either of the following varieties
may be selected, as they are of good constitution
and naturally dwarf and early : Chelsea Gem,
Early Sunrise, William Hurst, and Ringleader.
A warm, well-drained soil is necessary, such as
a siaith border, where thej' can get all the sun
possible durini; the winter with the protection
from cutting winds which the wall affords. The
seed should be put in at once while the ground is
still warm. This will cause it to germinate
quickly, which is very essential, as when it re-
mains in a dormant state for any length of time
at this season, many of the seeds decay, and thin
rows result. As a further protection against this
the seed should be coated with red lead, wliich
, also preser\"es it to a great extent from birds and
mice. Constant attention will be necessary to
protect the plants during the winter. Wire
; guards are best to ward olf birds, and frequent
I dustings of fine dry a.shes to preserve them from
slug.s. Broad shallow drills should be formed and
the seed sown evenly, it being better to draw a
little soil round the plants as they push through
than to bury the seed too deeply at tirst.
Should, however, the plants fail to stand through
the winter, the loss of seed and labour are not great,
and the ground is available for sowing again to-
wards spring.

BuoAi) Ukans. — These being somewhat hardier
than the I'eas, ibeie is less risk in autumn sowing,
and a few rows should certainly be put in now on a
warm border. If such ground"is scarce just now
the rows may be made closer together, and if all
goes well with them the plants in every other row
may he transplanted in the spring. A few dishes
of these early in .June are considered a delicacy,
and well repay for any troulile incurred during
the winter in allording u slight protection. Early
Mazagan is recommended for jiresent sowing, as it
possesses a hardy con.stitution, is of dwarf habit,
and turns in early. Beck's Dwarf Green Gem is
of recent introduction compared with the former,
and is rceommended as being prolific, early, of
dwarf and compact habit, and worthy of a trial for
present planting. Beans do not require the same
attention as Peas, as birds do not attack them,
but it would be wise to coat tlie seed in the same
way as recommended above to secure even rows of
plants.

TuRNirs.— If by chance some of the more tender
varieties have been sown and any doubt exists as
to their hardiness, it would be wise probably to
get them otf the ground before we get "any
severe frost. The roots will keep for a long
time in gcod condition if not exposed. They
may be stacked against a north wall and
covered with bracken cr straw. This entails
very little trouble, and it is convenient to gtt
the roots as they are required. The main
late sowings of Chirk Castle are sufficiently
hardy to stand the most se\ere winter; there-
fore they should be allowed to remain undis-
turbed, as their quality is never better than
when used direct from the ground.

Leuks. — These will be in greater demand
now the summer vegetables are over. If the
plants have not been moulded up as recom-
mended, it is not too late to draw some soil
round the stems (i inches or more in depth.
Wliere they were not planted in trenches the
same as Celery it will be necessary to loosen
the soil on either side of the rows, but not
too close to the roots, to get the soil in a suit-
able condition for the purpose. Before doing
so, however, a good soaking of liquid manure
will prove of great assistance, as perhaps no
other crop absorbs more moisture and nutri-
ment out of the ground than this one, and
after such a dry autumn the soil about the
roots will contain very little moisture.

To.MATOKS. — The past month has been very
favourable for these plants, bright sun with
abundance of air causing them to make short-
jointed, firm growth, while the flowers have
opened strongly and set freely. The earliest
fruit will be changing colour, and though it
is necessary, to obtain these of the best
flavour, to allow them to remain on the plants
until they become well coloured, they should be
gathered directly they reach that stage to en-
courage later fruit to develop. Continue to
surface-dress the roots piecemeal, using rich
loam and some jilant food, which is more lasting
and of greater benefit to the plant during the
winter than soaking the soil with liquid manure,
or top-dressing the plants with se\eral inches of
decayed manure. Keep the plants free of super-
fluous growth by pinching out crowded shoots ;
when these are allowed to develop the knife has
to be uscil, and the sudden removal of a large
(juantity of foliage gives the plants a check. Give
fresh air on all favourable occasions, and keep
sufficient warmth in the jiipes to expel moisture.
On no account should the plants be syringed,
neither shouhl the floors, &c. , be damped, as
moisture in this way is often the forerunner of
disease.

Bkusskls Sprouts. — Like other winter crops
this season, these have done remarkably well,
and promise to give a good supply over a
long season. Care is necessary in gathering
these to see that the right sprouts are used
if the plants are to remain productive as long as
po.ssible. It istiiot uncommon for the daily supply
to be obtained from one or two plants which
hajipen to come first, resulting in some being

386

THE GARDEK

[NoVEMtiER 13,1897.

quite small and barely fit for table, while others
are past their best and are loose and open. These
are not satisfactory when sent to table, and
lead to a certain amount of waste. Looking the
plantation over carefully and gathering the
sprouts when they ha\e reached the desired size
will save this, and their season will be prolonged.
The heads of the plants should be retained as long
as possible ; the early removal of these causes the
sprouts to develop more quickly and thus shortens
their season.

Beetroot. — Owing to the absence of frost the
roots in most gardens are still in the ground,
which is an advantage, as the quality is not likely
to siiflfer as when early lifting and storing .are
resorted to. The roots are not so tender as many
suppose, and I would advise those who have
always made a practice of lifting the crop to leave
a portion at least in the ground. If every other
row was carefully lifted and some soil drawn well
round those roots that are left, I do not think
many will be found decayed in spring unless the
winter proves exceptionally severe.

Rhub.ikb. — Those who can afford to lift a few
roots of Royal Albert or some other early variety
and can command a gentle warmth, either from a
bed of leaves or a warm greenhouse, will find little
trouljle in having Rhubarb ready for use within
a few weeks. The simplest plan is to lift a
few clumps with soil about them and pack them
in a deep box. They can be easily placed under
the stage in a warm house, but not too near the
hot-water pipes. It is better to exclude light,
which is done by covering the box with old sacks.
Clumps ma}' also be placed in the Mushroom
house or a warm cellar, or, failing either of these,
a hot-bed of leaves and manure about a yard deep
should be formed, the clumjis placed on this and
covered with cement barrels or boxes. A gentle
warmth excites growth so long as plenty of litter
is placed round and over the covering. The old
stools should not be destroyed when they are done
with, but split up in the spring to form new
plantations. Ricii.iKD Pahkek.

FRUIT HOUSES.

Pines. — With the exception of fruiters. Pines will
now be resting, especially successional plants
required for starting in the ensuing and two
following months. Most growers defer starting
these until the turn of the year, but when fruits
of the Queen variety are required in the early
spring months, there is no alternative but to start
a batch of plants early in December. It is essen-
tial that the jilants have as long a period of rest
as it is possible to afford them. With this end
in view, the bottom-heat should not exceed 70°,
while a temperature of G0° and 05° will suffice for
night and by day. If growing in pits, damping
down should be entirely dispensed with, but if in
lean-to or span-roofed houses, a slight sprinkling
of the paths will be beneficial on bright daj's, and
a little air may be admitted during the forenoon
to prevent the temperature rising too high. If
the plants are plunged in a Ijed of tan or leaves
they will require but little water, but at the same
time they must not be allowed to become dust-
dry, as this will mean loss of roots. It sometimes
happens that a few of these plants start to throw
up fruit just when they are being got to rest.
This in some instances is far from being an evil,
as these fruits will ripen at a time when variety
for the dessert is verj' limited. Such plants
should be removed to the fruiting house at once.
The next batch of plants intended to form a suc-
cession to the above need not be kept quite so dry
at the roots, but the soil should never approach
more than a medium state of moisture at
the most. If these are in a separate pit
or division, treat them as regards tempera-
ture, &c., as recommended above. Suckers potted
up as advised in the latter part of September will
be sufficiently rooted for the temperatures to be
lowered to the above figures, but if those which
were shifted at that time into 7-inch and 8-inch

pots are not yet sufficiently rooted to be got to
rest, continue former treatment for a week or two
longer. Fruiters must have a brisk day tempera-
ture of 80°, and from 70° to 75° at night, accord-
ing to outside conditions. See that they get
sufficient root moisture with accompanying stimu-
lants, especially those plants carrying fruits
which are rapidly a])proaching maturity. Sprinkle
the fioors and the surface of the beds with a fine-
rosed water-pot several times a day, but for the
next few weeks dispense with the use of the
syringe. As a set-off against this, keep the
vapour troughs constantly charged, and strew a
little guano in them every few days. To econo-
mise fire-heat, cover at night with blinds, dressed
covers, or mats. There are disadvantages attend-
ing the use of covers unless the precaution is
taken to shut off )jart of the heat when these
bliiids are let down or mats put on. Between
no%\- and the end of the year a good supjjly of Oak
lea\es should when possible be collected and jiut
by in some out-of-the-way place for future use.
Failing Oak leaves. Beech or Spanish Chestnut
are the next best, but if these are not obtainable,
it is Ijetter to use tan for Pine growing. The
latter is best bought in some little time liefore it
is wanted, so that rank gases may be dispelled in
the process of fermentation previous to placing it
in the plunging beds. If there is a hkelihood of
the house in which the first lot of Queens is to be
started being at liberty, gi\e the structure a
thorough cleaning.

Ckerkies. — In many places where verj' early
Cherries are in demand it is the practice to house
the trees early in November and to bring them on
graduallj- by the aid of fermenting material alone
until the buds are in a forward state. When
leaves are not obtainable, fire-heat has to be relied
on to gi\-e the necessary warmth, but of this little
or none will be required in the initial stages so
long as the weather remains fine and open. In
tlie event of frosty weather setting in, a day tem-
perature of 45° will suffice and 5° less than this
will be quite high enough for the night. When
the buds begin to show signs of moving, a rise of
5° more both by day and night may then be
allowed. If the soil about the roots is in a dry
condition, give it a soaking of tepid water, but do
not water it if in .'i medium state of moisture, as it
should be if the trees have been standing outside.
If the trees are planted out in an inside border, test
the latter and afford water in sufficient quantity
to moisten it throughout if found necessary. In
this case I am assuming that such matters as house
cleaning, lime-wa.shing of walls, and dressing of
the trees with an insecticide afterwards, also the
training and tying of the trees to the trellis, have
had attention. If the border has not yet been
top-dressed, get it done when closing the house
for starting. Remove as much of the inert sur-
face soil as can be done with safety and replace it
with fibrous loam with which has been mixed a
little lime rubble or old plaster and some bone-
meal. This should be spread evenly and be
firmly trodden afterwards. Houses containing
planted-out trees which will be started early in
the new year must in the meantime be kept fully
ventilated, and see that the borders do not become
too dry. As opportunity offers, get the trees
pruned and retied to the trellis and the houses
put in proper order. Trees in jrats or tubs m.ay,
of course, remain outdoors until actual starting
time arrives, but see that the litter. Bracken, or
old hot-bed material is well mounded o\er and
around them should frost succeed the present
mild open weather.

Peach houses. — All the inside borders of
houses in which the trees are now resting should
be frequently tested to guard again.st their he-
coming over-dry. Alertness in this particular
will in a great measure prevent the trees shedding
tlieir buds, as over-dryness of the border is more
often than not the cause of this complaint.
Proceed with the pruning, dressing, and tying of
the trees as circumstances will permit, keeping a
fair amount of work of this description in reserve
should a change of weather cause a suspension of
outdoor operations. * ^'■'

Ferns.

A. W.

HARDY EXOTIC FERNS FOR

GROUPING.

Some Ferns are much more suitable,
more effective, than others for the purjjoil
under consideration. Among tliose most desij
able are a number of exotic kinds as hardy, ail
in some instances hardier, than (;ur native Fernl
jjossessing characteristics and \-ariety of folia;'
quite distinct from tho.se of the British varietii
They should therefore be planted in the liar(
fernery along with our native kinds, and tli
a more varied and interesting, as well as A
tinct, efi'ect will be jiroduced. North Ameri
furnishes us witli a very handsome hari
INIaidenhair in I

AwANTi'M TEDATUM. — This spccies is so harip
that 30° of frost have failed to injure it in
dormant condition. Owing probably to its bei
so hardy it commences to grow early in the sprii
and is then liable to injury from late frosts a
also from the cold east winds. If planted wh(
it is protected from these injurious influences, ii
in the shade where it will not be burnt by hot si
there is no reason wliy as lovely a clump of tl
Fein should not be secured as any in its nati
wilds. It grows 2 feet in height, the stems bei
long and bearing spreading pale green beautil
foliage. If half-a-dozen or so plants are put ii
clump they will be sufficient to produce a V€
pleasing effect.

Lastrea GoLDiEANA is another North Amerit
species, very pretty, bold and effective. Itsfroi
are each 2 feet to 2| feet in length, tlie pin
occupying about one-third of the frond in leng'
wavy, and of a striking metallic green of t
shades, which give a peculiarly .pleasing appe
ance thereto. It is of erect habit and is a gc
kind for the background.

Lastkea M.AKiaNALis is spreading in habit, 1
colour pale green, the fronds e.ach 15 inches to
inches long, triangular in outline and quite <
tinct from those of any other hardy kind.

Onoc'LEA sessibilis requires a sheltered a
shady position rather inclined to be damp, n
forms one of the most beautiful objects in (
hardy fernery. Each frond attains to a height
2 feet to 2i feet, the leafy portion is a lovely p
green, each pinna being almost exactly like
Oak leaf, the frond having the appearance o
number of these fastened by their bases to t
stem. In America it is called " the sensit
Fern " owing to its susceptibility to injury
wind and sun, but, when protected from these,
will form a mass of lovely foliage. It is <
tremely hardy and free in growth. The fert
fronds "are very remarkable, as they grow about
foot or 15 inches high, the upper portion, 2 incl
or 3 inches of the top of the frond, looking likt
number of dark green beads secured to the ste
These are the receptacles of the spore cases, a
remain standing erect on the plant long after t
barren fronds have perished in the autumn. Tin
are three very ornamental North American (
mundas, two of tliem totally distinct from t
British Royal Fern, but equally hardy.

OsMUNDA cinnamiuiea produces large ban
fronds not unlike a male Fern, but more point
at the apex and thicker in texture. The reraai
able feature of this Fern, however, is its fert
fronds, which are produced in the centre of t
plant, and stand perfectly erect. These froii
are very woolly and destitute of foliage, t
upper portion consisting entirely of the s)"
cases and their receptacles. As these mature tli
take on a lieautiful ciimamon colour. This cn.ai:
teristic has given rise to its specific name as «
as its connnon name, the Cinnamon Fern,
clump of this veiy distinct and ornamental spec
forms a most attractive object in the outct
fernery.

O. Ceaytoniana is quite distinct from tiie \J
ceding. Its fronds are much more blunt, as ii-
are the pinna; ; the colour is a lovely pale g"

VBMBER 13, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

387

'liiite a vi-lvcty aiipeanmcc. Thi; frrtilu
lie .similar to the biH'reii ones, only that

llie |iiiin.i' miilway of tlie frond on ouch
I lie .stem, instead of being like the others,

verted into the .spore-hearing portions,
i.ini; contracted, and eventually becoming

.,'ive an appearance to the frond which has
111 the characteristic name of O. inter-
It is a very handsome Fern, and should be
\ hardy fcrnoi-y.

sD.i cK-M'iLis resembles the British 0.
, but the fronds are much lighter in te.vture
aire graceful in habit. The younir fronds
leu come up nicely tinted. This is another
liich sliould not be omitted from a collee-
iiardy Ferns.

.^riniiM MDNiTi'M is a handsome dark

■.pecies, bearing along the stem closely .set,

. hied jiiinia', serrated at the margins. The

are often 2h feet to l> feet long and 4 inches

It is a remarkably ell'ective soecies and
,idy.

riiuii'TERis r?:N'NSvr,v.\Nic.i and S. oer-

I arc both commonly called the Ostrich-
Fern and the Shuttlecock Fern, the former

-r of tlie very decided curl of the pinnae in

- of development, and the hitter because of

ikingly symmetrical habit of growth and

ittlecock arrangement of the fronds. These

come, the first from North America

I' other from many jiarts of Europe. They

many considered to be the same species,

!ig slightly as the result of climate or posi-

They are, howe\'er, sutiiciently distinct to

lite it desirable to have both in cultivation.

isylvanica grows much larger, is of a darker

111 colour, and apjiears to be hardier than

n-r. S. yermanica is, hovve\er, the jirettier

ihe colour is a greyish green, the fronds

lunicrous and more graceful. The fertile

- of both are produced in the centre of the

iiid are devoid of foliage, being solelj' spore-

i,', very peculiar in appearance. These last

plant montlis after the barren fronds have

\\"av .

n;E.\ -VTR.VT.v is a very hardy Japanese Fern,

. :iid erect in habit, dark green, evergreen and
(illative.

t SlEiiOLDi, another Japanese species, has
. leathery fronds, distinct and desirable for
ist with the lighter foliaged kinds.
\KIA .\n'iNA is a ])erfectly hardy New
id siiecies which grows in dense clumps,
; fronds 4 inches or so in length, not unlike
itish Blechnum Spicant in appearance. It
is quickly, creeping over stones and rock-
wuj and forming tjuite a carpet of green foliage.

"li'tJMir.A is a variety of L. alpina, with narrower

'-. which are more slender and prettily
I. Tlie fertile fronds of both these Lomarias
dly distinct from the barren ones, beingerect
le leafy portion rolled back to form a cover-

- I the spore cases on the back of the frond.

ijiA'STiciiuM ACRosTiciioiDES is a North

Anrican species. It is evergreen, has fronds each

I'lies to 24 inches long; the upper fertile

II is contracted. This species is very dis-
iiid forms a nice contrast when surrounded
tier chim[is of lighter coloured and more
nil kinds.

sides the preceding there are other exotic
s which may be cultivated successfully in
"y parts (if the country, but which are not
su ;iently hardy for cultivation in some of the
00 iT and more exposed parts. The foregoing,
ver, are so hardy, that they may be
ted with full reliance in their hardiness in

as those from the New, only do well in a sunny
aspect. I have had experience of this for some
year.s. I could not succeed at (Jeneva in cul-
tivating Ciieilanthes oilora, lanuginosa and ves-
tita. In spite of every care given to them, they
siifi'ered from general weakness, ending in decay.
At last I one day saw Woodsia hyperborea, that
delicate and fragile ])lant, in full sun along an
al|)ine road in Italy, and an idea occurrcl to me ;
and on returning 1 planted all my Cheilanthes in
sunshine on a south wall. The result was good,
and I recoramentl the [ilan to Fern growers. But

winters and bloom ;is well a-i before. Vigorous
Tea and Bengal Roses on their own roots are
none tlie worse for being cut down in this way,
though tiiey are often thrown away by mistake
licc.iuse the tops are dead. — Field.

Rose Gloire des Polyaatha. — Wiiat a
lovely gem this is for missing or for pots. Its
pretty miniature deep pink flowers are produced
111 immense pyramids— really wonderful for such
a diminutive plant. A hundred or mors of thi

it was neces.sary also to change the soil in which , beautiful Rose would provide a tine miss of
these plants were cultivated, and I set them in | colour the best part of the summer and autiumn.
soft porous mould composed of Siihagnum Mess, It should also 1)3 valuable for pots for consirva-
peat and sand ; good drainage and frequent tory emliellisliinent. Nothing is more tilling
watering ensured an immediate and excellent i than this and kindred Roses when well grown
result. That which proved satisfactory for Cheil- and interspersed among fine-foliaged plants in
anthes I then tried for Woodsia hyperborea the conservatory. They also come in very use-
and ilvensis (the treatment did not do for \V. ob- ful for room decoration. This Rose has been one
tusa) ; then for Scolopendrium hemionitis, that of the most attractive in this unusual autumn,

and there are only three or four others among the
Hybrid Teas, sucli as Cimoens and Marquise de
Salisbury, that can really compete with this fine

pretty and curious Fern from the south so rarely
met with in gardens, where it is considered
dilticult to grow. Tlicn I subjected to the

same treatment Nothochlena Jlarantis ; and this I'olyantha variety for garden or park decoration,
lovely Fern, which formerly did not do success- | Colour in Mme. Falcot Rose.— Herewith I
fully with me, turned out marxellously well. It send you some buds showing their very rich
is, then, absolutely certain that many species of j colour, running W. A. Richardson very close.
Ferns—examples could be multiplied— require sun | The fact that from April to December flowers can
and jilenty of air — H. Cokkevox, in Gardenci-n' be had every day places Mme. Falcot far a

Chronir'e.

Rose Garden.

STANDARD ROSE STOCKS.

The traveller by road may now see men grub-
bing U]i Dog Rose sticks to use to graft tine
and often delicate Roses on, the sticks in
heaps beside the

y day places Mme. Falcot far ahead of
W. A. Richardson. The yilants are grown in a
cool, airy, span-roofed house running north and
south. About a dozen varieties of Teas are
grown ; amongst them are four large very old
])lants of JSIme. Falcot, and from these I gather
the richest coloured Roses. Young plants on
their own roots or budded from these fail to give
anything like the rich colouring of those sent.
The jjlants have been budded on standards, and I
know them to be above twenty years old. The

ho
pli
anbiart of the king

, ., ' 111-1 border was entirely re-made two years ago, and

roads rootless and looking ,,5^^^. ^,^^ ..g^^j^-^,^,^^ ^^^^ ,.^„^j ^n ^^t^^.

ike_ crutches for cripples, which they are toUi^,,/ These four plants have given us thousands
be in another sense in a year or two, when ^f plages in May and June, over 100 were taken

dying Roses are to be seen sujiported by them in
ourgardens. Nurserymen buy themfroin the men
who cull them in the hedgerows and copses and
think tliem good enough to put Roses on. Every-
body who has tried to get a Dog Rose out of the
ground will know how deep running the roots
are, and how ditiicult it is to get them up, and
in their rootless state the wonder is that any of
the plants live at all. Many die, but how can we

every morning, and now I can gather on an
average two dozen every morning with hundreds
of liuds to open. I have been trying for several
years past to get the same colour into flowers on
young plants, but have never been able. Is it
the age that does it ? — J. R.

Chinese, Bengral or Monthly Rosss. —
These old-fashioned Roses do not appear to have
been in much demand of late, but now that we

expect such dried .sticks to become living founts l^ave such good additions as Duke of \ork, Irene
of energy for the Rose / Most wild Roses, un- ^Y^"^' Jl'«l'i"ie Eugene Resal and Queen Mab,
like trees, do not send all their life through the | t^^'.'^L'^'^y °""^l"°/_!.'::"^'°..''!'-/°',':\.//.°\l^i?
same stem for years, but throw up fresh stems

B.

■ )ck and sun-loving- Ferns. — It is a mistake
insider all Ferns as plants recjuiring shade
moisture. There are, on the contrary, many
h like full sunshine and bright light. With-
ountingCystopteris alpina and fragilis, wliich

;■ in our walls as well in sun as in shade, there
le class of Ferns which actually requires sun-
Cheilanthes from the Old World, as well

as the old ones wear out and die. It is by the
merest chance that we get a healthy Rose from
such a stock, and so we may see more than one
reason why the Rose should die often when it
is quite hardy. A great imjorovement on this
way is grafting Roses low on tlie seedling Brier,
which means young clean roots and vigour.
When Roses are worked low on this stock they
sometimes throw out roots above the union, and
liberate themselves, so to say. Besides, the
stock is young, and far more certain to endure
some years than the dried, and often half dead,
sticks of the wild Rose, on which not one in
tifty Roses will ever attain to the size and
dignity of a real Rose bush. It is as if we were
foolish enough to put an acorn on the top of an
old stub Oak and expect it to become a tree.
And it is not only tliat we put our Ro.ses on
worn-out crutches, but wc [iiit them high in the
air, .so that the Rose, often of .somewh.-it tender
origin, is set in the best place for the frost to
kill it, while Roses grafted on the root or on
the collar of the .seedling Brier will be quite
.safe with "J inclics of earth above them ; so that
if the frost kills tlie to]is, as it often does even
in Southern Kngland and Ireland, it will not
hurt the root, and the most delicate Tea Ro.ses
will .spring up again vigorously after the hardest

we have no more certain autumnal bloomers than
these. They commence to flower as early as any,
are continuous, and seldom fail to carry a few
presentable blossoms as late as the middle oc end
of November. The old Common Blush China has
been introiluced for a little more than a century,
and is still a favourite in many cottage gardens.
The Chinas have a close athnity with our Teas
and Noisettes, often exceeding these in freedom
of flowering. As a hedge of 3 feet to 4 feet the
stronger growers are charming, and may be
pruned very roughly without fear of losing blos-
soms. I would select the Old Blush, Mrs. Bosan-
quet and Abbe Mielan as hedge plants. But it is
against a low wall that is well sheltered that we
lind these Monthly Roses most at home. Here
they grow and flower in delightful profusion.
Wlien the dwarf growers, such as Queen Mab,
Crumoisi Superieur, Eugene Beauharnais, Little
Pet and Red Pet are massed thickly, there are
few better or more permanent subjects for
bedding. They are far from expensive, being
the very easiest of all Roses to increase, and
iloiug much better when grown upon their own
roots than upon foster roots. In a warm nook or
corner, especially if the winter be fairly mild, one
can out Roses all the year round, and late flowers
stand well. Nor docs this continuous lilooming
harm the plants for the ensuing spring and
sumnior. They are the most thoroughly jier-
pelual Roses we have. No matter what the
season they are charming, and deserve far more

388

THE GARDEN.

[November 13, 1837

attention than tliey have received of late. Being
few-petalleil, they open freely, and wliether tlie
season be wet or dry, hot or cold, the Chinas will
not fail us. — R.

Roses at Kew. — We rarely see Koses in full
growth co\ered with buds and ojien flowers, and
with foliage looking beautifully fresh, in October.
A few varieties were seen in this condition then
at Kew, and amon^ them all, the beautiful Tea
Rose (i. Nabonnand is the best, the dark bronzed
leaves, without a blemish, forming a perfect
setting for the clusters of flowers and handsomely-
shaped pointed buds. Very nearly akin to the
above in leaves and flowers, but not, perhaps,
(juite so free-flowering, was Clement Nabonnand,
and other fine Teas or H.T.'swere Hon. Edith
GifTord, Augustine Guinoisseau, Grace Darling,
Abricoteand Mme. Lambard. Some of the China
Roses too were full of flower, the best noted being
Laurette Messimy, with pink and yellow flowers
that had much of the Tea Rose form about them ;
Fellenberg, deep pink and immense clusters, es-
pecially on lateral branches of strong shoots which
appeared to have been stopped ; Sanguinea, very
fine, and Cramoisi Sup^rieur. A group of White
Fairy, with large clusters of flowers mnch re-
sembling those of Fi^licite Perpetue, but on a
dwarf plant, was full of bloom. These late-
blooming Roses are a great boon, and further
additions will be very welcome. A large mass of
Rosa rugosa Blanche de Coubert is now well in
flower at Kew. This is a flne Rose with pure
white flowers, borne in big clusters and almost
fully double. The growth is particularly fresh
looking, and only rose some 2 feet at most aliove
the soil, which was completely hidden beneath it.
This new plant will probably supplant the other
whites in the cla.ss, as the flowers are more en-
during, though not sufficiently double to appear
lumpy, and the buds are shapely and chaste-look-
ing.—J. C. T.

Flower Garden.

LINARTA ANTIRRHINIFOLIA.

This elegant little rock plant here illustrated
was photographed in the nurseries of Messrs.
R. Veitch and Son, Exeter, where it forms a
very neat spreading mass about 2 feet across
and about (i inches to 8 inches high. It has the
advantage of not sjjreading so rapidly as some
of its congeners. It has flowered incessantly
throughout the summer, and at the time of
writing (November '2) is still in bloom. The
flowers are arranged in a raceme and of a
bright purple colour. The three-lobed upper
li]) is yellow at the inflated ba.se, while the
lower lip is marked with dark maroon veins.
The corolla, calyx and stems are covered with
minute hairs. The leaves are alternate, rather
fleshy, ovate in shape, scarcely more than a
<iuarter of an inch in length, with margins
entire. The lower leaves are glabrous, the
upper ones slightly pubescent. The plant
is of the easiest possible culture, and can be
highly recommended fur the rock garden.

Elmside, Excttr.

F. W. Mevek.

Seeds lying dormant. — Is it usual for the
seed of Castor Oil plants to lie dormant? A seed-
ling has sprung up which must have been in the
pot some five months. — E. O.

*,* As a rule. Castor Oil seeds germinate
cjuickly, though occasionally they will come up in
a somewhat intermittent manner, but e\en then
five months is an unusually long time for a seed
to remain dormant. Many subjects, however,
are very irregular in their germinating, and a
good deal of this depends upon the length of time
the seed has been kept before sowing. Some of
the Primulas, for instance, will grow at once if
sown directly the seed is ripe, while if the seed

is kejit a few months it will sometimes lie in the
ground for a year or nearly so, and grow fairly
well after all. M'hen a quick-growing subject
like the Castor Oil lies in the ground for an un-
usually lengthened period, the probability is that
it is caused by a low amount of vitality, and the
young plant is at flrst generally a weakling. I
have liad seeds of one of the Coral trees (Ery-
thrina) lie for nearly two years and then several
of them grew, whereas they generally germinate
^■ery quickly. — H. P.

PLANTING SMALL BULBS.

DuRiNfi some years of practical experience
among bulbous plants, and generally with large
and varied collections, the question has been
fre(]uently put as to the de])th at which certain
bulbs may be planted. The answer usually
given is that ordinary bulbous plants may
be jjlanted at twice their own depth, and
tliough this may appear a fair and reasonable
deijth for nuiny classes of bulbs, I am convinced
by continued observation that this rule-of-
thumb method is not at all times the best. By
planting on the above lines, the very smallest

rather deeply embedded in the earth, tho
1k)W they descended to these depths is
quite clear. Some few years ago I had thro
my hands several hundred thousands of
Tenby Daftbdil collected in Wales, all b(
lifted with their foliage as complete as poSB
In measuring I found many bulbs had
upwards of 1 8 inches deep, while an equal
tance remained from the ground level to
tips of the leaves. Here was a length of 3
of growth as the output of one small b'
I Under cultivation, too, I have repeati
I witnessed the same thing where chance bi
have been buried through trenching the i
Frequently I have found such things as Chit
doxa. Starch Hyacinth, Crocus species, I
cojum vernuni, itc, at a depth varying f
12 inches to 18 inches, while all have si
bulbs.

The curious part of the whole matter is i

all such bulbs produce much stronger stems, lei

and flowers above ground than those plai

at the usual depth. For example, the spi

'• of Chionodoxa have contained as many

1 eighteen flowers, always larger than tl

-iW"%.->i/ -€^'

Linaria antirrhinifoUa in Messrs. Veitch's nursery at E.veter. From a
photograph sent by Mr. F. W. Meyer.

of bulbs, for instance, the Snowdrops, Chiono-
doxas, Scilla, Starch Hyacinth, Fritillaria pudica,
and all such, are brought very near to the sur-
face. This nearness to the surface, particularly
in the case of bulbous plants recjuiring a longer
season of rest than the majorit}', surely cannot
be good, ^\-hen one day incites perhaps to a rapid
start, and the next, by some extreme change of
wetor cold cu- both combined, is equally calculated
to retard in the same degree. Much of this
undue excitement may be modified by jilanting
many things at greater dejjth. In doing this,
however, we must be guided entirely by local
influences, especially of soil, although it is not
expected that the increase would be material.
Dnubtless many who have choice collections of
hardy bulbs would hesitate before planting
some of the smallest of them, say, at (i inches
deep, and yet I feel that for a permanency
many things would be safer than at the ortho-
dox depth of, say, 2 inches or 3 inches. Tlie
Narcissus family, for instance, is now planted
shallow for the most part, and so grown pro-
duces bulbs of capital form and with little neck.
In Nature, however, the bulbs are often found

planted in the ordinary wa}'. The same
mark applies with e(iual weight to Snowdl
and other things. And while there is this
doubted increase of vigour in these smal
rooted plants, the question appears to ar
Are we nut losing a good deal tlirough plant
the majority of snuiU bulbs too shallow ? I
ticularly does this strike one in regard to na
ralising hardy bulbous things generally, beca
if Snowdrojis and Snow Glory can with impur
be buried at these greater depths, and then j
flowers greatly increased in quantity and lai;
in size, there is surely something to be i
favour of very deep planting of such th
The only point upon which I have no tnji
worthy evidence is whether these bulbs, deejl
turned in by accident, appear at all in the ensuf
year or not. This, however, could be re
determined by turning in a few such bulbs.'
noting tlie result the next season. Less tha
year ago I was an eye-witness at Long Ditj
of an endeavour to raise some particuh
strong examples of Chionodoxa Lucili:e. 11
while every care was used and some patieiT
the general result was the same, and a 1(1

S'OVBMBHR 13, 1897.]

THE GARDEN".

389

'^''i-hoil stem I- iiu'lu's (H- 15 inches in leni,'tli

,'i\vuy with(]iit tlic bull). Nmv in the cirilin-

w.iy wo plant such tliiuLjs at 2 inches or ."i

nies ileepat most, yet we neverseo the sprays

! ildssiim or even the stouter and more

nus leaves from this treatment, and which

I. noticeable in the deeply buried examples.

! I the latter will couie to the surface

■ itually there is no doubt, and Hower abun-

V and well, and at the sau\e time be out of

a.iy of ordinary interference. In trade

.lions the trouble is to get the ground

where such things as Mnscari and C'hiipno-

liave once been established. And if such

, can thus take this firm hold of any spot

hcuisclves, there is little to prexent their

; planted in this way if anything may be

I thereby. So far it Hp|)ears to be again

.■atly increased vigour all round; and if

•- sii with those named, other things, e.a.,

ssus triandrus and such like, are worth a

in the same way. E. Jenkins.

iimjitdii Hill.

ACANTHOLIMON.

\M.vi.T, genus of beautiful alpines, flowering

;>.llyin July and August when many of the

. alpine flowers are past. In A. venustum

A glumaeeum (the former more par-
iily) the tufts are compo.sed of rigid,
>n -pointed leaves that are very spiny.

iim.-iceum is of the same tufted growth,
I. it so s])iny. These pretty alpines are not
I ditticult to grow, and, if we except the

just mentioned, prefer a light .sandy loam
" mt 1 fotit deep and a jiartly shaded fiosi-
lu the rock garden. A. glumaeeum, on
.itlier hand, by reason of its free, vigorous
I h and more i)rofuse flowering, is better
.1 in soil that is deep and rich, at the .same
not too heavy. This species is easily in-
' il, and makes a capital edging to paths
liL'ds in many parts of the garden. The

species are of decidedly slow-er growth
ilticultto increase, unless seeds are obtain-
uhieh is not always the case. As regards

general propagation, and where large
^ of the rare kinds exist, it is a good plan
ik some cocoa-nut fibre and sand in equal

into the tufts in early autumn. Before
ug in this material some of the shoots

■ 1 be gently torn, so as to half sever them
'ul or junction ; then gently work in more
lial around and water to settle the .soil.

1 V of the growths tluis ti-eated will root by

_'. Cuttings made in tlie ordinary way are

means certain, but when this method is

I'd August or September is the best time.

Ill tings so-called .should be torn oil' with

I and inserted without further ado.

iigs made to a joint are only so much

material. The following are the best

.NTiiOLiMox (iH'MACKi-.M is the best known
I the most vigorous and free grower, pro-
-: compact cushions of narrow dark green
^ that are spiny at the point, and spikes of
'loured flowers from June to August. Given
! treatment and a deep sandy soil, this free-
ing plant is of the easiest culture. At
ig many years ago this species formed an
J a foot or more wide and about l.jt) feet

■ uid when in flower was a jiretty object,
iiee-grown plants may be pulled to pieces
";adily, and if done in April, the lo.sses will
y few. Firm planting is most e.ssential.

-pecies is about (i inches or rather more
Xative of Armenia.
vKxrsTiTM.— This is the best of this httlc
. and a really delightful plant when seen in
' iindition. 1 lost the flnest specimen I have
-i-en during the great frost of 189.3. The '

plant, unfortunately, had been left fully expo.scd
with other alpines in pots. This lovely species
in the summer of IS'.M pro<Uieed some forty spikes
of its charming pink blos.soms. The tufts are
dark green with a slightly greyish or glaucous
tint overlying tlu' same. This species is of nuich
slower growtli than A. glum-accnm, and reipiires
some good .sandy loam, w ith leaf soil and broken
brick rubbish niixcil freely w ith the soil. It pro-
duces its rose-pink (lowers in July on one-sided,
slightl}' arching spikes, aiul is eertaiidy one of
the mo.st charming of midsunnner alpines. Very
ilrm planting, a rather sheltered spot, and a deep
soil, well drained, should be given. It is a nati\e
of Ciiicia, and grows abuut 0 inches high. If
.seeds could be olitaine<l freely this would make a
most beautiful plant, but I have not yet been
able to obtain a crop of seeds after many trials,
and would gladly welcome any hint to bring this
about from either home or continental growers of
this flue species.

A. .WDKos.u'KUM. — This species is easily dis-
tinguished from all else by the more dense tufts
which it forms when established, as also by the
rosettes being less spiny. This is not so much
due to the s|)ines as to the pliant nature of the
leaves. It is of easy culture, spreads somewhat
freely over a ledge of rock, and produces pink
blossoms on sprays 4 inches high.

A. .vcKiiosUM. — The very dense character of
this species and the grey glaucous hue of the
leaves at a short distance remind one of Dianthus
ca'sius. A closer inspection, or even an unwarj'
placing of the hand upon the spines, will quickly
dispel any such idea, since the short, greyish
glaucous leaves are the most spiny of all. In
growth it is much more compact than A. venus-
tum or A. glumaeeum. The flowers are pink,
and produced freely on stems nearly O inches
high. From Asia Minor.

These, I believe, are all the species at present
in cultivation. The following information has
been gathered fn^m the dried specimens at
Kew : —

A. KoTscilvi is about 4 inches high, with dis-
tinctly broad leaves, being spiny and freely
flowered, blossoms white.

A. AR.MENCM has pink blossoms
nearly 6 inches high.

A. cei'H.^lotks has rosy pink flowers in globose
heads, the latter resembling tVie Armeria, while
the spiny lea\es are less numerous in the rosettes
than in most kinds. This comes from Kurdistan.
A. L.ixiKi.oKUM is the talle.st species, growing
about 9 inches high, the leaves long and narrow.

A. i.in.\xoTicfM is exceedinglj- woody and
dense in growth. It is a Syrian species, with
flowers of [link hue.

A. PiN.\KDi also has pink blossoms, the speci-
mens varying in stature, possibly on account of
age.

So far as could be determined by dried speci-
mens, many of the.se not now in cultivation
are very beautiful, and, from the general
.scarcity of good midsummer alpines in the rock
garden, would be greatly jiri/.ed. If seed could
be secured in the native habitats of the jjlants,
this would constitute the best method of intro-
ducing them to cultivation. E. J.

away "J. C. B." is com|)elled to resort to the
practice. I think he will have to look further
than fog to lind the cause of failure ; at least, we
get fog badly here in some seasons, and 1 have
found no ill elfeets from tlie same. Some four or
li\-c years ago a spell of very sharp weather was
pieccded by fog tiiat was continuous for several
days, leaving everything at its departure with a
black coat and nece.ssitating the washing of all
glass. The shar|) weather following close was
fatal to a considerable quantity of saturated
vegetation, and I remember fearing the Carna-
tions had shaied the same fate ; but, as a matter
of fact, the loss that year was only about '.i per
cent. If failure has resulted from autumn plant-
ing, I shouki certainly advise leaxing the layers
as they arc until the spring, planting then before
resorting to potting up. Many theories have
been advanced as to the cause of failure, and pos-
sibly we are not yet at the root of the matter. I
still think, however, it is in a great measure the
result of weakly, indifferently-rooted layers. —
E. BURKELL.

on sprays

Panicum bulbosum. — It would apjiear this
plant inherits ils specilic name from its bulbous
root, while the nearest approach to this charac;ter
I have seen is an enlargement of the stems just
below ground. As an isolated specimen, however,
it is a most elegant species, and both its habit of
growth and light, graceful bearing when in flower
are sure to attract attention. Being oidy 3 f(!et
high and ipiite compact, it is worth a place in the
border or with a mixed arrangement of i)lants in
groups.

Carnations. — My hearty sympathy is with all
Carnation growers who fail with these as Imm) /ii/r
hardy plants, that is who are reduced to the
necessity of potting up layers and keeping them
under cover through the winter, and it certainly
does surprise me to know that only ten miles

A TRIP TO FAIRYLAND.

There are on occasion gardens not made inten-
tionally by human hands which in the fulness
of their beauty make all man's efforts vain.
Such, at least, was our experience the other
day when journeying southward from England.
^^'e had passed a day and a night crossing the
jilains of France, which lay bare to the chill
autumn sky, shorn alike both of leaves and
crops, waiting patiently for the winter's shroud
of snow. After a night of fog and keen white
frost we slowly climbed the northern slopes of
tlie Aljjs while the rising mists obscured our
siglit. Cold and grey looked the fresh-fallen
.snow on the to]i when first we reached it ; bleak
and wintry was the outlook as we went steadily
on ; but as we descended again the sun broke
out in southern splendour, and turned the grey
powdery snow to dazzling diamonds. Then,
suddenly in our descent we turned, and in an
instant we were in fairyland I Surely those
trees, those shrubs, those clambering Vines
were not real, but fairy trees, fairy buslies,
made of rubies, made of gold? Surely those
slopes so rich and green were emerald, those
s]iiry trees, that flamed in the nearer distance and
paled as tliey mounted higher, were of chryso-
prase, powdered with diamond dustas they neared
t;hose iniapjiroachable peaks which glittered
a> no diamonds could shine save in fairyland ?
Higher and liigher towered those brilliant jjeaks
in our descent till we could gaze no more at
tlieir dazzling brightness, and turned our eyes
to that sky which spread over us a celestial
vision of purest turquoise. For two hour.s did
this panor.ama of gorgeous colour, ricli in beauty
of form and radiant with light, dehle before our
eyes while we sat abs<n'bed, lost, entirely void
of any desire save to gaze and gaze again lest
this fairy vision should fade from our eyes ;
nor till in our descent we came to a dee]) dark
gorge which barred the upland from the i)lain
did we lose this uns|)eakablo glory ; then in an
instant the curtain fell and we were in the
work-a-day world again ! Such an enchanting
experience is worth .seeking, and I would .advise
.all those who are in search of a new sen.sation
to visit the higher slopes of the Soutliern Alps
in October, when tliese glories are at their
fullest. No words can j^ve adecjuate expression
to their beauty.

Once more down in the rich plains of Lom-
bardy, reeking with autiniin rains after summer
lie.ats, the rank growth and entire absence of rich
Colour are the more striking after the glowing
threshold of the Ali)s, but in the gardens of
Milan there is n]uch to attract the eye of the
wanderer, and if he be a gardener, to compel

390

THE GARDEN".

[November 13, 1897.

liis attention and admiration. Altliougli
November is near, the splendid specimens
(if Musa Ensete in the public gardens and
squares are fresh and green, their solid leaves
untouched by any autumn blast. Beds of bill
crimson Celusias rejoice in the warm sun, while
graceful scrolls of dwarf Ageratum, Alternan-
theras of varied dyes, and Sedum carneum
(most happy foil to sucli bright hues) attract a
northerner's eye. Scarlet Hibiscus bushes and
tree-like specimens of Erythrina Crista-galli
still show bravely, -while tall white Cactus
Dahlias in the most superb masses of bloom till
with en\y the mind that recalls the black
devastation wrought by frost weeks ago in
nortliern lands. Perhaps, too, the tall stan-
dard plants owe their freedom of bloom to
))eing kept to one single and tall stem, and
suggest the thought that in suitable places it
would be well worth trying its eft'ect in Eng-
land. Standard Magnolias are conspicuous by
their coned Iieads of crimson seeds, which show
brilliantly against the pale lemon of the Ginkgo
(Salisburia adiantifolia) trees and the more
cinnamon shades of deciduous Cypress, while
the Plane and Sophora ti-ees still keep their
summer dress. E. H. W.

SHORT NOTES.— FLOWER.

Violets.— I had an opportunity of coirpariiig four
of the laifie-flowering Violet.-i the other day, viz., Vio-
toria, Princess of Wales, Princess Beatrice and Cali-
fornia, and should dpcidedly give llie palm to the first-
lamed. The ditticalty with all these in the luiijority
of soils is that they are decidedly shy. — E. B. C.

Sempfrvivum araehnoideum.— It is sur-
prising how very effective are the Cobweb Houseleeks
when cultivated in large patches in the rock garden.
Tolget the best results, prick out a group of the rosettes
2 feet across or more on an uneven surface, allowing
an inch between each for development. With a season's
prowth many olfsets will he prcduced, and, treated in
this way, the rcsettes generally will be much larger
than usually scon.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

LATE PLUMS."
The Plum is amongst the most useful fruits
grown when it is taken into consideration the
many purposes for which it can be used and the
length of time good fruit may be had. The
late kinds are the most useful, as at this season
all other soft fruits are over. To gi'ow late
Plums profitably in the open, the trees must be
given wall space. They succeed in almost any
situation, but I prefer them on a west aspect,
although I have a tree of Coe's Golden Drop
on a north asiiect, and often I get good fruit
from this tree as late as November. It is very
important to ^jrotect these late kinds in the
open early with some kind of material, such as
frigi domo, to keep insects from destroying
them, as if they are the least damaged they
will not hang. Another reason for pirotecting
them is to keep the fruit dry. In damp seasons
this is a serious drawback to fruit on the open
walls. Having this evil to contend against (as
this garden lies low), I resolved some years ago
to grow some late Plums in a cold Peach case,
and nothing could be more satisfactory. They
may be grown either in the bush form or trained
to a trellis. Many cultivators do not succeed
with them under glass when planted out, either
from not giving them eiumgli air, or from allow-
ing them to grow too strong and get coarse
rot)ted. The best managed trees I ever have
seen have been those that have been pinclied
during the growing period, so that no pruning
was needed in the winter. Should they get too

strong, which young trees are prone to do, then
I lift them, doing one side this year and the
other side the following should it be needed,
keeping the roots near the surface. When the
trees commence bearing there is no danger of
this under glass. I have a long Peach case
with a trellis in front, the lights sliding open in
front to give air. This trellis is within a foot of
the glass, and in this position tlie Plums prove
most satisfactory. In one house I have three
trees, one of each of the following kinds ; Heine
Claude de Bavay, Coe's Late Red, and Coe's
Golden Drop. 'This year the crop was grand,
the first named kind coming in first and keep-
ing up the supply well into October, this
being followed by Coe's Golden Drop. The
tree from which this illustration was taken gave
me good fruit for dessert for eight weeks. I
gathered the last fruits on November 2. The
cro]) was heavy ; on some shoots a foot long
there were about three dozen fruits. These
were thinned. By the side of this tree is grovv-

water when the fruit is swelling oft". In man'
instances late Plums would pay far better t.
grow than Peaches, seeing they are much mon
hardy and a good price can be made of highjL
class Plums when Peaches are over. H^

Furde Ahhey. John Crook.

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c^

Wk

.'^

BL V 1^1

^^m

kS

I. a

JLj

V') bJ^

)^

■r

Plum Coe's Golden Drop. From, a photograph sent hy Mr, J. Crool:^
Forde Abbey, Chard.

ing Coe's Late Red, and although not to be
compared with the former for flavour, it is
nevertheless a useful late kind, and I doubt if
a later kind is to be found, as I often have
good sound fruit from this tree at the end of
November. These are most useful for kitchen
use, seeing there is but little at this season for
pies and fcirts beside Apples. Other good
kinds for growing under glass are Ickworth
Imperatrice, Arcliduke, Grand Duke, Monarch,
and Wyedale. Another recommendation for
growing some trees under glass is the advantage
of having a crop in seasons when there is no
crop outside. When grown under glass they
can be allowed to hang a very long time. The
treatment the trees receive here is the same as
that given to Peaches. I give the border an
abundance of water at all seasons, more espe-
cially during the growing period, with manure

Strawberry "Waterloo. — A rather larg
grower for market in this neighbourhood think
highly of this Strawberry, and a large break of i
just recently was looking remarkably well fror
this year's runners. The fruits of course, as i
well known, are good in flavour, and, coming i
late, it is very valuable. The grower mentioned
has found that it is not reliable under ordinal
culture, that is, renewing the beds about ever
three years, but if left alone and fed from the su:
face it remains fruitful for a great many year
This reminds me of a garden in the west of Ent
land where several lines of this variety had bee
grown in a north border for many years, an
every season tine crops were gathered over a Ion
period. It is worth trying when this kind doi
not thrive under the usu;
conditions, and I am ha'
ing some plants to si
if the}' will improve I
being longer on tl
ground. If not, I sha
have to discard it, thoug
reluctantly. I should HI
to hear the opinion of ar
growers who may ha'
tried leaving it on tl
ground for several year
— R., Burl/ Sf. EiJiimnil
Apple Sturmer Pi)
pin. — As a dessert App
to succeed the Nonpareil
Sturmer Pippin stani
unrivalled, for not only
it an excellent keeps
but it does not attain fi
flavour until late in tl
season, when late dt
sert Apples are becomir
scarce. It is a seedhi
from Ribston Pipjiin, o
tained by cro.ssing th
with the pollen of a v,
riety of Nonpareil, an
the flavour when in pe
fection is a combinati'
of that of both the sor
named. As a garden tre
it is a capital croppi
and although but a m
dium grower it i.s hard;
the wood partaking i
the character of that c
Old Nonpareil . It is ah
recommended forgrowin
as a standard. The lal
Dr. Bull formed so hig
an opinion of this -^ppl
that he was at great pair
in distributing numbei
of scions of it some thirteen or fourteen years agi
He consigned a good bundle to me at the san
time for distribution, but I am afraid that it hi
not led to such a large increase in its cultivatio
as it deserved, as it would be a valuable .ipp
from a market point of view if careful!}' gatherec
properly stored and disposed of during the inont
of March. Like all other late kinds Sturmt
Pippin should be allowed to hang as long a
possible before being gathered. If this is ni
done the fruits lose much of their high flavour, an
are apt to shrivel. — A. W.

Pear Magnate. — A few weeks ago I sent
note about this Pear, as to its fine appearance, &(
Since then the fruits have ripened and have give
the greatest satisfaction. Not only was tb
flavour most excellent, but the flesh was quit
melting and entirely devoid of grittiness. I sha
certainly give it a trial as a bush tree. I ^^■.
all that'Mr. Wythes has to say with regard to i'

November 13, 1897.1

TTTE GARDEN.

391

Ihaviour with him, and there appears to be a
t'erenco of .several weelcs in the ripening in the

0 districts, for whieh I think the soil may lio
;ountalile, as my trees are growin<,' on u

. ithern asprot. — A. W.

Apple Ross Nonpareil. — Of the wholo
;|nily of Nonpareil Apph's, this variety 1 think
; juld bo consi<lere(l the hardiest and most vigo-
usof them all. Wlien grown as a standard in
1 orchard, and aUuwed to grow unrestricted, the
lee soon attains to largo proportions and boars
lormous (luantities of fniit. Even when grown
; the more restricted forms it i^rows very freely,
id leaves nothing to be desired from a cropping
|intof view. It is not, I think, generally culti-
•ted, but none the less valuable as a dessert fruit

1 that account, and, although too small for
irket, it is a splendid little Apple to grow for
(ivate use, as it keeps in excellent condition
I'til the end of February. The fruits are regu-
(■ly formed, inclining to be conical, or not so
llttened as many of the other varieties of this
iLss of Apple are, and they are generally nicely
(loured. The flesh is crisp, and possesses a

A. W.

To use runners of this description is a
penny wise ]iolicy, the only ])laeo for them is the
rubbish heap. In a very hot and dry season,
wlion the fruit ripens oil' under a scorching sun,
the runners are made .so late that it is impossi-
blo to get the soil in .")-ineli or (i-inch pots
thoroughly tilled with roots by the close of tlu^
gri>wir.g .season. T alwjiys )ilant out good strong
runners in the early i)art of October, as I find
that when the .spring months are very dry they
make a much stronger growth than those set
out in spring. I set them out 1.5 inches a))art
on ground from which Potatoes have been lifted.
1 choo.se a time when the surface is dry, take uji
the young plants with a luce ball of earth, tread
them in, and if the weather seems likely to

ifh, sugary, aromatic flavour.
Grape Lady Hutt. — This new tJrape I
' " " ' it foi

pur-

the

ilised when first sent out, and fruited
lit time last year. I was not altogether satis-
ll with its appearance, but formed a high
linion of it as regards flavour and keeping,
'le fault I had to find with its appearance was
Ut it failed to colour properly, for when per-
l:tly ripe the berries were still of a greenish hue.
. regards flavour it was exceedingly good for so
1 6 a variety, and that a white one : the flesh
ling very sweet and refreshing I resolved to
|,-e it a further trial. This season it has coloured
iich better, the greenish hue complaine<l of
King disappeared, and the berries have assumed
I light amber tint. This I attribute to having
Id the foliage tied on one side so that the
Inches got anal)undanceof light. 1 am inclined
1 the belief that this, the only drawback to what
Consider will eventually turn out to be a valu-
lie late Grape, can be overcome by giving
1 3 bunches, when on the point of colouring, free
iposure to the light. In all other points this
'riety is very satisfactory, the Vine being a
' ;orous grower, and it [jroduces an abundance of
lilthy foliage, which is of a firm leathery tex-
(:e.-S. E. P.

water them in. In the course of a
round.

foliage than to promote actual growth. It is
too drying to bo of much use during periods of
hot weather, when frecptent and liberal supplies
of moisture are needed, and I have never seen
that it has .any appreciable influence on the
swelling of the fruit. J. C. B.

POT STRAWBERRIES.

who take special means to

remani <lry,

few d.-iys they begin to take hold of the gr(
and i)y winter they are well established and
.secure against frost-heaving. The hoe is used
freely among them through spring and early
summer, and in a general way nnniers are made
very freely. If the first runners are used ami
layered when formed they will make very fine
])lants with about five crowns each, and the soil
thorciughly matted from the drainage to the
surface with roots. The secondary runners
layered about the middle or end of August will
make good plants with a couple of crowns, and
if these are kept in 4i-inch pots they will in a
general way bear hard forcing lietter than larger
plants.

Many are too anxious to get their plants into
what are called fruiting pots. It is a mistake
to suppose that fine fruit cannot bo produced in
pots less than (i inches across. I have grown
plants side by side in pots ranging from 4.j
inches to 8 inches in diameter, and ccjuld see no
dift'erence in the quality of the fruit they pro-
duced. When the runners are later, or not so
strong as could be desired, it is wiser to keep
them in rather smaller pots, unless they are
only to bo brought along gently for fruiting
in May, when the roots are so much more
active. Some prefer to layer the runners into
small pots, but if runners of the proper quality
can be had I see no advantage in df>ing so.
The old-fa.shioned way of ramming the soil
hard into (i-inch pots is the most economical as
regards labour, and the results are equally good
if a sufficiently early start is made. As soon as
the roots begin to travel freely round the sides
of the pots the plants can be removed to a
more convenient place for watering, which, as
with all things grown in pots, is a most im-
portant matter. In tlie case of plants that are
rooted early in July, a lot of moisture will be
needed in hot weather, especially during
August, when they become root-bound. They
will want looking to three times daily ; in fact,
they must never be allowed to get dry. Tliere
is an immense diflerence in the condition of
plants that have been attended to in this
way and those that ha\-e been managed
without due recognition of the importance
of this detail. The crowns will be stouter and
the foliage will renuiin in good order until
young leaves begin to form again. Just as
gr(jwth is coming to a standstill and the crowns
and leaves are maturing, frc<[uent waterings
with soot water are heliiful. It frequently
happens that the stjil by that time is to a great
extent exhausted, and this causes the foliage to
lose in some measure its healthy green colour.
Soot water is at all times beneficial, more
especially in autunni and in the earlier stages
of growth when the plants are forced. I am
11 in favour of using strong stimulants.

iosE wlio take special means to secure
4>ply of runners will have good reason to con
itulate themselves this seas<ni. To dejjend
tirely on plants that have fruited is to court

.ippointment and partial failure. The pro-
1 Ltion i.if a crop of fruit is quite enough to ex-
pt from a Strawberry plant, and if it fulfils
nsonable expectations in this respect the

• wer should be content and not exact from

it plant the runners that are to give him his

iiest and perhaps most important crop. Tlie
1 mature badly rooted plants that one so fre-
' -ntly sees in jn-ivate gardens are almost in-
\ -iably obtained in this way. Runners made
1 old fruiting plants are generally later, and
■I rarely so free of growth as those produced by
.\mg plants that were .set out either in the pre-
V us autunni or in spring. By planting expressly
f a supply of good runners the Strawberry

vver kills two birds with one stone. He makes

'• of securing a good lot of runners for early
lering, and also guards in the most efTec-
' 1 manner against a break in the outdoor

iply. It is, I ccmsider a mistake to employ

iiiers from fruiting plants for making new
I utations in the open. The check that is
-L-n to plants which are carrying a good

• |i is sure to communicate itself to the not at all in favour of using sti
I'.ners, and puts into them an element of ■ even in a weak form, until the fruit is swellin
Wkkness from which they never, even with but soot can liardly be termed such, its action
f *; best of culture later on, quite recover. ' on plants being rather to impart colour to the

I

White Raspberries.— Altliough the.se fruits
have flavour i|uite eiiual to the red kinds, are
good croppers, and in every respect are as nice
for eating, yet prejudice aijiinst colour jirevents
their culture generally. \Vhite Rasiiberrics, it is
feared, would have a very poor chance against
reds in the market. But did i)ersons having gar-
dens but know how relatively sweet they are, no
doubt more would bo grown. The oldest is the
White Antwerp, which has been with us probably
for a century. The White Magnum Bomim is
finer and extremely pleasant eating, but the finest
of all is the new white Superlative, from the red
form of which it is either a si)ort or a seedling.
In any case the fruits when ri]io are like pale
yellow Superlative fruits, and the plants have
"that famous variety's habit and appearance. I
saw this in Messrs. Bunyard's nursery at Maid-
stone last autumn, and could but realise that it
presented a most valuable addition to our few
white Raspberries. — A. D.

The ftuince as a decorative tree.— There
are few fruit trees that so well merit planting for
decoration as the (^)uince. The haljit of the tree
is drooping, the growths coming (piite to the
ground. When in full bloom the heads are beau-
tiful objects, and when the fruits are ripening they
help then to make the tree very attractive. The
fruits will also hang for a long time after colour-
ing unharmed. There are several varieties, but
the old favourite Pear-shaped seems to be the
best. It is hardly needful to assert that the
fruits may be put to useful domestic |jurposes—
so much is very well known. With Quinces may
be added Morello Cherries, Worcester Pearmain
and Col. Vaughan Apples, Siberian and other
Crabs, and e\en Farleigh Prolific Damson, for
these trees bloom profusely, and the fruits, after
colouring, will hang for a long time, whilst none
are more pleasant eating than are those which fall
on the grass. Many deciduous trees planted on
lawns are not half so pretty as are these fruits.^
—A. D.

Californian Pears.— Although the samples of
Pears sent to the Drill Hall the other day from
the highly-favoured clime of (California were ex-
cellent of their kind, and evidenced how admir-
ably fruits of this nature properly packed can be
sent safely into the English market, yet was there
in the samples nothing to be highly enraptured
over. Comparison of tihe best Doyenn<5 du Comice,
for instance, with the fine fruits shown in the
flavour competition showed ours to be of firmer
flesh, really less watery, and distinctly more
highly flavoured. The fruits were also larger and
richly coloured. Beurre Diel cut in half showed
grit round the core most unmistakably, this
feature being more marked than is seen on our
wall fruits. Winter Nelis was, of course, early
and fine, but it did not excel ours in flavour when
ripe. The matter to deplore is that fruit culture
does not more generally follow upon nursery and
the best private garden lines, producing for us
the most superb samples skill an<l the climate can
produce. It is only in that way, and carried out
on a very large scale, that we can hope to contend
with what other countries send us. The care be-
stowed in [lacking is of course also of the very
liest : indeed it is almost )ierfect. If our best
fruits were wrapped in tissue paper, set in shallow
boxes, packed neatly with wood wool, and in that
way sent to market, the returns would far mora
than compensate for the troulile taken to send the
fruits for sale in the most perfect condition. —
A. D.

The fruit trees. — Comparing the autumn of
last year and that of the present— the former so
wet, the latter so dry and warm— we see as a
result that fruit trees ha\e ripened leafage in
perfect form, and often with beautiful colour, that

392

THE GARDEN

[November 13, 1897.

wood is very hard and that buds are plentiful and
plump. That is a different state of things from
what existed in so many directions last autumn,
when the excessive rainfall so materially helped
to excite root action and to promote leaf and bud
activity after it was assumed that all woofl and
buds were perfectlj' matured. Now that lea^■es
have fallen no amount of rain would unduly excite
roots, even though the soil is generally unusually
dry. The rain, whilst moistening ground, would
also lower its temperature, and thus check
activity. It will therefore be very interesting
next spring to note the diverse effects (if any) on
fruit production. Generally the operation of last
year's wet autumn has been very adverse to fruit,
the best crops being found on old or somewhat
.stunted trees little affected by too abundant root
moisture. Possibly next year we may see, as a
result of the present fine condition of the trees, a
large fruit crop. So much I fully anticipate,
but much rain will be needed to fit the roots
and trees to withstand the stress of large crop-
production. Very largelj' cold winds and frosts
were credited with such harm to the bloom last
spring, le.ading to its ultimate barrenness, but
there has been no proof furnished yet that the
fine bloom of that time was efficiently supplied
with pollen to produce fertility; indeed, it was
believed that the heavy rains of the jjrevious
autumn were inimical to its production. With
the assurance of a fine bloom next sjiring, we shall
then be able to see whether fertility results or
otherwise. — A. 1).

Societies and Exhibitions.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

NOVE.MBKK 9.

OwiNc no doubt in a great measure to the gloomy
condition of the atmosphere, with a heavy fog
hanging over the metropolis and extending far
away into the country, the exhibitors who usually
patronise these meetings hesitated somewhat, not
caring to risk their productions under the circum-
stances. There were counter attractions of course
amongst Chrysanthemum growers at the meet-
ing of the National Chrysanthemum Society at
the Aquarium and that of the Kingston Society,
both of which open on the same date. Certainly
the extent of this meeting from some cause or
other fell far short of its usual character.

Orchids were sho^vn in good numbers, notably
so the newer hybrids, of which the C'attleyas and
L:vlio-Cattleyas were specially fine. A finely-
grown lot of Dracaenas and Cord5-lines was staged
in an informal group. The style of this arrange-
ment should be noted by exhibitors : it was some-
what in the way of the letter S. Several good
examples of Tiee Ivies were an interesting
feature, the foliage of the silver and golden
varieties being in excellent character. Of Chry-
santhemums, there were several of the newer
kinds staged for certificates, and a splendid
group of cut blooms of high-class quality came
again from Syon House, which makes the third
occasion in succession whereat Mr. Wythes has
contributed to the display. On this occasion
there were about 100 varieties or thereabouts,
chieliy in triplets, arranged informally upon a
carpeting of Maiden-hair Fern, making as an
exhibit the finest display in the hall. Fruit
was not shown in any great quantity, the best
exhibit by far being four grand baskets of highly
finished Gros Clolman Grapes from Somerset. The
condition of the atmosphere militated greatly
against this meeting, it being impossible to
examine anything under favourable conditions.

Orchid Committee.

First-class certificates were awarded to the
following : —

Cattleya F.\bia. — A hybrid between Cattleya
labiata and C. aurea. The sepals and petals are
of fine form and substance, deep rose in colour.
The large lip, having the intermediate characters

of both parents, is deep rose-purple in front,
shading to a deeper purple in the centre, the side
lobes deep purple, lined with yellow towards the
base, where it has also a shade of bright brown.
From the Rt. Hon. J. Chamberlain, Highbury,
Birmingham. ^ C _J^

Cai.axtiik Veitchi alba.— A lovely clear white
form of this well-known Orchid, the only trace of
colour being yellow in the centre of the lip. The
plant bore a raceme of twenty-five flowers. From
ilessrs. H. Low and Co.

Awards of merit were given to —

Cattleya labuta Lewisi. — A lovely form with
pure %vhite sepals and petals : the lip rich purple,
mottled and margined with pure white, the side
lobes white, shading to yellow at the base. The
plant carried a raceme of three flowers. From
Messrs. W. L. Lewis and Co., Southgate.

CvrKTPEDii-M Leeantm MAGxiFicrM. — Very
similar to C. L. giganteum of Cyjiher. The dorsal
sepal is upwards of 3 inches across, clear white,
shading to green at the base, where it is slightly
spotted with brown, the petals pale green, suf-
fused and spotted with brown ; the lip chocolate-
brown, shading to deep green. From Mr d
Shorland-Ball, Wilmslow.

Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons sent a choice collec
tion of hybrid Cattleyas and Lajlio-Cattleyas, the
most prominent being a fine form of L. -C. Ueeia
(L. Perrini X C. Dowiana aurea). The Dowiana
parent becomes more pronounced as the plants
grow stronger. L:elio-CattIeya Novelty, a dis-
tinct form, with jjale rose sepals and petals, lip
deep crimson -purple, shading to yellow, lined
with purple at the base, is the result of crossing
L. Dayana and L.-C. elegans. Cattleya Eurydice
(C. labiata x C. Aclanda;), certificated last yeai- ;
Cypripedium Tityus (C. Spicerianum x C. lenan-
thum superbum), a lovely form, the dor-sal sepal
white, suffused with rose at the top, sludinc to
green, spotted with purple at the base ; a fine
form of C. Niobe, and a large-flowered variety of
C. Euryades were also included (silver Flora
medal). Messrs. W. L. Lewis and Co , South-
gate, sent about fifty plants of La'lia pumila,
which were well flowered and showed remarkable
form and substance. The group also contained
Mormodes pardinum, good forms of C. Loddigesi,
and fine forms of 0. Rossi majus (silver Banksian
medal). Messrs. F. Sander and Co. sent a small
group, which contained fine forms of Cattleya
labiata, C. aurea, Lajlia Eyerma niana, a finely-
flowered mass of Sophronitis grandiflora, Dendro-
bium Johnsona;, Lycaste Skinneri, and a cut spike
of Renanthera Lowi with thirty-two flowers
(silver Banksian medal). Messrs. H. Low and Co.
sent a small, but choice collection, consisting of
good forms of Vanda cwrulea, grand forms of
Cypripedium Leeanum, C. bellatulum album, C.
Niobe, a hybrid of the C. conco-Lawre class, and
Cattleya labiata with a slate-coloured lip.

Mr. (t, Shorland-Ball was awarded a silver
Banksian medal for a grand collection of Cypri-
pediums, which included two plants of C. insigne
Sandera", one with six, the other with four flowers.
C. Memoria Moensi, C. Niobe, C. Leeanum, and
C. lunanthum superbum were well represented.
The group also included good foi'ms of Slasde-
vallia Veitchi and Dendrobium PhaUenopsis album
with three flowers expanded. Mr. C. J. Ingram
sent Cattleya Comfrey (C. Lawrenceana X C.
Warscewiczi). The Rt. Hon. ,J. Chamberlain was
awarded a sih er Banksian medal for a choice col-
lection of hybrid Cattleyas, consisting of La;lio-
Cattleya Sailieri (L. purpurata x C. Loddigesi),
L.-C. Semiramis (L. Perrini x C. Gaskelliana),
the sepals and petals pale rose, lip purple, with
some white in the throat ; Cattleya marseillensis
(C. aurea x C. Triana;), .and C. Mr. Endicott
(C. maxima x C. Loddigesi), in which the maxima
parent was most prominent. Jlr. ^V. Vanner sent
a group of cut Cypripedium?, i^rominent amongst
which were good forms of C. Spicerianum, C.
Niobe, C. Schnvderie, C. Eyermannianum, a dark
form "of C. ii'nanthum, and C. Vannera; (C.
Veitchi jx C. selligerum). Odontoglossum Dor-
manianum, a spotted form with seven flowers on
the spike, was also shown. Mr. S. G, Lutwyche sent

i

Cypripedium Pavonianum and another seedlin;
in the way of C. Indra. Mr. .T. T. Bennett-Po
sent Cypripedium Phu'nix, a distinct hybrid, th
dorsal sepal white, suffused with rose in tli
centre and spotted with brown at the base, tli
petals pale green, suffused and spotted wit
brown, and a good form of Vanda Sanderianc
Mr. H. Tate, Liver]50ol, sent two hybrid Cypripc
diums and a C. insigne with two dorsal sepals.

Floral Committee.

Awards of merit %vere given to —

Wallflower Parisian Early. — This is a fin
acquisition for autumn, being of sturdj- hahi:
flowering most profusely, .and having a verj' powe
ful scent. The colour is a rich golden \ellov
tinged with dull red. From Messrs. Veitch an
Sons.

BoUVARDIA HrMBOLDTI graxdiflora.— This
a large variety, of handsome growth and splendi
habit, the blooms very large, pure white ai
sweetly scented. From Messrs. Crane and Clark
March.

CHRysAXTHEMFM ADMIRAL Ito (Japanese
flexed). — A beautiful bloom, very large and
rich sulphur-yellow in colour and very gracefi ^
growth. From Mr. Godfrey, Exmouth, Devorf

Drac.ena in'divisa Burtoni.— This is a han
some plant with dark bronze foliage, the leav
long and narrow. It is very distinct and beautifi
From Mr. R. Giilzow, Bexley.

SoxERiLA Lady Burton. — A large-leaved v
riety with an abundance of lilac-coloured flovvei
The fohage is silvery, veined with light gree
This is a very striking |)lant, and was shown '
Sir Trevor Lawrence, of Burford, Dorking.

DR.ic.i;NA ALBO-LINEATA. — A grecn and whi
variegated form of graceful habit, narrow-leav
and very effective. From Mr. R. Giilzow, Bexl
Heath.

Of considerable interest was a group of se(
ling Dracaenas from Mr. R. Giilzow, Melbour
Nurseries, Bexley Heath, Kent. Every plo
was in splendid condition, perfectly clean, a
the picture of health. The foliage of the coloui
varieties was very brilliant, and the group -b
arranged with great taste (silver-gilt Flora mod;
Cut Chrysanthemums were again admiral
shown by Mr. Wythes, gardener to Earl Pen
Syon House, Brentford. The collection t
time consisted of seventy-two varieties and ma
a very brave show. Surely this magnifict
group deserved a higher award, seeing thit
the previous meeting for only six dozen bloo
the same award w'as givea. What encourat
ment have private growers to bring their prodi
to the Drill Hall if all are to be served in t
way? A few of the best were Hairy Woud
Oceana, ^^'. H. Fowler, Pride of Madford,
Moucherotte, Col. W. B. Smith, John Lightfo
Mile. Th^rt-se Rey, Lord Brooke, (Jraphic, AbI
Perry, Viviand Morel, Robert Owen, and Roj(
Sovereign (silver Banksian med.al). A fewv(
fine new varieties were shown by Mr. Godfrey,
Exmouth, Devon. The most striking wereM
Chas. Keyser, a thick and close yellow Japanes
Mrs. M. Grant, a bronze-yellow, with looser petal
and Lady Northcote, a pretty pink. A small colli
tion of late seedling Pentstemons came from ll
C. F. Thompson, Llandaff. They were v(|
good for the season of the year. Jlessrs. Hu'
Low and Co. sent a group of Carnation Matthei
Winter Red, a sweet-scented variety of compi'
habit, with shapely blooms, fairly full, and fre
produced. Mr. Robert Owen, of Maidenheil
exhibited a few very good new incurved Chrysi
themums, among them Creole, a dark maroonj
good shape : Thomas Singleton, a charming p
white; J. Lockyer, a pleasing light pink; a:
Arthur King, a rich bronze-yellow, very even
the petal. Messrs. Veitch and Sons sent pla
of Aster grandiflorus, a large and handsome b|
variety. Messrs. W. Balchin and Sons, Hasso|-
Nurseries, Sussex, sent Diplacus Jubilee, a chail
ing pinkish terra-cotta v.ariety, and D. ruberi
stronger-growing plant of dull red colour. ■<
John Russell, Richmond, Surrey, staged a gj'-
group of Ivies in great variety, well-grown pi

November l.^, 1897.]

TfTE GA1U>EK

393

rystronfj, the foliage of good substance (silver
inksian nicilal).

Fruit Committee.

This was one of the smallest meetings of tlie
«,r, but this eomniitteo hud its share of cxliibits.
[leGrapes fmni Fmme were excellent, and lliere
IS a nice collection of Pears fi'om Belvoir Castle.
r. W. Iirji'cildcn, Fruit and Flower Nurseries,
rome, Sonu'rset, sent four baskets of (irosCohnan
rapes weiKhin<j 48 lbs. These were excellent in
inch and berry, and we think deserved a liigher
rard than a sihcr Bank.sian medal. The way
e fruit was ])aeked was an object-lesson. Mr.
ivers (gardener to the Huke of Rutland, Hel-
lir Castle) sent thirty-two varieties of Peai-s,
it large, but of e.\eellent qualitj'. Euiilc
Heyst was very good, as also were Glou .Moreeau,
>yenn6 du Cornice, .Josephine de Malines, Brown
urre. Marie Louise and Durondeau. There
'.TO also some stewinj; varieties (silver Banksian
iilal). A new Apple named Munster Pippin came
jin Messrs. Hartland and .Sons, Cork. It is a
■nieal fruit, large, bright red, but not considered
; [lerior to those i n commerce. A new Pear came from
I'. A. Knowles, Woking, but much past its best,
essrs. Harrison and Sons, Leicester, sent a large
illection of Beetroot, shapely roots and of good
ilour. The best were Cheltenham Creen Top,
ugneH's Exhibition, Covent (iarden Black,
irnip-rooted in \ariety, and some large-leaved
lids not so much known, but of good quality
lonze Banksian medal). One of the most notice-
'lo exhibits was the Cucumber from ilr. Thomas,
le Royal (iardens, Frogmore. It is named All
1 Year Round, and is a cross between Roch-
id's Market and Dickson's All the Year Round,
is a smooth, shapely fruit with small neck and
good colour. It was asked to be seen ajjain
raewhat later in the season. Mr. Wythes sent
new seedling Cabbage named St. Martin, an
unin variety, and of great merit as regards
, shape, and colour. It is quite distinct from
c Colewort and Diumhead Autumn Cabbage,
will be tried at Chiswick.

The Veitch prizes for (la%our brought forth
ne dishes of Apples and the same number of
ars. For Apples, Mr. Turton, Maiden Erleigh,
ading, was first with Cox's Orange ; second,
. Woodward, Barham Court Gardens, Maid-
ne, with Ribston Pippin. For Pears, Mr.
iiodnard was a good first with Doyennfi du
mice, the Rev. H. Palmer, Reading, being
• ind with (!lou Moreeau. The other Pears
'iwn were Brown Beurr^, Uojenne du Comice,
d Beurre Diel ; and of Apples, Cox's Orange and
Ijston mostly.

.\ meeting of the abo\ e committee met at Cbis-
'k on Xo\-. .■) and examined late Potatoes and
des. Of the former, two varieties received two
irks. The Kales were given three marks in a
•v eases, but these were not confirmed at the
■etingat the Drill Hall. We think such should

the case, as the varieties should be brouglit
' to the next meeting and the awards made
lilic, as only a few members of the committee
II see the Cliiswick work. F^ormerly fruit and
-'etables, especially tiie latter, were always

'wn at Westminster after a Chiswick com-
ttee. Kales in a few cases at Chiswick were
ly badly diseased, and should certainly have

ither trial in land of a different nature.

lie weather in "West Herts.— A week of
•pngeable weather as reijards temperature. For
''tance, the highest reading in shade on the 4th

■* 43', whereas on the 9tli it reached .54^'. In
' ■ previous sunny week the difference between
I; lowest night and highest day temperatures
I ived on several occasions considerable, but in
I ■ dull week jiist past the range was small, and
' "ne day amounted to only 3". At 2 feet deep
' ■ temperature of the soil is now nearly .3', and

I foot deep nearly .T higher than the Novem-
average. Rain fell on the 8th, but only suth-

't to wet the surface of the ground. No

measurable (piantity of rain water has come
through either percolation gauge for a fortnight,
wliieh is very unusu.al indeed at this time of year.
Tlie last six days have been very calm and
gloomy. — E. M., litrhhniih-itdl.

Notes of the Week.

I Chrysanthemum Robert Ow6D.— 'I'liia is

ever a striking ami noticeable variety, and sucli a.s
must bo iiicludeJ in every group by reason of its culonr,
distiiictiioES of form and the lilio. It is one ef tlu'
best kimU raised by the la'.e Hubert Owen.

Pentstsmons. — A capital lot of 6eedl)nt.'3 of
these brilliant border flowers was at the Drill Hall
this week, the colltction c;ming from Mr. C. F.
'I'liompsoD, LlandatT. As a whole they were a good
assortment of this useful plant, which near London
has finished flowering long ago.

VitiB hfcterophylla humulifalia — Some
sprays of this pretty plant, accompanifd by many
clusters of tin- nearly blue berrits from Mr. A. Kings-
mill, Harrow Weald, were among the most interest-
ing exhibits at tie Drill Hall tliis week, the plant
rarely fruiting with such freedom.

Wallflower Parisian Early.— A basket of
jiUnts of this ever- welcome flower obtained an award
of merit this week fiom the Royal Horticultur.il
Society. The blossoms are nearly yellow and the
fragrance remarkable. The exhibit, which came from
Messrs. Veitch, attracted a good deal of attention.

Begonia eocciaea. — This is a capital kind for
grot\ic'g in the large greenhouse or conservatory, where
it may display itself to advantage, and bLUiig botli
free in growth and flower also, is most effective when
well established. The medium-sizL-d flowers are pro-
duced in laige drooping bunches and are very showy.

Eiplaeus ruber and another kind, D. Jubilee,
were exhibited before the Royal Horticultural Society
(11 the Itth inst. Both came from Messrs. Balehiii,
Hassocks, Sussex, the former being of a reddish hue
and the latter orange-coloured— an improvement on
the old species, which unfortunately is not grown so
iinich as its merits justify.

Ati thulium Andreanum atrc-piupu-
reum. — The varietal name here indicated appears a
little out ef place in a flower, or, mere correctly, a
spathe of blood-crimson hue. Apart from this, how-
ever, the variety is a very elTec ive one, the colour
.striking and the spathe bold and consj icuous on its
long, erect stem of 2 feet high.

Ornithogalum thyrsoides. — The white-
flowered variety of this species may now be seen at
Kew, the blossoms large and clustered somewhat
closely on a d»Dse laceme. The scape, which is about
12 inches high, is stout and vigorous, tlie bulb being
of the siz.i of an ordinary Hyacinth. If obtainable in
quantity, it would make a useful plant at this time
for the greenhouse.

Protea eynaioides elliptiea. — Some plants
of this distinct sliiub are now producing their haiiJ-
snme blossoms in the greenhouse at Kew. Though
only small plants in pots, the blossoms are at least
some 6 inches or 8 inches across. Tlie large spreading
heads with the rosy-tipped scales are very striking.
The plants require a rather warm greenhouse and are
natives of tr.ijiiral South Africa,

Cypripedium insigne. — A very fine display of
this old fav urite is now to ha seen in the entrance
to the Orchid house a*". Kew, where large specimens
in pans are freely covered with ihe useful flowers.
Not only are the flowers of considerable service, for
the plants also when hardily grown are especially
valuable when well-flowered in the sitting-room, and
make an agreeable change to the ordinary room plants.

Trollius europaeus. — Some idea may be
formed of the exceptional character of the season
\\y a really good display of the flowers of this early
summer plant during the present week. F'lowcr-
ing usually in May and June, we were somewhat
surprised to see (juite a large gathering of this
Globe Flower at the Aquarium during the present
week. The whole of the plants are not blooming,
but merely a few, and these it will bo interesting
to note at the usual flowering next spring.

Primula Poissoni. — If the term iicr|ictual
flowering could be at all a|iplicd to any liaidy
species of Primula, this one should certainly prove
worthy of the distinction, seeing that the plants

have flowered almost unceasingly for months in
succession. It is possible that in the h)W and
.somewhat sheltered position the plants find a
uniform conelition of heat and moisture at once
congenial to their well-being, and in such the
flowering goes on continuously. A good deep
soil with some shelter is clearly wdiat the 'plant
elelights in.

Heliophila scandens. —There is an excep-
tional charm in this pretty climbing [ilant not
usually seen among cool greenhouse subjects.
The plant is not only neat in foliage, but very
pretty in the dull days of winter with its abund-
ance of jiurc white blossoms. It is a member of
the Crucifera>, as nuiy readily be seen, anel among
the most free-flowering of its race. The species is
of quite easy culture in saiitiy loam anel peat, and
in positions where freedom at the root may be
given it would make a very effective climber for
the greenhouse.

Carnation Matthews'Winter Red.— .\ grouj)
of plants of this variety came before the Royal
Horticultural Society on Tueselay last. The
weather at the time was fatal to the Carnation,
and many kinds shrivel completely under its
poisoning influence. Tlie flowei's of this variety
did not ajipear to suffer so much in this respect,
and should they be proof against fog they would
be useful. The reddish blossoms are of medium
size, anel in the plants referreel to not numerous.
Larger plants would in all pieibability be more
freely flowered.

■yanda coerulea. — I send you two or three
blooms of Vanda cicrulea. I bought about eighteen
months ago three small importeel pieces, I wired
them round a small block anel inseited the block
in a Kl-inch basket, and they have done rcmark-
.ably well. Last autumn I bad two small spikes ;
this year I have bad four splendid spikes, and
should have had five, but one met with an acci-
dent.—.J. D., Fell-stall Park Gardens, Broomtyrovt,
\Vorci-.sfer.

*t* The flowers are of good size, but too starry
and lacking in colour. — Ed.

Aster turbinellus. — Though scarcely a showy
kind, as this term is understood among the
perennial Asters generally, it is, notwithstanding,
a most graceful and pretty variety when seen in
fair-sized clumps. But even here if we would
have all its beauty it should be allowed a good
deal its own way, as any attempt to tie it up
would most effectually stifle all the grace and
beauty of the blossoms on their long, sleneler,
almost delicate stems. It is, howe\er, not a
delicate plant. In the rock garelen it is a capital
plant allowed to have its way, anel eciually pleasing
anel efl'ective when well grown in pots in the
greenhouse.

Chrysanthemum Silk Twist.— So far as
novelty is concerneel in this extensive group of
autumn flowers, the above \ ariety is perhaps the
most peculiar. This is so as much in the epiaint
thread-like florets, that doubtless suggesteel the
name, as in the general form of the flowers. In
the colour, which is of a creamy wdiite, there is
nothing to attract, but the general formation of
the flower-heads is novel. The variety is of the
small-flowered section, and. so far as size alone is
concerned, partakes of the liybrirl pompon class,
with which, however, the erect bristle-like florets
have nothing in common. In a cut state the
effect is very distinct, the \ ariety associating well
with flowers in general.

In South Devonshire on November 1 the
following were in bloom ; Lemicera sempervircns,
Escallonia rubra, Coronilla glauca, yellow Mar-
guerite, white Marguirite, Nicotiana afhnis.
Geraniums (various I, Abutilon vexillarium. Phlox
(perennial), .lasminum nudiilorum, Jfontbretia <:ro-
cosmiieffora,M. an rea, Rosa rubiginosain fruit, Rose
Mme. Berard, Rose Souvenir ele la Malmai.son, Vio-
let The Czar, Neapolitan Violet, double white Vio-
let, Michaelmas Daisies (several), Chrysanthemums
(various). Delphiniums (several), Pyrethrums
(several). Fuchsias, Petunias, Carnations, Helio-
tropes, wilel Strawberries in flower anel fruit,
Verbena venosa, Schizostylis coccinea, Pentst?

394

THE GAEDEK

I

[November 13, 1897.

mons (several), Dahlias (various), Aloysia citrio-
dora. Rose Gloire de Dijon, Abelia floribunda,
and Lavatera trimestris. In a neighbour's garden
were also Macartney Rose, Caryopteris mastacan-
thus, and Cyclamen europajum. — VV. T., Bi>ilio})'--<
Teigntoii.

The Cosmos. — In last week's (Jakdex you
mentiiin that varieties of Cosmos are blooming at
Cork. I may state that at Clevedon these plants
are beautifully in flower, and had it not been for
a heavy wind a short time back breaking the head
of the" tallest plant, it would have been fully
5 feet to (i feet. As it is, the others are about
4 feet to ') feet in height. Our climate is such that
it is only in an exceptionally severe winter that
Solanum jasminoides succumbs, whilst the white
Vine-leaved Abutilon I have had in the open for
nine or ten years, also the New Zealand Flax.
— A. B. TRESTK.ilii, Sonl/idale, Clevtdon.

Peristrophe speciosa. — To many readers
this useful siiecies will be better known as Justicia
speciosa, though in more recent years the plant
has not received so much attention as formerly.
As a pot plant for the greenhouse in winter, it
flowers over a lengthened period, and this, com-
bined with a bushy, compact habit, makes it a
useful subject in greenhouse decoration. For
this latter small plants in 5-inch or 6-inch pots
may be easily grown in a few months, and these
commence flowering inthe earliest days of autumn.
The blossoms are of a distinct shade of mauve-
purple, o\ev which appears a reddish violet tint
that is most effective.

Physalis Franchetti. — This handsome plant
promises to surpass the old Winter Cherry P.
Alkekengi not only for its vigour and the striking
effect in beds or the border, but more pai-ticularly
in its hardiness. The old kind, though perfectly
hardy at the root does not retain its foliage very
far into tlie autumn ; indeed, the plant loses its
leaves almost as soon as the calyces have attained
their colour. With the new comer it is different
as the plants which are now loaded with the large
coloured calyces have the foliage nearly as good
as was the case weeks ago. An instance of the
striking eflect of the new species may still be seen
in the herbaceous ground at Kew where two large
beds have been devoted to it this year. Tiiese
plants are still in excellent condition, while the old
form a little distance away shed its leaves soon
after the early frost. The greater vigour of the
new kind as also its hardy character should render
it among the most popular of garden plants.

Tibouchina macrantlia is, for the moment
at least, the most recently adopted or revised
generic name of an extremely popular and showy
plant that in the past has been known as Pleroma,
and formerly as Lasiandra. This frequent altera-
tion of the names of the more popular plants is
to the gardener most confusing, because once it
begins, the alterations appear at frequent inter
vals. The value of the plant, however, is the
same, and its beauty still on a par with the old
days, when as Lasiandra this fine old Brazilian
shrub was known to most gardeners. There is
no need to call attention to its beauty or its worth
as a greenhouse shrub. It is not a cHmber in any
sense, but a shrub of free and quick growth that
quickly covers an allotted space on the interior of
the greenhouse roof, and, there enjoying the full
light and sunshine, produces in great abundance
its large, deep saucer-shaped blossoms for many
weeks in succession. The flowers, often ~> inches
across, are of a deep violet-purple and vevy hand-
some. This species is also well .suited to covering
pillars, or it may be grown in pots in bush form.

Connemara Heaths. — The picture issued with
The Garden of October 30 is very charming, but
their great value as autumn bloomers was omitted
from all mention in the letterpress. Large beds
here containing many thousands, which have been
stopped twice during the summer, are now in the
first days of November masses of beautiful flowers.
The principle involved is that if you prevent a
plant flowering at one time it endeavours to do
SO at another, and it is quite worth a little sacri-

fice to have a show so late in the season.
— T. Smith, Nen^ry.

'*„* This plant has been flowering all through
the summer and is in bloom now on a bank
fully exposed to the sun. Mr. Moon's draw-
ing was made from the same plants of [the
white variety on June l."i of the present j'ear.
The soil is not peat, but a coolish loam on a
hill facing the sun. No water is ever given
other than what falls from the clouds, and the
plants have withstood the droughts of recent
years. There are good spikes now (November 0).
The tine autumn may have helped to prolong the
bloom, but, on the other hand, the drought was
against the plant. In any case it is a remarkable
instance of length of flo%yering, ami charming
flowers, too. — Ed.

Public Gardens.

£15,107 12s, Id., and
£5654 7s. 5d.

in the Isle of Ma

Open spaces. — At the monthly meeting of the
Metropolitan Public Gardens Association, 8.3,
Lancaster Gate, W., the Earl of Meath, chairman,
presiding, a communication was read from the
City Parochial Foundation consenting to the
allocation of their open space grant of £1000 to
the cost of laying out Bethnal Green parish
churchyard, and to the provision of a drinking
fountain therein, in accordance with the proposal
of the Association made some time previously,
and it was resolved to seek permission to erect a
tablet in the ground, with a suitable inscription,
as a record. It was also agreed to oft'er trees for
planting in thoroughfares at Kensington, Calvert
Avenue, Shoreditch and Hoxton Market, and to
grant seats for South Grove, Camberwell, and
I)e Beauvoir Square. The chairman reported the
opening on the 1st inst. of a playground in
Benbow Street, Deptford, secured and laid out
by the Greenwich Board of Works, and provided
with ample gymnastic apparatus by the associa-
tion. Letters were read respecting the proposed
acciuisition for the public of Churchyard Bottom
Wood, N., Pymmes Park, Edmonton, N. , a part
of G elder's Hill Estate, N.W., a site at Bromley,
Kent, a burial-ground at Barking, E., Camberwell
Churchyard, a cleared area in Islington and a plot
of land in Ratclifli'. It was also decided to see
whether any steps could be taken, and, if so,
what the cost would be to improve the church-
yards of St. Nicholas and St. Paul's, Deptford, in
order to render them more available as public
gardens than at [iresent.

The Commissioners of Woods and Forests.

— The 75th report of the Commissioners of Woods
and Forests has just been issued as a Parlia-
mentary paper. The income derived from sales
of forest produce in the New Forest amounted in
the year 1806-!I7 to £73.55 4s. lid., in addition to
certain surface rents amounting to £30!Hi lis. 8d.,
the corresponding receipts in lS!l5-ilU being
£7060 12s. 7d. and £3014 13s. respectively. In
the case of Dean Forest the same sources of in-
come produced £5305 17s. 7d. and £ll.'i6 12s. lid.,
as against £6539 3s. lOd. and £19.50 6s. Id. in
1S05-06. The mineral royalties of Dean Forest
for the year ending March 31 last reached a total
of £13,906 19s. 7d., as against £12,332 10s. ,Sd. for
the preceding year. The greater part of the Oak
woods, the report says, have arrived at an age
when the income derived from their thinning may
be expected to be less than heretofore for some
time to come, and the system of management
which was best when the Oak was grown specially
for the purposes of the Navy requires reconsidera-
tion now that it is no longer devoted to the build-
ing of ships. It is suggested, therefore, that it is
desirable to produce other kinds of timber for
wliich there is a market, and to utilise the Oak
already planted according to present-day require-
ments. Turning to other parts of the United
Kingdom, the report states that t'rown property
in Scotland produced during the year an income
of £24,737 16s. Id., in Ireland £37,954 8s. 4d.,
consisting mainly of quit rents, in Wales

Royal Horticultural Society's awards.-

The awards of medals to exhibits at the Dril
Hall on November 9 were, to say the least, ver
singular and inconsistent with those of the lat
meetings. A notable case of this occurred in tl;
award to the cut Chrysanthemums staged by Mi
(i. Wythes, from Syon, a report of which will r
doubt be found in its proper place. At the las
meeting, a fortnight previous, for an exhibit of si
dozen blooms in triplets, the award was a silv(
Banksian medal. On the occasion in question
similar award was made, the exhibit being moi
than treble the size of the former, comprisin
250 blooms in 100 varieties. The setting up w;
most commendable in every sense, and quite r
object-lesson as contrasted with the formal an
orthodox fashion followed by most exhibitor
The (juality of the flowers was excellent, the ii
curved section being well represented. True, r
faking up or doctoring of the flowers had bee
followed, they being simply shown as grown an
as they should be. The very least award th;
could fairly have been made was a silver Flo
medal to this extensive exhibit. The other ca
was that of the Gros Colman Grapes from M
Iggulden, which were simply perfect examples
every sense, fine in berry, bunch, colour, and ev(
flavour. Here the award undoulitedly ought
have been a silver Knightian medal. — Alpha.

One of the finest exhibits of Chrysanth

mums ever staged at the Drill Hall came fio
Earl Percy's garden, Syon House. The exbil
was in fact made up of over 20t) blooms
nearly 100 varieties, and occupied about 60 fei,
or 7t) feet of tabling. The blossoms were cj
with stems from IS inches to 24 inches long, ail
arranged in threes, stood out boldly and well, sill
ported by splendid foliage of their own ; amidl
groundwork of Maiden-hair Fern ; graceful Pallf
forming the background. The exhibit was amod
the very finest I have seen, as, apart from itsrep^l
sentative character, the flowers bore ample etj
dence of excellent culture. On Tuesday lastf
was one of the few things to admire at the Dll
Hall. It seems impossible to believe that fcl
society has done its part by the award of tj
silver Banksian medal that it has thought fit f
give to so handsome and well grown a colleotia
I do not in the least know who is responsible fi
an award so ill-considered and unjust ; at theve
moment, too, when every grower of ChrysantU
mums had forsaken the society to go elsewhel
Suiely the Royal Horticultural Society can|
afford to treat so staunch a supporter in this i
for however desirous the council may be of reel
tying such mistakes, errors of judgment, or wb'
ever they may be, the sting of the slight rema'
Indeed, it is one of those glaring mistakes '
never should have happened, and which the T
Horticultural Society in the future should ai^
— A Fellow.

Pears under glass. — Will any reider tell j
the best kind of glas.shouse in which to grow, ioi
north of EnglauJ, cordon Pears planted out i
trained like Vii;oa, say, Doyenn^ da Cornice '
Josephine de Malices, and the best way to destro;
preveut caterpillars? — X. Y. Z.

Names of fruit. — A. B. — Impossible to naj
from such a poor fruit aud only one specimen i

J. R. Elliot. — Peara: 1, too far gone; 2, Oh

montel ; 3, B. Clairgeau ; 4, Doyenne du Comioea

rotten. Denton Park.—X, W. Bon Chretien, seog

crop ; 2, Beurre Bosc ; 3, Calillac ; 4, Beg
Charraeuse ; 5, Jlareclial de la Cour ; 0, Aatffl
Bergamot; 7, Pitmaston Duchess ; 8, Beurr^ Dl
mont ; 9, Beurre Diet ; 10, Beurre d'Anjouj 4|
Josephit'e de Malines ; li, Orange Bergamot. 'SI
have uamed all you send ; we, however, only undw

take to name four kinds in one week. B. BJf

1, HoUandbury ; 2, Gloria Mundi. W. J. BurstC

— 1, Beurre Diet; 2, Brown Beurre ; 3, JopepbineJ
Malines ; 4, not recognised ; should like to see r

good specimens. W. J. P. — 1, not; recognised ;

Scarlet Nonpareil ; 3, Northern Greening ; 4, Mi
de Menage ; 5, Ribston ; 6, not recognised.

THE GARDEN

No. 1357.— Vol. LII.]

[NOV EMBER 20, 1897.

lohard and Fruit :—

jiplc Allen's Evorhisting at

Ilri^'lit.>ii 307

ppk- .las. Grieve 397

Ipple M;ilil>nts re:triiiuiu .. 397
[pplo Wliet'lc-i-s Russet .. 397
ppleWonuhilcy Grange Pip-
pin 397

P]iles, highly-i'i (loured .. 39(5

Tiiit trees, liigt^iiig iiruund 39i)

luit trce.-i, liipiid manure for 30t>

niit trees, watering .. .. 390

i;i]H.*, a new white .. .. 396

v.i]*es at autumn shows .. 397

.->eet pestw, .Ustruetion of 395

;ir Bcurr6 Baltot p?ro .. 397

:ir Hishop's Thumb .. .. 390

ir Untwn Ueurr^ .. .. 300

. ir Fondante de Thiixiot.. 3'>7

r.ir Lucy Grieve 307

i.ars, rtutunm 397

i.irs, stewing 390

rmwherry, tJie Viorlander. . 397

trawbeiTies 390

ine spurts 390

iDve and Greenhouse:—

ilia, the yellow 393

ariiiitione, Malmaison, rust

nn 398

trnations, Tree 397

'T'lsera dichot«ma .. .. 398

Ileliconia illustrls rubricaulis S9S

Nepenthes at Kew 398

Salvia splondeus grandiflora 398

Flower :—

Bulb planting 401

Campanula, Uie Peach-leaved 402

Daffodils, basal rot In .. .. 400

Dahlias, Cactus 401

Flower garden notes . . . . 400

Flowers in Yorks 400

Kale.s and Beet in the flower

garden 401

Linvmi narboniiense . . . . 401

Linum narhon III list: at JiXeter 401

Lobelia cardinalis 399

Mina lobata 402

Paionies and rabbits . . . . 402

Pansies. Tufted 401

Peas, Everlasting, for cutting 402

Peas, Sweet, for cutting .. 399

Physalis Franchetti .. .. 402

Polygixla paucifolia . . . . 309
Polygonum spha;rostacliyum

and Aster diplost«phioides 399

Polygonum vaccinifolium .. 400

Pyrethrimi uliginosum .. 400

Senecio pulcher 402

Tigridias 400

Garden Flora ;~

Camatious, self 404

iNri>x:x.

(Illustrations in Italics.)

Week's Work :—

Fruit garden, work in .. .. 40rj

Kitchen garden, work in . . 405

Kitchen :—

Artichoke, White Jerusalem 400

Cabbage sprouts 407

Carrot Rod Elephant . . . . 407

Carrots, wintering 407

Kales, winter, at Chiswiek. . 40V

Onions 40i'i

Peas, early 400

Tomato Eclipse 400

Rosea i—

Rosa rugosa 407

Rose General Jacqueminot

in November 408

Rose Isabella Sprunt .. .. 407

Rose Narcisse 407

Rose season, the, of 1897 .. 407

Roses, climbing 407

Trees and Shrubs :—

Autumn tints 408

Barberr}', the common . . . . 40S

Berberis Thunbergi . . . . 40S

CelastruB scandens . . . . 408

Cherrif, douhle-flotrint/, a

ftpra;/ of the. 40.S

Cherries, double - flowered,

for the garden 408

CratJ«gu8 Pyraeantha Liulandi 408

Laburnums, layering .. .. 408

Ferns :—

IJlcchnum occidentalo . . . . 409

DitryoptcriH 409

Orchids :—

Angra^cum citratum .. ,, 410

Cymbidium cyperifolium . . 400

Cypripedium insigne ^ .. 410

Cypripc'lium tnnsum .. ., 410

DendroL'hilum Coliliianum .. 410

Goodyeri R<.llissuni .. .. 409

Habciiaria rarnea 410

Oduntnjflossum tripudians.. 409

Oncidium Marshallianum .. 409
Oneidium ornithorrhyuchum

album 410

Phalainopsis Regnieri .. .. 409

Pleiones 409

Scaphosepalura gibberosum 410

Stanhopea ebumea . . . . 410

Trichopilia laxa 409

Trichosma suavis 410

Vaiula citfulea 410

Vanda, the blue 410

Socl ties:—

Nati..)i;il Chrysanthemum .. 411

Public Gardens:—

Chrysanthomums in the

parks 413

Notes of the W^eek:—

Bouj^'ainvillea npeetabilis ,. 414

Ccreus rostratus .. .. 414
Chrysanthemum Golden

Elsie 414

Chrysanthemum Jviles La-

gravere 414

Chrysanthemum Royal Stan-
dard 414

Convolvulus Cneorum .. .. 414

Dracaena Doucetti 414

Galanthus oetobrensis . . . . 414

Gaura Lindheimeri .. .. 414

Hydrangea Hortensia .. .. 414

Nerines, seedling 414

Saxifraga cortussaefolia . . . . 414

Viuca acutiloba 414

Miscellaneous :—

Grass walks S99

Irekind, notes from .. .. 398

8t. Margarets 899

St. Marijard's, near Titchftefdf

IIant» 399

Strawberries, notes on . . . . 40 J

IRCHARD AND FRUIT GARDEN.

I DESTRUCTION OF INSECT PESTS.

iTE autumn and the early part of winter oflFer

'avourable opportunity for the destruction

t'd prevention of future attacks of the various

1 ids of insects which infest fruit trees. The

t es then being clear of foliage, every portion

I wood can readily be reached, and much

■ Miiger solutions used than would be per"

1 ^sible when the trees are in a growing condi-

t(n. When fruit trees are sprayed or washed

rthe season of the year indicated, it is astonish-

.; the numbers of insects and their eggs which

.■ destroyed. If persisted in year after year,

I ring and summer attacks are reduced to a

1 nimum. Those who annually wash or spray

Ijir trees when dormant are rewarded for

leir pains by seeing them, if not altogether

1 le from attack, certainly very much less

i'ested than is the case where a let-alone

;licyis ado])ted. Spraying can now be done'

I cheaply if the proper appliances are used, i

at any objection on the score of its being ex- I

naive will hardly hold good. The whole of

e collection of fruit trees here, which is by

: means a small one, is sprayed in the winter

: a comparatively small cost. The appliances

L' a force pump fixed in a galvanised cistern

unted on wheels, 20 feet of armoured hose,

th a 6-feet branch pipe at the end on which

fitted a sjirayer. A coarse or fine spray can

had simjily by unscrewing or screwing the

.iss cap up tighter. An active intelligent man

th a lad at the pump can spray a great number

trees in a day in a very efficient manner.

le best time to perform this is directly after

e trees are pruned, or as soon as the prunings

id leaves are raked up and cleared away.

'gging or pointing of borders and alleys should

>•■ deferred, on account of the person manipu-

'ting the sprayer having to walk round and to

pass backwards and forwards in front of the
trees. Calm weather should be ch(.isen, esjje-
cially if insecticides of a caustic nature are
used, so that the person applying them does
not run the risk of having the spray blown into
his face. Windy weather causes a waste, as the
greater portion of the spray is carried away
without ever touching the trees unless growing
closely together.

Regarding insecticides, the following can be
safely relied on as being the best for the pur-
pose : Petroleum emulsion and a solution of
caustic soda and crude potash. The petroleum
enmlsion is made in the following manner ;
Take from 4 lbs. to (i lbs. soft soap, according
to quality, 10(1 gallons cif water, and bring it to
boiling point. Then add 1 fiuid oz. of petroleum
for every gallon of water, boil for five minutes,
and then draw or put out the fire. To prevent
an accident occurring, the vessel in which the
mixture is boiled must not be quite full, in case
it should boil over and the petroleum catch tire.
This may be used in a warm state and applied
with a sprayer to ensure thorough dift'usion of
the petroleum, when it will injure neither wood
nor buds. This is reconunended when the trees
have been badly infested during the previous
season. The second is the more etficacious f(U'
winter use, as it cleanses the trees of all kinds
of insects, it kills their eggs, and I'elieves the
branches and stems (jf Mfiss and Lichen without
injuring them in the slightest degree. This is
made as follows : Take 1 lb. of caustic soda,
1 lb. crude potash, add 10 gallons of water, and
boil until all is thoroughly dissolved. This
should be used while warm ; apply it with a
sprayer, leather gloves being worn to prevent
the mixture burning the hands.

Extra pains should be bestowed on trees in-
fested with American blight, as spraying is not
sufficient in itself to kill these insects, sur-
rounded as they are with a cotton-like substance.
X very strong solution well brushed into every
aft'ected part of the trees is an excellent remedy.
To render this eti'ective, every ])article of loose
bark should be cut away, so tliat the insects

can be more easily got at. The soil, too, under
the trees should be removed down to the upper-
most roots and burnt. If any of the insects are
found on the roots, spray with petroleum emul-
sion and cover them with fresh soil from a non-
infested source. Plum, Damson, and other
fruit trees may also be washed over with a mix-
ture of limewash, with enough soot added to
tone it down and make it less conspicuous.
This cleanses both stem and branch and rendeis
the Inids distasteful to birds, but I have never
found it of any practical use for killing either
insects or their eggs. This is also an excellent
wa.sh for Gooseberry and Currant bushes wheie
birds are in the habit of disbudding them.
Freshly-slaked lime may be used instead of this
wash for fruit trees, and it should be catt
among the branches when moist either from
rain or fog and on a calm day. For tl e
destruction of the winter moth, grease band-
ing, for which a special kind of grease and
paper for wrapping round the stems can now
be bought, is used. Cart-grease should be
avoided, as it is apt to injure the stems of the
trees. As the grease soon hardens from ex-
posure to the air, it should be renewed or
smeared over afresh every few days, or as often
as is found necessary. This traps great num-
bers of the female winter moths when on the
way up the stems for the purpose of laying
their eggs, but it cannot be depended on f( r
catching all of them, as the male ofttimcs
carries his mate with him at pairing time up to
the branches.

All prunings, leaves and rubbish .should be

I carefully raked up and charred at some spot

remote from the trees, which will get rid of

great numbers of these pests, also their eggs.

! The soil under the trees should also where

possible be pointed over a few inches deep, and

at once a])])ly a dressing of freshly-slaked lime,

1 which will kill any chrysalides or eggs there may

I be in it. In orchards the same kind of thing

\ may be done for about a yard round the trees,

I and if jioultry are kept and allowed to roam in

' them, the'application of lime will be unneccs-

396

THE GARDEN.

[November 20, 1897. ',

6ary, as tliey soon make shor work o bo h
insects and chrysalides as they are turned up
A. W.

Highly - coloured Apples. — At Liverraere
Park recently I wan much surprised at the very
high colour of the dessert Apples just now.
King of Pijjpins was very bright, the fruit large
and symmetrical, evidently well grown. Court
Pendu Plat, Cox's Orange Pippin, King of Tom-
kins (..'ounty, and the good old Ribston were
alike good in quality and handsome in appear-
ance. The soil at Livermere is light and porous,
and not apparently the best for Apple culture,
but feeding from above and rational treatment of
the growth conduce to the above result. — Visitok.

Pear Brown Beurre. — This Pear can hardly
be too much praised when gathered and stored in
good condition. The tree grows vigorously and
fruits freely on light soils, but in heavy, cold soils
it is not so satisfactory. It appears to do well at
Livermere, and I saw some very good fruits of it
last week. It is large enough for all purposes,
and the quality is excellent, the greenish, juicy
flesh being good for weeks together. Another
fine Pear that Mr. Tallack grows well and thinks
very highly of is Conseiller de la Cour. Tliis is
ripe now, but kee])S in good condition for a long
time, the Hesh being soft and good right to the
core.^H. P..

Stewing Pears. — The best stewing I'ears
with me are Catillac and BeurriS Clairgeau. The
former never fails to produce a heavy and reliable
crop, and is, moreover, the best flavoured stew-
ing and keeping Pear I know of. Properly
stewed it will keep for several years, and cer-
tainly improves the second year. BeurrS Clair-
geau is a good cropjier, but its fla\'our is not
equal to that of Catillac. Black Worcester is not
very successful with me, and as to Orosse Cale-
basse I have two or three trees, but find them
hardly worth growing even against a wal). Uve-
dale's St. Germain does fairly well, but is not to
becompai'cd in my garden with Catillac. — Gwent.

Digging around fruit trees. — The time is
now at hand wlien the pruning of fruit trees and
bushes having been done, digging amongst them
will be proceeded with, and from a long and care-
ful study of the matter I am convinced that
digging with a spade is responsible for many of
the ills that fruit trees suffer from, from the fact
that the fibrous surface roots are cut off or broken,
while the large, deep-rooting ones that promote a
gross watery growth are left. Although I have
long since discarded the spade, I am compelled
to use in its place the steel fork, which is doubt-
less the most useful for loosening and [)ulverising
the soil without mutilating the roots. At this
time of year all the old mulching materials that
can be spared for the fruit tree cjuartersare forked
in and left in a rough state during the winter,
and then in spring when the drying winds begin
to rob the earth of its moisture, the soil is raked
down fine again. Nothing I have yet tried for
counteracting drought is .so effective as frecpient
surface-stirring. — James Groom, Gosport,

Liquid manure for fruit trees. — The ex-
ceptionally dry spell, lasting for many weeks in
succession, is in such direct contrast to the
autumns of several preceding years that it makes
even old practitioners alter their usual routine of
work. Seldom do I remember having to use the
water-pot so much at so late a period of the jear.
When one finds the soil around fruit trees
dust-dry before the fruit-buds are fully plum])ed
up, it IS quite time to set about supplying the
deficient moisture if full crops are looked for next
year. The roots that supply the fruit-buds most
directly with what they need are undoubtedly
those that are near the surface, and it is, there-
fore, of the utmost importance that these should
not lack moisture. This is the time when a good
soaking of liquid manure of some kind can be
supplied with the greatest advantage. Anyone
having drainage of any kind that has manurial
elements in it will do well to apply it without

delay to fruit trees of all kinds, wall trees in
particular. Failing manure water, some kind of
artificial manure should be spread over the roots
and washed in with copious supplies of clear
water.— .J. G., Goipoii.

Strawberries.— With, I know, many others
I am much pleased at the great interest which
The (Jarden is taking in seeking information in
regard to Strawberry cultivation. I have in
Monmouthshire two large private gardens, and I
somewhat extensively cultivate this fruit both
under glass and in the open garden. Under glass
with me the first on the list is Royal Sovereign,
followed by Vicomtesse Hc^ricartdeThury, SteAcns'
Wonder, and Scarlet Queen. Noble I have, after
many trials, discarded, indoors and out. Early,
prolific, and fine looking it certainly is, but taste-
less and not worth growing for that reason
With regard to outdoor culture I give preference
to Royal Sovereign, Vicomtesse, and President
as the best early sorts, whilst among the late
ones nothing equals Latest of All, Waterloo,
and British Queen. I break up. as a rule, all my
beds after four years, but am not sure that three
years would not answer better, unless specially
well attended to. September and October are
the best months for this work. The forced plants
I plant out in July on well-prepared ground,
watching for a fall of rain when so doing, so as to
establisli the roots as quickly as possible, mulch-
ing them early in November. — Gwent.

Pear Bishop's Thumb.— This is a very use-
ful Pear just now, and though possibly the flesh
is not so rich and buttery as that of other kinds
now rijje, there is a brisk and pleasant flavour not
easily beaten. I had usually looked ujion it as a
somewhat dull-looking, but good-quality fruit —
one of those kinds that improve on accjuaintance,
but looking through the fruit room at Livermere
recently Mr. Tallack showed me fruit of a rich
and bright colour, that could only be the produce
of well-cultiv ated trees. So bright, in fact, were
the fruits that, although I am sending the same
variety to table, I did not recognise it. When
pressed as to the cause of the high colour, Mr.
Tallack somewhat laconically replied, gas-lime,
but I am inclined to think that the free method
of training practised at Livermere has a good deal
to do with the satisfactory results. Where e\'ery
bit of young wood is ruthlessly cut back every
season how can the trees give good results. Several
old trees in this garden that had fcr years been so
treated I have allowed to grow freely since taking
charge some three years ago, and this season for
the first time I had a crojj of large and good
fruit from them. If more freedom of growth were
allowed and this thinned early in the season,
there would be far less need of root-pruning. — R.

A NEW WHITE GRAPE.

Were there a distinct paucity of white Grapes in
commerce, we might, perhaps, have some tangible
reason for welcoming a new one, but on what
grounds a majority of the fruit committee did at
a recent meeting grant an award of merit to the
new Grape Marchioness of Downshire it would be
difficult to determine, especially when such an
award was made in opposition to the judgment of
the best authority on Grapes in the kingdom.
The new variety may claim the merit of being a
spoilt Muscat of Alexandria. The raiser crossed
that variety with white Gros Colman, doubtless in
the hope of throwing some Muscat flavour into
the latter, which seems to have been so poor a
(Jrape that no one has cared to grow it. Even
the black Gros Colman is a tolerated Grape
because of the size of its berries and the weight
per rod it produces to the market grower. On
the score of flavour it ranks amongst the lowest.
Now with respect to the samjiles shown at the
I'rill Hall recently, either the Muscat fla\our
which it is professed has been imparted to the
seedling is distinctly wanting or else the Irish
chmate has entirely failed to impart it. Certainly
on the bunches sent for tasting the berries were
of Muscat size and shape, wanting colour, and the

flavour or quality of the most moderate ki:
What, then, has been gained to Grape culture
the introduction of such a variety? Among t
white Grapes we have in commerce now are Wh
Nice, Fester's Seedling, Mrs. Pearson, Duke
Buccleuch, Golden Champion, Chasselas Iv
poleon, Lady Hutt, White Gros Colman, Dr. Hof
and others, yet how few of these are in genei
cultivation. What object is there in putti
any more inditt'erent varieties into commerc
Why cannot we have a trial of new Graj
at Chiswick before granting any award? Rea
this granting of such recommendations to stands
fruits of this description is a very serious matt
and if another failure should ultimately be
corded, what becomes of the reputation of I
fruit committee? Here is a Grape getting
award without any knowledge by the commiti
of its habit or its cropping. It is indeed a vei
able leap in the dark, and remembrance of b
many white Grapes had previously obtair
awards, and j'et have become almost gene
failures, might well make those empowered
grant certificates careful how they commit the
selves. A most useful object-lesson in Ur;
values was furnished at the same meeting in i
wonderfully fine and varied collection of Gra|
shown by Mr. Bayer, of Forest Hill, in thirt(
varieties. There were but three white (ira|ies
the collection, and of these the best was JIu8(
of Alexandria. A. D

I

■Watering fruit trees. — The weather
been so exceptionally dry, that watering of v.
fruit trees has been necessary much later tl
usual. Fine, dry autumn weather is usu;
looked upon as favourable to the ripening
developing of fruit-buds, and, unquestional
it is, so as long as the roots are kept moist, 1
when the rainfall is low and a much grea
amount of sun than usual is recorded in Octol
it is not altogether an unmixed blessing. Dur
tlie past fortnight I have been busy plant
spring flowers, and the dry state of the bortl
and beds led to an examination of the fi
borders, with the result that they have ha(
thorough soaking of water. Fine weather is o
one factor in the well-being of trees just now, i
moisture at the root is a much more import,
one. Without it the roots cannot carry out tl
functions, and that it is necessary is proved
the free emission of roots during September ;
October. Provided the branches and spurs
fruit trees are judiciously thinned ,so that air n
play freely about them, the grower need not f
what the weather does, and though it soui
strange, perhaps, to some, I have no doulit tl
trees allowed to take care of themselves woi
develop their buds in a wet, sunless autumn mi
better than in a dry one, when the roots coi
not find sutiicient moisture. — H.

"Vine sports. — The interesting Muscat
Alexandria sport at Chiswick exhibited its vai
tion last year in (jroducing on an outer rod o
Vine at the west end of the house and some 8 f'
from the ground a weak lateral and a small bur
of exceedingly large-berried Grapes. The woi
however, was too weak to give eyes. This spri
the new break was stronger, and the result 1
been a lateral just a little stouter than are t
near lower laterals on the Vine, with leafii
deeply laciniated, more so than is the ordino
leafage. The bunch produced was rather lar^
than that of last year, but the berries ago
were very fine, oval, and clear as well as ve
firm. Really they presented all the well-knoi
size and form as well as flesh and flavour
the Cannon Hall Muscat, but seem to have
presented here, in a comparatively cool hou
both last and the present years, very free-settii
qualities. The present wood is stout enough
furnish several good eyes, and therefore we m.^
not have to wait long ere seeing independe|
plants fruiting both in pots and planted oill
Should then all the present sportive or diveJP
features be maintained, even if in the end itj|cj
not prove to be distinct from the Cannon "

November 20, 1897.]

THE GAKDET^.

897

bre will be furnished alisolute proof tliiit Vines
c. and do snort. The Vino on wliich the sport
h nppeiuecl is proli:ilily one originally planted
iil857, when the great vinery was first trans-
f<oed to its present uses. That was forty years
ij . It seems, therefore, all the more singular
tl i 80 long a period should have elapsed ere this
tlormal form was generated. It would lie in-
t< sting to learn wliether other lioiia-jiili sports
ai within the Unciwlcdgc of readers. — A. U.

.pple Mabbot's Pearmain. — I noticed this

e: client variety at Chiswick (hardens, and at the

V >le Congress in ISS.'l it was well shown. .My

- this year lack size, as the soil was so dry

iigli the summer months. In the west of

Ji;land I used to get very good fruits from

wdard trees. I have grown it since in bush

' ;i only, and it is a good cro]iper, the fruits kecji-

Irni well into the new year. It may rightly

> lassed as a midseason dessert Apple, the

IS medium sized, orange yellow, streaked with

-0. \V.

'ear Beurre Baltet pere. — I am gUid to see

il I'ear receive favourable mention at the hands

Ir. Wythes, and I quite agree with all that he

U) say in its favour. I ha\e it in cordon form

. and it leaves nothing to be desired either in

if fruit, croj)ping (|ualities, or flavour. Wy

- are on the Quince stock, but they make ex-

iit growth, and produce an abundance of

buds. ilr. Wythes mentions that it suc-

> well on an east wall with him, but I am

1 that it would lack flavour on our deep

nog loam if grown in such a position. Some

:iiHcent fruits of this Pear were exhibited at

Hereford fruit show in 1S96, but this year

were neither so plentiful nor quite so fine. —

'ear Fondante de Thirriott.— This is one of
0, best Pears this season, and deserving of a
nje. Probably the flavour may not suit all
pates. It is distinct from that of many of our
imn Pears, but a flavour many like. The
^ are very juicy and very refreshing. I
I'd there was an excellent dish of this varietj-
:i tlie Crystal Palace, Mr. Woodward having
.-endid fruits. It promises to make a valuable

■ iljition Pear, being a good cropper and of ex-

■ 'lit qualitv'. With me it does well as a cor-

My trees are on the Quince, and I have

'I the best flavoured fruits are obtained from

- on this stock. Trees in bush form on the

: or free stock produce later fruits. This is a

. as we have no lack of October Pears. I saw

variety good at Cliristmas grown in heavy

1 in bush form on the free stock in the eastern

of the country, and it was thought much of,

■ rarely failed to crop. — G. W. S.

irapes at autumn shows.— I have this sea-

»' found (irapes lucking the usual good qualities

" n seen. At a recent show only two com[ietitors

red for the prizes offered, and the Grapes were

worth second place, though the prizes were

1. What can be the cause of the scarcity ? The

October weather should have been favourable,

there was no lack of sun to finish late

pes. I also notice that more second-rate

"ties are now staged than formerly. This is

e regretted, as although they have size and

-- nice to look at, there is a lack of quality.

1b other daj' judging with one of our very best

bt growers I was pleased to see the stand

a made for quality ; size had no charm for him.

VI have excellent (hapes which take up the

•; room as poorer ones. I admit they may

' better culture, but this should not deter

-ers from growing those noted for quality in

' rence to mere size. For market, size may be

• fd, but even then iiuality commands the Ijest

..-B. M.

ipple Allen's Everlasting at Brighton. —

l- above variety is not so much grown as it
'Icrves, but it is meritorious on account of its
(.' ellent keeping properties. I admit it is not so
'• ing in appearance as some, and in these days,
'.,'ain favour, those fruits with bright colour or
' '--d for size have the preference. This variety

will be good next May, given eool storage, at a
season there are very few Apples, at least
scarcely any equal in flavour to this. I recently
saw some very fine fruits of this variety at
Biighton, and was told that it did grandly on the
chalk. Its compact growth should make it a
favourite. It did well with me when in (Jloucester-
sliire on limestone, liut is li\ss prolific in .Mid-
dlesex. On the other hand, we cannot expect
good results in poor, very sliallow soil resting on
gravel. It is a distinct fruit, somewhat flattened,
and in places where it grows freely the fruits^ are
quite medium-sized, of a lironzy green, very firm,
and of a good shaiie.— G. Wvtiies.

Pear Lucy Grieve. — A little-known Pear and
one seldom met with owing, no doubt, to the tree
being a shy bearer. I have a tree of it as a
pyramid, and although it has been planted some
ten years 1 have never lieen able to gather a good
crop of fruit from it. This season the tree cer-
tainly bore more fruits than ever it has done
liefore, but it could not be termed a full crop.
The indi\-idual fruits were also finer than usual,
and the (luality was first-rate. Wasps, hornets,
and tomtits are exceedingly fond of this Pear
while (|uite green and hard, and if left unpro-
tected they soon spoil the fruit. The fruits ripen
during October, and are very highly flavoured.
The bark of the tree is conspicuous on account of
its dark-looking, rugged appearance. It is but a
medium grower with me, and produces an abund-
ance of fruiting spurs. Perhaps it would do
better on the free stock and allowed to grow un-
restricted. Has any reader of The Garden
grown it in this way ? — A. W.

Apple Jas. Grieve. — I am much obliged to
Mr. Parker (p. :i.")ti| for his note on the above, and
my note (p. aili) should have read, " The variety
in question is not unlike Cox's Orange in size and
in habit. It dillers in growth and is a softer fruit."
Mr. Parker's note coincides with my own respect-
ing its good qualities. I am aware it is a much
earlier fruit than Cox's, and I should not have
been far v\ rong if I had described it as a good
late Se[)tember or October Cox's Orange. After
Octolier it is not so good. Fruits from the trees
on the Paradise stock are of good (juality, and
there is more colour in my fruit than in
Cox's Orange. Like the last-named, it fruits
freelv and is not a gross grower. lam pleased to
note'Mr. Parker speaks highly of its cropping ;
in this respect it is superior to many. I noticed
this \ariety fruited so freely in a small state that
I was induced to give it a trial. I have only
small trees, but they carried a nice crop, of good
quality and appearance. — G. Wythes.

*^* The fruits sent by Mr. Wythes were far
more highly coloured tlian those sent by Mr.
Parker, this, no doubt, owing to the locality in
which they were grown (Middlesex), Mr. Parker's
having been grown in iScotland. — Ed.

Autumn Pears. — I was very glad to notice
that Thompson's had secured the " flavour prize "
at a recent meeting because it is a Pear of excellent
constitution and also a free cropper, although
from a quality standpoint it would seem to vary
considerably. I remember a few seasons ago a
writer asserting that with him it was not even
second-rate. That the quality of Pears will, how-
ever, vary with the season quite as much as from
different soils is apparent. I noted recently that
this year for the first time Marie Louise d'Uccle
was Very fair indeed, so also is Beurr6 Bachelier :
on the other hand, two Pears that, as a rule, are
thoroughly reliable, Beurre Superfin and Van Mons
Leon le Clerc are nothing like up to their usual
standard. These, however, it must be added, are
from old trees. Beurre Diel, also from old trees,
is useless, except for stewing, but the same variety
from cordons is very good. Writing of this Pear
in connection with dessert reminds me of a dish
I saw a fortnight ago at a show in a collection of
four dishes of fruit as green as a Leek, and, saving
a withered appearance from premature gathering,
as hard as a bullet. Surely fruit should at least
be in fair form when shown in a collection avail-
able for dessert. Two useful Pears at the present

time are (iansel's Bergamot and Passe Colmar, the
former from a very old tree, the latter from
cordons. Passe Colmar is a great and consistent
cropper and keeps well ; it does not come so largo
as I remember it on the heavy Sussex loam,
neither does it merit the description of " a highly
flavoured Pear " given in some catalogues; it is,
however, refreshing and probably one of the most
juicy Pears in cultivation. Nouvelle Fuhie came
in earlier than usual. This, too, issmall with me,
but a good httle Pear that crops well. Perhaps
some reader of The Gauden may be able to tell
us something of Due de Nemours, from a show
standpoint one of the very finest November Pears.
I have only seen it at one place (Pains Hill), and
here it is said to crop well and to be in its season
one of the best dessert Pears. Why is Winter
Nelis so susceptible to American blight '! Several
cases have come under my notice of fine old trees
that have to be annually treated for this when
other Pears are quite exempt. — E. Bi'kkell,
C'^an moiif.

SHORT NOTES.— FRUIT.

The "Vierlander Strawberr.v.— This Straw-
lierry i.s peculiar to a iiiardhy diftnci in the imiiiediate
iic-ii;iibi.urliouil of Hamnurg. 'I lie fru t is very aro-
matic anil nearest t> the nilJ Strawberry, and snma
prefer it to any other sort. Uufortuijately. the fruit
will not keep, and under some conditions it has
lost its taste and appearance after twenty-tour hourj.
— Rob. M. Sloman.

Apple 'Wheeler's Russet. — This Apple is very
conspicuous at this time of year by its p culiar grey
russet appearance, which, however, assumes a slightly
yellowish tint when the fruits are ripe. Like most of
the otlier varieties belonging to this section, it pos-
sesses good keeping qualities. This combined with its
rich flavour renders it a valuable sort f t late use. The
tree is a medium grower, and therefore suitable for
garden culture. — S. E. P.

Apple "Wormsley Grange Pippin.— At the
fruit ;iiid Chrytantheinura sliow recently held at Here-
ford a very tine dish of this Apple was indnded in the
Hrst pri/.e collection of thirty dishes of App'es ex-
hibited by Mr. Lee Campbell, of Glewtton Court,
Ross. These fruits were faultless hotli in form and
colouring. It was the finest dish of this variety that
I have ever seen. It is a pity that Worms'.ey Pippin
is not more often met with, as it is an excellent
November Apple, giod alike for dessert and eoi'king.
It is a gO'^d cropper and a hardy, free grower, succeed-
ing equally well as a bush on the Paradisa as when
grown as a standard in the orchard. — A. W.

Stove and Greenhouse.

TREE CARNATIONS.

The exceptionally mild weather we have ex-
perienced during the autumn has been favour
able to these whore plenty of air has bee
civen. I find among those whose experience
IS limited there is a great tendency to give toe
much heat and not enough air. Carnations
caiuiot be forced into flower at midwinter.
They must have been previously grown on so
that buds are well formed during the autumn.
It is rather ditticult with a limited number of
plants to ensure having good blooms at any
particular date, but it is easier to retard tliem
than to force them on. When we are getting
bright sunny weather, extra heat with plenty
of air will do no harm, and in dull, heavy
weather the cooler they arc kept the better.
There are now many varieties included under
what are called " perpetuals," but none of these
keep up a succession of flowers on the same
plants, though good blooms may be had
throughout the year by growing on a succes-
.sion of young stock and stopping the ]Jants at
diti'erent intervals. Some sorts branch out and
keep up a succession much longer than others.
Winter Cheer i.s perhaps the nearest to what
may be termed "perpetual." Planted out, [^I

398

THE GARDEN.

[NovEMBEE 20, 1897.

have seen the same plants continue to
flower for nmntlis together. Uriah Pike lias
several times been in dispute with regard to its
claim to being a perpetual. My experience is
that plants propagated in the spring and grown
on with others will flower from the main stem
during the autumn, but under any conditions
the side shoots cannot lie induced to start away
for bliiom until tlie following spring, while with
others I have had the same plants flower live
times in one year. When I first saw Mrs.
Leopold de Rothschild (or Mine. Therese
Franco) I had my doubts about it keeping up
its character, the growths being very thin.
However, after growing it several seasons I can
speak well in its favour ; the growth and blooms
have improved rather than deteriorated. V.'e
are badly in want of a really good white. Al-
though we have such tine varieties for summer
flowering, it is ditticult to find one that will
bloom really well in winter. Mrs. Moore was
a favourite, but I have not seen it doing well
during the last year or two. La ^feige is very
free, but the flowers are small and the growtli
thin.

Since the advent of Uriah Pike, crimsons have
become numerous. The latest addition I have
met with is Countess of Warwick ; tliis is very
dwarf in habit, with flowers of a bright claret-
crimson, the bi'oad, smooth petals of good sub-
stance. It is a seedling from Winter Cheer, and
seems likely to make a good companion to that
useful variety. ( )f yellows. Primrose Day has
flowered better during the winter than any
other variety I have tried, though it cannot bo
regarded as a perpetual, for, like Uriah Pike,
the side shoots will not start until the sjiring.
Two-year-old plants will flower best. I find
the flowers are moi'e inclined to burst than
when I first grew it. Miss Audrey Campbell is
a fine yellow for spi'ing flowering. Grown in
pots and kept in a cool pit dui'ing the winter
and taken into a light, warm house early in the
year, the plants soon throw up bloom. A.

sphere is of more importance than much water at
the roots, and fumigation must never be allowed
in the house where Sundews are grown.

Salvia splendens grandiflora. — I can

quite agree with " H. P.'s'' note on p. :i'M
respecting this bright and effective plant. I
noted it a few days since in Mr. Bull's nursery,
and was much attracted by the Ijrilliant colour
and large size of the spikes of blossoms. Many of
these Salvias are of great value in keeping up a
display of bright effective colour in greenhouses
and conservatories during the autumn, but so
ubiquitous is the Chrysanthemum, that many
gardeners nowadays hardly know what a Salvia
i 5. .Such a bright and beautiful kind as this should
ring the genus into greater favour. — H.

The yellow Calla. — I confess to a certain
amount of disappointment when I see from time
to time tine si)ecimen3 of the yellow Calla exhi-
bited. As I understood that the beautiful P..
Pentlandi could be grown in a cool house, I was
tempted to try it. Had I known what I do now, I
might have saved myself the trouble, for, though
very similar in appearance to the conmion white
Arum, it comes from a different and warmer part
of Africa, the Orange Free State, and so requires
a higher temperature than I can give it. The
brother of a gentleman who introduced it some
t.ime ago told me that in its natis'e habitat it was
t) be obtained in quantity. — 1).

Drosera dichotoina. — The Sundews are an
interesting family of jjlaiits, and the larger sec-
tion of the genus as represented by the species
above-named may with advantage be grown by
those ha\ing a warm, moist house at disposal. It
is an easily grown species, thri\ ing well in pots
or baskets or on a bed of Sphagnum Moss. It is
propagated in various ways, as by seed, division
of tile roots, and it may also be grown by cutting
the roots into small pieces and laying these in
pots or pans of peat and Moss. A moist atmo-

NEPENTHES AT KEW.
Probably no other group of plants among the
many of importance grown under glass in the
Royal Gardens at Kew excites so much interest
among the visitors as the rich collection of
Pitcher Plants. Great as has been the interest
displayed in these plants hitherto, this is now
more likely to be increased. Formerly all the
plants were suspended in the warin section
of the No. 7 range adjoining the Victoria house.
Here, however, these Nepenthes were associated
vyith a rather full collection of flowering and
fine-toliaged plants, where, by reason of the lofti-
ness of the structure, a large number could not be
properly seen. Happily, however, all this is
changed and the Nepenthes have a new home.
More than this, all who are interested may now
view the plants with perfect ease, the majority
being suspended within 5 feet or (! feet of the
ground. The present home of the jilants adjoins
the old one, a house entered from the stove, as also
from the Victoria house. In the present structure
no staging of any kind exists ; the house is span-
roofed, and perhaps not more than 12 feet wide
inside walls. A kerbed pathway runs through
the centre and abundance of light and iieat is
provided. The plants, growing in baskets, are
suspended to the rafters in two long lines
on either side the path, and the back row,
alternating with the front, assists the unin-
terrupted view of all. The arrangement is
simple, but withal so effectual both for observ-
ing the plants and for the latter receiving the
fullest light and attention. On the floor,
by way of relief, sjiecimen fine-foliaged plants
suited to the heat and moisture are arranged, the
fine crop of pitchers hanging immediately abo\e.
No doubt the plants will derive benefit from the
improved condition of their surroundings. In any
case the fact must not be lost sight of by those
gardeners who perforce must still grow them in
mixed plant stoves, that these plants, many of
them fine examples of their kind, have attained
their present fine proportions in a mixed plant
house in these gardens, which with the Nepenthes
added was certainly unduly crowded. For it is
not improbable that Nepenthes may in the near
future be more largely employed in the deco-
ration of the mansion or dwelling house. Their
use within the dwelling could have no other than
a unique effect, provided of course a good crop
of well-coloured jiitchers was upon the plants at
the time. Take for instance one such as a central
oliject on the dinner table or upon a marble
pedestal or column, or, indeed, in any position
where the pitchers may droop to advantage, these
things would at once attract by their picturesque
bearing. And then the remarkable variety of the
plants themselves and their beautiful and richly-
eoloured jiitchers are ever attractive when the
plants are at their best. At Kew at the present
time such fine kinds as Northiana have many
splendid pitchers, so also Morgana-, Mastersiana,
Stewarti, Hookeriana, mixta, Sedeni rubra, and
the handsome Amesiana. Others equally good
are Dicksoni, Williamsi, Curtisi, Lindleylxna,
Dominiana, edinensis, Rafflesiana, \^'rigleyana,
Kennedyana, and many more. In some kinds the
pitchers droop to a considerable length ; in others
they cluster just below the basket, or scarcely
this, as in N. phyllamphora, a kind with small
greenish pitchers. E. J.

showing bloom, when a little weak liquid mai
is beneficial. I give just sufficient fire-hea
keep out frost, plenty of air day and night, e\i
in very severe weather or when cutting w
prev ail. After they have done flowering I st
them out of doors until the middle of Septeni
when they are taken into the greenhouse. I tl :
three years long enough to keep them, as a
the second year the plants begin to get lej ,
and the flowers from old plants are not so j I
as those from younger ones. The old plant*
jjlanted out in a cold frame as soon as they I
done blooming, and layered in the usual wa i
some nice soil. When they are rooted sutiioiett'
for lifting they are put into well-drained 6-IFi:
pots, stood in a frame and kept close and sht I
for a few days. When they are established :
are treated like the older plants. — .J. W. JACK
liotherhy IlaV, Leicesttr.

Heliconia illustris rubricaulis.— ThisI

conia, which is illustrated on page S.IO, is a
ornamental fine-foliaged subject when in (
colour, Ijut at the same time it is particiU;
liable to lose a great deal of the bright-til.
veining which forms its most attractive featl
for if a rich potting compost is used or the p
is fed liberally with liquid manure, it will g'
strongly, but much of the bright colouring
disappear. A mixture of loam, peat, and i
will suit it well, and overpotting should alsii
guarded against, for it colours better when S(-
what pot-bound. It is essentially a stove pi
and it should be shaded from bright suns
during the summer months. This Helicon
readily increased by division, but at the > ■
time I find that if this is carried out in
latter part of the summer or in autumn
difficult to keep the plant in good health du
the winter ; therefoiedivision is best performs
the spring or early summer. At this time of
year the plant should be kept moderately dry i
in an atmosphere not too much surcharged I
moisture, otherwise the leaves are apt to bet '
discoloured. This is particularly liable to ha|
if the temperature at any time is allowed to i .'
rather low. The golden-veined H. aureo-str ,
which is a much older plant than the preced I
forms a good companion to it and needs e(|\
careful cultivation. Much the same treatr
may be given it as recommended for the ot
-H. P.

=^=== I

>:

Bust on Malmaison Carnations. — "J. R."

on |:iage 200 says he is much troubled with rust
on his Malmaison Carnations. As I grow about
200 in pots and have had trouble with rust, I will
gi\e my treatment of them. I find they require
the greatest care and attention possible in the
matter of iratering. The plants are potted in
good sound fibrous loam, leaf-mould, and silver
sand. No manure is necessary until they are

Notes from Ireland. — I went round
borders and beds to-day and maie a note of t
plants still in flower and those which are fio'
ing prematurely. The thermometer to-day I
vember S) in the shade registered 57° ; in the :
exposed to a moderate oreeze, 7.5°, which
account for many of the spring plants bein;
bloom. The following are in flower, many q
as gay as at any time during summer : Achil
in variety. Acanthus Candelabrum, Aubri
Leichtlini, Antirrhinums in variety, Miral
jalapa. Carnations, Roses in variety, Pentstenn
Geraniums, Gladioli, Veronicas, Salvia pat'
Kniphofias, Agapanthus umbellatus, Calceol
amplexicaulis, Commelinacivlestis, Asters, Lup
Violas, Anemone japonica, Mimulus, Pyrethri
Aconite, Fuchsias, Marguerites, Lobelias, Gaili
dias, Tradescantia virginica. Polyanthus, Vei
nas, Nicotiana artinis, Solanums, Campano
Chrysanthemums, Cheiranthus, Senecio pulcl
Sedum spectabile. Phloxes in variety, Hellebo*
Heliotrope, Helianthus, Doronicums, Schizost;
coccinea. Polygonum Brunonis, Clematis, Chel!
barbata, Phygelius capensis, Hydrangea, Mona
didyma, Violets, Rudbeckia Newniani, Spi
callosa. Pampas Grass, Hypericum, Jasmini
nudiflorum, Tropa;olums, Malva moschata al
(Enothera speciosa, Passiflora edulis. Prim
The Lady, Heaths in variety, Myosotis, Ox
rosea, and Mignonette. Many of the things hj
enumerated would have been long since over
for the unusually wet and cold summer. .4
ericoides, which "should naturally flower early
October, is not yet fully expanded. — T. Sc«;
Ashforcl, Conr/.

i

«>

STOVBMBBR 20, 1897.]

THE GATJDEN"

399

ST. MARGARET'S.

house of St. Margaret's is supposed to

from the fourteenth century, having

inally been a convent in connection with

ir anciente Abbeyc of Tichefelde." It

lied part of tlie estate of the celebrated

I'pnms AVriothesley, first Earl of Southamp-

i({ and eventually passed into the hands of

1 lelnic family, whose descendants are the

rut owners. Many parts of the building

4 to its antiquity, while a stone bench

into the wall of one of the rooms in the

■r suggests ideas of the discipline which

...I have prevailed during the ri'gimi' of the

fe( and sainted mother superior from whom

mansion takes its name.

i'he house is of red brick, very picturesque.

Il is completely covered with flowering

pits, creepers, v^'c. An immense Magnolia

are always dry and far more ploiisant and springy
blian is himlrollcci gravel. With an ordinary
lawn mower iji-ass walks are easily kept neat,
indeed, they gi\e mueli loss trouble in sweeping
and rolling than (jravel walks do. — A. D.

Flower Garden.

POLYGONUM SPH.EROSTACHYUM AND

ASTER DIPLOSTKPHK )IDES

Shout notes on the plants bearing these long
names appeared recently in The Garden (pp.
;57.'i-.'i74). I ask to be allowed to say a few
words about each of tlieni. First I find that
the liighest and most recent authorities are not
agreed as to the correct name of the Polygonmu.
Hooker's " Flora of British India " gives P.
sphierostachyum, which is the name adopted in
the " Kew Hand-List," but " Index Kewensis "

.sfajj'

-I ■■■iiiiVm''''^""'

I

. MargareVs, near Titchfield, Hants. From a photograph sent by Mrs. Deane, Falrfields, Fareham.

lie most prominent object, but Roses,
Mptle and .lasmine may all be found there.

house is surrounded by woods, and the
Is a in front of the house is gay with many
oicured flowers, bounded by a wall and
hipaceous border separating it from the

ds beyond. M. Deane.

rass walks. — Whenever I enter a garden
thfivalks of which are of turf, I invariablj- feel as
lere was added to even the loveliest sur-

lingsa charm that similar gardens having
/I'avel walks do not possess. If the soil be of
least retentive nature and becomes soft and

in winter, a remedy can now be found in
mg a pipe or rubble drain 2 feet beneath, and,
tiu'thei', adding to the surface soil some ashes
-iL'it, slightly rounding up the centre so that
y rains either run oft' or quickly percolate
. , and so that for walking on in winter they

gives the preference to the name P. macro-
phyllum for the same species. I first flowered
this plant about fifteen years ago from seed col-
lected in the Hiinalayas, and 1 agree with the
remark tliat it will not yet be a common plant,
even if it is destined ever to be so. Plants
which have been growing in the same s[)ot in
my garden for at least ten years show no incli-
nation to become divisible, continuing to be as
one-rooted as a plant of Fraxinella. It is true
that every one of the red flowers on a spike is
a possible plant, and if collected when ready to
fall nearly all of them develop growth, but for
some unknown reason they are difficult to rear,
and if I sow a thou.sand of them in a pan a foot
S((uare the produce at the end of three years is
not more thana dozen flowering jilants. In some
seasons, as in the autumn of 1<S'.M!, tlie spikes
are as viviparous as those of P. viviparuni, the
seeds developing leaves whilst still on the st;dk.

but even then the rearing is no easier. I have also
tried covering them with peat soil where they fall
round the parent plant, with no better success.
The species seems to do best in rather shady
places and moist peat, but it may be doubted
whether as a garden ornament it rejjays the
troulile of rearing. A good variety of P. am-
plexicaule if };rown in dry and ])oor soil is as
bright in colour, though le.ss compact in growth.
Another kindred species, P. ailine, though the
colour is not so conspicuous, is far more easy to
manage, and has (pialities wliicli make it more
desirable as a garden plant.

The Aster with the loni; name I raised from
the same lot of Iliin;dayan .seeds as the I'oly-
gonum. The plants, which were few, flowered
and died, and I set it down as a biennial,
tluiugb I now know that it ought to be peren-
nial. Up to this time I have heard of only one
garden where it tlourisbes with real vigour, and
that is high in the Peak of Derltyshire. I re-
frain from indicating the place more precisely
for fear of subjecting the owner to undue re-
(|uests for plants, but by his generosity I was
supplied with a bountiful stock, which I tried
in vain to make happy in my garden by plant-
ing in dift'erent situations and soils ; at the end
of two years none remained alive. As the note
ill The Garden observes, at present it does
not appear to be generally cultivated, but if it
was more amenable to general cultivation it
would not be ofl'ered in nurseries at the almost
prohibitive price of .5s. or 7s. 6d. a root.

Edge Hall, Malpas. C. Wolley-Dod.

Polygala paucifoHa. — I am extremely
anxious to grow this. I asked Jlr. Smith, of
Newry, Mr. Thomson, of Ipswich, and Mr. Perry,
of Winchmore Hill, to get it twelve months ago.
They have all failed me. Mr. Smith sends me a
dull-looking, soft, un-1'olygala-like thing, which
does not take me, or to me, at all and dies, the
sender allowing that it is the plant that he has
constantly failed w'ith. Does any reader grow it
— really grow it and flower it? Is it deciduous?
I hope in time to have large masses of the three
hardy Polj'galas — Chama'buxus, Chama-buxus
purpurea, and the three vars. , red, white, and
blue, of the native Milkwort; the last is a quite
charming alpine when petted in a garden. —
Koiu;kt Bate.m.\n, Hi iiiliam Hull, Bro.''i'ti:>i.

Lobelia cardinalis. — It is hardly fair for
" S. W. F." to assume that, because roots of
these assumed liardy plants winter safely out-
doors in the loealitv of Torquaj', therefore,
tliej- will do so anywhere. I never could safely
winter them in Middlesex if the season was either
very wet or very severe. It is so much better to
be on the safe side, and either lift the plants in
November and ])ut them singly into sufficiently
large pots, or plant them into boxes thickly,
putting some fine soil about the roots and keep-
infj them in a cool frame or greenhouse during
the winter. Of course they should be near the
light. If it be desired to i)ro])agate stock, that
can be readily done by careful division in the
spring before planting. Those wlio like these
flowers should obtain stock of that lovely variety
Carmine Oem. — A. I).

Sweet Peas for cutting. — Thcvahicof Sweet
Peas for cutting cannot be over-rated, seeing the
many good qualities they have. During the last
nine or ten 3'ears I ha\e been prowing these in
separate colours, as 1 need a (;oiitinuous supply of
dowers for table work, and have found .Sweet
Peas amongst the most useful, seeing the length
of time they can be had in bloom, and they are
always admired, let the season be what it may.
For dinner-table work good self colours are far
the best. Every effort should be used to arranj^e
them as lightly as possible, lilasses with narrow
necks should "tie avoided, bight foliage is the
most eilective to arrange with them, and ;is far as
possible some sprays of their own foliage shoul

400

THE GARDET^

[November 20, 1897.

be mixed with them. During the summer I have
used various kinds of greenery, but none pro-
duced so good an eii'ect as Gypsophila paniculata,
— Dorset.

FLOWERS IN YORKS.

It is popularly thought that Yorkshire has an
inclement climate. As a correction of this mis-
conception I enclose you a list of the plants now
(November 9) in flower in my garden here at an
elevation of 410 feet above the sea.

Auemone japoiiica

sylvestris
Antirrhinum ma jus
Auriculas
Aloysia citriodora
Auhrietia purpurea
Asters in variety
Achillea Ptarmica fl.-pl.
Coreopsis
Ceauothus azureus
Clematis

Crocosmia aureaimperialis
Calendula officinalis
Colohicum autumnale
Collinsiahicolor
Chrysanthemujii Burridge-
anum

maximum

uliginosum
Campanula muralis

hirsuta
Cruciauella stylosa
Coronillagiauca
Ghoisya ternata
Dianthus

Erodium Manescavi
Fecremocarpus scaber
Eueliaridium grandiflorum
Eschscholtzia californica
Erica ciliaris
Erigeron mncrnnatus
Escallonia Pliilippiaua
Fuchsia

Gentiana acaulla
Geranium nodosum

pbaeum
Hydrangea paniculata
Hamamelis virginica
Helleborus n'ger

Clitherot.

Hieracium auraji'iacnm

Hypericum calyciuum

Helianthus

Helenium graudicephalum

striatum
Helichrysum bracteatum
.Tafminum nudiflorum
Lobelia cardinalis

Jlilleri and syphilitica
Linaria Cymbalaria
Menziesia polifolia
Mignonette
Nigella damascena
Xicotiana aliinis
Ompbalodes verna
Primula denticulata
Phlox (herbaceous)

amtt^na
Pelargonium (bedding)

(scented-leaved)
Pentstemons
Pbysalis Fraiicbetti
Polygonum vaccinifolium
Pbysostegia speciosa
Roses in variety
Rudbeciia speciosa
Scabiosa atro-purpurea

caucasica
Salvia patens
Spiraea Anthony Waterer
Sedum stoloniferum
Sympliyandra llotmanni
Saxifraga Fortuuei
Tritoma Uvaria

coral lina
Tropscolum cauariense

majus
Yinca minor

R. Milxe-Redhead.

BASAL ROT IN DAFFODILS.

There has more than once in The G.^rdex been a
discussion respecting basal rot in Daftbdil bulbs,
without elucidating any knowledge as to the
cause of the disease. Having bought a few dozen
bulbs of Mary Anderson recently, and following
the good custom of carefully examining the base
of all bulbs before planting, I found an unusually
hard, solid dead mass at the base of each bulb
that would not separate. The healthy condition
of any ripe bulb is tViat the dead base of previous
year's growth should be able to come away freely
.and clear from the sound living bulb. Any
attempt to remove the hard body in this case met
with no success when dry. It was too hard to
cut freely, and no separation could be eft'ected
otherwise. Moreover, the knife involved damaging
living parts of the bulb, or, as there was no level
line of cleavage, still leaving some of the hard
dead substance bedded in the living portion.
After soaking the bulbs in water for twentj'-four
hours or so, the dead matter could then only be
separated by cutting and scraping, with very
occasional stripping of small portions in a more
natural manner. The condition of these bulbs
conveyed clearly to my mind that fresh roots
could not be produced except at the outer radius
of the bulb, whereas in healthy Dafl'udils roots are
produced in several rings within the outer one.
A finer-grown sample of bulbs I never saw, but
they satisfied me that planting with this hard
dead mass attached is the secret and cause of
basal rot. Basal rot bad actually made progress
in some half-dozen out of eight dozen bulbs ; no
doubt planted in this condition many more of the
bulbs would have dc\eloped it next year.

Having, I believe, arrived at the cause of basal
rot in the bulbs, the next thing was to seek the
cause of the existence of this hard woody mass.
It should evidently be cast by a natural process,
and would in a state of nature be so cast and
rapidly decomposed. These bulbs showed no
natural line of cleavage from which the dead base
could be cast. The bulbs had no doubt been taken
up before natural cleavage was established, i.e.,
whde the base and roots were still alive. There
was evidence of unripeness at toj) of the bulb to
support this view. I think further investigation
will prove that too early raising of bulbs is the
cause of basal rot. If this is so, it can be dealt
with by covering up in trenches for a short time
any bulbs that prove to be taken up before the
base is in a proper condition. \Ye all know the
mischief caused to Lilies by unseasonable lifting,
but I think it has been overlooked in respect to
Daifodils. Dudley Docker.

Kbxfs Xorton, Worcestershire.

Polyg'Onum vaccinifolium. — Mr. G. F.

Wilson's note on this plant (p. 374) is a timely
one. In mild seasons, such as the present, every
additional flower helps to make the outdoor
garden more attractive and lessens our depend-
ence upon glass. A group such as that spoken
of by Mr. Wilson is \ery Ijright, and its eS'ect is
greatly heightened by being associated with
other plants, as he says. This rock Knotweed is
at times difticult to establish in the garden, and
a good many lose plants soon after planting,
witli the result that the3' come to the erroneous
conclusion that it is not hardy. When once
established it is hardy enough, and those who
desire to make a trial of it would do well to
procure young plants. P. vaccinifolium appears
to prefer half shade, and although some say
moisture is essential, I do not find this absolutely
necessary if the roots are well under the stones of
the rock garden. — S. Ar.vott, Carsttlioni, Diiin-
./)■/..,, X.B.

Pyrethrum uliginosum. — I am surprised to
see Sir. Wood class this among hard}- flowers that
are not thoroughlj' reliable. I have always con-
sidered it to be one of the coarsest habitecl things
we. have and hardly fit for association with the
ordinary run of hardy perennials. With me it
quickly takes up a lot of room, and I have fre-
quently to prune with the spade and sometimes
cast a barrowload on the rubbish heap. It is one
of those things that, in spite of its undeniable
value, there is but little demand for now. Those
who once obtain it rarely have to do so again,
and this kind of hardy flower is seldom asked for
in the trade. I have a row of this P3'rethrum
that was planted about five j'ears ago, and with-
out any care it every year produces thousands of
blooms, which this season were as good as in the
first j'ear after planting. It was lately suggested
in The Garden that the plants should lie cut
down in .lune to make them dwarf, but I have
but little sympathy with the eflforts that are being
constantly made to lower the stature of our taller
growing hardy perennials. The height to which
Pyrethrum uliginosum attains renders it useful
for positions where things of quite moderate di-
mensions would be out of place. I lately saw it
in large masses among neat bushes and low-grow-
ing shrubs apparently quite at home, and by
reason of its height very eft'ective. Anything less
robust and of dwarfer growth would have been
lost in such a position. — J. C. B.

Tigridias. — How very seldom one sees these
beautiful and brilliant autumn-flowering bulbs in
private gardens, and I have often asked myself
why this is so. The experience of the last
few years has rather sohed the <iuestion for me,
for I have been quite unable to harvest them
properly. I have tried various plans ; have lifted
them at the same time that I have done my
C41adioli, have placed them in dry sand out of the
reach of frost, but they shrivelled up and have
been of very little use at planting-time. Think-
ing, perhaps, that I might be wrong in this, I
have lifted them with a considerable quantity of

earth, have left them in that, and allowed them
dry off gradually, but here again the result has be
the same. Some years ago, on visiting the eard
of a lady fiiend, I saw a magnificent bed w
hundreds of roots in it, with a multitude
blooms. I saw the owner of this garden t
other da}', and she told me she had lost every o
of them, and in another garden where there wai
goodly luimlier the same doleful story had to
told. I have obtained imported bulbs whi
seemed to be plump and good, but by the ti|
the planting season came round I found thi
very much diminished in size, which was, perhai
natural, and when planted a number of thi
seemed to do no good. Have any of 30ur readi
had any experience with these remarkably striki
flowers, and can they give any information as:
the best way of wintering them ? I see that i
Dutch growers state that all these bulbs are eas
grown, and recommend that they should bekf
dry during the winter, a plan which, as I h»
said, has quite failed with me. If, then, a
readers of The CiAKDEX will give me any hii
how I can better manage these delightful Mexic
bulbs they will perhaps confer a fa\our on othi
beside mj-self. — D.

FLOWER GARDEN NOTES.
,\ new departure that is very welcome has tak
place within the last few j'cars, both in public a
private gardens, in the planting of beds of lar
size. I mean the selection of tall plants for f
ing the same and the gradual weeding out fortl
particular purpose of such things as Geraniu!
and others of similar height. This is all the nu
desirable when the surroundings are of a natii
to suggest the use of tall plants, such, for (
ample, as when the beds have a background
trees or when they are interspersed with othi
devoted to tall shrubs, both deciduous and evi
green. Under such circumstances the aim shoii
be as far as possible to utilise the larger pew
nials, and if to many of them flowering rather li
is objected to, a mixture could possibly be effect
that woidd altogether give a long-sustained d
pla\-. Planting should always depend on the si]
roundings. ^^"here, for instance, foliage in grg
variety is naturally abundant, the employment
Palms and sub-tropical plants of all kinds or
noticeable for their foliage is hardly to be recoi
mended. This is simply adding to the mass
greenery, and somewhat on a par with the idea'
pleasure-ground planting that formerly prevail!
in covering every available space with commi
Rhododendron, Laurel, and things of simil
character. Rather, if foliage is already abundat
the aim in new planting should be the supply
colour that will best harmonise with existii
beds, and where this has to be done, it is well
this season of the year to go carefully through
well-prepared catalogue of herbaceous plants ai
ascertain the number of things that can be usi
with the view to present planting, or, failing thi
to work up a stock for spring. In connectii
with several of the large families it should 1
remembered that many of the later introductioi
flower considerably earlier than the old type
and are consequently contemporary with beddii
plants ; also that with a little attention in tl
way of the removal of dying flowers, nippii
out first spikes, &c., in good time, to secui
a more rapid development of the second sho
of flowers, and the complete furnishing ■
beds by the formation of bushy ])lants, nearl
all of them can be depended on to furnis
a long display. In all cases where a knowledj
of the flowering season does not exist the [Janti
should take care to acquire the same. A goo
system of planting can hardly be carried oi
without this. This applies to varieties as well ;
species, the variation in the case of the form'
being very considerable. Besides these lary
families, such, for instance, as Phloxes, Siii
flowers. Lilies, Starworts, &c., which may respei
lively be employed in variety in sejiarate bed-
there are other less known plants wliich will hel
to make very interesting mixtures, quite su^
cient, I fancy, to plant the majority of gardeti

November 20, 1897.]

i'HE GARDEN.

401

s cessfully with only a very little aid from

ler thinjjs. Boccoiiiii cortlata is an instance

1 lianly plant splcndiill^y adapted for hold

trilenint;. It is ocoasionally found in sln-ub-

flies, but I would also rt'connnend it for Imld

lis in the open, where it should be planted

Illy, allowint; plenty of room for development

dl sides. The intervening spaces can be tilled

h Aster Amellus <rrandillorus, Chrysantho-

as Anastasia and f^ittle Hob, dark-llowered

I itstcmoiis a[id Antirrliinums, or thinijs of

S^ilar nature. Any of the above groundwork

> Tits may act in a similar capacity to (ialtonia

licans, which under favourable conditions will

up high enougli to throw its graceful spikes

^1 above them. 1 like to plant the bulbs in

cluips of three or four, as a good mass of tlower

' hereliy secured. The ground for their recep-

^hould be well broken u|). Plant tirmly at a

ih of (i inches, and give a winter mulching.

.turning to Bocconias, I have not seen the

form carnea. If it bears out the descrip-

t|>i it should be a decided acquisition, and the

«j|>coloured sjjikes would afford an opportunity

e-ontrasting lighter things beneath than those

t ployed with the type. The tall Sea Holly

( yngium su]ierbuni) is another plant that may be

d successfully in large beds only, as the folia"e

ijsomewhat peculiar. Anything on a smaller

should be well done, as both species will repay
liberal treatment, the Spinea esjiecially, with its
tendency to spread, being a de(Mded"ly hungry
plant, iieiiierocallis and B^unkia — known re-
spectively by the common names of Day and
I'hintain Lilies — may have one or more licds re-
served for them, the former occupying the more
central positions, althougli one of tiic family,
Sieboldi or Dumortieri, as it is also called, is no
tiiller than the Funkias.

Additional attraction will bo given to beds so
tilled if a few of the vari(;gated forms of each
family are employed ; indeeil, some of the Funkias
in this respect are on a par with the most pro-
nounced variegation to be found among stove or
greenhouse plants. The list of things" available
for large lawn beds might be considerably e.x-
tended. I just offer the foregoing as instances of
what can be effected in tliis direction, and if a
start is once made the result will be satisfactory
and lead to annual strengthening of the same.
Naturally, the brilliant colouring of the best of
the Dahlias, Sweet Peas, large-flowered JIarigolds
and the like is an inducement to include them it
a preponderance of bright colour is desirable, and
whether the mode of propagation is from seed or
cuttings, the aim should be to secure healthy,
sturdy plants in good time, so that, once planted,
they go away quickly and come early into flower.

Ble I

e lally
Id

al

c;he
4eet

a
I

-ilh
o

elli

a

B

tl

1

a

8<
0
tl
b

Lintiin narbonnense in Messrs. Veitch*s nurserv at Exeter. From a
photograph sent by Mr. F. W. Meyer.

used ih connection with it should be care-
y selected. Cimicifuga cordifolia and C. race-
are also worth a trial ; the white feathery
I'ers show to great advantage against richly-
cpured, fine-foliaged shrubs, and should be
ly effective in connection with other flowers,
beds that cannot fail to please are formed
an association of Montbretia crocosmia'flora
its varieties with (Jypsophila paniculata. I
bold because, given good cultivation, the tops
spikes of the Montbreties will be finite
high. They start early into growth, and
consequently the better for early planting.
ert at a depth of .t inches or 6 inches and mulch
short manure, not necessarily as a protection,
to prevent the soil drying out and to secure
ust, sturdy growth. The number of corms in
clump will depend on the size of the bed,
they should be so arranged that some of the
g-like foliage and flower-spikes will show up
)ugh the spreading panicles of the G^'psonhila.
beds might be dexoted to herbaceous Lobelias
Spiraea fili[:iendula comparatively early in the
son. AVhen the Spinea is in flower the foliage
;he Lobelia will afford a pleasing contrast to
same, whilst later the relative positions would
iompletely changed. In all gardens where the
are found to be perfectly hardv such an
mgement might be planted at once. " The beds

I never practise autumn-sowing of Sweet Peas,
as birds are'very troublesome, necessitating con-
stant watching, even if the clumps are staked
and otherwise protected by string, cotton or
similar materials. E. Bi'kkell.

Clarrmont.

Cactus Dahlias. — There is great confusion in
this country as to what are reallj' Cactus Dahlias
and what are not, the tendency of exhibitors being
to regard the decorati\e Dahlias as Cactus
varieties. I and others are desirous of remedying
this condition of things, and intend to have the
names of the true Cactus varieties printed in the
new schedules of the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society, provided we can get the authentic list.
Will any reader of The Gakdbn' kindly give me
the names of the true Cactus Dahlias. — W. E.
Emuiott, Ciiiitvii, Miiss.^ I'.S.A.

Kales and Beetroot in the flower garden.
— We see, without much pleasure, a plate in the
Heme. Hnrtirole of variegated Kales, which un-
happily are used by some for the " decoration '' of
gardens. Now, the form and colour may be as
fine as in many other things, but for the decora-
tion of our gardens such things are rubbish, if
only from the fact of their evil odour after hard
winters, and no waste of time could be worse than
growing such things, which never can take a place

in any true flower garden. Of the .same character
are the purple Beets, used at Ken in the flower
garden. Whatever we do in the flower garden.
It 13 hardly necessary to use Kales and Beet
111 It when there are so many lovely things we
neglect or forget, and things, too, like some of the
wild species of A/.alea and Lily, which may show
their grateful faces to us for many years after
planting them. If we wish to lool our eves on
esculents, the best way is to go to a good kitchen
or market garden, either about London or Paris,
where we willingly admit there are good forms of
leaf and much better colour than in the.se varie-
gated Kales and li\er-coloured Beets.— /VcW.

LINUM NARBONNENSE.
The elegant plant here illustrated was photo-
graphed in tlie nurseries of Messrs. R. Veitch
and Son, E.\eter, where it is growing on the
roekwork, and forms a .spreading bush 2\ feet
acriLss and aliout 18 inches high. The flowers
are arranged in a louse panicle with long
pedicels. During dull (u- rainy weather the
tlower.s are closed, but in bright weather they
are expanded in their full glory, forming a
most elegant object in roekwork or border.
The individual flowers are fully l.i inche.s.
across, bright azure blue, somewhat paler be-
neath, with white anthers and a white spot in
the centre of each flower. Linum narboiniense
flowers throughout the summer, and though
we are now in November, (juite twenty
flowers are still open on the jjlant mentioned.
The calyx is of a bright green colour ; the
leaves are linear, lanceolate, 1 inch to 2 inches
in length and about an eighth of an inch broad.
They are very pointed at the apex and are
arranged alternately. The margins of the
leaves are entire.

Altogether Linum narbonnense is a most
desirable plant and of the easiest possible
cultivation. When planting, a place at least
slightly elevated should be given the prefer-
ence in order to show the elegant drooping
habit of the flowers to the best advantage.

Elmside, Exeter. F. W. ^Mever.

Tufted Pansies.— I saw in a garden in Mid-
lothian during the past summer a simple, but
very ethcient arrangement with these Pansies.
They were planted in a border running east and
west, in the centre of which was a row of dwarf
fruit trees and on the south side a row of Sweet
Peas supported by galvanised wire Pea trainers.
The I'ansies were planted along the north side of
the border in the form of squares, each square
being 3 feet, with 1,5 inches of clear space
between each square, in front of which was a
grass edging. I here give the names of the
Pansies. Lord Elcho formed its own sc|uare, as
also did Archie Grant, Countess of Hopetoun,
Blue (4own, ,J. B. Riding, Sylvia, William Xiel,
Ardwell Gem, Fa\ourite and Rosea pallida.
Each grew vigorously and Ijloomed profusely,
aided Ijy the kindly shade and the abundance of
Mo.ss litter at the roots. — W. L. il.

Bulb planting'.— In October, 1890, I pl.anted
a large bed on the lawn with some I'JUO poeticus
Narcissus, and as the bed during the summer is
tilled with Fuchsias, I tried the following plan.
The soil to a dcfith of 1 foot was tjiken out and
the bulbs placed firmly in and re-covered with the
\i inches of soil. I was looked u|)on by gardeners
in the neighbourhood as a lunatic, throwing away
or rather burying money never to be seen again.
In due course the leaves came up very strongly,
and I began to fear that my experiment would
fail, and I should have nothing but foliage and no
bloom. However, I was delighted when the
flowers began to show, and in the end I had a
waving mass of bloom, much to my delight and
somewhat to the disiippointment of mj' neigh-
bours. I see no reason why I should not hav

402

THE GARDEN.

[Js^VEMBER 20, 1897.

this next year as fine a show as last. Out of
curiosity, I dug down to see how the bulbs were
looking. I found them in excellent condition.
The advantage of this deep planting is that it
does not interfere with the bedding-out in the
summer. This last summer the bed referred to
was filled with Fuchsias varying from .5 inches to
2 feet 6 inches high. The soil here is light, and
all Daffodils, I find, increase rapidly. I am so
satisfied with my last year's exi>eriment, that I
have tried it again in a basket, which is now filled
with some GOO Daffodils of different sorts, but
this time planted S inches deep, as the basket
during the summer is filled with yellow Mar-
guerites, and it was not necessary to plant 1 foot
deep. Gradually, if the experiment continues to
answer, I shall treat a large herbaceous border
in the same way. — M.

THE PEACH-LEAVED CAMPANULA.

U.VNECESSARY as it may appear to some, it is
yet needful at times to urge the clairns of some
of our older plants on the attention of growers
of hardy flowers. These older plants were too
long neglected, and even yet there is a danger
tliat they may be put into the background by
novelties possessing less beauty than these old-
time favourites. Thus it is at times desirable
to write about comparatively common flowers
in order that their merits may not be over-
looked. One of these old plants is the Peach-
leaved Campanula, which, with its several
forms, is an indisjjensable garden flower. It is
a native plant which, though absolutely hardy,
rewards by its increased beauty tliose who give
it due attention and the rich soil it appreciates.
Campanula persicifolia is varied in form, size
and colouring, and the original or typical blue
form 'has been surpassed by the varieties which
have sprung from it. Of these, none are more
admired than the white forms. Tliese vary
much in purity, some being of thick wax-like
texture and with a glo.s.sy surface, wliicli
adds much to their beauty. Seen in the
u'id-day sun in the height of summer the white
Peach-leaved Bellflowers are beautiful, but
it is in the evening, perhaps, that one realises
the beauty of these long ivand-like spikes
clothed with their pure flowers. When twi-
light is passing into darkness they are most
effective, whether they raise themselves from
among other flowers in the borders or mingle
with others in the wild garden. In the moon-
light tall spikes look almo.st ghost-like.

Among the wliite-flowered Peach-leaved Bell-
flowers the one known as Camjjanula persici-
folia Backhousei or C. p. alba grandiflora is per-
haps the most admired. One can see no differ-
once between the plants .sold under the.se two
names, so that I have not hesitated to write of
them as one and the same. It is a moot point
if there is not some of the blood of C. latifolia
in the fine j)lant first sent out under this name,
but whether this is so or not, it can liardly be
left out of the list of our best garden flowers.
Fine as this is, it shows a flimsiness of petal
absent in some of the best seedlings, and it is
doul)tful if it will ever be more adnnred than a
good form of the variety known by the un-
wieldy name of C. p. coronata alba, which has
its corolla so doubled as to form what is
familiarly known as a " cup-and-saucer " flower.
A good form of this in niy garden has the stout
wax-like blooms which give the flowers an added
charm. The double white— an old and favour-
ite flower — is of exceptional beauty, if a little
stiri in its way. It is not so easy to retain long
in the garden without the help of freijuent
division and the aid of fresh sinl. There are
also several semi-double white varieties of more
or less value.

The Peach-leaved Bellflower gives us also
several blue shades, a colour always acceptable
in the garden. Some are exceedingly jiale, and
I the range gives us jjale and deep lilacs as well
as ratlier deep blues. I'here are now some fine
I large-flowered blue varieties ijuite equal in size
to any of the large whites. The doulilc blue
variety is not so plentiful as the double white,
but is to be had by those wlio like such flowers.
There are also blue "cup-and-saucer" varieties
and semi-double pale blue, lilac, and deep blue
forms.

Besides their uses in the garden these Bell-
flowers prove of great value for house decora-
tion, especially in the form of long spikes for
placing in large vases. The taller Campanulas
are nearly all of value for this purpose, and
should l)e more largely made use of than at
present. As already indicated, a rich soil is, if
not a sine qua iion, at least needful if the best
results are to be reaped. A good loam, well
enriclied with decayed manure, will give taller
sjjikes and larger flowers than a poor, starved
soil. This Campanula increases rapidly at the
root, but the double forms are apt to dwindle
away if left too long without division and trans-
planting. It may be observed that new flowers
will push from the dormant buds at the base of
the old flowers if the latter are taken carefully
ott". It is also, I think, advisable to grow Cam-
panula persicifolia in a position where it is par-
tially shaded from strong sun. Too wet a
situation should, however, be avoided if healthy
plants are desired. S. Aunott.

Paeonies and rabbits.— I think Mr. Burrell
may safely plant Pa'onies in positions where rab-
bits are plentiful, as I have given them a fair
trial in some such spots and never found any traces
of injury either from rabbits or any other vermin.
I presume that Mr. Burrell's inquiry is intended
to embrace only the herbaceous section, and I fear
that the results with these in rough herbage will
only be successful in the case of the strong growers,
such as P. officinalis, double and single forms.
This has been my experience, and I have tried
many named varieties, most of which have failed
to make crowns strong enough for flowering. In
tlie first place they do not like the root-disturb-
ance, and before they have time to re-establish
themselves fairly, the herbage, and possibly tree
roots, have robbed the soil ot all nourishment, so
that the Paeonies go on producing only small
leaves and flowerless crowns year after year.
With P. otficinalis the case is different, and some
fine clumps ha\e rewarded the efforts made to
secure them, as the plants seem (juite able to hold
their own after the first year. Probably the others
might be induced to do likewise if the surface
could be kept clear of weeds for two or three years,
but it is only the very strongest growers that -will
really establish themselves. I quite agree with
Mr. Burrell's remarks as to the results obtained
by mixing Daffodils and Pajonies together in beds
or groups in cultivated ground ; the crimson hue
assumed by the young leaves and stems of the
Pi-eonies forms a perfect setting for the Dattodil
flowers, and the leaves of the latter will be suffi-
ciently ripened liy the time the former cover the
ground. To such a bed a further carpet and edg-
ing of Scilla sibu-ica will be found very attractive,
but it is useless to plant it where [pheasants are
numerous. — J. C. Tallack.

When at Rovisden some years ago I noticed an enc
mous quantity was grown for cutting. — Dorset.

Seneelo pulcher.— This is a very striking kt
flowering perennial, the colour a reddish purple, ai
the flowers very bold and massive. The coLjur \s
peculiar that it dues not do to mix with ottur flowci
and therefore when cut should he placed in a vase 1
itself. In this tine autumn it has been pecnliar
good, and there is now (November 8) a fine truss
flowers in full vigour, the plant being about 2 fe
high.

Mina lobata. — To those who want a plant f
climbing over a rough place or making a screen, tb
can be recommended. I have not grown it till tl
year, and I resolved to try it in several situations ai
soils. Where the soil is rich and damp it is very sli
blooming and is of little value. When planted in po
soil and in a sunny place it blooms well. I ha
plants of this against the foot of the abbey wall and
full sun, and here it blooms freely. Some plants
this and Canary Creeper mixed and allowed to intt
mingle have a fine effect. — Dorset.

Physalia Pranchttti.— A good deal has be.
written lately about this, and it appears as if em
people had found a ditticulty with it. I can qui
bclipve th.at in some cold soils and situations the
might be a difticulty about it, but in most places wbp
the soil is light it is easily grown. I am not qui
sure that it will be such a weed as the older tin
Physalis Alkekengi ; this will be no disadvantaje. Tb
ne v Physalis, which is distinct in colour from t
older species, will be found very useful for wiBt
decoration, and iu most parts of our islands it will
found a hardy and easily-grown perennial.

SHOUT NOTES.— FLOWER.

Everlasting Peas for cutting.— These are

very useful for cutting, more especially the white
f.rm. Having a big demand for cut flowers, I tind
the white most valuable. Another recommendation of
the wliite form is the length of lime the flowers stand
iu water._ I noticed some in a warm drawing-room
here during the hot weather were iresh when Bou-
gainvillea and things of this kind were quite faded.

NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES.
I Fi.ND the undermentioned kinds of Strawbern
answer \ery well in tliis neighbourhood, vi.
Noble, Royal Sovereign, Gunton Park, Dr. Hog
Vicomtesse, and Latest of All. I have til
year discarded Elton Pine, Auguste Nicaii
and Waterloo, as I find I cannot depend on thi
for a crop after the first season. Noble, thouj
somewhat lacking in flavour, can always be (
pended on for an early crop of large, handsoL
fruit, but I think eventually Royal Sovereign w
displace it as the best early Strawberry in ex
tence. The two best kinds to follow, I think, a
Gunton Park and Dr. Hogg, both being of exci
lent flavour and good croppers. Then com
Latest of All, also a good cropper, large handsoni
fruit, but somewhat deficient in flavour. I ha'
resolved to plant a large bed every season
young jilants layered into pots, and treat ;|
annuals. I planted a bed last year, the first wee
in August, of the following varieties : — Noblj
Royal Sovereign, Vicomtesse, Gunton Park, D'
Hogg, and Latest of All ; and gathered Nohl
June 14 ; Royal Sovereign, June 17 ; Vicomtess
June 20 ; Dr. Hogg, July 1 : Gunton Park, July
Latest of All, July 8. The best fruits of Roy
Sovereign weighed l.J- ozs., and Gunton Park t£
to the pound, without any disbudding. By grov
ing young plants like this one can plant cloee
and so secure a good weight of fruit the firi
season, as well as keeping much freer of rej
spider. Of course, it is always necessary to hav
a two-year-old bed to follow these young plant
— A. G. G.4TLAK1), Coiiniiirjion Ca.st/e, Pda-horomjl

Strawberry culture is carried on only ft

home consumption, not for market, and the v:
rieties named below are those which I find sui
ceed best for the purpose, and which have bee
noted in previous seasons. A few others are trie
from time to time, but either they do not succee
so well, or are so deficient in quality that the
culture is discontinued. Four varieties aregrown-
Keeiis' Seedling, Vicomtes.se H. de Thury, Si,
Joseph Paxton and President, and they ar;
generally forced and ripen outside in tlie orde.
named, though, of course, the season outdooi
sometimes makes a difference. Royal Sovcreig
has been planted, but so far only" on a hmitdj
scale, and the following have been added for tria;
next year : Gunton Park, Lord SuHield, Leade
and Monarch. Noble has been left out thi
season ; it produced very large fruits and a gooi
crop, but did not find favour. A system e;
culture has been practised several years, art

L

November 20, 1897.J

Tllii GARDEK

403

ii iwers very well. A now plantation is made each
Mr by inserting yoiins |ilaiits, that are laj'ered
) nediatcly after those reiiuired for forein<j so
g n as they are ready, whioh is from the middle
tthe end of Auyust. The tii'st season all flowers
n removed from a sullieient number of plants to

I iduee runners for all purt)Oses, and they eome
£ ly and ai'e sti'onj;. These plants jiroduce a
fivy crop the seeond, and sometimes an equally
j)d one the third year ; after this they are dug

II and the ground planted with Broccoli or
giething else. Thus a new ])lantation is made
eh year and an old one de.stroyed, leaving about
aiinilar amount of space in the garden occupied
V h Strawberries. It always seems a great ad-
age to secure runners from young plants and
I plants which are not allowed to fruit, as

come earlier and need not be trampled upon

letting or gathering fruit. It is even more

a isable to adopt this plan when it comes a

d|- season. The soil is fairly heavy, and Straw-

li lies usually succeed unless injured by frost at

lowering period. The ground intended for

iwberries is first crojiped with early Potatoes,

Ills, or something that conies off in July or early

iiAugust. — J. (J.VRUETT, lialtj'ord Park, Mort-

iii-Miir-ili.

— The best flavoured Strawberries grown here
a N'iconitesse H. do Thury and a seedling from
if ailed (ilengarrj'. British t,fueen I do not grow,
t soil being rather light for it. The best earlj-
k ds in this district are Vicomtesse H. de Thury,
C ngarry, and Royal Sovereign; best late kind,
ion Pine. This soil being rather light, the
D'er kinds do not seem to stand well. I hud no
k d so reliable as the true old Elton Pine; it is
n sheet-anchor, and I depend mostlj- upon it.
Inially plant in spring— about April. I lift the
r ners from young plantations in autumn, and
li them thinly in in nui-sery rows for the winter.
I'ing the winter the ground is thoroughly pre-

Bed. I prefer the rows to be 3 feet apart, 2 feet
ween the plants in the row, two plants going
Uether, one on each side of the line. The clumps
«/n bearing stand each sejiarate, tlie sun and
• getting well at the fruit. Jlice are not so
tiublesome as when the plants are closer. I
olally put down a plantation of early and one of
la kinds each season, destroying a like amount
Opxhausted plants. I take a crop of Onions,
Lituce, or such like crop from between the rows
tli first 3'ear to make the most of the ground. —
E;.\Ielville, Di:iirohiii Ca-il/i, Siilht r.'dinl.

— Two varieties that succeed best and are
mt liked for Uaxour are Sir Joseph Paxton and
Psident. The best early variety is Vicomtesse
Eicart de Thury, and the one most liked for
p serving. The best late variety to succeed well
hf; is Mr. RadcliHe. Amongst the newer varie-

Royal Sovereign, Stevens' Wonder, and
iton Park promise to succeed well and to be of

gd flavour. I find the best results are to be
iined from plants layered into small pots and

p ited out in well-trenched and manured ground
arly in August and September as possible. I
er keep the beds more than two years. — G.
viTT, Thtt/iloii Oroi-t, Eiipiiiij.

— The best Strawberries here are President,
Joseph Paxton, Royal Sovereign, and Elton
:. The above-named varieties I find to answer

bi; here, both for forcing and outside cropping ;
also bear carriage well. The best time for

iting Strawberries I find is August and Sep-

ber. I always layer into smalh pots as early
4fiossihle, and i)lant out as soon ;is the runners
hip filled the puts with roots, mulching the

md immediately afterwards.— A. St.atih.m,

ock Ilrill, Cheshire.

— The best all-round Strawberry for crop,
lur, and general usefulness is Vicomtesse
icart de Thury ; for flavour, I consider Dr.
■g and the olrl" Filbert Pine best. The l)est
v kinds are, I consider, Vicomtesse H. de
ry and Royal Sovereign ; the best late kinds

atLaxton's Latest of AH, Aromatic, and Sir C.
Nliier. The best time to plant Strawberries is
u'Sng August, especially if the ground has been
soe time previously prepared, using good strong

Ri

runners from fruitful plants. — R. M.^ukr, Yiillui-
ih n Court.

The varieties I find licst for early use are

John Ruskin and Royal Sovereign, (iaribaldi I
consider the most profitable for preserving, as it
stands the bad weather better than Keens' Seed-
lint', although the latter has a grand fknour.
Xoblc I have di.scarded, it does not ripen at the
point and is of poor flavour. 1 consiiler Elton I'ine
the best late \-ariety for either garden or open
field. I always plant Strawberries if jrossible in
the early part of .August and after Potatoes with-
out any digging of the grouTul, 'JJ feet between
the rows giving plenty of room for light and air
to ripen the crowns.— Ei>WAliD T.vte, i'a/ia)-/t.v,
fifo.

To keep up the longest succession of best

kinds of Strawberries I rely upon four kinds, and
always grow them in bulk, viz.. Royal Sovereign,
President, Dr. Hogg, and Oxonian. Each of
these if well grown on young plants cannot be
surpa.ssed for general [jurposes, whether for home
consumption or sending to the family when residing
in town. These are my sheet anchors, and being
given high cultivation never di.sap]ioint. I say
this after having tiied a great many of the
highly lauded new kinds as they are offered.
British Queen is erratic with me, evidently not
quite at home on our stiff' soil, but Dr. Hogg is
nearly equal to it in flavour ; hence my fondness
for that kind. Auguste Nicaise, James Veitch,
and others of the huge, flavourless kinds have no
quarter here, as highest quality and appearance
are the chief objects. Vicomtesse Hericart de
Thury and Stirling Castle make excellent coloured
preserve. Sir Jos. Paxton is rather inclined to
mildew, and never ecjuals President. I treat the
earliest crops of Sovereign as biennials, only
taking one crop, planting a bed annually from
the earliest possible runners on well prepared
sunny borders. These produce fruit from eight
to ten days earlier than the same kinds in older
plants. — Wm. CiU'.Mf, Madrcjidd Court.

■ Strawberries were later this season than

usual. John Ruskin is a favourite by reason of its
earliness and free cropping ; when fully ripe its
quality is good. Royal Sovereign fruited well,
and is esteemed for its earliness, size, and fine
flavour. President is valued more than any
other ; it bears abundantly, fruit large, and
flavour first-rate here. Duke of Edinburgh is a
late Strawberry, and has done better here than
any other late variety. There is no resident pro-
prietor here at any time, so that all Strawberries
(as well as everything else grown in the garden)
have to be packed and sent. They are gathered
in the afternoon, placed thinly on w-ide shelves in
the fruit room with air passing over them all
night from widely open windows ; they are packed
in the morning and sent off by train (small dishes
of the earliest are sometimes sent by parcel post).
I have found e\ery Strawberry I have grown
travel well under such conditions, and I think
the airing process improves the flavour. I plant
for main crops those which have been forced, and
as soon as they are hardened after the fruit has
been gathered. — M. Te.mi'LE, Carroii, Sllrliiiij-
shire.

The best sort I have is Royal

Sovereign, a first-class fruit in e\ery way.
Auguste Nicaise is also \ery good and a heavy
cropper. Dr. Hogg, though of excellent quality,
is not a heavy cropper. Eleanor, late, is a good
cropper. John Ruskin is a heavy cropper and of
good i|uality. Princess Alice is a fine handsome
late fruit and of good ipiality. Scarlet (i)ueen is
a heavy cropper and good in flavour. Jubilee,
the latest we have, is a heavy cropper and of good
t|uality, but deficient in cohmr. Crescent Seed-
ling is a heavy cropper, earl)-, and good for pre-
serving. All the foregoing travel well, e-xcept
Scarlet Queen. 1 find the earlier the runners are
planted the better for a full crop next season. —
JoJt.N- D. N.\L-S(.AWK.\, Whiliiuy, CliKdli iijli, Deriiii.

Keens' Seedling is a fine old kind, but

Noble I will discard : it is big enough, but not
good enough. I also have President, Sir Joseph
Paxton, Scarlet Queen, and Elton I'ine. These I

find all good, reliable kinds. One very good pro-
ductive kind J have under the name of Leon de
Lamur, whii:h I think must be a synonym of some
other kind. I have had it for years under that
name, but do not find it in any catalogue. It is
a good kind for any i)urpo.se. — A. M.vtiiison,
Addiiuitoii .Manor, Wihnsloir, Ihirk.i.

The Strawberries that find most favour

here for flavour are (iaribaldi, British (^lueen,
Duke of Ediidjurgh, Sir J. Paxton, and President,
(irove End Scarlet being a special favourite for
preservini'. The best earlies are .John Ruskin and
EcliiKse ; best late, Elton and W.aterloo. Frog-
more Late Pine and Loxford Hall Seedling area
failure. Of the newer sorts, I have planted this
year Royal Sovereign and Latest of All, which
are both highly si)oken of in this district. I find,
if I can get the ground cleared to receive the
plants, early in August is the best time to plant ;
Ijy so doing I get a nice crop of fruit the first
vear. — P. Wilson, Orc/tardtoini, Casllc. JJomdaJt,
X.B.

The best early varieties for flavour here

are Duke of Edinburgh and Garibaldi. Royal
Sovereign promises well, but did not prove a
heavy cropper here this season. Of late \ arieties
the best here for flavour are Dumbarton Castle,
Waterloo, and Wizard of the North. Tlie last,
although a very old variety, is still the best, and a
very telling di.sh on the table. — David Murray,
Cid'zcaii Ciisfl,:, Jfai/hole, X.B.

The best Strawberries I have grown here

are Vicomtesse, Keens' Seedling, President, and
Elton Pine. I am trying Royal Sovereign, and
from the few fruit I had this season think it will
be good. I like to plant as soon as I can get
runners fit to do so. — E. Tapping, Castle. Vpton,
Tcinpte/xitrirk.

The best flavoured Strawberries are the

Briti.sh (ilueen section, but they do not do well on
our light soil. For flavour I find Keens' Seed-
ling still hold its own with President, Helene
(iloede. Sir J. Paxton, and Sir Harry. The
best early kinds are Pvoyal Sovereign, La
(irosse Sucrr'e, Keens' Seedling, J. Veitch, and
President ; late kinds, Oxonian and Latest of
All. Of the newer sorts, Royal Sovereign and
Monarch are good on our light soil. I get the
best and earliest return from well-rooted runners,
planted as early as they can be had in autumn, on
well-prepared ground. — A. Henderson, Thoresliy.

The best flavoured kinds are British

Queen, President, and Empress of India. The
best early varieties are Black Prince and Royai
So\ereign, and the best late Latest of All and
Elton Pine. Of the newer sorts, Eoj'al Sovereign,
(iunton Park, and Empress of India are the best.
I plant as early as I can procure runners in well-
cultivated ground made firm. No Strawberry I
consider e([uals President. I gathered Straw-
berries on .June 12 last 3'ear, and continued
gathering up to August of this variety and
British (^'ueen, in the height of the season oO
to Km lbs. in a day. This year it was July before
I commenced with these two varieties. — G. BoL.\s,
The 0'ardeii.i, JJoptoiiHall, W'irk.^irorth.

The varieties I consider best for flavoui'

and C]uality arc Royal Sovereign, President,
Keens' Seedling, and Noble. They will all
bear carriage. The best kinds in this district for
flavour are (iaribaldi. Royal Sovereign, President,
and Keens" Sec<lling. The best early sorts are
Royal Sovereign, President, Keens' Seedling, and
Noble. The best late varieties here are Monarcli,
Waterloo, Countess, and Elton Pine. The new
sorts most worthy of cultivation are Royal
Sovereign for an c;uly sort, and Countess for late
use. The best time for making new plantations
is eai-ly in Septemlier, as the plants then get
established before severe weather sets in. Old
Vieds should be done away with after they are
four years old. — George Mackinlay, H'reit Park,
.[iiipthill.

The best flavoured here are President,

Vicomtesse H^ricart de Thury, Sir Joseph Pax-
ton, Waterloo, Loxford Hall Seedling, and Latest
of All. The best early and late kinds for the
open air are — early. King of the Earlies, Vicom-

404

THE GAEDEN.

[November 20, 1897.

tesse H. de Thury, President, Sir Joseph Paxton ;
late, Oxonian, Waterloo, and Loxford Hall Seed-
ling. Of the newer sorts worthy of cultivation
Royal Sovereign is the best I have tried. The
best time to plant Strawberries is early in August
or as soon as you can get the runners. By fol-
low'ing this method I can always get a pound of
fruit off each plant the following year. — Alex.
Cunningham, Kii-hhvinijton Hall, Yann, i'orks.

Of the varieties I grow, British Queen,

Latest of All, Dr. Hogg, Gunton Park, Jubilee,
Sir Joseph Paxton, Waterloo, Monarch and Royal
Sovereign are the best flavoured. The soil here
is of a sandy nature and sloping to the south.
The best early kinds with me are Royal Sove-
reign and Monarch, and indoors the only variety
grown is Roj'al Sovereign. The best new varie-
ties are Royal Sovereign and Monarch. Leader
seems a promising varietj'. The best late kinds are
Waterloo and Latest of All. The best time to
plant is the end of September. I have found the
best results follow from potting the runners into
6-inch pots before planting thera out. — C. J.
Saltek, Woodhateli Lodgf, Bvigatp, Siin-tj/.

■ • The sorts I grow are Royal Sovereign,

President and Sir J. Paxton. I find these three sorts
do better than many others I have tried on our
stiff soil. Stevens' Wonder I use for earl3' forcing
in the place of Vicomtesse H. de Thury, which
has been discarded, Stevens' Wonder being much
larger and the flavour almost equal. Royal
Sovereign I consider one of the best Strawberries
that has ever been sent out, as here we have both
size and flavour.— J. Boweeman, Mackwood Park,
Bashif/sfokc.

The kinds of Strawberries I find the best

for pri\-ate use are John Ruskin, Auguste
Nicai.se, Royal Sovereign, Garibaldi, Sir J. Pax-
ton, President, McMahon and ^^'aterloo. Royal
Sovereign is first-class here for all purposes. I
am also grow-ing Carmichael's Prince and Princess
of Wales varieties, and I think they will turn out
good. The best early kinds here are John Ruskin,
Garibaldi and Royal Sovereign ; the best late
kinds, McMahon and \\'aterloo. I take off" the
best runners early in autumn, lay them in a nur
sery bed, and plant them in well-prepared soil early
in April with a trowel in rows 3 feet apart and
'20 inches between the plants. I keep all runners
cut off' except where plants are wanted. — G. Ding-
wall, Btlmoiit Caxfle, Jiliiijlc, y^.B.

President is my best flavoured Straw-
berry. I also consider Keens' Seedling, although
not tine, yet one of the best lor flavour. The best
exrly kind is undoubtedly Royal Sovereign ; the
best lates are Oxonian and Elton. I hnd the
best time to jilant is, given favourable w-eather,
as soon as one can clear oft' a crop of early or
second early Potatoes. By this plan I had a
capital crop of fruit this year from runners planted
last August, and I have not failed to secure a
good crop during the last six years. — E. Fox,
Oaniers, Hertford.

I find the best kinds for early work are

John Ruskin, Royal Sovereign and Keens'
Seedling. Mid-season, Sir J. Paxton, La (Jrosse
Sucre'e and President ; late, Oxonian and \\'aterloo.
Of the new sorts that I have tried I consider Royal
Sovereign by far the best. The best time for
planting in this neighbourhood is August. From
plants put out the third week in that month last
year I have had splendid crops and jjlenty of
runners for early forcing without injury to' the
plantation. — Jas. Dawes, Ltdlniry Park, Ledbury.

I find the following best for forcing, and

they ripen in the order given : Vicomtesse
H^ricart de Thury, Royal Sovereign, La Cirosse
Sucree, Auguste Nicaise, President, Sir Jos.
Paxton, and British Queen. The following
have done best outside : Noble, Royal Sovereign,
President, Sir C. Napier, Scarlet Queen, Auguste
Nicaise, Sir Jos. Paxton, John Ruskin, Competi-
tor, Dr. Hogg, and Waterloo. I consider the
best time to plant is about the end of August or
early in September, plants having been layered in
July into small pots. I have had good results hj
planting runners from the open ground, but much
prefer the plants being layered into small pots.

I always get my stock, about .SOOO, for forcing
from young plants put in the previous autumn,
pinching out the flower.s, so that I get strong
runners in June and July. I have had a good
crop of fruit from a plantation put out from
small pots on September 9, 1890. The soil here
is \ ery light, and not naturallj- a good Strawberry
soil, but by dressing heavilj' with marl or old Vine-
border soil you can get good results. — G. H.
Gkeen, Enritlc Hall, Sfajk.

I think the following may be safely relied

upon as tlie best flavoured varieties in this district :
British Queen, La Grosse Sucree, President,
Enchantress and John Ruskin. King of the
Earlies and Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury are the
best earlies, with the Albert and ^\'aterloo for late
work. Royal Sovereign is, in my opinion, the
best Strawberry of recent introduction. It is an
excellent variety, of faultless flavour, a robust
grower, and thrives well in almost any locality.
Laxton's Leader I consider is the next worthy of
merit. Aljout the first week in August is the
best time for planting Strawberries, the runners
having prcAiously been layered into small pots.
With a little care and attention these plants are
sure to thrive well and give satisfaction. —
Edwakd Oilman, Alton Tower.s, Stajbrd.

The best-flavoured varieties I have grown

are British Queen, Sir Joseph Paxton, Captain,
President Lnproved, Dr. Hogg, Keens' Seedling,
Black Prince and King of the Earlies. Although
all the above are of good flavour, some are very
shy croppers. The liest early varieties for this
locality are Black Prince, King of the Earlies,
John Ruskin and Noble. Late varieties are Elton
Pine, Frogmore Late Pine and Waterloo. I
always plant my early Strawberries in August if
possible, but the midseason and late varieties I
plant in the spring ; 1 find they do best here. —
Waltek Young, Caprinytoii Castle, Kilmarnork,
.V.A>.

Noble is worthless both as a fruit for pre-

ser\ing or dessert ; its colour is not good enough
for the former, while for the latter it is too soft
and void of flavour. The only good quality it
possesses is that it is a fair cropper. The three
sent out by Mr. Allan are all good, and as a late
variety (iunton Park is very good. Royal
Sovereign is good in every respect. It is a
vigorous grower, hardy, and a most prolific
bearer. The fruit is large and well flav cured.
It is good alike for forcing and for open ground.
The flesh is firm and travels well. I should say
this will prove one of the best all-round Straw-
berries we have had for a number of years.
Monarch and Leader are both too soft to be of
value to private growers who have to pack their
fruit and send a considerable distance. For all-
round purposes President is good, as the flesh is
firm and the fruit travels well. With good culti-
vation this may be grown to an enormous size.
John Ruskin is an early \'ariety, is good for home
consum])tion, but the flesh is too soft to travel
any considerable distance. Commander, Com-
jjetitor. Sensation, and H^lene (iloede are all
worthless here : the fruit is soft and void of
flavour both when grown in pots and in the open
ground. There is plenty of room yet for a good
late Strawberrj' of the Loxford Hall Seedling
tj'pe that will succeed on cold, heavj- soil, such
as the majority of it is in this neighbourhood.
There are four things essential to a good Straw-
berry— quality, firmness of flesh, robustness of
habit, and hardy constitution. Urdess all these
are combined in a variety it cannot be said to
]iossess the necessary qualifications to recommend
it to the public. Unfortunately, man3' spurious
varieties with long-sounding names are jialmed
off on to the public ; many of them soon go out of
cultivation, but not till they have caused a great
amount of trouble and annoyance to those who
have grown them. It is essential to those who
have to pack the greater part of their fruit to
choose only those varieties ^^•ith firm flesh, either
for forcing or cultivation in the open ground.
Some varieties, however, will not force early, but
both Ruskin and La Grosse Sucree will travel
fairly well when carefully packed ; to succeed

these. President and Royal Sovereign mayJ
chosen, while for late use Auguste Nicaise. r
last, however, is of no use for the open grd
unless in favoured places. The plan adopted!
to obtain early fruit is to layer runners into4-i
pots. To have these as forward as possible a i
plants are specially grown to supply them ; by :
doing, if layered early, they will be ready f
planting out by the latter part of July, and
make strong crowns by autumn. If left to tl
ordinary course of treatment there is not time f
sufficient growth to be made before frost sets
for them to develop strong flower-stalks, witho
which it is impossible to obtain fine fruit. Plan
of this description, if planted a foot apart on
sunny border where they can be protected wi
glass in the spring, will give a suj)ply of fri
when it is most needed, that is, just before th
from the ojjen ground is ready for use. T
plants should be mulched in spring to keep t
roots moist, and so avoid too frequent waterini
— H. C. Prinsep, Buxted Park.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1145.

GAKDEN CARNATIONS.
(with a coloured plate of self carnatiJ

1, GEORGE MAQUAY; 2, ARIEL; 3, ROSMAEOH

There is still room for good kinds of gard
Carnations, varieties that will live and gn
freely under the varjing conditions of Ei
lish climate, and that will give in the seas
an abundance of fine sweet fiowers. "Witl
the last decade the Carnation as a gard
flower has received more attention than ev
and in many gardens i.s now given all t
attention it so richly deserves ; yet there
room for improvement and room for mc
kinds, because even out of the present nu
ber it is impossible to make a selection rjt
for all gardens and all places ; hence t
fault of the popular system of selecti
the best varieties. Individual tests andtri
alone teach the grower what will grow b
with him, and in these trials it is found tl
many new kinds fail to sustain their char;
ter or bear out what was said of them
their first appearance.

A few simple, but essential requisites
to make up an all-round garden Carnatic
yet the varieties that embody them
are very few. Many have been raised a
are grown for the sake of their flowers alor
but in other respects are useless as gardi
plants. The failure of some of these has 1
to questions on the possibility of deterioratii
under cultivation. If the weak side is
constitution and growth, early disappointme
is sure to ensure. The old pink Eaby Can
tion and the old Crimson Clove when i
crippled by fungoid disease are not li
robust than they were twenty or thirty ye;
ago. The best Roses in our gardens to-d
are the oldest, and it is a very small percenta
indeed of the many new ones raised witl:
recent years that have taken a pormane
place in our collections. The same is true
Carnations, and results even more meag
Witness the many that have been sent c

* Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon
Gravetje Manor. Lithographed and printed by .X
Gotfart.

NovEMDEu 20, 1897.]

TIII^ GARDEN.

405

thin recent yoars ccrtiliod with the approval
societies and conuuittoes and the few that
vfi any permanent standing. I am not
j'ing to hehttle recent acnuisitii>ns, as they
hnifest great improvements along certain
les. ^'ow varieties have been prolilic in
cent years, but tliey are nearly all selected
pm the standpoint nf their conformity with
!e florist's idea concerning perfection, and
,e wanting in those qualities that fit them
r the open air. — H.

*»* The Caniaticms here figured were raisod
Gravetye l)y My. Herrington, and are nut
t distrihuted. Tlie white variety, G. Matjuay,
>s found the finest wliite tried there. — En.

The Week's Work.

I KITCHKN GARDEN.

•:i^RY. — Many will luixc deferred moulding up
e main crop on account of the di-y state ot the
iil about the roots, but it would hardlj- be advis-
i)le to delay doing so longer, as the foliage being
I'uvy and so much of it exposed, there is danger
rain or snow bendinrj it down and exposing the
litre of tlie plants to frost. In some cases it
;ay be necessary to add a good depth of soil to
iu"y the leaf-stalks surtieientl}', and the work
In be done more expeditiously if a couple of
en can work together — one arranging and liold-
g the tops in position while the soil is worked
■und each plant. This not onlj' allows of the
brk being done more (|uickl}', but it is almost
ipossible for any of the fine soil to enter into the
Mitres of the [ilants, which so often results in
intraeted growth, and, perhaps, early decay. If
le \7ork has to be done single-handed it would
i better to draw the foliage together evenly and
Sen secure it with strips of matting. The soil
(en can be easily worked between the plants.
1 some gtirdeiis where a large cjuantity of Celery
i;row II the mode of culture is the same as that
Uowed in market gardens, namely, growing four
: more rows in one trench. The plants are
oulded up by means of a couple of light boartls,
liieh are stood on edge across the trench to
vide tlie plants. The soil is placed between the
lards to the desired depth, when the}' are drawn
refuUy up and the soil settles round the plants,
.le latest iilants, whii^h will not be used until

(xt March and onwards, need not have much
il drawn round them at present ; indeed, it
)uld be much better if the plants are sutti-
■jiitly compact not to require it, as the leaf-
ulks when not blanched are naturally' more
,rdy and better able to withstand severe
-■atlier. Overgrown plants in the autumn sel-
i»m last lont^ in good condition after the turn of
je year, hence the ^ain in having late supplies
sturdy as possiljle at the jiresent time. Some
irieties are recommended for autumn and early
liter use, as they are not sufficiently hardy to
Old through a hard winter ; therefore they
ould be used first, lea\ing such well-known
•rieties as Major t'hrke's Red and Sandring-
,m White for later supplies.

Cabbaok. — Plants of Ellam's Early put out
iring September have made rapid growth, and
e suthciently forward for immediate use where
ey are appreciated in a young state. Should
e mild weather continue, most of these should
used up before Christmas, or they may be
■ maged by frost later on. As pointed out pre-
3U9ly, it is always best to make three sowings
•iring July and August. This atibrds plants in
ll'erent stages, and if the early lot gets too far
ivanced during a mild autumn like the present,
iose from the last sowing make a valuable suc-
■psion to turn in during March and April. If
t already done, draw some soil round those put
it last to protect them from trying winds, as
'^ey suffer more from these than from frost.

Take care of any small plants which still rumaiii
in the seed-bed, as they will prove most valuable
for putting out next spring.

MrsnuooMs. — Beds made up in the beginning
of October will now bo yielding their first supplies
if the spawn used was fresh and the tempeiature
of the beds has not fallen below 70''. In examining
the beds recently it was noticed that the centres
had sunk somewhat, causing the sides to leave the
walls. It is very neces,sar}' when this happens
that the cavity be filled uj) with fine soil, or liotli
heat and moisture will e.scajie, to the detriment of
the produce. When it is found that the beds are
backward in throwing up a crop, sprinkle the
surface with warm water, to which add a little
salt. If the temperature of the beds is likely to fall
tielow 70", cover tliem with double mats or a layer
of clean dry hay. Tlie moisturu ari-sing from the
manure causes the hay to decay quickly, and if
not watched closely may lead to the small
" buttons " damping off as they push through.
I prefer keeping the hay at least 1 inch from the
surface to allow steam to pass off, which is done
by placing sheep liurdles over the beds for the
hay to be placed on, the hurdles being supported
by cross (lieces. Collect more material and keep
it under cover in readiness for future beds.

I'l nwTOEs. — It appears that these are not keep-
ing very well. It is usual to defer sorting the
tubers over till wet weather sets in, which finds
employment for outside hands, but my experience
this season is that not a day should be lost in
carefully turning them over and throwing out
the bad ones. Several lots which had not been
examined since they were put into the bins in
September were found to have gone very bad,
although they ajipeared <]uite sound when thej'
were stored ; hence my reason for suggesting
immediate attention before the evil spreads.
Seed Potatoes, too, w'ill need looking to now, as
it may be found that growth has already com-
menced, especially if they have been placed in a
heap in a damp shed or cellar. The tuliers if
possible should be spread thinly on shelves
where they can be kept quite cool. A great
quantity of sets may be stored in a small shed by
placing them on end in shallow trays, standing
one above the other, leaving a space of a couple
of inches between each for a free circulation of
air. By selecting uniform tubers and carefully
preserving them during the winter in the way
described, the first step is taken towards securing
perfect crops next season.

Jerusale.m Artichokes. — The tops of these
should now be cut down, and after they are re-
moved it may be noticed that some of the tubers
have pushed themselves through the surface. It
would be advisalile to draw more soil over the
ridges, so as to bury them at least 4 inches. A
further covering of leaves or litter would [irove
an advantage when the tubers have to be dug up
during hard weather, as this would prevent frost
penetrating to any de]jth and much labour would
be saved. It is generally considered that the tubers
are of better ipiality when used direct from the
ground, but when they are not protected in the
way described, a bushel or so may be dug up and
buried in moist sand in the root shed. These can
be used during a spell of hard weather.

RifiiAKU Parker.

HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

MoKEi.Lo Cherries. — As these are generally
grown on north walls, advantage should be taken
of the mild weather to push on with the pruning,
training, nailing, or tying, as the case maj- be,
endeavouring to complete it before a change
occurs. The old and dead spurs and as much as
possible of the old bearing wood should be cut
away and enough young growths retained to fill
all vacant places without undue crowding, as the
principal jiait of the crop is borne on these. The
surplus wood may either be spurred back to three
buds cir be cut clean out in the same manner a.siii
pruning Peach trees. Tlie.se spurs invarialily
carry fruits the following season, and they can
be cut out afterwards at pruning time. Crowded

trees will be all the better for a branch-pruning,
which will give more space for the laying in of
your.g shoots. As a matter of course, the oldest
iif the bninches or those which can best be spared
should be cut out in this case to give the neces-
sary space. This condition of things, ho\^'ever,
never occurs when the trees are properly trained
and well looked after, as the aim of the cultivator
should alvvays be to avoid overcrowding and to
lay in no more wood than will eventually be re-
fiuired for furnishing the tree with main branches.
One good thing, the Morello is not .so susceptible
to gumming as are the dessert kinds, and the
knife can therefore be used with greater freedom
on trees which have been neglected than if the
reverse was the case. The pruning fini.shed,
attention must be directed to the cleansing of lioth
trees and walls. If the latter are very old and the
joints open and full of nail holes, they had best
be pointed and stopped. In this ease the
trees, aft(?r being well washed with an insecti-
cide, must be liberated, the branches tied into
liundles, and secured here and tliere to the wall
to enable the bricklayers to perform their work
the more easily and expeditiously. Sometimes
the Morello is trained against old stone walls,
which, as a rule, are very cold-looking. This
may be remedied and made to look warmer by
washing the surface with limewash coloured with
a sulHcieiit quantity of Venetian red to make it a
warm brick-red. A small (piantity of linseed oil
should be added while the lime is slaking, as this
renders the wash more adhesive, and sufficient
should be mixed at one time to do the whole wall
to ensure its being of the same tint. This wash,
if iiut on warm, will last from nine to ten years
before it has to be repeated, and in addition to
the improvement in the appearance of the walls
it kills a host of insect enemies as well. If the
walls are in a good state of repair, the fact of
washing the trees will cleanse them also if the in-
secticide used for the purpose is forcibly driven
against the surface by means of the garden
engine. A useful and inexpensive wash for this
purpose is soapsuds, and this can be syringed
directly on to thetreesand repeated again and again
while the trees are dormant. The washing should
be done early enough in the day to allow the trees
to dry before nightfall. Use as few nails and
shreds as possible in the training, and secure all
the main branches to the wall with tarred twine.
Where the walls are wired, pay particular atten-
tion to the tying and see that space is left for the
wood to swell w'ithout the ties cutting the bark.

Pn'Ms andCherrie.s.- In the absence of colder
weather these may next receive attention. Esta-
blished Plum trees should have all spur wood cut
back to three and four buds, the non-observance of
which rule results in course of time in the spurs
liecoming disproportionately long. Old trees are
aptt:) get into this condition, the only remedy for
which is spur-pruning. This consists in cutting
away every other spur to within an inch of the
main branch. The stumps so left will break the
following spring and make fresh growth, which
when stopped will in due course form new fruiting
spurs. When these begin to bear, the remainder
of the old s])urs may be cut away. By this
means old but healthy trees may in the course of
a few seasons be entirely clothed afresh with new
spurs. Another matter that should have attention
is the training in of young growths to take the
phice of worn-out and decrepit branches in trees
« liich are deemed worth keeping, or which can-
not well be dispensed with. Although grubbing
and re|)lanting woukl be the liest methods to pur-
sue in this instance, such trees if treated aa
advised can be maile to do duty for some years
to come. With regard to j'oung trees, thin out
and regulate the wood if too many shoots have
been laid in, and leave no more than are actually
rcijuired for the formation of main branches in all
eases. Cordon trees will merely require spur-
ring in, unless the spurs are projecting too far
from the wall, when they should be treated as
at-lvisetl above. The leaders of young trees should
be tiiijied if the wood is ripe ; if not, cut them back
to where it is firm. Dessert Cherries being so Im-

406

THE GARDEN.

[November 20, 1897.

i

patient of the knife should be pruned as far as pos-
sible with the finger and thumb during the grow-
ing season. If this has been done, nothing but u
general trimming up, in the shape of cutting
away dead spurs or other portions of wood, and a
shortening back of the wood on any spur
which may have been left too long, will be needed.
This reduces winter pruning, as far as dessert
Cherries are concerned, to a minimum, while it
tends in a very great measure to prevent that
too fatal disease, gumming, which generally
follows a too free use of the knife, especially
on heavy .soils. Growers having soils of the
latter description to deal witli should use plenty
of calcareous matter at planting-time. Another
cause of gumming is carelessness in driving the
nails into the wall too close up to the branches,
and in such a manner that the latter rest on
them or come into contact with them. This must,
therefore, be avoided when training trees out
afresh. These and Plum trees may be well washed
with soapsuds if they have been infested with fly
only during the summer, but if the Plums have
brown and mussel scale on the wood and branches,
something stronger is needed. A fluid ounce of
petrole'un should then be ad<led to each gallon of
suds, and apply it in a warm state. The most
efifective remedy for both these pests is a solution
of caustic soda and crude jiotash, which cleanses
the trees of all parasitic growths as well as insect
foes. This should be used at the rate of 1 llj.
of each to 10 gallons of water, be boiled to
ensure its being thoroughly dissolved, and applied
afterwards to the trees in a warm state by means
of a sprayer. The person applying it should wear
leather gloves.

Sundries. — The present is an excellent oppor-
tunity for wiring walls, also for dealing with old
and defecti\'e walls, facing them afresh either
with new brickwork, cement, or cement concrete.
Wall copings should also be examined and made
good with cement, or white lead all loose joints.
Trellises for training espaliers to, also for (ioose-
berries and Raspberries, should now be erected.
Wire staples and raidisseurs are cheap enough,
and if iron standards and the intermediate sup-
ports cannot bo afforded. Oak and Larch posts
will answer equally as well. If creosoted, these
latter will last from twenty to twenty-five years.
On wet days get a good supj)ly of shreds cut and
burn the old shreds and nails taken from the
Morellos. Sort the nails over afterwards, when
all that have their points intact can be used
again. A. W.

Kitchen Garden.

EARLY PEAS.

The practice of sowing Peas in the autumn has
almost gone out of date except in gardens
w'here there is but little convenience for raising
the plants under glass. It is, hov.'ever, not so
much the raising of the plants in some places
as protecting them from frost in the early part
of May when in bloom. Peas, as most gar-
deners know, are fairly hardy, and will with
the slightest protection withstand our winters.
It is, however, the late sjiring frosts after a
mild and growing time that check them the
worst. I have on several occasions had them
cut down even when the pods have attained
their full size. This gar-den lies low, and is,
therefore, more subject to these late frosts
than those situated on higher ground ; for
this reason it makes one careful. Marrow
varieties usually sufi'er more than the round-
seeded kinds, hence the reason these were
formerly so much grown for early supplies.
Since the introduction of cheajj glass, none of
these are grown by the market gardeners, for
these know full well which find most favour in
first-class shops. For those who have no
such conveniences as cold frames the task
is a difficult one, and puts the gardener to

his wits' end.s to know how to overcome it,
and often after much trouble he finds his
e.irly or first crops destroyed either by the
late frosts, ravages of birds, snails, or mice.
To guard against tlie former, sheltered places
are selected where a little protection can be
afforded, but even then there is no cliance of
getting crops like those who have properly con-
structed liouses. When sown in the open at
this time of the year mice are often very de-
structive, as the plants make but slow progress.
The plan I have adopted with success is to pro-
cure some matchboards about the same length
as the rows of Peas, which are sown on a south
border. The boards are stood up on their
edges alongside the rows, those on the west side
being about 2 inches lower tluui the other.
They must be at a sufficient distance apart to
allow of scjuares of glass being put over. This
will keep off' the heavy rains and protect the
]ilants from frost and other enemies. On mild
days the glass should be removed to give the
plants strength and keep them sturdy. If
]iieces of wood or glass are put at the ends of
the boards, these will make the Peas secure
against mice or birds, and if looked over early in
the morning any snails found may be easily de-
stroyed. The cost of such boards is trifling, as
they may be procured for about six shillings the
100 feet, glass is also cheap, so that these tem-
porary frames are not expensive. Next comes
the question as to

THE BEST VARIETIES

to sow. The tall ones grow too rapidly for the
frames, and therefore are not suitable, so that for
tliis kind of treatment the dwarfs, of which there
are numerous varieties, are the best. Chel.seaGem
is one of these ; it is a sure cropper and early.
Carter's Forcing is also a first-class dwarf, early
kind and an enormous crojiper. Carter's Early
Alorn grows rather taller ; the pods are, how-
ever, much larger and the Peas of splendid
flavour. Sutton's Forcing and Sutton's Seed-
ling are two first-class varieties ; the latter,
though not quite so early, has splendid pods of
a deep green colour. The above may be
grown in temporai-y frames till all danger of
frost is past, when they may be exposed to the
outside temperature. When sown in the open
ground without protection it will be necessary
to put in the seed a little thicker, as some of
the plants may get destroyed by slugs and mice,
lioth of wliich are very tmublesome at times.
Sowing at the foot of a south wall is a good
jilan, particularly where there are no large trees
to overshadow the young plants. When sown
in such places as these it is necessary to keep
a sharp look-out in frosty weather, for often the
bright sunshine in the day-time lias a serious
effect on the plants, being thawed rapidly by
its rays, while at night they are frozen through.
In such weather it is a good plan to shade them
from the sun by placing a board or something
of that kind up against the wall in such a
manner that the light will not be excluded, at
the same time keeping oft" the sun. All these
contrivances, however, take u]"> time, and in
most gardens labour is not sufficient to cope with
the extra work entailed ; for this reason the
seed is often sown and the plants allowed to
take their chance, being often killed or crippled
to such an extent that they are of no use. The
old adage of whatever is worth doing at all is
worth doing well should be taken into con-
sideration, and those who find they are unable
to att'ord protection had better not attempt it.
In many places in an ordinary winter the plants
will stand witliout any protection, and where
this is so. the seed should be gt>t in during the
next wetk or ten days, that it may have time to
germinate before severe frost sets in. When the

ground becomes frozen just as the plants are^
coming through the soil they usually suffer
seriously. When such happens, a dusting of
dry ashes along the rows will help to protect
them, as the frost has not such an efl'ect on this
as on the cold, wet soil. H. C. P.

Tomato Eclipse.— I note " G. W." (p. ,S71)
has a good word to say for this Tomato, and I
can quite agree with him as to its merits. I cut
more fruit from it than from any other kind, ami
its earliness, combined with the fact that every
fruit on well-grown plants comes of good shape,
should make it a favourite wherever grown. The
fruits are of medium size and excellent flavour.
It seldom cracks unless very overripe, while the
colour is all that can be desired. My plants
were put out about IS inches apart, and
naturally at this distance both ways a good
deal of the foliage had to be removed. I think it
one of the most useful varieties in existence.
Many growers of Tomatoes even at this time give
far too much soil and make this too rich and full
of humus. My plants for the last three years
have had nothing but a ratlier poor loam and tht
residue from a garden smother to start with. A
depth of about 3 inches of this is placed on i:
bench, and rammed as firmly as possible botl
before and after planting. The plants are turneti
out of small pots just as the iirst bunches ol
flower appear, and the roots kept well on the drj
side until tiie fruit has set. When this bunch i;
set and swelling freely there is no fear of a crop,
and feeding may commence almost at once. — R.

White Jerusalem Artichoke.— The whitt
Jerusalem Artichoke is not quite so satisfactor\
with me as usual, for the stems of a portion of tin
plants, after making good growth and just as thi
tubers were nicely formed, were attacked by :
fungus just abo\e the ground-level and killed
Those not touched ha\'e done well, and averagi
something like three-(|uarters of a peck of tuber
to a root. About '20 per cent, of the crop wa
attacked, and there seemed to be no method ii
the attack, as indiN-idual plants through the wholi
plot suffered, and scarcely, in anj' case, wer^
there two contiguous plants affected. Out o
several rows of tlie old purple stock growing oi
the same plot side by side with the white ones
not one was touched. The exact condition of thi
plant had no bearing on the disease, as thosi
which succumbed earliest had not yet formec
tubers, others had them half grown, and others
again, did not become affected till they had pro
duced full-sized tubers. Tlie appearance of thi;
disease will prevent, for the present, my discard
ing the old purple form entirely in favour of thi
white one, as I had intended doing next year
Perhaps others may have experienced the saiiii
thing ; if so, it would be interesting to hear of it

—J. C. T.iLLAC'K.

Onions. — It seems rather surprising thai
vast quantities of French and Italian Onioni
should be brought over here and sold freely
especially in the rural districts, by equally im
ported hawkers, who seem to map out the king
dom, and then canvass it in squads. Can then
be in these continental red Onions any i|ualitief
diverse from our own, or is it but another evi
dence of that business enterprise which charac
terises the foreigner, and thus enables him evei
to beard the British lion in his own den V Surelj
we ought to be able to grow Onions enough foi
our own needs, for tliere can be no doubt thai
where cultivation is good, such as may be seen n
gardens, and often on allotments, the crops an
very heavy and the sample fine and sound
Whilst these Italian Onions are proliably mild
in that respect resembling the Spanish bulbs si
plentiful now in grocers' shops, they are not lone
keeiiers. Our best bulbs produced under whal.
may be described as ordinary cultivation awj
firmer, larger, and far more enduring. No doubj|
we grow too many varieties for satisfying markejj
or public demands, but such a richly coloured
variety as Crimson Globe or Southport GloV
should satisfy all requirements both of grows

November 20, 1897.]

THE CAR DEN.

407

id purchaser for colour as well as solidity,
aiiierop is n first-rate flattish round, and Kxcel-
or n capital };lobe-sluii)ed of the brown <ir yellow
;innud varieties. These three, were eiiltiire cm-
irked in larj;ely on pood deeply-worked soils
id well manured, sliould produce not only heavy
ops, but good paying ones. Onions will only
irive well where the soil is deep. Wo have for
le jNist two yeais had vei-y little trouble from
ther maggot or mildew, and whci-o the cultiva-
on is good, these things as a rule do not give
uch trouble. It is im|iortant tliat seed stocks
lould be good aiul always grown from choice
ilected bulbs obtained from the finest strains of
le varieties. — A. I).

Cabbag-e sprouts.— The discussion that has
ken ]il:iee in Tiik (Jardkn of late /■■ this vege-
,ble has been interesting. Were 1 dealing with
I'O gardens, then probably 1 sliould ado|)t
)th methods, namely, allow the jilants to re-
ain on the ground to give a second crop and
re !•(')■.>■«. Much would depend on whether I
id a large or small kitchen garden, if Cabliages
ere much in demand, and whether I grew big or
lick-hearting, small kinds. If the largest amount
material was needed, then I should plant small,
jick-hfarting kinds on Onion land at the end of
.'ptember, and get them off in time to jilant the
■ound with Ashleaf Potatoes early in May. These
ould come off' in time to sow winter Spinach,
sleworts, Tom Thumb Savoy, Endive, Let-
ices, kc. Another method may be adopted.
'hen the Cabbage comes off in May, the land
ay be worked over, a little artificial manure
Ided, and Carrots sown. But were I growing
rge kinds I should allow them to stand for
irouting, as they would not be off in time to
eat the land as above. It is a simple matter to
ive a good supplj- of nice young Cabbages in
itumn Ijy sowing seed at the end of June, plant-
g out after second early Potatoes in August,
loot apart each way. — J. Crook.

WINTERING CARROTS.

XM aware there are diverse opinions as to the
!St way of wintering Carrots, but a visit to
jvent (iarden next spring will convince anyone
lat the best Carrots for colour and flavour are
lose left in the soil where grown and lifted as
j-iiuired. A few years ago 1 lifted most of my
ots. Carrots amongst them, and stored them in
le orthodox manner. At lifting, a goodly nuni-
;r of roots were split, many being coarse and
ily fit for cattle. To leave roots of the size
imed in the soil through the winter would not
). They would soon decay, and for kitchen use
ich large roots are never used whole. I deter-
ined to adopt a diflerent system, and instead of
|aking a large sowing of Carrots at the end of
urch or early in April, I make four or more, and
•t roots that will keep as long as required.
here is no trouble in' housing or storing and
uch better quality. I am aware in wet, clayey
ils this may not be ajjplicable, but there is no
;ed to sow as early as advised even in heavy soils,
id certainly no need with medium-sized roots to
: ill a great hurry to store. The Carrot is much
irdier than many imagine, and to show its hardi-
^33 I had roots which stood the severe weather
ree years ago, the only protection being a little
,'ht litter. I always sow a good breadth for
inter and early spring supplies in the middle of
'ly, and if these tender roots winter, there
■ed be no fear of larger ones doing so. For
dinary winter supplies to remain in the soil,
treat them like Parsnips, lift them as required,
id there are very few bad ones. On the otiier
nd, the sowing of what may be termed the
iiin crop cannot take place as early as often
vised. The first week in May will be quite
rly enough. Carrots grown thus are not pro-
cted : they have a fair amount of topgrowth and
ere is no splitting, .as with those grown a
uch longer time in the soil. Carrots buried in
■imps do not winter nearly so well as those left
, Iheir growing quarters, and in the early spring
iien new growth commences it is an easy matter

to lift those left and place under a mirth wall. If
well covered with soil they remain .sound till May.
For winter supplies 1 like the Interinec'.iate tvpe:
j the long routed kinds are nut suitable ; and for
later supplies 1 rely on the useful Early (leni or
Model, and so far have never failed "to winter
these varieties in the open. I think manv of our
winter roots which grow coarse could with advan-
tage be sown later and left in the soil longer if
the latter is well drained and not too rich.

<-!■ WviMios.

Carrot Rpd Elephant.— I have grown this
Carrot for the first time tliis year and liave Ijeeii very
pleased witli it. I did not exjicct to fiiidanytliine very
lari;e, as tlie bed wms never thinned. I find on
meiisuring some of tliem to lie 20 inches long and
It) inches round. Another year I hope to be able to
give it a fair trial. It is of ii, spl^-ndid colour and very
sweet wlien cooked.— T. Cuckkkill, Wirkswurlli
Vcrlnj.

"Winter Kales at Chiswick.— Some forty-
six stocks of these Kales have just been ex-
amined by the fruit committee. Growth has
been strong and the character of eacli variety
fully displayed. Some exception, however, must
be made in relation to all the varieties of the
Huda type, as each of these, some ten .stocks in
all, and comprising the Buda, Asparagus, Dehi-
ware. Ragged Jack, and Lapland, became so in-
fested with a wart-like fungus, that plants were
almost decimated, and scarcely anytliing was left
to represent them. Oddly enough, tins disease
did not extend to the curled forms nor to the
broad-leaved Chou de Milan or Cottager's varieties.
Of the tall Scotch section, three marks, represent-
ing high commendation, were given to Victoria
Kale (Dobbie and Co.), a very massive, large-
headed stock, one of the very best : Cuthbertson's
Famous Strain, a very fine dark hued \ariety ;
Selected Tall Curled (Kent and Brydon), ahso fiiie,
but paler in colour, and Culzean Castle (Hurst and
Son), a very strong, large-lieaded form. There
was no good form of the Dwarf (Ireen Curled sent.
Chou de Milan (Watkins and Simpson) represented
acapital stock of this late harfly Kale ; Cottager's
Kale (C. Turner) was much the best stock of'^this
fine variety ; Dwarf Hearting (Hurst and Son),
a large, solid-headed form, something resembling
the Savoy Cabbage, and variegated Kale {.f.
Veitch and Sons), this being the best stock of the
ornamental section. Two marks of commendation
were given to Dwarf Purple Curled (Dobbie and
Co.), and Exquisite (Barrand Sons), both alike,
of dwarf, spreading lialjit, and very close to
ground, but also identical with the well-known
Arctic Kale. The green form was not grown.
Three stocks of Brussels Sprouts were sent, but all
were coarse and devoid of quality.— A. D.

threatened to be a bad attack late in July, Ijut
this disappeared in a surprising manner as soon
as the weather changed, and from that date there
has been very little mihiew in this district. Nor
has red rust been so bad as in many seasons,
although some few varieties among the Hybrid
I'erpet mils were badly attacked for a short time.
Ill this respect we see how valuable the many
beautiful Teas and Noisettes are, also many of
the Hyljrid Teas, red rust never attacking the
first, and seldom attaining to anything serious
among the last-named.

Some years stand out as especially favourable
to the more double Teas and Noisettes, which
require a considerable jieriod of fine weather to
open well ; otiiers are noted for the depth and
intensity of colouring fouml among Hybrid Pcr-
jietuals, which prefer a cool and tine "se.ason for
their better development. This year seems to
have suited all classes. There are also pleasing
prospects for ISIW. Brier stocks took well, while
1 do not remember a sca.son when the Rose budding
was more successful or tlie stocks lifted so easily
for a long period. The wood of the Roses is ripen-
ing very steadily and in a much better manner
than usual, especially among the Teas and
Noisettes. Many thousands of plants will have
been transplanted before this note can appear,
anil even if carrying some foliage I would prefer
to plant early while the soil is still warm and in
such a favourable condition. If dry, water when
planting, giving the vvater after the first layer of
soil is placed over the roots. Ridgewood.

Rose Garden.

THE ROSE SEASON OF 1897.
On October .30 I cut a far bettor lot of Roses than
can be found during August in many seasons.
From the middle of June I have been able to cut
Roses in quantity ; not a glut of a few weeks
only, but a plentiful supply for fully four months.
This IS not often the case, and although we are
favoured with such valuable additions to our
Iierpetual-flowering Roses as Mrs. W. J. Crant
Miirjorie, Mrs. W. C. Whitney and many othei's
from the Hybrid Teas alone, much of the pleasure
has been due to a more than usually uniform
temperature and an exceptionally favour.alile
autumn. Early in the season, while pruniii-',
there was a bright prospect before us, but adverse
weather entirely altered this. It was not until
after the cold wave of mid-.Iune that Roses a"-ain
promised well. An undisputable sign of this"was
the poor attendance of exhibitors at the Ports-
mouth meeting of the National Rose Society.

By no means the least surprising feature of the
past season was the remarkable ra|)idity with
wliich Roses came on after mid-June. There has
Ijcen less mildew than usual. True, we had wliat

Kosa rugosa.— When the type and the white
form are jjlanted together and allowed to inter-
mingle they produce a nice ett'ect. It is a mis-
take to plant these in beds. They should be
planted together in good soil, several plants to
make a mass, allowing the turf to cover the soil.
In the pleasure ground I have them growing in
this way, and they make a brave show when in
bloom, and now (October 19) they are very beau-
tiful, being full of the bright glossy red haws.
Squirrels are most destructive to the fruit, as
they carry it away. — Dorset.

Kose Narcisse.— I often wonder why this
charming little Tea Rose is not more grown.
During the present autumn it has been very
beautiful, the whitish buds and blossoms having
been produced with great freedom. It does weU
on Brier standards, making a lot of growth, but
is far prettier in a sheltered position on its own
roots or budded low down. In the west of Eng-
land in a light, hungry soil, or rather sand, it was
one of the few Roses that really grew and
flowered well, and a handful of the half-opened
buds and blossoms is very beautifuL — R.

Climbing Roses.— The old-fashioned Monthly
Rose is now (November lU) very beautiful on a
sheltered verandah here. Buds in all stages of
develojiment are here, full-blown flowers, and
many more to come. I could not help contrast-
ing this with the famous Crimson Rambler, which
during the summer months gave us a fine show of
jjretty .semi-double flowers, but since then has
been anything but beautiful. There is a jieculiar
dead colour in the foliage of this Rose that does
not go well with either the summer blossoms or
the autumn tints on surrounding vegetation. I
can see but few good jioints in Crimson Rambler
as an outdoor Rose. — H. R., Iliiry Si. Eihiiiiin/.i.

Rose Isabella Sprunt. — A short time ago
this Kose was s|>okeii highly of as blooming freely
at Kew. I am pleased to add a word in its
favour. Some may say it is an old kind. This I
admit, but it is none the worse for that, and
.according to my obser\ations it is better than
many ot more recent origin. I grow several
kinds of Teas, and this I consider amongst the
very best. It is free blooming, and for button-
holes, &c., it is grand. My plants are growing
against a wall facing east, and they have stood
without protection during the last twelve years.
Although injured in the very severe winters it
soon gre«' away vigorously. During the autumn

408

THE GARDEIsr.

INOVEMBER 20, 1897.

months it has been a mass of bloom. It also
makes a good pot plant and forces well. — Dorset.
Bose General Jacqueminot in November.
— The finest lot of this Rose I have ever seen so
late in the season was placed on the table by the
president of the Scottish Horticultural Associa-
tion on November 1, Mr. Todd, who grew
them in his garden at Stonybaiik, Musselburgh,
near Edinburgh. They were brilliant in colour,
fresh and fragrant as in .June. The plants are
still clothed with buds in plenty. It was stated
at the meeting that during October over 300
blooms had been gathered, while all through the
summer and early autumn flowers were abundant.
Mr. Todd considers this by far and away the best
red Rose for market. He grows most of the
plants on their roots, and these are pictures of
health and free of mildew ; whereas General
Jacqueminot received from Derbyshire and planted
within sight of those on their own roots in the
same soil and given the same treatment had
shoots badly affected by mildew. — D. T. F.

Trees and Shrubs.

DOUBLE-FLOWERED CHERRIES FOR

THE GARDEN.

Our gardens owe inucli of their beauty in the
early spring to the Cherries, and the double wliite-
tlowered variety illustrated (Cerasus serrulata)
is one of the most charming. This is a tree
tliat should be in every garden worthy of the
name. It is very strong in growth, and when
in bloom looks as if covered with snow. A
synonym of this species is C. Sieboldi. Then
we have the beautiful C. Watereri, a lovely
early-flowering tree, especially when in front of
Scotch Fir, as I saw it once in a southern gar-
den. The common Cherry has two very tine
varieties, C. caproniana and C. Avium, which
are also known as nndtiplex. Then one can
also have the St. Julian's Cheri-y (0. Juliana),
which lias tender pink flowers, each like a
rosette, and freely borne. There are a host of
names given to the alxive, but the ones men-
tioned are adhered to in most nurseries.

C.

Cratsegus IPyracantba Xiselaudi. — This
charming dwarf foun of the old l^yracantha is
excellent for growing in the foreground of
shrubberies, or for transferring to beds which
have been cleared of tender plants early in the
autumn. It fruits with great freedom on the
tiniest plants and can be trained into almost any
form, the most eflective shape being that of loose-
growing pyramids ; these, when covered with
huge bunches of brilliant berries, are very fine,
and much more effective than the formal-growing
dwarf conifers so often used for clothing, during
autunui and winter, spots that would otherwise
remain bare. — J. C. Tall.\ck.

Autumn tints. — Had " K. " been with me
when last week riding by rail throiigh the
Oxshott, Cobham, and Horsley districts of Surrey
he would have seen Oaks glowing in the sun-
light literally like burnished gold. The spectacle
the woods presented near and far was magnificent.
No other tree would have given such glorious
colour. A fortnight previous Chestnut, Beech,
and Birch were alike gorgeous with colour; in-
deed, there was not a tree that did not then or
later lend itself to the production of these beauti-
ful tints. But there can be no doubt that gravel,
clialk, and sand give the best effects in trees at
all autumn seasons, whilst trees on stiff clays are
much less beautiful. Near towns, trees too sel-
dom show that rich coloration found in purer
atmospheres. Then the autumn, too, has been
dry and warm, ensuring wood and bud ripening
in a remarkable degree, and with it this superb
leaf coloration. If the autumn be wet or white

frosts prevail, the leaves die off" quickly rather
than ripen as they have done so finely this year.
Even the most favoured of trees, Liquidambars,
American Oaks, Maples, Sumachs, and others,
give the best colour on light or warm soils. Vitis
inconstans has, in spite of its usually warm posi-
tions, rarely given richer colour than has been the
case this year, and the colour has also been un-
usually prolonged, doubtless because the heavy
rains of early September promoted new late
growth, which in turn ripened so thoroughly
during the warm, dry October. — A. D.

The common Barberry. — A great many of
our hardy shrubs are remarkable for the beauty
of their fruits at this sea.son of the year, but
among them all the common Barberry is the best.
As a single specimen, and where allowed to
develop into a large bush, this Barberry is seen
at its Dest, for it will be now completely veiled
with long sprays of berries of a brilliant red
colour, wliich remain fresh and bright for some
time. In the spring, too, the j'ellow flow'ers are
very attractive and agreeably scented. A desir-
able feature in the case of the Barberry is that it
will hold its own in dry, stony soils better than
many other shrubs, and without any attention it
forms quite a fymmetrical bush. The berried
sprays remain fresh for a long time when cut.
Among the several varieties of this Barberry are
two with white and blackish fruits respectively.

may be rooted in this manner, but it is scaroi
ever employed for their increase, as seeda ;!al
readily obtained and germinate freely. At 1ii|
same time the better varieties are usually gra(t(
or budded on to seedling stocks, a union beln|
quickly effected. — En.

Celastrus scandens. — This is the Bittfl
Sweet or Climliing Waxwork of the Unitel
States, of which district it is a native, as it ooouil
more or less from Canada to Virginia. This OF
lastrus is just the thing for covering rough mound'l
tree stumps, or for furnishing some parts of til
bolder arrangements of rock work, as it is of rapil
growth and soon forms a dense mass of \nil
shoots twisting here and there. The oval-shape
leaves are of a distinct glossy green, while tl
flowers play no part in the embellisliment of tl
plant. They are small and of a greenish yello
colour, and being borne in short-stalked cluste
are scarcely noticeable. The fruit, however,
much like that of our Spindle Tree (Euouymi
europaius) ; indeed, they are both nearly relatf
to each other. In the Celastrus the exterior
the capsule changes to yellow, and soon afte
wards the segments open and the bright n
seeds are then visible, in which state they rema
some time. It is an old plant in gardens, havii
been introduced in 17.'J6. This Celastrus must (
no account be associated with delicate suljjeol
as from its aggressive character the weak

A spray of the doiMe-floioered Cherry.

but though distinct and curious, they are both
much less attractive than the normal form. — T.

Layering' Laburnums. — I have several fully-
grown Laburnum trees on the edges of shrulj-
beries and coverts which I should be sorry to cut
down, but they are now beginning to damage the
young trees, which have spread out towards them.
Would it be possible to layer them as one does
Laurels '! If so, at what height should one cut
them ? and at what time of year is it best done ?
— Alk'k Wilson.

•,j* If the Laburnums in question are, as
stated, fully-grown trees, it would be useless to
think of layering, as, in the first place, they
could not be brought down lo%v enough for that
|iurpose without a good deal of mutilation, and,
secondly, much of the beauty of the Laljurnum
consists in the long drooping racemes of blossoms
having ample space for their development, which
would not be the case if the branches were
brought down into contact with the earth. We
should suggest cutting the plants back to a
reasonable size, and what that is depends upon
the surroundings and the position they occupy.
The Laburnum will stand ]iruning fairly well, but,
of course, if the trees are headed back the follow-
ing season's display of bloom will be sacrificed.
The winter months are the best for carrying out
this operation. Though layering is not recom-
mended in the case of these trees, Laburnums

neighbours will quickly suffer. As the seed-l
are for the greater part hidden bj' the iolii
this Celastrus is more conspicuous after the lea
drop than it is before. A nearly allied speoia
C. articulatus — has been introduced from JaMJ
and the leafless branches covered with fruit f
sold during the autumn in all Japanese tovi
where they are emploj'ed for indoor decorafi
for which purpose they are well suited. — T.
Berberis Thunbergi. — ^'cry few of
deciduous shrulis can compare with this Chi™
Barberry in the rich tints assumed by the leafl
before they drop, as they are just now of a brign
glowing scarlet-crimson hue, and seen in a :
this species forms a brilliant object in wood
scenery. It is in all respects a very distinctl
being much less robust than the different foS
of the common Barberry or the Asiatic B. aristatl
Thunberg's Barberry, which, by the way, is ^1
known as Berberis sinensis, is a somewhat spr^
ing bush with arching branches, which give i
very pleasing outline. In the spring the leafl
are when first expanded of a very delicate gre^
and just as they are partially developed t|
flowers make their appearance. They are asl
rule freely borne, but are not ]5articularly col
spicuous. The small, oblong sealing-wax-liff
berries are very bright, but they are ofti
sparingly borne. When, however, they
pretty numerous, these berries form a valuaBj

NOVBMBBR 20, 1897.]

THE GARDEN".

409

ditional feature, for thej' reniiiiii fresh and
lirht a liinj; time. It is quite hardy and ■n-ill
1(1 its own in poor soils where the leaf eolour in
tumn is of the brightest. — K. C. P.

- Just now this is one of the most brilliant
?idu<Hi9 thrulis. It is a splendid subject for niass-
r, and one would not soon forget the line oolour-offeit
ducod by a large quantity of it at this yoason of
year. The low-erowin^', spreading character of the
rub tends to bring it directly under the eye, and
> numerous tiny leaves, so closely arranged, give the
lliant colour-effect so much admired.

Ferns.

DORYOPTERIS.

.L the speoits behinj^iiii; to this sub-tjenus

,ens are of dwarf lial)it, and form a very dis-
iict and interesting group. Though some are
iissed with the greenhouse Ferns, I tind they
1 succeed best under stove treatment and like
; ire sliade than many of the Pterises. They
iiy be raised from spores, but it requii'es great
ire to succeed with .some, especially D. nobilis,
■lich is one of the linest of the group. I have
. ly know n of one or two instances of this
1 iug raised from spores, and then the greatest
<i-e is required to establish good plants.
I). rALM.\TA is the best known and most useful,
ling grown largely for market. If care is taken
i select good spores they germinate freely antl
sm grow on into u.seful-sized plants. It is one
< the best to use in a small state, and when
inut three plants are grown together they are
vy effective in a 4J-inch pot. Under good
I atment they will grow about S inches high : the
(h deep green fronds form a nice contrast to
^se of a lighter hue.

I). LrDKNs is a distinct species, and the fronds
'ry much in shajie. The barren ones are un-
<ided, some being nearly triangular, others
bader and lobed ; the fertile fronds are pal-
I te, and have long stipites growing much above
t' barren ones. I tind after the second j-ear it is
<ticult to keep plants in good character ; there-
ie seedlings should be raised periodicallj'.
\ith care they come fairly well.
p. s.AOiTTiKOLi.-v is ver}' ]3retty, but rather diffi-
at to manage. Being of small growth, o\er-
ting must be avoided and plenty of drainage
uld be provided.

). PKD.vT.i is a dwarf, free-growing species,

Vich I have found come freely from spores and

ke useful little plants in small pots. It some-

at resembles Pteris geraniifolia, but has broader

I nds, with short stiff stipites.

). ]i.\ST.4TA, I tind, varies very much when

r sed from sjiores. In its best form it is a useful

1 :n, but often the fronds are irregular and im-

I feet.

). DiVALi is a distinct species lately intro-

;ed from the Continent. It is somewhat after

lilis, but the fronds are more regularly lobed

1 of a rich deep green. I have not yet seen

sdlings, but find it maybe increased by division

1 is of free growth. If we can get seeelings it

1 undoubtedly become one of our most popular

ns. A. H.

ilechnum occidentale .—This is a useful Fern
decoration. Now that the Pterises have be-
: le so common it is necessary to look for some-
ig fresh, and in the above we have a most wel-
le change. It may be raised in any quantity
n spores, and is a quick and free grower. It
uld be grown on in a stove temperature and

I exposed to the light. Potted in a good
li ny compost, it grows freely and makes fronds

good .sulistance. The yuung frcnds have a
nzy-brown tint. When thick bushy plants are
uired two or three may be grown together, but
wn singly most symmetrical specimens may be
\- It is hardly suital.ile for anything larger

II a 4J-inch pot, but under good treatment it

f
c
I

ctie
fi

e

V

I

o
b

makes a fine plant in this, and may also be recom-
mended for small pots. Two other varieties
which closely resemble the above are H. polype-
(lioides and 15. glandulosum. These are e<|ually
useful, the latter especially, as it grows taller, and
when well exposed the hron/.y-red tint in the
young fronds is very bright. It is only when
grown on freely from the time the seedlings are
raiseil that these Blechnunis make useful plants.
Once let them get stunted or pot-bound they
rarely make satisfactory growth afterwards.
—A. H.

Orchids.

PLEIONES.

Vkrv bright and effective during the dull days of
winter are these charming little Orchids, and I
have noticed that amateur cultivators are becom-
ing much more fainiliar with their culture than
formerly. They ai-e by no means difficult to grow,
and [jresent a much better flowering return for
the trouble bestowed upon them than many
larger growing kinds. P. lagenaria is one of, if
not the best known of all, and also one of the
most useful. This, if brought along in succes-
sional batches, will keep the cool house bright for
many weeks with its rose and white blossoms.
P. humilis, again, is a very beautiful plant, and
perhaps unequalled in the genus for the brio-ht
tints displayed on the lip. Pleiones, unlike most
epi|ihytal Orchids, are not at all incommoded
by being disturbed at the roots ; in fact, an
annual repotting is one of the usual cultural
details. But it must be carried out at the right
time, for to interfere with the roots just as thev
are in the middle of the season's growth would
prove decidedly harmful. Most of the species
throw up their flower-spikes from the base of the
old pseudo-bulb just before commencing to grow,
and the best time to repot is just after the flowers
are past, but liefore any young roots are forming.
The old pseudo bulb — that is, the one preceding
the flowering one — will usually be found so far
decayed as to be of no further use to the plant,
and this may therefore be cut away. The roots
from the flowering bullis, too, will usually have
performed their functions and might also be taken
off, except a little tuft just to help to hold the
pseudo-bulbs in position. The compost must be a
substantial one, nice fibrous loam, peat fibre, and
chopped Sphagnum Mo.ss being mixed with plenty
of finely broken charcoal and crocks. Let the
drainage for pots and pans be ample, and
protect it by laying a little rough Moss
upon the crocks. It is usual to mass the bulbs
in pans a foot or so across, and, culturally,
no fault can be found with this way of grow-
ing them. But when they are required for
groui:iing, these large pans are not nearly so useful
as a larger number grown in small ]iots, because
the absence of foliage on the plants at the time of
flowering gives them rather a flat, not to say a
garish, appearance. The smaller pots may bein-
troduced among small Adiantums or Pterises, the
soft tints of the blossoms showing very prettily
among these. A very pretty mode of culture, too,
was illustrated in TnE (iARiiK.v during the early
jiart of the present year. This was to grow them
on wood blocks, these being lightly dressed with
compost and a few small Ferns planted with
them. I cannot say I am partial to planting
Ferns on Orchid blocks or in their pots, as is some-
times done, but,judgingby the pretty photograph,
the end in this case justified the means.

After the plants are potted, great care is neces-
sary with watering, for if the compost gets moist
and close, the little roots will have a difficulty in
entering it. But this is not for long, and when
once they ha\e a good hold on the comfiost a very
liberal supply is necessary. This must be con-
tinued right up to the time the pseudo-lmlbs are
finished, when they may again be kept drier. The
foliage soon turns colour ami falls oil', and then
for a short season they may be absolutely dry.
Temperature is not, perhaps, a very important

point with these Orchids, and although they do
not rc(|uire more lieat than Sophronitis, Odonto-
glossum grande and others that do not like the
very coolest (|uartcrs, yet they do well with
a nice shady, well-ventilated position in the
Cattleya house. Insects are not particularly
troublesome, the worst being reil spider and
brown scale, but these are easily kept under by
ordinary vigilance. Pleiones are hy some authori-
ties merged into Cielogyne, but though their
botanical characteristics may be similar, they are
quite distinct as garden plants. R.

Trichopilia (Pilumna) laxa.— In habit and
shape of the blossoms this pretty species is not
unlike T. fragrans, but the spikes are usually
more pendent. I have seen it in several collec-
tions during the week, and in each ca.sc the fra-
grance was very noticeable. It may be best de-
scribed as an intermediate house Orchid, as though
it may be grown with the Odontoglossums, the
bulbs are large and the flowers more freely pro-
duced when given a little more heat. It is best
grown in medium-sized pots or baskets in a com-
post consisting of peat fibre and Sphagnum. — H.

Cymbidium cyperifolium.— There is a fine
plant of this now in flower at Cambridge Lodge,
the flowers being not unlike those of a small form
of C. Traceyanum. The plant is healthy and
strong, has fine large p.seudo-bulbs with the
characteriatic narrow foliage, and the spike is
carrying sexen flowers. The sepals and petals
are pale green, with lines of brownish crimson
over their entire length. The lip has a white
margin and many bright crimson dots. It is
grow n in a small annexe at Camberwell in com-
pany with the hybrid eburneo-Lowianum and the
reverse cross.

Goodyera RoUissoni. — Although this Orchid
boasts nothing much in the way of flowers, the
foliage is strikingly handsome, far superior, in
fact, to many of the more expensive and rare
Ana'ctochiluses. Not that this is very plentiful,
and it is seldom that one comes across such a fine
lot as that at Mr. Bull's nursery, where they are
in fine foliage just now. It is a vigorous growing
plant, with broad lea\es of a rich dark green on
the upper side. This is overlaid with stripes and
blotches of a golden bronze, while underneath
they are uniformly of a rich velvety purple. It
should be grown in plenty of heat, a moist atmo-
sphere, and given a shady position.

Odontog-lossum tripudians.— This Odonto-
glossnm I liave noted in flower in several collec-
tions within the week. It is a bright and effec-
tive species, and I wonder it is not more grown.
It may not be exactly in the front rank of the
genus for size, but the bright yellow blos.soms are
very useful just now when the triumphans, luteo-
purpureuin, and other more popular kinds are
conspicuous by their absence. It is imported
occasionally with 0. Pescatorei, and, like this
well-known kind, thrives well in fairly small pots
of i)eat fibre and Moss, with the usual treatment
as recommended for cool Odontoglossums.

Phalaenopsis Regnieri. — Flowers of this
finely-coloured Moth Orchid— which does not
really differ much from P. Esmeralda — come for
an opinion from a Somerset correspondent. They
are of average merit, though their freshness and
bright colour show that they have been grown
well out of the fog area. When produced at this
late season they make a pretty show, though
personally I would prefer more seasonable blooms.
P. Regnieri thrives well in a warm, moist house
and is not difficult to grow. It is a native of
Cochin (.'hina, and was introduced in 187-1, being
distinct from most Phahvnopsids in the erect
flower-spikes.

Oncidium Marshallianum. — Though rather
out of season, the beautiful golden yellow blos-
soms of this fine species are very ple:ising and
welcome. The tall bratiching spikes are very
elegant, and they last a long time in good condi-
tion— too long in many ca,ses for the liealth of the
plant. It is a cool house Orchid, thriving in

410

THE GARDEN.

[November 20, 1897,

company with Odontoglots of the grande and
similar types. Like the nearly-related O. cris-
piim, it dislikes a large body of material about it,
and about an inch for medium-sized jilants is
ample. The compost must be of good (juality,
and the drainage requires special attention, as
the rather large fleshy roots require plenty of
moisture all the year round.

Ang-rsecum citratum. — I noticed this in
flower recently with Mr. Bull, the pretty white
blossoms with a pale creamy tint having a pretty
effect. It is one of the dwarfest in the genus,
rarely growing more than li inches high, but pro-
ducing fine racemes of bloom from the leaf a.xils.
It dislikes much material about the roots, and is
safest in small wood baskets well drained, with a
little clean Sphagnum Moss about the roots and
base of the plant. Plenty of heat and a moist
atmosphere are required, and it must never be
dried at the roots. — R.

Scaphosepalum gibberosum. — This species
and one or two others such as S. octhodes form a
set of Orchids not much in favour with present-
day growers. Yet where quaint and singular
forms are appreciated they are worth a place, and
one looks upon their going out of cultivation as
rather a slur upon the collectors who sent them
home. The other day at Cambridge Lodge I
noted fine plants of several in this section, and
when well flowered they have a pretty and grace-
ful effect among the richly coloured and more
popular Masdevallias.

Dendrochilum Cobbianum. — This pretty
plant I noted recently in liloom at Mr. Bull's, lb
is a small-growing species, not above 8 inches in
height, the pretty pale yellow blossoms having a
light and pretty effect on the dark green foliage.
It may be easily grown in a warm, moist house,
delighting in a shady position while the growth is
forming. Very little compost is needed, but this
should be of good quality, the roots not takuig
kindly to frequent disturliance. It is a native of
the Philippine Islands, whence it was introduced
by Messrs. Hugh Low and Co. in 1879, and was
dedicated by Reichenbach to Mr. Cobb, of Syden-
ham, with whom it first flowered. — H.

Stanbopea eburnea. — Almost every week I
meet with this species, and although the flowers last
buta few days in good condition, this isam]>ly made
up for by the number of them produced. Spike
after spike is produced for months on end, and no
appreciable harm is done to the plant Ijy tliis
freedom of flowering. It is a noteworthy fact,
too, that although many Stanhopeas will not
flower if pulled about at the roots, it makes not
the least difference to S. eburnea. (iive this
species plenty of moisture at the root and a fairly
good compost, keep it free of insects, and in a
comfoi table temperature, then flowers in plenty
will be produced. — R.

Habenaria carnea. — This jn-ettj' plant I
have noted in flower during the week, the deli-
cate flesh-tinted blossoms having a nice effect
upon the prettily marked foliage. The spikes
rise about a foot high, the upper portion closely
covered with flowers, each being furnished with a
long pale-coloured spear. H. carnea is not a diffi-
cult plant to grow in a moist tropical house. It
is strictly herbaceous, dying down annually in
autumn, throwing up its growth and leafy flower-
spikes in spring. The roots may be potted in a
compost consisting of sound mellow loam, leaf-
mould, and chopped Sphagnum Moss, plenty of
crushed charcoal and finely-broken crocks being
mixed with this. The bulb may go down fairly
deep, so that the roots run freely among the
drainage, and I noted during the summer that a
batch of tliis Orchid was doing remarkably well
in a bed of cocoanut fibre, this doubtless helping
to keep the roots moist. Plenty of water is
necessary as long as growth is active, and one of
the most frequent mistakes in its culture is dry-
ing it severely in winter. There is a fine white
variety of this pretty plant which has recently
been introduced from Singapore. The type and
variety formed the subject of one of The Garden'

plates in the issue for March 16, 1895, and the
habit and general character of the plant are there
well shown. — H.

THE BLUE VANDA.

(v. CCERULEA.)

This is one of the best of the Vanda tribe. It
was discovered as far back as 1837, growing on
large trees on the Khasia Hills, and fully ex-
posed to sun, wind, and rain. In its native
habitat it is found at an elevation of from 3000
feet to 4000 feet, being a little lower down
than Cypripedium insigne. It is comparatively
a cool-growing Orchid. The usual practice with
this lovely Vanda is to grow it in teak-wood
baskets, so that it may be suspended close to
the roof-glass of the house, where it will be
greatly benefited by plenty of sunlight and tlie
best air currents at command During active
growth the plant should be supplied with

be noted. At Cambridge Lodge there are iflai
fine things to be seen, the very distinct CaiJ
bridge Lodge variety among the number. Tlj
has very large spots of purple on the dorsal
and is a grandly formed flower, quite distinct frol
the Chantini section. Several of the yella
forms were also noted, and these are amoij
the most beautiful of all Cypripediums,
Ernesti and many others, as well as a very fi
batch of the typical f orn) , will soon be a splend
sight.

Trichosma suavis. — A very fine plant of tl
species now in bloom at Cambridge Lodge
carrying twenty-two spikes of the charaoterial
little flowers, these, as the plant is strong ai
well established, being thrown well above t
foliage. It is a pretty and useful plant wh
well cultivated, but being found growing natura
at considerable elevation on the Khasia HiUs,
cannot do with close, warm treatment. It lil
a .shady, moist house during the summer mont
and plenty of water at the roots, while during t

[

Vanda cwndea.

abundance of water at the root, and the atmo-
sphere surrounding it should be kept moist.
As soon as the flowers are ready t > expand
the plant may be removed to the coolest part of
the house, and where the atmosphere is drier.
During the winter months great care must be
taken not to overwater the plants, or probably
the foliage will become spotted and unsightly.
The Cattleya or intermediate house will suit
this Vanda during summer, liut when at rest
the cooler and drier atmosphere of the Mexican
house will answer better. The baskets in which
the plants are grown should be three parts filled
with crocks or charcoal for drainage, surfacing
up as near to the bottom leaves as possible with
clean, fresh-gathered Sphagnum Moss.

Cypripedium insigne. — The well - known
flowers of this grand old species are alreadj'
numerous in collections and a great variety may

winter abundance of light is needed. A ve
thin compost, consisting of equal parts of pe
and Moss over good drainage, suits it well. jk.„

Cjrpripedium tonsum. — This is one of t
finest Cypripediums at this time of year, ant
have noted it in flower in a gooimany coUectioi
It was introduced by chance a dozen or nic
years ago among an imjjortation of C. Curtisi I
the collector whose name the latter species hem
The foliage is large and prettily tessellated, t
flower-stems being thrown well u]). The dor;
sepal is whitish, with lines of greenish pui'l'
the petals somewhat similar in colour, the pou
greenish, with purple and bronze markings,
comes from Sumatra and likes plenty of heatai
moisture. — R.

Oncidium ornithorrbynchumalbuin.— H
is an extremely pretty and rare plant, none t
less worth}' of care because of the small size
the individual blooms. It is especially beaut^
when seen in such form as I noted it in «

November 20, 1897.1

THE GARDEN.

411

easurcs collection at Ciimlicrwell recent ly, A
inarkiil)ly fine specimen plant in the luilcst of

alth, with Uirf^e, liealthy pseudo-lmlbs canynii;
I'enteen spikes of snovvy-whito blossoms, is iiero
bloom. The spikes rise about '2 feet hif;h, are
ach branched, and carry in the af;gregato many
ndreds of flowers, the only spot of colour oil
ese being a yellow marking about the crest,
lis Oncidium is u native of Mexico and thrives
11 in a moderately' cool, moist, and shady house,

ling well watered at the roots while growth is

itive. — R.

OCIETIES AND EXHIBITIONS.

IVTIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.

NOVKMIIKR i), 10 .\Nn 11.

exhibition of exceptional dimensions and also

(11 thoroughly representative character was got

t;ether at the Rojal Aquarium, Westminster,

SiV., on the above dates. The opening of the

eiibition falling on Lord Mayor's day brought

tfether an enc.irmous concourse of spectators,

king it an exceedingly difficult task to get a

jper view of the many fine exhibits staged.

.e whole of the ground floor space was utilised,

efly for exhibits of a miscellaneous character, a

r isolated classes only finding accommodation

,'re. Both the galleries were brought into use,

tit in the south-west containing the leading

J;mnese classes, and that on the opposite side of

t; building the_Anemones and a large number

othe minor classes. St. Stephen's Hall was again

r uisitioned for the ])lants, these being arranged

dvn the centre of the building with plenty of

BfCe allowed to satisfactorily set them oft', fruit

all vegetables being on tables on either side of

t same building. The large circular groups

■vre arranged, as last year, in the south-west

gjlery, and these, together with a remarkable dis-

py of table decorations, made this portion of the

8>\v one of the most interesting. Competition in
t different classes was keen. In the open class for
t !lve Japanese blooms distinct there were no less
t n twenty -four competitors, and in the open
CSS for three epergnes suitable for table decora-
t:i the entries w'ere fourteen. Special mention
nist be made of the table of vases, &c., arranged
l^Mr. Norman Davis. This was probably the
fi'st exhibit ever put up by a trade specialist,
tlj quality and the arrangement, too, being ex-
cent and certainly meriting the gold medal
aarded. Mr. Donald's plants were very fine.
T|3 miscellaneous display was very large and
Vjied, and assisted very materially to make the
eiibition such a success. The fountains at either
e of the building were completely hidden bj-
derent trade exhibits, a great advantage from
tl public point of view.

CCT Bl.OOMS.

|]he "trophy" class, being the national com-

pition of Chrysanthemum and horticultural

siieties, is one for forty-eight blooms, to consist

oi|wenty-four incurved, distinct, and twenty-four

Jnanese, distinct. There were three entries, the

Eimley and District Chrj-santhemum Society

wning premier honours with a fine exhibit.

Ti Japanese were large and even, of good form

colour, while the incurved also were large

fairly even. The best Japanese were Duke of

k, Mrs. H. Weeks, Viviand Morel, Chas.

D'is, International, Mons. Chenon de Leche,

% Elsie Teichmann, (i. C. Schwabe, Milano,

Sjplicity, Matthew Hodgson, and Mrs. Chas.

Btk. The incurved were rejjresented by these

anng others ; Chas. H. Curtis, J. Kearn, W.

T|nington, J. Agate, Mrs. R. C. Kingston, Mrs.

man, Mrs. Heale, Princess of Wales, and a

handsome bloom of Duchess of Fife. The

ingbourne and Milton Gardeners' and Ama-

s' Association were second with a fresh and

n lot of flowers, though smaller. The Holmes'

Miorial challenge cups were easily secured by

t! veteran, Mr. W. Mease, gardener to Mr.

ed Tate, Downside, Leatherhead, the Japan-

Ai

esc class for forty-eight blooms, distinct, contain-
ing a niaL'iiiliccnt lul of flowers. These were very
fresh riglit throughout. The best were .\lmc.
Carnot, Etoile do Lyon, M. C .Molin, I'luebus,
Mrs. H. Weeks, Mrs. W. Lees, Julia Scarainanga,
Sunstone, Baron Ad. Rothschild, Mrs. (i. Car-
penter, Modesto, M. de la Hocheterie, Eva
Knowles, Mons. C'lienon do Ltchc. A. H. Wood,
Edith Tabor, Mrs. .1. Lewis, and a very remark-
able flower of Yellow Mine. Carnot. This latter
bloom was selected as the premier .lapanese
bloom in the show, and certainly was one of great
beauty and refinement. A nice exhibit secured
second prize for Mr. Henry I'erkins, gardener to
the Hon. F. D. Smith, M.P. , (Ireenlaiids, Henley-
on-Thames. Mr. Mease secured tlie cup for
thirty-six incurved blooms, distinct, with blooms
of very high quality. The blooms in this class
were large, massive, of even form, with splendid
breadth of petal, and set up in the most ap[)roved
style. His varieties were Duchess of Fife, Miss
Violet Foster, J. Agate, Miss Dorothy Foster,
W. Tunnington, Lucy Kendall, Major Bonaflon,
Mrs. R. C. Kingston, Princess Beatrice, Violet
Tomlin, Lady Isabel, Robt. Petfield, (ilobe
d'Or, Robt. Cannell, Miss Haggas, Chas. H.
Curtis, and others. Mr. W. Higgs, gardener
to Mr. J. B. Hankey, Fetcham Park, was a
good second, many of his blooms being marvels
of cultural skill, his flowers of Duch&ss of Fife,
Bonnie Dundee, Robt. Petfield, and Geo. Haigh
being \ cry fine. A class to commemorate the (jOth
year of the Queen's reign was confined to the
trade, two competitors only entering. This
was for thirty-six blooms, twenty-four being
Japanese and twelve incurved, distinct, novel-
ties sent out during 189o, 1800, and 1807. Mr. W.
Wells, Earlswood Nurserj', Redhill, was first with
a nice lot of Bowers, but many of the \'arieties
were seen in the leading stands of others. Ella
Curtis, (i. J. Warren, Souv. de Mme. .J. Rosette,
and Mrs. F. A. Bevan were among the best of the
Japanese. Mr. Norman Davis, The Vineries,
Framfield, Sussex, was a good second, John
Neville and W. H. Lees being his best novelties
in the Japanese. There were only two entries for
the Turner ilemorial challenge cuji, which has
to be won by the exhibitor two years in succession
or three times in all. In this Mr. Norman
Davis showed his superiority by taking leading
position with his thirty-six blooms of white,
yellow, and crimson Japanese in twelve varieties,
three blooms of each. These were noted for their
clear and bright colour. R. Dean, John Neville,
Miss Dorothea Shea, Beauty of Castlewood among
the crimsons ; Western King, Mile. Th^r^se Rey,
Mme. Carnot, Mrs. H. Weeks, white ; and
Phiebus, Edith Tabor, Modesto, A. H. Wood, in
the yellows, made a fine array of colour. Mr. W.
J. (Jodfrey was a capital second, Sunstone and M.
Demay-Taillandier being his most striking flowers.
A class for twenty-four incurved, distinct, brought
out four competitors, Mr. F. G. Foster, Brock-
hampton Nurseries, Havant, securing first prize.
Lady Isabel, Chas. H. Curtis, Miss Violet Foster,
Miss Dorothy Foster, Bonnie Dundee, and Duchess
of Fife standing out conspicuousl}-. The second
prize went to Mr. H. Butcher, gardener to Mr. C.
J. Bass, Lodge House, Smeetn, Ashford, Kent,
with a good lot of flowers, J. Agate, D. B. (,'rane,
and C. B. Whitnal being his best. Eight
entries for twelve incurved, distinct, made a
capital display, and Mr. J. W. Barks, gardener
to Mr. Pandeli Ralli, Alderbrook, Cranleigh, was
d;S3rvedly placed first with Lord Wolselej-, James
Agate, Empress of India, Violet Tomlin, Mrs. S.
Coleman, and Mrs. Heale in neat and good form
and well finished. Mr. F. King, gardener to Mrs.
Mcintosh, Havering Park, Romford, was a good
second, with large flowers, but inclined to be
rough in appearance. The competition for six
blooms, incurved, one varietj", is always an inter-
esting one, eleven entries on this occasion being
forthcoming. Magnificent specimen blooms of
Chas. H. Curtis secured premier position for .\Ir.
W. Tebay, gardener to Mrs. Rycroft, I^vcrlands,
Sevenoaks. These were large, deep and beauti-
fully finished, but the florets were rather narrow.

Mr. F. King was second with the same variety
with large liowers and broader florets, but not so
even as the first prize stand. There was a falling
off in the number of competitors in the class for
twenty-four .Japanese, distinct, six entries being
forthcoming. This is always a strong class, Mr.
W. Messenger, gardener to Mr. C. H. Berners,
Woolvei'stone Park, Ipswich, .securing first |)rize
with a lot of lilooms showing high ipiality. Con-
spicuous among them were Mme. Carnot, E.
Molyneux, Editli Tabor, Miss C. H. Payne, Sim-
plicity, .M. E. Andive, Australie, Mons. Chenon
de Lfcch^, Pluebus, Snowdon, lalene, and Chas.
Davis. (Jood colour, even form, and fine variety
characterised this exhibit. Mr. It. Kenyon, gar-
dener to Mr. A. F. Hills, Monkhams, Woodford
Green, was a good second with Mrs. Hume
Long, Mons. Hoste, Australie and Pride of Ex-
mouth in excellent condition. The competition
in the class for twelve Japanese, distinct, made a
show in itself. There were no less than twenty-
four entries, and these made an imposing display.
In this ill'. W. Messenger again showed his supe-
riority, although he had little to spare with his
nearest rivals. His was a fine stand. Mme. Carnot;
E. Molyneux, Australie, Phiebus, E. Tabor, Mons.

E. AndriS and International were all examples of
high cultural skill. Mr. H. Shoesmith was a
very close second, this old grower only needing
one flower of deeper colour to enhance his chances
of success. However, they were very handsome,
and included Mrs. J. Lewis, Edith Tabor, Pluebus,
Thos. Wilkins and A. G. Hubbuck. For six
.Japanese, one variety only, white, Mr. Norman
Davis showed six of the finest and most even
flowers of Mme. Carnot ever seen. They were
perfect specimen flowers, fresh, clean, deep, and
of exquisite form. Mr. T. H. Lodge, gardener to
Mrs. Meritt, Hockerill, Bishop's Stortfoid, was
second with a nice stand of Mrs. C. Blick. In the
class for six Japanese, one variety, any colour
except white, Mr. .J. McKenzie, gardener to Mr.

F. S. W. Cornwallis, Linton, Maidstone, was
awarded first prize for Phiebus, in excellent con-
dition, and Mr. T. H. Lodge second for six very
fine blooms of Edith Tabor. Mr. W. Robinson,
gardener to the Rt. Hon. Lord Ludlow, Heywood,
Westbury, Wilts, showed the best six blooms,
.Japanese incurved, Duke of Wellington, Lady
Ridgway, Pride of Madford, Oceana, Australie
and Western King being his varieties. The class
for six hairy-petalled was poor. Two entries only
were seen in the class for twelve large reflexed,
showing the little interest felt in these stift' and
formal-looking flowers. To Mr. W. Robinson
was accorded first position. Cloth of Gold and
CuUiiigfordi being his best blooms. The second
prize was won by Mr. G. W. Forbes, gardener to
Mrs. Nicols, Regent House, Surbiton. Six com-
petitors were in good form in the class for six
large-flowered Anemones, Japanese included, Mr.
.lohn .lustice, gardener to the Rt. Hon. Sir R.
Temple, Bart., The Nash, Kempsey, being a good
first. Beautiful blooms of Mme. Lowton, John
Bunyan, Lady jNIargaret, Sir Walter Raleigh,
W. W. Astor, Junon, (Jladys Spaulding and
Queen Elizabeth were typical of these unique
flowers. Second honours were secured by Mr.
W. Skeggs, gardener to ilr. A. Mosel}', West
Lodge, Barnet. For twelve large Anemones,
Japanese excluded, Mr. .Justice was again first
against six competitors, with Acquisition, Gliick,
M. C. Lebocqz, Junon, Mrs. Judge Benedict,
Delaware, Mile. N. Brun, Lady Margaret and
Miss Annie Lowe. Mr. A. Ives, gardener to
Mr. E. C. .Jukes, Hadley Lodfre, Barnet, was
.second, .lunon and Descartes being very fine.
Twelve .lapanese .\ncmones were a very charm-
ing lot, five entries being staged, jlr. .Jns
tice was again invincible with a beautifu
lot — Mrs. Hugh (iardiner, Robin Adair, Sir
Walter Raleigh, Queen Elizabeth, Owen's Perfec-
tion, John Bunyan, Enterprise, W. W. Astor,
Nelson and Caledonia, each with their disc wel
developed and their guard florets neatly arranged
Mr. Skeggs was a good second. Enterprise being,
very good. The pompons were neat and pretty
and not over-large, ilr. T. Caryer, gardener ' -"

412

THE GAEDEK

[November 20, 1897.

Mr. A. G. Meissner, Weybridge, was a good first,
having Prince of Orange, La Vogue, Pygmalion,
Mme. Elise Dordan, President, Mr. Holmes,
William Westlake, Osiris and others in fine form.
The singles were very pretty, though somewhat
formally arranged, and, regarding quality, dis-
tinctly better than they have been seen. The
amateurs' classes were each well filled, blooms of
exceptionally good quality being staged. The
new arrangement separating the two large classes
of amateurs evidently answered very well. The
maiden grswers" classes, too, were a splendid suc-
cess, and justifies the executive in retaining them,
as there was ample evidence of quality in many
of the exhibits.

Plants.

There was a good competition in the group
of Chrysanthemums, mingled with fine-foliaged
plants, and arranged in circular form 12 feet in
diameter. Mr. J. Spink, Summit Road Nursery,
Walthamstow, was placed first with a bold and
handsome arrangement surmounted by Palms.
Good flowers, bright and clean foliage, and general
high quality were characteristic of this group. A
close second was Mr. W. Howe, gardener to Mr.
Henry Tate, Park Hill, Streatham, with a charm-
ing arrangement, and with bright flowers and
foliage pleasingly disposed of. Mr. D. Donald
was the only competitor for six trained speci-
mens, large-flowered varieties, showing ideal
plants of J. Lightfoot, J. Shrimpton, Florence
Piercy, Col. W. B. Smith, Gloriosum, and W.
Tricker. For four trained specimens, any \ariety,
Mr. F. Gilks, gardener to Mr. A. Morris, Court
Green, Leigham Court Road, Streatham, was a
good first, Emily Silsbury, Col. W. B. Smith,
Mrs. E. S. Traflbrd, and Viviand Morel being his
best : Mr. W. Davey, gardener to Mr. C. C.
Paine, Hillfield, Haverstock Hill, N.W., being
second. For si.\ standard-trained specimens,
large-flowered, Mr. Donald was again to the
fore, he being the only competitor, Eva Knowles,
W. Tricker, Miss Alice Luckmaii (pale yellow),
Cleopatra, Chinaman, and Col. W. B. Smith
being splendid examples of cultural skill. Four
similar plants were shown by Mr. Da\ey, and
were awarded first prize in the succeeding class.
Mr. Donald secured first prize for a single speci-
men plant for a beautifully fresh and neatly-tied
plant of Col. W. B. Smith. For the prize offered
by Mr. P. Waterer for a specimen grafted plant,
Mr. Donald exhibited Chas. Davis, Viviand Morel,
and John Lightfoot on one plant, and secured the
first prize. He also won the first prize for six
handsome specimen pompons iu perfect form,
neatly tied, freely flowered, and rich in colour.
Sieur Melanie, Black Douglas, William Westlake,
Yellow Martha, Antonius, and ^^'. Kennedy were
the sorts staged.

Decorative Exhibits.

A table of bou<iuets, wreaths, sprays, &c., illus-
trating the decorative value of the Chrysanthe-
mum, brought out a goodly competition. Miss
Nellie Erlebach, Chard's The Florist, Stoke New-
ington, was a good first with neat designs care-
fully and artistically executed, and showing
correct taste and finish. Messrs. Harwood Bros.,
176, High Sti-eet, Balham, were second with a
nice assortment of designs, &c. , but lacking the
finish which characterised the first prize exhibit.
Fourteen competitors entered for three epergnes
suitable for table decoration. Mr. D. B. Crane,
Highgate, was first. He had a handsome trio
arranged with a proper regard for colour. The
second prize was awarded to Miss C. B. Cole, The
Vineyard, Feltham, Middlesex, for a nice light
and graceful arrangement, showing exquisite
taste. Two vases of pompons, or Anemone pom-
pons, with foliage made a charming display, Mr.
Mark Webster, gardener to Mr, E. J. Preston,
Kelsey Park, Beckenham, being an excellent first
with elegant sprays of blooms and foliage arranged
with great taste in Oriental vases ; Mrs. W. Green,
jun., Harold Wood, being second with a pretty
pair of vases. Mr. Mark Webster was again first
■with two boquets, elegantly arranged. Eight
entries for a hand-basket of Chrysanthemums,

open to ladies only, made a pretty display. Miss
Easterbrook, Fawkham, Kent, showed a pretty
basket of pompon (iertie Waterer, a lovely blush
sport from Snowdrop. In the open class for six
blooms arranged in a vase with foliage, Mr. J.
Brooks, gardener to Mr. W. J. Newman, Tot-
teridge Park, was first with fine flowers of
Mme. Carnot.

Fruit and Vegetables.

For three bunches of white Grapes, Mr. W.
Tidy (gardener to Mr. W. H. D'Arcy, Stanmore
Hall) was first with nice bunches, Mr. W. Taylor
(gardener to Mr. C. Bayer, Forest Hill) being
second with heavy bunches. For three launches
black Grapes, Mr. H. Howe was first with large
handsome bunches of beautiful colour, and Mr.
W. Tidy second. Three bunches of (iros Colinan
were well shown, Mr. W. Iggulden, Frome,
Somerset, being placed in the premier position
with handsome bunches, Mr. J. Bury, Petersham
Vineries, Byfleet, Surrey, being second. For six
dishes of dessert Apples, Mr. G. Goldsmith
(gardener to Sir E. G. Loder, Bart., Horsham)
was first vvitii a beautiful lot, comprising Adams'
Pearmain, Cox's Orange Pippin, Blenheim Orange,
King of Pippins, Gascoigne's Scarlet and Ribston
Pippin. For six dishes of cooking Apples, Mr.
A. J. Thomas, Burgams Hill, Rodmersham, was
first with Peasgood's Nonsuch, Bramley's Seedling,
Prince Bismarck, Lane's Prince Albert, Cox's
Pomona and Warner's King. For six dishes of
dessert Pears a grand lot was staged by Mr.
A. .J. Thomas, who secured first prize. For a
collection of nine distinct kinds of vegetables,
prizes offered by Messrs. Webb and Sons, Mr. E.
Beckett (gardener to the Rt. Hon. Lord Aldenham,
Aldenham House, Elstree, Herts) was a good first
with splendid examples. These were splendidly
staged and were much admired. The second
prize was awarded to Mr. E. S. Wiles (gardener
to the Hon. E. Hubbard, M.P., The Kookery,
Down, Kent), with a clean and nice exhibit.
Miscellaneous.

Under this heading a fine display was made.
To Mr. Norman Davis belong cliief honours, the
gold medal awarded to him being richly deserved.
Chrysanthemums arranged in large \ases had
associated with them rich autumnal and other
fohage. The back was draped to harmonise and
the effect was very good. Among the good things
we noticed Western King, Simitlicity, Mrs. Her-
mann Kloss, Mme. Carnot, Mrs. H. Weeks,
Modesto, Phiebus, and many novelties. Crotons,
Drac;vnas, and Palms were pleasingly associated.
Small gold medals were awarded to each of the
following : To Mr. H. J. Jones for a very hand-
some group of Chrysanthemums and fine-foliaged
plants, arranged in a graceful and undulating
way ; Mr. W. J. Godfrey, Exmouth, for a very
large table of Chrysanthemums, embracing many
excellent new sorts, besides Carnations ; Messrs.
W. Cutbush and Son, Highgate, for a small group
of Chrj'santhemums, with a fringe of Begonia
Gloire de Lorraine in splendid form ; Messrs.
H. Berwick, Sidmouth, Devon, for a fine lot of
Apples and Pears ; Mr. W. Wells, for a splendid
group of cut flowers, representing a capital
variety of single Chrysanthemums, together with
recent introductions in the best of condit'on ;
Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons, Swanley, for a
superb table of specimen blooms of Chrysanthe-
mums arranged among Ferns, &c. , a grand col-
lection of zonal Pelargoniums and Cannas ; Messrs.
J. Laing and Sons, Forest Hill, S.E., for a fine
lot of Apples and Pears, with small groups of Car-
nations and other plants ; and Messrs. B. S.
Williams and Son, Upper HoUoway, N., for a
beautiful collection of Orchids elegantly arranged.
A gold medal was given to Messrs. Sutton and
Sons, Reading, for eleven heaps and thirty baskets
of Potatoes. Silver-gilt medals were also awarded
to the Icthemic Guano Co. for their decoration of
the southern fountain ; Mr. H. J. Jones for a
large table of Chrysanthemums arranged in vases
and on boards, fine-foliaged plants being dotted
all o\er the table ; Messrs. S. Spooner and Son,
Hounslow Nurseries, for a beautiful lot of Apples

and Pears ; Mr. H. Deverill, Banbury, for
splendid display of vegetables ; while sib
medals went to Mr. Thos. Ware, Tottenham, 1
Chrysanthemums ; Mr. .J. Agate, Havant, iim
Chrysanthemums Mary Molyneux and Mrs.
Molyneux, recently certificated ; to Mr. T.
Williams for his pretty little table decoratior
Mr. R. Owen for Chrysanthemums (both newai
choice sorts), Mesrs. W. and J. Brown for ae
lection of Apples and Pears, and Mr. E. G. Bei
Beckenham Hill, for Chrysanthemums. Mr. "
Shoesmith also had four dozen handsome exl
bition Japanese Chrysanthemums not for coi
petition.

The floral committee met at the Royal Acpiariu:
Westminster, on Monday last, 15th inst., at
o'clock, Mr. T. Bevan in the chair. There was
capital lot of novelties, many excellent incurv
sorts calling for special notice. The light n
none too good by the time the committee tinish
their laljours.

First-class certificates were awarded to t
following : —

Chrysanthemum Master H. Tucker. — Ala:
Japanese incurved with broad florets ; cole
deep crimson ■ chestnut, with chestnut-broi
reverse. From Mr. H. Shoesmith, Claremi
Nurser}', Woking.

Chrvsantiiemum Georgina Pitcher.— A v(
handsome Japanese incurved, with long, brc
incurving petals of good substance ; colour p
lemon-yellow. From Mr. W. Wells, Earlswci
Nurseries, Redhill.

Chrvsanthemu-m Mlle. Lucie Faure. — This
welcome addition to the incurved varieties, w
neat, incurved and pointed florets ; colour p
creamy white. The build of this bloom vi
much resembles that of Chas. H. Curtis. 1
W. J. Godfrey, Exmouth, Devon. J

Chrysanthemum Ernest Cannell.— Anol
incurved bloom of immense size and depth,
neat incurving florets somewhat pointed at
tips ; colour a pleasing shade of buff-yef
From Mr. R. Leadbetter, Elmstead Gn
Chislehurst.

Chrvsanthemu.m Mrs. G. Carpenter. — A
Japanese flower with long florets of me(
width, prettily twisted. The colour is a plei
shade of delicate rosy mauve with silvery revi
the colouring paling in the centre. Mr. G
Carpenter, West Hill, Byfleet.

Chrysanthemum Mlle. LaukexceZede —Or
the finest of M. Calvat's introductions of the pres
year. It is a massive Japanese incurved w
long, broad, curling florets, slightly hirsute
the ends ; colour bright rosy lilac with silv
lilac reverse. Sent by Mr. Wells.

Chrysanthemum Earlswood Beauty.—.
other beautiful addition, the large single flow
having florets of good length and medium breadi
The colour is best described as creamy white,
disc being yellow. Also from Mr. \\'ells.

Matthew Hodgson, a Japanese reflexed,
medium size, of the brightest shade of crimS;
with a bright golden reverse, long and taper'
Lady Northcote, a handsome Japanese, with
florets of capital substance, colour white, sha
of! to pale rosy blush ; Philip Mann, a very be
tiful Japanese, with long, recurving g.oo'
florets of medium width, colour a lovely shadi
deep rosy purple, with silvery reverse ; If,
W. C. Egan, an incurved bloom of considera|
promise, colour white in centre, paling off
rosy-pink at the edges, and Mme. Ferlat, a BJ
sive and compact incurved bloom, pure white,
florets tightly incurved, the committee hif
commended.

They also wished to see again : Mabel Ml
a large Japanese Anemone, with long creai
white guard florets with a yellowish disc ; Arc
Ray, a pale yellow sport from Mile. A. de C
bert, and Julia Scaramanga, a Japanese, v|
long spreading florets of a [jleasing shade of r,
bronze. ;

Mr. P. Waterer, Fawkham, Kent, showed
new exhibition board, and called the attentira
the committee to his intent name-ticket hoK

'i

OVBMBER 20, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

413

IS a useful and simple contrivimce for dis-
njj tlie names of varieties staffed. The
~ on cardlioard slide in and out iiuitc easily,
: lie whole is fixed securely with a neat little
to the board. A commendation was unani-
-ly granted to this invention. A small silver
1 was awarded to Mr. Wells for the lari'e
lion of C'lnysanthemums he exhibited.

Public Gardens.

IIRVSANTHEMUMS IN THK PARKS.

Battkkska Pakk.

r greenliouse here is a display of Chrysanthe-
-, comprising about 'J-iOU jilants in 'J.")() varie-
:hat may for all practical purposes be eon-
d one of the best in recent years. The
~ are arranged on a wide sloping hanli, with
th none too wide for the crowd that passes
_'h the building. The collection contains
first-rate varieties, which have been judi-
ly arranged with a view to set out to the
• ■st advantage the many finely - coloured
I ies.

. -c chrysanthemum shows in the public
- :iro II valuable objectdesson to the public in
il of flower-growing, but, of course, diH'er in
I lespeets from the trade exhibitions, where
ies and new introductions mainly form the
ig attraction. Still, among tlie older kinds
at these County Council displays one can
much, and the chief lesson undoubtedly is
.1 very attractive and popular show of "the
un (|ueen can be made with material that
rdinary exhibitor for show has long since
i to consider worthy of his attention. "
. densely crowded neighbourhood like Bat-
._ .i ditticulties of cultivation are not easily
tome, and only by greit energy and unceas-
Jfctention can a collection of such extent be
»|lt to anything like perfection, and these
|ties do not appear to have been wanting on
irt of thoie responsible for tlie exiiibition
ider notice.
le Japanese kinds of course are in the ma-
Tr.and the first to b; noticed are such well-
llished novelties of American origin as W H.
\>\d, yellow : G. W. Childs, crimson ; Eda
pale flesh-pink ; W. Tricker, rosy pink,
le like. Others from different sources, but
Igmg to tlie same group, although var\ing
^e and form, are M. Freeman, very dwarfand
"1 size, colour rosy pink ; Elaine, once a
In- white show variety ; Lady Byron, a new
white : Alberic- Lunden, a fine deep shade
I pie : Edwin Molyneux, crimson and gold ;
\1. Turin, an old kind, pale rosy pink, and
I iseful for decoration. In yellows. Sunflower,
I /.a, and Yellow Dragon, together with some
well-flowered plants of the newer Edith
, are all of interest. Duke of Berwick,
Marie Hoste, Avalanche, and Mrs. H.
- maintain the reputation of the whites,
■rimsons are strikingly beautiful on account
deep velvety richness of William Seward,
Shrimpton, William Holmes, the old
'"-■ Di-laux, and several others equally meri-
■'1-*. Vaiiaties of different tones of "pur|>Ie
•»)\y to be referred to by name, Mnie. de
being not the least beautiful. Edouard
iiier n another that was once to be seen on
-liow board at our exhibitions. M. (iarnar
i^ht golden yellow counterpart of Efloiiard
^ler. (iloire du Rocher and \'al d'Andorre
to the crim.son-bronzes. Viviand Morel,
luve, is large and good, and several mas-
imples of the old Comte de (ierminy, one
l^'J^st of the Japanese section, are also on
Other Japanese, such as Charlotte de
Ibrier, pink. La Triomphante, with broader
but similar in colour, and Colonel Chase,
del cate shade of creamy golden salmon-
"ord ample proof that the newest introduc-
" Dot always the best, and that many of
■ sorts can still be used for effect in a

way that leaves little to be desired where softness
and delicacy of colour are re(|uired.

Among seedlings of M. Ernest Calvat's raising,
Louise is jiarticular noteworthy for size, compact-
ness, and colour, and is almost always uniformly
good. President Borel is large and deep in build,
the colour being a peculiar mingling of deep rosy
purple and gold. Mine. Carnot, a large well-
known white, and M. Clicnon de L6che, large
blooms of a very rich mixture of ere.am, golden
rose and salmon-bull', both come from the same
source and retpiire no criticism. L'Arai Etienne,
pale lilac-mauve, very globular, and of good size,
is one of JI. Calvafs varieties not often seen at
the shows, but a \-ery useful one in such groups
as the one now under notice.

A feiy hairy varieties, mostly well-know-n stan-
dard .sorts, appear to attract no little attention
from the visitors. Louis Boehmer is much in
evidence, and its white sport, faintly tinged with
pale lemon-yellow in the centre, is in very good
form. Hairy Wonder is one of the richest and
most effectiv'e for large groups : its coloui-Aat
Battersea is very deep and good, being a dark
golden bronze. Esau is a close, compact, globular
form, deep rosy pink, with a golden yellow centre,
and close at hand we notice the forerunner of the
whole hirsute section, Mrs. Alpheus Hardy, of
which there are several very well - developed
blooms in its peculiarly pure glistening white.

The old type of ineurveil varieties has many
useful examples, although in a public exhibition
they do not seem to cause the same degree of in-
terest as the more shouy and effective Japanese
do. Most prominent in this section are such old-
established sorts as Baron Hirsch, Mr. George
(Jlenny (still one of the most perfect), C. H.
Curtis (large and very rich in its shade of golden
yellow), John Doughty, .Mr. Bunn, Lord Wolseley
and its relative Prince Alfred, Jardin des
Plantes, Refulgens, Globe d'Or, Lord Brooke, the
pretty, but medium-sized Mme. Darrier and several
of the tilueen family, without which no collection
of Chrysanthemnms can be regarded as thoroughly
representative. '^

On the large bank are several fine plants of that
charming little pomiion, Mme. Elise Dordans, a
variety that in our opinion has no equal. Other
sections, such as the reflexed and Anemone-
flowered varieties, are not wanting. In the first-
named. Dr. Sharps (an old-time favourite) is
always welcome, wdiile in the latter we noticed
Descartes, a large, bold-looking, wine-coloured
\ariety, with long guard florets and a velvety-
looking shade of colour that makes it a valuable
acquisition. Delaware, too, is not new, but it is
of sonie value ; colour white, with a yellow centre.
Then in the same section come M. Charles Lebocqz
(pale ochre-yellow) and John Bunyan (deep golden
j'ellow).

SouTiiwAiiK Park.

The collection of Chrysanthemums in this park,
which is situated in a locality that is densely
populated b\- the working and riverside labourinij-
classes, is arranged with considerable taste in a
T-shaped greenhouse. The plants are arranged
on two sloping and ser|)entine banks with a wind-
ing path of good width down the middle. Inter-
spersed are a few Palms, &c., to give effect to the
display. If Battersea is an undesirable quarter
of London in which to grow the famous autumn
flower, we should think that Southwark is still
more so. The disadvantages under which the
collection at Southwark Park is consist of want
of pure air and an indifferent light, and these are
manifest in the paleness of colour in some of the
blooms of Etoile de Lyon, Charles Davis and
Viviand Morel, but with these few exceptions the
colouring of the others leaves little or nothing
to be desired. Here, as elsewhere, the Japanese
predominate, and offer most that is attractive both
in size and colour. Some of the early October
ones are rapidly passing their best, but the bulk
of the collection will be in condition for some time
to come. Large and well developed are the well-
known Etoile de Lyon, Rose Wynne, Viviand
Morel, Mrs. E. G. Hill and Louise, of the last
named there being some very pretty pale blush

coloured blooms of good size and substance. This
vaiiety wlierever seen seems to be uniformly good,
and, indeed, is one of the most valuable of its
type. We notice, too. Mile. Laeroix and its
pale yellow sport Mr. C. E. Shea, and close at hand
several good crimsons, as (i. W. Childs, J. Shrimp.
ton and W. Seward, the last-named being very
bright. Col. Bourne is another bright-coloured
kind, and .so, too, is (iloire du Rocher. M. Geo.
Biion is a dee|i crimson, with golden reverse, and
-Mberic Lunden, a finely-formed, medium-sized
purple-amaranth variety, is also very effective.
A new yellow variety, Marjory Kinder, shows
that English seedlings can hold "a foremost place
in spite of severe com|)etition. It is large in size,
incurving in build, and is of a very pure dee[)
golden yellow. Florence Davis, with its peculiar
greenish tint, is small, but the bright pink Wm.
Tricker helps to brighten up the group in many
places. So, too, does Puritan, large and massive
an<l of a pale pink-mauve shade. There is a good
proportion of large-sized whites, of which we
notice Condor, once and for a short time popular
on the show boards, and which was sent out by the
same raiser as Etoile de Lyon ; Mme. Carnot,
Emily Silsbury, very large and good ; Lady Byron,
incurving in form, deep and solid ; Mrs. H. T.
Drewitt, Miss Elsie Teichmann, creamy white ;
Mrs. C. Blick and the old Lady Selbnrne. In
yellows, Colonel W. B. Smith, Abbi! Mendenhall,
Sunflower, (iloriosum, Pha-bus and Duche.ss of
Wellington strike us the most, not forgetting
Edith Tabor, of more recent introduction. For a
good solid, incurving, globular Japanese of a
golden yellow shade there are few to eipial J. H.
Runchman. Edouard Audiguier, deep jiurple-
|)lum colour, with a silvery reverse, is very rich,
and good use is made of La Triomphante, a well-
known seedling of De Reydellet's, rosy pink and
very attraeti\ e in a mixed collection. President
Borel, iiurple-rose and gold : Mme. Ed. Rey,
Charlotte Xlontoabrier, pale pink ; Hamlet, a beau-
tiful shade of cerise-salmon, reverse golden ;
Prefet Robert, purple-amaranth, witli reverse of
silver, incurving and globular, and I'Ami Etienne,
also large, round and compact, and of a rosy-pink
shade, all commend themselves to the visitor's
notice.

In incurved, the Southwark collection contains
C. H. Curtis, M. R. Bahuant, large and of fine
form, and Baron Hirsch in goodly numbers.
Older sorts, such as White Beverley, Prince of
Wales, Lord Wolseley, Refulgens, Prince Alfred,
and Mr. Geo. Glenny, are well represented, not of
course omitting Queen of England, Lord Alces-
ter, and Pink and White Venus. Some years .ago
a caiiital collection of hairy novelties was exhi-
bited at Southwark, and caused much interest.
The collection at the present time does not appa-
rently contain so many of these, but the section
is represented. Quite distinct in this section is
Mrs. H. Caldwell, which has very long tubular
rigid florets, colour pale straw-yellow. Sautel
189.'{ is a tine one, for it is large, of the .Japanese
incurved form, and of a pretty deeii rosy-pink
shade, with a silvery reverse. Mrs. Dr. Ward,
ochre-yellow, completes the number. Mrs. .ludge
Benedict, an Anemone with a yellow centre and
disc of jmre white flat guard "florets, and Mile.
Cabrol, also a Japanese Anemone, with a few of
the better-known pompons lend a charm to the
display.

Waterlow Park.

Something like 1700 p'ants are grown to make
the display here. The jilants are housed in a
large and lofty conservatory, in bold and hand-
some groups gently slopin"g to the front, and
showing considerable taste in their arrangement
and the association of the different forms and
colours. Beyond this a long and disused vinery
also holds a fine lot of plants, with a continuous
sloping group the whole length of the structure
on one side. The colour seems to strike one
forcibly as being much better than usual, this
probably being accounted for by the buds having
been retained .somewhat late in the season. At
the time of our visit the dis()lay wiis at its best,
splendid examples of the Japanese sorts being

414

THE GAPtDEN.

[November 20, 1897.

much admired. Plafbus (one of the best yellows)
was very good ; Amos Perry (another j'ellow) also
is in fine form this season. ' Pretty little plants of
Souvenir de Petite Amie, each carrying a number
of blooms of a useful size, were often in evidence,
while both Viviand Morel and Chas. Davis were
remarkable for the splendid colouring and their
handsome proportions. President Borel (bright
carmine-rose, a ]:iopular variety of a few years
back) was as good as we have ever seen it, both
the length and breadth of the petals and the finish
of the blooms comparing favourably with those
of many of the newer introductions. A pretty
flower is Comte F. Lurani, rose, striped white.
This is an excellent sort for grouping, and a very
easy sort to grow, too. Older sorts, such as Mrs.
C. Harman-Payne, J. Shrimpton, William Seward,
Commandant Blusset and Mile. Thi'r^se Rey, were
represented by clean and even flowers. Of the
newer sorts, the best were Lady Byron, a large
and handsome white .Japanese of chaste appear-
ance ; Edith Tabor, a lovely soft yellow, of beau-
tiful form ; Hairy Wonder, particularly good ;
Modesto, a new incurved Japanese of deep rich
yellow and most striking in the group : A. H.
Wood, a beautiful yellow sport from Primrose
League, and coming good this year ; Sunstone, a
promising flower of clear light yellow ; Mrs.
Richard .Tones, pure white, large and of good
form ; Western King, a new American white
incurved Japanese of the most chaste description ;
James Bidencope, a large rosy amaranth flower
with silvery reverse, and a nice lot of late flowers
of the lo\ely white Mme. Carnot, certainly the
best of that type of the flower. Incurved varieties
are somewhat largely grown here, splendid lilooms
of Chas. Curtis being always in evidence. Mme.
Darrier (nankeen-yellow, very neat flower), Mrs.
R. C. Kingston (white, tinted Ulac-pink, splendid
form). Lord Alcester (very fine). Baron Hirsch
(the cinnamon-buff' flower) and the diflerent mem-
bers of the Rundle family — Mrs. Geo. Rundle,
Mrs. Di.xon, Mr. (Jeo. Glenny (by far the prettiest
flowers in the incurved section) — each assisted to
make a pleasing variation. A nice lot of pompons
is always accorded a welcome here, and a batch
of plants of the best decorati\e sorts also re-
ceives a share of attention, and assists very
materially to prove the value of the Chrysanthe-
mum when grown in a free manner.
FiNSBURY Park.
Here all sections are well represented. Kot
only are the different types of the Chrysanthe-
mum seen in excellent condition, but a de-
lightful way of arranging the plants has been
carried out. In the Chrysanthemum house the
plants are grouped in a long series of semi circular
bays, the background being made up of pretty
decorative varieties, 6uch as old I'lle de Plaisirs,
with its narrow florets, crimson and golden yellow
in colour. The groups slo]3e gently down "to the
front, this being finished off with a capital lot of
dwarf pompons, William Westlake (lovely yellow)
and the old So-ur Melanie (white) being" alter-
nately used. The upright supports to the roof
are to a large extent covered in with freely-
flowered specimens of Margot, this old salmon-
pink variety having preference given to it because
of its keeping qualities. Old sorts which were
doing well were Etoile de Lyon, in the best pos-
sible form ; Madame Rozain, a refined Japanese
incurved of j)early-pink ; Miss Margaret, a free,
large Anemone with pink guard florets and sul-
phur disc. Golden Gate, the late tawny-yellow
Japanese, was growing in a free manner — quite
unusual for this sort. Miss Elsie Teichmann, the
delicate pearly-white, was in flne form, its fine
habit being a point in its favour too. Phiebus is
thought highly of here, and was doing very well.
Niveum was represented by the purest white
blossoms of grand substance. Chas. H. Curtis,
the popular yellow incurved, was seen in neat and
even specimens from late buds. A large batch of
the American novelty Philadelphia, with its pale
sulphur-yellow blossoms, seems to be appreciated
here, and although not equal to the specimens
sent over to a show of the National Chrysanthe-
mum Society a few years ago, it is to be seen in

very fair form. Mrs. E. G. Whittle, with large
Japanese flowers resembling in colour a beautiful
Malmaison Carnation, deserves extended culture.
Miss Phyllis Fowler, a beautiful yellow sent out
as an incurved, seems too rough, even from
late buds, to make a typical incurved bloom.
Shasta, a charming white variety, with very neat
tubular petals, was quite unique, and was always
in evidence. Edith Taboi; was also most effec-
tive, and the lovely Mrs. A. H. Neve is pleasing
both in form and colour. Australie, the massive
.Japanese incurved, was represented by magnifi-
cent samples of high culture, its colour of rosy
amaranth and silvery reverse being seen to advan-
tage. Western King among the new sorts was
specially noticeable, its large and chaste white
Japanese incurved blossoms calling for special
praise. Among the incurved sorts, Mrs. R. C.
Kingston was in exquisite form, the flowers being
neatly formed and of large size. Globe d'Or,
Princess Teck, and Barbara were also freely dis-
tributed among the .Japanese sorts, and the con-
trast most effectively brought about. Other
.Japanese varieties in good form were Viviand
Morel (splendid colour), Florence Davis, Louise,
Marquis de Paris (large white), R. Owen (neat
flowers), M. Pankoucke, Gloriosum, T. Wilkins,
and Mile. Marie Hoste. The large conservatory
was also requisitioned for the display, cjuite a
large number of plants being pleasingly disposed
among the fine-foliaged plants there. Singles
were represented by the enormous blooms of Sun-
set, not by any means pretty, and by the charm-
ing flowers of the blush-tinted ISIiss Mary Ander-

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Chi ysanthemum Golden Elsie.— This is
a verv pretty variety with good light upon it, hut at
eventide (lie yellow shade pales to such an extent as
to render it scarcely recognisable. For evening ue
the orange-gold shades are much the best and most
effective.

Hydrangea Hortensia. — Some capital bushes
of this were still yielding satisfactory heads of blos-
som in the open a few days since, some of the shoots
apparently of the current season's growth, since the
larger heads that made so tine a display a few weeks
since have all but perished.

Chrysanthemum Hoyal Standard.— This
variety would appear to be one of the finest of its
colour, as recently seen at the Drill Hall_, where
its crimson -maroon shade shone out conspicuously
against flowers of lighter hue. The blooms are very
handsome and of tine proportions.

Gaura Lindheimeri. — If the gathering of the
blossoms of this plant, as shown by Mr. Ladhams at
the Aquarium show, at all indicates the general
behaviour of this plant, then it must assuredly be
flowering as freely as it does in the summer, since
the plant was represented by a good-sized sheaf of its
spikes.

Dracsena Doucttti.— A pair of exceedingly well
grown plants of this were very conspicuous in a group
of well-grown s^ove and grernhouse plants last week
at the Kojal Horticultural Society's meeting. The
examples were faultless throughout, and being sjme
6 feet or 7 feet high stood out grandly at the corners
of a fine variety of plants.

Bougainvilleaspeetabilis.—yuite recently we
noted a large example of this flowering abundantly in
the somewhat cool company of Cacti and succulents
generally in the large house devoted to these things
at Kew. The quantity of the flowers was in itself an
attraction, while the colour was decidedly deeper than
is the ease when the plant is subjected to a much
higher temperature.

Saxifiaga cortussefolia. — This late autumn-
flowering species belongs more or less to the same
category as S. Fortunci, while it is generally morehardy
than this and less fleshy in its leaves and stalks. It
is worthy of more attention for its late-flonering, and
with deep soil and a sheltered position in the rock
garden the tuft of white flowers is very pretty during
the early summer and autumn.

Cereus rostratus.— For a long time past this
handsome species has been flowering in the succu-
lent house at Kew, where a \ery fine example is

trained to the roof. In this position ample li;
and sunshine are afforded the plant, and the hi
creamy white blossoms appear in profusion
weeks together. Some of the largest flowers wo ,,
measure from 8 inches to 10 inches across.

Galanthus octobrensis. — This interest:!
variety appears to be lacking in one importtl
quality, viz., constitution, so far, at least, as F
culture is concerned, in some gardens in the soil
of England. Indeed, some small clusters thai
year ago had quite a nice display of blossoiJ
and were then supposed to be fairly well eEl
blished, have scarcely made their appearaucel
all this season, the growth being much '
than hitherto.

Vinca acutiloba, given to me by the late '
Harpur-Crewe, seems to be little known. It
large delicate pale blue flowers, and always
mains in full beauty through the greater pari
the winter. Solanum jasminoides, Eccremoi
pus scaber, and Abutilon vexillarium are :
(|uite fresh, and Clematis calycina has ahe
opened some of its flowers, and large plant
Erica codonodes are in full flower. — T. H. Arci
Hind, South Duron.

Chrysanthemum Jules Lagravere.— ■!
old crimson variety is not now very freque
seen, the many recent novelties having in
probability displaced it. At the same time i
worthy of note that it possesses a hardy, vigo
constitution, sufficiently so to come up j'eara
year in the open garden. For these reasons
worth retaining as a parent to raise other \
hardy sorts from, such as are capable of ta]
care of themselves in the open.

Seedling Nerines.— One of the most brill
coloured forms of this group was a seedhng i
Mr. Elwes, recently noted at the Drill Hall,
by side with the most brilliant forms of N. Fot
gilli, it surpassed them in the intensity o!
colour, which was of vermilion -scarlet hue,
truss large, as though N. Fothergilli had
one of its parents. Very remarkable, too,
the length of the stamens, these being of n
the same shade as the segments of the periant

Convolvulus Cneorum.— I do not remei
to have seen this plant noticed in The (Jap. ,
and yet few are more beautiful and strikiiif (
cannot say it is quite hardy, but I have had it '
many years in my garden on a warm border,
full season is in spring, but it flowers in aut
also, and now, in the middle of November, I
a large bush 4 feet or 'i feet high in great beo ,
and it will continue to expand its lovely w ■
]jink-tipped blossoms till a severe frost comf )
check it.— T. H. Archer-Hixd, South Lhron.

Royal Horticultural Society.— The J

fruit and floral meeting of the Royal Horticult I
Society will be held on Tuesday, November 2 >
the Drill Hall, James Street, Westminster, 1 '
p.m. At 3 o'clock a lecture on "Horticultura ■
hibitions. Schedules, &c.," will be given by ■
.John Wright.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

Catalogue of plants at La Mortola, near
miglia, Italy. Commendatore Thos. Hanbury.

" A Test-Book of General Botany." By Ch
Curtis, Columbia University. London : Long
Green, and Co.

Names of fruit.— B. B.—l, Pear Marie LJ

d'Uccle ; 2, Apple Norfolk Beaufin. J. B. -4

— Impossible to name from part of an Apple onlyi

Names of plants.— B. J. P. Bastari.-\

Caper Spurge (Euphorbia Lathyris). miS

Fowiig.— A small flower of Crocus speciosuejj
J ( :.— 1, Abies numidica ; 2, Abies Kordmannil

3, Cedrus Deodara ; 4, Cedrus Libani. CobI

Beader. — Eryngium bromelia-folium, or some il

species. Miss Yule. — Escallonia macrantha.-^

V. TT.— 1, Andromeda sp. ; 2, impossible to
from specimen sent. Please send when in flowm^
SpringhiU.—l, Lissochilus sp. ; 2, DendrobiuraFil
nopsis Schrtt'derianum ; .3, Cattleja Triana; ; 'AJ
better specimen. W. 0.— Muhlenbeckia com

ll

THE GARDEN.

No. 1358— Vol. LII.]

[NOVEMBER 27, 1897.

( ryfianthemums :~

Iirisiinthcumm I,;i'iy Lliiii-

linni 41T

hryfanthemum Modesto 417

hrysan them urns ut liyflect -lHj
hrysanthcnnmis ;it Lewis-

hani 4l(;.

hrycanthcmuiiis ut Syon

House 417

t»ryfiu)tliuiuums at Woking 415

lirysantlieiuunm.good pUow 415

lirysanthemiims, pompon 410
lirysantheuiuius, yellow

Japanese, at the Aii'uiniini 4lJ

C^taids :-

lehnaiithe Lowi .. .. 417

ittlcy:i (V.mfrey 418

ittley;i Eurydiec . .. .. 418
ittleva lubiata ;it Camber-
well 417

iftleyu niarseilleusis .. ., 418

Lttleva Mr.*i. Eudicott .. 41S

..ttleya Pi>rti,i 418

'iloyyue fuliginosa .. .. 417

vmbidimu Ma.-^ter^i .. .. 418

i> liibidiiim Winnianino . . 418

vpripedium n. Ballantinc 418

Cypripedium iiislgiio (Ilarc-

tield liallvar.) 418

Cypripedium Leeaimni . . 417
C V p r i pediiim Mcmoria

Moensi ., 41S

I.feliu pnniila 417

Lii-Iio-Cattleya broomfieldi-

eiisis 41S

I.ielio-Cattleyii Daphne .. 418

Oneidium varicosum .. . . 417

Oreliidsat IJildcnley .. .. 418

Phaiiis Asbwnrthiuniis. , . . 418

rienrothallis IJiirberiana . . 41S

Stove and Greenbouse:—

Bcgouiii GInire de Lorraine 4"JU

Bouvardias foreuttiug . .. 420

Bouvardias, varieties of .. 4"20

Grcvillea alpina 4"20

Vallota purpurea 4*20

Flowrer:—

Achillea 421

AchilUu CUu\.i."< 421

AchMlcajillptniti'la .. .. 421

Arhi/Ua iinicrophi/Ua .. ., 421

Achillea Ptarmicail.'pl. .. 421

Achillea rosi:a 4'21

{Illustrations in Ita'.ica.)

Achillea ton>a<tosa -ill

Achillea rosea 421

Derbyshire, tlowers from . . 422

FlowerH in November .. .. 422

Helleboru8 altifolius .. 422

November on the Uivicra „ -123

Garden Flora:—

Ho-es. tun 424

Week's Work :-

Fi-uit garden, work in .. 42 J

Kitchen garden, work in . . 425

Ferns :—

Fenis, British, for t^rouping 420

Trees and Shrubs :—

Arbutus Unedi. 429

Chimonanthus fragrans . . 429

Cupressus 420

Daisy trees 428

Genus, a false 430

Magnolia glauea 429

Magnolia, the swamp .. .. 429

OUaria Gunniana 428

Oleurias 428

PruiiuM IVoudo-ecrasus, the

Japanese 429

Sa^=>afra«, the 429 ;

Spiriea arbuseula . .. .. 430 \
Strawberry tree, the .. 429 i
Trees and thrubs in the au-
tumn 427 I

Orchard and Fruit: —

BuUuccs

430

Buthice, Ihf uiiite

430

Peaches, early

431

Societies :—

National Cbrysantheilium . .

433

Koyal Horticultural . . . .

431

Notes of the Week:—

Androi^aee niacrantha .. ..

434

Begonia Julia

434

Begonia seniperflorens rosea

434

Bouvardia Maiden's Blush . .

434

Calla Little Gem

434

Carnation Countess of War-

wick

434

Carnation Flora Hill .. ..

434

Carnation W. Robinson .. 431
Chrysanthemum 1' Incom-
parable 434

Chrysantliemnm MiKnonetto 434
Chryt'anthemum Mrs. H.

Koikes .. .. 434

Narcissus, Paper-white .. 43*

Pea, Sweet, Cclesti.al .. .. 4S4

Pelargonium A. Toilet. . .. 434

Pcrncttya niucronata .. .. 434

Poinscttia pulcherrima .. 4^4

Primula obconica fimbriata 434

Primula verticillata .. .. 434

Hdiizostylis coccinea .. .. 431

Skinnuia Foremani ,. ., 434

Miscellaneous :—

Flower garden, ]planting the 431
Jasminuni nudiriorum . . 42<i
Lilies, Water, in t-mall tanks 419
Lilium Wallichianum .. .. 424
( ictober in South Devon .. 423
Plants, alpine and rock, ex-
hibiting 419

Plants, alpine, coitier in txhibit

of 419

Shore land, planting - - . . 431

Weather, the, in West Herts 433

Chrysanthemums.

GOOD SHOW FLOWERS.

"Mi the many striking sorts of Jajianese

I lysanthtniunis more generally foimd in cora-

j.itive stands at the exhibitions recently,

^stralie was one of the most conspicuous.

Te colour, silvery lilac, is bright, and its shape

met. The broad massive florets fall in all

ctions, and yet give a bloom of perfect out-

Aii.stralian Gold, about which so much

lieen written, is a magnificent bloom. It :

li- a solid mass of interweaving florets of a

I uirose-yellow shade, full, deep and rich. |
liarles Davis, now .so well known, was abun-
mtly represented, but the blooms did not

I lear quite up to the standard of those shown
i-ar or two ago. Fine blooms of Edith j
i "ir were noted everywhere. It is a parti-
irly handsome bloom. Edwin Molyneux,
I." most showy of crimson kinds, cannot be
bten. Eva Knowles has flowers of a distinct
a icot shade. This was seen in fine fcirm in
weral instances. A .sort usually coarse,

II lely, Internation.-d, is a very fine tlower when
lie condition noted this season. The colour
sahuony-pink tint, and the long Horets hang
n in a graceful way. Lady Hanham, a

clrming Hower. is a sport from Viviand Morel,
that I thought would not prove sufficiently
inct, but it is. The colour is a soft salmon-
re !, and it retains the fine formation and size
othe ])arent. Mme. Carnot is undoubtedly
best wliite show Chry.santlieininn. This
m evidence at all competitions. Mme.
tave Henry is a very fine white of incurving
'I. Tills is easily grown, and is a distinct
I. Mile. Therese Roy was seen in finer
I at country sliows than in Tjondon, and is
V striking in the excellent sulistanee of its
ts.

hatsplendidyellow, Modesto, appeared some-
it loose in build this year. Lust season it
uved to a solid centre. But in any shape

the flower is most telling. M. Chenon de L£ch6
was represented by blooms of many shapes —
that most effective was when all the Horets re-
flexed and gave the rich colouring for which the
sort is noted. M. Ed. Andre Ijea's carmine-
.salmon blooms. It is very rich. The flowers
are large and of jiretty form, and it sh3uld be
extensively grown for show. Mr. A. G. Hub-
buck, like the last-named, can hardly be classed
with those most generally seen, but it is so
showy as regards colour that too much cannot
be written of it. A very handsome bloom
wherever met with was Mrs. H. Weeks. The
florets are wide, of exceptional substance,
usually inclining to the centre and forming a
solid mass. Few blossoms have the remarkable
beauty of this Chrysanthemum and its being
so often seen, whilst but recently introduced, is
something in its favour. Miss Elsie Teichmann
is a splendid variety. The florets have a parch-
ment-like texture, very rich, and when seen
with a pink tint the flower always finds
admirers. Mutual Friend has tine white blos-
.soms, but these are somewhat flat. It is, not-
witlistanding, one of the choicest slmw kinds.
Perhaijs the most renrarkable Chrysanthemum
of recent years is Oceana. It is yellow and has
florets so thick that they seem proof to damp.
In fact the blooms last longer than those of
any sort I know.

Phfebus was the best exhibited of any variety
this year. Time after time it was the winning
one in the class devoted to half a dozen blooms
of one sort,, as well as being judged the premier
bloom of a show very freiiuently. I'rido of
Madford is not a good sort to keep, otherwise it
is a most constant and handsome flower.
A refined white is Simplicity. Tliis will be
very popular. Thomas \Vilkins has blooms of
a telling bronze .shade and the form is good.
Vivianii Mc.rel in its shade is very fine,
although the blomns are ii"t so gncd as seen a
year or two back . U.S.

exceedingly interesting to note the names of the
yellow Japanese sorts exhibited at the late show
at the Royal Aijuarium, as showing the change
which each season takes place. Judging by re-
sults, a variety has a very short lease of popu-
larity unless It possesses some distinguishing
characteristic or has high qualitj'. Pho-bus was
seen in magnificent form, flowers of great depth,
rich colour, and splendid petal being seen over
and over again. Edith Tabor (a most distinct
yellow flower) was represented frec|uently by
typical blossoms ; Modesto, one of the newest of
the yellow sorts, and of a particularly deep rich
shade of that colour, has already found favour, its
large and handsome flowers creating a splendid
efiect whenever staged. A. H. Wood (the yellow
sport from Primrose League) was also often in
evidence, this variety appearing to have developed
very handsome flowers this season ; and the yel-
low sport from Mme. Carnot, as seen in Mr.
Mease's stand, and which was selected as the best
Japanese bloom in the show, will long be remem-
bered as an ideal Japanese flower. — U. B.

Yellow Japanese Chrysanthemums at the

Xational Chrysanthemum Society's show. —It was

CHRYSANTHEMUMS AT WOKIXO.
TiiK name of Mr. H. Shoesmith, an old exhibitor,
is by no means unknown to the readers of The
G.VRDE.N. Having established himself at the
Claremont Nursery, Woking, some time since, we
have only just had our first opportunity of paying
him a visit, and, as we expected, found him grow-
ing a very select and well chosen collection of the
best of the most recent introductions, although
we were not a little disappointed to find the old
florists' type of incurved considerably in the
minority, so far as plants in flower were concerned.
Situated away from the town, Mr. Shoesmiths
nursery occupies a \e\y rjien position, and one
that is 110 doubt conducive to the best results in
the cultivation of the Chiys.inthemum, of wliicli
he has some -iOl) or :HIO varieties. He also grows
zonal Pelargoniums with success, and of these
there was a very bright (hsplay at the time of
our visit. Other plants suitable for gener.al pur-
poses are not neglected, but at this season of the
year the Chrysanthemum of course claims the
premier position. Taken as a whole, the collection
is beyond the average trtde display, a large pro-
portion of the plants being grown solely for the

416

THE GARDEN.

[November 27, 1897.

production of fine specimen exhibition blooms,
and not, as is sometimes the case, merely to pro-
duce a general effective display. I^luality rather
than 'juantity would seem to be Mr. Shoesmith's
motto, and with this in mind, our first inciuiry
was as to the relative merits of the season's
novelties, to which his reply was very decisi\'e
and to the following effect, that he considered
those received from M. Ernest Calvat to be of the
highest order, and that the eminent French raiser
had far outdistanced the whole of the other
raisers of the same nationality. Certain it is
that the Claremont nursery possesses a very choice
collection of the Calvat seedlings, not the least
interesting being those of most recent intro-
duction. Among them, N.C.S. .Jubilee is very
large and finely developed, an incurving Japanese,
colour lavender-pink, with silvery pink reverse.
Mme. Gustave Henry is a beautiful white inciir\ed
.Japanese, and Ma Perfection , of the same colour, but
more nearly approaching the old type of incurved,
comes from the same source. Lucie Faure is a
grand addition, one of Cal\-at's very best, a large,
solid, compact Japanese incurved, also whitle.
Then we notice Mile. Lawrence Zede, \ery full
and double, broid grooved florets, colour a beau-
tiful shade of rosy mau\e, with a reverse of
silvery pink. Mme. Ed. Roger, the new green
variety, is also in evidence : and not the least
imposing among other white varieties are Baronne
Ad. Rothschild and Mrs. J. Lew is, the latter of
which is destined to become a ^•ery favourite
variety. A variety of M. Calvat 's that we do not
remember having seen before is C. Delamotte, a
big .Japanese incurved with grooved florets,
deeply built and of a rich golden yellow, just one
shade paler than the American \-ariety Modesto.
M. B. Verlot (delicate rosy pink), Mme. .\. Rey,
•louvin (pinkish mauve), Australian Gold, M.
Chenon de Lfch^ (enormous in size and beautiful
in colour), and Perle Dauphinoise (golden buff,
incur\ed, with jiointed florets) must complete our
notice of the Calvat seedlings, which are done as
well here as anywhere we have seen.

Of others in fine form Phd'bus deserves a special
mention, for there are several blooms of it that
are simply superb. Modesto is large, rich and
good ; Western King, Mrs. H. Weeks, Lady
Byron, Mutual Friend, and Mrs. C. Blick among
whites need no recommendation beyond a mention
of their names. Mr. A. G. Hubbuck, a fine
Japanese with long drooping petals, colour bright
brick-red, is also good. The Australian novelties
Oceana, Australie and Pride of Madford are im-
mense in size and already well known. Lady
Saunders, pale sulphur-yellow deepening towards
the centre, and C. W. Richai'dson, of a rich
golden-j ellow, large and massive, are both exceed-
ingly M-ell done, but Ci. J. \\'arren, the pale yellow
Carnot sport, will perhaps stand first in the list of
the 1S!I7 yellows. At any rate there will be only one
serious competitor, and that is an unnamed pale
sulphur-yellow sport from Viviand Morel that has
just come into Mr. Shoe-mith's possession, and
which promises to be quite as fine and as use-
ful for exhibition as either Charles Davis or
Lady Hanham. Sunstone is another yellow, verv
large and of an apricot shade. A. H. \\'oods is
also a yellow, pale but clear. Master H. Tucker
is a Japanese incurved, very rich \ehety deep
red inside, reverse golden-bronze, a large striking
flower. p.

Pompon Chrysantlieiuums. — The rage for
large blossoms of all kinds of Chrysanthemums
still continues, and extends even to the pretty
little pompon \arieties, for the prizes are, as a
rule, awarded to the largest flowers. At the
recent Aquarium exhibition the pompon varieties
were shown in threes, and the plants had been .so
rigidly disbudded, that each shoot carried but a
single flower. These blooms were all fidly ex-
panded, with not a trace of a bud or partially
opened flower to be seen. A board of pompon
varieties is just as artificial as when furnished
with the larger flowers, and pretty much t'le

now to disbud them far too much. A few
sprays of either of these with their blossoms
in various stages of development are infinitely
far more pleasing than the stiff, formal flowers as
now shown. That favourite pompon variety. Mile.
Elise Dordan, which blooms profusel}' when grown
as a bu.sh, was disbudded to a single flower on a
stout erect stem, and in this way it looked more
likean arrangement for cleaning lamp-glasses than
a pretty variety of Chrysanthemums. — T.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS AT LEWISHAM.

Mk. Jones, of the Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham,
is known far and wide for the very fine displays
that he makes at our exhibitions, and for the
indefatigable manner in which he has worked
to improve and popularise the autumn flower.
In the two largest show houses at Ryecroft, which
are at the present moment filled with an immense
number of Chrysanthemums in full liloom, are
some very tine novelties of various kinds, the
English, American, French and other raisers being
all more or less well represented.

Home-grown seedlings find a fine addition in
Mrs. h. Humphrey, a large, pale primrose
seedling .Japanese, which will be distributed next
spring. Pride of Exmouth (large white) and
(i. J. \\'arren (the beautiful Carnot sport) are also
in fine form. Mrs. Cotesworth Bond (a ver3'
delicate pale pink .Japanese with large drooping
florets, curly at the tips) is of great jn'omise. Mrs.
C. Orchard (pale sulphur-yellow). Lady Hanham
(the new sport from Viviand Morel already
described in these pages). Lady Isabel (the large
new incurved), and many more besides all attest
the up-to-date condition of the Rj'ecroft collection.
A few well-known and good varieties, such as
Dorothy Shea (very fine in colour), Emily Silsbury,
Lady Ridgway, Edith Tabor, A. H. Woods, Lady
Byron, Miss Elsie Teichmann and Pallanza, will
show that foreign growers do not alone receive
attention at Mr. Jones' nursery. American
novelties of recent introduction are well shown
in Western King (the fine white Japanese in-
curved seen everj'where), Sunclad (pure golden
yellow). Good Gracious (curious in its twisted
narrow florets of pale pink). Simplicity (a lovely
new white), Mutual Friend, Modesto, Snowdon,
Lenawee (pure pearly pink). Autumn Bride (a
very white Japanese) and several others.

Calvat's seedlings — M. Chenon de Luche, Louise,
Amiral Avellan and the newer N.C.S. .Jubilee,
which is very fine — are all perfect specimens. So,
too, are his Australian Gold, Ma Perfection, Mme.
Carnot and the curious green variety Mme. Ed.
Roger. From the same souice come also M.
Hoste, large white ; M. B. Verlot, quite new this
year, a fine Japanese incurved, colour deep rosy
lilac, with reverse of silvery pink, Mme.
(iustave Henry is large and good, and C.
Harman-Payne, seldom seen in this country in
anything like fair condition, is one of the best
blooms we have seen. M. Ed. Andri', Mme. Ber-
gier, Werther and most of the old standard varie-
ties of M. Calvat's are included in the collection.
Mrs. G. W, Palmer and Mme. Eugene Testout,
both sports from Mrs. C. Harman-Payne, do not
seem to be synonymous, the former being very
much deeper and brighter in its colouring of rosy-
purple and bronze. Triomphe d'Eve is an in-
curved white variety of very good form, and
General Mauric belongs to the same category, but
is prettier, being of a bright golden yellow in the
centre, the outer florets bright pinkish rose.
Oceana, the Australian Japanese incurved, is a
grand pure 3-ellow variety, and in size Australie
is even superior, although its dull purplish colour
is far inferior and its size alone will commend
it to many exhibitors. Crown of Gold is one
of Mr. Shea's seedlings, a fine large Japanese,
with curly incurving and intermingling florets,
colour deep golden yellow. Master H. Tucker is
a reddish velvety crimson, shaded gold. Another
Ryecroft seedling of gi'eat size is W. Wright, cer-
tificated late last season. It is very large and has

found in Lady Oporto Tait, large and global
King of the Buffs, Pride of Ryecroft, a jjure |
suljihur-jxllow sport from Niveum ; and C.
Richardson, a big compactly-built Japanese
curved with grooved florets.

One of the old type of incurved may be fei
in Lady Gormanston, a colonial seedling of p
white and of very good form. M. Desbl
belongs to the same section, and is reddish
mine with reverse of gold. In the incur
section may be mentioned Emile Nonin
Continental no\elty, very regular in build, an(
a deep golden chestnut-bronze. Rena Dull
small, deep rose, tipped white.

In the Anemone section, Mrs. Caterer, a
white : Mrs. P. R. Dunn, same colour, but'T
the disc slightly tinted ; and Mabel Mi)
creamy-white, with a yellow centre, very la:
are the most conspicuous. Hairy novelties '
also to be found, but of these Hairy Woi
seems to be the best and most distinct. W
Louis Boehmer probably ranks next in populai

Like most of the trade displays this year,
Jones' collection is chiefly made up of the Ji
nese type, other sections not being so freely
played, although a stock of everything tha<
useful and good is kept up. Mr. Jones' co)
tion, in spite of the serious disadvantage of
illness for several weeks just before the begini
of the Chrysanthemum season, is in much be
condition than we expected to find it.
collection is so extensive and so thoroughly re
sentative, that it is only possible to give just
briefest mention of all the good things to be i
there.

same may be said of the single forms, which grown florets of immense length, the colour being white,
naturally are very beautiful, but the fashion i.s 'shaded purple. Various shades of yellow may h}

CHRYSANTHEMUMS AT BYFLEET,

At 'H^esthall, Byfleet, the residence of Mr. St
the .Japanese varieties are this season very
the blooms being of great size, some of their
ceptionally large, fine in form and colour. ^
striking in this respect is Mme. Ricaud, w
carries immense blooms, the only defect b
that they are rather too globular, and then:
somewhat formal-looking. Mrs. J. Lewis, or
last year's novelties, also carries exceptior
large blooms, and on this account is likely t ■
much in favour with exhibitors. Mrs. Carpei^Bn;
also a novelty, is very distinct, the bright 8l|J|'"
of pink which characterises the flowers at f '
best being very pleasing. One of the most
tinct in this section is M. Chenon de Leche ;
mixture of apricot and sulphur-yellow render.'
flowers of this kind very attractive, and as bk •
of high (|uality can bo had on plants about 4
high without cutting down, this Chrysantheii .
is likely to become a favourite for decorati
Fortunately the number of Japanese varieties m
do not exceed a height of .-> feet is increaal
and in time we shall probably witness the|
tinction of those that must be allowed to
above the tallest man's head to secure bio
of the highest qualitj". Miss Elsie Teichni:
creamy white ; Lady Saunders, primrose ;
phisto, H. L. Sunderbruch, yellow ; Loi
blush - pink ; Mrs. F. Jameson, and Cab
Boule d'C)r produce flowers fit for exhibition
stems from 4 feet to 5 feet high, and can tli
fore be accommodated in houses of quite linn
dimensions where the tall-growing varieties ■
inadmissible. Edith Tabor and Modesto an
grand form at Westhall, and it will probably
some years before they are supplanted by varif ;
of superior quality. Hairy Wonder, the besi
this class, is worth growing on account of its i
tinctness, but these hairy Chrysanthemums '
have to be much improved as regards coll
before they become really ]>opular. Souvenirl
Petite Amie, grown either for large blooms oil
bush form for cutting, is still one of the best p<|
colour.

Among the incurved varieties, Golden Emptj
and .James Agate are very conspicuous, the lata
carrying magnificent white blooms, perfeot|
form and of great size. Those who car3
singles should make note of Annie Tweed wh
pi educes crimson blooms in great profusioiin^j
inner petals of a lighter tint. Mr. Carpcn|

NoviMBEB 27, 1897.1

THE GARDEN.

417

tl ks much of this for cutting, the flowers being
scll'ective in artificial light. King of thel'lnmes
Noccs d'Or are lioth distinct frec-Uowering
ki Is, very useful for cutting. .1. ('. V>.

IKVSANTHEMUMS AT SYON HOUSE.

vs.vN'rnK.Mi'MS arc not grown at Syon spc-
V for exhibition, thougli, as is well known,
y of them may be termed show blooms ; in-
1. some splendid ilowcrs have this season been
\ ji nt the meetings of the Royal Horticultural

■ iy at Westminster. Mr. W'ythes tloes not
tiir the usual mode of staging on Hat boards,

I lie flowers are shown with long sterna on a

iuidwork of small jilants, and most ell'ective

are, especially when the foliage is good.

■ l.")tl() plants are grown, 1(1110 as cut-backs,
blooms to a plant, and 51IU as bush plants.

r are mostly late kinds, about 1(1(1 onh' l>eing
\ varieties. One of the best early kinds is
Mary Fitzwygram, the others being singles,
- .Anderson and Miss Rose being special
lites. The cutback plants are staged in
truit lioiises at rest, not the best possible
ion certainly. The plants are well furnished
liealtliy foliage, and though the fog of the
• w days has in a measure dulled the blooms

■ aused very many to damp, specially the
^■ed tj'pes ; there are later flowers which

jive a good disjilaj' for some time: indeed,
ihe aim here to have the Chrysanthemums in
tity from September till the new year.
lion must be made of a few special flowers,
u'h with such all-round good quality it is
lilt to individualise. The old but still good
lie d'Are is verj' fine, the blooms large and
>t in share. Brookleigh (iem is akso excellent,
idobe d'Or, a beautiful flower. Baron Hirsch
I'V fine, though some of the best blooms wlien
I them were past their best. Lord Alcester,
U. Bahuant, C. H. Curtis, Robert Cannell,
n of England, Empress of India, Mr. Tunning-
I'.onnie Dundee, Miss Violet Tomlin and Mrs.
ileman are specially good. Of course there

much larger number of \arieties in the
iiiese section, and the collection includes afew
varieties of great merit. International is a
did flower of great depth. Many are charmed
the ])eculiar tint of H. L. Sunderbruch, a
large flower and a true .lapanesc. Lady
dolph is cliarming and a good-shaped flower :
T amaranth-crimson, with silvery reverse.
ralie promises to make a grand flower and is
^grower. Kentish Vello«' is one of the best

I, with a charming shade of colour, and a

grower. Lago Maggiore is another fine
m of good substance. Col. W. B. Smith is
fine, also C. Harman-Payne and Beauty of
lOUth. Lady Esther Smith, a grand white

and a very jJerfect flower, is a fa\ourite,

3 the well-formed Louise, a soft pink and

dwarf in growth. Elaine and Fair Maid of

^sey have been excellent, also Edwin Moly-

not always an easy flo«'er to finish. Eda

r, John Lightfoot, Sunflower, Wm. Seward,

C. Shea, Mrae. Carnot, W. H. Lincoln,

Tricker, W. H. Fowler, Viviand Jlorel,

ielphia and John Sbrimpton are all worth

for their shape, size and colour, and sturdy

For late cutting W. H. Lincoln is a

[nrite variety, and (lolden Uart this year is

ly grown for its late flowers, (lolden Dart is

■ndid grower, and its rich colour is valuable.

■ Canning and Etoile de Lyon do grandly in
I form for late use. These figure largely, also
I'-n (Jem and Princess Teck, with several

T.

irysantbemum Modesto.— Although we

not met with blooms this season so excep-
lUy flne as a few were last autumn, enough of

noted to judge of its merits. The colour is
' ly deep and rich that as a yellow it must
me a generally-grown variety. It is a free-

ling kind, and every bud produces a bloom
florets of much substance and thickness.

I from its value as a show bloom, those who

cuUixatc Chrysanthemums for market should find
it among the licst for that purpise.— S.

Chrysanthemum Lady Hanham. — This
was obtained from that well-known variety
X'iviand Morel. In its true charactrr it has
flowers of a charming shade of .salmon-ro.sc, but
there will be some risk in exhibiting it in tlie
same stantl as another sjiort from the same i)arent,
Charles Davis. The latter is most variable in
colour, and, in fact, with all three a great i!<al
depends upon the time the buds are "taken."
When in their true character all are distinct and
among the best of Chrysanthemums.

Orchids.

ONCIDUM VAKICOSUM.

The large showy lip and the pretty disposition
of the blossoms make this one of the finest of
all Oncidiunis for grouping, the flat sliajje <jf
the branchlets doing away with all ])Ossibility
of a formal or stifl' arrangement. It is a popu-
lar plant by reason of this and the fact that the
flowers last long in good order and are useful
for cutting. To grow O. varicosum well a good
deal of cjire is necessary, the large branching
spikes taking away a lot of nutriment from the
rather small pseudo-bulbs. These latter are
seldom above 4 inches in height, and each
bears a pair of deep green leaves. In many
cases the pseudo-bulb produces a couple of
spikes and many scores of the bright and tell-
ing flower.s. It is obvious that such a jjlant
will not long be satisfactory if treated as a pure
epiphyte ; in fact, it needs much more feeding
than most in the genus. Kqual parts of peat
fibre, free of all eartli and sand, and clean
Sphagnum Moss do well for compost, and it
IS very important that this is seen to at least
once in two years, for if tlie roots have not
plenty of fresh, sweet material to take to, they
cannot carry tlie reijuisite nutriment to the
bulbs. There is no need to repot or rebasket,
for until the plants grow out of these the
new compost may be given in the form
of surface dressings when the plants are be-
ginning to grow. When it becomes necessary
to repot, let it be done thoroughly, clearing
away every bit of spent compost and dead roots
without disturbing any chance ones that may
be clinging to pieces ni charcoal or crocks in
the old compost. Trivial as these bits of roots
seem, they help materially to re-establish the
plants. Keep the base of the plant an inch or
more abtjye the rim of the )jot or basket, aflbrd
thorough drainage, and make the new material
very firm. The best place to grow (J. varico-
sum in is a light and airy position in the coolest
part of the Cattleya house, suspending it from
the roof if convenient in order to ensure the
light reaching every part of the plant. The
I'oots must be well watered as long as they and
the growth are jictive, and the best rooted plants,
of course, need the most moisture. A differ-
ence in the habit of the plants as to flowering
will be noted where many are grown ; some
throw u]) a spike with the advancing growths,
while others flower as soim as the pseudo-bulbs
are finished. For tliis reason no very definite
instructions can be given as to watering at this
season. One thing is very imjiortant, and that
is n(pt to allow weak or badly-established
plants to further weaken themselves liy perfect-
ing and carrying large panicles of flower.
( )idy a day or two since in a local ntn-siry
I noticed a batch of jilants that were liter.-illy
flowering themselves to death. On mentioning
it to the grower of the plants, he said they
were required for a group at the Chrysan-
themum show, so the plants were actually being

killed for the .sake of the flowers. Of course
this can only ha|jpen with badly-grown plants,
so I may, |ierh;qis, be excused for calling the
attention of amateurs to the iinjjortance of
keeping their specimens healthy by the rc(|uisito
addition of compost mentioned above and the
careful carrying out of all cultural operatiims.
Healthy jilants can stand a fair amount of dry-
ing in winter, and the rest thus obtained is
bcnclieial to them. During the time they are
in flower and until signs of growth are again
apiiarcnt the plants are (|uitc safe, and, in fact,
best, in a hou.se the night tempei'ature of which
seldom exceeds 50°. They are not so likely
here to be troubled with insects, and especially
a soft brownish scale that fastens itself on the
under .side of the leaves. Sponging with warm
soapy water is best for dirty jilants, but they
may be kej.t clean by lightly sprinkling them
with clear, soft water while growing and keep-
ing up a nunst atmosphere. There are one or
two varieties of (). varicosum, that known as
Kogersi l)<>ing one of the finest and most
popular. It is a native of Brazil, and was
introduced in 18.50. R.

Cypripedium Leeanum. — This charming hy-
brid must always remain a popular plant. The
best forms are those having C. insigne Maulei and
similar varieties of the old species as one of the
parents, these being larger and finer in every way
than those raised from the type. Its other parent
is the well-known V. Spicerianum.

liselia pumila. — At the present time, in the
niu'series of Messrs. W. L. Lewis and Co. at
Southgate, there is one of the finest collections of
this species that has ever been brought together.
Tliere are ii|:iwards of 5I5(J flowers fully o)ien.
The variation is considerable, many of the flowers
equal to those of the variety Lielia pumila mag-
nifica, recently given an award of merit, while
others are almost white. The good forms of this
varietj- are often confounded with L. pra-stans,
but the lip in the latter variety is trumpet-shaped,
the side lobes overlapping to a very great extent,
and the lines on the disc are scarcely discernible.
The colour also differs considerably from that of
the typical L. ]iumila. — Stei^is.

Coelogyne fuliginosa. — This is not a showy
plant, but it comes in at a useful time; the
growth, moreover, is fresh-looking and pleasing,
being bright shining green on both pseudo-bulbs
and foliage. (Jiven a light position in a warm,
moist house, the growth is very rapid and the
flowers occur about three or four on a tcape,
though but one is usually open at a time. The
sepals and ]ietals are brownish, tinted white, the
lip having a dusky brown central ridge margined
with red. It likes afairly liberal cjuant'ty of com-
post, and a little leaf-mould is of assistance.
Plenty of water is needed while growth is
active. It is a nati\'e of Northern India, and was
introduced in 1S:W by Messrs. Loddiges.

Arachnanthe (Vanda) Lowi. — A fine speci-
men of this lovely species was recently noted in
flower in the collection of Mr. .1. (lurney Fowler,
The Glebelands, South Woodford. It has two
spikes, each upwards of !) feet in length, each hav-
ing thirty-four expanded flowers. It has the
characteristic yellow flowers at the base, one
having two and" the other three. They are bright
orange-yellow, dotted with reddish- purple. The
others are chocolate-brown, bordered and streaked
with yellow. It requires East India house treat-
ment, and shouM be placed in well-drained pots
or baskets, the potting compost consisting of
living Sphagnum, which should be made mode-
rately firm about the roots. It re(|uires a liberal
supply of moisture lioth in the atmos|ihcrc and
at the roots at all seasons of the year. — H. .T. C.

Cattleya labiata at Camberwell. — 1 his
fine species is one of the principal attractions now
wherever Orchids are grow n, and many beautiful '
forms are now blooming in Mr. Measures' fine col-
lection at Cambridge Lodge. Out of a large batcl)

418

THE GARDEN".

[November 27, 1897.

of plants about eighty were flowering, and surely
by now those who have been croaking about this
fine Cattleya will have had cause to alter their
opinion. It is wonderfully varied, one of the
finest of all having unfortunately faded just before
ray visit. The beautiful albino — R. I. Measures'
variety — was in flower, the blossoms large and of
good substance, the sepals and petals of the
purest white. The lip is marked in a very un-
common way, the ground being pure white, but
the throat and front lobe distinctly \'eined with a
deep rosy-lilac in place of the usual blotch. An-
other pretty form had all the segments of a
pretty light heliotro])e, with lines of deep rose on
the lip. A nice plant of the old variety picta was
noticeable on account of the narrow, highly-
coloured blotch, while other forms were nearl}'
pure white on the outer segments, the lip having
a very large, deep crimson-jiurple blotch. Many
others, all more or less distinct, were noted. — R.

ORCHIDS AT HILDKNLEY.

In the extensive and exceptionally well-growu
collection of Orchids at Hildenley there are
several batches of seedling Cypripediums of un-
usual merit. In one lot, a cross between C. bel-
latulum and niveum, a few have flowered, and
the improvement jn the jiarents is decidedly con-
spicuous. The flower stems are stouter and much
longer, raising the flowers quite 7 inches above
the foliage. The flowers have the colours of
niveum and the size and substance of bellatulum.
One flower I measured was 2} inches across. In
fact, if one were not told the parentage, one
would say that it was a huge niveum. In the
ultivation of all Orchids Sir Charles Strickland
akes a keen and practical interest, and no iloubt
the knowledge he possesses of their requirements
accounts for the more than usual vigour seen in
some of the fastidious varieties in his collection.
Most of the Cypripediums I noted were growing
in a gritty kind of yellow loam, to which about
an equal portion of very small jjieces of broken
pnts had been added. So well does this root
medium suit the |)lants that they were vigorous
in growth and free-flowering, young seedlings
springing up freely around the sides of the posts.
Dendrobium Phala'oopsis Schrcnderianum in
about 100 plants, and almost as many forms,
was also very beautiful. Some were bearing
very dark, nearly purple - coloured flowers, and
others pure white, with the exception of a few
light streaks of vermilion on the lip. This form
of D. P. Schrivderianura was certaiidy very beau-
tiful and worthy of a name more than that it
bears, even although, with such diversity of colour-
ing met with in this grand Dendrobe, and the
gratifying of almost every taste, named forms
might ha\e a tendency to become too numerous.
Among them, too, was a very dark-coloured form
of exceptional substance, with unusually large
flowers.

Vanda co.'rulea was represented by several large
plants bearing flowers of abnormal size, and much
jialer in colour than those I have seen. One of
the specimens Mr. Smith, the gardener, told me
had just been secured from Mr. Woodall's noted
collection at Scarborough at a rather high figure.
All the others had been purchased when im-
ported, and grown by Sir Charles into the fine,
healthy specimens of four or five growths, bear-
ing grand spikes of bloom. R. C. H.

Pleurothallis Barberiana. — The tiny flowers
of this Orchid, so lightly set upon the stems that
they hardly appear to be attached to it, are now
very attractive to anyone interested in these sin-
gular and beautiful little plants. The flowers, in
fact, when large spikes are jjlentifuUy produced,
look like a small swarm of gnats hovering over the
plant, and this has led to the popular name of
(inat Orchid being given it. Botanically it closely
resembles a Masdevallia, and is a dwarf tufted
plant, the flower-scapes quite invisible at a short
distance and bearing aboat half a dozen flowers on
each. The plant is a native of Colombia ; therefore
a cool, moist house, such a5 plants from these

alpine localities delight in, must be allowed. It
blossoms at various times in the year, and should,
if possible, be grown in very small wooden baskets
suspended from the roof. Nearly fill these with
drainage, reserving only about the upper inch for
compost, and even with this a few nodules of char-
coal mixed with Moss and peat are an advantage.
During the summer months jilenty of air and
moisture is necessary, and the sun must not be
allowed to shine fully on the plant until Novem-
ber. It was named after Mr. Barber, of Derby, by
Reichenbach, and was introduced in 1880 by
Messrs. Hugh Low and Co.

Cymbidium Masters!.— This I have noticed
in several collections recently, some plants at Mr.
Bull's being especially good. In habit it is a
good deal like C. eburneum, but the foliage is
broader and longer. The bloom - spikes grow
erect, and ha\ e the flowers somewhat closely ar-
ranged ; they are white, and have tlie lip spotted
with red, and a yellow blotch in the throat.
These last a long time in perfect condition and
emit a pleasant fragrance all the while. It is a
rather difficult plant to bring back to health
should it get into bad condition, though only
ordinary care is required to keep it healthy when
once it is thoroughly established. Badly rooted
plants should be shaken almost entirely free of
compost and then repotted into a much smaller
size than before used. The compost for these
may consist principally of Sphagnum Moss and
charcoal, so as to induce the formation of
plenty of new roots, but for strong and healthy
plants a good substantial compost may be used.
It does best in an intermediate tempei-ature, many
plants having been ruined by placing them in
strong heat, which always brings a lot of insects
in its train. The atmosphere must be kept moist
and plenty of water allowed at the roots all the
year round. It comes from Assam, and was intro-
duced in 1841.— R.

Cypripedium H. Ballantine.— The hybrid
Cypripediums in which each owns C. Fairieanum
as one of its parents, pnivide us with some of the
most interesting and beautiful forms yet ob-
tained. As C. Fairieanum has now become alnnst
extinct, and to all appearance bafiies all the
efibrts of the Orchid importers to re-discover,
these hybrids must to a very great extent remain
rare and valuable. Take for example C. \'exil-
larium, the first of the section that was raised
by the late John Dominy. It is still one of the
most popular, and is likely to be one of the most
sought after for many years to come. C. H.
Ballantine is one of the most distinct and beauti-
ful of the group, and was raised in Messrs. Veitch's
nursery at Chelsea from C. purpuratum crossed
with C. Fairieanum. Its dorsal sepal has tlie
characteristics of C. purpuratum with broad
purple, longitudinal lines extending from the base
almost to the top. The petals also partake more
of the seed parent's character than any of the
other Fairieanum crosses. They are broader,
straighter, and not nearly so deflexed, purple in
colour, lined anil spotted with darker ])urple. The
growth is dwarf and has the intermediate charac-
teristics of the two species used in its ])roduction.
Unfortunately, it is of delicate constitution. I
find it does best when grown in the cool inter-
mediate house. A plant in fine condition was
recently exhibited at the Drill Hall bj' Messrs.
F. Sander and Co., of St. Albans. — H. C.

SHORT KOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Cattleya marseillenais (C. aurea ■; C. Trianae)
is a lovely form, with pale blush. rose sepals aud petals,
the lip rich erimsou-purple, margiued with deep rosp,
the side lobes blush white, shading to yellow, heavily
lined with purple at the base. A fine plant, carrying
a raceme of three flower.^, was recently in flower in
the colleotiou of the Bt. Hf^n. J. Chamberlain, High-
bury, Birmingham. — H. J. C.

Laelio-Cattleya broomfieldienBiB iL. Day-
ana X C. aurea). — The general characters of the flower
are intermediate between those of the two pirents.
The large lip is rich velvety crimson in front, the
side lobes of the same colour, mottled with yellow aud

lined wit^h a deeper purple at the base. The groTS
has tlie intermediate characters of both parents,
was raised in Mr. N. Cookson's collection at Oakwoc
-S. C.

Cattleya Mrs. Endicott (C. maxima x
Loddigesi). — Th s is a lovely hybrid, the sepals %,
petals similar in shape to those of Cattleya Loddige
the colour als 5 being similar. The lip is deep ro
heavily veined, as in Cattleya maxima, with d
purple. It has a broad band of deep purple throu
thee ntre. Apia t of tliis lovely hybrid was leceni
exhil ited from the collection of the Right Hon,
ChamberlaiD, Highbury, Birmingham.

Cypripeditim Memoria Moensi.— This i

lovely form nf thr Ijeeanum section. The dorsal Be
is white at the top heavily suffused w ith deep purj
which is darkest in the centre, the petals pale gr*
heavily suffused with dark brown, the lip green suffai
with purpl*^. It is of continental origin, the parentt
being doubtful. There can be little question ab
it3 having C. Spicerianuni as one parent. It does)]
when grown in the warm intermediate department.—
Phaius Ashw^orthianua.— This is a cross
tween P. Manni and P. maculatu^ The sepals !
petals are yellow suii'used with dark brown, the lipi
yellow lined fr'im the front to the base with i
iorown. The foliage has the iotermediate charact
of both parents, with the characteristic spotting oE
maculatus. It is remarkably free-flowering. It '
raised in Messrs. F. Sander and Co.'s nursery at
Albans, where it was recently noted in flower. — StE)
Lselio-Cattleya Daphne (C. Mossias x
elegius alba). — In this the sepals are pale bli
petals white, veined on the edges with purple;
front lobe of the lip rich crimson-purple, the :
lobes pale rose, with prominent yellow marking;
the centre. The growth is intermediate in ch.irai
between the two spe ies used in its production,
has recently flowered in Messrs. J. Veitch
Sons' nursery, and is a distinct and desirable varii
— H. J. C.

Cattleya Comfrey (C. Lawrenceana x
Warscewiczi). — This lovely hybrid has in a mat
degree the influence of both parents. The petals
delicate rose, the lip rich crimson-purple, margi
with rose; the upper lobes bhnh-rose shading
white, which latter forms the two discs as iu
Warscewiczi. It has some yellow lined with pu
at the base. A two-flowered plant of this lo
Inbrid was recently exhibited at the Drill Hall
Mr. C.J. Ingram.— 11. J. C.

Cat tl>-y a Portia (C. Bowringiana x C. labiati
The sepals and petals are CBtp rose, of fine slupe
substance, the lip rich ciimson-purple, the side t
purple, shading to yelloiv, suft'used with brown at
ba=e. This is one of the in 'st haautiful «i the
Bowringiana crossss, and the whole of this sel
hybrids impoves as the plants get stronger. Tu,
one of the most jiromising hybrids amongst them,
was raised in Messrv. Veitch aud Sons' nursery, wl
it was receiitly noted in flower. — S.

Cypiipedium insigae (Haretield Hall t»
— This i^ a gigmtic form, the dorsal sepal 3 ino
across, white at the top, the h.ise tivo-thirds !
greenish yellow, heavily spotted with reddi.sh bro
the lower sepvl greeui.sh yellow, thickly spotted v
brown at the base ; the large petals greenish yeli
with a brown suffusion. The lip also is laige, 1
yellow, suH'used with brown. It is a most rema,rk«
variety, which originated in Mr. E. Ashworth'scol
tioa at Wilmslow. — S.

Cattleya Eurydice (C. labiata ■ C. Aclandi
—This is a distinct aud des'rable variety raised
Messrs. Veitch's nursery, and has the intermedi
characters of the parents both in 1 he flower and grof
The sepals and petals are deep rose, spotted t
puqile at the edges, the spoon-shaped lip deep ci
son-purple, shading to deep orange-yellow at thebs
the s'de lobjs pale rose, shading to reddish browo
the base. Hybrids from C. Aclandiae are rarely;
with, but it deserves more attention from hyb iJi
—11. J. C. J

Cymbidium 'Winnianum.— This, said 3
the result of crossing C. eburneum and C. giganl ^^
is a distinct and lovely hyhi id raised iu the coUecl
of Mr. C. Winn at Birmingham. The sepals I
petals are creamy white, ihe lip similar in colour, _M
a broad band of yellow down the centi-e aud thw
spotted with reddish-brown spots. A fine plant i<
two dense spikes of flower was recently noted,
density of the spikes and general characters of
plants suggest that there is some mistake in
par.-ntage, hut C. Mastersianum is very prominnit>
might possibly have be?n one of the parents.— H. J

t;.

November 27, 1897.]

THE GARDEN

419

EXHIBITING ALPINE AND ROCK

PLANTS.

i'ENTY years af,'o wo wore wont to soe really
od specimons of many alpines in the early
iring oxliiliitions both in London and Man-
ester, ])laiits, moreover, that had been grown
least six months, and others a nuicli longer
riod, in the pots as exhibited. Tlieso were
vays interesting because shown in a natural
,y — that is, in so far as their growth in pots
rraitted. Chief among the exhibitors of those
lings were Mr. U. Parker, Mr. Ware and the
I en firm of Harr and Sugden. The last, at
list once or twice a year, made a special
iiture of exhibiting in large boxes good rejire-
tative collections of Sediun.s, Saxifrages and
npervivunis, the plants invariably being
io tufts that would give a good idea of the
ililished masses of such things in any ordinary
k garden. The plants attracted a good deal
notice. Kxhibits of this kind, however.

the present time, however, and for the
past few years a change has been notice-
able in the mode of oxhil)iting tliese things,
and occasionally those interested in the beau-
tiful alpines may turn with pleasure to the
exhibits of rock plants that Messrs. I'.ackliouse,
of York, and the (iuildford Hardy Plant Com-
pany in particular have made so i)ronounced a
success. Those exliibits have now become a
portion of the Temple show each year, as also
occasionally at the Drill Hall, to say nothing
of ju'ovincial shows.

What strikes one most of all is the naturalness
of these exhibits, and the pleasing manner in
which the plants are disposed at once displays
a knowledge of the suljjects in their native
haunts. Instruction of this kind is far better
than words, for no amount of description
could possibly portray what is contained
in the accompanying illustration, which de-
picts a corner of one of these n)ckwork ex-
hibits planted with alpines in flower for the

kim and other Primroses, Sundews in variety,
the alpine Anemones with their beautiful cups,
vernal Gentians, Mertensia sibirica, mountain
Columbines, Lithospermum tinctorium, alpine
Forget-me-not, the American Maiden-hair
(Adiantuni pedatum), and numbers of others
grouped in the charming fashion so well de-
picted in the illustration. Hy no means the
least pleasing feature of tluwe alpine exhibits is
the established character of the examples em-
ployed, the com]ilote furnishing, and the entire
absence of now work. Kven the selection of
weather-beaten .stones is not forgotten, and
gi-eatly assists the beauty of arrangements of
this kind. E. Jenkins.

Hampton Hill.

Water Lilies In small tanks. — You were
good enougli to publish one or two notes on these
charming llowers in February, IHDIi, and I would
now venture to trouble you again in hopes of
stimulating more persons to take up their cultiva-

Corner in exhibit of alpine plants from the Guildford Hardy Plant Company. From a photograph sent by Mr. H. Selfe-Leonard.

from notice after a while, and in their

a collection of small pot plants, with

ly flowers for the most part, or others

naps with only a solitary flower, for a

e seemed to be the order of the day.

method, as it justly deserved, was short-

, and no doubt the fre(iuent rebukes of the
dening press assisted materially to this end.
the present time, in place of the multitude
imall pots, the chief mode of exhibiting the
fc hardy flowers is by bunches in a cut
e. And here also there is a want of thought
irell as consistency, particularly in those in-
ices where the large and small, the rare and
unon, the good and the inditi'ertnt are all
aght to the place of meeting simply because
y happen to be in flower on that jiarticular
In a very large number of instances

a gathering, too often crowded and over-
e, receives no attention, even if a pass-

thouglit. Such collections are ruined by
ir density as much as their numbers. At

most part. The charming way in which the
plants are disposed favours a natural lodge
of rock on the mountain-side more than aught
else. The beautiful flowering group of Edelweiss
in the loft - hand corner of the picture
and the long-leaved Rockfoil (Saxifraga longi-
folia), so well represented by flowering examples,
and the erpially picturesque dormant rosettes
are all so naturally placeil, that they appear to
have had possession for years. The same
applies to the well-flowered Ramondia at the
riglit-hand bottom corner and elsewhere. In
some of Messrs. Backhouse's exhibits of this
kind positions are made for the accounnodation
of a large number of plants, from the most
elegant of the Bamboos in a small state and
Filmy Ferns to the rare and choicest of moun-
tain-side plants or shrulis. The usual date of
the Temple .show finds many good alpines in
flower, and from time t(j time I have noticed
the hardy Cy|iripediums, a variety of alpine
Pink.s, Soldanellas, < »puntias, Saponaria, Sik-

tion and of eliciting the experience of those who
do grow them. Finding the varieties I had do so
well, I this j'oar made my pond somewhat larger
and added one or two new kinds, all of which
have flowered. The first of the old ones to blossom
was N. Laydekeri rosea on May 23, and it continued
without intermission for several months ; next
came one plant of N. alba, the common white,
then N. pygmaa al1)a, on .Tune 0 X. pygm.i-a hel-
vola, and then tlie otlicrs in a rusli. Tlie plants
received in .\[)ril -N. .Mailiacea albida, N. JI.
carnea, and N. odoratasulphurea — flowered later.
I would like to have the experience of others as to
the odorata section. N. odorata rubra bloomed
very w ell this year, one flower as late as October
2, but it often seems to have its buds deformed.
N. o. exquisita generally flowers, but sparingly, in
August. X. 0. alba does [iractically no goocl. Of
X. o. sulphurea I cannot say much yet, but it
seems a tree grower. Mr. Burbidge tells me he
cannot keep this group at all in his [lond where
N. Marhacea Chromatella, N. M. caruen, N. M.
ulbiila, and others grow magnificently. There is
a constant current flowing though this pond.

420

THE GARDEI^.

[November 27, 1897.

which keeps down the temperature, which often
in mj' pool rises to nearlj' 5° from sun-heat. I
am inclined to think that the odorata section
wants more warmth than the otliers, perliaps
more sunshine also ; or can it be that they want
baking in the mud when at rest? ^^'ith me they
are always covered with water. In fact, the
water is so warm, that gold fish breed freely. I
had dozens of young ones this year. How many
will survive the winter it is hard to say. If the
facility with which these charming plants can be
grown in quite little gardens were better known
I am convinced many now ugly fountain basins
would soon be covered with the leaves and blos-
soms of this charming genus. — Greenwood Pim.

Stove and Greenhouse.

BOUVARDIAS FOR CUTTING.

FoK some years I grew these in the best sorts
for market both for cutting and for pot plants,
and quite agree with what " R." has advanced
at page 380 of The G.^rdkn. That these things
have fallen into neglect there is no doubt, but
I incline to the belief that, from a mistaken
view of the requirements of the plants, many
have endeavoured to grow them in structures
far too warm to be beneficial to the plants.
And growing such things in houses that are
overheated will quickly bring disease and insect
pests. Few things are easier if brought on in
the early stages of growth in a warm green-
house instead of the stove, frequently, as I
have seen them, in company with Gardenias
and such plants, when as a fact the plants
would have been far happier with the Pelargo-
niums. The soft fresh cuttings of course may
be rooted in some warmth and on bottom-heat,
Imt, so far as the after-culture is concerned, the
finest bushes are those grown in a much cooler
temperature, so long indeed as the plants require
any heat whatsoever.

As a rule tiie private gardener permits his
(ilants to become too leggy before any jiinching
is done, and if the aim, as is usually the case,
is the production of cut flowers, this is a mis-
take. Take, for instance, a cutting just rooted
of any of the perpetual bloomei's, e.g., Hogarth
or elegans, and having three pairs of leaves.
Such a plant will be best potted at once into a
2-inch pot, and a week hence, when the roots
have taken to the soil, take out the point. In
a short time two shoots usually start from
this stopping, and when these again have
made two joints each, the points may be again
taken out. This may be repeated till a suffi-
cient number of breaks is ajjparent. Fre-
quently by the time the plants are ready for
5-inch pots, compact bushes, carrying eight to
a dozen growths, result, the plants often throw-
ing up radical shoots also as a result of the
continued stopping. These basal growths are
usually strong and must not be allowed to go
unchecked, or the smaller breaks will suffer
in conseipience. Cuttings rooted in .lanuary
.should make fine plants provided they are
grown cool an;l are potted in good material and
quite firmly. A good mixture for pot culture
is two parts good fibrous loam, one part leaf
soil, and one part peat siftings. To this may
lie added some sharp grit and about two jjecks
of finely-sifted manure to each barrowload of
the soil, together witli a shovelful of bone-
meal to the same. This thorouglily mix and
allow to become so dry that, without any ad-
hesiveness whatever, it may be rammed (|uite
firmly in the pots. Firm potting or planting,
as pointed out by "R.,"is most important, and
frequently good plants are more or less en-
dangered by the neglect of this simple rule.

Growth may be abundant, it is true, but it will
be of a character that does not give the best
return in flowers.

PlAJ«TINO Ot'T.

Much the simplest waj' to grow these useful
jilants is to plant them out the first week in
May in a frame with a hard ash bottom, into
which a depth of from 4 inches to (i inches of
prepared soil has been placed. Make the soil
moderately firm and arrange the plants a foot
apait each way ; afterwards make the soil firm
about the plants and over the entire surface. In
this the plants may not require any moisture
for a few days, when a good watering may be
given. As soon as all fear of frost is past the
lights may be entirely removed and the pilants
left very much to themselves. Any further
pinching should be completed by the middle or
end of June at the latest. Late propagated
stock of the previous year may be cut back and
similarly treated in frames or a good position in
the liorder. These plants will be best if, in-
stead of being pinched, they are cut over with a
knife at the end of June, allowing several strong
shoots to grow on to flowering. Great care
should be taken to keep the plants free of
mealy bug, as once this obtains a footing it is
most difficult to eradicate. Planting-out of
Bouvardias is not indulged in to the extent it
deserves, and particularly where the plants can
be ])laced on a hard bottom they lift with but
little loss of root. Even w-here no frame can be
sjjared, a couple of boards will be found quite
equal to the needs of the plants so long as the
soil can be kept to the plants. During sunnuer
the fre(iuent use of the syringe and ficcasional
doses of soot water, both overhead and at the
root, will be found helpful, and greatly conduce
to all-round healthy growth. Although I have
suggested a special mixture of .soil above,
sucli, indeed, is not essential for plants
in the o]ien ground. Indeed, the finest lot of
plants in the open I ha\e ever seen — and there
were some hundreds in all the best kinds —
was planted in strong loam on a south border,
and though it was considered a much too heavy
soil at the time of planting, it was only
lightened by a free addition of leaf soil and
short manure. The plants were young cut-
backs, having been propagated in the previous
May and flowered in 45-inch pots the ensuing
winter. When planted in the open border they
were rather more than a year old, and, beyond
being cut down some time previous, received no
other stopping. As a result, the plants began
to flower in August and produced a really won-
derful supply till the end of the year. Even
while still in the open the bloom taken from
them was enormous, vastly superior to what one
is accustomed to see in these plants ; and I feel
convinced, if gardeners more generally realised
what could be done with Bouvardias in this
way, they would take measures to obtain a con-
stant supply for themselves. All the best of
the perpetual-flowering kinds are worth grow-
ing in this way, as also jasminoides, but the
more vigorous growers — viz., B. corymbiflora
Humboldti and others of the same tyiie — are of
little value by comparison. E. J.

Begonia Gloire de Lorraine.— In the No. 7

greenhouse at Kew are many plants of this excel-
lent winter-flowering kind. The plants here are
(juite distinct from the loxelj' examples recently
brought to the Drill Hall, as they are untrained
and produce their wealth of charming flowers in a
natural trailing manner. Quite small plants when
raised on pots are very beautiful in this way, and
especially attractive are larger examples similarly
grown when used in baskets. In a private gar-
den lately visited some fine plants were raised

above a groundwork of Adiantum Farleyense an
intersjjersed with Asparagus plumosus nanus aii|
small Geonoma gracilis, a charming eft'ect beinl
obtained. All the plants were of light, graoefit
bearing, and a sort of transparent habit bejnJ
aimed at, the effect was verj' telling.

Vallota purpurea.— As is usual at this seaaol
of the J"ear, this handsome bulbous plant may 1.1
often seen flowering in the window of til
cottager, who in many instances bestows btl
little care on it. While admittedly an easilJ
grown plant, it does not follow that anyone cal
olitain anything approaching a good displa
of flowers by a system of general indifference an
a more or less abundant supply of water at a
seasons. By a' little timely help and the addition -
some good sweet loam, and above all things got
drainage and firm potting, this old - fashiont
flower may be made one of the most attractive •
window plants in its day. By potting the bull
every second or third year in August, at the san
time sorting them into sizes, the amateur nu
soon possess a stock of bulbs that could U'
possibly all flower at the same time. Six larf
flowering bulbs in an 8-inch pot would make
fine display, while the smaller bulbs may 1
planted six in a ■5-inch pot for future use. Aft'
a season's growth in this pot a shift may be give
and in this waj' clean flowering bulbs wou
result, instead of, as now, a crowded colony
undersized bulbs in a large pot, and only :
occasional one to produce a spike of bloom.

Grevillea alpina. — Se\eral of the Greville
are very pretty flowering greenhouse shrubs, ai
by no means exacting in their cultural requii
ments. Some of them bloom during the autun
and winter months, among them being G. alpin
which forms a roundish bush that flowers free
when not more than a foot high. The oblor
leaves, which are each about an inch in lengt
are clothed with greyish pubescence. The flowe)
which are borne in small clusters at the ends
the shoots, are of a rosy-red colour tipped wi
yellow. This species is a native of the southe
portion of Australia, being principally found
mountainous districts. It has been grown in tl
country for the last forty years, but, in comm-
with many other plants of this class, it is n(
rarely seen. Another species still in flower,
which stage it has been for some time, is '
Theleraanniana, which is of a loose, gracef
habit of growth and has light, elegant foliage, t
bright green leaves being divided into sevei
narrow linear segments. The flowers are bor
in dense clusters at the ends of the shoots, thf
weight causing them to droop considerably. TI
body of the flower is a kind of reddisli pin
while the prominent style is of a much deep
tint. It is a native of the Swan River territo
in Australia, and is frequently met with under tl
name of (i. Preissi. — H. P.

Varieties of Bouvardia. — On p. 380 undl
the heading of Bouvardias for cutting there arei
few varieties mentioned, but two or three mo|
must certainly be included. The first is tl
American -raised President Cleveland, which ju I
ten years ago attracted a great deal of attentica
owing to the fact that it was greatly superior
any of the other bright-coloured kinds, leaving,
it did, Hogarth and Uazzler, which then held tlJ
field, far behind. It is now largely grown wherfl
ever these beautiful flowers are cultivated,
second variety, which originated as a sport fn
the preceding, is Mrs. R. Green, the flowers I
which are of a pleasing shade of salmon-pink. 11
freedom of growth, flowering, and habit it is 1
counterpart of the others. These two varietiil
were shown together on a coloured plate in Tb
G.VRDEN, March 3(1, 18.s;». The \'ariety Vreelandl
met w'ith also under other names, is well wortlT
of inclusion in an}' list. The flowers of this ail
white, but in au exposed position slightly ting^
with pink. Bouvardias are not so much growl
in the neighbourhood of London as was at one tinl
the case, for within the area of the sulphur-lada
fogs they cannot be depended upon, as a few daw
at this time of the vear will change a beautitf

NovEMUEu 27, 1897.]

THE GARDEK

421

tell of (lowerinfT plants into misenible olijects,
til all tlio leavfs burnt as if liy tiie. Tlu- (lowers
not suffer so much as the foliage. — 11. 1'.

Flower Garden.

ACHILLEA.

(milfoil or YAUIiOW.)
this somewhat extensive genus we liave many
■autiful and u.seful kinds suited either for the
irder or the rock garden, while a few also —

'■■--.> AC.*'t.>.

Eupatorium, A. macrophylla, A. magna and

nobilis, for example — should be much more

ely grown. For this purpose perhajis ncme

e better suited than the species mentioned

>ove, and if not unduly crowded by other

lants, and trees in particular, play a conspicu-

13 part in the garden. By far the largest

amber of specie.s are of quite easy culture, the

ajority succeeding ])erfectly well in deep and

irlj' good sandy soils, and the more \igcirous

nds in a somewhat heavier soil. Almost all the

.varf tufted species are of easy culture in

tty loam, made fairly rich, and when planted,

they should be, freely in group.s in the rock

irden, care should be taken that a liberal

;pth of soil is aflorded them. Too frequently

Achillea macrophylla.

our lowland gardens the veriest alpine gems,
any of which are of the easiest culture, suffer
id perish because planted in the smallest
rap of earth. These plants really die of
arvation — a lack of moisture and food gener-
Jy, a mistake in measure due to their freiiueiitly
.niiuutive growth. At the same time many of
'>e things in their mountain homes send their

roots down
and there
nouri.shnien
cultivation

in rocky crevices to great deiiths, | the growth, .ind the radical leaves in particular,
receive a never-failing supply of i bear some resemblance to Agcratum. It is from

For these reasons plants under
mid. if we W'uild see their best

Achillea rosea.

side, at least receive a good depth of .suitalile
soil, according to their kind. The taller kinds
better suited to the border are all readily in-
creased by divi.sion, some of them to any ex-
tent, while the dwarfer kinds in many instances
submit to the same treatment and also produce
seeds with some freedom. Such kinds as A.
ptarmic.a and A. .serrata with their varieties, by
reason of the abundance of stoloniferous shoots,
should not be planted in the ordinary border,
but in a plot set apart. These may also be
naturalised in other parts of the garden. The
following species are worthy of attention : —

AfHli.LK.\ .i:ovPTiAC.\. — A useful border peren-
nial, growing from I4 feet to 'Jl feet high and
producing large terminal corymbs of bright
3-ellow, often 4 inches or .1 inches across. The
plant is of excellent habit and valuable for its
beautiful and effective silvery foliage. This use-
ful perennial is of easy culture in any good sandy
soil, and may be freely increased by division,
preferably in the early part of the year. Native
of the Levant.

A. .loKE.iTiFOLiA. — The species referred to here
has been hitherto described under the (I believe)
erroneous name A. ageratoides, and again in the
"Dictionary of (hardening" under A. Ageratum
(the Sweet Maudlin), an obviously distinct and
very old species with heads of yellow flowers from
1^ feet to 2 feet high. The above species, A.
ageratifolia, for some years known as Anthemis
Aizoon, produces beautiful rosettes of sihery
leaves with crimped margins that lie close upon
the soil. The flowers, too, each as large as a
shilling when well grown, are pure white with
pale yellow disc, and are borne singly on stems
some S inches high. This lovely (Jrecian species
is a gem for the rock garden, w here it should be
planted in deep, gritty soil in a sunny spot. In-
creased by very careful division in early spring.

Achillea Ptarmica fl.-pl,

by cuttings in August, and by .seeds, it is one of
the choicest of this largo race of composites.

A. AiiERATfM (Sweet Maudlin).— A distinct
species with green entire leaves and corymbs
of yellow flowers. As implied in its specific name,

l.J feet to tl feet high, and flow'ers from August
to October. South Europe.

A. Asi'i.KxiKoi.iA. — A North American species
that is not in general cultivation, yet is worthy of
more attention on account of its neat foliage and
rose-pink blossoms. The latter are rather small,
and produced in a compound corj-mb during the
summer.

A. AKOKNTEA. — A neat-growiiig and attractive
species, sufiicicntly pleasing and etl'ectiveon rock-
work to merit its being freely grown for its pretty
silvery foliage. This is produced in compact

Achillea Clavenna^,

tufts, the numerous heads of pure white flowers
appearing in spring. The plant may be increased
by division or by cuttings.

A. AiKEA. — This is placed here in order and in
specific rank, though there is no definite informa-
tion forthcoming concerning it. In the "Dic-
tionary of Gardening " it is described as having
"golden flower-heads, borne singly on stems
18 inches high, and sometimes confused with
A. ageratifolia." Tlie latter, however, has the
ray florets white, not golden, hence little need for
confusion arises. No such species, I believe, exists
in the herbarium at Kew or in cultivation in the
gardens. The plant, freely catalogued and grown
in nurseries, is either a variety of, or identical

Achillea lomentoiia.

with, A. tomentosa, a species having corymbs
of flowers at about S inches high or thereabouts.

A. C'l.AVKNN.K. — This is a very olil and well-
marked species from the Austrian Alps, and may
readily be distinguished by its silvery tufted
growt^i and biqiinnatifid leave.s. It is an ex-
cellent species for planting freely on sunny banks
or on rockwork, and when in flower the large
leads of white blossoms are mo.st effective. This
sjiecies is about !) inches high and being of free
growth is readily increased.

A. EriATOKiiM. — This is one of the bolilest
members of this family, a fine vigorous perennial
that is well known and frequently seen in gardens.
The plant grows about 4 feet high, and is specially

422

THE GARDEN".

[November 27, 1897.

suited for grouping. Tlie habit of the plant is
good, and the large flat heads of yellow blossoms,
often 5 inches across, retain their beauty for a long
time. In large gardens this species should be in-
creased and planted in bold masses. In such, if
given a fair amount of space, no staking will be
needed, and at a short distance the elt'ect will
surprise and please. Any quantity may be had
by division of the roots in early spring. Caucasus.
A. Herb.i-rota.— Though scarcely so worthy of
a position in the border as many species, it is in-
teresting on account of the perfume that follows
the touch. It is a true herbaceous perennial, a foot
or more high, and bears white flowers in loose
corymbs.

A. MACROPiiYLLA, as may be inferred, belongs to
the larger kinds, producing small white flowers in
rather large corymbs at ;? feet or 4 feet high.
This species together with A. magna, with its large
yellow heads at 4 feet or more high, would make
good companions for A. Eujiatorium. All are
summer flowering and remain good a long time.

A. Millefolium rosea.— In this instance the
species is ignored for tlie sake of its superior
variety, rosea or rubra as it is sometimes
called. The plant is so well known that no de-
scription is neces.sary. This fine perennial, how-
ever, is worth a place in every garden for the
ett'ective mass of colour.

A. MONiiOLicA. — This species bears masses of
pure white elegant blossoms in May and June
long before the other kinds are in flower. Very
attractive are the blossoms b_y reason of their
purity and most useful in the border or for
cutting. The species should be grown in all
gardens. It is 2 feet high, of easy growth, and
readily increased by division. " A native of
Siberia.

A. Mo.scHATA. — A low-growing alpine partaking
of the leaf character and growth of A. umbellatji^
and requiring the same treatment. The leaves
are woolly and deeply cut, stems sub-shniljby,
flower heads white, 4 inches to 0 inches high and
flowering from June to August. Europe.

A. NANA.— A very dwarf Italian species not
often seen in cultivation, yet a veiy pretty kind
for the rock garden. The plant is reputedly dirti-
cult to grow and flower in low districts on account
of a somewhat weakly constitution. Tlie foliage,
deep green and in a clustered rosette, lies closely
upon the earth ; flower heads white.

A. NoiiiLis, with Tansy-like leaves, is of robust
growth, and better suited to the woodland or
shrubbery.

A. ODORATA. — A Spanish kind with white
flower heads. It is a dwarf species of half a foot
high.

A. Ptarmica fl.-pl. (double Sneezewort). —
This useful variety is, perhaps, the liest known of
the entire genus, and provides a great supply of
pure white blossom in terminal corymbs through-
out the summer. As it produces stoloniferous
shoots freely, the plant should be given a place
apart from the ordinary border subjects. For
cutting it is very serviceable, and, again, in the
shrubbery it would give a mass of bloom
for a long period. The plant is 2;l feet high, and
grows freely in almost any soil. Several modern
forms of this plant are now catalogued, The Pearl,
elegans plena, and Snowliall being of the number.
A. KUPESTRis. — This species I regard as among
the most important of dwarf kinds, for the reason
that its pretty heads of pure white flowers spring
from a low prostrate tuft of leaves. In many
species the white flower-heads and silvery leaves
render the plants less attrai-tive, though the
foliage and flowers are in themselves pretty enough.
The abovespecies is worthy of care, and should be
planted in a warm position in the rock garden in
a mixture of gritty loam and leaf soil. It iy a
native of Southern Italy, growing 4 inches to
li inches high, and commences to flower in Ma.\-.
The plant may be increased in early spring by
careful division and by seeds.

A. SERRAT.4 I'LEN.v in many respects resembles
A. Ptarmica plena, differing from it in the deeply
serrated leaves. It is a creeping kind like the
double Sneezewort, yet scarcely so free-flowering

or generally useful. The typical species belongs
to Switzerland.

A. ToMENToSA.— A well-known species of low
tufted growth, and one of the most useful for
forming edgings or planting freely in masses in
the rock garden. The plant reaches about 9 inches
high, producing many flowers in large compound
corymbs from amid a dense tuft of greenish and
rather woolly bipinnatifid leaves. The ricli glow
of its large flower-heads renders it a useful plant,
and for many positions and purposes its perfect
hardiness and freedom are among its Ijest attri-
butes. It flowers in early summer and may be in-
creased to any extent by cuttings or by division.
The latter is very simple, as the plant not infre-
quently roots freely from the under surface of the
stems, and by pegging down to the soil may be
depended upon to root in a few weeks, particularly
early autumn.

A. TKANSYLVAXICA. — A strong-growing species
of about 3 feet high, the deeply-cut foliage covered
with a rather dense pubescence. The flower-
heads are of a golden j-ellow hue, and in shape
partake of the character of the better-known
A. Eupatoriiim. It is a good border plant, of free
growth.

A. TRArTMAXNi.— A very pretty and useful
species from Austria, producing freely its umbels
of white flowers at 0 inches or S inches high. The
tufted growth is composed of rather long, linear
and deeply serrated leaves, the latter strongly
resembling those of the taller border kind, A. ser-
rata, in this respect. In this kind the deep green
leaves with white flowers form a welcome change.
It is a species that with advantage may be utilised
for hybridising, being of free growth, easy culture,
and (juite hardy.

A. i-MiiELLATA.— A low, almost sub-shrubby
alpine with silvery foliage regularly and deeply
lobed, tlie lobes, which are entire, extending to
the midrib. In light warm soils the growth of
this species is free, and in the rock garden in
large patches it is sure to catch the eye. In the
Tooting nurseries the groivth was so free, that
edgings l.'iO feet long were formed to the beds, and
in this position the plants spread out into mounds
of silvery white leaves, that were an attraction
when the mass of white flowers was past. It is a
Grecian species, of easy culture in light soils, and
may lie increased freely by division in early
spring.

A. VALLEsi.iCA. — A pretty Swiss species with
w'hite flowers and pinnate leaves, growing about
9 inches high. It is a rare plant in cultivation.

The foregoing are the most important of those
in general cultivation. A few others— such as
atrata, decolorans, Huteri and Richardiana— are
worthy of mention. Beyond these, however,
an important series, some of w-hich are quite
new species and others of liybrid origin from
distinct parentage, sliould prove of great interest
in the coming year. All that is known of the
hylirid portion is their parentage, and, judging
from the remarkable character of their foliage
in some instances, some valuable additions to
this group may be expected, and their flower-
ing will be eagerly looked forward to.

E. J.

Helleborus altifolius.— The earliest blooms
of this handsome perennial are now nearing ex-
]5ansioii, and those who value these valuable
flowers will take care the clumps receive some
timely covering. Near London during the past
week or two the beauty of almost e\ erj'thing in
the open has been marred by the dense fogs that
have been so prevalent. With such weather we
can only hojie to preserve the true beauty of
these winter flowers by some temporary covering
so soon as tlie flowers burst away from the crowns,
which in the ease of the above variety is very
early indeed. In the border, how-e\-er, the ertect
produced by a few well-grown and establi.shed
clumps of tliese things is great, and no plant
better repays a special depth of good soil to root
into. At least 2 feet deep of this and a position

not too much exposed to the sun should seciif
good plants in the cour.se of a couple or thi!
years. Mr. Wilson sends us from his garden '
\\ isley some very fine flowers of this as well
several bunches of Primroses.

FLOWERS IN NOVEMBER.
\^ ITU us this extraordinary open weather h
given quite a second summer to the flowers, a^
there are now over sixty dift'erent varieties
plants and shrubs in bloom in my garden,
enclose you a list of those I noticed thil moriiii '
(November 14), thinking it might interest to
readers.

Shrubs.
Chamo:cerasu3 Morrowi Fuchsia pumila
Clematis Henryi eoccinea

flammula Eiccartoni

Ceanothus Gloire de Ver- Genista tinctoria

sailles Hypericum Moserianuni

Uiplopappus Spira;a Anthonv AVatev.

Also Koses, II. T., T., aud H.P.

Hardy Plants.
Anemone (Japanese) Lady Heuchera saiisuinea

Ardilauii Helenium striatum

Achillea Kupitoriani Linum flavum

Auricula alpina Mattliiola (Brompton)

Aster Xovas-Angliae and Menziesia

Xovi-Belgii Giaotbera Younii

Astrantia major frutico.sa mai ir

Borago ofiicinalis biennis

Coreopsis granditfora Primrose hybrids

Chi-ysantliemum maximum Phlox (tall white)
Campanula pyramidahs Pansies

Backhouse! Potentillas

Centaurea cyanus Polemonium reptans

Uoronicum plaiitagineum Papaver chinense

excelsum lludbeckia nitida

Dielytraeximia Reseda odorata '

Diautbus barbatus Stenactis specioFa

Erodium .Scolyiuus hispanicus

Erigerou eaucasieus Scabiosa cancasica

Fuiikia marginata Seneeio pulcher

Geranium sanguincum Tbahctrum glaucum

Eudresi Tagetes erecta

Geum montanum maxi- TradescantiavirgiDicaal

i^uni ^ Tropa?olum majus

^ coecineum minus

Gaillardia maxima Viola californica

Helleborus Veronica prostrata .

Hieraciura aurantiacum the shrubby forms.

— F. JIiTciiELL, JRit,i/i Gi-etn, thrtford.

• I notice some correspondents have sent y^

a list of plants still in flower. I find the folio
iiig plants in bloom : —

Alonsoa Honeysuckle

Ageratum Jasmiuum nudiflorum

Agrostemma coronaria Lobelia (blue)

White Arum in ponds Love-lies-bleeding

Aponogetqn _ Mignonette (tree and a

Anemone japonica nual)

Annual Phlox Mallow (perennial aud a

Bladder Senna nual)

Berberis Uarwini Nasturtium
Chrysantlicmums (various) Oxalis (purple)

Tropaeohim caLariense GJnothera and varieties

Ceanothus Paris Daisy (yelloiv ai

Clioisya white)

Cotoneaster and varieties Yellow Scotch Dais

Dahlias (various) Pansies

Daphne Pernettya

Bryngium amcthystinum Roses in great varietj

Eschscholtzia (various) Romneya Cuulteri

Escallonia macrantlia Sweet William

montevidensis Spira?a (one variety)

Fuchsia Snapdragon

Flax (common and red) Stocks

Gladiolus Salpiglossis

Gaillardias (various) Schizostylis

Godetia Shirley Poppy

Gaultheria Shallon Stokesia

Hydrangea Tritoma (two varieties)

Hypericum Valerian

Heliotrope Weigela (white)

— Medway.

Flowers in Derbyshire. — It is very i|
teresting reading in The (tARDEX the flowering
various plants, but most of the notes are in"

#

■ ai

November 27, 1897.]

THE GARDEi^.

423

■ouniblo Iciciilities. Wlicii wc get such results

North Dci'liyshiro as wo are still enjoying at

IS date it seems more remarkaljle. Hoses

liinas), 4(IU to r>ljl) ]ilants on their own roots, are

full tluwer and are a mass of buds. China Roses

cottages all round are yet full of flower. Tea

iseOphir is one of the best for buds grown out-

le. Every plant is still jnoducing good flowers,

from euttings. Marie \an floutte, too, on a

V west wall is full of fresh buds, that open well

gathered antl put into water. Rosa rugosa

ne. tieo. Hruant does grandly here ; the beau-

tul pure white buds are still with us, in massive

shea in sunless aspects. Isaac Periere (climbing)

Is a massive flower. 1 And the best cuttings for

■iking are the flower-stems, after the flowers

re done their work in water or on the plant.

'lese Roses are grown in the open orchard, laiil

t in beds and grass walks. I have notetl,

longst the many lists of late flowers in The

(RDKX, no mention is made of Uladioli. I

jthered a few good spikes on November 1.").

' ey have been |>lentiful up till now, mostly our

en seedlings, all sown in the open ground and

pnteil in rows amongst dwarf A]>[iU' trees.

/ery three or four years they are taken up,

ted and replanted in early spring. All varie-

s seem to be perfectly hardy hei'e. The Bride

(ss marvellously in all sorts of places; it is

eral inches high already, also General Scott and

ler early varieties. (J. Colvillei has been in

rders here in one place over twenty years. Sweet

his are still flowering, and some varieties possess

ter constitutions than others. Venus, the best

all for cutting, is good yet. I have four glasses

flowers by me now ; it is deeper in tint, with a

( tinct edging. America is another good late

a, though, being flaked, is not a favourite. I

lie just gathered a good handful of Heliotrope

1 ivers and a bunch of Aloysia citriotlora. Carna-

ns (Marguerite) i)lante(l and hanging down a

li" wall are full of buds and partially ojiened

t vers. This is a happy way of planting Carna-

tns.— Geo. Boi.as, Hop/on Ha//, ]Vi)-ttico)ili.

NOVEMBER ON THE RIVIERA.

^Assio, a primiti\e and delightful little place,

i perhaps the greenest spot on the Western

liera. The remarkable shelter of its little

.', combined with a good water supply, makes

if, paradise for those who love a garden. There

now quite a number of villas in what is pret-

called the "Happy Valley," built by English-

n who care for their gardens, and who show

t.t by energy and skill most wonderful results

< 1 be produced in the shelter of Alassio, equal,

i lot supeiior, to any other place on this favoured

C.St. Nowhere else have I seen such trees of

t stately Salvia frutescens, now laden with

J .vy branching panicles of bloom which weigh

vn the long leafy stems till they look as if they

St break. Wliy its beautiful scarlet-caly-ved

oms are so little known and grown in England

i:. mystery when once one has seen liow supe-

■ it is to any neat bush, even of the finest form

Salvia splendens, for a big conservatory. Tliere

of course, "room for both," but while the

uer needs planting out, the latter is content

h a pot. Tecoma jasminoides flowering freely,

af not merely content with showing a pink

k-eyed flower here and there, is so pretty that

n the brilliant Tecoma capensis with its

rlet heads, has to yield in beauty to it. A fine

nonia with large pale pink trumpets and

led throat is new to me, and its name as ]jro-

nced Ijy Italian lips is so extraordinary, I dare

put it on paper till I have verified it. Its

uty is undeniable, whatever its name may be.

h the deep blue and the red locliromas' are

ndidly handsome just now, their long summer

slots rich in foliage and clusters of iiendent
''Sm.

11 these lovely things, howe\ er, pale before the
«^riant beauty of the rich blue-purple Ipomaa
■I'jolia, perennial in giowth and greatly suiierior
l>llie annual Morning (ilories so well knoun in

England ; and when one sees as I did, a tree-like
liush of Datura arborea, laden with its white
trumpets, lialf covered with the brilliant spikes of
Mina lobata that had clambered up through it
and mingled above with the standard Olive and
IpouKua behind, it is impossible to deny the
superior charms of autumn in this climate to the
keener air of spring, even though one may mi.ss
the charm of the familial- Hanksian Roses and rich
purple Bougainvillca. Dahlia imperialis with its
tall Lily-like spikes of bloom stands out in stately
beauty from a groundwork of Zinnias, splendid
in colouring and so dwarf in habit that they
would be invaluable in England, where they really
succeed. All around are Roses in profusion with
Heliotropes, Plumbago and (ieraniums in such
abundance of bloom and beauty that one longs for
a sixth sense, not only to enjoy it the more, but
to enable others to do so also, and failing that, I he
next best thing would be to persuade others to
come out and see for themselves what the cleai'
skies and hot suns of November can produce on
these southern shores not two days' journey from
" foggv " Albion. E. H. \V.

OCTOBER IN SOUTH DEVON.

I.iTTj.E rain fell during the past month, the total
fall amounting to 0'9-4 of an inch on eight days, a
particularly small record for October, and com-
paring with 3 '99 inches on twenty-one days in the
corresponding month of 1S90, tlie October aver-
age being 4;3.") inches. During the past ten
months the rainfall has reached a total of 27 "S"
inches, or nearly an inch in excess of the average
fall for that period, which is 2(j'9.S inches, while
it exceeds by almost U) inches the fall for the
corresponding months of 189(i, which amounted
to ISMil inches. The mean temperature of the
month has been very high, having been over G"
warmer than October, 189(5, and 3° warmer than
the a\erage mean temperature for the month, the
readings being, October, 189(5, 47 '8°; average for
month, 51-1« ; October, 1897, d4"2". The highest
sun temperature recorded was 112-2' on the 2nd,
and the highest screen reading (52-9°, while the
lowest screen temperature was 379° on the 7tli,
and the lowest reading of the grass thermometer
o(j-8° on the same date. In my notes for Sep-
tember, through a laji.suK ralami or a [jrinter's
error, the mis-statement appears that the ther-
mometer on the grass never fell below 31 -(J°.
This should read 37-9°, as during the present
autumn the mercury on the grass has on no
occasion fallen as low as SCi'O^. Although the
month has been so warm it has been very sunless,
only 97 hours 4.5 minutes of sunshine having been
recorded against 119 hours 40 minutes during the
wet October of 1S9G, and an average for the
month of 11(5 hours 20 minutes. The sunshine
records for 1890 and 1897 and the average for the
period show a remarkable similarity, the totals
for the ten months being 1589 hours .) minutes in
189(5, l.>93 hours 20 minutes in 1897, and the
average lo'J'i hours ■'> minutes. The total hori-
zontal movement of the ^^■ind has been 5592 miles
against 7732 miles in October, 189(5. The greatest
daily speed, 501 miles, was recorded on the Kith,
and the highest hourly velocity, 25 miles, between
3 a.m. and 4 a.m. on the same date. The mean
amount of ozone in the air has been 3()-9 per
cent, against 5(5-1 per cent, in Octoljer, 189(5, the
jn-evalence of easterly winds accounting for this
diminution. In the garden the tall Acanthus
spires remained eflective through a great portion
of the month, and Achillea ptarmica fl.-pl. The
I'earl waj still in blossom, while Anemone
japonica Honoriue .lobert expanded its simple
white flowers in continuous succession. On the
20th a belated flow-er-scape of the hybrid Alstm--
nieria came into bloom, and during the early part
of the month the Belladoinia Lilies showed long
lines of pink iu sheltered situations. Of the
perennial A.sters, or Michaelmas Daisies, a large
number have been in bloom, most, howex er, being
]5ast their best before the closing days of the
month. With the exception of Aster gran<li-
florus, which handsome suliject expands its large,

purple, golden-centred blooms very deliberately,
A. Novi-Belgii ,\rcher-Hind is one of tlie latest to
attain full (lerfection, the rich purple-blue, pro-
fusely-blossomed clumps being at theii- brightest
after the beauty of most of their companions was on
the wane. Although the terminal blooms of Aster
grandiflorus had ex[)anded ere the clo.se of Sep-
tember, the plants are not even yet (N'ovendjer I)
in full bloom. This s\d)ject might prove valu-
alile for conservatory decoration if lifted carefully
and potted subse(|uently to bud-formation. The
graceful and tall-growing Aster N.-H. Robert
Parker was past its best liefore the month was
many days old, and the darker-flowered varieties
Pluto and Flora waned in beauty as mid-October
approaclied. Aster Amellus bessarabicus is one
of the most lasting of the Starworts, and though
among the first varieties to open its buds, will
bloom into November. Aster N.-B. Harpur-
Crewe and niveus, having blossomed throughout
Septemlier, were hardly presentable during the
past month, polyphyllus being the only large-
ilowered white that retained its beauty sutiieicntly
to be utilised for indoor decoration. A. puniceus
jjulcherrimus at the commencement of the month
had its tall flower-shoots thickly starred with
blossoms of the jjalest lavender- white, and the
inconspicuous blooms of A. dittusus horizontalis,
which was in full flower in September, show as yet
no loss of freshness. The dark red Aster Nova'-
Angli;c ruber and the purple A. N.-A. Mel-
pomene have been in bloom throughout the
month, as have the graceful cordifolius and
cordifo'.ius elegans, with their small blossoms set
on curving sprays ; w-hile the still smaller-flowered
ericoides has borne a profusion of minute w-hite
stars on it? Heath-like foliage. The tuberous
Begonias show as yet no sign of diminishing
splendour, the months of September and October
having been singularly free from gales and frost,
either of which work havoc in the autumnal
garden . The new race of C'annas bloomed through-
out the month with but little-impaired brilliancy,
and Canna Ehnianni iridiflora produced a suc-
cession of its drooping, rose-lake flower-clusters.
The JIarguerite Carnations still expand their
blossoms of \-aried tint among their grey-o-reen
foliage, and Coreopsis grandiliora in sumptuous
gold is not yet withdrawn from the garden. The
earlier Chrysanthemums of the Jlme. Desgrange
type have been very effectiNe, having been un-
marred by wind and rain, while the later \arieties
are beginning to show colour in the open, and in
nurseries large glasshouses are white with the
blossoms of lately-lifted plants of Lady Selborne
and other semi -early varieties. Caryopteris
mastacanthus has produced its purple-blue flowers
with freedom and sur\i\es the winter in favoured
localities. The Dahlias, untouched by frost —
which often prematurely closes their display
towards the end of Octoljer — have been wonder-
fully effective throughout the month. Many of the
new Cactus varieties — to some of which I referred
in my August notes — are of distinct value. To the
scarlets and crimsons then mentioned,(!loriosa. Pro-
fessor Baldwin, Starfish, Mayor Haskins and Harry
Strudwick, may be added J . E. Frewen aTid Miss
Annie Jones. To the yellows. Lady Penzance,
Blanche Keith and .lohn H. Roach, desirable addi-
tions are Daffodil and Eileen Pallisier, while Night
is, if any thing, an im|)rovement on Matchless. Alfred
Vasey, Fusilier, and Mrs. Wilson Noble ai-e good
flowers in varied shades of salmon, and Island
(.(lueen is of a charming lavender-pink tint. A
few light blue spikes of Delphinium were to be
seen here and there, and some flowers remained
open on Erigeron speciosus, this plant and the little
Erigeron mucronatus, or Mexican Daisy as it is
sometimes called, not having been bloomless sines
early .lune. At the conmiencement of the month
Erythrina Crista-galli was attractive with its
large crimson flower-spikes, and in cottage gar-
dens giant bushes of l-"uchsia Riccartoni were in
bloom. A note of bright blue shows where a
dozen autumnal lilooms of tlie (ientianella have
expanded, while the flowers of Geum coccineum
brighten the border at infrequent intervals, and
(iaillardias afford, though in lesser (juantity than

424

THE GARDEN.

[November 27, 1897,

of late, their red and gold. In a sheltered corner,
backed by a cliff, a large bush of Habrothamnus
is bearing its clusters of dark crimson flowers.
Helleborus altifolius expanded tlie first of its
white blossoms on October 23, thirteen days later
than last year. A red Helianthemum is now in
bloom, and the Everlasting Flowers (Helichry-
sum), though treated with indifference when the
gardens teem with floral gems, are bright and
effective as the days rajiidly shorten. Hypericum
Moserianum is still in flower, and the first scented
blossom has been cut from a clump of Iris stylosa.
Here and there the Kniphonas bear a few bril-
liant flowei-.lieads, and until the last ten days of
the montli Lobelia fulgens has held its vivid ver-
milion, -while the softer-tinted L. rosea has but
just shed its last blossoms. Marigolds are still
bright, and self-sown jjlants of Nicotiana affinis
are now in full flower, their blooms as the days
close in opening early in the afternoon. Oxalis
floribunda rosea flowered well into the month,
and on the great bushes of Paris Daisies the
yellow and white flowers are still produced in
abundance. Pentstemons are not yet over, and
Phygelius capensis has carried its flowering well
into October, while the Winter Cherry (Physalis
Alkekengi), with every shoot studded "witli
calyces of bright orange, lights up the foot of a
long wall with its striking colouring. The blue
Plumbago Larpentte was in evidence during the
earlier portion of the month, and now and again
the glare of a great Oriental Poppy would for a
day or two light up the garden, while the slender
flower shoots of P3'rethrum uliginosum were
crowned with a white coronal of wide-rayed stars,
that associated well in arrangement with the
darker Starworts. Breadths of orange have been
provided by Rudbeckia Newmani, whose black-
centred flowers have the merit of lasting in
beauty through long spells of rainy weather,
which, fortunately, we have not experienced
during the past month. The deep blue of
Sah'ia patens has slowly lessened through Octo-
ber, but S. fulgens and S. coccinea remain, tlie
former of which is perennial' in sheltered spots
of South IJevon, while the latter lias passed the
last two winters in the open unharmed. An
occasional light blue blossom of Scabiosa caucasica
has appeared, and the Winter Flag (Schizostylis
coccinea) has jM'oduced its crimson flower-scapes.
Sedum Sieboldi has bloomed profusely, and
Stokesia cyanea's deep purple Ijlooms ha^'e opened
well in the fine weatlier. In a secluded corner
Sparmannia africana has carried a few flower
clusters. Of the perennial Sunflowers, Helian-
thus lajtiflorus and H. rigidus Miss Mellish
brightened the first half of the month with their
golden blooms, and Tradescantia virginica per-
fected an autumnal flowering of triangulated
jiurple blossoms. Many Yuccas bloomed well in
October, the varieties being generally Y. gloriosa
and Y. pendula, though an occasional spike of
Y. filamentosa was sometimes to be obser\ed.
Some of the former variety are now throwing up
bloom-spires that will never reach maturity. The
Tea Roses have lasted well through October, the
best blooms being produced by wall plants,
Safrano being especially noteworthy in this re-
spect and furnisliing man_y an ex(|uisite handful
of rosy-safl'ron blossoms. Some of the new China
Roses of the Laurette Messimy type have also
continued their flowering, the blooms, being but
semi-double, opening better from the close bud
than do the flowers possessing a larger number of
petals. Tlie single white Macartney Rose has
been in liloom throughout the montli, and, given
the same weather, -iiill open some November blos-
soms. Violets botli in the open ground and in
frames have been in fine bloom. The new single.
Princess of Wales, is at the present time exceed-
ingly fine, bearing, on stems about a foot long,
broad-petalled blossoms, many of which when
measured are found to exceed H inches in
diameter. Anotlier large single Violet, named
California, which in size and length of stem is
full}- up to Princess of Wales's standard, is not as
j'et at its best. It differs from Princess of Wales
chiefly in its petals being narrower. The old

clumjis of Doronicum plantagineum Harpar-Crewe
continue to throw up occasional great golden
stars. The I\'y-leaved Pelargoniums Souvenir de
Charles Turner and Mme. Crousse are still gay,
and many annuals are yet to be found in bloom,
such as Coreopsis Brummondi and C. sanguinea,
the delicately beautiful white Cosmos bipinnata —
large plants of which were in full flower at the
commencement of the month, and which is admir-
ably adapted for artistic table decoration — Esch-
scholtzias, Salpiglossis, Scabious, Phlox Drum-
mondi, and Zinnias, while the dark-coloured
Heliotrope is still flowering well in some gardens.
Abutilon vexillarium is still in bloom in South
Ue\ on, and Choisya ternata is here and there to
be seen in full flower. The Leycesteria held its
pendent flower-clusters with their purple bracts and
white blossoms, though in many cases the blooms
had been succeeded by berries. The Laurustinus
has begun its season of bloom, and great bushes
are crowned with hosts of half-opened flower-
heads. The blossoms on the standard Magnolia
have been almost as abundant as in September,
but now tliat the penultimate month of tlie year
has commenced, the succession of white chalices
can hardly be expected to continue for long.
Tro])*olum tuberosum is now very beautiful, a
space of wall some 7 feet high being clothed with
its orange and scarlet blossoms, which on long
footstalks stand out well beyond the luxuriant
leafage, that forms an effective background to the
brilliance of the numljerless flowers. On Tropieo-
lum speciosum the vermilion blooms have been
succeeded by blue berries, but T. canariense and
T. Lobbianum are still breadths of gold and crim-
son. Solanum jasminoides is a mass of pendent
white flowers, ■which sway on long lithe sprays
from the eaves to the lower windows, and bid
fair, should frost not intervene, to last in beauty
for another month. Both white and red Lapa-
gerias are blooming in South Devon against a
north wall, and the blue Passion Flower is bearing
both orange fruit and blossom, while Plumbago
capensis may still be seen flowering in the open
in a sheltered site. The autumnal tints, though
perhaps not so brilliant as in some past Octobers,
have formed delightful colour-schemes. In the
garden the Virginian Creepers (Ampelopsis hede-
racea and A. A'eitehi), with their crimsons and
scarlets, the saft'ron and orange of the Plantain
Lilies and Aralia spinosa, the purple-red of
feathery Sumachs and the pale yellow of the Vine
leaves that canopy the pergola and hide the
numerous bunches of Grajies from which from
morn till eve the blackbirds take incessant toll.
In the country the light gold of the Elms, the
glowing orange-ljrown of the Beeches, and the
Oaks with their intermediate shade of russet.
Many of the latter have, howe\'er, as yet not even
changed colour, and a large portion of the Elm
leaves have fluttered earthward still green. Al-
though up to the present we ha\e had no frost and
the winds have been slumbering, numberless
leaves were wavering downwards from the lofty
boughs during the last two weeks of the month.
Watching their indeterminate descent, wafted
now hither, now thither, but ever nearer the
ground, one recalled a myth of childhood, to the
effect that the capture of twelve falling leaves
with the hands ensured, if the captives were
threaded on a string and hung up, twelve happy
months in the ensuing year. In the hedges
the Brj'onj' berries shine in crimson skeins, and
at the borders of the wood the coral-red fruit
of the Spindle tree overtops the Hazels, while
here and there the dark foliage -of the Holly
glows with scarlet. The weather has been won-
derfully open during the past month, and as yet
there seems no indication of a change. Should
the next fortnight prove frostless, we may look
forward, according to tradition, to a severe winter
later on. S. W. F.

liilium Wallichianum. — Wallich"s Lily has
this season flo%\ered with me in a more satisfaetoiy
manner than usual, and given greenhouse treat-
ment it seems more amenable to culture than
most of the Indian Lilies. Three j'ears ago I had

half a dozen small bulbs sent me from India, ol
which only two became established, and they
have increased in size year by year. This season
they eacli produced a solitary flower, and a few
large bulbs imported in the early part of the
present j-ear also bloomed. The compost used
consisted principally of good yellow loam^
lightened bj' an admixture of peat and sand.
They were kept in the same structure and given
similar treatment to a Pelargonium. In th^
winter the soil is just kept slightly moist. Th^
long narrow foliage of this Lily reminds one mucl'
of L. philippinense, while the flower has the same
slender tube, but in L. Wallichianum the i
ments of the bloom are quite revolute, and tE«
colour is a kind of creamy white with a greenisb
tinge on the exterior. The two established plant)
flowered early in August, while the imported
ones did not bloom till a month later. The bloa
soms possess the pleasant fragrance common t<
several forms of the longiflorum group. I havfl
never been able to induce L. Wallichianum t(
flourish at all when treated as other than a green
house plant, but the late Mr. Ni\ en, of Hull, somt
years ago in The Garden stated that it was quiti
hardy with him and flowered year after year:
— H. P.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1146.

TWO EOSES.

(with a coloured plate of KAISEKIN AUOtj
VICTOKIA AND PRINCESSE DE SAGAN.*)

The two beautiful Roses illustrated this wee)
are excellent examples of true garden varieties
and one can readily conceive what a fine efife(
might be ])roduced by blending togetlier in larg
masses such Roses of totally opposite coloui
and forms. In Kaiserin Augusta Victoria n
liave a variety remarkable for the beauty of i1
form, its stately habit and delicate cream
white colour. Since its introduction in 1891 :
has .steadily advanced in popular estimatioi
and it now bids fair to become as great
favourite as La France, Gloire de Dijon o
Marechal Niel. On the other hand, Princess
de Sagan, introduced in 1887, is not so mnc|
known as it deserves to be. It is, with thl
exception of Cramoisi Superieur, the mos
brilliant Rose we at present possess. If in som
respects it closely resembles the Cliinas, thei
is that refined character about the blos.somstha
at once stamps it as a pure Tea. The colour is
very brilliant crimson, heavily shaded with velvet
maroon, and the form of the flower is ver
i[uaint and irregular. Tliis variety is extremel
free-flowering and the habit of growth is rathe
spreading, a fact that enables its more upright
growing rival, Marquise de Salisbury, to obtaii
a little more notice ; but when the plants c
Princessede Saganare established in well-drainei
soil, the colour produced by a quantity of thi
variety massed together is very gorgeous,
can see no objection to ])lanting two varieties o
Roses togetlier in one large bed, and the geneR
effect, if the varieties are carefully selected
should be as brilliant as any that can be prq
duced by other denizens of the garden. Bii
supposing an objection be raised to this con)
mingling, these Roses could still be planted i|
groups in juxtaposition to each other, so tha
tlie vividness of the one would tend to enhiStW
the delicate beauty of its neighbour. One <
two varieties that could be fitly combined, i
addition to tlie two illustrated, would be Mm6
Pernet-Ducher and Marquise de Salisburj
Augustine Guinoisseau and Camoens. Princes

* Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon\
Gravetye Manor. Lithographed and printed by J. J
Uolfart.

The Garden.
Nov. 27, 1897

aftfc"

NOVEMBKR 27, 1897.]

THE GAliDEN".

425

nnio and Souvenir de la Malniaison, Mnio.

iste and Francis Dubi-icul, Jincliaiitress and

imoisi Sii|iiji'ieur, Caroline Testout and
i'lrquiso Litta, (Jencral Jacnuuniinot and La

ince, Rime. Charles and Victor Hui^o, Marie

1 Houtte and Gloire des Polyantha, (I.
I bonnanil and Belle Hiebrecht, Longworth

mblcrand Viscountess Folkestone, and Rime.

el Chatenay and Perle des Uougos.

Piiii.o:\iKi..

The Week's Work.

KITCHEN G.\RDEN.

iRCINf. VEOKT.VBI.KS. — However plentiful out-

< 3r vegetables maybe during the winter, there
t always a demand for a more choice variety,
jjl provided there are suitable convenience and
4 terial to work U|)on, there is no great ditiicult}'
i meeting it. Without doubt the most dithcult
\;etable to obtain in anj' quantity for the next
tee months is French Beans, as without plenty

< light growth is weak and many of the dowers
^ icn form fail to set, especially \vhen there is an
.cience of sun and foggy weather prevails for days
<;ether. The most suitable house must be
tected if these have to be produced, such as a
<ill-beated Melon house, where the plants can
■I kept close up to the roof-glass and a temjjera-
<'e of not less than 70° can be maintained.
I ther low houses are an advantage, as the tem-
^■ature is not so likely to vary with a change of
■Jather, especiall_v when cutting winds prevail,
A ile it is an easy matter to use tanned blinds to

< er the roof at night during se\ere weather.
' is pro\ es a great gain, as the desired tempera-

< e is more easily maintained without overheating
ti pipes, and a more humid atmosphere is
s urtid. The next step to consider is whether to
nortto pot culture or to grow the plants in the
lis recently cleared of Melons. The latter
<u-se might prove an advantage if the bed is
uHeientl^' near the roof to prevent the plants
<iwing up weakh-, as undoubtedly, the roots
c; being confined and having free run of a
fi-ly rich rooting medium, growth would be
songerand the Beans produced finer, while with
■ceful syringing and keeping the surface of the
l|l uniformly moist, there is less danger of red
.alder attacking the foliage — the greatest pest
t' grower has to contend with, and which it is
•iKcult to prevent when the plants are situated

< dry airy sheh es. If such a house as described
.f ive is available, a gentle hotbed of leaves and
i er might be nuide up, as for Cucumbers,
le material should be brought well up to
y. glass to allow for sinking when the soil
aidded. By using plenty of lea%es the heat
[iduced will be more steady and lasting, while
•tire is less danger of any delicate plants which
« y be in the huuse at the time being injured by
■amonia, which escapes from a bod\- of stable

< njire. Having made the material as firm as
i isible by treading, cover this with a layer
•<- soil at least 0 inches in thickne.ss. The
cnpost used, especially during the dull days of
*iter, when it is necessary to encourage root
■a ion as much as possible, should be light and
<rb and also of a gritty nature, as roots form in
ts more quickly and there is less danger of the
«l turning .sour than when that of a heavier
f'Ureisused. Fresh loam containing a certain
aouDt of fibre, spent Mushroom nuiiun-e, partly
<aiyed leaves, and some sharp road grit will be
1 :essary, using each in proportion so as to form
•a lice light compost. It may be necessary to
■aange some 9-inch boards round the edge of the
tl to form, as it were, a frame to hold the soil.
Je seed should be sown in row^s, and, of course,
<• more room the plants can be afforded the
smger will be the growth. A foot at least
« uld separate the rows, while the seed should

jlibbledinaboutS inches apart and at about the
s^e depth. The rows, too, if possible should
«" ' in the same direction as the rafters, so that

what little sun there is will strike the soil between
them. As growth even inider these favouralilc
conditions will be naturally weak compared to
that made when the days become longer, early
sup|)Orts shouhl be afforded in the shape of a few
light twigs placed on either side of the rows.
This not only keeps the plants upright, but the
llowers are exposed to liglit, and being dry they
have a better chance to set. Where oidy one
house is a\ailable another sowing could be
made later in small pots, and transplanted im-
mediately the former lot of plants became ex-
hausted, and thus save to some extent the time
which nuich elapse betwctni crops. Pot culture,
bowe\er, is the method chiefly resorted to in
private gardens, as the Beans can be grown on
shelves in Pine stoves or Cucumber houses. For
mid-winter I prefer pots about 7 inches in dia-
meter, as they take up less room, and better
results follow in having these well filled with
roots than are obtained by using larger ones only
partially filled. The soil in the first instance
being full of roots, more moisture and feeding can
be employed, and there is less danger of the
jilants damping off, which often results if soil is
used for moukling them up when grown in 9-inch
or 10-inch pots. Several \arietie8 are now re-
connnended for winter work, but those of a
natural dwarf and free-bearing habit should be
selected, such as Osborn's Forcing, Sj-on House,
and Fulmer's Early Forcing.

Carkots. — Only a \ery gentle heat is required
to force these, and the delicate young roots are
highly appreciated in the winter. A steady
warmth jjroduced from a body of leaves and well-
made frame, with a iew mats for night covering,
are all that is required, and where these are
available they could hardly be put to a better use.
To maintain a steady bottom-heat from now on
till spring from 3 feet to 4 feet of leaves will be
necessary, and the bed made sufficiently wide, so
that more leaves can be packed round the sides of
the frame. If it is thought the leaves will not
generate sufficient heat in themselves, a little
fresh stable litter mixed with them will promote
fermentation. Having prepared a suitable bed
and i)laced the frame in position, about 9 inches of
rich sandy soil should be placed in the bottom and
the frame closed for a few days, so as to allow the
compost to be warmed through before the seed is
sown. A plunging sti<;k should be used, and
when this is found to strike warm to the hand
sow the seed thinly and evenly o\ er the surface,
and cover with a slight sprinkling of sand. A light
watering through a fine rose will settle the soil
and assist germination, especially if afforded at a
temperature of 70°. At this season, Parisian or
French Forcing Horn should be sown. Ventila-
tion will not be required until the seedlings push
through, when it should be given with care, varying
it according to outside conditions of the atmo-
sphere. It is a good plan to place a mat or strips
of tiffany over the aperture, as this allows mois-
ture to pass off' without a rush of cold air entering
t he frame. From first to last this must be ob-
serveil, as the least chill checks growth and poor
results follow.

Radishes. —These, too, are never more appre-
ciated than when produced during winter on a
gentle hotbed, as the flavour is milder and the
roots more temptinjj^than those grow'n in the open
during summer. Exactly the .same conditions
should be followed as recommended above for
Carrots, only a less depth of soil is required, but
this, if possible, should be brought to within
(i inches of the lights. These really suffer more
from the want of light than from any other cause,
as without this they draw up weakly and service-
able roots fail to form. Lights ^^ith large panes
of glass should be used, and no dirt or rubbish
should be allowed to accumulate on them. Wood's
Frame is a reliable variety for present sowing.

MisTARi) AND Cress. — A good supply of this
can easily be kept up with the aid of an ordinary
warm greenhouse. A sowing made twice a week
in shallow boxes will furnish a nice daily su|)ply.
This is looked upon as the most simple thing pos-
sible to grow, and for this reason it often lacks

the attention needed to have it in the best con-
<lition. A mistake uuide is that of using the same
compost repeatedly, instead of giving fresh, rich
I soil at each sowing. Strong growth with nice
white stems looksmore tem()ting in the salad bowl
than the puny article often used.

Mixr A.N[) TARRAia>N. — These useful herbs are
often recpiired when least expected ; hence it is
advisable to lift a nundjer of roots, place them
in pots or boxes, and stjre them in a cold frame
in readiness .should a spell of .severe weather set
in. They can then be introduced into moist heat
of about 55° as required, keeping them close u|)
to the glass, or growth will be weak and of little
value. RniiARU Parker.

FRUIT HOUSES.
WiNTERC'rcpMiiKKs. — The singularly fine autumn
through which we have passed has had a good
effect on winter Cucumbers, as h;ird firing has
not at any time been necessary to keep up the
reiiuisite temperatures. Red spidci' and thrips —
insects which generally infest Cucumbers to a
greater or less extent when the hot-water pipes
have to be kept heated to a high degree, perhaps
for weeks together— are therefore absent, and with
care the plants can be kept clean until after the
turn of the year. The syringe, which should
have been abandoned for the past few weeks, may
then be brought into use again. In the meantime
overhead syringing must be discontinued, and the
necessary moisture created by damping the floors
and sprinkling the surfaces of the beds with tepid
water. The vapour troughs too must be kept
constantly filled for the same purpose, and where
the bottom-heat pipes are contained in a brick
chamber underneath the bed in which the plants
are growing, it is a good plan to run water
amongst them once or twice a day. The mois-
ture so created then rises and penetrates the
bottom part of the bed, and prevents the mate-
rials composing it becoming too dry. Green fly
is apt to prove troublesome at this time of the
year, but this can always be subdued by mild
fumigations. Mildew sometimes attacks the leaves
when the house occupies a low situation, or when
the internal atmosphere becomes stagnant through
not being changed b}' the admission of a little
fresh air, if not daily, on every favourable ojjpor-
tunitj-. The best cure for this is flowers of sulphur,
and to prevent future attacks keep the air buoyant
and sweet bj' the admission of fresh air, which, if
tempered b\' having to pass over the hot-water
pipes on entering the house will be all the more
beneficial to the inmates. Pay particular atten-
tion to the training and stopping of young
growths. Do not allow a quantity of these to
develop, and then sto]) in a wholesale manner, as
this means loss of energy, while the plants suffer
a decided check from so doing. To guard against
this, look the plants over twice a week, when the
necessary stopping, tying and removal of decay-
ing foliage or cuttnig away portions of worn-out
bine can be done witiiout the plants suffering any
ill-effects. Give every attention to root watering,
applying stimulants as often as the condition of
the plants demands it. The water should never be
given at a lower temperature than SI P. Top-dress
with fresh loam, to which add a little charcoal
broken small, and bone-meal, which arc prefer-
able to animal manure. Maintain a day tempera-
ture of 70" to 75°, U5° at night, and a bottom-heat
of 80°. Should any of the plants show signs of
exhaustion, or appear unlikely to keep up the
supply until spring, make preparations for raising
a batch of plants at once. For this |)uri)Ose sow
seeds singly in 2.|,-inch pots and rai.se them in a
brisk heat, keepiiig the seedlings well up to the
light afterwards to ensure sturdy short-jointed
plants. In the interval between seed sowing and
planting time, well cleanse and prepare a house
for their rece[)tion.

Strawberries. — Where ripe Strawberries are
reciuired very esirly, preparations for starting
should at once be made, selecting a well-proved
early \ariety for the purpose. If the plunging
system finds favour, a pit should be filled with

426

THE GARDEN

[November 27, 1897,

»

leaves, wliich should be trodden as tirmly as
possible. The mild heat generated by tree leaves
is preferable to fire-heat, and is well suited to the
initial stage of Strawberry forcing, as it stimulates
the roots and induces the jjlants to ]jush up their
flower-spikes before much leaf-growth is made.
However, all cannot obtain leaves, even if a pit
can be spared, and the next best method is to
take the plants either into a vinery, Peach, or Fig
house just being- started. This plan answeis well
if the plants are placed on shelves close up to the
light, and here they may remain until they have
flowered and set. In either case the plants will
require a little preparation before taking them
into the houses or plunging them. They should
first be relieved of dead leaves, also iloss and
weeds. Exan.ine the drainage and see if all is in
working order, and wash the pots. Then dip
each plant in a mixture of warm soapy water and
sulphur, and top-dress if necessary, using good
loam with some proved artificial manure mixed
with it. Regarding plunging, much will depend
on the size of pit and the quantity of leaves that
it will hold. If it should hold a large mass, the
plants should only be stood on the surface vintil
all danger of over - heating is past. On the
other hand, if the pit should liold no more leaves
than will generate a genial warmth, then the
pots may be jiUinged to the rims at once. Keep
the plants well up to the light — as this is a most
important matter — and introduce more leaves as
the plunging proceeds rather than allow them to
remain some distance away from it, and run the
risk of both llower-spikes and foliage becoming
drawn. As a rule plants that are plunged require
but little water until growth becomes active ; all
the same, they had better l:ie looked over e\ ery
few days. Those standing on shelves in forcing
houses, occupying, as they do, more airy positions,
dry more quickly, and should therefore be looked
over daily. These will also derive a good deal
of moisture from syringing, which sliould be
done at the same time that the legitimate occu-
pants of the houses receive attention in this way.
All batches of plants intended for late forcing
should now either be housed, planted in pits, or
plunged in coal-ashes outdoors. Ha\e bracken
or litter ready to Iiand to throw o\er the plants
in the latter case, should severe weather set in.

Early Pe.vcii house. — In the calendar for Oc-
tober 23 it was advised that early Peach trees
should be started by the middle of the present
month if ripe fruits are required next April and
JIay. Assuming that preparations have been
made accordingly, close the house at once if this
has not already been done. Examine the border,
and give it a thorough moistening with water at
a temperature of So'^, should the tester give indi-
cation that water is needed. Then introduce a
good body of fermenting materials, placing it on
shutters or boards, or anything that will keep it
off the border should the latter be situated, as it
should be, inside the house. Failing this, employ
just sufficient artificial heat to maintain a night
warmth of 40°, vith an additional 5° more for
the day. In the first case, little or no syringing
would be required for the first week or so, as the
vapour given oft' by the fermenting bed will
supply ample moisture, but in the latter instance
it will Ije necessary to dew the trees over with
tepid water. This may be done twice daily when
the weather is bright, but once only when dull,
and omit it altogether when fogs prevail. The
second syringing must be done early enougli to
allow the trees to dry before darkness sets in.
To keep up a regular succession another house
must be got ready for starting, not later than the
end of the year, and between now and then get
all preliminary operations such as pruning, tying,
cleaning, &c., carried out. A. W.

Jasminum nudiflorum. — While, as it were,
the evidences of a tardy dying summer still
appear in the garden, a forcible reminder of the
near approach of winter is \vith us in the flower-
ing of this wall shrub, each twig amply covered
with the pleasing j-ellow flowers. In one instance

in particular an excellent eft'eet resulted from the
association of a true climber, Ampelo()sis Veitchi,
where for the past two years the unchecked
growth had spread itself lieneath the above plant,
carpeting, as it were, the walls for some consider-
able area, and just now the two are beautiful in
the extreme, the richly coloured leaves of the
Ampelopsis more than fully compensating for the
characteristic nakedness of the Jasmine. Doubt-
less there are many instances where on walls
these two plants could be more or less associated,
so that in such seasons as the present a pretty
eftect may be secured.

Ferns.

HARDY BRITISH FERNS FOR GROUPING.

Allosords CRisrrs (the Parsley Fern) is an in-
teresting species, and should always when pos-
sible be planted in clumps. Its fronds are usually
only i inches to (i inches high, but as they grow
in dense tufts the effect is jjretty and the con-
trast with the larger growing kinds striking. It
is, as most Fern-lovers know, a mountain Fern,
revelling in a damp position, but requiring full
exposure to wind and weather. It is desirable to
plant this species among stones firmly wedged
together, the interstices being filled with com-
post. This will provide good drainage, for al-
though it likes plenty of moisture about its roots,
it must not be stagnant moisture. The fertile
fronds grow rather taller than the sterile and are
more contracted, owing to the formation of tlie
s[)ore cases. The common name is by many
jieople thought to be misleading, as it causes
them to expect the plant to have the appearance
of curled Parsley used for garnishing. It has,
howe\er, evidently received its name from its
resemblance to the wild or sheejj Parsley.

Asi'LEXiUJi Adiantum-nigri'M (the lilack Jlai-
den-hair Spleenwort) looks very pretty when a
numljcr of plants are together forming a clump.
The fronds are dark glossy green, and in a con-
genial position grow each 8 inches or 9 inches in
length.

A. ALTERNiFOLiuM, Or (;ek]m AN iruM, and A.
.sEPTEXTRUiNAEE, when grown as single plants,
are rather insignificant, but a number of plants
together forming a clump become at once distinct
and effective in contrast with the larger growers.
The same may be said of

A. Trk'HOMANES and A. viride, the black and
the green-stemmed Spleenworts. It is only by
planting a number together that a satisfactory
effect can be obtained, as they are among the
smallest-growing British Ferns.

The Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-fu-mina) is
one of the ])rettiest native Ferns we have. Its
fronds are light, graceful, and feathery, often
2^ feet to 3 feet in length. As it is a free-grow-
ing S|)ecies, a few strong crowns planted together
will soon form an exceedingl}' pretty cluni]).
There are two distinct types, one with green and
the other witli red stems, this feature being per-
petuated in the varieties, which are almost of
every imaginable form and number several
hundreds. Of these some are specially suitaljle
for the purpose under consideration, while others,
owing to an unavoidable similarity, may or may
not be considered desirable according to indi-
vidual taste, while a few do not lend themselves
at all satisfactorily to grouping. These latter
require isolation, and when planted singly in
prominent po.-itions, by their particular charac-
teristics and distinct a])pearance, serve to make
more [irominent the peculiar beauties of other
varieties as well as their own. Athyrium F.-i.
corymbiferum has large spreading fronds, nicely
crested at the tips and along the sides. There
is a very handsome form of this variety called
purjiureum which has pink stems and rather
darker foliage, which should have a place
in every fernery. A. F. -f. curtum multifidum
grows rather erect in haljit ; its fronds are nar-
rower than those of the preceding and nicely

crested ; the colour is bright green and its hahit
gives it a very neat and attractive appearance.
A. F. -f. plumosum of Horsfall and pluraosum ot
Jones are exceedingly beautiful : their fronds are
large, broad, feathery and graceful. Plumosum
multifidum is of the same style, but every pinna
and the apex of the frond are crested, while
|5lumosum elegans is elegant beyond description.
The fronds of the last are finely cut into lace-likt
divisions, the colour is a charming pale green, ami
altogether it is one of the most lovely harclj
Ferns in existence. A. F.-f. todeoides is anothei
lovely variety, well named from its finely-cut,
Todea-like fronds. Its foliage is bright green and
produced profusely.

The foregoing are all large or medium-sized
growers, and as it would be a mistake to haif
only such in the fernery, the following varieties ol
the same familj' should be interspersed to produce
contrast and enhanced effect : A. F.-f. congestuiii
cristatum is a dwarf, compact crested variety,
wliich produces fronds 6 inches to !) inches ii
length. A. F.-f. crispum grows usually aboul
(i inches high and is a mass of branched am
crested fronds and very pretty. A. F.-f. Edward j
is a lovely little Fern, growing 6 inches or there
abouts in height ; its fronds are pale green
densely congested, but not crested, and partieu
larly pleasing in its neat appearance. A. F.-f
Frizelhe is commonly called the Tatting Fern. Ii
has very narrow fronds, usually a foot or so long
The uninitiated would not recognise in this one o
the Lady Ferns, as its ap)>earance is so utterl;
unlike the type. It is a verj' interesting as wel
as a pretty variety. Half-a-dozen plants of tlii:
should be put together and they will form a ver;
attractive object. The fronds consist of a immbe
of small half-moon-shaped pinn:e arranged closel;
along the main stem, and are usually less thai
half an inch in width. It is a variety which i
rather prone to sport or produce fronds showin;
a partial reversion to the type. These shoul'
always be pinched out, as if allowed to remaii
the .tendency grows stronger, and in course c
time the plant will jjrobably lose entirely its tru
character. The tendency referred to seems to 1 1
most common if the soil in which it is planted i
too rich ; a poor soil would seem to be desirable ti
prevent the fault. A. F.-f. minimum is a pigm;
form of the type, being in every particulai
except size, like it. It is neat and pretty, and .'
few plants put together will soon form a thrivin;
colony. A. F.-f. Verne )n;e cristatum is a ver;
comjiact, dwarf variety which grows abou
10 inches or 1 foot high, very neat in appearand
and remarkably pretty. There is one exceeding!;
handsome variety (A. F.-f. Victoria') whichmustno
be omitted from the list of Lady Ferns, aUliougl
it is probably one of those which should not bi
massed. It apjjears most suited for plantin;
singly in a conspicuous position, where it
fronds can develop without hindrance or bein;
crowded by other varieties. They grow fron
'2 feet to 2^ feet in length ; the pinrue are narrow
and arranged apjiarently in twos on each side o
the stem, one branching upwards and the othci
downwards ; this causes them to cross and foni
a kind of lattice-work the whole length of tli'
frond. Many of the pinnic are crested, as is als'
the tip of the frond. A good plant of this wil
form a \'ery handsome ornament to the fernery
and well deserves the best position therein. Then
is no other Fern approaching in unique appear
ance this \ariety.

Bleciinum Spicant makesadistinct and pleasinj
group. In a nicely sheltered position it will re
tain its foliage through the winter. The barrel
fronds spread out horizontally, while the fertili'
much larger fronds stand erect. The varietie.
ramo - cristatum and trinervo - coronans — botl
crested, the latter, however, much more lightl\
than the former— are probably the most effectiv»l
of the varieties when planted some half-dozeir
together, each kind separate, of course. ,

Ceteral'II oKFiciNARt-M (the Scaly Spleenwort!
is a very interesting dwarf species, and looks we|
in a nice-sized clunqt. It requires rather a
position, open to the sun and wind.

i

IS^OVEMBER

1897.J

THE GARDEN".

427

CvsT(ii'Ti:kis KUAiai.is (the Brittlf HlaildL'i-
j'ern) ami C. montami (the Moiintiiiii Uhuliler
fern) arc two clianninw species. Tlu'v nlll^*t l>e
n the sliadc, and, siirrouiuled by hirijei' ;;i(nvin<;
iiiids, they will certainly prove worthy of their
xjsition. One of the prettiest species for i^roup-
ng is

Lasthka .lOMfi.A (the Hay-scented Fern). The
)Ieasing green fronds, with their crisp a])|)oar-
ince and dense haliit of j^rowth, cause it to be
iniversally admired, t'oupled with this is its
lecidiar perfume, reminding one of new-mown
lay, more noticeable in autumn when tlie season's
;rowth luis been made. This combination of
ppearance and perfume causes it to bo a general
avourite for the hardy fernery.

Lasthka dii.atata is somewliat like :emula in

orm of foliage, but grows much larger and is

larker in colour. This is a capital species for

tfect. There is one variety of this (grandiccps)

ihich is very heavily crested and more compact

n habit, which may be planted with advantage.

L. Fii.ix-MAS (the Male Fern) is well known

- an ett'ective, showy species. This grows to

large size and makes a bold and substantial

ackground for the finer kinds. Another form of

his tine Fern, now distinguished by the name L.

seudo-mas, is very handsome, The fronds are

right yellov\ish green, the stems are densely

lothed with golden-brown scales, the texture is

liick and leathery, causing it to be an evergreen

1 sheltered places. The fronds are produced

Iraost in the form of a shuttlecock, very symmetri-

id in their arrangement and of large size. This

^ certainly one of the most noble-looking British

ems. There are a number of \'ery efl'ective

arieties of both these forms of Male Fern ; among

i>m are L. F.-m. Barnesi, a large, bold form :

F.-m. BoUandie, equally large, but more foliose

lid the most feathery or plumose of this section ;

F.-m. fluctuosa, otherwise named crispatissima,

:ise in habit and remarkably crisp in ajjjiear-

■e ; L. F.-m. grandiceps, a splendid, heavily

■ sted variety, which makes a grand sliow ;

. F.-m. cristata, crested all along the sides and

the tip ; and L. F.-m. polydactyla, also a fine

■-ted variety, broader in the frond than the

needing. These are all admirably suited for

anting in groups and produce a line efl'ect.

b. .MoNTAXA (the Mountain Buckler Fern), also

lown as L. Oreoptei-is, and commonly called the

i-inon-seented Fern, is pretty ; its fronds are

.de green and grow 2 feet to 3 feet in length,

pcording to position. It likes a moist position

|id plenty of light and air.

b. KiciDA is of smaller growth, rather stifT, but

-tinct.

I.. TiiKi.vpTEius (the Marsh Fern) requires a
imp position and produces a forest of light
'•en, erect fronds. Xearly everyone knows the
■yal Fern,

OsMiNDA RKiiALis. This is a grand Fern, and

marshy ground or planted by the waterside,

bere its roots may obtain an unstinted supply of

nisture, it will make a more massi\e specimen

an any other hardy Fern. In the early part of

■• season the fertile fronds are very remarkable

appearance, the sjiikes of spore ca.ses standing

It jjrominently at the ends of the fronds. This

(s given rise to the misnomer, "the flowering

■rn." Tlie variety cristata is a very handsome

sted form, much lighter green in colour and

ivily crested. The cresting in this Fern does

' spoil it, as it does in some cases. This x'ariety

dwarfer and more compact in habit than

.'alls, but, notwithstanding this, when planted

a favourable position it makesabeautiful speci-

..Ml.

'OLVT'ODUM Drvopteris (the Oak Fern).— In
" native habitats this species carpets square
I lis of ground with its pale green triangular
•ads. It appears to be everyone's favourite,
I is well deserving of its universal admiration.
IS extremely hardy, and when planted in nice
' 'it compost in a shady, .sheltered position it
,iekly spreads and produces a mass of lovelv
■lage.

I'oi.vi'oDii-M I'liKiion-EivTs (the Beech Feinl is
another pretty species eipially cpiick in growth
and as dwarf in habit ; its foliage is darker and
more Moolly-looking than that of the Oak Fern,
and forms a nice contrast to it.

I'oLVi'ODUM vi-LCAHK (the comnion J'olpody) is
totally dillerent from the two I'olypodies just
referred to, and while they invariably clothe the
ground, often growing in rocky or stony places,
this one very frequently clothes the branches of
trees and forms masses of foliage on the roofs of
old buildings and on walls. These facts suggest
that this species may be planted with success
where most other kinds would not live, and
pretty clumps may bo established on projecting
rocks, where, provided it obtains a reasonalile
amount of moisture at its roots, it will soon be at
home. When, however, it is planted in less cx-
])Osed and more shady positions, its gro\\th is more
luxuriant and its fronds larger. It may here be
mentioned tliat the Polypodies are all \ery partial
to good leaf-mould, and should be supplied freely
therewith. The variety cambricum is a \-ery
beautiful \-ariety of this species : its fronds are
much more massi\e and deeply cut into large
overlapjjing divisions ; P. v. cristatum has fronds
like the species, but crested ; P. v. grandiceps is
very heavily crested and a handsome variety : P.
v. pulcherrimum is large and exceptionally hand-
some ; P. v. semilacerum is not so hea\y in
foliage, but nearly as pretty ; while P. v. tricho-
manoides, which is a selected form of P. v. cornu-
biense Fowleri, is cut up into countless segments
and is very beautiful. All these should be
planted a few of each together, and they will
prove very pleasing.

PoLYSTK'iit'M .\«-LEATlTM (the hard Prickly
Shield Fern) and P. anctlark (the soft Prickly
Shield Fern ) grow to a large size. The former has
dark, glossy green foliage, and the latter softer,
paler green fronds ; botli are evergreen and very
handsome. There are some exceedmgly beautiful
varieties of these species which make tine ertecti\ e
masses when planted in clumps. Among them
are P. aculeatum pulcherrimum, than which it
would be difficult to find a more handsome Fern :
P. angulare divisilobum (several forms) with fine
large drooping fionds, and, notwithstanding its
rather alarming name, P. a. divisilobum plumo-
sum, an exceedingly beautiful variety with
massive fronds cut into countless over-lapping
pinnoe : P. a. polydactylum splendens, a very
handsome variety, well named ; P. a. plumosum,
with very laige plumose fronds and one of the
noblest-looking British Ferns.

Poi.v.sTK'iirM LoNciilTis (the Holly Fern) is
dwarf and compact in habit and very prett}-, each
pinna being like a miniature Holly leaf.

Ptkhis aquilina (the Bracken) may be con-
sidered by some people too common for cultiva-
tion ; nevertheless it is a desirable kind to plant
where there is plenty of room. P. a. cristata and
P a. grandiceps are line varieties to which the
objection of being common cannot be applied ;
these, with their tree-like habit of growth and
more or less heavily tasselled fronds are very
desirable.

SfciLorENDRifM vfLfiARE (the Hart's-tongue)
should be planted, if only to compare with its
numerous jn-ogeny, beautiful and otherwi.se, to
which it has given birth : but it is also well wortliy
a pla.-e for its own sake. Its bright green un-
divi led fronds are quite distinct from those of all
the other British species, and when well grown
are really pretty and produce a telling effect.
The wonderful and unlimited resources of Nature
are not more evident anywhere than in the large
number of varieties of eveiy imaginable form
which have been developed from this simplest of
all species. Mr. Lowe in his "British Ferns"
enumerates some 4.'K) or more varieties of it. A
veiy large number of these are scarcely recog-
nisable as diti'erent from others, but at the same
time there are many very remarkable, and some
exceedingly pretty ones among them. It must
suffice here, however, to s[)ecify just a few of
those most desirable for the particular mode of
planting now under consideration, rncpiestion-

alily the most handsome section of the various
divisions of this large family is that made
up of the crispiim form.s. These are of
many forms, found wild in most ca,ses, and in
others raised from spores in cultivation. Some
are narrow, others broad ; some erect, others
drooping: some slightly crimped or frilled, others
very densely frilled, others fimbriated, and some
more or less heavily crested as well as frilled.
The most striking and beautiful are crispum of
<irey, crispum of Wills, crispum of Moses, cris-
pum of Bowden, crispum of Cowburn, cris])um
inajus and erisjuim robustum of .lones, crispum
timbriatum of Stansfield, and crispum liinbriatiim
of Cropper. Crispum of Stabler is also a nice
variety. There are several crested fonns, but the
cresting in their case rather detracts from than
adds to their appearance. Among the crested
forms which are not crisped the best are capita-
turn, heavily crested ; cristatum. neatly crested ;
digitatum, bearing a flat, broad crest : grandi-
ceps and ramo-cnstatum, both branched and
crested ; cristulatum, a very pretty form of ramo-
cristatum style : Kelwayi, den.sely branched and
crested ; Kelwayi densum, exceedingly dense and
compact, so much branched and crested as to be
like a ball of Moss 3 inches or 4 inches in dia-
meter. Unfortunately, this variety is very liable
to danij) otl' unless some means are adoijted to
keep the wet off the foliage during winter. An-
other very pretty variety is ramo-marginatum,
which combines the characters of marginatum
and ramo-cristatum. Of different character are
laceratum, with broad fronds deeply cut, lace-
rated, and sometimes crested, and sagittatum
grande, with \ery broad, projecting lobes at the
base of the frond.

The wonderful varietj' of foliage represented
b}- the various Ferns in the foregoing category
])lanted and arranged judiciously would make up
a ferner3' possessing a beauty and interest that it
would be impossible to surpass by means of anj-
other j)lants. Tliere are, of course, many others
suitable for the special purpose for which these
are recommended, and a very large number of
other \ery beautiful and eiiually interesting
kinds, which, however, are not .so suitable for
planting in groups as these here enumeratetl.
These may form the subject of other notes in
course of time. B.

Trees and Shrubs.

TREES AND SHRUBS IN AUTUMN.

TiiR brilliant autumn scenery of the North
American woods is proverlnal, and many nf the
.species so remarkable there are among the
brightest of our trees on this side of tlie
Atlantic, where, however, the leaf-colouring is,
as a rule, less pronounced than on the western
continent. The dull, damp weather which
frequently jirevails at thi.s season of the year
leads in many instances to a far more sombre
display than that experienced when the weather
is bright and clear. Position, too, and indi-
vidual peculiarities bntli play a part in the
variations of colouring that are to be found
among trees and shrubsintheautunin, while.some
subjects possess a quiet beauty of their own in
ever varying shades of yellow, brown, and
russet, which render them equally worthy of
.admiration with their more brilliantly-tinted
brethren. When a number of trees and .shrubs
of one species are grouped together, and all, as
far as can be seen, under similar conditions,
their individual features are then brought more
prominently forw.ird, some changing colour a
week or two before the others. That this is
nf)t an accidental circumsbvnce is shown by a
fact I have several times noted, that the same
trees show this peculiarity year after year.
Among trees atid .shrubs remarkable for bril-
liant antuinn effects may be mentioned many of

428

THE GARDEX.

[NovBMBBB 27, 1897.

tlie Oaks, ])articularly the several forms of tlie
Bed O.ik ((,^)uerciis rubra), Q. coccinea, and (}.
tinctoria. In brightness fif colouring tliey leave
our own European Oaks far behind. The
different Sujnachs (Rhus) are, irrespective of
their native country, all remarkable for their
autumn tints. The sturdy-growing .species with
long jiinnate leaves, such as the Stag's-horn
Sumach (R. typhina) from North America, with
Rhus Osbeeki and R. suocedanea from China
and Japan, vie with the simple-leaved bush
forms, the Venetian Sumach (R. Cotinus)
and the United States R. codonoides, in
their vivid hues, while the brightest among
them are equalled by the curious climbing
Poison Oak (Rhus toxicodendron), which is
such a conspicuous feature in some parts of the
American woods, where it clothes the stems of
lofty trees. This has ac([inred such a bad name
as a virulent poison, that it is not grown so much
as it Would otherwise be. It is frequently met
with under the names of Ampelopsis Hoggi and
Ampelopsis japonica (for it also occurs in
Japan), and as such it is more often planted.
The mention of Ampelopsis reminds one of the
brilliancy of the Virginian Creepers. Nearly
the whole of tlie Vines are remarkable for their
autunni tints, particularly the Claret Vine (Vitis
vinifera purjjurea), whose leaves about the end
of the summer acquire a deep purple hue, which
is retained till tliey drop. The large-leaved Vitis
Coignetiie has attracted a deal of attention
within the last few years owing to its beauty
in autumn, and some of the others are little if
anything behind it in this respect. The autumn
tinting of Vitis inconstans differs greatly, there
being certainly two or three forms of it in cul-
tivation. That with neat growth fixed closely
to the wall is much brighter tlian in the larger-
leaved form, whose foliage frequently dies off a
dull brown.

The Maples, which largely contribute to the
beauty of the North American forests, have in
most cases a considerable amount of yellow in
their decaying leaves, though in many instances
it is flushed more or less with red. In most of
the European species a brownish hue pre-
dominates. Tlie Cockspur Thorn (Cratiegus
Crus-galli) has long been noted for its autumn
display of both fruits and decaying foliage, and
several other species are very ornamental in this
respect. Cr'afeegus pinnatifida is remarkable
from the fact that the leaves die oft" a clear
yellow, in which it differs from most of its
associates. Other rosaceous trees or shiubs
tliat may be especially mentioned for their
autumn tints are the Bird Cherry (Prunus
Padus), some of the Pyruses and particularly
the little Pyrus arbutifolia, Cotoneaster horizon-
talis, the Amelanchiers, and several of the Plums
and Cherries.

The Burning Bush is the American name for
Euonynius atro-purpureus, and it well expresses
the bright autumn tints of its foliage. It is by
no means the only member of the genus remark-
able in this respect, as our own native S]jindle
Tree (E. europ:eus), together with the South
European E. latifolius, are both particularly con
spicuous, and so is E. Thunbergianus, a little
known species from Japan. Tlie American
Hickory nuts and the Yellow Wood (Cladrastus
or Virgilia lutea), a native of the same continent,
are all remarkable for the clear, self-yellow of
the decaying leaves, while the Tupelo Tree
(Nyssa sylvatica) is of a clear scarlet tint, but
the foliage soon drops. The Sweet Guin
(Liquidambar styraciflua) whose leaves are
usually of a deep purplish-red lit up more
or less with orange, is one of the brightest
cohjured of all our trees at this season, and
throughout the year it is very ornamental.

The DogW'Oods (Cornus) are all bright and
jiretty in the autumn, while after tlie leaves
lia\ e dropiped the shining red bark of some of
them is very ornamental. Ericaceous plants
include among their number a great many
worthy of note, including several of the Vac-
einiums and their allies, the hardy Azaleas of
all sections, and, in jiarticular, the North
American Oxydendron arboreum, known also
as Andromeda and Lyonia arborea, whose
leaves acquire a brilliant shining red tint, in
which stage they remain some weeks before
they drop. This needs a cool peaty soil to do
it well. The purple-leaved forms of the
Japanese Maples all intensify their colouring
some time before they shed their foliage, hence
during the last month or so they are particularly
rich. Thougli in many cases they are less

(red). While other subjects equally briglit am
effective may have been passed over, there is
in addition, quite a host of trees and shriili
whose decaying leaves are, though less brilliant
very beautiful. Such as these are not onl
valuable for the quiet beauty that they theiii
selves possess, but from tliis circumstance, the
serve as a foil to those with more vivid tints.

T."

DAISY TREES.

"(OLEAEIAS.)

Most of the kinds of Olearia in cultivation ai
natives of New Zealand. But amongst tli
Australian species there are many beautifi
shrubs which would pay for their introductioi
The species already in cultivation are reall

li

Olearia (Eurylia) Gunniana.

liiight than the North American trees and
shrubs, yet our British kinds all acquire an
additional beauty in autumn. Thus the Elm
usually changes to one of the many shades of
yellow, and often branch by branch instead of
all at once, as most of the others do ; while the
Oak, Ash, Lime, Beech and Birch each pfissess
their own jiarticular features, with individual
variations. The Guelder Rose serves to
brighten up many a copse and liedgerow, being,
in some seasons at least, particularly brilliant.
A few other plants worthy of note are the
common Barberry, and Berberis Thunbergi
(rod), Liriodendron tulipifera (yellow), Ptelea
trifoliata (clear yellow), Gymnoeladus cana-
densis (yellow), and Spir;ea prunifolia flore-pleno

useful and handsome shrubs, easily cultivatCi
evergreen, very free-flowering, and of goc
habit. The only drawback is their not provii
hardy, except in warm localities. Still, the
are a great many gardens wliere they will gi'"
and thrive perfectly, and there is also tl
chance that in time most of the kinds will g'
acclimatised sufficiently to bear an ordinal
English winter. Besides, some of them, as, f'
instance, O. insignis, are good greenhou
plants.

Oleakia insignis is the most remarkable spLj.
cies yet introduced. The flowers are on er©M|j
peduncles, as thick as a goose-quill, and ^'^^^H^i
6 inches to 9 inches long. The yellow flonlr^
heads are a little over i inches across, and remaj

tfOVEMBER 27, 1897.]

THE GAIJDEN.

429

h on the plant foi- about six weeks. Tliit*

t is one of the most inteiestinK and prettiest
he composites which are foinxl in Aiistialia
New Zeulanil. It is a native of -Middh'
nd, in New Zouhuid, where it is said to grow
;he driest roeUs.

. DKNTATA is evdtivated in the Scilly Isles and

jr favourable localities, where it forms a huf,'e

h. The llowers are each over 1 incli across

numerous, in terminal racemes ; the lay

its number about twenty, each half an inch

J, curved upwards, and formiMi_j a sauoerlike

d; they are white, tinted with rose, the disc

hhg bright yellow. This is a most l)eantifnl

Hl-ering shrub, and would probably thrive in the

S(th of England in sheltered situations.

'. (JrxNi.ANA (see cut) is quite hardy in the
s(th of Englan(l. Against a sunny wall it ought
tdo in almost any jmrt of England. It forms a
blh, with small, toothed, green lea\es, the
uler surface and other parts of the ))Iant
coered with white felt -like tomentuni. The
fleers (as shown in tlie illustration), and which
aiear with those of the Hawthorn, are very
alndant, clothing the branches with a mass of
» te Daisy-like blooms, which are borne singly
01 -he ends of hundreds of tiny branches on the
n er part of the large branches, and they are
1 ich across, with about a dozen ray florets,
w ch are half an inch long and white, the disc
big yellow. This species is also a good green-
h se plant. It is a native of Tasmania.

. Haasti. — ^\■llet!ler grown as a pot plant or
ajinst a wall or in the open border, or even as a
sj'imen on lawns, this shrub almost invariably
}fi!S satisfaction. It is hardy in most parts of
E;land, growing to a large size in the more
fa lured localities. It has been recommended as
A litable plant for sea-side gardens bj- se\cral
wi have triefl and pio\ed it. If jilanted in large
amps it has a good ert'ect when covered with its
tliisands of Aster-like flowers, and even out of
blim it is attractive. In New Zealand, where it
isiund at altitudes of about 4(ifl() feet, it grows
in a small shrubby tree. Here, however, it
fois a compact bush, not unlike a Box ]ilant.
T: leaves are oval, leathery, shining green al;iove.
wte beneath, where they are covered with felt-
hairs, as also are the stems. The flowers are
numerous, in terminal corymbs, the ray
fl( its each a C|uarter of an inch long, white, the
yellow. The plants usually bloom in August
remain in perfection several weeks.
. MACROixiXTA. — This was introduced from
r Zealand. It is the O. dentata of the New
Z^and flora, there being another dentata, the
one, native of Australia, and described above,
plant has large, silver-green. Holly-like
ge and dense heads of whitish flowers. \Mien
.' grown it attains a height of 20 feet, the
(iti 2J feet in diameter at the base, the branches
t, and forming with the leaves a round, some-
wit flattened top, which is hidden by the dense
lids of white flowers developed in the month of
Aiust. The foliage smells agreeably of Musk.

RAMrLosA is a handsome little shrub which
he been in cultivation about twenty years under
th lame of Eurybia ramidosa. The flow ers are
ve numerous on long, curving branches, forming
eliftnt sprays of pretty, starry blossoms ; each
onis small, but they are .so abundant and ])rettily
ar iged that the efl'ect of a well-grown plant
wl 1 in flower in September or October is charm-
int The species is a native of Tasmania, New
So h Wales, &c.

' STELLn.ATA was one of the first species in-
tK iced into England. It grows to a height of
»b. t 5 feet ; the leaves vary in length from half
an eh to '2 inches, the upper surface green, the
resjf the plant co\ered with a rusty tomcntum :
"o rs in leafy panicles, which are long and very
gKiful in form : each flower is small, Daisy-like,
pu white, with about a dozen ray florets. When

( ). ilicifolia, (I. myr.sinoides, ( ). corymbosa
and O. ginninosa are less ini])ort;int th.aii those
described al)ove.

frc,'

n against a wall this species blooms very
■ in June and July. It is a native of

Taiania and New South Wales. There
al varieties of it described by botanists.

Strawberry tree (Arbutus L'nedo). — This is
one of the most striking shr\ibs in flower. It
grows to a height of about 20 feet, and forms a
well-balanced ornamental tree. Its white bcU-
shapcd flowers arc borne in ])anieles, and when
properly expanded have a charming effect against
the deep green foliage, and large red Strawberry-
like fruits, which are borne very freely. It
<lelights in a sandy, well-drained soil, and though
]>erfeetly hardy, prefer a sheltered spot. A. Unedo
is suitable for [ilanting on the outskirts of the
lawn.

Chimonanthus fragrans. — The first flowers
of the \\'inter Sweet were picked on November (i
close to the wall with the tree still in full leaf and
shi>wing only a faint tinge of yellow, the mild
autumn being responsible for the early expansion
of the one and the long retention of the other.
This picking was from the variety usually found
in gardens. It is a trifle earlier than grandiflorus,
but in size of bloom and in fragrance not up to the
standard of the latter. Where the blooms are
prized for shallow Iiowls or vases it is desirable to
make provision for obtaining them as far as
possible all through the winter, and if the trees
are on a wall, this may be effected b3' the aid of a
piece of tiffany fastened to stout laths, the latter
lieing temporarily secured both to the top of the
wall and in the ground. This affords sufficient
protection from snowstorms and from any ordinary
frost, and can easily be removed during sjiells of
mild wearher. — E. Bukrei.l.

The Sassafras. — This has been this autumn
unusually beautiful. But it is not in autumn
alone that the Sassafras is attractive and interest-
ing ; in winter its bright green, lustrous branches
make a cheerful note on the margin of the forest ;
in spring it is charming, with its drooping clusters
of delicate yellow flowers surrounded l>y the en-
larged and showj' scales of the expanding buds;
all summer long its variously shaped fragrant
leaves retain their healthy luxuriance : and the
fruit, which birds rarelv allow to remain long on
the branches, is show\-, with deep Ijhie berries
and much thickened and scarlet cups. Few
l)eople plant the Sassafras, perhaps because it is
a native tree, and nurserj'men rarely oflfer it for
sale. Large plants are diflicult to transplant, as
the thick, ffeshy roots are scantily provided with
rootlets, but small plants, which can often be
found in abundance along fence-rows and wood
Ijorders, are easily managed, and grow ra|.)idl}-
when set in good soil.

The Swamp Magnolia (M. glauca).— In the
notes from America I p. .'iT") Magnolia glauca is
said to varj- from a deciduous shrub at its most
northern limit to an evergreen tree in the extreme
south. Though this maj- be so, there are certainly
two forms of the Magnolia in ([uestion in this
country, one being quite deciduous, and the
other, unless the weather is very severe, sub-
evergreen in character. This latter is the more
desirable, as it continues to flower much later than
the other. The Swamp Magnolia is well adapted
for a single plant on a small lawn that is not a
parched up spot, as it is naturally of medium
growth, and flowers from midsummer till autumn.
The cream-coloured blossoms are only about
.S inches across, and are not particularly showy,
but sweetlj- scented. As the plant blooms freely
when 6 feet high or less, the fragrance of the
blossoms can be more readily ap|)reciated than if
it attained tree-like dimensions before flowering.
At no time are many Ijlossoms expanded on
the one plant, but a succession is maintained for
the above named period. — T.

The Japanese Prunus Pseudo-cerasus.— Of
the trees recently introduced into American gardens
one of the most promisini; is this, which has for
several \ears [iroved hardy in the Arnold Arbore-
tum, where it is growing rapidly. Forms of this
tree or of some allied species with double flowers
are now common garden plants in the United

States and Europe, but these are less hardy and
of much .slower growth than the wild t^'pe which
appears to be rare in American collections. It is
the largest tree of the family in .lapan, and, next
to the Apricot, more c'ultivated for its flowers by
the .la|)anese than any other tree. In the forests
of Yizo, where it is very common and sometimes
Hl( feet high with a trunk three feet in diameter,
it resendiles in the appearance of the bark and in
habit the wild type of I'runus Cerasus, the (Jlicrry
tree of our gardens, and it might be mistaken for
that species. In autumn it is partii-ularly l)cau-
tiful, as the leaves turn deep scarlet and light u)!
the forest before the Alaplcs .assume their
brightest colours. For centuries this Cherry has
been usid in .lapanese gardens and temple
grounds, and near Tokio there is a Cherry
avenue more than a mile in length along the
banks of the Sunii-da-gawa, and at Koganei ten
thousan<l of these trees wi're planted a century
and a half ago in an aveniu- several mih^s long. —
fi'rrdi'ii null Fonxt.

crpRESsrs.

This genu.s is widely scattered over the Atlantic
and Pacific coast regions of tlie I'nited States,
Mexico, and Lower California, and in the Old
World is distributed from South-eastern Europe
and the Levant, along tlie Himalayas to China.
Cfi'RESsrs TiivoiDKs is the White Cedar of
the Eastern States, where it grows in cold
swamps on the Atlantic and Culf coast plain.
usually immersed during several months of the
year, from Southern Maine to Northern Florida
and the valley of Pearl River, Mississippi, covering
them at the north with pure forests of wide ex-
tent, and at the south mingling with the Bald
Cypress and other moisture-loving species. It is
a slender, pyramidal, fragrant tree often 70 feet or
SI) feet high, with a stem rarely more than 2 feet in
diameter, thin, spreading branches clothed with
open, flat, fan-shaped spray and dark, dull blue-
green foliage, becoming rusty brown at the north
in winter when exposed to the sun. The White
Cedar, which is rarely cultivated in our gardens,
for the reason, perhajis, that it is a common native
tree, is of course [lerfectly hard}', and in tlrained
or in undrained soil grows ra[)idly into a slender,
shapely, graceful, open pyramid. European nur-
serymen propagate several forms of this tree with
glaucous and with j'ellow-marked foliage, and
others with fastigiate and pendulous branches.

C. NooTKAEXsis (the Sitka or Yellow Cedar) is
a common inhabitant of South-eastern Alaska,
where it is scattered through the forests of Spruces
and Hemlocks which cover the coast mountains,
and ranges southward through Western British
Columbia and Washington to the valley of the
Santiam River, in Oregon. It is the most valu-
able timber tree of Alaska, where it sometimes
grows to the height of 120 feet, with a trunk
(i feet in diameter. Its light, close-grained, jrnle
yellow wood has no superior in our forests as
material for the cabinet-maker, and in its la,sting
quality when put into the ground. The slender
branches of the Yellow Cedar, sweeping outward
and upward in long curves and furnished with
long, gracefully drooping frond-like bright yellow-
green branchlets, make this tree lovely in its
native forests : but to develo|) all its beauties it
requires the humid climate of the nortli-west
coast, and in drier regions displays little of the
grace and vigour which make it one of the hand-
somest of our conifers. In gardens, both in the
United States and Eurojie, the Yellow t'edar is
usu.ally known as Thujopsis borealis, and is still
generally seen otdy in juvenile form with dense
|iyramidal habit and blue-green foli.ige. It ap-
pears to lie quite hardy from New ^'ork south-
ward, but east of Cape Cod, although it can often
be kept alive for some time, it usually succumbs
at the end of a few years to the hardshije of its
surroundings, and is never really .satisfactory in
this part of the count r_v. The largest of all the
Cypress tribe and one of the great limber trees of
the world,

430

THE GARDEN.

[NOTBMBER 27, 1897.

C. Lawsoniana, is now a familiar ornament in
the parks and gardens of all temperate countries,
although it is less than fifty years since its dis-
covery. Its great size — for specimens '200 feet in
height, with trunks 10 feet or 12 feet in diameter,
are common — the remarkable thickness of its
deeiily-lobed bark, surpassing in this all other
members of the Cypress tribe, its graceful beauty
in youth, with its delicate feathery branches and
drooping leading shoots, and the nobility of its
port at maturity, give exceptional interest to this
tree. Restricted in distribution to a narrow strip
of the Southern Oregon and Northern California
coast, with outlying stations on the head-waters
of the Sacramento River, Lawson's Cypress exists
under very different conditions from those in
which it flourishes naturally, and from New York
southward it may be seen in a fairly vigorous
condition, although it never, jjerhaps, grows so
luxuriantly in the Atlantic States as in Western
Europe. In New England, unfortunately, it
merely survives in sheltered positions, and we
^hall have to give up the idea of using this tree
nere in general planting. The tendency of
Lawson's Cypress to variation is remarkable, and
more than sixty varieties have been named by
European nurserymen. This tree is universally
known in the forests of Oregon and the lumber-
yards of San Francisco as the Port Orford Cedar,
from the harbour on the Oregon coast, where the
lumber is largely shipped to San Francisco. The
wood is light, hard and strong, and abounds in a
fragrant resin, which makes it exceedingly
durable. For many years it has Ijeen used in
large iiuantities in California for the insides of
houses and in boat-building, and from this wood
the matches used on the Pacific coast are made. —
Oardtn and Forest.

A FALSE GENUS.
The Retinosporas now familiar to the cultiva-
tors of coniferous plants all belong to Cupre.ssus,
and are all forms of two Jajjanese trees, Cu-
pressus obtusa and C. pisifera, although some
of them appear so distinct tliat it is sometimes
hard to realise, until the appearance of a normal
branch discloses the secret of their origin, that
they are merely monstrosities tliat have been
cherished and propagated, perhaps, for cen-
turies by the Japanese.

CcPKESsrs OBTC-SA (the Hi-no-ki of .Japan) is a
native of the southei'u mountain [)rovinces and
the most valuable timber tree of the empire. It
is planted in the neighbourhood of all Shinto
temples, which are built of its wood. It is also
cultivated for its timber in the mountain forests
of Central Japan, where it often attains the
height of 100 feet, with a tall straight trunk
3 feet in diameter near the ground and free of
branches for 50 feet or 60 feet. The wood is
light, strong, tough, and very durable in contact
with the soil, pleasantly fragrant like that of the
other species of this section, and white, straw
colour or pink. The palaces of the Mikado in
Kioto were made from the wood of this tree,
which also serves for the frames of Buddhist
temples and the interior finish of expensive
houses. In Japan Cupressus obtusa is one of the
favourite subjects for dwarfing, and is often cut
into eccentric shapes, and several abnormal varie-
ties or juvenile forms are cultivated. Cupressus
obtusa aurea gracilis is a free-growing and beau-
tiful form of this tree introduced into our gardens
a few years ago. There are dwarf bushy forms in
cultivation in this country and Europe, some
with leaves of normal colour and others with
yellow foliage. These are highly prized in Japan,
and can be seen in almost every Japanese garden.
A distinct form known as Retinospora lycopo-
dioides has stout erect branchlets densely clothed
with bluntly awl-shaped, very dark green leaves,
and another, Retinospora filicoides, is peculiar in
its long, slender, spreading branches covered
with short, broad, light green sprays of quad-
rangular branchlets.

Cui'REssus PisiFEKA (the Sawara of the Japan-
ese) is planted in their forests and temple grounds

with Cupressus obtusa, and produces redder,
coarser-grained, and less valuable wood. The
common Golden Retinospora (Retinospora pisifera
aurea) is a form of this tree, and is here, perhaps,
the most frequently cultivated of the Japanese
Retinosporas. A more remarkable form is the so-
called Retinospora squarrosa, in which all the
leaves are short, pale blue-green, and spreading
or slightly bent toward the branchlets. This is
a low, broad, dense bush oi' small tree with large
divided and forked stems. Almost as remarkable
is Retinospora filifera, another form of this tree
with long, slender, pendulous, thread-like branch-
lets clothed with dark green leaves arranged in
remote alternate pairs ; there is a yellow- coloured
form of this plant. This is certainly one of the
most remarkaljle of all pendulous-branched coni-
fers, but, unfortunately, it is very capricious,
sometimes flourishing with great luxuriance, but
more often perishing from the cold of severe
winters. — Garden and Forexf.

Spiraea arbuscula. — This handsome Spirsa is
an alpine shrub with erect, wiry, branching stems

Orchard and Fruit GARDE^

BULLACES.
BuLLACES are seldom met with, this fact'heiil
no doubt attributable to the erri_)neous idea th
the quality of the fruit is far inferior to that
the Damson. Even were this true, Bullae
would, I maintain, pay for growing, not on
on account of their free-bearing character, b
because the fruit hangs on the trees long aft
Damsons liave fallen, even well into Novembt
and when once the markets are cleared of t
general run of popular Plums and Gages, t:
public, having no other alternative, eager
buy any late consignments. Probably mo
Bullace trees are grown in Essex, ISuffol
and Norfolk than in all other counties p
together. The variety most commonly m
with is the Small White, round in shape, ai
mottled with red on the exposed side. A
three varieties ripen in October, but jmpro

The White Bullace.

terminating in small, compact corymbs of
bright rose-red flowers. Its affinities are with
Spinca lucida, which is a larger plant with looser
corymbs of white or pale rose-coloured flowers,
and which grows at a low elevation in dry woods
from the Black Hills of South Dakota to Southern
Alberta and Eastern Washington, with Spira;a
corymbosa of the Southern Alleghanies and with
the Siberian and eastern Asiatic Spiriea betuli-
folia. It differs from Spir.-ca lucida in its dwarfer
habit, in its smaller and much more compact
flower-clusters, in its bright red stems covered
with thin lustrous bark, and in its smaller leaves.
Spirita arbuscula grows at Glacier, on the Sel-
kirk Mountains, in British Columbia, and south-
ward along the Cascade Mountains and the high
coast ranges of Washington and Oregon and
along the Sierra Nevada of Caliiornia to the centre
of that range. On the Olympic Mountains in
Washington it forms dense low mats at the
timber-line at an elevation of ."iOoO feet above the
sea, while on Mount Ranier, on the opposite side
of Puget Sound, it ascends 20110 feet higher,
enlivening in August rocky cliffs witli its brilliant
flowers. — Oarden and Forest.

in flavour if allowed to hang on the trees t
November. Bullaces also make delicious ja;
are excellent when bottled, and in East Ang
Bullace pie is held in high esteem amongst fai
labourers and cottagers generally.

Bullaces, more especially the common vh
variety, are not particular as to soil, growi
and thriving fairly well in a compost tliat wou
almost starve the Damson. One of the chi
recommendations of this fruit is the extrei
hardiness of its blossom, it being but seldf
that the crop is lost through frost. On tl
account those who grow Bullaces for sale usua.
plant them on the margins of orchards as
screen for more tender fruits. On one estate
Sussex there are rampant hedges formed
Nut trees and Bullaces. They both grow w
together, and in autumn the joint crops a
both profitable and interesting. In Sou
Notts the name Bullace is almost unknoM
the fruit being known by the term Wint
Crack. The Essex Bullace is somewhat lai-
than the common white, having a yellowi'

'■^fl*'

on skin iuid a more juicy, sweeter tlesh.

icRoy.-il UuUace has iiuich larger fruit, the
lowish skin carrying a thin groy bloom, the
h brisk, but refresliing, and splendid for

tM- ■'•

P

NOVKMBKR 27, 1897.]

TllH (JAUnEN.

431

Sarly Peaches. — Without the expense of
•heat and only a little protection afforded by
lass case sutHeient to keep out frost, and with
ttle maiiajjcment in the way of takinj; advan-
of every bit of sunshine, ripe IVaclies can
n^* be had from at least the end of June until
end of 8e|>tember. Certainly this early ihite
been attainable now for many jears by the
of Early Beatrice, but it is a very small fruit
1 not comparalile to the newer Alcxuiider,
terloo or Amsden .hnie. It would be interest-
to learn from practical experience which of
three is really the best, as in the majority of
lens not more than two first early trees would
planted, and there is not much difference in
m from a flavour standpoint. The preference
uld decidedly lie given to the best and most
sistent cropper, it may be that they vary on
erent soils ; certainly one hears very different
onions expressed as to their respective merits.
Isonally, I have found Waterloo the best, and
b uld hold fast by this as the first early.
/ xander is fairly good, Amsden .June jioor.
I' succession, therefore, I should recommend
A xander, Early Louise, Hale's Early and Early
t isse Mignonne, the first and third under the
i eh case with two early Nectarines to keep
tm company-, and all four of the Peaches out-
6!'. Early Louise is oidy included because it
81 letimes tills a gap before Hale's Early is ready.
€■ soil being naturally bglit, with sand not far
biw the surface and no facilities for supplyinijr
wronger compost in quantity, is not an ideal
for Peaches. A mixture of stiff road sidings
cow manure, both witii the natural soil at
piling and as an occasional top-dressing, is a
gat assistance. The sorts already enumerated
succeeded by Alexandra Noblesse, Dymond
Goshawk, three of the most reliable mid-
8^on varieties on this soil, and these in their
1 by Harrington and Walburton Admirable.

ti

Pricess of Wales does

under glass, but is

a success out of doors. — E. Btrrkll.

PLANTING THE FLOWER OAPvUEN.

I [< CLOSE a rough sketch, which is not drawn to
«t e, of flower beds laid out here two years ago,
oivhich I should be very glad to receive a little
glance. The beds are"ciit out of the tnif. and
O'a slightly lower level there are two oiher
pLerres exactly similar, both terraces being en-
ded by a Yew hedge. I first planted all with
pmnials. I found, however, that the beds
We too small to allow large showy |)erennials to
g iv, and the smaller ones proved to lie ineffec-
tl . As this formal piece of garden is just under
t'lwindows of the house and has a lawn on each
of it, I require some bright masses of colour.
' yet at the same time I wish to avoid long
"rvals of barrenness and also the necessity of
ccitant planting. This year I planted tlie upper
ace with Tulips for the spring aid Phlox
ramondi and Verbenas for the summer. The
ir have done exceedingly well, but have abso-
ly killed the lower terrace with its perennials
ontrast.

ill you kindlj- advise me wdiether I should
P< evere with peren'iials only, and, if so, with
t kinds, or should I employ annuals? If the
r, I should be much obliged for any sugges-
t''3, as I wish to avoid Geraniums, (-.'alceolarias.
and yet I want to have the beds in beauty at

Ih

ihsa:

me time. I also desire to avoid planting

with bulbs, as that is costly, and I have
s in other parts of the garden, estiecially in
ivild garden,— C. A. C.
As no doubt your case i-s a typical one of
1 .«'' ""^ l>ro|j05e to answer it a btllo more at
'*?h. Vou rightly see the need of getting rid
O'le two plantings a year, which is fatal to all

permanence in flower gardening and lauds us in
bare earth in spite of all at some of the most in-
teresting times of the year, as, for instance, an
autumn like the present, when in any real flower
garden there is much beauty of Tea and Monthly
Roses and even ('arnations. Any system which
pulls all this up to put in bulbs and other things
in September or Octolier must for ever be a bad
one. We have seen flower gardens in October or
Xovemlier this year which were quite beautiful.
The mixed way is the only lasting and artistic
wayin the flower garden— that is to say, that while
one may have leanings to one beautiful race of
plants, as Ro.'ics and Carnations, the best way is
to support these with the choicest of all other
things, from rock plants to Tea Roses, to tho-
roughly prepare the beds to last at least seven
years, and in some way to plant them permanently,
whether with choice shrubs, Roses, or very clioice
perennials and rock plants as carpets.

Very coarse perennials and those of short bloom,
as many of them are, should never be put very
near the windows of a house, excejiting those
that have some beauty of foliage to last tbcm
through the year. Annuals are an excellent aid,
but they are best for borders in the kitchen
garden, or in some place apart, owing to the need
of annual sowing and preparation of the ground,
which is impossible in a beautiful Hower garden.
Another reason for the permanent p'anting of the
flower garden is that there is so much to be done
if we are to get in all the best that can be got in.
It cannot be done at any one time of the year, but
we must have the whole of the winter for the work,
because each bed should be prepared and planted
with much more thought than in the scratch way
so common. If, however, you wish for colour in
flat masses, in circles or lines, you cannot have it
in this wa3', but colour in natural and artistic
ways may be had easily and e\en eUectually by
grouping. — Ed.

PLANTING SHORE LAND.

(1) I LIVE near Land's End and close to the sea,
where the wind has enormous power and the sand,
unless bound together by some vegetation, is con-
tinually blown inland. Part of my land is com-
posed of this loose sand, much of which, however,
is covered with a species of coarse grass, sending
out long knotted shoots under the surbice, thus
tending to bind the sand together. I am anxious
to clothe more of the sand in the same way, and
have Ijeen recommended Psamnia arenaria. Can
you tell me where the seed of this grass or any
other e(|ually suitable can be had at a low price,
so that it could be freely used V What should be
the price per lb. ';

Yoii iiiiixt 1)111/ thii ijlaiil ii-ltcre il ii coniiiioiili/
it-itfl for plaiilliKj lilt .faitMi//n, or nn-d inai/ hi
lioiifilil from tiOiiiK of /he lanje .sfnil hoiitex nt ahviif (i
■shilliii'j u jMviiil.

(•2) On other portions of my gijr.nd I have sown
common Furze, and the plants are doing extremely
well. I wish to vary it with the dwarf Furze.
Where can this seed be pro(jured cheaply and
what should be the price per lb. ':

Yoii miijld -tart: il jioiiivi-lfvitli some Iroiili/i, hut
il iroii'd not be irort'h while, and may lie olitained
from Itirije trie Med houses, value about \s. jier pound.

(3) I wish to sow with the dwarf Furze some
seed of the common Ling and Heath, so that in
time they m.ay grow to such peif'eetion of exipiisite
beauty as they do on the Cornish cliff's and downs.
Is there any place in Scotland where the seed can
be got cheaply ';

Belter jilaul Lin:/ and lle'ilhi. Coiiimin Liirj
mm/ be had on rcimmons near you ; the other Heaths
from ijood shrub nurseries.

(4) I sowed Broom at the same time as the
Furze which ha-s done so well, but none of the
Broom came up. What is the right time to sow
it, and will it stand the sea as well as Furze .'

Sov Broom in April and protc:! from rahhili. Il
iiiU nifhslaitd the «ca brcczf;.

(.■)) I have succeeded very well indeed with
Tamarisk cuttings and plants, particularly with
the former, but should like to know what other
shrubs there may be easily raised from seed or cut-
tings which wiU'stand the salt gales as Tamarisk
does. I find the \'eronicas do well in shelter, but
that no shrubs will live in exposed jjlaces but
Tamarisk, l'"urze anil Heath.

.S'.a lUicklhorn andsm'ili-linrtd WiUnies.

((■)) Will Sea Holly grow well from seed, and
when should the seed be sown?

Yes: soir ill sjiriii'j or ill early autumn as soon as
seal, is rijii .

(7) Is the Sea Pine mentioned as growing on the
Fri'nch sea-coast likely to do well';
Yc, ire should say so.

The gi-ound referred to is for the most part
rough and sandy and with but little shelter. It
slopes steeply to the west and has to bear the full
brunt of the Atlantic gales. In the summer it
sutlers a good deal from want of moisture, and it
contains a great deal of granite. But where
there is .shelter the vegetation is luxuriant. My
chief object is to bring the ground back to what
it once was in [lart, the very beautiful cliff
land, glowing with the mingled blossom of Heath
and Ling and dwarf Furze in autumn, and in
sjaing brilliant with the larger Furze, with great
patches of Foxgloves and other Bowers here an 1
there among the granite. The usual attempts
at ordinary flower gardening are made in the
neighbourhood, and in exposed places are, from a
picturesque point of view, lamentable failures,
whereas at the same time the cliffs, downs and
lovely old granite ledges are indescribably beauti-
ful and luxuriant. A. H. P.

Corn wall.

Societies and Exhibitions.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

NoVE.MHER 23.

There was a most marked improvement in the
extent of the exhibition on the above date. Tlie
three long tables were well filled, and on thq
sides also were numerous exhibits. The work of
the committees appears to have been fairly well
distributed, each having a good attendance.
Chrysanthemums were still in the .ascendant,
making a brave show. Of these the finest group
came from the Ryeeroft Nursery, constituting a
most instructive lesson in floral arrangement, the
noble effect produced by associating large exhibi-
tion blooms in appropriate vases of massive out-
line and chaste design being an object-lesson to
growers of the Chrysanthemum for decoration as
well as for exhibition. Other exhibits of the
Chrysanthemum were likewise in good character,
notably those from the Earlswood Nurseries.
Again we have the pleasure to record a finely-
grown exhibit of Begonia Gloire de Lorraine, on
this occasion from a jirivate garden. Another
seasonable exhibit was a group of well-cultivated
Poinsettias, dwarf plants with fully-developed
heads of .scarlet bracts. Of seasonable plants for
out of doors, note should be made of the profusely
berried plants of Pernettyas. Another exhibit
was that of decorative arrangements of Chrysan-
themums combined with autumnal foliage, too
much crowded to be seen to the best possible ad-
vantage.

.Amongst Orchids, the most interesting exhibit
by far was the group of hybrids from Messrs.
X'eitch, which in itself constituted an excellenr
illustration of tlu' progress made by the hybridist
during Ifer .Majesty's reign, more especially in
the last decade. Cattlcyas and Cypripediums
abounded here. Other good groups and minor ex
hibits assisted in making an excellent display in
spite of the \ery unfavourable weather of late.
Fruit, as regard.^ extent, was not largely shown,
the most noteworthy exhibit being that of pot-
grown examples of Apples from the celebrated

432

THE GARDEN.

[November 27, 1897.

Sawbridgeworth collection, perfect in finish. A
new Grape from the siime source to which an
award was made, commends itself by its flavour
alone, to say nothing of its colour. The competi-
tive classes still produce a good contingent of ex-
liibits, the best known kinds from the point of
tiavour still holding their own. These compared
most favourably with an exhibit of a new Apple,
to which an award of merit for some reason was
made, possibly for its colour, certainly not, we
thould think for its flavour as a dessert fruit, and
positively not from the point of size as a kitchen
Apple. There was also a finely grown exhibit of
Onions, in size immense and well ripened, useful
no doubt to save for seeding another year, but
from the utilitarian point of view of far less im-
portance.

The weather being most gloomy by reason of
the dense o\erhanging fog the light in the
Drill Hall was very bad, it being almost im-
possible to take correct note of colours in many
instances. Surely it would be possible to cleanse
the glass on the roof and otherwise decorate the
interior of this gloomy structure so as to
ensure at least the maximum of light possible on
all such occasions.

The afternoon lecture on exhibitions, with sug-
gestions as regai-ds the management of shows and
l)oints of note to exhibitors and judges, was de-
livered by Mr. .John Wright to a poor audience ;
the attendance no doubt at this meeting being
far less than it otherwise would have been by
reason of the fog.

Orchid Committee.

Awards of merit were adjudged to the follow-
ing :—

Odcntocilossuji Dayanum. — A distinct and
pretty variety, undoubtedly a natural hybrid
between O. gloriosum and some other species.
The sepals and petals, about 1^ inches in length,
are pale greenish yellow, thickly spotted with
small reddish brown spots ; the lip greenish yel-
low, with a broad blotch of brown in the centre
and a white crest, with numerous prominent
bristles. A plant with seven flowers was sent
from Baron Schni-der, The Dell, Egham.

Cattleva LAiiiATA White Queen.— In this
the sepals and jietals are pure white ; the lip
white, with a slight rose blotch in the centre and
some yellow at the base. A line plant with four
flowers came from Mr. VV. P. Birkenshaw, West
Hill, Leeds.

Cattleva Empress Frederick var. Leon.\ta
(C. Mossi:e x V. Dowiana).— A lovely hybrid
with deep rose sepals and petals, of fine form and
substance. The large lip is deep crimson-purple
with a fringed rose margin, the side lobes rose-
purple, heavily veined and lined with the yellow
of tlie Dowiana parent through the throat. It is
one of the finest hybrid Cattleyas we have seen.
From Messrs. J. Ve'itch and Sons, Ltd.

L.icLiA Olivia (L. crispa x L. xanthina).—
Tte sepals and petals are pale yellow about
2i inches in length ; the lip orange, hea\ ily
suffused, and lined with crimson ; the side lobes
lighter veined with yellow. It is a distinct and
lovely variety, giving promise of a fine thing as
the plant becomes stronger. From Messrs. Veitch
and Sons.

Cvi'Rii'Euir.M BEfKMAXL— The parentage as
recorded was considered doubtful. It was said
to be the result of crossing C. Boxalli superbum
and C. bellatulum, but no trace of the latter
parent could be obser\-ed. The dorsal sepal is
green margined with white, and thickly spotted
with dark brown ; tlie broad fine-shaped petals
green at the lower halves, becoming sufl'used
with dark brown and pale green, sjiotted with
brown at the base. From Messrs. Linden, Brus-
sels.

Botanical certificates were awarded to Mr.
R. I. Measures, Cambridge Lodge, Flodden Road,
Camberwell, for Cirrhopetalum refractium, a dis-
tinct form with long yellow connected sepals
and purple petals ; also to Messrs. F. Sander and
Co. for Maxilliria elegantula ; the sejuds white at
the base, and suffused with purple ;it the apex,
the j)etals white, yellow spotted wilh purple at

the apex, the lip light yellow in front suffused
with purple at the edges.

Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons sent a choice and
interesting group. The most prominent amongst
the numerous fine hybrids were two good forms
of LLulio-Cattleya Pallas (L. crispa x C. Dowi-
ana), the sepals being creamy white slightly
suffused with rose. The petals having the twisted
characters of L. crispa are of a delicate rose shade
of colour ; the front lobe of the lip deep crimson
purple, heavily fringed and margined with white ;
the side lobes rose lined with yellow, becoming
suffused with a deeper shade of colour at the base.
L.-C. Statteriana (C. labiata x L. Perrini) and
L. -C. Decia (C. Bowringiana x C. Dowiana)
with extra dark sepals and petals, were also
shown. Among the numerous Cvpripediums
were grand forms of C. Leeanum, C. Niobe, C.
lenanthura superbum, C. Aeteus (C. Leeanum
X C. insigne Sanderie) in which the flowers are
considerably lighter, C. Prospero (C. Spicei-
anum x C. insigne Sandene), a good form of C.
lo grande, C. Tityus, and numerous other fine
forms. Finely-flowered Zygopetalums and On-
cidiums were also included. A silver Flora medal
was awarded. Messrs. F. Sander and Co. sent
a small but choice group, which contained imme-
rous fine forms of Cypripedium Leeanum, C.
Calypso-Leeanum, derived from the parents indi-
cated in the name, and having the intermediate
characteristics of both hybrids, Habenaria carnea,
Dendrobium Johnson:e, ani a fine plant with
two spikes of flower of Cymbidium M'innianum.
Amongst Calanthes were fine spikes of Calantlie
bella and C. Florence. Phaius Ashworthianus, and
Chondrorhynca Chestertome with creamy sepals
and petals, the heavily fringed lip creamy white
with numerous brown spots on the disc, were also
sent (silver Bank.sian medal). Messrs. H. Low and
Co. sent a large and interesting group, amongst
which were sever.al fine forms of Cattleya labiata,
finel3'flowered Odontoglossumcrispum, numerous
Cypripediums, finely - flowered Oncidiums, and
Vanda corulea. Asilver Flora medal was awarded.
The Right Hon. J. Chambeilain v,-as awarded a
silver Banksian medal for a choice collection of
hybrid Cattleyas and L;vlio-Cattleyas. The most
]jrominent was L.-C. Clive, the sepals pale rose,
the petals deeper in colour than the sejials, of fine
form and substance, the lip rich crimson-purple,
veined with darker purple, mottled and hned
with yellow. It is the result of crossing Cattleya
Dowiana and L. pnestans. L.-C. Gottoiana (C.
Warneri X L. tenebrosa), with three flowers ;
L.-C. albanensis (L. grandis and C. Warneri),
L.-C. corbeillensis, a form of L.-C. Aurora, with a
dark front lobe to the lip ; and L.-C. Ophelia and
C. Miss Williams were noteworthy. Mr. R. I.
Measures sent a new Cypripedium named Siron
(C. niveum X C. venustum Measuresianum). The
ground colour of theflower is white, thickly covered
with reddish brown spots, the dorsal sepal and
petals veined with green. Mr. W. B. Latham,
Birmingham Botanic Gardens, sent a new hybrid
Cyjiripedium named C. Dudmanianum (C. Spicer-
ianum x C. Chamberlainianum), in which the
characters of both parents are apparent. Mr.
P. Crowley, Croydon, sent two good forms of Cat-
tle3'a labiata. The Hon. P. Allsopj) sent forms
of Cypripedium insigne montanum. Captain
Holford, Westonbirt, Gloucester, sent cut flowers
of Cypripediums, and a collection of cut Orchids
was sent by Mr. ^A'. H. Lumsden, Balmedie,
Aberdeenshire.

Floral Committee.

Awards of merit M'cre made to —

BEiioxiA JuLK's, one of the hybrids resulting
from crossing the winter-flowering B. socotrana
with the tuberous section. The plant in question
shows a most distinct advance both in habit of
growth and in freedom of flowering. The leav es
are of moderate size only, more robust than in
the tuberous type, being also set on short foot-
stalks. The plant shown bore several stout
trusses well furnished with blossoms of average
size, the colour being a soft shade of rose-pink ;
the flowers are also double and of good form.
From Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea.

Chrysanthemi-m Mary Molvneux (Japanee
incurved). — A very promising exhibition varietj
having the essential elements, of extra size aw
fine form, being also very full. The colour :
pale blush- pink with silvery reverse. From Ml
C. J. Gamier, Bookesbury "Park, Fareham (gffl
dener, Mr. N Molyneux).

CuRYSAXTHE.MUM Mrs. H. Folkes (Japaifes
reflexed). — A pure white variety, with close, fn
flowers, the petals prettily curled and the fori
good. This was shown in good condition toi
From Mr. J. E. Strachan, Herael Hempstea'
(gardener, Mr. Folkes). ^.

('HRYSAXTUE.Mr.M JuLIA Sc.-VRAMANGA (Japom

reflexed). — A remarkably fine new variety, ffl
one of the very best additions of the. year. TS
flowers, grand examples of culture, were equal!
size to large blooms of Mme. Carnot and of som(
what similar outline and form. They are i
colour a rosy-shaded terra-cotta, the giacefi
character of the flowers adding to their beaut
From JSIr. Wells, Earlswood Nurseries, RedliiU.

CiiRYSAXTHEMf.M Georciaxa PiTC'iiER (Japane
incurved). — A very fine and most distinct varies
with broad and massive florets, which incur'
sufficiently to avoid any undue formality in ou
line. The colour is a pale lemon-yellow, and tl
flowers of extra size. From Mr. Wells.

CiiRYSAXTHEMi_-M Mrs. F. A. Bevax (Japane
reSexed).— A beautiful variety, not of too lar
dimensions, being what may be termed in i
exhibitor's phraseology, "a deep front - re
flower." The colour is a soft silvery pink, ve
distinct and most attractive by reason of i
colour. From Mr. Wells.

A vote of thanks was accorded most unai
mously to M. Anatole Cordonnier, Bayoiii
France, for a promising white Japanese varie
named Don de la Madone, of which more v
possibly be heard.

A superb group of cut Chrysanthemuii
arranged with exepiisite taste, was staged by J
H. J. Jones, of Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham, S.
It occupied both sides of a table running t
length of the hall, .and formed one of the mc
attractive and striking features of the show. T
arrangement was carried out with rare judgme
and skill, the result being a display not oi
most artistic, but calculated to exhibit the hlooi
to the best possible advantage. Down the cent
of the table ran a line of graceful Crotons a
Palms interspersed with large and hanrlsoi
arrangements of massive blooms in vases of vf
suitable form and material. On the tables w(
boards of flowers in exhibition style, eacli boa
being separated from the next by about half
dozen varieties in bunches of three, these bei
much higher than the boards, and thus avoid!
any monotony or formality. Nowhere was th(
any sus|)icion of over-crowding or of clashing
colours. The Ferns, small Draca-nas and Crete
used for groundwork, were all likewise of t
highest (luality. As regards the ChrysantheiDUi
them.selves, they deserve the highest praise. T
blooms were splendidly grown and finished, a
in the freshest possible condition. One of t
mosn striking things was a box of grand flowi
of \Vestern King, one of the finest whites in cul
vation ; every bloom was excellent in form, J«
fectly jnire, and delightfully crisp in the pet^
Wilfred H. (Jodfiey, Mrs. A. Cross, Duchess f
Fife, a splendid white incurved ; Mile. TWp
Rey, W. Wriglit, a remarkably grai
bloom, Japanese reflexed, with long, loose, .
narrow petals, the colour a delicate pink_
creamy white centre ; Mile. Laurence ZSttPjl
large and very pretty incurved Japanese, tl
colour shaded lilac : Yellow Mme. Carnot, alaC
bloom with narrow and intermingling floretj
and Australie, of great size and beauty, rd
lilac in colour, the backs of the petals silvelj
were also good. This exceptionally fine exhlT
was awarded a silver-gilt Flora medal. -AnP™!
very fine group of cut Chrysanthemums ■wl
staged by Mr. W. Wells, Earlswood Nurseril
and contained Japanese, incurved, singles a|
pompons. A few of the best varieties were. J^
Scaramanga, a new and very striking broc|

November 27, 1897.]

THE GAimEK

433

J low Japanese ; Surpasse Amiral, (J. J. Warren,
Jchess of Fife, (ieorgiana Pitcher, a lni(;o lii;lit
1, low Ijloiini with tliic'kly twisted petals; Mile,
i irenco Ze<lH, \ ery line lilooms ; Oceana ; a new
je green variety, ineiuvetl .Tapunese in form
iie. Kdoiiard Hoj;er; .Mrs. V. A. Hevan, a new
Jianese reflexed of delicate rosy lilac eolonr ;
^istone, a loose incurved Japanese, yellow and
0 gold : and Australie. A word of praise must
l[»iven to the beautiful sintjles which .Mr. Wells
a ays shows in such i;ood form and such fjreat
viety. They are excellent for cutting, while
t ir lasting qualities are unrivalled. This
vy interesting group obtained a silver-gilt
Eiksian medal. Cut blooms were shown by
It R. Owen, of Maidenhead, among the finest
big President Carnot, Glory of -Maidenhead,
Fral Standard, and (ilaring, a vivid orango and
y ow variety (bronze Banksian medal).

. small, but pretty collection of cut Chrysan-

tlmums was staged by Mr. A. H. RicUwood,

gdener to the Dowager Lady Fieake, Kulwell

Pk, Twickenham. The blooms were clean and

frh, though not large (silver Banksian medal).

ii F. Cubberley, gardener to Mr. J. W. Temple,

Lswood, Groombridge, \\-as awarded a sih'er-

gi Banksian medal for an excellent group of

B:onia (iloire de Lorraine. The plants, which

we strong and well grown, were literally covered

wi their bright pink blooms and made a gorgeous

bl;eof colour. A silver Banksian medal went to

W:srs. Cripps and Sons, of Tunbridge Wells, for

al-oupof admirable |ilants of Poinsettias. The

Is of scarlet bracts were very dazzling and

a very efl'ective group. Messrs. Veitch and

- exhibited a small group of Begonia .Mrs.

I, a pleasing rosy-red variety with handsome

substantial foliage. Jlessrs. Hugh Low and

again showed their new Carnation Winter

^ let, which was described in these columns at

list meeting. Messrs. Cutbush and Son were

'led a silver Banksian medal for a group of

ittya mucronata seedlings, all ilwarf, bush}'

•s, xery heavily lierried. Jlr. L. H. Culcutt

•'d stands and \ases of Chrysanthemums, the

Mjngement in most cases being very graceful

sij light. A silver Flora medal was awarded.

Fruit Committee.

here was a fair (piantity of exhibits before

th committee. The light was bad and some of

th| best fruits could not be examined. The

I -rs. l-tivers had grand Apples well meriting

.ward given, also a new Grape. Vegetable^

not immerous. The Veitch prizes for flavour

well contested, but brought forth nothing

.\ wards of merit were given to

;u-K DiRECTEfR TissKRAND.— Berries rouud.
»jd size, bluish black in colour and of good
■ I-. It is a very distinct variety and evi-
i\' a good keeper. From Messrs. Rivers and
Sawbridgeworth, Herts.
iLE L.VDY F.ii.MouTH.— A medium-sized fruit,
what flat, with large open eye, scarlet on

Mr. K. Beckett, Aldenham House Gardens,
Klstree, Herts, staged a collection of Onions,
largo bulbs, sound and sha|)ely, and arranged ii]
heaps in ijuantity. Ailsa Craig was one of the
best, and .-Vnglo White Spanish, a flatter bulb,
was very large, as were Prizetaker, Cranston's
Excelsior, Sutton's .\ 1, Cocoa-nut, and Barnet
Hero, the last a very solid l>ulb and long keeper
(silver Banksian medal). .\pples were sent In
Mrs. Jackson, Beechwood Lodge, Carshalton, and
Messrs. Jeli'eries and Sons, Royal Nurseries,
Ciiencester. The (lape tiooseberry was sent by
Mr. Batchelor, Harelield Park, Oxbridge, nice
fruits and well grown. Potatoes in variety
(seedlings) were sent from the Surrey Seed (!o.,
Redhill, but of no special merit.

The prizes for flavour brought forth nine dishes
of .-Vpples and Ave of Pears, the best Apple 1 icing
Cockle Pippin, from Mr. Woodward, Barham
Court, Maid.stone, excellent fruits of tliis old
favourite being staged, the second prize going to
.Mr. Bayford, Glewston Court, for good Cox's
Orange. The best dish of Pears was Winter
Nelis from Mr. Crook, Forde .-\bbey, Chsrd, Mr.
Woodward being second with Nouvelle Fulvie.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.

NOVEMUER 22.

The floral committee of this society met at the
Royal Aquarium, Westminster, on the abo\e
date, Mr. T. Bevan occupying the chair. The
display of novelties was less numerous, and the
varieties awarded first-class certificates were as
follows : —

CuRYs.vNTHEMfii J. Cii.iMEEnr.Aix. — This is a
large spreading flower with long, broad florets,
incurving at the ends. The colour is a brilliant
reddish crimson, with a light bronze reverse. It
shoidd be a very efl'ective bloom on the show-
board. Sent by Mr. H. Weeks, The (iardens,
Thrumjiton Hall, Derby.

Chrysanthemum Mme. Ferl.\t. — A large
flower of massive build, with medium florets,
tightl}' incurving, and making a bloom of capital
substance. It is a splendid white com])anion to
such sorts as Chas. H. Curtis, and a good back
row flower. From Mr. W. Wells, Earls wood,
Redhill.

CllRYSANTHEMl'.M Jl'I.IA Sc'AKAMAXGA. — A very

large, loosely built, and spreading .Japanese flower,
with long, i-ather narrow curling florets, twisting
and intermingling in a pretty manner. The
colour from early and late buds varies consider-
ably, flowers from the former being a pale rosy
bronze, those from the latter being almost a rosy
terra-cotta. Also from Mr. Wells.

A commendation was made in favour of Don de
la Madone, a pretty medium-sized white .Japanese
bloom, with innumerable florets of only medium
width, flat, recurving and twisting in a unique
manner. This was sent by Mons. Anatole Cor-
donnier, Roubaix, France. The committee also

, ., a 1. ^ " ', , - '. ■• wished to see again -Mrs. A. E. Feaver, a promis-

'.'.°^ .f ,?'- "l^- *"■"' -^"^ °^ '^?°'^ qi'.ality, a ing incurved flower with fairly broad florets :

Hotel, Fleet Street, Mr. T. W. Sanders occupy-
ing the chair. Tlic meeting was rath-r a lengthy
one, and most of the time was taken up in discus-
-ing matters connected with the society's shows
and other formal subjects, not the least important
being the (piestion of the bad light at the
A(|uariuni on the occasion of Ihe last show, and
the illegibility of many of the labels on the
exhibits. At shows of such a character no
exhibitor ought, in .Mr. Harman- Payne's opinion,
to be allowed to write the names of the flowers in
his exhibit in lead pencil.

The small gold medal recently decided upon
was submitted for approval. On the motion of
^[r. Dean, it was resohed that Mr. Higgs lill the
vacancy on the classification committee caused by
the death of Mr. R. Owen, and that the committee
hold a meeting some time late this year or early
next year to decide upon several varieties of
doulitful classification.

ilcetings of the general committee will be
held next season on the following dates, viz.,
August 2i), Se])tember 2(i, October 24, Novem-
ber 28, December HI, lSi)8, and .lanuary )(i, 1899.
The fixtures of the floral committee are Septem-
ber () and 2(i, October II, 2-1, and .'Jl, Novem-
ber 14, 21, and 28, and December (i and 12.

The election of a number of new members
brought the meeting to a close.

winter dessert variety. From 'Mr. (J.

iliers, Beech Farm, Mereworth, Maidstone.

-srs. Rivers and Son sent six baskets of

■s in as many varieties. Peasgood's Nonsuch

lemarkable for colour and finish. King of

likinsCo. was very fine, and the newer Bijou,

> y pretty small .Apple, was very well grown

brilliant in colour. This is a favourite for

dture. There were grand Co.x's Orange and

m Pippin With the less-known Buckingham,

i.ierican .-Vpple, handsome, and of cxiellcnt

y. (Jradiska, a white Grape, berries trans-

t and very refreshing, was also shown

I Banksian medal). Mr. W. Bayford, Glew-

ourt Gardens, Ross, Hereford, sent thirty

~ of .-ipples, excellent as regards colour,

y, and size. Peasgood's Nonsuch was ver}-

also (Jloria JIundi, Warner's King (a little

Its best), and Tower of Glamis." Striped

111, Golden Noble, (,)ueen Caroline, and other

ig varieties, with Cox's Orange and Bau-

- Red Winter Reinette, very highly

'• 1, we.-e also sent (silver Banksian medal).

colour bronzy yellow, inside of florets lined
crimson.

A vote of thanks Was accorded Mr. Chas.
(Ubson for an exhibit of six blooms of a white in-
curved .Tapanese named Musta]iha. This was
certificated last season. In its present form the
blooms showed a number of crowns. Promising
novelties were .lapanese Jlrae. J. Chaure, a very
deep maroon-crimson, bronze reverse, long florets,
curling at tlie ends: Mrs. .1. J. (ilessner, rich
golden yellow, tinted bronze, and staged as
a market variety, having been grown in Inisli
form : I.ucien Reniy, a mcdium-si/.cd flower of a
pleasing rose-jiink shade, and adnn'red for its
colour : Suri)asse .-Vmiral, a bloom of nuissive build
and having broad, slightly incurving florets of
splendid substance, colour golden yellow, paler
reverse.

Se\eral dozen boards of blooms were exhibited
by Mr. Wells, these including the hitest no\ cities.

The general committee of this society held a
meeting on .Monday evening last at Anderton's

The annual dinner of this society took jilace at
Anderton's Hotel, Fleet Street, on Wednesday
evening, when the chair was occupied by Mr.
T. W. .Sanders. The large room was filled to its
utmost capacity and the lengthy programme was
not got through until a late hour. Amongst
those present were Messrs. H. .1. Laing, \V.
Wells, R. Dean (secretary), D. B. Crane, Leonard
Browne, T. Bevan and those named below.

After the chairman had proposed the usual loyal
toasts, " The (ilorious Chrysanthemum" was the
next on the list, which we presume signified the
National Chrysanthemum Society. Mr. Sanders
very ably reviewed its past histor}-. Mr. Gordon
proposed " Donors of .Special Prizes,'" to which Mr.
H. .1. Jones, of Lewisham, and Mr. P. Waterer
responded.

Much enthusiasm was shown when Mr. Scott,
on behalf of the Bromley Chrysanthemum Society,
received the national challenge trophy, won for
the second time at the last November show at the
Royal Aquarium. Mr. Mease came in for hearty
praise when recei\ing the valuable awards.
Holmes' cujis, nnd other prizes won at the recent
exhibition. He also received a painting of a Chry-
santhemum flower. Air. Norman Davis, of Fraiii-
field, also received a cup and gold medal.

With the man}- other toasts we mu--t associate
the names of Messrs. R. Ballantinc, C. Harman-
Prfyne, H. J. Cutbush, and Mr. Pearson, who
replied for the horticultural press. The toast of
" The Chairman ' was thoroughly well received, as
also was the one of the president. Sir Edwin
Saunders.

In the course of the chiiirman's speech he men-
tioned that the number of affiliated societies was
now 118, thirteen of which were from Kent, eleven
from Essex, and seven from New Zealand.

We may well ask, however, if the old officers of
the societj', those we knew not many years ago,
have forsaken its ranks. There seems a sad lack
of sui)port by the men who formerly worked haid
to make the society worthy of its national
character.

The weather in "West Herts.— The weather

has lately been singularly changeable, but, taken
as a whole, the past week was a very warm one
for the middle of November. On two days the
shade temperature rose as high as .")8', and on one
night the minimum thermometer in the screen
never fell lower than '>ff^, which is about 2' warn'"r
than would be seasonable ,-it midday. On ih;
other hand, on three nights the exposed therm. .-
meter showed 4^ of frost. -Vt 2 feet deep the s lil
is now 2", and at I foot deep :i°, warmer than Ihe
November average. Rain fell on three days, but

434

THE GATJDEN.

[November 27, 1897.

the total fall for the month up to the present time
is only one-third of what may be regarded as a
seasonable amount for the same period. A little
rain water has come through both percolation
gauges the last two days, but before this there
had been no measurable quantity for nearly three
weeks. During the past fortnight only about five
hours of clear sunshine have been altogether re-
corded.— E. M. , Berlchamxied, Xovcmher 19.

h" Another mild and dry week. On two

days the shade temperature rose to 56°, or about
10^ higlier than is seasonable. On the only really
cold night the exposed thermometer showed li" of
frost, which is the lowest reading that has been
indicated by it as yet this month. Notwithstand-
ing the recent liigh day temperatures, the ground,
both at \ foot and 2 feet deep, is at the present
t'me only about a degree warmer than is .season-
able. No rain fell during the week, Avhile the
total measurement for tlie month, as far as it has
gone, only amounts to about half an inch. The
last si.x days have been x'erj' cnlm, the average
rate of movement of the air at ;tf) feet alio\e the
ground being only li miles an hour, and on the
'21st tlie total record was only (! miles, making
this the calmest day in November, with one ex-
ception when the record was the same, for at all
events the last twelve years. The past week has
been a very foggy one. At 9 o'clock on the
mornings of the Iflth and '2'2nd, a house became
quite invisible at a distance of respectively
10 yards and 11 yards. Notwithstanding tlie
gloomy character of tlie weather generally, the
sun shone brightly on one day for nearly six
hours, and on another for four hours. My
Dahlias, which had been lingering on in a
crippled condition since October 7, were entirely
killed by the frost of the night iireceding the
lObhinst., which is eighteen days later than the
average date of their destruction in the j:)revious
twelve years, and, with the exception of 1834,
the lateft recorded during that period. — E. M.,
Berkhamsted.

Notes of the Week.

Chrysanthemum I'IreomparabJe. — Thi

oM \aiietv with st-tT fl'^rets of a veLow and r^d stiad
frFely t-piiiik ed witli crinis ii .sj ots, prefei'ts an attrac-
tive appearance. It is still worth cultivating, though
little seen of lute.

Ardrosaee maerantha — Tbis is a very dis-
tinct spee'es with laige rt sjites of Laves, which are
slightly Vorned at the ti.)p. It produces rather stout
spikes aud numerous pure white b'ossonis. Tlie
epecies is as yet scare ly in general cultivation, hut
appears to be a vigorous grower and free bloomer.

Polnso'tlapuleherriraa. — Amagniticent group
(f Poinsettias, fruui the nursery of Messrs. Cripps,
Tunhridge Wells, ivas a feature at the Drill Hall on
Tu-'sday last. The heads weie very tine all round,
splendidly coloured, aud the handsome loliage came
down to the pot. Throughout the plants were uniform
in size aud of great brilliancy.

Chrysanthemum Mignonette —This is one
of those small varieties with Thistle-like heads of
tl -rets, which in an arrangement of cut flowers
are not only light and elegant, hut almost unique in
fffect. More than this, they are a welcnme change irnm
the host of S.ivoy-shaped heads that so often repre-
£ent this group of autumn flowers.

Pelargonium A. Tullet. — This is a fine scarlet
vririety, fsiid to he a sport from the well-kinwu Raspail
Improved. Su f r as distinctness is concerned ttiere
is little doubt, the blossoms being very large, exceel-
ingly brilliant in the scarlet hue, and the outer petals
wpU formed and clearly detioed. The rt .wers of the
variety are much larger than those of the tipe.

Bouvardia Maiden's Blush.— A very pretty
and usgful kind for potior for cut blooms that should
be g own freely by all who have to supply useful
llowers fur pergonal adornment. W'lien veil grown
and a few of the lower lateral flower buds removed
it is easy to secure a nice spray of blossom and ample
stem. In a cut state these flowers take uji water more
readily it a clean out 13 made, but it' broken they are
sometimes bruised.

Sweet Pea Cdlnstial.— A large hunch of this
variety appeared at the Royal lloiticultural Society

this week. The gathering came from Kxmonth.
and was said to he cut from a fully exoosed pnsitior
in the open. So far as the flowers were concerned
these were quite fresh and good, almost equal to sum-
mer flowers. Near London, however, the f"'w remain-
ing blooms in the garden appear as though a shower
of soot had fallen upon them.

Chrypanthemum Mrs. H Folkes. — This

vtiriety obtaite^d a.u award 'if merit on Tu'^sday la^t
at the Royal Horticultural Society, and is a .Taranf^-e
of the purest white. The variety came from TVTr,
C. E. Straehan, Hemel Hempstead, and some half-
dozen of its bandpome flowers with fully 2 feet of
stem (piickly attracted attention, (iood priinta in the
variety are the length and strengt^b of the peduncle,
the blooms being show u without any support.

Skimmia Poremani. — Some branches of tbis
handsome hprry-beoring shrub fr.im tV-e warden oT Jlr.
A. Kingsmill were hroucht before the floral cotomittee
of the Royal Horticultural Src'etv llie other f'ay
The berries are exceptinmlly hriu'ht and effective,
and appear in larere clusters ani'd the pale green
leathery foliare. Even in po's these plants are of
considerable value, when it is remembered they
retain their berries for rrany months in succession.

Paper-white Narcissus. — At the present
time there is quite a glut of this in the London
and jirovincial markets — so much so that it is
hawked throughout London at almost every turn at
one penny jjer bunch of twelve sprays — a fact that
tells its own tale. There is also a bountiful
supply of Roses, mostly Frrnch, of course, but
really very charming for the season, and lovely
buds of these are freely ofl'ered at two for a
penny.

Begonia Juli">. — This promises to open out
a new era in winter-flowering Besonias. The
variety in question is of a salmon-pink shade and
double, and is the outcome of a cross between a
tuberous-rooted variety and B. socrotana. It dis-
tinctly favours the tuberous section ; indeed
the iilant in question, save for the ^,act that it is
in the prime of its flowering at the end of
November, differs but little from a tuberous kind
in midsummer.

Pernettya mncronata. — A large number of
T'ernettvas, mostly seedlings in variety, from
Hicrho-ate, w.as sent to the Ro\'al Horticultural
Society on Tuesday by Messrs. Cutbush. In some
instances the bushes xvei'e very compact and
carried immense quantities of berries in clusters
These plants are highly attractive in those gar-
dens that suit them, and for winter work are
especially valuable. Some tine bunches of the
juire white kind were sent from Mr. Kingsmill's
garden at Harrow Weald.

Carnation Countess of Wai-wick. — We

have seen blooms of the above which was referred
to at p. 398. It is certainly a very fine var'iety,
the flowers large, well formed, and of a peculitirly
bright shade of colour. It is a seedling from
Winter Cheer crossed with Uriah Pike, and has
the free branching habit of the seed parent. The
colour is not quite so deep as in the jiollen parent.
It has fi rich Clove perfume, and is likely to be-
come a general fa\ourite with those who grow
Carnations for winter flowering.

Carnation Wm. Robinson. — When seen in
good condition this is certainly a fine scarlet of
the tree or per]ietu;il class, and for such there is
plenty of room. The habio of the plant, how-
ever, is somewhat tall, and, like all the scarlet-
flowered kinds when giving their flowers in
winter-time, it produces many discoloured and
therefore useless blooms. The prevalence of fog
during the past few weeks has not in any waj-
improved it in this res]iect. A race of winter-
flowe'inff Carnations capable of enduring London
fog would be indeed a boon.

Primula verticillata. — In the greenhouse
at this season the fine whorls of yellow blossoms
of this plant are always attractiv e, more so wliere
the plants have been grown with this object in
vievr . It is an Abys.sinian species, and therefore
quite unreliable for the open garden. But, given
the same treatment from seed as the forms of P.
sinensis, it is quite as attractive as these when in

flower, and possesses a beauty of foliage that
quite unique. Grown in a rather rich sam
loam, the plant is strong and robust, and flowc,
profusely for weeks in succession.

Primula obconica fimbriata.— The var»ii|
forms that are produced from a small (laoket i
seed of this variety hold out additional hopett^l
in a tew years considerable improvement may il
expected both in size and colour. Even nowtil
Bowers are much larger than in the original,^!
coming in ecjual, if not even greater, nunlb_
prove much more attractive than those ol tt
type of some fifteen years ago. In some of t
forms of the above there is a di-stinct eje,
greenish yellow, almost paste-like substance,
in the Auricula, only much less iironounced.

Calla Little Gem. — Though considerable s
was made when this variety was introduced,
can scarcely be said to have kept up its repu
tion. The" flower by itself is certainly prel
enough, but, unfortunately for those who gr
it, not only are the spathes small, but the ci
of these is distinctly poor also, ;ind therefore i
likely to )ilease those who have to produce flow
in (|uaiitity. More than this, in a large batcli
seedlings of the old form there are many whii
while being produced with much greater freetlo
are scarcely distinguishable from the above, ;i
from their smaller stems are well suited for qii
small glasses.

Carnation Flora Hill.— This is an Auierit
variety with pure milk-white flowers, and beloi
to the tree or perjietual-flowering section.
Tuesday last several plants of it from Mr. II
frey came before the floral committee of the Eo
Horticultural Society. The variety, howev
failed to obtain any award, as owing to the man
of jiacking scarcely a flower remained uubrok
so much "so that it was impossible to form i
opinion respecting its general freedom of blot
ing. The habit is somewhat tall and the gro>
medium. The flowers are fairly large :
generally distinct, so far as could be determii
from the unfortunate condition of the plants.

Begonia semperflorens rosea.— Asa *ji

free-flowering kind with vigorous constitutl
this easily-grown jilant should commend itseli
all. Strictly speaking, the variety giganteaj(
which the remark applies, appears more or ,
perpetual flowering, and to secure winter blod
ing examples, stock must be grown to that-W
wTth successional batches of cuttings, oooaiq
pinching, and growing in the open in rat^
sheltered frames, a good Ijloom may be euMi
during the greater portion of the winter. E
quite 'small ]ilants contribute their i|Uota of b
soms, and with continued growth the flowers
produced at every lateral. Very attractive, t
arc the large somewhat succulent leaves.

Schizostylis coocinea.— I .send you a 1
spikes of Schizostylis coccinea from the open
I do not remember ever having the flowers
fine as this year. I have grown the plants usu:
in front of a vinery or any warm sunny positi
as well as in pots, although in pots they ne
seem quite satisfactory. The position the pU
now occupy is a south border in front oii
Peach wall. They have been planted two jajl
This season they had the advantage of a gil
w atering once or twice throughout the dry .ail|
mer and once a dose of liquid manure. At '
present time I could cut several hundred spikeil
brilliant scarlet flowers, these being useful f
house decoration. They go on expanding all
being cut and placed in water. If the la(|
flowers are picked off and fresh water piveMHI
will last a long time.— A. Lee, JJcau/iiii, Sont^
Ion. ^ , *

Names of plants.-.T. C— 1, Cnpressus -.
pervirens; 2. Ketiuospori obtusa ; .3, ('npressus i/|
soniana (seedling form); 4 Abies pectiuata; 6^
pressus Lawscuiana; G, Retmospora pieiteS"-
G. T. IV'.— Desfontainea spinosa. 1,- O.— t

' vulus minor.

I Names of fruit.- J. C. Tallacl^.-Vca-,

Hogg.

THE GARDEN.

{o. 1359.— Vol. LIL]

[DECEMBER 4, 1897.

Bi:—

ms, (Ici-iduous . . .

.. 43:.

riis, ivstiuK

. .. -135

CrysanthemuniB :—

irysiuitlieiiiniii Earlswooti

IJonuty 4:iS

irysaiitheinuin Mine. For-

lat 43S

irysaii them mil, tlio old

luiri'l*-' -• 4SlJ

irysimthcnnini, yellow,

Mnic. Caniot 43S

rysAiithomunis at Dover
House. Roehampton . . .. 437
rysanthemmiis at Ki-am-

leUl 437

i-jTMinthemuias, market . 43ii
n-s;nitlieiiiuiti.<, reilixcd 430

Tea and Shrubs :~

dar, the red 438

pvUus tiiehocaiiia .. .. 438

V ver:—

wcr, an airy 441

, an airif, tn a Portv-

'Hurt ;ia,xl'.i 441

JCU8 hfvigatus 430

ffodils, hasal rnt in .. .. 441

hlias, Cactus 439

isy Suuwflaku 440

Flower garden notes .. .. 440
Flowers, November, in the

open air 489

Lilium sui»crl)um 439

Linnm narbununso .. .. 4i-2

hobelia cardinalis 4n

M e s c m b r y a n t h c m u m

roscum 430

MenviuOri/anthemv ,1, ron- vin in

I' !Srarlioyoii(/!i panlia .. 439

Piuonics .. .. 4J0

Pampas Grass in W.ilcs . . 442
Polygonum si'hu-n.slailiyum

and Aster dipl.-stci'Iii'-ides 439

Rabbits and Antirrhinums 440

Water Lilies, linidy .. .. 4-;n

Stove and Greenhouse:—

Begonia Gloirc dc I.uriaiiio 443
Hovirard ia corym billura

Humboldti 443

Callas, yellow 4-)2

Carnation Snowflake .. .. 443

Carnation rnst, cure for . . 442
Carnations, Malniaison,

rust on 4^2

Ceropegia clegans . . . . 443

Crutons 44'6

I-ily of the Valley fruiting . . 443

Lueulia gnxtissima . , . . 442

Pancratium fnigrans . . . . 443

{Illustyations in Italics.)

I'anicum plicatuni 4J3

Poineinna pulchcrrima . . 412

Posocjueria fragrantissinia .. 442 I

Sclii/.o.stylis rnccinea .. .. 443 |

Garden Flora :~

A'.'/'"/'/""t <'' '(''('" 410

yifiiiplifa Miirliuf'n ulhithi,

purt or fti'ovp of 4H

y,i/)iipkiin Ma>liuma rtirnca 440
S'hiiiilKia full , -Of n in tht open

irtihr ill Svfgrx 444

lVat>r Liij/, the I-'lori>f»

}/clfoir 44'>

Water I.ilies, two 444

Orchard and Fruit :—

A]>i'le Lane's Prince All»ert 450

Ajiplc Reiuettc du Canada . 450

Apples, highly-coloured .. 4r(0

Fig culture . . . - . . . . 449
Fruit trees, pruning and

nailing 450

Fruit trees, the advantage

of netting 4»9

Orapr fr'roit Cohiiitn , .. .. 450

O'riip Ladii Doienc's, house of 44*

(t'ri'j,. Mi'Mral nf AUxaadHa 44S

Grajics, winter -. 448

Peach Tardive du Mont d'Or 410

Peaches, indoor, notes on .. 447

Peach .fuscpliine de Malines
Strawbon-y Itoyal Sovereign
November, a mild

Books :—

" The Water Garden " . . . .

Kitchen :—

Artichoke, white Jerusalem
IJoetroot in winter . . . .

Onions

Tomatoes and fog in winter
Toniat.ics, ycllt-iw

Notes of the Week:—

Agave dasyliriuities

Aster grandiflorus.

Bocconia cordata oarnoa

Choisya ternata

Chrysanthemum Mrs. J. H.

Tranter

Chrysanthemum Mrs. W.

Butter.? . . . . - - . . . .
Chrysanthemum Sam Cas-

weU

Chiysantliemum violaceum
Chrysanthemum Western

King

ConvolvnluB Cneorum ..
Coprosma Baueriana vuric-

gata

Epaeris carminata.

441) ,

450

443

4.->3
453

453 I
453

Flgwcrs in No\ ember .. .. 4*i4

Galanthus octol)ronsis ,. .. 453

llclleborns orientallH . . . . 45 1

Hcllelwrca from i-ecd .. .. 4.W

Ipomiea rubroc<rrnlca ., 453

Irisalata 453

Lajiageria alba 4'3

Xerine ManselU 4fi3

Othonna cheirifolia .. .. 453

Physalis Franchctti .. .. 453

Rcinwnrdtia trigvna . , . . 45*

RhipsalL* Ca«sytha . . . . 453
Rhodoi-lendron Mai<1cn*a

Blush 45.'*

Bkimmia Formani 4.'i3

SoUdago virgaurca nana . . 453

Strawberry tree, the . . . . 453

Societies :—

National Clirysanthenuim . . 4:11

Obituary :—

Biitenian, James 451

Miscellaneous:—

Ann-iiL'au notes 45'3

Aralia Sieboldi in IreLuid .. 415

Pjeonies, Tree 46 1

Royal Gardcuer.s' Orphan

Fund 4^4

Weather, the, in West Herts 464

Ferns.

RESTING FERNS.

;kk are many Ferns which, though not |
;lu()iis, are much better kei)t quite cool and !
iiant during tlic winter. I have found in j
lal instances tliat those kept in a warm
ing temperature will continue to make
ds throughout the autumn, but wlien
ig comes they have exhausted all their
igth, and cannot make the vigorous spring
th which is natural to them. In some
~ I have found that giving too much warmth
iig the autuuni and winter has proved fatal.
ly mention Pteris scaberula as an instance.
"Ugh this beautiful Fern will make better
• til by giving a little extra warmth during ,'
spring when it is natural for it to be in a '

of active growth, it is almost certain death
ce]) it in a warm house after it lias com-
d its .season's growth. When good plants
lie varieties of P. serrulata and P. cretica

rec|uired for early spring it is better to
t plants with strong crowns and keep them i
laut until, say, P^ebru,ary, and then if given '
•od start in heat they will soon overtake
'■ that have been growing throughout the
<r. Of course tliis does not apply to young
Imgs ; these must always be kept going
I they have made good crowns. Gleich-
> are another class which it is abso-
y necessary to keep cool during the winter.
^ts to avoid frost, though they will stand a
degrees. There is perhaps no other class
'ems which baffles the ordinary cultivator
than these. They love a cool, moi.st

m with plenty of light and air above. In
instances it is ditiicult to provide this

g the summer, as to give them suthcient

means to expose them to the sun. An
|fa6hioned, deep brick pit, where the lights
^e tilted so as to let in light and air and at
[same time exclude the direct rays of the

suits them well, or, better still, a lean-to
iC with a northern aspect,

Many of the Adiantums which are required
for sjjring use will be better if partly dried off
and kept jusl aoovo freezing ])oint. If the
roots are kept healthy, they will start away
vigorously if given warmth early in the j-ear.
All the old fronds should be removed previous
to starting them, and it is necessary to be care-
ful with regard to watering until they have
begun to grow. Cyrtomium falcatum, one
of our most useful Feins for decoration,
will continue to grow throughout the winter,
but those with strong crowns, if rested
during the winter, will, when started in warmth,
throw u)j strong fronds, and soon make well
furnished plants. Lomaria gibba, although
naturally evergreen, may be dried i>tl' early
in the autumn, that is provided the plants
are well established and have strong crowns.
The roots must be in good order, and while
they are kept cool the crowns must be (|uite
dry. With good treatment they .soon make
well furnished jdants when started early in the
year.

With all Ferns in a dormant state it is essen-
tial to avoid wetting the crowns, and to keep
them sutKciently moist at the roots to pre\ent
shrivelling. I believe our British Ferns would
be much moi-e popular if those who attempt
their culture would study their natural require-
ments. When grown in pots they often con-
tinue to grow late in the autunni, and are sure
to sutler more or less if we get frosty weather.
Generally when growing in their natural habi-
tats they are not only protected by their own
old fronds, but other leaves, itc. , hel[) to cover
and pirotect them, and this is one important
point which many who attempt their culture
quite overlook. " -A.

DECIDUOUS FEKXS.
Now that these will be losing their fronds, care
should be taken that they do not get consigned
to the rubbish heap. I have known more than
one case where this has happened, therefore a
warning may not be out of place.

Of .Adiantums which aie (|uitc deciduous, the

beautiful A. palmatum is one, also A., speciosura,
A. Henslowianum, A. ainabile, and A. lunulatum.
Nephrolepis phima and its variet}' Bausei are
very beautiful during the summer, but lose all
their fronds iibout this time, and are liable to get
lost altogether if not carefully treated. They
should be kept in a moderately warm position,
and must not be allowed to get too dry, or the
roots will jierish.

Of Davallias, D. bullata and Mariesi are both
deciduous, but if ke))t in warmth the latter will
start into new growth almost before the olil
fronds are off. Leucostegia iramersa, which
makes such a beautiful basket Fern, may also
be referred to. This may be kept rather on the
dry side while dormant, but not too much so.
Lastrea erythrosoia and L. Richardsi multifida,
both very desii-able Ferns, should be ke[it (|uite
cool and fairly moist, and may be started in
warmth early in the year. Athyrium Gorring-
ianum pictum, the hardy tricolor Fern, requires
similar treatment. Struthio|)teris germanica and
many of the beautiful North Ameiican Ferns are
deciduous ; the latter include the beautiful
Adiantum pedatum, Onoclea sensibilis, several
Osmundas, Lastreas, &c. , besides many of our
beautiful English Ferns, which, though quite
hardy, are better with the protection of a pit,
for if we get mild weather they start ])rematurely.
and then the frost cuts oil' the young fronds, and
the phuits will be disfigured for the season. By
keeping them as cool as |)0.ssible during the
autumn and fairly moist, and then starting them
in a gentle heat early in the year, they make fine
plants early in the sea.=on. A. H.

Alalia Sieboldi in flower in Ireland.—
At the close of Novemlicr, when the branches of
the trees that have borne aloft their leafy banneis
through all the sunlit hours of summer's golden
Ijrime lie in dark tracery against the evening
sky, we turn with joy to those blossoms that
are expanding. To<lay the Aralius are ex-
quisite. They are growing in the shade of
Laurels, they are growing on a snnnj- bank,
1 but alike in each position arc sending up their
branching spikes of silvery bloom. Resembhrg
as they do the flowers of Ivy in their rounded
growth, they are etlicrealiscd by their pallor,

43G

THE GARDEN.

[December i, 1897

To what may one liken them ? They are as
white blossoms seen in the moonlight, as starry
nebulai set in their own dark shining leaves.
These plants, put out five years ago, have been
growing in the open ground ever since with-
out any protection save that afforded by over-
hanging boughs. One plant, older than the others,
has now attained a height of almost 7 feet, and
measures through the centre S feet. — A. L. L.

Chrysanthemums.

MARKET CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

A FLORIST ill tliis neighbourhood recently re-
marked that he had no need to buy Chrys.in-
themiuns just then ; he could get as many as he
wanted in Covent Garden for nothing. This
remark was made not jestingly, but in sober
earnest, and I was as.sured that in the beginning
of the month the amount of bloom ))rouglit into
the London market was so great, that thou.sands
of bunches remained unsold, and were offered
to anyone who chose to clear them oft'. As
a friend who grows for market observed " How-
can you expect to sell indoor Chrysanthenuuus
when fields and gardens everj where are full of
them ?" Peojile seein to be growing the hardy
outdoor kinds more freely than a fev,' years ago,
and the number cultivated for market has in-
creased wonderfully. The frost we had ni
October, although it killed the buds of indoor
varieties that were .still in the open, had little
or no ett'ect on the hardy ones that are employed
for ojien-air bIooU)ing. Since then the genial
summer-like weather has developed the blooms,
and probably not more than twice in twenty
years do we get the tall-tlowering Chrysanthe-
mums in such abundance and perfection. A
few days since I was looking through a lot of
well-grown plants in pots, mostly late varieties,
and was surprised to see liow forward they were.
Niveum was fully exjianded quite a month
before its time, and W. H. Lincoln would
be in full bloom by the end of Novem-
ber. The grower is naturally by no means
pleased at this precocity, as blooms that
ought to have been in good condition at
Christmas and the new year will have to be
marketed several weeks earlier. The ])lants
are grown in bush form for the production of
from eighteen to twenty-four good-sized flowers,
which in midwinter make from ]s. to 2s. (Id.
per dozen, but, being so early, I am doubtful if
they will make half that amount. Had the
sharp touch of fnjst not occurred in Octo))er,
the plants could have remained in the open for
another fortnight, and this would have made
all the difference. W'c have to reckon with
about 10" of frost one night towards the end of
that month, and the right way in the case of
plants that arc re(|uired for midwinter bloom is
to devise some form of jn'otection that will
gu.-ird the plants against its ett'eets. The frost
we had was just enough to cripple the buds on
plants not i)rotccted, but a .screen of canvas
was enough to ensure their safety. It was
curious, however, that neither wood nor foliage
was in the least affected, and when plants that
were unprotected were housed they began to
push out fresh buds from the axils of the leaves,
so that we .shall probal)ly after all have a good
supijly of very late Chrysantheunnns, for these
buds cannot open before January, the danger
being that many of them will not ojien at
all. Good yellow Chrysantheunnns are in
brisk demand through January and in the
beginning of February, prices going up con-
siderably after the micldle of January, but this
is not always the case with white ones, which
freijucntly decline in value ivs Fobruary ap-

proaches, the reason, I suppose, being that
white Azaleas, Spineas, Hyacinths, &c., are
plentifid then, whereas yellow flowers, that
can be forced and are suitable for cutting, are
comparatively scarce. It would, I think, be
possible to sell a waggon-load of yellow Chry-
santhemums at the close of January at good
prices ; in fact, yellow and bronze seem most in
favour still for room and table deceration, as
they show up so well by artificial light. As
regards late white Chrysanthemums, we ha\-e
not yet got one that can be said to realise the
market grower's ideal. Lady Lawrence, L.
Canning, and Mrs. Cannell are late enough,
but need good culture to make them protitabI(^
They are not suitable to the cultural methods
pursued on such a large scale in the Ltjndon
market gardens. Niveuni is much better, but
it seems to be more a late December than a
mid-January kind, and I am told that the
blooms do not keep so well as could be desired.
To those engaged in raising new varieties I
would suggest crossing the old Ethel with the
above-mentioned kinds. Ethel is everything a
late Chrysanthemum should be except in (piality
of flowers. It shows an eye, or would never
have been discarded. If with the habit of this
variety we C(juld get the flower of Lady L-iw-
rence, we should have nothing more to desire
in the way of late white Chrysanthemums.
Late varieties generally are very liable to mil-
dew, and from this jiest Ethel was — with me,
at least- (|uito free. <)f mid-season whites.
Souvenir de Petite Amie is one of the most use-
ful, it is so dwarf, yet vigorous ; and the new
Mytcliett White will, I think, come to the front.
For December Lord Prooke is very good, flower-
ing in great profusion, and those grand yellows,
Western King and Modesto, should get a good
trial. J. C. B

Reflexed Chrysantheniums.— It is becoming
more evident each season that tlie reflexed Chry-
santhemums :n'e a declining class. The limited
competition points to the fact that the interest in
this form of the flower is on the wane. At most
shows one class is pro\'ided for these flowers and
generally three prizes oti'ered. There are never
more than two competitors, and at the Noxember
exhibitionof tlie National Chrysanthemum Society,
out of all their members no more than two com-
petitors staged exhibits in the cla.ss for twelve
large-floweied reflexed blooms in not less than
nine \ arieties. In tr3'ing to find a reason for this
decline one cannot very well come to any other
conclusion than that, owing proliably to the lack
of novelty and variety in this type of the flower,
and the somewhat stift' and formal character of
many of the older sorts, they fail to please the
majority when contrasted with the varied character
of the Japanese varieties. There are some very
jiretty sorts among them, the brilliancy of the
colouring of CuUingfordi, for instance, in well-
dexeloped blooms, standing out distinctly from
that of almost all other Chiysantlicmums. — I). B.

The old purple Chrysanthemum. — I ha\e
often -wondered whether the purple-flowered
variety so common in gardens as a hardy her-
baceous perennial was the old jiurple, and a
white-flowered form, practically a reproduction in
habit and form of flower, also plentiful, was the
first sport. I have seen these varieties, the
]jurple especially, largely grown in forecourt
gardens about Kingston. I have seen it also very
abundant elsewhere. It would be very interest-
ing could some society, such as the Royal
Horticultural Society, for instance, succeed in
gathering up plants of all these old forms
and grow them along with the best represen-
tatives of the Chrysanthemum of to-day. I
do not know how long the Christines have
been in commerce, but these are probably very
old. It is, however, certain that if the old
purple and its original sport to white be thoi^e I

have mentioned in the larger pompon section,
such great progress has been made, as thHi;
varieties have flowers as good, comparatively,H|»;
those of Mine. Marthe, for instance, still a caplHl"
pompon. It is remarkable how these old varie(H><
in the forecourt gardens named goon growing tB^;
blooming from year to year with surprising «Hi*
and vigour. — A. B. ' B*'

CHRYSANTHEMUMS AT EARLSVVOOl

Mr. W. Wells, of the Earlsw-ood Nursei-
Redhill, has several houses full of Chrysml
mums in bloom, the largest of which is a sj
roofed structure about ItiO feet in length by 22
in width. The blooms are very fine, and afl
abundant evidence of the greatest possible s
in their cultivation.

The varieties are in the main novelties of rei
introduction and principally of the Japai
type, although a few of the other sections
represented. American, home-grown, Frei
Italian and some colonial novelties make up
display, but by far the largest number, of con
come from the other side of the Channel, am
these, thew-ell-known grower and raiser, M. Er
Calvat, is a very large contributor. Mr. W
enthusiastically declares that it is quite ini
sible to bestow upon this successful raiser
much praise for the -way in which he has irapr(
the Chrysanthemum during the past few ye
In this expre.ssion of opinion everybody who
watched the eminent Frenchman's progress n
concur, and from what we saw on the Contii
last year we feel confident in [aedicting^
there is even now more to expect from the Ca
race than some peoi)le might think.

The collection is arranged with a double-fi
sloping bank of plants down the middle of
greenhouse and a row of dwarf plants round
sides, and the number thus employed mus
considerable. All shades of colour in the pof
flower are to be found, but the whites andyel
are perhaps more uniformly good than some ol
higher tones. In varieties belonging to the Ja
ese section sent out by M. Calvat, the follo\
must be considered as of the highest ordt
merit, and grandly maintain the raiser's re^
tion, viz., Directeiir Liebert, a very fine glol
bloom having grooved and curly florets larg
size, and of a deep lilac-mauve colour. N.
Jubilee is simply a grand addition ; it is s
compact, and finely incurved with grooved flo
colour silver pink, reverse inside, florets lave
pink. Mme. Ferlat is a noble new white, ^ i
and massive, with grooved incurving florets |
pearly white. Mile. Laurence Zi-de is ano
large compact variety, -with grooved poii
florets of medium width, colour inside v
amaranth, silvery i)ink reverse. M. Massang
Louvrex is a flne"new- yellow. Souvenir de F.
sette is an incurving bloom with pointed floi
colour plum coloured amaranth, with sil
amaranth reverse. Mme. X. Rey Jou\iii i
pretty incurving bloom with broad grooved Boi
rather blunt at the tips, of good size, and in co
a cliarming shade of deep rosy pink, and slig
hairv at tlie tips. Werther is a rich ]M
amaranth : Sur|iasse Amiral, a large new j-ell
Souvenir de Mohnes, crimson bronze tipi'ed,
reverse of gold ; Princesse de Galles, very
large white, with gi-eat length of floret : Con; -
de Bourges, deep purple curly incurving floi
One of the greatest novelties, and one w-l '
when well distributed will be certain to c: '
some curiosity from the outside public, islM
Ed. Roger, a pale sea-green incurved Japan
Mme. A. Rousseau, Mme. G. Bruant, Lsere .
MUe. Lucie Faure (a large fine white), 'V ico •
Roger de Chezelles, Topaze Orientate (a fine i '
yellow), Mme. Deis(white),F^edeChamp^our(l ■
white florets), are all this year's no\ elties iTOm|,
Cal\ at. But if the novelties are a source of g|U^
interest, what can we say concerning some oi.Kr
older and well-tried sorts already in gener^ |~-
tivation'? Some magnificent examples '"^■^
Chenon de Lech('', M. Hoste, Mme. Carnot, M|B^
Andre, M, Pankoucke, Capt. L, Chaur^^ H^

I

Decbmbbr 4, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

437

'erfectioii, Louise, Ainiral Avellan, Antoinette,
Urs. .1. Lewis, one of the grandest whites in the
lisplii.V, Mile. ^[. A. de Calbert, Calvat's Aiistra-
iaii dold, Le Moucherotte, Mile. Th^<l■^se Rey,
3oule d'Or, and probablj a luindi'ed others, all
:qually KOO^i' attest the overwUelmini; snpremacy
)t the Calvat seedlings. Some years ajfu several
Italian growers sent over new varieties to this
iOuntry, hut they seemed to bo unable to compete;
vith the French, and nothing much has been seen
intil last season of novelties from that country,
kir. Wells has, however, a few new ones, viz.,
jouis Sirtori, Pii-mont, and Count Cavour, rai.sed
.y the gardener to H.M. the King of Italy, who,
I will be rememliered, exhibited at the National
hry.santhemum Society's Jubilee show last year.
Xe were gratified to see, among other Continen-
ul novelties, several from our old friend, M. de
{eydellet. Mile. Lucie Mathieu de la Drome, an
ild-fashioned incurved and of a tine shade of pale
folden yellow, being one of the best. The same
aiser is represented by JL Haguier, pale rosy
iiauve, Japanese incurved, large in size and
laving a silvery pink reverse. Jlrae. Desblanc is
niother of the same type, the florets of which are
.'rooved, twisted and intermingling, and the
ilour a pretty shade of bright pink. Don Pietro
'.;nagiola, a golden yellow, shaded carmine, is
iiother, very effective and striking.

English novelties well represented are the
\liite Mrs. C. Blick, Lady Hanham, a very pretty
almon and rose-coloured sport from Viviand
\lorel ; G. F. Warren, a grand full-sized pale
ellow sport from Mme. L'arnot ; Royal Standard,
lark crimson and gold ; Royal Sovereign, golden
.How : Mrs. D. Dewar, white ; Pride of Maiden-
I ;id, white ; Mrs. H. Weeks, Edith Tabor, yellow.

Miscellaneous novelties in the Japanese are to
lO found in three sports from Mrs. C. Harman-
'lyne, viz., Mrs. G. W. Valmer, Mme. Eugene

cstout and Mme. Louis Remy. The two lirst-
I imed are rest bronze, and are probably identical,
lie having originated in France and the other in
'.ngland, the third is distinct and jiure white in
olour. Parachute is old rose, shaded carmine and
almon, \ery pretty. There is a goodly number
f unnamed Australian seedlings, and of colonials
hat are already in favour here. Pride of JIadford,
\iistralie and Oceana need only the briefest men-
ion. Mme. Ph. Rivoire is a large white Japanese ;
lUa Curtis, a deep golden yellow, dusted carmine ;

■ eorgiana Pitcher is very fine, large and heavily
iiilt, and of a pale canary-yellow. A new hairy
ariety is Maurice Boissard, pale golden yellow,
hs. C. B. Freeman, a sport from Louis Bu-hmer ;

■ loire Lyonnaise, Capt. L. Chaurr, bronze-yellow,
ikI M. Alfd. Thierrard, salmon-gold, are new

Iditions to this class.

.\meriian novelties comprise some really choice

irieties, although they are not nowadays quite

I numerous as they were. Sunstone, rather tall,

ith globular, incurving blooms, and of a beau-

tul shade of apricot or golden ochre-yellow, is

'i-rhaps not so well known as Modesto, deep

.olden yellow. Lenawee (white, faintly tinted

•lush, long loose florets) and iMutual Friend

'arge white), also come from the other side of the

.tlantic. Snowdon (large white) and Simplicity

lery long white florets) are two more ; Western

\ing (white) is another.

In one of the houses there was a capital col-
ction of single-flowered varieties coming on.
lany of these are light in build and very useful
ir decoration, vases and artistic combinations,
'urity, a large white, was large in size; Miss
lary Anderson (white, tinted blush) and Miss A.
lolden (a yellow counterpart) were very pretty,
.izzie Mainwaring (very pretty pale blush) is
[Orthy of a note, but one of the deepest and
idlest is the Re\. W. E. Remfrey, a deeply
lloured, velvety dark amaranth. Tlien ^■irgin
Ineen, a pure white single .Japanese, attracts
itention ; Emily Wells (rose-pink), Edwin
'eller (large in size, with long florets, colour

ilden buff), and Rose Pink (a variety whose
lame is sufficiently descriptive, but shaded white

Uj? base of the florets) fornjs an excellent com-

panion. In Annie Tweed the blooms are of a
deep rich velvety crimson, but liavo broad flat
florets. Gus Harris (an old variety, very ])retty,
but small) and Buttercup (pale lemon-yellow)
both help to brighten up the group.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS AT FRAMFIELD.

At The Vineries, Framtleld, Sussex, Mr. Norman
Davis grows some :ill,ll(l() plants. A very effec-
tive method of arranging the plants has been
carried out hero. Most of the jilants of a sort are
grouped together, im|)re.ssing one with their
respective value and their usefulness for various
purpo.ses. Rich and striking contrasts are by
these means easily effected, and the value of a
sort for its form or colour, &c., is immediately
made apparent. There are eight large houses,
ono alone covering half an acre, and six of these
are tilled with exliibition blooms and those plants
intended for market. In the first house, some
•2(1(1 feet long, a fine lot of Modesto with its large
and handsome .lapanese flowers of the deepest
and richest shade of golden yellow made a fine
displaj-, and convinced one of its value as an exhi-
bition sort: close by and making an effective con-
trast was a grand lot of Australian Gold with
massive heads of bloom. The colour was a pale
straw-yellow, deepening to the centre. Mrs. H.
Weeks, so highly thought of two years ago, was
reiiresented by flowers of immense size and sub-
stance, the broad florets prettily incurved.
Pearly white is the best description of its colour
this season. A new American Japanese incurved
and in iiromising form is Mrs. J. J. Glcssner,
with broad petals of golden yellow - tinted
apricot. This was grown in a very free manner,
and doubtless when freely disbudded will make
an invaluable exhibition flower. M. B. Spauld-
ing, introduced some years ago, is a pale canary
yellow, with long twisting and curling petals,
making a large flower, and promises to make a
useful "addition to these colours. The light
chestnut blooms of Mrs. Hermann Kloss were
represented in many stages of dexelopment, and
proved that when the right bud is selected
its rich golden tint assists to make it a distinct
gain to the exhibition sorts. Plants of Louise,
each carrying a dozen flowers of beautiful in-
cur\ ed form and a lovely pale flesh-pink tint of
colouring, pronounced it as a good decorative sort
as well as one for the exhibition talile. Miss
Elsie Teichmann was rather later than most
others, yet its pearly white blossoms were very
refined. By far the largest bloom of Hairy
Wonder we" have seen was here. One peculiarity
was its regular colourintr of deep faw n through-
out, stamping it as the best of the hairy- [jetalled
varieties. Of the beautiful ivorj-white Lady
Byron there was a fine lot of plants, each carrying
large flowers of grand sulistance. This sort is
evidently easy to grow. Madeline Davis is a
seedling raised this year, and undoubtedly a
flower of the most chaste description. It is best
described as silvery white, tinged throughout
with rosy violet, this colouring deepening at the
edges. The shape is somewhat like Ph.i-bus, with
longer and ratlier broader florets and more
tapered. Remarkably fine were the flowers of
Miss Dorothea Shea. ' The most handsome display
was made by between -idOaiKl ;)(((» blooms of Mme.
Carnot in two rows on either side of the house,
and produced on plants taken on the third run,
/.(■., the second crown bud. Mr. Davis has used
S inch pots for the.se plants, which are tpiite
1(1 feet in height, and one and all the blooms a'e
lit for the exhibition talile. This feature of the
(lis]ilay is in itself i|iiite uni<)U0. A charming
new incurved riapanesc was seen in Mrs. S. ('.
Probyn, this being a very neat and even flower of
easy 'culture, with broad incurving florets of
great substance, and possessing a nice habit.
The colour is a beautiful flesh-pink. Belle of
Castlewood is another large incurved Japanese of
a faint flesh colour, with long broad incurving
and curling florets, one of this season's American
introduction. Simplicity is no doubt a chaste
white flower, and makes a bloom of graceful

ap[)earance when fully developed. Mrs. F. A. Be\an
is another incurved .Japanese, of refined appear-
ance and a pleasing shade of flesh-pink, with a
jjalcr reverse to the florets, of medium width.
Klondike, the new rich jellow early decorative
.lapanese, is a decided .acquisition to the early
sorts. Mrs. A. H. Wood, the deep yellow s[)ort
from Primrose League, is in better form than in
other .seasons, and promises to make an immense
spreading flower of good depth and lovely form.
Western King is another of the very best things
here, its pure snow-white incurved .lapanese
blossoms of grand substance looking very fine as
the lower florets begin to droop. This is essen-
tially an exhibition flower, its size being all that
is desired, while as a decorative sort it may
be grown quite freely wit,h the best results.
The new rosy-bronze sport from .Mrs. C. Harman-
Payne, Mr. (!. W. Pahner, was in cajiital form,
the colour being very bright. As a flower it is
distinctly superior to the parent. M. Ernest
Calvat's novelties are much better this year than
formerly, the majority of the sorts being of high
quality. The most striking of the set is Beauti5
(Irenobloise, a large ivory white, with long florets
twisting and incurving at the tips, fairly dwarf
habit ; Souvenir de Mme. F. Rosette, airmine-
purple, with silvery reverse, is of sturdy habit;
Ft'e du Chamjjsour is a (dear white of good sub-
stance and very chaste ; Mme. (i. Bruant, a large
flower with broad pointed florets, is white, centre
striped and flushed pale rosy lilac : Secretaire
Fierens, something like John Seward, has long
florets, colour reddish crimson, and golden re-
verse ; President Nonin, somewhat in the way of
Sunstone, has prettily incurving florets of good
substance, colour chamois-yellow ; N.C.S. Jubilee
is a dense flower with short florets, colour silvery
mau\ e ; and Mile. Laurence Zede, an immense
ro.sy purple, with silvery-lilac reverse. Such sorts
as Dorothy Seward, John Neville, Phiebus, M.
Chas. Molin, Mile. T. Rey. Viviand Morel, and its
sports maintain their high reputation as exhibi-
tion flowers.

Incurved varieties are grown in large numbers,
though more for the purpose of keeiiing stock
together than for producing liigh-r'lass flowers,
and these, together with the market sorts, make
up a display of exceptionid merit.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS AT DOVER HOU.SE,

ROEHAMPTON.

Full some years past there has been a remarkably
fine tlisplay annually made of the Chrysanthemum
in these gardens. During a recent inspection I
was gratified to find such a representative collec-
tion, for not only are the large-flowered varieties,
both Japanese and incurved, grown extensively,
but the smaller or decorative \arieties also find
much favour for cvery-day cutting in large quan-
tities. The Jilants throughout are remarkable for
heahhy development, with short -jointed, sturdy
growth, healthy, dark-coloured foliage of good
substance and free from mildew in a notable de-
gree. Both cut-backs and taller plants find a
place in this collection, w hich also, by a process of
annual selection, contains only the very best
kinds as regards colours, good constitution and
general reliability. The plants when seen were
most ett'eetively grouped in the range of vineries
and Peach houses, which are by reason of their
loftiness well calculated to display every plant to
the best possible advantage. 1 noted that Mr.
McLeod had carefully guarded against an over-
crowded condition : each plant stood so as to
allow of a free circulation of air amongst the
foliage. This is as it .shoukl be, for if the foliage
be not preserved in a healthy state, how can one
reasonably exiMjct the flowers to be perfectly
developed ? It w.as noted that a slight amount of
shading was given, as the folitige of the fruit trees
was all cleared off, or nearly so : thus any undue
riseof the thermometer wasavoided, and thereby the
plants preserved from any undue strain upon their
resources. In a conversation with Mr. MeLeod
I soon ascertained that he is no believer in the
dressing system 50 ranch in vogue with exhibitors,

438

THE GARDEN.

[Di:cEMBEK i, 1897

It is worth their while that others also who grow
the Chrysanthemum well should take note of this
and abstain from this ridiculous waste of time ni
altering the character of their flowers (dressing
being oftentimes termed "building up," as if it
were a mechanical process). Of course in an ex-
hibition, if no dressing is practised, the exhibitor
stages at a great disadvantage to himself, but it
had better be so, I am disposed to think.

Tlie following varieties were noted as of spe-
cial excellence at the time of my visit, amongst
which will be found a few of the best novelties,
viz. ; Edith Tabor, very rich in colour ; Chas.
Davis, large and fine ; Lord Brooke, earlier than
usual ; Baron Hirsch, Miss Haggis, Vice-Presi-
dent Calvat, and Oceana, both extra fine in the
petals ; Lady Saunders, a Vieautiful primrose ;
Mile. Marie Hostc, C. H. Curtis, specially good ;
and Major Bonafi'on, which is too much like it.
Col. W. B. Smith, Louise, Lord Wolselej-, <1. C.
Schwabe, Mutual Friend, a beautiful white ;
John Seward, yellow, e.xtra ; Egyptian and Sur-
prise, two good dark colours ; John Jlyers, dis-
tinct and fine : Mrs. Geo. Palmer, a sport from
Harman-Payne ; Viviand Morel, E. (i. Whittle,
flesh colour, distinct ; Mrs. C. H. Payne : Abbe
Mendenhal, extra, yellow ; Eva Knowles, M.
(Jruyer, Etoile de Lyon, Pride of Madford, fine
dark ; Duke of Wellington, bronze ; Mrs. S. C.
Probyn, blush-pink : Mme. Therese Rey and Mrs.
Blicli, two fine whites still worth every attention
bestowed upon them, were also excellent.

Visitor.

SHORT NOTES.— CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

Chrysanthemum Earls'wood Beauty.

Ttiis is a single variety of most attractive yiiain'. it is
pure white, the Horets of extra lengtli, so tliat the
blossoms are larger than many of llie clasp. The disc
is prominent, which gives the Hower a distiuct fea-
ture. This variety appears to me much the best
single Chrysanthemum of its colour. — H.

Chrysanthemum Mme. Ferlat is auew soil,
tlie blooms of which incurve regularly, aud it is likely
to prove a capital additi'^n to that class. The pure
white flowers are quite 0 inclies across aud of propor
tionate depth. It is dwarf aud easy to grow. This
being the case, tliere is little doubt tliat it will rep'ace
such old favourites as Empress of India, uow so seldom
seen in good form. — S.

Chrysanthemum yellowr Mme. Carnot —
The bloom picked out at the Aquarium show as lieiiig
the best siugle specimen exhibited was a very tine one,
of a light shade of colour. It originated, I believe,
with llr. Mease, the exhibitor, and seems paler in
tint than G. J. Warren, tbe yellow sport more gene-
rally distributed. Perhaps tbe latter will prove the
better when by au early start one can obtain strong
plants. It had been propagated too freely to give the
best results this year. — II.

Trees and Shrubs.

THE RED CEDAR.

{.JlI.MPERl'S VIR(U.\I.\>r.\. )

C'o-M.MO.x from Nova Scotia to Soutliern Florida
and Central Texas, and from the shores of the
Atlantic to the valley of the Missouri River, the
Red Cedar assumes many forms under various
conditions. In the valley of the Red River, in
Texas and Arkansas, it is sometimes KM I feet
high, with a tall straiglit trunk .S feet or 4 feet in
diameter ; usually it is much smaller, however,
and generally 40 feet or ot) feet in height. Some-
times, especially during its early years, the
slender branches are jiressed close against the
stem from the base upward and form a narrow-
pyramidal head, which in time usually broadens
out and finally becomes round-topped and irre-
gular. This pyramidal form is especially common
in the valley of the Hudson River, and in some
parts of New Jersey and Eastern Penns3'lvania. In
New England, after the first twenty or thirty
years, when the Red Cedar is nearly always pyra-
midal, the stems often become naked Iielow and
the head a broad-based pyramid of slender

branches spreading below nearly horizontally and
ascending above ; and in the swamps of Florida,
where this tree is common and grows to a large
size, the branches are long and often pendulous.
The foliage of the Red Cedar is dark yellow-green,
or often pale glaucous, becoming bronze-coloured
at the north during cold weather, and in autumn
and winter, when birds do not eat them, the
branches are loaded with the small berries, which
are covered with a whitish bloom.

JfXirERis vii;(;ix:.\XA has usuallj- been con-
sidered to cross the continent to the shores of
Puget Sound and Vancouver Island, and to be
jiretty widely distributed through the interior
Rocky Mountain region from the northern border
of the United States to Northern New Mexico and
Arizona. Having seen a good deal of this western
tree, I am inclined to believe that the so-called
western Red Cedar as it grows in Wyoming, Mon-
tana and Colorado, at least, and perhaps every-
where, will have to be considered another species,
and should this supposition prove correct on
further investigation, I should propose the
name of Juniperus scopulorum for it. The
habit of the Rocky Mountain tree is very un-
like that of any form of the eastern Red Cedar.
It has the slender branchlets and opposite leaves
in pairs of the eastern tree, but the fruit is larger,
and does not ripen until the second year, while
that of our Red Cedar rijjens during its first
autumn. The branches are stouter and covered
witli more scaly bark, and the bark of the trunk,
which is often forked near the ground, is unlike
that of the eastern tree, which separates into thin,
narrow scales fringed on the margins, but, like
that of some other western .Tnnipers, divides into
irregular, narrow, connected flat ridges, which
Ijreak up on the surface more or less freely into
persistent shreddy scales. The wood has the
same fragrance as that of the eastern tree,
although it is rather less powerful, and the colour
is a duller red. The habit and the character of
the bark may Ije due, jierhaps, to differences of
soil and climate, which might also aft'ect the
colour of the wood, and the onlj' really tangible
character by which the western tree can be
sejjarated from the eastern is the biennial fruit.
Before the question of the distribution of the Red
Cedar can be satisfactoril3' determined, more
observations should be made on the time of ripen
ing of the fruit, especially in Colorado, Utah, New
Mexico, and Arizona, in the valley of the Columbia
River and on Vancouver Island, for it is, of course,
possible that the proposed Juniperus scopulorum
may be confined to the Northern Rocky Mountains,
and that Juniperus virginiana really reaches the
southern part of that range and even the Pacific
coast. The Red Cedar, although usually regarded
as a slow'-growing plant, increases rapidly with
generous treatment ; it is easily transplanted
while young, and with care plants 10 feet or VI
feet high can be safely transplanted, although an
idea prevails in this country that the Red Cedar
is ditiicult to move and unsuited for cultivation.

ilrxii'EKUS t'HiNENsis, which is occasionally
found in our gardens and is perfectly hardy as far
north as Eastern Massachusetts, is in every way
inferior as an ornamental plant to the native Red
Cedar, which it somewhat resembles, and at the
end of a few years usually becomes ragged and
shabby in appearance. Juniperus chinensis is
widely distributed in Eastern Asia, from the
borders of Thibet to Japan, where it does not
appear to be generally scattered, although it is
common on the high volcanic ridges at the base of
Asama-yama, in Central Hondo ; here it becomes
a shrubby tree 30 feet or 40 feet high, with
straggling contorted branches and grey-green
leaves. Two venerable and picturesque speci-
mens, 70 feet or 80 feet high, witli hollow trunks
some 0 feet in diameter, before the temple of Zen-
kogi, in Nagano, show that this Juniper sometimes
attains a large size. Another form, usually known
in gardens as

J. .j.\FO>'ic.\, is in early life a compact bushy
plant with man}' erect branches and acicular blue-
green lea\'es. This shrulj is perfectly hardy and

very distinct in appearance from other Juniper
retaining for several years its peculiar comps
juvenile habit, it too often becomes thin ai
ragged before it is 12 feet high and loses its val
as an ornamental plant. This is, perhaps, one
the most ditticult of all conifers to transplant. ]
many recent authors the so-called Juniper
japonica, which does not appear to be known ir
wild state, has been confounded with the pri
trate littoral Juniper of Japan and Corea (Jni
perus procumbens, Siebold — Juniiierus chinen
procumbens, Endiicher), now usually consider
a variety of Juniperus chinensis, although perha
it will, when better known, be found distil
enough to be given a specific position. This B<
shore plant forms dense mats on low glassy blu
fully exposed to ocean gales, sending out for lo
distances its prostrate creeping stems cloth
with bright green scale-like leaves. From see
gathered near the Aino village of Horobetsu,
the coast of Vezo, a number of [ilants have be
raised in the Arnold Arboretum, but it is tooso
to speak of their hardiness. Another prostrs
Juni|5er,

J. S.viiiN-A VAK. PEG 'i-Mr.EXs, is an excelle
garden plant with wide-spreading steins whi
hug the ground and are clothed with brig
green foliage. This is now usually considered
American variety of Juniperus Sabina, which
an erect shrub or small bushy tree, occasiona
1-J feet or 15 feet tall, and is widely scatter
through Central and Southern Europe and Sibei
If it has ever been pro|3erly tried in our gardei
it has i)robably not jjroved hardy. The Americ
plant is distributed from Southern Maine to t
shores of Hudson Bay, and westward in Briti
America from Newfoundland to the Roc
Mountains of Southern Alberta, and throu
Northern New England and New York along t
sliores of the Great Lakes to Northern Mmnest
and o\ er the mountain ranges as far as the easU
slopes of the Rocky Mountains in Montana. Tl
is the hardiest and most beautiful of all t
prostrate Junipers which can be grown in c
gardens, where it might well be seen much mc
frequently than it is. The prostrate form of

The Himalayan J. rectrv.v var. sgrAMATAi
a favourite garden plant in Europe, and has fl
quently been planted in this country. In Mass
chusetts it is not very hardy, although it can
made to grow in sheltered, shady iiositions ; ne
New York and southward it is, however, perfect
hardy. Juniperus recurva, which is widely a
tributed from Afghanistan to Sikkira and Bhota
is sometimes tree-like, but at high elevations I
mains shrubby and covers large acress with loJ
decumbent stems running on or just below t
surface of the ground and sending up nuraero
short, erect branches.— (V(()-(fcH and Fared.

^i

Populus trichocarpa (Torrey and Gray).-
This is a handsome species of Poplar, native
British Columbia, and introduced into Europe*
the first time in the year 1889 to tbe arboretu
of Zoschen, near Hersebourg, in (iermany,
which Dr. Dick is the director. It is only tto
or four years since its culture commenced
France, where it was put into commerce, in tl
year 1893, by MM. Simon Louis fri^res, of Met
who had obtained specimens of it from JI. Lou
Spath, of Berlin. Now all our leading nurser.
men grow it. This new species (or, more proper
speakincr, one that was only recently mtroduci
amongst our cultivated plants) is distinct fro
the species and varieties hitherto grown by u
and if we might compare it «'ith any of these, v
would say that it somewhat resembles the Balsa
Poplar (P. balsamea), from which, however,
differs very appreciably. In vigour of grow^ ,
aitpears to surpass such vigorous-growing kinfll
as the Swiss Poplar, the Italian Poplar,
Improved Poplar, &c. Populus trichocarpa, mon
over, appears to adapt itself to all kinds of scj
and has the great advantage of not being UaD'
to become diseased, as sometimes happens mtr
case of the other species and varieties.— J. loss"
in Li 'Jftnlln,

Decembkr 4, 1897.]

Tlllil GAHDRN.

439

Flower Garden.

MESEMRUYANTHKMUM ,1U)SEUM.

E Mesombryanthcrauin in the illustration
s given to nie under the cloublful name of M.
:eum. I first saw it at Madeira, where its

1 1'ht rose-crimson flowers huni; down from
,ny a mirante just as the Carnations ilo from
! balconies in Spain. It is a charming plant
o for Engl isli i^ardens, and has a preference

!• the sea-side, where its growth is more com-
:t and its flowers most abundant. It is the
y one of its race I have found hardy enough
live out during a mild winter on the north-
it coast of England, and it nialces such an
Dct of colour the second .summer that friends

no are familiar with the big Mesendjryanthe-

iim pomcridianum, so abundant on the sliores
the Mediterranean, have been surprised into

linking it the same plant. In reality it is,
wever, a nuich better thing, flowering con-
uously for six months at least, while the big
icies hardly lasts six weeks. There is also a
re white form of M. roseum whicli is even
re lovely in some folks' eyes than the type,
makes an excellent groundwork to a dark

iranium like Jacoby when thinly planted.

although much paler in colour. Heliotropes arc
full of Howcr, and many annuals liavo lately made
t|uite a fresli start into growth and llowci'. lit-ds
of Mignonette that had got (juite a seedy look in
September are now covered with a fresh growth
of ilower-heads. Coreopsis tiuctoria. Sweet Sul-
tans, white and purple, Chrysanthemums antl
many others too numerous to mention are flower-
ing freely. 0|)en-air Chry.santhominns have not for
many years had sueli a tine flowering time, even
the very latest kinds that we never attempt to
1/loom {except under glass), look like linisliing
their season without any protection. L. Canning,
Niveum, Princess Victoria and other white varie-
ties that are sjioilt with even a few degrees of
frost are flowering splendidly, and growers with
a <|uantity of these on hand for the Christmas
market are at their wit's end to keep them back.
(Uoire de Dijon Hose keeps flowering as freely as
in .lune, and some of the varieties like Souvenir
de la Malmaison are really goo^ in form and
colour. 1 must not omit to mention how useful
the white and yellow Jlarguerites are, I think the
blooms are individually much finer than tliey were
in their usual open-air season.— J.vjtES Grou.m,
Gotporl.

Cactus Dahlias. — In reply to W. E. Endi-
cott (page 401), the following I consider the
best : Alfred Vasey, salmon-rose ; Beatrice,
rose-pink ; Bertha Mawley, cochineal colour ;

Me^einhryanthemum roseum ni. a Scarhorough garden. From a pltotograph sent
Mr. E, U. Woodall, St. Nicholas House, Scarborough.

.Itogether these two varieties deserve more
jtice than they have yet gained, being nearly
lirdy, most etJ'ective, easily propagated, and
Ifting in flower from June to December in any
fhny sea-.side garden. E. H. Woodall.

liilium superbum. — In a swamp near Laurel.
lince George's County, Maryland, saj'S the Plant

^rld, there is a form of Lilium superbum with
J ms 7 feet or .S feet tall aiul clear lemon-yellow
f ivers without spots, but with large bright green
tmgular markings at the base of the perianth
^;raents. The leaves are described as similar
I those of the common form, although perhaps
1 re scattered, and the flowers are similar in size
il shape. Although not abundant, it appears
t it this ]ilant has been known locally for many-
Mrs, and that a few specimens can be found
i-ry year.

N'ovember flowers in th.e open air. — It is
I'ely that we can, even in the south of England,
f I such a wealth of flowers in the open air as we
1 .'e at the present time. Looking round to-day
(wember 20) I find the Uihli-.is still as fresh

,(1 green as at midsummer, and the old scarlet
tctus variety Juarezi covered with bloom,

Bridesmaid, white, tinted lemon : Cinderella,
purple ; Charles Woodbridge, crimson ; Cycle,
ruby-red : Daffodil, yellow ; Frances Humphries,
orange ; Fusilier, coral-pink ; ( Jloriosa, scarlet ;
Harry Stredwick, dark crimson ; Harmony,
bronzy-yellow ; Keynes's White ; Island Queen,
mauve ; J. E. Frewer, vermilion ; Lady Pen-
zance ; Marquis, maroon ; Matchless, dark crim-
.son ; Mrs. A. Beck, salmon-red ; Mrs. Barnes,
lemon, tinted pink ; Mrs. John (Joddard, rich
crimson ; Mrs. Wilson Noble, salmon - pink :
Night, dark crimson ; and Starfish, scarlet. — S.

CROCUS L.EVICATUS.

C'oii.D we only induce the sun to bieak more
frenuently through the clouds whieli sbroml it
from view on so many of our November days we
might have our gardens brighter than now. Even
as it is, we do not take sufficient advantage of
the material at command, so that when a bright
day comes we ma\- have some flowers whicli will
respond to its charming influences. ■ Even if we
have only two or three of such days in the month,
we can find in some of the Crocuses flowers which
will give us what we require. Of one of these—
oidy a variety of C. Boryi, according to some— I

desire to say a word or two. This is C. heviga-
tus, from the Cycladcs and the (ireek mountains.
It has lioen in flower here since the end of Octo-
l)er, and, although suffering from the recent
stormy weather, is likely to give blooms for some
little time to come. It is a pretty little species,
perhaps all the more pleasing on account of its
flowers apiieaiing before its leaves, which come
in autunni, have witliercd away. It is rather
vaiialjlc in colouring, and some more or less
defined markings and shades have been selected
by bulb growers. The segments \ary from white
to lilac, and the diversity is added to by the
difl'erence in the feathering or suffusion with
puri)lc of the outside of the outer segments.
The anthers are white, and the stigmata yellow
or orange. The flowers are, like those of nearly
all the species, considerably inferior in size to
those of the Dutch Crocuses, but have, by way of
compensation, a neatness and simple beauty
which make them more pleasing in the eyes of
man}'. One merit of C. hevigatus is the compara-
tively little sun it re(|uires to (lersuade it to open.
If the flowers can be kept dry tliey expand more
readily, but many do not care to see glass \>to-
tectors in their gardens. This Crocus is too
choice to be grown in the border until it becomes
more ]ilcntiful, and a sunny, sheltered place in
the rock garden is what it should have.

S. Arnott.

POLYGONl'M SPH.I-:R(JSTACHYUM AND

ASTER DIPLOSTEPHIOIDES.

One is disposed to agree with tlie remark of
Rev. C. Wolley-Dod that P. sphierostachyum
" will not yet be a common plant, even if it is
destined ever to Ije so.'' The latter part of the
sentence <|Uoted implies .a doubt with which one
is especially inclined to express agreement. It
is not a good sign of the amenability of a flower
to cultivation when it rises considerably in
price instead of becoming cheaper. A temporary
increase in value may arise from an unexpected
demand, but one finds, as a rule, that a ])lant
wliich advances in price some titne after intro-
duction is either dithcult to jjropagate or un-
satisfactory in some other way. This appears
to be the case with this Knotweed, although, as
has been said, every one of the flowers on the
spike is a possible plant. It is rather a favourite
flower witlt me, but a good many opportunities
of observing its behaviour in gardens have given
me cau.se for disappointment. Mr. Wolley-
Dod is more successful than many in retaining
his [ilants for ten years, as this is a feat re-
served for comparatively few. Grown in a lialf-
shady position in peat soil in this garden it is
not very long-lived, and one has to depend
mostly upon self-.sown seedlings to keep up
the stock. These are not plentiful, but come
up among a patch of Sedum acre which covers
the nook in which Polygonum s[)h;erostachyuin
grows. In nine out of ten gardens in which
one has seen it attempted it is a complete failure
in a year or two. In a few it, however, suc-
ceeds, and in some of these it has been grown
with more sun than one has been disposed to
think that it requires. Perliaps we may have
erred in thinking that it needs .so little sun in
this climate. Its neat habit and bright culour-
ifig are strong reconnnendatiims, and tlie former
qualit}' is one in which it has an advantage over
P. amplexicaule, although, as your correspon-
dent remarks, the hitter is sometimes as bright
in colour. It is certaiidy much easier to grow,
and it.s fairly free growth makes it more useful
in the garden, especially if its spikes are re-
c|uired for cutting. P. attine, also mentioned,
is, if anything, a little too free in its way of
spreading in the garden, but it is well wortli
growing, and gives flowers over a considerable
period. It is frequently met with under the
name of P. Bruuonis.

440

THE GARDEN.

[December 4, 1897,

Mr. Wolley - Dod's experience with Aster
diplustejiliioides will but confirm many in tlieir
jjoor opinion of this tine flower so far as its
perennial habit is concerned. One would, how-
ever, like to know if it is still grown by Mr.
Marshall at Bexley Heath. That gentleman
received a tirst-class certificate for tlie plant at
a meeting of the floral committee cjf the Rriyal
Horticultural Society on July 20, 18112, and tlie
illustrations wliicli appeared in tlie gardening
press at the time led to considerable inquiry for
this Aster. At that time it was also grown at
Kew and at Chiswick, where it was seen by the
floral connuittee on July 22, and certificated
then also. I have seen something of and heard
a great deal about Aster diplostephioides, but
can, unfortunately, give little hope that it will
prove anything Init a biennial in all save a very
few gardens. If Mr. WoUey-Dod could induce
the owner of the garden in the Peak of Derljy-
shire to tell us something about the conditicjns
under which he succeeds in preserving this
Aster he will confer a favour upon many of
us. S. Arnott.

Carsethoni, Dumfries, N.B.

able to form anything but the weakest bud at the
base, resulting in a weak growth another year,
and so on for three or four years before the plant
has properly recovered. It is in this way the
Pa'Ony, which is certainly among the grandest of
garden flowers, is often lost.

The best guide to purchasers of P;eonies is the
size of the current growth above ground and the
size and number of crowns below. Plants witli
two or three good growths are quite large enough
to start with, and with a depth of 2 feet or 3 feet
of heavily-manured soil there need be little fear
of the result when planted in the earl}* days of
autumn. E. Jenkixs.

Hampton Hill.

P.1':0NIES.
In a note concerning these plants at p. 402 Mr. J.
C. Tallack refers to the named kinds of Pajonies
in such a way as to cause them to be regarded as
of weakly growth and constitution. The passage
to which I refer runs thus : " I have tried many
named varieties, most of which have failed to
make crowns strong enough for flowering." It is
not that I dispute the truth of this statement.
As I well know, there are plants of this kind that
no treatment would ever induce to flower in any
way satisfactorily with the best methods of culture.
The plants that fail to flower with years are
usually not worth the time they take to plant,
for they throw many more shoots from the
clump, yet all are weak in the extreme.
We have no group of hardy plants possessing
greater vigour of constitution" with perfect hardi-
ness than the section of Pteonies including P.
officinalis, P. albiflora, P. sinensis, &c. Without
exception the named Pa^onies are the most vio-or-
ous, in tliis respect surpassing the old crimson
form in general robustness and vigour. Indeed,
when established, the Cliinese Peonies— -B-hich, I
take it, are those referred to as the " named
varieties" by Mr. Tallack, will readily attain
3 feet or more high. A dozen to a score of stems
is what a good clump of P;eony should produce at
the fifth year from planting, provided the plants
are well done at the start, the magnificent blos-
soms in tlieir well-nigh endless shades of colour
being borne profusely, and often on branched
stems where the culture has been attended to.
To begin with, a fair example of P;eony for
planting should possess two or three good eyes or
crowns of the size of a small acorn, and if with
young, recently-formed tap roots not hard-
wooded or cankerous, should in a year
or two make fine plants. Indeed, a good
plant of Pa-onia sinensis has in a large number of
varieties as large, plump crowns as the P. offici-
nalis group, only that the former vary in their
strength occasionally. It is, however, quite clear
that :Mr. Tallack has not had to deal with such
plants as these, which, if planted at the end of
August or early in September, would lie sure to
give satisfaction. Pajonies are among the easiest
things to cultivate, provided we adopt a few
simple rules, the most important of which is
planting or transplanting in early autumn with
as much of the foliage as it is possible to retain.

Valualile plants of these noble garden flowers
are sacrificed year after year by dividing and
planting when growing in early spring. It is not
possible to select a worse time, as the plants
rarely take to the soil during that season, and
virtually exhau.st themselves by existing on the
stored-up energies of the plant. Nor is this all,
for a plant moved at such a time will scarcely be

Kabbits and Antirrhinums. — I would be
very much indeltted if you will tell me whether
rabbits will eat Antirrhinums.— G.

*.* I have not as yet found anything in hardy
plants exce[)t Daff'odils that rabbits will not
either eat or nibble. Carnations and Starworts
are perhaps the favourites. All, however, are
mutilated to some extent except in the \'ery rare
cases where the foliage is \ery objectionable to
them, as the Daff'odil and (nearly always) Poppies
and Foxgloves. — E. B.

Daisy Snowflake. — Early in the spring of
this year I divided and re()lanted a bed of this
and coloured Daisies. I had previously given the
ground a liberal dressing of manure and the
jilants made good growth, covering the surface
by the time they came into bloom. This Dai.sy is
probably the best of its colour, and when in full
bloom the mass of pure white flowers was cer-
tainly very efiective. What impressed me, how-
e\er, was the length of time the plants remained
etlective and the duration in good condition of
the individual flowers. My soil is light, and the
weather was very hot and dry for several weeks,
but this Daisy bed was a sheet of white bloom
for upwards of two months. A bed of Rob Roy
close by did not last out nearly so long, in fact
was C|uite over when Snowflake was still in fine
order.— J. C. B.

Hardy hybrid Water Lilies.— The notice
of various kinds of Nymph;eas which appears
in last week's G.4RI)EX over the signature of
Mr. Greenwood Pim may be supplemented by the
experiences of others who have attempted to grow
a few of these lovely flowers under other condi-
tions. I have often had the pleasure of viewing
-Mr. Pirn's collection, and can testify to his success
in growing robust and free flowering plants of
many of M. Marliac's varieties in a shallow arti-
ficial pond of small size, the crowns of the plants
being not more than 8 inches below the surface of
the water, which has been at least on one occasion
coated with ,'? inches of ice. I have been less
fortunate. On the margin of a small lake I dug a
pond for the growth of interesting aquatics such
as these, and filled the bottom with rich mud,
leaving 18 inches of water above it (winter level).
The pond communicates with the lake, but is
protected against water fowl by wire netting.
Four jilants of Nymphiea Marliacea Chromatella,
carnea, and odorata sulphurea were first (jlanted,
and they threw up leaves in due course, but later
on the leaves kept diminishing in number, until
in the autumn only one (N. M. carnea) survived
and flowered. This year I added two more and
kept a more careful watch o\'er their develop-
ment, and discovered that a number of caddis
worms were in the pond, and that they preyed on
the young leaves, and were the cause of failure.
Curiously enough, they do not attack the young
growth of the common white or yellow indigenous
s[iecies. I then surrounded the jilants with per-
forated zinc cylinders which successfully protected
them ; but as the water le\el rises and falls, this
is insutiicient, and during this wet summer while
I was absent from home the laiva_' took advantage
of the zinc being submerged, and again de-
stroyed all the plants except one. It would ap-
pear, therefore, that these larvje which abound in
all waters, whether running or stagnant, will jjre-
vent the general introduction of tliese charming

water plants tn our hikes and jionds in
country. In artificial pieces of water near towl
where the stone flies do not exist, there seemsl
difficulty in successfully cultivating them. I
inclined to make a further attempt by closing I
communication between my jjond and thelal
and putting some perch into the former to {I
upon these larval pests.— W. de Vismks Ea|
Diuinridxh:. Hoiiai , Moiiaijhan.

FLOWER GARDEN NOTES.
TufTED P..\N-siES.— Evidence of the mild au.
is to hand in many thoroughly good flowa.
Tufted Pansies, the sorts responsible for the sa*
being Bullion, William Niel, Annie King, Cr
son King, Archie (Jrant, lona (a good flower
the Countess of Kintore type and more inclii
to the tufted growth), and a lavender sport fr
White Swan, always the largest flower I ha
All are from strong, late August-struck cuttin
and whether transplanted to the positions they
to occupy another season or still in the cutt
frame, are alike very healthy and vigorous;
fact, so vigorous are they that, given a fa'i
open winter, we are sure to get a grand ea
display. They are just about the tyiie of plar
have obtained in damp seasons from early J
striking, and if they hold their own weli th
will be no necessity for division, except in one
two cases where the stock is limited. Will ;
writer well versed in Tufted Pansies tell me
origin of Annie King ? Alike in density of ha
and from a flowering standpoint, it is one of (
best ; the smooth, shining foliage also is very c
tinct, but in hot, dry seasons it runs out bat
assuming markings after the York and Lancas
type of flower, and leading to the inference tha
must be a sport from one of the striped varieti
It would be interesting to know how far :
sports will preserve their true character throi
the season in ideal Pansy soil. Here they bei
to run out with the first spell of hot, dry weath
and although by mulching and watering i
flowering season is well sustained, the tendei
to colour-running is not checked. This is not
great moment in large mixed beds, but is nat
ally somewhat awkward if particular shades hi
been planted to contrast with other things. 1
sport from White Swan, for instance, which in
early stages is a fine lavender with a black e;
and in that form luakes a splendid contrast
plants like Mangles! Pelargonium, is at the e
of a dry time almost unrecognisable, produci
flowers very like those of the parent, only with
darker eye.

Mixed flower borders. — Although a genei
mixing up of plants, either hardy or tender, is r
to be recommended for the flower garden propi
it m.ay be practised with good results on outlyii
borders mainly for the purpose of supplying c
flowers in quantity, and if this is the chief co
sideration a close companionshiji is not objectio
able so long as it does not interfere with fair
good growth and the production of gooti flowers,
have, for instance, just cleaned through a loi
border that was jilanted in the summer of IS
with seedling Polyanthuses, and between tl
latter later in the year with Spanish Irises, Snoi
drops and Daffodils in variety. A \ cry fair resu
was obtained from the bulbs this spring, and tl
earlier of them are just now pushing through vei
strongly, giving promise of a still better sup])
for the flower basket in the spring of 1808, towan
which end the Polyanthuses in many colours wi
also materially assist. The bulb planting w;
effected without injury to the Polyantluises '
working a fork straight down its entire lengt
immediately in the centre of the rows, so that tl
planting stick was easily inserted and a little ol
soil from the potting bench placed in eacli hoi
so that the bulbs rested on a sound bottom,
may note that the Daff'odils were chosen to repr^l
sent a lon^ season and include ob\allaris, princep
Horsfieldi, Queen of S|iain, Barri conspicuus anl
the single and double forms of the late-flowerio
poeticus. This particular border has a west J
pect, and so the Sjianish Irises come in a bit lati

►kcember 4, 1897.]

THE CJAP.DEK

441

those planted in the open quarter. At the end Carnations, I shall watch the projjress of my plants
lis mixture are large clumps of C'hionodoxa | this season with a certain amount of interest,
ha' and V. Tmolusi, the latter a deeper blue I We have already had mucli moreth.iu tlio avorai;o
later than the better-known variety, also a

clump of Anemone fulgens. As the (ilory of

^now is in considerable recpiest, I am tryinjja

h on a due north border with the view to still

upier lent;then the season. Other stretches

if order that will, I think, look well, and also

I'ulish a very acceptable supply, are planted re-

•ivelv with the taller Campanulas and Doi'oni-

Acelsum, with a i:;oodly carjietiuij of Saxi-

.. . umbrosa, a hunib\c liower, but wonderfully

uifeful anil light in a cut state and standiiif;

W( . With respect to tlowering plants of taller

hilt than the majority of tlio.se already nien-

tiJed also re(|'iirecl for the flower basket, there is

> :isoii why they should not be planted in

1 beds in the flower garden if space is not

.. i.iljle elsewhere, only if general mixtures are

ttJe made the jilanting must be well done, for

eM with heavy ■i\eekly cuttings a certain

anunt of ilower will remain of diiierent things

rmiring careful gnaipiug to ensure a pleasing

i^t in the beds. In the case of small gardens

ilil, however, reci>mmend a greater number

.11 beds, and at the most two or three species

. \i rather than a great variety in one bed, as

a 10 few flowers that do not show to the best

lage when grouped together in quantity.

.ippUes to the flower garden proper, and, .as I

ii e said, when a pleasing display is as much a

(|?stion as securing cut bloom

ither parts of the garden

re the latter is the main

Ci sideration , a general mixi ng

tiether is not objectionable,

a lOugh even here a little

amount of fog— nasty fogs, too, that have left
their mark on everything outside in the form of a
black sticky deposit of sulHcient thickness to
necessitate washinjjfall lights of houses and jiits in
which ]ilants are housed. The Carnations look
remarkably well at present, and occasional blooms,
such as they were, have testified to the mildness
of the season. Krnest Ladhams I'ink has also
gi\en us a few very fair flowers.

(JlitntnoiU. E. BuRRKi.r..

AN AIRY BOWER.

This little creeper-clad bower witli its stcuie
table is pretty, and in the country it comes
from (Portugal) no doubt its shade is very
welcome ; but it would not be less .so in uur
country in points and positions commanding
good views. With our present stock of climbers
such things arc always very welcome supports
for such plants, which need not be the com-
monest. And why should we not liave more
like it, which give a little .shade, yet allow free-
dom to the air, which the mouldy, close wall in
summer rarely does t Notwithstanding the
pains people take with their summer-houses in
pleasure grounds, it is surprising how little

t::e mav be shown

the

f
11; me

mgement.

'IIOISVA TEKNATA. The

nting of sundry well-rooted
ers of this beautiful ever-
en against a low wall has
to draw attention to
il! merits. Its inclination is
ture towards assumingabushy
hliit, but it covers a wall
Wl if lightly fastened to the
sue and the very slight pro-
ttion necessary is thereby
ajirded. Introduced from
Jixico as far back as 1S2.5,
ijtigures in old garden books
ida stove evergreen, and is
tjrefore one of the many
iitanees of plants utilised

outdoor work that in liy-

le days were only grown

ler glass. Given a warm position on a

th wall and a sandy loam with gravel or

sid below, it grows luxuriantly and flowers

11, requiring no protection. It is produced

dilv from cuttings, but good large plants

obtained much more expeditiously from

1. ers, the only treatment necessary, if low shoots

1 1 available, being to slice them a third through

I peg into the ground at the part of the shoot

ere they can be most easil}' and permanently

ured, keeping the ground fairly moist for a

tie until root action has commenced. The fact

ttthis Mexican plant can be grown thus easily

f «ide leads to the inference that in its native

I jitat it must be found on hi

An airy hower in a Portuguese garden. From a photograph sent
hy the Marquis de Fronteira, Li.sboji.

they are used, and jiartly, no doubt, owing to
the want of air and sweetness, being, indeed,
better fitted for earwigs and woodlice, walls
and roof being often full of dusty decay. Why
should we not use our beautiful climbers to
make these roofs as in the ease of this little
bower ! All we want is a stout framework and
a few bamboo or other sticks over it, and in
that way we should be rid of decay and insects,
and al.so to some extent the cost of the roof.
Ivy makes a good evergreen roof, as we may
see now and then on an old farm hovel, where
it ])lants itself ; but it is easy to form bowers of
these handsome Ivies and summer - leating
climbers like Vines, as we occasionally see
them about French inns. To get rid of tlu'
ru.stic - work as u.sed in our summer-houses
woidd be a gain, as tliat begins to rot before it
is jmt up. We .also like the use of the stone
table.

h ground where
t : night temperature is occasionally low, and is
i| illustration of the importance of obtaining
O'Urate information as to the conditions under
vich new plants .are found. Take for instance
t; case of the ( 'hoisya under consideration and
tt lemon-scented Verbena (Aloysia citriodora),
f asionally used as an outdoor wall plant, and
i reduced from Chili. The latter country, taken
a a whole, is some 10° further from the Lobelia cardinalis.— Doubtless " A. 1).'' has
c later than Mexico, and yet the Choisya is the been unfortunate in his experience with this
1 dier plant of the two — an evergreen, too, whilst plant, for there is no rpiestion as to its hardiness
t other is deciduous. here in the coldest part, perhaps, of Suffolk. I

'^'arxations. — As an outcome of the recent com- have wintered it here for several seasons, and in
I' nication as to the baneful influence of fog on neighbouring garden it withstood the very severe

winter of lSi)4-!l.j without the least jirotection.
and flowered profusely in the autumn of l.Sil.'). 1
am of opinion that it is far more easily managed
on a somewhat moist, heavy soil than'in a light
and sandy one, for on a uiuch lighter soil than
mine about ten miles distant a nurseryman friend
cannot keep it through the winter. 'Possibly the
soil that "A. 1)." grow it in was unsuitable,
though it seems strange tliat what suits a plant
in the summer should not do so in winter. The
young shoots are now about an inch above the
soil here, and I should bo very loth to disturb the
jilants, though if 1 was not pretty sure of their
living I should certainly take your correspondent's
advice— doulitless given in good faith — and lift
them. Those growers having a very light soil to
deal with may with advantage dig in a little
marl and clay, as this would certainly increase
the vigour of the plant even if it had no bearing
upon its hardiness or otherwise. The tinner the
roothold the plants have and the more thoroughly
they are established the more likely are they to
succeed. — R.

BASAL ROT IN DAFFODILS.

So far as my experience goes in respect to this
much vexed question, I fear Mr. Docker (p. 400)
is still a long way from a correct solution of the
ditiiculty. At the outset it should be noted the
variety mentioned, viz., Mary Anderson, is among
the most ditticult to satisfy in a large number of
gardens, and therefore could scarcely be con-
sidered as representative of this lovely group of
hardy flowers, and I think Mr. Docker's contention
fails somewhat to convince by the rather conflicting
statements in the note here referred to. For in-
stance, these very bulbs are referred to in one
passage thus : " A finer-grown sample of bulbs I
never saw," while a little later this sentence
occurs, "There was evidence of unripeness to
support this view," evidently inferring that the
liulbs were lifted before fully mature. If this was
the case the bulbs could scarcely have presented
the appearance indicated in the first quotation,
because Marj' Anderson is by no means the
most vigorous rooting variety of this group. In-
deed, in many soils it is a feeble grower generally,
and, lacking constitution, freijuently disappears
in a year or two, though its behaviour is very
curious even in this matter at times, and conflict-
ing also. But, assuming the theory of " too early
lifting of the bulbs" to be a correct one, then
basal rot should be nonexistent where the bulbs
are permanently planted. The very contrary is
the fact, not only in the case of Mary Anderson,
but with the Tenby Daffodil, as also some strains
of Van Sion double, or even our common Lent
Lily where attempts have been made to cultivate
it. So also many of the white-flowered varieties,
and ArdRigh among others. For these gene-
rally considered weak growers annual lifting has
been advanced as the best means of keeping them
in good health the longest time, and, if coupled
witTi change of soil also, I can answer for its
utilit}-. And, so far as lifting is concerned, most
growers are content to take the foliage as their
guide, for with the decay of this there is little
further use for the roots, since no further sup-
plies of sap, even if forthcoming, could be elabo-
rated. The difficulty in this direction comes to
those who largely grow the flower in (piestion
when a wet sea.son occurs and the foliage remains
green and fresh far into .July. At such times,
though fortunately they do not occur freriuently,
the late-flowering v.arieties, poeticus for example,
haveto be raised before the foliage decays, otherwise
renewed root action would ensue. These instances
are, however, rare, and in a year like 1897 no such
cause need exist. But with some of the poeticus
varieties it is difilcuU to know, even in a year like
the present, when there is an entire cessation of
roots. Even when the leaves are quite gone, you
may raise the well-known ornatus and find root-
fibres of all lengths, from one-sixteenth of an inch
to several inches long : fibres, moreover, that do
not perish when out of the soil, as they do in the
great majority of kinds. Usually, where the base
of a bulb is badly cankered by this disease, it so

442

THE GARDEK

[December 4, 189

covers the area of rooting as to hermetically seal
it, and thus effectually prevent the emission of
roots altofjether. Nor is it wholly external, as
frequently the disease penetrates the birthplace
of the roots or fibres, and the points becoming
affected, the whole is (juickly enN-elojied by the
disease. It is quite a different matter when from
a partial attack of this canker space still remains
for the roots to descend, and so long as the fibres
remain healthy it will make little or no difference
whether their descent is perpendicular, or wliether
thej- radiate around the bulb. Indeed, in this
connection it is surprising how the root-fibres of
bulbous plants often shift for themselves, bulbs,
for instance, that have been accidentally turned
upside down, and notwithstanding that their
natural descent is straight down. Such bulbs I
have repeatedly found with the roots turned right
over, and instead of going direct into the soil, as
might be expected, have pierced through their
own skin and descended in that way, emerging
into the earth at the narrow portion of the neck
of the bulb. The latter meanwhile, after pro-
ducing a crescent-like curve at the apex, has
started the ui)ward growth as usual.

Ilampton Hill. K. .Jenkins.

SHORT NOTES.— FLOWER.

Pampas Grass in Wales.— I am sendirg photo
of clump of Pampas Grass grown tn the lawn here ;
it has forty-five spikes of bloom. There is another
sii-nilar cluuip within tis yards. The lilants are grow-
ing in a very damp soil and partially sliaded with
trees and heltered from north-east wiods. — J- D..
Feniarth.

Linum narbonense. — Permit me to call atten-
tion to the wrong .spelling of Linum narbonense (see
page 401). The adjective onght to have three " u's,"
not four. It is true the modem name of the town is
Narbonne, but the Latin name was Naiho, and the
adjective derived from it, which has good classical
-..uthority, Earbouecsis; neuter, ens3. — C. W. DoD.

Stove and Greenhouse.

when the plants are about a foot high, and in
this stage they are very pretty for grouping or
table decoration, but a better plant is obtained
by pinching once or twice and taking up
four or five stems. Overpotting must be
guarded against, anything like a sour or water-
logged soil being fatal, and until a good spread
of foliage is produced water must be very spar-
ingly applied. The atmosphere of the house
should be kept moist and light syringings are
helpful on briglit days in kee]iing the growth
free of insects. But a good light and moderate
circulatioir of air are also important factors,
these tending to a hard, solid, yet free growth
that is sure to flower more fi-eely than very soft
sappy shoots. I liave seen P. pulcherrima
grown as a pillar plant in a large stove, and it
had a very pretty effect. It is rather apt to
get bare of foliage beneatli, but this will not
occur if the lower part is not too much shaded.
Many err in getting this class of plant to ' cover
its space too quickly, running the shoots a long
way each .season and taking no pains to cover
the lower part, but if some nice stubby side
branches are secured as the plant is growing,
these may be cut back occasionally, and by
keeping the toj) tliin will break and give jdenty
of young wood. Even as a clind)er on a trellis
it doe.s well, and here it sliould be planted out
in a medium-sized border, this being well drained
and tilled with a similar compost to that
dcsci-ibed. It is sometimes grown in a rather
wild way, and just before the flowers open tied
in to balloon and other shaped trellises, many of
the stems being usually broken or twisted in
doing so. This is the least satisfactory way of
all. "The scale is very fond of the rough older
bark, and red spider sometimes attacks the
foliage, but with ordinary care neither of these
pests gives much trouble. t)ld plants that have
been cut into shape after flowering, or others
headed back for propagation or otherwise, must
not Ije watered for a time, but kept well on the
dry side until the cuts are healed. H.

POINCIANA PULCHERRIMA.

The flowers of this stove plant are very pretty
and bright, produced on showy corymbs during
the late sunnner and autumn, and, taken all
round, it is a plant deserving (.if attention. The
graceful Fern-like foliage, when the plants are
healthy, is a nice set-ofl' to the flowers, and
these occur in a fairly long succession on tlie
same spike. Its culture is not so ea.sy as that
of some other stove species, but, given healthy
plants, it is not ditticult to keep them so. It
grows into a large, rambling tree 8 feet or more
high if left alone, but by cutting back after
flowering, may be kei>t more within bounds
and makes nice showy pot plants. It is grown
from seeds and cuttings, the former being sown
in strong heat. The cuttings should be made
of young half-ripened wood and furnished
with a short heel of older wood if possible.
Place these not too deeply in a firm compost,
about three around the edge of a small pot, and
before the foliage has time to flag jiut them
into a gentle bottom-heat in a propagating frame.
It is not free-rooting under any circumstances,
but with care many of the cuttings will strike.
The plants should be slightly hardened before
potting, but very carefully guarded against
cold draughts, or jirobably many of the leaves
will drop ott'and the plants be weakened. From
the first, pot very tirndy, using a compost of
peat and loam, with coarse sand and crushed
charcoal rather freely added. A little of a good
concentrated manure may also be added at the
second potting, this being more to their taste
than natural manures ancl not so likely to clog
the compost. The first flowers usually appear

Posoqueria fragrantissima. — This very
sweet-scented stove slirub is not much grown,
but the blossoms are verj- pure and chaste-looking
when the plant is healthy. They occur on loose
corymbs at the ends of the shoots, each flower
having a long tube and recurs ing petals. It is
happiest under cultivation in a light, sunny
house where there is plenty of heat and moisture,
the sun shining full on the leaves in the afternoon
doing no harm. Small plants are very apt to
damp off' if heavily watered. It is best grown in
equal parts of peat, loam and leaf mould with a
good sprinkling of sharp sand and a little manure
tor strong jjlants.

Liuculia gratissima. — Where the occupants
of the greenhouse are confined altogether to pots
it seems useless to expect a thriving specimen of
this Luculia, but if it is jjlanted out under similar
conditions to those that are so successful in the
case of the Camellia, then it may justly be claimed
for it that it is one of the finest winter-flowering
shrubs we have. It does not bloom at all freely
when small, but as a bush from 0 feet to 10 feet
high it will at tliis season of tlie year be studded
with large Hydrangea-like heads of beautiful
jjink, deliciously fragrant blossoms. Like the
Camellias, this Luculia needs liberal watering and
syringing during the growing season, hence the
bed in which it is planted should be thoroughly
well drained. The soil, too, must be of a good
ojien nature, say two-thirds turfy loam to one
tliird of fibrous peat, with a liberal admixture of
silver sand and nodules of charcoal. Alter flower-
ing it should be pruned back and in the spring
encouraged to grow awaj- freely. — T.

Carnation rust, cure for — When in Ger-
many the other day I visited some large and well-
kept gardens, partly English, partlj- (ierman.

Going round the greenhouses I was partii
struck with the unusually healthy, strong ai
ance of a large quantity of Tree and other yr.
flowering Carnations, and turning to the
gardener, a (ierman, who was kindly sliowii
round, I said, "These aie wonderfully hf I
plants." The blue bloom on them is \vha
sometimes see in a well-grown Carnation \h
an autumn morning, but never before had I s.
in Carnations grown indoors. " What do y
to these V" said I. " Syringe them, ' he re|
and if you like I will write you out the mi
we use." I give it for the information of
readers who are Carnation lovers to trj' whal
can make of it. I have not used it yet.
mixture for killing the Carnation disease (t
tion rust): 1, 2 lljs. of vitriol; '2, 4 lbs. ol
(freshly slaked) ; S, 27 gallons of watt
2 lbs. of sugar. 1, 2, and 3, mix well togeth
clear (not blue) ; add No. 4 and well mix. Sj
once a week early in the day. The syri
should be done (juicklj', finely, and evei
M. T. E., IIV,o-//.»//</.s Cohhrnii, Sm-i; i/.

Rust on Malmaison Carnations.—
some years ago I took the old Souvenir Can
in hand, I experienced no difficulty in ke
the plants clean and healthy all the year i
At length rust appeared, and for some time
of opinion that it could not be classed ;
diseases, but was a sj-mptom of defective cult
the result of torpid root action arising from
continuous rain when the plants were in the
air. The first appearance of this pest was
lot of ]iotted layers which I knew lurd been
watered, and I have in\'ariably found that
of moisture at the roots will bring on an a
From what has come under my own observ:
am convinced that were the plants kept all tli
through under glass they would seldn
attacked by rust. I have had plants whicli
placed in the oiien after blooming remain
healthy until heavy rains came at the close
summer, and then become badly spotted.
more than once been struck with the difl
between these plants and some which h^
mained under cover, the latter lieing quit
from disease, the foliage having that blue
tint that characterises this Carnation when
best form. The roots of JIalmaison Carn
are extremely sensitive to excess of moistun
a succession of heavy rains renders them t
brings the foliage into an unhealth}' stati
thus induces an attack of rust. I would adi
who can do so to keep their plants either in 1
or in a well- ventilated house. — J. C. B.

Yellow Callas.— "D." (p. .'fflS) is, I fea
the only one who might truthfully confes.
certain feeling of disappointment in conn
with the yellow Callas, as there is a very g
idea that they are in all respects, save col
counterpart of the common Arum Lily, and
the same treatment ; whereas it has been s
times pointed out in The Garde.n' (notably
the coloured jilates of Eichardia EUiottian
of K. Fentlandi respectivelj* were issued
they were totally dormant throughout the v
and during the growing season they n
the temperature of an intermediate hoii
cool end of the stove. As summer ads
this is not necessary, but about Feb
when as a rule they start into growtl
plants grow more kindly in an ordinary ;
house temperature. I cultivate a considi
number, and just now the dormant tubers :
the pots they have grown in stood on a
at the warm end of a greenhouse — that is 1
a structure that does not fall below 50° 'I
the winter. They are kept almost di
Februarj-, when the tubers are shaken ei
clear of the old soil and repotted in a good
compost, such as loam lightened by an admi
of well-deca3ed manure, leaf-mould and
The tubers are placed at such a depth tli:
upper part is about an inch below the surf,
the soil ; then in an intermediate tempci
and slightly moistened they soon start sti
into growth. The roots are produced aft
manner of a Caladium — that is to say, fi

December 4, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

443

ulier part of tlie tuber just at the base of the
n' growth. Wlien sliiiken out for repottiiii; it
Be sometimes found that an offset or two can
)aratc(l M'ithoiit injury, and if those are
sintfly and plat'cd under favouraiile con-
tns they soon reach Ihnverin"; si/c. — H. 1*.

Trins t

It i{ pph<
iu irol

i

ij
oulJi
itte)
,B.

CKOTONS.

llier class nf tinefuliaj^ed plants is so rich
varied in colour as Crotons when grown

cr favourable conditions ; but unless they

the necessary

1(1 III
111 11
otea
iptil

attention and a genial at-
ere they are far fnuu being attraeti\e. It
irobably owing to the trmible that insects
I, especially when plants get old and stunted,
1 Crotons are not such general favourites,
specimens when kept clean and healtliy
very imjiosing, tliongh it is as young plants
; I think their full beauty is seen. They
r be grown from L' feet to H feet ni one
ion, and with well-coloured cuttings to start
they will have highly-coloured foliage down
le base. Cuttings may be taken at any
3 during the winter, the stronger the cuttings
better. Where good propagating accommo-
lasii «n is not at hand, the tops may be rooted
im )re taking them from the plants. A few
igin 'es should be removed, and the stem cut
till ut half through and the knife run up so as
Kti plit the stem abi lut half an inch or rather less,
■J J mil wedge being inserted to keep the cut open,
then some peat. Sphagnum, and sand bound
ad. If this is kept moist, but not too wet,
a will soon make their appearance. If taken
,nd potted carefully they will only rei|uire to
kept close for a few days. After they are
iblished, the most essential points towards
iess are light, heat and moisture. They
lid be potted on liefore they liave beccjme
tki bound, until they are in the largest size
s intended to give them. Very effective
njj its may be grown in 4.\-inch jiots, but for
er specimens pots should be used according tt)
irenience. Crotons are not so particular as
ly subjects with regard to soil. I have seen
"^ n grown successfully in \'arious composts.
i^^lprefer good loam, leaf - mould, a sprink-
of SJtnd, the addition of a little horn-
rings or bone-meal being beneficial. If
ntion is paid to watering, they may be fully
osed to the brightest sunshine, and the more
[id ' *''S exposed, the brighter will he the
uring. Clear soot- water may be recom-
ded both for watering and .syringing with,
isides being one of the best fertilisers, it is
ictive to insect pests. It could not be
upon to eradicate mealy bug (U- scale,
if plants ai-e clean to start with it" will prove
lorough preventive, provided the syringe is
I so as to thoroughly wet the leaves under-
li as well as above. Although Crotons
lire a high temperature and plenty of mois-
wliilu growing, if carefully hardened off'
will last well for a considerable time in a
^temperature.

iljjj, ABlETiEs.— When required for table decora-
^g0 the naiTow, drooping-leaved varieties are
tilii! t appreciated. Of these superbus is one of
dl » best. Countess closely resembles it, and is
tots laps better known. Of the two I prefer the
oitJ' ler. In c.-uidatus tortilis the twisted leaves
«l broad at the base. When well managed it
iiW es a most beautiful i.lant. Prince of Wales
'^ f similar habit, but a stronger grower.
,!'g Isoni is a beautiful Croton wh.'n well deve-
,1 ^> but one of the mo.st difficult to do.
IM ^'"^ "''y '"^ •'^■''''1 "f Aigburth Oem. 1
,^1, !y saw some beautiful plants of this, which
sbrti iinparatively new. (iolden King is another
Ji variety wi(;h narrow twisted leaves. Of
, si^e with medium-sized leaves which change

to a bright red hue, Musaicus, Etna, Lady
Zetland, Flamingo, and Mortfont:iinensis are
among the best, and of tho.se that retain the
yellow v.-iriegation, aneitnen.sis and Weis-
uiani. The latter, though a very old variety,
still lujlds its own. Of large-leaved siu-ts Thom-
soni is the be.st yellow. Alexander III. colours
very richly. Newmani should always lind a
place where Crot(Uis are grown. Bergmani
and Haron Frank Selliere are large-leaved
yarietii's with creamy-white \ allegation. Reedi
is a later addition, and one of the best. M.iiiy
more varieties might be named as being e(|u,dly
desirable, but those making ,a selection cannot
do wrong in growing the above. A.

Paniciim plicatum. — For the decoration of
largo halls or similar spaces in the house I find
this a very useful i)lant when sown early in the
year and grown on freely. An exeellerit w-ay of
getting big Palm - like specimens early is to
(jrick off' the young seedlings into pans, and then
transfer the whole of the plants in each pan bodily
into a large i)ot of fairly rich soil. In a few
weeks they grow into huge specimens 5 feet high
and nearly as much through, and these are very
useful throughout the summer. To keep the
plants green anfl healthy-looking, an abundance of
water is necessary through the growing season.
I find this green-leaved form far superior for
gener.al purposes to the variegated form which
used to lie more commonly grown, but both make
handsome plants when grown in a mass and not as
single plants.—.!. C. T.\ll.\ck.

Ceropegia elegans.— I enclose a few blossoms
of this interesting and apparently little-known
climber, which was figured in TiiK Garden in
vol. xviii., and seems to have been scarcely ever
mentioned since. It is a slender twining plant
with opposite leaves, growing freely in an inter-
mediate temperature such as suits the majority
of Adiantums and many Orchids. The flower is
not very showy, but quaint and attractive to
those who can admire tiuiet beauty. It is
trumpet -shaped, the base being nearly spherical,
then suddenly narrowing and gradually widen-
ing to the mouth here the petals are folded
inward so as to meet in the middle, and are here
furnished with a delicate fringe of hair. The
ground colour is creamy white, densely spotted
with chocolate. Several flowers are produced at
each joint, and with me plants in 6-inch pots are
never (or hardly ever) out of bloom. It seems
easily propagated from cuttings. — Gkeenwood

PiM.

Bouvardia corymbiflora Humboldti.— For

some unexplained cause this well-known plant is
almost universally referred to in plant lists as
B. Humboldti eorymbiflora, thereby reversing its
specific r.aiik. Why this is so is not at all clear,
as by a moment's thought the specific title is at
once obvious. As an autumn-flowering plant it is
of especial value, being not only free in growth,
but decidedly vigorous and ea.sy of culture. As
an early autumn flowering plant, however, it is
worthy of note, and, being of easy culture, there
is no reason why long sprays of it should not be
al)undant in private gardens during the early
autumn months. It is (juite easy to make capital
flowering plants in six or seven months, and where
very early cuttings are obtainable, handsome
bushes with ten or a dozen stems may be grown.
For early work, however, this kind is best as a
pot plant. The jilant is of erect growtli and
attains to fully '2\ feet or .S feet high when well
grown, with a terminal corymb of pure white
blossoms.

Schizostylis coccinea. — .Some plants of this
usefid plant lifted from the border a week or
two back are now providing a valuable lot of
sjakes that are particularly serviceable. It i.';
one of those easily grown plants that are too
freiiuently neglected and allowed to remain too
long in pots without attention. But if j>lantcd
out in early spring in good soil it is surprising
how tpiickly the plants recover, while those with

any strength arc sure to flower the following
autumn. In some guldens the clumps are simply
parted and planted out in this way, but having
given both systoms a trial, I can speak strongly in
favour of planting single crowns in jircference to
the clusters. By .selei'ting the strongest pieces
some xery fine spikes may be relied upon each
autumn. When it is remembered how few such
things exist, they are more than worth the
trouble their cultivation involves. The planted-
out single crowns always have a fresh, clean look
.iljout them, and by placing half-a-dozen in a
(i-inch pot a good display is secured. Where
nei^ded only for cutting, the plants do etiually
well if planted into boxes and placed in cold
frames in September. — K. .1.

SHOUT NOTES.— STOVE <t- GREENHOUSE.

Begonia Qloire de Lorraine. — In referring

to the ijaiciilaKc of the above in 'i'uK (iARi)FN (p. 354]
1 inadvertedly gave IS. Jlartiana as one of the parents;
it ahriidd have been socotrana. I find the raiser gipes
soootraiia and Dreyfi as the parents, but the gener.al
habit certainly suggests some affinity to Martiana.
— A.

Carnation Snowflake.— The flowers of this
are of medium si/.e and pure white. The j^reat recom-
iiieiiJation appears to be the free branching habit of
the plant VVe are always wanting good white Carna-
tioiKS during tlie winter, and if tbeal'ove proves to be
of good constitution, it will bo a welcome addition to
this useful class of llowering plants.

Pancratium fragrans. — This is a very beau-
tiful plant ; the lovely fl iwers, produced on large
umbels every season, are always anxiously looked for.
They are tine either on the plant or i-ut, and although
some Horists have an objection to them, as hiding other
flowers in bf-iUijuets or wreaths, I fail to see it. It is
one of tlie easiest grown stove plants, thriving under
almost any treatment if not over-watered.

Lily of the Valley fruiting. — With reference
to .Mr. F. W. Burbidge's note on Lily of the Valley in
fruit, and the excellent illustration of the same that
appeared on page 31!), I may mention that last year I
saw a large bed quite red wi'h berries at the Devon
llosery, Torquay. On inquiry I found that fruit had
set oecasionally in former years, but never in such
quantity as in 18!)G. The occurrence was attributed to
the excessively dry spring and summer. — S. VV. F.

A MILU NOVEMBER.

TiiK mild weather experienced in Xovember, I
should imagine, is almost or quite without a
parallel. Peas and Runner Beans could be
gathered in the open garden, and (ilobe Arti-
chokes and summer Lettuces cut so late as
November 2."). In the flower garden, too. Dab-
lias, the tenderest of all summer flowering plants,
have been gathered after the middle of the month,
while Sweet Peas, Roses, Marguerites, Wall-
flowers, Polyanthuses, and Anemones among
others have been playing their part in giving
evidence of the unusual mildness of the rapidly
passing winter, (.'lirysanthemums, too, in cot-
tage gardens have been a fine feature, and bid
fair to continue until some time into December.
There are advantages and disad\antages con-
veyed even in such beautiful weather. Every-
thing has been flourishing and plentiful, but the
soft atul late growth of winter crops is sure to
sutler from cold, iliilling frosts and winds. The
present aspect of ]ileiity may be changed into one
of scarcity as regards vegetables and salads, so
that it becomes a duty on the part of those from
whom a large demand is ex]iected to provide for
contingencies. Opportunities for advancing the
winter's work outdoors were never better ; trench-
ing and digging, jiruning and nailing of fruit
trees, clearing up ami surface digging of flower
borders, storing of roots, and other routine work
have had but very slight hindrances from the
weather.

The rainfall constituted a record for November.

.-\t the time of writing there has not been more than

half an inch here, and the barometer is higher

than in any month of the year. Springs are

ery low. In some country districts a very short

444

THE GARDEl^.

[December 4, 1897.

water supply is no unusual experience, and in
some cases entails a deal of labour and inconveni-
ence. In large country houses where extensive
decorations with cut flowers are carried out, what
a vast contrast the present autumn has been com-
pared with many of the past. So far as material
has been concerned, there could not be any com-
plaint, for the work has been comparatively easy
compared to that of some j'ears, and Chrysanthe-
mums, which take up so much time from spring
till autumn, have lost much of their \alue in
consequence. To the large market grower there
must have been serious losses from this cause
alone, but what has been the loss of the few must
have proved an enormous gain to the many, espe-
cially those dependent on their own ])roductions.
In the fruit gardens and orchards the line autumn
has had a beneficial influence, judging from the
well-ripened appearance of the season's growtli
and the prominent buds on Apple, Pear, Plum,
and other trees. Planting of young and root-
pruning of older trees have been carried out under
the best of conditions. W. S.

Wills. ■

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1147.

TWO WATER LILIES.

(with a coloured plate of — 1, NYMPH.EA MAR-
LIACEA ALBIDA ; 2, N. ROBISSONI.*)

After another season's experience of these
additions to our lakes and ponds, I am more
than ever impressed with their beauty, their
utility and their novelty. No such additions as
these charming hybrid Lilies have been made
to our lists of aquatics for very many years
past, nor indeed has any other plant come so
prominently to the front in our gardens for a
great length of time. From the many letters
of inquiry I have received I have abundant
proof of tlie desire that exists to enter into their

Part of group of Nijmplicea Marliacea albida.

culture. From both letters received and visits
paid to other gardens, I find that preparations
are being made to take up their cultivation as
speedily as possible. With regard to their beauty,
they have, methinks, only to be seen to be ad-
mired ; evenwhen displayed in horticultural exhi-
bitions in a cut state they have been greatly ad-
mired. To see them at their best, however, an
inspection must be made of them in their natural
element. The coniljinations of colouring can

• Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon at
Gravetye Manor, Sussex. Lithographed and printed
by J. L. Goffart.

then be more fully realised. The common
white Lily (N. alba) we all know, but tliere is
in addition the white variety to be seen in the
accompanying plate, N. Marliacea albida, a
veritable giant in its way with its individual
flowers fully 1) inches in diameter (my plant of
this Lily has had as many as fourteen flowers
on it at one time up to and approaching these
dimensions). Its purity, too, is quite remark-
able by the side of the old white save in the
bronzy flush upon the outer segments. N
Robinsoni is another notable hybrid Lily!; with
me it assumes deeper tints than in the coloured
plate, is very free-flowering, and lasts in an ex-
panded state longer than most kinds. Being a
moderate grfiwer as regards vigour, but at the
same time of rapid growth, it produces a tine
efl'ect in shallower water than the preceding
kind. N. odorata sulphurea and its larger form
have this year much improved in freedom of
flowering, but they do not commence to
bloom so early as most kinds. The individual
flowers, however, stand up well above the
foliage, and are thus seen to the best
possible advantage. From the narrower seg-

dark green gloss}^ foliage, and large, white, cut
shaped flowers. It is well adapted for use i
either artificial or natural ponds, and shallow c
deep water, but is being superseded by new vaiii
ties and by hybrids of greater merit.

N. A. c'AXDiDissiM.i is like the preceding i
every way, except that it has larger flowers ■wit
broad petals. It is one of the best for planting!
large ponds where bold eft'ect is desired, its mail
sive foliage and flowers standing out well abo\
the water.

N. BLAKD.i is a vigorous and free-flowerin
species, somewhat similar to N. a gigautea
flowers of dazzling whiteness, in which respect
is unsurpassed by an}- other white-flowered Wati
Lily in cultivation.

N. CANDiD.v (syn., semiaperta). — A Bohemia
species, similar to N. alba, but of moderai
growth. Flowers of snowy whiteness, 2J inch^
to 3 inches across, sepals tinged with green.

The Laydekeri varieties are among tl
choicest of hybrid Nymphicas ; their flovve
are medium-sized (2i inches to 3 inches
diameter), the plants are vigorous, but n^
robust like the Marliacea forms. They ai
i admirably adapted for ponds of moderate siz

NymphcEa tuberosa.

Engraved from a photograph of young plants
water in Sussex,

in the open

ments and their numbers these two Lilies are
quite distinct, the sulphur-yellow pervading both
the segments and seed organs, (tf the newer
kinds tried this year for the first time especial
note should be made of N. EUisiana, a lovely
variety, and one which will be greatly sought
after. It flowers freely, has flowers of large
size (and handsome foliage, too) ; the colour is a
brilliant carmine-purple. N. Aurora with me
is of a jjrimrose-yellow shade, a deeper tint
than in the more common N. Marliacea C'hro-
matella. N. Andreana in colour is a purplish
red, and is also of large dimensions ; the leaves,
possessing singularly long petioles, float upon
the water quite by themselves. N. Marliacea
rubro-punctata is well defined by its prefix ; in
size, however, it bids fair to approach N. Mar-
liacea albida. There are other kinds on the
water here which I hope to report upon later.
One of these has flowers which for size are
equal to those of any other kind, whilst the
colour is a deep crimson. This and others will
no doubt next season be seen much finer as
they gain strength. — Jas. Huiiso>f.

*** From the "Water Garden," by W.
Tricker, of which a review will be found on
page 461 of this issue, we quote the following: —

I

1. — HARDV N'YMPn.l'JAS.

ALBA (white Water

NyjiPH.iEA ALBA (white Water Lily).— This
species, native of Great Britain, has long been in
cultivation. It is a vigorous growing plant, with

where space is limited and the greatest varie'
is desired ; they are also well adapted I
growing in tubs.

N. L. FULOENS, as the name indicates, is
glowing brilliant colour ; petals erimson-magent
stamens garnet-rose ; flowers beautifully cuppei
glowing like a brilliant in the sunshine.

N. L. FULVA has large star-shaped flowers ; t!
four sepals are greenish yellow, petals creSBi
yellow, suffused with red, stamens golden yelloi
leaves dark green, mottled with red.

N. L. LiL.\OEA has a delicately formed Si
chaste flower of a soft rosy lilac colour with y<
low stamens. It is exquisitely fragrant, I
sembling a Tea Rose. Leaves deep glossy greB
with occasional dark blotches.

N. L. PFRprRATA is somewhat larger thantl
others of this group and the petals longer ai
more sharply pointed ; flowers very symmetrici
of a rich rosy crimson colour, stamens orange-re

N. L. ROSEA has proved a universal favourit
the peculiarity of the flowers changing from:
rosy pink to rose-]3urple as they age aftbrda mc
pleasing combinations and gradations of hu
Where several plants are grown together i
numerous flowers of various shades give
charming feature not elsewhere known in Waf
Lilies. This variety is well adapted for larj
acjuariums and will produce its daintj' flowe
even when growing in a 4-inch pot, but its tr;
character, size ana colour are seen only whi
planted in a natural pond and left imdistui'
for at least two seasons.

1 he garden,
Dec. 4, 1897

December 1, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

445

)i. L. i.uciDA lias lai'j^'O Qowers of a rosy-ver-
lion colour, with oiaii<;o stamens ; leaves beau-

1 iiUy mottleil with chestnut-red.
{}. RunixsoM, with tloMers larger than those
the Laydekeri varieties, is distinct and uni(|uc
colour ; the yellow ground colour is overlaid hy

jiurplish violet-red, deepening toward the centre
the flower : the stamens form a crown of oranfre-
1 colour. The leaves are dark green, spotted
th chestnut-brown.
N. Seiunoureti. — Flowers delicate yellow,

tivded with soft rose and carmine, borne on erect

iSms, and stand about (i inches above the water,
iaves spotted with chestnut-brown.
Tlie Marli.-icea hybrid.s mark the introduction
hybrid hardy Water Lilies, and include the
ry best forms. Although other gems have
ice been introduced, they do not compare
th these for general utility ; the plants are
gorous and robust, flowers large, very eii'cc-

I'e in groups and ni;isses in large ponds or as
(igle specimens.

N. M. CARXEA is in every respect, save colour,
nilar to the jireceding variety. The flower is

■ a soft flesh-pink colour, M'hich deepens toward
e base of the petals, sepals rose-pink, with a
licate fragrance of vanilla.

X. M. ROSEA has the same vigorous habit as
the preceding varieties ; the tlowors are of the
largest size and a beautiful deeji rose colour ; the
young foliage is purplisli red, changing to deep
green. All things considered, this is the best
hardy pink Water Lily, large flowers, tine colour,
and free flowering.

X. M. icNEA, one of the most .striking of recent
introductions, has flowers of magenta-red and
stamens orange-red. It is a brilliant flower in
the sunshine, and is highly spoken of in England,
where it apjiarentl}' does well. At present it has
not proved to be a vigorous growei- nor so satis-
factory under cultivation in the United States.

N. M. Rt'iiUA ETNCTATA lias a beautiful llower
of moderate size, (lowers deep rosy purple,
spotted carmine, with orange stamens.

N. ODoiiATA, our native sweet-scented Water
Lily, is widely distributed, and can be found in
many ponds, lakes, and slow running streams.
Under cultivation, associated ^^■ith other species,
it has been fertilised from them by insects ; in
this way and also by other means several forms
and gradations (some very choice) in size and
colour have resulted. The best forms are very
desirable for their large, pure white flowers and
delicious fragrance. The sepals are very often
edged with pink, giving the api)earance in bud of

Nymphwa Marliacea carnea.

N. M. .\LBIDA has all the good tjualities of N.
ba candidissima ; the flowers are larger and
agrant, of a dazzling, sparkling whiteness, and
roduced very freely until frost. The stamens
te occasionally flushed pink, especially when
rown in stiff soil.

N. M. Chromatella has flowers of a lovely
inary-yellow, with deep yellow stamens, large
!id handsome, and is undoubtedly the best j'el-
iw hardy Water Lily. Leaves broirzy green,
ith chocolate-red markings. Plant very vigorous,
^elined to be bunchy or crowded, and should
tierefore have plenty of room and be in perma-
iCnt quarters where it is not likely to be often
iisturbed. The water should be 2 feet or more
eep.

X. M. FLAMMEA and the following varieties are
if recent introduction, and are yet but little
Inown in the United States. The flowers of
lammea are bright amaranth-red, shaded white ;
he outer petals pink, the colour deepening to-
wards the centre, stamens deep orange.

a pink flower. A grand Water Lily for natural
isincf.

jf o. carolixi.vna. — A natural cross that origi-
nated with Dr. Henry T. Bahnson, of Salem,
X'.C. The petals are of a delicate soft pink and
the golden stamens reflei-t a lovely salmon tint.
It varies through several shades in colour under
certain conditions and soils. The flowers are of
the largest size. It is a choice and select variety,
and has proved a great acquisition where it has
remained undisturried for two or three seasons.

X^. o. EX(;risiTA has large, rosy-carmine flowers,
much deeper in colour than those of X'. o. rosea,
and is the darkest coloured Lily in this grouj).
Foliage dark red. Moderate grower. A hybrid
of French origin and very beautiful.

X. o. f:i(;ASTEA, sometimes called the Southern
odorata, being common from X. Carolina to
Florida, and the only white variety iniligenous
to this section, differs from X'. odorata in being
a more vigorous grower. Large, handsome, green
foliage, under side bright red. Koot-stock occa-

sionally \cry largo and hard. The flowers are
large and pure while, somewhat incurving, and
lacking the delicious fragrance peculiar to the
type. It retiuires a dee[)Cr water than the tyjMJ to
grow it to perfection.

N. o. MAXIMA. -This is entirely difl'erent from
the type ; the flowers are large and eup-shaped ;
petals broad at the base, and without :i tinge of

fN

l\'^\viifji

Th., 1 .„,

n-a).

red on either sepals or jietals. A most beautiful
\ariety, found in X'e«- .lersey. This is (irobably
the same as the variety N. o. superba. {Some
doubt exists as to this and the preceding variety
belonging to the odorata group.)

X"^. o. MixoR is, as its name implies, small.
Leaves only 2 inches to 5 inches across, and
flowers two to three. A very pretty plant and
well suited for growing in tubs. It is found true
in some sections of Xew Jersey in shallow water
of cold bogs and ])Oor soil. There are other forms
of X^. 0. minor with somewhat cup-shaped flowers
and only slightly fragrant.

X''. o. ROSACEA in liabit and general appearance
resembles X'. o. exquisita ; it is, however, more
vigorous. Flowers bright rose, lighter towards
the centre, the rich j'ellow stamens producing a
soft salmon shade of colour : the petals are narrow
and pointed, the flower being like a pink star
floating among the leaves. A very desirable
variety.

N. o. R0SE.\ (the well-known Cape Cod pink
Water Lily) is indispensable in anj- collection.

Xymphaa, d^,..„.,i..

Flowers deep pink and very fragrant. Early and
free flowering ; its season is somewhart shorter
than that of some varieties. It produces seed
freely, and to prolong the season the dejid flowers
should be taken otl'and no seed allowed to ripen,
whicli can be easdy accomplished where only a
few plants are grown. In extreme hot weather
the flowers are apt to bleach, but in cool .sections
and districts like Eastern JIas.sachusetts the
plants and flowers are to be seen in perfection.

!

446

THE GARDEN.

[Decbmbeb 4, 1897.

N. o. SULPIIUREA is distinct from any of this
class. The large, handsome yellow flowers stand
about 6 inches above the water ; the young leaves
are beautifullj' mottled with chesnut. A free and
vi^rous plant of French origin.

N. I'Yom.EA. — This is the smallest species in
cultivation : the flowers, which are pure white,
are among the first to be seen in sjn-ing, and con-
tinue a long season. The species is well adapted
for tub culture, also for the aquarium, and it ^^■ill
produce its dainty white flowers in a 4-inch pot.
When planted out and left undisturbed for two
or three seasons the flowers are larger and very
pretty, making a beautiful contrast to the other
giant species. It forms no runners or side shoots,
and does not spread rapidly.

N. p. Helvola. — This is in truth more of a
l)igmy than the species : flowers, however, a trifle
larger, canary-yellow, in-oduced very freely. Es-
[jeciall}' recommended for culti\ ation in tubs and
a(iuaria. Leaves beautifully mottled with reddish
brown and smaller than in the type.

N. SPH.qoROCARPA (Caspary's Lily). — The true
Swedish Lily. A distinct and beautiful species,
and very unlike N. alba, of which some claim it
to be a variety. While it is a very desirable form
and highly spoken of it in England and in Europe
generally, it is very scarce, and does not flourish
as do others under general cultivation. It has
been flowered in the United States, but is apjia-
rently very impatient of removal, the least dis-
turbance causing a check to its growth and
stopping its flowering. Another drawback to its
cultivation is its dislike to hot weather ; it it were
plentiful it would doubtless succeed in (londs
where cold springs are a hindrance to the suc-
cessful culti\ ation of other desirable species. It
blooms quite early in the season ; the flowers are
rosy carmine, with orange stamens, deepening in
colour the second and third days.

X. Ttip.EROSA (syn., reniformis) is a native species
of the Western and North-western lakes, where
it grows in deep water. A strong and robust
plant. Lea\es 8 inches to 1.5 inches wide;
flowers white, 4i inches to 9 inches in diameter,
slightly fragrant. The root-stock bears numerous
spontaneously detaching, often compound tubers.
This should be excluded from small ponds and
should be planted by itself.

N. T. PLENA. — Flowers M'hite, large and full ;
petals very numerous, the stamens being con-
verted into petals, which are fluted in the centre
of the flower. Plant less vigorous than the type.
All N. tuberosa forms should be grown in deeper
water than other types.

N. T. ROSEA. — A natural cross. Flowers are a
lovely pink, standing well above the water, some-
what less vigorous than the type.

II. — TENDER WATER LILIES. — DAV BLOOMING.

Nymph.*;a cfEKULEA (syn., stellata). — This is
the ancient blue Lotus of the Nile, but is not a
Nelumbinm. The flowers are light blue ; petals
long and narrow, sepals greenish white, suffused
lilue ; stamens light yellow, tipped blue ; leaves
light green, spotted in the young state, changing
to green ; the underside of leaf also green. A
distinct and beautiful species.

N. ELEGANS.— A pretty Mexican Water Lily of
moderate size, .3 inches to 4 inches over. Colour
white, tinged witli purplish blue : the stamens
yellow, tipped blue. A charming flower. Leaves
long and narrow, deep green, spotted jjurplish
brown. Well adapted for tub culture, and pro-
ducing its dainty flowers very early in the season.

N. FLAVA.— the well-known Florida j-ellow
Water Lily, and the only known yellow species.
This has been introduced into many States and
.sections of the country, but has not been a suc-
cess under any kind of culture. It is hardy as
far north as New .lersey, a moderate grower, and
produces nurnerous runner-like shoots forming
young plants. Its greatest merit consists in its
being undouljtedly one of the parents of JIarliac's
magnificent yellow hybrids, which are now widely
known, and are many times more desirable for all
garden purposes.

N. GiG.iNTEA, the Australian species, is some-
times confounded with N. odorata gigantea. This
is probably the finest, most handsome and dis-
tinct of all Nympha'as. The colour is a soft
satiny-purplish blue, shading to white at the base
of the petals ; the stamens are silk-like, soft yel-
low, incurving, unlike any other species. The
flower is carried well above the foliage on a stifl'
stalk, and is of the largest size. The leaves are
green, witli purple reverse. This species is very
impatient of removal, repotting, or transplanting
during its early stages. It should not be allowed
to get pot-bound, or subjected to sudden changes
of temperature, which will cause a check and a
suspension of active growth. Plmts, seedlings,
or tubers in their early stages should be grown in
a temperature of .S0° to 90' ; later, a temperature
of 75° to 80° will suit them.

N. GRACILIS, a Mexican species of great
merit, has large, handsome, star-shaped, white
flowers, which are liorne on stout stems well
above the foliage. It is worthy of special note as
being the only white day-blooming tropical or
tender species ; a very vigorous plant, free flower-
ing, the flower ]50ssessing a delicate fragrance, re-
sembling Lily of the Valley.

N. MEXii'ANA. — This is possibly a form of N.
flava, which it resembles in most respects. The
habit is the same, but the runner plants not in-
frequently produce flowers during the first season.
The plant is altogether freer flowering, and the
flowers are brighter and deeper in colour. The
plant is as hardy as N. flava.

N. ITLCIIERRIMA. — Very vigorous and free
flowering; possibly no other equ.als it. The
flowers are very large under high cultivation —
10 inches to 12 inches across— of a beautiful light
blue, with deep yellow stamens tipped blue ; the
sepals are irregularly striped dark red. Unlike
N. zanzibarensis, this variety opens its lo\'ely
flowers at early morn, and remains open until
other species are mostly closed. The leaves are
large, and often exceed 2 feet in diameter, having
long tapering lobes and irregularly crenated
margin. Garden hybrid of American origin.

N. SCUTIEULIA (syns., versicolor, cyanea, radi-
ata). — This is a beautiful star-shaped distinct
species. The flowers are clear pale lilue, shading
to white at the base of the petals. Flowers very
fragrant. Leaves variable, green, [sometimes with
a purplish tint, the underside occasionally bright
red, with brownish red markings ; margin smooth.
Native of Cape of Good Hope.

N. ZANZIBARENSIS (the Royal Purple Lily). —
This and its se\eral forms are among those that
might be styled everybody's flowers. They are
the simplest to manage, easily raised from seed,
will flourish in a tub even if the leaves are high
and dry. Tubers and plants are no longer held
at an exorbitant price, and they gi\e the greatest
amount of pleasure for a trifling cost. Flowers
of the true form are of the largest size under high
culture ; the sepals and stamens are purple, with
red margin ; petals intense blue. One of the
most beautiful and free flow-ering of all Water
Lilies. Highly fragrant. The foliage is dark
green, with blotches of reddish brown and bright
purple underneath.

N. z. AZUREA. — Similar to the type, but varying
in colour fi'om a light to dark blue ; sepals never
purple ; leaves green, with dark markings, the
underside green, shaded more or less with jiurple.
N. z. ROSEA. — Similar to the type save in
colour, varying from deep carmine to ])ink ;
leaves shaded red on the under side. All the
Zanzibar Water Lilies are \-ery free flowering,
and are useful either for tub culture, ponds, or
lakes.

III. — TENDER W.WER LILIES. — NIGHT BLOOMING.

NvMPH.EA COLUMBIANA. — A deep, rich, dark red-
flowered variety of medium size, 6 inches across ;
.stamens cardinal ; the colour deepens each suc-
ceeding day. Foliage dark bronzy red. Plant of
moderate growth.

N. Deaniana.— A robust plant with large
bronzy green foliage ; petals of a beautiful pink,
with darker sepals ; stamens red. Very free

flowering, requires plenty of room for leaf spread
and a depth of water 12 inches to 18 inches above
the crown of the plant. Hybrid of American
oiigin.

N. DELiCATissiMA.— A delicate and choice flower
of a distinct and pleasing carmine-pink colour :
the foliage has a bronzy green lustre. The plant
is vigorous, yet moderate compared with some
others. Desirable for all purposes, and has
proved one of the best for cutting, and also for
winter culture.

N. Devoniensis.— This, one of the oldest, is
also one of the choicest night-blooming Water
Lilies in cultivation, and is indispensable in any
collection of moderate size. Under liberal culti-
vation a single plant will cover about 200 square
feet of water surface, and produce numerous
flowers. One plant has been known to have on it
at one time as many as thirty-six flowers and liuds
in different stages of development. The flowers
are large, 10 inches to 12 inches across, of a bril-
liant rosy red, a most pleasing colour by artificial
light, and are borne on stems well above the
water. The lea\-es are red, changing to bronzy
green. The first hybrid of note, and was raised
at Chatsworth, England, and named in honour of
the Duke of Devonshire.

N. DENTATA is the largest and best white of
this class. It has long pointed buds, the flowers
of the largest size, opening horizontally, and
measuring 10 inches to 12 inches over. The
lea\es are deep green with serrated edges.
Native of Sierra Leone.

N. KEWENSIS is not generally met with, but it
has established itself as a first-rate and desirable
variety in any collection. The flower is a beauti-
ful rosy red of the first size. Plant \igorous, with
bronzy-green foliage, purplish underneath. A
hybrid of English origin.

N. Lotus (syn., thermalis). — An ancient species,
indigenous to lower Egj'pt, and is associated with
the Egyptian and lilue Lotus, being held sacred
to Isis and was engra\'ed on the ancient coins.
The flowers are white, with sepals and outer
petals flushed pink, large and incurving, some-
what cup-shaped. A strong and vigorous plant,
with leaves of deep green w"ith serrated edges.

N. 0"Marana is of recent introduction, and has
achieved a grand reputation. The flower is above
the average of large flowers, attaining a size of
from 12 inches to 15 inches ; it is borne well above
the foliage on a stout stalk, and as it opens to the
full, the sepals and outer petals droop. The colour
is a beautiful rosy red, with an indescribable glow
produced by the rays of the rising sun. The leaves
are large and of a dark bronzy red, heavily den-
tated. Under high cultivation it is a robust plant
without any appearance of coarseness, and is also
very free flowering at a very early stage. The
largest and best of the red Nymphseas. Hybrid
of American origin.

N. kuera is a lieautiful red species, somewhat
resembling N. Devoniensis, but the sepals are
broader at the base and deeper in colour, the
])etals being less pointed. The leaves are rounded
at the apex and mottled purplish on the reverse,
otherwise the plant is similar to Devoniensis.

N. RUERO-ROSEA in general chai-acteristics re-
sembles the preceding and is liable to be confused
with it. The flower is much the same, but is
larger and brighter in colour, with longer buds,
and is more pointed.

N. Smithiana. — All the tropical Water Lilies
delight in a high temperature, and if this one can
tie grown in a Victoria pond or in a temperature
corresponding, the true character and chaste
colouring will lie very greatly developed. The
flower is of medium size, perfectly cup-shaped,
creamy white, with yellow stamens ; petals broad
and of great substance ; the reverse or outer side
of the petals is delicate pink. The higher the
temperature the deeper and brighter the colour.
American hybrid.

N. Sturtevanti. — A superb variety with large,
bright rosy-red flowers of massive proportions,
petals broad and the flowers more cup-shaped.
Requires a high temperature to develop its true
character. Plants should be started early, as they ^

December 4, 1897.J

THE GARDEN.

447

<Io not flowei' until well clevoloped. A magnificent
Water Lily and worthy of additional caie to bring
it to perfection. American liyl)rid.

IV. — TnK VICTOKIA (TIIK UOVAI. WATKlt I.ll.V) AM)
EIKVAI.K.

ViiTOKiA UKCIA. — This is the most wonderful
of all water plants. It inhabits the tranipiil liays
and lakes of the great streams of Soutli America.
The plant is of gigantic proiiortions ; tlie leaves
grow to an immense size — from (> feet to 7 feet
across — witli a \ertical rim from ■'? inches to
S inches high. Tlie (lowers are from I'i inches to
lo inclies in diaineter, with very nunieruus [letals.
The colour of tlie flower is white oti tlie lirst open-
ing day, changing on the second day to rosy pink

V. RKCiA VAK. Ran 1)1 was discovered and in-
'troduced l)y Edward S. Rand, Jan., of Para,
■ Brazil, and it ditlers from the original in several
particulars. The whole plant is more robust; the
young leaves are of a tlarker bi-onzy colour ; the
I vertical rim on ^\ell-grown jilants is 5 inches to
0 inches high, giving the plant a striking and
novel appearance. Leaves are produced (i feet to
7 feet in diameter. The flowers of this variety-
are white on the first day, changing on the second
day to a deep crimson.

Vk'touia kegia (Tricker's variety). — A new
distinct Victoria with well-marked characteristics
provisionally named as here gi\en, but may be
differently entitled on further knowledge. Among
its peculiarities are : First, the early cupping of
the leaves, the turned-up rim being shown by
<iuite small plants : the full grown leaves are
large, of a lustrous bright green colour, and the
rim is from (J inches to S inches deep. The flowers
are also |iroduced much earlier than on the other
Victoria forms and are larger, measuring from 15
inches to IS inches over ; they are white on open-
ing, changing to a lively rose-pink on the second
day. The sepals in this variety are smooth,
whereas the others are spinous to the tips ; an-
other striking characteristic is that it can be
.successfully grown in a much lower temperature
than is usually advised for other Victorias. The
seed will also germinate in a lower temjierature :
in fact, the plant does remarkably well treated
precisely the same as the tropical Nym|)ha'as.

Ei'KVALE FERox was the noblest aquatic in
cultivation prior to the introduction of the Vic-
toria ; its large circular leaves are from 2 feet to
.'! feet in diameter, with prominent sjiiny veins on
the rich purple underside, the upper side being
j olive-green, puckered and spiny. Flower small
and insignificant, of a deep violet-blue.

V. — NELf.MBirMS (EGYPTIAN AND .JAI'ANE.SE

lotus).

NEi.rMiurM ALEi'M ORANDn-i.oiirM. — A mag-
nificent large white Lotus ; its pure white flowers
tower above the handsome foliage and contrast
conspicuously against the carmine-pink of other
Nelumbiums. tiiven the same soil as Nympha^as
and located in a warm, sheltered spot, and not
moved too frequently, this plant will produce
dowers in jilenty.

' N. A. .sTKiATi.M. — A large and bold flower:
petals white, tipped and striped rosy carmine ; it
is a vigorous and robust variety, and flowers \ery
freely under liberal culture.

N. Ll'TErM, the well-known American Lotus
or Water Chinquapin, has flowers of pale yellow,
though occasionally in stiff clayey soils the colour
is as deep as in Nymphiea ChromatcUa. Plant
but a moderate grower, and under artitieial con-
ditions should recei\e liberal treatment. Where
established in natural ponds and lakes it is vigor-
ous and free.

N. ROSEIM.— The flowers of this have the
'leepest colour of any Lotus in cultivation : in
form they are more globular than others. Deep
rose-pink. Plant \igorous and not as tall grow ing
;i3 in N. speeiosum.

N. Shieum.vx. — A Japanese Lotus of recent in-
troduction ; of robust growth, producing leaves
and flowers of gigantic proportions. The leaves
■are from 3(i inches to 40 inches across, supported
' on stout stems 5 feet to C feet high. The large

double white flower is a marvel of Nature's pro-
duction. It is as free floivering as any single
form an<l deserving of the best and most liberal
cultivation.

N. si'E( n)srM. — The world-famed Egyptian
Lotus now so well known throughout the (Jnited
States, and as hardy and as easily grown as the
native Water Lily, except, perhaps, in extreme
northern .sections. The flowers are ro.se-pink,
creamy white at the ba.so of the ))etals, but on
lirst opening the flowers, or rathei' the buds, are
a lovely shade of deep roso-|)ink ; the flowers are
not fully expanded till the secmid day, when they
are in their best form. Nelunibiums, like Nym-
plueas, arc three-ilay llowei-s, but, unlike Mym-
pha-as, they only partially close at night.

N. Kkiimesiam-.m. a Japanese plant of great
merit. The flowers arc of a beautiful carmine-
rose colour and satiny texture, of large size.
Vigorous, free flowering, and early.

N. Seiii VMiiEN, a jjigmy among Nelum-
biums, has leaves 0 inches to S inches across, on
stalks about 1 foot in length. The flower is pure
white, tlie long-pointed bud resembling a large
Tulip. Can be grown in a small tub or large pot
standing in water.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

NOTES ON INDOOR PEACHES.

Now that the Chrysanthemum season, so far as
the exhibition flowers are concerned, is pa.st,
the fruit grower's thoughts settle down on the
prejiaration of his trees for another year's work,
and where Peaclies and Nectarines are repre-
sented in fairly large numbers, there is a deal
of work to get through between the present and
tlie early spring months. Almost invariably
there are some trees that need attention at the
roots from one cause i r another. With nie it
is reciuired in the suppression of strong growth
that comes from deep root-action. Thi.s in
some gardens is a source of a great deal of
heavy labour, and tempts one to ask wliy roots
of trees liave such a tendency to ramble away
from borders over wliich gardeners take so
much trouble, and in which so many ingre-
dients, natural and artificial, are incorporated.
This tendency to ramble seems particularly
strong where the subsoil is of a clayey nature,
and, unless concrete bottoms are prt)vided, I
find it impossible to kee]) the roots from pene-
trating deeply, ^\■hat the chemical constituents
of clayey sub.soils are I cannot state, but there
seems to be an attraction in them for roots
of fruit trees almost or (|uite as strong as that
of leaf mould naturally deposited on the surface
or placed there for their benefit. Possibly
some of your readers may give some explana-
tion relative to the attraction of subsoils for
roots. Sucli soil brouglit nearer the surface
does not have tlie same influence ; indeed,
roots would seem to avoid rather than utilise
such a pro\ision. In borders neglected
bnth in the matter of moisture and surface
mulching in summer, the natural conclusion
would be that the roots penetrated deeply in
.se.-ircli of moisture, but such an argument
cannot hold good wlieii the weekly niutine
of syringing and watering is rigorously car-
ried out. It is only too true that the re-
sultant strong growth from deep root action is
fatal to regular and full crops, and the only
alternative that remains for securing such de-
sirable ends is to periodically examine :ind
shorten the thong-like roots that are responsible
for the vigorous shoots made during summer
when left alone.

The value of lime refuse has been so often
repeated by the many practical contributors
to The G.vkde.n, that it would .seem almost

superfluous to further extol its virtues. Not
one word has been .idvanced in favour of lime
refuse that it does not deserve in the cultiva-
tion of stone fruits. 1 liad a case in ]ioint
lately when removing some fairly large Peach
trees from one house to another. One had been
lil.-inted two ye.irs since and a good qu.uitity of
lime had been used; the other had been
planted mostly in new maiden loam without
any addition ; and while one had abundance of
fibrous roots, the other had large fleshy ones
rambling away in search of something the new
loam did not contain. This is a proof of the
value of lime for the jiroduction of fibrous
root.s, and in the maintenance of these, good
crops of tine fruits follow when the daily
routine is duly aitended to. At this time of
year there is a tendency to allow the fruit
borders to become unduly dry, .and although
this may not absolutely explain bud-ilropping
in spring, it no doubt accounts for some of it
in many cases. A dry border in winter is
entirely opposed to natural laws, although it
would scarcely be prudent to follow u]) n.atural
courses in the matter of watering indoor borders
in winter At the same time, a uniform state
of moisture can be maintained without much
efi'ort in winter, and is certainly needed when one
considers the short period in which trees are
dormant between the fall of the leaf and the
movement of the sap and buds in winter.

I have almost as great faith in the virtues of
burnt refuse for fruit trees as lime, and invari-
ably give a dressing to the surface in winter if
there is no need for deeper excavations. In root
treatment this is always mixed with the soil in
the course of filling in. There is a distinct
.'idvantage in carrying out all planting and root-
pruning of Peaches and Neetiriues in the au-
tumn or early winter. By early attention the
trees invariably make some root growth, and
this at once constitutes .senii-est;il)li.sliiiient,
which ensures a better prospect for the future.
A light crop can often be taken the following
year without any material disadvantage. On
the other hand, by late winter planting the pros-
pects of a crop are not a safe prediction, and
the growth on trees hampered with the strain
of fruit-bearing is not such as to r.aise very good
hopes of a profitable one the following sea.son.
In the autumn of last year I had occasion to
remove a large tree of Waterloo Peach from the
early house, where it had ceased to be profitable
for forcing, and was agreeably surprised in the
spring to find it had retained and actually
developed almost every flower-bud in the cooler
house in which it had been planted. Its growth
was .so satisfactory that a light cro[) was refciined
in the course of disbudding, and its general
condition at the present moment is such that
very few would credit its recent removal. The
same remark applies to a younger tree planted
at the .same time, and which also ripened some
very excellent fruits.

For winter dressing most gardeners liavo
their own favourite prescriptions, but, .strange
as it may .seem, and with all the excellent in-
.secticides now .available, red spider and scale
still remain. Scale seems to possess a remark-
able trait of ap[)eaiing in the winter, as if to
ju.stify the annual investment for the winter
dressing. Flowers of sulphur Jilay an impor-
tant part in my preii.iration for scale, and 1 jim
convinced, from continuous observation, that if
tree stems were coated with this in conjunction
with other ingredients, .scale would have a
dilliculty in ekeing out an existence. For red
.spider suljihur is ,in old and well-tried remedy.

In the jiruning and training of Peach trees
there .seems a general tendency to retain more
growth than is necessary for the production of

■448

THE GARDEX.

[December 4, 1897.

a full crop. Few gardeners can keep their
trees so thinly trained that room for summer
shoots is assured without any suspicion of

House of Grape Lady Downe's,

crowding, and yet tliere is no need for this, for
in selecting the fruits, the greater difficulty is
usually found in reducing tlieir numbers suffi-
ciently for obtaining full size and (juality in in-
dividual fruits. It must be said, however, that
in spite of tliis there is no lack of good Peaches
and Nectarines when the roots and borders are
well attended to and red spider is rigorously
suppressed by the daily syringing 'in summer.
Except to old and exhausted trees, animal
manures are best used only as a mulching,
artificial preparations being much more pre-
ferable, and of these there is now an abundant
choice. Litpiid manure is very helpful to old
trees when carrying heavy crops, as this reaches
every root. Young trees planted in fresh soil
should have clear water only. W. S.

Wilts.

wintp:r grapes.

Much that "A. D.'' has to say about diHerent
varieties of Grapes on page 39G is no doubt
correct, and it certainly is to the point. I am
not concerned to defend the action of the fruit
committee of the Royal Horticultural Society.
In all probability the majority of the members
<if the committee are anxious that a gtjod white
late-keeping Grape should be found, and wel-
comed tlie latest candidate for distinction ac-
cordingly. Their action partakes more or less
of the character of a leap in the dark, but let

us hope they have not erred this time. At pre-
sent the Muscat of Alexandria is the only really
good late white Grape, and this has several
drawbacks. It is not easily
or clieaply grown, more fail-
ing than succeeding with it.
Premature shrivelling of the
fjerries takes place in many
vineries every season. Keep-
ing well on the Vines or in
a darkened room, it yet
travels badly, one journey to
the dining-room or a few
lioui's' exposure in a shop
window leading to discolora-
tion of the berries. So much
is this the case, that the
majority of fruit salesmen
and leading fruiterers usually
advise gi-owers with whom
tliey are " in touch " to hold
liack their Muscats and sup-
ply them as orders are re-
ceived. Those who can grow
Aluscat of Alexandria to per-
fection may rest assured that
it is their own fault if high
prices, or say 2s. Od. to 4s.
per lb., are not lealised for
the bulk. If, therefore, the
latest novelty should prove
a fairly good, easUy grown,
and a good keeping (after
travelling long or short dis-
tances) substitute for the
Muscat of Alexandria, market
growers at any
rate will fully
appreciate the
boon. If dis-
carded by the
fruit committee
it would most
probably have
never had a good
chance to come
to the front.
True enough,
other white
Grapes, several
mentions, have
md distri-

that it is one of the best late black Grapes
in cultivation. Lady Downe's is its only rivsil
and that stands but a poor chance agaimroi
it till after mid-winter. " But what of the,
Ivy-like flavour noticeable in the berries 0
Gros Colmani" some of my readers will aEJL:
My reply is to the eifect that this who%
disappears after the Grapes are perfectly
ripe. Without being actually richly flavoured,
Gros Colman — of which many tons are annually
sent to Covent (jarden alone — is when well
ripened firm, luscious and agreeably flavoured, or
just wliat meets the popular taste. The berries
are not mere bags of sugar and water, as in the
case of Alicante, nor so poor in flavour as Appley
Towers and Alnwick Seedling, and for invalids
they are fully equal to West's St. Peter's, not
cloying the palate. In the case of well-ripened
Gros Colman berries the skin breaks up and dis-
solves with the flesh, which I also consider a
good quality.

Private gardeners will do well to pay little oi
no heed to any disparaging remarks that maj
be passed upon Gros Colman. If my experi-
ence is any criterion, no other Grape meeb
with greater appr(jval at the dining-table.
always provided it is presented in good form
It is very certain no other late variety is mori
easily grown or better repays for what troublt
may be taken with it. If my advice is taken
Alicante, Alnwick Seedling, tlie uncertain
though richly flavoured, Mrs. Pince's Blacl
Muscat, Gros Maroc, White Nice, Trebbiano
and Golden (.^hieen will be gradually weedec
out, and also Gros Guillaume, Mrs. Pearson
Lady Hutt, and any other late variety that fail;

W

I

of which " A,
been brought
buted with a

D

forward

flourish of trumpets,
only t(j disappoint. The nearest
approach to a rival to the Muscat
of Alexandi'ia I have yet tried is
Golden (^ueen. As easUy grown as
the Black Alicante, this variety has
only one fault — the muddy appear-
ance of the berries when ripe — and
that simply places it " out of the
running."

Without condemmng the idea that
a trial of new Grapes should be held
at Chiswick, I would yet jjoint out
that even that would not ati'ord
conclusive proof of the merits or
demerits of the varieties tried. Soils,
houses, and positions all have a
marked eft'ect upon dtft'erent varie-
ties, and what might be deemed a
failure at Chiswick would probably
enough under different circum-
stances be considered a success.
For instance, "A. D." says Gros
Colman is a tolerated Grape because of the size
of its berries and the weight per rod it pro-
duces to tlie market grower. Un the score of
flavour it ranks amongst the lowest." In his
estimation it may do, but I hold exactly
the opposite views, and am prepared to prove

Grape Muscat of Alexa/ndria.

to come up to expectations, their places beii
assigned to Gros Colman and the longer-keep-
ing, invaluable Lady Downe's. A rich border
is not recjuired for either of these two varieties.
Mine is on the poor side, and they have donft
remarkably well in it up till now. It can be

Decehbeu 4, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

449

!i<lo ridior when tlie Vinos show signs of re-
iirin;4 more Hssistaiu-o in tlie way of manure,
'iiscat of Alexandria may sliare a liouse or

■uses witli tliese two black varieties, and if all

e started early or not later than the tirst week
f JIareh a fortni!,'ht earlier from choice — all

11 lie well advanced in colouring in August.

here so many err is in retarding instead of
rwanling their late (irapes, and also in being
i.iring of fire-heat during dull weather in June,
Illy, and August. My (iros Coliiian not un-
ec[uently commences colouring Lite in July,
id this I Iiiild to bo a distinct advan-
L;e. It is abundance of warm air that
i-.apes re(|uire to bring them to perfcc-
iiu, and this they can have when the ripen-
u' takes place, principally before Septem-

r. Muscats succeed remarkably well under
lis treatment, but if these are .studied most,
■ceiving much firedieat and fresh air in com-
iratively small ipi.-intities, then the Gros
ohuan berries will never c<ilour beyond a "foxy

Late ripening not only militates against the
iiality nf any variety of Grape, but it is also
rejudicial to long keeping. I have had bunches

Ladj' Downe's fresh and plump in June,
ros Colman in a jiresentable condition in
arch, Alicante and Muscats to much about the
uie time, all cut from Vines that had com-
enced growth early in March. Tliey might
issibly have ke]it longer, but only Lady
owne's had an op]iortunity of hanging in the
uit room late by way of experiment. Plenty

time should be allowed for colouring and
mndance of air admitted while it is going on.
lis may mean a slight falling ott' in the size of
.■rries, but if some of the writers wdio have
cently expressed their views on Grapes are to
■ believed, great size of berry is not particulai'ly
■sirable in Grapes. I was under the impres-
5n size of berry was a point seldom over-
oked on the dining-table, in the exhibition
ut, or in the open market.

W. Iggi-lden.

Pear Josephine de Malines. — This, one of
e most delicious I'ears, keeps for any length of
De, is a very sure cropper, and not at all
stidious as to soil or situation. I find it makes
splendid bush tree, and carries a good even

op of serviceable-sized fruit almost every year.
lave never yet been able to keep it so late as it
set down in fruit catalogues, where it is usually
issed with the very late sorts. With me it is
ually at its best aljout Christmas. Possibly a
jU-drained ^^■arm soil may have something to do
ith early maturity, as man3' other kinds classed

• late are ripe long liefore their usually accepted
te. For instance, Easter Beurri^ is with me a
iristmas rather than an Easter sort. — J. G.,
tuport.
The advantage of netting' fruit trees.—

' le sale by auction of the ( irapes on the famous
■eille du Roi (King's trellis) in the garden of

' 8 Chateau de Foiitainebleau has this year pro-

<ced the sum of .S.'iS.S francs (t'I4.3 (is.), far ex-

« 3ding the return of last year, which amounted
STO francs (£:i4 IGs. Sd.). The 30,000 bunches

■ I irapes gathered this year were put up in 1.37

I, each weighing from 5.1 lbs. to 06 lbs. This

je result was more or less owinur to the speci.al

intion M'hich the new head gardener, M.

uthier, had bestowed on the trellis this year

protecting the fruit from wasps and sparrows

means of a netting particularly adapted for

t purpose. — Ili'rnc Hortiro/f .

each Tardive du Mont dOr. — On

ivemlier !l of last year I received from M. I'raii-

<|ue Morel, nurseryman, of Lyons, a splenflid

ach under the name of Tardive du Mont

h'. Mont d'Oi' is the name of a group of hills

'latcd oil the right bank of the Saone about six

les from Lyons, and tlie name of the Peach in

question has nothing to do with Mont Dore, in
.4uvergne. ^L Morel's I'eac^h w;is ap[ireciably
later in ri]iening than the Salway or even the
Kelle de Saint (leslin I'eacli and its white-skinned
variety. The <|uality of the fruit is in keeping
with its line appearance. \'ery often at this time
of the year, when the sun's heat has declined, fruit
is deficient in suii^ar and the juice is somewhat
insipid, but I am glad to say that the Tardive
du Mont d'Or l*each prescived its high fla\"our
aiul true Peach aroma. The tree is vigorous-
growing, with erect spreading brauehesand largo
leaves. The fruit is large or very large, of a de-
pressed-globidar shape, over .*> inches in height
and nearly -I inches in width, deep red on the side
exposed to the sun, and yellow tinged with red
on the shaded side. The tlc.sh is creamy-white
streaked with pink at the centre, very juicy,
sugary, and perfumed. It ripens in the beginning
of November, sometimes as late as November 15.
This variety, which was raised at St. Didier au
Mont d'Or, will fully deserve the reputation which
it is sure to olitain when it is better known in
collections and walls are furnished with its tiue-
Havoured late-ripening fruit. — Ed. Andki':, in
Jtcnie Hortiro

FIG TLTURE.
Fn;s are in greater di uand now than used to
be the case some twei y or more years ago. In
many establishments at that time the only
attempt made in cultivating the Fig tree was
outdoors against walls. In some instances, or
in favoured parts of the country, this outdoor
culture still obtains .and yields good returns.
In less favoured districts the crop is such
a precarious (ine that Fig culture hardly pays
for the time and labour involved. In jdaces
where the Fig is greatly appreciated, this latter
cause has been one of the prime factors it its
being grown so much more extensively under
glass. Figs have, of course, been grown under
glass for a long time past, but for every house
which existed at the time ipioted above, the
number has now increased tenfold. The reason
fcir this is not far to seek. In addition to the
Fig making variety in the dessert at any time
when in season — which fact alone creates a great
demand — it is now more largely partaken of
than used to be the case, especially by people
who have lived abroad. Its wholesomeness as
an article cif diet is a well recognised fact, and
in addition to its being served at dinner, it often
has to appear on the breakfast table as well.

Although much nuire grown than formerly
there are still some very erroneous ideas
as to the correct method of cultivating the
Fig. Some peo[)le run away with the idea
that the Fig cannot be grown unless subjected
to great heat, and that it recjuires a deep, rich
border to root in. To all who put these queries
to me, and they are many in the course of the
year, my answer is always to this efl'ect. Give
Figs a poor soil to grow in, confine the roots
either to narrow borders or in brick pits, and
with regard to the application of heat, this de-
pends entirely on the time tliat the fruits are
required to be ripe, as no heat is needed
at all if they are nut wanted until the
end of the .summer or in the autumn.
Heat is, .is is well known, an essential if the
trees are to be forced, but when the produce is
not required until the middle nf July and from
then onwards. Figs can be grown without its
aid. With the assistance of heat, two crops of
fruit can bo secured from the .same trees in one
year : without it, one only, but that a very
heavy and excellent nne. It is a well-known
fact that the best results are obtained from pot
frees if very early fruits are wanted. These
trees should be well established, and if they are
pot bound so much the better, as they are not
.so liable to cast their fruits when subjected to

heat. Very often two crops are taken from
these pot trees before they are turned outdoors
to rest, to prepare them for the ordeal of
forcing the following winter. Suitiible varieties
for this purpose .are White Mar.seilles, l$rown
Turkey, Osborn's Prolific, St. John's, and Ulack
Jscliia. To succeed these it is u.sual to start a
house of planted-out trees either in January or
February, and in not a few instances where
accommodation cannot be found for pot trees,
this is really the first house. In this ca.se the
number of varieties is but limited, very often
consisting of only one, and that the Brown
Turkey. All the same, these trees under skilful
management give excellent returns in the .shape
of good crops of fruit in the spring months,
whitli are always greatly appreciated, ]iarticu-
hu'ly during the London season. The time for
starting in both the above-mentioned eases of
course depends ujion the time the fruits are re-
quired, but as a rule it is generally about the
middle of November or beginning of December.
Where forest-tree leaves are plentiful they play
an imjiortant [lart in Fig forcing, as when
nuxed with a little manure they give oft' a genial
warmth ,and obviate the necessity of employing
much fire-heat in the initial stages of forcing.
If the one house is .started to succeed the other
as indicated, these two houses of trees will keep
up tlie supply until midsummer. By the time
the ki.st of the fruits on the pot trees are
gathered, those on the permanent trees in the
second house will be fast approaching maturity,
if not actually ripe. In any case there would
be but a few days' break in the supply. If the
second crop is to lie taken the houses are closed
so soon as the last fruits of the tirst crop are
gathered. Tliey are then subjected to a high,
moist temperature and are abundantly syringed.
Under these conditiinis the fruits swell rapidly,
and although not .so fine in point of .size, they
are alwciys very luscious when ripe, and much
sought after. If not necessary to liiive the fruit
ripe so early in the year, the starting of the pot
trees may be deferred until the beginning of
.lanuary. The next house need not then be
closed before the first week in February, and if
there is another house which can be started
about the middle of March, there will be a con-
stant succession of fruit right through the
season, as two crops i^f fruit can be taken in all
three cases. Very little heat would be required
for the third house, and as soon as .lune is
reached it could lie dispensed with altogether.
The fact of closing early wit:h plenty of solar
heat wi>uld prevent the temperature from fall-
ing too low at night. The fruits would ripen
on the trees in this third house about July or
the beginning of August, according to locality
and aspect, and the second crop about the end
of September or second week in October. With
careful ventilation and by insisting on the atmo-
sphere being kept dry, this latter crop will
ri|ien gradually and prove invaluable at that
.season. If the house is but a cold one, only one
crop of fruit could be expected, but this would
be a very heavy one, and with care the
supply would last for several weeks.

Coi.ii HorsE.s
should never be closed until the last minute, as
it were, as it is usual to have the fruits mature in
these as late in the season .as possible. Wlien the
point buds begin to break is quite soon enough,
and even then there slinuld not be the slightest
semblance of forcing. The hou.se should bo
freely aired during the early part of the d.-iy, but
ni.iy be closed about 4 p.m., when the trees
may bo given a refresher in the shape of a
syringing. The ventilators should be opened
again at (! p.m., if not widely, sufficiently U<
allow of a free circuhition of air throughout the

450

THE GARDEN.

[December 4, 1897.1

night, and l)y adhering to this course of treat-
ment magnificent fruits may be grown at little
trouble and expense. On wet days and chilly
evenings or nights the ventilators are best
closed, but beyond this afl'ord the trees all the
air possible. For cool house culture nothing will
equal Brown Turkey and Negro Largo as far as
varieties are concerned, and if the roots are
kept restricted, they can be depended on to
give excellent results. In some instances
the late crop is obtained entirely from pot
trees which are grown as cool as pos-
sible right through the season. To any-
one having a large house or the space at
command, this would afford an excellent oppor-
tunity for growing and testing the difi'erent
varieties of the Fig. In addition to the varie-
ties already cptoted, the latter may be added for
this purpose : Violette Sepor, Singleton, Bruns-
wick, Bourjassotte Grise, and Grosse Verte.
Anyone reiiuiring a more extended list than
this could not do better than visit the Royal
Horticultural Gardens at Chiswick and inspect
the fine collection grown there. This collec-
tion is a most complete one, and all varieties
worthy of cultivation are included in it.

A. W.

Apple Reinette du Canada. — I noticed
some very fine examples of this variety recently
at Livermere Park, these having the charac-
teristic cone shape and russety appearance on the
sunny side that stamp it as so distinct from most
other large Apples. It is not, perhaps, quite in
season j-et, but the fruit keeps at least four
months into the new year, when its value for
cooking is great. It is fit for use perhaps as
long as any known kind, and bears well under
any form of training. .-V warm position suits it
best, as unless the fruit is well ripened before
1-ieing gathered it is apt to shrivel. — R.

Apple Lane's Prince Albert. — This is one
of the %ery best cooking Apples, and appears to
have given-'a good account of itself everywhere
during this season of scarcity. So free-bearing
is it in most places, that somewhat heavy thinning
has to be resorted to. The tree is not a very
vigorous grower in many places, and it is one of
the few kinds I ha\e seen doing well under the
espalier system. Free, open bushes or standards
give better results, and sucli require practically
no pruning. Not only is it an excellent cooking
fruit, but if kept until the new year there are
many dessert kinds that do not e<]ual it for this
purpose, the flesh being melting, juicy, and of a
brisk and pleasant flavour. — H.

Strawberry Royal Sovereign. — I have not
seen any reference in the many reports of Straw-
berries that have appeared of late to the hardiness
or otherwise of this popular variety, but I could
not help being struck with the damaged foliage
after the spring frosts of the present year. From
the same cause most of the flowers of this variety
were destroyed, as were others open at the same
time, but I noticed, particularly in my neigh-
bours' gardens as well as my own, that Royal
Sovereign was not so hardy as some others,
neither in yearling nor older plants. Latest of All,
on the other hand, escaped unhurt both in foliage
and flower, and gave mucli the best crop of the
year.— W. S., Wilts.

Highly-coloured Apples. — " Visitor" (page
.396) expresses surprise at the high colour of
dessert Apples at Livermere, and suggests that
as the soil is light and porous it is not the best
for Apples. From my own observations, it is in
light sandy or gravelly soils that the most highly-
coloured fruits are produced, although there are
exceptions in this as in everj-thing else connected
with gardening. A great deal depends on the
treatment of the trees and their roots. Some
wonderfully fine-coloured fruits have been shown
this autumn, both Apples and Pears. At the
late Bristol Chrysanthemum show the classes for
Apples were keenly contested, as many as a dozen

staging collections of six and four dishes. One
particularly good Apple I noticed at Bristol was
Hubbard's Pearmain, a variety I had not pre-
viously seen shown. There were also very finely-
coloured Ribston, Blenheim, Cox's Orange, and
other standard sorts. — ^^^ S.

PRUNING AND NAILING FRUIT TREES.

With the beautiful weather we have been ex-
periencing of late, it has been possible to
make good headway with this work, for though
mild, it has been dry both to the feet and
overhead. Many gardeners commence to prune
and nail trees on south and east walls, leaving
those on the north walls till last. This, in my
opinion, is a mistake, for those trees on warm
aspects that are nailed and pruned early com-

bright sunshine in early spring after a <
frosty night or a sharp frost folhjws a bri
day, the sap, being active, gets frozen si
causes a check. This, no doubt, i.s inf
great measure the cause of Apricots growil
against south walls doing so badly in r
southern counties. If these were left uimai
till late in the season they would doubtless OL
considerably retarded in their growth. I ccHP"
mence on the Morello Cherries, and follow
with all the trees on north walls. Those
western aspects are next done, then those
the east, leaving the south walls till last.
Morello Cherries have been taken in ha
during the late mild weather the work will li,-
been done with more comfort and in much 1
time than when deferred till cold, fro
weather sets in. The walls, too, can

Grape Gros Colman. (See p. -148.)

mence to grow too soon, while those on the
north are retarded. To show that this is so,
you have only to hang a thermometer against
them to determine this. Last Friday (Novem-
ber 19) the sun shone bright in this district, so
much so that it was uncomfortably warm stand-
ing against a south wall. I fetched a thermometer
and hung it against the wall. To my great
astonishment the lieat registered was 96^ ; at the
same time one in the shade registered only 52".
It will be seen from this that the walls get warm,
and as the heat is absorbed they will retain it
for some time, giving it oft" later in the day when
the sun has decliiu'd. Here, then, is the cause
of so much mischief from early nailing on these
walls. We often experience these bursts of

cleansed more effectually than when they :
frozen. One of the great secrets in the succe.
ful cultivation of this fruit is to rid the trees a
walls of any insect pests during the winter, a
this can readily be done as soon as the lea\
have fallen. It should be the practice to unii
and liberate all growths every second year.
half be done each autumn the task w-ill not
so great as when all are left to be done at om
Wiien liberated the walls should be washed ivi
strong soft-soap water to which a little sulpli
has been added. New shreds sliould be usu
which should be cut as narrow as possible. T
stout branches should be fastened to the wall
pieces of golden willows, as these are mv;
neater than shreds, and not so liable to cut ii.

MlriSMdER

1897.]

IJ

(JAR HEN.

451

thi vood as tiured twine.

It is not well to over-

d the slioot.s, ;v.s tlie trees would not lie

to .support all the fruit that is set. Where

ives .are not liberated the walls should lie

lU^'hly syriuixed with soft-.soa|i w.ater .after

iiL;iseoiiipleted. I'hnus on north walls should

receive attention, the wood heinj,' w.aslied

ii.ade clean. All dead spurs should lir re-

il and others cut hack to two or three eyes.

. re trees leeeive due .attention during; the

I iier inontlis, .and the i;rouml is liL;ht there

not he over iniieh growth to remove, but

!■ nej;leeteil and the .soil is .stitf, strong

ths will have been made which are by no

> the most useful. Having com]deted the

s, attention should ne.xt be directed to

s. Trees should be freed from scale and

pests, every shoot being examined to

sure that the shreds or ties are not defec-

for when tlie fruit is approaching maturity

very annoying to tind that some of tlie

■lies are broken down by its weight. By

me such trees are nailed the winter will be

11^' advanced, so tliat it will be safe to

I- and nail Cherries on the various as-

Tliese may be followed by the Apricots,

liually Peaches may be taken in hand. The

iitages of leaving these till the last are

fold. Not amongst the least is the retard-

f tlie blooming period by keeping them

from the warm walls as previously noticed.

.liiling then forms an imiiortant jjart in the

^ai ssful cultivation of fruit, in the .south at

. and those who makeclo.se ob-servations of

.Old seasons will be able to note the dift'er-

Ijetneen the growth of trees that are

il early and those that are left loose till

btiii the season. H. C. P.

Books.

THE WATER UAllDEN.*

Tlilvery words of the very interesting theme
' lis book .suggest that people are waking
' better ideas than the old ones of
' ittern garden and its stereotyiied mono-
Mr. Tricker's book is devoted to tlie
ition of the more beautiful kinds of
1 ic plants, the warm sun of America
iLiig growers not only to have the hardy
- in perfection, but also to grow in the
.air with a little extra care many Water
which in om' country and Europe
illy are commonly .seen only in hot-
' s. Mr. Tricker's book deals with soils,
! ing, hybridisation, propagation, destruc-
"f plants by insects, heat, plants out of
. iVc.,;ind describes the kinds also and the
^ that go best with acpiatic Howers, such as
' 'OS, (Jras.ses, Ferns, and also perennial and
liardy shrubs. His work is very well done,
lie liook generally is attractive, although
'lier object to process cuts with coal-black
rounds, often showing the distiint parts
-cr than the foregromids. The clayed
and the binding are not quite worthy of
_uhject ; but on the whole we feel grateful
tu Jr. Tricker for his work.

-AjTeat advantage of the American climate

"• t: power (jf growing the beautiful Lotus,

or .'bred Bean, not possible in the open air in

■untry. .So fai' as we have tried even the

■cd hardy varieties, it is a total failure

■he want of heat. The cut of this is

ly bad example of process work. There

~ i. nteresting feature in the varieties of Vic-

toria Lily, of which there are two pictures, dis-
figured, howe\er, by the blackne.ss of the liack-
grounds, which surely cannot be necessary even
in a process cut. The instructions for making
artilici.d ))onds are fidl and u.seful, though of
course all these things are subsidi.ary to taking
.advantage r.f the n.itur.d w.ater which occurs in
so many ]iarts of our country, and almost all
northern countries, in the shape of b.ackwaters
of streams, lakidets, and ponds. A very pretty
and ivell-tigured Water Lily is gracilis, althougli
uidiappily tciulcr.

A descriptive list of Water Lilies, with cul-
tural memoranda extracted from Mr. Tricker's
book, will be found on page 444 of this issue.

Kitchen Garden.

YELLOW TOMATOES.

Yki.i.ow-
pojiular.

• Jriie Water Gar.lPii." By Wm. Trickc
» JUe Printing mid I'ulilisliini; Co., Limiti
1 orV

(Do

1. .\t

KiU'iTKii Tomatoes are certainly uu-
^^'lly this should be the case is dilfi-
ult to determine. I can quite understand why
they were so little cared for in former years, or
when the old Large Yellow was the only variety
of its colour generally available, bvit during the
past twelve years a L.reat improvement has been
effected among yellow as well as red-fruited
varieties, and the best of the yellows equal in
point of flavour those of any other colour.
Some people maintain that certain yellow-
fruited Tomatoes are more delicately flavoured
than the red ones, and readily admit them as
de.s.sert fruit. "Give a dog a bad name and
hang him " is, however, an old trui.sm that may
safely be ajjplied to yellow Tomatoes. I blame
the coarse, soft, flavourless Large Yellow for
all the distrust with which yellow Tomatoes are
still regarded by the general public. As far as
market growers are concerned, they must still
.stick to bright red Tomatoes. Foreign fruit has
iiuite spoilt the mass of people who regard
Tomatoes as an important part of their diet
during about five months in tlie year for [link
or cornelian-red Tomatoes, and as a conse-
quence they are not grown other than in private
gardens. All the same, two of the best flavoured
and otherwise good pink sorts, when gathered
from plants growing against garden walls, are
Dedhaiii Favourite and the large - fruited
Mikado. Not one purchaser in a hundred has
had an opjiortunity of tasting a good yellow
Tomato. Amateurs who grow Tomatoes for
home consumption and many private gardeners
ought to be able to say a good word for yellow
fruit. If yellow Tomatoes are ever pojiular, it
will be' owing to their exertions. The revolu-
tion will not be brought about by growers for
sale, simply becau.se their own [irivate opinions
have always to bo .subordinated to the public
ta.ste, again.st which they cannot ad'ord to run.

During the present year T gave most of the
best yellow Tomatoes a fair trial with a view to
being able to express an impartial opinion of
their merits, and if possible to popul.-iri.se them
in this part of the country at any rate. The
plants were raised in March and got into their
fruiting quarters in a heated lean-to house
before they became stunted in growth. They
were placed in H-inch pots arranged each side
of the house on a border, and allowed to root
out into the latter. .V tlistaneo of 1.3 inches
apart was .allowed each plant, and all were con-
fined to single stems, these being trained
straight up the roof, meeting at the ridge. By
this it will be .seen that a perfectly fair trial was
conducted (twenty jilants of each variety were
grown), the conditions generally being favour-
able to the production of a heavy crop of fruits

Some varieties were disappointing and will
not be grown again, unless it can be proved by
other growers that 1 have arrived at a wrong
conclusion as to their merits. In Sutton's
Prince of Wales we have an ideal dessert
Tomato. It is of a free yet woody di.sease-
resisting growth, and jiroduces a heavy cro]i of
compar.itively sm.all, smooth, round fruit, rich
orange-yellow in colour, .and of a brisk yet deli-
cate flavour tli.at found favour with all lovers of
Tomatoes I gave fruit to. Plants of this variety
covering the roof an<l clo.sely cropped with
clusters of ri])e and rijiening fruit are most
ornamental and attractive and worth growing
on that account alone. Golden Perfection is
the other variety singled <mt for special men-
tion, (iiddeii .Sunri.se, which 1 received from
America before it was offered in this country, 1
regard .as nearly or <|uite identical witli (ioldeii
Perfection, and it succeeded admirably with me
both under glass .and in the open. This type of
Tomato may be briefly descrilied as a yellow
form of Perfection. It is of the .same robust
habit of growth, good crops set, especially if
fertilisation is resorted to daily while the
flowering period lasts, and if the precaution
is taken to early remove the large mal-
formed flower that .shows on each strong
bunch of bloom, the rest of the blooms will
be followed by moderately large, handsome
fruit that would be very hard to beat if com-
peting in any class for yellow Tomatoes. It is
not on .account of its handsome appearance
alone th.at I recommend Golden Perfection, but
the (|uality is also hrst-rate, rivalling, if not sur-
passing, that of the best-ripened fruit of Red
Perfection. For flavour. Carter's Green (Jage
is yet hard to surpass, but the fruit does not
set freely, and in other respects I prefer the
Prince of Wales. Two named Golden Queen
were grown, one jiroducing medium - .sized,
smooth round fruit rich yellow in colour, the
flesh firm and of moderately good (piality, and
the other ga\e both corrugated and nearly
smooth round fruit, pale yellow in colour,
flesh soft and wanting in .icidity. Neither
form crojijied satisfactorily, and I cannot recom-
mend them. Blenheim Orange, a variety that
has done well in previous trials both under
glass and in the open, w.is not a success this
time ; the crops were too light. Selected
fruits, rich yellow with a tinge of pink cohmr
where most exposed, form a very handsome
dish, and not much fault can be found with
the quality. I wish the latter remark coidd be
applied to .Sutton's Sunbeam. This novelty
set heavy crops of fruit each .about the size
and foian of a Victoria Plum. The colour
is a clear pale yellow and the fruit attrac-
tive in appearance, but with me the quality
w.as most disa|ipointing. What it would be
like if the fruit were ripened in the o[)en air
I aui unable to s.ay. I'luler glass it was bad.
Nor does my opinion of the merits of (Jolden
Nugget agree with that expressed in various
other (piarters. In spite of the certificate
of the fruit committee of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society and the favourable com-
ments in the liorticultural press, I maintain
that Golden Nugget is a greatly over-rated
variety. No fault can be found with its habit
of growth or cropiiing. and the nuuierous ra-
cemes of small, richly coloured fruit are most
ornamental, but the quality with me was of tlic
poorest. Very few that 1 gave fruit to eared
for a second helping. My treatment may be at
fault, but Golden N'ugget was arranged next to
Prince of Wales, tiie variety that did so well
with me.

So much for the trial of yellow Tomatoes. I
question the wi.sdoiu of certificating a novelty

452

THE GARDEN.

[December 4, 1891

shown at the Temple show and earlier. Very
solid fruit, as in the case of Golden Sunljeani, I
object to, nor do I care for any " with few-
seeds," as that, instead of being a recommenda-
tion, goes to jirove that a maxinunn of core is
most undesirable. Seeds may be thought ob-
jectionable, but it is the pulp surrounding the
seeds and not the solid core that gives charactei'
to the fruit. Soft, flabby fruits, however, are
not wanted, as these tra\'cl and keep badly.

W. IciUULDEM.

Onions. — I am sure many will agree with
"A. I)."(p. 406) that we should grow sufficient
Onions for our own needs without importing them
from the Continent. When visiting recently a
popular watering-place in the south I noticed no
less than four foreigners with these roots, taking
the town in sections in a leisurely maimer. I at
once ascertained the price of Onions in shops and
found them just three times as much as one would
e.xpect, thus giving every encouragement to the
foreigner. On the other hand, growers do not
get much encouragement, as last spring, after
storing till March, the price obtained for large
quantities was very poor. I do not think it is a
matter of culti\ation, but rather distribution, as
when huge quantities are consigned to the sales-
man, producers are at his mercy. I admit Onions
sell well, or better, after a severe winter when
vegetables are scarce. I know last spring many
never were sent to market owing to the carriage
being great and the returns so poor. — Grower.

White Jerusalem Artichoke.— I am sorry
to see (p. 406) Mr. Tallack notes the prevalence of
disease among the white Artichokes. This is to
be regretted, as the white is so much more .shajiely
than the older kind and of better quality. I have
this year grown a goodly number of the white
variety, and found no disease of any kind. Owing
to drought the tubers are not so large as one
could wish, but quite large enough, as with the
white variety there is less waste in preparation.
It will be interesting to know if others have
suffered like Mr. Tallack. Mr. Tallack does not
mention what variety he grew. I know three
distinct white kinds, and they differ greatly in
(juality, in appearance also. One, an elongated
root, is a grand vegetable. Last season I had
roots eacli 9 inches to 12 inches in length, and
they are only a little less this year. I prefer the
shorter ones, as these are best for table. This
variety I had from the Continent, and like it
very much, as it is very smooth and even.— G.
Wythes.

Tomatoes and fog in winter.— Few plants
suffer sooner than Tomatoes during foggy weather,
and in the metropolitan area we have this year
had fogs earlier than usual, and, unfortunately, of
longer duration. Many woukl think a little e.xtra
heat would counteract tlie fog. Not so ; it only
makes matters worse. I find it best to keep the
plants as cool as possible, and by so doing lose
less bloom. With heat the foliage suffers so much,
that the fruits at times will drop also and the
crop is lost. Young plants that were in bloom
and ha\e lost the crop owing to the fog will, with
a little coaxing, next February give a good re-
turn and set freely, so that there is a great gain
in growing winter Tomatoes, as no matter how
much attention may be given seedlings raised at
the end of the year, they are rarely strong enough
to fruit till April is well advanced, often much
later. For some years I have gone into the
question of winter fruiting, and in the end the
gains balance the losses, as the plants, thougli
crippled now, soon recover as soon as the days
fiegin to lengthen. I find the best fruiters are
jilauts grown in not too large pots. I have also
found seedlings stand the dark weather much
lietter than plants raised from cuttings, \\hich I
find soon succumb. In more favoured localities
much better plants may be grown and foo- will
not be felt. I am sure the plants soon repay the
cultivator when tliey can be kept healthy all the
■\vinter, as Tomatoes early in the spring comniand

a good price, and they continue to fruit if not too
crowded or neglected in any way. — 0. Wythes.

Beetroot in winter.— These roots, often lifted
early in October and stored in dry soil, grow out
badly early in the new year and lose quality. I
am aware the advice is frequently given to store
the roots early to prevent frost doing damage, but
from close observation I find worse results follow
from early lifting than from frost. I admit very
severe frost, such as we experienced three winters
ago, would spoil the roots if they were large
and exposed above the soil, but not if they were
covered with earth. Late-sown roots are not so
likely to be far out of the soil as those sown early.
Even when sown late in rich soil some kinds come
coarse, and it is well to avoid sowing in such land
if the roots are required for keeiiing. Few roots
are so unpalatable as coarse Beet, and for winter
and spring supplies I have found May or even
.Tune sowings the best, as then there is no difticulty
in keeping the roots till M,-i.y if they are kept cool
and frequentlj' moved to piexent growing. Tliey
may with advantage be placed under trees or a
north wall if the store is warm in gardens where
the soil makes storing a necessity. Beet is not so
tender as many think. For years, having a special
variety, I left a few roots in the open for seed and
they wintered well, the only protection being
earth drawn well over the crowns. This led me
to adopt the same plan with roots for use.
There Mas never any difhculty about colour or
(juality when cooked, as wintered thus they did
grandly. I have often stored Beet in the same
way as Potatoes, in a clamp, and the roots were
not given extra cover in sexere weather, and so
far turned out well. — G. W.

AMERICAN NOTES.

[From Garden and Forc<st.'\

Thuj.^ plicata. — The plants counnonly culti-
vated under the name of Thuja plicata are
garden forms of our eastern Arl)or-vit:e, and
must not be confounded with the Thuja plicata
of Dcjn, which is more freiiuently known as
Thuja gigantea, although Dr. Masters has
recently clearly shown that Thuja plicata is the
older name. This is the Arbor-vitie of North-
western America, the Red Cedar of Oregon and
\\'ashington, the greatest of all the Thujas, and
a veritable giant among conifers. Near the
shores of Puget Sound it is a common occur-
rence to see this tree 'MO feet liigh with a mas-
sive trunk gradually tapering from a base
15 feet or 16 feet in diameter. As it grows in
its native forests it is one of the most beautiful
and graceful of the American conifers, with
bright cinnamon-red bark and a narrow si)ire of
branches, which sweep out giacefully from tlie
stem, and are clothed with great Fern-like,
pendulcjus, yellow-green branchlets. Nowhere
forming pui'e forests, the western Arbor-vit;e
grows singly or in small groves generally on
low, moist bottom-lands or near the banks of
streams, and less commonly on dry ridges and
mcjuntain slopes, which it sometimes ascends in
the interior to considerable elevations, altlnjugh
it is only at the sea-level and under the imme-
diate influence of the ocean that it grows to its
greatest jjerfection. Ranging along the coast
from Southern Alaska to Northern California,
it penetrates also eastward along the banks of
mountain streams through Southern British
Columbia and Washington to the western slopes
of the northern Rocky Moinitains, and is abun-
dant on the Bitter Root and Cccur d'Aleue
ranges and in the territory north of Flat Head
Lake. Plants obtained several years ago from
this interior and comparatively dry region have
proved hardy in the Arnold Arboretum and in
jlr. Hunnewell's pinetum, where they are now
growing rapidly, and promise to become large
and handsome trees.

Thujopsis chiefly differs from Thuja,J
which some authors unite it, while others
sider it a Cupressus, in its ligneous cone-sc
much thickened and dilated at the apes,
bearing five seeds. The only species, Thtti(
dolabratra, which is one of the most bMUt
conifers of Japan, is easily recognised lb'
broad coriaceous leaves, which are bright g
above and silvery white below, and arrang«i
four ranks in opposite pairs, those cm the u;
and under side of the branchlets being olo
appressed against the stem, while the Jiaj
leaves are more or less spreading. In Qsn
Hondo this tree is common between 5000
and 6000 feet above the sea-level, growing :
nnder-.shrub in the dense .shade of Hen
forests, and every year buried in snow di
four or fixe months. Sometimes it rises, ■.
ever, when its crown reaches the light, t(
height of 40 feet or 50 feet, with a slender t
covered with bright red bark, long, gra-
drooping branches and a narrow pyramidal
It evidently rccjuires shade and protcotiu
least while yfiung, and in its native forests
the largest plants are surrounded and overtoj
by taller trees.

Wistaria multi.uga. — This differs froii
ordinary ^^'istaria chinensis in its narr^
leaflets, much hjnger and looser racemes of
fragrant flowers and in their lateness, ai-
flowers of this plant open two or three w
later than those of Wistaria chinensis. In
autumn the tvvi.i species can be readily
tinguished, as the leaves of Wistaria multi
turn clear yellow comparatively early, \
those of Wistaria chinensis remain gree
late that they are almost invariably destr
by frost before changing colour. Wis
chinensis is a common Japanese forest \i
and is also a native of China, ^^'istaria n:
juga does not appear to be indigenous in Ja
and, judging from the fact that it is ii
liardier than Wistaria chinensis, it prol
came originally from Northern China. M
ever the right name for this handsome ]
may be, it is evidently in every way ent
distinct from the common Japanese Wist
the plant univer.sally cultivated in this cou
and Europe as Wistaria chinensis.

PiiUNi's suDHiRTELLA is a Japanese Cli
which jn'omises to became a valuable ornai
tal plant in our northern gai'dens. Like Pri
pendula, which it resembles also in the'St|_
ture and size of the flowers, it blooms be'"
the appearance of the leaves. In the Ar
ArbiU'etum, where Prunus subhirtella
proved hardy and flowered abundantly for
last two or three years, it is now a bmad 1
with slender, erect branches and daik g '
leaves from 2 inches to .S inches in len
About the first of November these turn (
rich purple-red, making this plant a beau
(jbject at this season of the year. Altoget
Prunus subhirtella is one of the hardiest
most ju'omising of the small trees reccntlj
troduced into our gardens.

Pyrus nigra and Pyrvs akbitieolia '
both good garden shrubs. At this se! i
of the year, when the former has already,
its leaxes, and its fruit, although still lij
ing on the branches, is much shrunken,
rus arljutifolia is the nnu'e attractive plj
It is a tall, slender bush bearing abunc
white flowers, which o[ien .ibout .lune 1,
small fruits which do not ripen until the eni
October, xvhen they become tiright scarlet
remain on the branches w-ithout loss of oo'
or brilliancy until well into the winter,
leaves turn dark red about the time the i
becomes ripe, and at this season this is Oisj
the most attractive of our nfvtive shrubs.

December 4, 1897.1

it is not so giiod lis in some others, lint, in
pito of this ilra\vl>ntk, Pynis ai-butifolia iiKiy
1 find H plnco in any i,'arilon for the Ijuauty
I) ts autinini cohmrs and tlic winter ett'ccts pro-
ed hy its fruits.

THE GARDEN.

453

Notes of the Week.

Jhrysanthemum "Western King.— At the

\i meeliiij; nl' the lioyal Ilortii'ultiiral Srcicty this,
)w well-kiinwii variuty, was shown in plenty, tho

bisoms, though only ot raediuni size, being well pru-

ptione^l and very pure ami compact.
Irlgeron speciosue. — This is one of the very
perennials in the open that continue to t^ive a few

fl.'ers. The growth made hy this species this yearin
d garden soil lias been really rt niarkiiblc, and, as
atural where the growth is abundant, the llowers
ear also in ,i,'reat profusion.

'pacris Carminata.— This is a very brjU'ant
ki for winter flowering, produe'ng long sprays of
b'SOQis, the latter individually being nearly as long

the Howcrs of E. miniata. Tlie brill ant carmine
I e with its w hite tip rentiers the above variety more
t1 a usually attractive just now.

Joprosma Baueriana variegate. — This

Jitty shrnb is very useful in the cool conserva-
t y or winter garden, where it will readily create a
|i tty result by reason of its variegated foliage. In
1 36 positions very little moisture will be re<iuired,
t plants quickly shedding their leaves if o\or-
i4ered.

ris alata (Scorpion Iris). — Mr. Wilson scuds us

n his garden at Wisley a very fine form of this iris.

' iwered in the open border. The flowers of this

'fa deep azure blue, and will be found very useful

lie Cold liouEe. A snug Eook in the rock garden

^uit it, or it may be grown in shallow pans in a

c I frame.

bhoisya ternata. — This beautiful evergreen is

flverirg un a wall at the present time, where a fine

t spreads out over many feet, the pure white blos-

.1 appcarirg now and then airong tlie pleasing
'■age. A wall with a south or south-west aspect suits
it ell, while occasionally it is seen in capital form on
a )rth wall.

Ihododsndron Maiden's Blush.— lly rea-

s of its free-fiowering ipAalities this should consti-

• a really good companion for R. Princess Alcx-

a, and as both kinds flowsr at tlie same time a

I lain variety is aiforded by the varying shades in

II two kinds, the one now referred to being of a
^sh-pink with while.

Jalanthus octobrensis.- A little cluster of
i interesting plant is bearing a few blossoms in the
r k garden at Kew, though the tuft appears to gain
! little either in stature or the number of its leaves
; llio\'ers. A more vigorous variety would certainly
1- most welcome at this time, when flowering plants
.1 so very rare in the open garden.

pomaea rubro-coerulea.— This vei-y attractive

*cr. flowering climlter is niiw in bloom in the warm

ion at Kew adjoining the Victoria house. The

soms, which are some 3 inches acres?, are of a

"' -ly deep sky-blue and very striking, while the r Ider

lli'ers assume a reddish tinge at the margin. In its

t^y stages the flower is indeed beautiful.

ferine Manselli is certainly one of the most

lliant (f these autumn-flowering bulbous plants.

■ '■ dour, which is a brilliant carmine, is singularly

ive with so few plants in flower, and the spikes,

iding well out on nearly 2 feet of stem, are especially

vjiable for cutting. It is surprising how long the

"Ws of flowers remain in good condition in a cool,

fiHy-ventilatcd house.

ralleborus orientalis.- The long-continued

- il of mild weather has started this to flower, the

eiiea being at the end < f Xovember more than

olcbes high. The old foliage is in capital form this

^^; owing possibly to the limited rainfall and the

nee of cold nights In thfir present stage, how-

, the flowers would suffer considerably should a

t'.y tall of snow come upon them.

-Star grandiflorus.— In the open and fully ex-

d, plants of this species vary considerably in

' th and subsequent flowering. Fully a mouth ago

"ited it in full beauty, but this was an instance

-lablished plants. Last week, however, we ob-

1 some plants that liad been put out in the

spring of the present year only just opening their
flowers — too late to bo of much service this season.

The Strawberry Tree (Arbutus I'nedo).— 1
am surprised to read in issue of November 27 that this
is perfectly hardy. Of course it is in favoured parta
of the country, but here, in the Cambridge Hotanic
Garden, it has besn repeatedly killed. This morning
(Dee. 1) 1 have been interested to learn that at IJal-
sham.a few miles from here, at about .'iSU feet eleva-
tion, it is fruiting profusely. — K. I. Ijvn'( ii.

Chrysanthemum Sam Caswfll. — This
belongs to a class of flower known as sjiidery Chrysan-
themums, the peculiar fautastie appearance of the
blooms suggesting this descrijition. The flori'ts are
I'airlv long and tapering, being deeidy cut a' the ends.
Tl c'partiilly develojied florets, too, have a pretty
point d and wiry look, making a pleasing diversion in
form from the n'lore orthodox sorts. Clear rose-pink.is
a good dcsciiption of its colour.

Khipsalis Cassytha.— .V very cuiious ipecies
with pale green forked branches nearly 2 feft in
length, and occasionally furnished with small, nearly
milk-white berries of the size of those of Mistletoc-
During summer the above plant flowers somewha'
freely on the sides of the secondary shoots, and if a
griiater number of berries resulted, it would certainly
cpnstitute a very interesting plant fur autumn docora-
tion. The species behuigs to the West Indies.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. W. Butters. This is
a pretty little Japanese, and uronn freely produces a
number of pure white blossom? from la'eral growths.
In a cut state a spray may contain a dozen blossoms,
and as such makes a pretty display in small vases.
The form of flower is somewhat unique, the narrow
florets fieing deeply cut at the ends, giving the bloom
a flmbriated appearance. The National l[lhrysanthe-
mum committee commended it as a late s^rt for cut-
ting.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. J. R. Tranter. —
.V refined .lapaiiese tlower, not over large, but
sufficiently so to be considered a useful bloom for
the e.xhibition board. As e.Nhibited at the
National Chrj'santhenium Society's floral coin-
mittee early buds deveIo|ied creamy white flowers,
faintly sullusedand tinted rose, but a bloom from
a late bud was freely streaked and edged rosy
)nn-ple. It grows .about iS feet high. — C. A. H.

Chrysanthemum Violaceum.— This is the

latest atldition to the Japanese varieties for ex-
hibition, and as shown before the National
Chrysanthemum Society's floral committee on
Monday last appears to be a promising flower.
The bloom is not particularly deep, but of great
breadth, and had an immense number of un-
developed florets when seen on this occasion.
The colour is best described as pale rosy violet
with a cream centre. In height the plant is
.about 4feet.-('. A. H.

Agave dasylirioides. —This species, while
not differing very materially in the large succulent
leaves from others of its genus, possesses in great
degree an individuality of its own by reason of its
giant inflorescence. This latter, including the
scape, is some !S feet in length, the pale greenish
yellow flowers emitting a very peculiar and not
pleasing odour. A strange feature of the in-
florescence is the manner in which it folds itself
into complete rings. The species is njw flower-
ing in the large Cactus house at Kew.

Solidago virgaureanana.— This dwarf mem-
ber of the (iolden Rod family is scarcely .^o well
known as it deserves, and being the only kind
that could Hgure in tlie front row of the border is
certainly worth greater care and attention. Not
that the ]dant is in any degree tender or even
ditiicult to grow ; far from it, as it is (juite a
vigorous grower for so dwarf a plant. Good
specimens continue a long time in flower, this
year especially. Indeed but a few days since it
was still carrying many of its golden sprays of
blossoir..

Othonna cheirifolia. — There is a good deal
of eharaitter about this plant when .seen in large
sjireading patches during winter, whether on
rock work or the level ground. It is, however,
always best in the former position, and the silver-
grey tone of its rather succulent leaves is de-
cidedly pleasing when freely planted. There are
some people who have douhts concerning its per-

fect hardiness, but there is little need for fear
when the plants oc'cupy a slightly raised position
and are firmly ]daiitod in .sandy loam. A sunny
slope covered with this plant is very stiiking.

Skimmia Formani.— In your note as to this
in hist week's (Jakiikn you speak of the persistence
of the berries. Probably Ibis persistence is car-
ried to a greater extent llian many of your readers
are aware. Ihe first idant of this Skimmia which
I ever saw was in the conservatory at Melville
Castle, and the head gardener explained, on my
expressing surpri.se at the enormous (juantity of
berries upon the plant, that the berries remained
upon it for three years. A careful examination
satisfied me that this was correct, and I have since
found that, if protected from birds, some of the
berries will remain for two years out of doors.
The plant is a most beautiful object in a cool house,
and should certainly bo more freiiuently seen. —
A. KiNosMii.i,, Ihiii'iii- Wtulil.

Physalis Franchetti. — This handsome spe-
cies has been referretl to freipiently of late, and
certainl}' a plant that so long rianains in excel-
lent condition cannot bo too well known. The
two groups of it in the Kew herbaceous grounrl
were on November 21) conspicuous at HKt yards
distant. On a closer view, the majority of the
brilliantly-coloured calyces that so completely
furnish the plant appeared little worse than a
month ago, though at this time with foliage in-
tact the plants were better furnished than at
])resent. This species, both by its height and
freedom of growth, promises to be a great acqui-
sitiim to our gardens. It is also equally free-
fruiting, while the large and handsome calyces
are at least three times the size of those of the
older kind.

Lapageria alba. — This well known climber
is not usually seen flowering abundantly at this
late diite, yet it is even more precious now that
such things are scarce than during the summer
months when flowers are more plentiful. (Juite
recently, however, we weie struck with the
beauty and [lurity as well as freedom of a large
plant occupying what may appear at first sight a
not very favourable position. The [)lant had been
put out in a prepared bed of soil beneath the
stage in the greenhouse, the "rowths being drawn
through the woodwork of the stage when long
enough. In tliis position, trained to a glass parti-
tion between two greenhouses, the plant has
prospered, and some fine vigoious shoots made
during the present season were flowering abun-
dantly, the long racemes of wax like flowers very
pure and beautiful. .Judging by the vigour and
freedom of flowering in these young growths, it is
not improbable that the flowering of this plant
may be enhanced if a judicious thinning out of
small shoots were adopted, renio\ing these at the
base.

Hellebores from seed. — Asa rule the seeds
of the Christinas Hose are somewhat slow to vege-
tate, though an instance to the contrarj' came
under notice a few days since. In the spring of
the present year a gathering of seeds was taken
from some good-sized clumps that had furnished
many flowers during the preceding winter. For
two or three years past u similar gathering h;is
been made, and tlie seed which was sown in boxes
never vegetated. This year, however, instead of
sowing as usual in boxes, the seed was so\\'n at
iMice haphazard in the oiicii, the spot selected
being at the ba.se of a thick broad hedge of Privet,
which was naturally dust-dry for weeks together.
In a few- weeks .some'2ililor ."JlHIseedlingsappeared,
notwithstanding the surface was very uneven and
had several times been subjected to a rather
rough watering. At the present time these seed-
lings are large enough to trausphint and arc but
little over six months old. This is tlie most suc-
cessful attempt I have seen, as the seeds frequently
remain dormant a whole year after sowing.— E. 0.

Bocconia cordata carnea This new variety

of Bocconia cordata is mentioned by Mr. E.
Burrellin his interesting and valued " Flower Gar-
den Notes " on ^ip. 4iM)l. As Mr. Burrell says he
lias not seen it, I may perhaps be allowed to rp

454

THE GARDEN.

[Uecembek t, 1897,

mark that I fear it scarcely bears out the descrip-
tion of the catalogues. I grew it here duriiiK the
past season, and have been disappointed with the
colouring. It is, perhaps, hardly fair to judge a
plant by its first year's behaviour and appearance,
but I must say that I do not think that this
variety will become popular either with the
general public or, what is even of more conse-
quence, with the more informed class of growers
of hardy flowers. The colouring is not distinct
enough and looks dull and ineffective. It is not
deeply-coloured, as Mr. Burrell ajipears to have
been informed, and I can hardly think it suitable
for contrasting with lighter things. These re-
marks are to be taken as subject to modification
from further experience, and have been formed
with some regret, as a distinct variety of the
handsome Plume Poppy would be a decided
acquisition. — S. Arxott.

Convolvulus Cneorum.— Quite recently re-
ference was made to this beautiful species in' The
G.VRDEX, suggesting that it was worthy more
general cultivation. This is certainlv true, for
we have few plants more beautiful and interest-
ing. Even for its silky leafage the plant is worth
growing. The above Convolvulus, however, is not
sufficiently hardy in all gardens to be worth the
risk of growing in the open air. In favoured
localities, such as the Isle of Wight and parts of
Dexon, the plant would not only jirove quite easy
of culture, but a complete success. In many gar-
dens where ranges of glasshouses exist this would
constitute a capital plant for training to the wall
on a south asjject, preferably against an Orchid
house. In such a position, given a light, warm
soil, the plant will usually grow and flower freely.
Planted against a warm wall at Kew there is a
fine example of this species that has flowered
abundantly during the past summer, and e\en
now the tips of the shoots are freely covered
witli flower-buds, and in a few instances nearly
expanded blossoms also. This year the growth
has been so abundant that much has been re-
mo\ed, as the example has exceeded its allotted
space.

Flowers in November The phenomenal

absence of frost and storms and the fine summer
weather experienced in this district up to the
Jiresent time (November 27) have prolonged the
blooming of summer-flowering an! tender plants
to a remarkable extent. Up to the present we
have not had anything approaching a frost, and
up to within a week ago (when a heavy storm of
wind and rain occurred) the occupants of beds
and borders were as gay as at any time during
the summer, and even in some cases more so. To
send you a list of plants now in bloom would be
to mention the whole of the summer and autumn-
flowering plants and shrubs, tender and hardy.
Such a dry, warm sea.son has brought some
late autumnal bloomers into greater prominence
and beauty than usual. I refer to such as
Sohizostylis coccinea, which is more valuable
and beautiful than I have ever seen it in the
open. Many of the shrubby Veronicas are just
now grand, notably Marie Antoinette (pink).
Blue Gem and Vernicosa (white). Bold masses
are very telling, and so is a large specimen of
Aralia Sieboldi in full bloom and fragrance, most
attractive on the lee-side of tall Bamboos.— Jno.
Roberts, The Gardens, Tan-y-bwlrh, N. Wales.

Reinwardtia trigyna. — This is perha])s one
of the most valuable of small shruliby ]ilants that
flower during the autumn and winter. The plant
would in all probability be even more popular
were it less susceptible to attacks from red spider,
which very much disfigures the plants and causes
the foliage to fall prematurely. The showy blos-
soms of orange-gold are very attractive when the
plants are grouped freely in the cool conservatory
at this season ; indeed it is one of the few dwarf
plants of this colour obtainable during the winter
months. In most private gardens endeavour is
made to maintain a supply of plants from year
to year by means of cuttings. Better and more
satisfactory results follow the raising of this ])lant
from seed. By carefully fertilising a few fl(iweis

plenty of seed may as a rule be secured. The
chief advantage the seedlings possess over cut-
tings is their greater \igour and freedom of
growth in the first year, while not only are the
flowers considerably larger, but the |jlants do not
in the same degree suffer from red spider. \\'here
the ])lant is grown in quantity, free syringing
with soot-water during summer will be itound of
much service. Compact bushes of this Indian
shrub are now covered with a profusion of buds
and blossoms.

Societies and Exhibitions

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.

A MEETtNc of the floral committee of this society
was held at the Royal Aquarium, ^^^estminster,
on Monday afternoon, Mr. Thos. Bevan presiding.
Very few novelties were staged on this occasion,
and only two varieties received first-class certifi-
cates, \ iz. : —

CuRvs.iXTHEMi-M Mrs. .1. R. Tr.wter. — A
pretty refined .Japanese bloom, with fairly long,
curling, and slightly twisted florets of medium
width ; colour creamy white, edged and streaked
rosy-purple. From Mr. J. R. Tranter, nursery-
man, Henley-on-Thames.

(JiiRYsANTTiEMUM vioL.\CEUM. — An immense
Jajianese bloom with innumerable florets of
medium width : colour a pale shade of rosy-violet
with white reverse. Awarded to Mr. E. Beckett,
The < fardens, Aldenham House, Elstree.

Commendations as late varieties were granted to
Chrysanthemum Mrs. W. Butters, a pure white
decorative .Japanese variety with narrow florets
deeply fimbriated, and making a chaste little
flower, and Sam Caswell, another pretty little
spidery Japanese variety with fairly long, narrow,
and deeply cut florets ; colour clear rose-pink.

Mr. G. W. Forbes, Regent House, Surbiton,
staged a dozen small va-ses of very pretty single
sorts, but too freely disbudded, thus losing tlie
charm which characterises this form of the flower.
Six blooms of a variety named Moor Park
were staged by Mr. Haggart, Ludlow. Tliis is a
medium-sized flower, reddish-crimson inside the
florets, with a reverse of a jji-etty shade of nankeen-
yellow, the florets being broad, pointed and in-
curving. A rich golden-yellow sport from the
bronze La Triomphante looks like making a use-
ful decorative \arietv.

rest of the month, the mean rate'] of movement •
the air only amounted to about three miles o
hour. During the last twelve years there have bet
only two Nosembers with such a small record ■ j
sunshine, the average duration being less thsf
I/j hours a day. — E. M., BcvkhainMnl.

Obituary.

MR.

On November

JAMES BATEMAN.

Mr. James Bateman, a 0ii|
tinguished botanist and gardener, died ||
Worthing. Mr. Bateman was born in 1811, i
as a young man took great interest in the cultis
tion of tropical fruits. His chief claim to recoi
tion is his work in connection with Orchids,
first Orchid was purchased when he was a gentl
man-commoner at Magdalen College, Oxford ; i
1833 he sent, at his own expense, the collecti
Colley to Demerara and Berbice to collect )ilant
Shortly after this he induced Mr. G. Ure Skinne
a merchant trading with Guatemala, to send hi
Orchids, with the result that within ten 3'ears a
the finest Orchids of (Juatemala were in eultiv;
tion in English gardens. In 1837 Jlr. Batemo
commenced the publication of his work on tl
" Orchidace.-e of Mexico and Guatemala,'' whic
he completed in 1843 ; this book comprised tl
most remarkable series of coloured plates whic
had up to that time appeared. His " Monograp
of Odontoglossum " appeared between lS64-7i
He was not only the pioneer of Orchid cultun
but he was one of the first to insist on the ration;
cultivation of these plants. He contended thi
the then prevailing s\'stem of cultivation w;
essentially wrong, and his lectures on "cool
Orchid cultivation gave an impetus to the popi
larit}' of these plants which can hardly be realis(
now. Mr. Bateman, who was a man of considi
able wealth, was fond of experimenting, and
"Chinese garden," his "Egyptian court,'" and
' ' Wellingtonia avenue '' at Biddulph Grange wei
among the first and most interesting experimeul
of the kind attempted in this country. Of li '
years he had resided at Home Lodge, Worthi
in the garden of which he formed a miniati
alpine garden, in which many rare and interestii
plants were grown. He was a .J. P. and U.'
Stafl'ordshire, and J. P., Cheshire. — T/'t Tliiirn.

Ihe weather in "West Herts.— A week of
stormy, changeable weather, but on the whole
warm for tlie time of year. On the warmest day
the shade temperature rose to 53°, and on the
coldest night the exposed thermometer showed
11° of frost— the greatest cold indicated by it dur-
ing the past autumn. At 1 foot deep the ground
is now about seasonable in temperature, but at
•2 feet deep it is about 1 " warmer than the average.
Kain fell on five days, but onh' to the .aggregate
depth of about half an inch. "During the twelve
hours ending G a.m. on the 29th ult. the wind was
blowing at the mean velocity of 21 miles an hour,
and between 0 and 7 p.m'. the record reached
2.j miles— direction, W. The velocity last-men-
tioned shows a stronger g.ale than any recorded
here in November since 1891. Tlie wind, how-
ever, was on two days in March of the current year
quite as liigh. The past month was a warm
November, but during the previous ele\en years
there have been three Novembers in which the
mean temjierature has been higher. Rain fell on
eleven days and to the total depth of an inch, i
which is IJ inches below the average for the '
month, making this the driest November since
1879. October and November taken together
come out excei)tionally dry ; indeed, with two
exceptions, 1871 and 1879, drier than the same
two months, during the preceding forty-one years.
The last five days were windy, Init taking the

Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund. — We ar

asked to state that Mr. P. C. U. Veitch, of Til'
Nurseries, Exeter, has consented to preside at tb
annual friendly dinner of the committee of ti
Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund at Andertop'
Hotel, on February 18, 1898.

Tree Pseonies. — Will some reader of Tin
Garden kindly name a few single light-flowerinf
Tree P;eonies that are worth growing? — S. P.

■*„* The following, or at least some of them,
should suit your purpose : Margaret .\ttwood
pure white, golden centre ; The Mikado, rose ano
buff' ; Cci'lestis ; Regalis, rose-flesh ; Phivbus, eal
mon and rose; Luna, white; Antigonus, French
white and lilac; Odorata rosea, Gloiyof Shanghai^
soft cerise ; Mammoth, pink ; ilme. Rattier,
cream and flesh ; Morris, soft rose ; Jupiter, sal-
mon ; and Duhamel, lilac-rose. — Ed.

Ifames cf plants.— Liid'iiu'i- Clark. — 1, Strep'
tocarpu.s var. ; 2, should like to see bettor ypec'ineii

J.McK. — 1, Bend better specimen ; 2, Eetiuosporai

pisifera. Xi,i"'«s'<-'r Bouse. — Lycaste lanipes.' ■

J. R.— l. probably MesembryantbetQum rOBeura ; 2,

Cupressus Lawsoniaua erecta viridis. Mrs. Elliot.

A small flower of Cymbidium giganteum.

J. C. — 1, Cupressus Lawsouiana (seedling form) ; 2,
Juniperus rigida ; ", Thuja gigantea (Lobbi of gaT'
deus) ; 4, Juni^erus (.hinensis mas. We can odI;"
undertake to name four speciuiens iu any one week.

THE GARDEN.

No. 1360.— Vol. LIL]

[DECEMBER U, 1897.

trysanttaemums :—

Chrysanthemum Madeline

'lirysjinthenuim Mme. Cur-
ni>t. yellow sports from . 407
III v,siiithi?mum Mrs. John J.

i;lL'ssner 457

lirysanthemums, bud, tho

iTowM ill 455

lirysanthemums from Sop-
tcnilit-r to Christmas .. 455
hrysanthennims, growing. 456
hrysiinthenmms, incurved. 456
1 1 rysunt hemunis, new in-

nirvmi varieties 457

lirysjinthemvims, some new 451)
Itrysanthemunis, stock, a
change of, in 455

Ijohids :—

;ilauthes 457

uThopetaluni refractum .. 45S
\priiJcdiiim pulystigmati-

,um 45S

pripcdium Trianowskj'-

iiiuni . . 458

'■ndroblum Aspflsiii .. .. 458

pipin-unitia Veitchi .. . . 458

';i»idcvallia Davisi , , .. 4.'JS

liltunia Hifzli alba .. .. 45^

lontoglossumCervantesi.. 458

OdontogloRsuiii Kraniuri . . 45S
(h-nithocephalus gran d i-

Hums . . 458

FhalaMiopsis Schillcriana

vestalis 457

Hodriguozia planifolia,. .. 458

Xygopetilum Mackayi.. .. 45S

Flower :—

Angelonia grandillora alba.. 401

Aitt/ifoniii urtindiiiora alha , 461

Dahlias, Cactus " 461

Flower garden notes .. .. 461

Leptosyne Stillmani . . . . 461
L'ptosi/nc Still Hoi.ii. . ..461

Lilium auratum, imported . 461

Lily bulbs, disease in .. .. 463

Lobelias, herbaceous . . . 463
Myosotis palustris T u m

Thumb .. .. 461

Mi/o/iods palu.^i ris Tom Thundi 4i>l

Xovelties, Continental . . . . 461

Novenil)cr in the garden .. 462

Plants, hardy, notes on .. 462
Ranunculus aconitifoUus

plenus 463

Solidag*" virgauroa aurca .. 461

Water Lilies 460

Trees and Shrubs:—

Autumn tints 464

J Berberis Thunbergi . . . . 464

(Illnatrations in Italics.)
Garden Florae-
Hoses, single 464

Week's Work :—

Kruit gartk-M, work in the . 4r>ii

Kitchen garden, work in .. 465

Stove and Greenhouse:-

AbutUon Boule de Xeige .. 467
Bouvardia Iluniboldti corym-

bitlora . . . , . . . . 467
Croton Van (Krstedi .. .. 467
Hydrangea Uortcnsia, cul-
ture of 4ti6

Pinguicula caudata .. .. 467

Roses:—

Rose Alfred K. Williams .. 4(18

Roses, climbing H. P. . .. 46S

Rose Comtesse de Xadaillac. 468

Ros^: CoiiitiSSi <k yadaillac . . 468

Rose Mme. Falcot, eolouriu 468

Rose Perle des Rouges . . . 468

Rose Queen uf Bedders .. 468

Rose Rainbow 46S

Roses, standard und pillar,

in pots 4r.S

Roses, potting 468

Orchard and Fruit :—

Apple Cockle Pippin .. .. 46it
Apple Cox'.H Orange . . . , 470
Apple Seaton Hou.se .. .. 471
I-Vuit flavour prizes ., .. 460
Fruit trees on walls, plant-
ing 469

Gnipe, a new white . . . , 471

Peaclies, early 470

Pear, a good st^iwing . . . . 470

Pear Jargonelle 470

P.ar JarijoiidU 470

Pear Nouvelle Fulvie . . . . 4(50
Pear Princess of Wales .. 470
Strawberries, forcing, pre-
paring 471

Strawberries, planting .. 470

' Books:—

I "Tlie Principles of Fruit

Growing " 471

Societies:—

National Chrysanthemum .. 472

Notes of the Week:—

Acacia armata 473

Agatha?a cnelestis 473

Begonia Veitchi 474

CaUipsyche aurantiaca . 474

Carnation Reginald Godfrey 474

Centropogon Lucyanus . . 473

Chrysanthemum Oceana .. 473

Chrysanthemum Tokio -. 473
ChrvHanthenumiB, naturally

grown -'J-*

Clematis, alpino 474

Crassula lactea "^j^S

DiplacuHglutinnsus .. .. 473

Uirnianthus pul>escens .. 473

Iris reticulata in ]>ots ,. .. 474

Lily of the Valley in fruit .. 474

Lonicera Standishi .. ■• 473

Xerine crispa ^J*

Nursery rubbish 474

8onecio junceus 473

Publlo Gardens:—

Metropolitan Public Gardens

As.sotiatiun 474

Miscellaneous :—

Cottage and ifardtn, a Deron.'

xhirc 459

Cottage gardens 459

Dcsfontainea spinoaa .. .. 464

Draeiena Lindeni 465

Eueharis mit«, the .. .. 474

Retinosporas 464

Royal HorticulturalSociety's

awards 474

Trees, avenue, a new way

of watering.. .. -- 459

Weather, the, in West Herts 474

Chrysanthemums.

INCURVED CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

I8E have certainly been seen in better
11 this autumn than during several seasons
it, but it is not so mucli tliat kinds like
press of India, Lord Alcester, and so on,
ich were formerly the leadint; ones, have
in noted in tiner condition than usual, but

varieties that are fast taking the place of
iblished ones that did duty so long. Take

example the yellow sort Chas. H. Curtis.

tlie Ai|uariuni recently all the prizes in a

Iss of half-a-d(j/en of one variety were taken

;h flowers of this. They were all very tine,

wanted a little more patience bestowed upon
tm in the matter of arranging their petals
ire evenly. Incurved Chrysanthemums re-
more time, if not greater skill, than
iBr classes to exhibit them to the best advan-
;e, and they will repaj' extra pains in a
.erally neat and finished look. The new kinds
lich have come forward this year will, I think,
e a further impetus to their cidture, and
te alter the appearance of stands of this
I sometimes think it is the increased

of the .Japanese sorts that has dwarfed the

urved antl made them seem so much .smaller

we saw them a few years back. However,

*r .as size goes, Mme. Ferlat is a remarkable

It is white, perfectly incurving, and of

substance. The blooms come 0 inches

IS and of proportionate depth, the habit
;he plant being very dwarf. It is alsr> easily
wn. Mile. Lucie Faure was certificated

an incurved variety. It comes close

solid from late-formed buds, but loose,

h a Jap.uiese-like form, early in the year.

CO if this matter of buds be neglected, it
prove disappointing. This variety, too, is

'e white and has first-rate quality. Ernest

nell, an English raised variety I believe, is

iher notalile addition. It bears large, full,

I-formed incurving blooms of a pretty light

buff .shade. Lady Isabel is a large blush-pink
bloom. This is a tine acquisition. It really
takes the place of the old Queen of England.
Duchess of Fife has large, deep, solid white
flowers, tinted blush, however, from late buds.
It is rather tall in growth, but very strong.
Miss Dorothy Foster and Miss Violet Foster
are both very nice new sorts. They have
violet-rose blooms of different tints. Rena
Dula is a perfectly formed incurved flower.
The blooms, of medium size, full, and solid,
are blush-white in colour. Ma Perfection is
an excellent pure white. It is a dwarf and very
free grower. This is a neat and taking tlower.
Mrs. R. C Kingston bears blooms of a wliite,
tinted-pink colour, and is of gO(jd form. The
blooms are large, deep, and solid. Miss Phyllis
Fowler is a light yellow. I saw it in good form
on several occasions this autumn although
generally it comes a bit rough in shape. King
of Orange has blooms of a charming tawny-
yellow tint. It is somewhat late, but still
a very useful addition. Bonnie Dundee
does not i)roduce flowers of large size ;
they are, however, nicely incurved, and
the colour, l)ronzy yellow, rich and distinct.
Neither Mrs. F. Hepper, Ideality, nor Perle
Dauphuioise, although new, appear likely
to prove worthy of extended culture, but
George Haigh, a fawn-coloured sport from
Robert Pettield, is a neat and excellent kind.
Triomphe d'Eve was seen in more than one ex-
hibition in Kent. As yet it does not appear to
l)e known out of that locality. It is wliite, of
medium size and capitally formed. By the w^ay,
those fine old types. Lord Alcester, (iolden
Empress of India— in fact, the group designated
the Queens — were noticed in better condition at
local sliows in the above-named county than at
Mu>re important meetings in London and else-
where. I alw.ays thouglit the white ,]. Agate
too uncertain. It is al.so tall in growth, but a
good incurved when at its best. Nor is C. B.
Whitworth certain enough to become esteemed.
It is at liest an imperfect flower. Major Bon-
affon has fine yello.v iniMu-M'd blooms, but it

is somewhat late. Wra. Tunnington, J. Fu'-
ford, and Owen's Crimson are rough in form
and will never become leading types. M. P.
Martignac, light yellow, and D. B. Crane, buff
colour, are nice forms when well grown. Among
older kinds, the Princess of Wales group,
which includes Mrs. Heale, Mrs. S. Coleman.
Lucy Kendall, Jliss M. A. Haggas, and Violet
Tondin, are yet very fine. Princess of Teck
also, and the sports. Hero of Stoke Newington,
Mrs. Norman Davis, and Lady Dorothy, be-
sides a few others, are worth keeping. But
such sorts as Lord ^\■olseley. Prince Alfred,
Princess Beatrice, John Salter. Mrs. Shipman,
Lady Hardinge, Refulgens, Alfred Lyne, Bar-
bara, and a host of others are not good enough
to be cultivated in these days. H. S.

Chrysanthemums from September to

Christmas. — Will any reader of The C.vruh.s'
kindly give me the names of twenty-four sorts of
Chrysanthemums in different colours, with dwarf
habit and easily grown for cut blooms and decoia-
tionV I have tried about lOtl sorts picked out
from catalogues, but have found very few of them
suiCiible. Viviand Morel, W. Seward, Florence
Davis, Ch. Davis, Lincoln, (i. W. Childs, (iolden
liate. Beauty of Exmouth, La Triomphante, Sun-
derbruch, Kentish White, and Commander Blus-
set, I think, are very good ones.— A Lover of tue
G.vKOEN IN Sweden.

The crown bud. — Is the crown bud in Chry-
santhemimis the first bud that is formed after
striking, or is it the first bud chat is formed after
the break .'—A. F. C.

*,* The bud which causes the naturfil break in
Chrysanthemum plants is really a crown bud,
because it is surrounded by little growths instead
of other buds. However, it is not recognised as
such, for the reason that the break bud does not
give perfect blooms only in one or two excep-
tional instances. The first crown bud, therefore,
is that which is formed after the mitural break or
after a plant has been topped back in eiirly spring.
—El).

A change of stock. — Now that the time for
striking cuttings for another year is at hand, it

456

THE GARDEN.

[December 11, 1897:

will bo well to point out how advisable it is t .
have a change in the case of some notable sorts
Edwin Molyneux, Viviand Morel, Charles Davis,
Mile. Ther^se Rey are common examples of those
that exhibit a want of vigour, probably through
being continually propagated from highlj'fed
plants. In these and other instances of debility a
plant or two of each should have been allowed to
grow the whole summer in the open ground. If
protected now they give a good supply of healthy
cuttings which are likely to give improved results
another year. — H. S.

SOME NEW CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

Although one might have expected finer ex
amples of O. J. Warren than were seen this year,
it has, perhap.s, hardly had time to get thoroughly
established, and with an early start from strong
cuttings, next .season should see it, with the
parent, Mme. Carnot, quite at the top of the list
of show \arieties. The sort named Yellow Mme.
Carnot, which won the rare distinction of being
the best bloom at the Aquarium in November, is
a separate sport, having originated with the ex-
hibitor, Mr. Mease. It is a shade or two lighter
in its yellow, but whether both can be placed in a
stand as distinct varieties without risk is a (|ues-
tion to be settled when they are grown side by-
side. Any coloured variet}' from so fine a type
as the grandest of all white show blooms is wel
come, and a yellow, now it is fixed, may be con
sidered the greatest gain of the year in Japanese
Chrysanthemums. Ella Curtis has very long,
broad, thick petals. These are flat and build up
a flower of remarkable beauty ; colour yellow,
with bronzy streaks. As an exhiliition kind tliis
is an acquisition. Mary Molyneux, like the last-
named, is an English seedling. The florets, long
and of good substance, incurve in an irregular
way and form a bloom of fine depth ; colour a
clear shade of pearly pink. Georgiana Pitcher is
hardly new, but is comparatively unknown.
The colour is rather a deep shade of yel-
low, not over-bright, bat pleising. It is a
full, deep, slightly incurung form, the lower
florets drooping, of massive build and fine
substance. It will l>e valued as an exhibition
flower. J. Chamberlain is a large, handsomely-
formed flower, the inside of its florets having a
most vivid colour. The back part, however,
shows too much by the habit of curling. This
slightly detracts from its value, but if by ext 3nded
culture it can be made to exhibit the inside tint
only, it will prove one of the very finest of recent
introductions. Mme. C Bruant is a very large
bloom of drooping formation, colour white, tinted
rose on the first opening florets. The extra colour
makes it appear a bit dull — neither a white nor
pink — but its immense size will find it many ad-
mirers as a show bloom. Robert Powell has in-
curving blooms of fine width and depth, colour a
deep bronzy shade of yellow. Although we are
not wanting in such tints, this is a most excellent
new kind. Master H. Tucker has very sturdy
growth, without which any new Chrysanthemum
is wanting in one of its important qualities. This
is a first-rate gain because of its colour. Chest-
nut-crimson describes its shade, and as some of the
florets curl inwards a lighter shade is seen, but the
former predominates. It is a large, full, massive
flower, and one that is likely to become popular.
Mile. Laurence Zede is quite one of the best of
the year, perhaps the finest of M, Calvat's new set ;
colour a lovely shade of mauve-pink. The flowers
are extra large, full and deep. Its florets incline
to incurve, and the habit of the plant is excellent.
Mrs. F. A. Bevan is not a large flower, but the
colour, flesh-pink, is particularly pleasing. The
florets droop gracefully. Mrs. S. C. Probyn is a
pretty sort, but not one of the largest ; colour a
charming shade of rose-pink. Its p3tals incurve
slightly, the growth being dwart and sturdy.
Apart from its value as a show flower it is like!}'
to become one of the most esteemed for the supply
of cut blooms in quantity quite late in the autumn.
George Foster is a large yellow incurving Japanese
flower. Its missive build and substance will

make it a valuable exhibition variety. N. C. S.
Jubilee is a decided acquisition as regards colour.
The shade may be called lavender or heliotrope.
Its shape is incurving and the blooms are large,
whilst the habit of the plant is dwarf and sturdy.
President Nonin, after a full season's growth, will,
I fancy, prove a most beautiful new kind. The
colour is a verj' rich and distinct shade of bronze-
yellow, the bloom being large and well formed.
Mrs. Charles Birch bears flowers of a lilac shade,
the form incurving. The bloom is large, full,
and has fine substance. Of ^Ve^ther I fancy the
best has not yet been seen. Its colour, a purple-
crimson tint, is one that is welcome. The bloom
is a bit flat, but broad, with petals of exceptional
thickness. Julie Soaramanga, a recently-raised
English seedling, is a flower of some merit. It
has blooms of drooping shape, large, full, and
striking. The colour is a rich shade of bronze or
old gold tint. Earlswood Beauty is a single
Chrysanthemum, and, to my thinking, the hand-
somest of all singles. It is pure white. The
florets are long and have a light aiipearance, the
centre or disc being bold and showy. For all
kinds of floral decoration additions like this are
most valuable. H. S.

GROWING CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

Will any of tlie contributors to The Garden
kindly assist nie in my difficulty over the grow-
ing of Chrysanthemums ( I took up their
culture List year, and the result is not satisfac-
tory. I do not aim at exhibition blooms, such
as 1 saw in Lcjudon on the Otli ult. I simply
wish to grow, first, good cut blooms for
home decoration ; secondly, neat bush jilants
for the conservatory ; thirdly, dwarf jjlants
with some good blooms to stiind on the front
of the stages. I am quite at sea as to stojjping,
timing, and taking the buds, whether first,
second crowns, or terminal buds. A simple cul-
tural note directing me how to proceed, from the
taking of the cutting up to the flowering period,
would be much valued by many more besides
myself, if I may judge by the conversations I
had with amateurs at the recent shcjw. An up-
to-date list of say three dcjzen of the best and
most eisily grown Japanese sorts for the abo\'e
P'Urjjoses would also, I know, be of much
service.— Ignorant.

*»* There is no reason why "Ignorant" .should
not be successful in the culture of Chrysanthe-
mums for the purposes named w-ithout being
much troubled with such terms as first or second
crown buds, which certainly have an important
meaning in connection with the production of
the large specimen blooms seen at recent exhibi-
tions. First as to

PROPA<iATI0N.

Cuttings may be rooted from September up to
March. The early date is the better if large bush
plants are desired, but the latter time is suitable
tor growing neat little, dwarf plants in small
pots, say those 6 inches across. Chrysanthemum
cuttings root freely if not coddled. They are
mostly rooted in boxes about 9 inches deep, kept
air-tight by a cox'ering of glass. This plan is by
no means the safest for those who are not ex-
perienced, because the cuttings may become too
moist, or may be left in the boxes so long as to
get drawn and weakly. I would strike them in
the following way : Get a shallow box or boxes
it matters not how large or small so that the
depth is not more than 3 inches), and fill to the
brim with loam and leaf-mould in ecjual parts,
with just a sprinkling of silver sand. This should
be run through a fine sieve and pressed in level
and firm. Then dibble in the cuttings (which may
be 3 inches or so in length) a couple of inches
apart. Give a thorough watering to settle the
cuttings properly, and stand the box in any con-
venient part of a greenhouse, which is only heated
to keep out frost, or if in a structure which
is made warm for other occupants, put the Chry-

santhemums on a shelf near the glass, wherJ
of course, the air will be comparatively cool. TbT
leaves will flag a bit for a time. This, however, wi I
not hurt them. I would not sprinkle the leaves witl
water unless fire-heat is applied. In a month cl
so the cuttings will have pricked up and rootecl
They should then be potted singly into small potif
the soil being similar to that named above. Al
the attention needed will be not to let the younl
plants sutler through want of water, and air muil
reach them on all favourable occasions — that is tl
say, when it is not freezing. These conditioil
may continue up to the end of March. Til
earlier-struck jjlants will then require anottJ
shift. Use pots 5 inches in diameter. For tbi
and a later shift the soil should be of a strongc.
character. Loam may form two-thirds of tl
whole. This varies, but it is generally unde
stood to be the top spit of ])asture land, di
a few months before use so that the green gra
may decay. This is chopped or broken up ai
the fibre not removed. Instead of leaf- mould u
rotted manure sifted and aslight addition of coar
sand. From April to the end of May tlie plan
grow better in frames than in greenhouses. Tl
bottom is moist and cool, and one may give air i
greater abundance. When potting, it should ll
said, making the soil firm is a matter of
importance. Tlie plants up to this time will 1
but one stem, and when each has reached 6 incB
the point may be nipiied off so as to inducel
short, bushy growth. Watering is always
item which must be carefully watched. Aft
the plants have been potted, a soaking shou
at once be given ; but for a time, until the roc
get hold of the new soil, guard against raakii
the soil s(pur by over-abundant supplies. As t
season advances, however, and the plants becoi
large, daily attention must be given to moistii
at the roots. Nothing can make up for neglect
watering plants in pots, but it is also as importa
that too much shall not be given. A ringi
sound, by tapping the pot with one's knuckli
indicates the need of water ; then enough shoiiH
be given to moisten the whole ball and the plalHB^'
be left till dry again— not "just a little"' on tW'
surface each day, as is sometimes done.

Allow the plants plentj' of room. Do not
the leaves of one touch those of its neighbou
and stand them in an open position during t
summer. The side shoots may have their poirii
nipped off when (i inches long. This pinchi)!
may continue to the end of June. By that till
capital bushes w-ill have been formed. The firl
potting should take place about the end of Mffl^
One need not mention the necessity of using stioi
to keep the growths upright or safe from damaJ
through winds, nor impress upon the amate
that green-fly must be kept away throughout tl
season. Tobacco dust is the best remedy for tl
pest. As regards the flower buds, let them coil
in a natural way. They may be thinned at tf
will of the cultivator. The number of Wossomsl
plant is allowed to perfect w-ill afiect their sijl
and the time of flowering will vary slightly wif
different varieties. When the flower buds al
swelling, the roots need stimulating wii|
manures. Strong doses are not required, bl
w-eak mixtures and often, so as to carjl
the plant through in perfect health after the roof
have exhausted the potting soil. In giving tl|
list of

Varieties

I shall name those that blossom from OctobJ
to December, so as to give a lengthy seasoil
and at the end I will select a few of theil
as being dwarf in habit, sorts which would provB
useful for giving nice little specimens in smal
pots when struck late in the spring : A. jE|
Fewkes (yellow), Boule d'Or (bronze), Australi
Gold (light yellow), Charles Davis (bronzy rosel
Col. W. B. Smith (terra-cotta), Emily Silsburi
(white, early), G. J. Warren (yellow), Gold^
Gate (tawny yellow, late). Hairy Wonder (bun
novel), John Shrimpton (crimson). Lady Byroj
(white), Lady Saunders (primrose), Louise (blushl
Madame Carnot (white), Madame FerUt (whitej
Madame Gustave Henry (white), Madame

Deckmber 11, 1897.1

THE GATJDE^.

457

icoud (pink), Morlesto '(yellow), Mattlicw Hodi;-
jn (crimson). M. Cli. Molin (bronze). Master H.
'ucker (crimsonbrowii), M. Chcnon do Lfclir
iaimonrose), JI. Ed. Andre (salmon red), Mrs. ,1.
lewis (white), Miss Klsie Teicliniaiiii (wliito
inted), Nyimza (late, erimson), Niveum (late,
fhite), N. C. S. Jubileo (heliotrope shade), Plurbus
';eUow). Kyecroft (ilory (early, bronze), I'ride of
ladford (amaranth), Source d'Or (bronze),
[ouvenir de Petite Amie (wliite, early), ViviatHl
lorel (mauve), W'm. Seward (dark crimson), and
V'estern Kinj; (white). Dirnrj .inrl.s.—A. H.
jewkcs, Boule d'Or, .lolm Shrimiiton, I^ady
kunders, Louise, Madame Ferlat, Modesto,
5. Chenon de Li'che, N. V. S. Jubileo, I'hu-lnis,
[ride of Madford, Souvenir de Petite Aniie, and
lyecroft (Uory. — H. S.

( HRVSANTHEMUMS-NEW INCURVE!)

VARIETIES.

i: classitication of the ineur\ ed \arieties as now
H'nised by the National Chrysanthemum
iiety will assist the growers of this type very
aerially. During; the last two or three yeara
ere have been several introductions of a very
nibtful character, but now the whole ap])earance
the incurved stand of blooms seems likely to Ije
tered. Of course a grower would exclude from
- stand such an immense and coarse-looking
irn as The Egyjitian. This variety would
11 f most others on the same board, and on this
lount would be better left out until others
ually large and less coarse could be set up as
rk row flowers. Lady Isabel, which has been of
ih assistance this season, is one of the finest
wers of its kind, with grand broad florets neatly'
nuved, early buds producing blush-white
wers, while those from later buds are of a beau-
ul blush colour. Mile. Lucie Faure is another
imense flower, creamj- white in colour, with
i'.' and pointed florets. Early buds of this sort
\u ilowers which are inclined to be rough, those
ra later buds being very neatly finished,
nest Cannell, catalogued by some trade growers
:i Japanese variety, was recently certificated as
incurved, and a very handsome flower it is.
le florets certainly are not rounded at the tips,
iug somewhat pointed in fact, but the colour is
■ p that should be very serviceable — viz., bufl-
Uow. When finished it is a bloom of grand
pth. Another immense flower is Mme. Ferlat,
it out by Mons. E. Calvat. This is a pure
lite bloom, of capital substance .and great
'pth. This is also a verj- full flower,
th innumcral]le florets. A distinctly pretty
: t is Mrs. W. C. Egan, of true incurved
m, and of goodly proportions. The colour is
ry pleasing, being a pale shade of rosy pink
th a white centre, altogether a very promising
t. Mrs. N. Jlolyneux is another very large
.iljular flower, and as recently exhibited inclined
I be rough; there is little doubt, however, that
■th (jroper treatment this creamy- white flower
Jl be in great demand. Tlios. Singleton is
pther pearly-white bloom, edged a pretty
> pink, and although so far seen only in fair
a, there are great possibilities for it. It will
I be seen that in the course of another season
I whole character of the incurved tlisplays may be
bred, and many of the ))resent pretty medium-
blossoms be superseded l.iy those of more
Itentious riuality. C. .\. H.

'ellow sports from Chrysanthemum
le. Carnot. — This handsome variety has sported
II sorts of places. Last season when the yel-

sport first appeared in two difterent places
question was often asked. Are they one and the
10 variety ? After a trial this year there seems
[le doubt now that they are identical in form and
lolour too. In addition to the foregoing, there

evidently a third sport, as it is now generally

ierstood that the bloom of yellow Mme. Carnot

ch secured for Mr. Mease the prize for the jire-

Japanese bloom at the late exhibition of the

Itional Chrysanthemum Society was none other

than a sport in that grower's collection. During
the present season sports of a similar coloui- have
been heai-d of in dillcrent parts of thocounti'y.
and within the past few w'eeks a sport of the
same colour has been developing in my col-
lection of plants. This plant, together with
several others, was from cuttings taken from
a plant of Mme. Cainot, so that there is no
doubt about it, both the flowers of the sport
being a lovely soft pale yellow. This only em-
phasises the sporting propensity of the parent
variety, and it is pretty safe to assume that in
a short time we may secure other sports, which
carniot fail to be of immense service to growois
for exhibition. — D. B.

SHOUT yOTES.—CIfRYSANTnEMUMS.

ChTysanthemum. Madeline DaviB is a vpry
lovely and retinpd .lapanese flower, in build somewliat
like Pho'buy, but p's^essing longer florets, al-o nnjre
tapered than those seen in that variety. 'Die colour
is ))est described as silvery white, tinted tliroui;hout
witli pale violet and edged pa'e rosy violet. The habit
is dwarf and the constitution of the seedling plant
very robust. — D. B.

Chryfianthemum Mrs. John J. Glessner.
— I'liis is a new American variety of a pretty shatle of
colour, being a rich gulden yellow, tinted apricot.
The florets ar-^ rather Viroid, neatly incurving. Mi-.
Norman Davis thinks the fl iwer a very promising
one. It should make a capital exhibition variety, and,
being free flowering, should prove useful for decora-
tion. Unfortunately, the growth is rather tall, but
exhibitors will not consider this fact very seriously. —
D. ii.

Orchids.

CALANTHES.

Ix speaking of Calanthes one usually includes
only the epiphytal kinds, such as C. vestita and
the many choice varieties and hybrids related
thereto. Than these there are few more useful
winter-flowering Orchids, especially in country
districts where the blossoms como pure and
rich in colour, and do not suffer from the
efi'eets of the baneful fog so prevalent in the
metropolitan district and in the vicinity of
large towns generally. Tliey are well-known
and popular plants that may be grown in an
ordinary plant stove (|nite as well as in the
( trchid Iiouse proper, provided due attention is
given to cultural details. A light position, only
lightly screened from the sun's r.iys, nnist, if
possible, be allowed. Some cultivators, indeed,
grow the plants ahnost entirely without any
shading, but, unless very great care is taken
with the ventilation, especially during the
earlier ])art of the season, the foliage will be
ruined, and the whole .sy.stem of the plant
cheeked in consequence. There can be no
doidit, on the other hand, that the more sun-
light allowed, the more free - blooming will
the plants be, and the more -satisfactory in
every way. To heavily .shade the plants
from the lirst and allow too little air is
one of the commonest mistakes in the
culture of Calanthes. It is usual to repot the
bulbs in early spring just as growth comnicnces,
but as a matter of fact they may be repotted at
any time after the flowers are past. I have
never found the least advantage accrue to t!ie
plants by .starting the iiseiido-bidbs in Moss or
in very small ]iots, subsequently shifting into
the flowering size, or in any other of the ways
that some cultivators think necessary. If deal-
ing with any choice f)r rare kind, and one tliat
had Vreen closely propagated before reaching
me, I may endeavour to encourage it by a
little nursing treatment, but a good stock of
healthy, strong bulbs cannot be better managed
than by being placed at once in their flowering

]iots. These must be clean, and exceptional
care taken with the drain.-ige, for the rpiantity
of water requiied by thesi; plants is very con-
siderable, (iood siunnl fibrous loam. Sphagnum
Mo.ss roughly choiijicil, and ireat in ecpial ])ro-
portions will form the basis of the compost,
and to this may be added a little dried cow
m.anure in varying quantity according to the
iin.ility of the loam, and plenty of roughly
brid<en charcoal anil (lotsherds. Finish the
line of compost well Indow the rim of the
jiot, and the base of the iiseudo-bulbs nnist
be just below the compo.st, being held in
position by a few of the old roots which
may be left on for the purpose. One good
.so.aking of water may lie given to settle the soil
about the base of the bulbs, but after this the
compost .should be kept perfectly dry until
roots are forming. \Vhen tlie jrlants are ])otted
early this will be, perhaps, a month or more,
but if left until growth commences, it is not
long before root-action follows, when water
will be needed, sparingly at first, but in in-
creasing quantity as the roots get hold of the
.soil. Plenty of heat and a brisk, yet moist, at-
mosphere nuist now be maintained, then growth
will be rapid and clean. See that each plant
stands well clear of its neighbour, as it is im-
portant that air and light play with freedom
about the forming growths and foliage. When
thci-e is a good number of leaves and the
roots have t.aken liold of all the compost, a
little weak liipiid manure may be given once a
fortnight or oftener, according to the amount
of manure in the conqiost. This must not be
over-done, for tlie big [ilethoric bulbs produced
by over-feeding are by no means the most
satisfactory in the long run. The first
sign of the ap]iroaching flower - spikes is
seen in a whitish swelling at the side of
the bulbs, and when this is noticed the
leaves often commence to fade, and water
nurst be given in less quantities. Atmo.spheric
moisture is not now so necessary, but must not
be droi)ped too suddenly, as tlie more gradually
the foliage dies ofi' the better. All the time the
.spikes are forming take care the water does not
lodge in the cleft at the base of these, as it is
apt to cause and encourage the black rot, so
much feared by growers of Calanthes. Very
little moisture at the roots in fact is needed, for
these have almost fnltilled their functions by
this time, and the stored-u|) nutriment in the
bulbs keeps the spikes going. The most mis-
chievous practice connected with their culture
is placing them about in draughty corridors and
Iiassages in the house. IMany Orchids .stand
this treatment with little detriment, but it is
fatal to Calanthes. The pseudo-bulbs shimld
never be in a tem|)er.iture much below 55° if
good results are looked for ; they may not show
anything wrong at the time, but they are sm-e
to start weakly in conseipieiice. The mo; t
troublesome insect pest is brown scale, tliis
much art'ecting the lower side of the foliage and
the cdd Imlbs.

The treatment noted above is of cour.so not
suited to the veratrifolia and niasuca species
and varieties, but only to those above indicated.
The number of flne hybrids is now very large,
and anything like a full description would
take up far too much space for the present note,
but may be referred to later.

Phalaenopsis Schilleriana vestalis.— This,
the white form of P. Schilleriana, is exceedingly
rare. A fine plant, said to be the only one in the
country, was iicently noted in bloom in Sir F.
Wigan's collection at Clare Lawn, East Sheen.
The flowers are pure white, with the exception of
the basal halves of the lower sepals, which have
a very faint indication of light brown spots, a

458

THE GABDETT.

[December 11, 1897.

few yellowish-brown ones near the base of the
side lobes of the lip, and a yellow crest. It is a
chaste and lo\ely form. This unique variety was
named by the late Professor Reichenbach in 1882
from the collection of Messrs H. Low and Co., by
wliom it was introduced. — C.

Dendrobium Aspasia.— This handsome hy-
brid, raised in the collection of Messrs. J. Veitch
and Sons, first flowered in their Chelsea nurseries
in 1889, under the name of D. Wariliano-aureum.
It is the result of crossing; I). Wardianum with the
pollen of D. aureum. The sepals and petals are
creamy white tipped with light rose-purple, which is
more prominent on the petals. Thefrontlobeof tlie
lip has a broad area of creamy white tipped with
purple shading to crimson, with some orange on
the disc. It requires careful watering during the
resting season, to avoid undue shrinking of the
bulbs. Excess, on the other hand, will be liable
to cause the bulbs to decay at the base. — H. J. C.

Ornithooephalus grandiflorus.— This dis-
tinct and lovely species was recently noted in
flower in Messrs. .7. Veitch and Sons' nurseries at
Chelsea. The spikes, G to 8 inches or more in
length, are (iroduced from the axil of the last
made leaf. The sepals and petals are white, with
a bright green spot at the base, the lip white, with
a horse-shoe-shaped blotch in the centre. It is a
native of the Organ Mountains, of Brazil. It re-
quires a cool intermediate house, and succeeds
best when grown in pans suspended from the roof,
the potting compost consisting of good fibrous
peat and li\ing Sphagnum Moss in equal quan-
tities. It requires a liberal supply of moisture
during the growing season, and a fairly dry
atmosphere when at i-est. — Stblis.

Cirrhopetalum refractrum This is a re-
markable species. The flowers are produced on a
raceme 15 inches long when the plant is in a
deciduous state. The lower sepals are open in the
centre at the base for about half an inch, combin-
ing from this opening to the apex, the whole being
about 2j inches in length, pale greenish yellow, lon-
gitudinally lined with brown. The upper sepal is
about three-quarters of an inch long, pale green,
heavily suft'used with purple, with numerous
bristles on the edges. The petals are about half
the length of the upper sepal, covered with small
hairs, and similar in colour. The movable lip
has the appearance of a miniature spotted spider,
about half an inch in length, the colour being
yellow in front, shading to rich purple, and barred
with white. There are some twenty of these
flowers on the spike. It requires cool-house treat-
ment, placed in such a position that it can obtain
the maximum amount of light. A plant of this I
recenily noted in flower in the Cambridge Lodge
collection. — T.

Epiphronitis Veitchi. -- This lovely bi-
generic hybrid was raised in the nurseries of
Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons at Chelsea. It is the
result of crossing Sophronitis grandiflora with the
pollen of Epidendrura radicans. It first flowered
in 1890, and was exhibited at the meeting of the
Royal Horticultural Society on .Tune -!4 of that
year, when it received a tirst-class certificate.
Although the blooms were small when first shown,
as the plants ha\'e become stronger the flowers
have also increased in size. The character of the
blooms shows the influence of the ]jollen parent
in a remarkable degree both in shape and colour,
with the exception that the sep;Us and petals have
an additional diish of crhnson ; the Rat lip also
■has a larger amount of yellow on the disc and
numerous crimson spots. The flowers are pro-
duced from the apex of the growth. The growth
is similar to that of the Epidendrura parent ex-
cept in the height, which does not exceed l:i
inches. I find it remarkably free-growing and
of good constitution. It should be grown at the
moist end of a warm intermediate house and
placed in such a position tliat it can obtain the
maximum amount of light, shading only dur-
ing summer from the direct rays of the sun.
The potting material consists of fibrous peat and
living Sphagnum Moss in about equal quantities.
To increase the stock the growths may be cut off

after they have flowered, just below the roots,
which are produced at intervals up the stems.-
These should be placed in small pots, using living
Sphagnum Moss and rough sand as the potting
compost. They should then be placed in a warm
and moist position, and every encouragement
given to induce them to break into growth.—
Stklis.

Odontoglossum Krameri.— This pretty and
uncommon species is well worth growing on
account of its distinctness, and the colour is
unusual in the genus. The flower-spikes appear
in autumn, being now in good order in several
trade collections around London. From three to
four is the usual number of blossoms produced on
a spike, the sepals and petals rather short, bluntly
pointed, pale rosy ^ iolet in the middle, the mar-
gins very much lighter— nearly white, in fact. The
lip is rounded in front, also pale purple in colour,
the centre being bright golden yellow and having
brownish and white markings at the base. The
species takes its name from a (ierman collector.
Being found on the coast or near it, it is one of
tho.se kinds that advancing civilisation has almo.st
exterminated. A few plants are still sent home
from time to time, and among these have appeared
one or two well-marked varieties. Few Odonto-
glots require so much heat as this kind to do it
well, the warmer end of the Cattleya house suiting
it well if rightly treated in other ways. It used
to grow well with me in an ordinary plant stove
under a Stephanotis, and this broken light appears
to suit it better than either heavy shade or a
glaring light. Small baskets or pans may be
used, as these are more easily suspended, and in
this position air plays more freely around growth
and roots. With regard to atmospheric and root
moisture, these must be nicely balanced : the more
there is in the atmosphere, the less will be required
at the roots. But while growth is active it will
be found that a liberal sujjply is necessary to the
latter, and during the blooming season it is well
to be sure of plenty of moisture, owing to the dry
atmosphere of the flowering house. When the
plants are quite at rest very little will be needed,
but at no time must the pseudo-bulbs be allowed
to shrivel, or the jflants will be badly weakened.
The compost may consist of the usual peat and
Sphagnum mixture, not a great thickness of this
being used. — H. R.

ODONTOGLOSSUM CERVANTESL
There are few more beautiful species in the genus
than this, although the flowers are not so large
and showy as those of some others. The pseudo-
bulbs are roundish, small, and deep green, the
flowers proceeding from the sides of these on three
to six flowered spikes. In the typical form these
are white on the sepals and petals with a few
streaks of reddish-lirown at the base of each.
There are many varieties, the best perhaps being
0. C. decorum, 0. C. punctatissimum, and 0. C.
roseum. The first has large and handsome
flowers, the streaks on the segment being purple ;
(junctatissimum and roseum are suthciently
descriptive. The culture of all these is similar,
and deiiendsa good deal more U]ion timely atten-
tion to small details than any jH'escribed mode.
All these small growing plants cannot do with
a dry or draughty atmos|)here ; it is apt to cheek
them and is conducive to insect pests. What 0.
Cervantesi likes is a moist and cool atmosphere all
the year round, with a free circulation of air on all
possible occasions. It is quite a mistake to throw
the house widely open in very hot, dry weather,
when the outside temperature is above what it
should be inside. At this time of year it
is better to air very freely early "in the
mornings, and later on lower the blinds and
keep the house somewhat clo.se. At night, too,
the house may be freely \-entilated and the floors
and stages well damped the last thing at night.
This often causes a dew to fall upon the leaves
which will be found on them in the morning, and
this without a doubt is a good deal like the condi-
tions that obtain in their native habitat. Durinc
winter the plants should hang as close to the glass

as possible, owing to their liking for light, and
the roof glass must be kept clean. They are besi
grown in small pans or baskets well drained ant
in the usual mixture of peat and Moss. Thii
should be placed firmly about the roots with .
dibber, the base of the pseudo-bulbs just restins
on the cone of compost. Frequent disturbance i
unnecessary and harmful, leading to deterioratioi
in the size of the bulbs and weak flower-spikes. I
is wise to be on the look-out and place a little nev,
material whenever any slight loosening of tb
bidbs is noticed, for a plant cannot be health'
when swinging by the roots. This and carefii
watering will keep the plants in health for severs
seasons without much disturbance, but when thi
is seen to be required it should be set about
once, for it is much easier to get these smi
growers into bad condition than to restore thi
to health. 0. Cerxantesi was named after
Mexican professor of botany by its discoverer,
was not introduced to British gardens until 184'

Rodriguezia planifolia. — This is a prettj
little plant I noted in flower this week, not unlill
R. secunda, but rather difl'erent in habit ani
having blossoms of a rosy crimson shade. Theil
are produced verj' freely on short side-spikes, anl
though small individually, make a pretty shovl
Not being a ^'ery vigorous plant, it may be givel
small pots or pans or even blocks, provided th(l
are well looked after as regards moisture, but ■
any ease about an inch of compost over go
drainage is ample. — R.

Cypripedium polystigmaticum. — This fi
hybrid I noticed in flower during the week. It
a cross between C. Spicerianum and C. venustui
and shows a good deal of the former fine speci
in form and colour. The dorsal sepal is whitis
with the line as seen in Spicerianum and a pi
plish venation. The sepals are greenish at t
base, with small black dots, shading to reddi
brown and jiurple, the lip being rather pointe
brownish, with a yellowish tinge in front. It i;
free grower, thriving well in an intermediate hou
— H. R.

Masdevallia Davisi.— In its best forms tl
species takes rank with the finest of garden (
ehids, the rich orange-yellow being very unusi
in the genus. The plant is of tufted habit, li
M. Harryana and the leaves are each abo
6 inches in length. Each flower measures neai
2 inches across, and when several are open on t
same plant they make a fine displaj-. Its habitat
high up on the mountains in Peru, whence it w
introduced in 1873 by Messrs. Veitch, and nam
after their collector who found it. It thrivi
under cultivation in a cool, shady house durii
the summer. I

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Cypripedium Trianowekyanum.— TMsi

free, strong -growing Cypripedium and a \ery t
flower. It is the result of crossing a good variety *
C. insigne, possibly Cliantini, with V. fo, and mi
resembles tbo former species in .shape. The dor
sepal is broad atd handsome, tlie long wavy pet
bright purplish rose with hairy edges, the pon
brownish-purple, the whole flower glossy and sliiuiu

Zygopetalum Mackayi.— I noticed somo v(
fine spikes of this plant in one of the groups at 1'
Bury St. Edmunds show recently. It is a useful frcj
flowering o'.d plant of which many fine specime,
exist up and down the country, not so much in plaij
noted for Orchids as in old-fashioned colleclions
stove plants. It tnrives well under stove treatmenta
should be grown by all who require choice floiveri
winter. — H.

Miltonia Roezli albi. — This is a very chaij
and beautiful Orchid, the jellow centre enhancing tj
beauty of tlie white, nearly all pure white species
varieties baviug rather a dead look about the
Specimens that produce a dozen or so of the. o flowi
are very handsome. Such an one I noticed t
week. M. Roezli and its variety require more ht
than M. vexillaria, and should be grown in mediu
S'zed pots in a good substantial compost. — R.

s

!rn,

1Cbb,[

i'.-

I

Decembkr II, l.S'J7.|

THE CAiiDKX.

459

C( )TTAGE CARDKNS.

iiin.iu tlio beauties of ninil Engliiiul are
uiUiy ami diverse, there are few that atlord

ueh sensr nf pleasure ami restfulness as a
jiictiu'csiiLie eottage garden. There is ni) strain-
ing after ett'eet, no undue exactitude in the eoni-
|)()sitiiin (if these little ])liits that come u|)(in one
icci<k'ntally, as come all the sweet surprises iif
life, on rounding a turn hi the village road.
Some of them are very small, for beauty is not

vnonynious with size ; but one sees at a glance
iii.it the owners love their tiowers. Love and a

it tie labour are all that the cottager has to
^ivo ; l)ut, as with the widow's mite, the work

if his ottering is not to be measured by its in-
trinsic value, and the flowers themselves evi-

leiitly appreciate this fact, repaying the labourer
who, after a long day's work, mounts the ricketty

porch, festooning the white-washed walls and
thatched eaves, or clambering up the gable to
the very chiuniey.

One of the chief charms of the beautiful pic-
tures all'orded by some cottage g.artleiis is that
the details are few. No exteiuled .system of
heds .stocked with multitudinous varieties of
(ilants, evidencing the care of a well-trained
staff of gardeners, but a few tiowers, sometimes
only one or two sorts, growing unrestraitiedly,
and as if planted by Nature.

In one garden a large Apple tree in bloom
stands before tlie porch. Hc^neatli the tree a
wide bank of jiurple Iris is blossoming ; the
effect is perfect ; nothing more is wanted.
Here, in the time of the Koscs, " It hastes, it
wa.stes, the month of the Roses." The walls
are covered with the tiowers and buds of Reve
d'Or and Maiden's Blush, while a great bush

|ianulas tlirow up I ill s])ikes of flower between
the Myrtle bushes.

As I write, a recolUi-tion comes of ;i still
evening in early summer after a day's rain. The
sky was clear of clouds, and tlie sun sending
level rays between the tree trunks as I leant
over the gate of a cottage garden whose pro-
prietor had gone away for the d.ay. The moist
air was full of the scent of double Rockets and
Sweet Brier, on the leaves of whicli the rain-
drops still glittered. The martins were flying
to and from their nests beneath the eaves, the
cuckoo calling in the orchard below, and the
thrushes singing from the Elm tops, it is only
on occasions such as this, few and far between
in the rush of the present day, that the jiresence
of the Soul of the World becomes an assurance.

In these times the decadence of thatch as a
rooting material is so marked that it is a difficult

A Devunakire cottage and garden. From a photograph by Mr. S. W. Fitzherherf, Torquay.

adder to nail in the .shoots of his climbing Rose,
iiul the old dame who, with the help of her
ittle grandson, waters the Pansies from the
■racked earthenware jug with no niggard hand.
To liis credit, be it said, it is mostly the old-
ashiiined tiowers that the cottager afi'ects. The
■Id Crimson Clove, with its ab.soUitely satisfying
•cent, often grows there with a luxuriance and
lariline.ss unknown in the spacious parterres of
lie wealthy. The white Lily, the emblem of
purity, the Lily of the Madonna and of the
nnunci.ation — -

The wand-like Lily that lifted up

Like a Maena'J its moonlight-coloured cup,

iserves the perfection of her beauty for the
idens of the poor, wdiile the Rose never
ems so happy as when garlanding a cottage

of the old Cabbage Rose by the gate greets the
wayfarer with its jierfume. Here a Marochal
Niel |iroduces year by year its splendid golden
blooms. Here one .side of a cottage is wreathed
with odorous .lasmine. a mauve Clematis thread-
ing the thick growth, in which the spotted fly-
catches have made their nest, mingling its blue
stars with the white clusters of the Jasmine
flowers. In this garden a giant Lyre flower
(Dicentra spectaljilis) grows, a good 5 feet
through, a model of .symmetry, its long racemes
of rosy hearts (the Bleeding Heart, the cottagers
call it) swaying with every breeze. In another
a W'istariit raiubles up to the latticed windows,
and the white Pink>-: that edge the ])ath from
porch to wicket fill the days with fragrance,
wdiile clumps of Campanula grandis, both purple
and white, and, later on, the Chimney Cam-

matter to find a cottage roof wliere slates or tiles
have not replaced reed, but the subject of the
accompanying illustration lies in a village which,
though but ten minutes' walk from the .station
whei-e the London express stops, is untouched
by innovation. The old thatched cottages, in
their setting of Elm trees and orchards, stand
back at different angles and distances from tile
winding road, each with its little garden and its
speciality of flowers, while in the spring tlie
valley is filled with, the fugitive beauty of Lilac,
Liiburnum and pink Thorn. .S. W. F.

Torquay.

A new way of watering avenue trees. —

■We have recently seen at Hcrlin the trees planted
on the new boulevards and avenues growing
vigorously and, apparently, well attended to.

4G0

THE GARDEN.

^December 11, 1897.

With the exception of the celebrated Lime trees
of the old promenade Unter den liinden, where
the ijround in the centre has never been renewed
iind where nothing is done beyonfl replacing dead
trees from time to time, the trees under muni-
cipal control are well looked after. These trees
do not shed their leaves so soon as the trees at
Paris, the mean temperature in summer being
lower at Berlin than it is with us. All the side
"alks are not composed of impervious asphalt,
but many of them are made with a road metal
which allows the rain water to sink through its
interstices. Besides the waterings whicli are
given in the basins liollowed out at the foot of the
trees, as at Paris, tlie following plan, which ap-
pears very suitable for large towns, has been
devised : Around each tree and at some distance
from the base of the stem small well-like excava-
tions are made, and the inside of each is lined
with earthen tiles, the sides of which are perfo-
rated with holes. These tiles are set vertically,
their ends being closed with plates of cast-iron
like those used for stopping up the ends of water
pipes or gas pipes. When the tree is to be
watered, the well-like excavations are filled and
the M'ater is thus distributed exactly on the out-
side of the circle, where the rootlets of the tree
occur. In this way a saving of water and of
labour is effected. — Bente Horticote.

Flower Garden.

WATER LILIES.

The appreciative note from Mr. Greenwood
Pirn respecting these lovely flowers, particularly
his request for the experience of others with the
\ arieties of N. odorata and the liylirids raised
from them, has induced me to pen a note re the
family in general, and combine therewith the
results of my observation.

In the early part of 189() I was favoured by
the publication in The Garden of a few some-
what empliatic notes regarding what I concluded
to be essential conditions for success witli these
Lilies, although the primary object of those
notes was an endeavour to point out the falla-
cious ideas existing that Nymjjhiuas would thrive
anyhow and anywhere in water. I do not
remember on what date these notes apjjeared
in The G-iRnEN, but I recollect tlie circum-
stance that they followed immediately after Mr.
Greenwood Pirn's eulogistic account of his first
experience of the hardy members of the geinis.
Perhaps it may interest to repeat the opinions
expressed respecting these varieties of N.
odorata and the hybrids witli an infusion of
odorata "blood," and to recapitulate the prin-
cipal points of those notes.

In the summer of 18'.)4 I planted and flowered
what I thought was at tlie time a comparatively
unknown hybrid in N. o. caroliniana, and, per-
sonally, considering it amongst some two dozen
species, varieties, and hybrids of Nyiuphiea and
Nupliar, to be the most beautiful I had flowered,
I endeavoured to draw attention to it in tlie
notes I forwarded, adding to my opinion of its
beauty the provision that it required additional
seasonable warmth which I believed absolutely
neces.sary for all the varieties of N. odorata.

Probably a description of the conditions
under whicli these Nymphjeas were grown will
afford a better idea of liow varying were the cir-
cumstances conducive to their welfare ; first,
an open pond some 9 feet below ground level,
made by enlarging and dredging a disused gravel
pit. This pond, some 50 yards by 10 to 15
yards, had a level of water which was constantly
fluctuating, owing to percolation through its
gi-avel bed of the outer river water ; conse-
quently, owing to this subterranean circulation,
the temperature of the water supply was always

varying. In this various native aquatics were
more or less at home, particularly, on the sunny
side, N. alba. The Cape Pondweed thrived sur-
prisingly, but our native species of Villarsia, col-
lected by myself in its Thames home from 9 feet
depth of water, was never in such happy condition
as in the river bay where it was luxuriant. In this
jiond I planted eight or nine divisions from my
first plant of N. BI. Chromatella, liut they were
scarcely recognisable compared with the original
in position — No. 2. My first plants of the
finer and less common aquatics were accommo-
dated in an open break of water between a
somewhat elongated concreted bog bed, the
water supply of which was utilised for the work-
ing of a very small spray fountain. In this, N.
Oliromatella grew magnificently. N. alba, sent
to me as N. Candida, flowered jirofusely, and its
seedlings ajipeared literally liy hundreds in its
second season. N. odorata never seemed to
thrive at all ; its variety rosea grew well, but
never flowered, and tlie same may be said of N.
o. sulphui-ea. The Pickerel weed, planted
nmnd the l>ase of the fountain, grew rampantly,
likewise our native Bladderwort, Villarsia,
Water Soldier, and Frogbit ; but one thing I
could not fail to notice was that the longer time
the fountain was stopped — although its capacity
was less than three gallons per minute — the
better tliese aquatics seemed to thrive, and this
circumstance led me to infer that higher tem-
peratures were necessary for some of these
plants, Nymphfeas in particular. With the
object of obtaining this essential, a third tank
was made. This tank, aboat (iO feet in length )iy
from VI feet to Ki feet in width, was made in a
position assuring the power of every ray of sun-
shine, a position where, on the northern .side,
shelter — a great help to good results — wasafl'orded
by tall conifers and a lO-feet wall not far
behind them. (_)n the bottom of the tank, from
1 foot to 1| feet of turf with a small quantity
of manure added was placed, whicli allowed
when the tank was full from IJ feet to 2 feet of
water above the crown of the plants. In this
provision tliere was nothing different from that
adopted in the first planting, except, probably,
slightly more shelter, but in the subsequent
treatment of these Lilies I believe I found that
which may account for the vast improvenient
tliey made, and in which also Mr. Greenwood Pim
may discover the reason why the odorata section
in particular fails. I do not wish to leave an
impression that the treatment I adopted will so
alter the nature of some of these varieties and
hybrids tliat tliey will vie with such as Chro-
matella, Laydekeri rosea, pygm:ea and its ofl-
spring, Helvola, in freedom of flowering. It
would be unwise to do so, recognising the fact
that some of tlie species are not profuse in
flower, and that a transfusion of blood of two
species of similar character, although producing
a variety of coloration, may not always be con-
ducive to a prolongation of the flowering of
their offspring.

If I remember rightly, I planted directly into
the soil some fourteen different kinds, maybe
one or two in duplicate, in this tank, and after
allowing them to start in about a foot of water
the tank was filled to its utmost capacity, and
during the whole of that, a roasting, summer
the only additional water which was allowed
intentionally to enter the tank was admitted
with the sole object of replacing that evaporated
Ijy solar heat ; moreover, this fresh addition
was always thoroughly sun-warmed before its
admission from tank No. 2, on a somewhat
higher level. It is obvious from this that my
object was the retention of all possible warmth
by excluding water of a much lower tempera-
ture than that contained therein, and how far

con-

I succeeded may be judged from the fact that,
although I never made a record of the tempera-
ture, tliere were days during which the upper
portion of the water was positively hot, a con-
dition which would have been impossible to
obtain with a current of colder water
stantly flowing through.

Now, as to the growtli of the particular
Nymphieas which had failed in tank No. 2, I
moved N. o. rosea and sulphurea into this new
position, where, without the occasi<inal playing
of so small a fountain, before the summer was
past sulphurea was almost as robust in foliage
as Chromatella and had flowered profusely.
Rosea, too, had grown amazingly in comparison
with what it had done, and surprised me with
the number of flowers it bore. Marliao's
selected suljihurea variety grandiflora bore the:
largest Nynijihiea flower I have seen in its first
season in this tank, where the massive yet
beai'tiful flowers of carnea, albida, and rosea
were revelations in water garden progress,
Chromatella did not equal in its first season
the original plant under the other conditions.
N. o. rubra and excpiisita, very small when
received, made fine plants and flowered well
before the arrival of cooler weather ; while the'
almost crimson Laydekeri rosea, pygniiea, and
p. Helvola surprised with the profusion of their
flowers, and under these conditions N. caro-
liniana impressed nie as the prettiest Lily of
them all.

It may seem strange there were two plants
of the rose variety of N. alba included in the
planting of this collection, which, much
they might be acceptable owing to their price
and comparative rarity, were by myself greatly
begrudged the room they occupied, lacking, as
they did, any claim as water garden ornaments :
yet I am convinced tliat, altliough heat is an
essential in the growth of some, these particulan
varieties would have displayed tlieir charac-
teristics more fully in cooler cpiarters. Thej
would have been more at home in association
with the typical N. alba. As to the

Hardines.s
of these Lilies, there can, in my mind, be no?
doubt if this warmth in season is afforded'
them, or if something like a steady water tem-
perature is aimed at, for I believe there is
something in this conducive to what I may term'
a ripening process in their particular way. If we
recognise sucli a condition of growth in vegeta-
tion on terra firma, why not in aquatic life?
though I confess it difficult indeed to say whether
some of these hybrids rest at all during a mild
winter, How^ever, the fact remains that Mr.
Greenwood Pim tells us of the failure of odorata
vars. to survive in water constantly agitated and,
I infer, fluctuating in warmth. For my own
jjart, so far from chronicling a loss, I can say
that I could ha\-e stocked three or four more-
tanks with divisions of these plants the second
season after jilanting with the exception of Lay-
dekeri rosea and pygni;ea, whicli, as is well
known to cultivators, are not prolific in .-ifford-
ing offsets. Tlie only lo.ss I can record was the
non-survival of N, odorata, which I left in tank
No, 2 during the frost of 1895, and, by the way,
masses of Pickerel weed were killeil in the same
place, but not a iilant was injured in the jilacei
where these Lilies were also untouched. N.
pygmtea, N. sulphurea and N Chromatella I
have had frozen into, as one might say, solid
blocks, not by design, and I could not see-thiti
they were affected.

It has been niy experience to see these Nym-
p!i;eas in every conceivable condition, tlu-iving
in sunken tubs, languishing in running streams,
and I have seen the survivors of a small collec-
tion which were thrown into sometliing vei^

I

])l!CEMBER 11, 1897.]

THE CAIIDEN.

4G1

kc a wi;Il, liiit, 1 c.ui honestly say that nothiui;

ivo hotter results than the "dead" water
Ivsteni, nut even the protection of a tropieal

. ii-^e, as at Kew.
Mthough circumstances have placed nie in,

.. use a i)arliaiuentary formula, "another

il.ice,'' and 1 am not in contact with these lovely
(jilics, 1 shall always be pleased, believing as 1
lo in the possibilities of a future water garden,

• advise t'leir cultivation and to deprecate the
iK',1, that a(iuatics require to be deluged or, as

liave observed, planted under an arboreal um-
|)rella. J. Blf.nkinsoi-.

' Wateriixjiniri/, Kent.

CONTINKNTAL NOVELTIES.

\\ . Krnst Benakv includes among his novel-
iis the following, descriptions and illustrations
if w lucli we herewitli give from his catalogue : —
l;Ki'T<)svxK Stillmaxi (Asa Gray). — This
irautiful t'alifornian annual comes from the
^K■rra Nevada where it (seed of which has not
iitlierto been oti'ered) grows at a height of from

Augclonid grandifiora alha.

feet to (iOOO feet. With graceful thinly-
foliage and growing about 1 foot high, the
t of the plant is bushy and compact, and
of the numerous ilower-stems is crowned
nEli asplendid golden-yellow blossom, of elegant
liape and over 1 .^ inches in diameter, which re-
uains live to si.K weeks in full beauty. A
liaracteristic of this Leptosyne is that it blooms
roin four to five weeks after sowing, surpassing
u this rcs])ect almost every other annual. It
s best to sow in the open air in sandy ground
u a sunny situ.ation. This tine Leptosyne will
"• found excellent for cutting and making strik-
nu' groups.
AIvosoTis I'ALrsTRis ToM Thumb. — This is

(uite a pigmy form of the widely known Marsli
'orget-me-not, the [dants forming little tufts,
Jike S[iergula pilifera, fi-om whence springs
|u abundance of delicate sky-blue flowers. It

comes tnie from seed, l)looms uninterrupteilly
from May until frost comes, and is admirably
ada])tcd both for borders and for pots.

Anoki.onia ckandikloka Ai.iiA.- The type is
a graceful sweet-scented greenhouse plant and
bears lil;ic flowers, which ajipear the same sea-
son as the seed is sown. The white variety is
far more beautiful than the type, its extremely
numerous pure white flowers standing out in
handsi>me contrast with the elegant dark green
lanceolate foliage. 'I'his beavitiful new ])hint is
especially adapted for I'ooni or conservatory
decoration, being a good winter bloomer, and
it also makes a charming ornament for the
table.

Cactus Dahlias. — In The (Jardex for Novem-
ber 20 (p. 401) W. E. Endicott writes as to con-
fusion caused in America by the tendency of
exhibitors regarding the decorative Dahlias as
Cactus varieties. As he is anxious to remedy
this condition of things, he inquires for a list of
true Cactus Dahlias. The following is a, list of
true Cactus Dahlias drawn up for 1S!I7. As so
many new varieties are sent out e\ery year, this
list will be subject to annual revision : Annie
.Jones, Apollo, Beatrice, Beauty of Arundel,
Beauty of Wilts, Bertha ilawdey, Blanche Keith,
Charles W'oodliridge, Countess of Gosford, Cycle,
Delicata, Earl ot Pembroke, Ernest Cannell,
Fantasy, Fusilier, (iloriosa, Harmony, Henry
Stredwick, lona, Irene Cannell, .J. E. Frewer,
.Tuarczi, Kaiserin, Keynes' White, Lady Penzance,
Mary Hillier, Matchless, Mayor Haskins, May
Pictor, Miss A. Nightingale, Mrs. A. Beck, Mrs.
A. Peart, Mrs. Barnes, Mis. Francis Fell, Mrs.
(4ordon Sloane, Mrs. H. Cannell, Mrs. Leopold
Se3'mour, Mrs. Montefiore, Jlrs. Wilson Noble,
Professor Baldwin, Purple Prince, Robert Cannell,
Pvoyal George, Startisli and Violet Morgan. —
C. F. Keei'.

Imported Lilium auratum.— Immense num-
bers of the golden-rayed Lily reach this country
from .lapan. The earlier importations if sound
realise, as a rule, good prices, but as a set-ofl' to
this must be taken into consideration the fact that
the attempt to get them here early sometimes
results in the loss of a considerable number, it not
tlie whole of the importation. This year a large
quantity was .announced for sale on November 10,
but upon o]iening them it was found that they
were in too bad a state to ofl'er. .Such being the
case, the importation disjiosed of on November .30
must be considered as the first of this season.
The bulbs taken altogether w-ere in a very satis-
factory state. In a general way, however, the
earliest liulbs are not the best, doubtless owing to
the fact that thej- are not allowed to ripen
thoroughly before packing. Such being the case,
although an advocate of the early potting or
planting of Lilies, I feel sure that of those im-
ported from .Japan the bulbs obtained about
Christmas are likely to prove more satisfactory
than the earlier ones. — H. P.

Solidag'O virg'aurea nana. — This is mentioned
on page 453, and it fully deserves the favourable
notice there taken of it. It is sometimes ofl'ered in
catalogues with the addition of compacta, which
is, though true, superfluous. It must not, how-
ever, be confused with the H. virgaurea var. cam-
brica. I have collected dwarf specimens on ledges
of rock high on the mountains of North Wales,
which in cultivation either exalt their stature or
jjroduce seed which does so, and I have been
douljtful whether these have reall_\' been var. cam-
brica, thou<;h that variety is .said in JSowcrby to
grow on ledges of rock on mountains in North
Wales. What I belie\e to be the true var. cam-
brica grows abundantly in the valley of the Lledr,
near Bettws-y-coed, and has been sent to me from
there by Mr. Bu.xton, Bettws. It is, however, not
oidy less dwarf than var. nana ot gardens, liut
})ears its flowers ratlier in spikes than in panicles.
The var. nana came to me at least twenty j'ears
ago — I think from Mr. Harpur-Crewe — under the
name of Cineraria alpiria, and I soon found it to

be a valuable rock plant, though the name was
corrected for me on the best authority. It difl'ers
from var. camlirica in iieing never more than
li inches high, in flowering very early, beginning
in -May, in having a broadly-branched panicle,
very full of flower, ami in coming quite true from
seed. It is one of the best of plants for alpine
rockeries. I may add that it hardly increases its
stature even in a border of rich soil, but becomes
more leafy and less flower}-. — C. Wor.i.EV - D(M>,
h'</!/' Hull, MfUpa-s.

FLOWER GARDEN NOTES.

Pr.AXTiNc: UERi!A(Eoi-s isoRDERs. — The Ijest way
to plant borders of hardy flowers, that is on a
large scale, when the object is to provide a

Myosotis palustris Tom Tlairah.

general mixture of things, has often been dis-
cussed in The (Jakdex, but it may not lie out of
place to offer a few remarks on the subject at the
present time when in the majority of places any
such work that has been contemplated will doubt-
less be in full swing. I note above in the majority
of places, because there are objections, and natur-
ally as an outcome exceptions, to autumn plant-
ing, notably on stiff, heavy land where it is pre-

; ^^

mM^

Leptosyne Stillmani.

ferablo to incorporate a goodly proportion of
lighter material with the natural soil and turn it
uj), leaving it in the rough to be pulverised by
frost, planting as early in the new year as the
ground is workable. Here, on the other hand,
with a light soil and sand not far from the sur-

462

THE GARDEI^.

[December 11, 1897.

face, 1 find autumn planting much the best, a
racogifised rule also being to plant firmly and to
mulch at once and heavily. The desiraljility of
any regular edging of flowers v.'ill depend en the
natural edgin'g of the border ; if it is grass,
nothing more is required, and the respective
clumps of dwarf plants can come down to the
same. If, however, the borders are in tlie
kitchen garden and the walks are edged
M'ith tiles or material of a similar nature,
then I think a live edging just inside the
tiles is advisable, and have personally used
for the purpose the old double Chamomile, the
green and silvery Sedums, and the two forms of
Ajuga reptan.s, from all of which spring in the
early season masses of Crocus in diflerent shades.
The only objection to a dense edging of this
description is that weeds are troublesome, but a
good cleaning twice a year in late autumn and
spring is generally sufficient to keep them under.
If the borders are of good size, say 7 feet or 8 feet
across, the several clumps can be large enough to
show ofi' the different plants to the best advan-
tage, 4 feet in length by '2 feet 6 inches in de|jth
being a very good size. Carnations, I'inks,
dwarf Campanulas, Veronicas, Tufted Pansies,
lljerises, and Linums are among the plants that
■ an be utihsed to form the first set of clumps,
remembering that if a good display is the prin-
cipal consideration, well-known plants that can be
depended on to give a mass of bloom and to lasc
out well alike in flower and foliage are preferable
to others that may be more rare, but that either
do not flower so freely or that are comparatively
short-lived, whilst with the same end in view the
]ilanting should be fairly close rather than thin.
Objection is sometimes raised to planting bulbs on
such borders, but 1 think occasional clumps
of early-blooming things should be admitted,
as they help to make the border bright
when other flowers are scarce. They should lie
planted deeply, and a batch of some dwarf
annual, as, for instance, Portulaca, raised to
plant on the surface when the bulb foliage Is
gone. The number of species available for selec-
tion for the central part of borders, those for
instance that range from '2 feet to 4 feet in height,
is so large, that it is imiiossible to enumerate them
all. A few indispensable are the dwarfer Phloxes,
Pyrethrums, Pentstemons, Lobelias, some varie-
ties of Lupins, Lychnis, Coreopsis, the dwarfer
Starworts, and others, the selection, it «ill be
seen, being based on the same principles as for
the dwarfer subjects, and the clumps may be of
tlie same size, or perhaps a trifle larger. The
inclusion of such moisture-loving plants as Spi-
rtjas, Irises, TrolUuses, and the like will depend
entirely on soil and situation. They are nothing
like so satisfactory with me on the open border
as in a damp, partially-shaded place, nor does
extra attention in the way of a stiffer comiiost
with heavier mulchings benefit them to the extent
required. A little care is necessary in the forma-
tion of the central portion of the border to see
that these clumps are in keeping with the dwarfer
subjects immediately in front of them and the
taller that are to come behind, also to distribute
the various flowering seasons well — that is not to
group se\-eral species or \arieties of the same
flowering season in close proximity, or the result
\\ ill be occasional big gaps in the otherwise con-
tinuous show of flower.

In case of acquiring occasional plants that are
cpiite or nearly — at any rate, so far as the herba-
ceous border is concerned — the sole representa-
tives of a species, put them on some small, snug
border that has been specially prepared for them
until the stock can be increased — such things,
for instance, as Stokesia cyanea, Romneya Coul-
teri, Senecio pulcher, and Tiarella cordifolia. No
difficulty is ever found in providing for the back
of borders, the many varieties of Starworts and
Helianthus, together with Solidago, the varieties
of Chrysanthemum maximum, and similar things
furnishing a ])lentiful supply ; it is well, however,
to give the reminder that with the number avail-
able the best things should be selected to the ex-
clusion of rubbish. In connection with all the

species named for different positions, it is gratify-
ing to note the ease and rapidity with which they
can be increased either by cuttings, layers, or
division, and this is a point worth remembering
when planting on a large scale is contemplated,
especially if a start is being made with hardy
flowers and everything has to be purchased.
Under these circumstances I have heard the re-
mark on more than one occasion, "We had no
idea that a collection of hardy plants would cost
.so much." The remedy, as indicated above, is
easy to find. Planters should anticipate their
wants, and, instead of purchasing plants to
fill large borders throughout, should acquire in
the previous season something like one-tenth the
quantity of each particular species or variety re-
tpiired, plant them in .some well-prepared border,
look after them thoroughly well, and, from the
time Carnation layers and Pink pipings or layers
are ready, be busy propagating. It is astonishing
the amount of plants one can obtain in a season
in this waj', all, too, without protection in the
way of glass or cost in fuel, save, perhaps, a cold
frame and a few mats to keep out frost. The
greater part thus obtained may not be ready for
planting until the following spring, but it will be
good stufl', flowering well the first year.

Claremont. E. Burrell.

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.
Pyrethrum uliginosum. — Referring to
".T. C. B.'s" remarks (p. 400), he takes quite a
wrong view of what I said about this coarse-
growing plant, and for once I must reply by way
of argument. We ail know about the vigorous
habit of the plant ; indeed, it may be said to be a
plant that will grow anywhere. Further, my re-
marks implied that the very vigour of the plant
was the cause of the want of flowers— good flowers
— which was the one and almost only point of my
note. If "J. C. B." will read my note again, he
may find out his error, for obviously no one who
has grown the plant could ever write about the
want of root vigour of this plant. I scarcely need
say that my notes are written with the assump-
tion that (iARDEX readers know ordinary plants
and their habits : hence it was not needful
to mention the habit of this plant only in
relation to the fact of occasional failure of its
usual fine late crop of flowers.

Polyg'Oiiuin spliserostachyuin. — It m.ay be
to the advantage of this plant, and I feel sure of
some interest, to give my experience of this rare
and lovely Knotweed. Whilst I know many have
failed to keep it, perhaps more have failed to
grow and flower it well for a number of years in
succession, i.e., the same individual. Here it
flourishes year after 3'ear, seeds well — well in the
sense that it germinates freely when sown in pans
— so that I am never without plenty of it. Far
be it from me to claim any special skill, but
to make this note practical I give also the
conditions under which it thrives. Almost
the whole secret, if it is one, is told when it
is said that here it is treated as a bog plant ; the
soil loose and springy. A sunny place I think in
coimection with a damp root run is to its advan-
tage. Three-year-old plants flower all the sum-
mer. I find, however, that the earlier flowers
yield but little or indift'erent seed, and I never
collect it now, but depend on the midsummer
flowers. Seed, well ripened and sown at once,
often germinates in the autumn. That, however,
is inconvenient if one cannot grow the plants on,
which implies housing the pans. So I now take
the spike entire and leave the seeds in the husks,
so as not to get scorched when placed in the sun-
shine. This plan, I ha\-e fancied, retards germina-
tion, as well from the mere lapse of time as by the
harder ripening of the bulky seeds. I consider
this of some importance, because when you have
got what seems to be, and really is, a lot of good
seed, if it cannot be grown before winter into
what I may term a perfect (if small) ]jlant, it
simply dies. What I mean by a perfect plant is
a plant so much and timely grown, that you get
the tuberous development of the root in which to

carry the life germ through the winter. I tool
the iiint as to the preferences of this plant frou
the behaviour of my original plant of ten or mpn
years ago. With all plants the knobby root
grow long or somewhat rhizomatose in the fort
of a turned-up pot-hook or the letter J, th
shorter turned-up limb being the thicker an<
sprouting point, and in time 1 have seen th
longer upper point rise above tlie surface in a.
attenuated condition. This habit suggested t
my mind that the plant loved a moist, bn
rich vegetable soil and to dwell near &(
surface, and I am now quite sure moisture am
humus suit it, and that an annual mulch of rottei
leaves may induce it to get stronger year by yeai "
I may also add tliat I have propagated by root
division. This I did before I found I could rel
on good seed every year. My plan was to bar
the root-stock of the stronger specimen, which
then grew in the gutter of a bed on grass
Several cuts half way through the rhizomes wer
made on the under side about June, the ao;iB
was replaced, and by the following spring 'tbH*^
sections were found to have each an eye or breafel* '
At that time they were broken asunder ani
]ilanted separately, and with the summer befor
them they furnished me with my first batch O;
stock. This plant flovvers with me from June fa
November — at least it has done so this season.

Polyg'onuni amplexicaule. — The Rev.
^^'olley-l)od states this is, I think, almost as
in colour as the above rarer species, the spil
being bigger and rather more lax, and vuitil a te'
days ago it was abundantly in flower, havin
been so from .luly. It is the habit of this specit
that makes it so unfit for the more conspicuou
border, and yet you cannot easily find more usefi
material for cutting. The carmine-red in itsel
is at once effective, pleasing, and unconmiov
the spiky form of the flowers fits them so well fc
vase work. It is one of the most telling thing
for the Michaelmas season. Unfortunately,
very different plant often does duty for it in tradi
lists, a tall plant with very late white flowers,
have experienced these errors with both honn
and foreign nurseries. J. Wood.

Wooilrilte, Kirkstall.

NOVEMBER IN THE GARDEN.

To- DAY has come the first touch of winter. J
keen wind blows from the north-west, a showe!
of sleet has just swept by, and the sun breayki
from beneath a cloud, while the last goldei
leaves on the Apple boughs glisten against ai
inky sky, and the stems of trees, Lichen-cIaO
and still wet, gleam in the sun's rays. Not
that the wind brings with it the surge of tht
waves as they beat on the shore we counts.'
joy gone from us the days (jf gentle air anc
plea.sant sunshine with which until now Noveni'
bcr has enfolded us. Only last week thi
feathery Bamboos were swaying in the sofi
south wind. The night breeze was fragrant
with the blossoms of the white Nicotiana, a
thrush was singing in the wood, and the star
lings were sounding their tiny castanets in thi
tree tojis. Let us look around the garden ami
count our treasures ere they are hidden froii
our sight by snow wreaths.

Brightest of all with their firelight glow arc
large groups of Schizostylis coccinea. These
have been sending up their spear-like blossoms
for the last two months, and are now radiant
masses of bloom. When torn ruthlessly as-
under every couple of years or so in sjirini,'-
time and replanted in clumps 2 inches or
;-; inches between each divided portion, the in-
creased vigour is remarkable. Treated thus,
the spikes of blossom are tall and strong, autl
continue in succession for a considerable time,
lighting up whatever part of the garden i^
fortunate enough to possess them in the dark-
ened daylight hours of winter. In replantin,

5'

I

Deokmher 11, 1897 ]

THF; OARDTIN"

/^»

4G3

sonic Irai'-iMuukl or ux'U-ik'LMycil iiiamire shoulil
be aiUli'd to tlio sciil, uiid siuid if necessary, as
they tloiirish liest in rich, frialile ground wliere
they will tind moisture in siiiniiier. Next to
the Selii/.ostylis in brightness couio the Fuchsias.
The various hardy species of these planted per-
manently in the borders are beautiful in
autumn until cut <itt' by frosts. Their i)er-
sistont glossy leaves bear the rude winds with-
out harm, and their charming blos.soms glisten
in the sunlight with a most delightful freshness,
for en; it withers the habit of the Fuchsia is to
let fall each daintj' llower. Permanent beds of
Fuchsias might well be made with bulbs jilanted
iiiiong them, so that tliey would be gay in
s|iring-time before the Fuchsias are well awalce.
Some leaf-UKjuld s]iread round their base will
protect the roots from frost, and should the
stems be killed by the winter's severity, when
cut down in spring-time they will spi-out again
from beneath.

The Monthly or China Roses, the old favourites
"f days gone by, are well in blossom still.
They are a lovely race, quite a garden in them-
selves, and the only really "perpetual " Roses
He have, as there is hardly a month in which
\c.u will tind them without either bud or blos-
->iii, and their shining evergreen leaves are so
I licerful in dull, wintry days. The pink
Monthly Rose is the one best known, never
tiding to give us the earliest and latest buncli
of Rose buds. But besides this well-known
favourite there are many other varieties of
\ivid hue — crimson, carmine and rose, and
some with a blue metallic lustre in tlieir leaves
which is lovely in itself, even if they never
:idded a Rose to the picture. As well as their
roiistant habit of bloom, the China Roses pos-
sess a power of endurance wdiich does not
liulong to the hybrid varieties. This fact is
proved by their being found still healthy
in old gardens, where it is known they were
planted fully half a century ago. As they do
u(.t rei|uire the gross feeding of other Roses,
rhey make good jiermanent beds, and among
I hem spring bulbs can l)e planted with success.

Tlie early Chrysanthemums are just over.
The yellow kinds, such as Gustave Wermig and
Mrs. Burrell, were beautiful among the Asters
and IMichaelmas Daisies and beside the great
white Daisy (Pyrethruni uliginosum) and the
starry Marguerites. Now the bolder crimson
inds, such as W. A . Holmes, are in bloom and
light up marvellously at eventide, touched
ihuost to fire by the sun's last rays.

•fust gone from us also are the blue African

ilics (Agapanthus umbellatus). The wet sum-
mer was much to their liking, the flowers being
identiful, as many as sixty-six flower-heads
being in bloom togetlier in the tw'o beds. The
lasting ])owcr of these Lilies is valuable. The
'beds were quite beautiful for two months, and
till- flowers when cut just as they are expand-
iiug will last fre.sli for .some weeks. The beds
in which they grow have been undisturbed
for several years, but each November the Lily
stems are well covered up with leaf-mould and
s'Mue branches of Yew stuck among and bent
"er them as protection from the frost. In the
iiioiith of May, when the Yew branches have
been gradually all removed, plants of the blue
iDaisy (Agatluea cielestis) are placed among the
Lilies, as they come into Vdossom nuich earlier
iiid are of the same lovely shade of Idue.

Rut it tlio Lilies are g(me from us, we have
itill souie bits of "true blue" in the garden.
The flowers of l*lund>ago capensis nestle amid
heir leaves, that bear the ruby touch of
lutunni. Over the perennial Flax its blue
■outterfly blossoms yet hover, and on Salvia
latens are yet blossoms clinging like blue

pennants to a mast. Doronicum llarpur-
(_'rewe, divided in spring-time, has now a
second crop of flowers much larger than the
earlier flowers : in fact, they measure 4 inches
.across, and if cut when just expanded, last well
indoors, where their gold rays are ]>recious in
the shortened houi's of daylight. To ensure
this tine autumn growth, the old flowering
stems of early summer should be cut or jiulled
away, so that all the vigour may go to the form-
ing of tine young crowns. Annual division is
also needed to have this plant in perfection.

On the garden wall hangs the winter Jessa-
mine, its drooping sprays like a shower of gold,
down which the blossoms crecj). This .Jessa-
mine recjuires freedom of growth to look its
l)cst, and as it bears its finest flowers on the
fresh shoots of the year, it should be jiruned
just after flowering, before new growth begins,
and tlien it needs only the removal of super-
fluous wood.

The Myrtles are still in flower. Choisya
ternata has an autumn bloom, while at our feet
the Christmas Roses are uprising and Violets
and Oxlips are in blossom, so the garden, at
least, bids us forget thiit we are within two days
of bleak December. A. L. L.

DISEASE IN LILY BULBS.

-Mv attention having been drawn to an article
w'hich appeared a few days ago in one of our daily
papers, 1 should like to say a few words regard-
ing this so-called Lily disease (Rhizopus necans)
referred to in the Kew bulletin. This disease has
been known as long as Lily bulbs hare been ex-
ported from here, and the results have been some-
times verj' disheartening for the consignees as
well as for the shippers, but of losses like those
referred to in the article before me I have never
heard. I imagine that the great loss is probably
the result of some Japanese or other speculators,
in order to catch best and fancy prices, sbipijing
at the wrong time of the year. The climate of
Japan is such, that during and after the hot and
sultry summer months, July, August, and Septem-
ber, during which we have from 85"-'Jo^ Fahren-
heit, the rainy season sets in which produces —
easilj- imaginable — a real hothouse temperature,
the air being saturated with moisture, which is
splendid for growing, but not for harvesting held
products. The moisture is so great, that not
only out-of-door things get affected by fungoid
formations, but even in our houses — clothes,
books, .shoes, &c., in short, e\ery thing which is
not in daily use.

It is, therefore, easily imaginable that during
such a season, bulbs taken out of the field and
imperfectly ripened, if packed into boxes and
shipped tlirough the tropics to Europe, must
be ali'ected by fungi, which have during a
two months' voyage on board a steamer, some-
times close to boilers, sufficient time to do their
deadly work. The danger would not be so great
if the bulbs could be brought from the fields into
the boxes without injury. This seems, however, im-
possible. Even witli the greatest care, with such
tender articles, a little injury to their scales is
unavoidable. This is generally the begimiirig
of the fungoid diseases, which very soon take
hold of the whole bulb. However, after tliis
sultry weather the autumn season sets in during
October, with tine (by days, warm during the
daytime, but brisk and refreshing tluring the
night. The earth gets dried, the season for
harvesting being regulated by Nature itself.
The Lily bulbs arc now perfectly ripe and dor-
mant, and in a proper stage for export. The
climate being dry and cool, any bruises the bulbs
may recci\c tluring the handling will dry olf and
heal (juickly, and satisfactory consignments will
be the result. There are also a few very tender
varieties which even the most careful treatment
will not protect against the hardships of a long
voyage through such diti'erent climates as the route
over India, the Ked Sea, and the Suez Canal offers.

Taken, however, as a rule, the results wilMiQ satis- \
factory, as I can prove by hundreds of Iel|^A t
and testimonials which T Ijlive recei,ved from oas-J
tomers. '^

I therefore claim that unsatisfartnry result? arc
not on account of a disease the bidbs possess
when they are shipj^ed, but simply the result of
several factors which, taken all together, must ruin
these lovely plants. I recommend, therefore, the
following remedy : First, place your order with a
respectable firm — one which knows the business ;
second, do not give instructions, if possible, re-
garding time for shipment, but leave this to the
shipjiers, who \\ill guard your interest and will
know best the time the bullis are rijic and the
best time for packing and shipping ; third, try to
induce the steamship owners of Eastern lines to
proN'ide a few steamers during the principal ex-
port season, with cold storage arrangement, to
get tile shipments through the trials of change of
climate, and I will guarantee that the bulbs will
always arrive in the best of condition and not in-
fected by any disease. A. iMtvEU.

yokoliaijiu.

RANUNCULUS ACONITIFOLIUS PLENUS.

One of the most important items in connection
with the success of this plant under cultivation is
planting it at a seasonable time. Many plants,
the more vigorous and continuous-rooting peren-
nials in particular, may be successfully planted at
almost any season of the 3'ear. There are others,
however, including this plant, that should be
planted at the right time. Like many other
members of Raiiunculace.'e, this pretty herba-
ceous kind, well known by the familiar name of
Fair Maids of France, sends out its long tapering
fleshy roots horizontally from the cu'own. In
single tufts the roots often radiate all around the
crown. When such things are replanted in full
growth, these roots are usually gathered iu
bunches in the hand and laid into a spade-cut
trench, not infrequently to perish, as little or no
soil comes between them. A much better way
than this would be to open a hole a foot across,
and, having carefully laid out the roots in a
natural way, to replace the soil about them.
Better still, plant the roots as early as possil^le in
autumn, or at any rate while the crowns still
remain in a dormant condition. With the soil
deeply dug and manured, a good group may be
Jilanted thus : Remove the soil to about 4 inches
deep for a space of 2 feet across, or as large as the
material at disposal will allow-. Place in the
crow-ns at G inches apart, spreading the roots out
horizontally, covering again gently when all are
thus arranged. If the soil he wet, much tread-
ing should be avoided, but a fair firming with the
fingers about the roots may be indulged in with
advantage. If a shady and cjuite moist spot is
available, such a place will suit this plant as well
as the single or typical kind. Indeed, the latter
plant possesses quite a fairy-like appearance when
fully establislied in semi-boggy places, the plants
being literally covered with snow-white flowers for
weeks together. E. J.

Herbaceous Lobelias. — When writing my
note on these jilants (p. 302) I had no intention
of laying down the law as to their winter treat-
ment in soils and climates dittcring from those in
w Inch my experiences have been gained, and have
no doubt but that "A. D." is a far better judge
of their requirements in his localitj' than I should
prove. The intention of my note was to empha-
sise the fact that light .soil and freedom trom
severe frost did not ensure safety to plants left to
winter in the open ground, and that when I liveil
in a locality wlicre both of these conditions ob-
tained in a marked degree, I was unable to pre-
serve the plants even during a frostless winter.
In dry and wet seasons the result was the same,
anil I had great difficulty in keeping up a stock,
although I used to winter some in boxes in cold
frames, as described by "A. D." and others, by
potting single suckei-s in 2.\-inch pots and grow-
ing them in the greenhouse. In my present gar-

464

THE GARDEN.

[Decbmbbr 11, 1897.

den, however, where, as I mentioned, the Lobelias
are growing in damp, heavy loam close to water,
and where the winter temperature has on several
occasions fallen lli° below the lowest temperature
registered in my former garden, the ])lants appear
absolutely hardy. Tliej' have often lieen divided
in October and have never had the slightest pro-
tection in the way of mulching, while thej' stood
the long-continued frost of lS9o and 21° of frost
for two nights in 1803 with impunity. Without
the e.xperiences I have detailed I should most cer-
tainly have given ray vote to the light soil and
warm nook on the banks of the river Dart, as
more suitable to the wintering in safety of the
herbaceous Lobelia, than the damp, heavy soil
and severer frosts of probably tlie coldest winter
garden in the Torquay district, as hardiness is
not induced by light soil and warmth, but is
seemingly in Devonshire by heavy soil and
greater cold. I should advocate others, even
though they live in colder counties, experiment-
ing with a portion of their plants by leaving them
in the open for a winter, when it may be that
they will give them a jjleasant surprise by proving
hardy under this method of culture. In cases
where this method has been tried and has failed,
as in "A. D.'s," I should be the last to advocate
its being persisted in. — S. W. F.

Trees and Shrubs.

EETINOSPORAS.

Prom a horticultural rather than a botanical
standpoint, the dift'erent Retinosporas alluded
to on l^age 430 under the heading of " A False
Genus " might well be allowed to stand, as
cases of reversion to the normal form are in
most instances so rare that they need not be
taken into consideration as far as the orna-
mental qualities of the plant are concerned.
The fact, however, that nearly all the Retino-
sporas might be traced back to two species only
has been now recognised for years, and notes
cm the subject have from time to time appeared
in The Garden. Our botanical authorities
have been by no means of one accord witli
regard to the position occupied by the Reti-
nosporas, foi- while they are in the above-men-
tioned article and in the Kew list refen-ed to
under the head of Cupressus, a few years ago
they were regarded as belonging to the genus
Charatecyparis, and one authority at least in-
cluded them in the genus Thuja. The differ-
ences of opinion do not end here, for, while
the word is generally spelt Retinospiira, it is
altered at Kew to Retinispora. This last spelling
is of recent adoption. One can readily under-
stand that the Retinosporas known as R. lyco-
podioides and R. filicoides are but varieties of R.
obtusa, for they do not ditt'er from each other
or from the type to a greater extent than is the
case with some of the numerous forms of
Cupressus Lawsoniana. R. sijuarrosa furnishes
in this respect one of the greatest surprises, and
that it is but another stage of R. pisifera
seems at first difficult to believe, as the com-
paratively long spreading, greyish green leaves
of R. squarrosa do not appear at all related to
the small scale-like foliage of the other. In-
stances, however, have occurred, though rarely,
of R. squarrosa producing fruiting branches
which were indistinguisliable from those of R.
pisifera.

The origin of such a form as R. squarrosa is
to be accounted for in this way. When coni-
ferte are raised from seeds, the first leaves are
long and needle-like, and in many cases they
bear no resemblance whatever to the foliage of
an adult plant. This character is especially
noticeable among Junipers, Cypresses, and the
different forms of Arbor-vita\ which bear long

pointed foliage when young, succeeded by small
scale -like lea%es closely adpressed to the
branches. In seedlings even from the same
source there are great individual diffei'ences as
to the time and .size of the jjlants before they as-
sume their adult character, soiTie quickly break-
ing away from the seedling state, while others
remain a long time and reach a good size before
doing so. If cuttings are taken from a plant
that shows a disposition to retain the juvenile
character of its foliage longer than the otliers,
they will often grow some time without show-
ing any disposition to produce the small scale-
like leaves of the adult plant. R. squarrosa
thus doubtless originated as a seedling from R.
pisifera, its peculiarity being the fact that the
juvenile foliage only is produced, except on
such rare occasions that need not be taken into
consideration in estimating its ornamental
qualities.

On p. 430 it is stated that all the Retino-
sporas belong to Cupressus, and are all forms
of C. obtusa and C. pisifera, but such is not the
case, as the dense growing R. ericoides, w'ith
pointed leaves arranged cross-ways on the
branchlets, is nothing more nor less than an
undevelojied form of the Chinese Arbor-vitie.
This has been shown in one or two instances by
the production of a fruiting branch, which
dift'ered in no respect whatever from the Arbor-
vit;e, while never by any chance has the plant
in its ordinary fiu-m borne fruit.

A Retinospora that has caused a good deal of
controversy is R. leptoclada, which is said by
Gordon to be a native of Japan. This state-
ment is now conclusively jiroved to be an error,
and R. lejjtoclada is believed to have originated
at Andeleys, in France, among some seedlings
f>f Cupressus thyoides, or Chanuecyparis sph;e-
roidea, as it is often called. The general ap-
pearance of the plant would suggest that it is a
form of the la.st named. R. leptoclada is cer-
tainly a very pretty little shrub, bright and
cheerful at all seasons.

A form of the American Ai-bor-vitin (Thuja
occidentalis) usually met with under the name
of Tluija Ellwangeriana is remarkable from the
fact that the process of transition can be readily
traced, for, as a rule, the lower part of the
plant is clothed with the long spreading leaves,
while the topmost branches, with their small
scale-like foliage, dift'er in no way from the
American Arbor-vifce. This Thuja Ellwangeri-
ana is often classed with the Retinosporas.

T.

Berberis Thunbergi. — Your correspondents
do well in calling attention to this shrub, fore\'en
amidst a wealth and variety of beautiful autumnal
tints it surpasses in brightness almost anything
in dwarf shrubs, large groups of it on dry banks
and among rocks being especially conspicuous.
It takes on colour early, and if occupying shel-
tered positions the fading leaves are very persis-
tent, thus making a bright display for a pro-
longed period. It is easily propagated ; cuttings
of ripened shoots inserted (now) in the open in
light soil strike root as freely as Currants. — J. R.

Desfontainea spinosa. — The illustration of
this charming Chilian siirub as growing in Major
(iaisford's garden, Oftington, Worthing, which
appeared in The Gardex, January 10 of the
present year, is sufficient to make one long for
such a climate as that of this well-known southern
watering-place, for the Desfontainea, which is
now in l)loora in several places, is in this stage
totally distinct from any other shrub that we
have, though when out of bloom it might readily
be mistaken for a \ariety of Holly. Where it is
not suHiciently hardy this Desfontainea may be
treated as a greenhouse plant, but it is not very
amenable to pot culture, though if plunged out
of doors when frosts are over and allowed to re-

main till the autumn it will, as a rule, succeed
fairly well. Of course, regular attention in the
matter of watering and othei- details will be
needed. The fiowers of this Desfontainea are
drooping, nearly a coujjle of inches long, and of a
thick wa.x-like texture, their colour being bright
scarlet, tipped with j'ellow, somewhat after the
manner of a Blandfordia. — H. P.

Autumn tints. — One point that may be use-
ful to " K." (p. 38.5) in the planting contemplated
is that indigenous trees are finer in their autumn
dress than exotics. There are exceptions, but
this may be taken as a rule. I mean, for instance,
that, given a score of exotic trees in variety, the
majority would not produce autumnal effects ap-
jjroaching those to be seen on the Oak in great
variety. Beech, Birch, and others. So far as the
autumn leafage is concerned, the exotics are
mainly represented by two types, those whose
foliage is tender and comes down wholesale with
the first frost, say of 10°, without much change of
colour, and others on which the leaves are long
retained, but are ultimately shed without putting \
on anything in the way of bright colour, the i
Pterocarya and Gymnocladus being examples of |
the former, and the Wistaria and Judas Tree of j
the latter. In cases where the foliage changes j
and is fairly well retained I have noticed that the i
prevailing autumn tint is either very pale yellow, ,
as in the Salisburia, or a dull, dingy brown, as in
the Cucumber Tree (Magnolia acuminata) and the
deciduous Cypress. There are a few foreign trees
that may be used either for bright colouring, as
some of the newer Maples, or for their unique
foliage alike in summer and autumn, as the
Maiden-hair Tree already noted and the huge-
leaved Magnolia (M. macrophylla). Many large
shrubs are often \evy bright, Forsythias, Weige-
las, some of the Spineas, and of course deciduous
Azaleas. Soil and situation, as mentioned in the
editorial note, have in almost every individual
case, whether it be species or variety, a lot to do
with the autumn colouring and the season quite^
as much. Some few trees will successfully resist
frosts of 10° or 12°, but with the majority this isl
enough to produce a premature fall of the leaf!
when it has only commenced to assume its autumn
garb. A certain amount of advice is doubtless
always acceptable in planting operations, but in i
a case of this kind it is only, I think, a secondary
matter to a careful study by the planter of soil,
situation, and the probability of early or late
autumn frost. In notes on tree-life in a recent
number, for Elder, please read Alder, and for
height of Abies brachyphylla, 34 feet instead of
24 feet. — E. Burkei.L, Clarrmont.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1148.

SINGLE ROSES.

(with a coloured plate of — 1, ROSA MA-
CRANTHA ; 2, ROSE PAUL's SCARLET.*)

Since the National Rose Society introduced
competitive classes for these they have rapidly
gained in public favour. Many really good old
varieties have been brought to the front once
more, and not a few of them saved from extinc-
tion. In addition to this, we have recently
had several grand introducti(jns, most of which
might have been thrown away a few years back
had not the beauties of these single Roses been >
recognised by a few rosarians, and their grand
efi'ect shown by the stands which invariably
attract great attention at the National Rose
Society's exhibitions.

When the rage for large and double forms
set in, a single or even semi-double Rose, that
would now be pojiular and worth cultivating by

• Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon
Messrs. Paul's uursery at Cheshunt. Lithographed:
and printed by J. L. Goffart.

Dec. 11. 1897

V

a

DutEMBEU 11, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

4G5

Jrade growers, was so useless, that I liavc no
doubt a vast iiumbci- of beautiful seedlings were
oast on one side. Happily, we are not likely
to tind this the ease for some time to come, and
there is little fear tliat our grand singles will
»gain go out of popular favour. We have many
grand single forms with not only greater vigour
and hardine.ss, l)ut the sweet-scented foliage of
our native Sweet lirier. A few of the best
singles include tlie following : —

Ros.i M.\cn.\NTHA, a form of Rosa gallica, is a
very vigorous grower, with large and boldly-
carried golden yellow stamens, and one of the
finest clindiers.

P.AUi,'-* SiNoLK Crimson, also figured, is a
igrand fellow climber to macrantha. The yellow
stamens of this grand Rose are considerably more
prominent than shown in the plate, the di-awing
|of the flower being made in a way that does not
■exhibit them so fully as in the "case of R. ma-
crantha.

P.-H'i.'s C.UiMiNE Pillar, another grand single
from Cheslnnit, was figured in The GAKLiE.\"of
October -J", 1S94. It has been e.xceptionally good
jthis season ; in fact, since its introduction I
have never foiuid it fail. The flowers are each
■from 3 in. to 4 in. across and of the brightest and
.clearest rosy carmine. It is a grand pillar Rose,
'and ditticult to beat when planted singly or in
.-■mall groups upon the lawn. Shoots from 10 feet to
IJ feet in height are produced each season, and
. overed with large trusses from every eye. These
open in succession, and give a much longer dis-
iplay than is usually the case with singles. To
!many the somewhat fleeting character of the
single forms is a great disap|)ointment, but with
this variety, also the hybrid Sweet Briers and
bthers producing large trusses of buds, freshly-
ppened flowers rapidly follow those that are
shattered. There is also the great advantage
derived from renewed beauty after a heavy storm
[which would completely ruin the more double
Roses ; wliereas such singles as Carmine Pillar
.open more of their buds as soon as the disturbance
^has passed, and again afford a charming display.

Paul's Sinolk White is a most valuable
climber, as it not only flowers during summer,
but gives a grand display during autumn, a time
A-hen our singles are too often bare. I have no
Joubt we shall ere long have an almost equally
^ood autumnal as spring or early summer display
from varieties obtained by careful hybridisation.
I Royal S<:arlet (also emanating from Cheshunt)
was successful in gaining a card of commendation
jW a new single at the National Rose Society's
(Jrystal Palace show this year. It is an intensely
Ileep scarlet Hybrid Perpetual, and being a H.P.
cannot be e.xhibited among the so-called garden
(loses, although very few would be able to dis-
;mguish the ditt'erence as regards class. Royal
Scarlet will certainly become one of our most
lopular single Roses! It is a very compact and
Iwarf grower, bearing immense trusses greatly
mproved by handsome foliage.

PoLYANTiiA ORANDIKLORA ( R. multiflora grandi-
lora) is a most rampant climber, producing large,
mre white blossoms each .'? inches across. It is
■me of the best for arbours, arches, and the forma-
tion of Rose hedges or screens. The flowers are
jroduced in clusters. In

PoLVANTHA SIMPLEX We have a miniature
orm of the above, the trusses of which are of
)yramidal form, the whole plant being one mass
>f star-like blossoms. When planted in masses
ir allowed to ramble among the stems of an old
Thorn hedge, this and a few rcore varieties are
ery eflective. Indeed, I know of few easier,
[uicker, or cheaper ways of securing a charming
nd natural hedge of Ko.ses than a judicious mix-
ureof our strong-growing singles, and such others
s Alice Grey. Aime'e Vibert, W. A. Richardson,
fith the majority of the Ayrshire, Boursault, and
Sempervirens sections.

Rosa h'cid.v affords us a bright red, and one
vhich contrasts well with the many whites and
vale pinks found among singles. The foliatre of
his variety is also showj- and handsome, being a

glaucous red, so that the whole of the plant
heightens the effect of lighter colours. There is
a variet}- called K. lucitla Vivid, the leaves of
which are of a very high colour during autumn.
Both are vigorous climbers.

i;. ^UPSl nAT.\ MVEA, or ali:a, our Musk Rose, is
a grand eliml)er with large trusses of small yel-
lowisli white flowers. The inflorescence of this
variety is peculiarly pubescent. It can be recog-
nised liy that feature and its musky odour alone.

K. Bkinoms moschata (the Himalayan Brier)
is another variety of Musk Rose. This is a |iure
white, with very iirominent golden yellow
stamens, produced in immen.se clusters, and one
of the best for arches or any position in which it
can ramble.

R. PissARDi produces immense clusters of small,
pure white flowers. The growth is \igorous, but
the slender, spiny branches droop over quite dis-
tinct fiom those of other Roses. It is very sweet
scented, and has the merit of more continuous
blooming than otlier singles. This variety varies
between single and semi-double forms.

Bakdot Job is not quite a single, but is .so
slightly beyond this that I give it a place, more
especially so as it is undoubtedly our best large
glowing crimson, often heavily .shaded with deep
maroon. It is very vigorous, the petals of im-
mense size, and we have few more perpetual
blooming climbers.

Hebe's Lir, one of the Hybrid Sweet Briers, is
another of those varieties so slightly semi-double
as to be classed among singles by many growers.
It is one of the most distinct and beautiful garden
Roses we have. It bears medium-sized blossoms,
pure white in the centre, with a distinct edge of
purple that is suff'used into the petals in the form
know'ii as Picotee edge.

R. oicAXTKA, the giant single Rose from India,
must be mentioned. This makes growths of
")0 feet ; the flowers are pure white and each
51 inches across. I have not yet heard of its
flowering in England, but many plants are being
grown here.

R. l.e\-ic:ata (syn., R. nica) is a very large,
pure white flower. The plant is rather tender and
needs a south wall. The yellow stamens in this
variety are \ery showy and prominent.

The beautiful Austrian Briers are well known.
More distinct singles than the Austrian Copper
and Austrian Yellow cannot be found ; the
former a bright reddish copper with a distinct
metallic tinge, and the latter a pure canary
yellow. Then we have a large number of
Hyljrid Sweet Briers that, as already noted,
possess the additional charm of sweet-scented
foliage. Nor must I omit the manifold charms
of the .Japanese Briers or Rugosa Roses,
with their remarkable foliage, always free from
mildew and red rust, the first and last to bloom,
and eventually forming one of our best
autumnal-berried jdants. A coloured plate
of these will be found in the issue for Novem-
ber l?> of the present volume, and to that, with
the accompanying article, I must refer my
readers. When noting a few of our best single
Uoses it would not be right to pass over the beau-
ties (jf our own species and their great variety.

Uckjield. A. Pii-er.

variegated with rich yellow, which covers the
major portion of the leaf, being dividerl into two
|)arts by a greenish stripe down the midrib.
This central band is broken up into different
shades of green, varying from a deep hue to a
pale greyish-green tint. This Dracicna needs
ample room for the broadly arching leaves to de-
velop, and it also requires a fairly light position,
as if too much shaded it is less brightly coloured.
— H. P. ^

The Week's Work.

Dracaena Lindeni. ^ The plants commoidy
cultivated in gardens as Draca-nas (some of which
are really Cordylines) show a great diversity of
character, as sev-eral widely different forms occur
amongst them. Thus we have a group of coloured-
leaved kinds, of which ]). terminalis was one of
the earliest forms. Then there is the curiously
mottled 1). (ioldieana, the branching 1). (iodsetti-
ana with its jn-etty spotted leaves, the cpiick-
growing 1). Sanderiana, whose rather short foliage
is beautifully variegated with white, anil lastly,
this under notice, I). I.indeni, which is apparently
a variety of the old l)rae:ena fragraus, a stout,
sturdy-growing sijecies, with broad, gracefully
recurving foli.ige. Instead of the leaves being
green, they are, however, in Lindeni beautifully

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Seloom, if ever, can a more favourable autumn
be remembered, as, apart from there being an
absence of frost, the ground has been in splendid
condition for digging, and it has also given late-
planted crops an opportunity to make not only
free, but firm growth, which should be in a better
condition to resist frost than when this follows an
abundance of rain. I ad\'ised a few weeks ago
pushing forward both digging and trenching, and
where this was done, especially on retentive soils,
much of the laborious work which so often proves
trying in the spring will be well advanced and the
soil will also be all the better for a long exposure
when the time comes round for sowing and
planting. Now is the time to select sitt's for the
different main crops and have the ground treated
accordingly. Peas being perhaps the main summer
crop, a good open position should be selected, as
they are never so satisfactory when grown in close
proximity to fruit and other trees. It has been
fre([uently pointed out that when these can be
planted in single rows or grown wide apart the
crop is not only heavier, but the haulm continues
in a full bearing condition much longer. In
arranging for such sowings trenches could be pre-
pared now similar to those for Celery. These
could be marked off in dififerent parts of the
garden, or if necessary to have se\eral on one
quarter, remove them from each other as far as
possible, and the space between them will answer
well for any other crops of dwarfer habit. Time can
be found now to do such work ; whereas, if left till
spring, ordinary digging would probably have to suf-
fice, owing to so many other things requiring atten-
tion. If the soil can be broken up a couple of
spits deep, burying plenty of decayed manure in
the bottom, healthy growth and heavy crops will
be forthcoming. Should we experience a dry
time, such as jiroved so disastrous to the Peas the
last two summers, strips of ground a yard wide,
and treated as advised above, will form a capital
seed-bed for all the strong-growing varieties, such
as Ne Plus Ultra and others. A shallow trench
should be made to receive the early batch when
planted out from pots. The first favourable day
can then be taken when they are sufficiently
advanced to plant them, and being naturally
tender the sides of the trench will act as a screen
against trying winds, while should it be necessary
thej' are easily protected if a few degrees of frost
threaten. Another advantage gained bj- planting
this crop in trenches is being able to afford
copious watering during dry weather, and also
mulching. For some reason Jerusalem Arti-
chokes are generallj' allotted the worst position
in the garden, but treated more generously, Ijoth
as regards site and preparing the ground pro-
perly, finer shaped tubers and much heavier crops
are obtained. A single row planted last spring
in a favourable part of the garden has yielded an
enormous crop of handsome-shaped tuliers, as
manj- as a peck being taken from one root, and
all fit to be sent to Uible. This points to the
pemiy-wiseand-pound-foolish method of neglect-
ing this crop, which, if grow n under favourable
conditions, would prove one of the most profitable
in the garden.

(Ii.obe Artichokes. — These will soon need
attention in the way of protection before they are
injured by severe frost. As yet the foliage is as
strong and healthy as in summer, but as this diea

466

THE GARDEN.

[December 11, 1897.

down it will be wise to spread some light dry
litter around the crowns. This is better than
applying a great thickness of decayed manure,
which may cause the crowns to rot should there
be a quantity of rain. It would be well also to
be on the alert and have suitable material at
hand for other things which may require it,
such as Rhubarb, Seakale, and even Celery,
while salads. Cauliflower, and the like, growing
in unheated pits and frames, will be kept safe by
having double mats to place over them when
frost does come.

Seakai.e that has been grown for lifting to be
forced early should be got out of the ground at
once, or at least a good portion of the crowns, so
that no delay arises during hard weather. Failing
this, a breadth should be covered with litter or
bracken to allow the roots to be forked out at any
time. Celer}', if properly banked up now so as to
throw off rains, will require very little protec-
tion, as when the foliage is much exposed rain
collects and drains to the centre of the plants,
which are then easily injured should frost follow.
A final moulding up should be given at once, as
no further leaf growth is needed.

Green vecetables. — Although these are
plentiful now, some regard should be paid to
varieties, and the less hardy ones used up first.
Most of the early Savoys are well forward ; many
of them, owing to the open weather, are ready to
burst. No one, then, should think of leaving
these and commence cutting the hardier Kales.
The latter should be preserved as long as possible,
as after a severe winter these may be found the
only green vegetable left in a serviceable condi-
tion, and prove most valuable through March.
Spinach is very plentiful just now, but where the
foliage has become so large that it overlaps that
in the next row, its removal at once would be an
advantage, as such a bulk of leaves is more apt
to suffer after snow than is the case where the
plants have more room to become dry, and sun
and air can act on the ground between them.
Look over the Broccoli breadths frequently, and
lift any that are ready for use, but which may
not be required just at the time. Their removal
to a sheltered place will not onlj^ preserve them
from frost, but a continuous supply is in a great
measure ensured. R. Pakker.

HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

Never in the whole of my experience do I re-
member a more propitious season for planting
than the present one. The soil being in a
medium state of moisture is in the best possible
condition for planting, as it crumbles down well
and does not stick to the feet of the planters. I
had an instance of this when superintending the
planting of an orchard last week. The soil is a
very heaxy loam os'erlying the old red sandstone,
and almost unworkable in a wet time. I w'as
agreeably surprised to find it in such excellent
working order, and the planting having been
performed under such favourable conditions, I am
very sanguine as to future results. As this will
be a grass orchard, the trees are being protected
with guards made of strips of 2-inch wire mesh
netting 30 inches wide. No. 16 guage, with a
single strand of barbed wire run round each
guard.

Pears. — These trees have ripened their wood
thoroughly and are in a most promising condi-
tion. Established trees should have all young
wood pruned in to three buds, but any young
growths which spring direct from the main
branch should be left a trifle longer. These
will eventually make fruiting spurs, and will in
time enable some of the oldest of the original
spurs to be cut out. Older trees having very
long spurs should be spur-pruned, as recom-
mended for Plums. Pears lend themselves more
readily to this kind of treatment than any other
fruit tree, and by its means old trees can be
effectually furnished afresh with a complete set
of new spurs. In the case of fan-trained trees the
main branches should be kept evenly disposed at
regular distances, and the intermediate ones kept

thin, or about 6 inches apart, so that crowding
does not occur. Thin and regulate the wood
in young trees, spurring back all not re-
quired for extension, and either tip or shorten
back the leading growths at the ends of the
future main branches, according to the amount
of growth they ha\e made and the space at com-
mand. Young horizontally trained trees should
have two young shoots left for forming a new tier
of branches. These tiers of branches should be
trained out at right angles to the stem, and stand
1 foot apart from one another. The leader in
this case .should be left about 15 inches long.
This will allow for the topmost shoot being taken
up to form the new leader next spring, when the
t^^o below it will furnish growths for forming the
next tier of branches. Cordons require but little
jnnming if they recei\'e attention at the hands of
the grower in the summer and early autumn. A
general look over suffices now, when any piece of
young wood missed or which was not shortened
back sufficiently, can be attended to. Those
varieties which are prone to make a superabun-
dance of fruit buds should have the same par-
tially thinned out. A little timely attention in
this way, also in keeping the roots in working
order, prevents such trees from getting into a
debilitated state. These remarks also apply to
trees other than those grown as cordons. Cut
back the leaders on young cordons to firm wood,
and select a good prominent wood bud. It is
necessary to draw the attention of young begin-
ners to this matter, as these leaders ofttimes
make more fruit-buds than wood-buds. Regarding
training, it is not necessary to enter fully into it
here. Pay attention to the manner in which the
nails and shreds are used, and allow ample room
for the branch round which they are placed to
swell properly. The same remark applies to
tying, and in this case place a shred between the
string and bark should there be any strain uj)on
it. Tarred twine is very durable for tliis purjiose,
particularly for securing cordons. \^'ith regard
to insect pests and the remedies to a[)ply for their
extermination I must refer the reader to the first
page of TnE Garde.v for November 20.

Apricots. — The fine autumn, coupled with the
fact of the trees in many cases having had a par-
tial rest during the past season, has had a most
beneficial eifect on them. The young wood and
spurs are well clothed with blossom buds, which
are firm and as brown as a nut. Some growers
disbud their trees and grow them in a similar
manner to Peach trees, while others rely on spurs
to furnish the crop. I favour a system which is
a combination of both, and find it answer re-
markably well, the invarialile result being heavy
crops of fruit. Pruning in the case of Apricots
consists in shortening back all spur growths,
thinning out the young wood where too much has
been laid in, and cutting away any dead snags
or spurs. If a piece of young Mood lias to be
shortened back for any purpose, see that the cut
is made at a wood bud, or the branch will die
back. Cut out dead branches in a careful manner,
injuring the live bark as little as possible.
Young trees should need no pruning beyond a
regulation of the young wood, as all other matters
should have had attention during the growing
season. Neglected trees, whether old or young,
must not be too severely dealt M'ith in one season,
otherwise gumming will be tlie result. At the
same time, and in the latter case the young wood
must be shortened back to restore the proper
balance, and attention paid the trees during the
next season in the stopping of all gross shoots to
ensure a more even growth. Regarding older
trees, spurs on these may have been allowed to
grow out a long way from the face of the wall. A
judicious spur pruning will be of great value here,
liut it must not be overdone, or the object in view
will be defeated. When training out Apricot
trees afresh, pay great attention to the following
matter. Unless absolutely necessary, never re-
move a full-grown branch from its original posi-
tion. Apricot wood is of such a brittle nature
that if such branches are bent round and moved
about too much the sap vessels become ruptured

and the branch ultimately dies. Use narrow
shreds for fastening young wood to the wall, and
see that the nails are so driven in that they do not
come into contact with the branches. Older
branches may be secured in the same way as re-
commended for Pears. Brown scale being partial to
Apricot trees, wash and spray the trees as soon as
training is completed . If not already done remove
the summer mulch from the alleys when raking up
the prunings, after which top-dress tlie border if
in need of it. Use good loam if it can be spared,
and to ensure porosity mix plenty of lime rubble
or old plaster with it. If the trees are in need of
a stimulant add a fair amount of bone meal, but
eschew the use of rotten manure. In some local-
ities there is still a scarcity of water, owing to the
meagre rainfall. It is in such instances as these
that tliere is a danger of Apricot trees getting dry
at the roots ; a condition most trying to them.
They should, therefore, be examined, and if found
to be at all approaching a dry condition, well
water at once. A. W.

Stove and Greenhouse.

THE CULTURE OF HYDRANGEA

HORTENSIA.

SojiE amateurs, who were struck with the great
difference between the growth of my Hortensias
which they saw in the exhibition at the Tuilerie;
and that of the plants which are usually seen in
the markets, have asked me how I obtained such
good results. To all of these I have much ])leasure
in replying, through the medium of the Rtmt
Horticole, in the following notes : —

PRErAKATios. — First of all, cuttings of HovJ
tensias may be put in either in spring or in sui
mer, but, for good culture, it is essential that tfl
should be done in the month of Maj', when
cuttings should be struck under bell-glasses
on a spent hot-bed. When they ha\'e taken rd
well, they may either be potted or pricked out!
the open ground, the latter being by far tlie beta
course to adopt, as it is the chief condition ol
success. In the climate of Paris, Hortensias re
quire to be grown in sandy heath-soil, while, a
Versailles, in certain well-drained sandy clays
these plants do well when the soil is mixed with ;
proportion of leaf-mould. In all these cases lime
should be rigorously excluded, and therefore care
should be taken that in watering the plants ni
well-water should Ije used except such as has beei
proved to contain no such injurious ingredient
Most of the wells around Paris are strongly im
pregnated with carbonate of lime, but somin
growers may have the good chance of gettinfjl
water from a well sunk in a stratum of clay. Ir I
such a case the water is more likely itc||
be impregnated with sulphate of alum!ri
and with sulphate or oxide of iron, and these!
are precisely elements that are favourable t(|
the culture of Hortensias. After the younfjl
plants are pricked out in the open ground it I
heath-soil they are watered lightlj- twice a dM/i
About the end of August the shoots are pinch^n
and when winter approaches the plants are tab
up, potted, and placed in a cool house or und^fl
frame, where it is important that they shot'
receive as much air and light as possili
After this first wintering, the plants are tabei
out of their pots and again placed in the open
ground, as in the year preceding. At the same /
time they are pruned severely, the stem beiag
cut back to the best two eyes at the base, fr# J'
which fresh wood will start that, later on, mI ",
produce seven, eight, or even ten ramificatioflsi /
Of tliesc not more tlian five or six of the best /
formed should be retained, if fine large flowers aW J
desired. The rest should be pinched back tc ^":
three or four leaves at tlie most. While th( ^^'
plants are growing, it is important not to allov '■ "
tlio branches to become immoderately long, an( ^'
for this purjiose it will be sufficient to diminial ^S
the amount of water about tlie month of Jul^ ^-
Tliis precaution, moreover, is indispensable, i ^

December 11, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

467

order tliat t)ifi plants may form flower-buds
bt'lter, as the tluwcring;, being stroni;lv imUiciil
by the temponuy clieck to the prowlli of tlie
plant, attains its maximum of pre|i;inition liy the
production of a very •;reat number of llowir-buds.
Abiiut the end of Ain;ust or early in September
the plants ari' again placed into pots six or seven
inches in diameter, according to their strength.
Care must be taken in doing so not to break oil"
any of the leaves, and the plants should then be
placed in shade, so that the sun may not act on
them injurio\isly during thr ))erio.l of striking
root, wliieh lasts for a fortuiglit. They are to Iii'
watered liglitly twice a day and well watered
whenever thire is occasion tor doing so. When
they have thoroughly taken root again heavy
watering is discontinued to allow tlu; wooti to
ripen and the leaves to fall ofV. TIk; jilants are
wintered under frames or, preferably, in a cool
house. It is still more necessary now than in the
preceding year to give them as mucli air as pos-
sible, as without this |>rccaution the llower-luuls
would soon damp olf. DilTused light also is
necessary, but I carniot too strongly im[)ress the
warning that the light by itself is not sufficient,
and that there must be added to it tlie greatest
possible amount of air. The plants are thus in
their ]>eriod of rest during the first jiart of tlie
winter; they come naturall}' into groAvth in
spring, and if the flowers are wanted oidy at tlie
normal flowering season, all that is necessary is
simply to assist the growth, so far as tliis can be
done, by keeping up such a temperature as will
exclude frost. In this ca?e a constant heat of
from 4."i^ to r)0'' I'ahr. will be sufficient to main-
tain the growtli of the plants and to ensure their
flowering at the time desired.

FoKciNii. — Should the object, however, be to
obtain Hortensia blooms at an earlier date, the
period of rest must be abruptly terminated by the
operation of forcing. From tw^o months and a
half to three months must be calculated for
between the time the jilants commence to grow
and the time when the flowers make their appear-
ance. Suppose, for instance, that you require
the flowers for March 1!), you nmst start the
plants into growth about January 10 by raising
the temperature of the house to from (iO" to 70"
Fahr. This rise in the temperature need not
prevent the free admission of air whenexer the
weather outside will allow of it. On the contrary,
Hortensias, like all ether plants which must be
grown under glass, can only be maintained in a
healthy condition under a good system of venti-
lation.

CouirR IN Ti[EFi.o\VER.s. — All isnotdonc in striv-
ing to produce Hortensia blooms of a blue tint
imless the colour obtained is brilliant and uni-
form. Nothing, in fact, is uglier than a panicle
■f the flowers onlj- coloured blue in one part,
ilk in another, and green in the centre, with
_;ue intermediate shades all simply combining
' [iroducc a dull, w'an shade of colouring. The
• Kcva also should be large and, as far as pos-
>le, all expand at the same time. Good results
all tliese matters may be obtained at the same
lie by the following means : (1) At the time of
■ second repotting, just before the winter of
• seeonfl year, wash the roots and rootlets
loroughly, so that not a single portion of the
111 in which the plants passed the summer may
' left adhering to them. Rejiot the |)lants at
re in a proper ferruginous compost, having for
base sandy heatli-.soil, with which are incorpo-
ed 11) per cent, of iron .slag, pounded fine,
lier cent, of sulphate of iron, and .> per
nt. of dried night-soil. Instead of this may
employed 10 per cent, of pounded slate,
|iet cent, of sulphate of iron and 1 per cent, of
lumonia. The ])lants are to be well watercfl
1 ice ,-1 week with water in which sulpiiate of iron
'^ been dissolved, in tlie pro[iortion of from
I grains to -10 grains (Troy) to the(|uart. [Some
'iwers, in order to obtain certain results, employ
elusively soil taken from ground in which .slate
. larries are found, wliich is rich in sulphate of
'umina. The efl'eet, moreover, which is pro-
iced by pounded slate is entirely owing to the

presence in this slate of from 'Jo percent, to .■).'> per
cent, of alumina, and of from ti |)er cent, to
12 per cent, of suljihide and oxide of iron. The
slate also contains potash to the extent of about
4 per cent. It is also owing to the combined
presence of the sul[)liatc and oxide of iron witli
alum (bi-sulphate of alumina and [lotash) that
some argillaceous soils naturally ]>ro(luce the blue
colour in Hortensia blooms. We know, besides,
that the alum of commerce is extracted from
plastic and potters' clay by leaching those clays
after they have been dried and reduced to powder.
A line blue colour is also imparted to Hortensia
flowers by plaiang in the bottom of the fiot, \\ hen
|iotting tlie [ilants, a small ({uantity of crushed
alum. In this case, however, it is necessary to
be sure that the potting soil itself does not already
contain a suflicient |)roportion of alum. Even if
it docs, that does not diniiiii.sli tlie necessity of
watering with a solution of sulphate of iron and
dried night-soil, H. I).] (•2) Admit air as much
as possible in |iroportion to the light. The darker
the da}% the less air should be given. On the
other hand, the brighter the sunshine, the greater
the amount of air that sliould be admitted, if
frost should not jjrevent the opening of the frames
while the sun is shining.

Si'KciMKNs IN SMALL POTS. — People fall into
raptures when admiring huge flowers of Chrysan-
themums, or of Hydrangea Hortensia, H. Otaksa
or other kinds, growing on a short, unbranched
stem rising from a small pot. Nothing is more
easily obtained. Take the pinehed-ofl' shoots
which were remoxed from crowded branches,
choosing those whicli have the thickest wood, as
these certainly have a flower-bud ; make cuttings
of them, and when they ha\e taken root prick
them out into small pots. Place these pots on a
warm hot-bed ami under a bell-glass, so as to
have the air excluded. The cuttings will have
struck root in about eight days' time, and soon
afterwards you will have a grand display of
flowers. In this case, should you desire Ijlue
flow'ers, the cuttings should be pricked out in
ferruginous soil, and the}' should have been
taken from parent plants which were also grown
in the same kind of soil.

Lastly, those who devote themselves to this
special culture should possess very vigorous-
growing parent ] ilants with very thick wood,
and w'hicli ha\e been brought into this condition
by a plentiful application of manure. — (iKOKOE
Boucher, in I!i rm- Iloiiico/e.

Croton Van CErstedi. — This is a very freely-
bntnelu-'d, small-gi'owing Croton, quite distinct,
and \cry useful wlien grown in small pots for the
edges of groups and jiositions where dwarf-grow-
ing kinds only would lie suitable. It cannot lay
claim to any particular grace or elegance, as the
leaves though narrow' are short and stifl', their
colour being a rich deep green thickly sprinkled
with tiny spots of yellow. It is also occasionallj'
met with under the name of aureopunctatus.
This Croton branches so freely as to form even
when young quite a dense bush. Neat and etl'ec-
ti\'e little plants may be grown in pots only
4 inches in diameter. — H. P.

Abutilon Boula de Neige. — A great num-
ber of hybrid varieties of Abutilon lia\e been
raised and distributed within the last few years,
among them being several with wliite blossoms.
None of them, however, has jiroved equal to the
old Boule de Neige. Apart from its own indi-
vidual merit Boule de Neige has proved most
valualile to the hybridist, as the now popular
race of garden Abutilons owe their origin to the
intercrossing of this and the old bronzy-red Abu-
tilon Darwini. It is somewhat singular that the
union of these two should result in varieties with
pink blossoms and other allied shades in which
the red of Darwini is completcl}' eliminated. An
exactly similar result, however, is to be found in
the .lavanese Rhododendrons now so popular, for
the crossing of the orange K. javanicum with the
white K. jasminiflorum produced the pink R.
Princess Royal. Abutilon Boule de Neige may

be grown in various ways, as it does well clothing
the wall of a greenliou.se, the handsome deep
green foliage .serving to show oH' the jiure satiny-
white blossoms to the best advantage. Again,
trained to a roof or pillar it is very efl'ective,
w bile in bush form it will flower with cipial free-
dom, (lood-si/.ed plants maj' be .sometimes seen
]iut out in the l.,ondon parks during the summer
months, and so treated they flower well. — T.

Pinguicula caudata. — When visiting a short
time since the tjlueen's Road Nur.sery of Mr.
.lames Cypher at Cheltenham, my attention was
attracted by a large batch of this. The plants,
of which there were many, were growing in small
pots. They had (piite dense rosettes of leaves
closedown on the surface, and from the centres of
the plants rose long scapes, each one crowned
with a bright deep rosy carmine-coloured corolla.
On young plants the leaves are arranged in the
form of dense rosettss, fleshy, long, narrow, the
tips slightly incurving, but when the plants age
the lea\ es change considerably in character : they
then become few, large, and take on a dull yel-
lowish green colour with stained margins. This
does well in a cool Orchid house where there is a
command of a plentiful moist atmosphere, and at
this season of the year a temperature of 4.5' to 50'
by night. The plants at Cheltenham were in
what is known as .'JJ-inch pots : they are potted
lightly in a compost of peat, sand and Sphagnum
Moss in about equal parts. The plants Ijloom in
autumn and up to Christmas. The}' are then
rested for a time, during which they require but
little water. When they begin to make growth
in the spring more water is required, and then
increase can be made by division. In addition to
this method of propagation, plants can be in-
creased by means of the leaves, as in the case of
Gloxinias : they will strike freely in the compost
recommended for potting. — R. D.

BOUVARDIA HUMBOLDTI CORYMBI-

FLORA.

In The G.\kden (p. 443) reference is made to the
specific name of the above, and it is stated that
cor3'mbiflora should take precedence. At one
time I was under the impression that it should be
so, but have since found that I was wrong,
corymbiflora being an improved \ariety of the
original species (B. Huraboldti). Idonotremem-
ber to have seen the old form. I met Jlr. P.
Henderson, of Maida Vale, a few years ago, and
he informed me that the firm raised (or intro-
duced) corymbiflora, which was a great improve-
ment on the species, which never produced its
flowers in such large corymbs or trusses. To be
quite correct, I imagine that the name sViould be
written B. Humboldti var. corymliiflora, yet as
there apjiears to be only the improvetl \ariety in
cultivation, it is hardly necessary to use both
names. In the trade it is generally spoken of as
Humboldti only. At a recent meeting of the
Royal Horticultural Society a further improved
variety was exhibited and gained an award of
merit under the name of Humboldti grandiflora.
This has a stouter tube and broader lobes ; the
Icaxes are also broader than in corymbiflora. I
was at first inclined to think that culture had
made the difference, but on comparing the two I
found a decided difference, particularly in the
foliage, and it should undoubtedly supersede the
older variety. As to culture, 1 find Humboldti
reipiires difl'erent treatment from that given
the varieties of other species. It requires more
root-room ; cuttings struck early in the year will
flower the following autumn ; the [ilants should
be grown where they are fully exposed to the sun,
and should not be stopped so late in the season as
the other sorts, ^\'hen grown for cut bloom, old
cut-back plants are preferable. I have seen it
flowering freely when planted out of doors, but to'
have nice clean blooms it is necessary to protect
from rough weather. I believe numy growers fail
to flower this Bouvardia through not treating it
liberally enough. With plenty of |iot room and a
liberal supply of manure, the same plants will

408

THE GAPvDEK

[December 11,1897.

keep up a supply of bloom for a considerable
time. In the country it might flower up to
Christmas, but in the neighbourhood of London I
have never been able to do much good with it
after November comes in. A.

Rose Garden.

ROSE COMTESSE DE NADAILLAC.

A GKEAT number select this Rose from
Hewers that are staged for exhibition, and
consequently Coratesse de Nadaillac is well
known, has many admirers, and yet disappoint-
ment is almost an inevitable consequence <if
any first attempt at its culture. Who can fail
to admire those wonderful boxes of blooms of
this Rose so varied in colour that Mr. Prince
shows from his nursery in Oxfordshire ? Soil
and situation must be considered in the produc-
tion of such flowers, and a breadth of this kind in
a nursery such as we have seen with Mr. Prince
is something to remember. After many trials,
however, it must be admitted that this lovely
Rose is fickle, and if we were asked for a selec-
ti(m of twelve or twenty-five of the best garden
kinds, even then we should leave this one out.
Still, it will continue to draw admirers, and
those who like to give it a little extra care will
find themselves abundantly repaidwhen its many-
tinted flowers appear. It must have a warm
and sunny spot and open-air culture to get its
full beauty. At the foot of a wall it is sometimes
very happy, and in the Colchester nurseries we
have seen grand flowers produced by plants so
situated. It is only a moderate grower at the
best, and cannot be etfecti\-ely grouped in the
garden, unless soil and situation are specially
favourable to it. It was raised by M. Guillot,
and sent out in 187-.

wood, an essential factor in the production of fine
flowers. "J. R." says the border was entirely
re-made two years ago. As this operation must
have been \ery carefully performed, judging by
results, I should have been surprised indeed had
he not obtained these richly-coloured flowers
from sucli rejuvenated and doubtless highly-fed
plants. — Philomel.

Potting' Roses. — Now is a very good time to
pot up a few standard, half-standard, and bush
Roses to provide a supply for filling up gaps in
tlie late spring. It is not always convenient to
plant at the |)roper time, and somehow the work
is delayed until too late ; consequentlj' a season is
lost : IJut if a few plants are held in reserve in
pots the result will be the same as if the plants
had been put out in autumn, provided they are
carefully turned out of their pots and the ball of
earth left intact. Some well-flowered standard
and half-standard Roses in pots are also found to
be very useful upon special occasions. As the
standard Brier has a peculiar root, ample pot
room should be aflbrded. A 10-inch or 12-inch
l)Ot will be found none too large. The pots
shoidd be plunged in some ashes or cocoa-nut

Kose Eainbo'W. — This Las been very lovely tliis
autuinn, a season of the year that one sees its parent
I'apa Gontier in greatest perfeetioD. Kainbow has all
tlie characteristics of Papa Gontier, only that it is
striped and flaked witli the rosy-crimson colour of the
latter on a pale peach-colonred ground. I consider
it a very valuable addition to the Tea-scented class.
— E.

Rose Q,ueen of Bedders (Bourbon). — Even
now the plants of this variety are covered with
large red buds that would produce a fine show
were they not hindered from expanding by the
damp and foggy December days. These hard-
opening Roses are not so suitable as the Teas for
late autumnal dis))lays, but in the waning sum-
mer, when many of the Hybrid Perpetuals have
yielded their first crop, they come in very useful.
The colour of ti)ueen of Bedders is deep crimson,
the flowers are rather flat, and the growth is very
similar to that of Souvenir de la Malmaison. — E.

Rose Perle des Rouges (Polyantha).— This
latest novelty among these exquisite miniature
Roses is a "very acceptable acquisition. The
colour is velvety crimson, and although not quite
up to our ideal of ^a scarlet-crimson variety, it is,
nevertheless, a great gain. Hitherto the deepest
colour in this section has been the variety
Blanche Rebatel, but the purplish sliading has
hindered it from obtaining much popularity. I
believe Perle des Rouges will be extensively em-
ployed by gardeners for massing, and it will pro-
bably rank with Gloire des Polyantha for effec-
tiveness.— E.

Colour in Mme. FalcotRose. — It is pleasant
to read of such splendid specimens of this fine old
Rose as related by "J. R." in The G,4KDEX
■lately. I think the secret of the intense colouring
that he refers to is mainly attributable to old age,
and consequently a very abundant sujiply of roots
which such twenty-year-old plants would possess.
Then again, the covering of glass and abundance
of air would ensure a thorough ripening of the

I would recommend gardeners to meet the de-
mand by potting up a quantity for this purpose.
(irow them on under cool conditions the first year
until well established, then they can be forced to
meet any requirements. After flowering, cut
awav' some of the old flowering shoots and grow
on in heat with plenty of moisture during the
summer. This treatment will quickly bring
forth young growths that will flower from
every eye. Those plants intended for pillars may
have their shoots bent down for a time to ensure
a thorough breaking of all the buds, afterwards
training them in pyramidal form. — Philomel.

Rose Alfred K. "Williams. — Not only is this
one of the best of the autumn Roses, but it is also
a superb variety for summer flowering. It is true
the constitution of the plant is not altogether
what one would desire, but we can attbrd to over-
look this failing in an otherwise grand variety-
Some really wonderful flowers are produced from
one-year-old plants on the Jlanetti, and for exhi-
bitors this may seem a sufficient excuse for grow-
ing this Rose on that stock, but as a jiermanent
plant I would most decidedly recommend obtain-
ing this beautiful variety on the seedling or cutting

f

i:

Rose Comtesse de Kadaillac. From a photograpli by Messrs. Byrne tind Co. Richmond.

4

fibre refuse quite up to the rim, and if frosts are
severe, a covering of straw or leaves will be bene-
ficial.—W. E.

Standard and pillar Roses in pots.— Fre-
quenters of exhibitions must have noticed the
growing tendency of exhibitors for more natural
training, and in no instance is this more observ-
able than in the national flower. The giant
specimen Roses exhibited in the palmy days of
South Kensington were objects of wonderment,
but no one could truly say he admired them.
On the other hand, let anyone place before the
public a fine standard of some of the best coloured
Teas, the branches pendent with the weight of
the lovely blossoms, or a superb example in pillar
form of such chaste and elegant Roses as Claire
.lacquier, Crimson Rambler, Alister Stella (iray,
Adelina, Viviand Morel, Aglaia, Longworth
Rambler, with many others, and he -will (juickly
discern the trending of popular taste. No plant
can be more suitable for conserAatory decoration
than a well-flowered pillar or standard Rose, and

Brier, the former for preference. The great fauft
of the Manetti from a gardeners standpoint is
the early maturation of its growths, and conse-
quently little or no autumnal display, but on the
Brier, especially plants on the seedling, this Rose
is ofttimes seen at its Ijest in autumn. — E.

Climbing H.P. Roses. — The climbing oi
extra vigorous forms of this fine hardy class
possess considerable value to denizens of large
towns or bleak and cold situations. It is true
they have not the rambling nature of the Tea and
Noisette, Sempervirens and similar classes, but
they are hardiei-. Where possible they should be
obtained on own roots, as, indeed, should al.
Roses that are destined for such permanent posi'
tions as climbers on walls or pillars. Mentiot
should be made of Climbing Victor Verdier, foi
although scentless it is a useful Rose, with prettilj
formed rose-coloured buds. Climbing .lules Marl
gottin is certainly the most rampant of them al\
and very serviceable it is, although its fragratil
flowers never appear so fine as on the dwar

December 11, 1897.J

THE GARDEN.

4G9

variety. Then ajjjain we have that beautiful old
Rose I'rinccss Louise Victoi-ia, witli its channuij;-
lleshcoloured llowei-s tliat almost rival tlioso of
Captain Christy iu loveliness. Bessie .loluison
cliniliint; form is yet another worthy variety, if
only foitlic<li'liciousfra<;ranceof itsblush-eoloured
blossonis, and Climbini;' .Mile. Eugenie Verdier is
L)ot (juilc so vigorous as the above varieties, but it
will make growth in one year 4 feet to ."> feet long,
!Mid a wi'lle>lablislied plant of it i;overed with its
delightful lle.sh-]iinU llowers on a low wall or
grown on a |)illar produees a very tine ellect.
Vet another excellent salmon-coloured variety is
Climbing I'ride of Waltham. Not only do these
climbing Hyljrid Perpetuals jirovide us with good
hardy lamblers, but they, together with some of
their allies in the Hybrid Teas, such as Climbing
iLa France, Climliing Cajitain Clwisty and Pink
IRover, give us .some of tlie very best climbing
|)ink Roses, .a colour of which the pure Teas of
jlimbing liabit are very delicient. Undoubtedly
If it can be fixed, the Climbing La France will
jecome a grand accpiisition. I recently saw some
Dlants that had made U-feet to 7-feet shoots the
irst season fi'om the bud, but a large proporti<in
III the row hail reverted to the dwarf type. The
larieties I have named, together witli such a tine
<carletas < UoiredeMargottin and, for white, Paul's
Single, will give a selection of excellent climbers.

— PllII.OMEIj.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

MARKET GRAPES.

I FAXCY tliat more dittieulty will be exjierieiiced

n keeping Alicante and Muscat of Alexandria

han has been the case for some years. The

< inner in in.anj' places was fully cohjured and

iuite sweet by the middle of September.

In an ordinary year this would not much

natter, but all through October and in the

^arly part of November : day and night tempera-

iire.s have ranged unusually higli, and although

xrapes to keep should be thorougldy ri|.ie, they

ihould be kept as cuol as possible after they are

•ipe. Shrivelling and decay of berry are more

pt to be troublesome when the berries have been

exposed to a month or more of summer heat

• ifter ripening than when the weather has been

n the cool side through the autumn months.

I'he dense fogs which prevailed necessitated the

pplicatioii of artificial heat, for without this a

irge luimber of berries must have decayed. The

iiost trying month for late Gra])es in a general

v.iy is November ; the Vines being clothed with

pliage, tlie circulation of air is impeded, and a

nrge amount of evaporation is going on. As

'Oil as the leaves fall, the amount of moisture

' be got rid of is much less, and it is easier to

■ eive decaying berries. Later on there is

to be a dittieulty in another way. In a time

I hard frost, especially when tlie days are

right, evajioration from the berries is too

apid and the bunches lo.se in weight and

ippearanee. One of our largest Muscat growers

'•vers his hou.ses with thick netting after the

Mil of the ye.ar. This .serves a twofold ])ur-

-'■, lessening the need for tire-heat, thereby

"iiomisiiig fuel, and in some measure screens

'■ berries from the action of bright sunshine.

Mien the pipes have to be made very hot. the

iiiiches near them are apt to shrivel, and tlie

I atmosphere which they create seems to

' loy the bloom and perfect finish of the

lit. Tliere is undoubtedly nothing like

'itling, where this can be done, and I won-

1 that this way of keeping Grapes has not

'U jiraetised to a greater extent by those

ho grow this fruit on a large scale for

■otit. The initial expense would, it is

'lie, be considerable, but there should be

The amount of fuel and the labour re(|uired
to keep say 501)0 bunches from December
onwards are very great, and these would in a
great measure be saved. Not only is this tlie
case, but the Vines are relieved of their burden
at an early date, and the work of jiruning,
cleansing, manuring, &c., can be done at a time
when most eonveiiicnt. It is also, I believe, a
fact that Muscats and (iros Colniaii kec]) longer
ill better condition when bottled than on the
Vines, which lias a ilirect bearing on that all-
imiiortant item, marketable value. After tlie
middle of March there is generally a consider-
able rise in price. Muscats which in February
have been selling at from ;Js. (id. to 5s. jier lb.
will freipiently suddenly run up to 10s. per lb.
by April. Last .spring upwards of 10s. per lb.
was obtained in Covent (iarden for Muscats,
but these came from a Grape room. I doubt
if any so good were forthcoming direct from the
Vines at that late period. If a man could ob-
tain from Od. to Is. (id. per lb. more by bottling
he would get a good return f<jr his outlay, and
be saved a lot of troublesome details which are
indispeii.sable when the fruit hangs so long
on the Vines. (Jros Colman is admittedly
the best variety for long-keeping when it
can be brought into a highly-finished condi-
tion. Perfectly developed it will keeji longer
than any other (jiape, but herein lies the dith-
culty which comparatively few manage to coii-
(pier. Those who may be thinking of taking
up the profitable culture of this variety cannot
be too fully impressed with this fact. Partly
coloured, Colman is not so valuable as the more
easily grown Alicante in its best form, and all
advantages to be derived from its superior
keeping ijualities are lost, for imperfectly ma-
tured fruit will not remain in good condition
f(U- any length of time. Gros Colman even
under the best management is a])t to be dis-
appointing ; whereas the Alicante with fair
treatment seldom refuses to yield good crops of
finely-coloured fruit. A house of Alicante ccui-
taining thousands of bunches in perfect bloom
and colour is worth going a long way to see,
and, taking one year with another, I doubt if
any Grape is more jirofitable. J. C. B.

Pear Nouvelle Fulvie.— This Pear is not
grown so much as it deserx'es, as it is really an
excellent variety and not at all fastidious as to
soil. Its season is given as from December to
January, but I find it is ripe in November and
early December. It is only fair to add the fruits
are from cordon or dwarf bushes and pyramids in
a -warm soil, this alTecting their keeping. It can-
not be called a handsome Pear. It is free from
coarseness, of excellent i|uallty, and the fruits have
a delicious flavour. With me it does best as a
pyramid. Doubtless the close stopping needed
for cordon training is not favourable to cropiiinf,
and in bush or pyramid form it rarely fails to
bear ; indeed, in some seasons so freely, that thin-
ning is necessary to obtain good-sized fruits It is
not a gross grower, and is therefore well adapted
for gardens where .space is none too plentiful. — G.

WVTIIKS.

Apple Cockle Pippin.— This old variety,
which recently secured the award for flavour at
the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, is
well worth space iu all collections. I admit it is
not a showy Apple by any means, and in collec-
tions of fruit two or more months ago it would
have passed unnoticed. The variety in cpiestion
does well in most soils. In a light soil on gravel
the tree crops freely, but the fruit lacks the size
of that grown under more favourable conditions.
I find it does not keep so well from trees on the
Paradise stock. I should be glad to know if
other growers have this dithcultj'. Though its
season is from November to the end of tlie year.

shire I kejit the fruit well into March. The fruits
were from standards. I have no idea on what kind
of tree or on what stock the dish of this variety
referred to was grown, but the fruits were excel-
lent and the flavour superb. Kven in standard
form this variety does not make a large tree— at
least I have never seen very large trees — and on
the Paradise it is one of the most shajiely and
prolitic varieties I know. This variety I often
noticed did well at Chiswick in the society's
gardens, and Mr. Barron had a high opinion of
its (luality. I believe it is a Sussex fruit, and
may be kept a long time, given cool storage. As a
niarket fruit I fear its appearan<:e would not be
in its favour. — Gkowkr.

The fruit flavour prizes.— I do not remember

to have seen issued so far any statement as to
the varieties of Apjiles and Pears that have
been awarded prizes in connection with Messrs.
Veitch and Sons' flavour classes for these fruits
at the Drill Hall and the Crystal Palace. It seems
as if the competitions for the present season will
have very little merit after the .lanuary meeting,
the last one in the Royal Horticultural Society's
year, that a favourable opportunity would then
present itself for the issue of a tabulated report,
giving not only the various dates on which each
variety received an award, the number of times in
each year totalled, the name of the exhibitor and
place of growth, nature of soil and such other in-
formation as may be found useful. The com-
petitions have been running two }-ears, and each of
the years has seen many repetitions. These
would have been more frequent in some cases,
notably Cox's Orange Pippin in Apples, but for
the limitation put on exhibitors with respect
to the number of times they can exhiliit the same
variety. Probably the number of varieties that
have won prizes will be with both Apiiles and
Pears found to be rather few compared with the
large number of \'arieties in commerce. Were
the competitions continued for other two years,
it is doubtful whether any better flavoured
\arieties of either fruit would be found. Certainly
there hav e been none put into commerce for some
time that equal those already so well known.
It may be worth while, should Messrs. \'eitchand
Sons purpose continuing the com[)ctitions, to with-
draw from them all varieties that have received
awards in their season two years in succession, and
thus give room for the introduction of other good
varieties that have so far been put into the back-
ground by superior rivals. We know now which
are the best, but there may be some others yet
comparatively undiscovered. — A. D.

interest on money expended in this way. < when I had trees of this variety in (Jloucester

PLANTING FRUIT TREES OX WALLS.
Wori.n you kindlj- inform me at what distance
apart Apples, Plums, and Pears should be planted
on walls and as espaliers. — J. MiK.

*,* The distance apart for planting fruit trees
depends a great deal on the soil, the position
where planted, and the stock on which the trees
are worked. Take soil first. If this is what is
termed a good loam of a fair depth aiul not wet
or too stitr, trees in such land will grow very
quickly. Apples come first. Pyramids oi bushes
on the (^rab stock may be planted 9 feet to IlJ feet
apart, the latter distance in good land and if the
trees are well balanced and healthy. Trees on the
Paradise stock need less space. Here (i feet to
!• feet will suHice, as this stock will not produce
largo trees. Six feet is often allowed bushes, but
it is rather too close when the trees are in well-
worked soil. For espaliers horizontally trained,
lli feet to 15 feet aiiart is a good distance. Cor-
don Apple trees may be planted on a wall at
•2 feet apart if placed as an edging in double
form 12 feet to 15 feet ajiurt. This al ows of
from (i feet to 7 feet of gro\7th each side the tree,
and this is surtieient if the trees are on the Para-
dise stock. Single cordons will only recpiire half
the distance of the double tree, (i feet to 8 feet
being ample, the smaller distance for small
growers on the Paradise. Pears, pyramid or
bushes on Quince stock, should be G feet to 9 feet

470

THE GARDEN.

[December 11, 1897.

apart ; if on the Pear and strong growers, 9 feet
to 1.5 feet cordons the same as advised for
Apples, and espalier trees 15 feet to 20 feet, the
former distance for slow growers or those on the
Quince. Plums need more room. For bushes
and pyramids, 10 feet to 12 feet is none too much,
and trees against walls 1.5 feet to 20 feet. Plums
often grow very quickly, but if kept root-pruned
every half dozen years a distance of 15 feet
apart is ample. The trees also are more prolific.
The Peach and Nectarine need the same treat-
ment. I would advise 15 feet to '20 feet ; the
latter is none too much if trees are well done and
grown freely, that is plenty of young wood laid
in. Young trees at the start are often planted at
4 feet ai»rt, in time every other tree being re-
moved. Indeed, with most kinds of fruits this
close planting may be adopted if there is no
neglect in after years in removing.— Ed.

JARGONELLE PEAK.

Thi.s is one of the most delicious Pears in cul-
tivation, and if flavour alone is to decide the
selection, it may well head the list. Unfortu-
nately, the Jargonelle is of the worst habit of
growth imaginable, and that is the greatest
objection gardeners have to it. A pyramid
worthy of the name is very rarely met with,
and presentable standards can only be obtained
by re-grafting old trees of less approved varie-
ties with the Jargonelle. Nor are good hori-
zontal trees of it easily grown ; in fact, it would
appear to object to almost any set form of
training. When once this is realised and the
trees allowed tj have their own way somewhat,
an improvement is soon effected both in thi-'
quality and quantity of the fruit. What a
Jargonelle Pear tree needs, and what it must
have, is plenty of head-room. The trees should
be treated much in the same way as fan-shajied
Plum trees, the system simply consisting in
laying in a branch wherever there is space to be
filled, allowing these branches to grow un-
pruned til! the limit is reached. It is the
young, well-ripened growths that give the most
bloom and the finest fruit, the former, at least,
invariably being formed on the unpruned two-
year-old wood. The Jargonelle will not fruit
satisfactorily on either a north or north- east
wall, in this resjiect failing where Marie Louise,
Louise Bonne, and other Pears succeed. The
best way to form good standards is to cut over
the head of some less valued tree, grafting all
the points with the Jargonelle.

The Jargonelle flowers earlier than most
Pears, being as a consequence more often
damaged by frosts. A tree well set with fruit-
buds would always pay for some kind of tem-
porary protection. Trebled fish-nets suspended
<iver the trees, and kept clear with the aid of
long poles, will frequently save the crop.

season, as the plants make a nice growth by the
middle of October and go away freely in the early
spring. If planted in spring you must not allow
them to fruit the same season. You must remove
all flower-trusses as they show, the plants needing
all their strength to form roots and make a good
crown growth for the next season. With spring
planting, watering must be carefully attended to
during dry weather. A mulch of rotten manure
is also of great benefit. — Ed.

Apple Cox's Orange.— At p. 397 "Grower,"
in a brief note, gives us a very practical sugges-
tion regarding the severe pruning of this Apple,
and I thoroughly agree with his remarks. Some
years ago I planted cordons of Cox's Orange,
partly as a finish to a fruit border and with a view
to obtaining fine fruits. From half a dozen trees,
now at least ten years old, I have not had a peck
of fruit. Cox's Orange treated thus does not
fruit freely. On the other hand, from bush trees
given a certain amount of freedom I rarely fail to
get fruit in quantity and of a good size also, and
I find the trees soon bear. Even small trees have

apparently quite a home, and I saw some very
fine fruit of it there recently. The flesh is re-
markably firm, of a brisk, but not very acid
flavour, and this is less pronounced as the season
advances. In shape it is sub-conical, and at the
stem there is often a club of flesh like that in the
fruit from which it takes its name. The skin is
yellowish streaked with russet, the fruit solid and
heavy. The tree is a free bearer, and I have noted
it good in several gardens this scarce season. 1%
does better when allowed a certain amount o£
freedom than if closely pruned.

A good stewing Pear. — I am aware we have
no lack of good stewing Pears ; in fact many ol
the dessert varieties are only fit for cooking.
For autumn and early winter supplies few varie-
ties can surpass Gilogil. This on the Pear stock
is one of the hardiest of all the Pears, as in the
far north it is a favourite, and rarely fails. I
aware there are later, also larger cooking PearSj"
but none superior in quality. The above when
] cooked is, I consider, our best Pear, in season
from October to December. The fruits are large.

Planting Strawberries. — Is the present a
.safe time to make a permanent plantation of the
difl'erent sorts '! Is there any danger of them suf-
fering should the weather become severe after-
wards?—J. McK.

*jj* December is the worst season of the year to
]jlant Strawberries, no matter what the variety,
as the plants are now at rest. If you plant now
and severe weather follow, you will lose many
lilants. You will gain in the end by leaving the
planting till Jlarch, or e\en April should the
former month be wet, cold or frosty. You do
not say if your plants are in the soil, in pots or
otherwise. If in pots, plunge well over the rims
of the pots in lines, well pressing the soil to the
l)lants. This will prevent frost damaging the
roots, and if in beds a little cover over the roots
in the way of ashes or short litter will do good.
The best month to plant for permanent planta-
tions is August, or as soon as runners can be
obtained. If planted then you wdl get fruit next

Pear Jargonelle.
this season given fair crops. I am inclined to round, with a yellow skin covered with russe

think severe pruning may have a great deal to
do with scarcity in some places, as this variety on
the Pai-adise stock, treated as advised, has borne
grandly on the new wood of the previous year. —
S. H. B.

Pear Princess of Wales.— The flavour of
this Pear is almost as good as that of any at this
season, and its handsome appearance should
recommend it. The skin is rough, yellow, with
dots of a greyish russet, and the flesh is very
melting and pleasant. It appears to do well
under any form of training, and should be worked
on the Quince. If a wall can be afforded it it is
of better flavour, but in a season like that just
passed it is sure to ripen almost anywhere. Trees
here with a south-west aspect have carried a good
crop and the fruit has been much liked. It is a
healthy and vigorous grower and should prove a
profitable \ariety. — R., Siijfbll:.

Apple Lemon Pippin — This is a useful late
dessert Apple, good now and keeping well into

when ripe. I have seen very fine fruits on bus.
trees. It also bears well as a standard,
making new additions this Pear should find
place.— S. H. B.

Early Peaches. — I do not quite agree wit
Mr. Burrell (p. 4.S1) when he considers Amsde
June poor. In the note I presume he does nc
refer to cropping, but to quality. The variety i
question in our soil is better than either Alexand^
or Waterloo and earlier. Tliis is important,
am aware Mr. Burrell is not at all singular in hi
estimate of the three Peaches in question ; otheil ^:
think the same ; and I have therefore made a SJK ^:,
cial study as regards the flavour of these varieties
and I can see little dift'erence. I do admit on
drawback with Amsden June. It is the first
the trio to lose quality. It will not keep so Ion
as either of the two others named, and even 0
walls if left too long it loses flavour. I find ^
necessary to go over the trees when the fruit .
ripening every day and not allow ripe fruits^., ;

the new year. In the light soil at Livermere it is ' remain an hour longer than is necessary ; m

Dkcember 11, 1897.]

THK TxAl^DEK

471

if anything, to gather before (|uite ripe if the
fruits are needed for u special pui pose. Of late I
have been plaiitiiii; early varieties of Peaches in
(luaiitity, and have <;iven Amsden June the pre-
ference. Size, colour and earlinoss have been con-
sidered in the selection. I lind either of the
three-named is none too highly llavourcd if grown
in gravelly soil, and I also notice these early varie-
ties need a great deal of moisture, much thinning
to get tine fruits and the wood also well ripened.
Early Beatrice is so poor it is not wortli growing.
I have an excellent variety, Early Canada, which
Iforces well. I am now growing this in the open.
I have very largo trees of Amsden June, and have
never yet failed to get tine fruits. — Gugwer.

Apple Seaton House. — In many gardens of
late years .-Kiiples ha\e been largely cultivated for
their size and appearance, and probably tlie above
\ariety is less seen at exhibitions than some of
1 he showier kinds. It is a grand fruit, and one of
the best for gardens of limited size where many
\ arieties are not re(|uired. Although not one of
the largest Apples, with me on old tree.* it is above

'medium size and a very solid fruit. It does well

I in any form of tree. In light, warm soils its

Isejison is October, but in the north good fruits

I may be had in March. I generally use it after
Cellini. It is not unlike Stirling Castle, but a
better grower with me. By some it is known as
Niton House. The fruits are pale green with

'darker streaks. Trees on the Paradise stock give
earlier and larger fruit, but for keeping I advise
Inish trees. — G. \V.

A new white Grape.— At page ,Sfl(5 "A. D."
riiiidemns the fruit committee for "iving an award
111 tlie new (ira|)e Marchioness of J)ownshire, and
says the committee gave the award in opposition
to the judgment of the best authority on Crapes

I in the kingdom. I think this latter remark un-
called for. The authority in question would be
the last jierson to i)ut his kno^^iedge as superior
to that of all others. If the fruit committee made

I a leap in the dark it is not the first time, and I
fail to see why " A. D." should condemn a body
of men simply because he ("A. I).") does not
agree. I certainly voted in the majorit\', and
consider it an excellent keeping Crape, and I
know it crops well and sets well. Several good

[Grape growers voted for it. I think such notes
as the one at ]). 3!IC are very unfair to the raiser.
As the committee were informed the variety in
nuestion cropped well and set well, I fail to see

ihow it got an award, as "A. D.'' states, without

jparticulars. — One of the M.wokitv.

PREPARING FORCING STRAWBERRIES.
A FEW years ago I had occasion to go into a large
market garden where Strawberries are forced
largely, and noted what rough-and-ready treat-
Iment the plants received in comjiarison to those
jin private gardens. As the crops were superior
jand the labour much less, it was an object lesson
land one I was glad to follow. The old-fashioned
'plan of top-dressing the pot jilants did not find
(favour, and I fail to see its utility. In my opinion
[food given at the surface in tlie form of liquid is
preferable to all others. I do not believe in the
^trongdosesof artificial manureoften given to plants
in fruit, as I think it aft'ects the flavour ; indeed,
after many years' trial I find ordinary liquid manure
from stables the best food, with occasional supplies
of soot water. In many gardens it is considered
necessary to top-dress each plant before starting.
This in inexperienced hands is the forerunner of
blind plants and weak floser-trusses, the plants
in some instances being unable to throw up
strongly. I am aware excess of heat, want of air,
Mid other defects contribute to the above evils,
but the top-dressing is often the first and can
readily be avoided. The usual plan of remov-
ing 2 inches or so of .soil from the surface
dso is quite unnecessary, and where there
ire thousands of plants it takes much time.
The ))lants when placed in their forcing
quarters do not need this new soil for many
)veeks, the result being it is more dirticult

to water tliose with a portion of now .soil added,
as this remains moist. The older soil, being a
mass of roots, dries quickly. It is necessary to
remove any weeds or mo.ssy growths from the
surface. Should food be neces.sary (which is rarely
the case at the start), it may be given in a li(|uid
state in preference to top-dressing. In an excel-
lent note on pot Strawberries, " J. C. B." at Jiage
.'i!il dwells upon the importance of good plants,
and gives cultural details how to secure them,
and though he but briefly touches on the forcing, I
note he lays stress upon the importance of soot as
food, an<l deprecates strong stimulants. I (piite
agree with him. The best ifruits I have ever had
were from ])lants fed with .soot-water only. I
think the strong fertilisers used now, mixed with
soil as a top-dressing, harmful, as the plant having
but few leaves is unabletoal)sorb the food, and the
plants cannot be forced hard to got new growth.

Books.

THE PRINCIPLES OF FRUIT GROWING.*

This, the latest addition to the Rural Science
Series, edited by L. H. Bailey, of the Cornell
University, New York, is, I think, the most \alu-
able. Without being actually a new departure in
the literature of the fruit garden, it is yet con-
ceived and conducted on original lines, and com-
pares most favourably \\'ith the dry matter-of-fact
attem])ts in a similar direction to which we are
accustomed on this side of the Atlantic. It is not
a case of attempting too much and doing nothing
thoroughly, but every page is replete w'ith matter
that both interests and instructs the reader.
Professor Bailey has the happy knack of conveying
a mass of valuaole information in the mo.st simple
manner. Too often experts wrap up what they
wish to convey in so much verbiage, various
technical and scientific phrases accompanying
their remarks, much of which might frequently
be dispensed with, together with numerous tables
and statistics galore, all of which confuse the
issues and bewilder the average reader. These
mistakes are not made by the majority of American
writers. "The Principles of Fruit Growing"
contains a surprising amount of original and
selected information, conveyed in a condensed,
yet perfectly understandable form. Not content
with the experience gained on the fruit farm con-
nected with the Cornell University, Mr. Bailey
has hunted up and quoted freely from all the
best American and English authorities on fruit
culture, also collating information upon various
important points from the leading fruit growers
all over the United States, hence the great value
of his painstaking work. Local experience is all
very well in its way, but it is not generally reli-
able. What answers admirably in one district
may fail conspicuously in another part of the
country, and the difficulty is met by giving the
" Principlesof FruitGrowing" an almost universal
character.

When shall we be favoured with an equally
well-thought-out and clearly-written work on
hardy fruit growing in this country, published at
a popular price? (The book under notice is sold
at OS. ) Mere re]3orts on experiments or descrip-
tions of fruit culture conducted in any one given
locality do not, for reasons already hinted at,
meet the case. We want reliable information
u()on various points. We ought to learn more
about the behaviour of both kinds and \arieties,
and which are the most profitable to cultivate in
dill'erent parts of the country ; the efi'ects of .soils
and manures upon the trees and bushes and their
[iroduce ; the positions that give the most satis-
factory results ; protective measures found the
most efficacious against frost, diseases, insect
pests; marketing, ]>acking, and the like. This
information should be collected from all parts of
Great Britain and Ireland and edited by an ex-

" The Principles of Fruit Growing." By L. H.
Bailey. London : Macmillan anj Co.

pert who, like Professor Bailey, is also a practical
fruit grower. I'erhaps this will come when wo
have State-aided training and experimental farms.
At present we are ipiite left in the lurch by our
I'ivals and friends in .America.

One piiint is always observable in Professor
Bailey's writing— he never misleads, and in par-
ticular guards himself against raising false ex-
pectations. He maintains, and rightly .so, that
iioth pleasure and profit are to be derived from
fruit culture, but never omits pointing out that it
is all a question of capaliility for the line pur-
sued. Where one man would succeed another
would starve. Personal superintendence is every-
thing. This is what hesaysas to the prospects of
beginners : —

It is indisputable tliat there is always a demand for
the liast. Thfre is not enough of the bc.=it in any
commodity. A man cannot make the best unless ho
lias the ability for it. It is more important, there-
fore, that the first tillage and fertilising and pruning
and spraying fliould he applied to the man and not to
the land nor the (Tops, and whilst the man is acquir-
ing discipline for the direct. proso<-ntion of iiis busi-
ness lie is at the same time opsning his mind to all the
sweetest pleasures of livina. On the other hind,
there is always a surplus of the ordinary. In fnct, it
is the ordinariness ( f it which makes the surplus.
This demands that we define what is com-
monly meant by the best. That kind of fruit usually
Pells the best of which there is the least. It may not
be intrinsically the best. It is simply that in which
there is the least competition. The key-note to the
Inisiness, therefore, is diversification or individuality.
The grower should aim to have something wlr'ch his
neighbours do not do, although it may really not h?

any better than what they do He need have

no fear of his suoi-ess if he grows what x^eople want
or puts it up so as to make them believe they want it.

Much more is written in this strain, and the
sound, practical advice given ought to be care-
fully read and acted upon by many compara-
tively " old hands " as well as beginners.

The chapter on "The Location and its Climate
is specially interesting to me, and doubtless will
be to many other British readers. I have recently
been engaged in a small way collecting informa-
tion on the effect of locality upon the crops, or,
in other words, the best positions for orchards,
the value of shelter trees, wind-breaks, and other
points for the benefit of Gloucestershire and
Somersetshire farmers, and to this now can be
added what Professor Bailey has published on
the subject. Opinions vary considerably as to the
best ))ositions for orchards as well as the \ alue of
wind-breaks. On the whole, the balance is in
favour of shelter trees .and wind-breaks, but there
is a surprisingly strong case against them. We
have not the same difiiculties to contend with in
the matter of injuries from sev'cre frosts while
the trees, bushes, and plants are at rest, and it
will be news to many readers that in various parts
of the States they are nearly as much liable to
have their prospects marred by frosts as we are
in this country. Spring frosts are among the
worst of our drawbacks, but a perusal of Pro-
fessor Bailey's work will convince readers that we
have not a monopoly of that particular bugbear.

Equally interesting and instructive is the chap-
ter on the tillage of fruit lands. What is said on
this subject both for and against tillage among fruit
trees is well worthy of careful attention, but
there is no mistaking the fact that tillage of the
ground has a most beneficial effect upon the trees
occupying it, and ought not really to cease for at
least ton years after ])lanting. This rule applies
to our country as well as to America, and this
season the diti'erence as regards the weight and
soundness of fruit in favour of trees on culti-
vated ground compared with those obtained from
trees in uncultiv.ated orchards is more marked
than usual. Here is what we find advanced on
page 139 on " The Philosophy of Tillage " :—

1. Tillage improves the physical onditiuii of the
land : (n) By fining the soil, and thereby presenting
greater feeding surface to the roots ; {h) by increasing
the depth of the soil, and thereby giving a greater
foraging and root-hold area to the plant I (r) bywarm-
ing and drying the soil in spring ; {rl) by reducing the
extremes of temperature and moisture.

472

THE GARDEN

[December 11, 1897.

2. Tillage miy save uio'sture (e) by increasint^
the water-fculding capacity of the soil ; (/) by check-
ing evaporation.

3. Tillage may augment chemical activitiej (o) by
aidiiit; and setting free plant-food ('') by promotiu*^
uitriticatiou ; (i) by ba'^teuing the decomposition of
organic matter ; (.i) by extending these agencies (3 h 1)
to greater depth of soil.

The chief beneficiaries of the experiment of
treating fruit trees similarly to forest trees,
planting thickly and not cultivating between, of
which there are innumerable instances in this and
adjoining count}' of (Gloucester, are said by Mr.
Bailey to be bugs, mice, and fungi, all of which
would vote the method a success. I should have
added grubs or the larvie of several most destruc-
tive insect pests. In this connection we are given
full accounts of all the methods in vogue of tillage
and cropping between fruit trees, with remedies
for unprofitable orchards. Next we come to an
exhaustive chapter on "The Fertilising of Fruit
Lands," and many and easy to follow are the hints
given. Of the necessity for manuring orchards
there can be no two opinions, and owners ought
first to read the information of this important
part of the subject, and judge for themselves
which of the many methods on fertilising the
ground will best meet their case. At the end of
this chapter, among the summary conclusions
occur the following instructive remarks : —

'I'he grower sliraild also retnember that the plants
need ah the elements of plant growth, and not one (f
them alone. For example, a heavy applicatioa of
nitrogen upnn soil which is defiiient of potash and
phosphoric acid cannot be expected io give useful re-
sults, lu the same way, tlie application of potash to
the soil which is very poor in nitrogen or ])bo&phoric
acid would be comparatively useless. The heavy loamy
or clay lands nearly always contain an abundance of
potash and phosphoric acid in a more or les? unavail-
able condition, and nnich of these materials can be
liberated to the plant by careful tillage and tlie
incorporation of humus. However, it is nearlv always
advisable In orchards whioh are bearing to add tbe^e
materials in the shape of manures or concentrated
fertilisers. The quickest resnlts following the use of
fertilisers will be soon upon the sandier lands. Two or
three years often elapse after the application of cbe xiral
fevtilisera to heavy lands before any decided results ;i re
observed. Iri other words, clay lands ordinarily show-
quicker results from tillage than they do from the
application of fertilisers. The farmer should beai- in
mind that he should Ecver rely (xc'usively upon
chemical plant foods, because tliey contain no humus
and the soil is apt to become hard ami lifele^s. They
should bo used ill judicious rotation, or in connection
with cover crops, or stable manures, or applications of
muck or some other organic dressings. It is not
necessary that the chemical fertilifcrs should be mixed
before application ; in fat t upon lands of varying soil
and conformation, it is ordinarily bettor to app'y
different ingredients separately, because ditferent parts
of the plantation may need different amounts of the
various materials. The low lands will ordinal ily need
less of the nitrogen and perhaps more of the potash
and phosphoric acid. In general it is advisable to buy
the plant foods separately as advised in the preceding
page.'.

"The Planting of Fruit Ground" is the heading
of another long chapter, and this is followed by
" The Secondary and Incidental Care of the Fruit
Plantation," both chapters being exhaustive and
to the point. Tlie effects of frosts upon both the
trees and the flowers are dwelt uijon at considerable
length, various illustrations of frost efl'ects accom-
panying these remarks. Diseases, insects and
spraying all come in for a full share of attention.
Then follows much good advice upon harvesting
and marketing fruit, with diagrams of every appli-
ance used in connection with this important work,
and there are also various illustrations of the best
forms of storage houses to be found in America.
Near the end of the book may be found much
that is interesting concerning the distribution of
the vast quantities of fruit grown in America, and
once more I would quote a passage for the benefit
of the slovenly and not unfrequently fraudulent
packer of fruit in this country. All that is
advanced under the sub-heading "The Grower
and Consumer" is worthy of reproduction, but

I must content myself with this selection from
it :—

It should first he said that the fruit itself is the
best busine.^'R card which the grower can have in the
long run. Fr^iit which is well grown and well packed
is already virtually sold. If the consumer is con-
vinced of the h^iiiesty and good faith of the grower
and the paoker, then Ills sus])icions are allayed, and li?

is willing to purchase freely and at a fair price

The time is certainly coming when an inferior grade
of fruit cannot be put upon the market with profit
Competition is gradually iucreising, and it is only the
better grades which can pay for the expense of
ship])ing and i^ickages and selling and leave a m.ii-glu
of profit to the grower.

I am afraid Professor Bailey would have but a
poor opinion of the methods and practices of the
bulk of those who consign fruit to Covent Garden
Market. Surely no such primitive, rough, and in
many cases tricky methods of packing, nor such
large (|uantities of inferior produce could be found
in any American fruit market. W. I.

Societies and Exhibitions

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.

O.v this occasion the whole of the exhibits were
arranged in the south - western gallery, and
although the display will not bear comparison
with that made last year, yet, considering the
damp and foggy weather lately experienced,
it may be considered an interesting one. A
few changes marie in the schedule of prizes
offered on this occasion, were not productive
of any particular change. Looking at the show
from the point of view of bringing out varieties
which may be characterised as being naturall}'
late, there was nothing noticeable in this respect,
but instead a repetition of sorts staged at both the
October and Novembei' shows appeared to be the
rule. This is to be regretted, as there is plenty of
room for improvement in the late - flowering
varieties, and it is only natural to expect that one
of the chief points of interest in a display made so
late in the season should be to give prominence
to the sorts naturally late-flowering. A class for
plants (single varieties) bush grown, trained
or untrained, failed to attract a satisfactory entry,
only one exhibitor making a display, and this with
plants distinctly unworthy of the occasion. The
trade display assisted very materially to compen-
sate for the poorness of tlie entries in the com-
petitive classes, both Mr. H. J. .Tones, Lewisham,
and Mr. W. Wells, Redhill, staging handsome
exhibits. The decorative exhibits, too, in the
non-competitive classes were very pleasing, and
these, together with tables of miscellaneous plants
and others containing Cyclamens and Primulas,
each contributed in no small degree to make an
interesting dis(jlay. It is pleasing to record an
improvement in the lighting arrangements, the
recent remarks in this respect evidently having
had the desired effect.

Plants.

Only one entry was forthcoming in the class
for six specimens, single varieties, bush grown,
trained or untrained. These were a very poor
lot indeed, and C|uite unworthy of a national
show. A third prize was awarded to Mr. W. C.
Pagram, gardener to Mr. J. Courtenay, Wey-
bridge.

CcT Bloujis.

The class for twenty-four Japanese Chrysan-
themums, not less than eighteen \arieties and
not more than two of a variety, l.irought out four
comjietitors, Mr. W. Messenger, gardener to Mr.
C. H. Berners, Woolverstone Park, Ipswich,
being an easy first with a very handsome lot of
blooms. His best were Mme. Carnot, E. D.
Smith, Simplicity, Rose Wynne, lalene, C. W.
Richardson, Col. T. C. Bourne, Silver King,
Etoile de Lyon, Mile. A. de Galbert, G. C.
Schwabe, and a grand flower of Golden Gate.
The second prize fell to Mr. W. Slogrove, gar-

dener to Mrs. Crawford, Gatton Cottage, Reigate^
his most conspicuous blooms being Waban,
Oceana, G. .J. Warren, Miss ^Maggie BlenkiroD,
Mme. Carnot, Niveum, Bellura, and M. Chenon
de L^che. Mr. Norman Davis, The VinerieSt
Framfield, Sussex, was the only competitor in
the class for twenty-four bunches shown ia
bottles provided by the society. These, almost
exclusively Japanese varieties, were veiy inform-
ally arranged, and included manj' of the leading
novelties. The flowers were large, full, of good
colour, and fresh. Four nice boards of blooms
were shown in the class for twelve Ja|)anese di8«
tinct, the margin of superiority in the first
prize stand being very narrow indeed. This
was awarded to Mr. Jlessenger, who had fine
examples of Mme. Carnot (probably the best
Japanese in the show), E. I). Smith, Etoile de
Lyon, C. \\'. Richardson, G. C. Schwabe, Silver
King, Golden Gate, Niveum, Snowdon, Pha-bus,
Miss Maggie Blenkiron, and Mutual Friend.
Mr. R. Kenyon, gardener to Mr. A. F. Hills,
Monkhanis, Woodford, was a close second, his
stand being a remarkably even one, and his
blooms fresh and of good colour. Julie Scara-
manga, Australie, Mrs. W. H. Lees, and Col,
T. C. Bourne v\ere specially deserving of praise.
A brisk competition for six Ja)ianese followed,
leading honours going to Mr. C. Cox, gardener to
Mr. J. Trotter, Brickenden Grange, Hertford,
with a capital stand of flowers. Edith Tabor was
verj' fine, its [nire yellow and exquisite form
being much admired. Mme. Carnot, Mrs. W. H.
Lees, Mrs. Chas. Blick, and a splendid bloom of
M. Chenon de Lechi? call for special notice. Mr.
Kenyon was again second with blooms noticeable
for their fine colour. The class for twelve in-
curved, not less than six varieties and not more
than two of one variety, produced four caiiital
lots. First prize deservedly went to Mr. W.
Neville, gardener to Mr. F. W. Flight, Cornstiles,
Twyford, Winchester, for a stand containing
flowers of large size and very neat and even. We
very much doubt if a finer lot has ever been
staged at this show in any previous year. His
varieties were Ma Perfection, The Egyptian, Miss
Dorothy Foster, Major Bonaftbn, .tohn Fulford,
Mrs. R. C. Kingston, and Bonnie Dundee. The
second prize was secured b\' Mr. T. Robinson,
gardener to Mr. W. Laurence, Elsfield Hou.se,
Hollingbourne, for a less even lot of flowers. For
six incurved, distinct, Mr. R. Bassil, gardener to
Mr. D. H. Evans, Shooters Hill, Pangliourne, had
a nice lot of flowers. Chas. H. Curtis, Mrs. J.
Gardiner, and a splendid flower of Bonnie Dundee
were among his best, ^'ery closely followed Mr.
Neville, who had a very neat lot of flowers, Mrs.
R. C. Kingston being in fine form. Only two
competitors entered the list for twelve bunches
.lapanese, not less than six varieties, three blooms
in a bunch, shown in bottles. Mr. W. Howe,
gardener to Mr. Henry Tate, Park Hill, Streat-
ham Common, had a beautiful lot of blooms in
wonderfully fresh condition. These were admir-
ably set up. Mr. Norman Davis was second, his
blooms not being set up so well as the first prize
lot. Four competitors staged exhibits in the class
for six bunches Japanese, three blooms of one
variety in each bunch. Here Mr. Norman Davis
was first with capital examples of Georgians,
Pitcher, Geo. Seward, Oceana, Western King,
Etoile de Lyon, and Mile. J. Bernard. Mr. W.
Slogrove was a good second, C. \A'. Richardson
and Oceana being two of his best sorts. In a
class for twelve bunches large-flowered single
varieties, three blooms only of one \ ariety in a
bunch, Jlr. G. W. Forbes, gardener to Mme.
Nicols, Regent House, Surbiton, Surrey, had a
magnificent lot of flowers, though too formally
set up. They were large, of good colour, and the
colours pleasingly disposed, Admiral Symonds,
Miss Grace Rennie, Tuscols, Rudbeckia, andi
Rev. W. C. Remfrey being the best. To Mr. A.
Felgate, gardener to Her Grace Elizabeth, Duchess
of Wellington, Burhill, Walton - on - Thames,
second prize was awarded. Yellow (iiant atid
Captain Felgate standing out conspicuously in
his exhibit. For six bunches of the same typsj

I

December 1 1, 1897.]

THE GARDETsT.

473

Mr. VV. i'elijatc, .lun., luu'seryraan, Buvliill l\o:ul,
Wnlton-on-Thames, was tirst, bein^ the only ex-
hibitor. Tlie small singles were chariiiini,', tlie
class for twehe Ijuiifhes, three blooms in each
buncli, a<;ain tindinj^ Mr. Forbes in the leading
position. Air. A. Felgate followed with less even
flowers. For six bunches small-flowered singles,
jthree blooms in a bunch, Mr. Felgate was again
Ifirst, C. I'earee, Arthur, and Fragile being \ery
pretty. A special prize ottered by Mr. C. W.
iRiehardson, Sawbridgeworth, open to singlc-
liandcd gardeners only, for twelve .hipancse
blooms, distinct, found only one competitor, Mr.
1'. Bush, gardener to Mr. \V. T. Lister, F.R.t'.S.,
iKose Hill, Totteridge, showing an indili'ercnt lot
of flowers. A new (livision for amateurs who
Imainly, if not entirely, cultivate their plants was
made this year, ami contained tlirce classes. No
exhibitor, however, was forthcoming. In the
amateur cla.sses, division B, open to those who
grow the jilants themselves, four competitors
entered for six Japanese, not less than four varie-
ties and not more than two of one variety, Mr.
(ieo. Heal, Holly House, Compton, (luildford,
was placed tirst, Jlons. (iruyer. Golden (Jate,
land ilons. C'henon de L^che being bis best ex-
kimples. For six bunches only one lot was
stagetl, and this was very poor. The class for a
V ase of Chrysanthemums, arranged with foliage,
I lorries, and grasses, brought out only one com-
petitor, Mr. ]). B. Crane, Highgate, showing a
'bold arrangement.

CVCI.A-MKNS, PuiMUL.^S, &C.

Mr. William Orpwood, nurseryman, Uxbridge,
> Ahibited a line table of Cyclamens in pots in the
I 1 les for a collectioii of Cyclamens. These were a
u-rand lot of jjlants, fresh and healthy, freely
tlowere<l and of gootl colour, securing first piW.e.
For twelve Cyclamens in pots, from which nurserj--
uien were excluded, Mr. W. Frost, gardener to
jMr. (i. Ashley-Dodd. Codington, Ashford, Kent,
iwas placed first for a splendid lot of plants
[with large blossoms freely produced. Mr. W.
illaiiley, gardener to Mr. H. (irinling, Harrow
Weald House, Stanmore, was second with much
-mailer plants, but fresh. For a collection of
I'rimula sinensis (open) Mr. .T. Gibson, gardener
to .Mr. E. H. Watts, Devonhurst, Chiswick, se-
ured leading position with a large table of plants
\cry flatly arranged, and edged with I'anicum
variegatum, with Crotons and Cocos Weddelliana
associated to produce ett'ect. Mr. Orpwood was
-econd. with small market plants, and tied in a
' ery stifl' manner. For twelve Primula sinensis
nur.serymen excluded) Mr. W. Mease, gardener
" .Mr. A. Tate, Downside, Leatherhead, was an
i-y lirst with frecly-tlowered double sorts and
.jeaatifuUy flnished, Mr. Gibson following with
Hipgle-flowered forms. The new class for nine
vinter-flowering Begonias (open) does not appear
1 have found favour, no single exhibit being in
. iilence. For a collection of flowering, berried and
Hie-foliaged plants, arranged for eflect on a table
ii feet liy (i feet (open), Mr. W. Howe made a
I'ery handsome display. Surmounted with a tine
Specimen Cocos Weddelliana encircled by
Ivonderfully Hne Poinsettias, the table space wa's
Iplendidly arranged with Bouvardias, winter-
Sowering Begonias, Solanums, Roman Hyacinths,
protons, Primulas and other useful flowering and
Sne-foliaged [ilants with an edging of Panicum
[ariegatum. The whole arrangement evinced
nuch taste. Special interest «as manifested in
he class for a basket of autumn foliage and
Jerries, in which there were no less than ten com-
letitors. The first prize ultimately went to Mr.
L. Newell, gardener to Sir Edwin Saunders, Fair-
iwn , Wimbledon Com mon , for a rather cumber some
rrangement, which included a fine variety of
erries. Second prize fell to Miss C. B. Cole,
'he Vineyard, Feltham, for a neat and lightly-
rranged basket in which the new Physalis played
1 important part. A very lovely basket, given
n extra prize in this class, was well worthy of a
ir higher position.

MlSCEr,L.\NEOfS.

Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham, Royal Horticultural Society.— The last
'■id an immense table, in which each type of the ' meeting this year of the above society will take

L'hrysanthomum was represented. Large vases,
each tilled with one variety only, were arranged
down the centre of tbo table, the spaces on either
side being flUcd with small tubes and an immense
number of boards of specimen exhibition flowers.
Finc-foliaged planti were pleasingly associated,
giving tlic necessary linisli to this welcome dis-
play. Wo noticed among the novelties Mary
.\Iolyncux, the new mau\e-pink .lapanese in-
curved : W. Wright, a capital late sort ; C. W.
Richardson, a Ryecroft seedling ; .lulic Scai'a-
manga, and Mrs. R. .Jones, a fini' white (small gold
medal). Mr. W. Wells, Earlswood Nurseries,
Redhill, also had a line display. Large .lapancsi^
incurved and singles, besides decorative varieties,
were eacli represented (silver-gilt medal). Messrs.
H. Cannell and Sons, Swaidey, set up a grand
liank of zonal Pelargoniums in great varietj',
each bunch exhiliiting tine form, splendid colour,
and largo trus.ses. Cannas, decorative Chrysan-
themums, and a capital collection of vegetables
.secured an award of a silver-gilt medal. Mr.
W. J. Godfrey, Exmouth, Devon, had a large
collection of cut Clu'ysanthemums, mostly shown
in bunches, and including sucli sorts as Jlrs. H.
Robinson, H. W. Itieman, Jeannie Falconer,
Georgiana Pitcher, and King of Plumes (silver
medal). Mr. J. R. Chard, The Florist, Stoke
Newington, N.. exhibited a very handsome table
of bis many de\ices and designs, arranged with
Cliry.santhemnms and other flowers, besides
bouquets, &.C., each showing splendid taste and
artistic skill, receiving a silver-gilt medal. Mrs.
W. Green, jun.. The Florist, Harold Wood,
Essex, had a similar table, but a considerably
less quantity of devices, &c. (silver medal).
Mr. J. Williams, Ealing, had his pretty rural
designs set oU' on a large table. Mr. W. Neville
exhibited thirty incurved blooms of large size,
good colour, and very neatl,\' finished, a small
.silver medal being awarded. Mr. T. Robinson
also staged, not for competition, eighteen Jaji-
anc^e and incurved Ijlooms in variety Mr. U.
Bassil exhibited an interesting collection of salads
(small silver medal); Mr. J. R. Tranter, Henley-
on-Thames, twelve blooms new .Japanese Mrs.
J. R. Tranter; Mr. A. Merridew, The Gardens,
Camberwcll House, Camberwell, S. iZ. , an epergne of
Chrysanthemums and Orchids, and Mr. R. Owen,
Maidenhead, a grand table of Chrysanthemums
with a front of eight dozen exhibition blooms
(small silver medal). A most delightful hand-
basket of Mrs. William Filkins, decorative yellow
Chrysanthemum, arranged with exquisite taste,
by Jliss Easterbrook, Fawkhara, Kent, secured a
bronze medal. Mr. W. Taylor, gardener to Mr.
C. Bayer, Tewkesbury Lodge, Forest Hill, S.E.,
staged eighteen bunches of Grapes in excellent
condition, including Muscat of Alexandria, Gros
Colman, Lady Downe's Seedling, &c. (silver-gilt
medal).

The floral committee met at 1 o'clock, when
the following awards were made. A first-class
certiflcate was given to^

CllI!VS.\NT)IKMrM MiSS PlIYLI.IS FOWI.ER. — A

large incurved with florets of medium width,
somewhat |)ointed ; colour primrose-yellow. Sent
by Mr. T. Robinson, gardener to Mr. Watkins
Laurence, Elslield House, Hollingbourne.

Mrs. Caterer, a beautifully' chaste, pure white,
large Anemone, and as a decorative variety in-
valuable, from Mr. H. .J. .Tones, Ryecroft Nur-
sery, Lewisham, S.E. ; Red L. Canning, a use-
ful reddish crimson Japanese variety and com-
mended as a market sort, from Mr. A. Felgate,
The Gardens, Burhill, Walton-on-Thames ; and
Mrs. JI. Simpson, a large Japanese reBexed,
paper-white, with florets of medium width, erect,
and of good substance, from Mr. N. Molyneux,
Rookesbury Park, Farcham, were commended.

The committee wished to make a correction. At
their last meeting a Ijloom was certificated under
the name of \'iolaceum. Its correct name should
be Dennis Smith-Rylands. It will be sent out by
Mr. H. .J. .Tones.

place next Tuesday, the 14th, in the Drill Hall,
.bimes Street, Victoria Street, Westminster, when
the committees will meet as usual at 1 'J o'clock. A
lecturer on "Sporting in Chrysanthemums' will
be given by the Kev. (;. Henslow, M.A., at
.'i o'clock.

Notes of the Week.

Chrysanthemutn Tokio.— Amons decorative
varieties this kind, though old, is still worth atteu'i m
forils tine effect wlieii grown in baeh form. If the
plants are stopped twice, a dozen ^tiod flowers and of
a usi'ful size iiiiiy be si-rtu'ed.

Chrysanthemum Oceana. — Thia handsome
variety is probably one of the linest of its colour— a
rich golden yellow — tlrit has been introduced into the
.Japanese incurved section. The very broad llorets are
a gpccial feature of this, while its whole form is bold
and massive.

Agathaea coelestie.-This is one of the few blue
flowers that rotne freely in winter, or, indeed, at
almost any season of the year. Establiehed pot
plants that have Jjeen pinched during summer produce
quantities of the deep sky-JjIue flowers for a long time.
A few of tbese with Fern or Asparagus in small speci-
men ghieses are always pleasing.

Acacia armata. — For forming into smaU, com-
pact bnslies for autumn and winter tloi\'ering this i^
one (. f the most useful of a rather extensir.? genu', the
dark green bushes freely laden w th golden blossom
rendering the plants ijuit* attractive. It is also a
vigorous species, and calculated to endure a csr.ain
amount of hardsJiip witJi impunity.

Centropogon Lueyamis.— This old.fashi< ned
grccnliousesUruljis now Howcringin small pots in groups
in oDi' of the greeuh'juses at Kew. It is one of the nlib
fdsliioncd things that a decide or two brck were ('fcen
s3en bloominL.' in the cool conservatory at tli's tini-»,
but wli'cli in many instances Jiave been discardcl he-
cause the flowers are not suitable for cutting. We
should rather welcome plants that cinnot be thus
rutblcEsIy cut down the moment tlie lieads of blossom
arc expanded.

Haemanthus pubescenp.— This is one of the

larirc, nvate-leaved sectitjn, the Ijroid Jjlades of deep
green rt curving as soon as they are freed from the
bulb. A little later a tine bold trnss of snow-white
Howers issues fr -m the centre, and, attaining a height
of 'i inches or 8 inches, remains in good condition a
long time. The above is now in tlower, a'jd very
attractive are the large pure heads of blossoms. A
cool house aud a dry, airy atmosphere are best suited
to these plant?.

Senecio junceus. — This is a very distinct
species of ( Jroundsel from the Cape of Good Hope,
with, as implied in its specific name. Rush-like
stems and growths generally. These growths,
rising from a clustered tuft, are dark green and
smooth, the small bright yellow blossoms appear-
ing on the sides of the stems. The very peculiar
habit of the plant, the stems being destitute of
any leafy growth, renders it a curious and in-
teresting species.

Crassula lactea.— As a basket plant, flower-
ing during the winter months, this species with
its cream}' white flowers is always welcome. To
ensure flowering at this season it is necessary to
make an early start with the cuttings, selecting
for this purpose the nearly full-grown rosettes
that cluster around the large established plants.
Prior to rooting very little moisture is needed, if
at all, and at any time only moderate watering is
necessary.

Lonicera Standishi. — Those who have large
plants of this know full well the value of its
fragr.ant blossoms in the winter when such things
are by no means plentiful Its chief drawback
perhaps is that the plants lose the bulk of the
leaves at this season, but still the fragrance greets
one in passing a few bushes or even a solitary one
in the open where the position is suflicicntly
favoured for it to blossom. As a pot plant in the
cool greenhouse it is also worth attention.

Diplacus glutinosus. — An old - fashioned
greenhouse plant that is well known and often
met with at this season of the year. In pots
.> inches across a good-sized plant will develop

474

THE GARDEN.

[December 11, 1897.

many of its curiously coloured flowers. If placed
in the open garden it is always pleasing, and pro-
vides an informal group not of daily occurrence.
Quite recently one or two new varieties have ap-
peared, and though differing in shade of colour
somewhat, are not a great advance on the old
form.

liily of the Valley in fruit.— A group of
Lily of the Vallej- in fruit has certainly a verj'
pretty effect when the fruits are ripe and in good
large clusters, but it is gained only at the expense
of great weakening of the crowns, and should not
be encouraged by those who want good flowers,
or permitted in any case except where the plant
is naturalised. In the light soil here seeding is
more or less common every year, and if a plenti-
ful crop of seeds is left to mature, the flower-
spikes are less than half their normal size in the
ensuing season.— .J. C. T., Lirermere Park, Bury
iSV. Edmiiiidn.

Nerine crispa.— Notwithstanding there are
many varieties of this group with much larger
and more brilliant flowers, the kind here men-
tioned surpasses many of them in its simple grace
and beauty. Happily, too, it is of very easy cul-
ture, and the bulbs being of small size, several
may be grown in a o-inch pot. Given ordinary
treatment, there is no reason why a large number
of tubers should not flower. Another very useful
kind in the same way is N. undulata, in which
the sejials are wavy more or less throughout their
length, and it is quite easy to have four or si.\-
flowering bulbs in a 4-inch pot. In a cut state
these smaller forms, even if less brilliant, are
quite effective when associated with suitable ma-
terial.

Callipsyclie aurantiaca. — A very distinct
and attractixe member of the Amaryllidea',
though not often seen beyond the limits of the
botanic garden. The above species is one of the
most striking, and usually flowers during the late
autumn months. At this time a tall scape fully
2 feet long rises from the bulb, and is crowned by
an umbel of deep golden yellow flowers, the latter
in form resembling those of a small Day Lily.
Like many other plants of this order, the scajje, as
also the flowers, which are each fully '2 inches in
length, appear in advance of the foliage. The
species belongs to the Andes of Ecuador, and
delights in loam and [leat with plenty of moisture
during the season of growth. The "plant is well
s\iited to the warm greeenhouse.

Iris reticulata in pots. — When well grown
there is a charm about this lovely Iris that renders
it unique, more particularly the strong violet per-
fume of its flowers. For some two or three weeks
past the leaves ha\e been above ground, which in
this locality is earlier than usual. Those who
grow this Iris in pots will be glad to know that if
bulbs are now introduced into slight warmth, such
as the shelf of the greenhouse quite near the glass,
flowers may Ijc exjiected early in .January.
In sheltered positions in the open in mild sea-
sons the flowers appear early in February, so
that slight warmth, or little more than the ex-
clusion of frost, should make the difference named
above. A coujile of dozen pots would keep up a
succession of flowers for a long time.

Chrysanthemums naturally grown. — For
late bloom the variety Niveum, Ijeautiful sprays
of which come to us from E. Jlolyneux, Swan-
more Park, is invaluable. The medium-sized
flowers, of the purest white and jjroduced in
clusters, are very useful at Christmas for table
decoration and such like. In order to obtain
such results, Mr. Molyneux strikes the cuttings
in Februar3-, pinching out the points of the plants
when 1 foot high, all the shoots resulting from
this check being retained. When all fear of frost
is over, the jilants are put out in an open piece of
ground and kept well watered if the season be
dry. They are lifted in October, and all the buds
that form are allowed to develop. One valuable
characteristic of Niveum is the freedom with
which it throws up cuttings.

Carnation Reginald Godfrey. — So far as
the size of blossom is concerned, this variety is

larger than most of those of its shade of colour,
which is pink. I do not know the history of this
variety, but it appears to be of the same strain
as Mme. d'Albertina, but more refined than
this, which is of American origin. Both are
of the fringed class and quite devoid of fragrance :
indeed, the latter item would appear to be quite
disregarded by raisers of the winter-flowering
section, as scarcely one variety in ten is sweet-
scented. A good looking pink i'ariety recently
noted was named Pride of Exmouth. It is a full-
centred flower, a large Jolift'e type in both colour
and form. It is, however, uncommonly near to
another pink variety, Mrs. H. Little, if not indeed
identical. As we have only seen flowers of these
we are unable to say whether they are perpetual
flowering or not.

Nursery rubbish. — The quickness with which
weedy shrubs grow is taken by many as a sign
of their merit, and the use of the really good
hardy evergreens is set aside for some rapid
growing forms of the Privet, which is a weed
among shrubs. The town of Leicester is one
of the places which we have lately seen overrun
with it. In the parts of the town with many
villas and not ugly gardens there are miles
of this rank-growing Privet, forming hedges
between the gardens and the roads. The hedges,
having got a little old, are now decayed in uarts,
show a bad, poor colour for a background, and
are absolutely useless as a fence. Unless suj)-
ported by iron, the Privet is useless for fulfilling
the work of a fence. The time it appears to save
is really lost, because the years that brought it
to its present pass would have led to a stout,
handsome growth of Holly, Box or Yew, while
the result of using Privet is deplorable.

The alpine Clematis (Atragene alpina).—
In your " Wild (larden " Atragene alpina is men-
tioned as a plant apparently easily grown and
likely to succeed. I have three or four strong
plants here in dift'erent positions, but have never
been able to induce them to grow. Mr. WoUey-
Dod tells me he has half-a-dozen plants with a like
result, and adds that he has never seen the
Atragene succeed in cultivation. Most things
will grow here, and I should be much obliged for
any hints on the above plants through The ti.4U-
riEN. — E. C. BrxTON, Bctfirn-y-coiil.

*„* The alpine Clematis is really very easily
grown, and as hardy as a Bramble. We have had
it on both the north and south sides of the same
wall, (|uite hapjiy without any attention for years.
Get healthy young plants and you need have no
trouble with them. One of these plants growing
in a gravel walk flowers profuselj' every year.
-Ed.

Begonia Veitchi. -It is about twenty-five

years since the first tubers of this handsome and
nearly jierfectly hardy species came into nij'
hands, the tiny tubers certainly not larger than a
fair-sized Pea. I grew one of these till it was
nearly or quite 5 inches across, when, unfortu-
nately, it came quite suddenly to grief. During
the last year of its existence the plant was grown
in a 9-inch pot. Happily, too, I was able to
secure a large quantity of seed of this lovely
plant, and though by this time it had been re-
duced in price, it was by no means common.
Such a tuber of this species I have never seen
before or since. These comparatively hard)- sorts,
'.(/., B. Fra-beli, B. oetopetala, and the above,
may be safely wintered in a frame from which
frost is excluded, and by laying the pots on their
sides and withholding water entirely, the tubers
are quite safe in the pot and soil in which they
flowered. I have frequently wintered the above
in a cold frame, merely putting a handful of
cocoa fibre over the crown of the tuber. — E. J.

The weather in West Herts. — During the
past week the temperature has been remarkably
changeable. The highest readings in the screen
ranged between 34° on the coldest day to 53" on
the warmest, while the night temperatures were
equally variable. On the night preceding the

4th, the exposed thermometer indicated 13° of I
frost, which is the greatest cold registered by it j
since the end of JIarch. The soil is now about;
1 ° warmer than is seasonable at 2 feet dee[), and '
about 3" warmer at the depth of 1 foot. Since
the month began there have been frequent falls
of rain and snow, and the total measurement has
amounted to about an inch. About three-C|uarter8
of an inch of rain fell on the 7th. This fall, al-
though in no way remarkable in itself, was never-
theless noteworthy as being the heaviest in any ]
single day for exactly six months. Throughout
the night of the 7th the wind remained high, and
during the hour ending 3 a.m., the mean velocity
reached 20 miles, direction W. The two first
days of the present month were remarkably sunny
for December, but since then the sun has shone
for altogether only about a quarter of an liour.
— E. M., B<rUia„iy/<,l.

Royal Horticultural Society's awards.—
At p. 394 I notice severe strictures are passed on
the awards given at the meeting on the 0th ult.
Of course it is impossible to iilease all. I am
aware at times the exhibits before the floral com-
mittee are numerous, and the judging of groups is
in consequence delegated to two or three persons. .M-
Could the chairman go round, it would be all H«
right. Could not the authorities delegate mem- "■
bers knowing the plants and place more member.s
at the work — in fact, the whole committee when-
ever possible ? The names of exhibitors should not
be exposed to view till the award is given.— A

LoOKER-OX.

Public Gardens.

Metropolitan Public Gardens Associa-
tion.— At the monthly meeting of the Metropoll
tan Public t>ardens Association, 83, Lancastei
Gate, W. , Lord Teynham, deputy chairman, pre-
siding, on the motion of Sir William Vincent a
resolution was unanimously passed expressing
great regret at the death of the vice-chairman,
Lord Dorchester, who had taken an active in-
terest in the work from its commencement four
teen years ago. It was agreed to make some im-
provements in St. Nicholas's Churchyard, Dept-
ford, with a view to its use by the public, and tc
prepare a plan for the further laying out of St.
John's Churchyard, Hoxton, and to replant some
trees and shrubs in Whitechapel Road, and in St.
Stephen's Churchyard, Bow. Progress was re-
ported in the laying out of the East Street
Recreation Ground, Walworth, the disused
burial ground in Kipling Street, and St. George
the-Martj-r Churchyard, and it was decided tc
commence as soon as possible the laying out cl
Charles Square, Hoxton, and Albion Square.
Dalston. It was announced tluit the Oval, Citj
Road, had been completed and opened to the
|)ublic by the St. Luke's Vestry, the association
having provided seven seats. A number of othei
schemes in connection with the acquisition and
layino- out of grounds in Camberwell, Blackfriars,
Walworth, Ratclitf, New Kent Road, Putney,
and other places occupied the attention of tne
meeting. _^^^__i

The Eucharis mite. — I shall be obliged if you
will tell me if the enclosed Eucharis bulbs are
infected with the mite. The leaves are all going
yellow and dying away. The plants have not been
disturbed for years, and I find on turning them
out of the pots the soil luis got very sour. They
have been growing in a stove all summer with
very little ventilation. I have grown and flowered
Eucharis successfully for several years, so if tbel
enclosed bulbs are infected with the mite it is the
first time I have had to deal with it.— G.-vkdener.

*„* The Eucharis bulbs you sent were nob
attacked by the bulb mite. I e.xamined thenn
very carefully and could not find a single speoi-r
men on them. As far as I could see, the bulbft
appeared perfectly healthy. Probably the sour-
soil and want of proper ventilation have causedl
the leaves to die away.— G. S. S. ■ '

•

1

THK

GARDEN.

l^To. 1361.— Vol. LII.]

[DECEMBER 18, 1897.

INDSX.

{Illuatrationt in Italici.)

^rysan them urns :—

brysiinthotnuiii blouniH in

vases, staging 475

ihrysftnthemuui, the old

purple 475

'hrysjuitlit'nmiiiR G. F. War-
ren !iiiil Mrs. W. Mease ,, 475

llirysantlieniuiiis, pumpon.. 47(5

'hrys;intlienmnis, reflexed.. 475

lohlds :—

Irpophyllum gigantcum . . 477

witasetums 47(i

Typripcdium Deedmani .. 4VS

Mftuia pedunL'ularis . . . . 477

|,(elia pnv.stans 477

lifljlio-Cattleya albauensis . , 47S

I>wliu-Cattleya Clive . .. 477

i^relio-Cattleya Gottoiana .. 470

4asdevalliji macrura . . . . 477

(■lasdcvallia triaristella , . 477
■liltonia Moreliana ati'oxnu--

I purea 477

pncidiimi hmmatochilum .. 477

l)uc-idiuni pelicanum ,. ,. 477

i>ncidiinii varioosum .. ., 477

jtestrepia antenulfera .. .. 477

'■'■ntii'uria Steeli 477

nila suavis 477

Books:—

Erigeron marrnnlhitg . . . .

484

" .Modem Clirvsanthcmum

Erigeron mvltirndiaiua.,
Kriii'iron s}^'<-io»vs svptrbia..

484
485

Culture for the MiUion"..

4VS

'■Practical Forestry" ,. ..

in

Week's Work:—

Fruit houses, work in the .

486

Acunitum

482
4S1

Kitchen garden, work in the
Orchard and Fruit :—

486

Bellflower, the giant .. ..

Gladiolus corms, failure of . .

■183

Hypericvim reptans .. ..

<S2

Apple Blcuhoiui Orange Jls a

Iris stylosa

Lilv of the Valley var. For-

481

Apple Graham

489

tin

482
48"

Apple Ribstou rii>pin on
walls

Monkshood

4SS

Ostrowskya miigiutica . . . .

4S1

Ap]}ti' liibitton Fippm on a

Oslyoirslya wntniilira ,. ..

4S1

}rall taring irrst

488

Pieonies, naturalising . . . .

482

Apple Striped Bcaufin . . . .

489

Primroses

483

Cherries, Murello, and stocks

48S

Seed sowing in hoxos .. ..

481

Fig, training the

48V

Grape Gros Colnian .. ..

488

Garden Flora:—

Grape Muscat iA Alexandria
and others

487

485
484

Grapes, winter

Pear, a new

4SS

Aiithimis maffdoiiiru ..

487

Aiith>:ini$ tinrtorrii

48f>

Pear Glou Murceau ., ..

487

Erigeron

4S4

Strawberries

489

Ju-i'iiron aiiraniiarns ..

465

Eriiftron <ilahellus

485

Park and IVoodland:-

Jii-if/cron iflaucus

484

Forests, the protection of . .

489

Stove and Greenhouse:—

Aca.ia uroplivlla 490

A/;dea <alvciHora 490

Camellia Sasanqua .. .. 490

Carnations, Malmaison .. 491
Chaitw rops Fort unci at EtJ'ord

Park; Li/iithigtoa .. .. 490
Chamieropa Fortunei in

Hants 490

Geranium Lady Plymouth ., 491
Heliotrope, the Peruvian,

and the giant Heliotropes

(Lemoine) 400

Nurine Manselli 490

Plants, arranging 491

Rhvnchospcrmum j a s ni i n-

o"idos 491

Societies :—

Royal Horticidtural . . . . 491

National Chrysanthemum . . 493

Notes of the Week:—

Azalea Deutsche l*erle ,. .. 494

Begonia Winter Cheer . . .. 494

Carnation La Neige . . . . 494

Cissu-s discolor in bloom . . 494

Codin?um Van Ooaterzoel . .
Cyclamen persicum . . . .
Escallonia montevidensia . .
Fruit trees, injury to .. ..
Ln-li:i anceps Aniesiana
M econopsis nepalensis , . . .
Xoitonthos Amesiana ..
Pelargonium Duchess of

Marlborough

Rhododendron Queen Vii--

toria

Tiicca crista ta

494
494
494
494
491
494
494

491

494
491

Obituary :—

Casey, James 49 (

Miscellaneous :—

Artichoke?, white Jerusalem,

diseased 494

Autumn 480

Chrysanthemums, grouping. 494

Fruit trade, the 491

Jadoo 478

Keff in tfie Bamboo garden at. 479

Kew, the Bamboo garden at. 479

November in South Devon , . 479

Sycamores injured .. .. 494

Weather, the, in West Herts 493

Chrysanthemums.

|irgh

IA(ilNG CHRYSANTHEMUM BLOOMS

IN VASES.

the lato .Jubilee exiiibitioii held in Edin-
;h the numerous exhibits (jf Chrysanthe-
iunis staged on long stems arranged in vases
pre ijuite a feature. If my memory serves me
ght, it was the Scottish Horticultural Associa-
jn who initiated this method of staging both
ipanese and incurved blooms on long stems
)out three years since. It is a step in the
ght direction of making the autumn shows
ueh more interesting. There is certainly a
awliack even to tliis jilan, viz., the ditiiculty
conveying the blooms to the shows. To
istrate what energy can do when stimulated
ith .some bvngible reward, the whole of the .
pc prize-winners in that one class resided some 1
'•0 miles from the sliow. In fact, one travelled
ose upon olMt miles, and sbiged his Wooms so
ell as to secure the foiu'th prize in a strong
bmpctition. The wording of the class was as
pllows : " Twenty vases, three blooms in each
• twenty varieties. Chrysanthemum fuliage only I
J be used." It has been ftjund that Chrysan-
lemum lilooms staged on long stems, each,
ly, from 1 foot to 2 feet long, absorb so much !
i the moisture from tlie stems when cut that
le leaves quickly become lini]). To obviate
lis defect, the executive aUowed exhibitors to
rrange foliage with their blooms from other
hrysanthemum plants. Exhibitors striji the
hole of tlie leaves from the steins bearing the
I'lonis and tie the stem to another carrying
lo leaves ; thus the l)looms and foliage remain
csh a considerable time. All the exhibitors,
nwover, do not need to make use of added
)liage, as the first prize collection was staged
ith the foliage and stems as gro\m.
Eleven entries \vere received, but two failed
■ put in an appeiirance. However, the nine
' njpeting made the finest display of its kind ever
een. The first prize blooms from Mr. Hag^art,

Moor Park Gardens, Ludlow, were without a
doubt the finest Japanese specimens seen this
year at any show. They appeared to be timed
to a day, were of large size without being
unduly coarse, the colours bright, and the whole
beautifully staged. Every bloom could be ex-
amined with ease ; not one was crowded. The
stems showed about 1.5 inches of foliage above
the vases. The tables were so arranged as to
take two rows of vases. These being placed
anglewise, examination could be efi'ected easily
and without injury to the blooms.

Without a doubt the classes for Chrysanthe-
mums in vases, of which there were several,
created infinitely more interest than those in
which the blooms were arranged on the ordinary
boards or stands, cut with short stalks and .set
up by the aid of cups and tubes. One exhibitor
mixed incurved blooms along with Japanese in
the large Jubilee class. Comparison of the two
sections for decorative effect was here easily
made. It was plain that incurved blooms do
not lend themselves to this purpose nearly so
well as the le.ss foru^d Jajjanese. The bruised
condition of some of the liloouis, too, proved that
they are not so easy to carry to a show on long
stems as are the .Iai>anesc.

Prizes were also ottered for what are hero
termed "decorative" varieties. The stipulation
was that they were not to be disbudded, and to
be shown with their own foliage, .\lthough
there were several couipetitors, the blooms
lacked quality, and exceiit in but one instance
the colours were not of the best. Taken as a
whole, the classes noted at this show were a dis-
tinct break away from the ordinary method of
staging Chrysanthemum blooms.

E. MOT.YNKI'X.

1 Chrysanthemums G. J. Warren and Mrs.
1 W. Mease.— "H." (p. (.'{S), draws attention to
i these two sports from Mnie. I'arnot. CerUtinly
' that known as Mrs. W. Mease is paler than the
golden-yellow sport G. J. Warren. They are as
distinct as possible. Both are of the finest form,
. as mi ht have been expected from such a parent.

I look upon Mrs. W. Mease as the finest introduc-
tion of the current season. No doubt, as "H."
says, the stock was over-propagated last spring to
admit of the plants giving anything like satisfac-
tion the first year. We shall expect to see good
blooms in quantity next year. — E. M.

The old purple Chrysanthemum. — If
"A. D." could secure some blooms of what he
thinks may jjrove to be tlie old purple variety, the
first of all the large-flowering Chrysanthemums
grown in Europe, I do not think there would be
much ditiieulty in definitelj' pronouncing on its
genuineness. All the Chinese Chrysanthemums
imported from the Far East a century ago or
thereabouts were very fully and carefully des-
cribed, and so when the old tasselled lilac was
discovered in a Cornish garden a few years since,
we were enabled, by reference to the descrijjtions
and a comparison of the blooms submitted, to
say that it was the variety it purported to be.
Another old-time favourite, Mme. Poggi, was also
soon afterwards discovered, but this unfortunately
turned out to be wrongly named, and was no
other than King of the Crimsons, a variety that
was lost for many years. The Christines are verj'
old, as "A. U."says. The pink or peach form
is believed to have been raised by Captain Bernet,
who first raised seedlings about lS-27. Ilolden
Christine was a sport obtained by Mr. .Merry in
the days of the old Stoke Newington Society, and
the wliite form also known as Mrs. Forsyth came
later.— C. H. P.

Reflexed Chrysanthemums. — I quite agree
with "1). B." (p. 4."li) when he says there is an
apparent decline in the popularitj' of this section
of the Chrysanthenuun. I cannot agree with him,
however, when he makes the sweeping assertion
that "there are never more than two competitors
for the three prizes offered." He evidently is
referring solely to the shows of the Xsitional Chry-
santhemum Society. The scarcity of blooms may
be true in that case, but I think it hardly right to
brand all societies with failing to obtain more
than a couple of entries in the class. .\t Hull
several grand exhibits were staged, and as the
blooms in all the .stands were first-class an interest-
ing display was the result. In the neighbourhood
of 'Ascot and Windsor, rellexed ^arieties are espe-
cially well cultivated. For years special eiKOurage-

476

THE GARDEN.

[December 18, 1897.

ment has been given to this section at Ascot in
the shape of a silver challenge cup, and which has
had the desired efl'ect in stimulating competition.
Most of the reflexed varieties do not lend them-
selves to decorative effect, mainly owing to their
stiff' and formal appearance, and also to the weak-
ness of their peduncles. Artificial supports are
objectionable to flowers employed for the filling
of vases in rooms, not only on account of the un-
sightliness, but for the extra time involved in
providing such. Some few varieties, however, are
specially adapted to decoration, either in a cut
state or when growing on the plants by reason of
their free-flowering, colour, and general usefulness.
Elsie, primrose, one of the best in every respect;
Mrs. Home, pale yellow, a sport from the in-
curved variety (ieorge Glenny, which in itself is
remarkable, as there are so few instances of one
variety sporting to a distinct type of bloom ;
Cloth of (Jold, bright yellow, another worthy of
attention ; Cullingfordi, too well known to need any
praise, and King of Crimsons, as its name implies,
are desirable. Progne with its violet perfume, as
well as the stocky-growing, late-flowering old
\ariety Julie Lagravere ; Emperor of China with
its silvery-pink blossoms ; Chevalier Domage,
orange-yellow, and the brightly coloured Putney
George, all make up a creditable display if the
plants are well grown . — E. M.

POMPON CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

For some time past tliere has been cause for
regret that the useful and pretty little blossoms
of the pompon Chrysanthemum have not received
a larger share of attention. The greater variety
both in form and colour, as represented in the
Japanese and other large-flowered Chrysanthe-
mums, doubtless has contributed very much to
their popularity.

In looking through a number of lists of prizes
offered by different societies throughout the
United Kingdom, one may trace a cause of their
discouragement. In most schedules of prizes it
appears to be the rule to have just one class in
which these charming little flowers are asked for.
Often, too, the prizes are most inadequate, and
(juite out of proportion M'ith the money offered for
other types of the flower. The primary object of
most Chrysanthemum societies is to encourage
the cultivation of the different forms of the flower,
but those responsible for their existence evidently
think that flowers of large size have such an over-
whelming claim, that the pompon has come to be
almost excluded from their exhibitions. One class
very often has to suffice for their proper represen-
tation, and in such a class both pompons and
Anemone pompons are set up together. This is
most unsatisfactory. One exhibitor may stage
all true pompons, another Anemone pompons,
while a third may show a proportion of each kind.
Can a satisfactory judgment be given in such
instances ? The relative merits of the three
boards of blooms would be anything but an easy
mxtter to determine, thus .showing the need of
eich type of the pompon being represented in a
cliss by itself. The National Chrysjnthemum
Society certainly provides classes for pompons at
its first three exhibitions, and on the occasion of
its No\ember display in the oijen classes, is
generous enough to otter prizes for twelve trebles
of pompons, and an equal number of Anemone
pampons, in two distinct competitions. Smaller
c'asses in the amateurs' division, also those open
to maiden growers, show an improvement upon
what existed a few years ago. Still this is a poor
representation when one considers their value
and the somewhat monotonous rejjetitionof Japan-
ese blooms at the same show. The very formal
anel stiff manner in which the blooms are arranged
in threes and set up with such rigid uniformity —
the blooms, too, often like small flowers of varie-
ties belonging to the large - flowered sections,
through s severe system of disbudding — represent
the pompon in anything but a pleasing form.
The beauty and usefulness of the pompons might
be much better represented in classes where
sprays, only partially disbudded, could be ex-

hibited in small vases, or small earthenware or
glass receptacles. Half a dozen sprays neatly anel
lightly arranged in this way with their own
foliage, anel the vases given sufficient space to
set off' the arrangement, would make a far pret-
tier exhibit than the formal system now generally
practiseel. Here and there in different parts of
the country a society has made this departure
from the orthoelox raethoel of staging, with the
result that the culture of the pompons has been
encourageel. An object-lesson has in this way
been given as to the decorative value of these
small flowers when grown in a free manner, anel
with little, if any, disbudding.

By all means let the pompons be exhibited in a
way that high ejuality ma}' be represented, such
as is now the case, but let them be set up dif-
ferently, and, unless a better method can be pro-
pttsed, it would be wiser to follow on the lines
suggested for those exhibiteel in sprays. At the
present time there is room for a class in which
the free-flowering anel useful qualities of the very
small blooms, as rej^resented by such sorts as
Snowdrop, Victorine, Marion, Lune Fleurie, anel
Yellow (iem coulel be exhibiteel. These sorts are
not large enough to be put into competition with
those which now fine! favour, anel conseejuently
are never seen except at the elis|)lay of a trade
specialist, or in the collection of an enthusiast.
For arranging in a fairly large vase, and cut with
long stems, sprays of these miniature .sorts make
a very charming anel welcome change. Those
responsible for the arrangement of a Chrysanthe-
mum show would find it worth their while to
give a fuller consieleration to the claims of the
pompon flowers, which may by a judicious ar-
rangement of classes be calculateel to cjuite alter
the appearance of an exhibition, and make such
far [irettier anel more interesting than it would
otherwise be without them. C. A. H.

Orchids.

CATASBTUMS.

There are several beautiful Orchids in this
genus, the flowers partaking largely of the
characters that have made tlie family so popular
— that is, (juaintness of form and structure with
a delicate texture and handsome appearance.
The genus is peculiar to Tropical America, many
of the kinds occurring in Brazil, and although
many are easily enougli grown, tlicy reejuire
care to ensure freedom of flowering and a long
life under cultivation. Some of the laro-er
growing kinds, such as C. maorocarpum or the
nearly allied C trielentatum, neeel only to be
placed in a warm house and tliey will grow like
weeds, but more tremble has to be taken with
the smaller growers generally. All may be
grown in a hot, moist house where the sun is
alleiweel to enter rather freely until nearly miel-
day, and the blinds are only used when it is
absolutely necessary to i)revent injury to the
foliage. The heat must be allowed to rise
gradually in the mornings with air em, so that
the leaves elo not get hot all at emce, plenty eif
moisture being ensured by plentifully .sprinkling
the stages and paths. When the foliage
gets warm, lower the blinds, but as early
as possible in the afternoon, or say about
3 o'clock for span-reie>feel houses running north
and south, take off all the air anel syringe the
plants souiewhat heavily, elanjping every part
of the house anel roll up the shading. This
creates a very ejuick, stimulating temperature,
anel growth uneler these conditions will be very
rapid. As the growths get ripened a little
more sun may be allowed, but the temperature
must be steadied a little by more air and less
atmospheric moisture. Keep the roejt mensture
going until tlie pseudo-bulbs ha\e quite finished
swelling, as any slackening at this time leads to
shrivelling in the winter unci consequently

weak growths in spring. In many cases the
leaves will begin to turn colour soe)n afterwards,
and then the water supply may be greatly
reduced, the plants hung up or arranged on
the stages in the full sun anel the teinpeni-
ture sensibly diminished. Any that are push-
ing their flower-spikes may with advantage;
have a little more encouragement. Duriiij;
winter hardly any water need be given, espe-
cially to well-ripeneel plants, but the pseudo-
bulbs must not be alloweel to shrivel. Teiei
little heat is not advisable, a night temperature
of ()0° while at rest being ejuito low enough,
though a slight elrop on colel nights is jirefer-
able te) pushing the fires anel causing a stuU'v
atme)sphere. In early s])ring when the young
growths are starting it is important tliat
water be carefully applied and kept away from
these teneler sheiots .as much as possible. Even
when further advanceel, unless the weather is
really bright, syringing must be very care-
fully gone about, as the water sometimes
collects in the heart of the shoots, to their detri-
ment. There is no deiubt that when the sun is
shining on them on hot summer afternoons a
thorough washing with tcpiel water from the-
.syringe is very refreshing anel of immense benefit
to the plants.

The treatment of the roots depends consider-
ably upon the habit of the species, the weaker
growers of course needing less in the way ol
compost than the larger. Tliree parts of good
fibrous peat to one of Spliagnum Moss may be
given, and where pots over 4 inches across are
used, a free aeldition of clean creicks anel
charcoal broken in rough lumps should Ix'
maele. For the smaller sizes it will be fuuiiel
more convenient to mix the peat and Moss anel
to add a few suitable crocks as the potting pro
ceeds. In each case let the drainage be perfect,
for Catasetuius abhor anything close or spemgv
about the roofc.s, yet recjuire a very liberal watei
supply when in full growth. The fleshy roots,
too, are very easily injured by elisturbance>, anil
when the drainage is goeid anel cleai' one may
easily remove most <if the compejst and replace'
it with new without disturbing a single root.
Before potting clear every bit e)f old anel
sour material none the less, for if this is left,
the whole of the new ceunpost soon gets into a
bael state. Newly-imported plants are .some-
times rather difficult to est;iblish ; they keep
alive anel look fairly seiunel, but it is often many
months before either a new bit e)f root or growth
makes its appearance. Nothing can be ehjue tei
hurry them, anel the best way to manage them
after being thoroughly cleaneel is to pot them
up in clean creicks at first, surfacing these with
a little Moss when the roots are well plumped
up. When the growths appear, press a little
compost ai'ound the plants and trim off' neatly,
almost entirely withholding water until the'
shoots begin to loot. In a proper atmosplierc
insects usually give little trouWe, Ijut uheii
allowed to get clry, reel spider often puts in
an appearance. Thrips, too, like tlie young
.shoots, anel soon cripple tliein if allowed i
their own way. For the latter, use the vajjorifi-;
ing fumigator on two consecutive nights, andl
sponge the plants theu'oughly afterwards. Clean, i
soft rain-water is the best thing to use, and is pre-
ferable to any either insecticide, though in re.-illy
bad cases of thrips a little tobacco-water may ,
be used. The leaves, though hard-looking and*
not apt to be injured by sunlight, are, notwith- f
standing, easily spoiled by rubbing with an
almost dry sponge, as sometimes practised by
careless or ignorant cultivators.

Laelio-Cattleya Gottoiana.— This is un>
doubtedly a natural hybrid between Cattleya

December 18, 1897.1

THE CARDEK

477

farnori and La>lia tenebrosii. The sepals and
ptols, about 4 inches in length, are pale rose,
Ecoming pale green at the base; the lip rich
prple, margined with rose, and veined with
jrkcr purple in the centre ; the side lobes rose,
jading to yellow, and lined with brown at the base,
(was introduced with Lalia tenobrosa, and first
pwei-ed in IS'Jl in the collection of -Mr. E. (Jotto,
he Logs, Hampstead Ileal h. It was exhibited
I the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society
1 June -.*? of that year, and has since ilowcred in
her collections. A plant was e.\hiliite<l by the
(t. Hon. J. Cliamberhiin at the Drill Hall meet-
g of November 'i.i last.— H. .1. C.
Lselia peduncularis.— A fine spike of this
ant comes from a correspondent. It bears six
iwers, each about l2.J inches across, of adeeplilac-
>c on the sepals and petals, the lip having an
ilorig blotch in front. It is quite distinct from
!■ ance[)s section and a useful and beautiful
I -hid. Keep it in a light, sunny house, giving a
■I'y free water supply while growth is active and
uch less while at rest. The temjierature need
^t be so high as that of the Cattleya house and
)undance of air should be given all the year
und. It is a native of Mexico.
Scuticaria Steeli.— As a garden plant this
ould scarcely be worth growing, except for its
stinct appearance, the flowers not being pro-
jced \er3' freely. They are, ne\ertheless, very
ngular and beautiful, the ground of the flower
sing clouded white, with large chocolate blotches,
lie lip having purple stri|jes. The flowers are
todueed from the base of the long terete leaves,
|ie latter often growing considerably over a yard
f length. It does not require much compost,
nd may often be seen thriving well on almost
hre blocks. It likes plenty of warmth and light
fid a very moist atmosphere, being a native of
ritish (iuiana, whence it was introduced in 1834.

j Lielio-Cattleya Clive.— A plant of this noble
ybrid was recently exhibited at the Drill Hall
nder the above name from the Rt. Hon. J.
hambeilain's collection. It is the result of
rossing La'lia puniila Dayana with Cattleya
'owiana aurea. This was raised in the collection
t Mr. N. Cookson, Oakwood, Wylamon-Tyne.
.. -C. Normani also came from the collection of
Ir. Cookson, as also did L.-C. broomfleklensis
,he reverse cross), exhibited by ilr. M. Wells at
he Drill Hall meeting of the Royal Horticultural
lociety on August 14, 1S94, when it was awarded

F.C.C. by the Orchid committee. Previously
othis Mr. C. J. Ingram had raised from the same
arentage as the two tirst named L.-C. Ingrami,
i.'hich was awarded a flrst-class certificate in
\ugust, 1802. This was by far the finest form
if the four. This is truly an example of the
ilurality of names, which cannot Ije anything but
misleading to the exjiert, to say nothing of those
>'hose opportunities are less favourable. Surely
he original name might be maintained, with
allies added wliere the variety deserved distinc-
ion. — One ok the Orciiiu Committee.

Arpopliyllum giganteum.— It is late for
his phuit to be in bloom, but I recently saw a
irge specine i bearing (juite a couple of dozen of
he long, dense spikes of rosy purple flowers.
.'he plants grow in dense tufts of upright stems,
ach bearing a single sword-sha]3ed leaf, from the
»ase of which the spikes issue. The plants are
rery free rooting, and consequently like a fairly
lubstantial root-run. The drainage requires very
;areful attention, and in the rather deep pots
•hat the sorts like should come at least two-thirds
if the way up, covering this with a layer of rough
Sphagnum. Equal parts of peat and chopped
Moss with a little fibrous loam for the stronger
plants suit it well for compost, and in planting
(ilace a few pieces of roughly Vjroken crocks and
charcoal along with the peat and Mess. Give a
little water only until the roots begin to run
freely, after which and as long as growth keeps
Active a full supply is needed. It is not a fas-
'tidious plant as to temperature, but being a
'native of some of the most exposed parts of Mexico
ftnd Guatemala, must not have too great heat.

I'leiity of light is quite a necessity in its culture,
so heavy shading must not be alloweil at any
time. It may be grown with Cattleyas if this is
not lost sight of, or even with the Mexican
La'lias. It is an old plant in cultivation, having
been sent to Chiswick in KS.'l!) by Hartweg, who
discovered it growing on high trees in Mexico. — K.

ONCIDIUM H.lOMATOt'HILUM.

TiiK blossoms of this plant are very bright, and, as
long as the plants are healthy, very abundantly
procluccd. They occur from ten to twenty or
more on erect spikes, and are yellow' on the sepals
and petals, spotted with rich cliestnut-brown, the
lip bright ro.sy-crimson. It is not often seen in
good condition, though if healthy, vigorous ])lants
are once secured, it is not diflicult to keep them so
for some years at least. The |)lant has no pseudo-
bulbs, but con.sists of large thick -textured leaxes,
each about a foot in length, from the base of
which the flower-spikes proceed. It thrives well
in a hot, moist house while making its growth,
and should have a light sunny ]iosition not fur
from the roof-glass. Commencing to grow in
early spring, the leaves unfold slowly, and by the
lutumn should be fully expanded. The flowtr-
spikes occurring at this time, it is not wise to
reduce the water supply much, but let the plants
have as much air as jiossible, and be only sufti-
ciently shaded to pre\ent injury to the foliage.
The flowers over, less water is needed, for though
the plant is ebulbous, the large leaves store up a
lot of nutriment that keeps it going through the
winter with only occasional w'aterings. If the
AIoss used for compost has grown much about
the base of the leaves, it is as w'ell to remove
a little of this before winter, as otherwise it is apt
to hold moisture in excess of the needs of the
plant. And here it may be noted that in pre-
paring the compost for 0. h:i'matochiluni, which
greatly di.slikes root-disturbance, it is well to use
[ilentj' of Sphagnum Moss rather than peat. Not
that it is any more lasting, but decayed Moss is
easier to remove than peat, and possibly by its
decay furnishes a certain amount of food to the
plants not obtainable from peat, which wdien de-
cayed is always injurious. The plants when
newly imported are very vigorous for a season
or two, and this vigour must be taken advantage
of to get them thoroughly established in their
])0ts, baskets, or whatever they are grown in.
Give them fairly good room and a large percent-
age of clean crocks in the compost, then it will be
easy as time goes on to add to this without dis-
turbance or unduly thickening it. It is not very
important what class of receptacle the jilants
are grown in, and I have seen ^ood pieces grown
on Tree Fern stems, but careful treatment of the
atmosphere, especially during winter, is neces-
.sary. A very moist atmosphere, esjiecially should
the temperature run down a little, is apt to cause
an attack of spot, which renders the plants very
unsightly. A warm, dry circulation of air at
midday is what this Oncidium delights in, and
has a very great deal to do with building up a
solid growth that will bloom profusely in due
season. It is a native of New Grenada, and was
introduced in 1847.

Masdevallia triaristella.— The tiny flowers
of this and several similar species have a great
charm for those who like quaint and structurally
interesting flowers. In this case the plant seldom
exceeds 2 inches in height, and the flowers, with
their elongated sepals and iieeuliar concave
formation at the base, are brown and bright yellow.
Being a true epiphyte, it must be grown either in
very small pans or baskets, preferably suspended
not far from the roof, where they have the benefit
of plenty of air.

Restrepia antennifera.— The very singular
anil beautiful blossoms of this sjiecies are |)ro-
duced on slender spikes from the base of the leaf.
The upper and lower sepals are pale j'cllow, the

I latter joined and forming a boat-shaped cavity ;

I the petals are very narrow and slenr'e ', and all

the segments are closely covered with purple-
brown blotches and spots. It is a native of New
(ircnada, where it was di.scovereil many years ago
by Humboldt growing at gieat elevations on the
tree trunks. A cool, moist atmosphere and shal-
low root-run are therefore the most natural treat-
ment for it.

Laelia praestans.- This was in capital form
recently with Mr. Bull, the bright and ellcctivc
blossom being very large compared with the si/c
of the growths. Like all the L. pumila section, it
dislikes a large body of compost and does well in
small pans sus|)ended from the roof in a warm,
moist house. Fill the jians to within an inch of
the rims with clean crocks, planting in pcat-libre
and Sphagnum. It is not exactly constant in its
time of flowering, but usually grows away in early
sjiring, blooming in autumn upon the growth
made. It must be kept moist all the jear round,
but not too heavily watered during the winter
months.

Oncidium pelicanum. -This useful Mexican
species is in flower with Mr. \V. Bull, and is very
pretty. The pseudo-ljulbs are deep green, the
spike rising to a considerable height and being
very freely branched. The individual flowers are
not large, but showy, the sepals and petals are
pale yellow, blotched with reddish brown, the lip
much paler in colour, \iith a crimson crest. It
does well under ordinary conditions of culture,
and should be potted up in peat -fibre and
Si)hagnum Moss over good drainage. It thrives
well in the cooler part of the Cattleya house, and
must have plenty of water at the roots while
growing.

Vanda suavis. — There is a very fine col-
lection of Vandas of the larger-growing section at
Cambridge Lodge, and several of this tine species
were recently in bloom there. The plants are
large healthy specimens, many of them "2 yards
in height, their long white roots spreading in
every direction, catching hold of each other's ]iots
and running over the stage. It is just this free-
dom both of root and branch that I have so often
advised for these beautiful plants, and they are
well worthy of it. Cooped up in small houses
with their heads close to the glass, they are
quickly covered with insects and unsatisfactory
in every waj', but treated as indicated they are
noble objects. — H.

Miltonia Moreliana atro-purpurea.— This
is one of the brightest and deepest tinted of
all the spectabilis grouj), and this, too, was re-
cently good at Chelsea. The sepals and petals
are a deep rich vinous purple, the lip having
many radiating lines of rose on a light ground.
It does well on rafts or in shallow wood bas-
kets with only an inch or so of compost. It
likes a good clear light, but must not be ex-
posed to bright sunshine, and the temperature
of the Cattleya house suits it well. During the
time growth is active it can hardly be over-
watered, and even when at rest the roots must
never be kept dry for long together.

Masdevallia macrura. — This is one of the
birgcst growing of Masdevallias, and ])roduces
very fine flowers. Tliey are freely produced and
singular in outline, the sepals being elongated
into tails nearly 6 inches in length beyoml the
tubular portion. The colour is a tawny yellow
inside, the outer part brown, and the whole of
the tube is closely covered with minute (lurple
dots. It is one of the best growers and thrives
well in rather larger jiots than the Harryana sec-
tion. The credit of its discovery is due to Roezl,
who found it growing on Moss-covered rocks in
New Grenada. It was not until some years later,
however, that it was introduced to cultivation,
Mr. Bull's collectors sending it home in 1S76.

Oncidium varicosum. — This mid-winter-
flowering Oncidium is largely grown in Mr.
Cypher's nursery at Cheltenham ; many of the
spikes are 3 feet in length, and bear from fifty
to sixty flowers. These are very large indi-
vidually, of the brightest yellow, with a distinct
brow n centre. It is a cool Orchid and of a free
I habit of growth. It ought to be grown largely

478

THE GARDEK

[December 18, 1897.

by all in need of flowers of the kind at this sea-
son. I know many amateurs are afraid to buy
Orchids, as they think they would not grow un-
less under special care and conditions, which is
no doubt the case with many of them, but this
Oncidium proves itself to be a noteworthy excep-
tion.—M.

SHORT NOTES.—OECHIDS.

Cypripedium Deedmani.— Tl.is distinct hy-
brid is the result of a cross between C. Spicerianum
and G. Chamberlainianum. The dorsal sepal is white
at the top, green, spotted with purple at the base, and
having the_ broad characteristic biud of jiurple seen in
all C. Spicerianum hybrids. The petals are green,
thickly spotted and lined with brown, the lower sepal
pale green, the lip rich rose-purple, shading to green.
Jt was raised in the Botanic Gardens at Birmingham,
where it has recently flowered. — H. ,T. C.

Laelio-Cattleya albanensis (L. grandis x C.
Warneri). — This is a lovely free-flowering and d'stinct
hybrid. The sepals and petals are delicate rose, of
fine form and sul stance ; tlie lip rich ci-imson-purple,
mai-giiied with rose; the side lobes rose, becoming
suffused with the riih purple at the base. A plant
with three flowers was recently shown at the Drill
Hall frum the Highbury collection of the Et. Hon. J.
Chamberlain. This is a natural hybrid and was intro-
duced by Messrs. F. Sander and Co., of St. Albans.
in 1893.

Books.

PRACTICAL FORESTRY.*

Since the first edition of this work was issued, the
subject of forestry, we are told, "has made no
great advance." To read the book, one might
imagine that between Curtis the first and Curtis
the second nothing whatever had been done ex-
cept what he has done himself in conjunction with
the " Land Agents' Record." Although Schlich,
Fisher, Marshall, and a completely revised and
reversed edition of Brown's " Forester " have ap-
peared in the interval, and quite a revolution
been inaugurated in forestry teaching, not to
speak of the forestry press, which has done and
is doing so much, the author ignores them all, or
else he has never heard of them. In a book
manifestly derived from common sources, not a
word of acknowledgment is to be found, so far as
•we can see. One might well rise from a perusal
of "Practical Forestry" in the belief that its
author was an arboricultural Rip \-an Winkle
who had been asleep for years. Much of the
advice given is old, and has been condemned
by all acknowledged teachers of the present day.
He states (page 12) that in a long experience at
home and abroad he " has seldom seen that dis-
play of knowledge and system that we all desire
to see." Mark the " all." No writer would ven-
ture to put his name to such a statement who
knew really anything about forestry abroad, espe-
cially in Germany and France. Strong doubts as
to his expert abilities are engendered by his un-
disguised bid to landowners to treat over the
heads of their competent head foresters. Here is
a sample of the author's simplicity and vague
knowledge of his subject: "Some trees require
more room than others— for example. Oaks,
because it is important they should attain a large
girth with a medium height " (pages ."iS and ."ilil.
What consumer, I wonder, ever objected to an
Oak because it was long in the bole. The longer
the bole the greater the value, ^^■hile a short bole
means a useless top and loss to the producer.
How a Schlich or a Dr. Somraerville must grin
to see it advised that in rearing hardwoods
(page 59), "the distance between the trees may
range from 12 feet to 20 feet," that is, 4 yards
to nearly 7 yards apart. In such a case our expert

"would make up with conifers 4 feet apart"

" nurses," I presume, some half dozen or more
I^rofitless nurses to each hardwood. No particular
conifers are preferred, and with most varieties

* " Practical Forestry." By Chas. E. Curtis, F.S.I.,
Professor of Forestry. London : Crosby, Lockwood
and Son.

the jirobable effect would be the smothering of
the Oaks. On thinning he is apparently quite
oblivious to advanced opinion and practice. At
page 72 he proceeds: "Trees when growing
need air and light and ample room below, other-
wise they crush out one another and the strongest

and fittest only survive." Exactly

" Where from the earliest period careful thinning
has been carried out, very different results are
manifest. Each tree stands firm and independent
of its fellow, the lateral branches are retained
until they have performed their functions and do
not wind-whip each other, but give support with-
out dependence ; the growth is rapid and uni-
for-m, and the trees being of equal height obtain

their full share of light and heat There

is at once the appearance of prosperous develop-
ment, which to the landowner is an accumulation
of capital or a silent influx of revenue." This is
Brown at his worst. The worst season in the
whole year is recommended for planting (page 41 ),
viz., to begin with November and end with
April, and the vile "notching system" of
planting is advocated energetically. At page ."iCS
we are told to bear in mind that the life of a tree
depends on the vitality of its root fibres, and that
e\ er-ything should be done that skill can devise to
keep them healthy and active, and the author's
way of doing this is to transplant throughout the
dead season of the year, when the chance of the
mutilated roots keeping "healthy and active"
is reduced to the vanishing point. No distinction
is made as to species ; evergreens and 'deciduous
all go in pell-mell together. At the same page
it is also interesting to learn that on large areas
small trees "should not need staking.'' Biggish
trees would, we presume, have to be staked.
Now, what practical joker could have suggested
staking young plantations, under any cir-
cumstances, to an expert who is great on
ecorromy by jrlanting thin ? At page 00 the
autlior appears to have got a momentary
inspiration from some source of the newer
forestry, and introduces in italics the words
"unbroken leaf canopy." Quite forgetting his
earlier thinning operations, iir which bis trees
stand sturdily aloof from each other, with no
cano])y whatever, he writes, si)eaking of Nature,
" Throughout the future the forester should en-
deavour to obtain an unbroken leaf canopy. . . .
True forestry greatly consists of tliis uniform and
regular growth, this mutual dependence on each
other for support." How an unbroken leaf canopy
is to be maintained throughout without the
" wind-whipping " spoken of is a puzzle.

The book does not appear to be what it
pretends to be — a safe book for those for whom it
is written. It does not display personal familiarity
with forestry operations, and it is by no means
up to date. I have rarely read a book so pre-
tentiously written, and yet so poor or conceived
in such bad taste. W.

MODERN CHRYSANTHEMUM CULTURE

FOR THE MILLION.*
Tins is another recent addition to the rapidly
inci'easing literature of a popular flower. It is a
very neatly got up little sixpenny paper-covered
cultural manual of sixty odd jjages, well jjrinted
and containing about a dozen typical and ex-
planatory illustrations in black and white. The
chapters are in most cases bi-ief, but to the point,
arrd, considering the price, " Modern Cbr-ysantlje'-
mum Culture" is one of those little books that
neither author nor printer need feel any compunc-
tion in submitting to tire public estimation.

The subjects rlealt with are many, and may be
summarised under the following lieadings : Pro-
pagation, the various pottings, summer treat-
ment, insects and mildew, feeding, top-dressing,
taking the bud, housing, damping, dressing,
staging, judging and other allied subjects.

In a table of Chrysanthemums the author gives

what may be ver-y useful to man}- who are desirous
of growing for show. This table comprises a se-
lection of some of the best varieties, and gives an
irrdicatioir of height, season, size of pot required,
tlie proper bud to be taken and the date, when to
house the variety and the size of bloom. These
details in their fullest form apply principally to
Jajianese and incurved, but other selections in all
the sectioirs ai-e given without perhaps being quite
so comprehensive.

Mr. Garner's treatise is handy and portable,
and we do not remember any other that can be
compared with it at the price, and its style should
ensure it a ready sale.

* " Modern Chrysanthemum Culture for the Mil-
lion." By George Garner. (Blake and Mackenzie,
Liverpool.)

.TADOO.

I li.vvE been experimenting this season with
jadoo, a soil irrepared from soot, peat, gypsum
and a few other ingredieirts. ^^'hen sow-
ing my spring Onions I drilled in with the seed
in each row a layer of fine jadoo aborrt half an inch
thick. I did the same when sowing Cabbages,
arrtumn Onions and other seeds, including Aspa-
ragus. My plants came up so thickly and regu-
larly, that I came to the conclusion that not too
much was claimed for jadoo in this respect and
that all my seeds germinated. Next year my
sowings will be much thinner. As regards pot
plants, I had vei'y few plants in pots, but I
repotted four plants in my windows, a Palm, a
Vallota and two Asparagus nanus, in the spring
that were in bad health. The 'Vallota was almost
dead ; it has now made a bulb half an inch in
diameter and is looking vigorous. The Palm has
put forth three fresh leaves, and the Asparagus
has rooted well and grown vigorously. In all,
the root action has greatly developed, and I have
found the statement as to watering but seldom
absolutely correct ; the danger rather is that one
may give too much water. As to cuttings, I can-
not speak from my own experience. I planted a
number of Lilies, some in a frame where jadoo had
beeir largely introduced and otlrers in the open
air with jadoo round their roots. In all cases the
bulbs had thriven better than in former j'ears in
the ground, had made better growth, and had
developed much greater root action. Amongst
the Lilies wereL. Krameri, L. odorum, L. Henrji,
some speciosum and others. My Gladioli were
treated in the same way. When planted in the
spring, a layer of jadoo was placed about them.
I have not yet lifted them, but they ha\e done
well, and especially the little buUis arrd bulblets.
Dui'ing the autumn I paid a visit to Teignmouth,
where Col. Halford Thompson resides. I saw in
his conservatoi'y a fine lot of Begonias, Cannas,
Lilies, &c. , all growing in jadoo and in fine con-
dition. The blooms were very highly coloured
and very abundant. I saw a plant of Tacsonia
Van Volxemi whose roots were radiating in all
directions in a small brick pit iirside one of the
houses. The jadoo in the pit was simply one mass
of roots, the plant in fine condition. In another
house I saw a small Coffee plant in perfect health
and foliage. This plant had come to him three
years back much diseased with the fungus that had
done so much harm iir Ceylon. Gr-own in j.adoo
the fungus has disap[ieared and the plant had
regainerf perfect health. In 0-inch pots were some
Lilium Harrisi that had bloomed well two years
running. One of these bulbs was turned out
sound and fii'm ; it had made good growth, had
borne five flowers, with stems 2 feet .S inches Irigli
and had a fine bulb 9 inches in circumference.
Potted again in jadoo, I have no doubt it will
flower eriually well next spring. I admired the
healthy, robust look of his dwarf Apple and Pear
trees growing in pots in jadoo and covered with
fine fruit. What I saw convinced me that jadoo
put beneath the surface and round the plants en-
couraged root action and greater luxuriance of
growth and power of flowering. I much admired
a bed of Violets in great round clumps 8 inches to
10 inches through ; they looked like a bed of
Strawberry plants.

Alexander Wallace, Physician.

Decembkb 18, 1897.]

THE GARDEN-.

479

THE BAMBOO GARDEN AT KEW.

The B;inil)iio i;ardon formed a few years ngo at
Kow lias priivoil so well adaptcil for the plants,
that a few notes as to its position, soil, itc,
may be of value to the numerous readers who
intend to, or have already eonnneneed, to
.;row the Bamboos. A very short experience
III the cultivation of Bamboos is sutticient to
demonstrate the importance of shelter as a
means to success. It is, possibly, the factor of
chief importance. Recognising this, tlie director
I'f Kevv selected a posititm in tlie miildle of a
wood near the Rlmdodendron dell, an<l taking
advantage of a hollow already existing there,
had the ground lowered some 5 feet or (i feet
liidow the surrounding level. A belt of shrubs
• i\\ tlie north and east .sides, between the trees
,iiid the liamboos, together with the low level
on wliich the latter stand, afl'ords them a shelter
almost as perfect as can be furnished out of
doors. Even the bitterest north-easter loses a
good deal of its sting before it reaches these
ri.unboos. It has been pointed out before in
these columns thai what the cultivator of Bam-
boos has most to fear is not a low temperature

growth is indicated by the unrolling of the
young leaves, which may be in April or May,
according to tlie mildness or otherwise of the
winter. 15amboos are very ditticult to kill out-
right, but treated improperly they are apt to
get into a stunted, one might term it sulky,
condition, which it takes them a long time to
recover from. 1 would advise tho.se who wish
to try these plants to obtain them from the
nurserymen in autumn or winter, if they have
been grown in ])ots, and to give them green-
house treatment till the end of May, when they
can be planted out in a growing state ; but,
on the other hand, if they have been planted
out in the nursery ground, not to have them
sent otl'till the end of April or later, when they
can be set out at once. A yearly clearing out
of the older, worn-out stems, dead leaves, &c. ,
prevents that choked-up appearance one sees
so often in ill-tended Bamboos, and whilst
giving a lighter and more graceful aspect to the
plants allows freer play to the young growths.
It should be done in spring before the latter
have grown long enough to risk injury.

Such, briefly, has been the .system of cultiva-

In the Bamboo garden at Kew. Engraved for The Garden from a photograph by
Mr. J. Gregory^ Croydon,

merely— mofst of the Bamboos will stand 20° or
25° of frost with impunity in a still atmosphere
— but the dry, liiting winds of spring. The
first recpiisite, therefore, at any rate where the
climatic conditions are on a par with those at
Kew, is shelter from north and east.

With regard to soil, I should .say that Bam-
boos like best a free, open, sandy loam. The
gi'eater part of the soil at Kew is poor and
sandy, but there is, in one part, a belt of good
stiff loam extending for a few hundred yards,
and it is on the border of this that the Bamboo
garden is situated. At the commencement the
ground was trenched to a depth of 2 feet to
3 feet, and during the process was enriched
with leaf-soil, and where neces.sary lightened
with .sandier soil. Another point to remember
is that these jilants can scarcely be over-fed,
and in well-draiiietl soil can scarcely l)e over-
watered. An annual mulching with rich manure
is of the greatest advantage.

In regard to transplanting, it is important

to note that disturliance at the root is most

larniful during autumn and winter, and

that it is safest to defer this till root-action

[has commenced in .spring. The renewal of

; tion pursued at Kew. That it is the right one
is shown by the luxuriant growth of almost all
the kinds — so luxuriant, indeed, as t(j be rather
embarrassing m the somewhat restricted space
occu]jied by the collection. The Bamboo gar-
den was made in 1892, and the following are
the lengths of a few of this year's growths,
exceeded, of course, by sjjccimens in older
collections and in warmer parts of the country,
but of some interest, perhaps, as showing the
rate of growth of Bamboos in a district which
has not proved particularly favourable to the
growth of tender shrubs as a rule : Arundinaria
Siinoni, 17 feet ; Phyllostachys viridi-glauces-
cens, 17 feet; P. Henonis, 1.5 feet; Arundin-
aria nitida, i:5 feet ; A. japonica, 12 feet ;
Phyllostachys aurea, 12 feet ; P. nigra, 12 feet ;
P. fastuosa, 11 feet 6 inches ; Arundinaria
Hindsi, 11 feet (J inches; Phyllostachys 15ory-
ana, '.) feet ; P. Castillonis, 8 feet 0 inches ;
Arundinaria anceps, 7 feet .'i inches ; A. tessel-
lata, 4 feet G inches ; A. Fortunei (variegated),
4 feet.

Bamboos are not all of equal merit, but some
of them are the most beautiful of evergreens.
Just now when Christmas is at hand, and the

days are at their shortest and darkest, there is
nothing out of doors that e(|uals the Ijest Bam-
boos in the fresh greenness and l)e;iuty of their
foliage. The following is an extract from Mr.
Freeman - Mitfords book, •'The l'..imboo (Jar-
dcii," p.'2»'.t. It refersto .some slieltered corner at
Batsford Park, where Bamboos ])lay no incon-
spicuous part, and it has a special interest at
this sea.son : —

A tiny rill trickles over the green velvet of the
rocks, with Ferns peejiing out of crannies in
which m.uiy an alpine treasure is hushed to rest,
waiting the warm kiss of spring aiul the song of
the Ijirds, that, like Orpheus with his lute, shall
raise the seeming dead from the grave. Tall
Rushes and gracefully arching Bamboos, hardly
stirred by the wind, nod their plumes over the
little stream from which the nys of a December
sun have just strength to charm the diamonds
and rubies and sapphires ; a golden pheasant, all
unconscious of a human presence, is preening his
radiant feathers by the water-side. It is a retreat
such as the fairies might haunt, and where in the
bitter Christmastide a man may forget the out-
side world, and for one too brief hour revel in a
midwinter <lay's dream of glorious summer.

W. .1. Bean.

NOVEMBEl! IN SOUTH DEVON.
DruiNO the past month \"2r> inches of rain fell
on twelve d.ays against l)'84 of an inch on six days
in November, 1896, the average for the month
being 4-04 inches. For the first eleven months of
tlie present year the rainfall has amounted to
2!)' 12 inches with 141) rainy days, against 19'4.")
inches on I3."> days during the same period of 1890,
so that the year's rainfall up to the present time
exceeds that of the corresponding period of 189(i
by nearly HI inches. It is, liowever, almost
2 inches below the average fall for the eleven
months, which is .31 '02 inches, and as there is no
probability of such a heavy rainfall during the
present month as occurred during December, 1896,
when 7'.37 inches fell, the year will doubtless close
with a rainfall slightly below the average. The
temperature of the month has been high, the
mean of highest and lowest temperatures being
494°, or over 2^ above the average, which is 47'1''
and more than 7° higher than the mean of
November, 1S9(;, which was 42'8°. Both October
and November have been unusually warm, their
mean temperature being G'S° above the mean of
the corresponding months in lS9ti. The highest
screen rea<ling was GO'3^ on the 18th, ami the
lowest 34'0'' on the 3l)th. The highest sun tem-
perature w-as 9.">'4° on 18th, and the lowest grass
reading 3U'9° on the 30th. This is the first occa-
sion since the preceding winter on which the
grass thermometer has registered frost, whereas
on December 1, IS96, the mercury on the grass
had already recorded frost on twenty-three occa-
sions. The month has been phenomenally sunless,
the sun having shone for only .■!3 hours ."m minutes
against 83 hours 2(1 minutes in November, 1896,
j and an average of 64 hours .) minutes. What we
1 have gained in warmth we have lost in brightness,
for the dulness of October and Novemlier has
I thrown us back in our sun.shine record, and from
I being 20 hours above the average on October 1, we
are, on December 1, o\er 3U hours below. For
the past eleven months the sun has shone
for 1627 hours 1.5 minutes, the average being
I(w9 hours 10 minutes, and the record for
the same period of 1896, 1672 hours 2.") minutes.
The total horizcjntal movement of the wind has
been 6621 miles, that for November, 1S96, having
been 6316 miles. The greatest daily speed was
.'j.>4 miles on the 27th, an average for tlie twenty-
four hours of 23 miles an hour, and the
highest hourly \elocity of 34 miles was reached
between the hours of (i and 7 a.m. on the same
date. The past month is remarkable from the
fact that the highe-t and lowest barometrical read-
ings of the year occurred during its course. On
November 21 the liiLrhcst reading, .30-7, was
recorded, and on the 3t)th the lowest of 29 5.

480

THE GARDEK

[December 18,1897.

In the garden the unusual warmth of the montli
and its freedom from frostuntil itsconcluding night
have favoured the close of the season of the open-air
dowering plants. Rarely have Chrysanthemums
made a finer display, for their blooms have been
marred neither by rain nor frost, and it is wonder-
ful, under such conditions, for how long a while
they remain in beauty. Plants of the early-
flowering Mme. Desgrange and G. Wermig I
noticed still ornamental in November, while Lady
Selborne, whose loose, flimsy petals are the first
to be injured by wind and weather, enjoyed an
unusually protracted season of immunity. Of
white Chrysanthemums, both for cidture under
glass and in the open, the new Niveum appears
to hold the palm. Its reflexed flowers are large,
symmetrical, and show no eye, although grown as
bush plants in the open. Even the check insepar-
able from lifting the plants from the open ground
and replanting under glass just as the flowers are
opening seems to have no detrimental eflect on
quantity or quality of tiloom. This year, both
this and other varieties are decidedly earlier than
in 1S9(), tlxe majority of blooms of Xiveum being
l)ast their best fully three weeks earlier than was
the case last year. Other good whites that have
done well in the open are the two old favourites
Elaine and Mile. Lacroi.x. The wonderfully
open weather has made the culture of these
under glass, for marketing puriioses, quite
profitless, as with such wealth of blossom
on outdoor Chrysanthemums and Daldias the
supply in most cases exceeded the demand, and
the glass-sheltered blooms rarely did more than
jjay their carriage to market, in many instances,
indeed, failing to effect this. The sulphur-white
Elsie makes a good garden plant, and Mrs. J. S.
Eogg is an eft'ective yellow, but the sturdy W. H.
Lincoln, which has been so satisfactory for several
seasons past, appears in a portion of the south-
west district to have lost its constitution, as this
year it has lost almost all its foliage and has pro-
duced but few blooms, although other varieties
frown under precisely similar conditions have
een pictures of health and freely flowered. Peter
the Great is a light yellow that flowers abundantlj-
and is well adapted for open-air culture, while
.Tardin des Plantes is always valuable from its jiccu-
liarly rich golden tint. The new Modesto, an ex-
cellent exhibition bloom, also possesses the same
striking colouring, but whether it will succeed as
a garden variety can scarcely be determined for a
season or two. The semi-double yellow. Admiral
Sir T. Symonds, has been very beautiful in the
garden during the past month, its colour being
this year free from the deep bronze tint that
suff'used its petals in 1896. The appearance of
this ruddy colouring in 1S96 on plants raised
from cuttings taken from subjects bearing clear-
coloured flowei-s, and the production this year by
all the plants of clear- petalled blooms, though ail
were raised from plants bearing bronzed flowers
in 1896, is dithcult of explanation, especially as
the treatment has been identical in each year.
The single white, Mary Anderson, makes a pretty
bush plant, and the ruddy gold of Source d'Or is
most ornamental, while of darker colours, Tokio,
CuUingfordi, and the beautiful small-flowereil
Julie Lagravere, a very ancient introduction as
Chrysanthemums go, can scarcely be beaten for
outdoor effect.

Dahlias bloomed continuously throughout the
montli, though the blossoms of the scarlets and
crim.sons, perhaps, lacked something of their
early autumnal brilliance ; still, a bright gather-
ing could have been made up till the last day of
No\'ember, when the first frost |jut an end to
their display. In " E. H. W.'s" delightful " Trip
to Fairyland" (p. 389) he mentions the devasta-
tion wrought by frost weeks ago among the
Dahlias in northern lands. Well, at all events
there are spots in England where King Frost did
not commence his rule at sucli an early date, the
sea-board of South Devon, for example. Cannas
bloomed well into November, and before the end
of the month some of the single Poppy Anemones
had opened their blossoms, while late-sown
seedlings of Sweet Alyssum were in bloom, and

here and there a spire of bloom showed on the
Antirrhinums. Aster grandiflorus was at its best
at the commencement of the month, its large
purple-gold-centred blossoms making an attrac-
tive spot of deep colour in the garden. The giant
Christmas Rose (Helleborus altifolius) appears in
its loveliest guise in Novemljer, and yields its
chaste cupped blossoms in profusion. Gazing at
their purity, one recalls the legend of the little
shepherd-maiden of Bethlehem, who, when the
wise men from the East brought their rich
treasures to the infant Christ, stood without,
weeping, in that she had no gift to ofl'er. As she
wept the Angel CJabriel appeared before her and
asked her why she sorrowed. '• lam so poor that
lean bring no gift," she answered. The angel,
bending, struck the bare earth with liis wand, and
there before her bloomed the white flowers of the
Christmas Rose. " Gather them, little maid, and
bear them in," the angel said, "pure blossoms,
emblem of a love as pure." So mild has been the
season, that the Lenten Roses commenced to
bloom before the end of the month, at the com-
mencement of which Coreopsis grandiflora was
still in blossom. Many annuals have been in
flower during November — blue Cornflower,
Eschscholtzia, Mignonette, Marigolds, blue
Lobelias, Salpiglossis, Sweet Sultan, Stocks, and
Sweet Peas, while now and again in the hedge-
rows a scant gathering of pale Primroses was to
be found. A few great golden stars of Doroni-
cum plantagineum excelsum Harpur - Crewe
glowed from time to time in the herbaceous
border, while Erigeron speciosus and E. mucro-
natus were both in flower in No\ ember. Fuchsia
Riccartoni was crimson with flower at the com-
mencement of the month, when many late spires
of the Cape Hyacinth (Galtoniacandicans) held aloft
their ivory bells. In the rock garden the deep
blue Gentianella flowered spaisely, and Geranium
sanguineura bore many bright blooms, while a
delicate blossom was now and again to be found
on G. striatum. Gaillardia grandiflora produced
a few late blossoms in the early part of November,
as. did Hypericum Moserianum, and the Helio-
trope still flowered in sheltered spots. The lovel}-
Ills stylosa gave many a gathering of its scented
lilac-blue blossoms, which when cut ere they are
fully expanded last well in water, and are in-
valuable at this time of the year for indoor decora-
tion. The Paris Daisies, both yellow and white,
though not so free-flowering as earlier in the
year, kept in bloom, and a few Pentstemons re-
mained in flower. The Winter Cherry (Physalis
Alkekengi) was a brilliant object with its strings
of bright orange calyces ere cut for winter decora-
tion, for which its more graceful growth renders
it of greater value than the new Physalis Fran-
chetti. That the Oriental Poppies had not quite
composed themselves for their winter's rest was
shown by the appearance of a giant belated blos-
som here and there. The white Macartney Rose
opened a few blooms during the first week of the
month, and a few Tea Roses could be gathered
from wall jilants, Safrano being especially note-
worthy in this respect. In gardens where the
soil is not hea\ y and damj) the Winter Flag
(Schizostylis coccinea) bore its crimson flower-
spikes, and an occasional light blue blossom
opened on Scabiosa caucasica. Stokesia cyanea
expanded a few purple flowers in November, and
on southern rocks a tint of red evidenced a flower-
ing remnant of Valerian (Centranthus ruber).
Vinca minor and its double variet}', the flower of
the latter almost resembling a Marie Louise
A'iolet, showed infrequent blossoms amid their
shining leaves, and during the earlier weeks of
the month the Violets bloomed profusely, becom-
ing rarer, however, towards No\ember's close.

Against a sheltered wall Abutilon vexillarium
remained in bloom, not having been flowerless
since June. The white and red Lapageria blos-
soms still hung on a nortliern wall, and the
Habrothamnus still produced its red flower-
clusters. The Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudi-
florum) is covered with its blossoms of bright
gold, its brilliant effect being heightened when it
is associated with Cotoneaster microphylla, now

crimson with its myriad berries. Many a wall is
now brightened with the orange fruits of Passi-
flora cierulea, which hang like countless lamps
among the dark foliage. Solanum jasminoides
remained in bloom throughout the entire month,
though the number of its flower-clusters and the
size of the individual blossoms .show some diminu-
tion. This is ^ja;- t.r«//o«v the flowering climber
of the south-west, commencing as it does its
blooming season in June and remaining in blos-
som till mid-December should the weather con-
tinue open. Colletia cruciata I saw the other
day in profuse bloom, and on the banks of the
Dart Correas were in llower early in the month.
Choisya ternata has been in many instances a
November flowerer and the Winter Sweet
(Chimonanthus fragrans) has expanded the first
of its sweetly-scented blooms. Shrubby Veronicas
and the Laurustinus have also added their quota
to flowers of the month. After a protracted
season of blossoming the last white chalice was
cut from the standard Magnolia grandiflora on
the l.">th, the first having been gathered on
June 22, during the interval between which dates
some luindreds of ivory-white blossoms have been
produced. S. W. F.

THE AUTUMN.

This has been a wonderful autumn indeed. I
say has been, but really, judging from the i)re-
sent state of things generally outdoors, autumn
can hardly be said to have passed away yet.
There are, so far, few indications of the near
a])proach of winter. The last two months
have been exceptionally dry and mild. No
touch of frost has as yet been felt here. On
Thur.sday, the 18th inst., at 7 a.m , the thrushes ,!
were singing as on an April morning, and one '
was almost tempted to believe that, after all,
the calendar must be wrong, and that a peep
out of the window would reveal hedge.s and
trees aburst with green. Starlings, perched on
the chimney-pots, were whistling joyously and
preening their feathers, which just cauglit the
glint i)f the rising sun, and shone a metallic
burnished green. At 10 o'clock the .sun bur.st
forth with an almost summer-like power. The
yellow Jasmine in full bloom attracted the honey
bees, which were out in numbers, together with
a few of their larger relatives, the " bumbles."
The Ivy blossom is yet fragrant in places, and,
like the creamy bloom-lieads of the Aralia, teems
with wasps and flies. The sweet-.scented
Tobacco plant is still in flower, but at this
season seems more generously disposed, and
refrains from closing up its petals and hanging
dt)wn it.s head in the despondent manner it
adopted during the hot summer days. " Grand
weather, " you say to a pa.ssing son of the soil.
"It ban't zazonable," he replies. "We be
gwin to zufl'er fur this bymby, zhur enuf. " If
ever we have a fine autumn this is certain to be
a very popular opinion. I am not quite sure
that it is justified by experience.

Why should a good crop of berries in the
hedges be considered a certain forerunner of a
very severe winter ? It seems to me that the
presence of wild fruits and berries rather reflects
the past than foretells the future. It signifies
a summer fa\'ourable to the development of the
flowers and the perfecting of their .seeds or
fruit. Senecio pulclier has had a good time for
blooming, and is still pushing up fresh heads.
Roses keep on opening here and there, and even
the blue Salvia patens is not yet altogether
flowerless. As for I'riniroses, they lo(jk as if
they would flower themselves out Iiefore next
spring arrives. The Gentianella has thrown
up a few solitary blue bells, but they .seem
out of place and lack the intense colour
so noticeable in the early year. Wild ,
flowers are wonderfully numerous for the time

Uecembeu 18, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

481

• ■t the year. Only iv few ibiys ii'_;ri I ccuiUl h;ivo
lolU'cted (|iiite a iKisogay from iR'ilgorows by
l.inosides. Tlio rod Campion and wild Carrot,
>^ial)iinis and Ox-i'yi' Daisy wore to be found
niiongst plenty of others, while a patch of red
\ alerian in a railway cuttini; was visible from
i|iute a distance.

The trees, too, have donned many a tint, and
held their leaves Ionij;er than usual, owing to
file abscnee of early frosts and autumnal gales,
whieh (juickly whisk them oft' the branches,
whirling and scurrying them into many-coloured
heaps in nooks and c<irners. It is curious that
though individually some of the October tints
are really intense and brilliant, yet an autunuial
landscape, seen on never so ftne a day, .seems,
at least to me, .somewhat .sad and sombre.

There is a very delightful view close by me,
to be obtained by a ten minutes' walk up a mo.st
charming Devonshire lane. In October cspeci-
■ illy it is a lo\'ely spot. The trees on either side
of the way meet to form a leafy arch, shady and
cndl in summer time. After surmounting a
rather stec)) incline at the end of this lane, a
charming sight meets the eye, for the road sud-
denly dips down into a valley, the opposite
rising .side of which is a piece of common or
waste land, covered with Bracken and Gorse,
and dotted with Ash, Beech, ( )ak, and other
I ices. A stream runs across the bottom, some-
times dried up in summer, and on the right is a
cider orchard, the trees, .some old and gnarled,
smothered with soft grey Lichens and always
liiautiful, especially so in spring and autumn.
Away to the left the road, continuing up the
hill, is lost in a mass of foliage, amongst which
Mi.e may distinguish the thatched roof of a
pretty old cottage. The Beeches give wonder-
f.d colouring to the landscape, and so, too, do
tlie tall, dying fronds of the Bracken struggling
up through the undergrowth. The leaves of
the iMedlar are now of a rich old gold, but most
of them h.ive fallen. Thorn trees and bushes
.lie of a lighter shade, contrasting well with the
lil.ickness of their twigs. Some of the green-
leaved Jajjanese Maples give grand colour in
the fall — yellows, orange, and browns. Bi'ambles
111 the hedgerows assume many lovely tints,
that require closer examination to appreciate.
I >n a piece of an old stone wall, dotted here
and there with Navelwort, one sees masses of
I \ y-leaved Toadftax, its long trailing, delicate
stems covered with bright green foliage, .such a
contrast to the deeply-cut and glowing red
leaves of the Herb Robert growing, perhaps,
next to it.

.M;iny of the gardens in the neigohburhood
arc gay with outdoor Chry.santhemums, which
the tine weather of the past month has brought
to perfection. Nothing can be jirettier now
than large bushes of dift'erent coloured varieties,
hiosely staked or hitched to sunny w-alls. The
dark crimson W. Seward is especially hand-
some thus, and comes of a splendid colour. In
a wet autumn, however, the Ijlooms sutt'er and
present a miserable appearance. Then it is
tli.it one appreciates and sees the beauty in a
uarden well stocked with ornamental-leaved
plants and shrubs like the Palms, Yuccas,
Ar.dia.s, Bamboos and Ivies, especially bushes
of the variegated kinds, which look extremely
I'light in wet weather. The common Ilart's-
toiigue Fern never looks so well as when on
some dreary autumnal day it is surrounded l)y
a lot of its deciduous allies — a veritable oasis in
.1 desert of withering fronds.

Autumn is a busy time, yet a time of reftec-
tion. It has, as a season, many beauties, and
is .always full of ]iromi.ses. Some are fulfilled,
-' lue broken, but hope remains. We are
always looking forward to the future, and in

that lies the essence of iileasure— ex[)eetation.

• One of the showiest of our deciduous shrubs

this autumn has been Acer polymorplmm atropur-
pureum. When planted facing the sun and
backed up by .some light evergreen foliage the
ellect was charming. The leaves assumed that
deep crimson hue so often seen on the Ampelopsis
^"eitchi, but never before have I seen them so
rich as they have been this season. Many of the
Maples have finely cut leaves, which look well
during the sumnuT, but they will, if planted in
situations exposed to the sun, assume mo.st
glorious hues in the autumn. Li(|uidamliar sty-
raciflua has been more beautiful this season than
ever, particularly the foliage on old trees where
but little growth was made. On such the leaves
were not so large, but they ripened much earlier,
and therefore attained a brighter colour. We are
a[it to try to make things look too prim, but were
we to allow more naturalness there would cer-
tainly be far more pleasure derived from these
half-wild places. At one bold corner I noticed
that an Ampelopsis i]uinquefolia that was planted
near by had taken possession of a Holly tree
standing close by ; the growths had extended from
branch to branch so that the foliage of the
Ampelopsis became intermingled with that of the
Holly, and as autumn approached the leaves of
the former changed to a bright crimson, which

all of which assume bright colours in the autumn.
The foliage of Kuonymiis europaiis along the
hedgerows at the present time is most eon-
spiciioiis, for, as most of the other leaves have
fallen, there is little else to gladden the eyes in
the way of colouring. Rhus Cotinus, R. glabra
coccinea and laciniata have this autumn been
grand. The leaves of Ku'lreuteria pauiculata.
Rharanus Frangula, Jlespilus canadensis, and
many others have also been beautiful. As the
time for [ilantiiig is now here, many of the things
mentioned would be most u.sefiil for planting
alongside carriage drives or woodland walks.
The situations chosen for them should be such a»
would be suitaljle for their growth, and at the
same time give them room. — H. C. P.

Osiroicskiia •maijmfica. From a 'photograph nent hy
Mrs. Buirouijhes, Lower Berkeley Street, S.W.

was shown up to great advantage amongst the
green. At a distance one would have thought the
t;ree was covered with berries. <i)uercus coccinea
has also been very fine this autumn. What a pity
it is that this is not more planted in our woods.
Not only is the tree beautiful in itself, with its
peculiar fissured bark and large deep-cut foliage,
but the leaves assume those glorious hues
in autumn most difficult to describe, and
as they remain for such a length of time
before falling, make quite a feature in
the landscape. A large tree growing not
far from hero has been most beautiful this
autumn. There are of course many noble trees
that have bright foliage, but most of them shed
their leaves the first sharp frost that comes, while
others cling more closely, and are onlj' removed
by strong gales. It is, however, amongst the
shrubs that we must look for the brightest foliage.
Some of the Andromedas are very conspicuous in
this respect, their leaves turning a glowing crim-
son, which colour they retain for weeks. Ber-
beris Thunbergi is also very peculiar in this
respect, particularly when planted in exposed
situations on poor soil. Most people know the
common Viburnum Opulus, Cornus sanguinea,
C. atro-sanguinea, and the common varieties,

Flower Garden.

THE GIANT BELLFLOWER.

(0STR0WSKV.\ M.icNIFICA.)

I SEND a photograph taken on July 1 of a small
group. It will lie seen that the [ilants are too
near together, for of the fourteen tloweriiig
stems those at the two ends of the line far sur-
pass the others in height and strength. They
are growing in the garden at Ketton Cottage,
Rutland, on a south border about 4 feet from
the wall in front oi a row of Crown Imperials.
The plant at the west end of the line is consider-
alily more than 0 feet in height. The roots
were planted either in 1894 or l.S<.l,">, where they
flowered last summer. Two of them had flowered
more than one season before, and the others,
four or five in number, had never bloomed.
The ground was dug out aljout '2 feet in depth,
.and tii'st some manure and fresh loam fnuii
a pasture mixed with a good deal of ,sea .sand
were put into the hole and carefully jiacked round
the slender and very brittle roots, of which the
best were at least 15 inches long, the crowns
being some (i inches below the finished level
of the bed.

The situation is naturally dry and is fully
exposed to the sun, and the ground is well
drained. In winter. Pine needles were strewn
on the surface, .and in frosty nights in spring
an awning was drawn down from the wall, in
front of which it will be seen the jihints sbvnd,
but it is doubtful if either precjiution is neces-
s.iry, as young seedling plants in another bed
i|uite unprotected have not suffered from the
effects of frost. Of other care this beautiful
stranger appears to reiiuire none.

A coloured plate with a full description of
this handsome plant will be found in The
Garden of December 2'J, 1888.

SirSAN H. BUEEOUOHES.

Ifi, Lou-er Berkeley Sired, S. W.

Iris stylosa. — The Algerian Iris, to which, by
the «ay, the cumbersome specific name of un-
guicularis is sometimes applied, is flowering very
freely at Kew in the narrow border outside the
Orchid hou.se where the Belladonna I. ily flourishes.
Sheltered in this way, not oidy does this Iris
flower well, but the blossoms are not injured by
rough winds, which may happen where exposed,
as the petals are fragile. \Vhile this may be
ju.stly regarded as the last Iris of the season, the
small bulbous species with their exciuisite blos-
soms soon make their appearance with the advent
of the new year. The flowers of Iris stylosa emit
a \er}' pleasing fragrance. — H. P.

Seed-sowing in boxes. — Xot infrequently it
it advised to sow the secil in shallow pans or
boxes when instructions are being given for
certain work. Such advice is doubtless given in
good faith, though so far as the boxes are con-
cerned some thought should be gi\en aa to their
suitabiUty for the work. Such things as batches

482

THE GARDEN.

[December 18, 1897.

of cuttings being lost just as they were rooted,
or seedlings going suddenly off soon after they are
germinated, are too frequently known while the
reason is still far from clear. In such cases often
the true cause of failure is not discovered. Where
boxes are freely employed, I have reason to
believe they are most detrimental to success on
account of the frequent rapid out-growth of
fungus from decaying wood. \'ery often the
damage is complete before the evil is discovered.
Much trouble and anxiety may, however, be
saved if all boxes intended for seeds or cuttings
were of sufficient size and strength to admit of
their being charred sufficiently to kill any fungus
that may be ))resent, or, better still, wliere wood is
largely used for these purposes to put the lengths
into a pickle of creosote. With the wood cut
into lengths ready for placing together, the ends
as well as the sides would recei\e the dressing,
which would act in the twofold capacity of saving
the timber as well as safeguarding the cuttings or
seeds. — E. J.

HYPERICUM REPTANS.

The St. John's Wort, or Rose of Sharon, as it
is called by some, is a favourite with many.
The genus contains a large number of plants.
Nearly all have fine yellow flowers, which, in
olden times, from their fancied resemblance to
the sun, gave the Hyjiericum its reputed magical
powers as the dispeller of evil. The St. John's
Worts are varied in habit and stature. Some
are tall and weedy-looking ; some are of grace-
ful habit and with Ijeautiful flowers. Some are
herbaceous, and others are of shrubby or sub-
shrubby habit. A number are of dwarf, tufted
or trailing growth and of great value for the
rock garden. Among the last, none are more
pleasing than Hypericum reptans, the subject
of this note. The size of the flowers is large in
proportion to that of the leaves, and it is a
pleasant surprise to many to see so small a
plant have such large blooms. It forms a close
carpet, although of trailing habit, and soon
covers over with its pretty foliage a jierpendicular
or sloping stone where so placed that it can
droop over and on to the rock. The plant is
so close - growing that it only rises a))out
2 inches above the level surface of the pocket
in which it grows. The neat little green
leaves, with a slight glaucous tint upon them,
are not more than three-eighths of an inch in
length, and the bright and almost perfect
flowers are each (juite an inch across. The
blooms are of a clear yellow. The only fault I
can find with the plant here is that the flowers
have a tendency to hide themselves in the
foliage instead of I'ising above it. H. reptans
gives very little trouble here, but cannot be
moved readily when the plants become large.
When I have had occasion to reuio\e a large
plant, the plan adopted was to water tlie soil
about it and then to press the earth firmly
about the roots. Tlie trowel is then insertetl
dee]jly all round so as to cut ofl' the ball thus
formed from the adjoining soil. The jilant can
then be lifted with a small spade or a trowel.
This method cannot, as a matter of course, be
adopted where the Hypericum is growing in a
crevice, and in this case it may be found better
to let it alone unless the stones can be care-
fully removed, so as to leave the roots intact
with as much soil as possil)le attached.
Young plants are easily raised from seeds,
which are sometimes slow of gernunatiim,
or by cuttings of the branches or sli[is
taken oft' witli a heel. It comes from the
Himalayas, and, like many other plants from
the same cjuarter, does not flourish e\ery where
in our climate. It occasionally looks unhealthy
in spring, where it lias been fully exposed to
all weathers during winter. To preserve it, a

number of good growers of alpines cover it at
this season with glass or other protection, and
say they carniot keep it otherwise. With me it
does not require this. For several years it has
been quite exposed to the freaks of our climate.
If it should look a little shabby in the l)eginning
of spring the unhealthy ajjpearance disappears
when fine weather comes. I grow it in very sandy
peat, and it thri'ses best in this garden in one
of the pockets of a rock garden facing almost
due south. This rock garden is a little too dry,
and in consequence the alpines planted in it
are treated in spring and summer to occasional
copious supplies of water. The drainage is,
however, ])erfect, and the watering is very
beneficial to this St. John's Wort. It is not to
be found mentioned in ordinary works of refer-
ence. Those who have access to Sir J. D.
Honker's "Flora of British India" will find it
there. It is named in the "Index Kewensis "
and the Kew "Hand-list of Herbaceous Plants."
It is a choice little plant w orthy of a place in
good collections of alpine plants.
Carsethont, Dumfries, N.B. S. Aenott.

P.EONIES NATURALISING.

Mr. E. .Ienkins (p. 440) has not apparently
given himself the trouble, nor done me the
honour, of understanding why my note on the
above was penned. It is all \ ery well to say that
these P;eonies can be well grown "when esta-
bli.shed," but he carefully avoids, or has over-
looked, the question which my note was penned
to answer, viz., as to their establishing them-
selves and succeeding well when jjlanted among
rough herbage with a view to their becoming
naturalised. If Mr. Jenkins can show me where
this has been successfully done, I shall readily
admit that I am wrong, but my experience is
that very few indeed of the named varieties are
strong enough to rough it in this way, and the
few that do tolerably well are not nearly so robust
as the double form of P. officinalis planted under
the same conditions. It is hardly to be expected
that a plant which, as all authorities combine to
tell us, enjoys a rich and moist soil away from the
roots of trees w-ill be seen to the best advantage
in situations where these facilities to good growth
cannot be given. I do not quite understand Mr.
Jenkins' allusion to "named kinds" of Pa'onies.
One would think that I had been condemning the
whole genus out of hand, whereas I wished to
convey my experience only with those members
of the herbaceous .section which have Ijeen given
N'arietal names. Of these I have under my charge
here something over forty varieties, growing in
cultivated ground, and most of these would
leave Mr. Jenkins' "good specimens" of five
years' growth well in the rear. I only allude
to these as Mr. .Ienkins appears to doubt if 1
quite know what a good Pa'ony is. I must re-
iterate, however, that among these there have not
been found for nat uralising any so satisfactory as
P. otticinalis fl.-pl., even though strong crowns
have been planted in August in well-prepared soil,
from which, moreover, the surface herbage has
been cleared away twice a year since planting to
give them a better chance of growing strongly.
I fear that, in his haste to restore the good charac-
ter which I never took away, Mr. Jenkins has
overlooked the point of the notes penned by Mr.
Burrcll and myself. J. C. T,vlla(;k.

Lily of the 'Valley var. Fortin.— In The

(i.VKDEN, Sei)tember 4 of the present year, a
beautiful coloured plate of this giant variety was
published, with a very short notice, under the
erroneous name of var. Fontin, instead of Fortin.
The history of the plant is as follows : About 1878
M. Blondeau, the head gardener in a large ]irivate
garden near Paris, had a lai-ge lied of Lily of
the Valley made of a mixture of half a small
variety and half a very large one. He discarded
the former and carefully selected the latter ; the

result was the origin of this splendid varietj'.
Shortly after he gave some crowns to a neighbour
friend named Fortin, who grew the jilant with
great care, exhibited it at a meeting of the
Society Nationale d'Hortieulture in Paris, where
the plant was named var. Fortin in honour of the
exhibitor. As to priority, the name var. Blondeau
ought to prevail, Ijut \ar. Fortin has been ac-
cepted by the public and the trade, although the
term giant would be the best. This is bj' far the
finest and largest variety known, being a free
bloomer, robust grower, perfectly hardy, as
sweetly scented as the type, and forcing well.
As regards foliage, spike, and flowers, it is double
the size of the type and much larger than any
other kind in cultivation. The true stock is still
very scarce and somewhat expensive, and great
care must be taken, as several French and foreign
growers and merchants are persistently supplying
fine Berlin, Hamburg, or Dutch strains for it,
which may lead to disappointment. There is but
one species of the favourite Lily of the A'^alley
(Convallaria majalis) )irofusely found in English
woods and other coimtries. AH other varieties or
forms are merely accidental, or due to selection
or improvement on the type. In 18.58 M.
Duchartre mentioned a giant variety which has
not been observed since. The Dutch and Cierman
strains are famous, but none can compete with
the variety Fortin. The following varieties,
double white, rose coloured, and double rose, are
very old sorts, seldom seen in gardens. The
white and yellow variegated-leaved kinds are
interesting on account of their foliage, but are
not generally grown. — D. GriHENEtJF, 4S, Hw St.
Mini, Parix.

ACONITUM.

(monkshood.)

The kinds of Aconitum that receive attention
from cultivators of liardy plants are really very
few. Happily, all the kinds worth growing for
ett'ect in the garden are of the easiest culture,
being (juite content in what is often the very
|ioorest of soils. These perfectly hardy sub-
jects will be ([uite at home in any ordinary gar-
den soil, such as is usually found around shrub-
beries, on the lawn, in the woodland or such
places. It will, I think, readily be admitted
that, so far as colour is concerned, these every-
day subjects are very striking, particularly feo
when seen at a short distance ofl'. In the ordinary
hardy plant border what is usually seen does
not impress one, frequently from lack of
material and other causes. It is quite another
thing when broad masses of these tilings are
seen witli suitalile surroundings. Many may
\vA\c been deterred from employing these plants
to the full in gardens generally owing to the
])oisonous character of their roots, and for tliis
reason it is always best to keep them entirely
free of the kitchen garden. For obvious
reasons also should these things be kept from
children's gardens, where perhaps greater dan-
ger exists than in any other direction. In the
ease i.>f gardeners generally ordinary care will
prevent any waste material being carelessly cast
aside when division or replanting has been
done. These plants may be increased freely by
division, preferably in early spring with re-
turning growth, when the numerous small
tubers quickly take to the soil. Seeds are also
produced very freely, and if sown as soon as
gathered will germinate almost immediately.
The following are among the best of these, the
majiirity of which attain to 4 feet or 5 feet
higii, and from their usually vigorous stems are
(juite self-supporting : —

A. An'tiioba. — This very distinct species is
a'oundant in the Pyrenees, Switzerland, &c., and
IS followed by several very distinct varieties, all
of which, like the type, have yellow panicles of
flowers. It is about 'ij feet high. A. A. grandi.

December 18, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

483

indeed tin

florum has lai'tjcir flowers, these, as
whole panicle, neinr^ imlieseent.

A. Camviaui'm is a blue flowered species from
Hungary, Austria, &c., the panicles usually few-
flowei-ed. A well-marked \aricty of this, A. C.
Sta'rkianum, is a capital garden ])lant, rather
dwarf in haliit, with few flowers, and foliage not
unlike that of the Fair Maids of France.

A. FiscHEUi. — As a garden jilant this line
species is at once among the boldest and best
worth growing in any good collection of hardy
plants. The growth will attain from 4 fce^ to
ti feet, terminated by a line panicle of blue flowers.
The foliage of this is also attractive. It is an
autumn flowering species abundant in Asia and
North America. It is synonymous with A. au-
tumnale and A. califoruicum.

A. FoRTVNKi. — Tliis is also called A. chinense
and A. japonicum, and by the latter is freely
cited in hardy plant lists. The plant is one of the
most valuable for the intense bright blue shade of
its flowers, which are produced on stout stems
and in large compound panicles. It is a hand-
some kind, attaining to 4 feet high.

A. iiETERoriivi.M'.M. — This is a distinct Hima-
layan species with pale yellow blossoms that are
shaded with blue at the front. The usually much-
divided foliage of many species is replaced by
broadlj- cordate and coarsely toothed lea\-es, not
unlike those of the Nettle. It is also said to be
non-poisonous. Height 2jj feet.

A. .lAPONicuM. — A synonym of Fortunei.
A. KrssvEzOFFi. — A tall-growing species, 6 feet
high, from Kamtschatka, with large and dense
compound panicles of pale violet blossoms. A
most eft'ective plant for the woodland.

A. LYCOCTONfM. — Under this name a rather tall
and slender-growing species, with finely-cut leaves
and pale yellow flowers, is somewhat freely gi\en
in hardy plant lists. In at least two text-books
published at wide intervals this species is de-
scribed in the same precise terms as having
"livid-violet ' flowers. Whatever the correct
name may be, the plant is well known in gar-
dens and freely met with. I believe the plant
grown in the Royal Gardens, Kew, under the
above name has also yellow flowers.

A. N.vi'KLLt's. — This fine species, with its
numerous varieties, is the best known and per-
haps the most widely grown of this extensive
genus. At the same time it is one of the most
virulent of poisonous plants. Its varieties bicolor
and versicolor are of more value in the garden
than the tj'pe, the two named being very distinct
in the varied hues of their blossoms.

A. ORiEXT.iLE. — A fine species, with creamy
yellow flowers, from the Caucasus, also Persia
and Georgia, is in the way of A. lycoctonum ;
indeed, A. orientale var. altissimum is regarded
as synonymous with A. lycoctonum var. altissi-
mum ; hence possibly the confusion referred to
above. Like the last-named, the eastern Aconite
is of tall growth, and this with the more heavily
dissected leaves appears to coincide generally witli
A. lycoctonum.

A. I'AMci-L.vrrM is in a measure allied to A.
Napellus, but possesses a much looser and more
spreading panicle of violet-blue flowers.

A. PYKEx.^KTM, a yellow - flowered species
from Siberia and the Pyrenees, is only some
2^ feet high, the rather hispid leaves being dis-
tinctly parted. It is a compact growing kind,
with a dense raceme of flowers.

A. rsfiNATi'M is a tall species, upwards of
6 feet high, from North America, with lilac-blue
flovN-ers in a large loose raceme. It is an excellent
kind for the wild garden or similar place.

A. VARiECATi'M. — This is a well-known species,
and with its varieties, A. v. bicolor and .\. v.
albiflorum, is frequently seen in hardy plant
collections. The iwo kinds named are perhaps
among the most effective for grouping of this
genus.

The foregoing are but a selection from a genus
of some eighty or more species, and possibly as

many varieties. .Ml the kinds, with thi; e.\ccp-
tion now and then nf A. lycoctonum, multiply
(|uitc freely at the mot, and should be increased
in tliis way ratlicrthan by .seeds, as the seedlings
arc freiiuentlv inferior to the parent.

K

.1.

THK FAILIRK OF GLADIOH.S

CoPvIMS.

I HAVE been a grower of hybrid Gladiolus
gandavensis for upwards of forty years, and I
must confess that it is as great a mystery to nie
as ever it was. 1 have grown it in various situa-
tions and in different localities, I have followed
out the instructions of the best growers, and
yet year after year I have had to dephjre the
failure of a very huge percentage of my corms.
Tliis failure may be attributed by other growers
t(j many and various causes, and yet I have
never found any of these causes give a satis-
factory solution of the puzzle. I remember
many years ago asking M. Souchet as to the
best soil to grow them in, and he said that
ordinary market-garden soil was as good as any ;
the s(.iil in which he grew his at Fontainebleau
was of this character, light and friable, and, so far
as I could see, with a deal of lunnus in it. When
thus I ventured on their culture at Deal ni a
garden which liad been for a Umg time a vege-
table garden, I thought I had obtained what
was needful. And so again when I took up my

thirty years ago, with a gar-

residence her

den which had been considerably neglected, but
which was mainly composed of alluvial deposit,
I hoped that my failures were at an end,
but every year has told its tale of disaster ;
sometimes more heavy than at others. I
recollect one year at Deal when my whole col-
lection nearly tailed, while in other seasons
a large percentage had always gone wrong.
One very experienced grower tells me there is
too much humus in my soil : others have told me
that the failure arose from growing exhausted
bulbs, and that I had grown them year after
year and allowed them to flower and in some
cases to ripen seed, and conse(iuently the
eorms were exhausted. This does not sti'ike
me as being a correct view of tlie case. Otliers
have said that taking them up and drying them
off tend to weaken them, and had tliey been
left in the ground they would not have decayed.
My own impression has been that a great deal
is due to the uncertain character of our climate.
In the autumn months when the corms are
harvested, I have every year received some
corms from Fontainebleau. I have remarked
on the silky texture of the outside covering,
which I attributed to the tine time they had for
ripening, but my views on the subject have
been considerably damped by the experience of
the present season. We have had one of the
driest and most sunshiny autumns I ever recol-
lect, so that when I began to lift my corms and
saw fine and well-conditioned bulbs, I thought
that this was the eonsunnnation of my views ;
but when I came to clean ott' the corms I found
out how vain a thing it is to trust to appear-
ances. I have already said that I received
some bulbs yearly from Fontainebleau, and last
year I had a few of the novelties sent out by
M. Souchet in the autumn of IS'.Ki. These
had no time for deterioration, and yet in more
than one instance the corms had entirely
perished. In another case, I lifted six fine-
looking bulbs of one variety, and of these five
were perfectly sound and in every way good
eorms, while the sixth was cnmpletely gone.
Although the out.side skin ap|ic!ared good, it was
mouldy aiul rotten. In another ca.se, four out
of nine bulbs of one variety liail in the same
way perished, and, therefore, as 1 have said, I

am as greatly puzzled as ever, for if it was the
lunnus in the .soil which caused the damage.
•,vhy should the other bulbs have escaped ; or if
it was exhaustion, why did not all perish from
the .same caiise '. There is no sign of the
existence of anything like the Eucharis mite to
cau.se all this, therefore 1 am (piite at a loss to
account for it. 1 have tried all sorts of rcme-
<lies, but I am convinced that there is no cure
when once the bulb is all'ected.

I may >)e told that all this is very discourag-
ing, and enough to deter anyone from growing
this beautiful flower. To this 1 may reply that
it is always better to know our difliculties than
to ignore them, and that owing to the large
((Uan titles which are grown from sjiawn, eorms
can now be obtained at so reasonable a i)rice
that all lossL'S may be easily replaced. Growers
of Plyacinths do not scruple to consider their
bulbs as simply good for one year, and do not
grudge buying fresh bull)S every sea.son, and
the corms of Gladioli can be obtained at (piite
as cheap a rate, if not cheaper. It is a curious
fact that whether in France or England the
wholesale culture is in so few hands; you may
write to any nurseryman in France toorder bulbs,
but he will not sup])ly them from his own culture.
It is the same in England. These .same firms
als(j grew a number of seedlings from carefully
hybridised flowers ; these unnamed seedlings
are to be had at a very reasonable rate, and I
can testify from my own experience that numy
of the flowers prf)duced from these roots are
([uite as good as the named varieties of two or
three years back, so that lovers of the flower
have always the opportunity of growing them
in their gardens without much expense. My
observations, of course, only apply to the corms
of the gandavensis section, and not to the
earlier G. ramosus or to the so-called hardy varie-
ties of the Lemoinei and Kanceianus type. The
former are only suited for greenhouse culture,
while the two latter are apjiarently hardier, I
think not nearly so beautiful, and when the
hybrids develop more of the gandavensis strain
and less of the Saundersi type, they becoms
less hardy. I think it must have been for the
reasons that 1 have brought forward that the
late Rev. Joshua Dix, who was a great admirer
of the flower and who wished to have a special
society to promote its popularity (as has been
done in the case of other florist flowers), failed
in his object. Delta.

Primroses. — It is not often that these simple
but beautiful hard}' flowers give us such a fine
early wuiter display as they have done this year.
Each year I raise a few from seed, and these are
planted about in any spare bit of shrubbery or
herbaceous border and the best ones propagated.
By this means one gets a nice variety both of
self-coloured and edged flowers, while even the
worst are useful for brightening up odd corners.
In the moist, heavy soil here they luxuriate and
form large spreading masses that one can cut
handfuls of flowers from daily in spring, and the
rich dark crimson and |iurple tints are ditlicult to
beat then in outdoor flowers of their colour. The
seed may be sown at any season, but preferably
.soon after it is gathered. Sow thinly in a frame
or in the open air, keeping the seed-bed moist
and leaving the seedlings until they have made a
couple of rough leaves before pricking out on a
shady moist border. Slugs and sn\all siuiils are
very fond of them, anil will soon clear them off if
allowed to. Soot and lime in equal proi>ortions
are the easiest prejjaration for these pests, sprink-
ling this about rather freely on damp evenings,
when the slugs are likely to be abroad. From
this bed the [ilants may be raised and planted in
their flowering (piarters, or they may be left and
selected from the first trusses of flower they
throw up. — K.

484

THE GARDEN.

[December IS, 1897.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1149.

ANTHEMIS AND ERKiERON.

(with a coloured plate of EKIIJEKON SPECIO-
SUS AND ANTHEMIS TINCTORIA (j'ALE VAB).*)

In the coloured plate to-day we have represen-
tatives of two important genera among hardy
plants. The two families are well known and
largely grown. Indeed, so worthy are they,
that they are ;imong the most frequently seen
of .sumuier-flowering subjects. Especially is
this true of the Erigeroii, a plant almost sure to
be found in a collection of hardy plants. In
short, this particular species is to the early
summer garden of the greatest importance
v.'hen arranging the flower groups in the garden
—precisely that of the Italian Starwort (Aster
Amellus) and varieties in the latter part of the
summer. For the purpose (,)f grouping this
Erigeron is among the best of its tribe and is
very free flowering. It is reliable in all soils,
growing vigorously and flowering freely even iu
the year of planting. Even quite small plants
if put out into good ground early in the year,
say during the latter part of February, will

spring, this species may- be increased to any
extent by division. Several other species are
of quite difl'erent character, and to these I will
refer in detail later on.

The following will be found the most impor-

J^rigcron macranthns,

make fine flowering l)ushes tlie same season.
It is not many hardy plants that do so much in
so short a time, and once its season of flower-
ing begins it is continued for many weeks. No
other species of Erigeron produces the same
mass of flowers week after week, and this, as
akso its convenient heiglit, has rendered it a
useful plant even in the smallest gardens.
Where it is so desired, either in autumn or

* Drawn for The G.aeden by H. G. Moon at
Gravetye Manor. Lithographed and printed by J. L.
Goffart.

Anthemis Tnacedonica.

tant species of Erigeron and well worthy of

general cultivation : —

E. .■vurantiacus. — This charming species was

received from Turkestan nearly twenty years ago.

The colour of the flower-heads was so entirely
novel and distinct from that of any other
known species, that its flowering was looked
tor with some interest. The species, however,
proved true to its colour. It is not more than

0 inches high in its most vigorous condition,
uid only attains this by the best cultural
laetliods. In the rock garden or the front of
the border the plant should be grown freely
in groups where the orange-coloured heads
display themselves to advantage. Slugs are
lather partial to this kind during the winter,
ind will speedily devour it if left to them-
^elves. The species, as is well known, is of
flose tufted growth after the manner of
the alpine Starwort, while the growth is not

) abundant as to permit of frequent division
like the last-named. The above species may
be raised freely from seeds. These if sown
now would flower during the ensuing year ;
indeed, in this connection the plant is worth}'
of special care, as by raising seedlings at in-
tervals during the spring months the flower-
ing period may be prolonged.

E. CAUCASK'iTs. — A \ery pretty species,
introduced to cultivation early in the present
rentury. It attains nearly or quite 2
teet high, and bears masses of rosy-
purple Rhodanthe-like heads of flowers.
These are not large, but their abund-
ince creates a \ery jiretty effect in tlie

1 order.
E. CiLABELLUs. — A free-growing spe-
cies from the North United States, and
bearing a cluster of purple flower-heads
on stems about 1.5 inches high. It is
a useful border kind, readily distin-
guished from others of its kind by the
mimerous florets composing the ray en-

ircling a yellow disc. Readily increased
liy division and seeds.

E. ca.Arcrs (syn.. Aster bonariensls).
— This is one of the gems of this genus,
notwithstanding it is a rare plant in cul-
tivation to-day. Many years ago in the
Tooting nurserj' of the late Mr. Robert
Parker I had charge of the finest masses of
this plant I have ever seen. The species
usually sold under the above name is a form
of E. speciosus, a totally distinct plant.
Singularly enough, while the aljove species
is well and truly described in the " Dictionary
of Gardening," the yilant figured as E.
glaueus has nothing in common with this kind.
An excellent coloured drawing of the true
plant may be found in Wooster's "Alpine
Flowers," plate xvi. In this drawing the sub-
shrubbj character of the plant is well shown, as
also the oblong-ovate, spathulate form of the

distinctlj' glaucous entire leaves. These latter are
slightly clammy to the touch, a characteristic not
found in all forms of the Fleabane. For the rock
garden I regard this as one of the finest of all.
The florets of the ray are much broader than
usual, as also the flower-heads. It is a vigorous
sub-shrubby evergreen species with free-spreading
branched habit, and when well established will
attain IS inches high and '2 feet across. The
sturdy lilac-purple flower-heads appear on leafj-

Krigero n luultirad iat us

steins a little above the rosettes of leaves. It is
an easily grown species, and may be increased
freely from cuttings or division when large
enough, and doubtless seeds, though of this
species I do not remember collecting any. It
is said to belong to North America, and was
introduced in 1812.

E. GKANDIFLORUS. — This is also an excellent
species, with dwarf evergreen tufts close upon
the earth, after the manner of the alpine Aster.
The flower-heads are large and of a jiurple shade,

rigeron glaueus in Messrs. Veilch's nursery at
Exeter. From a photograph sent iy Mr. F. W.
Meyer.

and in warm soils this handsome species thrives
admirably. There is a pure white form of this
plant not very plentiful in cultivation, yet a
capital companion to the above. This white form
is usually regarded as synonymous with the white
of the alpine Starwort"(Aster alpinus albus); It

l,c 18. 1897

; D

December 18, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

485

i-citainly somewhat resembles this in growth and
its large liaiulsomc tlowcr-heads.

K. MAcRAN'nirs. — An excellent North American
species, attaining about IS inches high, and pro-
I hieing freely its large heads of violet-purple.

Erigeron aurantiacus.

Among the midsummer - flowering kinds this
should alwajs bo foimd.

E. Mi'CKoNATi's. — This pretty little plant with
its abundance of Daisy-like blossoms, varying in
their tints with age, will be better known perhaps
by the synonym Vittadenia triloba. It forms
patches '2 feet across that in late summer and
early autumn will be literall}- smothered witli
yari-colouretl pink and white blossoms. The
patches of leaves are quite close to the earth,
while the blossoms attain to 6 inches or S inches
high.

E. JiULTlKADiATi's. — A species of recent intro-
duction from the Himalayas, dirt'ering from the
rest of its tribe in the great number of its ray
florets. These are of a purplish shade and the
disc j'cUo w. The ] >lant grows from 1 foot to 2 feet
high.

E. RoYLKi. — A dwarf growing and tufted
species also from the Himalayas, with handsome
flower-heads of a bluish purple hue, each about
2 inches across, and disposed in a loose corj-mb. It

Erigeron gloibellus.

is about !) inches high, and an excellent plant for
the rock g.irden in good deep soil.

E. SAi.sniiNdsrs ((Jray).— There are at least two
distinct plants in gardens bearing this name, the
one coarse and weedy, and, by comparison with
that under notice, not worthy of cultivation.
One of the few places we have seen the true plant

is in the Winchmore Hill collection, and as there |
grown it is one of the gems of the genus. This
species flowers in early summer, and produces
large hand.some lieads, each fully ;! inches across, i
on erect branching stems sonic IS inches high.
The ray florets are of a [ileasing grey-mauve tone,
distinctly pleasing, and verj' striking and ell'cc-
tivc. Indeed, the very size of tlie llow erheads
renders this one of the most valual)lc. The root-
stock is composed of a creeping and rather dense
tuft close to the earth.

E. srEciosr.s.— At once the best known and
most widely grown of the whole family of the
I'"lcabancs. The plant, from its easy culture and
the great, almost endless supply of blossoms that
it produces for months in succession, is well
deserving the popularity it enjoys. It is also
known as Stenactis speciosa. Several forms of
this excellent plant may be found in hardy |ihuit
lists, the one tigui'ed being the type. A variety
l;nown as E. s. superbus, or splendens, as it is
.sometimes called, is of lighter hue, and is perhaps
the most profusely flowered of this group.
Another distinct kind, E. s. glaucus, referred to
in lists as a possible hybrid, is doubtless but a
good form of the plant under notice, the florets of
the ray deep purple. The foliage in this is of a
glaucous grey tint, the plant being of the same
height and etiuall}' free flowering. The typical
species inhabits North-Western America, and has
long been known to cultivation.

These are the most worthy of this group in
general cultivation, yet apart from these are
several hybrid forms that will doubtless be heard
of in the near future. What seems to strike one,
seeing the large number of seedlings raised, is that
as yet no white form of E. speciosus has made its
appearance. Such a plant would prove an acqui-
sition to our gardens.

AXTHEMLS.

The other genus represented, viz., Anthemis,
is ci|ua!ly well known, and either in its annual
or perennial forin.s is frecjuentlj' seen in garden.s.
Its greatest value perhaps is the ease with
which the forms of A. tinctoria may be raised
from seed in the early spring, and during .sum-
mer and autumn provide a great abundance of
cleg.mt flowers —flowers that are bright and
cheerful in a cut state, and e(.[ually valuable in
the mixed border in the open.

Anthemis Aizoon. — The plant bearing this
name has been refeired to the Achilleas, where it
is now described as Achillea ageratifolia. It is,
however, somewhat difficult to reconcile the
siiecific term here employed with the group
known as Ageratum, since the Anthemis is com-
posed of compact rosettes of very narrow, silvery
leaves that lie quite close upon the soil, the large
W'hite and yellow-eyed blossoms being produced
singly on stems at <> inches to 9 inches high. It
is a capital alpine and requires the very warmest
and sunniest spot in the rock garden, alwaj's in
deep gritty loam.

A. BlEiiER.sTEixi. — A Caucasian species with
large w'hite flower-heads, the leaves being covered
with a silvery pubescence. It is a neat, attractive
species. Another very charming alpine with pure
white flowers is

A. M.vcEDoxiCA, which forms spreading tufts and
flowers freely late in summer at (i inches high.

A. MONTANA is also of the .silvery leaved section,
of tufted growth, and has |)ure white heads of
flowers.

A. TiXLToKiA (Ox-ej'e Chamomile) is a well-
known British plant some IS inches high. The
flower-heads are yellow and ))rodiiced in corymbose
heads in summer. A variety known as A. t.
Kelwayi, with large, bright yellow, almost circu-
lar flowers, is verj' fine, while another — A. t. pal-
lida— is similar to, if not identical with, that
figured in the accompanying plate. All the
forms of A. tinctoria, while being true perennials,
may be r.aised ( from seed, and give a welcome
variety for tlie garden. Not the least noteworthy
feature of these forms is their adajitability to
rather dry positions. At tlie same time, in the

ordinary mixed border they are free flowering
and useful. — E. J.

Witli regard to Erigeron glaucus, here figured,
Mr. F. \V. Meyer, of Exeter, writes : —

Coming from the westerly part of North
America, this plant is very hardy, and I have

Erigeron speciosus stiperhus.

always found it easy to grow. The plant re|)re-
sented in the engraving was photographed in
Messrs. Veitch's nursery at Exeter, where it has
been (jlanted out about two years, and forms a
spreading mass about 21 feet across and 9 inches
high. It bloomed most freely during July and

Anthemis tinctoria.

August, but even now (in December) its leaves
form quite a handsome object. Erigeron glaucus
has long prostrate stems, bearing in summer an
abundance of flowers on stalks (i inches to I) inches
long. The ray florets are of a mauve colour,
and the disc florets bright yellow, somewhat after

486

THE GARDEN.

[December IS, 1897.

the style of the alpine Asters. The whole flower

or, more correctly speaking, flower-head— is

about the size of a half-crown piece. The alter-
nate leaves are from 2 inches to 3J inches in
length, and 1 inch to li inches wide near the
apex. They are smooth, but have very minute
hairs on the margin, which is either entire or
sometimes slightly dentate. The plant here illus-
trated is growing in a westerly aspect, where
it flourishes to ])erfection, but I have seen it do
equally as well in other positions.

The Week's Work.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Winter work. — Apart from the general work,
such as digging, trenching, and manuring vacant
quarters, there are many other jobs which, if not
taken in hand now, stand little chance of being
done if deferred until spring. Such work, of
course, varies according to what is necessary in
different gardens, but among other details mend-
ing or entirely forming new edgings, turning
over and re-gra\ elling of pathways, as well as
clearing out catch-pits and the renewal of
drain-pipes where required can be done. As re-
gards edgings. Box, when kept in perfect order,
always looks neat and less formal than tiles.
When allowed to become too high and thick, it
not only becomes untidy but forms a safe lurking-
place for slugs and other vermin. In forming
the margins to patVis in new gardens, or repairing
those in old ones, it is very necessary when Box is
used that the ground be properly prepared and
levelled some weeks or so in advance of planting.
It is an easy matter to do this when the paths are
straight and are at right angles to each other.

Dr.^ini.n'g. — Calling to mind the drought of re-
cent summers, many crops no doubt would have
been better able to resist its effects had less drain-
ing been attempted. In connection with this one
garden is recalled to mind which was formed some
fifteen years ago. The site selected was quite
level, and lay in rather a hollow. The soil, too,
was cold and ungenial, and nothing could be
done in the way of digging for weeks after rain.
Trenches were cut about 12 yards apart, 3 feet
deep, and 2 feet across. These were tilled in with
clinkers about 0 inches in thickness, and the soil
replaced. Each year since the ground has
received a good dressing of waste garden soil,
burnt rubbish and lime, with the result that these
additions of compost have become incori)orated
with the natural soil and greatly improved the
staple, while the drainage as it were was only
temporary, suHicient to relieve the surface of
moisture while the work of improvement was
going on. Had an elaborate system of drain-
pipes been used, it may have led, together with
the addition of more porous material, to the crops
feeling the effects of a drought. This is quoted
to show that too much may be done in the way of
drainage, and those who have retentive land to
deal with and are in dnuljt how to drain it and
find a suitable outlet would do well to follow tlie
above plan, which will prove a sure and cheap
way of overcoming the difficulty, and find a use-
ful means of doing away with a quantity of
clinkers which generally accumulate in most
gardens. As regards draining paths much de-
pends on the way these are made and maintained.
When properly formed, with the centre some
inches above the sides, there is little need of sur-
face drain and catch pits, which are continually
getting choked up. It may be necessary at the
lowest point in the garden to make some provi-
sion to conduct the surface water into some suit-
able channel after heavy rains, but whenever
possible this should be into an open tank or pond,
and although it may prove of more trouble to
apply such water to crops during the summer
than that through a main, there is a wide com-
parison in the beneficial effects of the former, and

for that reason it well.'-epays for any methods that
may be de\ised to store it.

Other useful work which should be done now is
laying in a good store of Pea sticks and getting
them ready for use. It takes some little time to
trim and sharpen them properly, which is only
too evident when the work is delayed until the
moment they are required. The best and tallest
of those used last season should also be looked
over, repointed, and put into bundles in readiness
for the early and dwarfer varieties, while Scarlet
Runner supports should also be overhauled and
new ones obtained if necessary. These may ap-
pear trifles, but it is by keeping these well in
hand now that pressure of work is surmounted
later on, and all tends towards securing good
crops at their right season.

RiCH.VRD Parker.

FRUIT HOUSES.

Pot Vines. — If these were started in the middle
of November, the buds will now be bursting.
Such being the case, all which have broken satis-
factorily may be tied to the trellis forthwith, and
discontinue syringing them. If the point buds of
any are inclined to grow away in aflvance of those
lower down, or at the base, still keep the canes
bent down, and syringe them until they are in-
duced to make a more even growth. Leave
surplus shoots on the canes until the bunches
can be properly discerned, when all spare ones
may be [nuled off. As soon as the buds have
fairly broken, raise the temperature to 00° at
night and to (!.")" by day, and as the shoots and
bunches lengthen out a further rise of 5" should
be allowed. These will be safe temperatures to
employ until the Vines come into tlower, when
the night heat may range from 05° to 70°, accord-
ing to outside influences, but never exceed the
first-mentioned figures if hard firing has to be
resorted to. When in flower the day tempera-
ture should be raised to 7.^°, with a rise of
10" more with sun - heat, and the damping
down, &c., greatly modified, if not altogether
dispensed with, so that the atmosphere may
be dry and buoyant and favourable for set-
ting. In addition to this, the camel-hair pencil
must be requisitioned, and each bunch fertilised
with the pollen of the free-setting varieties.
Between now and then such matters as the pinch-
ing of the shoots at the second leaf beyond the
bunch, and the gr.xdual tying of them down to
the wires, must ha\e attention. With regard to
surplus bunches, although it is a good plan to
allow the canes to develop a fair number, so
that a selection can be made when setting is
completed, it is folly to over-tax them, )iarticu-
larly at this stage of growth. The experienced
grower will at once detect which to leave and
which to cut off, but those who may be essaying a
first attempt at forcing potVines should first reduce
the number of bunches to one where there are two
on one shoot, and that the best. With regard to
the remainder, cut oft' all the weakest, and leave
sufficient so that from six to nine bunches can be
selected from among them fizially, after they have
flowered and set. Keep the fermenting bed made
up with fresh materials, and see that the \apour
troughs are kept filled. Attend to the damping
of footpaths and syringing of walls and beds,
which will require more frequent attention if fire-
heat alone has to be depended on. As growth
advances, more water will be retjuired at the
roots, and this must always be gi\X'n in a tepid
state. As soon as new roots begin to appear on
the surface of the soil, apply an inch or so of rich
top-dressing immediately after atlbrding water,
and water it to settle it down, when the hungry
roots in search of food will soon take possession of
it. Strips of zinc or pieces of turf should be em-
jUoyed to hold this top-dressing in position, also
to afford space for holding water. When starting
of pot Vines is deferred until the beginning of the
new year, make preparations accorclingly, and if
the Vines have not yet been shortened back, do
it at once and apply styptic to the wounds.

Early permanent Vines. — These will not be
in such an advanced Jstate as the jjreceding, but,
should mild weather continue, the buds will be
breaking shortly. The temperature must then be
raised, as soon as the buds burst and begin to get
green, to 55° at night and (iO° by day, advancing
tlie temperatures y more when the young shoots
lire about 3 inches long. Syringing of the rods
should cease as soon as a good even break has
been secured. If a bed of leaves has been intro-
duced as an aid to forcing, this should be turned
freciuently and added to as often as required.
The best time to do this is in the early part of
the morning, when if a chink of air is ])ut on at
the apex the steam liberated in the turning soon
escapes. This steam continually rising from the
bed of leaves will do away with a great deal of
syringing, but after a spell of morning sunshine,
necessitating the airing of the house for an hour
or so, a good general damping down at closing
time will be beneficial. When the heat is derived
exclusively from the hot-water pipes damping
must be done more frequently, but it must not be
too freely indulged in at this the worst time
in the whole year for forcing. If the liorders
were watered at the start they will hardly yet
require further supplies ; but if there is any doubt
in the matter, test them in two or three places,
and thoroughly moisten them, should they be
found to want it, with water at a temperature of
85° to ilO". See that the coverings on outer bor-
ders are in an effective condition, so that if snow
or heavy rains fall the water will run off and not
chill the soil. If a regular succession is needed
prepare another house for starting by the 1st of
January. In many instances this will be the
first house, particularly if several houses of late
Grapes are grown. When this is so, and a (!rape
room in which to keep the fruit is provided,
the supply can be kept up until the spring or
until the early Grapes are ripe in the middle of
May or first week in June.

L.\TE Grai'es. — If these are thoroughly ripe,
and if the Grape room has been [irepared for their
reception as advised, they may be cut and bottled
at any time within tlie next fortnight or three
weeks. This will afford the Vines great relief and
also gi\'e them a much longer period of rest.
Late Vines experience little of this in places
where the Grapes have to hang on the Vines as
long as jiossible ; hence the necessity for provid-
ing a Grape room wherever they are grown in any
quantity. When the bottling is completed, prune
the Vines if all the leaves are off them, and apply
styptic to the wounds if they are subject to bleed-
ing in the spring. The cleaning of the house may
well be left for some future occasion, when out-
door work is sus)jended through inclement
weather. On the other hand, if it is necessary
to keep the (drapes on tlie Vines, great care is
now needed. The bunches should be looked over
at least once a week, which will keep them
pretty free from decaying bruises. Robins are
often troublesome about this time of the year if
they gain an entrance to the houses, and they
soon spoil a few bunches of Grapes if let alone.
A strip of old fish-net thrown over the ventilators
will e-\clude them. Make use of just enough fire-
heat to keep the air in circulation when the ven-
tilators can be opened but little. Keep the house
dry and admit plenty of air whenever the state of
the weather will allow. If the Vines are casting
their leaves, gather them up daily.

Pot Fiiis. — The buds on the November-started
trees will now lie breaking, when the temperature
may be advanced to OlP at niglit and (i5° by day,
with a rise of 10° more with sun-heat. As the
leaves push out and develop, the syringe must be
used more freely, and for the same reason a
greater amount of damping down will be required
to keep the atmosphere in a humid condition.
Add more leaves to the bed as required, and pay
great attention to this matter if they are depended
on entirely for affording bottom - heat, which
should not exceed 75°. Afford the surface roots
a top-dressing of rich compost consisting of
loam, bone-meal, and a little spent Mushroom
manure, and adopt the same means for holding it

December 18, 1897.J

THE GARDEN.

487

in place as advised for pot Vines. Once the trees
mt into full growth the roots need anii)lo supplies
..t tepid water, and stop the shoots at the fourtli,
lilLh, or sixtli leaf, according tosi)ace at command
tor the development of foliage. * ^''

A. W.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

TRAINING THE FIG.

The Fig would lend itself readily to almost
.iny style of trainiui,' if required, hut as a rule
it is generally grown cither in tlie form of
a bush for pot work, or fan-trained for cover-
ing roof trellises and back walls. Taking

13i sii Tkeks
lirst, special attention must be devoted to them
fri.im the time they are shifted from the cutting
pots until the trees are fully formed, which
will take two seasons. In tlie first place, cut-
tin-x should be m.ade of .short-jointed, well-
lilienL'J pieces of wood. These should be in-
serted singly in 4-inch pots filled with a sandy
e. impost, and .January and February are the
two best months for their propagation, liotto n
lieat, such as is allorded by a fermenting bed
in a forcing house, facilitates the rooting jiro-
eess. but they are best not plunged until the
liase of the cutting h.as had time to callus some-
what. When the pots become well lilled with
roots, lift and stand them on the surface of the
bed for a few days, and then .shift them into
7-inch pots. When the young trees start grfiw-
ing freely, pinch out the point of the shoot,
wiiich will encourage the formation of side
growths. These as they lengthen out should
be gradually tied down into a nearly luirizontal
]iosition, which will leave the centres of the
trees open. Pinch these shoots when about
'.I inches long, and if kept growing in jilcnty of
lieat and moisture, fresh breaks will soon result
from this stopping, and a good found.-ition will
thus be secured. No further shifting will be
needed the first season, but the following year
tliey should be shifted into 11-inch or 12-inch
jiots, according to the size of the trees.
'I'his is best done as soon as growth becomes
general and i.ew roots are being formed. If
the wood has been well ripened, no pruning will
lie recpiired before starting them, but if at all

^ft and .sappy, cut back the shoots to a .sound
l.iid. This will result in more growths being
made than will be required, but a selection can
he made from the be.st of these, pulling the
• ■thers off or pineliing them back. Care must be
taken to regulate growth, pinching back all
slioots inclined to grow away in advance of the

itliers, and endeavour to obtain well-l)alanced
heads not too full of wood. Have the wood
thoroughly ripe by the autumn, and then a
■4ood crop of fruit can be secured the following
.•^]lring. When tlie trees cimie into bearing,
■_'rowth will be less vigorous, and in course of
tnne they will become furni.shed with short
stubby growths which are most fruitful. The
trees would bear, if allowed to do so, while in
7-inch or 8-inch pots, but they would be longer
in attaining fvdl size. When good-sized bushes
.ire desired in as short a time as possible it is
1 letter to delay tlieir fruiting for a seas( n, and
iiicourage them to make all the growth they
1 ail instead. However, when a large collection
■ if Figs is grown, trees in pots of tlie size re-
ferred to are useful for forming the front row.
Turning ne.xt to

Fax-traixeii Trees,
] iiopagation for these is the same as for bushes.
When the cuttings are rooted they may lie
planted out at once, but I prefer to pot them

on into 7-incli pots and plant them out after
they have made from three to five shoots. To
accomplish this, the |)oint of the shoot should
be jiinclied out .as soon as the roots ]iusli into
the new compost. This generally results in
from three to five breaks being made, and in-
stead of training them out as advised for hush
trees in.sert a stake on either side of the young
tree next the rim of the pot. Then [ilace from
two to three stakes at the liack of the tree
diagonal fashion and secure the ends to the
upright stakes, thus forming a kind of impro-
vised trellis for training the young shoots it> in
the same way that nurserymen train esjialicrs.
When these shoots are about a foot long sto[)
tliem, when others will in turn be formed, and
sufficient in number to furnish the tree with
future main branches. Planting may be done
as soon as these lateral shoots are growing
freely, and the .same care will be needed as with
bush trees to keeji all growths inclined to be
gross-habited stopped, and thus ensure a greater
legularity of growth. No pruning whatever
should be necessary the first two seasons if
stopping and re-stopping have proper attention
during the growing period, and the use of the
knife will thus be obvitited. The aim of the
grower should be to get tlie trellis covered iii as
shfirt a time as ]iossible, and this is easily done
once the main branches have been secured and
trained out. A good extent of trellising can Ijc
covered the second year after planting, with good
management, when the trees may be allowed to
bear. When established, the pruning should be
done much in the same way as witli I'each trees,
thinning out the wood if too much has lieen laid
in, only in the case of the Fig the bearing wood
must be left at a much wider distance ajjart. To
obviate the necessity for much pruning the
bearing wood should not be laid in too close
together, and leave it full length if only one
crop of fruit is desired. If two crops are to be
taken, pinch the point out of every other shoot
at the fifth or sixth leaf, and these will furnish
fruit to succeed tliat borne by the wood of the
preceding year's growth. Until the trees come
intc: full bearing, a little root-pruning each
winter will check any tendency towards gross
growth.

There is another way of training the Fig that
sh(juld be mentioned before closing this note,
which is done in the following manner : If the
house is a lean-to, having a trellis under the
roof, instead of planting the trees at the front
and training them upwards, plant them against
the back wall, and when they reach the top
bring them downwards. In this case fewer
branches are required until the roof trellis is
reached. Very good examples of this kind of
training are to be seen at Gunnersliury Pai'k
and Eastnor Castle, and I have a Large old
tree trained in the same way. Thj wood,
tln-ough having to grow downwards, is alw.ays
short-jointed, it becomes thoroughly rijiencd,
and is exceedingly fruitful ; in fact, it is mar-
\'eIlous the crops of fruit that trees will lie.-ir
when trained in this way. A. ^^'.

A new Pear. — A new late Pear which promises
well is Le Lectier, a very fine fruit. It appears
to be a prolific variety, as young trees fruit very
freely indeed. In my case the fruit had to Ijc
thinned, and this in a season Pears were none too
plentiful. Its season with me is from now to
February, though I am aware it is catalogued as a
.January fruit. My trees were on a south wall, in
a light, much drained .i-oil, and all the kinds are
much earlier this season than usual. The fruit is
large, melting, and for a late Pear of excellent
quality. I have it only in cordon form — I mean
fruiting trees — and it does well. I am planting it
as a bush or pyramid for later supplies, and

probably in this way I may get superior flavour.

— CJ. Wvi'incs.
Apple Blenheim Orange as a bush. — Few

will question the value of this old fa\ourite, as its
good (|ualities are well known. Unfortunately,
all cannot grow it, .as if in standard form (the
best for cropping) it takes some years before it
becomes profitable, and many do not f;are to wait
so long for a crop. A good return may be secured
in a short time if this variety is grown as a bush
on the I'aradi.se stock, (irow-ri thus it bears
freely in a young state, and frc(|uently produces
splendid fruits, which are highly coloured and of a
fine shape. I would not atlvise growing it as a
pyramid or in any shape needing severe cutting
o.aek, as this does not eoiKbice to fruiting. In
bush form and allowed ample freedom, merely
thinning out crowded wood, it bears freely and in
a short time after planting. If grown as a pyra-
mid it is too s[ireading to form a good tree and
does not like severe pruning. In planting it is
well to avoid manure. I find liquid manure
during the growing season of great value, as it
assists in finishing the crop and fjuilds up fruiting
wood for another .season. — (1. Wythes.

Pear Glou Morceau. — In many gardens this
Pear is not always first-rate as regards quality,
but in a warm soil it is really good, especially
after a hot summer. In the Thames valley, on a
light gravel soil of no great depth, Glou Morceau
is one of the best winter Pears. In such I get
fine fruit and the cpiality is rich. The tree
rarely fails to crop, doing well in any form. I
would not advise anyone planting this variety
in exposed positions or in b.adly drained land.
As we have none too many good Pears in Decem-
ber, Glou Morceau is well worth growing for mid-
winter sup|)lies. My trees are on the (^)uinco.
The fruit from a few trees I had on the Pear was
so poor in quality that they were not worth
growing. On the Pear stock there is no lack of
fruit, but it is too small and of poor (juality.
— G. W. S.

This is one of our best winter Pears,

and although in some places it is not of
first-rate flavour, it must be classed amongst
the most reli.able. Its large size and fine appear-
ance place it in the lirst rank of Pears for Christ-
mas and onwards. It varies cjnsiderablj' in
flavour according to the soil and situation in
which it grows. On a cold, wet soil with a bad
aspect it is often worthless from a dessert point
of view, while on a soil of the opposite chai-acter
it is frequently delicious. I had a large tree
under my charge for eleven years. It grew in a
light soil on a south wall on the Pear stock, and
during those eleven years it scarcely ever missed
a croi). I never had a badly flavoured fruit from
this tree, the fruit being handsome and always of
a russetty appearance, ^^■hich I have observed de-
notes the best flavour in this and most other
fruits. It requires a warm situation to bring out
its fine qualities. I have a tree growing in this
garden on a warm wall abo\e the roof of a low glass
house, and tliis last year it gave me several dozen
beautiful fruit, while on a wall with a cooler
aspect tilou Morceau was indifierent in flavour.
This Pear can be grown as an open bush tree, and
in some soils it is satisfactory. In a garden where
I once w'as there was a fine tree in this form, and
I have seen from one to two bushels of well-
developed, highh' - flavoured Pears from it. —

DoIUSET.

Muscat of Alexandria and other Grapes.

— Although I have the highest respect for .\Ir.
Igguldens opinions and experience as a (I rape
grower, yet I must venture to contest his statie-
ment that Muscat of Alexandria is so delicate
tliat it (|uickly becomes discoloured and is prac-
ticall}' unsaleable, or at least unpresentable, after
it has been carried a little way or exposed for a
short time. If that be so in liis experience, how
was it that the Muscat (irapes sliown at the
Crystal Palace last autumn were as good in
appearance when the show was over as when first
staged, enabling some of them to be exhibited
elsewhere with success ': Is this delicate character

488

THE GAEDEK

[Dkcember 18, 1897.

thus ascribed to the berries borne out in the ex-
perience of other growers, and especially of ex-
hibitors? All Grapes, white or black, need care
in handling and in transit as well as in exposure,
but I have never before heard of Muscat of
Alexandria being so tender. Whether correct or
not, the fact remains that even if somewhat more
dithcult to grow than most other whites, it is so
delicious and generally excellent a Grape that no
other white can compare with it. New white
Grapes that are not one whit better than other
inferior whites that have been raised are no gain
whatever. When we can get a white Grape, that
has the fine quality of the Muscat and the general
excellence of the felack Hamburgh, then we may
have something to rejoice over. Till then the
Muscat of Alexandria remains by far the best
white Grape in cultivation. W'ith respect to the
flavour of Gros Colman, few growers will, I
think, agree with Mr. Iggulden in holding that it
is better flavoured than Black Alicante ; also that
the berries of the latter are mere bags of sugar
and water. Gros Colman has the merit of being
an easily grown Grape and jnoducing the largest
of berries, but it is one of the most difficult of all
to pro]ierl}' colour. Its merit lies in the size of
the berries and their fine appearance on the table.
That may be with many an important recommen-
dation, just as they like to see size in all fruits,
irrespective of flavour. — A. D.

Morello Cher»-ies and stocks. — In many
gardens there is a ditficulty with the Morello
owing to loss of branches by canker and gumming,
and in cases where it fails it is advantageous
to get trees worked on diflferent stocks. I found I
didmuch better b3' having the trees on the Mahaleb.
I am aware the use of this stock is greater than
formerly, but in many cases I have traced losses,
owing to the trees being worked on other stocks.
In this country in cold clay or wet soils the stock
named fails at times, but much may be done to
make the soil suitalile for the stock. In gardens
where the Morello fails I have with advantage
grown the Kentish Red. Tins will grow where
the Morello fails, and the fruit is not inferior in
qualitj'. The Kentish Red grows freely in exposed
places in cold soils and makes a free growth, but
the foliage is small. The fruits are red, but if
allowed to hang become dark coloured and acid,
and are much liked for cooking. This variety
makesanexcellentpyramid or bush on the Mahaleb
stock and soon attains a fruiting state. Inde-
pendent of the question of stock is the way the
trees are pruned. I fear pruning is often account-
able for loss of trees. Some bush trees of the
Morello that I planted nine years ago have not
shown the least sign of gumming or canker, and
they have had little pruning, only a little thinning
out and stopping in the growing season. The
trees in question were )jlanted at the outset mereh'
as an experiment. It is important that these
bush trees be on the stock named. Slovenly
worked trees should be avoided, as Cherries are
the worst trees to gum at the union. — S. M.

Grape Gros Colman.. — As a slight addition
to Mr. Iggulden's excellent article on the above
Grape, an article, by the way, which all, whether
market or private growers, are likely to agree
with, I should like to note the result of an in-
spection of a market-place not far from here
where Grapes are well done, and where, from a
very small beginning, the annual output must
now be quite l'> tons. I was aware that the
owner had a liking for Alicante, Lady Downe's,
and (iros Maroc, and that circumstances had
enabled him to try these as well as many others,
but found house after house devoted to nothing
but (iros Colman, and that a new range some
'200 yards long was planted solely with this
variety. I have seen rather larger bunches and
berries, but for a fine even crop and splendid
finish they could not well be beaten. A few Vines
of Muscat of Alexandria and Cannon Hall in a
warm house were carrying some good crops, the
latter especially showing tine, well-finished berries,
and I made the remark, " It you can do this (irape
as well as this on a small scale, surely a house or

wo of it would pay weU." The answer was de-

cisive. "I have tried nearly all Grapes, but
nothing has yet been raised to touch Colman as a
market (irape." Naturally a higher price is ob-
tainable for the Muscats, but a comparison of the
w-eights per rod, the firing and trouble of keeping,
left the balance with Colman. So far as the other
late black varieties were concerned. Lady Downe's
was quite discarded, only a few Maroc remained,
and the Alicantes were half condemned. It has
been a bad keeping season for Grapes unless
facilities were to hand to maintain a dry warmth
all through day and night, and in this matter
Alicante and Lady Downe's are with me a bit
better than Colman, but at the market-place
noted the latter was said to keep plump and
sound quite as long as any variety. As, however,
most varieties vary as to their perfect develop-
ment on different soils, so their keeping qualities
are naturally influenced. Take the case of
Alicante, that receives a deservedly high
character from "J. C. B." on page 469. At its
best and considering the ease with which it can
be grown, it is a very Aaluable (irape with firm,
sweet flesh. Try it, howex'er, in another place
and you get little more than a tough skin and
water. — E. Bcrrell, CUinmonI, Sumy.

eflective. While advocating the growing of
Ribston Pippin for home use, we fear that for
market it is too uncertain. The trees may
bloom very freely, but often only a moderate
crop follows.

Mr. W. J. Burstow, 30, Florence Road,
Brighton, who sent the photograph from which
the illustration was prepared, says : —

The photograph I sent you was taken on
August 30, and is of a Ribston Pippin cordon. It
is growing on a wall facing west and is planted in
a narrow border at the side of a lawn and has
ordinary garden flowers in front.

WINTER GRAPES.

APPLE RIBST()N PIPPIN ON WALLS.

It would be worth while, even in the most
favoured districts, to grow a few trees of this on
walls if only to get some fruit of a ditlerent

Apple Ribsfon Pippin on a wall facing west.
From a photograph sent by Mr. W. Bursto^v,
Florence Road, Brighton.

character from that on espalier, standard or
other trees. Unfortunately, the tree is prone
to canker, and those who recommend planting
it largely appear to forget that this Apple,
though one of the finest, is one of the most
I capricious kinds as to soil and situation we
have. In spite of all the care that can be
bestowed on it, it is sure sooner or later to fall a
victim to canker. Provided, however, there is
a free outlet for surjilns water and the soil is
fairly warm and gO(3d, we imagine anyone may
succeed in growing the Riliston to perfection.
Double grafting, using as a stock a strong grow-
ing variety like Warner's King, is undoubtedly

Mr. Iggitlden's estimate of Gros Colman
(p. 448) is certainly a commendable one, and
when the high quality of those he has grown
this year is taken into account, I think many
would be found to support his views and envy
the crop and ccmditions for producing it. It is-
a problem that has never been satisfactorily
solved why perfect Grapes of this and other
reputedly bad doers should be obtained in
one garden and yet in another, under ap-
parently better surroundings and provisions
made for their growth, they completely defy-
all attempts at successful culture. There is na
doubt but that the uncertainty of the Gros
Colman to grow and colour satisfactorily ifi
largely conducive to the bad reputation it bears.
At the same time, were it as easily managed as
the Alicante, it would be much more fa\-our-
ably reported on. I have knowir some cases
where its condition year after ye-ir was so un-
satisfactory, that it was cut out in despair and
its place filled with other less fastidious varie-
ties. This has reference to private gardens.
Market growers who take less trouble in the
construction of their borders, or make no border
at all, invariably secure better results with this
particular kind than many private growers, who
go to the opposite extreme and provide nothing
but the best material procurable to make their
borders with. There appears to me to be some
element needful for this particular Vine, or
what should explain the reason why, when
all otlicrs in a mixed house should do well, the
Gros Colman languishes !

For this reason I should support Mr. Iggul-
den's views in the matter of a trial of Grapes at
Chiswick. A trial would be no more conclusive
at Chiswick than it wiiuld be in any other
vinery, nor would it fm-nish any particular
lesson to the grower who had stubborn Vines
and soil to deal with in his own garden. I pre-
sume Mr. Iggulden means dealing strictly with
winter (5rapcs when he advises the weeding
out of all such popular sorts as Alicante, Gros
Maroc, Mrs. Pince, Mrs. Pearson, Golden
Queen, Lady Hutt, and Alnwick Seedling.
From an educational and exhibition point of
view he will not meet with unanimous support
in discarding these entirely at the expense of
Gros Colman and Lady Downe's. It may be
good advice to the market grower where this is
needed, but in the private garden many owners
take an interest in the growth and diversity of
their crops, and to those who possess such an
interest, surely no one would venture to deny
them the pleasures variety afl'ords.

iluscat of Alexandria stands absolutely with-
out a rival, and it is unfortunate that from a
nnxed house it so freijuently proves the reverse
of satisfactory. If Golden Queen can be as
easily grown as Alicante, it certainly deserves
to be encouraged. In the winter, and indeed
at any other period, black and white Grapes iii'
separate dishes on the dinner-table are often
desirable, and Mrs. Pearson or Ciolden Queen

December 18. 1897.]

THE CxAKDEN

489

wiiulil form an iigrcuiible chivni^e to the Muscat
of Alexaiulria.

"A. D." says Gros Colman is toleratuil Ihn
r.uisu of tliu size of its berries and weif,'ht it
|iro(Iiices to tlio market grower, .■iml for flavour
ranks among the lowest. This may be true as
legarils the grower for market, but do not
the <iuant.ities of that j)articular kind grown
annujilly prove at the same time that it is
favourably accejited l)y the consuming public-
their ]iatrons ? It may be taken for certain
that tiiose who buy their Grapes like a com-
bination of two ijualities — good aj)])earance and
good flavour. In well-finished Colman this
may be claimed sulhcient, at any rate, to justify
the pureliase by the consumer, and tliis fact
stimulates the market man to provide what to
him appears to be just what his customers
■appreciate. If this were not so, Gros Colman
would not ha\'e so large a .sale in these ad-
vanced times. \V. >S.

Apple Graham. — I knew an Apple under thi.s
name when living in South Lincolnshire, but
ha\e not since met with it anywhere else. On
looking through the fruit tree catalogues issued
by the leading firms, I find it quoted in one onlj-.
It ap[)ears to be synonymous with Deux Ans. It
is a valuable late kitchen Apple, as I have had
fruits of it in excellent condition as late as May.
The fruits grew from medium to large and were
very regularly formed. The colour of the skin
■was a clear green with a faint flush on the sunny
side, but on the cold clayey loam of South Lin-
colnshire the fruits could not be expected to put
on a great deal of colour. It is very tiardy and
very prolific, the ti-ees that I rememtier being
generallj' heavily laden. For grow ing as a pyramid
it is not suitable, as its habit is too s])reading,
but it makes a fine bush. It could be planted
in the colder (jarts of the country on account of
its hardiness and free ■ cropping proclivities. —
A. W.

Apple Striped Beaufin. — This is a handsome
Apple, and one worthj- of extended cultivation.
It is by no means a new kind, as it has been in
cultivation for more than lOO years. It is more
often met with growing as a standard in an
orchard than as a garden tree, and I came across
a tree of it a short time ago which, to judge by
its appearance, could not be less than sixty years
old. This, I think, is really the best way to grow
it, as bush trees are a long time coming into bear-
ing, the necessary restriction in this case seeming
to retard instead of forward fruitfulness. No doubt
if it could be allowed plentj- of space to extend it
might bear well when properly established as a
bush. It would, therefore, be a good plan to
make an allowance for this when planting if it is
not convenient to grow it as a standard. This
Apple should be in every collection, not only for
the sake of its size and handsome appearance, but
because of its good keeping (lualities. — A. W.

Strawberries. — The best Strawberries grown
here in light sandy soil are King of the Earlies,
Vicomtesse H. de Thury, Royal Sovereign, Presi-
dent, Gunton Park, Eleanor, and Latest of All,
ripening in the order named. Noble is a wonder-
ful cropper and does well in this light soil, but
the flavour is poor compared with that of the
other varieties. My practice is to make new beds
every fourth year on ground that has been heavily
manured and fleeply trenched for earlj- Peas, which
are cleared off and the Strawberries planted with-
out digging the ground. I lay the runners into
pieces of turf ab<iut 3 inches sf|uareand sink them
down level with the soil, which prevents them
drying up so much, and transplant as soon as they
are well rooted, ramming them in as firmly as
possible. I plant from the middle to the end of
August, and never fail to get a good crop the
next season. I make a new bed of King of the
Earlies annually in a warm, sheltered cjuarter,
planting the runners 1 foot apart. By so doing I

am able to gather fruit nearly a fortnight before
the general crop comes in.— T. Tvi.ER, Uniii(j<,
Wan hiiiii .

Park and Woodland.

THE PROTECTION OF FORESTS.*

TuK evils most to be di'eaded from the
clearing of woodc<l heights are great risings of
rivers and inundations, the reason being that
f(U'ests exercise a regulating influence up(jn the
How of water. A rainfall on a bare .slojie meets
with no obstacle to its rapid descent, and w hen
the fall is abundant, as in storms, the mischief
is very great, as the water rushing down with
violence ploughs up the land, carries ofl' the
loam, which there is nothing to hold, and drags
along with it pebbles and stones into the valleys
below. Such torrents flood the low lands and
leave the ascents dry and arid, but where the
slojies are covered with wood such terrible
effects of storms are not to be feared ; the rain
falls upon the trees and reaches the .soil but
slowly, the interlacing branches breaking the
violence of the fall. Tlie water drops through
tlie interstices of the foliage as through a sieve ;
in part it runs along the branches on its way to
the soil, where it meets with a carjjet of M(_>sses
and dead leafage, which act like a sponge, and
instead of forming channels in the earth it is
absorljed by it. The lower slopes retain only as
much of the rain-water as is necessary to refresh
them, and their pastures are always verdant,
and the regions that are lowest are protected
from inundation ; the waters percolating through
the soil reappear in the form of springs and tlie
rising of the rivers is not to be dreaded.

Tlie destruction of forests has been the cause
of much mi.schief in a large area of the Rhone
valley, especially in the departments of the
Basses- Alpes and the Hautes-Alpes. The moun-
tains throughout this region were formerly
clothed with magnificent forests which have
been little by litile almost entirely destroyeil,
and this country, which was formerly fresh
and rich in meadow lands, fertile and pros-
perous, lias become an arid, dry, unproduc-
tive, uninhabitable desert. If the department
of the Basses Alpes still retains some shreds of
its ancient forests, on the other hand, in the
south and south-west tliere is no wood left, and
almost all the loamy soil has disappeared at the
I same time. In the department of the Hautes-
I Alpes the whole of Devoluy, the environs of
Gap. the country which is between Gap and
: Embrun, is a spectacle of ruin and desolation—
mountains denuded of grass and the bare rock
seen everywhere. (Jwing to the want of sward
or of roots to hold the soil, the torrents drag
along with them periodically a considerable
amount of mud into the plains, overthrowing
everything in their way. The mountains have
lo.st all their fertility ; the springs have been
dried uj) and the streams have all been turned
into torrents. The number of these torrents
has become for tliese departments the worst of
all scourges. Dry during a part of the year,
they form large beds full of detritus torn from
the sides of the mountains, but in the rainy
season, or after a storm, they are changed into
rivers of muddy water which inundate the
valleys and sometimes overHhelm whole
viOages. The terror which they inspire in
the Haute.s-Alpes is apparent in the names
they bear. Thus there are the torrents Ma-
laise, Malfosse, Malcombe, Malpas, Malatret,
&c. Some bear the name Rabioux (mad) ;

* Extract from an article by Gustave Eegelsperger
in La Noiivelle Ilcvuc.

.several others that of Bramafam (howl-hunger),
names that sound ijuite Dante.sipie. and savour
of the "Inferno." The terror they insjiire is
(|uite justified. The Durance, for in.stance,
which is the principal torrent in the region,
and of which the How is froui .'lO cubic yards to
40 cubic y;irds a second at low water, lias been
known to flow at the rate of l(),l)l)f) cubic yards
in till' greatest of its overflows. Its water is
cliarged with mud, and .sometimes has the
aspect of a (juagmire. In August, ]8fi8, it
was ascertained to contain mud at the rate of
over a hundredweight to the cubic yard. Every
year the Durance cai'ries with it not less than
II, (1110,(100 cubic yards of soil. As for the
Uhone, it carries off every year to the sea
'.i 1, 000,(100 cubic yards of soil and detritus from
the Al|)s, The whole of Camargue, exrending
to or), 000 hectares (I(j0,.5.j0 acres), is formed of
deposits of soil, mud, and .slime, called in the
locality the " Hesh of the mountain." This vast
alluvial ])lain goes on increasing in extent, to
the detriment of the soil invaded ; the delta
encroaches annually on the Mediteri-ancan at
the rate of 00 yards or thereabouts. On the
same sea-coast the river Var. according to
the estimate of engineers, annually carries oft"
".(,000,000 cubic yards of soU and detritus.

Here, it seems to ns, are facts enough to
dispiense with giving other examjiles of the
disasters that accompany the destruction of
forests. But this is not all. It remains to be
seen what becomes of the population of
the devastated regions. The pastures being
insufhcient for the maintenance of their flocks,
the herdsmen descend from the mountains and
seek for subsistence elsewhere. Alike the
cultivation of the soil has become impossible,
because, on the one hand, the fields are
threatened by the torrents and inundations,
and. on the other, because the moisture is not
retained by the soil, and at intervals drought
parches up the plantations. The ruined [lopu-
lace seek a tlistant refuge from this desolate and
infertile soil and the land is depopulated.
"In the.se regions," says a writer, "the natural
harmony of the terrestrial organisation is dis-
turlied, the jirovidential conditions of human
life are annulled and destroyed. Man in ruin-
ing the forests ruins his own race ; he commits
suicide." And it is not only by emigration
that the land loses its population, but the lo.ss
is jiartly to be sought- in the deplorable
hygienic conditions influencing the birth rate.
Every census since 1871 reveals this same fact
of the decrease of the population in the de-
forested departments. By the term deforested
departments may be understood those thirty
which are subject to the enactments of the
law of 4th April, 1882, affecting the restora-
tion and conservation of mountain lands.
Between 1881) and IS'.ll tliese departments have
been deprived of 8',V''^- souls in excess of the
birth rate ; whereas the fifty-seven otiier de-
partments .show an increase of :il.'>,".121 in-
habitants. In 18!tL' the population of France
underwent a total loss of 1^0,041 inhabitants,
lint the diminution was nine times greater in
the thirty deforested departments than in the
fifty-seven others. Deforestiition, therefore,
being proved to be the cause of depopulation
in thirty deiiartments is become a question of
political hygiene of the highest importiinco. It
is no new di.scovery of depopulation resulting
from deforestation. Dalmatia. for example,
which contained •_',00O,000 inhabitants before
its acquisition by the Venetians in the loth
century, being deforested by the latter in the
interests of their navy, at the present day can
boast of little over .")()0,000. 1 lius we see justi-
fied the saying of Chateaubriand: "The forests

490

THE GARDEN.

[December 18, 1897.

jtreceded the peoples, tlie peoples go after tliem.
Where the forest is, there is the fatherland."

Long ago farmei-s, engineers, and statesmen
lifted up their voices in warning, hut unfortu-
nately they were not listened to. In 1840,
Surell. an engineer, published a work on these
alpine torrents, in which he showed that the
primary cause of the formation, as well as of
the enlargement, of torrents was to be sought ni
the deforestation of their basins. In 1846, on
a report by the economist Blanqui to the
Academy of Sciences on the deplorable con-
dition of the French Alp.s, the Government
seriously concerned itself with the reaftoresta-
tion of mountains. The first law on the sub-
ject was enacted in 18C0 after the disa,strous
floods of 1850, but the resistance which it met
with led to a new enactment in 1804, which
authorised the substitution of turf - laying
for reaflbrestation. Finally, an enactment,
dated April 4, 1882, placed the reafforesta-
tion of mountain lands in the department
of public works. The aim of this law is to
prevent the washing away of the soil. This
is in a direct ratio to the steepness of the slopes
and the amount of water which is susceptible
of being given off in the form of torrents. The
first thing, therefore, to be done is the suppres-
sion of existing torrents and their conversion
into harmless and useful streams ; and the
second is to pre\'ent the undermining of the
soil and formation of new torrents, or the re-
su.scitation of extinct torrents. These results
are obtained by reafforestation.

About 1,200,000 hectares (some 3,000,000
aore.s) are the extent of the mountainous regions
of France, which thirty years ago were still
wooded, and now no longer so, thanks to human
activity. A third of this surface is now set
apart for ]iublic works in course of execution at
the public expense. Of the remainder, VO,0(JO
hectares have been planted with trees, and
230,000 are represented by pasture lands
capable of being restored, which leaves 500.000
hectares as the extent still to be dealt with.
The work which remains to be done is therefore
considerable. Under the enactment of 1882
the State is authorised to make subventi(jns to
proprietors as aids to replanting denuded
mountain lands. These subventions, unfortu-
nately, have been insufficient.

Stove and Greenhouse.

CHAM.EROPS FORTUNEI IN HANTS.

I CANNOT say when the Cham^rops here figured
was planted, but it has stood a number of years
without any protection. The asi)eot is east or
south-east on terrace, and planted about 20 feet
from the house, by which it is a good deal
sheltered. It is 23 feet from ground to tip of
centre leaf, and was very beautiful when in
bloom at the latter end of May and .Tune with
its numerous racemes or branches of drooijing
golden yellow flowers. H. PI.

the occupants of our greenhouses even at this
season, A. urophylla nevertheless affords a pleas-
ing variety. — H. P.

Nerine Manselli. — Earlier in the season we
have many beautiful species or varieties of Nerine
in bloom.' including the brilliant N. Fothergilli,
and even now with the advent of December they
are not quite over, for N. Manselli and N. undu-
lata are still in flower. N. Manselli is by far tlie
more showy of the two ; the flowers, which are
borne in good-sized heads, are of a coral-pink
when first opened, after which they deepen in
colour a little. The segments of this are broad,
thus forming a full flower. N. ?>lanselli is of
h\brid origin and was raised, I believe, by Mr.
O'Brien when with Messrs. Henderson. In grow-
ing Nerines, thorough drainage must be given,
and a compost consisting principally of good yel-
low loam (lightened when necessary with sand)
should be used, as this will keep fresh and sweet
for years, thus obviating frequent disturbance of
the roots, which is apt to hinder the flowering of
these bulbous plants. Failures in their culture
may be traced to this, or to the fact, sometimes
overlooked, that their period of growth is during
the winter months, when by some they are kept
dry, which is the worst possible treatment they

Acacia urophylla. — Nearly the whole of the
greenhouse Acacias flower during the spring
months, but there are a few exceptions, as the
singular A. platyptera is usually studded with its
golden blossoms during October or November.
Following on the heels of this comes the more un-
common A. uropliylla, known also as A. smilaci-
folia. This latter naiue is derived from the great
resemblance between the phj'Uodes of this Acacia
and the leaves of some species of Smilax. Like
the majority of the Acacias, the flower-heads of
this are gloliular, and in colour pale creamy yel-
low. Though decidedly less showy than many of

Chamtvt'ops Fortanei [C. cxcelsa) in the gardens
at Efford Park, Lymington.

can then receive. A good light position in the
greenhouse, where the leaves will develop without
becoming drawn, is the best place for these
Nerines in the winter. — H. V.

Camellia Sasanqua. — This prettj' little Ca-
mellia, represented though very sparingly in our
gardens by several forms, is, under similar con-
ditions to C. japonica, flowering freely, being thus
much earlier in bloom than its larger relative. It
is certainly a very useful flowering shrub for the
greenhouse, and the fact that it is almost hardy is
another point in its favour. Camellia Sasanqua is
one of the many plants that, though introduced
years ago, had almost dropped out of cultivation.
B&side the varieties with single and semi-double
flowers of diff'erent tints, there is one in which the
leaves are marked with white, and when in good
condition this is certainly a pretty variegated-
le.aved shrub. C. Sasanqua and its several forms
are usually propagated by grafting, but 1 find that
the comparatively slender shoots of this kind
strike root much more readily if put in as cuttings
than those of its more vigorous relative, C.
japonica. — H. P.

THE PERUVIAN HELIOTROPE AND THE

GIANT HELIOTROPES (LEMOINE).

I DO not suppose there are many more popular
plants, or which produce flowers whose [lerfurae
stands higher in general estimation than the
Peruvian Heliotrope. The perfume is, in fact, ex-
quisitely fine, and has been compared with reason
to the aroma of the Vanilla fruit. Indeed, so close
is the resemblance between the two perfumes that
it is very frequent to hear people say, " I have a
Vanilla plant," when all the time it is a Heliotrope
they possess. Delicate though it is, this perfume
is so subtle that, breathed for a length of time in
a close room, it produces the sensations of a mild
intoxication. The plant itself is elegant in its
carriage, and its gracefulness is such that it is
well adapted for gro^v■ing in pots for market.
Ever since it was fir.st lirought from Peru in 1757,
it has been used in the adornment of conserva-
tories and gardens, where its bloom remains with
us until the approach of the first frosts. In the
open air under Parisian skies its stems and
branches are cut down by the first autumn frosts,
but in the conservatory its vitality is such that it
attains to a great size. By sowing the seeds of
H. peruvianum some varieties have been obtained
which differ from the type in having more ample
foliage, .and in the wealth, the size, and the
colour of the flowers. In some of the varieties, too,
the perfume of the flowers is more penetratmg
even than that of the type. The colour which
predominates in all the varieties of H. peruvianum
is a violet more or less pronounced, but some
varieties hear white blooms. Sometimes the
leases, the stems, and the branches bear the im-
print of the greater or less intensity of colour of
the flowers. Thus the varieties which ha\ e the
flowers of a deep violet have the branches and
foliage equally pronounced in colour.

The giant HeUotropes (Lemoine) w-ere scarcely
known ten years ago. They owe their existence
to crossing the finest varieties of H. peruvianum
and H. incanum. This latter is a Brazilian spe-
cies introduced to Europe by William Bull, of
London, and differs considerably from H. peruvia.
num in stature and general character. It is o
some height, and possesses large, vigorousf
branches and leaves covered with down. The
leaves are a grey green in colour, and the flowers
bluish and insignificant ; it is not very orna-
mental. MM. Victor Lemoine and Son, of Nancy,
conceived the idea of crossing some of the finest
varieties of H. peruvianum with H. incanum,
with the result that they obtained some hybrids,
which they set aside and multiplied for some
years. They soon found that the plants were
unfitted for cultivation in pots, and gradually they
gave up the varieties named and limited their
efforts to the multiplication from seed of all the
varieties without distinction. The plants they
obtained in this way are truly remarkable ; they
vary in stature from 15 inches to 3 feet. The
inflorescences are borne on vigorous branches in
the form of cor3'mbs, a, mass of flowers on the
same level sometimes as much as 15f inches in
diameter.

Notwithstanding the inequality in height which
is met with sometimes in plants of the same sow-
ing, the general efi'ect of these plants, whether in
baskets or in beds in the sun, is really magnifi-
cent. The colours of the flowers are not too
varied, and blue, rose-lilac, pearl grey, metallic
blue, and sometimes but not frequently rose, are
the ones most commonly met with in ^Jants pro-
duced from seed. — J. Foi'ss,\T, in Lr Jardln.

Azalea calyciflora. — If gently forced year
after year this pretty little Azalea acquires (|uite
an early flowering habit, so that it may without
.any trouble be had in bloom by the latter part of
Novendjer. A. calyciflora derives its name from
the enlarged calyx segments, which are of a
bright salmon-red with a distinct orange shade,
the same as the rest of the flower ; hence in this
kind the blooms are of quite a Hose-in-hose for-
mation. Although this same feature occurs in A.
amtena, it is wanting in A. obtusa, whose flowers

Becembep 18, 1897.]

THR CxARDEN.

491

are (juite sinirlc, tliough in colour tliey are much
in the way of those of A. calvcillora. Thcic is a
distinct variety of A. obtusa, in which the blooms
ai'e pure wliite, or occasionally striped with red.
A. amicna is well known both as a shrub in the
o|)en i^round and as one for tlowerini; under fjlass,
where it can be had as early in the season as
those previously mentioned. A variety of this —
Caldwelli- has blossoms as larije ai;ain as those
of the normal form. These smaller • flowered
Azaleas are all remarkably free bloomintj, and
apart from their individual beauty they afford a
pleasing change from the different varieties of the
Indian section. All the Azaleas of this group are
far more pleasing when struck from cuttings and
allowed to assume their natural shape of mucli-
branched bushes than when grafted on to a naked
stem, as is so often done. — T.

Malmaison Carnations. — "J. C. B." will be
interested to learn that se\eral of the large houses
of the above to which I referred in a recent issue
were exclusively given up to these plants all the
year round. For some time the plants were a
success, but eventually the disease overtook them
wholesale. These plants were never taken out-
side, and prior to this I suggested in one instance
sulphuring the jjUnts before removal from the
house, and thus endeavouring to kill any disease
germs that might be about. In many cases the
plants were grown on into good-sized pots, and
when layering became a necessity this was carried
out on the side beds under glass. I mention this
to show that with every precaution that could be
thought of no cure was effected, nor was the dis-
ease in any degree lessened. From repeated
trials, however, I am convinced that in certain
low-lying districts no treatment will keep the
plants long healthy. Some splendid [plants pur-
posely purchased in (Juernsey for a fresh trial,
apparently absolutely clean and healthy, were
potted and i>laced in a cool, airy house at once.
In less than two months these plants were badly
diseased, yet they had never been watered over-
head and only twice at the root, it being late
autumn before the disease was rampant. — E. J.

Arranging plants.— It is surprising what a
lot of money is spent upon elaborate stages and
benches in conservatories and show houses gener-
ally that would have been much better left alone.
A very large percentage of the plants we grow
for flowering or for the sake of their foliage looks
much nicerwhen viewed from above than when they
are on a level with the eye. There are many Palms
and lai^e Ferns, it is true, that require to have
their heads high to catch the outline of the stems
and fronds, but as often as not the trouble with
these is to keep them away from the glass, and it
is a simple matter to raise any individual plants
that need it, and hide whatever is used for sup-
ports with dwarfer subjects. In the Chry-
santhemum season, for instance, scores of gar-
deners have wished their stages were movable,
and in a greater or less degree the same thing
occurs .all the year round. On a flat floor beauti-
ful little groups of \arious plants may be made ;
the outline of each may ne varied and any
favourite idea of arrangement carried out, but
with a straight rectangular stage for a start
there is often little chance for artistic display,
and more often than not visitors can see prin-
cipally the lower part of the flower or the back
of tine-foliaged [ilants, as the case may be.
Stages are of course necessary in the growing-
quarters, but where we have to show the plants
they do usually more harm than good. — H.

SHORT NOTES.— STOVE <t- GBEEXHOUSE.

Rhynchospermum jaaminoides.— This is a
useful old greenhouso phmt foi- growing up pillars, Ac.
The pure white blooms are well adapted for filling
small vases, or buiicbiug iu the same way as Violets,
as they are very sweet scented and last a long time in
water. Some twenty-five years ago this plant was
largely grown. — Dokset.

Geranium Lady Plymouth.— This is one of

the best sweet soented-Ieaved forms, and a most use-
ful kind when grown in pots to stand in vases in rooms

during the winter. When grown in pots tlirougli tlie
summer, exposed in the open, and well fed, it i.-i a
most \aluable platit iti winter. I have some nice
plants now (December) grown in this way. — Dohskt.

THE FRUIT TRADE.*

I I'l'Ki'OSE contrasting the fruit trade at the
present diiy with what it was in the memory of
many of us forty or fifty years ago. The chief
cause th.at lias led to its clevelopment has been
railw.ay and steamship communication. Fifty
years ago tlic only su[)ply was hoine-grown and
of limited extent, the carriage from a distance
to any of the local centres being ditticult and
expensive. The importation of foreign fruit,
with the exception of Oranges and Nuts, was
also on a reduced scale, irregular and un-
certain. Occasionally a few hundred barrels
were sent from America in .sailing vessels by
pri\'atc individuals, and the trade in fresh pro-
duce, with the e.xceptiijn of a few Pears grown
in Normandy and Brittany, was exceedingly
small. Tlie prices that had to ba psiid for fruit
put it out of the reach of all but the well-to-do,
except in the months of June, -luly, August,
and 8e|)tember, when our home fruits were
found in all tlie markets in the immediate
vicinity of the centres of production. I am
i|uite .safe in saying that during eight months
of the year fruit to the multitude was prac-
tically an unattainable luxury, except when
Oranges happened to be plentiful. The dis-
tricts whence Oranges came to this market
were St. Michaels and Lisbon. Tliey were
sent in sailing ships, which wei'e at the
mercy of the winds, and it was no uncom-
mon occurrence for the London market to
be witliout Oranges for two or three weeks.
I can well remember often seeing a fleet of
ten or twelve sailing vessels moored outside
the wharf at London Bridge. Since that
time the south of Spain has taken to grow-
ing Oranges, and I can call to mind the first
few boxes of Valencias that arrived in Co\'ent
(jarden Market. They were packed and owned
by Kobt. McAndrews and Co., who were then
the great people in the St. Mich.ael tr.ade. In
the first season certainly not more than 20(1
cases came to Great Britain, and in contrast
with tliis. I may mention that last year the
growth in the provinceof Valencia aloneexceeded
three and a half million cases. The cultivation
has increased to such an extent, tliat a box
of < )ranges can now be bought in the months
of November, December, and January at a
price not exceeding (is. f.o.b. Valencia, and
throughout the season they are being sold here
in Great Britain at as low a price as in the towns
of Spain where they are produced. Oranges are
now being grown in a new district, the province
of Murcia ; they promise to surpass in quantity,
as they cerbvinly do in (luality, those of the
province of Valencia. The Canaries also are in
the Hehl, and whereas six or seven years ago ,a
supply of 2(10 or iidO boxes during the season
was all tliat w.as produced. I hear on g(i<id
authority th.at Last year .")()()! I boxes were
shipped, and tliat tliis year the output is more
than double. These Oranges, which are of ex-
ceptional (juality, will have to compete with
those from .Jamaica, Florida, and Californi.a.
Florida Oranges occupy a pre-eminent position
both in .America .and here. The frost .some
seven years ago nearly killed all the trees, and
this will be the first season that there h.as been
any crop to speak of. As regards California,
the fruit is cultivated there with the greatest

* Paper read by Mr. M. J. Garcia (of Garcia, Jacobs
and Co., London, and .Simons, .Jacobs and Co., Glas-
gow) before the Horticultural Club on Tuesday,
December 11.

care under the most favouraljle conditions, an 1
it is only a i|uestion of time for it to supplant
.all tlie rest grcjwn in America. St. Micliaels
( )r.aiigcs, on the otlier hand, have deteriorated,
so much so, that all the trees have been cut
down and Pine-apples planted instead. Pales-
tine and Mexico are al.so now in the field with
Oranges, and it is probable tli.at the growth in
•latta will attain such largo proportions .as to
form a .serious oppo.sition to the best fruit that
comes from either America or Spain. Ett'orts
have been made to introduce Jamaican fruit,
but up to the present with very disastrous
results, the loss of one company alone beinj;
.at least t'.'M,()()0. The money, however, has
not been thrown away, as great experience has
been g.ained, and hopes are yet entertained
of the mother country being able to assist in
the coiisumiitiou of the fruit of one of her
colonics that has sutt'ered most severely through
the failure of sugar not being remunerative.
As regards Pines, they are in St. Michaels
grown under gl.ass, and are of excepticuial
ijuality and size. The average weight is from
'1 lbs. to 8 lbs. They are nearly all of the
Smooth-leaved Cayenne variety, and I am quite
within the mark when I state that there are
brought to Lond<jn e.ach year between 40l).()(l()
and .^>()((,(IIM) Pines. These, on .account of tlieir
size and cpiality, have entirely supplanted the
English growth. Canada is fully alive to the
consumption of foreign fruit in England, and
the Canadian Government have organised .a
deiiartment for the development of the trade.
Cool chambers have been fitted up in tlic
regular steamship lines to London, Liverpool,
Bristol, and Glasgow, and the consignments that
have arrived this season lead us to hope, now that
America is practically closed to British fruit,
that we sh;Ul lie able to assist Canada by being
customers for all kinds of her produce. Turn-
ing now to

ENiiLisH Friit,
the production fifty years ago was very small,
except in the months of June, -July, August and
September. Hot-house (Jrapes commenced at
about ."ids. per lb., and the lowest price, unless
in unusual cii-cuiiistances, was 2s. per lb. The
month of November brought us to the end of
English hot-house (irapes, and I can well re-
member when my grandfather, who lived in the
Poultry, in Cheapside, had an order for Grapes
for the Lord Mayor's dinner, the only person
that could supply them was Mr. Crawshaw, of
Colney Hatch, and this gentleman used t(j
allow .■)() lbs. to be cut specially for this pur[>ose.
I liave myself sold common Lisbon black Grapes
in March at 3(ls. a lb. The only others that
were then obtainable were a few from .Vlmeria,
and of these the supply was limited, the average
quantity being about .•iO.OOO to 40,000 barrels,
and the price 'iOs. to (iOs. a barrel. At the
present time the average supply of this one
\-.ariety is about lialf a million barrels, and they
realise from .Ss. to 20s. The cultivation of
(irapesand Tomatoes under glass is a matter
tli.it you are better acquainted with tliaii I am :
but if the amount of care given to this particular
branch h.ad been devoted to the growth of
Ajiplcs and Pears in England, I cannot help
tliinking that the trade in the latter would be
much more profitalile than it is to-d.ay. French
fruit, with the exception of Pears, was .almost
unknown fifty years ago, but now the demand
is so great, that the cultivation in the south,
where Cherries and Green Gages are grown,
has been increased solely on account of the con-
sumption in Great Britain. The quantity con-
sumed in Great Britain is extraoixlinary, and
although prices may seem dear, the freight in
France is so high as almost to preclude .anyone.

492

THE GARDEK

[December 18, 1897:

with the exception of the French railway com-
panies, from making a profit. The French
Government, which has the monopoly of the
railway system, tlirow^s all sorts of obstacles
in the way of the carriage of fruit Ijy
fast French trains ; and althuiigh these a.ve
no quicker than our ordinary luggage trains,
the freight is higher than any of our railway
companies charge for conveyance of similar
goods by express. All fruit that reaches us
from the south of France is charged at the
rate of IJd. to Ifd. per lb. ChieHy English
capital is now used in the development of this
trade, and the largest tirm in France, when
desirous of turning their business into a limited
liability company, had to come to England to
obtain the capital necessary. I ha\'e left to the
last the consideration of the enormous strides
made in the

American Apple Trade.
The result to the farmers in America always
depends on the crop we have in the United
Kingdom, and every year they are as anxious
to obtain information as to the outlook here as
we are to learn of the prospects on the other
side. The business, which commenced by the
shipment of a few hundred barrels hfty years
ago, has now assumed gigantic proportions. In
1880 there were about IJ million barrels shipped
from America ; for the next eight years the
number varied from 81,000 to 800,000, while
last year, when the crop was beyond all prece-
dent, over 3,000,000 barrels were sent to Great
Britain. This season the crop in general is
poor throughout America. In the States the
carriage of fruit is evidently much less expen-
sive than here. The bulk that is now arriving
is being shipped 2000 miles west of Isew York
at a cost per barrel that certainly does not
exceed 1.5s. to Kjs., everything included. If
England is to compete with foreign countries,
she will have to adopt methods similar to
those in use in the country which has
made a speciality of the growth of produce
for foreign markets. California has certainly
set an example as regards trouble taken in the
growth of fruit and in the development of the
trade, and there are one or two facts which
have come to my knowledge from reliable
people which I may venture to place before
you. Fruit-growing in America is a very im-
portant business, and the Government spares no
pains in acquiring all possible information tm
he subject, distributing it in pamphlet form
broadcast to all those who are directly or in-
directly interested in agriculture. Fruit trees
in California, as well as throughout America,
are planted at a distance of 24 feet apart, and
it has been ascei t dned from many years'
experience that the trees bear more fruit and
of better (juality in this way than if planted
closer. Except during the first few years, no
grass or other vegetation is allowed to grow
between the trees, and all that Nature and
science can do is brought to bear on their
development. Some Californian gentlemen
have devoted themselves to the culture of
fruit in other countries, and one of the most
influential has established himself in Cape
Colony, 250,000 trees having been sent there four
years ago, and this year some of the first pro-
duce will reach England. They have decided
to send not only to their own, but also to the
English markets, and they hope tliat in a few
years. Pears, Plums and Apples, equal to the
best grown in California, will be shipped to
arrive here during the months of April, May,
and June. On one farm alone 90,000 fruit
trees were planted last year.

I certainly think that, as regards the produc-
tion of Apples in England, the nurserymen are

to some extent to blame for advocating the
growth of new sorts, for, as I have already said,
the old kinds of good eating quality sell well,
while, on the other hand, many of the new
varieties are ditticult to dispose of and less pro-
fitalile. The same system that exists in America
should be followed here, namely, particular
attention should be paid to the cultivation of
well-known varieties, so that dealers here will
1)0 able during the season to depend on a good
supply of jiarticular sorts, such as King of the
Pippins, Blenheim, Cox's Orange Pippin and
others ecpially appreciated by the British
public. Although the production of English
soft fruit has increased in proportion to the
population, f(jreign has not caused it to depre-
ciate in value as thirty to forty years ago.
Cherries, Plums, Currants, &c., in plentiful
seasons were sold at lower prices than imder
similar conditions at the present day. Thirty-
five years since Bigarreau Cherries were sold as
low as OS. to 7s. per bushel of 48 lbs., a figure
hardly ever experienced in the present day,
while 2d. per lb. for Black Currants was con-
sidered a high ijrice.

Societies and Exhibitions.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
December 14.
Tnis, the last meeting of the current year, was a
remarkably good one, the display of flowering
plants, if not of the most extensive character,
being a brilliant one. The weather, too, had its
share in rendering the meeting brighter and more
cheerful tlian the recent gatherings have been.
The attendance was good and the committees
were well represented. The greater part of the
work fell upon the Orchid committee, as the
following list of awards will indicate, the im-
mediate work of the floral committee being light,
and that of the fruit and vegetable committee not
of a laborious character. The competition for the
" Veitch " flavour prizes for Pears and Apples was
very keenly contested, the best know-n sorts for
flavour still holding their own.

Of Orchids, the meeting was almost a record
one in respect to hybrid Calanthes, in which the
prevailing aihnity to that grand and useful hybrid
C. Veitcln was singularly noticeable. The colours
of these newer forms were very rich, making
(juite a show of themselves. Most of these were
fiom the Burford Lodge collection. The major
portion of these examples, it was noted, was
grown in loam. Cypripediums were present
in quantity, notably the many fine forms of
Cypripedium insigne amongst the species, and C.
Leeanvun of the hybrids. Hybrids of other genera
were also notably in evidence, more especially in
Messrs. Veitch's collection. The groups of Poin-
settias and Begonia Gloire de Sceaux from Isle-
worth call for special notice, and so does the
group of late-flowering Chrysanthemums from
Groombridge. These all being excellent examples
of seasonable decorative plants, some idea could
be formed of what can be done for the Christmas
supply. Cut Chrysanthemums from Ryecroft
were present in good numbers, affording useful
information as regards the best late kinds. The
floral committee, as will lie noted, only recom-
mended one award of merit at this meeting, but
that in itself was a most worthy one, bearing
evidence of wliat may be accomplished by per-
sistent efforts in the field of hybridisation. The
fruit committee had a highly creditable exhiliit of
Apples from across the border and another from
the west country, whilst from Farnham canie a
splendid exhibit of Selected Conqueror Tomato,
these being ideal fruits for kitchen use at this
season .

Orchid Committee.

A first-class certificate was awarded to-
C.VLANTiiE Harrisi, a distinct and lovely hy-
brid. The sepals and petals are pure white, of

fine form and substance, the lip upwards of
l.V inches across, very round, and without the
usual keel at the base, pure white with the ex-
ception of a little yellow on the disc. It is the
result of crossing C. vestita Turneri with C.
Veitchi, and was raised by the late Dr. Harris.
From Mr. J. T. Bennett-Poe.

Awards of merit were given to the following; —

Tricuopilia brevis.— This is a lovely form,
the sepals and petals rich brown, mottled and
tipped with bright yellow, the large lip pure
white, becoming suffused with yellow in the
centre, which deepens at the base. A fine plant
with two flowers was exhibited by Sir F. Wigan,
Clare Lawn, East Sheen.

L.ixiA Briskij is the result of crossing L. har-
pophylla and Li purpurata. It partakes of the
habit and general characteristics of L. harpo-
phylla. The sepals and petals are white, suffused
with yellow, the lip white on the front lobe with
some purple in tlie centre; the side lobes pure
white, with pale yellow at the base. From Mr.
J. Douglas, Great Bookham.

L.ELH axcepsMrs. DeB. Crawshay.— Agrand
form of the dark section of this well-known
species, the sepals and petals being of fine form
and substance, the front lobe of the lip very dark.
From Mr. I)e B. Crawshay.

L.ELiA pr.estans superba. —In this the sepals
and petals are of fine form and substance, deep
rose in colour, the front lobe of the lip rich crim-
son-purple with a white spot on the disc, the
throat rose, shading to yellow at the base. From
Mr. R. W. Richards.

L.ELIA RrBE.sCENS.— In this, better known as L.
acuminata, the sepals and petals are pale rose,
the lip deep rose in front, shading to white in
the centre, the side lobes rose, shading to
maroon at the base. The flowers are produced on
erect spikes 18 in. or more in length. From Sir
T. Lawrence and Mr. W. C. Walker.

Calanthe SAXfiriNARiA. — One of the darkest
forms we have seen, the sepals and petals deep red'
with a little white at the tips of the lower sepals ; the
lip is similar in colour to the petals and has a deep
red blotch at the disc. From Sir T. Lawrence.

C.4LANTHE BURFORDiExsis.^A grand dark, free-
flowering variety, the result of crossing C. Yeitchi
and C. sanguinaria. It is a desirable variety,
combining both in shape and colour the two
parents. From Sir T. Lawrence.

Calanthe Veitchi splendexs. — A lovely form
of this well-known Orchid. It has a compacfe
habit with the free-flowering qualities of the type.
From Sir T. La^vrence.

L.*;lia Lixdleyano - elegans.— This is a re-
markable combination, being the result of a erosi
between the natural hybrid Brassio-L;elia Lindley
ana and L:elio-Cattleya elegans. The sepals ani

,.)etals are greenish-white suffused with rose at thg
base, the lip rich crimson-purple in front, becom^
ing lighter at the base, the side lobes white shad-i
ing to purple at the base. The flowers are proj
duced on a raceme l~> inches in length. F
Sir T. Lawrence. , . ^

CvPBiPEDirM .i-soN var. ruGANTEUM (C. iusigne
X C. Druryi).— This is a lovely hybrid in which
lioth species are combined. The dorsal sepal is
white at the top, shading to green and thickly
spotted with brown on the lower half, the broad
petals greenish yellow, suflused with brown,
having a few spots at the base : the lip is very
broad, yellow, heavily sufl'used with brown, the
whole being highly polished. It is a remarkably
bold flower. Yrom Jlessrs. J. Veitch and Sons.

Messrs. .1. Veitch and Sons sent a choice, but
interesting group, prominent in this being two
fine plants of the secondary hybrid Cattleja
leucoglossa(C. Fausta x C. Loddigesi) : the sepals
and petals pale rose, the lip lighter than the
sepals, heavily veined on the front lobe with
purple and much crisped on the edges, the side
lobes creamy white, shading to yellow at the base,
lined with purple at the base. It is a free-flowering
and desirable variety. C. Mantini and Livlio-Cat-
tleya Pallas were also well represented. Amongst
the Cvpripediums, the most prominent were good
forms" of C. Adrastus, numerous fine forms ot

December 18, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

493

C Leeunura, a ^^raml variety of C. ^fiobo, and
a HnelyHoweied C. Sedeni ciindidulum. A silver
Flora medal \va.« invtiided. Messrs. II. Low and
Co. were awarded a silver Baiiksian medal for a
choice and interesting group consist iiif; of finely-
flowered Lalia anceps, good varieties ni Cattleya
Pereivaliana, a iiiee plant of L'ymliidium Winiii
antim, Dendrobium splendidissimum, and a linely-
flowered D. Cassiopc. Amongst the numerous
Cypripediums were a tine form of C. Jlinosa, C.
iusigne Laura Kimliall, C. Pitcherianum (Williams'
var.), C. Sallieri Hycanum, and grand forms of
0. Leeanum. Angra'cum se-quipedale and Cyo
noches Lowi, a pretty variety with a large bright
rose lip, were also included. Messrs. B. S. VVil-
liams and Son .sent a large group, consisting prin-
cipally of tinely-llowered Cypripediums, several
finelj'-flowered Calanthe Veitchi allia, good forms
of Lycaste Skinneri, tinely-flowered Oncidiums
and Zygopetalun s in variety, A silver Banksian
medal was awarded. Messrs. F. Sander and Co.
sent a group consisting of hybrid Calanthes, which
had a pleasing efl'ect arranged Avith Dracaena
Godseffiana. Messrs. Paul and Son, The Old
Nurseries, Cheshunt, sent ten made-up baskets
of Cypripediums in such varieties as C. Spiceria-
num, C. Harrisianum, (.'. Ashburtonie, and various
forms of C. insigne.

Sir T. Lawrence sent a large and interesting
group consisting ]irincipally of Calanthes in
variety, the most striking amongst them being
the delicate rose-coloured C. Mctoria Regina.
C. versicolor, white with a pink centre, was also
attractive. Amongst the other species of Orchids
were fine forms of Masdevallia irrorata, Miltonia
Endresi, a tinely-flowered plant of Platyelinis
uncinata and numerous fine hybrid Cypripediums.
A silver-gilt Flora medal was awarded. Mr.
W. C. Walker sent a grand variety of L:elia albida
belli with fourteen flowers on the spike. Sir F.
Wigan sent Cypripediuminsigne(Wigan's variety),
a distinct form of the montanum section. Mr.
C. J. Lucas, Warnham Court, sent Lielia anceps
Behriederiana, a distinct form in the way of L. a.
Amesiana. Mr. M. S. Cook, Kingston Hill, sent
two good forms of Oncidium crispum. Mr. W.
Cobb, Dulcote, Tunbridge Wells, sent Cypripe-
dium J. Howes with four flowers and a form of
C. Leeanum. Mr. T. McMeekin sentCypripedium
insigne (B^ilkland Park variety) and C. Mrs. (J.
Botterill (C. Lathamianum x C. Savageanum
superbum). Mr. F. W. Moore, Clasnevin, sent
Cypripedium insigne, a good form and a yellow
variety of that species in the way of C. insigne
Ernesti, Vanda laraellata Boxalli, Maxillaria
])unetata, M. mirabilis and Oncidium saltabun-
dum, for which a liotanical certificate was awarded.

Floral Committee.
An award of merit was made in favour of

BEGONi.i Winter Cheer (winter -flowering
tuberous section), the name chosen for wliich
could not have been more appropriate. The plants
bore a profusion of flowers, each from 2^ inches to
3 inches across, these possessing great substance
and singularly persistent C|ualities as contrasted
with the majority of the summer flowering sec-
tion. The colour is a bright rosy carmine, the
flowers semi-double, the trusses large and almost
erect with the additional advantage of stout foot-
stalks. It is of similar habit to B. .Julius, to
which the same award was made at the last
meeting, and, like that hybrid, is the result of
crossing B. socotrana with a tuberous variety.
From Messrs. .J. Veitch and Sons, Royal E.xotic
Nursery, King's Road, Chelsea.

Mr. H. .T. .Jones, Ryecroft Nur.series, Lewisham,
staged an exhiljit of cut Chrysanthemums similar
to that shown by him at the last meeting, but on
a much smaller scale. The blooms were of ex-
cellent quality and in very fresh condition.
Some of the best varieties shown were Oceana,
(ieo. Seward, Colden Cate, Mme. Carnot, and
Khama. The arrangement was carried out with
great taste (siher Flora medal). Mr. .J. W.
Temple, Groonibridge (gardener, Mr. F. Cubbeily)
sent a large group of Chrysanthemums in pots,
all the plants being in excellent condition,

Considering the lateness of the season, the
blooms were of good size and colour and
very freely produced (silver Flora medal).
Messrs. Cannell and Sons, Swanley, Kent, staged
a large collection of cut zonal I'elargoniums ar-
ranged in bunches, with a background of Fein,
making a gorgeous bank of colour. The most
striking of the newer varieties were Lord Tenny-
son, with brilliant rose-piidc flowers of good size ;
Dryden, vivid salmon, shading to white, and
having smaller flowers ; Lord Reay, deep purple
and crimson, very rich ; Crabbe, soft but bright
salmon-] link ; Shelley, vivid crimson ; Comtesse
de Morella, a pretty scarlet and white ; Mrs. W.
Partridge, light and delicately shaded salmon-
|>ink ; Sir. W. E. Corden, bright scarlet ; and
buchess of Marlborough, rose-pink and white
(silver Banksian medal). Messrs. Hugh Low and
Co., Enfield, sent Cyclainens and their new Carna-
tion Winter Scarlet. The Cyclamens were good,
bushy plants, with large and handsome blooms
thrown well above the foliage. The dark crim-
son and white varieties were the best. Messrs.
Cutbush and Son were awarded a silver Banksian
medal for a collection of double Primulas, the
varieties shown being Princess, white, faintly
tinged with lilae, and Marchioness of Exeter,
rose-pink. The plants were somewhat straggling
and thin in growth, but the flowers were pretty
and freely produced (silver Banksian medal). A
group of Poinsettias, excellently grown and with
good full heads of bracts, was shown by Mr. A.
Pears, Spring Grove, Isleworth (gardener, Mr.
Farr). The foliage wiis particularly fresh and
clean. From the same exhibitor came a group of
\ery handsome plants of Begonia Gloire de
•Sceaux. The delicate pink blossoms, freely pro-
duced among the rich and glossy hiliage. had a
very pleasing eH'ect. For these two groups a
silver Banksian medal was awarded.

Fruit Committee.

Awards of merit were given to —

Pe.\r President B.ikabe. — This is a medium-
sized fruit, turbinate in shape, skin yellow, much
covered with ru.sset, .stalk short and thick, and
rie.?h melting. It is a delicious mid-winter Pear
and a %aluable addition at this season. From
Mr. Allan, gardener to Lord Sufiield, Gunton
Park Garden, Norwich.

Celery Sutton's Solid White. — This was
grown at the society's gardens, Chiswick, from
seed sent by Messrs. Sutton, Reading. It is a
beautiful medium-sized Celery, very solid, re-
markalily sweet, and free of pith. Messrs. Sutton
and Sons, Reading.

Messrs. Berwick, Sidmouth, Devon, staged
fifty-six dishes of Apjjles notable for their splen-
did colour, the dessert fruits being very fine and
splendidly coloured. The cooking varieties were
in a few instances past their best. Hormead's
Pearmain, Ribston, Cox's Orange, Tyler's Ker-
nel, Stone's, Alfriston. Lady Henniker, Cellini,
Bismarck, Golden Noble, and Newton Wonder
were the best (silver Knightian medal). Mr.
Day, Galloway House, Garliestown, N. B. , sent
some sixteen dishes of Apples. The Apples were
excellent for the locality. Of the kitchen kinds.
Lane's Prince Albert, Warner's King, Bramley's
Seedling, Mt'vc de Meruige, Peasgood's Nonsuch,
Golden Noble, and Blenheim were excellent,
while of the dessert kinds the best were King of
the Pippins, Mannington Pearmain, Fearn's
Pippin, and .James Grieve. Mr. Day also showed
a handsome dish of Onion Ailsa Craig from seed
sown on February ■Jl't of the present year (silver
Banksian medal). Mr. Mortimer, Swiss Nursery,
Farnham, staged twelve large boxes of Cor,(pieror
Tomato, excellent fruits for mid-December, well
meriting the silver Banksian medal awarded.
Sir Trevor Lawrence (gardener, Mr. Bain) sent
grand roots of Celeriac Smooth Prague, called
m France Geant de Prague. This is a very large,
smooth root of great excellence, and well worth
extended culture in this country. A small yellow-
to]iped variety was also shown named A Feuille
Panachee, useful for salads, as the tops can be
utilised and need no blanching. Couve Tron-

chuda, or Seakale Cabbage, was also sent. This
was very fine. Cardoons were.shownby MissBreton.
Celerv ".Tubilee Red, a cut-leaved variety, from
Mr. Outram, FuUiam, S.W'., is very distinct, and
Cucumber .\11 the ^lar Hound came from .Mr. <).
Thomas, Royal I Jardcns, Frogmore. Celery Vic-
toria Pink came from Mr. T. Cross, Bury St.
Edmunds. This the committee wished to be
tried at (;hiswick.

The Veiteh prizes for flavour brought out a
strong competition, no less than twenty dishes of
Apples and foiu'teen di.shes of Pears being shown.
Tlie first prize foi' Pears went to Mr. Allan,
Gunton Park, for President Barabe, the new
variety, given an award of merit, Mr. Wythes,
Syon House, Brentford, being second with Winter
Nelis, also of excellent ihnour. Few fruits arc
superior to this in December, but it laclts size.
The other varieties shown were .Josephine de
Malines, Nouvelle Fulvie, Beurre Buisson, and
Glou Morceau. For Apples, Mr. Herrin, Drop-
more, was first with nice fruits of Adams' I'ear-
main, and Mr. Ross, Wclford Park, Newbury,
second with Cockle Pippin, the other varieties
shown being Ribston, Cox's Orange, Blenheim
Orange, Claygate Pearmain, Fearn's, Lemon, and
King of the Pippins.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.

The floral committee of this society held theii-
last meeting of the present season on Monday
afternoon last at .'5 o'clock. On this occasion
there was not a single exhibit of Chrysanthe-
mums, tliis experience being almost unique, if
not absolutely so, in the history of the society.
A flower-pot, provisionally patented, was sub-
mitted for adjudication, having a narrow and
shallow channel formed in the rim of the pot.
The object of the channel was stated to prevent
earwigs getting to the plants, but it was
generally considered to be quite inadequate for
the purpose. During very hot weather the
channel of water would (juickly dry up, necessi-
tating constant refilling. The question of certifi-
cating varieties as suitable for market was raised,
and led to a somewhat animated discussion. A
motion was proposed and seconded that " no
\-ariety be awarded a first-class certificate or be
commended as a market \ariety." It was con-
tended tliat the rule regarding decorative sorts
shouhl also apply in this case, also that the fact
of a plant being certificated as a market variety
was rarely stated in the trade catalogues ; con-
sequently" growers throughout the country were
often misled in supposing such sorts to be those
suitable for exhibition. An amendment was ulti-
mately proposed and carried that "no certificates
be granted to a variety for market ]iuriioses un-
less a plant of such variety be submitted to show-
its habit of growth and its free-flowering quali-
ties." A resolution was moved altering the
number of blooms to be submitted at future
meetings to two, instead of three as formerly,
but this was, however, lost. It was also decided
not to meet on Mondays, November 'iS and De-
cember \-2, 189S, as previously notified in the horti-
cultural press, as it was thought there would bo
quite .sufficient meetings w^ithout these two.
Each of tlie foregoing resolutions has to be con-
firmed by the general committee, who meet on
Monday evening next.

A vote of thanks to Mr. Bevan for his conduct
in the chair during the past season was unani-
mously carried.

The weather in "West Herts.— A very warm
week for the time of year, the temperature in
shade rising on three consecutive days above 'tW,
and on one night never falling lower than 4:f.
At 2 feet deep the ground is at the present time
1° warmer, and at 1 foot tleep ',V warmer than the
Desemlier averages for these depths. Rain has
alreatly fallen this month to the depth of
2,| inches, which is nearly the a\erage measure-
ment for the whole of December, and greater than
the rainfall of the two previous months taken
together. The wind has been as a rule unusually

494

THE GARDEN.

[Deoember 18, 1897.

high, and during tlie niglit preceding the 11th the
mean velocity for the hour ending 6 a.m. reached
20 miles — direction, W. During the jiast week
the sun shone brightly for altogether about thir-
teen hours, which may be regarded as a good
record for the middle of December. — E. M., Berk-
hamnted.

Notes of the Week.

Nepenthes Amesiana. — A splendid example
of this is now in tim? condition in the collection at
Kew, where a well-grown plant is carrying some two
dozen of the bold, handsomely marked pitchers.

Meconopsis nepalensis. — The largest rosettes
of +hia species are even now very attractive, as they
nestle close to the surface of the soil. Where several
large plants are in a group in the roclc garden, the
leaves with the recent rain lingering on them like
drops of silver are very pretty.

Pelargonium Duchess of Marlborough.
— This is a capital variety for winter flowering where
such things can be grown with success, which, of
course, is not in all localities. The blossoms are large
and finely formed, white, with a suffusion of pink,
which deepens towards the centre.

Cyclamen persicum.— A well-grown batch of
the gigantfum strain of Cyclamens may now be seen
flowering in the greenhouse at Kew. The group is
made up of much variety of colour, from the purest
white to the richest crimson. The latter shade is
singularly effective, and beside the lighter shades dis-
tinctly striking.

Cissus discolor in bloom. — Flowering
examples of this well-known stove climber were
among the exhibits of interest at the Drill Hall this
week. The specimens came from the garden of Mr.
W. C. Walker, Percy Lodge, Winebmore Hill. The
blossoms are of a creamy yellow hue, and in this
instance situated on the young shoots near the ex-
tremity.

Tacca cristata.— Quite recently at Kew we
noted a plant of this curious species bearing about
eight scapes and many of its curious flowers. It is
doubtless a very interesting plant from a botanical
point of view, and attractive also in bloom owing to
the curiously formed flo^vers. These are of a reddish-
purple hue, and with their appendages more curious
than beautiful.

Injury to fruit trees. — Messrs. Saltmarsh, of
Chelmsford, send us some specimens of the shoots of
Apples, Plums, and Cherries which were injured by
the great storm of June -4 last. The Pear trees are
doing their best to get better, but in some cases the
injury was so severe that it led to canker. If the
trees bad been struck with heavy shot they could
hardly have been more injured.

Rhododendron Queen Victoria. For

winter-blooming this is a really beautiful kind, being
charming in its colour and free and continuous in its
flowering. It is also of a distinct apricot tone, and in
this way somewhat exceptional, while the well-formed
trusses are also compact and full. Like the white
Princess Alexandra, it is a fairly good grower, and
large bushes remain a long time in perfection.

Codiseum (Croton) Van Oosterzeei.— A
coloured plate of this plant was publislied in
I'lUiistrallon Iloiiiroli (Linden), vol. xxx., 1883.
It is said to have been dedicated to M. Van
Oosterzee, director of the zoological section at
Batavia Botanic (iarden. I suppose this is the
same plant as the one referred to in The (J.\rden
of December 11, page 467, but spelt C Van
ffirstedi. Where does this spelling come from
and which is the true one ? — J. S.'VLlier, jV< H(7/y-
Kur-Seinc.

Escallonia montevidensis.— This shrub gen-
erally flowers so late in the season that the large
panicles of white flowers are partly destroyed By
frost. The absence of frost, however, this
autumn has been in favour of this [dant,
and flowering at a season when but few other
shrubs are in bloom makes it doubly valuable.
Like most other Escallonias, it thrives well in this
moist, mild climate, and is easily propagated from
half -ripened wood in sandy soil in a cold frame. —
W. O., rota.

Azalea Deutsche Perle. — As an early white
■variety this has for years been valued for forcing,
and, seeing it is to be had in full bloom in Novem-

ber, it is extremely useful. For stich very early
forcing, however, the more established plants are
best, particularly those that were gently forced a
year ago, and were thus afforded an opportunity
of making early growth. Some fine naturally
grown bushes of this kind are now laden with the
large snow-white blossoms, and with Chrysanthe-
mums on the wane are most eS'ective in the con-
servatory, where greenery largely prevails.

Leelia anceps Amesiana. — This is a lovely
form of the dark section of this species, the sepals
deep rose, shading to white at the base, the petals
very broad and of fine substance, bright rose,
heavily sufl'used with a darker shade at the apex.
The front lobe of the lip is a rich velvety crimson,
with a blotch of bright yellow across the base,
the side lobes deep rose-purple, shading to yellow
at the base, where it becomes thickly veined with
bright brown-purple. It is a most distinct and
desirable variety. A fine form was recently ex-
hibited at the 'Drill Hall by Mr. F. AV. Moore,
Glasnevin Botanic (iardens.

Begonia Winter Cheer. — It is now quite
easy to foresee that before ma.ny years are past
our winter-flowering plants will be enriched by
a group of Begonias almost equal to those of
summer. Winter Cheer, wliich obtained the
award of merit on Tuesdaj- from the Royal Horti-
cultural Society, is the result of crossing B.
socotrana with a tuberous-rooted kind, the former
being the seed parent. In the hybrid the pollen
parent holds undoubted sway ; indeed, apart from
the fact of its flowering at this time of year, the
new-comer has nothing in common with B
socotrana, but leans rather to the tall-growing,
free-flowering tuberous Begonia of nearly two
decades ago. The present winter-flowering kind
is therefore not an ally of the tuberous Begonia of
to-day, but has the taller and more branching
character of the older kinds, yet considerably
larger in its blossoms and more freely flowered.

Carnation La Neige. — One of the best
winter - flowering Carnations is La Neige, a
shapely, sweet-scented, pure white variety with
a good constitution. Good plants of it raised
from cuttings only last March are now flowering
freely here in a cool conservator}'. From these I
have been cutting flowers for the past two months
and there are as yet no signs of exhaustion. The
flowers are hardly large enough to please those
who want their Carnations as big as Malmaisons,
but are about the size of an a\-erage border
variety. The habit is excellent, as the jjlants
branch freely without stopping, so there is no
need for the very early striking which is neces-
sary to produce flowers in early winter on many
of the Tree Carnations. Plenty of grass is made
and quite big cuttings strike very freely. This
fine Carnation came to me with a first-class repu-
tation from Mr. Crawford, late of Coddington
Hall, and it has in every way sustained the good
character it then received. — J. C. Tallack.

Sycamores injured. — I notice in walking
through a wood composed chiefly of Sycamores
that the bark of nearly all has lieen ringed round,
or almost round, to the width of about an inch.
In the case of old trees these bare bands appear
on the young branches, but in young trees of
from '20' feet to 30 feet high the trunk itself is
ringed round at intervals. As many as fifteen of
these rings can be counted on one tree. I can
think of nothing but squirrels which could reach
so high. Can any of your correspondents tell me
whether squirrels are known to be fond of the Syca-
more bark, and whether this is likely to be their
work ? I can see no mark on any other kind
of tree, and I should be sorry to destroy the squir-
rels unless quite sure of their guilt.— E. B.

SWETENHAM.

Grouping Chrysanthemums. — At a local
flower .sliow the schedule says, "(iroup of Clny-
santhemums, disbudded, to occupy 40 feet, ar-
ranged for effect in half-circle." What I desire
to know is, what are the points that the judges
give most credit for in awarding the prizes? Are
the points (1) size of blooms, (2) new varieties.

or (3) the general effect of the group as to har-
mony of colours ? Further, should the plants be
so arranged that the whole group slants down,
ward gradually from the back to the front of the
half-circle (the back being against the wall of the
room), or should they be arranged somewhat un-
evenly as to height? and further, should the
blooms be close together, or so arranged as not to
touch each other ? My reason for asking is, my
gardener arranged his rather close together and
gradually sloping from back to front, the general
effect being very good, but the first prize was
awarded to a group more loosely arranged and in
which the whole of the blooms were larger. —
ExnijiiTOR.

White Jerusalem Artichokes diseased.—
In reply to Mr. Wytbes, I may say I do not know
which variety of the above it is I grow, but the stock
was first purchased some years back under the
name of New White. The majority of the tubers
are more shapely than those of the old purple, but
as among the round ones are found many elongated
tubers on the same plant, I cannot consider that
the shape is a correct indication as to the variety.
Since penning my last note the disease has spread
wholesale to the tubers, many of which have
become absolutely rotten throughout and are
simply masses of pulp. I enclose a few of the
least aft'eoted tubers for your inspection, together
with some pieces of stem and tuber-bearing
thongs, which show the fungus plainlj'. In the
jiortions of stem I have wrapped some large black
nodules of the fungus itself in an advanced stage ;
these were found attached to the stems, both
inside and outside, and you will be able by their
aid to judge of the virulence of the attack. I
have now lifted and stored all the seemingly
sound tubers and lio|)e to save the stock, in which
case I shall plant on a difterent site next year. A
fact perhaps stranger than that of the attack
itself is that the old purple variety growing side
by side with the white one is absolutely unaffected.
As such a visitation of disease appears to be un-
common, it is to be hoped that no more will be
seen of it, but I am doubtful if we shall be able
to get rid of it at once, as thousands of spores
must have ripened and been scattered about the
ground. — J. C. Tall.ack.

*^* The Jerusalem Artichokes you sent are
attacked, as far as I can judge from the present
state of the fungus, by Sclerotinia sclerotioruni,
which is one of the forms of the fungus known as
Peziza sclerotiorum. The small black masses
that you found are the sclerotia. These will
hibernate, and in the spring will give rise to the
Peziza form, which will jiroduce spores which ger-
minate and develop into long threads which per-
meate the tissues of the plants thej' attack, giving
off a fluid that dissolves the cell walls of their
host. It is said to be one of the worst enemies of
cultivated plants. I should be very careful to
remove every trace of the infested crop and burn
it, and plant an entirely different crop next season
on the ground, but I would not plant Potatoes
there.- 1!. S. S.

Obituary.

JAMES CASEY.

It is with sincere regret that we have to inform
you of the sudden and unexpected death of Mr.
.lames Casey, which occurred on the 8th inst.,
from the result of a chill contracted the previous
week. The deceased, whose age was fifty-one,
had been with us about thirty-four years, and
latterly has represented us as a traveller in Eng-
land, Scotland, and Ireland, where he was
thoroughly well known and respected.

Hugh Low & Co.

Names of plants.— Spr?ii;; Hill.— I, yes; your
Chrysanthemum is V^iviand Morel from a terminal
bud ; 2, the Dendrobium often behaves as you say.
This may be taken off and started on its own account.

T. S. — Box smashed to pieces. Please send fresh

specimens. N. Bond, — Muhlenbeckia complexa.

F. B. — Eccremocarpus scaber.

THE GARDEN.

Xo. 13»i2— Vol. LIL]

[DECEMBER 25, 1897.

'Orchard and Fruit:—

Ai^pK- C.-nrt VvmUi ri;it .. 4;l(;

Ai'pli; Cu.\ -s Druii^'^u Pippin 497

Apjilc Miinnington Pcarmain 40(5

(.'herry, the, under glass .. 407

Fruit ti'ccs from Sioods . . , . 41>5

(irapc, a new wliite .. .. 49i3

t )i;mgos for Christnuis . , . . 49lj

Pi:ir Passe Crassanc .. .. 40(5

Pt-ar President Haratic . .. 496

Pi.ar Zephirin (iregoire .. 407

I'lmn C'no's GnMcii Di'op .. 407

X'.'itch pri/L-s fur tlav>iur .. 407

Chrysanthemums :—

Clirysanthcnuim King uf

the Phimes 408

I'lirysanthemuni Major

lionaffon 498

( Iirysanthemum Mme. Ed-

niond Roger 498

(.'hry san t heniu m Mme.

Koz-iin 498

I'hrvsauthemum Mrs. James

Carter 498

Chrysanthemvun Niveiim .. 498

< Iirysanthemum Tuxedo . . 408

Chrysanthemum W. H. Lin-
coln

Chrysanthemums, decora-
tive

Chrysanthemums, single, at
the Aquarivun

Floiarer ;—

Antholyza paniculate . .
Campanula pcrsicifolia
Clematis, hardy species of .
Clematis FlamrnvJa
Clematis Mont Blanc .,

CU'niatis orientalis

Clanatis rtcta .

Flower garden notes . .
Lily of the Valley fruiting .
Lobelias, herltaccous ..
Tigridias

Garden Flora:—

Hibisevis syriacus

Bibiscus syriacvs

503
400
490
508
501
510
50S
50-1
503
503

504
505

mreek's Work :—

Fruit garden, work in . . . . 500
Kitchen garden, work in the 505

{Rlustrations in Italict.)

Trees and Shrubs :—

Ciit<incasti_T rotuiidifolia ..
Krica muditcrranea hybrida
Trees and shrubs certiticated

in 18*17 .. ..

WoUingtoiiias seeding . .

Orcl]^ds :—

Harkeria Barkeriola .. .. 509

Cattleya dolosa 508

Cattleya Walkeriaua . . , . 500

Cymbidium giganteiim .. 509

Cymbidium Traeeyanum .. 508
Cypripedium insigne San-

derie at Cheltenham . . . . 508

Cypripedium Hedeni .. .. 500

Epidendrum Brassavola . . 509

Epidendruni Cooperianum . 500
La!Ua autumnalis a t r o-

rubens 509

Lnelia Perrini 509

Odontoglossum constrictum 509

t)dontoglossum pulchellum 509

Orchids, notes on 507

Pilumna fragrans 509

Sophronitis grandiflora . . 509

Stove and Greenhouse:—

llyrnen'ii.'anis (.-aribjra . .. 510

.Tiisticia rarnea 510

Plants that force well .. .. 510

Tactunia cxonicnsis . . . . 511

Kitchen :—

Artichoke, white Jerusalem 512

Artichokefj, Jerusalem . .. 512

Beans, French, forcing,. .. CU

Beetroot in winter 512

Broccoli, early 512

Cabbage Sutton's Earliest ., 512

Carrots, large .. .. 512

Cauiitlowcr Autumn Giant . 511

Celery, good 612

Endive, Lettuce-leaved .. 511

Onions, keeping 512

Potato ciyon House Prolific.. 512

Roots, wintering garden ,, 512

Salsafy Giant 511

Tnniato C'lnquerorin winter 511

Societies :—

National Chrysanthemum .. 513

National Dahlia .. .. .. 513

Royal Horticultural iSociety

and Victoria medal .. .. 513

Notes of the Week:—

Aralia Sicl.oldi in N. Wales 513

Begonia Gloirc de Sceaux ., 513

Bruwnca coccinca 513

Chrysanthemum Golden Dart 613
Cypripedium insigne at Syon

House 514

Hyacinths, Roman .. .. 514

Iris stylosa alba 514

Pelargonium Niagara .. .. 513

Plum bago rosea 513

Primula Princess 513

Rose, Banksian 513

Rosos, late 513

Public Gardens :—

Churchyard Bnttoui Wood 514

Ham Common 514

London, East, new open

space for 51 4

Vcntnor. a park for .. .. 514

nSiscellaneous :—

Weather, the, in West Herts 543

Magnolia YvUan fruiting .. 513

Roses, Moss, a query about 514

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

FRUIT TREES FROM SEEDS.

SuciOESTiONS have been from time to time made
in The Garden as to the advisabilty of raising
more fruit trees, especially stone fruits, from
seed. This might certainly, and with advan-
tage, be more practised in private gardens than
it i.s, as the results obt;iined are often very
good ; there is always a chance of obtaining
something which will add to the list of the very
best fruits, and added to this is the advantage
of having such trees on their own roots. Of
course this would interfere but little, if at all,
with the production of trees for commercial
purposes by the usual methods of grafting and
budding, as it is only liy these means that we
can perpetuate varieties of tried merit, and in
the case of Apples and Pears the stocks now
used, leave very little to be desired, but with
such stone fruits as Apricots and Peaches, the
results of budding on such stocks as are usually
selected, and which are not even closely allied
by Nature to the scions they carry, are far from
satisfactory. The trouble given by sucker
growths from these stocks is well known and
not easily dealt with, for, do what one will, the
huge bunches of Plum or other growths will
persist in coming to the surface in an effort to
establish a more direct communication between
root and branch. More especially is this the
case as the trees get older and less able to bear
the diversion of sap thus occasioned. This
suckering in the Mussel Plum makes it an ideal
nurseryman's stock, as it can be raised in large
quantities and quickly by suckers, which perpetu-
ate the fault even more than seedlings of the
same thing do. Many years ago. Knight in "The
Horticultural Society's Transactions" pointed
out the inadvisability of using this stock for the
Moor Park Apricot, and advised instead the
Apricot seedling stuck. This advice is just as
good to-day as it was when written, and might
be extended to include all Apricots, for though

the one mentioned is more delicate and more
given to branch-dying than most Apricots, the
injurious efl'ects of an unnatural stuck are
felt by them all. Speaking generally, it will
hardly be denied that Apricot culture is not
so satisfactory in this country at the pre-
sent lime as it once was, and though a
change of our climate is generally blamed
for this, it may well be that the use of bad, but
easily raised stocks has had its share in bring-
ing about the degeneration. As Peaches and
Apricots come into bearing more quickly from
the seed than do any other fruit trees, they
are peculiarly suitable for trial on their own
roots. I have raised and fruited Peaches in four
years from the stone, and this without any special
effort in the way of nursing them under glass.
At the age mentioned the trees are still young
enough to be used as stocks for others in the
event of the fruits not proving worthy of culti-
vation, but my experience goes to jjrove that
both seedling Peaches and Apricots which have
been raised from good varieties are generally
equal to the parent. I know at the present
time where there is a wall some 50 yards in
length covered entirely with seedling Apricots
which are growing where they were sown ; these
are all really good varieties, and one amongst
them l)ears the finest Apricots I have seen any-
where in the district. Some few years ago
two of these trees fell, as Apricots will, into bad
health, and had they been worked trees there
would have been nothing for it but to root
them out. Instead of this they were cut down
almost to the ground, since which they have
again filled their allotted space, and appear to
lie as healthy and vigorous as ever. A simiUir
case which occurred here this year was that of
a home-raised Peach tree seven years old. An
accident last winter deprived this tree of its
entire head and .'} feet of stem, but a new head
was formed from asingle bud. The newly-formed
.stem measures already :! inches in circumference
at the base, and the whole growth shows that
the Peach tree on its own roots is vigorous and
well suited for stocks even if it fails as a good

fruiting variety. The one in question is a seed-
ling from the old Raymackers, and is a worthy
descendant of that tine late variety, being a
healthy grower, free bearing, fruit (jf good size
and (piality, highly coloured, and, although
later than any other variety grown here on out-
.side walls, it is juicy and never w-oolly.

It has been suggested that in raising these
stone fruits the plants should be raised and
grown for the first year under glass. With this
I do not agree, as the seeds germinate better
when sown ;it the foot of outside walls and kept
uniformly damp ; and as there will be a percent-
age of weakly growers in every batch raised
under any conditions, it is well to find these
out and get rid of them at once instead of
nursing such weaklings through their early
stages, only to find out their delicate nature
after a year of such nursing. I ha\e always
found that the majority of such seedlings
became sutticiently ripened to withsfcmd any
wintry weather in their first year, and it is a
toleraljly well recognised fact that most plants
hardy enough to resist an ordinary winter at
any time are hardiest when young. It has
been stated that where Peach trees are grown
on their own roots, or where they have been
used as stocks, they are very suliject to the
"yellows," but this has not been my experience,
and well-grown trees are very seldom troubled
with that complaint in this country.

Seedling .\p]iles and Pears arc slower in fruit-
ing and much less cei-tain as to quality than
are the fruits I have already mentioned ; still,
there are but very few private gardens w here
room could not be fcjund for raising a few, and
the young trees make good stocks for others if

I they do not themselves prove worthy of per-

! petuation. Nurserymen wlm want to clear
their .stock ciuickly cannot afford to enter into

! this W(jrk, but that fact should not deter tho.se
who have the ojiportunity from trying to make
the world the richer for their labours in this
way. Mediocrity among fruits is jilentiful

* enough, but there is still plenty of room fi>r
more sterling varieties. •!. ('. Tai.i.ack.

496

THE GARDEN".

[December 25, 1897.

ORANGES FOR CHRISTMAS.
For the past few weeks the neighbourhood of the
Floral Hall, Covent Garden, has been beset with
the traffickers in the yellow fruit to an unprece-
dented degree. Time was when Pudding Lane
held the monopoly of the market in the luscious
imports from Spain and Portugal, and the mer-
chants whose warehouses lie thickly scattered
about the Monument, encroaching even upon the
foundation land arches of London Bridge, still
exercise a commanding influence u))on the trade ;
but with the expansion of the Duku of Bedford's
accommodation the opportunities have been
afforded for developing sales by auction in the
west central district also.

From these centres London is supijlied with
"green," as distinguished from "dry," fruit, and
many provincial cities also draw upon the vast
supplies which are unladen in the Thames. But,
in addition, there are steamers plying from
Valencia direct to Bristol, Hull, Liverpool, and
Manchester, via the Ship Canal. And so many
have been the cargoes received, that when the
time comes to complete the December returns it
will, it is expected, be found that 1H1I7 lias been a
" record " year in the Orange trade. An enormous
quantity of this fruit had, up to the end of Novem-
ber, been imported, the total, reckoned in bushels,
for the eleven months approaching very closely
seven millions, of the value of nearly £r,800,O06.
Taking corresponding perioils of the ])ast three
years, our Orange bill for 1897 exceeds by the
round sum of £.32."), 000 tlie amount paid last year,
and is, roughly, fl50,000above what we disbursed
for Oranges in 189.5. The supply of Lemons also
has very largely increased.

Of the lasting popularity of the Orange there
can be no manner of doubt. It is one of those
fruits «hich we cannot very well produce our-
selves, though in the last century it was commonly
grown in conservatories, and as long since as 400
years ago the Carews of Beddington, in Surrey,
cultivated Orange treesin their garden, sheltering
them in the winter, and there they remained until
destroyed by the great frost of 17,39 40. It is on
record that the first Oranges brought to this
country came from Spain as early as the year
1290. They were called the Poma d"(")renge, and
were of the bitter, or what dealers call the sour
variety, such as are to-day used for medicinal
preparations, the expression of essential oils and
almost exclusively for the making of marmalade.
To-day we are by no means dependent on Spain,
though in sweet Oranges Valencias and Denias
still lead the way. Denias especially have been
very popular with buyers, who are well aware that
their rich golden colour appeals to a large public.
The quality, too. has been remarkably good,
whereas some of the Valencias, tliough expected
to improve in later shipments, were rather below
the average, but, nevertlieless, arrived in good
condition. Both Denia and Valencia Oranges are
packed in cases containing from 200 to 1000, and
i J is a point of some interest that a section of the
wholesale trade is entering into a new departure
by the supply of unbroken packages of picked
fruit to the public direct, thus saving the inter-
mediary profit of the retailer. This new business
has originated at Covent Garden. The dealers
are not doing more, however, in breaking through
old-fashioned trade customs than what the large
suburban stores and grocers, who buy in Pudding
Lane at public auction, have done for some time.
These tradesmen place the middle-class public on
an equality with the working class, who are sup-
plied by costerraongers regularly frequenting the
Monument sale room, bidding at first hand for
the lots they fancy.

Some kinds of Oranges rarely find their way to
the street barrows, which, in the nineteenth cen-
tury, have replaced the Orange hawkers of Nell
Gwynne's day. .Taffas are sweet, but their colour
is paler than that of the Spanish fruit, which b}'
some people is regarded as a disadvantage. They
are not so pale, however, as the well-grown,
very sweet Teneriffe Orange, which may be seen
in shops, and they are not, perhaps, quite so
handsome as the curious Californian Navel

Orange, not yet in great quantity. The
shapely Jaffas, however, are in considerable
demand, and in certain circles they displace the
Valencias, Denias, and Murcias. They are in
cases holding from eighty to 160, slightly larger
than the Canary Islands packages. What is
known as the Seville Orange is a bitter one. It
has been cultivated witliout intermission in abun-
dant groves around the city, which gave to it
its name when the Moorish conrjuerors first
planted the Orange tree in Andalusia. "Sours"
also come to us from Malaga and from Palermo.
Mandarin Oranges, in boxes of twenty-five, fifty,
or seventy-two, from Valencia, are especially in
favour at this season, and the masses appear to
be very partial to the luscious pulp. Moreover,
not much time is lost in peeling a Mandarin
Orange, as the rind readily separates from the
flesh.

The money which is being paid for the extra
supplies of Oranges and Lemons probably would,
in a more favoui'alile season, have been spent in
Apples. So far as this year has gone, tliis country
has given for imported Apples about a quarter
of a million less than it did twelve months ago,
though the total does not compare unfavourably
with that of 1895. The loss is chiefly borne by
America, Canada and Nova Scotia. From them
we have the extremely popular Newtown Pippins,
which, in their first qualities, make better prices
than the Nova Scotian Ribstons and tlie ruddy-
checked King Pippin.s. Then we have the
Blenheim Orange, the Baldwin, Northern Spy,
and Ben Davis, with other varieties, but the
first three named are the favourites. France and
Holland contribute a small Apple sui)ply. Trade
is brisker, jjrices are advancing, and the market
is looking much brighter. It is too early to talk
about Tasmania, but California is an important
source. The late large consignments of Pears —
shipped upon improved methods -are bound to
have some influence on the French packers. Pears
are still in the shops, but they are not a Christ-
mas frui-. It is otherwise with (irapes. They
can always be had. We spend about half a mil-
lion annually in foreign Grapes, and they are
cheaper every year. At all events, the quanti-
ties increase in a greater ratio than the price.
Grapes are not a thing we leave entirely to the
foreigner, for the home and Scotch growers do
well with the best hothouse kinds, and Guernsey,
too, sends us Hamburghs, Muscats, Gros Colma'n,
and Alicante in neat little handled biiskets holding
from o lb. to 8 lb. The white Grape so popular
with the costermongers is the Almeria, which is
despatched in neat G.j lb. barrels from .Spain, but
the cheapest Grape of all just now is the Belgian.

Bananas belong to those fruits originally in-
troduced as luxuries, which have become almost
necessaries. They are being sent from the Ca-
naries green, and they ripen here, the colour-
ing making a difl'ercnce in value of from 2s. to 4s.
per bunch. Salesmen judge them by the num-
ber of rings- seven to ten to a bunch — which, in
corkscrew fashion, wind round the stem, carrying
from fifty to 120 fruits. Pine-apples are airivinij-
from St. Michael's, in the Azores, five to eleven
in a case, with the green tops carefully preserved,
for they enhance the value. A considerable ex-
port in these takes place to the Continent. Unless
Teneriffe egg or apple-shaped Tomatoes be classed
as a fruit, the Christmas list is exhausted, though,
of course, under the category of seasonable des-
sert are grouped Dates and all sorts of Nuts, the
best Chestnuts coming from Italy, closely ap-
proached, however, by the Spanisli, the cheapest
being the French. France is sending kiln-dried
Walnuts from Bordeaux, and Walnut kernels ;
Italy and Spain supply small Nuts and Peanuts ;
and when Cocoa-nuts reach us from the British
West Indies they are to be i-eckoned by hundreds
of thousands. — Daily Tdcgraph.

Pear Passe Crassane. — This is a peculiar
variety, and though a few growers get fruits with
first-rate quality a great many fail. Doubtless
where this variety succeeds it is one of the finest
late Pears known. I have seen splendid fruit in a

cool house, but with me, even on a south-west
wall, it does not make a good growth. I have
seen younger trees doing well. These were double
worked, and treated thus it is more reliable. The
fruits are medium-sized, green, covered with
russet, flesh melting. The best fruits 1 ever saw
of this variety were from old trees planted on a
low west wall, the stems being drawn into a cool
house. Passe Crassane is worth growing for
supplies early in the year where a warm corner
can be given the trees, or, what is better, a glass
case. — S. H.

Apple Mannington Pearmain. -This is one
of the best dessert Apples we have if ciuality is
considered, and it generally does well in most
soils. It is not large, and is in season from
Christmas to February. The fruits are medium
sized, conical, and of a greenish yellow colour,
skin streaked with russet. It may be kept well
into March if gathered late and given a cool
store. It makes a good Ijush or pyramid on the
Paradise stock, butthe latest fruits are obtained
from the standards. Tlie fruit at the late season
noted is really excellent from the trees grown on
the natural stock. At the great Apple Congress
it held its own, no less than forty dishes being
staged in 1883. I have since that date grown it
as a cordon, but it is not so prolific. I prefer it
as advised above. — G W.

Apple Court Pendu Plat.— This is a valu-
able winter Apple, and one that should find favour
for its late keeping, as it comes in when Cox's
Orange is past. This variety is easily recognised
by its flat appearance, open eye, greenish russet
skin streaked with red on the sunny side, and its
firm, sweet flesh. The trees fruit regularly if not
too hard pruned. It does well in pyramid or
bush form, and I have seen excellent ciops on
standard trees in the southern parts of the
country. This variety often escapes late spring
frosts, as it is one of 'the latest of all to flower,
and thus a crop is more regularly ensured. Few
varieties equal this for late supplies, as it may be
had good in the spring, but it must be left as long
as possible to prevent shrivelling. I have had
good fruits in May, but its season is from
February to April. — (i. W.

Pear President Barabe.— That a distinctly
new Pear should at ouee gain an award of merit
and the first prize in the Veitch competition for
flavour, and so late in the year as December 14,
is indeed a matter for satisfaction. This is, I
believe, the first novelty in both Apples and
Pears the flavour competitions have brought
forth. It is some reward, and it is hopod more
novelties may presently crop up. A Pear that is so
good in the middle of D. cumber, and would be,
doubtless, in ordinary seasons good into .January,
is a i'aluable acquisition, especially that when
put into competition for flavour with Winter
Nelis and Glou Morceau it should have taken first
jjlaoe. We are now fast getting through with
Pears of any merit. Josephine de Mahnes was
poor in quality, though pleasant in flesli. Winter
Nelis was at the recent meeting richly ilavoured.
Glou Morceau was melting and delit.'ious, yet
not, in the judges' estimation, giving the high
flavour of President Barabe or Winter Nelis.—
A. D.

A new white Grape.— I am perfectly con-
tent to lea\e to the juilgment of Grape growers
of a few years hence the question as to whether
the members of the Royal Horticultural Society
fruit committee who voted an award of merit
to the Marchioness of Downshire Grape were
wise in their decision. When it is remembered
that so many Grapes getting similar awards have
during the past twenty years or so been put
into commerce, and white Grapes especially, not
one of which can now be classed as other than very
second-rate, is it not fair to ask for greater cau-
tion in the matter henceforth when any \ ariety of
doubtful quality is presented to the committee as
new ? It does not seem too much to ask that any
new Grape should first pass the ordeal of a trial
at Chiswick ere it is put into commerce. The
raiser would not suffer by waiting another year or

December 25, 1897.]

THE GAKnEN.

497

two, but would rather r^ain were any seedling
xiiriety to come out of such a trial well. An
.•i\\ ard of merit to a Grape enhances its pecuniary
value immensely, but does not in the least
eiili.iMce its fruitip.y value, and the result is that
imirliascrs are in the end, as they have so often
liecii over certificated (irapes in the past, greatly
di^appointc<l. — A. ]).

The Veitch prizes for flavour.— It is
evident that somctliin;;- is wanting in the arrange-
ments which govern these competitions, for their
[iiactical value up to this time, cs|)ecially among
Apples, has been very little. We want no further
proof as to what arc the best two or throe varie-
ties, and the constant recurrence of these as prize-
winners keeps the others from attaining their true
place in any prospective tabulated list. ] have
Miggested before that a maximum numlier of
tunes any variety shon'd be ])laced tirst should
111- lixed, and as each variety attained this maxi-
mum it should be debarred from future com-
]ietition and placed on the list in its proper order.
This method would greatly enhance the value of
the tabulated rei>ort suggested by "A. ]).,"onl}',
to further the scheme, I would suggest the
removal of the clause that now prevents any one
gi'ower from winning more than once with the
-aiue variety, for the reason that one or two
ij lowers might possess a first-rate new variety
wliich has not been widely distributed, and which
uiiderexisting conditions could not possibl)- take its
proper place in the list. Such restrictions are right
enough in showing under ordinary conditions, but
in these competitions the one object should be to
get at the best fruits wherever and by whomso-
ever grown. I do not agree with "A. D.'s"sug-
_" <tion that any variety winning two years in
-ii(ce.ssion should be withdrawn ; it would be
much better to tix a number of times each
■-lio\dd win, for under "A. D.'s" conditions an
.\[iple with a very short season would be placed
nil an e<iuality with others which are available for
u~e over a long season, and which should be of
gii'ater value accordingly. — J. C. Talt.ack.

THE CHERRY UNDER GLASS,

( IIEIIRIES are not grown nearly so frequently un-
ili r glass as they might be, especially in gardens
where there is a large demand for fruit in
variety for the dessert. This is a pity, because
there is no difficulty in their culture, neither do
tlicy require a great deal uf. lieat. They are
111 it <jnly less difficult to grow, but they require
iiiiich less warmth than many other subjects
that tind a home in oiu' hothouses. A Cherry
liMUse is a most useful addition to the gla.ss-
liuuses in any garden, and as the.se can now be
e instructed at such a cheap rate, it is a wondei*
that tliey are not more often met with. In-
iluiirs the fruits are secure from insects and
birds — their natural enemies — and when fully
lipe the fruit will, under good management,
keep in excellent condition for some time. In
Slime places Cherries are forced so that ripe
fruit may be had in April and May. To do
tliis, two or three compartments or houses
must be set apart for them, that is, if a regular
Miccession is required. The tirst house would
tiien have to be .started about the middle of
-\iivember, the second in January, and the
tliird allowed to come on naturally in the month
• if March, merely excluding frost should such a
lueessity arise. If not required so early in the
siason, two houses would suffice, starting the
one in January and allowing the other to come
nil in a natural manner, as before stated. In
Si line eases the fruits are not required until the
usual time for them to ripen outdoors, and in
this case one house would be sufficient, and it
should be one of considerable size if there is a
large demand for Cherries. The trees in all
tliree instances may be planted out, but for
. early forcing they are undoubtedly best
grown in pots or tubs. They are then portable

.and can bo turned outdoors during the summer
months to ])erfect growth and to plump up
their buds, also to undergo the necessary period
of rest. When grown in pots or tubs and
liberally treated, the trees are available for
forcing for a good many years. When they
begin to exhibit .signs of exhaustion, it is an
easy matter to ])repare for such a contingency
by potting >ip a fresh lot of trees to take their
places.

Trees of suitable size can be purchased at a
cheap rate at any of the nurseries where fruit-tree
growing is made a speciality. After these liave
had one or two seasons in which to become esta-
blished, they arc then ready for forcing. Until
ri'(|uired for forcing they may stand outdoors
altogether, only the precaution should be taken
to either plunge the pots during the winter or
otherwise pack some non-conducting material
round and over tlie tops of the pots. This not
only protects the pots from injury, but it pre-
vents the balls of soil from becoming frozen into
a .solid mass. As early in the autuuui as possible
is the best time for potting, and if rei(uired
merely to form a reserve, two-year-old trees will
suffice. Trees four and five years old should
be purchased ready established in pots to make
a start with, as, no matter how well the
lifting and potting may be done, it would be
folly to attemjit to force recently potted trees.
They nuist at the least have one season in which
to get re-established after lifting, and those who
are thinking of building a hou.se for Cherries
should bear this in mind and make preparations
accordingly. For planting out, cordons budded
or grafted on the Mahaleb stock are the best.
These may be single, double or treble-stemmed,
just as may be preferred, and if the house is a
lean-to or a span, plant them at the front and
train them up under the roof. In the case of
a lean-to, a three-quarter or a hip-roofed span,
the back walls may also be utilised for growing
cordons against. In the meantime, or until
the trees grow up and cover the roof trellis, the
body of the house may be filled with pot trees,
thus making the utmost use of space which
would otherwise be wasted. A great number of
cordon trees could be accommodated in a house
from 30 feet to 40 feet long, and a selection of
varieties can be made so that it would contain
early, midseasonand late varieties if only one
house is to be devoted to their culture. If
three houses are set apart for Cherries, the ear-
liest varieties should be planted in the first, the
midseason in the second, and the latest in the
third or last house. Regarding

Compost

for Cherries, this must not be too rich, other-
wise the trees will make gross growth, which
necessitates a great deal of stopping and hard
pruning, with resultant gumming. Tlu' selec-
tiiin of compost will depend a great deal upon
circumstances, as in some localities the soil is
eminently suited to the growth of the Cherry,
and in others it is the reverse. A sandy rather
than a heavy loam is best suited to its require-
ments ; therefore loams inclining to be heavy
should be made porous by the addition of lime
rubble broken small, and very light sandy loams
should be corrected by adding sufficient dry
poiuided marl or clay to make them of the right
consistency. To loam which is naturally poor,
add bone-meal and half-inch bones, half a
htnulredweight of each to each ton of soil.
For pot trees place a handful or so fif h.alf-
inch bones over the crocks instead of mixing
them with the soil. Avoid farmyard manure,
as it only promotes rank growth, which brings
gumming in its train, and if manure is required
at all, use bones in the forms previously men-

tioned. Pay the same amount of attention
when constructing the borders as for Peaches
and Vines if the .subsoil is clayey and damp.
If the subsoil consists of gravel or sand, the
laying of a concrete floor would of course be
unneces.sary, but under any other conditions it
is far the wisest course to concrete, and avoid
future trouble. Good drainage must also be
provided, and the border itself must be made
linn by treading and beating the nuiterials as
the work of construction goes on. Planting is
best deferred, whenever possible, until tlie scjil
in the borders has had time to settle down, and
even then an allowance f<n' shrinkage should be
made by not planting the trees too deeply.
For jiot or tub culture make the soil as firm as
jiossible by ramming it with a blunt-ended pot-
ting stick. Borders need not be constructed
of tile full width at the outset, but may be m.-ule
from 3 feet to 4 feet in width, and added to
each or every other year as may be deemed
necessary, or according to the rate of progress
made by the trees.

Varieties.

Tlie following are the names of twenty varie-
ties of Cherries suitable for growing under
glass : Early Rivers, Early Red P>igarreau,
Bigarreau de Schreken, Belle d'Orleans, Era-
inress Eugenie, Knight's Black, Black Tar-
tarian, Black Eagle, Elton, Governor Wood,
M.iy Duke, Royal Duke, Reine Horteiise, Nou-
velle lioyale. Emperor Francis, Archduke,
Bigarreau Najjoleon, St. Margaret's, Bigarreau
de Iledelfingen, and Late Duke. A. W.

Apple Cox's Orange Pippin.— I have tried

this in all sorts of ways, and in no way is it so
satisfactory as in that of a dwarf bush or natur-
ally grown spreading tree. If I were starting a
new fruit garden I should have a large propor-
tion of the bush trees of this kind, tor it very
rarely fails to crop and the fruit always com-
mands a good price. The great thing^ is to give
it good liberal culture and thin the fruit rathtr
severely. I have formed good-sized trees by re-
grafting strong growing kinds with a large
number of grafts, and then letting them grow
with very little pruning. When once the trees
commence to fruit, they will make but little wood
growth afterwards. — J. G., Gosport.

Plum Coe's Golden Drop. — In many parts of
the country this Plum gives a good return when
others fail. This should be borne in mind by
intending planters. I do not say it is one of our
heaviest croppers, but it bears a fair crop in most
years, and this in connection with its quality,
size, and appearance should make it a favourite.
I noticed good crops of this variety in the north
on walls, and in the far north it well repays for a
south-west wall. Few varieties do better in a,
case or cool house than this, and for pots it is
excellent, as it makes a compact, fruitful growth
and bears splendid fruits. The fruits keep weeks
after being gathered, and if left hanging on
the trees in a cool house are like a sweetmeat. —
G. W. S.

Pear Zephirin Gregoire.— This is a small
fruit, and doubtless will not find favour with many
on that account. This year my fruits are larger
than usual and of excellent quality. It is worth
a place where high quality is studied, as the fruits
are delicious and not unlike a Pas.se Colmar in
appearance. The llesh is very juicy, rich, and
free of grittincss. -My best friiitsare produced on
bush and pyramid trees. It forms a natural
pyramid with little pruning and bears freely. I
tind it does liest on the Pear stock, though this
docs not apply in all soils, as in the south I have
noticed excellent results on the Quince. Being a
compact grower it does not i-un to wood on the
natural stock, like some varieties. Its season is
Christmas, a period we have none too many gootl
Pears.— S.H.

498

THE GABDEK.

[December 25, 1897.

Chrysanthemums.

DECORATIVE CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

In the production of large exliibition blooms
the equally useful and certainly indispensable
decorative section seems somewliat neglected.
It is tlie early and late varieties in this section
that meet with the largest consideration. Those
sorts tliat might be termed midseason invoke
no enthusiasm when associated with the giant
fl 5wers. This, however, is not altogether as it
hould be, but it is true in many cases.

The value of the early Chrysanthemums this
year was greatly lessened by the mildness of
the autumn, keeping up such a wealth of out-
door flowers and this continued all too late for
the welfare of a great many growers. The
sane conditions have told unfavourably on the
lite section, especially those intended for
Christmas and the early months of the new
year. Niveum, one of the most popular late
kinds, in many cases is over some time before
t'lat date, and the same might be said of Lady
Lawrence and Golden Gem, other favourites for
the same period. I know of nothing more use-
ful than a good batch of well-bloomed plants of
Niveum at Christmas, and it is undoubtedly a
variety that has come to stay. Mrs. H. Weeks
is another beautiful white kind well adapted for
growing in bush form, though its habit is some-
what tall. This would vary no doubt in some
s lasons and under difl'erent treatment. Grown
under the adverse conditions counnon to private
gardens, a great contrast is observable in the
plants compared to those flowered in the
light and airy structures of the market
"men. L. CJanning, once so highly valued
for late cutting and furnishing, has lost favour
from its inditterent growth and consequent
poor flowering characters. I have over-
come these objections by retaining the plants
and growing them a second year instead of
striking so many cuttings and throwing the
year-old plants away. Under this treatment I
have a good batch of well-flowered, healthy
plants that will give plenty of material for the
house at Christmas and during January. A
portion of the stock must needs be raised from
cuttings, so as to have these older stools for
potting on, and for convenience the young
plants are grown in 8-inch pots, which allow of
their being reduced after flowering, jjlaced in
6-inch, and finally transferred into 10-inch pots
to flower again. This last size is large enough
for L. Canning under any conditions, and the
treatment to which the plants are subjected
a-iswers my purpose. Those of your readers
who have failed with it as yearling plants may
do well to give this plan a trial, if only in a
small way. The red sport just announced will
be an acquisition if it retains the same charac-
ters as its parent, and the colour is a decided one ;
but is not a red a rather unusual lireak from a
white flower even in Clirysanthemuuis > Tliis is
the first sport I have heard of from L. Cainiing,
and its counterpart in a good yellow shade would
be invaluable. Golden Gate is a fine decorative
sort, though, like others in the late section,
t'lis has come early this year. This is no doubt
attributable to the mildness of the autumn and
t'le many warm, sunny days of November.
li. G. Hill, too, usually a January sort, is in
full flower almost a month too S(jon, which is
also true of Leon Frache, Boule d'Or, Mme.
Felix Perrin, Boule de Neige, and New Year's
Gift, the last a very nice white, having stiff'
stalks that carry the flowers erect, Mine. Felix
Perrin is a very pi-etty pink \ariety, recom-
mended as a superior rival to Leon Frache, and
so it has proved, though the latter has cer-

tainly been a victim to the mildness of the
autumn and is not so deep in colour as in
former years. Phcebus has been very nice, and
Cecil Wray bloomed most abundantly, but will
be discarded because of the failure to carry its
flowers erect. Drooping blossoms convey the
impression that they are stale when this is far
from being the case. W. H. Lincoln still
claims a good position, and Golden Star, a
bright yellow single, is very pretty and a good
keeper. Amos Perry, E. Dobree, and M. C.
Molin ha\e not jjroved so useful as in the past
and will be discarded.

In the early section Lady Selborne still
maintains its high po.sition, but the yellow
form has certainly lost fa\'our on account of its
weak constitution. The De-sgrange sports, too,
have some dangerously close rivals, yet it ^^'ill
be a long time before they will be generally
discarded. Lady Fitzwygram, unless disbudded
freely, is very poor, and the same may be .said
of yueen of the Earlies. With me the former
did much better planted outdoors, and I have
decided to discontinue pot culture. Ryecroft
Glory is a gem for pots or as a cut flower, so
bright, free, and dwarf. Source d'Or and its
yeUow form are without rivals in their respec-
tive colours, but Wm. Holmes I do not care for,
its colour compared with that of Source d'Or,
and which flowers at about the .same time, being
very dull. Among incurved varieties Globe
d'Or is very eflective, and I have also seen
Major Bonaffon producing very fine sprays of
golden flowers. Mile. Marechaux is a good late
white, though not often seen, and to see this at
its best it .should be treated tlie same as ad-
vised for L. Canning. There are many others
of the Japanese section suitable for growing in
bush form, and no doubt among the newer ones
distributed so freely every season others will
be found to supersede many that are popular at
the present time. White, yellow, and red varie-
ties .seem to be the favourites, though other
shades find favour to some extent, not so much
I)erhaps for market as for private demands.
Possibly other correspondents may be able to
name some of the newer kinds that are well
adapted to bush treatment, producing freely
flowers of a popular shade of cohiur, and at the
same time carrying the blooms on stiff' though
not necessarily stout footstalks. W S

Wilts.

Chrysanthemum Mme. Hozain. — The

flowers of this sort incur\e, the florets being
very thick and lasting. As a late-flowering
variety it is about the best of its colour, a nice
shade of pink. Curiously in one place it is met
with growing as freely as any kind, and another
cultivator may find some difficulty with it. Pro-
bal^ly over-feeding has mucli to do with failures.
The variety forms a capital bush plant and has
fine foliage. — H.

Chrysanthemum Tuxedo.— This variety has
been cultivated a considerable number of vears
yet it is not at all common. As a late-flowering
bronze kind it is of exceptional merit. The habit
is somewhat tall, but the jjlant may be headed
back freely in the early part of the 'season. Its
blooms are produced on long footstalks, and they
last of good colour right through the dull portion
of winter. Few varieties eriual it in this resjject,
and it is a sort that should find general favour!
— H. S.

Chrysanthemum Niveum — This pure white
variety is excellent for conservatory decoration
when in the condition lately noted at Bramley
Park, Guildford. One stout stick is placed in
each pot, and the main stems are looped loosely
to it. The plants having been topped when
young ha\e several branches, and these are
allowed to produce flowers without any further
disbudding. The result is a wealth of blooms in

varying sizes borne on the side shoots as well as
the points of the stouter stems. The specimens
in question being of large size, a particularly fine
effect is obtained. Niveum being an exceptionally
good late kind, the flowers will last fresh up to
Christmas. — H. S.

Chrysanthemum Mme. Edmond Koger.—

A few years ago Florence Uavis attracted a good
deal of attention owing to the peculiar sea-green
tint that suffused the otherwise white blossom.
Owing to differences in cultivation, some flowers
had this distinct shade much more jironounced
than others, but when at its best this variety
was — at least, in the opinion of some — regarded
as one of the most desirable of Chrysanthemums.
After that there was a good deal of fuss concern-
ing a green Chrysanthemum, which proved, how-
ever, to be but a poor thing. In the variety
Mme. Edmond Roger we have what promises to
be a very beautiful kind, whose peculiar greenish
tint eclipses even that of Florence iJavis. It is at
present not much grown, but another season it
should be far more plentifuh The raising of new
Chrysanthemums is, however, so much over-done
that they cannot all be fairly tested, and many
are doubtless passed over that would on further
acquaintance become very popular. — T.

Single Chrysanthemums at the Aquarium.

— In your report of the recent Chrysanthemum
show at this place some fine singles are men-
tioned as being too formally set up. That was
my own opinion, for the flowers were as flatly
and unevenly shown as could be. Seeing that
these singles are so appreciated for their light-
ness, grace, and elegance, it may be worth while
suggesting that judges be empowered to base
awards in the single classes partly on style of
setting up. If still shown in tubes in threes, the
flowers should be more elevated, and the back
bloom in each bunch be placed rather above the
other two. Some day, perhaps, we may see a
class for six blooms of a variety shown in vases.
The more such informally arranged classes are
introduced into shows the better are they liked
by visitors, many of whom are less attracted by
the huge blooms on the show-boards, and are far
more entranced with any decoratixe effects in
which the Chrysanthemum plaj's the major part.
These bunch classes, however, are \ery charm-
ing, and it is a pity they are not more seen at
smaller shows. Too much space is still devoted
to the Chrysanthemum as a purely show flower,
and much too little to its beauty for decoration.
—A. D.

SHORT NOTES.^CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. James Carter,

sometimes called Thistle, is a pretty variety when eeen
as a huge bush plant. The colour is very light yellow.
It has small individual blooms, these being composed
of light hair-like florets. lu a mass they are striking,
and the sprays are most delicate in a cut state. — S.

Chrysanthemum Major Bonafifon. — Thia
it a first-rate late sort, the colour a soft, bright shade
of yellow. The florets, which are of good substance,
incurve with just enough regularity to be informal
and light. The growth of the plant is sturdy. In
America it is highly esteemed as a market variety, and
were its qualities better known it would be equally
valued in this country.— S.

Chrysanthemum King of the Plumes.—
Tliis variety deserves extended culture. As its name
implies, it heirs flowers of a light feathery character.
These are rich yellow. The growth is free and
naturally branching. It should not be disbudded, then
each branch sends up a qumtity of medium-sized blos-
soms that last well into tha winter. In fact, it is re-
garded as a late-flowering kind and one valuable for
uttiog. — H.

Chrysanthemum W. H. Lincoln.— For a
late supfly of yellow blooms T doubt if there is any
sort to equal this old one. Mr. Paddon, the gardener
at Biamley Park, grows it splendidly. About two
dozen specimens, each from i feet to 3 feet through,
form a tine mass of colour. The stems of this kind are
so stiff that little training is needed, and the flower-
stems are equally firm, holding the blooms well up
from the foliage. — H.

December 25, 1897.]

THl: GARDEN".

4'J9

Flower Garden.

THE HARDY SPKCIES OF CLEMATIS.

\\'hkn BfiitlKiiii anil Hiioker juiblislieil tlie first
Miluiuo of the " (xcnem Pl.-mtaruiu," in 18(!2,
they estiiujiteil the number of species of Cle-
iiiutis at 101). Since that time the genus has
1 K'en aihled to Ijy discoveries of new species in
several parts of the work], and there are now
pripbably about 150 .species known. Of these,

garden value it is the hardy .S])ecies almost
exclusively that ]iosscss any imjiortance ; there
is, in fact, oidy one greenhouse Clematis - the
New Zealand C. indivisa — that is held in any
great esteem by gardeners. But among hardy
climbers there is no group of jdants that equals
the Clematises in variety and number, or even
in beauty if we exclude the climbing Roses.
Such jiopularity as the genus now enjoys may
be .said to date from the introduction of C.
lanuginosa from China by Robert Fortune in

The siceet-scented Virgin's Bower (C. Flammula). From a photograph ly ilias WiUmott. {See p. 5(10.)

by far the larger number come fi-om the cool
and warm tempcrite regions, a few only being
fnund in the torrid zone. Not many genera of
jilants are more widely spread over the globe ;
Xiirthern Asia po.s.sesses the largest number of
sjiecies, and following that region in impcjrtance
ciinies North America, but the Clematises are
also plentifully represented in South America,
Eurcipe, and the Australasian region. Less
niLiuerously they occur in North and South
Africa, Java, &c. From the standpoint of

1851, and the intercrossing of it a few years
later with other species, which resulted in the
advent of C. Jacl<mani and the numerous
progeny it represents. Among the hybridisers
and cultivators of Clematises, the names of
Jackman, Cripps, Noble, Anderson- Henry,
Simon-Louis, and, latterly. Smith, of Worcester,
hold the foremost places. In the present paper,
however, I propose to deal more especially with
the original wild types of Clematis, which have
in late years been somewhat neglected. The

observations that have recently been made in
these ccjlumns res]iecting the wild Roses (TnK
Gaudk.n. Novendier l.'i, IK'.tT, )i .'iK4) apjily
with eijual force to this genus. \\'hilsl none of
the species of Clematis can vie with the best
varieties of the garden race in mere sh<jwiness,
they possess a charm and sweetness of their
own as well as an exceptional interest to all
lovers of hardy jJants. There is, happily, in
the.se days a reviving interest in the original
types of garden races of jilants which in the
striving after size and showiness of flijwer wei'e
in danger of being forgotten.

The species of Clematis vary in habit from
herl)aceous plants little more than 1 ioot high
t(.) woody climbers with stems 50 feet or more
in lengtli. The leaves are always in pairs at
each joint, and although occasionally, simple,
are more frequently compound, consisting of
three, five, seven, nine or more leaflets. Most
of the climbing .species support them.selves by
means of the leaf -stalks, which curl round twigs
or other slender objects near. The leading
features of the Clematis flower are too
well known f<ir it to be necessary to dwell
upon them long. It possesses no true petals,
but in their place a coloured calyx consist-
ing of usually four, but sometimes as many
as eight sepals. The species belonging to the
Atragene section (once kept generic-ally distinct)
differ from the true Clematis in having between
the .sepals and the central tuft of stamens one
or more rows of petal-like organs which may
either be considered petals or abortive stamens.
In the more showy species the flower is flat or
nearly so and the sepals sjireading, but in
numerous species it is bell-shajjed or pitcher-
like, the sejials contracting towards the top
into a neck, but with the points spreading and
more or less recurved. The seed-vessels, wliich
are numerous and one-seeded , are each terminated
Ijy a long and often feathery tail, whicli gi\-es
to the heads of fruit that characteristic apjjear-
ance of which so familiar an example is furnished
by our British C. Vifcilba in autunni.

The Clematises like an open loamy soil,
which should always be fairly rich, and in the
case of the largest-flowered kinds even very rich
in vegetable lunnus and fertili.sing material. All
of them appear to succeed best in a chalky soil,
and in gardens naturally devoid of chalk or lime
it is advisable to su]jply it. A thorough annual
mulching with rotted manure given abcjut No-
vember is of great benefit, especially where the
soil does not naturally retain its fertility long.
Such pruning as may beneces.sary for these wild
types (and it is chiefly a question of the space to
be covered) should be done in February. The
stronger growers stand pruning well, and if they
grow up their sup]3orts too high and form a
thick heavy tangle at the top, they may .safely
be cut hard back. The weaker ones rarely need
pruning at all. The Clematises may be used to
cover walls, rootwork, mounds, arbours, ])er-
golas, itc, and in the open, where no other
support is available, rough Oak branches may
be used for them, either singly or several set
together to form a pyramid.

The folhiwing is a list of the species and more
noteworth}^ hybrids dealt with in the [iresent
paper. I have roughly cla.ssified them, but the
grouping must not be taken as necessarily
indicating a natui'al relationship between the
species brought together. Such often does
exist, but I have arranged them more with a
view to the characters obvious to the cultivator
than to tho.se upon which the scientific classifi-
cation of the genus is founded. The nomen-
clature followed is that of the Kew " Hand-list
of Hardy Trees and Shruljs," .and for the com-
plete synonymy that work should b« consulted.

\

500

THE GARDEN.

IDecember 25, 1897.

Douglasi.
Heraclea'folia (tubu
losa).
„ var. DaAidiana.
Recta (erecta).

Herhai'Eois.

Fremonti.

Integrifolia.
Ochroleuca.

Stans.

WooDV Deciduous Climbeks.

(I. — With panicles of numerous white or yellowish
flowers. )
Apiifolia. Brevicaudata.

Connata. Flammula.

Ligusticifolia. Paniculata.

Virginiana. Vitalba.

(II. — With solitary, closed or pitcher-shaped
flowers. )
^lithusifolia. Campaniflora.

Cocciiiea. Crispa.

Fusca. Pitcheri.

Viorna. „ var. lasiostylis.

(III. — With large and, except in montana, soli-
tary flowers, the sepals fully or partially
expanded.)

Al])ina. Aromatica.

Florida. Hendersoni.

Jackmani. Lanuginosa.

Montana. Orientalis.

Patens. Rohertsiana.

Verticillaris. Viticella.

Evergreen Climbers.
Cal3cina. Cirrhosa.

C. .F.TiiusiFnEiA. — This is a Chinese species, and
lias been found by several collectors in the neigh-
bourhood of Pekin ; from there, however, it ex-
tends eastwards to the Amur River, in Man-
churia. It is a graceful climber, with slender
grooved stems and branches. The leaves are bi-
or tri-pinnately divided, the ultimate segments
(in the type) Ijeing very narrow and irregularly-
toothed. The flowers have no briglit colour to
recommend them, but they are abunflantlj' pro-
duced and extremely graceful. They are borne
singly on stitt', erect peduncles, but are them-
selves pendulous. Each one is from half an inch
to three-quarters of an inch long, somewhat bell-
shaped or even tubular, the sepals being yellowish
white, and having their tips recurved shortlj'.
Like most of the Clematises, this species varies a
good deal in shape of leaf, and one form has been
considered distinct enough to receive the varietal
name of latisecta (Botanii-al Mar/azine, t. 6542).
In this variety (which was found by Dr. Busliell
near Pekin, and by other collectors near the
Amur and Ussuri Rivers) the ultimate divisions
of the leaf, instead of being narrow and linear, are
as broad as they are long, about 1 inch in length,
and unevenly toothed and lobed.

C. ALPINA. — A very pretty species belonging to
the Atragene section, and flowering in spring.
It extends over a wide area, reaching from the
mountains of Central and Southern Europe to
Siberia, and eastwards as far as North China.
The stems are very slender, with jirominent
joints, which become more and more swollen with
age, w-hence are produced both flowers and lea\ es
from the same bud. The flowers are nodding,
the four large sepals being blue with a whitish
margin, or sometimes almost entirely white (var.
alba). The Atragene section diSers from the
ordinary Clematis in the flowers ha\ing petal-like
organs. In this species they number about a
dozen and are small and dull white. The flower
is 2 inches to 2^ inches across. This species has
been figured under the names of Atragene aus-
triaca and A. sibirica, but both names are now
sunk under C. alpina, the Siberian form being the
one with white flowers and called var. alba.

C. ai'IIKOIjIa. — A vigorous climbing species
with ternate leaves, growing perhaps 10 feet
high, the panicles of flowers produced in
August and September. The flowers are each
about three-quarters of an inch across and
dull white. A native of Japan and China.
Closely allied to C. apiifolia is C. brevi-

caudata, the only difference between them, in-
deed, that I have been able to fix on being the
pinnate or biternate leaves of C. brevicaudata.
Both were originally described by De Candolle,
and both are included in Forbes' and Hemsley's
"Index Flone Sinensis," so presumably they are
distinct. They belong to the group which com-
prises C. Vitalba, C. virginiana, &c.

C. aromatica. — There appears to be some doubt
as to whether this is a garden bj'brid or a wild
plant : if the latter, its native country is n()t
known. It is certainly closely allied to C. Viti-
cella, and if it be a hybrid, that sjjecies must be
one of the parents. In nurseries and gardens it
is often grown as C. ecerulea odorata. It is a
slender plant, growing G feet or 7 feet high, the
leaves consisting of three to seven ovate, un-
toothed leaflets. The flowers are solitary and
terminal and from l.J inches to 2 inches in
diameter, the narrow reflexed sepals of a rich
purplish blue. The great charm of this plant
is in the sweet, delicate, and slightly aromatic
odour of its flowers, which are very freely borne
during late summer and early autumn.

C. campaniflora. — Although this has rather
small flowers it is very distinct. The flowers are
bell-shaped, each about 1 inch in diameter, with
tlie pointed tips of the sepals recurved. The
colour is a jiale violet or almost white. This
charming species is a native of Spain and Portu-
gal, and will climb 10 feet to 15 feet high. The
flowers are very freely borne, and against the
deep green, often finely-divided foliage they are
very eft'ective.

C. calycina (C. balearica of Richard). — Al-
though this species can be grown outside in the
southern and milder parts of Britain, it is far
from being as hardy as the majority of the Cle-
matises here dealt with are. It is a native of
Minorca and Corsica, but was introduced to this
country from Paris by Thouin, who sent it to
T.- ,_ J-JJ3 j(; jg evergreen, and has dark

Kew

brown, angled stems. During the winter the
foliage acquires a fine bronzy hue. The flower is
Ij inches across and of a yellowish white, stained
mside with oblong, irregular, reddish - purple
spots. It flowers as early as December, and con-
tinues more or less in bloom up to March. In the
London district it ought to have the shelter of a
wall to get it to flower well, although at Kew it
has been grown in the open without any particu-
lar shelter for many years. It is not a common
plant, but is well worthy of the notice of gar-
deners, especially in the south-western counties
and similarly mild districts. It was cultivated
sixty years ago at Abbotsbury, in Dorsetshire,
and ma\' possibly be still grown in that garden,
where so many tender shrubs thrive in an extra-
ordinary manner. From its near ally — C. cir-
rhosa— it diflers in its narrower and more divided
foliage.

C. cirrhosa (C. balearica of Persoon). — Nearly
allied to C. calycina, this species has been much
confused with it, owing to both of them having
been called balearica. C. cirrhosa, however, if it
comes from the Balearic Islands at all, is not con-
fined to them, but is a native also of various
parts of Spain, and, crossing the Mediterranean,
is found also in the neighbourhood of Algiers and
on the mountains of the Atlas range. The first
recorded discovery of the species was in Andalusia
by Clusius. Philip Miller cultivated it in the
Apothecaries' Garden at Chelsea, and observes
that it endured the winters there for forty years,
but it is more tender than most of the Clematises
here mentioned, and should have the protection
of a wall. It is evergreen. The flowers are dull
white or cream coloured, downy out-side, smooth
within, and about I.7 inches in diameter. In
South Europe it is said to climb over big trees,
but it grows only some 8 feet or 10 feet high in
these colder latitudes.

C. cocciNEA (C. texensis). — This is nearly allied to
C. Viorna, and was at one time regarded as no more
thanavariety of thatspecies. From it, however, C.
coccinea is easily distinguished by its red (usually
scarlet) flowers and glaucous foliage. As a garden
plant it is also superior. Its stems grow some

6 feet to 10 feet high, and as a rule in this country
die back to the ground in winter. It is a native
of Texas, and, as may be judged from its habitat,
is not so hardy as C. Viorna. The flowers are
borne singly on a peduncle 5 inches or (3 inches
long, and the colour varies from rosy carmine to
scarlet ; they are swollen at the base, but narrow
towards the top, where, however, the tips of the
four sepals are recurved. These sepals are very
thick and somewhat leathery and about 1 j inches
long. The species was discovered by Mr. Buckley
in Texas in 18u9, and was introduced to England
some nine years later, but it appears to have been
noticed by Dr. Lindheimer in the same State in
18.50. A larger-flowered variety is known as var.
major. Quite recently this species has come into
notice as the parent of a pretty race of hybrid
Clematises sent out by Mr. G. Jackman, of Wok-
ing, which have been shown at the Drill Hall
meetings. Herr Max Leichtlin some years ago
raised a hybrid between it and C. lanuginosa, and
M. Morel also has crossed it with C. Pitcheri.

C. coN.NATA. — This species, at present very un-
common, is a native of Northern India, being
found on the Himalayas between Hazara and
Sikkim at 4000 feet to 10,000 feet altitude. It is
a climber with stout woody stems ; the leaflets (of
which there are three or five on each leaf) are
3 inches to 5 inches long, coarsely toothed, or
sometimes more or less three-lobed. The flowers
are bell-shaped and appear during autumn. The
sepals are of a clear light yellow, and have the
pointed tips recurved. Each flower is about one
inch long, and is followed by silvery-grey plumose
fruits.

C. CRISPA. — Many of the Clematises show a
great tendency to vary, but none perhaps more
than this ; the consequence is that the nomencla-
ture connected with the species has been very
perplexing. In Loudon's time the names crispa,
cordata, and cylindrica were all considered to
represent different species, and Lindley in his
Botanical Biijixtcr de\oted three or four pages to
an attempt (and not, a very successful one) to
establish the identity of each, In these latter
days the ditficulty has been overcome by the
simple and eft'ective process of lumping the whole
of them under the name crispa, and an3'one who
studies the figures will admit it is the only
rational one. C. crispa consequently applies 'to
a number of plants alike in all essential char-
acters, but differing in the shape of the leaves
and in the size and colour of the flower. The leaf
consists of three, five, or more leaflets, which vary
in outline, and are sometimes undivided, some-
times three or five-lobed. The calyx is cylindrical
or bell-shaped, and from 1 inch to 2 inches long,
the upper part of each sepal spreading. The
colour is jjurple margined with white, or in some
forms pale lilac. Tlie flowers are fragrant and
app ar in June, continuing up to autumn. Some
of the forms are bright in colour and pretty, but
others are amongst the least effective of the
shrubby Clematises, the thick, heavy sepals being
of a dull purple. A native of the eastern L^nited
States.

C. DouoLASi. — A species hailing from the west
of the Rocky Mountains, and discovered by David
Douglas, after whom it is named. It is at present
scarcely known in English gardens. In general
habit it agrees with C. integrifolia, Fremonti, &c. ,
but instead of having simple, has deeply divided
lea\ es. The flower is solitary on a short terminal
stalk and is bell-shaped, 1 inch long, the sepals
being recurved at the tips and of an intense purple
inside, paler without.

C. Flammula.— Although not a native of
Britain, this species has been in cultivation here
for over .SOO years, and is mentioned in tierard's
"Herbal." It is found wild in Central and
Southern Europe. A vigorous grower, it is still
not so robust and rampant as C. Vitalba. Its leaves
are of a rich dark green and remain fresh till well
into the winter. The flowers are small (half-inch to
three-quarters of an inch across) and ai)ppar in late
summer and autumn on numerous axillary and
terminal panicles. They are of a clearer creamy- \
white than those of C. Vitalba, and have a more

December 25, 18U7.]

THE GAilDEK

501

decided and Ha«tliorn-like fn\<;iance. Tlic fruit
is white and foathery. This is a very vai'iahlc
species, especially in the size and shape of tlie
leallets and in tlu> tlowcr panicles, some of which
are larj^'c and with nunieroiis blossoms, wiiilst in
other tornis the panicles are comparatively few-
tlowereil and scarcely branched at all.

v. Ki.oKinA. — Like ('. lanuginosa, C. patens and
C Viticella, this species is the type of a garden
race of Clematis, only much less numerous and
important than any of the otliers. ■ It is a slender

C. Fkkmo.nti. — In the Western United States
of North America this species may be said to
rc|)rcscnt the C. ochroleuca of the Eastern States,
but whilst the latter has been cultivated here
since 17()7, C. Fremonti is a comparatively recent
introduction. Its herbaceous stems are from
I foot to 2 feet liigh, rarely branched, and carry
numerous undividetl leathery leaves, 3 inches or
4 inches long, without stalks ; the margins are
entire or nearly so. The flowers are terminal and
drooping, the thick, purple, lanceolate sepals

-^'-

The yellow Virgin's linvrr (ij. nru-ntaiisj. l-'rimi a photograph sent !)y
Miss Maurice Perkins, Schenectady, New York, (,Sec p. 502.)

climber, with stems growing 9 feet to 12 feet long,
with very variously divided leaves. The flowers
are each 2 inches to 4 inches across, flat and fully
e.xpanded, the Ave or six se])als being of a
creamy white and the tuft of stamens [lurple. It
is a native of .Ia[)an, and was first made known by
Thunberg, but is said to have been introduced by
Dr. Fothergill about 1776. There is a double
flowered variety and others with violet or blush-
tinted flowers.

being an inch long with recurved lips. The tails
of the fruits are downy when young rather than
feathery. The species, which e.xtends from
Missouri and Kansas to the mountains of Colo-
rado, was discovered ]<y Fremont.

C. FfscA. — A sub-shrubby or nearly herljaccous
species, with decumbent rather than naturally
climbing stems. When given support, however,
it grows 6 feet or 8 feet high. The flowers are
solitary on short stalks, covered witli a short,

very thick, brown wool, and the sepals themselves
arc of a reddish brown colour and also very downy.
The flower (which apjicars in .July) is bell-shaped
and upwards of 1 inch long, with the points of
the four sepals recurved. The fr'uit forms a thick
globular head, I inch across, of very (ilumose
tails. Its habitat extends from the north of
Asiatic Russia to the Amur region and the
Sachalien and Kurilo Islands. It was first dis-
covered by Turczaninow in Kamtschatka.

C. HKNi)i:ii.s(iNi (C. Eriostemon). — This is con-
sidered to be a hybrid between ('. \'iticella and
C. integrifolia, and was raised in is:i,'> by Mr.
Henderson, nurseryman at that time at Pine-
apple Place, St. John's Wood, but apparently no
record of its origin was kept. The inference as
to its parentage has been made because of the
resemblance its stems and general habit bear to
those of C. Viticella, whilst its flowers and leaflets
follow those of C integrifolia. Tlie plant grows
to a height of .S feet or 10 feet. The flowers are
'2\ inches or so across and of a deep bluish purple;
the four sejials are spreading, but rellexed at the
tips. The flowers ap[)ear from .June to September
and have a faint, sweet perfume.

C. HERACLK-icKOLiA (C. tubulosa).— This species
may be taken as the ty)ie of a group of herbaceous
or .slightl}' woody Clematises found in China and
Japan, &c. , and of which, according to Forbes and
Hemsley, the plants known as Davidiana, Hookeri,
stans, Lavalli'i, and Savatieri can only be con-
sidered as varieties. Specimens representing the
extremes of the group are distinct enough from
each other, but they are so linked together by
intermediate forms, that it is impossible to draw
a separating line between them. The typical C.
heraclerefolia as represented at Kew is a dwarf,
sturdy plant under 2 feet high, with large leaves
and short-stalked corymbs of flowers of a Hya-
cinth-like shape and of a purplish blue colour.
Much superior to it as a garden plant is the
variety Davidiana, which often ranks as a si^ecies
(C. Davidiana). Its stems are about 4 feet long,
but are rarely strong enough to stand erect
without support. The leaves are often of striking
dimensions, some of the largest leaflet!) measuring
6 inches in length by nearly as much in width,
and thus the largest of any of the cultivated Cle-
matises. They are coarsely toothed. The flowers
are produced in dense heads, borne on long stalks
and accompanied by two or more bract-like leaves,
but they also frequently appear in short, closely
packed clusters right in the axils of the leaves.
Each flower is three-quarters of an inch long, the
points of the sepals reflexed and resembling a
Hyacinth blossom ; the colour is a bright lavender-
blue. This variet}- was introduced to France a
little over thirty years ago by the Abbfi David,
who had discovered it in the north of China. It
is a useful and an ornamental plant, flowering
during September and October, and «ell worth
growing in any mixed herbaceous border.

C. INTKCKIFOMA. — Ovcr ,SUO ycars have passed
since this species was introduced to Britain ; it
is, therefore, one of the oldest Clematises in culti-
vation. It is herbaceous, 2 feet to 'A feet high, its
erect stems furnished with leaves 2 inches to
4 inches long and stalkless, or nearly so. The
flower is solitary on its stalk, but several of them
are produced from the top of the stem and from
the axils of the uppermost leaves. The flowers
are blue, pendent ; the sepals about 1 inch long.
It is a European species, and flowers from June
to August.

C. Jackmaxi. — This plant originated in the
nursery of Messrs. C. Jackman and Son at
Woking, being a hybrid between C. lanuginosa
and C. Hendersoni. The cross was made in the
summer of 1858, and seeds from it germinated in
1860, and the plants flowered two years later. A
theory was afterwards started by Lavall^e in his
Monograph of the large-flowered Clematises that
the C. Jackmani so-called was not a hybrid at all,
but a Japanese species — C. hakonensis of Franchet
and Savatier. The positive evidence, however, of
Mr. (;. Jackman {HiiriJ' iiern' Cliroiiic/c, Feb. 23,
1884) and that of the late Thomas Moore, an
authority on the garden Clematis, were sufiicien

502

THE GARDEN.

[DeclMbkr 25, 18S7.

to dispel the idea. Among the numerous hybrid
Clematises that have since been raised, the old C.
.Tackmani holds a high place. Its flowers are
f) inches to 6 inches across, and the sepals (four to
si.x in number) are of a deep velvety violet-purple,
making it one of the showietet of all hardy climbers
that flower during summer and autumn.

C. LANUi;iNos.\. — Among the man}' plants upon
whose introduction to cultivation the fame of
Robert Fortune will rest, few have held a more
important place in the horticulture of the latter
lialf of the nineteenth century than this Clematis.
It was discovered by Fortune in China, near
Ningpo, in 1S50, and again by Hancock in the
same neighbourhood in 1877. As these are the
onh- recorded instances of its being found « ild by
European collectors, it is probably a plant with a
restricted distribution. It grows oidy some 5 feet
or (j feet high, and is one of the dwarfest of the
climbing species. The leaves are either simple
or consist of three leaflets, which are heart-shaped
and covered beneath with the greyish wool to
\\ hich the specific name refers. The flowers are
the largest of any of the true wild types, measur-
ing 6 inches across (considerably more, of course,
in the selected hybrids and varieties produced
under cultivation), and the sepals (usually about
six) are flat and overlajjping and of a pale
lavender colour. It is to this species more than
to any other that the popularity and beauty of
Ihe garden varieties of Clematis are due. All the
iinest varieties in cultivation (including Jackmani
und its section) contain more or less of the blood
of C. lanuginosa, and the flowers range in colour
from pure white to deep rich purple. Its natural
flowering time is from .July to October.

C. LiGi-STiciFOLi.-i.— Although nearly allied and
very similar to C. virginiana, this species may at
once be distinguished by the leaves consisting of
five leaflets instead of three. Each leaflet is
I !i inches to 3 inches long, three-lobed or very
coarsely toothed. The flowers (male and female
ones of which are borne on separate plants) ap-
pea,r in axillary or terminal panicles and arc
white, three-quarters of an inch across, and on
the female plants are followed by seed vessels
that have pubescent tails 1 inch to 2 inches long.
The variety californica is distinguished by its
smaller, tomentose leaves. It is one of many
examples that occur in the North American flora
where a widely-spread species is found to be
glabrous on the eastern side of the continent, but
tomentose or even woolly on the drier and hotter
western side. This species will climb to a heiy-ht
of 30 feet. ^

C. MONT.iN.\.— This is one of the most beautiful
of all the Clematises, and one which every garden
should possess. It flowers duiing May, and when
covered with its white flowers is one of the love-
liest of all hardy climbers. It is a native of the
Himalaya, and was first brought to Britain by
Lady Amherst in 1S31. It is quite luirdy in the
southern parts of the kingdom, and may fre-
quently be seen covering v\alls to a height of
1.5 feet or 20 feet. The flower appears singly on
a stalk 6 inches long, but several flowers are pro-
duced from one leaf axil ; the sepals are pure wliite,
and the whole flower, which bears a strong re-
semblance to a white Anemone, measures 1 !, inches
to 2 inches in diameter. The species has been
called C. anemon:tflora.

C. OCHKOLEUCA. — A herbaceous species related
to C. Fremonti, but confined to the eastern side
of North America, whilst the other is as purely
western. Its stems are 1 foot to 2 feet high, its
leaves silky beneath, especially when young.
The flower is solitary, terminal, the sepals yellow
outside, cream-coloured within. From C. Fre-
monti this species is distinguished by the tails of
the fruit bemg distinctly plumose. It was said
by Asa Gray to be rare in a ■« ild state. I

C. ORiENTAi.is (C. graveolens, C. flava).— A I
vigorous climber, which grows 12 feet or 1.5 feet
high. The leaves are thin in texture and of a
pale and rather glaucous green. It flowers abun- '
dantly during August aad September, the four '
■■■epals being of a yellow colour, tinged with
gieen, and the whole flower measuring about

1-^; inches across. There is a sweet, but not very
strong fragrance. The fruit heads are rendered
very handsome by the tail (1 inch long and
covered with silky hairs) that is attached to each
seed vessel. The species has a wide distribution,
and is found in various parts of Northern Asia ; it
extends from Persia through North India (where
on the Himalayas it reaches altitudes of 12,000
feet) to Manchuria. According to Loudon it
was introduced in 1731.

C. I'ANieuLATA. — In Britain, this species, al-
though growing freely, has not yet proved of
any great value as a flowering plant ; this
is due probably to the little sunshine our
climate affords as compared with the United
States, for across the Atlantic it is de-
scribed as perhaps the most beautiful of all the
Clematises. It is a native of China and Japan,
and was oiiginally discovered and named by
Thunberg, who lived in Japan 120 jears ago. It
is only lately, liowever, that it has appeared in
cultivation, although, being mentioned by Loudon
as a variety of C. flaramula, it may possibly have
been in cultivation .at an earlier date, for it is
quite a common plant in Japan. It is a very
vigorous climber, growing to a height of 30 feet
or more. The leaf consists of three or five leaflets,
which vary from 1 inch to 4;^ inclies in length,
and are dark green, smooth and glabrous. The
flowers are borne in axillary and terminal panicles,
and each 1 inch to 11 inches across, with a charm-
ing Hawthorn-like fragrance, the four sepals
being of a rather dull white. It is perfectly
hardy at Kew and flowers during September, but
with nothing like the profusion that makes it so
beautiful a climber in America. By planting it
against a sunny wall its best qualities would per-
haps be brought out. If it flowered with half
the freedom of the American specimens it would
be worth its room.

C. PATENS. — Next to C. lanuginosa, this is per-
haps the most important of the wild types of
Clematis. Even less is known of it in a wild
state, Ijut it is certainly a native of Japan (having
been found on the isle of Nippon), and jjossibly of
China also. It was introduced from the former
country about sixty years ago by Siebold, who
obtained it in the gardens near Yokoliama, where
it had, no doubt, been long in cultivation. It is
a taller grower and has more slender stems than
C. lanuginosa, the leaves consisting of three or
five divisions that are smaller and narrower than
those of its fellow species. The sepals are from
six to eight in number, narrow in the form
originally introduced, and of a delicate mauve
colour, but the varieties subsequently obtained
from it under cultivation have flowers much larger,
the colours \-arying from white to deep violet and
bine. Its \-alue as one of the parent species of
the garden Clematis is due not only to its beauty,
but more especially to its flowering as early as
May and June, and thus lengthening the season
considerably.

C. PiTciiEKi.— Apparently this is a \'ariable
species, for there are at Kew three or four forms
easily distinguishable, but unmistakably belong-
ing to the one species. The leaves are usually
made up of three pairs of leaflets, the petiole end-
ing in a midrib. The flowers are terminal on the
main shoots and pitcher-shaped, being broad and
swollen at the base, nairow at the centre where
the sepals press closely round the bunch of
stamens, but have the tips expanded and re-
curved. The largest flowers are 1 inch long
and three-quarters of an inch wide at the
swollen base, of a purplish blue outside, and in the
typical form the recurxed tips of the sepals are
yellowish. The fruits are borne in a closely
packed bunch, each one narrowing at the top into a
twisted tail, 1 inch long, which is not feathery, but
covered with a short close tomentum. The fruits
are of a reddish {lurple colour. The species is a
native of Colorado and other Western United
States, and is sometimes known as C. coloradensis.
It is a pretty and distinct plant, and with us isabout
!) feet high at present, but will probably grow
taller. It has been confounded with C. coccinea,
through the latter being figured in the Bevve

Horticole as C. Pitcheri. C. coccinea is, of course,
to be distinguished by its red, never purple,
flowers.

C. P. EASiosTYLis.— In this variety the sepals
have but little of the yellow colour seen in the
type, the recurved portion of the sepals being of
a deep purplish blue. The fruits, too, are larger
and of a richer red colour.

C. RECTA (or C. erecta).— This is one of the best
herbaceous species, its tufted stems growing about

3 feet high and producing from June to August
numerous flowers on a large, branching, terminal
corymb. They are white, sweetly scented, and
each .about I inch across. The species has been
grown in Britain for over 300 years, and is a
native of South and Eastern Europe. A hand-
some double-flowered variety (flore-pleno) was sent
out by Mons. Lemoine a quarter of a century or
more ago.

C. RoBEKTSiANA.— One of the most recently
discovered of the Clematises, this is not
yet, so far as I know, in cultivation in this
country. It was discovered by Dr. Aitchison in
the Kurrum Valley in June, 1879, and was subse-
quently described in the Journal of tlie Liiiiwan
Soi'iili/, vol. xviii. There is every probability of
its being hardy in this country, as it occurs at
altitudes of 10,000 feet to 1 1,000 feet on the moun-
tains of Afghanistan, &c. The flower occurs
singly on an erect peduncle, but is itself nodding,
the sepals being of a pale lemon-yellow, and the
whole flower 3 inches to 5 inches in diameter.
The large flowers and their unusual colour make its
introduction very desirable ; botanicall)' also it
is of interest as affording a connecting link be-
tween Clematis proper and the section Atragene.
The flowers have none of the petals or antherless
staminodes of the Atragene group, but otherwise,
both in flower and foliage, the species bears a
great resemblance to C. (Atragene) alpina.

C. ST.iNS. — This is one of the group to which C-
heracle»folia (C. tubulosa) and its variety David-
iana belong, and under that species it is some-
times placed as a variety. It is convenient, how-
ever, to regard it as a species, especially as it has
been figured as such in the Botanical Magazine, t.
0810. It is a herbaceous plant, growing with us

4 feet or 5 feet high, with dark green pubescent
leaves, the separate divisions of which are
roundish, toothed, and more or less threelobed.
The flowers are not borne in such dense heads as
in L'Abbc David's Clematis, but often in a some-
what verticillate manner on a large terminal
panicle, frequently also in clusters close in tlie
leaf axils. Each flower is about three-quarters o
an inch long, pale blue, and of the hyacinth-like
form common to this group of Clematis. This is
one of the least showy of Clematises, but is worth
growing for its striking foliage and free growth.
Its late flowering (September and October) is also
a point in its favour. A native of Japan.

C. VERTiCLLLARis (Atragene americana). — At an
earlier date, when the Clematises and Atragenes
w-ere kept separate, this was known as A. ameri-
cana, under which name most of the puljlished
figures have appeared. It is a climber with woody
stems 8 feet to 10 feet high or more. In spring a
pair of leaves is developed at each of the opposite
buds on the stem, thus giving the appearance of
a verticillate arrangement of four lea\-es — hence
the specific name. The -flowers appear on one-
flowerod peduncles, and are of a bluish purple and
from 2 inches to 3 inches in diameter. The tails
of the fruit are plumose. The species appears to
have first been raised by Messrs. Loddiges in 1707.
According to Dr. Asa Gray, it is a native of the
rocky places in mountainous districts in Maine,
\Vett?rn New England, Virginia, Wisconsin, &c.
It has in late years been much neglected and is
now a rare plant in English gardens.

C. VioKN'A (the Leather Flower). —Although this
is one of the oldest of the American Clematises in
cultivation (having been introduced in 173(1), it is
not a common plant, being, indeed, one of the
least attractive in the genus. It is not very
vigorous in habit, although growing 8 feet or
10 feet high. The flower is pitcher-shaped and
solitary on a long stalk, and the four sepals are

December 25, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

503

tarh 1 iiK-h long, very thick and leathery, with
the tips usually recurved. The colour is a dull
n-ddish puriile, sometimes greenish outside and
\\ liitish or greenish yellow inside. It flowers from
.luiie to August. A native of tlie Eastern United
Suites. ,. . ,

C. VIROINM.VNA.— This is the common Virgin s
Bower of the United States and Canada, an<l
may bo regarded as the New \\'orld representa-
tive of our C. ^'italba. Its leaves have three—
C. Vitalha has usually five— ovate, pointed leaf-
lets, whieli arc somewhat lieart-sha))ed at tlie
base and liave the margins coarsely toothed and
lobed. Tlie flowers are borne in flat panicles,
the .sepals being spreading, thin, and dull white.
It is a comm'on and widely spread plant in
Eastern Nortli .-Vmeriea, extending from Canada
to the Southern United States. It may often be
found to bear either male or female Bowers ex-
clusively. It was introduced in 1707, and although
hardy enough, is not in Britain so strong and
woody a grower as o\u' native Traveller's .Joy.

C. "Vrr.u,r..\ (Traveller's Joy, or Old Man's
Beard). — There is no climber native to Britain
that gives so near an approach to tropical luxu-
riance of vegetation as this. In ordinary posi-
tions it grows '20 feet to 30 feet high, and, accord-
ing to Loudon, as much as 50 feet to 100 feet high
in sheltered or lery favoured situations. It is
one of the best plants for covering; unsightly
buildings or mounds, as well as for forming
covered ways, arbours, &C. It grows so luxu-
riantly, that even in winter when destitute of
foliage its naked stems are sutiieient to prevent
an appearance of bareness, and the greater light
its deciduous habit admits is often an advantage
during our long sunless winters. The panicles
are axillary and bear numerous dull white flowers,
three-tiuarters of an inch or so across, with a faint
odour resemljling that of Almonds. It i.s, per-
liaps, most beautiful when covered with its white
fruits, the .seeds having long feather}' tails whose
silvery grey colour gave rise to the name of Old
Man's Beard. Tlie French name of Herbe aux
Gueux (Beggars' Plant) arose through that
fraternity using the acrid juice of the plant to
produce idcerous wounds of the flesh as a means
of arousing pity. The commonest name, that of
Traveller's Joy, carries a pleasanter suggestion
with it, and apparently originated with (Jerard,
who says this Clematis is " esteemed for pleasure
bj' reason of the goodly shadow which it makes
with its tliick bushing and clyming, as also for
the beauty of the flowers and the pleasant sent or

savour of the same and because of its

decking and adorning waies and hedges where
people travel thereupon have I named it Tra\el-
ler's Joy."

C. ViTicEM.A. — This is the tj'pe of one of the
leading races of garden Clematis, and is also one
of the original species from which the .Jackmani
group originated. It is a native of Europe, and
is known to have been in cultivation in Eng-
land as long ago as 1509. It is a climber, grow-
ing from .S feet to 12 feet high. It blossoms dur-
ing .Inly, August, and September, its abundant
flowers measuring U inches to 'i inches in dia-
meter, the four sepals blue, purple, or rosy
jairple, and the fruits have only short tails, which
are devoid of the plumose covering so often seen
in this genus. There are now numerous varie-
ties of the species superior to it in size of flower,
and offering also a variety of shades. The most
distinct in haliit is var. nana, which grows little
more than 1 yard high, and is rather a bush than
a climber. It was raised in Paris bj' Jlons.
C-irri^re. Both the single and double forms of
this species were grown by Gerard, who says
"they grow in my garden and flourish exceed-
ingly." W. J. Beax.

Arliori-tiaii, A'* "■.

Campanula persicifolia. — This Campanula,
espci'ially its wliitt- form, is, as indicated by Mr.
Arnott (p. 402), of the greatest value for indoor
decoration. Even in the hottest weather the old
single white lasts in water for many days without
showing signs of deterioration, while its double

variety is even more enduring. The newer intro-
duction, C. p. alba grandiflora, as far as I have
seen, bears out your ciiirispoudent's description
as having jietals of a llimsier- texture. Possibly a
cross wiTli I', latifolia or C. grandis may have
been instrumental in impairing the substance of
the petals, which in the old C. persicifolia are
thick and almost of a parchment-like consistence :
whereas those of C. latifolia and C. grandis, both
most attractive garden plants, are of so unsuli-
sfantial a nature, tliat the flower-spikes are of
little value for cutting. C. persicifolia and its
varieties succrcil well in heavy loam in tliis
neighbourhood.— S. \V. F. , 'J'or(jiiai/.

Mesembryanthemums in the garden.-
The illustration and note on Mesembryanthemum
roseum (p. 480) remind one of the brilliant efl'ect
att'orded by these flowers where they really
succeed. Light soil and a sunny situation seem
best suited to their requirements. In my own
garden, which lies low, and the soil of which is
heavy and damp, Mesembryanthemums refuse to
bloom, while at Kingswear, on the banks of the
river Dart, where the soil is light, they flower most
abundantly and are a glorious sight during the
summer. There, many varieties are grown, from
the briglitest vermilion, ranging through crimson,
rose, orange, and flesh-coloured to white. Most
of them have proved hardy, but the large Mesem-
bryanthemum alluded to by Mr. Woodall has
been killed back on one or two occasions. At
Abbotsbury Castle rock garden, overlooking the
Chesil Beach, a large number of Mesembryanthe-
mums are grown and succeed remarkably, and
one of the features of the Isles of Scilly in the
summer is formed by the gorgeous breadths of
colour produced by these vividly tinted flowers. —
S. \V. F., Torquay.

Herbaceous Lobelias.— lb was with great
pleasure that I read "R.'s" note on the above
(liage 441), more than confirming, as it did, my
theory expressed on pages 362 and 403, that the
hardiness of these plants dejiends rather upon
some f|uality in the soil than upon the temperature
to which they are exposed. From the reminiscence
of a winter"spent in Suffolk in my boyhood, I
have no doubt that in the coldest part of that
county during the severe winter of 1894-95 the
Lobelias had almost as trying an ordeal as they
would have experienced anywhere in England,
yet, without the slightest protection, they came
through it uninjured and flowered profusely tlie
same season. This appears to me to be proof
positive that severe and long-continued cold will
not kill them, while in my case excessive damp
has no injurious effect upon their constitution. It
seems, therefore, that growers who fail to winter
these plants in the o|)en will, for the future, have
to ascribe their ill-success to some other cause
than excess of cold or moisture. Whilst I had
only cultivated these Lobelias in South Devon,
the theory that I had formed was unavoidably
wanting in authority, but now that it is borne
out from the coldest part of Suffolk I have Httle
doubt but that it is correct.— S. W. F., Torqiiuy.

Tigridias. — When planted in light soil in
sheltered nooks of the south-western counties
these .Mexican bulbs may be allowed to remain in
the ground during the winter. Where this method
of culture is followed it is always safer to mulch
the bed with cocoa-nut fibre or ashes. In heavy,
damp soils the liuUis should be lifted annually in
November, hung u|i in bunches by their foliage,
like Gladioli, and when dry stored in sand. " D.'s"
experience (p. 400) as to the deterioration of
stored liullis is not an uncommon one, but the
])lan advocated is the best that can be suggested.
If iiurchasing for planting, it is well to delay this
till the end of March, and to inform the firm from
which the supply is being procured that large,
plump bulbs must be sent or none at all. The
commencement of April is the be.st time for
planting. Light soil is the best suited for Tigridia
culture, and, until a few months ago, I should
have added, dry. Last August, however, I saw
many wonderful clumps of Tigridia grandillora
over 2 feet in height with blossoms exceeding
7 inches in diameter, growing close to the margin

of a sheet of ornamental water. The position evi-
di-ntly suited them, for I never saw more vigor-
ous specimens. In my former g:u(li-n, twelve
miles from where I now write, Tigridias lived in
the light soil winter after winter without the
slightest protection, but I was never able to pre-
ser\c the herbaceous Lobelias. In my present
garden, where the soil is heavy and damp, the
I.cibelias, un])rotected in th<' open ground, have
wit list ood 20' of frost with impunity, but Tigridias
left in the ground never appear again. Such
losses and their compensating gains indicate the
advisability of each one being the compiler of his
own " index expurgatorius,'' a subject which
was the theme of a lengthy correspondence during
the past S(iring. — S. W. F.. Torf/ind/.

FLOWER GARDEN NOTES.

Mfi.cHlNc. — I have often called attention to the
advisaliility of a winter mulch for all herbaceous
liorders, and although in some soils and situations
the practice would not seem to be necessary, there
is no mistake about the value of it when dealing
witli a soil that is naturally light and dry. I
refer to the sulijeet at the present time because
conditions point to the necessity of getting it on
as soon as possible. In any lifting operations
that have taken place this autumn, whether of
ordinary trees and shrubs, fruit trees or herba-
ceous plants, the dry nature of the soil is very
apparent, and unless we get some heavy winter
rains to compensate for the long spell of dry
weather, flower borders are hardly likely to be
seen at their best in 189S, especially if the spring
and early summer prove hot and dry. To pre-
vent, therefore, the drying out of such borders as
far as possible, a heap of fairly good manure has
alread}' been well broken up, and this will go on
tlie borders with the first spell of frost, or at any
time when the wheeling can be carried out under
favourable conditions. For all small autumn-
planted things, peat moss manure will be sub-
stituted for tlie coarser compost, whilst for those
things where the mulch takes the form of a slight
winter protection rather than a stimulant, or as
an aid to retain moisture, I use as far as pro-
curable the foliage of Taxodium distiehum. It
is a capital preservative and a clinging material,
that is, if a coating of say 3 inches is put on. It
lies close together without blowing about.

Some difficulties axd Di.sArFoixTMESTS. —
Whilst the note on page 441 is interesting as a
testimony to the hardiness of Lobelia cardinalis,
it increases the difficulty as to the conditions
essential for the plants to winter safely outside,
because the alternative suggested in the matter
of soil is not responsible for the necessity of hous-
ing. Instead of a rather heavj- moist soil my
plants are in a dry sandy loam, and, like " R.," I
have never experienced any loss or indeed the
slightest sign of the plants going to the bad. They
always get their winter mulching, but for several
seasons this has not been piut on with any idea of
protection, but, as stated earlier in these notes, to
retain moisture and as a slight stimulant. That
the jilants do thoroughly well is shown by the
fact that when there is reason to lift and divide
for the purpose of increasing the stock either in
autumn or spring, a perfectly dense mass of healthy
roots is always found. Would the cause of winter
failures arise from some agent in the soil that is
responsiblo for root-destruction and a conseiiuent
weakening of the plants ? Again, the diflerencc in
('arnations coming safely through the winter is
even more marked, because correspondence has
shown that, given nearly similar soil and climatic
conditions both as to temperatures and the pre-
valence of fog, the loss in one case is practically vll,
and in another it would be so heavy as to necessi-
tate potting up layers and keeping them under
co\cr. In a Ijulb catalogue recently to hand I
read in connection with Daffodils that " they will
do in any soil." This is not so, at least if, as one
infers from the context, the writer is thinking
about naturalisation without any idea of alter-
ing the soil. There are soils in «liich Daffodils
may exist, but doing well is quite another

504

THE GARDEN".

[December 25, 1897.

matter; they degenerate alike in the size and
quaUty of the flowers and the strength of the
grass and any sign of reproduction is practically
absent. A verj' little matter will often make all
the difference. An instance is to hand in the
pleasure grounds here where the soil is apparently
of the same nature all throughout, a peaty sand
running out into pure sand at depths varying
from 6 inches to 12 inches below the surface. In
some places Daffodils are a failure, in others fairly
successful — that is, as good as one can expect.
The difference is to be found, not in the varying
depths of soil, but in the nature of the sand.
Where this is light and dry and runs easily
through the fingers naturalisation is a failure, but
where it is on the moist side at a depth of 6 inches,
and there is just a suspicion of clinging ever so
lightly to the hand when compressed, the results
are fairly good. Again, given a soil that is
naturally of the above description, and even after
a lot of making is light and dry, considerable dis-
crimination must be used in dealing with plants
that are recommended to be tried on warm dry
borders. There are certain things, like Achilleas,
Iberis, the various forms of Thymus, alpine
Phloxes and others, that may be planted in such
positions and in a soil of this nature with the cer-
tainty that they will do well, but there are others,
(Zauschneria and Dracocephalum are two species
that are suggested) that are not at home, but are
seen to much better advantage where there is a

freater depth of better soil. Writing of some
isappointments reminds me to thank Mr. Arnott
for his note on Bocconia carnea, and to suggest
the great advantage if all who have an oppor-
tunity of growing new things would give the
benefit of their experience. It should lead to
observations that would give us an insight as to
the requirements of things not as yet common on
hardy plant borders alike in the matter of soil
and situation, and also how best to plant them
so as to harmonise well with their surroundings.
Claremotit. E. Bl'kkell.

ANTHOLYZA PANICULATA.
There are many South African plants of strik-
ing beauty in tlie garden, and it is a matter for
regret that the hardiness of a considerable
number must be looked upon with suspicion.
We have only to point to the Gladioli, the
Montbretias and a few other well-known bulbous
I)lants to show what value is possessed by these
Mowers. The hardiness of very few is admitted ;
that of more is doubtful ; and a greater
number can only be recognised as plants
which cannot be trusted to endure tlie hard-
ships of our winters and must be lifted in
autumn for replanting in spring. There is an
increasing desire to find among these members
of the Iris and Amaryllis families some of
recognised hardiness which would give us a wel-
come change from the crowd of composite
flowers we have then in bloom. The Montbre-
tias are invaluable, but there is a likelihood of
there being too nuich sameness among them and
they give but little variety of form. The An-
tholyzas, and especially A. paniculata, may thus
•veil be brought more prominently before the
public as sharing the beauty of the Montbretia,
with a distinct appearance of their own which
will be their passport into many gardens.

Some of the catalogues — es^pecially those from
Holland, where the winters are more severe
than ours — have helped to arouse doubt in
the minds of some regarding tlie hardiness
of this Antholyza. It is often marked as re-
quiring protection in winter. Tliis is an ob-
stacle to many growers of hardy flowers, who
know from experience that this winter protec-
tion is often forgotten until it is too late. Frost
has entered and stolen the steed before the door
was locked. Yet I venture to think from per-
sonal observation that the panicled Antholyza
is in many gardens as hardy as a number of

flowers about which no doubt exists in the
minds of their owners. As "The English
Flower Garden " says of the genus, "they are
hardy in a warm, sheltered border well drained,
in rich sandy loam," and in even less carefully
selected places will often give much satisfaction
by the way in which they thrive. As far north
as Stirlingshire I have seen A. paniculata not
only thriving, but increasing into great clumps
with noble leaves and a profusion of spikes of
flower, and this, too, in borders neither warm nor
sheltered. The Antholyza is a tine plant even
when out of bloom unless when at rest for the
winter. The great, ribbed and plaited Iris-like
leaves are very handsome. As a fine-foliaged
plant alone it may well claim a place from its
sub-tropical appearance, and when its tall llower-
.spikes come into full beauty in autunui it looks
distinct from anything else in bloom at the
time.

We are told that the name Antholyza is de-
rived from the words antlios, a flower, and
b/i-sa, rage, in reference to the ojjening of the
flowers which resemble the mouth of an enraged
animal. One cannot quarrel with the fancy of
the namer of the plant. A look at the cuiiously
shaped red flowers reminds us of Ruskin's re-
marks on the form of flowers in " The Queen of
the Air," where, in Lecture ii., 87, he .says :
" Then the spirit of these Draconid;e seems to
pass more or less into other flowers, whose
forms are properly pure vases .... it touches
.... the Iris, and it pouts into a Gladiolus. "
The Antholyza looks as if it had received a
double share of this spirit, so dragon or at
least beast-like are its flowers. The dense spikes
are many-flowered, and the bright red or red-
yellow flowers are well elevated above the
leaves.

This Antholyza conies from Natal, where it
was first collected by Gerard, and is described
by Klatt in "Linna?a," xxxv., .'379. The conn
is large and globose ; the leaves are described
as being each from li feet to 2 feet long, but
this is considerably below the height in many
gardens. The stem, which is branched, is from
S feet to 4 feet in length.

With regard to cultivation, it will be safe to
adopt, as a general rule, the spirit (jf the para-
graph quoted from "The English Flower Gar-
den," but it also grows well in some gardens in
rather heavy soil. I have also seen it grown
with fine effect and in capital condition in the
rock garden. It should be planted in late
autumn about (3 inches deep. In course of
time it may become crowded and require lifting.
Should this be necessary, the smaller corms can
be .separated and the larger replanted together.
In his " Handbook of the Iridere " Mr. Baker
describes nine species of Antholyza as being
Cape species, as distinguished from those from
Tropical Africa. It yet remains to be seen if
there are many others as suitable for the out-
door garden as permanent plants. The others
named by Mr. Baker are spicata, fucata, iothio-
pica, intermedia, caffra, quadrangularis, Cuno-
nia, and saccata. Of these I have a few under
observation here, but the only one named in
the "Hand-list of Herbaceous Plants" as
grown at Kew is that under notice. It at all
events can be confidently recommended to the
admirer of uncommon garden flowers.

Carsdhorn, Du/mfru'S, N.B. S. Arnott.

Lily of the Valley fruiting. — The corre-
spondence which has appeared on this subject leads
me to ask if any of The (i.VRDE.v readers have
observed any difference in this respect between the
Dutch and the Berlin types of the Lily of the
Valley. I have had the former in this garden for
more than thirteen years and it has never fruited.

nor have I seen it in fruit elsewhere. A clump of
Berlin crowns planted out a few j'ears ago has,
however, fruited annually, although there was
apparently nothing in .soil or position to account
for the difference. This may be merely acci-
dental, but others may be able to say something
more definite on the point. — S. Arnott, Carse-
thorn, Dumfrie.'s, N.B.

Seedling Carnations. — There is no doubt but
that it pays well to sow seeds of choice strains
under glass, sowing in April. Last year I sowed
in broad pans and stood them in a gentle w.armth.
The result was far better germination than would
have resulted if seed had been sown outdoors.
The seedlings were hardened off in a cold frame,
and I had them lifted and shaken out of the soil
and carried some distance to plant out into a long
border early in .June. One watering when
planted sufficed to keep them alive. Every plant
grew, and but the other day, having to replant
the border, which is very open and exposed, I
lifted all the plants, now very strong and well
branched, with good balls of soil attached to the
roots, had the border redug, and then the Carna-
tions were replanted, letting them well down so
as to bury the stems. I have every hope that, the
air being dry and active and the soil porous,
these plants will escape harm from wet or cold,
and will bloom finely during the summer. To
have obtained so many plants from seed is indeed
satisfactory. If but a score out of the number
are really good, and each one enables half a dozen
layers to be made, how cheaply is a good class
stock of Carnations secured. Some seed sown
outdoors at the end of April came very thinly,
due, perhaps, to the dryness which prevailed.
Whilst the first stock gave two-thirds germina-
tion, the latter gave but one-third. — A. I).

Garden Flora.

PLATE 1150.

HIBISCUS SYRIACUS.

(with a coloured plate of h. s. var. totus

albus, etc.*)
As has been the case with many another
long-cultivated plant, the true native country
of this Hibiscus was for many years merely
guessed at. Being mentioned by Gerard as
a garden shrub of his time, it has conse-
quently been in cultivation in Britain for
300 years at least, but as lately as 1852
Lindley and Paxton, in the Magazine of
Botany, stated that its native country was
unknown to them. The specific name would
imply it to be indigenous to Syria, and Loudon
says it is native of that country and Carniola,
but although common as a cultivated shrub in
that and other parts of the East, there is no
evidence of its really being a native of Syria.
We now know it to be indigenous to China, and
to be spread widely over that country both as a
wild and as a cultivated shrub. Br. Henry has
collected it wild in localities as far apart as th3
central provinces and the island of Formosa.
It may also be a native of India, but present
evidence points to China as the centre from
which it originally spread. Both in China and
Japan it has long been used as a hedge plant,
and in Japan its fibrous bark is said to make
good twine and ropes. A common name for this
slii'ub in nurseries and gardens is Alth;ea frutex.
Tliis name, which has long been in use, was given
to it, .says Loudon, because of the resemblance
its flowers bear to those of Althiea rosea, the
Hollyhock. Philip Miller in his dictionary
calls it the Syrian Ketmie.

In the south of England it is perfectly hardy.

* Drawn for The Garden at Gravetye Manor,
Sussex, hv H. G. Jloon. Lithographed ami printed
by J. L. Gofiart.

• -^4

.&%. V

Dec. 25. 1897

Dbcembbh 25, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

505

«imch hardier than it was evidently thought to
be in tlie earlier days. Parkinson, 250 years
«S0, put it down ns somewhat tender, and
advised tliat it sliould " not i)e suffered to re-
main uncovered in winter." But it is only one
•of many instances of a similar naturo-the
common Aucuha bo'^an its career in Britain as
-I stove plant. It is a deciduous bushy shrub
with erect branches, and in this country is
rarely mon? than )! feet to H feet high, although
Fortune, during his tirst visit to China, saw
plants in the gardens there as nnich as 12 feet
high. On the young wood the bark is green, but on
the old wood it becomes light brown or greyish.
The leaves vary miwh in size according to the
vigour of tlie plants and mode of culture, but
they are usually 2 inches to 4 inches long. The
flowers in the single-Howered varieties are of

albus they are wholly white, as the name infers,
and distinct on that account. There is now
<|uitc a host of named varieties ofl'ered by nur-
serymen ; among them, as l)eing of approveil
merit (although by no means the only ones),
the following may be mentioned : A/.ureus
plenus, albus plcnus, ccelestis, Duchesse de
Brabant, ardens, anemoii;ellorus, violaceus
plenus, amplissiuuis, Leopoldi, earneus plenus,
am.aranthinus. Pompon rouge.

Hibiscus syriacus aiul its varieties flower in
Augu.st .-ind September. Where it succeeds well
it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful
of autumn-Howering hardy shrubs. For it to
be seen at its best a tine sunny September is
necessai-y. It sometimes fails tf) flower satis-
factorily through having been planted in posi-
tions where the wood does not thoroughly

Flower of Hibiscus syriacus.

the character common to the Mallow family,
the five free petals forming a wide trumpet-
mouthed corolla, usually 2^ inches to '.i inches
(sometimes 4 inches) across. Many of the cul-
tivated varieties ha\e double flowers, and there
are both single and double forms whose Howers
are white, red, blue-purple, variegated or
striped with white and red, itc. Besides these
variations in the tiower there are others in the
leaf, and forms are in cultivation whose f(jliage
is variegated with white or yellow. One of the
varieties here tigmed, totus albus, is perhaps
the best with single white flowers. It was
raised on the ('<uitinent and fir.st appeared in
English nurseries about a quarter of a century
ago. Nearly all the varieties of this species of
Hibiscus have the bases of the pefcils coloured
with some shade of red, but in the variety totus

rijien. Shady and ill-drained situations must
be avoided, for although hardy enough, it is a
sun and warmth-loving shrub. In the northern
and colder parts of Britain, where autumn sets
in earlier, it ought to be planted against a wall
for the protection and better development of
the flowers and for the more thorough ripening
of the wood. Like most of the Mallow family,
this is a vigorous and free-rooting plant, and it
should be given a deep, open, and fairly rich
soil. Propagation is effected by laj'ering or by
putting in cuttings of nearly ripened wood in
autumn under a bell-glass in a cold frame.
Rarer sorts, if necessary, can be grafted on the
commoner ones ; the stock being practically iden-
tical with the scion, worked plants are not so
objectionable as are most trees and shrubs pro-
pagated in tl. it manner.

This Hibiscus is tlio only hardy shrubby
species in that extensive genus (1.^)0 species), .and
in the Mallow family is the one of chief impoit-
ance among hardy shrulis. Several annual
sjiecies and herbaceous perennials have at
various times l)een in cultivation, but scarcely
one of tliem has proved of sufficient value to
retain its place. \V. .). Bi;.\N.

The Week's Work.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

At last we have had a touch of frost, which
appears to have been general, not much, cer-
tainly, but sufticient to leave its mark on all
tender crops and put those on the alert who have
commenced forcing choice vegetables in pits and
frames. It will have necessitated covering the
lights at sunset with a double thickness of mats
or a thick layer of straw or Bracken. When the
forcing of different things has to be done by the
aid of portable frames and fermenting material, it
is no small gain to select a snug corner of the
garden sheltered from searching winds, but
exposed to as much sun as possible. The old-
fa>liioned forcing giouud, surrounded with a high
lieilge or fence, has been supplanted Ijy the cheap
forcing houses, elHciently heated with hot water.
For many reasons the old-fashioned manure
frames are not to be despised, as sutlicient warmth
was created and growth was less likely to feel the
sudden changes of weather or the eti'eets of search-
ing wind. The forcing house of course is indis-
pensable in small places where there is not a
quantity of stable litter and leaves to be obtained.
Such material, howe\'er, where at command can
hardlj' be put to a better purpose, and its use in
this way prepares it for the dressing of vacant
ground later on. It is not only necessary to
select a warm corner in which to make up the
beds, but one, if possible, out of sight, where the
leaves and litter can be carted to. The larger the
quantity collected the longer will it last in a warm
condition, and frames planted with Asparagus
roots, Radishes, Carrots and the like would still be
in a suitable condition months hence, when these
crops are cleared out to recei\e Potatoes, French
Beans, dwarf Peas and the earliest batch of Turnips.
Another advantage of selecting such a {)Osition
is the fact that the longest litter can be utilised
at night as a covering, and may be used to any
thickness without the anno3'ance of having it
blown about and making the rest of the garden
untidy ; moreover, it proves cheaper than buying
mats where a number of frames has to be covered.
The mats too often entail a lot of trouble in keep-
ing them secure during rough nights. A bed of
tan forms a capital hotbed, and proves a good
substitute for manure and leaves, and is some-
times more easily obtained than the latter.
Owing, however, to the shortness of the material
it is only fit for tilling up brick pits. If it is
thoroughly moist and well trodden together it will
give otj a steady warmth for months after, and
prove most suitable for early Rhubarb, Seakale,
or Asparagus.

Coi.u FK.viiKs. — .\ good range of these is very
necessary in whicli to protect winter salad.
Parsley, Cauliflowers, and other things. Such
plants, however, are naturally hardy and resent
anything approaching coddling, the lights really
only being used to ward off inclement weather.
When badly ventilated, with no warmth beneath
to expel damp, such things as Lettuce and Endive
are liable to rot olf at the collar : therefore th(^
lights should be drawn off for a few hours daily
whenever the weather is mild ami dry. With
Parsley the lights should not be used at all unless
very severe frost or snow is expected, or it will
soon take on a sickly colour and die otf. Of
cour.se, outside gatherings of this should be made
as long as possible, saving that which is in the
frames until spring, as it often proves scarcer
after the trying winds of March, and before
it is possible to have spring-sown plants in

506

THE GARDEK

[December 25,1897.

any quantity or size, than during the most
severe frost. There is always a demand
for Parsley, and it is very annoying to the
gardener when not able to produce it ; there-
fore, if not already done, a frame of some kind
should be placed over a nice sturdy batch, it being
better to cover young plants which are not too
crowded than what may at present look a finer
bed. When too thick, the foliage soon turns
yellow or damps off, and there is a dearth in
spring. It is better to place a frame over esta-
blished plants than to lift and replant them. If
rejilanting has to be resorted to, a fork or spade
should be driven well into the soil round each
plant and care used in lifting and conveying
them to the frame, as it is somewhat ditiicult to
lift the roots with a good quantity of soil attached,
without which the plants receive a check, the
foliage flags, and months often elapse before new
leaves form. Autunni-sown seed of both Peas and
Broad Beans will now be pushing through the
soil, and some means must be emploj'ed to protect
the seedlings from birds. It is generally in the
early morning that the most mischief is done,
especially by pheasants and pigeons, which often
play sad havoc at this season, as the young growth
is very tempting. Strips of rabbit netting placed
over the rows are a good preventive. Should wet
weather set in, dry fine soil from the potting slied
should be used to mould the young plants up.
This will protect the tender growth from cutting
winds as well as severe frosts. A few dustings of
fine dry ashes occasionally will also check frost
striking througli the surface soil as well as ward
off' slugs. A sprinkling of dry wood ashes over
the rows when frost threatens prevents its action
being so severely felt, while a few bushy twigs
placed on either side will also tend to keep the
plants safe until the worst of the winter is past.
Radibhes and sa'a'l growing at the foot of a south
wall can be easily protected by leaning broad
boards against the wall, or branches of Fir or Yew
will shield them somewhat during severe weather.
The frost has been sufficiently severe in most
gardens to cut down the foliage of Globe Arti-
chokes. Before mulching the crowns with litter
or Bracken, a few shovelfuls of ashes should be
applied if the ground is of a cold, wet nature.
This may prevent them decaying, which is not
unusual in some districts, as stagnant moisture
often proves more disastrous to the centres of the
plants than several degrees of dry frost.

R. P.\RKER.

HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

Peaches. — There are various opinions as to the
time that these should be pruned, trained, and
nailed. Some advocate its being done in mid-
winter ; others defer it until the last moment, or
just as the buds are about to burst, w'hile some
loosen the trees from the wall at this time of the
year, and tie the branches temporarily to stakes
let into the alleys. This is done w ith the idea of
retarding the trees, and they are not fastened
back to the wall again until the forwaid condi-
tion of the buds will admit of no further delay.
All three methods are good, and the best course
to pursue is to adopt that which has been proved
by experience to answer best in each individual
case. I adopt the first mentioned, and as a rule
the training and nailing of the trees .are finished
by the end of the year. I have adopted this
policy for several years past, and have never re-
gretted doing so, as I invariably secure good
results in the shape of heavy crops of fruit. When
the trees are to Vje left until late winter or early
spring, as in the second case, there is no reason
why the pruning of the trees shotdd not be done
now. This would simplify matters greatlj', as
there would then be nothing but the training and
nailing to do. In the third case, what pruning is
required should be done before the trees are
loosened from the wall, as it can then be easily
seen what shoots can be cut away and which left.
Pruning of Peaches should not be required to the
same extent as needed for other fruit trees, for
if well managed it simply means thinning out

the wood where too much was left in the
trees at the autumn pruning. Preference should
always be given in this case to tlie best ripened
and well-budded shoots, cutting out the more im-
mature and those sparsely budded. Apply the
same rule to neglected trees, or where far too
much wood has been retained, and when cutting
back a shoot see that the cut is made at a wood-
bud. When pruning is completed, whatever
cleansing the trees may require is best done
before they are trained out afresh, or before they
are unloosened from the wall. Brown scale it
present will require a strong solution of some
insecticide to kill it, but ways and means for
coping with these foes have been recently referred
to. If nothing but fly has infested the trees dur-
ing the past season, they may be washed several
times with soapsuds by those who feel nervous
about using the more ethcacious remedies. When
the trees are to be released from the walls for a
considerable time, the required number of stakes
of a sufficient length should first be let into the
alleys. They should be nearly as high as the
wall, and stand some 2 feet or 3 feet away from
it. When all is in readiness the branches should
be loosened and tied to them, not in bundles, but
in loosely extended order. When tied in bundles
the object in \iew is partly defeated, as the buds
on the wood situated inside are apt to start
growing prematurely as a result of being so con-
fined and protected.

Apples and Peaks. — When these are grown in
the form of bushes or pyramids they may be
pruned as soon as convenient after the wall trees
are finished. The amount of pruning required
depends in a great measure on the eare and at-
tention the trees receive during the summer and
autumn. Where summer pruning is sj'stemati-
cally carried out, the present pruning consists in
merely shortening back the wood which was then
stopped to three or four buds. This must be
done, otherwise the spurs would grow to an in-
ordinate length. There are, however, exceptions
to this rule, and that is in the case of those varie-
ties which are prone to produce fruit-buds at the
extremities of their shoots. Notable examples
are Potts' Seedling and Beauty of Bath among
Apples, and Marie Louise and Souvenir du
Congres among Pears. There are also many others,
but those quoted will suffice to put young be-
ginners on their guard. These shoots vary in
length from G inches to a foot, and should be left
for one season. After they have fruited, these
shoots may bespurred back the following autumn.
Another matter which should be looked after is
crowding of the branches. A judicious thinning
is always beneficial when this has been allowed
to take place. In very bad cases thinning
is best spread over two or three seasons, as whole-
sale amputation of branches is a mistake. The
wounds, too, should always be painted over
afterwards, this preventing decay from setting
ill. A well - trained and properly developed
tree should have its branches so disposed that
sunlight and air can readily reach all parts,
and each brancli should lie like a cordon trained
tree, well clothed with spurs from base to tip.
This is where a tree trained in bush form is infi-
nitely superior in my opinion to one trained as a
pyramid, as in the latter case the tree must have
aleader, while in the former it can be di-^pensed
with and tlie centre of the tree kept open. Y'oung
trees, therefore, must have attention in the way
of training until their branches become set.
Pyramids will require a stake to train the
leader to, and this should be long enough to
serve for two or tliree seasons. Bushes, on the
other hand, do not always require a centre stake,
and then only to draw a branch or branches which
may perhaps be inclined to grow down too much
into a more upright position. The outer liranches
in both cases may be trained by simply driving in
half a dozen or as many more stakes as may be
required all round the tree, securing the
branches to them by lengths of twine. A good-
sized loop should be formed where the twine
encircles the branch, and put a shred or a piece
' of old indiarubber hose between it and the bark.

The branch can then be pulled down to the de-
sired position, and fasten the lower end of the
twine to the stake. Leave the leaders one-third,
two-thirds, or nearly full length, according to the-
ripeness of the wood and the necessity of the case.
Plums and Cherries. — The pruning of these
should be done at the same time as the preceding.
The former will require the same amount of
attention if they ha\ e been summer-pruned ; if
not, spur back all shoots emanating from spurs
to four buds. The trees have this season set a
profusion of fruit-buds, and in the jjrocess of
shortening back spur growths great numbers of
them have had to be sacrificed, but enough and to
s]iare remain. The branches of Plum trees may
be left a trifle closer than for Pears for instance,
but avoid anything approaching crowding. Leavo
a young shoot here and there in old-established
trees to form future main branches, which will in
time allow for the removal of the more decrepit
ones. As regards the training and pruning of
■\oung trees, proceed as advised for A]iples and
Pears. Morello and Kentish Clierries may be
thinned out if necessary, but no spurring-in must
be done, as they both bear fruit on the wood
made during the previous year. The less the
knife is used the better, as all necessary thinning
and stopping can easily be performed during the
summer months. The same remark is also applic-
able to the dessert kinds, as this in a great
measure averts disappointment from losses
through gumming. A. W.

Trees and Shrubs.

TREES AND SHRUBS CERTIFICATED

Dl'RING 1897.

DuKiNu the year 180" a considerable number
(if trees and shrubs have been submitted
to the floral committee of the Royal Hor-
cultui'al Society, and of them nineteen have
received either first-class certificates or awards
of merit, being an increase of two over
last year, more than double that of IS'.l.'i,
when only nine subjects were tlius honoured,
while in 18il-i the number was no less
than thii'ty. This list of nineteen does not
include Roses, Tree Pitonies, or Clematises, as
they scarcely come under the heading of or-
dinary trees and shrubs. No less tlian three
conifers with yellow-tinted foliage occur in the
list, and to each of them a first-class certificate
was awarded. Many of the plants are well-
tried subjects, and can be obtained from most
nurserymen. Hibiscus sj'riacus and its numer-
ous varieties have been long known as a very
desirable class of flowering shrubs, especially
valuable from the fact that they bloom towards
the end of July and in August when most out-
door shrubs ;u-e over. Not one, however, has
been recognised by tlie Royal Horticultural
Society till this year, when on July 27 two
varieties, cielestis and Painted Lady, were
given awards of merit.

Tlie following is the list of trees and shrubs
that received awards during !8'J7 : —

Cotoneaster iiorizontalis. — This is one of the
most recently introduced of the Cotoneasters,
having been first sent by the Abbe Armand l)a\irl
in 188o. It is remarkable for the pecuHar arrange-
ment of the branches, which are flat, frond-lilie,
and disposed almost horizontallj-. Tlie leaves are
small and very dark green, while, in common with
the minor twigs, they are arranged in a regular
manner. It is especially ettective during the
autumn, as the berries, which are aljout the size
of those of the other small Cotoneasters, are far
brighter than any of them, being of a rich ver-
milion tint, which is ^ery conspicuous against
the deep green of the foliage. As autumn
advances many of the leaves change to various
shades of scarlet, and remain in this stage for

December 25, U97.]

THE GARDEN.

507

-> mie time before they drop. It is more tliorou^'-lily
li ciduous tlmn the otlier low-growing Coton-
astors, but if untouched by birds or mice the
1 lorries are retiiined for some time after the
leaves drop. From the peculiarly stitl', flat style
nf growth it must be planted on a sloping
I'ank or on largo bold arrangements of rookwork,
while, though seldom seen treated as a wall plant,
it is very elie<;tive grown in this way, and berries
as a rule more freely than in the open. This
C'otoneaster was awarded a tirst-class certificate
on Marcli !l.

Coitvi.orsis srii'ATA. — This pretty shrub, which
was introduced from .Tajian in ISlii, is a near ally
of tlie Witch Hazels, and, like them, flowers
during the early montns of tlio year. It forms a
freely-branched bush, clothed with pale green
leaves, a good deal like those of some form of
Hazel. The flowers, which are borne in drooping
racemes, appear before the foliage. The indi-
vidual blooms are small and of a pale yellow
colour, but they are almost hidden by the large
greenish yellow bracts. When the flowers are
first expanded the bright red anthers are very
conspicuous. Corylopsis spicata flowers freelj'
w-hen little more tlian a j'ard high, but Mr. H. J.
Veitch during his travels in .lapan mentions a
l)u.sh of it in the neighbourhood of Tokio which
was about HI feet in heiglit. An award of merit
was given this Corylopsis on March 9.

Mouus ALI5A rE.NDrLA. — This is a weeping
variety of the white ilulberry, and in order to
show its pendulous characters to the best advan-
tage it should be grafted on to upright stems of
the ordinary form. It is fairly well know-n and
can be obtained from most of our tree and shrub
nurserymen. There are many other forms of the
white Mulberry, it being more variable than the
common kind. The weeping form here noted
received an award of merit on April •11.

Rhododendron- Pixk Pearl. — Tliis Rhododen-
dron, upon which was bestowed an award of
merit on Maj* 11, is apparently one of the hybrids
of R. Fortune!, of which we have now' a consider-
able number in our gardens. It is a particularly
fine form, the flowers, which are very large, being
of a soft ros}' pink, with darker spots at the base
of the upper segment.

Syrinca Senateur Volland. — This is one of
the many double-flowered Lilacs raised by M.
Lemoine, of Nancy, several of which have been
before this acknowledged by the Roj'al Horticul-
tural Societj-. As these double forms do not
dirter greatlj' from each other, we have, I think,
quite enough varieties in our gardens. The flowers
of Senateur Volland are verj' double, purple in
the bud state, and pale lilac when expanded.
An award of merit was given it on May 11.

Rhopodknukon Mme. Moser. — This, which
was sent l>y Jl. Moser, of Versailles, is one of the
hardy Rhododendrons of the ponticum group.
The flowers of this are of a rich deep crimson and
semi-double, with cris])ed petals. Varieties of
this section with double blossoms are but few,
and Mme. Moser is a particularly good type, the
colour being rich and the plant dwarf and free
flowering — that is, judging by the specimen which
was exhil)itfd at the Temple show.

Azalea Fkf.ya. — Several varieties of hardy
Azaleas with double blossoms have made their
appearance of late years, and this is one of the
same section. The trusses of tliis are large and
bold, while the flowers are of a distinct and pretty
shade of salmon-pink.

Azalea Riiiera. — Another of the same class,
but the flowers of this are blush-white in the
interior and tinged with pink outside. These two
Azaleas and the Rhododendron immediatelj' pre-
ceding received awards of merit at the Temple
show on May 2C.

Cedris .vtlantica acrea.— This golden-leaved
form of the Atlas Cedar is of a good decided tint,
and widely removed from either the typical kind
or its glaucous-leaved variety. On June 15 a
first-class certificate was awarded this Cedar, it
being the first of three coloured-leaved conifers
that received the same acknowledgment duiint'
the year.

EstALLONiA LANCLEVENsis. — A very pretty hy-
brid form of Escallonia, obtained from E.
Philijipiana, crossed with the pollen of E. ma-
crantha -sanguinea. Tlie small dark green leaves
and tlie free-branching habit of the plant partake
more of the character of E. I'hilippiana. The
open bell-shaped flowers, pink, witli a deeper
centre, are borne in small trusses on almost every
little twig. An award of merit was given this on
June 1.").

Tiii'.JA GKiANTEA AUHEA. — There are several
forms of Thuja gigantea (Lobbi of gardens), and
this newest one bids fair to liecmie very popular
with those that arc fond of golden - leaved
conifer.s. In this variety the young growth is of
a rich golden hue, which changes in the second
season to the normal tint. A well-coloured ex-
ample was shown on .June 29, wlien a lirst-class
certificate was awarded it.

I'LATANTS orclDENTALIS .VKCEXTEO-VAUIEi: ATA.

— Under this name was shown a Plane the young
leaves of which were almost of a uniform creamy
white, but as they became older were marked in
a very irregular manner with white and ditierent
shades of green. As exhibited on July 13 the
plant was very pretty and received a first-class
certificate, but variegated-leaved trees in general
are seldom satisfactory. This variety of the Plane
appears to difl'er little, if at all, from one noted
elsewhere under the name of P. o. Suttneri.

Veronica La Seuuisante. — Though hardy only
in the more favoured districts of this country, the
Veronicas are very ornamental, free-flowering
shrubs, of which we have seen several new varie-
ties within the last few years. La Seduisante is
certainly one of the best of its class, the long
spikes of blossoms being borne in great profusion.
The colour of the flower is a beautiful rich purple,
while the leaves are shaded with bronze.

HiBiscrs SYRncus coiLESTis. — This hardy
Hibiscus, which has now been grown for some
years, is, I lielieve, of French origin. It is cer-
tainly very distinct and pretty, the large single
blossoms being of a kind of dark lavender-blue
with a purplish-crimson centre.

Hibiscus syriaciis Painted Lady. — The flowers
of this are blush-white with a maroon blotch at
the base of each petal, forming a most decided
contrast. An additional value is attached to
these varieties of Hibiscus, as they flower towards
the end of July and in August, when outdoor
shrubs in bloom are not numerous.

Retixospora oetusa sulpiiurba. — The whole
of the shoots of this variety are tipped with soft
sulphur-yellow, while the mature foliage is pale
green. It is a pretty and distinct variety of this
variable Japanese conifer, and received a first-
class certificate on September 21 .

Veronica Silver Star.— This, the second
Veronica to win distinction this season, is a
pretty little variegated shrub. In the young
leaves the variegation is of a creamy tint, "but it
ultimately becomes silvery white. The plant is of
a dwarf, compact habit and will doubtless be useful
for decoration. It received an award of merit on
October 12.

KiNDiNA noMESTiCA. — In Japan this is largely
grown for its ornamental qualities, but it is
generally believed to have been introduced from
China. It is nearly related to the Barberries, and
forms a somewhat ujjright, sparely branched bush.
Towards autumn the leaves become flushed with
red, and it was in this stage that an award of
merit was given to it on October 12. The small
whitish flowers, which are borne in soi.-iewhat
elongated panicles, are in themselves not at all
showy, but they are succeeded by berries about
the size of Peas, which are of a bright shining
red when ripe. In this stage the plant is par-
ticularly ornamental, but as a rule it does not
berry freely here. It does, however, in Japan,
where the cut sprays are largely used for indoor
decoration. This Nandina is hardy only in es-
pecially favoured districts, and is conseipiently
but seldom met «ith. T.

particularly bright red berries, wliicli in tint
surpass tliose of any of its immorliate relatives.
Whether less appreciated by the birds than others
I do not know, but the berries of (). rotundifolia
are untouclied, while those of all the others are
nearly cleared off. A fine bold clump of this
Cotoneaster is just now a. very striking feature.

Erica mediterranea hybrida. — In the col

lection of Ericas at Kew this Heath stands out as
particularly valuable from the fa('t that it is now
in full flower, and, judging by its [jrevious
behaviour, it will continue for some weeks yet.
It forms a dense rounded tuft about a foot high,
while the flowers, which are borne in creet spikes,
are ))ink, with the dark-coloured anthers just
protruding through the mouth of the corolla.
Whatever be the origin of this Heath, it is cer-
tainly widely removed from the typical E.
mediterranea. It deserves a jjlace in any collec-
tion owing to its winter-flowering (|ualities. — T.

Wellingtonias seeding. — An experience
gained from the solitary specimen trees of this
has not furnished opportunities for observing
whether the Wellingtonia seeds freely or rarely
in this country. In jileasure grounds where
avenues of them are planted it may be no un-
common occurrence to find seed-cones develop,
and to me, and probably to many other readers
of The Garden, it would be interesting to learn
what are the conditions in which Wellingtonias
are known to produce seed-cones. In the grounds
here are se\eral trees in varying ages, only one
of which has any tendency to seed, and this has
not been observed until the present year. The
tree under notice is not so large as the others,
though it certainly is the best shaped and
healthy. The largest has a girth of 17 feet at
.3 feet from the ground-line, wliile the otlier one
has probably not more than half the diameter of
stem. In this case even there is no freedom in
seed-production, perhaps not more than half a
dozen, and I shall be curious to know if the seed
will ripen. The fact of their being small and not
very conspicuous may account for some lack of
knowledge in the matter. At the present time
many observers might, without critically examin-
ing the higher branches, fail to detect the green
cone-s.— W. S., Rood As/doii, Wi/f.^.

Orchids.

Cotoneaster rotundifolia.— This shrub as
seen at Kew merits a passing note owing to its

NOTES ON ORCHIDS.
For a winter display few plants equal the beauti-
ful Uendrobium Phahunop^is. Thanks to the
ettbrts of collectors, we have now plenty of it in
cultivation, and in many collections of moderate
size only this fine species is represented by
hundreds of plants. Nothing can be more showy,
yet refined, than its magnificent racemes, the
colours more varied than those of any other Den-
drobe. Calanthes, too, are now very fine, many
of the choice hybrids as well as the usual C.
\estita and C. Veitchi in their varied forms de-
lighting the eye by their bright tints and delicate
texture. The earlier plants of Dendrobium
nobile, D. aureum, and D. Wardianura are also
beginning to be interesting, though tlie principal
display of these is not yet. Zygopetalum
Mackayi is a useful old plant, and there are even
now man}' Oncidiums and Miltonias left of the
autumn-flowering kinds. Lalia autumnalis, L.
anceps, and L. acuminata in variety have done
well this sunny autumn and are showy and
bright. Cypripediums, of course, are legion, and
the cool house is beginning to look very ga_v with
Odor.toglossum crispum and a few similar kinds.
The brilliant Sopbronitis grandiHora, the showy
section of Masdevallias, and a few chance sprays of
Mesospinidium and Cochlioda form an efl'ective
contrast with the snowj' white Masdevallia tovar-
ensis, a pretty and especially useful garden
(Jrchid. Vandas of the tricolor and nearly
related species have a few spikes still left, and
the spikcson the charming Saccolabiumgiganteum
are beginning to lengthen out.

508

THE GARDEN.

[December 25, 1897.

Not much can be done just now in the way of
repotting, but a good deal may be done towards
the health of the plants by constant and timelj'
attention to cleanliness as the term is applied in
its varied senses. The roof-glass, for one thing,
should be kept clean both inside and out, and all
spare time is well spent in sponging the foliage
of any plants where there is a suspicion of in-
sects. A considerable drop in the outside tem-
perature may be expected now at any time, and
everything should be in readiness to prepare for
it. Because we have wanted little fire-heat as
yet is no reason why flues should be left choked
with soot. Any night, dull and heavy as it may
appear at sundown, may change to severe frost
before morning, and this shows the necessity of
growers being alwaj's on the alert. One can
hardly go wrong at this time of year in keeping a
little warmtli on the pipes even in the cool house
and allowing a plentiful supply of fresh air. We
are ready then for whatever comes, and the air
currents are doing good, no matter what the
weather may be. In the metropolitan fog area
perhaps it is best not to allow much air while the
fogs are on, but this bane of the Orchid grower
will insinuate itself no matter what is done to
I>revent it. Growers in a pure air have a great
advantage over those near London, for fog in a
pure country atmosphere, though it may be un-
pleasant, does no harm, not being laden with the
sulphurous fumes from thousands of chimneys.
Damping at this season must be gone about with
caution, and though far from recommending a
harsh or dry atmospliere, I should certainly feel
safer with any house of epipliytal Orchids a
little on the dry side than the other way. Mois-
ture in summer when the sun is bright
and quickening in its effects is a very dif-
ferent thing to moisture now, when every day
we have more than we want of it outside. Espe-
cial care is neces.sary with such sensitive plants as
the Moth Orchids. Any change, however slight,
is felt more by these than by the usual run of
pseudo-bulbous kinds, and though such vigorous-
growing species as Phahunopsis amabilis, P.
Schilleriana and such like may get along under
rather unsuitable conditions, there are many
of the smaller-growing section and even of tlie
Luddemaniana types that will not stand it. It is
easy enough to say keep up a nicely-balanced
temperatiire. Some one wlio has tried may say,
"How is it to be done?" But it is quite im-
possible to give a detailed description of what is
necessary, circumstances varying so much that no
two cases are exactly alike. One point is actually
necessary in all, and that is to keep up the night
temperature of the house. None of the Phal.'B-
nopsids, even when at rest, need a lower tempera-
ture than 60°, and this figure must not be much
exceeded from now onwards until February or
March. (^)uite difTerent are the Dendrobes from
the same neighbourhood. One and all of the
deciduous kinds are better now for a low cool night
temperature, and any liouse where they get plenty
of light and air and a night temperature of 4.j° to
r)0° will suit them admirably. Watering at the
root now requires care ; few plants are taking
much, and many may be kept finite dry, the at-
mospheric moisture being ample to keep them in
good condition. Nearly all Cattleyas and many
La?Iics are taking much less. The L. pumila .section
being in flower needs a little moisture at the root,
and so do most of the large-growing kinds, but
even here for a month or two the drier side is the
safer. Little alteration is needed in the tempera-
tures given last month, but in every case it is
better to allow a slight drop on very cold nights
than to unduly press the fire-heat. R.

Cypripedium insigne Sanderse at Chelten-
ham.— This rare and beautiful Orcliid is at pre-
sent in flower in Mr. Cypher's nurserj-. I was
much struck with its distinctness. It seems to
possess all the good characters of the old insigne.
The flowers are of the same size and form, and
the leaves also are similar, but the colour of the
flower is a clear, rich pale yellow that makes it
attractive and conspicuous in a house where other

Cypripediums in great variety are grown. I
am sure when one meets with such a desirable
flower as this new Cypripedium is proving itself
to be, it is to be regretted that choice Orchids can-
not be multi])lied as quickly and grown as freely
as our soft wooded plants. — M.

Cymbidium Traceyanum A distinct form

of this lovelv Cvmbidium has recently flowered in
the collection of Mr. T. McMeekin at Falkland
Park, South Norwood. The plant carried a ra-
ceme of twelve flowers. The se])als and petals
were lacking in substance when compared with
many other forms of this species, and the colour
was also much lighter. They were of a pale
greenish yellow, heavily spotted and lined with
reddish brown. The front lobe of the lip is creamy

It requires a liberal amount of moisture at the ,
i roots during the growing season. It is liable to
attacks of red spider if grown where the position
is at all dry.— H. J. C.

Cattleya dolosa.— This pretty plant ".should

be more grown, for though the flowers lack the

size of and make less show than those of the-

labiata section of varieties, the delicately tinted

little blossoms never fail to excite admiration.

' It has been described as a variety of C. Walkeri-

ana, but it is quite distinct as a garden plant, no

matter how nearly related botanically. For one-

I thing, it always flowers upon the "top of the

' growth between the leaves and not from a

secondary growth, as in the species named. The

flowers, each about 4 inches across, are a pretty

Clematis Mont Blanc. From a photograph sent by Mr, C. Metcalf, Halifax. {See p. 499.)

white, spotted with light brown ; the ground
colour of the side lobes also white, lined with the
brown of the front lobe. C. Traceyanum first
flowered in Mr. H. A. Tracey's nursery at
Twickenham, and was exhibited at the Royal
Horticultural Society's meeting in December,
l.HOO, when it received a F.C.C. Several other
plants have since flowered, though none are equal
to the original in point of size and substance of
the blooms. Its habitat is practically unknown.
It is a ])lant of vigorous constitution, and should
be grown in an intermediate temperature. The
conqiost should consist of good fibrous peat and
loam, with a liberal sprinkling of rough sand or
finely broken crocks to keep the material free, as

soft rose varying a little in intensity, the lip hav-
ing a yellow disc and a briglit marginal blotch of
deep jjurple. The plant is not a strong grower,, j
and succeeds best either in small baskets or pans,
or wired to pieces of Tree Fern stem. The |
natural roughness of the latter material suits it
well, liut if grown in pans use a thin compost
only, consisting of peat and Moss in equal propor-
tions over good drainage. Disturbance is dangerous
with these small growers and should not be more
frequent than can be helped. This Cattlcy.a
flowers upon the newly-formed bulbs without
resting, and should therefore be kept moist miti!
the blooms are past, removing these as soon as
open from small or weak plants. It is a native

December 25, 1897.J

THE GARDEN.

509

of Minus Geraes, and was introduced in 18T'2.
Importations since have not been very frequent,
but it is a plant well worth seeking for.

Cattleya Walkeriana. -This I have noticed
in tlowcr this wocU. Thclilossoms are each about
4 inches across, the sepals and petals recurvinj;
and soft rose in colour ; tlie liji has a yellow
centre and a briprht purple blotch in front. The
flowers are produced on few-Howered spikes, not
from the top of the pseudo-bulb, as is usual in the
genus, but from a kind of spurious growth that
springs from the base of this. The plant does
best in shallow (lans or baskets suspended near
the roof in the Cattleya house, and the habit of
the species must be kept in mind when preparing
these and the compost. A large body of material
is aliout the worst thing possible for it. C.
Walkeriana is not exactly a robust plant, and
care should be taken tliat it does not over-
Cower itself. Because the growth that pro-
duces the flower-spike dwindles away when
the blossoms are past is no reason why the
strain of Ihiweriug is not felt just as severely
as with other kinds. \\"hen the plants are
strong and healthy, flowering does not, of
course, liarm them in the least. C. Walkeriana
is a native of Brazil, where it was discovered
about 1841) by Gardner.— R.

Odontoglossum constrictum. — This is a
modest-lo.iking little Odontoglot, very variable in
colour and markings, and very free-flowering.
The blossiims are pleasantly fragrant and last
well in good condition if not sprinkled with water
or bruised. The scapes bear a large number of
flowers each about 2 inches across, all the seg-
ments being narrow, ])ale yellow with reddish-
brown spots, except the lip, which is usually
white with fewer and larger spots of rosy-red.
It should be grown in small pans suspeudecf from
the roof or in pots, but the semi-drooping spikes
look well in tlie former position. Not onlj' this,
but the free circulation of air in such positions
tends to health and vigour in the plants. Not
more than an inch of compost is necessary, but
this should be of the best quality obtainable,
brown fibrous peat and freshly-gathered Sphagnum
jSIoss being mixed with crocks and charcoal. Pot
the plants lirmly in autumn, and keep on the
dry side until roots are forming. After this all
through the year they must be kept moist, the
house wherein they are grown being heavily
shaded and freely ventilated. It is a native of
La Ouayra and Caracas, whence it was intro-
duced in 184.3, and first flowered in Mr. Rucker's
collection. A very similar plant is O. Sanderi-
anum from the .same locality.

liSelia Perrini. — The flowers of this fine old
La'lia are very bright and useful, though not so
large as some others in the genus. It produces
its flowers from the apex of the young growth
after the manner of the autumn-blooming Cat-
tleyas, and each spike bears three or four flowers
about 5 inches across. In the typical form the
sepals and |)etals are a bright rosy lilac, the lip
similar in ground colour, with purple and yellow
markings. It is not a species that delights in
much compost : nice specimens ma^- be grown in
pots about () inches across tilled to within 1 ?, inches
of the top with clean crocks. For compost use
good peat and Moss, with plenty of crocks and
charcoal. The ]ilants, when newly imported, are
often very dirty and covered with insects, and
this of course nuist be rectified before placing
them among clean, healthy plants. Choose a
light position at the cool end of the Cattleya
house and encourage the plants to grow freely
during the spring and summer, but after flower-
ing keep them dormant until the next spring.
The atmosphere may be kept moist the whole
year round, but it is not exactly a thirsty sub-
ject at the roots. L. Perrini is a native of Rio de
Janeiro, occurring rather high up on the moun-
tains. The date of its introduction was about
18.S

Sophronitis grandiflora. — Once again the
beautiful showy blossoms of this Orchid are open,
anil by their bright elfective tints lighten up the

flowering house considerably. It is really sur-
prising the amount of blo.ssoni that small plants
of this species go on producing year after year
without any ap])arcnt harm, and not oidy this,
but carrying them on the jjlant for weeks on end.
.\ pretty flower is H. grandiflora in spite of its
somewhat ilat shajje. The plants are not difhcidt
of cultivation when once a suitable place is found
for them, and this will not be in quite the coolest
hou.se, but in sucli a position as the warm section
of Odontoglo.ssums thrives in. I like them best sus-
pended from the roof, both on account of their
liking for plenty of air and also because of the
light reaching every part of the plant at all sea-
sons of the year. Under these conditions the
plants get solid and of that bronzed appearance
that is always the result of health and fore-
runner of a bounteous bloom. They are not very
strong-rooting plants, so only a thin compost is
needed. Sophronitis grandiflora is a native of the
Organ Mountains, in Brazil, and it must be very
plentiful there, seoresof large importations having
been made since Gardner first sent it to Messrs.
Loddiges, of Hackney, about 1840. — H.

CYMBIDIUM GIGANTEUM.

Thk flowers of this species are now open, and it
makes a nice show, especially on large, healthy
|3lants. The leaves are long, sword-shaped, deep
green with paler \eins, and the pseudo-bulbs are
large, oval, with the leaf sheaths clasping them
at the base. C. giganteum is a very easily grown
species, and, like all the large members of the
genus, likes a substantial compost. I am aware
some growers use manures of various kinds rather
freely, but I grow it in equal parts of peat fibre,
cho|i]ied Sphagnum Moss, and loam, with a
liberal adtlition of large broken crocks or potter's
ballast, and have no reason to be dissatisfied with
the result. The time when feeding with manures
seems to be necessary is when the plants are too
large to be shifted into larger pots, yet are pot-
bound. It becomes a question then of feeding or
else of breaking up the specimens, and when well
suited it is remarkable how quickly thesa plants
outgrow their receptacles. A piece I imported
about five years age was then placed in a pot
about 10 in. across. It is now in one 18 inches,
and has grown out over the sides in all direc-
tions, so that next time a shift is given it
will need a much larger one. It is not often
possible to remove much of the old material, as
this is usually so firmly entwined with roots that
the latter cannot be interfered with. In such
cases a good shift must be given and the material
made firm with a potting-stick. The plant
noted above is growing in a cool shady fernery, a
class of structure that suits Cymbidiums much
better than a very warm Orchid house. In
the latter the plants are sure to be overrun with
insects, and the bud-dropping, so troublesome in
this and nearly related kinds, is almost unknown
in a cool house. For years I was troubled with
this in C. Lowianum, but since I have ado])ted
a cooler regime I have had no trouble. The worst
insect enemy to Cyml)idium giganteum is a small
white scale that clings very closely to the leaves.
This should be kept in check by frequent syring-
ing, and wherever the plants are thoroughly
clean, use every endeavour to keep them so, for
it is a troublesome job to get rid of it once they
are badly overrun. Frequent light dampings or
spravinEr o\ erhead are beneficial to the plants,
especially when the weather is hot and dry, and
at this time a shady position should always be
afforded. C. giganteum was discovered in
Northern India by Dr. Wallich, who introduced
it in 18;i7. R.

Epidendrum Brassavolee. — This is a very

distinct and pretty species, the flowers, as denoted
by the specific name, resembling somewhat those
of a Brassa\ ola. It has greenish or straw-coloured
sepals and jjetals, the lip trowel-shaped, pale
purple in front, with a yellow-striped throat.
The pseudo-bulbs each bear a pair of dark green
lea\es, from between which the flower-spikes

i.ssue, each spike carrying about half a dozen.
It does well in the Cattleya house in medium-
siz<'d i)0ts, and likes plenty of moisture while
making its growth. It is a native of Chiriqui and
was sent liome by Mr. G. Ure Skinner. It first
flowereil in this country in 1867.

Barkeria Barkeriola.— Although a small-
growing plant, this bears fine racemes when in
good condition. These are drooping and contain
about five or six flowers, each ujiwards of
\\ inches across. The sepals, petals, and lip are
white, with a suffusion of lilac or .soft purple,
and the latter has a much deeper purple blotch
in front. This Barkeria does well suspended from
the roof in a cool, moist, yet fairly light house,
where it has plenty of air about it all the
year round, with only a little compost about the
roots. It is a native of Mexico, and was intro-
duced by Messrs. Sander in 1884.

Odontog'lossum pulchellum. — This pretty
)ilant I noted in flower a ilay or two since for the
first time this season. The spikes grow a foot or
more high, and the upper portion is clothed with
the chaste little white blossoms, each with a
bright golden - yellow centre. A more easily
grown Odontoglot does not in all probability
exist, as it will thrive in many places where none
of the crispum or similar type will do. A cool,
moist atmosphere all the year round, plenty of
water at the root while growing, and a shady
position suit it best. The roots are somewhat
larger than in some others, eonsecjuently the com-
post must lie very rough and open.

Piluina fragrans. — This resembles no other
flower so much as the white Dipladenia boliviensis,
the fiat lip with its dense j'ellow eye being very
beautiful. The growth is peculiar, the bulbs
having a flattened appearance, and lioth these and
the foliage ha\e a similar shade of dark green.
P. fragrans when strong and healthy roots with
comparative freedom in a rough mixture of peat
and Moss, but I know of few Orchids more diffi-
cult to induce to root freely again when once they
have got into a bad condition. This shows the
necessity for good drainage, an open compost,
careful watering and timel}' attention to top-
dressing before the old material gets sour. — R.

Cypripedium Sedeni. — This is one of the
oldest hybrids, but difficult to beat as a garden
Orchid, its delicate, yet showy blossoms being
produced nearly the whole year round. In the
typical plant these are rosy white on the dorsal
sepal, the lip deeper in colour, but there are many
named varieties. It is a very easily grown kind
and will thrive and flower with the greatest free-
dom in an intermediate Orchid house or fernery,
liking a fairly light position without being exposed
to the sun. It glows freely in a compost of equal
parts of peat fibre, loam and Sphagnum Moss, and
may be repotted early in the new year if this is
needed.

Laelia autumnalis atro-rubens. — This is a
richly-tinted and beautiful variety, the flowei's of
a bright purplish crimson, larger and broader in
the segments than the tj'pe. It was introduced by-
Messrs. Backhouse in 1879, and, like the typical
plant, delights in a cool, yet moist and w-ell ven-
tilated house all the year round. It may be in an
almost unshaded position, this tending to a firm
growth that is bound to be satisfactory at flower-
ing time, and during active growth tlie plants
retjuirea very abundant supply of moisture. While
at rest they may be kept perfectly dry for a few
weeks with advantage. It is best grown on trel-
lised blocks or in baskets, with a thin compost of
pe:it and Moss over good drainage.

Epidendrum Cooperianum. — Although for
some reason this section of Epidendrum finds
little favour with Orchid growers, few jilants
are prettier when the room they take up and their
easy culture are considered. E. Cooperianum is
not particularly showy, but the contrast of the rosy
lip against the olive tinted .sepals is very good,
while the habit of the plant and the disposition of
the racemes are elegant. It usually grows about a
couple of feet in height, the stems being covered

510

THE GARDEN.

[December 25, 1897.

towards the upper part with deep green leaves.
To grow it well, a fairly large pot and a rough,
open mixture of peat fibre. S[)hagnum Moss, and
charcoal are necessary. The plants should not
be disturbed oftener than really necessary, but it
is better to repot than allow a sour and water-
logged condition of the compost. Remove every-
thing of this character when taking the plants
oat of their old pots and drain the new ones
thoroughly. Pot firmly, with a very slight rise
to the centre only for strong plants, weaker ones
being elevated a little more. Grow them as
rapidly as possible consistent with a firm growth,
and allow plenty of sunlieht towards the latter
end of the season. Avoid watering them heavily
overhead, but light sprinklings are very bene-
ficial in hot weather. It does best under Cattleya
house treatment, being a native of Brazil, whence
it was introduced in 180.5.

Stove and Greenhouse.

PLANTS THAT FORCE WELL.
When the Chrysanthemums and Geranium.s are
past there is always a demand fur spring flowers
of various kinds, and in -order that there may
be no blanks it will be necessary to introduce
the plants into heat now. The requirements of
places so diil'er that it would be impossible to
lay down any rules as to what are the best
things to force, but, as a rule, flowers with
strong scent are not so much in request ; tliose,
however, having a light, graceful habit, bright
in appearance, and producing an abundance of
bloom are the most useful. Many of our hardy
.shrubs will force well, and the same can also be
said of some of the early flowering herbaceous
plants, and those who have to supply a quantity
of cut flowers would do well to grow a batch of
such things as the following. The Doronicums
in ordinary seasons will bloom freely enough in
the open ground in March, but if grown m
clumps specially for forcing they may he potted
up in October and stood in a cold frame until
required. If introduced into a gentle heat in
December they may be had in bloom from
January onward till those in the open ground
flower. The old D. caucasicum is the most com-
mon and flowers the earliest, but Clusii and plan-
tagineum excelsum are the two best, the flowers
being larger and the stems longer. Aquilegias
when well grown in jjots look very handsome.
A. cterulea and glandulosa are particularly fine,
and may easily be had in flower in February.
These plants will not stand much forcing ;
therefore to have them in bloom early they
must be brought on gradually. Plants strong
enough for tliis purpose may be grown from
seed sown as soon as it is ripe either in the
open ground or in boxes. When large enough
to handle, the seedlings should be pricked out
into a cold frame where they can be protected
through the winter, when if planted out on a
light, rich piece of ground they may be lifted
and potted the following October. Dielytra
spectabilis is so well known that it needs no
description. Many, however, fail to grow it to
perfection on account of applying too much fire-
heat. As a pot plant it is charming, and for
cutting there are few things more beautiful, as
the leaves as well as the flowers have such a
graceful appearance. The plants intended for
forcing should be potted up as soon as the foli-
age has died down and protected under beds of
ashes till required.

Turning to the shrubs that are useful for this
purpose, we find even a greater number to
choose from. In the first place, we have
Spiraja confusa, with its pretty little clusters of
Hawthorn-like flowers. This species only re-

quires a very gentle heat to induce the flowers
to expand, f(jr being naturally very early in
bloom too nmch warmth would cause the buds
to go blind. Where there is much room deco-
ration in early spring this is one of the most
lovely plants possible for that jrarpose. The
flciwers are borne in small clusters along the
preceding year's growths, whicli are very slen-
der, and therefore hang gracefully in great jiro-
fusion. Another companion is the double-
flowering Cherry.

Staphylea colchica is also a good shrub to
force, its graceful spikes being produced in
great profusion with the most gentle forcing.
There are several varieties of Deutzia, all of
which force easily and bloom most piofusely.
They are easily grown from cuttings and layers,
so that no place need be without them. Amyg-

tivation than Hydrangea Thomas Hogg. Cut-
tings of this inserted in a cold frame in July
will, if potted up as soon as they have rooted,
flower well early in the season. I have often
had plants treated thus in full bloom early in
March. They can be introduced into heat as
required, when they will make nice, useful
.stuti' ; the flowers, being white, are always in
request. Tliere are many other shrubs that are
useful for forcing, such as the Ghent Azaleas,
Azalea mollis, some of the alpine Rhododen-
drons, Kalinias, Andromedas, iVrc.

H. C. P.

Hymenocallis caribaea. — This handsome-
species has been flowering well of late in the
great Palm house in the Royal Gardens, Kew,
a large examfjle having produced several scapes.

The erect Clematis (C. recti)- From a photograph sent !)i/ Miss Willinott,
TTar'et/ Place. (See p. 4'M.)

dalus and Prunus are also two shrubs that ex-
pand their flowers with but little forcing. They
are useful for decoration, but are of no value
for cutting. There are also several varieties
of Syringa, notably Charles the Tenth. This
fine variety when well grown produces tine
clusters of bloom, which last for some time in
perfection if kept in the conservatory. The ■
same may be said of the Guelder Rose and
Philadelphus coronarius, both of which make
nice pot plants when in a small state. The
flowers of the latter are, however, too strong ,
scented to suit most people, particularly wnen j
used for room decoration. But of all the
flowering shrubs none are more worthy of cul-

with the usual array of pretty flowers. The'^chief
beauty of several species of this genus, apart
from their characteristic grace and elegance, is
the prettily formed membranous cup within the
segments. In some instances this is exceedingly
chaste and beautiful, glistening in the satiny,
almost transparent whiteness. Some species also
are delightfully fragrant, thus adding another
charm to these valuable stove bulbous plants.

Justicia carnea. — I remember some thirty
years ago this plant was much grown. The old
plants were cut back about July, and placed in a
warm pit to break. Then they were shaken out,
potted, and returned to the pit. As the days
shortened they were placed in a vinery just
started, and here they gave an enormous amount

December 25, 1897.1

THE GARDEN.

511

of bloom in the months of Fobruavy mid March.
Anotlier simple way to {^row this plant is to strike
the cutting's in March or Ai)ril. Wtien strong
enoufih take out the tops. When the pots are
full of roots in .luly, put the plants into .5-inch or
() inch pots, f;ro\vin{j them on in ii warm frame.
When the weather is too cold for them to remain
here, place them in a w arm house with a tempera-
ture of about .")ll-' to .Vi° lit nif;ht, and here they
will bloom (luring the dull autumn mouths. I
have them now (December 3) in bloom grown iu
this way. — Dokskt.

Tacaonia exoniensis. — There are few more
suitable plants for climbing over the roofs of
large houses and tilling the space ([uickly than
this Tacsonia. In a long glazed corridor here,
where it is too draughty for Lapagerias, I planted
a small piece three years ago, and it has made
v.onderful progiess. Since June it has not been
without flowers, and there are scores of buds to
open now ; thev are, in fact, produced at every
joint. Like the Passion Flower, it thrives in
almost any description of soil, and to obtain the
best results it should be allowed to ramble un-
checked as far as possible. A few of the more
ram[)ant shoots must, of course, be cut out where
they have tilled their stations, liut if there is
room for these to hang down a yard or more from
the glass the effect is much finer than if kept tied
in closely'. Propagation is easil3' effected by cut-
tings, seeds, or layers. Cuttings of young wood
root freely in sandy soil under a bell-glass or in
a propagating pit. Pot on until the plants have
made a yard or two in length, and then jilant in
their permanent positions, giving rather a large
but well-drained border if possible. — R.

Kitchen Garden.

FORCING FRENCH BEANS.

The forcing of French Beans from November
to January is not profitable ; indeed, I have
never been able to get suiiicient pods to pay for
room occupied, as though I have got a fair set,
the pods refused to swell, turned yellow, and
finally dropped. Of course, in brighter locali-
ties there may be greater success. These re-
marks would more concern wliat maybe termed
autumn supplies, as plants from seed sown now
will come in for early spring use, and with
lengthening days and more light there i.s less
difficulty in securing a crop. I endeavour to
get Beans as early as po.ssible in the new year,
and for this reason sow early in December.
This cannot be advised if cost is considered, as
the crop is none too plentiful ; still, French
Beans in February are a welcome addition.
The plants at this dull period of the year are
none too strong, and the only gain is earliness.
For reliable supplies January sowings are quite
early enough, and I will briefly describe the
forcing from January to June and note the
value of those kinds which do best. For what
may be termed early supplies I would advise
small pots. I find it advisable to grow the
earlier lots in small jiots, as there are few roots,
these decaying if overwatered or given insuffi-
cient heat. .Six-inch pots are useful, and I do
not exceed 7-inch for the earlier lots. Many .sow-
too many seeds in a pot. It may be necessary
to sow liberally, but in no case should thinning
be overlooked, as too many plants cause weak-
ness, and they have a tendency to decay at
the base just above the surface. Three to five
plants in the size of pot named are ample.
I prefer the smaller number, as these will
then be stronger and yield more pods than
crowded plants. JFany person.s adopt tlie old
method of half filling the pots when sowing,
filling up the remaining portion when growth
is fairly active or before the plants come into

flower. T do not advise it, as I have noticed
the added soil is not filled with roots. The
new soil causes the stems to decay. I advise
filling up the pots to within 2 inches of the top
at time of sowing, relying on liipiid manure
later in lu'eferenco to giving top-dressings of
soil or decayed manure. I have seen many
failures «-ith giving hard forced Beans excess of
manure in tlieir early stages. The plants occupy
the soil .so short a time, .say six to nine weeks,
tli.it there is not time to absorb the rich food
given. After sowing, much dejiends on how
the plants are treated. I have had failures witli
.lanuary .sowings ; they may have had too much
moisture at the stai-t, which is fatal, or have
been too long in germinating. Another evil is
too old or imperfectly ripened seed. For the
earliest supplies, new seed and that ripened
early in the summer is the best. I ahv.iys .sow
at the end of A])ril to get the best seed for hard
forcing. Rapid germination is a great gain,
and in potting, if the soil is light, ram firmly,
this cau.sing the plants to get a strong root-hold,
and they do not dry so i|uickly or suffer from
red spider. I place the plants over the hot- water
pipes till the beans push through the soil and
then stand on shelves or stages close to the
glass and water very carefully ; indeed, no water
is needed from time of .sowing till the plants
are a few inches high if the soil is fairly moist.
The temperature may range from (iO" to 70' by
day, 10' lower at night, and the hou.se or pits
will need to be fairly dry. In fine weather dam]:i-
ing over early in the day with the syringe will
do good, but tlie plants should be dry by sunset
and not damped over when iu Hower. For first
supplies very little food will be needed. Weak
li(juid I find best after the flowers have Ket.
From early January-sown plants there will be
gatherings till the end of February and early
March. An early variety is best — Syon House,
still an excellent early Bean, Ne Plus Ultra or
the larger Early Favourite.

We now come to the most important crop —
that sown in February and INIarch. Larger
pots may be used or they may be planted out.
For February sowing I still advise the early quick
growers. For years I found Mohawk a reliable
variety. At this date 8-inch pots are a useful
size. The seeds will germinate more quickly,
the plants are stronger and need more moisture.
It is well to use bottom-heat to get a rapid
growth. For beds I usually sow in 3-inch pots
and make the bed at time of sowing. By the
time tlie plants are ready the soil is warmed
through and in condition for planting. A
bottom-heat of 80° and a liberal top heat are
needed. To save time in March or April many
sow thinly in boxes and lift the plants direct
into the beds when a few inches high, and with
care it is a good plan. Another plan is to sow in
their growing quarters when the soil is warm,
and when a few inches above the soil to thin to
the distance required. Beds have much in their
favour if near the glass, as more than one crop
can be taken from the same plants, as if
they are clean after the first crop is cleared,
the surface dressed with rich food such
as bone-meal or spent mushroom manure
and tlie plants stopped, they make new growth
and produce a second crop much sooner than
new plants from seed. For April sowings, or
indeed when March is well advanced, there is
no need to study variety, as now any kind will
grow freely, and, if wished, larger pots may be
used and a greater depth of soil given plants
iu beds. Sow every fortnight in pots from
March to the end of April, but at longer inter-
vals for beds.

The best variety if size and quality are needed
is the Canadian Wonder. There is more than

(me variety (jf this excellent Bean. The true
(jne gives a very large pod and is exceedingly
prolific. I have seen this variety give three
cro]is. Canadian Wonder treated too well runs
to leaf growth. Tliis is why I have not advo-
cated planting out in cold frames fcjr latest
supplies. If ijlanted out the soil should not be
t(jo rich or too deep and the jilauts not too
thick. Mohawk is always reliable, also Negro
LongixMl and Long Sword. For large houses
where there is head room, anyone may witli
advantage sow the newer variety or climbing
French Bean. This, witli a few sticks, gives a
wonderful crop of sjilendid pods. I do not
advise it f(U- forcing, but for latest supjilies
grown in pots it docs well. It is more at home
planted out and stopped at :! feet from the soil.
This variety, if sown the last week in Marcli or
early in .\pril, will give a good supply just
before the earliest plants in the open borders
turn in. C. Wvthes.

Autumn Giant Cauliflower.— I doubt if
ever there was a more fa\(mrable season for
this splendid vegetable, for up to the present
heads are being cut in the open fields by wagg(Jn-
loads, every one fit for exhibition, and so solid
that ea(;h one weiglis several pounds ; in fact, the
general complaint has been that they are far t0(3
large. A few days since I saw a quantity of
heads cut (|uite Uirge enough for any purpose.
The plants had never been transplanted from the
seed-bed, but merely thinned out to a foot apart
by pulling away the smallest ones. — I. (j-, '■'■"<-
}iort.

Lettuce-leaved Endive.— This new Endive
I have grown this year, and find it valuable tor
winter salads. It is doubtless a type of the
Large-leaved Batavian, one of the best winter
Endives grown, as it is hardy and of excellent
quality. The variety in question has large leaves,
with solid hearts, and it blanches freely witli
little heat if in a dark place. Unlike the curled
varieties, it does not decay, but is crisp and sweet.
Some persons like the Endives for boiling m the
.same way as Spinach. Of course, for that pur-
pose blanching is not necessary. The at>o;\e;
owing to its size and fine shape, is a splendid
variety for autumn supplies. 1 find it does not
run to seed for a long time and is very liardy.
For winter use the above variety will be touna
valuable, as it will give a supply when Lettuce is
scarce. — W. B.

Salsafy Giant.— This is a new introduction,
and certainlv an excellent one. It is quite dis-
tinct from the old type, as it is larger ancl ol
better flavour. I am not an admirer of vegetables
on account of mere size, but in the old variety
the roots are small and in many gardens mucli
forked and difficult to clean or prepare for table.
I find the new Giant excellent as regards size, anrt
the roots being thicker, longer, and les5 forked
are a welcome addition to our winter vegetables.
For years I have treated this plant dirt^erent to
other roots. It is not well to lift early : indeed,
in well-drained land it winters in its growing
(luarters with a few ashes or litter over the
crowns in severe weather. In wet land the roots
decay. In such cases late lifting and a ccjol store
are addsable, with plenty of soil or sand lietwecn
each layer of roots to keep them from shrivelling.
When sowing, too rich land must be av(jideU, as
manures cause the roots to fork badly.— o.
Wythes.

Tomato Conqueror in winter.— Those who
saw the large collection of this variety at a recent
meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society could
not fail to notice its excellence, and though 1 ""•^e
.seen better coloured fruits, no fault could be louna
with the size or quality. I am aware this variety
does not find favour with private growers in many
places on account of the fruits being uneven anil
rather flat, but in a measure this may be avoided.
I know it is difficult to get the fruits free of the
objections noted. Some of the fruits will be-

512

THE GARDEN.

[December 25, 1897.

come corrugated, but this matters little at tliis
season, as they are mostly used for cooking. My
object in sending this note is to point out the
value of Conqueror as a winter Tomato. Of
course there is no lack of home-grown Tomatoes
in December, but this variety ripening now will
keep longer than many others, and this is a great
gain. The fruits of Conqueror do not split or
decay at the stem so readily as some of the better
shaped kinds. As regards its cropping I know of
none better. In the north this is a great favourite
for open-air culture. For mid-winter crops plants
raised in June will set fruits later than most kinds,
and what is so valuable to the large grower is that
it sets well into the autumn with scarcely any
fertilising. For forcing. Conqueror will hold its
own. Doubtless much of its value as a winter
Tomato is on account of its free setting. The
fruits are drier than those of the Perfection type,
but little inferior in quality if season is taken
into consideration. For many years I grew
Conqueror on account of its earliness and free
setting, but there are newer early kinds which
now find more favour and are of better shape.
Conference is nearly as early and is excellent, and
Frogmore Selected is a grand forcer, with fine
flavour, and, like Conference, very prolific— S. H.
Keeping' Onions.— My Onions are keeping
very badly this .\ear, though apparently well
ripened when liarvested, and although they were
perfectly dry, some are already beginning to grow-
out. White Spanish is largely relied on herc^and
it is keeping better than any other kind, the
bulbs being of medium size with small necks.
They are stored in a small lean-to shed with no
protection but that of the tiled roof, and last year
they were many times frozen quite hard. This does
no harm, in fact I believe had the weather Ijeen
colder the bulbs would have been in better condi-
tion now. .James' Keejiing is a capital Onion
when obtained true, but this season I have been
growing a large soft variety not unlike Giant
Rocca in place of it, thanks to badly selected seed.
Autumn-sown plants are looking much better
than last year, and with reasonable exemption
from bolting these should be an early and useful
crop. But these cannot Ijc relied on 'much before
May, and as Onions are a daily necessity in the
kitchen it is important that everything possible is
done to ensure their keeping well. A free circula-
tion of air and thin storage are important, and
the cooler and drier the store the longer the bulbs
keep in good order. But even morelmportant it
IS to get the bulbs thoroughly ripened before
storing and quite dry, otherwise, with every care
they will not be satisfactory.— R.

Good Celery.— There is no lack of varieties of
Celery, and at this season one can .soon dis-
tinguish any special merit in this vegetable. It
IS surprising how Celeries diff'er in the same soils
and under the same treatment. Sufficient mois-
ture IS an important detail, and one that is often
o\-erlooked at the most important
growth— July to Sejjtember, as plants at all
starved never have the sweet, nutty flavour of
those not cheeked in any way. I am aware there
can bo excess of food in the way of rank liquid
manure, as I have seen many plants ruined by
sewage being employed at a season the roots were
dry and very few perfect plants were found.
Many think that Celery cannot have too much
food, but it is wrong, as in many cases such
Celery is thick at the base, makes a woody
thickened growth, and soon bolts. I like the
raedium-sized varieties, not because they are of
superior flavour, as a well-grown large kind is
quite as good. For table the medium sized roots
are better, as they are more readily cleaned and
need less cutting. On. the other hand, the large
roots keep well if grown specially for late sup-
plies. I find the red Celeries the best flaA-oured
after the new year is in, and there is little doubt
that the red kinds are the best keepers. With so
rnany kinds to select from growers of small quan-
tities do not know which is best, but they may
get a fair idea from the notes on the different
varieties by large growers. I know one large
grower who only has two varieties "

it may not be important to study ([uality if size is
obtained. He grows those for which there is the
greatest demand. Some of the larger Celeries
are not at all inferior to the smaller kinds in
quality if well grown from the start. — L. W.

Wintering garden roots. — Where Beets,
not the hardiest of roots, are found to pre-
serve their flavour and freshness best in the soil
during the winter, and that is generally the case
if the soil be fairly porous, it is good practice to
lift each other row, and store the roots in dry sand
or ashes on their sides in a cool shed, and then
carefully earth up the remaining rows, drawing
the lea\es erect, and covering up the crowns fully
(i inches deep with soil. So covered. Beets will
stand much hard weather admirably. There
can be no doubt but that roots so kept show the
highest flavour when cooked. Parsnips also seem
to keep much the best in the soil if it be not too
holding or retentive of moisture. They, too, may
be earthed up in the same way, and Turnips in
drills are much safer for such soil protection.
Large Carrots m;iy be best out of the ground, as
they are so liable to split with moisture, but the
late summer or July sowing does well left in the
ground, needing a slight covering of litter or
Fern when hard weather comes. Celeriac can
also be kept fresh and from harm by well earthing
up. In some gardens it is found an excellent
plan to lift all the roots from the open quarters
and to lay them in thickl}' underneath overhang-
ing trees, as these furnisli much protection from
frost. A good coating of dry leaves o\er the roots
keeps them safe, and the roots are found to be
very fresh and juicy. Too often roots are stored
in cellars or places where the atmosphere is close
and warm. — A. 1).

BEETROOT IN WINTER.

Mv experience with Beetroot coincides with that
of "(J. W." (page 452) as regards its hardiness.
Although it is convenient to store a few for im-
mediate use under cover, the bulk is better left
outdoors. My plan for several years past has
been to lift the roots in autumn, laying them in
shallow beds on a border near the path, from
which they may be drawn as retpiired for use.
This is done by simply opening a small trench at
one end with the spade, deep enough to lay in
the roots, over which the soil removed for the
next row is placed, leaving the foliage unbroken.
With the roots wholly covered with soil they re-
main sound and firm for several months, and are
thus quite free from the objectioiial.)le shrivelling
which occurs when placed in dry root stores.
Nothing could be more simple, economical, or
satisfactory. In the e\ent of severe weather, a
covering of leaves, and over these just sufficient
strawy litter to prevent them being disturbed by
the wind, is all that is necessary'. By stacking
them in an open shed in laj'ers of roots and moist
period of , soil alternating, I have had firm roots in July the
following j-ear, but it is not everywhere that shed
room is so convenient to hand. The advantages,
however, of such accommodation are great when
long spells of bad weather, particularly frost and
snow, set in. Large roots, without doubt, are
most unprofitable, and, apart from their inferior
cooking qualities, they are a source of complaint
from the cook, because of the inconvenience of
their great size. Poor and firm soil and late
sowing are the best provisions for giving all-
round satisfaction, but too often early sowing is
resorted to in small gardens. With the early
Globe-shaped varieties now available there is not
the same necessity for late-stored Beets, because
it is such an easy matter to connect the two sea-
sons in the matter of supply. For very late use
they should be stored in a cool position under the
shade of trees or a north wall. W. S.

Wi/fs.

Potato Syon House Prolific— This is likely

to be one of the most useful varieties in existence,

judging by results recently noted at Livermere.

From a couple of dozen sets there seemed to be a

For market ' remarkably large heap, and when the quality of

the new-comer is taken into consideration, its
value is at once apparent. The tubers were very
regular in size, of capital shape, with hardly any
perceptible eye. The skin is slightly rough and
the flesh white, while its flavour is also excellent.
Anyone on the look-out for a good variety should
certainly give this a trial.

Jerusalem Artichokes. — Judging by a
sam(ile I saw very recently grown by a gardener
at Surbiton, it seems evident that much may be
done to improve the outline of the tubers of this
vegetable if the most shapely Vjc constantly se-
lected. The samples shown me a few weeks since
were smooth and good in form. The grower said
that he had already selected for successional
planting any tubers that showed the bud pro-
tuberance in less pronounced form, and in the
tubers I saw this protuberance was scarcely in
evidence. Possibly the white-skinned form owes
its greater relative smoothness of outline to a
rather less robust habit. — A. 1).

Cabbag'e Sutton's Earliest.— This is a very
useful variety either for spring or autumn use, as
nice heads may be cut in about four months from
the time of sowing. After a hard winter, when
the plants are badly cut up and supplies are
likely to be none too plentiful, this variety may
be sown in boxes under glass, pricked out and
planted on a warm, early liorder, when it soon
turns in and heljis materially with the autumn
plants. If reciuired to stand the winter, it must
not be sown before September, and planted out
when ready on firm ground. So treated it has
proved very useful, and in seasons when EUam's
Early has run, this has been quite fiee from
bolting. — R.

Large Carrots. — Other than for show, I fail
to see the utility of having Carrots so large as
often seen, and even for exhibition they should
not have preference over medium roots with less
core and of better i|uality. A new Carrot — or, at
least, a little-known one — I have recently seen
measured "2.', feet in length and from 10 inches to
15 inches round. These huge vegetables are not
so great favourites as many imagine; in fact, of
late years I am pleased to note there is more I
demand for quality. Most growers know that
the best roots are those grown quickly. Toma-
toes if extra large find less favour, and Brussels
Sprouts also may be grown too coarse. To
obtain large roots a much longer period of growth
is needed, and when lifted, such roots do not
keep so well as smaller ones. — M. E.

"White Jerusalem Artichoke. — Ha\ing
grown the white Artichoke for several years
without any trace of disease, I was surprised to
learn from Mr. Tallack's note (p. 400) that his
tubers were attacked. Mr. Wythes, too, imparts '
information (p. 45'2) to me previously unknown,
namely, that there are three distinct kinds.
The stock I have is of medium size, much more
even in outline than the old purple sort, clear in
colour, and very prolific. A variety, however,
that would produce roots i) inches to 12 inches in.
length would seem to me to deserve to be better
known, notwithstanding, as Mr. Wythes points
out, the superior qualities of the smaller kind.
Artichokes in many gardens are not given very
good quarters or attention, because they are not
highly appreciated by many consumers. This
happens more frequently in small than in large
gardens, and the information given by Mr. Tal-
lack will certainly not be very pleasant reading to
those having a good demand to meet throughout
the winter and spring months. Was not the
original English grown white-skinned Artichoke
a sport from the coloured form V I was under the
impression, perhaps from unreliable evidence, it
was so. — W. S., Wi/ts.

Early Broccoli.— Doubtless many growers
lack abundance of Broccoli after the Autumn
Protecting is over. This is a splendid autumn
vegetaljle, and I have tried to get it in quantity
from now till February, but so far have not suc-
ceeded, as when sown for late supplies, with a
fine, warm autumn it turns in before Christmas.
I have tried others, and several appear gool

Decembbr 25, 1897.]

THE GARDEN.

513

for the season named, but as only a small trial
has been given, it is too early to write of their
merits. \\'o have Snow's Winter White, a Rood
old variety recommended for midwinter supplies,
but it is not relialilc, so far as the supply is con-
cerned, as of late years I have cut this variety
from December to March and it varies greatly in
(juality and shape. For many 3'ears Snow's
Winter White was the best winter variety grown.
If sown in April it usually turned in in December
in warm gardens. In northern localities it was
well to sow earlier than date named. I fear the
true stoc^k is almost lost, as of late it appears
much altered, being coarser and later. A variety
which came in very early last year called Im-
proved White S|)routing was much liked. This
was very free and produced small heails in
abundance. Favourite is a very fine Broccoli for
February and early March, but a dwarf form to
give a supply in succession to the Self-Protecting
would be a great boon to growers. I note dwai'f,
as I find these are the most reliable in cur \'ariable
winters. I find there is most demand for good
Broccoli at tlie .season named, as the supplies of
other good things are on the wane. — S. M.

Societies and Exhibitions.

NATIONAL DAHLIA SOCIETY.
The annual meeting was held on Tuesday, Decem-
ber 14, IStiT, at the Hotel Windsor, the ]iresident,
Mr. T. W. tJirdlestone, in the chair. The past
year has been a very successful one for the societ}' ;
there has been a considerable accession of mem-
bers, the income has correspondingly increased,
and a substantial balance remains in hand. It is
worthy of remark that over T-") per cent, of the
annual income is disbursed in prizes at the Dalilia
show at the Crystal Palace. The e.xtent of the
exhibition of September last surpassed that of
previous years. Increased exhibits of all types of
Dahlias were staged, singles alone e.xcepted. The
quality was also better, and left little to be desired
in the majority of the classes. The great national
celebration of the year was represented by a
special decorative class of large size to illustrate
the great development of the Dahlia during the
reign of Her Majesty. New classes had ''been
added to the schedule for vase decoration and for
new members respectively. These were all
successful, and will be continued next year. The
large increase in the number of entries in some of
the Cactus classes for amateurs is indicative of
the extent to which the culture of this section is
being taken up. Still more rapid advances may
be anticipated in the future.

The committee deeply regret the loss by death
of Dr. Hogg, a distinguished vice-president of
the society. The Dean of Rochester and Sir E.
Saunders become patrons of the society, whilst
the Duchess of Sutherland, Countess of Pem-
broke, Viscountess Sherbrooke, and Lady Pen-
zance have become patronesses. Mr. T. Pendered
president of tlie Wellingborough Dahlia Society,'
was elected a vice-president in the room of the
late Dr. Hogg.

Classes have been provided in 18!)S for twenty-
four blooms of Cactus varieties, distinct, in the
nurserymen's section, and for eighteen blooms,
distinct, of shows or fancies, or intermixed, in the
amateur section. An open class for a shower
bouquet of Cactus Dahlias has also been added.
Mr. F. W. Fellowes kindly offered a silver cup
for the best Dahlia bloom in the show.

The list of Cactus Dahlias was reviserl for the
coming year, and now stands as follows : —
(-'vole

Alfred Vasey

Annie Jones

Annie T^arner

Arachne

Beatrice

Bertha llawley

Britannia

Capstan

Chas. Wocdbridgo

Cinderella

Countess of Gosford

Daffodil

Delicata

Earl of Pembroke

E. J. Deal

Fantasy

FusiHer

Gloriosa

Harmony

Harry Stredwiok

lona

IsUnd Queen

J. E. Frewer

.JuHrozi

Kpynes' White

I.iiilv I'enziinco

.Miu'y lliUier

Jliu-y Service

Maleliless

May I'ictor

Jliss A. Niu'htingale

Mrs. A. Heck

Mis. A. Peart

Mrs. Harnes

Mrs. Gordon Sloane

Mrs. H. Cannell

Mrs. John Goddard

Mrs. Leopold Seymour

Mrs. Montetinre

Mrs. Wilson Nob'.e

\igbt

Kegulus

Robert Cannell

Starfish

Tillie

Violet Morgan

Royal Horticultural Society and 'Victoria

medal. — At a meeting of council held on Decem-
ber 14 it was decided to issue a diploma to all the
recipients of the Victoria medal of honour. It
was also unanimously resolved : " That in the
event of any recipient violating the conditions on
which the Victoria medal of honour was bestowed,
by using it for ad\ertising or for the promotion
of trade interests in any other way, the name of
such otl'ender shall be struck off' the list."

National Chrysanthemum Society. — The

general committee of this society held a meeting
on Monday last at Anderton's Hotel, Mr. T. W.
Sanders in the chair, and there was a full attend-
ance of members. The secretary announced that
the floral committee meetings already fixed for
November is and December V2, 1S9S, would not
be held. Letters were read from Messrs. Addison
and Moorman resigning their posts on the floral
and general committees, the latter gentleman
being retiuested to reconsider his decision. A
discussion arose on the recommendation of the
schedule sub-committte that a new class for
twelve vases of specimen blooms of Japanese
varieties, distinct, each vase to contain five
blooms standing a foot above the top of the
vase with no foliage on the stems, but foliage
to be on separate stems be made, the prizes to be
as follows: £20, £l."), £10, and £.5. It was also
announced that the president, Sir Edwin
Saunders, had oli'ered to give a special prize of
the value of £13. The Royal Aquarium Com-
pany also otTered to su|>ply the prizes in the
class for twenty-four Japanese, distinct, amount-
ing to the sum of £.'!0 and being divided as fol-
lows : First prize. £8 and a gold medal ; second
prize, £G ; third prize, £.'> ; fourth prize, £4 ; and
a fifth prize of £'2. A list of other special prizes
was also read out. After a somewhat length}'
discussion, the report of the schedule sub-com-
mittee as regards all the shows was adopted.
The judges nominated for the various shows were
then duly elected, with reserves in each case.
New members were elected and the Dundee Chry-
santhemum Society was admitted in athliation.

Magnolia Yulan fruiting'. — Not long ago I
noticed on a large tree of Magnolia conspicua
some red knobs about the size of a Cherry, with a
tassel of about an inch long hanging out near the
base. On being gathered they were found to
contain a scarlet seed. The best one contained a
seed which was plump and of good size. Can you
tell me if it is a very unusual thing for the tree
to fruit in England, and if the seeds are of any
use ';— Fk.vncks C. C. Kexxaed, Shopiri/h Hoii.ii,
Chif/irster.

*,* It is unusual for this to fruit in England.
We have asked several people who possess large
specimens, and they tell us they have never seen
any seed. We believe it fruits in France. Have
any readers of The G.^rdex seen it fruiting in
England '/—Ed.

The weather in 'West Herts. — On the Kith
the reading in shade was ."iti^, which is the highest
shade temperature recorded here in December for
nine years. Since then, however, there has been
a rapid fall in temperature, and on the 21st the
mercury at no time rose above 37°. The nights
were mostly warm for the time of year, the
exposed thermometer never showing more than
7° of frost. At 2 feet deep the ground is still 2'
warmer than is seasonable, but at 1 foot deep the

reading is now slightly below the average for this
depth. Some rain fell on three days during the
week, but the amounts measured i>ro\ed very
snuill. Throughout the last three days the wind
has come almo.st exclusively from some easterly
point of the compass. On the l.'ith nearly si.\
hours of bright sunshine were recorded, but, on
the other hand, the last four days have been alto-
gether suidess. — E. M., BurkhamxtfiJ.

Notes of the Week.

Late Rose?.— So Ute as the IGth of the present

iiiontl. capital blooms of two well-known Hoses were
noted in a garden having no special facility for their
culture. The kinds were Dupuy Jamaiu and Sou-
veuir tie la Malniaison, and iu eacb instance they were
repreEentcd by good tiowers.

Banksian Rose.— I send you a Epray of yellnw
Banksian Rose, one of several gathered in a garden
near here on December 18. To make up the buu'juet
there were Neapolitan Violets and Lonicera Standislii,
an unusual assortment from the open harder so near
Christmas. — T. H. Akcher-Hinu, Coombejishacre,
South. Deiun.

Primula Princess is one of the fiufEt of the
double varieties of l\ sinensis, and as such by lo
ireans easy of culture. At the same time, the large
handsome blossoms are of considei able service during
the winter, particularly in those gardens wherj a larga
or c mtinaous supply of button-hole flowers is neede J.
In these respects the variety of colour found ia the
group is also of service.

Pelargonium Niagai a. —Possibly among (he
white flowered /.'inals this variety is une<iualiod either
in the form, siza or purity of its Mowers. In nil
tjes* respects the variety appea a to lie well-Di;.^li
perfection— so far, indeed, as the present-day Horitts
nave arranged such a standard (f mer.t or excellence.
Of precisely the opposite shade is a kind beiiing the
name Owen Thomas, a very fine crimson, with a small,
ytt conspicuous white eye.

Brownea coccinea. — Though possessing a
.somewhat straggling habit of growth, there is
somethnig exceptionally brilliant and striking in
the compact trusses of brilliant orange-.scarlet
flowers as now seen on a large example in the
Palm house at Kew. Flowering much earlier in
the year would doubtless give a decided increase
of its richlj'-coloured heads, when the tree would
be indeed attractive.

Araiia Sieboldi in North 'Wales. —This
plant has been greatly admired during the short
days of November and December. It is growing
here in company with Rhododendrons, and the
dark glossy foliage shows the branching spikes of
silvery flowers to great advantage. It has been
planted over twenty-five years, and is now 9 feet
through the centre and 7 feet high. It is grow-
ing in light stony soil fairly well exposed to the
sun. — W. CoATEs, (j'orihUiwij, X. Waltn.

Plumbago rosea. — At any season of the year
this is a beautiful plant, more so at the pre-
sent time when flowering subjects are rather
scarce. There is also much to admire in a growth
that is not in the least degree formal, and v\-hich
is more than ever pleasing when freely studded
with its charming rose - pink sprays. During
winter the flowering is not so abundant, but its
lovely colour renders it most attractive and wel-
come now, even though the sprays are but sparsely
produced.

Begonia Gloire de Sceaux. — This is a most
valuable kind for winter flowering alike in the
handsome foliage as well as the pretty heads of
blossoms. The plant would indeed be worth
attention for its effective foliage alone. Like
many others of its tribe, this kind is useful in
small or large plants, forming in the latter really
grand specimens. At the laat meeting of the
Royal Horticultural Society a nice lot of plants
was s'aged, and mixed with useful Palms made a
very pleasing group.

Chrysanthemum Golden Dart. — This [leas-
ing late .lapanese kind is largel}' grown at .S} on
by Mr. Wythes for its late flowering. Not only
is it a naturally late kind, but it is also reliable

514

THE GARDEN.

[December 25, 1897;

and opens its blossoms well even in bad weather.
Some of the so-called late-flowering varieties are
very liable to give blind shoots only, which is
most disappointing after spending a season grow-
ing the plants. So really valuable has the above
proved this year at Syon, that Mr. Wythes is in-
creasing his stock for another year.

Koman Hyacinths. — Of the beauty and value
of Roman Hyacinths we were reminded the other
day by a really splendid group in one of the houses
at Syon House, and, much as one admires them
in the ordinary way, their value is enhanced when
seen in bold effective masses. Good culture was
evident in fine spikes and foliage also. Too fre-
quently in the early batches the foliage is sacri-
ficed to a considerable degree by undue forcing or
the endeavour to rush them too tjuickly into
bloom. Mr. Wythes evidently approves of giving
a little more time and is amply repaid bj' the ex-
cellent results that ensue.

Cypripedium insigne at Syon House. --At
the present time there is a splendid lot of the
above in full bloom, fine plants in medium-sized
pots. It is doubtful if in general usefulness this
old kind in its best forms is surpassed by many of
the more recent novelties. The length of time
the flowers remain fresh either on or off the plants
is remarkable, while its easy culture readily com-
mends it to all. All the summer long tlie whole
of this kind with some few others are relegated to
pits and frames in the open, a course of treatment
which has been adopted by Mr. Wythes for some
years with excellent results. Now that the
plants are flowering profusely they make a fine
display in a long lean-to structure. Such well-
known varieties of C. insigne as Maulei and vio-
laceum are also in flower, the latter very distinct
and finely marked. As seen here this well-known
plant constitutes a most valuable midwinter
Orchid, at once free flowering, reliable, and easy
of cultivation.

Iris stylosa alba.— In more than one posi-
tion at Kew just now this ever welcome winter
kind is flowering profusely, many spikes already
past and gone. There yet remains, however,
quite a large number of spikes to keep up a suc-
cession of blossoms for some time. One item which
strikes one is the variability both of foliage and
flower in the Kew examples. In the typical spe-
cies the foliage possesses considerable \-ariety,
while the flowers vary from pale to deep in their
pleasing shades. The white kind above men-
tioned has quite broad leaves, while a form known

as I. s. speciosa has very narrow leaf blades and
quite dwarf tufts. The examples now in flower
are all of good size, and with their crowns closely
packed against the wall appear quite content.
The plants are equally happy, however, in any
position, affording protection from very keen,
biting winds that damage the points of the leaves
and appear also to check the flowering. Doubt-
less the examples at Kew have received material
assistance not merely from the wall, but also from
the mild season.

Public Gardens.

A park for Ventnor.-The trustees of the
estate of Mrs. Ewans, the owner of Lofty Down-
rise, above Ventnor, one spot of which is the
highest point of land in the Isle of Wight, have
intimated that it is Mrs. Evans's intention to
make the town a present of the Downs for the use
and recreation of the public for ever. The Downs
comprise several hundred acres, and the summit
commands a wide range of view over the whole
island and parts of Hampshire and Sussex. —
Time.

Ne'w open space in the East of London.
The Parks and Open Spaces Committee of the
London County Council propose to acquire in
Grace Street, Bromley, in the East of Lonflon, a
plot of land, an acre and a half in extent, whicli
shall be laid out as an open space for the enjoj'-
ment of the inhabitants of the locality. The
purchase money is fixed at £0000 ; £1700 will
be required for laying-out and boundary fencing,
and the space will involve an annual charge of
£"250 for maintenance.

Ham Common. — Ham Common, Surrey, as
to which there has been a good deal of litigation
between the villagers and tlie Dysart Trustees, is
about to be placed in tlie hands of a board of
conservators, a memorial to that effect haxing
been presented to the Board of Agriculture. In
response to this appeal, the Board of Agriculture
have, under the Metrojjolitan Commons Acts,
1860 and 1878, issued a draft scheme for the
future management of the common. The scheme
provides that the common shall be managed by
a bod}' of conservators, who shall ha\-e full
power to preserve the common for the use of
the public, to enclose portions of it for cricket

grounds, to prevent encroachments, to frame bye-
laws, and to enforce penalties for infringement of
them.

Churchyard Bottom Wood. —The Parks and
Open Spaces Committee of the London County
Council in a report which they have just issued
state that at the latter part of the year 1895 they
had before them an application from the Hornsey
Urban District Council for a contribution of £5000
towards the purchase-money required for the
acquisition of Churchyard Bottom Wood. At that
time the Council could not legally make the con-
tribution. Since then authority had been given
by Parliament by the High^ate Woods Preserva-
tion Act, 1897, for the Council to assist in securing
this land as a place of public recreation. They
had been urged by the Commons Preservation
Society, the Kyrle Society, the Metropolitan
Public Gardens Association, and many residents
in the district to recommend the Council to make
a contribution of money towards acquiring the
land, and, after mature consideration, they were
of opinion that the Council should assist in the
preservation of this desirable open space. It was
true that the wood was outside the county of
London, but it was so near as to be readily
accessible to the inhabitants of the northern
districts. And it was right that they should
draw attention to the fact that, owing to
the rapidity with which the area of the county
was being covered with houses, it was already
jjractically impossilile to provide any more large
open spaces in the central, northern, or eastern
districts, except by the purchase of property at
enormous cost ; and it therefore seemed to them
advisable that the Council should join with the
other public bodies in preserving this wood for
the public benefit. The committee recommend a
contribution by the Council of £2500.

A query about Moss Roses.— I notice as
many as over forty Moss Roses in one list alone.
Will any of your readers kindly tell me how it
is we never, "or rarely, see Moss Roses in good
condition in the ordinai-y garden ; also if there
are any among the many Moss Roses that are
really worth growing, and if they are best on
their own roots? — R. U. S.

Name of fruit.

du CanaJa.

• Warm ie;/. — Apple Eeinette

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